Born Sunday, June 26, 1927 in Utica, NY, he was the son of Charles and Anna Damsky.  After high school graduation, he joined the United States Navy and served to the end of World War II.  After his return, he attended and graduated from Colgate University and received a law degree from Cornell Law School.

 Mr. Damsky devoted his law career, both privately and as an attorney for New York State, to the law of zoning and planning.  He was the author and co-author of a number of Law Review articles and the author of the book, ­­­­­­­ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ZONING—.  Upon his retirement from New York State service, he was appointed Special Counsel on Land Use Law to the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, charged with the responsibility of revising and updating the state’s land use statutes.

 Sheldon and Dorice were married May 25, 1969 and lived in the Albany area until moving to Saranac Lake in 1992.  There Sheldon began writing fiction.  His books SARANAC LAKE REQUIEM and SARANAC LAKE REVISITED dealt with the lives of tuberculosis patients when the village was a leading center for the treatment of the disease.

 In 2004, Sheldon and Dorice moved to Cambridge with their beloved rescued dog, Alex.  He wrote three more books-MAN’S DAYS ARE AS GRASS, MURDER AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN and DEATH ON APPEAL, published this past July.  He was hard at work on his next one.

 Along with his wife of 41 years, Sheldon is survived by three children, Ellen Damsky of Clinton, NY, Susan Mancini and husband Marc of Croton-on- Hudson and Neil Damsky of Albany; two granddaughters, Jenya Damsky and Leah Mancini; three step-sons. Steven Nelson of Troy, Leigh Nelson of Richmond, MA and Michael Nelson and wife Marlene of Pittsfield, MA and step-grandchildren, Jason and Christopher Parks and Merrick and Crissy Nelson.

 At Sheldon’s request there are no services.  He requested memorial donations be made to your public library.

Cambridge,  Isobel M. Meyer, 81, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, August 19, 2010.  She was the beloved wife of John A. Meyer.

Born Wednesday, August 29, 1928 in Hackensack, NJ, she was the daughter of Maxwell and Margaret (Johnston) Stephen.  She attended college for several years before marrying John on September 12, 1953.

Isobel and John raised their family in River Edge, NJ where Isobel was very active in the community.  She was a member and past president of the Jr. Woman’s Club and the Sr. Woman’s Club: a member of the River Edge Fire Department Auxiliary and a very active member of the First Congregational Church of River Edge.

She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Girl Scout Cookie Chairman, Little League Team Mother and participated in all the activities in which her children were involved.  She worked for the River Edge School District after the children grew up and went to college.

In 1986, after John retired from the River Edge Police Department, they moved to Cambridge where John’s parents had a farm since 1953. Isobel immediately became involved in her new community.  She served as president of the Mary McClellan Hospital Auxiliary for four terms and was a volunteer for 17 years .In 2002 she was recognized as “Volunteer of the Year” having logged in 3180 hours.  She was a member and past president of The Salem Area Woman’s Club; a member of Cambridge Valley Chapter #147, Order of the Eastern Star; a member of the Shushan Covered Bridge Museum and along with her husband, was a member of the Green Mountain Antique Car Club.

 She and John became members of the First Congregational Church in Old Bennington, where Isobel served as a Sunday school teacher and for several terms on the Board of Deacons.

Her family was the center of Isobel’s life.  She was extremely proud of her Scottish Heritage and recently traveled to Ellis Island where her parents had entered the United States.  She loved Thanksgiving, Christmas and family vacations to Cape Cod.  She was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Along with her husband of nearly 57 years, Isobel is survived by five children, Jennifer L. Pryke (James) of Newton, Iowa, Dr. Jeffrey A. Meyer (Lynn) of Granville, John D. Meyer, J. D. (Janet) of Cape May Courthouse, NJ, Dr. Gregg S. Meyer (Bonnie) of Weston, MA and Elizabeth A. Hughes, R. N. (Norman) of Plattsburg; three siblings, Audrey Baird of Plainfield, NJ, Maxwell Stephen of River Edge, NJ and Frank Stephen of Wykoff, NJ; fourteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and their families.

A memorial celebration of Isobel’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church in Old Bennington on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 11 am.  A reception will follow

The family requests memorial donations be made to: The Handicap Entrance Fund at the First Congregational Church, 1 Monument Circle, Bennington, VT 05201;  the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 52, Cambridge, NY 12816 or Friends of Hospice, 415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

Born Friday, November 26, 1971 at Mary McClellan Hospital in Cambridge, he was the son Richard A. Young of Shushan and the late Dorothy Wolfe Young.  He graduated from Greenwich Central School, class of 1989.

Ray was employed as a filer at Eastern Casting Corp. in Cambridge.  He had previously worked at Fort Miller Corp. in Schuylerville.

Fishing was Ray’s favorite past time.  He enjoyed kayaking, especially with his children whom he loved spending the weekends with.

Along with his father Richard and stepmother Priscilla (Cookie)Young, he is survived by three children, Kendal and Olivia Young  and Kylie Young, all of Greenwich;  three siblings, Cheri Wheat of West Hebron, Beverly Waite of Granville and Richard A. Young, Jr. of Salem, several nieces and nephews and his devoted dog Chase.

 Friends and relatives are invited to call on Friday, August 20, 2010 from 4 to 7 PM at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home 73 West Main Street, Cambridge.  Cremation will follow.

Born Friday, May 6, 1932 in Cambridge, the son of William F. and Harriet (Decker) Watkins, he attended Cambridge Central School then joined the United States Army in 1949.  After serving in the Korean War and receiving several medals, he returned home in 1952 and worked at various jobs until going to work for the New York State Dept. of Transportation and Waterways. He worked there for over 40 years, 30 of which he was a captain of Hydraulic Dredging.

Don was a policeman for the Village of Cambridge for 17 years and a Washington County Special Deputy.

 An active member of the community, he was a volunteer fireman and a member of Captain Maxson Post # 634 of the American Legion for over 50 years.

 He enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling, all activities that he spent time teaching his children.  The family camped together for over 20 years at Bulwagga Bay on Lake Champlain.

 He and Marilyn spent the past 13 years in Alabama, moving back to the area in June.

 A  daughter-in-law, Laurie Watkins and five siblings, Francis aka Beaver, Bill, Frank, Blanche and Edie, predecease him.

 Along with his wife of 54 years, Don is survived by six children, Deneise Watkins-Kenny of Johnsonville, Darlene  O’Shea of Bennington, Donald Watkins, Jr. (Jake) of Hebron, Deawanna Lorrie Carknard of Alabama, Douglas L. Watkins of Fairhaven, VT and Leonard Oddy of Schenectady; a brother, Harold Watkins of Salem; three half-brothers, George, Bobby and Frank Thomas; 27 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

 Friends and relatives are invited to call on Tuesday, August 17 from 3 to 6 PM at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge.

 A funeral service conducted by Rev. Debbie Bessie, will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 18 at 11 AM.  Cremation will follow.

 Don was a good man who proudly served his country and community. He was devoted to and truly loved by his family.  He will be greatly missed.

Born April 2, 1921 in the Bronx, she was the daughter of Herman and Loretta (Cuff) Hausle.  Ethel graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School.  She worked as secretary for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Lynbrook, L. I. for many years.

After their retirement, in 1976, she and Charlie moved to Cambridge and lived on O’Donnell Hill Road.  Ethel later moved to Cambridge Woods and then to Pleasant Valley.

Ethel was active in the Cambridge community.  She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church; a member of Cambridge Senior Citizens and the former Mary McClellan Hospital Auxiliary.

She enjoyed crocheting and knitting.

A son, Thomas Felten, and two brothers, Edward and Joseph Hausle, predecease her.

Survivors include two sons, Edward and Charles Felten, both of California; a daughter, Ann Patricia Metoier; a brother, Harold Hausle of Tulsa, OK; sister-in-laws, Betty and Laurie Hausle; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 10 AM.  Burial will follow at Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge.

The family will gather in California later in the summer to reunite and celebrate the life of their beloved matriarch.

 Armas Ingemar Liljeberg, 89, died at home on Saturday, July 3, 2010.  He was the husband of Marilyn Mae (Snow)  Franklin Liljeberg.

Born March 10, 1921 in Sordavala, Finland, he was the son of Armas Basilius Liljeberg and Ellen Sigrid Erika (Erstedt) Liljeberg.

Mr. Liljeberg started work at the daily newspaper “Vastra Nyland” in Ekenas, Finland in 1936 as an apprentice in photo-engraving and photo-journalism. 

He volunteered in the Finnish Army in 1940 and served in the “winter war” and the “continuous war” from February 2, 1940 to November 24, 1944.  He attended A. U. K. in Marieham and was discharged as a Sergeant.

In 1946 he and wife Ebba Ellida Nordstrom immigrated to the United States. They worked on his father’s farm in Shushan for a year.  In 1949, Ingemar joined Asgrow Seed Company in Cambridge, NY and was plant manager for over 25 years.  Asgrow was bought by Pharmacia Upjohn and he was transferred to Gonzales, California for 9 years. His wife of 40 years died the year he retired.

Marilyn and Ingemar were married in 1987 and have resided in Shushan until the present.

Along with his wife of 23 years, Ingemar is survived by his five stepchildren: twins, Eileen (Franklin)  Patten of Cambridge and Elaine (Franklin) Brown of Shushan, Lynn (Franklin) Wilbur of Cossayuna, John Franklin of Cambridge and Gage (Franklin) Slade of Genesee, NY and eight step-grandchildren.

 At Mr. Liljeberg’s request there are no calling hours or services.

Bennington, VT

Edwin T. Mook, Sr. formerly of Cambridge, died Monday, June 28, 2010 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.  At 103 years of age, Ed had been in good health most recently living at the Village at Fillmore Pond in Bennington. 

Born February 3, 1907 in Metuchen, New Jersey, he was one of the five children of Milton C. and Mabel C. (Kent) Mook.  As a young man, Ed worked for his father’s company, MC Mook Inc. in New York City.  He married Elberta Deshler Schenck on November 8, 1930.  They had been married nearly 70 years at the time of her death in 2000.

In 1944, Ed and Elberta bought the Lauderdale Farm in the town of Jackson, New York.  Ed was a dairy farmer until he retired, selling the farm in the mid 70’s.  He later drove a school bus for the Greenwich School District. 

Following the family tradition, Ed became a Free & Accepted Mason when he turned 21 making him a devoted Mason for over 82 years.  He was the oldest member of Cambridge-Salem Lodge #481.

Ed and Elberta lived for several years on Hawks Avenue in North Bennington.  Following her death Ed moved to Homestead Mews and this past February to Fillmore Pond.

While living in Cambridge, he was a member of the Cambridge United Presbyterian Church.  More recently he attended the Second Congregational Church in Bennington.

Ed is predeceased by four siblings, Robert, Kenneth, Dorothy and Dr. John Mook, and a son, James R. Mook.

Survivors include three children, Edwin T. Mook, Jr. (Nickole) of Saratoga Springs, Wesley L. Mook (Anne) of Bennington and Joanne E. Schnell (Scott) of Macon, MO; nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Thursday, July 1, 2010 from 4 to 7 PM at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge.  A Masonic service will begin at 6:45 PM.

The funeral will be held on Friday, July 2, at 11 AM at the funeral home with burial following at Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Vermont Association of the Blind, VABVI Development Office, 60 Kimball Avenue, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Terrance (Terry) Warren Gillis and Helen Daigle Gillis

A graveside service will be held at Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at 10AM for Terry Gillis and his wife Helen.  Both died of cancer in 2009; she on September 16 and he on December 3.

Terry was born November 2, 1950, the son of the late L. Warren and Betsy Jean (Fowler)Gillis.  He grew up in Cambridge and was a graduate of Cambridge Central School, class of 1968. 

Helen was born July 13, 1955, the daughter of the late Robert D. Daigle and Mildred (Temple) Daigle Hicklin.

Terry and Helen were self-employed in business together before their illnesses.

Helen died in Conway, South Carolina and Terry in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Terry was predeceased by his brother, Gary Gillis and was the last survivor of his immediate family.  He is survived by his sister-in-law, Diana Gillis of Las Vegas, NV.

Helen is survived by a son, Jason Daigle, five siblings, several nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Heartland Hospice, 421 S. E. Main Street. Suite 100, Simpsonville, SC, 29681.

Born Saturday, June 20, 1925 in South Arlington, Vermont, he was one of the ten children of Melvin J. and Eliza E. (Colby) LeBarron.  The family moved to the farm on Stevenson Road and Loren attended Cambridge Union School.  After marrying Marilyn on June 25, 1947, the couple moved to the Village of Cambridge then moved back to the farm about 30 years ago.

Loren was a dairy and crop farmer and won many milk quality awards.  In 1987, he gave up his dairy herd and considered himself “retired” even though he still grew hay, straw, corn and oats.

Loren loved the land and in order to preserve the farm for future generations, he and Marilyn put the farm into the Agriculture Stewardship Association (ASA) several years ago.

He was also involved in several grant programs through the Washington County Cooperative including one for ground nesting birds and Monarch butterfly protection.

An avid hunter; he hunted deer, turkey and bear.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Jayne Marie LeBarron; four siblings, Melvin Jay LeBarron, Jr., Ralph LeBarron, Edith Hunt and Bessie Hill.

Along with his wife of 62 years, he is survived by three children, Justine (David) Larado of Linwood, NJ, Timothy (Debora) LeBarron of Poestenkill, NY and Dianne (Robert) Fore of Farmville, VA; three grandchildren, Allison Larado, Mark (Sonya) Larado and Jamie LeBarron; five siblings, Daniel LeBarron, of Shaftsbury, VT, Florence Baker and  Sue DeMarsico, of North Bennington, VT, Olive Chesbro of Cambridge, Janet Burch of Greenwich and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Friends and family are invited to call on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 10 AM to 12 PM at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge. A celebration of Loren’s life will begin at 12:15 PM with burial at Woodlands Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, 6725 Lyons St., PO Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

Born on July 15, 1924 in White Plains, NY, Jack was the son of the late William J. and Alice L. Spink.  He was predeceased by his siblings: William A. Spink; Henry Lincoln Spink, Helen (Malcolm) Hamilton, Charlotte (William) Hustler, Anna Mae (Ernest) Henion; Alice (Wilbur) Walker. 

Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years, Genevieve E. (Hall) Spink.  He lovingly referred to her as “His Bride”.  He was devoted father to: Judy (Martin) Wendell of Valley Falls, NY; John R. Spink, Jr. (Diane) of Rye NH; Jana (James) King of Cambridge, NY; and Jaye Spink (Maryann) of Schaghticoke, NY; loving grandfather to Shannon (James) Mattice of Canton, NY; Kara (John) Scieszka of Clifton Park, NY; Sean (Hillary) Wendell of Schenectady, NY; Meghan (Matthew) Reynolds of Johnsonville, NY; John Wendell of Clifton Park, NY; Traci Wolfe of Dover, NH; Dylan Spink and Shane Spink of Rye, NH; Holly King of Potsdam, NY; Robyn King of Brooklyn, NY; five great-grandchildren: Jacob Mattice and Carly Mattice of Canton, NY; Emily Scieszka and Jack Scieszka of Clifton Park, NY; Warren Reynolds of Johnsonville, NY; Brittany Richards; Jenica Richards and Mikaela Richards of Dover, NH; along with several nieces and nephews.

Jack graduated from the Cambridge High School in 1943.

Jack had a great love for nature and animals and this led him to own and operate Happy Valley Farm for over 40 years.  He raised Holsteins, Polled Herefords and Scottish Highlanders along with many horses.

He worked with the Borden Creamery; the Boston and Maine Railroad and worked on the construction of the local bridges in Mechanicville and Cohoes.  He was also a bus driver for the Hoosic Valley Central School for many years.  He was the first driver to install a radio on his bus and as a result had few discipline problems.  Jack worked for over 24 years at the General Electric Silicone division in Waterford, NY as a machinist.  He was a New York State certified explosives expert for over 30 years.  He owned and operated the Equipment Repair Service with his son, Jaye.  Jack often said “If it ran once, it will run again.” Their motto was “I can weld anything but a broken promise or a broken heart.”  and the business card read “I trust in the Lord, all others pay cash”. 

Jack’s was a member and officer of the Early Engine Club.  He enjoyed displaying his steam boiler and steam engine, which he restored at the Schaghticoke Fair.  He was also a member of the Adirondack Fiddlers Group and loved to listen to bluegrass music and the square dancing.

He and Jenny participated in the Country Magazine’s Six Horse Hitch which travelled from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.  They became friends with one of the drivers and attended their wedding in Ohio.

Special thanks to Dr. Matthew Pender and the staff of The Danforth for their exceptional care and support over the past years.

We invite you to join the family in celebrating Jack’s life at a memorial service to be held on Saturday, June 26 at Christ United Methodist Church of Johnsonville, 22 Bridge Street, Johnsonville, NY.  Calling hours will be from 3 – 4:30 pm, memorial service and reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jack’s memory to:  The Early Engine Club, c/o Gail Farrell, 751 County Route 10, Corinth, NY 12822 or Samaritan Hospital Cancer Treatment Center, 2215 Burdett Ave., Troy, NY 12180.