Saratoga Springs, NY - Stuart Hefter, 74, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5 2015 at Saratoga Hospital, surrounded by his wife and children, following a valiant battle with cancer. Stu was born on April 6, 1941 in New York City to the late Irving and Edith Hefter. He graduated from Pace University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He retired in 2002 as the Director of Tax Audits for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, after 38 years of dedicated service. Stu was actively involved with the SaraSpa Rod and Gun Club, Greenfield Center, NY serving as Treasurer for eight years. He also volunteered many hours with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program. Stu is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Barbara; his four children, Steven Hefter (Karen) of Hughesville, MD, Susan Verhaeg (Anthony), Jonathan Hefter (Kathryn) all of Saratoga Springs and Rachel Walts (Andrew) of Stillwater. He is also survived by eight beautiful grandchildren, Alicia Rohde (Timothy), Lauren Alexander, Olivia Hefter, Emily Verhaeg, Alex Verhaeg, Matthew Hefter, June Hefter and Francesca Hefter; his sister, Fran Klein (John) of Wellington, FL; brother-in-law Timothy Shuler (Karen) of Valley Falls and sister-in-law Donna Bonesteel (Lawrence) of Troy as well as many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm, Thursday, September 10, 2015 at the William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Funeral services will be conducted at 10am Friday, September 11, 2015 at the funeral home followed by burial at Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Avenue, Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial gifts be made to Melwood's Camp Accomplish, 5606 Dower House Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 or to a charity of one's choice. The family wishes to thank Dr. Edward Liebers, Dr. Desmond DelGiacco and the Saratoga Hospital ICU nurses Alyssa and Ashlee for their compassionate care of Stu. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.