Read About Who We Are and What We Do
Memoriam
We celebrate the lives of fellow 46ers who are now climbing the celestial hills, wishing them peace.
2014
Mark S. Havis #5722
Mark S. Havis Obituary
Remember
June 25, 1950 - July 27, 2014
Niskayuna, New York
Mark S. Havis, 64, died unexpectedly, Sunday July 27, 2014 in Clifton Park. Born in Schenectady, Mark was the son of the late Stanley and Elizabeth (Matarazzo) Havis. A 1968 graduate of Guilderland High School, Mark received his bachelor's degree in History and Sociology from S.U.N.Y. Brockport in 1972. A 30 year employee in the Human Resources Department for the New York State Department of Social Services, Mark retired in 2005. A sponsor with the Scholar program in the Schenectady School District, Mark worked with the ROAR program at Elmer Elementary School, was a member of the Adirondack 46ers High Peaks Club, he was a former Soccer coach with the Allycats and Niskayuna Soccer Club and was an avid Syracuse fan. He enjoyed spending time in Saratoga at the Victoria Pool and also a round of golf with his friends. Mark is survived by his wife of 31 years Jane E. (Dunbar) Havis, who he married September 18, 1982, his children Christopher M. Havis and Jenna L Havis, both of Manhattan and his brother Grant Havis of Mechanicville. A visitation will be held Thursday evening, July 31st from 4 to 7 pm at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Ave., Schenectady. A memorial service will be held Friday morning August 1st at 10am at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Donations in Mark's name can be made to Captial Region Sponsor Scholar, Inc; 3 Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY 12205 or to the Rexford Auxiliary; PO Box 87, Rexford, NY 12148.
2017
Peter Olszewski #4813
Peter Olszewski, 63, of Rock City Falls, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2017, with his loving family at his side, after a brave two month fight with illness. Peter was born in Schenectady to William and Harriet (Harppinger) Olszewski. He discovered his love of medicine while working as an E.R. technician at Saratoga Hospital. He then went on to become an R.N. through Adirondack Community College and continued by earning his master's and nurse practitioner at the University of California at San Francisco.
He joined the Internal Medicine Group at Community Health Plan in Latham in 1991 and has been with the group since then (now Community Care Physicians Latham Internal Medicine). He was a caring practitioner who was loved by his patients and co-workers.
While working at CHP, Peter met his true love, Susan Bunting Olszewski in 1994, and they married in October of 2000. Peter was a great lover of the outdoors and became an Adirondack 46er when he was 46, in the year 2001. He loved hiking, canoeing, biking and skiing, especially with his daughter Noelle. He also loved his daily walks with his dachshund, Rudy.
Peter was very proud of his three daughters, Noelle Sophia Olszewski of Rock City Falls, Jennifer Anne Erin Gardner of Boston, Mass. and Danielle Elizabeth Gardner of Porter Corners and all that they have accomplished; as well as his beautiful granddaughter, Haylee Star Gardner. In addition to his wife and children, Peter is survived by his brothers, Michael Olszewski (Kathleen) of Ballston Spa and David Olszewski (Anabel) of Stillwater; as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank the nurses, therapists and physicians at the Albany Medical Center I.C.U., Ellis Hospital I.C.U. and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital for all of their loving care over the past two months.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 9, at Christ Episcopal Church, 15 West High St., Ballston Spa. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at the Christ Church Chapel Columbarium. Friends may call on Friday, September 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High St., Ballston Spa. Peter's daughter, Noelle will be attending college as a freshman next year. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Noelle Olszewski College Fund at Trustco Bank, 2 Trieble Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com.
John E. Bevis, Jr. #7375
Our dear brother John E. Bevis, Jr. reached his final summit on April 29, 2017, as my sister Barb held his hand and I quietly read to him a story of hiking in the Adirondacks. John loved the Adirondack Mountains, and he instilled a similar passion in many of us in the family. He climbed his first High Peak as a Boy Scout when he was 14 years old. Though it took him three decades to become a Forty-sixer – those intervening years filled with the happiness and success of high school, military service, college, family and work – completing the 46 was one of John’s proudest achievements.
John most often hiked alone, the solitude of the mountains being one of the aspects of the hike he enjoyed the most. But he also readily greeted other hikers he encountered along the way, graciously sharing his knowledge of the mountains, and often finishing a hike with one or more newly found friends. His hiking journal not only tells the tale of the hikes in measurable details – distance, time to certain points, weather, trail conditions – it also captures the immeasurable details of the hikes with descriptions of the beautiful views he took in along the way. These entries were often followed by numerous exclamation points underscoring the joy and awe John felt to be surrounded by such breathtaking scenery.
John was also generous with his time and knowledge of the mountains with his family, serving as guide to those of us who shared his love of the Adirondacks. He climbed many a High Peak more than once, bad knees and all, to accompany one or more of us attempting to follow in his footsteps, literally and figuratively, so we, too, could become Forty-sixers. I look forward to the day I can proudly wear John’s 46er hat, currently hanging on a hook by my back door, a reminder of John’s life and the journeys he took along the way, and an encouragement for me to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Rest in peace, dear brother. You are loved and you are missed.
George A. Tongue
Forty-Sixer #4767
January 6, 1945-September 26, 2017
I remember George Tongue.
He was incredibly strong.
You wouldn’t know it to look at him,
but inside that handsome, rugged exterior was
a super hero of physical strength, endless endurance and stick-to-it-ness determination.
I remember…
George’s physical attributes from hiking with him.
You learn a lot about someone when hiking 16-miles and climbing 3000 vertical feet!
George was like the energizer bunny only way better for the environment!
I remember…
When we first started hiking together,
my personal goal was to keep pace with him.
As hard as I tried, I seldom did… but George never left me.
His altruistic nature allowed me the privilege to know him even better on the inside.
I remember…
the respect George and I shared (along with many others) for Don Behrens,
an ADK trip leader from the Albany Chapter.
In his descriptions, Don’s last sentence always was to “bring a persevering spirit.”
George epitomized that axiom – in hiking and in life.
I remember…
George’s love for and depth of knowledge in the flora and fauna of the forest.
He was the human prototype naturalist of Google.
I remember…
when on an August 5, 2000 ascent of Mt. Haystack from Panther Gorge,
George identified 17 different Alpine plants and wild flower.
All those welcomed rest stops had me searching for more unknown plants!
George enriched our hikes with his “mountainous” knowledge of the natural world.
I remember…
On March 1, 2006, George, Lucy (the wonder dog) and I hiked Treadway Mountain.
George’s devotion for his dog gave new meaning to the 1950’s TV Show, “I love Lucy!”
I remember…
George’s wisdom. His practical sensibilities were as wise as his intellectual prowess.
I remember…
George’s optimistic attitude.
His positive approach to the challenges of his life not only defined him,
but lifted my spirits by just being around him.
I will always remember George Tongue.
He was my unforgettable friend and hiking partner.
Peter Hogan
Forty-Sixer #4111
