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Well-Respected Judge, Westchester Native Dies
A popular and well-respected Hudson Valley judge has died.
Dutchess County Judge Gerald V. Hayes of Poughkeepsie, age 82, had been battling lymphocytic leukemia for three years.
Hayes, who died on Saturday, Jan. 27, was a man of deep faith, hard work, great sacrifice, profound wisdom, remarkable accomplishments, and the highest character, his obituary said.
Hayes originally studied to become a priest but changed his mind and received his juris doctorate from Fordham Law School in 1968. Shortly after he went to work as Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.
In 1971, his obit…
Melanie, NJ Folk Singer, Woodstock Performer, Dies At 76
Melanie, a folk singer-songwriter whose music took her from the Jersey Shore to international success in the 70's, has died at 76 years old.
Melanie Safka died on Tuesday, Jan. 23, according to a Facebook post by her family. A cause of death was not given. The Long Branch native was born on Monday, Feb. 3, 1947, her IMDb page said.
Her children called her a powerful performer and loving parent.
"She was one of the most talented, strong, and passionate women of the era and every word she wrote, every note she sang reflected that," Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred said.
"Our world is …
Lifelong Hudson Valley 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…
Cause Of Death Released For Popular Actor, 50, Who Grew Up In Region
The cause of death has been released for a popular actor who was born and grew up in the region.
The death of Alec Musser, age 50, was announced last weekend on Instagram by his fiancée Paige Press, who lived with Musser in Del Mar, California, north of San Diego.
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Officer, Musser died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"His fiancée last knew him to be alive on the evening of Friday, Jan. 12 when she had gone to bed," the medical examiner said. "On the morning of Saturday, Jan. 13, she awoke and went to find the decedent seated …
17-Year-Old Victim In Hudson Valley Double-Fatal Crash Was 'Easy To Love'
Friends and family members are remembering a 17-year-old teen killed in a double-fatal crash as loving sports and his family.
Jack J. Noble, of the hamlet of Port Ewen, died unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 8, during the collision in Ulster County around 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8 on Route 28 in the town of Shandaken.
A native of Kingston, Jack was a junior at Kingston High School. He was an honor roll student and a Varsity athlete, his obituary said.
Related story - 16-Year-Old Killed In Double-Fatal Hudson Valley Crash Remembered As Being ' Incredibly Thoughtful'
"He loved lacrosse, soccer, a…
'Smile, Laugh Were Contagious': Businesswoman, Mom From Westchester Dies At 43
A businesswoman and mother who was a lifelong New York resident has died at the age of 43.
Kimberly A. Hallenbeck was born in Westchester, lived in Orange County, and worked on Long Island.
Her death, on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, came after a two-year battle with cancer, according to her obituary.
A resident of the town of Newburgh, she was the daughter of the late Francis J. Hallenbeck III and Elizabeth (Burns) Laurie, who was born on July 1, 1980 in Bronxville.
She worked as a loan mortgage originator for Contour Mortgage in Garden City.
She had "a smil…