All Obituaries

Retired Lt. Colonel Clayton E. Tillapaugh, USAF, 97, went to his eternal rest with God on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Greenfield Assisted Living of Fredericksburg Virginia, where he had resided for many years. Clayton was the youngest of five children and was born in Mineral Springs, New York on July 7, 1921 to Edwin Ray Tillapaugh and Helen Mary (Smith) Tillapaugh. He was a graduate of Clarkson Tech in Potsdam, now Clarkson University, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in...

Former Cobleskill resident, Ada Malette, passed peacefully on February 9, 2019 at St. Luke's Health Services in Oswego, NY.  While living in Cobleskill, Ada was an active member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and taught Sunday School at the United Methodist Church with her husband, John Malette.  She had been employed at Lew Wilson Insurance.  Ada and her husband enjoyed running the Walk Away Sundae booth at the Cobleskill Sunshine Fair. Ada was predeceased...

Richmondville- Janice E. Scott, 77, of Smith Road, died Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. Born June 3, 1941 in the family home in West Richmondville, she was the daughter of Catharine (Miller) and Walter C. Lott, Sr. A lifelong area resident, Janice graduated from the former Richmondville Central School.  She held various jobs in her adulthood, but that which was most meaningful  was owning the Boulevard Inn in Canajoharie and being an operator at...

Cobleskill- Alvana S. Grasso, 96, formerly of Cobleskill, died Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, NY. Born on October 6, 1922 in North Harpersfield, she was the daughter of Anna (Coons) and Horace W. Rifenbark, Sr. She married Frank M. Grasso on January 4, 1942 and he predeceased her in 2002.  She was also predeceased by her daughter, Gloria; and sons:  Frank and LeRoy; daughter-in-law, Clara, and grandson, Nathan. Survivors include her...

Cobleskill- Lee Frederick Empie, Jr., 93 years young, entered into eternal rest on April 3, 2019 surrounded by his children at his home. He was born November 3, 1925 in Seward, New York  to Lee F. and Nancy (Mattice) Empie. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-nine years, Ruth (Maynard) Empie. Together they raised four children, Carol Jump, Fort Mill, SC; Sandra Torrant (John) of Cary, NC; Lee F. Empie III, Knox, NY; Janet Hewitt (Todd), Rochester, NY. Also preceding...

Cobleskill-Winifred M. Blair, 87, Jersey Lane, died Friday, March 29, 2019 at Palatine Nursing Home, Palatine Bridge. She was born April 7, 1931, in Flushing, NY and was the daughter of William J. and Winifred (Kilbridge) Quinn. Winifred was an early female small business owner as a proprietor at Cheese ‘N Things in Riverhead, New York. . She was a personal chef to former New York State Governor Hugh Cary. After moving upstate to Seward, she worked as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman for...

Esperance — Jason E. Griffis, 47, of Main Street, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Born October 28, 1971, in Amityville, he was the beloved son of the late John and Janet (Butzbach) Griffis, who died in 2008 and 2017, respectively. Jason grew up in Long Island and was a member of the Rocky Point Fire Department, which played a large part in his life. Later in life, he moved upstate where he volunteered for Carlisle Fire Department and worked for over 20 years at...

Richmondville-David “Scott” Sperbeck, 61 of Richmondville, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Albany Medical Center. Born September 28, 1957 in Cobleskill, he is the son of the late Fred and Justine (Osbourne) Sperbeck. Scott was a graduate of the former Richmondville Central School. He worked at Bellevue Builders for 25 years and more recently worked for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in Hobart as a packager. Scott cherished and loved his family very much. Survivors...

East Worcester- Louis K. Roth, 82, of Lutheranville Road, died Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home in Stamford where he had been a resident for the past few years. He was born April 15, 1936 in the Bronx and was the son of John and Elsie (Habenicht) Roth.  Louis was a United States Army veteran, serving our country from 1955 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1957.  For many years he was employed at Paddock Pools in Albany as a contractor. Survivors...

Cobleskill-John E. Sielaff, 61, of State Route 10, died Friday, March 15, 2019 in the comfort of his home with family and friends surrounding him. Born August 14, 1957 in Mineola, NY he was the son of Carol (Waite) and the late Ernest P. Sielaff, Jr.  John was the proprietor of John’s Septic Service for many years before illness forced him to sell his business. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aeries of Cobleskill #2695 and Cobleskill Volunteer Fire...