HUDSON FALLS – Stephen R. “Ozzie” Osborne – I just lost my best friend after a tough four month battle with lung cancer. Stephen Osborne passed from this mortal plane, Saturday, September 5, 2015.
Ozzie was born Nov. 13, 1947 to Howard and the late Ellie (Lyon) Osborne. Oz was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls and was by nature a very spiritual person.
After graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1965, Oz did a two year stint in the Army and was honorably discharged in 1968. He then began his college career, which was off and on for 20 years, ending with his Associate in Arts Degree, Summa Cum Laude. At this time, Ozzie also began his 30 year career as a cook and chef. Oz worked for a number of restaurants in the Lake George area, among them the Georgian, East Cove, Colonial Arms, Hiland Park Country Club, McGowan’s, Jeremiah’s, The Holiday Inn of Lake George and also the three star, Villa Maison in Florida. Ozzie finished his working career with 8 years at Bard, to help him with retirement funds.
As well as enjoying cooking, Ozzie was an avid reader, card player and pool player extraordinaire. Being a spiritual man, he enjoyed reading tarot cards for friends and aquaintanances, studying comparative religions and reading extensively from the Egyptian and Tibetian Books of the Dead. He also had an interest in witchcraft and magic.
Oz was fun to be around, especially at parties and dinners and always there for his friends, with an offer to help. He enjoyed a laid back lifestyle and rarely if ever lost his temper. He also enjoyed his diversions in Florida, living and working there on numerous occasions.
In addition to his degree from ACC, his accomplishments include: ACC Award of Academic Excellence in Psychology, Extern Culinary Instructor at ACC and Academic Achievement Award for Disabled Student at SUNY Albany.
He was also an active member of the American Culinary Federation and was on our team at the Hitching Post where we won the Gourmet Diner’s Club Silver Spoon Award.
Ozzie was predeceased by his mother, Ellie and his brother, Stanley.
He is survived by his father, Howard, his sister in law, Linda Osborne and her children, Adam and Kim, his aunt, Gwen Cicotte, his uncles, Ed Lyon and Ronald Lyon; and many cousins, including, Warren Cicotte, Bonnie DeRocco, Debbie Lyon and Ginny Lou Kramer. He is also survived by his great friends, Cliff Mull, George McGowan, Jeff Bentley, Timmy Farone, Bob Stein, Bobby Heunemann, John and Dottie Fickle, the members of the Stony Creek Band and many others, too numerous to mention; his best friend and gallivanting buddy of almost 50 years, Roy Gorton, “Hippie”, who oversaw Ozzie’s care in his final months and will miss him dearly.
Also a special thanks to Dan Dubrul and Kathy Storlie for their friendship, care and assistance.
Friends may call on Monday, Sept. 14th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 15th at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
