Liz Archer (1944-2017)
Elizabeth Ann Archer, 72, a longtime resident of Beacon, died Feb. 14, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Huntington Beach, California.
Liz was born in Yonkers on March 15, 1944, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Williamson) Bakutes. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1962 and from Mercy College in 1977. Liz retired in 2006 from the Beacon City School District, where she was a teacher for 25 years. She was a parishioner of St. Joachim – St. John the Evangelist Church.
In retirement, Liz enjoyed membership in the Beacon Gadabouts, recently serving as president and co-president; she loved having “the ladies” over for lunch to play Mahjong and Rummikub as well as getting together with her grade school friends. Liz often spent time in California with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Paul Archer (Alexandra Storm) of Beacon; Janice Wolf (Michael) of Huntington Beach; her grandchildren, Meghan and Brendan Wolf; and her sister, Margaret Miller.
The family will receive friends on Feb. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Halvey Funeral Home, 24 Willow St., Beacon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 31 Willow St., Beacon. Memorial donations may be made to the Liz Archer Memorial Scholarship Fund (gofundme.com/LizArcherMemorial) for a scholarship that will be presented to a Beacon High School senior with plans to pursue a career in education.
Gene Stefanaccti (1940-2017)
Eugene J. Stefanacci Jr., 76, died Feb. 18, 2017 at the Wesley Health Care Center in Clifton Park, New York, surrounded by his family, after a long illness.
Gene was born Feb. 27, 1940, the son of Eugene and Jeanette (Gugliotti) Stefanaccti. He grew up in Beacon and was a four-sport athlete at Beacon High School, playing baseball, basketball, football and golf. After graduating in 1957, he attended Ithaca College and graduated in 1962 with a master’s degree.
Gene spent his entire 33-year career as an elementary school physical education teacher for Shenendehowa Central Schools in Clifton Park. He also coached varsity basketball, bowling, volleyball, soccer and football. He was named to the Shenendehowa Hall of Fame as a football coach and the Section II Football Hall of Fame as an assistant coach.
After his retirement, he was director of golf at Van Patten Golf Club in Jonesville for 10 years.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty, whom he met while she was student teaching at Shenendehowa Schools. He also is survived by his sons, Matthew Stefanaccti (Janetlyn) and Michael Stefanaccti (Alexis) and three grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church in Clifton Park. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Emerick Funeral Home 1550 Route 9, Clifton Park on Feb 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private at Jonesville Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Shenendehowa United Methodist Christian Education, 971 Route 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065.
