Ronald Rush Emery
December 29, 2012

Ronald Rush Emery, 76 of Fonda, NY passed away Saturday evening, December 29, 2012 at his home with his loving family at his side.
Born in Buffalo, NY on September 30, 1936, he was the son of the late Clark and Isabel Carlish Emery. He lived in Montgomery County for his entire life and was a graduate of St. Johnsville High School. Upon graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy on active duty and as a reservist for 8 years. On September 1, 1957 he married Sally Lee Klock.
Rush’s interest in law enforcement began at the age of 12 when St. Johnsville Chief of Police Ben Walrath gave him license plates “to look out for” while perched on the front step of his family’s store. His professional career began in August 1960 when he was appointed as a deputy sheriff by Sheriff Alton Dingman. He was selected to serve as county investigator/undersheriff by Sheriff William S. Wert in July 1966. In October 1974 he was appointed by Governor Malcolm Wilson to serve as Montgomery County Sheriff upon Mr. Wert’s retirement. Mr. Emery was the first sheriff in New York State to serve all his terms unopposed in the general election. He retired in October 1997 after 37 years of distinguished service to the people of Montgomery County.
During his years in law enforcement Sheriff Emery graduated from the National FBI Academy in Quanitco, VA, the National Corrections Academy in Boulder, CO and the National Sheriff’s Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He also served as an instructor at numerous fire and law enforcement programs. Sheriff Emery was a member and chairman of the executive committee of the New York State Sheriff’s Association and was a member of the National Sheriff’s Association. He was also a former member of Rotary International.
Sheriff Emery pioneered several groundbreaking programs at the sheriff’s department which included the K-9 unit, 911 system, dive team, SWAT unit and in an effort to combat high rates of recidivism, an inmate GED program. He oversaw the construction of the public safety building that bears his name.
During his retirement, Rush continued to enjoy his lifelong interests. He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii, and to Europe. His part-time work at the Agway Garden Center allowed him to indulge in his love of gardening. He was an avid reader, stamp collector, history buff and outdoorsman. Of all his      passions, the one that escaped him though was seeing his beloved Chicago Cubs win a World Series.
In addition to his loving wife of 55 years, survivors include his beloved children, Jill M. Emery of Fonda, NY, Jamie L. (Dr. Charles) March of Glendale, CA, Shawn K. (Susan) Emery of Hagaman, NY, Richard J. (Bonnie) Emery of Amsterdam, NY, Joel A. (Brooke) Emery of San Diego, CA, Holly A. (Michael) Emery-Wheeler, Albany, NY and Todd C. (Stephanie) Emery of St. Johnsville, NY. He has eight beautiful grandchildren that he adored – Nicholas, Jonathan, Brittney, Julia, Will, Isabella, Madison and Devin, one great grandchild, Nathan Acosta, four step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by several sister and brother-in-laws that were like his own siblings.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 2:30 pm at the Fonda Reformed Church, Broadway, Fonda, NY with Rev. Karen Paterson officiating. Interment will be in the spring with full military honors at the West St. Johnsville Cemetery, St. Johnsville, NY. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 4, 2013 from 3 to 7 pm at the Jackson and Betz Funeral Home, Main Street, Fultonville, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, the Montgomery County Office for Aging, P.O. Box 52, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.
Please sign the family guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com

Shirley Rose Hoyt
December 30, 2012

Shirley Rose Hoyt of Sprakers, NY, passed away peacefully at her son’s home with her loving family by her side on December 30, 2012. The daughter of the late Isadore and Rose Murcray Bezio, she was born in Keeseville, NY on November 8, 1930.
 She married Richard A. Hoyt on June 24, 1956, they shared a union of forty years until his passing in 1996. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother. She was employed by the Kreskie Company and the Esquire Novelties Companies in Amsterdam for many years. She also worked for a time at the Palatine Nursing Home. She also helped her husband for many years on their family farm.
Shirley enjoyed camping, fishing, reading and cooking for her       family. She also enjoyed doing word searches and the companionship of her dog and cat.
Her loving family includes her son, John R. Hoyt and his wife Karla of Canajoharie, grandson Jason Cooper(Anne), granddaughter Jessica R. Hoyt, great granddaughters, Alice and Raegan Cooper; sisters in law, Carol Bezio and Bessie Bezio  along with several nieces, nephews and cousins that also survive.
In addition to her husband Richard A. Hoyt, she is predeceased by a sister Eleanor F. Bobar and brothers Walter, James and Isadore Bezio.
A funeral service for Shirley will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2012 at 5pm at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street Canajoharie, NY 13317. Rev. Dr. RW Williams will officiate. Family and friends are invited to visit from 3pm until 5pm before the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville NY 12078. Please visit the family’s online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.

E. Stephen VanDusen
December 28, 2012

E. Stephen VanDusen, 73, Baldwinsville and formerly of Adams, passed away Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Monroe Regional Hospital in Ocala, Florida.
Steve was born December 11, 1939 in Little Falls, NY, a son to Everett and Clara VanDusen. He was raised in Palatine Bridge, NY, located in the Mohawk Valley, and graduated from Canajoharie High School. Steve continued his education at Harper College (now SUNY Binghamton) for two years, transferring to Murray State University in Kentucky where he received his bachelors degree. He did graduate work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and earned his Masters Degree in Education Administration from St. Lawrence University, Canton.
In his early teaching years, Mr. VanDusen was the basketball coach at Sackets Harbor School, later becoming the basketball coach at Union Academy Belleville from 1970-1976. Steve then served as athletic director and principal at Indian River Central High School. Following his retirement from Indian River in 1989, Steve went back to coaching basketball as an assistant coach for one year at Canton College, three years at Jefferson Community College in Watertown and one year at Glenville State College in West Virginia.
“Coach” VanDusen enjoyed playing golf with friends and was an avid New York Yankees baseball fan.
Steve married Judy Fowler October 5, 1963 in St. Johnsville, NY. Mr. and Mrs. VanDusen have been winter residents of Summerfield, Florida since 1999.
Steve is survived by his wife Judy and his daughter Shelly VanDusen, Baldwinsville, NY.
A memorial service was held 2 pm Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the Beyers Funeral Chapel, Lady Lake, Florida. A memorial service will be held locally in the spring at a day and time to be announced.
Contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse, 2100 East Fayette St., Syracuse, NY 13224
An online guestbook and condolences may be made at            www.carpenterstoodley.com.

James B. Ward
December 29, 2012

Mr. James B. Ward, 76, formerly of Otsego Street, Canajoharie died peacefully on Friday December 29, 2012 after a long illness. Born in Fort Plain, New York on April 11, 1936 he was the son of the late Harley and Caroline Hurd Ward.
A lifelong area resident, Jim was employed for 36 years for the NYS DOT based in Fultonville and also served as Superintendent of the Ames Cemetery for 13 years. A true community leader, Jim was active in several organizations throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the BPOE #2621 and was Past Exalted Ruler. He served as a Trustee on the Village Board of Canajoharie and was a Deputy Mayor. Jim also was a member and past chief of the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department. He also served as Deputy Fire Coordinator for Montgomery County and was a member of the County Cause and Origin Team.
In 1956 he enlisted with the United States Air Force and served proudly for four years as a Military Police Officer until he was         honorably discharged.
Above all, he loved his family. He enjoyed being a Coach with Canajoharie Little League and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Jean Phetteplace Ward; his daughter, Julie Meka and Louis Rush of Canajoharie; two sons, Jeffrey Ward and his wife Lisa of Schenectady and Jerry Ward and his wife Sandra of Canajoharie; one brother, William Ward and his wife Mary of Arizona; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Ward, Jr., Caleb Ward, Samantha Ward, Alicia (Tyrell) Homkey, Jonathan Ward, James Ward and Cory Meka; three great grandchildren, Grace, Aiden and Matthew; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Herman, John and Richard Ward and Mary Kelder; and one grandson Aaron.
Funeral services for Jim will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 11 o’clock at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home. Interment will take place in the spring in the Ames Cemetery. Relatives and friends were  invited to call at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 5 until 8p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 28, Canajoharie, NY 13317 the Ames Cemetery Association, 55 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317, the BPOE #2621, Old Station Road, Nelliston, NY 13410 or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steel Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of his neighbors at Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.
Please visit the online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.

Mrs. Josephine “Buff” Colorito
December 27, 2012

Mrs. Josephine “Buff” Colorito, 94, formerly of Thumb Rd., passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at the St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she had been a resident for the last 8 years
Josephine was born on August 29, 1918, in Frankfort, daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (LoPresto) Riscica. She attended Albany Schools. Josephine spent most of her life in St. Johnsville where she was employed by several area businesses. On March 22, 1947 she was united in marriage with Joseph Colorito at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Their loving union lasted 44 year until his passing on January 29, 1991.
Survivors include her 3 children: Gene (Marie) Colorito of St. Johnsville, Cynthia Gould of Rome and Richard (Teddi) Colorito of St. Johnsville; her 7 grandchildren: Anita (David) Tomasek of Rotterdam, Gina (Thomas) Ciaccio of Gloversville, Jason (Stephanie) Colorito of Dolgeville, Rebecca (Brett) Patrei of Amsterdam, Bethany (Mark) Porter of Gloversville, Jackie Gazaille of Rome and Sheila  (Robert) Kucharski of Canajoharie; her 14 great grandchildren: Joan Rose Gazaille, Robert and Ryan Kucharski, David and Chase Tomasek, Gianna and Joseph Ciaccio, Caelan, Trevor and Gavin Porter, Emma, Grace and Luke Patrei and Jacob Colorito and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters: Lucy Fletcher and Minnie Perry of St. Johnsville and her brothers Phillip and Cosemino Riscica of Albany.
The family received relatives and friends at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville (518-568-2300) from 2-6pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Her Mass of Christian Burial was          celebrated by Rev. Dennis Murphy at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church at 10am on Monday, December 31, 2012. Burial will take place in the spring of 2013 at St. Johnsville Cemetery.
The family is being cared for by Harry J. Enea and John P. Lewandowski, Funeral Directors. To offer an online message of       sympathy please go to www.eneafamily.com.

Mrs. Olga Hrobuchak
December 30, 2012

FORT PLAIN- Mrs. Olga Hrobuchak, 91, of State Hwy 163, passed away on December 30, 2012 at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown.
She was born on February 23, 1921 in Brooklyn, daughter of the late Metro and Eva (Stenach) Koralko. On September 7, 1943 she was united in marriage with Andrew Hrobuchak. They enjoyed a loving union of almost 51 years until his passing on January 13, 1994.
Olga was a proud veteran of WWII, serving with the WAC’s and being stationed in Denton, Texas. She worked at her father’s deli on Bedford Ave. in Greenpoint  as well as a bookkeeper for her husband’s two gas stations in Jericho and Woodbury, Long Island. She was also a clerk for the Greenpoint Savings Bank in Greenpoint.
Survivors include her son Ronald and his wife Yvonne of Fort Plain, her grandchildren: Ryan, Kristin and her husband Chris and Nicholas and her nieces Carol Stoddard and Alanna Capponi. She was             predeceased  by her son Andrew G., her granddaughter Courtney, her brothers Alexander and Jack and her sister Mary.
In keeping with her wishes there are no calling hours. A funeral     service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January  5, 2013 at Sts. Peter and  Paul’s Orthodox Church in Herkimer with Father John Udics    officiating. Burial will take place in the spring of  2013 at Sts Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Army.
The family is being cared for by the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville, NY (518-568-2300), John P. Lewandowski and Harry J. Enea Funeral Directors. To offer an online message of sympathy please go to www.eneafamily.com.