The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin

Melvin Theodore Feathers — Obituary

By

HANCOCK, MA – Melvin Theodore Feathers, age 91, passed away on February 1, 2025 following a sudden-onset unidentified illness. He was born on January 17, 1934 in Berlin, New York, the son of Douglas and Sarah (Sally) (Cronkwright) Feathers. He graduated in 1954 from Berlin Central High School. Following three years of service in the National Guard, he then served active duty from 1956 to 1958 in the U.S. Army.

Mel was a jack-of-all-trades person, but a great master of one – mechanic. From the age of 12, he was learning how to repair cars from his master mechanic father. That learning continued as he worked on military vehicles and received advanced schooling in the Army. For many years, he worked at Seyffer Ford in Pittsfield, regularly being sent to classes conducted by Ford Motor Co. In 1977 he bought into partnership at Green Valley Equipment in Hancock, where the repairs then involved farm equipment. Later, he opened his own Mel’s Repair Shop and continued working on automobiles, lawn machinery, and small engines. Well into his 80s, he was still being asked by people for advice on making repairs. [Read more…] about Melvin Theodore Feathers — Obituary

Richard L. DeShane – Obituary

By

November 1, 1955 – December 25, 2024
Richard (Ricky) DeShane was the son of the late Alice Lackey DeShane, born in Bennington VT Hospital November 1, 1955. Ricky is survived by three brothers, Robert DeShane of Maine, Edward DeShane of Massena, NY, David DeShane Buskirk, NY and sister Sally Johnston of Eagle Bridge, NY. Survivors include several nieces and nephews and many cousins and his lifetime friend and buddy Wade Rathburn. Other than parents, Ricky is predeceased by three siblings, Elmer DeShane of Norfolk, NY, Lewis (Harley) DeShane of Massena, NY and Jerry DeShane of Hoosick Falls, NY.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Bruce A. Hewitt – Obituary

By

BERLIN, NY – Bruce A. Hewitt, a life-long resident of Berlin, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 22, 2024 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. He was 83 years of age.

Bruce was born in Troy, NY to Erskine and Gladys (Jones) Hewitt. His formative years were spent in Berlin where he received his education.  Bruce was a graduate of Berlin High School, Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY where he majored in business and Albany State Teacher’s College where he earned his degree in teacher education. Soon after graduation Bruce garnered employment, as a teacher, with the Hudson City School District where, for 36 years, he taught business classes. Bruce also served as Class Advisor for several senior classes. Bruce worked with the NYS Regents Department checking Regents Exams as well as formulating questions for the NYS Business Regents Exams. [Read more…] about Bruce A. Hewitt – Obituary

William H. Gilbert – Obituary

By

Berlin — William “Bill” H. Gilbert, Jr. 81, of Cherry Plain passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 11, 2024 surrounded by his children at Albany Medical Center. He was a beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He is predeceased by his parents, William H Gilbert, Sr. and Mary (Clancy) Gilbert, his partner Patricia Arrighi, his Brother Donald Gilbert and his bestest boy Jake.

He was born at Leonard Hospital in Troy, NY to William H Gilbert, Sr. and Mary Clancy on January 3, 1943. He grew up in Dutchess, Columbia and Rensselaer counties going to school at the Stillman Village schoolhouse in Petersburg and later in the village of Amenia. [Read more…] about William H. Gilbert – Obituary

NarAnon Family Group

By

New Help Available for Families & Friends of Those Addicted to Narcotics

Pathway of Peace, A NarAnon Family Group, will start up on Sunday, November 17th, at 6 pm as a new local resource for those affected by someone else’s addiction to narcotics. The NarAnon Family Groups are a world-wide fellowship offering help by sharing the experiences, strengths, and hope of those who come together in ongoing weekly meetings. The new group will be the first and currently only NarAnon Meeting in all four of Rensselaer, Columbia, Berkshire, and Bennington Counties.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Berlin Forth of July Parade

By

Theme: Your Choice

Before you know it, our only Fourth of July Parade in Rensselaer County will be here! We will have dug ourselves out of the snow drifts and slogged through the mud to get to the big day!

We invite the community, not only in Berlin but in the surrounding towns who participate in this joy-filled event every July Fourth, to vote for a theme, and when that’s done, create the best float, costume, or attraction, and show off in the parade for prizes, recognition, and fame! Vote, and make it so! The options are:

You must be logged in to view this article.

A Positive Summer Experience

By

Submitted by Star Donovan, Library Trustee
This summer, four youngsters from Berlin were given the chance to attend four weeks of Stephentown Memorial Library’s Summer Camp for free, thanks to an award program offered by the Berlin Free Town Library. Sisters Serenity (12) and Janiyah (9) had gone to summer camp in the past, but for brothers CL (12) and GL (8), this was their first time attending a day camp where one didn’t actually sleep in tents, so they weren’t quite sure what to expect. Nevertheless, all four were happy to meet up with friends they already knew and to make new ones too, which, for the boys, included some future soccer teammates.

You must be logged in to view this article.

A Young Marine

By

Written and submitted by Patricia Jennison McNally
Dedicated to Corporal Sean Jennison
A young Marine, among the honorable elite of our Armed Forces. The first of the United States military to be called in times of war. Qualifying by enduring and successfully meeting all of the excruciating rigors placed before him. Raising his hand and making the solemn promise to protect and defend his homeland at all costs. Putting his country first, putting his fellow Americans first. This young Marine, rising in the ranks, in charge of a platoon of his fellow Marines.

You must be logged in to view this article.

William S. Snyder – Obituary

By

Grafton – William S. “Will” Snyder, 37, was taken away from us way too early from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on August 29th, 2024.

William was born November 22nd, 1986 to Rebecca (Burdick) Greene and Richard Snyder. William graduated from Berlin Central School in 2006. William started his working days at Seagroatt’s in Berlin and then at Berlin True Value and later at Mapledale Farms. Currently he continued his love for farming and enjoyed trucking at Wagner Farms part-time. Will was currently working full-time at VPS Control Systems in Hoosick, where he worked for the past 15 years. [Read more…] about William S. Snyder – Obituary