All Obituaries

Charles Louis Abelove, 83 - loving husband, father, grandfather and brother - passed away on April 20, 2024. Born on May 27, 1940, to Milton and Reba Abelove and the oldest of three children, Louis was a proud lifelong resident of Utica, NY. Louis graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1958 and Union College in 1962. After graduating from the New York University School of Law in 1965, Louis joined his father’s law firm and continued as a practicing attorney and businessman for 56...

Lila A. Burkhard, 57, of Yorkville, departed this world unexpectedly on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Wynn Hospital. Lila was born on March 15, 1967, in New Hartford, the daughter of the late Heinz and Lillian Ruszkowski Burkhard.  Raised alongside her sisters, Debbie and Mary, she always brought us laughter, love and a beautiful smile.  Lila was a very diligent student in her academics, having attended Sacred Heart Elementary, followed by Notre Dame High School Class of...

Olga M. Caruso, 71, of Deerfield, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Wynn Hospital, with her family by her side. She was born October 5, 1952, in Utica, the daughter of the late Ivan and Maria Kifiak Dybacz.  She was educated in Utica schools and received her Teachers Assistant Certificate and Associates Degree in Human Services from MVCC.  In 1972, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, she married Anthony L. Caruso.   For 31 years, Olga worked as a...

Joseph Walter Pietruszka, age 58, passed away suddenly on March 19, 2024. Joseph was born on May 13, 1965 in Utica, NY, the son of Walter and Hazel Kennett Pietruszka. After graduating from Whitesboro Senior High, he went on to start his working life restoring cars alongside his brother, Raymond. On a fateful New Years Eve at the end of the 1980s, he met the love of his life, Tracey, and before the clock struck 12 on the start of 1990s, they were married. Together, the two started a family...

Gail W. Schmidt, age 87, of Chadwicks passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday March 16, 2024.  Gail was born January 18, 1937, in Utica, the daughter of Leon and Alice Kennedy Waterman.  She was a graduate of New Hartford High School and attended Syracuse University to study Art.  She did accounting work at General Electric before moving to Arizona in the early 1970s where she worked as a realtor for many years.  While living out West she was an avid outdoors...

Andrew J. “Andy” Pedone, 99, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024 at Sitrin Rehabilitation, with his loving family by his side. Andy was born on February 19, 1925, in Utica, the son of Agostino and Mamie Randazzo Pedone and was educated in Utica schools.  He served proudly as a US Marine in WW II in the Pacific.  Andy was a recipient of the Purple Heart.  On May 29, 1948, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, Utica, he married his “Gem” Yolanda Gigante, a...

In loving memory of Karen Elaine Scarafile, of New Hartford, who passed away peacefully on Monday, January 29, 2024. Born February 23, 1944, in Utica, Karen was the daughter of the late Joseph Loomis and Margaret Loomis Magliocca. She attended local schools, received her degree in nursing from MVCC and also graduated from Oklahoma Bible College. She worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital. In 1964, she married the late Daniel Scarafile. In 2011, Karen married Franics Paul...

Adelbert R. Chase, 72, of Utica, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2024 at The Grand.  He was born January 7, 1952, in New Berlin, the son of the late Clarence Adelbert and Emma Ruth Green Chase and was a graduate of Whitesboro High School.  At one time he was employed by the City of Utica DPW and later worked as a machinist for Everest in Utica.  Adelbert enjoyed fishing, bicycling, playing records, listening to the radio and his pet dogs.  He is survived by a sister,...

Shirley A. Janicke “Birdie” was born on June 28, 1945, in Utica, NY. She passed away on December 30, 2023, at the age of 78 after a brief illness. Shirley is survived by her three brothers, Peter, Chuck and Tommy; and two sisters, Diane Kelly and Debbie Huddleston; and countless nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Eileen Janicke; two nieces, Lisa Janicke and Michelle Kelly; and two brothers in-law, Robert Kelly and Bob Huddleston. Shirley was...

Christopher Amar, aged 69, passed away on December 22, 2023 in Utica, NY. He was born in NY and was the oldest son of Henry and Irene (Maslik) Amar. Chris grew up in Tallman, NY and attended Suffern High School. He was with his wife and love of his life and lifetime partner, Harriet for 46 years. Christopher was a free spirit, an avid reader, an artisan, a great naturalist, and a trailblazer in the field of organic farming.  His family often referred to him as, “a jack of all...