Hoosick Falls – John Joseph Stuka, was known as “Mush” to everyone who knew him growing up in the Clay Hill section of Hoosick Falls, NY. Born on September 23, 1917, Mush was the son of Andrew and Rozalia (Symolon) Stuka. He was the husband of the late Janet Carolyn (Wright) Stuka, who died on February 18, 2001. They were married on November 18, 1939, and were together for sixty-two years.
Mush enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 16, 1943. He was a ball turret gunner in a B-24 named Lady Luck. Between April 29, 1944, and August 22, 1944, he flew a total of fifty-one combat sorties, some of them to the Ploesti oil refineries on the 10th and 17th of August, 1944. In June of 1944 the Lady Luck was involved in the Vienna, Austria, bombing, and the crew was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. Among other medals awarded the crew were two Air Medals and two Distinguished Cross Medals with four bronze battle stars.
Mush was formerly employed at Wright Way Laundry in Bennington, VT, owned by his brothers-in-law, Lester and Arthur Wright. He was also employed at the Specialty Mfg. Company and retired in May of 1986 from the former Wood Flong Corp., both in Hoosick Falls.
In his youth he played baseball for the City League in Hoosick Falls and was known as “First Ward’s Steller Pitcher.” He was second in batting averages with an average of .425. Mush attended St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls. He also enjoyed gardening and loved teasing his grandchildren with his famous cucumber in a bottle trick. He was famous for his sense of humor and quick wit. Mush had many favorite fishing spots at Babcock Lake where he spent many summers at the family camp.
He is survived by two daughters, Emmy Piritz and husband Carl of Hoosick Falls and Rosemarie Cave of Liverpool, NY, a son, William Stuka of Wells, NY, and eight grandchildren, Michael and Robert Piritz, Lisa Davis, Adam, Janet and Ethan Foucher, Brandon and Jennifer Stuka. He is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by four sisters, Helen Coulter, Florence Scoville, Clara Pettibone and Sophie Petralia.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 22, with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls. Arrangements were by the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls.
The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, the staff at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls and Dr. Marcus Martinez for their kind and loving care.
Archives for June 2013
The Life Of George Holcomb – A Death In The Snow: Demon Rum is Blamed
Sunday, December 23, 1827: Today I took the cutter and carried my wife to the funeral of one Mr. Powell, he died on Monday night it is expected, in the snow storm. He was intoxicated and on his way home from the store with a jug of rum. Elder Jones preached his funeral at the schoolhouse in Goodrich Hollow, but sermon was out before we got there. Today cousin widow Nelly Holcomb and her son called to see if we would take her daughter to work for her board and go to school.
Monday: I carried my children to school and drew wood from my Rodgers Farm. Tonight I started to go to see the widow Nelly Holcomb to let her know that she might send her girl and we would take her as proposed. I sent word by her son without going any further. Tonight we kept a trunk peddler, and he paid us in pins and thread.
Thursday: Today some stormy. I tended to chores and chopped wood to the door, and we, brother Wm and I, tended to dividing our sheep. We had to divide our sheep over again on account of the marks getting rubbed off.
Friday: I called down to the Shakers to David Munson’s and paid one dol and 61 cts for five pounds of 3/4 of shoe leather. I called into J. Gold’s store and exchanged 21 dols Vermont money for Albany, Troy, and Pittsfield money. Some rainy.
Saturday: I called to Samuel Holcomb’s to see if widow Nelly Holcomb was going to let me have her little girl to help us, as has been talked, but she has engaged her elsewhere. On the way I called to M. Platt’s store and paid ten cents for my wife a small hair comb.
Thursday, January 10, 1828: We chopped and piled wood in my Rodgers swamp. On this morning Miss Alma Booge died. She has been for months unwell with bloating, and died at last with quick consumption.
Friday: Today my wife and I walked down to the widow Booge’s to the funeral of Alma Booge. Mr. Silas Churchill preached. I went up Goodrich Hollow in Hancock to Gideon Martin’s to engage money to borrow to make out a payment to brother Wm the first of April for land, but I did not engage any for a certainty. I called to Henry Stanton and got the promise of three hundred dollars the first of April next.
Thursday, January 24: Today I took the cutter and carried my wife and Mother Holcomb to Hazard Morey’s to the funeral of Old Mrs. Morey, her age 89 years. A Quaker from Adams preached and today Mr. Sylvester Gardner was married to Miss Alma Russell by Elder Jones, and this evening Mr. John Hatch to Miss Lecta Tyler, and tonight I walked over to H. Platt’s store and left my tax money and brother Wm’s with said Platt to hand to the said collector Mittle according to his orders. Our taxes were five dol and 80 cts, and brother Wm’s taxes were one dol and 88 cts.
Fatal Accident In Cherry Plain
by David Flint
A Cherry Plain woman lost her life last Thursday night when struck by a car as she walked along Route 22. State Police from the Schodack barracks reported that at approximately 9:15 pm on June 13 a 2005 Chrysler operated by Douglas S. Homiak, age 22 of Berlin, was heading south on Route 22 less than a half mile south of Bly Hollow Road. [Read more…] about Fatal Accident In Cherry Plain
Petersburgh Town Board Action – NYS To Close Route 2 For Two Weeks
by Alex Brooks
The Petersburgh Town Board convened their regular meeting on June 17 with just three members of the Town Board present – Supervisor Siegfried Krahforst, Richard Snyder and Bill Seel. Duane Goodermote and David Alderman were not present.
Petersburgh Highway Superintendent Ray Harrison said the State DOT has alerted him that they will have to close Route 2 for two weeks to repair the damage from the June 5 downpour. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Town Board Action – NYS To Close Route 2 For Two Weeks
Flag Day Ceremony In Hoosick Falls
by Bea Peterson
The weather was perfect for Flag Day ceremonies at Post #40 American Legion headquarters in Hoosick Falls on Friday, June 14. Legion members, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Hoosick Falls Community Band were all part of the program. Guests were welcomed by Post Commander Bernie Guerard. Boy Scouts and Legion members together lowered the flag from its pole and folded it.
[Read more…] about Flag Day Ceremony In Hoosick Falls
Reynolds Foundation Distributes $12,600
by Bea Peterson
On Saturday, June 15, Norma Brenenstuhl and Armand Rousseau distributed checks to nine local agencies totaling $12,600. The checks were presented to the Hoosick Falls Community Band for operating expenses, the Town of Hoosick Historical Society, the Hoosick Area Church Association (HACA) Food Pantry, the Hoosick Falls Girl Scout Service program and the Hoosick Falls Girl Scout Day Camp, the Cheney Library Children’s Reading program, the Wood Park Residents Association, the North Hoosick Fire Dept. Disaster Shelter Fund and the local Reynolds Foundation.
[Read more…] about Reynolds Foundation Distributes $12,600
HFCS Board Meeting – Asst. Principal Lamy Resigns
by Alex Brooks
The resignation of Brett Lamy, Assistant Principal of the High School and Athletic Director, was accepted by the Hoosick Falls School Board at its meeting on June 13. At the same meeting both of the half time positions that he held this year were abolished. A decision to eliminate the Assistant Principal position was made as a budget cutting measure last winter when the budget was being constructed.
[Read more…] about HFCS Board Meeting – Asst. Principal Lamy Resigns
Berlin Town Board Action – Enforcing Peace And Order
by Kieron Kramer
A public hearing on a revision to the Town of Berlin Dog Law, Local Law #2 of 2010, and on a new Dog Ordinance was held at 7 pm on Thursday, June 13, before the regular Town Board meeting. The hearing was well attended and, although it only lasted 15 minutes, included a wide ranging discussion of dog and dog owner behavior in Berlin.
[Read more…] about Berlin Town Board Action – Enforcing Peace And Order
Stephentown Town Board Action – Paint, Planners And A Counsel
by David Flint
The Stephentown Town Board thinks the Town Hall is in need of some refurbishment. Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt believes the interior has not been painted since it was built. Therefore, at their meeting on Monday, June 17, the Board authorized the publication of a Request for Proposals to paint the interior of the building and carry out some minor repairs. No specifications will be included. The proposals are due in the Town Clerk’s Office by Friday, July 12.
[Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – Paint, Planners And A Counsel
Grafton Planning Board Action – Silence Should Be Golden
by Kieron Kramer
Three public hearings were held before the regular Grafton Planning Board meeting on Monday, June 17. At 6:15 the subject was the Edelmann/MacNaughton major subdivision application; at 6:30 it was the Lawrence Meracle minor subdivision, and at 6:45 it was the Halloran-Minbiole lot line adjustment. None of these applications were controversial or opposed, and the comments were very brief.
Fifteen minutes were allotted to each hearing. The hearings should have been only five minutes long. Apparently the members of the Planning Board abhor a verbal vacuum. Led by impish Board Member Owen Grandjean, they began playfully trash talking each other. [Read more…] about Grafton Planning Board Action – Silence Should Be Golden