Dianne Hettrich
Dianne Hettrich, retired Sachem teacher and past president of the Sachem Central Teachers Association, died April 28; she was 68. Dianne was predeceased by her husband, William. She is survived by her son, Matthew.
Carol Husin Adler | Aug. 1
Hauppauge Teachers Association
Carol Husin Adler of Yardley, Pa., formerly of Smithtown, N.Y., died Aug. 1, 2014. Beloved wife of 50 years to David, devoted mother of Rachel, loving and proud grandmother of Ilana, dear sister of Margo Call, cherished daughter of the late Irvin and Bernice Husin. Graduate of Syracuse University, teacher for 33 years in Hauppauge, N.Y.
Marion Anderson | Feb. 14
United Federation of Teachers
Marion Anderson, who taught tailoring at Sterling HS in Brooklyn for 33 years, died Feb. 14, 2015 at the age of 88. He was the first African-American licensed by the city to teach tailoring and his specialty was men’s clothing, said his daughter Alva Weinberger. A graduate of Adelphi University and the SUNY Industrial Teacher Training program, Anderson founded the Manhattanville Needle Trade School in Harlem in 1987. He is survived by five children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
August (Augie) Autieri | Feb. 11
Pelham Teachers' Association
Mario A. DiMarco | March 5
Whitesboro Teachers Association
Mario A. Di Marco, 83, passed away on March 5, after a valiant battle with cancer
Mario was born on May 5, 1931, in Manhattan, NY, to the late Giuseppe and Anna (Gottuso) Di Marco. He was educated in the Manhattan and Utica Public Schools and graduated from Proctor High School in 1949.
Mario enlisted into the Army and served in the Armed Forces Special Weapons Unit, Atomic Energy Commission for the next three years until he was Honorably Discharged as a Corporal in 1952.
From there, Mario headed up the Hill to Hamilton College where he began his life-long love of learning and education. He graduated in 1957 with a BA in Political Science and attained his Masters in Education from the Albany State Teachers College. He was later employed at the Whitesboro Central School District for 31 years followed by 17 more years as a tutor.
Mario loved teaching, talking, and discussing. There were not enough hours in the day to hold all of the ideas and concepts he hoped to share with classes as well as a fellow listener.
Mario and Kathleen shared 49 years of love, family, parties and travel. They were inseparable. Mario was an active teacher, union member, as well as a great mind in the political realm.
He was honored through the years in each of these facets. Mario served as Chairman of the Social Studies Department of Whitesboro Senior High School, Executive Vice-President of AFL-CIO Central NY Labor Council, he was an Instructor for the Cornell Labor Studies program as well as an Instructor for the Evening Division at Utica College. He was Assistant Cross Country Coach and led many student organizations as well as his own children’s school PTA and clubs. He was continuously recognized for his hard work and dedication. Most notably, he was Chairman of the Truth Squad of the Mayoralty Campaign (1975) and served as Chairman of Government and Administration Committee on the Mayors Advisory Committee for the Development of Utica (1964-74), he received the Outstanding Young Educator award (1966) and Russian Area Studies Award (1967), he served on the Presidents Foreign Policy Forum (1967), he received the William R. Coe Fellowship Grant (1974), he was elected Delegate to the Democrat National Convention (1976), he was awarded the United Way Labor Award (1979), he served as President of the Central New York Labor Agency (and helped found the new United Way Agency), President of the Oneida-Herkimer Research Foundation, he organized Save Our Community (to monitor the environment for toxic substances) and the first Mohawk River Day (1977), he helped organize the first New York State Teachers Political Action Committee (VOTE-COPE), he was named Co-Citizen of the Year by the League of Women Voters (1979), and, what we deemed his most important achievement, he was named Top Pop in the Observer Dispatch in 1981. Mario was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
His joy in life was found in family, food and friends. He was happiest planning a feast, party or gathering at our home. He will be greatly missed but the love, wisdom, values and kindness that he bestowed will endure.
Mario is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his sons, Mario Di Marco (Jane) of Richmond, Va., and John Di Marco of New York, N.Y.; and his daughter, Felicia Shultzaberger (Brian) of Linden, Va. Mario is also survived by his adored grandson, John (Jack) Shultzaberger, who never ceased to bring a smile to his face and a burst of pride to his heart. Also surviving are his sister, Rose Danese (Carmen) of Ashland, Mass., and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Joan Brady of Brooklyn, N.Y., David Brady (Edith) of Sebastian, Fla., Eileen Nicalek of Utica, N.Y., Margery Carroll (William) of Nalcrest, Fla., Terrance Brady (Paulette) of Vero Beach, Fla., Richard Brady (Michele) of Sebastian, Fla., Charles Brady (Ellen) of Utica, N.Y., Donna Brady of Utica, N.Y., and Sheila Brady of Old Forge, N.Y. He also leaves many cherished nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who he loved to talk with and make them smile. Mario was predeceased by a brother, Benedetto, and a sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Alex Eller.
Grace Hartnett | Feb. 3
Whitesboro Teachers Association
Grace C. (Perretta) Hartnett, 77, died Feb. 3, 2015.
Born in Utica on July 16, 1937, Grace was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Isabella (DeKime) Perretta. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. She continued her education at SUNY Potsdam earning her baccalaureate degree in 1959. She then pursued her post-graduate studies at SUNY Potsdam where she was awarded her Master of Arts degree in 1961 in the field of Music Education. On March 21, 1970 in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, she married William S. Hartnett and shared with him a deep and enduring love for nearly 45 years.
Grace received certification to teach piano at age 14 and began to teach. After receiving her professional credentials and certification, Grace began her career as a music teacher with the Whitesboro Central School District where she held positions in the elementary and junior high schools, retiring in 1996.
A humble and happy person, Grace was blessed with natural charisma, a characteristic that allowed her to connect to people, making them feel important and special. She would light up a room just by walking in. And for her, laughter was the spice of life.
She enjoyed music, worldwide travel, live plays on Broadway, opera, and cooking. She was also a voracious reader. While she was a student at Potsdam, Grace was chosen to sing at the United Nations, a memorable moment in her life. As a professional educator and member of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), she helped promote music education and served as a judge for the annual All-State competitions.
But it was the time she spent with her family, and especially her grandchildren, that defined her. Her love for them transcended every measure of her life.
Grace is survived by her husband, William; her children, Michael and Kathryn Hartnett of New Hartford, and Stephanie Bloch of Rush, NY; and her grandchildren, Patrick, Samantha, and Zachary. She will also be missed by her nieces, especially Heidi Perretta, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, sister-in-law, Nance Perretta, and her lifelong friends, Angela Gentile, and Loretta Moccaldi. She was predeceased by her brother, Francis Frank Perretta; and many aunts and uncles.
C. Virginia (Jean) Jamieson | Feb. 15
Whitesboro Teachers Association
C. Virginia (Jean) Jamieson passed away peacefully in Utica on February 15. Born July 25, 1917 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., she was one of three daughters of the late Loren and Laura (Haney) Strong.
She graduated from Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls in 1935 and the University of the State of New York, State College of Teachers Albany in 1939, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then taught high school business and mathematics in Avoca, N.Y., where she met her husband, John A. Jamieson. They married in 1943.
After living in Sauquoit during the early years of their marriage, they moved to New Hartford when John became a teacher and coach and later principal of the high school there. Jean was a teacher of mathematics at Whitesboro Junior High School. After retirement, they enjoyed a second home in Venice, Fla. Jean was predeceased by her husband in 1978 and her sister, Margaret Harder, in 2006.
Jean was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved getting together with her family. She was a gracious, outgoing person who made friends wherever she went and always appreciated a good laugh. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Hartford, AAUW, and Whitesboro Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed many happy summer days at the Cedar Lake Club playing golf, swimming, and picnicking. Jean was also an avid gardener and excellent bridge player.
Jean leaves behind her beloved daughters, Carol Roberts ( William) of Martinsville, N.J.; Peggy Dumka (William) of Holland Patent, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Ann Roberts (Jonathan Isacoff); Katherine Roberts (Daniel Freyman); Heather Cowen (Matthew), six great grandchildren; and her sister, Doris S. Castor of Vero Beach, Fla.
Dorothy Lilly | Jan. 12
United Federation of Teachers
Peter Nelson | March 9
Canandaigua Teachers Association
Joseph M. Nobel | Jan. 6
United Federation of Teachers
William A. Quade | Dec. 27
Akron Faculty Association
Judith Joy Tobin | March 2
Pelham Teachers' Association
Betty I. Wheeler | May 2
Ballston Spa Teachers Association
On Saturday, May 2, Betty passed away after a brief illness. She was 91.
Betty was a Physical Education Teacher for the Ballston Spa Central School System for her entire career after graduating from Cortland State College. She proudly served as the President of the Ballston Spa Teachers' Association for 13 years and served as the Chief Contract Negotiator, even after retiring from her teaching position. She enjoyed traveling the Northeast region in search of collectibles, especially toy lead figures.
Betty was predeceased by her two older sisters, Jane and Margaret, her husband Byrhl F. Wheeler Jr. and her daughter Betsy. She is survived by her daughter Jody, son Rodney (Jody V.) and two grandchildren, Amy Wheeler, and Julia Wheeler Sanders and her husband Luke Sanders.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ballston Spa Teachers Association Scholarship Fund in Betty’s name.
Full obituaries, if provided, are available at www.nysut.org. Submissions must include decedent's full name, union affiliation and date of death, and contact information for the person submitting the notice.
Fax notices to 518-213-6415; send to Andrew Watson, NYSUT United, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110-2455; or email awatson@nysutmail.org.