Obituary of Helena B. Gagliardo

Hadley: Helena Bertsche Daul Gagliardo, 92, of Hadley, NY and Thonotosassa, Florida, passed away Thursday, September 18th, 2008. She was a resident at Adirondack Tri-County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in North Creek NY. Born Helena Flesher in Churchville WV, she married Erwin Bertsche, originally from Germany, in 1946. Together they owned and operated Bertsche’s Corner Restaurant in Thornwood, NY until Erwin’s death in 1966. In 1969, Helena married Marcus Daul, also originally from Germany. She and Marcus continued running the restaurant until 1972 when they sold it and retired to Hadley, NY. Marcus passed away in 1982 and Helena married Anthony Gagliardo, also of Hadley. Helena traveled to Florida every winter where she enjoyed socializing with fellow residents of the Spanish Main Trailer Park in Thonotosassa. Her favorite pastime was reminiscing about life on the family farm in WV. But her greatest joy was her grandson Jeremy Bertsche of Warrensburg, NY. Helena was a communicant at Holy Infancy Church, Lake Luzerne, NY. Helena is survived by her husband, Anthony Gagliardo, stepson, Bob Gagliardo and wife Barbara of Long Island and stepdaughter, Pat D’Antonio and husband Frank of North Carolina. Survivors also include stepdaughter Eleanore Schwartz, daughter of Marcus Daul, of Wesley Chapel FL, Helena’s son, Mark Bertsche and wife Monica of Warrensburg, NY, as well as her grandson, Jeremy Bertsche. Other surviving relatives are her niece, Betty Buckley and her husband Robert of Voluntown, CT and nephew Paul Flesher of Bridgeport WV and niece Patricia Kiddy of Weston, WV. Friends may call on Helena’s family from 5-7 pm today (Friday) at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 7 pm at the funeral home with Fr. Paul Cox officiating. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, NY at the convenience of the family. Donations in remembrance in lieu of flowers can be made to: Adirondack Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation Ctr, Inc. P O Box 500, 112 Ski Bowl Rd., North Creek, NY 12853 or to the Alzheimer's Center and Neurosciences Research Center, Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.