Obituaries

Dec 19, 2024

POUGHKEEPSIE - Elizabeth Lou Burchfield, 87, an area resident for over 50 years, died on December 19, 2024 at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Born in Yonkers on March 9, 1937, she was the daughter of Alexander Cameron and Rena (Dyer) Porter. Elizabeth had been employed as a cook for New York State...

Dec 18, 2024

Marni

Early yesterday morning, December 18, 2024, my wife, Marni Bakst, finally lost her two-year battle with cancer. After what has been an amazing forty-five years of marriage I don't think I can fathom or put into words much of this yet. Maybe with time and a little distance I'll find it easier to describe...

Dec 16, 2024

Stanley Louis Wojciechowski, a past resident of Hopewell Junction and Fishkill, New York, passed away on December 16, 2024, in Loris, South Carolina at the age of 80.

Stan was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, schooled at St. Mary's Grammar School, De Witt Clinton H.S. and was a proud Veteran of the U.S....

Dec 16, 2024

Rosalinda D'Aquino, 76, passed away on December 16, 2024 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Born on August 17, 1948 in Manhattan, Rosalinda was the daughter of the late Antonio Castro and Paula Oterro. She was talented and adventurous in many aspects of her life. She was a master of shopping and gifting to others, a passionate decorator, a music lover,...

Dec 16, 2024

Jean Oakley Teske passed away peacefully at her home on December 16, 2024. She was 99 years old.

A resident of Fishkill for more than 70 years, Jean was born on 8/28/25 in the Bronx, New York to George and Ada Oakley. For most of her childhood, Jean, and her two older brothers George and...

Dec 15, 2024

Anthony Musarra, a resident of Fishkill, NY for more than 30 years and formerly of Yonkers, NY, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, NY. He was 62.

Son of the late Gaetano and Antoinette (Ciccone) Musarra, he was born in Yonkers on June 25, 1962. Anthony was a longtime employee...

Dec 14, 2024

WAPPINGERS FALLS - Joseph D. Hamel, 44, a lifelong area resident, passed away unexpectedly on December 14, 2024, at his home. Born in Poughkeepsie on December 27, 1979, he was the son of Harvey and Anne (DesRochers) Hamel.

Joe was employed at the Gap Distribution Center in Fishkill. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching...

Dec 13, 2024

Michael McMillan

Life has given us a wonderful family, a happy home and love for each other.

I am so grateful to have had you as my husband, as a father to our children, an amazing grandfather, uncle, cousin and friends beyond imagination.

Please join us to celebrate the...

Dec 13, 2024

BEEKMAN - Frederick Calderon, 86, an area resident since 1975 and formerly of Manhattan and the Bronx, died on December 13, 2024 at The Paramount at Somers.

Born in Manhattan on February 4, 1938, he was the son of the late Alberto and Anna (Lopez) Calderon. Frederick attended PS 149 in Brooklyn and proudly served our country...

Dec 12, 2024

POUGHKEEPSIE - Eileen A. Hoffmann, 72, an area resident since 1984 and formerly of New City, died on December 12, 2024 at her home. She was a devoted wife and mother, and an avid animal advocate.

Born in New York City on January 29, 1952, she was one of ten children of the late Richard and Elizabeth...

Dec 12, 2024

Michael Thomas Hessler, 67, a resident of Hyde Park and formerly of Stormville, Carmel and Florida, died on December 12, 2024 at his home.

Born in Yonkers on January 15, 1957, he was the son of the late Michael and Sally (Paone) Hessler. Michael had been employed as a manager for Monroe Tire Shop in Danbury, CT....

Dec 12, 2024

Debra Ann Rufino, 67, an area resident for more than 30 years and formerly of the Bronx, died unexpectedly on December 12, 2024 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

Born in Manhattan on March 16, 1957, she was the daughter of the late Jan and Mary (Lynch) Witte. Debra had worked as a teaching assistant for the Wappingers...

Dec 11, 2024

Peggy Jo Ladue-Maguire, a resident of Delmar, NY, died peacefully after a brief battle with lung cancer on December 11, 2024 at Hudson Valley Hospice House in Hyde Park, surrounded by family.

Born Peggy Jo Maddock in Yonkers on December 15, 1967, she was the youngest of five daughters born to Richard and Patricia Rohme...

Dec 11, 2024

Marian C. Phimister passed away on December 11, 2024 at the age of 80. She was born in the Bronx on May 26, 1944 to the late Gustave and Jane (Flanagan) Kousek.

Marian was 1 of 4 girls who grew up in the Bronx. She loved and shared a special bond with her 3 sisters....

Dec 11, 2024

LAGRANGEVILLE - Malvina Grace Taschler passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. A Bronx native, she was 99 years old. A longtime resident of Hopewell Junction, New York, Malvina and her husband, Edward John Taschler married on December 9, 1951. Edward passed away on June 8, 1998. Malvina gave birth to three daughters: Jennifer Morton and husband Robert of...

Dec 9, 2024

MILLBROOK - Michael L. Duke, 70, died on December 9, 2024 after a long fought illness stemming from the 9/11 WTC attacks. He was a lifelong area resident.

Born in Manhattan on December 11, 1953, Michael was the son of the late Lee and Roberta (Roulhac) Duke. He attended Millbrook High School where he was...

Dec 9, 2024

POUGHKEEPSIE - It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Daniel Porter, of Poughkeepsie, NY, on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the age of 47 years old.

Daniel "Danny" loved to buy and cook good food while being surrounded by his loved ones. He was happiest when everyone was...

Dec 8, 2024

Martin Carl Kazimir, a longtime resident of Fishkill, NY and formerly of West Sand Lake, NY and Yonkers, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 8, 2024. He was 79.

Son of the late Carl and Helen (Turek) Kazimir, he was born in Yonkers, NY on August 19, 1945. He graduated from Bordentown Military Institute...

Dec 7, 2024

Thomas Michael Shay Jr. passed away on December 7, 2024 at the age 82. He was born in Yonkers, NY on May 11, 1942 to the late Thomas Michael Shay Sr. and Marjorie (Hamilton) Shay. On April 23, 1981 in Mount Vernon, NY, Thomas married Alice (Williams) Shay. Alice predeceased him in 2021.

Thomas was...

Dec 7, 2024

Paul T. Harris, a beloved resident of the Hudson Valley for over 50 years, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024, at the Hudson Valley Hospice House in Hyde Park, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Paul was the son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Schuyler) Harris. The family later settled in Blauvelt,...