Ziggy Ferber (1945-2016)
Sigmund “Ziggy” Ferber, 70, died of cancer on Sept. 17, 2016, in Azle, Texas.
Ziggy was born in Germany on December 24, 1945, to Irving and Helen (Boguslawski) Ferber. After his family immigrated to the U.S., he was a long-time resident of New York. Ziggy lived in Cold Spring until relocating to Texas in July 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean.
Ziggy was a loyal friend, driven professional, and keen intellectual. He was most recently a real estate agent with Weichert Realtors in Fishkill and prior to that was a small business owner. Ziggy’s passion for life will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
A private cremation and burial will take place at Greenwood Funeral Homes in Fort Worth, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stand Up To Cancer (standup2cancer.org).
William E. “Bill” Freeman (1929-2016)
William E. “Bill” Freeman, 87, of Garrison, died at his home on Sept. 16, 2016. Bill worked as a roofing contractor and later co-owner of Garrison Woods, Inc., a custom home building and remodeling firm.
He was born on May 1, 1929, in Ossining, to Augustus and Frances (Cullen) Freeman. On Nov. 3, 1951, he married Margaret “Peggy” White at St. Theresa’s Church in Briarcliff. Bill was a loving husband, and was devoted to his children, grandchildren, and church. He was a scoutmaster, a member of the Knights of Columbus and was looked upon as father and grandfather by more than his own children and grandchildren. He was an avid golfer and especially enjoyed the game with his wife, his grandsons, and most of all the “core four.”
He is survived by six children: Beverly Leardi (Steven) of Garrison; Peter Freeman (Elizabeth) of Aurora, Colorado; Patrick Freeman (Karen) of Beacon; Robert Freeman (Susan) of Garrison; Timothy Freeman of St. Augustine, Fla.; and Michael Freeman of Garrison.
He was “Papa Bill” to 13 grandchildren: John William (Katherine) and Steven “Odie” Leardi (Tricia Sharp, fiancee); Sandra Murphy (Robert); Naomi Dankworth (Thomas); Sasha, Garrett, Zachary, Molly (Connor Walsh, fiance), Lucas, Madison, and Courtney Freeman; Christine Mueller (Cody); and Kelly Sprague (Robert). And also to seven great-grandchildren: Morgan Joan, Robert Thomas, III, and Julia Margaret Murphy; Steven Michael and John Rocco Leardi; Addlyn Margaret Dankworth; and Vale Elizabeth Mueller.
A memorial mass was offered on Sept. 24, at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Cold Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, P.O. Box 300, Garrison, NY 10524.
Virginia Mikalsen (1940-2016)
Virginia Mikalsen, 75, a longtime resident of Lake Carmel, died on Sept. 12, 2016. She was born in Manhattan on October 6, 1940, to James and Helen (Adlum) Cotter. On April 22, 1962, she married Arthur Mikalsen; he died in 2009.
Among her survivors is her son Thomas (Caroline) Mikalsen of Cold Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Putnam Humane Society, 68 Old Route 6, Carmel, NY 10512.
Barbara C. Walker (1921-2016)
Barbara C. Walker, 95, of Garrison, died on Sept., 27, 2016, at her home. Born in New York City on Mar. 7, 1921, she was the daughter of the Gerald S. and Dorothy (Thompson) Curtis.
Her first husband, Herbert Ellis Bowden, was killed in action in World War II. Her second husband, Robert C. Walker, Sr., died in 2000.
Barbara, a homemaker, was a lifelong Garrison resident and member of St. Philip’s in the Highlands.
Survivors include her sons Roger C. Bowden of Holyoke, Mass., and Robert C. Walker, Jr., of Wake Forest, N.C., 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her eldest son Gerald Ellis Bowden, Sr., a grandson, Gerald Ellis Bowden, Jr., and three brothers Clinton, Raymond and Fuller Curtis, died before her.
Funeral services were held on Sept. 30 at St. Philip’s, with interment in the family plot in the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Garrison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 71 Upper Station Road, Garrison, NY 10524.
