Monday, December 10, 2001

Bertha M. Earing

Mrs. Bertha M. Earing, 93, of Cliff Street, Canajoharie, died early Sunday morning, Dec. 9, at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam, after a brief illness.

She was born on April 30, 1908 in Morrisonville, N.Y., the daughter of Frederick and Delphine Jesse Rock. Mrs. Earing was educated at the former Morrisonville Country School in Morrisonville, Clinton County, N.Y. She previously resided in Plattsburgh, N.Y. and had been a Canajoharie resident since 1943.

Mrs. Earing was a mother and homemaker.

She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Canajoharie, a member of the Altar Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Court Catherine Esther No. 1264.

Survivors include five daughters and sons-in law, Bernice Susi, Norma and William Fiacchi, Esther and Robert Nurnberger, all of Canajoharie; Iona and Paul Vaccaro of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. and Mickey and Joseph Russo of Concord, N.H.; one son and daughter-in-law, James F. and Margaret Earing of Earlville, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

On June 15, 1925 in Morrisonville, N.Y. she married Carl C. Earing Sr., who died on April 30, 1975. She also was predeceased by one son, Carl C. Earing Jr., who died on Jan. 12, 2000; and one son-in-law, Richard J. Susi, who died on Dec. 28, 1998.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home Inc., 20 Otsego St., Canajoharie. A prayer service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the funeral home, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian burial at Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, Cliff St., Canajoharie. The Rev. William J. Gaffigan will officiate. Burial will take place at Sts. Peter and Paul's Cemetery, Canajoharie in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, Cliff Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317; Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Service, PO Box 126, Canajoharie, NY. 13317; or Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 28, Canajoharie, NY 13317.

Katherine C. Liszewski

Mrs. Katherine C. Liszewski, 77, of Rockton Street, Amsterdam, died Friday morning at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam.

She was born on June 22, 1924 in Amsterdam, the daughter of John and Claire Stowell Collins Sr. She was a lifelong Amsterdam resident and attended St. Mary's Institute.

Mrs. Liszewski was a homemaker and a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Amsterdam.

She loved her family, enjoyed her time with them and loved to watch television shows.

She is survived by her loving family, two sons, Richard J. Liszewski and Dr. Timothy P. Liszewski, both of Amsterdam; two daughters, Carol Eckert of Clifton Park, N.Y. and Karen Liszewski of Amsterdam; three brothers, John Collins Jr., Joseph Collins and Elton Collins, all of Amsterdam; two sisters, Theresa (Ruth) Handy and Marilyn Bell, both of Amsterdam; seven grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Liszewski was married on Jan. 3, 1948, to her beloved Richard A. Liszewski, who died on Dec. 17, 1996. She also was predeceased by a brother, Charles Collins; and two sisters, Eilleen O'Brien and Elizabeth Collins.

The family received relatives and friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam. Funeral services were held at 9:15 a.m. today at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, East Main Street, Amsterdam. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Fort Johnson, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps, PO Box 11, Amsterdam, NY or to Diabetes American Association Inc., 50 Colvin Ave., Albany, NY 12206.

Steven E. Mihalik

Mr. Steven E. Mihalik, 82, of Houseman Street, Mayfield, N.Y., died Saturday, Dec. 8 at home.

He was born on Oct. 20, 1919 in Newark, N.J., the son of Stefan Mihalik and Anna Boor Mihalik. He was a private first-class in the Army 246th Field Artillery Pacific WWII.

He was employed by Engelhard in Newark, N.J. Mr. Mihalik resided in Iselin, N.J. before retiring in 1984.

He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Northville, N.Y.

He is survived by his son, Larry Mihalik, and wife Elaine of Northville; daughter, Loretta Vitello, and husband Anthony of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; brother, John Mihalik of Livingston, N.J.; sister, Anne Zemla of Mountainside, N.J.; granddaughters, Denise Morford of Fultonville, N.Y., Wendy Fox of East Dover, Vt. and Allyson Mihalik of Lakewood, Colo.; grandsons, Adam Mihalik of Northville; Walter Skodmin of Iselin, N.J., Guy Skodmin of Port St. Lucie and Troy Skodmin of Jackson, N.J.; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Mr. Mihalik was married on July 19, 1946 to Helen Glosenger, who passed away in 1986.

Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Northville Funeral Home, 401 Bridge St., and from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, N.J. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, at St. Philomena Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, N.J. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J.

Mary Helen Perrella Perna

Mrs. Mary Helen Perrella Perna, 95, of Gloversville, N.Y., died Saturday evening, Dec. 8 at Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home, Gloversville, following a short illness.

She was born on Sept. 7, 1906 in Gloversville, the daughter of Frank and Mary Giambolli Perrella. She was employed as a glove maker by her husband, Louis Perna Sr., and by her brother, Joseph Perrella.

Mrs. Perna was a member of Sacred Heart Church, its Rosary Society and the 55 Plus Senior Citizens Club.

She is survived by daughters, Theresa Piazza of Troy, N.Y., Congetta Putnam of Gloversville, Virginia Perna of Glens Falls and Linda Cook of Texas; sons, Donald Perna of Ilion, N.Y., Fred Perna of Johnstown, N.Y., Robert Perna of Watervliet, N.Y., Pasquale Perna, David Perna and Raymond Perna, all of Gloversville; brother, Alfred Perrella of Florida; 28 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was married to Louis Perna Sr. on Oct. 6, 1923. He died on April 26, 1963. She was also predeceased by sons, Louis Perna Jr. and Richard Perna; daughter, Adora J. Ort; sisters, Anna Lacs and Elsie Romano; brothers, Joseph Perrella and Albert Perrella.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., 51 Fremont St., Gloversville, where a prayer service will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Gloversville. The Rev. David L. Tressic will officiate. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 189 Kingsboro Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078, or the charity of one's choice.

Richard L. Rubscha

Richard L. Rubscha, 71, of East Ninth Avenue, Gloversville, died Sunday at his residence following a long illness.

He was born on Oct. 15, 1930 in Amsterdam, the son of the late Paul and Edna Siedel Rubscha. He was educated in Gloversville schools and served in the Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Rubscha was a meat cutter most of his life, working at the former Acme Market and P&C Market, where he retired in 1993 after many years.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Gloversville, and the Johnstown Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Donnelly Rubscha, whom he married on Oct. 8, 1955; three sons, Richard Rubscha of Peoria, Ariz., Mark Rubscha of Caroga Lake and Machinist Mate 1st class Thomas Rubscha, stationed with the Navy in Norfolk, Va.; two daughters, Deborah Vainauskas of Hagaman and Susan Smith of Gloversville; two brothers, Paul Rubscha of Johnstown and Robert Rubscha of Mayfield; seven grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by a sister, Marie Konik and a brother, Donald Rubscha Sr.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 147 Bleecker St., Gloversville. A prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and at 9:30 a.m. a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Gloversville. The Rev. David L. Tressic will be celebrant. Burial will take place at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Johnstown, in the spring. Contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 73 N. Main St., Gloversville.

Edward F. Aitken
January 4, 2001

Mr. Edward F. Aitken, 75, of Meadville, Pa., died Tuesday at Crawford County Care Center, Meadville

Born in Long Island City, Mr. Aitken was a 1942 graduate of Columbia High School, East Greenbush. He served in the Navy and retired in 1961 as a chief petty officer. He was employed as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1982.

Mr. Aitken was a member of Harmonsburg United Methodist Church, Meadville; and a former member of Trinity Reformed Church, Rotterdam, and Woestina Reformed Church, Rotterdam Junction.

He became an Eagle Scout in 1941 and was also a scoutmaster.

Survivors include his wife, the former Margaret Proper, whom he married on June 27, 1948; one daughter, Bonnie Williamson of Amsterdam; two sons, Bruce Aitken and Scott Aitken, both of Meadville; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A calling hour will be 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Harmonsburg United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will take place in Viewland Cemetery, Schenectady. Arrangements are by Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home, Meadville.

Anthony J. DeLuca
January 4, 2001

Mr. Anthony J. DeLuca, 84, of Waterford, Saratoga County, the brother of an Amsterdam resident, died Wednesday at Northwoods Extended Care Facility, Troy.

Born in Binghamton. Mr. DeLuca was educated in Schenectady schools and moved to Waterford in 1940.

He served in the Army during World War II. He was employed in the turbine division at General Electric Co., Schenectady, retiring in 1977 as a foreman.

Mr. DeLuca was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church; Charles J. Brady American Legion Post 235; Waterford Council 237, Knights of Columbus, and the GE Turbine Association.

Survivors include two sons, Armond M. DeLuca of Waterford and Albert A. DeLuca of Worcester, Mass.; one sister, Ida Scarborough of Muncie, Ind.; two brothers, Andrew DeLuca of Amsterdam and Joseph DeLuca of Schenectady; and two grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife, the former Viola Fannucci, who died in 1999.

Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St., Waterford. A service will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. At 9 a.m., a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery.