Gail Ellen Crimmins

A member of the Carthage Teachers Association, Gail Ellen Crimmins died Jan. 11. She was 52.

Gail was a special education teacher at Carthage Middle School before accepting a position at Black River Elementary, where she taught for the next 29 years. She also worked as a student-teacher adviser and adjunct professor at SUNY Potsdam, taught GED classes at Carthage and Watertown Correctional Facility, was active in Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Relay for Life.

Gail is survived by her sister, Karen; brother Lester and his wife; niece Kristin; nephews Benjamin and Ryan; grandnephew Benjamin; and numerous cousins and close friends.

Justine Englander

Justine Louise Rowe Englander died Oct. 31 at the age of 85.

Justine was a librarian at the Chambers Elementary School in Lake Katrine, the Starr Institute in Rhinebeck and the Cardinal Farley Military Academy in Rhinecliff. She was a member of the Kingston Retired Teachers Federation and the Mid-Hudson Library Association. Justine was also a World War II veteran who served with the Marine Corps.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan; a son, Jeffery; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA, 209 Clinton Ave., Kingston, N.Y. 12401 or the Alzheimer's Association, Hudson Valley Chapter 2, Jefferson Plaza Suite 203, Poughkeepsie, N.Y 12601.

Harry Karpinski

Harry Karpinski, former president of the BOCES United Employees, died Dec. 2 at the age of 59.

Harry served as the first president of the union and later on the labor-management committee and several negotiating teams. He started working at Monroe 1 BOCES in 1985 as a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing. He was hired specifically to coordinate services between Rochester School for the Deaf students and Eastern Monroe Career Center.

Harry established a statewide organization, the Educational Support Service Personnel, for those who work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Now in its 22 year, ESSP is the only state organization of its type.

Always interested in technology, Harry expanded his career at BOCES with the Office of Assistive Technology team. He helped to bring the latest assistive technology to students with a multitude of special needs.

Harry is survived by his wife, Maryanne; a son, Stuart; and a family of beloved cats.

Rose Sarah Meleski

Kingston Teachers Federation member Rose Sarah Meleski died Oct. 31; she was 92.

Rose taught kindergarten at the Chambers School in the Kingston School District for many years, retiring in 1973. She is survived by her son, Vincent; a daughter, Diane; two grandsons; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Cullman County, 402 4th Ave. NE, Cullman, Ala. 35055.