Obituary of Geoffrey E. Major

Attorney Geoffrey E. Major, 42, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. He was born in Amsterdam October 3, 1966 a son of Gene and Barbara Helmin Major. Geoff was a life resident of the area and was a graduate of Amsterdam High School where he played basketball and ran cross-country. Following high school, Geoff earned his B.A. at McGill University in Montreal. He then attended Union University Albany Law School where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. Geoff started his career as a Law Associate in the offices of Philip V. Cortese, Esq. He then engaged in private practice in Gloversville for several years. He also served as Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County and Attorney for the Town of Amsterdam. In 1996 he accepted a position with NYS Committee on Professional Standards, NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department. Geoff was a very physically active and was a member of Fulmont Roadrunners, running in many marathons including Boston and New York. He was an avid golfer who loved the outdoors and will be fondly remembered by all of his family and many friends. His loving family includes his parents Gene and Barbara Major of Hagaman, his sisters, Deborah Halvonik and her husband Dr. Michael Halvonik of Cincinatti, OH and Lisa VanWagenen and her husband Steven of Saratoga Springs, his brother, Mark A. Major and his fiancé Karen Van Schaik of Edinburg, NY, his niece Gina Major and nephews Christopher and Jonathon Halvonik and Mathieu Major. Several aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends also survive. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church in Hagaman with Fr. Paul Catena and Fr. Martin DeRose, concelebrating. Interment will be at a later date in the parish cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends this evening from 4:00 to 7:00PM at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010. Contributions in Geoff's memory may be made to the Sisters of the Resurrection, 35 Boltwood Avenue, Castleton, NY 12033.