Saratoga TODAY Newspaper

01/28/2025

Joseph Louis "Joe" Zanchelli, 96, of Wilton, New York, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Joe is predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Carolina (Florio), and his brothers, Pasquale and Anthony. He leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Joyce (Leavitt), children Mark (Regina Adams), Michael (Doris) and Lynn Tattersall (Robert John), eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger brother Frank (Mary Anne) and his sister, Angela Fraleigh.

Joe was born on May 22, 1928, in Germantown, NY where he graduated from Germantown Central High School in 1945. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and his master’s degree in 1950 from the New York State College for Teachers (SUNY Albany). He was a high school math teacher for 5 years before beginning a career as a high school guidance counselor which he did for 32 years, the last 22 years serving as the Chairperson of the Guidance Department at Great Neck South High School.

Joe, Joyce and family loved connecting with people throughout the world including sponsoring a visiting SUNY Stony Brook college student from India and a young woman from Uganda and fostering two young sisters from Central America. They were involved in many church activities, the anti-war movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s, numerous social causes, and Democratic Party politics. Joe and his family combined their love of learning and travel by traveling extensively both internationally and domestically and by participating in many Road Scholar adventures.

Following his retirement in 1986, Joe served in several executive positions with the Great Neck Retired Educators’ Chapter and served as an elder and deacon with the Roslyn Presbyterian Church where he was also the co-president for 20 years of the Local Causes Committee. He remained active with the Presbyterian Church after moving to Saratoga Springs, served as Chair of the Planning Committee for Young at Heart Adults (YAHA), volunteered with Yaddo tending rose gardens, was the Class Counselor since 2003 for the SUNY Albany class of 1949, for which he was awarded the Excellence in Alumni Service Award by SUNY Albany in 2014.

In his leisure time Joe enjoyed playing golf, riding his bicycle, and reading, all of which he did until the last few months of his life. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the UConn women’s basketball team.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Presbyterian-United Church of Christ, 24 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Presbyterian- United Church of Christ, the Home of the Good Shepherd, Community Hospice of Saratoga and Washington Counties, or VoteBlue. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Zanchelli, please visit our flower store.

01/25/2025

Public Need Not be Alarmed

When a series of alarmed postings start popping up on social media tomorrow, you’ll be able to respond: “Relax, it’s just a rehearsal in case of a nuclear incident.”

A “large-scale, multi-agency” nuclear incident training exercise will take place in Saratoga, Schenectady, and Albany counties starting Sunday, Jan. 26 and continuing through Friday, Jan. 31 (pending Jan. 30 Senate confirmation hearing of nominee Kash Patel and his promise to “shut down the FBI Hoover Building on Day One”).

The FBI says the training exercise will not pose any risk to area residents and the public does not need to be alarmed by the presence of military personnel, aircraft, and people in protective equipment.

Participating agencies:
The Departments of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and state and local law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and public health agencies.

The exercise is an opportunity for participating entities to practice and enhance operational readiness to respond in the event of a nuclear incident, according to the FBI.

01/24/2025

Homelessness in New York state has grown sharply, more than doubling between Jan. 2022 and Jan. 2024, according to a new report released by NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

In NYS, Homelessness grew by 53.1% from January 2023 to January 2024, more than four times the rest of the nation.

Increases ranged from 11% in Poughkeepsie/Dutchess County to 138% in Glens Falls, Springs and surrounding counties.

Supervisor Michele Madigan brought this to the city’s attention at last night’s SOTC Address.

01/24/2025

“Wow” Your Valentine with a FREE Sing-A-Long Singing Valentine from YOU to Your Sweetheart!

The Racing City Chorus from Saratoga Springs, NY is inviting any interested men, 18 years or older, from the Greater Capital District, to sing a Love Song with Us to Your Sweetheart.

This is a beautiful opportunity to “WOW” your Sweetheart! Create your own Video of You, Singing a Love Song along with one of our Quartets.

This is a FREE Service offered by Racing City Chorus, to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day! We will make it easy – learn a one-minute arrangement of “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”

There is no cost – just an investment of your time! Attend two rehearsals, 6PM-7PM, (January 28th at St. Edward’s Church Social Hall, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd., Clifton Park, NY and February 4th at PBA Hall, 5 Bliven Way, Saratoga Springs, NY).

Video recording to be made by you on your phone on one of two nights, either February 4th or February 11th between 6PM-7PM at the PBA Hall, Saratoga Springs.

We will provide the sheet music and a download of a learning track. You don’t need to be able to read music. We will help teach you the song with our Quartet. You can either sing with a Quartet, or replace one of the Quartet singers! You can memorize the music, hold the sheet music or hold just the lyrics for your video – your choice!

Whatever works for you! Dress to impress on recording night, February 4th or February 11th!

Don't miss out on this thrilling opportunity at no cost to you!

*See www.RacingCityChorus.org for more details.

Contact 518-504-SING (7464) or e-mail [email protected] to get registered. (Limited to the first 20 men to sign up). Come and join the Fun and make this Valentine’s Day one that your Sweetheart will never stop talking about!

01/24/2025

A new commission will be appointed to review the City Charter, and an earlier Last Call for local bars were pinpointed as key agenda items in 2025, during Thursday night’s State of the City Address at the Skip Scirocco/ Saratoga Music Hall in Springs.

All five council members and both city supervisors were allotted a few minutes at the mic.
Framed by a trio of flags - one each representing city, state and country - they provided their respective departmental overview of 2024 accomplishments as well as their plans for 2025.

City Mayor John Safford announced he will be establishing a commission to review the city Charter “and make recommendations for improvement,” which will be chaired by Vince DeLeonardis.

Bar Closing times: “The time is right for this to be discussed with my fellow colleagues on the Board of Supervisors,” said city Supervisor Matt Veitch, who in addition to being on multiple county sub-boards, is the vice chairperson of the major supervisors board. “I believe we will have some momentum on this moving forward in 2025.”

Poet Laureate Joseph Bruchac opened the evening with two poems - one named “Harmony,” another “Civility” - two themes city Mayor Safford has riffed on since taking office in January 2024.

Among those in attendance were former city Mayor Scott Johnson and current state Sen. Jim Tedisco.

Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi confirmed that she will not seek re-election in November.

01/22/2025

The nine-day Early Voting period regarding the Special Election for the Saratoga Springs DPW Commissioner/ City Council seat began Saturday, Jan. 18 and continues through Sunday Jan. 26, inclusively, at the Scott Johnson/ Saratoga Springs Rec Center on Vanderbilt Avenue.

In the contest, City Republicans are backing Chuck Marshall for the position, while City Democrats are backing interim DPW commissioner Hank Kuczynski as a write-in candidate.

To date, just under 2% of eligible city voters overall have cast a ballot, with registered Democrats (D) accounting for 42.4%, registered Republicans (R) 37.3%, registered voters unaffiliated with any party (NOP) 15.4%, and other parties collectively completing the remaining 4.9% balance.

ELECTION DAY is Tuesday Jan. 28, when all city polling sites will be open 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

There are approximately 21,000 registered voters in Saratoga Springs’ 25 voting districts - about 40% are registered as Democrats, 28% as Republicans, 26% as actively registered with no party affiliation (NOP), and the remaining 6% registered with other parties.

01/22/2025

Christa Anna Boden (Schubert), 77, passed away peacefully, Saturday January 11, 2025, surrounded by immediate family and her beloved caregiver and friend Bonnie after a long battle with dementia. Born December 7, 1947, in Bremen, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Hans and Lisa (Zettel) Schubert of Bellmore, Long Island.

A beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend, she was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Robert (Bob) Boden, and her brother and sister, Thomas and Barbel Schubert. She is survived by her children Jennifer Boden Cerone (Bruce) of Saratoga Springs, Megan Boden (Tom Nigro) of Saratoga Springs, Marybeth Boden Cook (Burke) of Daniel Island, SC.; five grandchildren Spencer Patterson, Boden and McClain Cook; Sage Cerone Byrne (Brian), Matt Cerone; two great grandchildren Grace and Alice Byrne; her brother and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Christa moved to the United States with her family in elementary school. She graduated from Bellmore High School and began her career of service working for the United Nations. She married her high school sweetheart, Bob, and they went on to have three daughters. After they were born, she left work to devote herself to raising them. Once they were grown, she returned to work and was an administrative assistant for the Westport school district. After her and Bob moved to Saratoga Springs, NY, she embarked on a career in real estate, made guest appearances hosting at Pennell’s Restaurant, and was a member of Friends of Saratoga County animal shelter. She loved travelling and spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending evenings with her husband and good friends at Pennell’s Restaurant and Saratoga National and having lunch with her many friends. She recently had moved to South Carolina where she was able to spend time with her youngest grandchildren, experience southern hospitality, and made many wonderful new friends.

Christa dedicated her life to her family, she gave her heart and soul tending to the wellbeing of her husband, children and grandchildren. She is finally at peace after a long courageous battle. We know she cherished her final days having her three daughters all together with her one last time. Her telltale facial expressions will be forever imprinted in our hearts and minds and her absence will be felt by many.

A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Saturday February 1, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, (518) 584-5373.

Immediately following the service, we invite everyone for a celebration of Christa’s life at Pennell’s Restaurant, 284 Jefferson Street, Saratoga Springs, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in her name to Gentiva Hospice, 4975 Lacross Road Suite 200A, North Charleston, SC 29406, (843) 529-3100. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

01/20/2025

Mary Anne Roohan, affectionately known as Mimi, aged 75, passed away peacefully at the Kingston Hospital on January 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 6, 1949, in Saratoga Springs, Mimi was the cherished daughter of the late Dr. Leo W. and Jeanne Anne (Norton) Roohan.

Mimi’s life was marked by her deep devotion to family, friends, faith, and love. She attended St. Peter’s Elementary School and graduated from Saratoga High School before relocating to the Rhinebeck/Kingston area in 1970, where she spent the next 55 years crafting a life centered around her loved ones. Mimi was happiest when surrounded by her family during visits to Saratoga, family reunions, weddings, and holidays. Even when apart, she stayed connected through her legendary skills in letter writing and her dedication to communicating through holiday cards. She was also active on social media, where she would connect via texts and Facebook.

Mimi drew immense joy and strength from her faith. Her warmth, resolve, and unwavering devotion to her family left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her, ensuring that she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

The last decade of Mimi’s life was spent at the Kirschner House in Kerhonkson, NY, where she received compassionate care through the Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County. Her family is profoundly grateful to the dedicated staff for their respect and kindness and extends special thanks to Bonetta Brown, affectionately called “Bea” by Mimi. Bea’s encouraging and positive personality greatly contributed to Mimi’s confidence and independence.

Mimi’s legacy continues through her siblings and their spouses: Lee and Robin Roohan of Castleton, NY, Bridget and Peter Annulli of Granby, CT, Alice and John Sherman of West Hartford, CT, Patrick and Marian Roohan of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Kathy and Jerry Jerome of Saratoga Springs, NY. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews—Wendi, Erin, Jimmy, Emily, Katy, Sean, Andrew, Charlie, Amanda, Matthew, Mary Grace, and Jeanne—as well as her cherished great-nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, in St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY. Burial will follow at Saint Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY.

In lieu of flowers, in honor of her love of animals, Mimi’s family suggests donations to be made to Old Friends at Cabin Creek, 483 Sand Hill Road, Greenfield, NY 12833 or Saratoga County Animal Shelter located at 6010 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

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

01/18/2025

Early voting gets underway Saturday in Springs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Readying for retirement after serving ballot-casters in Saratoga the past 15 or so years, the county’s aging voting machines will be pressed back into service one more time for a special election to place in Saratoga Springs. Election Day is Tuesday, Jan. 28. In advance of ....

01/16/2025

John Emmanuel “Paddy” Joseph
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Born in Tunapuna Village, Trinidad, on November 24, 1942, John Emmanuel “Paddy” Joseph began his heavenly journey on January 3, 2025, at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife, Joanne, daughters, Stefanie and Alison, and granddaughter, Elianna. John lived a life filled with music, love, and devotion.

He celebrated 50 years of marriage with Joanne in April 2024, a relationship rooted in unwavering love and mutual respect. Their story began in St. Lucia, where Joanne served as a Peace Corps Volunteer and John worked as the musical coordinator for the Halcyon Days Hotel in Vieux Fort. John’s musical journey began as a teenager on the island of Trinidad, where he discovered his passion for the steel pan. He devoted his life to sharing this unique art form, playing with the Esso (Tripoli) and Texaco Steel Orchestras. His talents took him across the Caribbean, Europe and Japan; and eventually to the United States when he married Joanne. John passed his love of the steelpan on to his first-born grandson, Shiloh, ensuring John’s passion for the steel pan lives on through future generations. In Rochester, NY, John joined the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band.

He started his own band, Caribbean Breeze Steelband, when he moved to the Saratoga area. His love for music extended beyond performance; John became a mentor and teacher, introducing steel pans into orchestral program, including those at Rhinebeck and Herkimer Central School Districts, as well as after-school programs at the Rome, NY YMCA and Hamilton Hills Art Center in Schenectady NY and the Devereux Adult Care program in Kingston, NY. His efforts ensured that children, including those with special needs, could experience the joy of music.Beyond music, John was a man of many passions.

He loved cooking traditional Trinidadian dishes, which became the heart of countless family gatherings at the “Brown House,” a name lovingly given to the family home by his oldest granddaughter, Dayonna. An avid horse racing enthusiast, John found great joy at the Saratoga Flat Track, where his warmth, humor, and generosity fostered lasting friendships. A lifelong sports fan, he was a walking encyclopedia of sports knowledge. John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Joanne; his daughters Lisa, Stefanie, and Alison (John Brown, Sr); 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, 2 sisters and one brother and numerous nephews and nieces.John’s warm smile, laughter, humor and generous spirit will forever resonate in the hearts of all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the recordings of the Texaco Steel Orchestra, the Goretti Group and the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band’s Caribbean Romance CDs. The family extends a special thank you to Community Hospice nurses, Kelly and Amanda, Drs. Delmonte, Kondo, Drzymalski, German, NP Tessa Trigonia and their teams.All contributions to John’s name can be made to Community Hospice.A Celebration of Life will occur in the Spring 2025 with details to be announced.

01/16/2025

Ralph L. “Walloper” Altieri, age 77, of Rome, passed away October 19, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, following complications from cardiac surgery.He was born November 21, 1946, in Saratoga Springs, a son of the late Victor S. and Grace L. Vandenburgh Altieri. Ralph earned Associate Degrees in Instructor Technology and Aircraft Maintenance Technology, at the College of the Air Force, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management at the New School of Social Research. He proudly enlisted in the Air Force in 1967. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Anderson AFB in Guam and Utapao AFB in Thailand, where he was a maintenance mechanic and instructor on the B-52 aircraft, preparing the planes for their bombing missions.

He retired honorably in 1987. Ralph later worked at DFAS until his retirement.Ralph is survived by two daughters, Melissa Grace Halligan and Lynn Altieri Need, sons in law, Corey Halligan and Stu Need; former wife, Judith Altieri; grandchildren, Lennon Altieri, Lainey Need, and Koa Need; and brothers, Victor Altieri, Lou Altieri and Thomas Altieri.A message from Ralph; “To my family, I love you all so very, very much, and to all my loved ones and any others that I had hurt their feelings during my life; I’m deeply regretful for my actions”.

A celebration of life will be celebrated on January 25, at the Stanwix Veteran and Men’s Club. Burial with Military Honors will be on January 24 at 1:00 p.m. in Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Please offer online condolences or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com

01/06/2025

City Officer Injured after Driver Hits Patrol Car

SARATOGA SPRINGS – A Saratoga Springs officer was injured after his police vehicle was struck by a passing motorist, police said.

At 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, Saratoga Springs Police Officer Quinn Leffler was assisting and diverting traffic away from a personal injury car crash at the intersection of Route 9N and Kirby Road.

While sitting in his police vehicle, a grey Toyota Rav4 allegedly disregarded the emergency lights and struck the patrol vehicle in which Leffler was seated.

The officer was able to advise other police officers on scene that he was struck and that the Toyota fled the scene on Kirby Road. Patrol Officers engaged in a pursuit which concluded in a parking lot of a business on Route 9N.

John Bidonde, 21, of Porter Corners, was charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree, assault in the third-degree, and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. Bidonde was released on an Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear in City Court on Jan. 23.

Officer Leffler was taken to Saratoga Hospital and released. He is expected to return to duty within several weeks, according to a press release issued by the SSPD.

01/04/2025

UPDATED: A man was shot and the suspect charged with attempted murder as well as numerous gun-related charges, following an incident that occurred in the town of Halfmoon in southern Saratoga County this morning.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office says at approximately 11:04 a.m., deputies responded to reports that a man had been shot by a person known to him near 44 Route 146 in Halfmoon

Justin P. Wagner, 25, of Schenectady, was subsequently charged with attempted murder in the second-degree, criminal use of a firearm, two counts criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of an assault weapon.

Wagner is accused of discharging an illegally possessed rifle with the intent to kill another person. He was also charged with recklessly endangering the life of another person who was present.

Wagner allegedly fled the scene in a car and was apprehended by Sheriff’s deputies on Route 146 near Moe Road shortly thereafter without incident.

He was arraigned and send to Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings.

The victim, who was known to Wagner, was struck by gunfire and transported by ambulance to Albany Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

01/03/2025

Greetings reader,

First let me begin with a hearty Happy New Year!

I am excited for all the opportunities 2025 will bring, and I hope you are also.

Over the past few weeks I have received numerous calls and texts asking me if I am selling the newspaper or the building.

The reason is because we have a Roohan Realty sign out front.

I am happy to let you know that neither of those transactions are happening.

We are simply renting office space on the second floor.

Rest assured that we will be around for quite a while, providing you the best coverage of local news, sports and entertainment.

But if you know anyone looking for a great road front office space, send them my way.

-Chad

01/02/2025

Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett was unanimously selected to again serve as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and Matt Veitch unanimously selected as vice-chair in a vote held Thursday afternoon at the county complex in Ballston Spa.

They are roles both Barrett and Veitch similarly served in 2024.

The county Board will oversee a $432 million budget in 2025.

The Board is comprised of 23 supervisors. Each of Saratoga County’s 21 municipalities have at least one elected supervisor; Saratoga Springs, and Clifton Park – the county’s most populous municipalities – each have two representatives.

Members of the county’s 12 Standing Committees for 2025 were also announced.

Each Standing Committee has 5 to 7 members, and is where discussion relative to that committee’s focus takes place, with items later forwarded to the full Supervisor Board for potential approval. By rule, the Chair of each Standing Committee is selected by the Chair of the Board of Supervisor.

Where history is concerned, the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held in late May, 1791 at the dwelling house of Walter Meade, according to documents charting “Saratoga County Supervisors 1779-1877,” and made available by current county historian Lauren Roberts.
Meade was an innkeeper in Stillwater, and that meeting included representatives of Ballston, Halfmoon, Saratoga and Stillwater.

By 1820, the number of supervisors had grown to 19 in number, and included - for the first time - Saratoga Springs, which was represented by Ashbel Andrews.

Andrews lived at the corner of Broadway and Washington streets and was elected Supervisor of the newly minted “town” of Saratoga Springs at the first town meeting, staged at Broadway’s Union Hall on March 7, 1820. The town of Saratoga Springs would six years later be incorporated as a “village” and subsequently as a “city” in the next century.


County Sheriff Michael Zurlo announced that he has decided. at the conclusion of his term, to “step aside and allow for new leadership to take the helm.”
Supervisor Barrett thanked Zurlo for his service, and the sheriff received a standing ovation from supervisors.

01/02/2025

Mr. Ralph William Grasso Jr., age 91, of 10 Oak St, Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on December 29, 2024, at Saratoga Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family at the time of his passing.

Ralph was born on November 29, 1933 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He attended St. Peter’s Academy from kindergarten until his graduation in 1951. He joined the Air Force, attended Basic Training at Sampson in Geneva, NY and served in Mississippi, Korea, Japan and Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY. In February 1957, Ralph married Delores A. Blanchard of Rome, NY. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Ralph and Delores resided in Saratoga Springs, NY from 1957 until the time of his death. While working for GE, he took a leave of absence and attended Hudson Valley Technical Institute, graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree. Ralph returned to GE and worked at their Knolls Atomic Power Facility until his retirement in 1991. Not one to sit still, Ralph then took over his father’s Italian Ice business and became known as “Lemon Ice” for many years. A true joy in his life was seeing children and watching them grow and then bringing their own children to enjoy a lemon ice.

Ralph was a lifelong faithful communicant of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church.

He was predeceased in death by his parents Ralph Grasso, Sr. and Christine (Cappello) Grasso; his infant brother Joseph (1931); his brother Joseph Victor (2007) and his granddaughter Camille Isabel (1997).

Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years Delores; daughters Christine (David) Lewis of Saratoga Springs, NY; Sharon Grasso (John Wason) of Flagstaff, AZ; Mary Grasso of St. Augustine, FL; and sons Ralph III (Carol) of Ballston Spa, NY and Michael of S. Glens Falls, NY; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Ralph enjoyed trying to “fix/improve” anything he got his hands on, anything from toys to electronics to appliances to snowblowers. Not always successfully! He did not believe in the wise proverb “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Ralph was a member of the Eagles and R.E.A.C. Club, Post 35 of the Italian American War Veterans, Principessa Elena Society, Post 420 of the VFW and Chapter 60 of the Korean War Veterans. Ralph was known for his dry wit, loved to entertain, play bocce, cards and march in parades as a proud Korean War Veteran. He was also an avid camper with his trusty Holiday Rambler trailer and, beginning in 1965, his family of 7 spent many summers camping and having great fun.

In accordance with his wishes, Ralph has donated his earthly body to science with the hope that doctors might improve existing medical procedures or discover and develop new and better procedures to give his family and humankind a chance for an improved quality of life.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A funeral home service will be held at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors will take place at the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave., Saratoga Springs. Reception following at the Principessa Elena Society.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

01/02/2025

Brian Patrick Martell, affectionately known as "Hart," passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024, at the age of 43, after a valiant and courageous battle with leukemia. In his final moments, he was surrounded by his loving family.

Born on February 19, 1981, in Albany, New York, Brian was the beloved son of Richard and Karen (Schumaker) Martell of Ballston Spa. He grew up in a home filled with love and laughter alongside his two brothers, Christopher and Scott Martell. The bond they shared as siblings deepened over time, evolving into an enduring friendship that would later shape their professional lives together.

Brian was a proud graduate of Saratoga Central Catholic High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Union Graduate College. His education laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for creating meaningful connections through his work.

On June 20, 2014, Brian married his soulmate, Natasa Dugandzic. Their union was built on a foundation of love and adventure. Together, they created a life full of shared passions and cherished memories. The pinnacle of their journey came on June 23, 2020, with the birth of their daughter Mila Hart Martell. Mila was the light of Brian's life with her boundless energy and joy—she was his heart's greatest treasure and the true expression of all he held dear.

Brian had an unquenchable thirst for adventure that took him across the globe. Together with Natasa, he explored some of the world's most beautiful destinations—Croatia's sunlit shores, Ireland's great pubs, and Portugal's tranquil beaches were among their favorite escapes. Closer to home, spending time in Lake George with his parents, wife, daughter, brothers, sisters-in-law Jennifer and Tory Martell, his amazing nieces, Ainsley and Lydia, and his wonderful nephew, Declan, was a treasured pursuit for Brian.

A rabid sports fan to his core, Brian's loyalty belonged to the New York Yankees, New York Giants, New York Rangers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Manchester City Football Club. Whether cheering from the stands or watching from home surrounded by friends and family, sports were more than just games—they were a source of connection and camaraderie he couldn't get enough of.

Brian's professional journey was inseparable from his family roots. Together with his father, Rick, and brothers Chris and Scott, he co-founded Druthers Brewing Company—a venture that became much more than just a business. For Brian, Druthers was a labor of love; it was about creating something meaningful while sharing every step of the process with those closest to him. His contributions extended far beyond the X's and O's - dollars and cents—his creativity came alive in crafting menus and designing inviting spaces that reflected his vision and passion.

Known for his quick wit and infectious sense of humor, Brian brought light and (A LOT OF) sound to every room he entered. He took pride in being what he jokingly called an "amazing chef," amusing friends and family alike with culinary creations that were as inventive as they were delicious. Yet beyond his talents in the kitchen or at work, it was Brian's warmth, generosity of spirit, and ability to connect deeply with others that left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Brian's life was one defined by love: love for his family who stood steadfastly by his side; love for the most incredible friends a guy could ever have, friends who show up and are always there for each other, friends who shared countless memories over pints at local favorites like "CSP" or the "Shoe"; love for new experiences that enriched his soul; and love for life itself—even when faced with its most difficult challenges.

Though Brian's time here feels cruelly brief for those who loved him dearly, his legacy endures as a testament to living boldly—with courage like his—and savoring every moment given.

A celebration of Brian's extraordinary life will be held at Druthers Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs on January 11 at 5:00 p.m. His friends and family are invited to attend.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com