David Darge (1926-2017)
David Ronald Darge, 91, died Nov. 14, 2017, in Cary, North Carolina.
Born Feb. 25, 1926, in Minneapolis, David was the son of Fred and Eleanor Darge. He joined the U.S. Marines at age 16 and served in both World War II (as the top turret gunner on a B-25) and the Korean War.
After serving six years, he met Helen Lang of the Bronx, who was also in the Marines, in El Toro, California. They married shortly after, left the service and lived over the next 40 years in Connecticut, New Jersey, Red Hook and Beacon. After David retiring as deputy superintendent at the Fishkill Correctional Facility, the couple relocated to St. Augustine, Florida. They moved to Cary four years ago.
Besides his wife, David is survived by his children, Christine Heib of North Carolina, Denise Girardi of California and Ron Darge of Connecticut. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please honor Dave with a toast to celebrate his life, and maybe some chocolate. A memorial service will be held in Cary on Dec. 2.
Otto Gaster (1934-2017)
Otto A. Gaster, 83, a resident of Beacon since 2012 and previously of Spring Hill, Florida, died Nov. 25, 2017, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
Born in Germany on Nov. 11, 1934, Otto was the son of Otto and Paulina (Moellenbeck) Gaster. In 1957, in Germany, he married Albina Widmer. She died in 2012. Otto worked as a chef for the Breakneck Lodge in Cold Spring for more than 20 years.
He is survived by his children, Alice Fleming (Tom) of Stormville and Robert Gaster (Laura) of Beacon; and five grandchildren: Ryan and Kristin Fleming and Josef, Erik and Kendyll Gaster.
Calling hours will be held Nov. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Route 82, in Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Dec. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, in Hopewell Junction, followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
Mary McGurk-Mauk (1934-2017)
Mary G. McGurk-Mauk, 83, a retired teacher who taught for decades at Park Elementary School in Hayward, California, died Oct. 28, 2017.
Born in Beacon, on Aug. 22, 1934, Mary graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy in Newburgh and earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz. She moved to Hayward in her 20s. She married Dr. Paul Mauk, who died before her.
She will be interred in Santa Nella, California. Memorial donations made be made to the California Retired Teachers Association, Southern Alameda County Division No. 59 care of Carolyn Bateman, Scholarship Chair, 15500 Argonne St., San Leandro, CA 94579.
