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Memorial service

Obituaries
Beloved Deputy Sheriff In Region Known For His Love Of Dinosaurs Dies Beloved Deputy Sheriff In Region Known For His Love Of Dinosaurs Dies
Beloved Deputy Sheriff In Region Known For His Love Of Dinosaurs Dies A much beloved deputy sheriff in the region known for being a part-time comedian and his love of dinosaurs has died after a courageous battle with cancer. Nicholas Gasparre, age 36, a lifelong Hudson Valley resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Nov. 15, surrounded by his family, friends, and his brothers and sisters of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. He began serving the country as a volunteer firefighter for the Beekman Fire District. According to his obituary, he also served in the US Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Lance Corporal during the war on terrorism. …

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies If you’ve ever hopped a train or scanned a radio in these parts, chances are good you’ve heard the velvety smooth voice of Van Ritshie. The longtime Hudson Valley radio host and voiceover artist, whose voice guided MTA commuters for decades, died Sunday, Nov. 3, at a Dutchess County hospice center in Poughkeepsie. He was 80 years old. “The Family of Van Ritshie is sad to announce that ‘The Voice of the Hudson Valley’ has passed on to be with Jesus after a brief illness surrounded by family,” reads his obituary. After earning his communications degree at Queensborough Community College in Q…

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by Michael Mashburn
Obituaries
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At NY State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout 18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At NY State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At NY State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout A teenage New York State Parks and Recreation worker who died battling one of the latest in a rash of wildfires in the region will be honored at a memorial service in his hometown. The blaze broke out in Orange County at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo on Saturday, Nov. 9, and spread into parts of neighboring New Jersey. Rockland County resident Dariel Vasquez, age 18, suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Vasquez suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Par…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Police Records Employee In Region Known For Sense Of Humor Dies Police Records Employee In Region Known For Sense Of Humor Dies
Police Records Employee In Region Known For Sense Of Humor Dies A longtime Hudson Valley police records employee known for her engaging personality has died at 68. Dutchess County native Dorinda R. 'Rindy' Germano, of Poughkeepsie, died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Monticello. Born in Poughkeepsie, Rindy lived her 68 years with a "contagious zest for life and a heart brimming with kindness," according to her obituary. Professionally, Rindy was a dedicated record keeper for the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department from 2003 until her death.  "Her meticulous nature and unwavering integrity made her a…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Beloved Postal Worker Killed In Crash With Lexus In Capital Region Beloved Postal Worker Killed In Crash With Lexus In Capital Region
Beloved Postal Worker Killed In Crash With Lexus In Capital Region A beloved US Postal Worker who had worked for the service for some 20 years was killed during a crash with a Lexus in the Capital Region after colliding near the center lane.  The collision occurred in Greene County around 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, on Route 10 near Sutton Hollow Road in the town of Ashland. According to Capt. Joel Rowell of the Greene County Sheriff's Office, a preliminary investigation revealed that a US postal vehicle driven by 62-year-old Gina H. Hernandez of East Durham was heading eastbound on Route 10 while a 2008 Lexus RX 350, operated by a 17-year-old m…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Memorial Set For Student Killed In Crash In Region That Injured 3 Others Memorial Set For Student Killed In Crash In Region That Injured 3 Others
Memorial Set For Student Killed In Crash In Region That Injured 3 Others A teen who died in a single-vehicle Hudson Valley crash is being remembered for having an "Old Soul" and being a modern-day Renaissance man. Related Story: Minisink Valley Community Rallies To Support Family Of 17-Year-Old Killed In Crash Orange County resident Jack Braun of Slate Hill, a hamlet of Wawayanda, died in Sullivan County around 1:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, on Route 17 West in Mamakating in a single-vehicle crash. According to his obituary, Braun, a student at Minisink Valley High School, was born an ‘old soul' and was passionate about history, film, and music.  His…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Kindergarten Teacher, Mom Of 2 From Capital Region Gets 'Fairy Tale Ending' Before Cancer Death Kindergarten Teacher, Mom Of 2 From Capital Region Gets 'Fairy Tale Ending' Before Cancer Death
Kindergarten Teacher, Mom Of 2 From Capital Region Gets 'Fairy Tale Ending' Before Cancer Death On the last night of her life, Sara Maldonado’s neighbors surprised her family by lining their driveway and sidewalk with dozens of candlelit luminarias. It was a fitting sendoff for the beloved kindergarten teacher, wife, mother of two, and Disney fanatic who died Wednesday, June 26, at the age of 34 following a two-year battle with breast cancer, according to her obituary. “They did something for our family that will never be forgotten. It’s the fairy tale ending she would want,” her brother, Ben Olsen, said on Facebook. “‘Tangled’ is her most favorite movie and they gave her a fairy tale…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others
Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others Newly released video shows the moment an alleged drunk driver crashed his SUV into a New York nail salon, killing four people, including a police officer, and injuring nine others. The Long Island incident happened at around 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 28, in the hamlet of Deer Park. Suffolk County Police said Steven Schwally, age 64, of Dix Hills, was speeding southbound through a Kohl’s parking lot, near Commack Road and Grand Boulevard, before he crossed Grand Boulevard and crashed through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa. Earlier Report: IDs Released Of 4 Killed, Including C…

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by Michael Mashburn & Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
'Total Shock': 34-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Killed In Capital Region Crash Had 'Heart Of Gold' 'Total Shock': 34-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Killed In Capital Region Crash Had 'Heart Of Gold'
'Total Shock': 34-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Killed In Capital Region Crash Had 'Heart Of Gold' Tributes are pouring in for a beloved Air Force veteran following his untimely death in the region. Albany County resident Michael Furch, age 34, of Guilderland, died following a single-vehicle crash on I-787 in Albany on Thursday, June 20. New York State Police said Furch was operating a motorcycle when he lost control and struck a concrete barrier while exiting I-787 on the flyover ramp to I-90. He was ejected from the bike and landed on the shoulder of I-787 northbound below. Furch was pronounced dead at the scene. Earlier Report: Fatal Crash: 34-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In …

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by Michael Mashburn