Victims of limousine accident: who they were

Family members, media reports and social media publications, stories of many of the 20 victims of the deadliest transport disaster in the United States since 2009 are emerging.

When you see the number of names of those who have been identified so far as being inside the limousine during his crash on Saturday at Schoharie, it's scary:

Rich Steenburg
Axel Steenburg
Amy Steenburg
Allison King
Mary Dyson
Robert Dyson
Abby Jackson
Adam Jackson

Erin McGowan
Shane McGowan
Patrick Cushing
Amanda Halse
Amanda Rivenburg
Rachael Cavosie
Scott Lisinicchia
Matthew Coons
Savannah Bursese

The authorities have so far neither communicated nor confirmed any of the names, as they await the notification of all close relatives. The passengers were on a field trip to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Amy Steenburg. Ommegang Brewery Cooperstown confirmed Monday that a party member had a reservation for Saturday at noon. The brewery is about 40 miles from the crash site: Route 30, near the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie.

The name of one of the 18 victims of the Ford Excursion limousine has not been determined. Passers-by were Brian Hough, a professor at SUNY Oswego, and his stepfather, who was not named in a Facebook publication of Hough's aunt.

Here are some stories from the victim:

Amanda Halse

The 26-year-old Shaker Point waitress in Watervliet and former flower designer was killed along with her boyfriend Patrick Cushing.

Karina Halse, Halse's sister, told the Associated Press that her heart was "depressed" and that she was "in a place where I had never felt that kind of pain before. ". She said the sisters were texting on Saturday while Amanda had entered the limousine for the birthday party. But before Amanda received her sister's answer, she died in the accident.

Karina said that her sister and Cushing "were two peas in a pod". Michelle Radley, the couple's common friend, said the couple had been together for at least a year.

"She was as random as he was, they were perfect for each other," Radley said.

Amanda's boss for three years, Suzanne Balet-Haight, owner of Balet Flowers & Design, remembers Halse as being very creative. She said that Halse had a background in drawing and painting and a passion for arranging flowers, bouquets and dried flower wreaths. Once, says Balet-Haight, Halse made her a hanging wood with an inspiring quote that she composed herself.

"That's what I'm thinking about in recent days, it's all his creativity and how we're going to miss it," said Balet-Haight.

Balet-Haight said that Halse held a fundraiser for his mother each year in a greenhouse near Fort Ann after her mother was paralyzed in an accident.

"It was really exciting to see how much she cared for her mother and to make sure she was doing well all the time," said Balet-Haight.

Patrick Cushing

At age 31, he worked for the Senate Technology Services Unit. A great sport lover, he grew up in Amsterdam but lived with Amanda Halse in Troy. He leaves behind a brother, a sister and two half-sisters who issued a statement on Monday.

"For me, Patrick will always represent unconditional love," writes his brother, Justin Cushing. "He opened his heart to his family and his friends, and this heart propelled him into all the passions where he found a balance between his competitive dynamism and his benevolent spirit, his expressive personality and his willingness to work. being emotionally vulnerable for the sake of others have left an impact that we will always cherish.I have lost not only a brother, but my best friend,

Michelle Radley was a very close friend of Patrick. She said everyone called "Cushing" for at least seven years. The two men played together at the professional dodge ball and she said that they were like a "chosen family".

"It's hard to describe in words the kind of guy he was in. He put everyone in front of himself – he would have the most incredible game ever played at Dodge Ball and he would not admit it." Not even, he would go out of his way to say what it was like, "said Radley.

Cushing played softball and dodging in the local league for the US national team. Pete Benson, Cushing's colleague and organizer of the softball league, had known him for eight years. Benson said Cushing was a fun and laid-back guy who spoke fast and was always running to do something.

Captain Jimmy Blanchard played in a softball team for three years with Cushing. From April to September, each season, they saw each other a few times a week and sometimes went out to eat or have a drink.

"He was just a very sincere and sincere person, everyone was turned to him, he was always happy, he was always comforting, whether it was a question we talked about in our personal life, who competed on a softball field as a team. " He was very sincere and very comforting, "said Blanchard." Whenever you see him, it's with a smile. "

Cushing played ball hunter for the US team at the 2016 and 2018 dodgeball World Cups. The US Dodgeball cried Cushing's death on his Facebook page.

"Cushing has proven to be one of the most agile and dominant players in the world, and his flawless competition has made him one of the most exciting and entertaining players to watch. of Pat for the sport and his ever present laughter have contaminated lucky enough to play alongside him or against him, "read the post.

The team has announced that it will withdraw its number in his honor.

Amanda Rivenburg

Her colleagues remember the Colony resident as the "heart" of Living Resources, an Albany-based organization that offers programs and services for people with disabilities where she worked.

"She was a young superstar," Rivenburg supervisor Frank Prevratil said. "Amanda met her call, her call was to serve the people and she did it, she loved everyone who was part of the program and who worked for us."

"She was dedicated, wonderful and kind," he said.

Prevratil said that Rivenburg was an only child and had grown up in the Albany area. Another colleague, Deneen Palmateer, said Rivenburg had been with Living Resources since 2011, graduating from a social work degree and moving from direct service professional status to assistant director of the daytime community opportunities program.

"She was the kindest girl, she lights up a room, she had a bright smile, you felt a certain friendship from her," said Palmateer.

The general manager of the company, Fred Erlich, sent a message Monday to employees remembering Rivenburg as an employee deeply loved by all who knew her.

"She will be fondly remembered by her loving spirit, her beautiful smile, her thoughtful nature and her sincere commitment to her colleagues and the people we serve," the message said.

Amy and Axel Steenburg

The couple rented the limousine to celebrate Amy's 30th birthday. She was resident of Amsterdam and a nurse. The couple is married in June. Axel's brother, Rich, and Amy's three sisters – Allison, Mary and Abby – along with two of their husbands were also killed.

"I do not think any word from me could tell everyone how wonderful these young women and their families are," a close friend of the family told The Times Union in a Facebook post. "My friends were the kindest, most sincere and most sincere women you could meet, they worked hard, even when they were children, and really had a heart of gold."

She said that their parents "raised them to see the best of people and to always be grateful for what they had." I could go on and on, but be aware that any good thing you hear about them does not happen. still not fit, the women they were and their family of origin. "

A Facebook fundraiser for funeral expenses organized by a family friend raised more than $ 97,000 Monday night.

Adam and Abby Jackson

Amy Steenburg's sister, Abby, and her husband, Adam, left behind two daughters, Archer, age 4, and She, aged 16 months. A GoFundMe page "College and Expenses for Archer and She" contains pictures of the couple holding the girls. On Monday night, the page had raised more than $ 84,000.

Abby was a teacher in the Greater Amsterdam School District. Rich Peters, president of the Amsterdam Teachers Association, said that he was working in the room next to her at the Lynch Literacy Academy. She was a professor of reading, a professor of social studies.

Jackson became a teacher because she enjoyed working with children, Peters said. She excelled in working with students and taught them to read.

"She wanted to help them improve their lives," he said. The school district offered mourning counseling on Sunday and Monday.

According to Adam's Facebook page, he was deputy commissioner at the Montgomery County Election Council.

Mary and Rob Dyson

Mary Dyson, Amy's sister, and her husband, Rob, were killed in the accident and left a young son. The couple graduated from Clarkson University in Potsdam in 2007, according to a Facebook message from the school.

A candlelight vigil at school was scheduled for Monday night.

Erin and Shane McGowan

Erin McGowan was one of three girls and worked in record keeping at a hospital in Amsterdam. She and Shane had been a couple for at least three years and were married in June.

"You always hope to find the love of your life, that's what you hope and dream, and they found each other," said Erin's uncle, Anthony Vertucci. "They were so beautiful, dynamic and kind, they were such a dynamic duo, they were finally able to get married and just honestly start living their lives, they had big plans, they were saving for a house and they hoped to do everything they could. world hopes to do. "

Rachael Cavosie

Cavosie is survived by his parents, a sister and two brothers. Her cousin posted on Facebook that she was in shock.

"Three months apart, we grew up together – it's a soul that touched so many lives, including mine." She guided me so much and even though she was the youngest cousin, I respected her and often asked her opinion, my life, "read the post.

Another cousin of East Greenbush raises funds for the funeral on GoFundMe.

Savannah Bursese

Graduated in 2015 from Hartwick College specializing in Political Science and Business Administration, according to a college Facebook message. She was also volleyball player and member of the Phi Sigma Phi Sorority.

His sorority sisters from Phi Sigma Phi have created a GoFundMe for her. They then declared that she was "a loving girl, a friend, a friend and a sister".

"No word can heal Savannah's friends and family of grief since only one moment has now changed their lives forever," reads the message.

Matthew Coons

Savannah Bursese's boyfriend Matthew was also killed. According to his Facebook page, he was a veteran of the US Army and a fitness trainer. His cousin wrote on Facebook that the family was shocked by the tragedy that cost his life.

Rich Steenburg

Steenburg was Axel's brother. Both brothers worked at GlobalFoundries and have a GoFundMe.

Steenburg's family issued the following statement to the Rochester 13WHAM television channel Monday night:

"The Steenburg and King families suffered a tremendous loss yesterday, tragically, including children, spouses and parents – we thank all the first responders who helped, those who were kind and loving and those who continue to support us as we mourn those we have lost, and we ask for respect and compassion as we continue the mourning process and face such a misfortune. "

Steenburg's wife, Kimberly, had plans to join the anniversary celebration, but decided Saturday morning to retire because she was not feeling well, said Amy Dunlop -Johnson on the national public radio. They have two teenage children and they came to buy a house together, she said.

Scott Lisinicchia

The driver of the limousine leaves behind his wife. A close friend of the family has created a GoFundMe to support her, as well as the rest of her family.

"The words can not express the grief and sorrow we are experiencing with his family and friends, the whole community is shocked and devastated by the news of this terrible accident and the untimely death of Scott," reads the page. .

Brian Hough, stepfather

Hough 's aunt wrote on Facebook that Hough, a SUNY Oswego teacher, and his father – in – law were the two passers – by killed when the limousine crashed into the parking lot.

"My nephew was an accomplished teacher, an amazing husband, and a dad, and our family tries to make sense of that," the article says.

The university issued a statement Monday in which he laments his death following an accident on Saturday. A spokesman for a college said that he was still waiting for official confirmation from the state police regarding the existence of a link with the accident .

"In a short time, Brian has become an important part of our campus family," said President Deborah F. Stanley in her release. "He was a dedicated faculty member who had inspired his students to learn and understand on a deep level and whose contributions were often sought after by his colleagues, who will be missed and remembered."

Hough was a guest professor of geology since 2016. He had obtained his PhD from the University of Rochester, his MA from the University of Idaho State and his BA from Old Dominion University.

The school offers consulting services this week.