Hall & Higgins Funeral Home

Maria Zwack, of Stephentown, New York, passed away on April 19, 2022. Born in 1932 in the village of Bakonypoloske in Hungary, she was one of seven children of Frank and Ida Mohos, now deceased. She married Frank Zwack, who predeceased her on May 16, 2019, and during their 68 year marriage they raised two sons, Henry F. Zwack (Laura) and Frank J. Zwack (Deborah). She is also survived by five grandchildren, Bridget M. Roberts (Brian), F. Joseph Zwack (Amanda), Mark J. Zwack, Michael F. Zwack and John H. Zwack (Joella), and five great-grandchildren, Joseph M. Zwack, Malorie Zinc, Natalie M. Roberts, Benjamin H. Zwack and Elliott J. Zwack. Maria is also survived by her sisters Elza M....

STEPHENTOWN, NY - Anna F. Esposito, 91, a lifelong resident of Stephentown, died Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Fairview Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Great Barrington, MA. Anna was born in Pittsfield, MA on December 25, 1930, the daughter of the late John Esposito, Sr. and Mary Ezzo Esposito. She was employed by the New York State Dept. of Taxation & Finance in Albany for many years before retiring. Anna was a faithful communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Stephentown. She was an avid bowler at Larabowl Lanes in New Lebanon. She enjoyed traveling especially to Maine as well as spending time at the casino. She was a member of the Poestenkill Senior...

NEW LEBANON, NY - Matthew J. Larabee, 55, passed away at Berkshire Medical Center on Monday, February 7, 2022 surrounded by loved ones after suffering a cardiac event. Matthew was born on August 21, 1966 in Pittsfield, MA to Malcolm and Susan (Miller) Larabee. He was a graduate of St Joseph's High School in Pittsfield, and a lifelong employee in the family business, Larabee Fuel, Co. Inc. of New Lebanon. Matthew had a passion for helping others, which started in childhood, collecting funds for The Muscular Dystrophy Association. This developed into an annual carnival-style fundraising event, which was enjoyed by all. Matthew presented his donation yearly on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day...

Mary U. Volpi passed away peacefully on January 13, 2022 at the age of 95. She was born August 7, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY to Phillip and Mary McCarthy. Mary was fun loving, loved music, and was a member of the choir at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Lebanon, NY. At various times in her life, Mary worked as a teacher's aide and volunteered with community hospice. Mary and her husband, Frank, who predeceased her, lived in Stephentown, NY for most of their lives. Together, they had a family of 11 children. Mary also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She will certainly be missed by her family. In keeping with her wishes,...

Everette E. "Ted" Cooke, 82, died Monday, October 25, 2021 at the Fairview Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Great Barrington, MA. He was born in St. Albans, VT on July 16, 1939, the son of the late Everette Leland Cook and Kathryn Cooke. He was raised and educated in West Swanton, VT. He was a US Air Force veteran serving his country from 1956-1960. Everette was a certified orthotist and was the owner of Cooke & Burnell Orthopedics in Pittsfield, MA for over 35 years before retiring 5 years ago. He was an avid hunter and archer, reaching state championship level in archery at one time. He enjoyed dancing, country music and bowling. He also loved his...

Phyllis Hulbert, 74, of West Lebanon, NY, died on 7/20/2021 at Berkshire Medical Center after a brief illness. Born on April 18, 1947 in Great Barrington, a daughter of Natalie E. and William R. Huggins. Phyllis was a proud member of the Lebanon Valley Protection Association (LVPA) for 44 years. Her proudest moments were driving for the Greyhound Bus line out of Albany, NY as one of the first woman drivers as well as her 37 years of service with the New Lebanon School District as a bus driver. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, JoAnna Phillips (Todd) of Pittsfield; Sister Patricia Burnell of West Lebanon; Brother, William Huggins (Martha) of Pittsfield; Sister, Pamela Breen (George) of...

Leonard Joseph "Rocky" Brown, Jr., passed away at home on Sunday evening, July 11, 2021. Born in West Stockbridge, MA, on July 25, 1933, he was the son of the late Leonard and Norma (Zanconato) Brown. Rocky graduated from NLCS in 1953 and worked for Streater Industries for 30 years, starting as a cabinet maker and retiring as a plant manager. After retirement, he and his grandson started Taconic Valley Landscaping. He was also a substitute teacher, coached basketball and Little League in N.L. and Salinas, CA. Rocky served his country proudly in the US Navy as a member of the Seabees. He loved the Red Sox, Celtics, softball, basketball, bowling, fishing and camping. Rocky's greatest joy...

Patricia Ann Hogan Fosby passed away on July 3, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband, Ellsworth (Fuzzy) Fosby, Jr. Pat is survived by her daughters Maryann (Tony) Davis, Donna (George) Zelno, and Kathleen (Daniel) Baldwin; and grandchildren Nicholas, Christopher, David, Trey and Brooke. Funeral Mass Saturday, July 10, 11 AM at Immaculate Conception Church in New Lebanon, NY. Visiting at the church before the service, from 10 until 11 AM. Burial will follow the service in Cemetery of the Evergreens. Full obit at parkerbrosmemorial.com.

Bruce S. Sargeant, age 72, passed away peacefully in Gloversville, NY on April 28, 2021. He was a 1967 graduate of Attleboro High School, MA. He went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree from Babson College in Wellesley, MA in 1971. Bruce moved to State College, PA at the age of 22 to work for Benchmark Realty where he met and married Donna Jean Grubb. He worked 32 years for Boston Culinary Group, spending the majority of his career at Jiminy Peak Resort in Hancock, MA as Food and Beverage Director. Bruce was a member of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years, serving 9 years as an EMT. Bruce retired to Venice, Florida with his wife in 2006 and enjoyed fishing, boating, and...

CANAAN, NY - Edward J. Counsell, 86, passed away peacefully Friday evening, April 9, 2021 at the Williamstown Commons in Williamstown, MA. He was born in New Bedford, MA on June 16, 1934, the son of the late Charles H. Counsell and Alice A. Neville Counsell. Ed was raised in New Bedford, MA and was a graduate of New Bedford High School. He operated a Service Station in New Bedford for many years. In 1972, he moved to New Lebanon, NY and operated with his wife Therese the Valley Rest Motel for over 20 years before retiring. He then moved to Canaan, NY where he has lived for the past 20 years. Ed was a member of the Lion's Club and the New Lebanon and Canaan Senior Citizens and...

Evangeline (Vangie) Corriveau Prince, longtime resident of Hancock Mass, passed away peacefully March 27th at Teresian House in Albany,NY with family by her side. She was born May 13, 1933 in Caribou Maine to the late Paul O. and Marie (Marcoux) Corriveau. Raised in Boston and Pittsfield, MA, Vangie was a member of the Hancock Historical Commission as well as the first town secretary. She was instrumental in moving and restoring the Hancock Town Hall. Last employed by North Adams Regional Hospital, she had previously worked at Jiminy Peak and the Little Red Schoolhouse. She also wrote a column, "The Other Side of the Mountain", for the Berkshire Eagle for many years. Vangie leaves behind...

Phyllis Knowlton Hyde Howard, Age 89, a longtime resident of Stephentown, NY, passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2021 with her daughter Allison and her two cats by her side. She was the beloved wife of 30 years of her late husband, Norris Howard, who passed away in 1995. Born in Malone, NY, the younger of two children, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Archie William Hyde and Gladys Knowlton Hyde. Phyllis received her B.A. from Smith College in Northampton, MA and her M.Ed. from St Lawrence University in Canton NY. She worked as a teacher in Boston before marrying Norris and moving to the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY, in 1965, where Norris taught English. They adopted...

HANCOCK, MA - Mabel E. Watson, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2021. Born in Hancock, MA she is the daughter of the late Howard and Etta (Bragg) LaPier. Throughout the years Mabel worked many jobs to support her six daughters including; McClintock Chevrolet, Ceramaseal, Dave's Coffee Shop, Bob's Country Kitchen, Mrs. Murphy's and most recently at Jiminy Peak. She is a past member of The Hancock Fire Sirens Ladies Auxiliary. Mabel enjoyed bowling, square dancing, crocheting and playing cards. She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her. Mabel is survived by her daughters, Jean (The late Gary) Hoffman, Judith Watson, June (The late Mark) Sheline, Joanne (Bill)...

STEPHENTOWN - George H. Eckhardt, Jr., 90, passed away peacefully at his family farm in Stephentown on November 27th, 2020. Born in Norwood, MA on January 17th, 1930 he was the eldest child of George H. Eckhardt, Sr. and Frieda Knaus Eckhardt. Called "Skip" by all who knew him in his early years, he graduated in 1948 from the Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, MA. His alma mater inspired his lifelong career as a farmer and steward of the land. His first employment was with the Dairy Herd Improvement Assoc., working with Eastern Massachusetts dairy farmers. During his first year, 1949, he receive a prestigious award for most improved dairy herds in the state. This was only...

Miss Dianne (Deanie) Crane of Stephentown, N.Y. died October 27, 2020. Deanie was born in 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She also lived in Massapequa, N.Y., Phoenix, AZ. And eventually settled in Stephentown, N.Y. She is the loving wife of the late Joseph Crane also of Stephentown, NY, the cherished mother of Rachel and Rick Finney of Stephentown, NY; Chuck and the late Barbara Crane of Castleton, NY; Julia and Robert Davis of Waco, TX, beloved grandmother of the late Justin Finney of Stephentown, NY; Mallorie Finney and Rob Cottrell of Hoosick Falls, NY; Devin Finney of Langhorne, PA; Casey and Eliot Norris of Bothell, WA; Jacob and Jessica Crane of Medford, MA; Boston Crane of Greenville, NY;...

STEPHENTOWN - Barbara J. McClintock Wood, 81, died Friday, July 17, 2020. Mother of Lori A. (Chris) Hoffman of Stephentown and Debra L. (Michael) Clark of East Greenbush; grandmother of Brendan and Tyler Hoffman, Matthew, Joshua and Nicholas Howard; sister of William T. (Wendy) McClintock of Idaho, Janet H. (Wesley) Edwards of Stephentown and the late Robert E. McClintock. Funeral services private. Burial in Cemetery of the Evergreens, New Lebanon. Contributions may be made to the Veterans of Stephentown, PO Box 612, Stephentown, NY 12168. Arrangements are by the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home. Full obituary at Parker BrosMemorial.com.

PETERSBURGH, NY - George F. Tefoe, 90, died Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the Albany Medical Center after a long illness. George was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He retired from General Electric in Schenectady as a turbine worker. George also enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. George was the husband of the late Leila DelCogliano and Lauretta Tefoe and is survived by daughter Georgette Tefoe of West Lebanon, sons George Tefoe, Jr. and Derrick Tefoe of Petersburgh and Scott (Grace) Tefoe of Aurora, CO; beloved companion of 25 years of Sylvia Brayman of Petersburgh; brother of Leo, Ida, Shirley and Joyce and uncle of several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the...

STEPHENTOWN, NY - Mary J. Kiley Gorman, 86, died Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY. Born in North Adams, MA on May 24, 1933, she was the daughter of the late James M. and Mary C. Maloney Kiley. Mary was raised in North Adams and was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School in North Adams. She later moved to Springfield, MA and attended Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, MA. She was employed as a children's librarian at the Forest Park branch of the City of Springfield Library for 6 years. After her daughter Martha started school, she volunteered at the school library and helped children learn to read for over 25 years. In 1997, she moved to...

New Lebanon - Barbara M. Felter, 81, of New Lebanon, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehab in Pittsfield, MA. Born in Belfast, Maine on April 23, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Flora Maxwell. Barbara spent her early years in Maine until her family moved to Richmond, Massachusetts. She was a 1958 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She then worked as a secretary at Berkshire Life Insurance, owned and operated Felter's Store in New Lebanon with her husband, and later became the Town Clerk of New Lebanon for 20 years until her retirement. Barbara was a lifetime member of the Lebanon Valley Protective Association and both...

STEPHENTOWN, NY - Michael "Mike" James Casella, 57, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home after his long fight against Glioblastoma Multiform. He was surrounded by the love and strength of his loving family during this time. Mike was born in Pittsfield, MA on October 8, 1962, the beloved son of Dorothy Studley (late Thomas) Tyler of Pittsfield, MA and Edward Casella of Cheshire, MA. He was a 1980 graduate of Taconic High School and enlisted in the US Marine Corps shortly after on July 29, 1980 until he was honorably discharged on May 28, 1982 and returned to his home town of Pittsfield and was eventually employed for the US Postal Service for many years before retiring due to...

HANCOCK, MA - Edna "Nanny" Bell Sharp [Whitman], 91, died peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Hillcrest Commons Nursing Home in Pittsfield, MA. Born in Hancock, MA on October 6, 1927, Nanny was a loving, caring, and generous figure in the Johnson and Whitman families who doted upon ALL of her many nieces and nephews any chance she was afforded. Nanny was known by those closest to her for despising mice as much as she cherished any and all things blue. She worked most of her adult life at General Cable and later Carol Cable in Williamstown and is predeceased by her husband Adelbert and her dear friend and companion Gordon Morrison. The family is planning a funeral service and...