Vanessa Anderson | Dec. 9, 2016
Buffalo Teachers Federation
Henry Bloecker | Aug. 21, 2016
Wappingers Congress of Teachers
Henry Bloecker, 76, of Port St. Lucie, passed away August 21, 2016 at his residence.
Henry was born in Mount Vernon, NY. He spent his early years in Yonkers, NY. He moved to Dutchess County, NY and worked as an Industrial Arts teacher. Henry moved to Port St. Lucie in 1993 and worked for Martin County as a teacher until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 34 years, Barbara; his parents Henry and Lena.
Survivors include his sons, John Bloecker of Chester, VA; Paul Bloecker of Port St. Lucie, FL, and three beautiful grandchildren of which he was a proud grandfather.
Alfred Joseph Candido Sr. | Feb. 14, 2017
Utica Teachers Association
Mr. Alfred Joseph Candido Sr., 88, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Masonic Care Community.
Al was born in Utica on December 18, 1928, a son of the late Joseph and Mary Divina (DeFazio) Candido. He was educated in local schools and a graduate of TR Proctor High School. Al later attended Utica College, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. He continued his education and was awarded a Master’s at SUNY Cortland in Health Science Education. Al served our country in the Naval Reserve during the Korean War.
On August 4, 1949, Al was joined in marriage to the former Anne M. Pitrel. Anne and Al shared a marriage filled with love and devotion to each other for over fifty-four years. His beloved Anne passed away on September 9, 2003 and appropriately he has now joined her on Valentine’s Day.
Mr. Candido’s work career began at the lab at Utica Psychiatric Center and later as a Medical Technologist then as Chief Technologist at Faxton Hospital Laboratory for over twenty years. Al went on to a career as a Health Science Teacher with the Utica City School District. He eventually retired after twenty years as the Director of the Utica Teachers Center. Never one to be idle, Al also worked at Vernon Downs for fifteen years, as well as volunteering in many local nursing homes.
Al Candido was a true Christian Gentleman in every sense; he was a lifelong devoted communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, where he was an usher and member of its Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Knights of St. John; active in the Utica Teachers Union; served on the Board of the Utica Red Cross, where he was a past president; and also served on the Board of Directors of the NY-Penn American Red Cross Bank.
Al gave his all to his God, his family, and his community, and will be sadly missed by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Alfred Jr. and Debbie Candido, of Kayuta Lake, and Dominic and Teresa Candido, of Hanover, NH; his adored granddaughter, Brandi Candido, who was like a daughter to him; his beloved grandson, Luke Candido; great granddaughter, Alexis N. Candido; he was like a brother to his in-laws, Dominic and Theresa Pitrel and Carmella DeCotis and the late Alfonso DeCotis, and the late Rosie and Rick Dimeo; and also many beloved nieces and nephews. Al will be missed by his many friends and the patrons of the Marr-logg Restaurant where he was daily fixture for over twenty five years.
He was predeceased by his three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Dominic Candido, Raymond and Joy Candido, and Joseph and Josie Candido; and one sister and brother-in-law, Cora and William Campanaro.
In memory of Al, please consider donations to the Alfred J. Candido Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund to be established at T.R. Proctor High School or The Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Donations may be made at the funeral home.
Lou Caviolo | Oct. 23, 2016
Yonkers Federation of Teachers
Elaine Hogan Crosby | Sept. 10, 2016
Wappingers Congress of Teachers
Elaine Hogan Crosby of Poughkeepsie, NY, died suddenly at her residence on Thursday, August 25, 2016.
She was born in Augusta, Georgia and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County and the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Education. Elaine was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
After moving to New York State, she became a member of the Poughkeepsie Branch of American Association of University Women, the Mid Hudson Alumnae Panhellenic and New Hackensack Reformed Church. She retired as Library Media Specialist at Fishkill Elementary School.
Surviving family members include her daughter, Celeste E. Crosby(Gary) of Katonah,NY, her brother, Spurgeon G. Hogan(Barbara) of Hillsborough,NJ and her 4 grandchildren, Bobby Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Campbell McKendry and Hunter McKendry. Elaine was predeceased by her husband Robert E. Crosby and her daughter Catherine E. Crosby.
Memorial donations may be made in Elaine's memory to a charity of choice.
Richard Herko | Nov. 15, 2016
Orchard Park Teachers Association
Shawna Marzella | Dec. 3, 2016
Jamesville-Dewitt Faculty Association
Charles McAuliffe | Dec. 17, 2016
Buffalo Teachers Federation
James Gordon Mead | Aug. 25, 2016
Wappingers Congress of Teachers
James Gordon Mead died in Mount Dora, FL on September 10, following a brief period of declining health. Jim was born in Beacon, NY in 1927 - in the front bedroom of the family home that still stands on North Avenue. He was the son of James Van Deusen Mead and Florence Rogers Mead, both sides of the family having deep roots in the mid-Hudson valley. Earlier generations of the Mead family operated a brickyard near Chelsea and a farm that became part of the property now used by Castle Point VA hospital.
Jim graduated from Beacon High School, where he played on the basketball team. He turned 18 in June of 1945 and enlisted in the navy. Empty chairs were left for him and another young man who missed their high school graduation for basic training. He served on a destroyer during the occupation of Japan immediately following the end of the war. After his discharge in 1946, like many men of his generation he took advantage of the GI bill to further his education.
Jim attended the NY State Teacher’s College at Oneonta where he met the love of his life, Barbara Seidel from Troy, NY. After receiving his degree, he began working for the Wappingers Central School District in 1951, and married Barbara in 1953. They were able to purchase land on Michael Drive in the town of Wappingers Falls - located on a hill with sweeping views up the Hudson valley. After saving up a down payment to build a house, the bank turned down their loan request because they were both teachers. So they took their money, loaded the car and spent two months driving across the country during the summer of 1955 – beginning a lifetime love of travel in the U.S. In 1957, with the help of family, friends, and his pregnant wife, Jim built his own house where they would live until 1985.
Jim started out teaching 6th grade social studies, English and math, but taught 7th and 8th grade social studies for most of his career. When he began in 1951, the entire Wappingers K-12 school system was housed in a single building. When he retired in 1984, that same building was one of two schools in the system for grades 7 and 8 – just one of the many changes that took place during his tenure. For much of his career, he taught at Van Wyck Junior High School.
Jim retired from teaching in 1984, and he and Barbara moved to central Florida in 1985. Jim had a life-long passion for golf, which he continued to play well into his 80’s. He also continued his woodworking, making many items for their homes and also taking up wood carving. Jim and Barbara continued to travel, including several cruises to Alaska.
Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Seidel Mead. Other survivors are his son, James Steven Mead (Ruth) of Apex, NC; his sister Jane Cooper of Fishkill, NY; brother- and sister-in law Ray and Dee Seidel of Ballston Spa, NY; and seven nephews and one niece. He was predeceased by his sister Denise Arnold, and brothers-in law Claude Arnold and Dale Cooper.
Joseph Meyers | May 1, 2016
New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees
Lorraine C. Porter | June 1, 2016
United Federation of Teachers
Anthony Pugliese | Nov. 29, 2016
Buffalo Teachers Federation
E. David Rebmann Jr.| July 5, 2016
Orchard Park Teachers Association
Elinor H. Samuels | July 6, 2016
United Federation of Teachers
Full obituaries, if provided, are available at www.nysut.org. Submissions must include decedent's full name, union affiliation and date of death, and contact information for the person submitting the notice. Fax notices to 518-213-6415; send to Andrew Watson, NYSUT United, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110-2455; or email awatson@nysutmail.org.