Former NY Town Supervisor Dies: Remembered For Lifelong Public Service Former NY Town Supervisor Dies: Remembered For Lifelong Public Service
Former NY Town Supervisor Dies: Remembered For Lifelong Public Service A former Dutchess County town supervisor whose career spanned public service, education, and decades of professional leadership is being remembered following his death.   The death of former Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Joseph Davis was announced on Monday, Jan. 13, by New York State Sen. Rob Rolison.  Davis served as Town of Poughkeepsie supervisor from 2002 to 2005, overseeing day-to-day municipal operations, helping manage town departments, and playing a key role in formulating annual budgets and setting policy as part of the Town Board.  After leav…
PTO Organizes Help For Family Of Girl, 6, Who Died From Short Illness In Hudson Valley (UPDATE) PTO Organizes Help For Family Of Girl, 6, Who Died From Short Illness In Hudson Valley (UPDATE)
PTO Organizes Help For Family Of Girl, 6, Who Died From Short Illness In Hudson Valley (Update) An Orange County school community is continuing to rally around the family of a first-grade student who died suddenly earlier this month as they face their unimaginable loss.  The Maple Hill & Annex Parent Teacher Organization is leading efforts to help the family of Meghan Ortiz Guzman, a 6-year-old student at the Maple Hill Annex at Truman Moon Elementary School in Middletown who died on Sunday, Jan. 4, after a brief illness.  The support has come in the form of a GoFundMe page that has already raised $6,251 out of a $15,000 goal as of Tuesday morning, Ja…
School Bus Driver Killed At NY District Facility Was Father, Artist, Gun Safety Advocate School Bus Driver Killed At NY District Facility Was Father, Artist, Gun Safety Advocate
School Bus Driver Killed At NY District Facility Was Father, Artist, Gun Safety Advocate New details have emerged about the life of Wayne Girard, a longtime school bus driver who was killed in a tragic incident at a Dutchess County school district’s transportation facility.  As previously reported by Daily Voice, Girard, 80, died after being seriously injured on Friday morning, Dec. 19, at the Arlington bus garage on Dutchess Turnpike as drivers were preparing to begin their routes. No students were involved, and district officials have not released further details about the incident.  Girard was struck by a bus at the facility, News12 reported.  Girard is now b…
Father Of 3 From Putnam County Dies Suddenly At 44: Support Pouring In From Community Father Of 3 From Putnam County Dies Suddenly At 44: Support Pouring In From Community
Father Of 3 From Putnam County Dies Suddenly At 44: Support Pouring In From Community Following the sudden death of a well-known father and lifelong athlete from Putnam County, community members have stepped up to raise tens of thousands of dollars for his grieving family. Gary Graser of Claremont, New Hampshire, who grew up in Mahopac, died on Sunday, Jan. 4, at the age of 44 after suffering a cardiac event, according to his obituary.   Graser was born in Carmel and raised in Mahopac before continuing his education at Green Mountain College in Vermont, where he earned a degree in psychology, his obituary said.  He was known as a lifelong athlete an…
Longtime Firefighter, Business Owner From Putnam County Dies Suddenly At 51 Longtime Firefighter, Business Owner From Putnam County Dies Suddenly At 51
Longtime Firefighter, Business Owner From Putnam County Dies Suddenly At 51 A Putnam County fire department is mourning the sudden loss of one of its former captains who protected the community for nearly three decades and was also a beloved husband and father.  Mahopac resident Ronald A. Deagan, a 29-year life member of the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, died on Thursday, Jan. 1, at the age of 51, according to his obituary.  The department announced his death on New Year's Day, calling it untimely and asking the community to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.  Born in Yonkers on Jan. 22, 1974, Deagan was the son of William J. D…
UAlbany Advisor, 'Beloved' Mom's Death At 40 Sparks Outpouring Of Support For NY Family UAlbany Advisor, 'Beloved' Mom's Death At 40 Sparks Outpouring Of Support For NY Family
UAlbany Advisor, 'Beloved' Mom's Death At 40 Sparks Outpouring Of Support For NY Family The University at Albany community is mourning the sudden death of a longtime academic advisor and director who colleagues, friends, and family say devoted her life to helping others—especially her two young sons. Erin Couture, 40, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 1, in Latham, leaving behind her husband, Garrett, and sons, Jackson and Griffin, according to her obituary. A cause of death was not given. At UAlbany, Couture served as the director of student experiences for the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity, a role that reflected what friends descri…
29-Year Veteran Of NY Police Department Dies, Leaves 'Legacy Of Service' 29-Year Veteran Of NY Police Department Dies, Leaves 'Legacy Of Service'
29-Year Veteran Of NY Police Department Dies, Leaves 'Legacy Of Service' A police department in Rockland County is mourning the loss of a retired lieutenant who served the department for nearly three decades.  The death of former Lieutenant John Hickey, who spent 29 years with the Haverstraw Police Department, was announced on Saturday, Jan. 3.  Throughout his long career, Hickey rose through the ranks from patrolman to sergeant, detective sergeant, and ultimately lieutenant, according to the department.  He retired from the department in 2017. Police officials said Hickey was known for his dedication, professionalism, and strong commitment to t…
Well-Known Teacher, Mom Remembered After Fatal Head-On Crash In Putnam: Help Pours In For Son Well-Known Teacher, Mom Remembered After Fatal Head-On Crash In Putnam: Help Pours In For Son
Well-Known Teacher, Mom Remembered After Fatal Head-On Crash In Putnam: Help Pours In For Son Following a fatal Putnam County crash that claimed the life of a 43-year-old woman this week, those who knew her have been remembering an educator defined by kindness, devotion, and an unwavering commitment to her family and students.   Jaclyn Hamill was killed early Tuesday morning, Dec. 16, in a head-on crash at the intersection of Deans Corner Road and Turk Hill Road in Southeast, as Daily Voice previously reported. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said she was driving south on Deans Corner Road when her vehicle crossed the centerline and struck an oncoming commerc…
Hudson Valley Mom, 38, Dies Days After Sharing Emotional Update On Her Cancer Battle Hudson Valley Mom, 38, Dies Days After Sharing Emotional Update On Her Cancer Battle
Hudson Valley Mom, 38, Dies Days After Sharing Emotional Update On Her Cancer Battle A Dutchess County mother has died at age 38 following a hard-fought battle with cancer, her family announced.  Vanessa Elizabeth Doughty Anderson of Wappingers Falls died peacefully at home on Sunday, Dec. 7, according to her obituary.  Anderson was born in Poughkeepsie and graduated from John Jay High School in 2005. She worked as a records clerk at Royal Carting in Hopewell Junction, where she was known for her kindness and dedication. Her obituary described her as a devoted mother who “never missed a softball game, or a cheerleading or gymnastics meet” for her daughters. …
Former Hudson Valley Fire Chief Dies From 9/11 Related Illness Former Hudson Valley Fire Chief Dies From 9/11 Related Illness
Former Hudson Valley Fire Chief Dies From 9/11 Related Illness The Rockland County community is mourning the loss of a former Fire Chief and longtime FDNY firefighter who died after a long battle with a World Trade Center–related illness. Orangeburg resident Pieter Grosbeck, an ex-chief and life member of the Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company, died on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the age of 63, according to his obituary.  The Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company announced his death on Wednesday, Dec. 10, saying Grosbeck died at the Joe Raso Hospice.  Grosbeck served the department for 46 years and was an active member at the time of his death, serving o…
NY Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Barber Dies At 66: 'Respected Pillar' NY Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Barber Dies At 66: 'Respected Pillar'
NY Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Barber Dies At 66: 'Respected Pillar' A Rockland County village is mourning the loss of a deeply respected village trustee, Fire Commissioner, and barber.  Rafael A. “Rafaelito” Bueno Sr. of Haverstraw died peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the age of 66, according to his obituary.  Bueno, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic as a young man, built a life defined by service, mentorship, and community devotion.  He was first elected a Haverstraw Village Trustee in 2003, serving under former Mayor Francis “Bud” Wassmer and current Mayor Michael F. Kohut. During that time, he also served as Fire Com…
Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations
Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations Greenwich is mourning the loss of its beloved "Farmer John." John Augustin of Augustine’s Farm died after a fall the day before Thanksgiving, the farm said in a Monday, Dec. 1, Facebook post. He was 81.  John Augustin and his wife, Kathy, had run the Greenwich farm since taking it over from John's parents in 1952. The couple grew pumpkins, corn, and Christmas trees and tended to their chickens and the wild animals that could always find a good meal at the King Street farm.  The couple's seasonal farm stand was a major draw for people across the region, both for the produce and…