SARATOGA SPRINGS — Robert D. Brennan, 83, passed away on February 12, in the gentle care of Wesley Nursing Home.

Survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan, and his daughter, DawnMarie (Jimmy) Helin, he has eight loving grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Bob was predeceased by his sons, Bob and Bill.

A 10 year Navy reservist, Sinclair service station owner and stock car racer, Bob retired from Operating Engineers Local 106. Bob was an avid outdoorsman and sports fan but mostly a family man. His passion was racing No. 34 at area speedways.

Burial will be in the spring at the family’s convenience.

Memorial donations may be made to woundedwarriorproject.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5373.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Richard A. Stover, 78, passed away on Sunday, February 9 at Saratoga Hospital.

Born on January 2, 1936, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Arthur and Dorothy Monroe Stover. Dick grew up in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and graduated from Clarks Summit Abington High School, during which time he was active in both the Boy Scouts of America and in the Explorers, attaining the highest awards in each organization as both an Eagle Scout and a recipient of the Explorer Silver Award. From an early age, Dick was an avid outdoorsman and was noted for his success in bird hunting, fishing and extensive canoe adventures, which included running the lengths of the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers.

He went on to Keystone Junior College for two years and then graduated two years on from Penn State.

Dick married Eileen Casey on June 25, 1960 in New York City and thus began a great and multi-chaptered love that came to a close in its corporal, but certainly not true sense, after 53 years this past Sunday. They set off on a life of what can only be described as a loving relationship, cohesive to its core, that brought about a series of travels and adventures, both great and small, fuelled by a mutual curiosity, Dick’s quiet patience and his wonderful sense of True North, a direction that was an asset to all around him.

Dick began his teaching career in science in Centereach, obtained his master’s degree at Syracuse via the National Science Foundation, and along with his wife taught in Frankfurt, Germany during 1964-65. Upon their return, Dick began an innovative 26-year tenure teaching high school Earth Science in Suffern.

In the past few decades, winters found Dick greatly enjoying life in the Florida Keys. Using his green-thumb to bring palm trees and other native species to their fullest, and spending time out on his boat, “Fred,” in the channels where the birds, porpoises and wildlife—especially the Key Deer on Dick’s beloved Big Pine Key— were sources of great happiness.

Summers, found him in Saratoga and a late-blooming affection for the town’s horse racing as well as the concerts and culture that the area afforded.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Eileen of Saratoga Springs, and his son, Marshall, of Woodbury, Vermont.

A memorial service is planned for the spring.

In lieu of flowers, etc., donations may be directed to the public library that he so enjoyed in the Keys: Big Pine Library, 213 Key Deer Blvd. Big Pine Key, FL 33043.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Catherine Birdsall, 94, passed away Tuesday, February 11 at Wesley Health Care Center.

Born on November 15, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Anton and Barbara Humsted.

In addition to her parents, Catherine was predeceased by her husband Howard D. Birdsall.

Catherine is survived by her children, William and James of Ballston Spa, John of Saratoga Springs, Barbara of Matthews, North Carolina and Elizabeth of Watervliet; 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wesley Health Care Center for the loving care and kindness they provided to their mother.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5373.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Lawrence Phillips Murray, 93, formerly of Lawrence Street, died Wednesday, February 12 at Wesley Health Care Center.

Mary was born on Christmas Day, 1920, the youngest of eight children to the late William A. and Rose M. Lawrence Phillips. She was the widow of John Reed Murray, whom she married October 6, 1945.

Survivors include her children, John Michael (Susanne), Dennis Neil (Margaret), Stephen James (Nicola) and Anne Louise Morse (Jeffrey); nine grandchildren, Sean Michael Murray, Meaghan Anne Murray, Michael Reed Morse, Sarah Susanne Murray, Jessica Alton Morse, Emily Rose Morse, Esther Reed Ramirez, Reed Arthur Murray and Anna Marielle Murray. To her many loving nieces and nephews, she is their beloved and great Aunt Mary.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her seven siblings, John F. (Jack) Phillips, Walter J. Phillips, Paul J. Phillips, Helen “Honey” Phillips, Dorothy Phillips Carroll, William A. Phillips and Eugene E. Phillips.

A graduate of Saratoga Springs High School’s class of 1937 and Skidmore College School of Nursing class of 1941 (Magna Cum Laude), she followed graduation as a Nursing Instructor during World War II at the Adelphi College School of Nursing. After marriage, she worked as a floor nurse at Saratoga Hospital and as a Public Health Nurse for Saratoga County. For 20 years, Mary was a school nurse/teacher at South Colonie Central High School, where she retired as a New York State Teacher of the Year in 1975.

Mary was very active in her community, including being a member of the Skidmore College Alumni Club, Saratoga Springs Historical Society, Yaddo Garden Association, Heritage Garden Club, Katrina Trask Garden Club, Thymely Herb Club and the Academy of Life Long Learning. A long time usher at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and a devout communicant of the Church of St. Peter, she was also a member of at least two card clubs.

Always a good neighbor, an on-the-go socializer, a voracious reader of books, a merry quipster and a very confident “no pencils allowed” crossword puzzle solver, she was a pack rat and appreciator of all the arts.

Mary preferred to believe she was of “French extraction”. However, she was unable to verify any of her ancestors were indeed French, and in fact, overwhelming proof indicates the vast majority of her progenitors were Irish Catholic bog trotters! May God hold her in the palm of His hand.

GANSEVOORT — Cecily Charlotte Hendrickson, 84, passed away peacefully on February 11 at Saratoga Hospital.

Cecily was born on August 11, 1929 in Brooklyn to the late Leo Weinberger and Bertha Konecky. She was predeceased in 2010 by her husband of 48 years, Keith Hendrickson; sister, Elsie; and first husband, Warren.

Cecily was a graduate of Far Rockaway High School. She was the office manager for the Hendrickson Fuel Oil Co. of Oceanside and, upon moving to Saratoga, was the receptionist for Myrtle St. OB/GYN until the age of 82.

She was a member of Jonesville United Methodist Church and a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Springfield Gardens and Saratoga.

Cecily was a loving mother and is survived by her children: Lynn Cole and her husband, Osbornof Schuylerville; Dale and his wife, Theresa of East Hanover, New Jersey; Sandra Orzechowski of Saratoga; Cheryl Herb of Cohoes; Paul and his wife, MaryEllen of Clifton Park; Barry of Saratoga; and her best friend, Irene Lodise of Fort Pierce, Florida.

She was also a proud and loving grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.

Relatives and friends may call from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, February 17 with an Order of the Eastern Star service at 6:30 p.m. at the William J. Burke &Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5373.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday February 18 in the Jonesville United Methodist Church, 963 Main St., Clifton Park, by the Rev. David Lockwood, pastor.

Burial will follow at noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road.

The family would like to extend its gratitude and thanks to Cecily’s friends, nurses, and staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga; the nurses, doctors, and staff of Saratoga Hospital and especially Roland Phillips MD for his years of compassionate care and friendship.

Donations can be made in memory of Cecily to Jonesville United Methodist Church Youth Ministries 963 Main St. Clifton Park, NY 12065.

GALWAY — Edward Francis Flinton, 86, passed away at Maplewood Manor in Ballston Spa.

Son of Edward Joseph and Elizabeth (Hardter) Flinton of Saratoga Springs, Ed was born at Saratoga Hospital May 7, 1927.

Raised in Ballston Spa and West Milton, he moved to Galway in 1965. One of the youngest Saratoga County residents to serve in World War II, Flinton enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. After completing boot camp at the U.S. Navy Training Center at Sampson, he served in combat aboard the USS Duluth in the Pacific Theater, where he earned the American Theater Medal, Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Medal with two Battle Stars.

He was a member of VFW Post 358 in Ballston Spa.

Following discharge from the Navy, in 1948 Flinton married the former Elise M. Bush of Ballston Spa, who passed away in April 2009. They were married 61 years and leave behind four sons and three daughter-in-laws, all residing in Saratoga County. Eldest to youngest, they include Michael (Pamela) and Patrick (Jeanine) of Galway, Daniel (Laurie) of Greenfield Center, and Timothy of Middle Grove.

In addition to his four sons, he is survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Flinton was predeceased by his elder sister Mary (McCarthy) of Ballston Spa and leaves seven surviving siblings. In order of age, they include Robert Flinton of Florida, Shirley (Cooper) of Saratoga Springs, Dorothy (Cramer) of Georgia, Rosemarie Flinton, Veronica (Ivers) and Ralph Flinton each of Saratoga Springs and John Flinton of Maryland.

At his request, the deceased will be cremated and has asked that no viewing hours or services be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs.  Online remembrances may be made at www.tunisonfuneralhome.com  

QUEENSBURY — Rene J. Potvin, 61, went into the loving arms of the Lord, Thursday, February 13 at the Albany Stratton V.A. Medical Center, after a long-term battle with M.S.
Born October 17, 1952, in Glens Falls, he was the son of Lucien Potvin and the late Sharlotte (Morehouse) Potvin.
Rene was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served his country during Vietnam. He was discharged with honors in 1977.
He was very active for years in his Roman Catholic faith. His love for music and the rock n roll group The Beatles was simply captivating. A very humorous, kind, generous and incredibly strong person, he could make the best out of the worst situation. His personality was one of a kind person; he was loved by so many people and will missed deeply.
Rene is survived by his father, Lucien Potvin of South Glens Falls; his daughter, Karrian Green, and her husband Josh of South Glens Falls; his son, Rene J. Potvin II, of Ormond Beach, Florida; his sister, Susan Rock of Ballston Spa; four grandchildren and a niece.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday February 18 at William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff  Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5373.
Burial with military honors will be private at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — David Blatt, 100, a resident of the Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs, passed away Sunday morning February, 16.

He lived a long and healthy life, and was known for his effervescent personality and his penchant for singing “old classics.”

He was a veteran of World War II, having spent four years in the U.S. Army 47th Bomber Squadron, serving in the South Pacific. David spent his entire working career at Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp., retiring as Manager of the Shipping Department 25 years ago.

A diehard New York Yankees fan, David saw the likes of Ruth and Gehrig in person. He really loved going to the races, both for Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. He was passionate about his cigars and eating. He enjoyed listening to talk radio, especially Rush Limbaugh. David truly adored the ladies and spent many winters vacationing in Miami Beach.

 David was born in Brooklyn on June 22, 1913 and was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Fanny Blatt; his brothers, Jack Blatt and Joseph Blatt; his sisters, Claire Braunstein, Pearl Weinberg, Freida Pinsley, Anne Potoker and Rose Falkenstein.

Survivors include his sister, Goldie Brian of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his nephew Howard Pinsley of Saratoga Springs, his great nephew Barry Potoker of Saratoga Springs and numerous other nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces.

He was a one of a kind character who will be missed.

Funeral services will be held at Congregation Shaari Tfille, 84 Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, February 18 at 2 p.m.

Burial will follow at the Jewish Community Center Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (518) 584-5373.

Contributions may be made to Congregation Shaari Tfille, 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — William W. “Bill” Rosse, 76, of Maplewood Manor in Ballston Spa, formerly of Stonequist Apartments, passed away February 3 at Saratoga Hospital.

Born on November 13, 1937 in Saratoga Springs, he is a son of the late Frank Rosse and Helen L. Diehl. Bill attended Saratoga Springs schools and Pine Crest prep school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he was selected into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, having participated in baseball, basketball, football and track. Bill proudly served in the United States Navy. He worked as a self-employed roofing and painting contractor in the Saratoga Springs area for over 40 years.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Ann (Shambo) Rosse, who died December 26, 2011, and one brother, Frank E. Rosse.

Survivors include his sister, Gloria Cosens of Slydell, Florida; his children, Robert (Razz), Brian (Grace), Maryann Fernandez, Kelly DeLecce and Suzanne (Robert) Bradley II; 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a niece and several nephews and dear friends Michelle Deyette, and Gary Roddy.

Graveside services with military honors will be held in the spring at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (518)584-5373.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Head coach Dave Torres is crediting the recent success of Saratoga Springs ice hockey to something simple: fun.

After  losing back-to-back games against Section I’s Suffern and Pelham the weekend of January 17, and losing a third consecutive game at home against La Salle the following Wednesday, Torres and the team changed things up.

“We had a fun practice,” Torres said. “I didn’t want to work the guys hard. We worked hard enough. We tried to have fun again because guys were getting frustrated and disappointed. We came back and had a fun practice and played Niskayuna and did well. The first period was OK, but the second period we just turned it on and ever since then we’ve been at the top of our game and we’re getting better every period. We’re headed in the direction right now.”

The Blue Streaks (8-1-3, 11-5-3) head into tonight’s game at Christian Brothers Academy (4-9, 7-11) with the chance to end the regular season on a five-game win streak, which included a convincing 5-1 win over Shenendehowa last Thursday on Senior Night.

 “There wasn’t much of a pregame talk by me,” Torres said. “The captains were really talking to their teammates and they really prepared these guys to play the game because there’s not much you can say. If you can’t get up for that game—Senior Night, Shen, 1,000-1,500 people in the stands—you can’t get up for any game.”

Three goals in the second period helped the Blue Streaks “take the wind out of Shen’s sails” and eventually win, 5-1.

If Shen loses to Bethlehem (4-7-1, 6-12-1) tonight and the Blue Streak win, Saratoga Springs will claim the No. 1 seed.  But if Shen wins or ties, they secure the No. 1 slot.

Regardless, the Blue Streaks have officially clinched the No. 2 seed and home ice against an opponent that is yet to be determined with the CDHSHL league standings up in the air.

Aside from having fun, another key to the winning streak has been a full healthy roster, including the return of co-captain Matt Klingbeil and defenseman Cam McCall from injury.

“Matt especially, being one of our team captains and one of our leaders on and off the ice, having him back is a huge boost in the locker room,” Torres said. “We showed against Shen how deep we are and what this team has. Some folks don’t give us credit and that’s OK.  They think we left it all out on the ice last year after winning the state title, but I think we’re back in the hunt and we’re here to defend our sectional title. It’s not going to be easy to take it away from us. We have the targets on our backs, but we’re certainly ready to defend it.”

With the season winding down and quarterfinals set for next Wednesday, Torres said he has seen a change, especially a sense of urgency in his seniors.

“The guys are focused and they know what’s in hand,” Torres said. ‘They know our season could be over next week. Our seniors certainly don’t want it to end like that. It hasn’t ended like that for them in a few years, so we’re going to take it one game at a time.”

That road will start with CBA tonight at the Albany County Hockey Training Facility. The Blue Streaks will need to contain senior forward Sean Glennon, who comes into the game leading CBA with eight goals and six assists, in the late Valentine’s Day game, scheduled for 9:15 p.m.

“We’re playing that game like any other,” Torres said. “We want to go into the playoffs on a winning note. We want to continue this winning streak all the way to Union College.”

Last Saturday, CBA lost a one-goal game, 4-3, to Shen.

“They don’t give up a lot of goals,” Torres said. “They’ve been winning lately; they won a couple games and gave Shen a tough game last week. Kyle Stockman (2.89 GAA)is one of the top goalies in the league. We’re looking to take it to them down there, but it’s going to be a tough battle.”

Playing tonight’s game like any other, Torres is hopeful to continue playing hot while peaking at the right time.

“I just look forward to [the postseason],” Torres said. “It’s amazing how fast the season has gone and I just hope the seniors think about it that way as well. Like I told these guys, ‘It could be over in a heartbeat.’ We want to keep going.”