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Highland Resident Who Served As Fire Chief, Owned Catering Business Dies At 70
A popular lifelong Hudson Valley former fire chief and catering business owner known for his love of cooking has died at the age of 70.
Ulster County resident Michael B. Hackett, of Highland, passed away on Monday, Jan. 15. He was born on Sunday, June 7, 1953, in Poughkeepsie, to the late Francis and the late Rita (McGrath) Hackett, according to his obituary.
He was a resident all of his life. He was a graduate of Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls and a member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie, his obituary said,
Retired from Geodis/IBM of Poughkeepsie…
Man Found Dead In Cove Worked With NYC Opera, Became Chef
A man whose body was found in a Long Island cove has been identified as a former employee of the New York City Opera and a chef who had a lifelong passion for music.
Keith Viagas, of Sag Harbor, died on Saturday, Aug. 6, from drowning near his home in Sag Harbor Cove. He was age 63.
Viagas grew up in Franklin Square, attending both John Street School and H. Frank Carey High School, where he appeared in musicals, according to his obituary.
His late father, Anthony Viagas, was a jazz musician, and Viagas lived in a home filled with music.
"At one point Keith would be pl…
Three Young Chefs From The Hudson Valley To Appear On MasterChef Junior
Three Westchester County residents will appear in the upcoming season of MasterChef Junior.
The eighth season of the cooking show, which was filmed before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will premiere at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, on FOX.
The show gives children the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills during a series of challenges.
This season will include 14-year-old Jillian Maher, of Yonkers, 13-year-old Liya Chu, of Scarsdale, and 15-year-old Maclain Rockett, of South Salem, among the cast.
Liya said she has been cooking since the age of 7 and …
Zach Chmelecki, Former HS Athlete In Hudson Valley, Dies At 23
Zachary Thomas Chmelecki, of Rye Neck, died on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
He was 23.
Zack was born Oct. 13, 1997, to Charles and Lisa (nee Zaccaria) Chmelecki.
A football and lacrosse player, he played for Iona Prep and later Rye Neck High School where he graduated in 2015.
Later in his life, he was passionate about surfing, fishing, and cooking.
"Zack was a presence; his smile brightened every room he entered," according to his obituary.
He leaves behind his mother, Lisa, and sister, Nicole, along with his grandmother, Rita Chmelecki. Zack's father, Charles, died in August 2020 at a…
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Daily Voice
