6 Beth E. Johansen SARATOGA SPRINGS — Beth E. Johansen passed away on November 11, 2016 after a lengthy illness. She died peacefully in her Saratoga Springs home of 40 years with her husband Michael White by her side. She was 65. Beth was born in Jamaica, NY and grew up in Lindenhurst, NY. She attended SUNY Albany, class of 1972 and earned a Master’s Degree from Albany Medical College in 1984. She worked as a medical laboratory technician at several labs including Glens Falls Hospital. For 25 years, she was a Clinical Laboratory Inspector for the New York State Department of Health. Beth was an avid gardener, and treasured the hours she spent tending her beautiful garden. An enthusiastic hiker, camper, skier, kayaker, ornithologist and botanist, she was known for her habit of carrying multiple books on hikes for identifying flowers along the trail. She loved sharing her outdoor experiences, most notably in the high peaks of the Adirondacks, with her son, husband, friends, and fellow members of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Beth was a peace activist and member of the Saratoga Peace Alliance and often joined the group for their weekly peace vigil outside of the Broadway Post Office. She served as Chair of the Saratoga County Green Party for more than a decade, and participated in many grassroots efforts for making a better world. Beth and her husband were active members of the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs and she practiced meditation with the Albany Tendai Buddhist group. She is survived by her husband and their son Sean Haggerty. She is also survived by her brother Mark Johansen (Lynn Taormina), brother Paul Johansen (Jean Maddaloni), and sister Ellen Johansen (Howard Harris), as well as eleven nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, neighbors and local community. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 2 p.m. Contributions can be made in Beth’s memory to Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs and the Adirondack Mountain Club.
Charles J. Cardini GANSEVOORT — Charles J. Cardini, age 73, died unexpectedly at his home on November 21, 2016. He was born on November 1, 1943, in Milan, Italy and was the son of the late Carlo Cardini and Eleanore Lavazzari Cardini. “Charlie,” if you worked with him or knew him casually, or “Cheech” to loved ones, family and childhood friends, joined the General Electric Company Apprentice Program shortly after his graduation from Niskayuna High School in 1961. He spent the last 30 years of his GE career as an Instructor and Technical Support for Gas Turbines at the GE Training Center in Niskayuna. His life however, was not defined by his career but more importantly by the passions he pursued in his spare time. He was a talented photographer using his natural artistic eye and skill to capture the power and grace of modern locomotives and beauty of thoroughbred racehorses in action. He was a lifelong lover of all animals, ranging from turtles, to cats, to horses, and was never without a pet in his life and home. But those who knew him best understood that his
OBITUARIES greatest passion and comfort was music. As a music enthusiast and an accomplished musician on the guitar, he was particularly knowledgeable and devoted to the music of the 60s and 70s. During that time, he was never happier than when he was watching performances in the small intimate venues of New York City’s Fillmore East and Saratoga Springs’ Caffe Lena. He taught his children that Eric Clapton could make his guitar speak and give you chills if you listened closely enough, and that nobody could tell a story through song like Bob Dylan. Cheech is survived by his loving family: son Jeff Cardini (Krista), grandchildren Elizabeth, William, Sophia and Jack of Norwood, MA; daughter Melissa Trombetta (Bryan), grandchildren Elsa and Luke of Ossining, NY; and son Peter (Heather) and grandson Niko of Derry, NH. Arrangements are under the direction of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc, 402 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs. If you wish to express your online condolences or view the Obituary, please visit our website at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service; instead they wish to honor his memory with an excerpt from the song “Forever Young” written by Bob Dylan. May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all come true May you always do for others And let others do for you May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung May you stay Forever young
Darren D. Carrara SARATOGA SPRINGS — Darren D. Carrara, beloved grandson, son, brother, father, uncle and friend, of Saratoga Springs passed away suddenly at the Saratoga Hospital on Friday, November 25, 2016 from a heart attack. He was only 39 years old and left us way too soon. Born on July 26, 1977 in Rutland, VT he was the youngest son of Richard S. Carrara and Dawna M. (Merrill) Carrara. Darren graduated from Clarkson University class of 2000. While attending Clarkson, he became a brother of the T.E.P. (Tau Epsilon Phi) Fraternity. Darren was the proud owner of the Comic Depot on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. For the last 13 years, Darren poured his heart and soul into creating a loving, supportive community where his customers became his family. His legacy in the comic book world will live on through the amazing and loving friendships he fostered and through his store that he worked tirelessly to build and grow over the years. Darren was a kind and generous soul often reaching out to others in need offering his time, support and smile. His gentle demeanor, easy smile and laughter will forever be missed by his family and all those whom he touched. Survivors include his children, daughter Mackenzie Parker Carrara and his son Oliver Patrick Carrara, his father Richard Carrara and step-mother Carol of Palm Coast FL, his mother Dawna M. Carrara of Rutland, his brother Dana Merrill Carrara and his wife Valerie of Castleton, VT, his sister, Tammara Carrara Stewart of Middletown Springs, VT, the mother of his children, Kristi Carrara of Schuylerville, his girlfriend, Jennifer
Week of December 2 – December 8, 2016 Forgue of Saratoga Springs, three nieces, Abby Stewart, Isabella and Julia Carrara, and his maternal grandmother, Irene V. Merrill. He is also survived by his Comic Depot family, the comic community and his T.E.P. brothers. Calling hours are from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 2 at the Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory for his children (Oliver and Mackenzie) to the Darren Carrara Memorial Fund in care of Glens Falls National Bank, 73 Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY. Online remembrances may be made at www.tunisonfuneral home.com
Eileen A. Jameson SARATOGA SPRINGS — Eileen A. Jameson, age 77, passed away on November 23, 2016, at Saratoga Hospital. She was born on January 19, 1939, in Boston, MA, to Leslie McElhiney and Edith Gray McElhiney. Eileen graduated from Schenectady High School in Schenectady and attained her Associates degree from SCCC. She worked as a Social Worker for Saratoga County for many years. Eileen enjoyed crafts and was an avid seamstress. She was an active member of the “Brave Wood Carvers” where she did sculpturing. Eileen is survived by her son, Danny Jameson (Shelly), son, Jeffrey Scott Jameson (Judy), and daughter Heidi Jill Limongi (Greg); eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Gary Jameson, son Patrick Jameson, and daughter Susan Jameson. A graveside service was held on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Barkersville Cemetery in Middle Grove, NY. Family and friends gathered to remember her prior to the graveside service. Arrangements are under the direction of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc, 402 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs. If you wish to express your online condolences or view the Obituary, please visit our website at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
George Becktoft SARATOGA SPRINGS — George Herman Becktoft formerly of Benedict St. in Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at the Orchard Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Granville, NY. He was 87 years old. Born in Mt. Vernon, NY on Sept 19, 1929, he was the son of the late George Becktoft and Philipina Crolly Becktoft He and his family moved to a farm in Ballston Spa when he was 15. He graduated from Ballston Spa High school class of 1949. He was voted best looking in his class. Upon graduating from high school, George enlisted in the United States Army where he was a paratrooper with 508th Airborne. He married his wife Claire in 1952. She passed on June 14, 1986. Mr. Becktoft was a retired Captain of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department with 29 years of service and he was awarded the Medal of Merit for his service. He was also the owner and operator of George’s Bow and Gun Shop of Saratoga Springs for 40 plus years. Mr. Becktoft was member of the Home of the Rising Sun