Shirley A. and Peter C. Wachtel

POESTENKILL - Ott Street residents Peter C. and Shirley A. Wachtel passed away recently, short of two weeks apart. Shirley, 88, died on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy; and Peter, 89, died at his residence on March 21, 2024. As they were in life, they have been reunited in death. Peter was born and raised in Sycaway, son of the late James and Mary Vandekerckhove Wachtel; was a graduate of Catholic High School; and had retired as a mechanic from N.Y. Telephone in Albany. Shirley, daughter of the late Francis and Fannie Bitley Booth, was born in Troy and grew up in Center Brunswick; was a graduate of Lansingburgh High; and retired from Siena College, where she was an office manager. They had resided with their family on Circle Drive, in Poestenkill, from 1968-1999.
They loved to dance in the Tamarac Twirlers Square Dance Club, where they laughed and enjoyed great times with their friends. In 1998, Peter and Shirley became travelers throughout the country in their motorhome, following the NASCAR circuit. They also became snowbirds, traveling back and forth from East Poestenkill in the summer to Fla. the rest of the year. When in Fla., they ran the Homosassa campground kitchen until they moved to Hudson, Fla. Peter was a past member of the Troy Masonic Lodge; and Shirley was a past member of the Palestine Star, Chapter 167, of the Eastern Star. They enjoyed snowmobiling, were passionate Jets fans, serious NASCAR fans and looked forward to being at the Daytona 500 every year.
Their most joyous times were spent at family gatherings of holidays and clam steams, enjoying the company of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Shirley was the sister of the late Marion Morse and Eleanor Stannard. Peter was the brother of the late James J. and Sr. Martha Wachtel (CSJ) and Mary Ellen Carabis.
Survivors include their children, Peter F. (Patricia) Wachtel and Charles J. (Jami) Wachtel, both of Poestenkill, Deborah M. (John) Gilday, of Nashua, N.H., and Dawn A. Wachtel of Poestenkill; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren; along with their feline companion, Kitty.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel, 2691 N.Y. 43, in Glass Lake, Averill Park. A short service and inurnment will follow at St. Henry's Cemetery, Averill Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Peter and Shirley to Rensselaer County Dept. of Aging Home Delivered Meals Program, 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, N.Y. 12061; or the Community Hospice Gift Processing Center, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, N.Y. 12208. Visit www.perrykomdat.com for directions and a guestbook.