4-23-10
Lisa I. Ryland, 44; Vestry Woman At Zion Episcopal ChurchMORRIS - Lisa I. Ryland, 44, of Morris, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
She was born in Boston, Mass., in 1965, the daughter of John Conrad MacQuarrie and Ethel M. (Foley) MacQuarrie.
She married John Ryland on Aug. 12, 1989, in Barrington, Rhode Island.
She was a member and Vestry woman at Zion Episcopal Church of Morris, as well as a member of the Morris Village Library Board and the Oneonta Concert Association Board.
She is survived by her husband, John, of Morris; her children, Abigail and Timothy Ryland of Morris; her mother, Ethel MacQuarrie, of Warren, Rhode Island; a sister, Susan Hobson and her husband, Ben of Basking Ridge, N.J.; and also several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her father, Conrad MacQuarrie.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2010, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2010, at the Zion Episcopal Church in Morris. Committal services and burial will follow in Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make donations to the Morris Village Library, P.O. Box 126, Morris, NY 13808 in Lisa’s memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
4-23-10
Pamela Ann Pierro, 49; Accountant At Moran Towing FLY CREEK – Pamela Ann Pierro, formerly of South Salem, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at the home of her dad and stepmom in Fly Creek, after a long battle with cancer and the after effects of treatment. She was 49.
Pam was born June 26, 1960, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Fly Creek. She graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1978, and from SUNY Stony Brook in 1983.
She worked for many years as an accountant at Moran Towing Co., in New Canaan, Conn.
Pam is survived by her mom, Sue Quartier of Venice, Fla.; her dad and stepmom, Bob and Kay Pierro of Fly Creek; her sister, Kim Donaldson and her husband, Matt of Charlotte, Vt.; her brother, Josh Pierro and his wife, Greta of New York City, her brother, Adam Hurtubise and his wife, Lisa of Medford, Mass., her brother, Flip Quartier and his wife, Barbara of Boston, Mass.; her nieces and nephews, Marley and Kristen Donaldson, and Brendan, Daniel and Olivia Hurtubise. She is also survived by her uncles, Ron Songdale of Oneonta, and Peter Songdale of Stamford, and Bill Pierro and his wife, Nancy of Foxboro, Mass.
She was predeceased by her stepfather, Phil Quartier.
Pam was a lover of cats, especially Taz and Puff, and was known to feed and rescue strays wherever she lived.
There will be no calling hours or funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to Catskill Area Hospice or the SPCA. Or please consider adopting a cat in Pam’s memory.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
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Mary Kaminski, 92; Native OhioanSPRINGFIELD – Mary Kaminiski, 92, passed away April 19, 2010 at home.
She was born Dec. 4, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Kasper and Stefania Egnaczyk. She married Kazmier Kaminski on June 6, 1942 in Cleveland.
She was a retired farmer and a member of St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Cherry Valley.
Survivors include her sisters: Sophie Misiolek of Springfield, Anna Grycan of Cleveland, Ohio, Theresa Napierkowski of Boonville, a brother Edward Egnaczyk of Sharon Springs and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers: Bruno, Thaddeus, Joseph and Anthony.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 22 at A. Thomas Church, Cherry Valley with Father John Roos officiating. Burial will follow in Boonville.
Calling houses are 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, at the Ottman Funeral home, Cherry Valley.
Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 542 Main St., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.
4-23-10
Graveside Service For Robert L. Keeler
A graveside service for Robert Leslie Keeler, lieutenant colonel, United States Army (retired), who died at the age of 86 on Nov, 27, 2009, in Tucson, Ariz., will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at West Exeter Cemetery.
Military honors will be accorded by the state Military Forces Honor Guard and members of the Cooperstown VFW and American Legion.
Arrangements are with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
4-23-10
Jenny (Peplinski) Stevens, 50; CCS Hall Of Fame Inductee
COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native Jenny (Peplinski) Stevens, 50, passed away at her home in Highlands Ranch, Colo., on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, ending her courageous fight against ovarian cancer.
Jenny was born Dec. 9, 1959, in Cooperstown.
She attended Cooperstown Central High School and Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor of science in chemical engineering.
In the fall of 2009 Jenny was the first woman to be inducted into the Cooperstown Central School Athletic Hall of Fame for her excellence in field hockey, track and field, and alpine skiing.
She married Todd Stevens of White Plains in 1988. Jenny and Todd made Denver, Colo. their home in 1990.
In addition to her husband, survivors include her parents, Harry and Derelene Peplinski of Cooperstown; two sisters, Julie (Rick) Emerson of Rapid City, S.D., and Jane (Steven) Wurster of McCall, Idaho, and a brother, David Peplinski of Cooperstown. She leaves behind her beloved Millie, Sheila and Max, and friends too many to count.
Memorial contributions may be made to Maxfund Animal Adoption Center, 1025 Galapago St., Denver, CO 80204 and/or Bassett Cancer Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
4-16-10
Raymond D. Georgia, 94; Drummer, Served in WWII
ONEONTA – Raymond D. Georgia, 94, of Oneonta, peacefully passed away after a short illness on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta.
Ray was born on March 29, 1916 in Hackensack, New Jersey. Ray lived his adult life in Oneonta.
Ray was an Army veteran, proudly serving his country during WWII.
He was an accomplished drummer who played with many local and national musicians.
Ray is survived by his wife and soul mate, Marion Georgia of Oneonta; his son, Charles “Buddy” Georgia and his wife, Sue of Walla Walla, Washington; his daughters, Kim Steele and her husband, Joe of New Haven, Connecticut and Nancy Powell and her husband, Jeff of Oneonta
Ray is also survived by several grand children and great grandchildren.
Ray was predeceased by his sons, John and Paul Georgia, Elliott and Linda Pecor, and his daughter, Debbie Georgia Mattice.
Graveside services with military honors were at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21, in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery with Rev. Olu Harding, pastor of the Elm Park United Methodist Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
4-16-10
Burton Josiah Miller, 89; Worked More Than 40 Years For D&H Railroad As Car Inspector
CLERMONT, Ga. - Burton Josiah Miller, 89, of Clermont, Ga. and formerly of Oneonta, passed away Friday, April 9, 2010, at the home of his daughter, Betty, in Clermont, Ga.
He was born Oct. 6, 1920, in Sidney Center, the son of the late Walter D. and Serena (Martin) Miller.
On July 26, 1941, Burton married Winifred Holmes in Oneonta. She predeceased him Sept. 26, 1988.
Burton proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army.
For over 40 years, Burton worked for the D&H Railroad as a car inspector.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and could fix just about anything.
Burton was a longtime member of the West End Community Baptist Church and served as a deacon, a trustee and an usher.
Burton is survived by his children, George Burton “Butch” Miller of Oneonta, Carl and Rosanne Miller of Oneonta, Betty and Daniel Bohmer of Clermont, Ga., and Margaret “Peggy” and Victor Umbach of Oneonta; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Willard and Daurice Miller of Oneonta, Alfred and Susie Miller of Oxford and Daniel Miller of California; two sisters, Evelyn Krummie of California and Greta Dixon of Florida; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a great-grandson, Jonathon Umbach.
Calling hours were Tuesday, April 13, in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta.
Funeral services took place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, in the funeral home with the Rev. Keith VanDewerker officiating. Burial followed in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
4-16-10
Florence A. Eckford, 86; WAC In WWII
COOPERSTOWN – Florence A. Eckford, 86, of Pemberville, Ohio, passed away April 6, 2010, at Otterbein Portage Valley.
Born in Cooperstown on May 5, 1923, to Charles and Helen (Bundy) Walrath. Florence was a WAC with the Army during World War II. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Pemberville and the Daughters of the American Legion.
Survivors include her son, Stephen C. Petchtle (Elizabeth Ciaccio); grand-daughter Eileen Petchtle; great grand-daughter Keara Josephine Allen, and several cousins, Doug and Peg Walrath, Jim Walrath, Jean Richards, and Jack and Janice Bayless.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Eckford.
According to Florence’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Pemberville American Legion Post or the charity of the donor’s choice. Burial will be with her husband in Florida National Cemetery.
4-16-10
Victoria M. Semrov, 93; Celebrated Slovenian Heritage
COOPERSTOWN – Victoria Mary Semrov, a long-time resident of the Cooperstown area and former secretary at Bassett Hospital, died Tuesday morning, April 6, 2010 at Folts Homes in Herkimer. She was 93.
Born Dec. 23, 1916, in Kansas City, Kans., she was a daughter of Joseph John Kriz and Mary Drobnic Kriz.
In 1921, Vicky and her family moved from the Midwest and settled on a farm on Christian Hill, outside Toddsville. In the 1940s, the family purchased a farm on County Highway 33, Town of Middlefield.
A 1935 CCS graduate, she attended the Knox School for Girls. For many years she was employed as a secretary at Bassett Hospital.
On Oct. 18, 1941, Vicky married Martin R. Semrov in Westville. He died Aug. 15, 1957.
Proud of her Slovenian ancestry, Vicky was a member of the Farmers Independent Benevolent Society in Fly Creek and over the years enjoyed some great times dancing to polka music at Corn Field Hall.
She was also a member of the Slovenska Nardona Podporna Jednota (SNPJ), a Slovenian heritage club in Little Falls, and her family fondly remembers when she baked strudel and potica.
She also enjoyed playing card games with friends, and looking after many family members throughout the years.
Survivors included a niece, Joan Marie Foutch and her husband, James, of Fly Creek; one great-nephew, John William Foutch and his wife, Heather, of Cooperstown; one great-niece, Jenilee Bolton and her husband, Michael, of Edmeston; and two great-great-nephews, Bryce James Bolton and Jack Wyatt Foutch.
In addition to her husband, Vicky was predeceased by their son, Robert M. Semrov, a state trooper who died in the line of duty on Jan. 27, 1973; he was shot after making a traffic stop on East Lake Road, Richfield Springs.
Also, one daughter-in-law, Deborah Lourdes Tilbe Semrov O’Brien, who died Nov. 7, 1989; one brother, Joseph John Kriz, Jr., who died Sept. 8, 2006; one sister, Mrs. Helen Jenny Huff, who died Dec. 14, 2005; and one great-niece, Jennifer Marie Foutch, who died April 2, 1981.
A graveside service was Saturday, April 10, at Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, with the Rev. Sundar R. Samuel, pastor, Cooperstown United Methodist Church, officiating. There were no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York, Pine West Plaza, Building 4, Suite 405, Washington Avenue, Ext., Albany, NY 12205-5515.
Arrangements were with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
4-16-10
David Jefferson McGown, 83; Cooperstown Native, Minister
COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native David Jefferson McGown, a retired Presbyterian minister, died peacefully Saturday, March 27, at his home in Santa Fe, N.M.
David was born Feb. 10, 1927, son of Frederick Hamilton and Esther McGown, brother of Frederick and Seabury McGown and Mary McGown Malhum.
He was a 1947 graduate of Yale University. In 1951, he earned a master’s in divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago.
In 1947-50, David taught English with the Yale In China program in Changsa, and was evacuated by the U.S. government ahead of the advancing Maoist revolution. He returned twice to reconnect with former students and friends when China was reopened to the West. David enjoyed surprising friends by speaking Chinese, and maintained an active interest in Chinese political developments.
David met and married Jeanne when they were both divinity students. They moved to mining towns of West Virginia, where he served as a pastor.
His career then took him to San Diego State University, Kansas State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus, where he served as a Presbyterian campus minister.
David also served the National Presbyterian Church as chairman of the General Assembly Nominating Committee, as an active member of the Witherspoon Society and as a founder of the More Light Society. He received the Presbyterian General Assembly Education Award. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe.
Dave and Jeanne traveled the world enjoying the experience of cultural differences in the Middle East, India and Europe. Before retiring they spent 18 months ministering to a congregation in Portishead in southern England. Retirement took David and Jeanne to Santa Fe in 1995, where they enjoyed church, family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Bourgeois McGown; brother Seabury McGown; five daughters, Beth, Chris, Lynn, Pam and Leslie; five grandchildren, Rebecca, Aaren, Weston, Ray and Hannah, and one great-grandson, Archer.
A memorial service was Saturday, April 3, at his church in Santa Fe.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ghost Ranch Foundation, a Presbyterian retreat center in Abiquiu, N.M.
4-16-10
George F. Goldsmith, 61; State Worker Active In CSEA
COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native George F. Goldsmith Jr., 61, of Latham, died suddenly Monday, April 12, 2010, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy.
He was the son of the late George F. and Glenice E. (Talbot) Goldsmith Sr. He married Jeanne M. Chenel on Feb. 7, 1970, in Richfield Springs. She survives him.
In 2006, George retired from the state Department of Parks & Recreation in Albany as a tax valuation engineer.
George was a union activist in the Public Employees Federation from the organization’s inception. He held various union leadership positions over the years in three state agencies.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, two sons, and several grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 15, in the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham, with Father David Noone officiating.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home 3-7 p.m. Wednesday.
4-16-10
Russell C. Flint, 83; Ran Flint’s Garage For Half-Century
CHERRY VALLEY – Russell C. Flint, 83, proprietor of Flint’s Garage for more than a half-century, passed away Monday, April 12, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
He was born Sept. 6, 1926, in Pleasant Brook, the son of Floyd and Emma (Rogers) Flint. He married Velma Brundage on Jan. 25, 1947, in Westville.
A lifelong area resident, he operated Flint’s Garage with his wife and son Charlie for more than 50 years; Cherry Valley town clerk for 28 years, and Cherry Valley Central School bus driver for 41 years.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Cherry Valley, where he served as trustee and elder for many years, also the Roseboom Cemetery Association.
He was an avid lover of the outdoors, hunting, snowmobiles, antique tractors and cars and he sold Studebakers.
Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Velma Flint; one daughter, Connie McCall and her husband, Russell; six sons, Russell V. Flint and his wife Sharon, Charles Flint and his fiance Cynthia Hotaling, Kevin Flint and his wife Mary Beth, all of Cherry Valley, Keith Flint and his wife Tammy, of Glens Falls, Brian Flint and his wife LuAnn, of Queensbury, Dale Flint and his wife Rhoda, of Morris; 18 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Bill, George and Albert, and a sister, Marguerite.
Calling hours are 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, in the First Presbyterian Church, Cherry Valley, with Rev. Ron Fralick officiating. Burial will follow in the Roseboom Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cherry Valley or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.
4-16-10
Elsie F. Taylor, 91; Ran Service Station In Schuyler Lake
SCHUYLER LAKE – Elsie Flora (Shaul) Taylor of Schuyler Lake, who operated Taylor’s Service Station here for 30 years with her husband, George, died on Tuesday April 13, 2010, with her family by her side. She was 91.
She was born in Exeter Center, on March 23, 1919, the daughter of Bert and Margaret (Vrooman) Shaul. She married George E. Taylor on Oct. 2, 1945. He predeceased her on March 19, 2001, but they shared 57 wonderful years together.
She was also predeceased by her son Jack Edwin Taylor, who died in 1970 in Vietnam, where he was serving with the Army, and a sister, Celia B. Ferguson of East Patchogue, in October 2001.
Survivors include her daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Taylor Stickles and her husband, Edwin, of Schuyler Lake; two grandchildren, Tammy Stickles Behr and her husband, Kevin Behr, of Cherry Valley, and Jill Stickles Ludemann and her husband, William Ludemann III, of Sauquoit; two great-grandsons, Tyler C. Bianchine and Ryan W. Ludemann; a sister-in-law, Katherine Perkins of Richfield Springs, and nephew Donald B. Ferguson of East Patchogue, L.I., and his wife Mary and their children Donny and Sherry.
Elsie was a lifelong resident of Schuyler Lake, where she worked alongside her husband and was beloved in the small community.
Elsie devoted her life to her religious faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and told many about her convictions, the Bible and God’s hope for mankind. She loved family and good times.
George bought her a camp, Wanakena, on their eighth anniversary. Wanakena was given to Peggy and Ed on their 32nd anniversary, and is loved and enjoyed by all. Her family will miss her positive attitude, help, her outstanding sewing and crocheting capabilities and bookkeeping expertise. The family will cherish many fond memories of Elsie.
A memorial service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 7396 State Route 28. Friends may call at 1 p.m. prior to the service to extend sympathy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Schuyler Lake Fire Department, the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Catskill Area Hospice.
Arrangements are with the Ottman Funeral Home.
4-16-10
Ruth W. Curran, 81; LPN Was Life-Long Caregiver To Many In Cooperstown Area
COOPERSTOWN – Ruth W. Curran, 81, a lifelong resident of the Cooperstown area, died Saturday evening, April 10, 2010, after an extended illness.
The daughter of Bower F. and Grace (Allison) Weir, Ruth was born Sept. 24, 1928, on the family farm in the Town of Otsego.
She graduated from the Cooperstown High School, Class of 1947, and received her LPN certification from the Fox Nursing School, Oneonta. Thereafter she was a dedicated caregiver to many local people.
On Nov. 11, 1950, she married Gifford W. Curran. He predeceased her June 6, 1996.
Ruth, who was affectionately known within her family as “Aunt Jack,” was an individual who not only loved people but always enjoyed meeting new friends. She especially loved and was fiercely devoted to her family, especially her beloved nieces and nephews.
An accomplished gardener she spent countless hours tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. Indeed, she often “pressed” her nieces and nephews into service to help plant the many seeds, bulbs and plants she had purchased.
She was also an animal and bird lover and “adopter.” She enjoyed watching the many birds that benefited from her overflowing bird feeders and as well as rescuing and caring for injured and/or abandoned creatures of virtually every kind.
Ruth was a gifted cook and baker and many of her specialties, such as fruit tarts and Queen Anne’s Lace Jelly, will be missed by family and friends alike. She also loved antiquing and enjoyed attending and making a good buy at area auctions.
She was a member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown, St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, the National Audubon Society and the former Hartwick Seminary Grange.
Survivors include a sister, Leta “Jane” Hribar (Robert) of Fly Creek, and Leta’s and Bob’s children, Patricia Hribar (Frank Margagliotti, her fiance) of Burlington Flats, William (Donna) Hribar of Fly Creek, Deborah Shaughnessy (Patrick) of Conesus, and Franklin Hribar of Fly Creek; her sister, Emily Thorn of Hartwick, and Emily’s predeceased husband, Ken’s children, John “Jack” Thorn (Barb) of Hartwick, Judy Jackson (David) of Worcester and Janice Gage (Jerry) of Hartwick; as well as by a number of grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as several great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
She is also survived by her beloved, Shelty “Anne Lassie Curran;” her loving friend and companion, Richard Mayne; and her many close friends, among them, Anne Marnell of Alabama, Barbara Pope of Cooperstown; and her lifelong friend and high school classmate, Stella (Ubner) Lincourt (Harold) of Walton.
Funeral services for Ruth will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at St. Mary’s, with Father John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating.
Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home.
Given Ruth’s love of flowers, the family welcomes the gift of flowers, but also suggests that those who so desire make donations in Ruth’s memory to the National Audubon Society, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.
4-9-10
Mabel Rarick, 96; Enjoyed Needlepoint
ONEONTA – Mabel Rarick, 96, of Oneonta, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Otsego Manor, where she had been a resident for 12 years.
Born Aug. 5, 1913, in Alva, Wyo., she was the daughter of the late Archie and Iva Mae (Engle) Miller.
Mabel married Raymond Rarick on Oct. 25, 1933. He passed away in April 2000.
She was a member of the United Presbyterian (Red Door) Church since 1950, a member of the Star Class and the Sewing Circle. She enjoyed needlepoint, crossword puzzles, to cook and bake and was an avid reader.
She is survived by her daughter, Joan Brandt of Oneonta; her grandsons, Rich Blakeslee of Rochester and Aaron (Michelle) Brandt of Bend, Ore.; four great-granddaughters, Sierra Hillis, Miranda and Amanda Blakeslee and Cameron Brandt; one great-grandson, Mason Brandt; and one great-great-granddaughter, Alivia Hillis. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her infant daughter, Shirley; and four brothers, Ernest, Frank, Clyde and Ray Miller.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Evergreen Hills Cemetery, Unadilla.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
4-9-10
Christina Sperry, 69; Waitressed At Dukes, Bresee’s, Nick’s Dinere
ONEONTA - Christina Sperry, 69, of Oneonta passed away Thursday, April 1, 2010, at her home.
Born Jan. 9, 1941, in Oneonta, she was the daughter of the late William and Ruth (Bourne) Effner.
On July 25, 1982, Christina married Russell Sperry in Otego. He passed away on Feb. 6, 2010.
She was a waitress for many years at Dukes, Nick’s Diner, Bresee’s and other area restaurants. She enjoyed bingo, scratch off tickets and babysitting. She loved children. She was an amazing woman and will be greatly missed.
Christina is survived by her children, Richard Goodspeed and Tammy Green of Oneonta, Brian and Tami Goodspeed of Oneonta, Debbie and Mike Hall of Oneonta, Russell and Phyllis Sperry of Alaska, Virginia (Ginny) Castle of Buffalo, Richard and Melanie Sperry of Laurens, Wanda Sperry of Laurens, and Tom and Pam Berger of Buffalo, and Tony Beers of Oneonta; her special companion, Chi Chi; 38 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Steve Effner and Shirley Roberts of Afton, Patricia Hodge of Travelers Rest, S.C., Charles Effner and Sandy Gould of Oneonta, Marie and Paul Koerner of Bainbridge and Allen and Betty Wamsley of Oneonta; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband, Russell; one son, Douglas Sperry Sr.; and two grandsons, Richard and Donald Sperry.
Family and friends joined for a celebration of Christina’s life on Tuesday’ April 6 at the Oneonta Moose Lodge.
Burial of Russell and Christina will take place in the spring at the Elk Creek Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820, the American Cancer Society, or to the Otego Fire Department, River Street, Otego, NY 13825.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
4-9-10
Daniel Oliver, 73; Served In Air Force
OWASSO, Okla. – Daniel Henry Oliver, 73, entered eternal life March 30, 2010 in Owasso, Okla.
He was born July 29, 1936 in Oneonta, to Walt and Thelma (Kelsey) Oliver.
Daniel served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed golf, fishing and especially spending time with family.
Daniel is survived by his loving son Marc and his wife Julie; daughter Kim and her husband Bryan; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brother Raymond; sister Loretta; his faithful dog Pugs; and many friends.
The service was private.
Arrangements are by Kennedy-Amis-Kennard Funeral Service. 4-9-10
Francis “Pete” Fairchilds, 76; Superintendent, Building And Grounds At Franklin Schools
FRANKLIN – Francis “Pete” Fairchilds, 76, of Franklin, died peacefully following a courageous battle with lung cancer on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta.
Pete was born on Dec. 29, 1933 in Downsville. He was raised by Clive and Leah Franks of Harvard, New York. He married Joyce Clark on April 29, 1956.
Pete was the Buildings and Grounds Superintendent of the Franklin Central School for 25 years. He served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War.
He was an avid golfer and member of the Way Back of Sundown Golf Club and the Colonial Ridge Golf Club. For several years he competed in the DuPont World Amateur Champions Golf Tournament and won his flight in 2005. He was a member of the BPOE Lodge 2175 of Sidney, New York.
Pete is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce Fairchilds of Franklin; his children, Mark Fairchilds of Oneonta, Julie Hall and her husband, Jerry of Otego and Renee Wilcox and her husband, Mark of Greenville, New York.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Zachary, Ethan, and Erica Hall, Mark Stephen, Blaine and Paige Fairchilds and Kaela and Morgan Wilcox; his sisters, Cordelia Roberts, Catherine Sanford; his brother George Lockwood; his brothers-in-law, Palmer and David Clark.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Whitney Nicole Fairchilds.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 2, at the Franklin United Methodist Church with Rev. Joseph Bokel, Spiritual Care Chaplin of the Catskill Area Hospice, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin Emergency Squad, Franklin, NY 13775 or the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
4-9-10
Shari Lee Molinari, 45; Had Artistic Flair For Flower Arranging, Worked In Nursing Homes
ONEONTA - Shari Lee Molinari, 45, passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 29, 2010.
Shari was born Oct. 11, 1964, in Rome, to Louis Jr. and Wanda (Sweeney) Dean.
She graduated from Adirondack Central High School in June of 1982, and later that year enlisted with one of her friends in the United States Army from which she received an honorable discharge in 1984. She then joined the Army Reserves where she was active for many years.
She is survived by her beloved children, daughter, Nicole Yaciw and son, Jeffrey Molinari of Oneonta; her significant other, James Frederer, of Oneonta; her father, Louis Dean Jr.; cherished sister, Lori Ann Allbright, both of Caberg; half sisters, Jodie (John) Sykes of Floyd and Cindy (Tom) Retcho.
She was predeceased by her brother, Brian Dean; her mother, Wanda; her paternal grandparents, Louis Sr. and Josephine Dean; her maternal grandmother, Birdella Sweeney.
Shari was employed as a care provider for the elderly in various nursing homes. She had also had experience working with landscaping. She had an artistic flair for flower arranging and it was her dream to own her own florist shop.
Shari will be remembered for her humor and as a loyal friend to many. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She will be missed a great deal.
“Those we love remain with us, love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one’s gone. Those we love can never be more than a thought apart for as long as there is memory, they’ll live on in the heart.”
Calling hours were Monday, April 5, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta. A funeral service followed with the Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, officiating.
Interment in the Glenwood Cemetery in Oneonta will be at a later date.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
4-9-10
Shirley Elwood, 83; Was Teacher
FORT PLAIN – Shirley M. Elwood, 83, who retired from Van Hornesville Central elementary school in 1982 after 26 years, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2010, at Otsego Manor.
She was born May 18, 1927, in Schenectady, daughter of Jesse and Ursula Graham. She was married to John Elwood in 1959.
Survivors include her husband, family and friends.
Funeral services were Monday, April 5, at St. James Lutheran Church, Starkville, with Rev. Kenneth Dingman officiating. Burial will be in the Fort Plain Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Hornesville Fire Department.
Arrangements were with the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Lisa I. Ryland, 44; Vestry Woman At Zion Episcopal ChurchMORRIS - Lisa I. Ryland, 44, of Morris, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
She was born in Boston, Mass., in 1965, the daughter of John Conrad MacQuarrie and Ethel M. (Foley) MacQuarrie.
She married John Ryland on Aug. 12, 1989, in Barrington, Rhode Island.
She was a member and Vestry woman at Zion Episcopal Church of Morris, as well as a member of the Morris Village Library Board and the Oneonta Concert Association Board.
She is survived by her husband, John, of Morris; her children, Abigail and Timothy Ryland of Morris; her mother, Ethel MacQuarrie, of Warren, Rhode Island; a sister, Susan Hobson and her husband, Ben of Basking Ridge, N.J.; and also several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her father, Conrad MacQuarrie.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2010, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2010, at the Zion Episcopal Church in Morris. Committal services and burial will follow in Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make donations to the Morris Village Library, P.O. Box 126, Morris, NY 13808 in Lisa’s memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
4-23-10
Pamela Ann Pierro, 49; Accountant At Moran Towing FLY CREEK – Pamela Ann Pierro, formerly of South Salem, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at the home of her dad and stepmom in Fly Creek, after a long battle with cancer and the after effects of treatment. She was 49.
Pam was born June 26, 1960, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Fly Creek. She graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1978, and from SUNY Stony Brook in 1983.
She worked for many years as an accountant at Moran Towing Co., in New Canaan, Conn.
Pam is survived by her mom, Sue Quartier of Venice, Fla.; her dad and stepmom, Bob and Kay Pierro of Fly Creek; her sister, Kim Donaldson and her husband, Matt of Charlotte, Vt.; her brother, Josh Pierro and his wife, Greta of New York City, her brother, Adam Hurtubise and his wife, Lisa of Medford, Mass., her brother, Flip Quartier and his wife, Barbara of Boston, Mass.; her nieces and nephews, Marley and Kristen Donaldson, and Brendan, Daniel and Olivia Hurtubise. She is also survived by her uncles, Ron Songdale of Oneonta, and Peter Songdale of Stamford, and Bill Pierro and his wife, Nancy of Foxboro, Mass.
She was predeceased by her stepfather, Phil Quartier.
Pam was a lover of cats, especially Taz and Puff, and was known to feed and rescue strays wherever she lived.
There will be no calling hours or funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to Catskill Area Hospice or the SPCA. Or please consider adopting a cat in Pam’s memory.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
4-23-10
Cancer Claims First Woman In CCS HoFCOOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native Jenny (Peplinski) Stevens, 50, passed away at her home in Highlands Ranch, Colo., on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, ending her courageous fight against ovarian cancer.
Jenny was born Dec. 9, 1959, in Cooperstown.
She attended Cooperstown Central High School and Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor of science in chemical engineering.
In the fall of 2009, Jenny was the first woman to be inducted into the Cooperstown Central School Athletic Hall of Fame for her excellence in field hockey, track and field, and alpine skiing.
She married Todd Stevens of White Plains in 1988. Jenny and Todd made Denver, Colo. their home in 1990.
Jenny was born Dec. 9, 1959, in Cooperstown.
She attended Cooperstown Central High School and Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor of science in chemical engineering.
In the fall of 2009, Jenny was the first woman to be inducted into the Cooperstown Central School Athletic Hall of Fame for her excellence in field hockey, track and field, and alpine skiing.
She married Todd Stevens of White Plains in 1988. Jenny and Todd made Denver, Colo. their home in 1990.
4-23-10
Barbara ‘Bobbie’ L. Champlin, 87; Graduate Of State Teacher’s College MILFORD – Barbara L. “Bobbie” Champlin, of Milford, passed away unexpectedly at her home on April 14 at the age of 87. She was the daughter of Fay and Marcia Loope.
Bobbie graduated from the State Teacher’s College of Oneonta. She was a teacher for the Bainbridge-Guilford School District.
Bobbie married James “Jim” W. Champlin Sr. and she and Jim were able to take early retirements so they could enjoy their camp at Arnold’s Lake where they spent summers and winter weekends.
Bobbie was a very giving person who loved her family and many friends.
Bobbie is survived by her husband of 64 years, James “Jim” W. Champlin, Sr.; daughters, Terry Church and Pat Stilson; grandchildren, Eric Champlin and his wife, Jennifer, Karen Church and Joshua Stilson and a great grandson, Connor.
She is also survived by her sister, Betty Holland and several nieces, nephews and their families. Bobbie was predeceased by her son James W. Champlin, Jr.
The family will gather at the Memorial Rock at a future time for remembrance. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions in Bobbie’s name may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad, Milford, NY 13807
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Bobbie graduated from the State Teacher’s College of Oneonta. She was a teacher for the Bainbridge-Guilford School District.
Bobbie married James “Jim” W. Champlin Sr. and she and Jim were able to take early retirements so they could enjoy their camp at Arnold’s Lake where they spent summers and winter weekends.
Bobbie was a very giving person who loved her family and many friends.
Bobbie is survived by her husband of 64 years, James “Jim” W. Champlin, Sr.; daughters, Terry Church and Pat Stilson; grandchildren, Eric Champlin and his wife, Jennifer, Karen Church and Joshua Stilson and a great grandson, Connor.
She is also survived by her sister, Betty Holland and several nieces, nephews and their families. Bobbie was predeceased by her son James W. Champlin, Jr.
The family will gather at the Memorial Rock at a future time for remembrance. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions in Bobbie’s name may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad, Milford, NY 13807
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
4-23-10
Ruth Youket, 84; HomemakerWORCESTER – Ruth Youket, 84, a homemaker, passed away April 10, 2010 at Otsego Manor.
She was born Oct. 15, 1925, in Middletown, the daughter of Albert and Levina Cross.
Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Sawyer of Worcester; two sons, Charles Martin of Westford and his wife, Linda, and Al Martin of Gilbertsville and his wife, Cindy; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
At Ruth’s request, there will be no funeral service or calling hours. A gathering of family and friends will be 1-4 p.m., Sunday, May 2, at 10225 Route 7, Worcester, for a time of remembrance.
Contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
She was born Oct. 15, 1925, in Middletown, the daughter of Albert and Levina Cross.
Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Sawyer of Worcester; two sons, Charles Martin of Westford and his wife, Linda, and Al Martin of Gilbertsville and his wife, Cindy; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
At Ruth’s request, there will be no funeral service or calling hours. A gathering of family and friends will be 1-4 p.m., Sunday, May 2, at 10225 Route 7, Worcester, for a time of remembrance.
Contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
4-23-10
Mary Kaminski, 92; Native OhioanSPRINGFIELD – Mary Kaminiski, 92, passed away April 19, 2010 at home.
She was born Dec. 4, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Kasper and Stefania Egnaczyk. She married Kazmier Kaminski on June 6, 1942 in Cleveland.
She was a retired farmer and a member of St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Cherry Valley.
Survivors include her sisters: Sophie Misiolek of Springfield, Anna Grycan of Cleveland, Ohio, Theresa Napierkowski of Boonville, a brother Edward Egnaczyk of Sharon Springs and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers: Bruno, Thaddeus, Joseph and Anthony.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 22 at A. Thomas Church, Cherry Valley with Father John Roos officiating. Burial will follow in Boonville.
Calling houses are 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, at the Ottman Funeral home, Cherry Valley.
Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 542 Main St., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.
4-23-10
Graveside Service For Robert L. Keeler
A graveside service for Robert Leslie Keeler, lieutenant colonel, United States Army (retired), who died at the age of 86 on Nov, 27, 2009, in Tucson, Ariz., will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at West Exeter Cemetery.
Military honors will be accorded by the state Military Forces Honor Guard and members of the Cooperstown VFW and American Legion.
Arrangements are with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
4-23-10
Jenny (Peplinski) Stevens, 50; CCS Hall Of Fame Inductee
COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native Jenny (Peplinski) Stevens, 50, passed away at her home in Highlands Ranch, Colo., on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, ending her courageous fight against ovarian cancer.
Jenny was born Dec. 9, 1959, in Cooperstown.
She attended Cooperstown Central High School and Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor of science in chemical engineering.
In the fall of 2009 Jenny was the first woman to be inducted into the Cooperstown Central School Athletic Hall of Fame for her excellence in field hockey, track and field, and alpine skiing.
She married Todd Stevens of White Plains in 1988. Jenny and Todd made Denver, Colo. their home in 1990.
In addition to her husband, survivors include her parents, Harry and Derelene Peplinski of Cooperstown; two sisters, Julie (Rick) Emerson of Rapid City, S.D., and Jane (Steven) Wurster of McCall, Idaho, and a brother, David Peplinski of Cooperstown. She leaves behind her beloved Millie, Sheila and Max, and friends too many to count.
Memorial contributions may be made to Maxfund Animal Adoption Center, 1025 Galapago St., Denver, CO 80204 and/or Bassett Cancer Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
4-16-10
Raymond D. Georgia, 94; Drummer, Served in WWII
ONEONTA – Raymond D. Georgia, 94, of Oneonta, peacefully passed away after a short illness on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta.
Ray was born on March 29, 1916 in Hackensack, New Jersey. Ray lived his adult life in Oneonta.
Ray was an Army veteran, proudly serving his country during WWII.
He was an accomplished drummer who played with many local and national musicians.
Ray is survived by his wife and soul mate, Marion Georgia of Oneonta; his son, Charles “Buddy” Georgia and his wife, Sue of Walla Walla, Washington; his daughters, Kim Steele and her husband, Joe of New Haven, Connecticut and Nancy Powell and her husband, Jeff of Oneonta
Ray is also survived by several grand children and great grandchildren.
Ray was predeceased by his sons, John and Paul Georgia, Elliott and Linda Pecor, and his daughter, Debbie Georgia Mattice.
Graveside services with military honors were at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21, in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery with Rev. Olu Harding, pastor of the Elm Park United Methodist Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
4-16-10
Burton Josiah Miller, 89; Worked More Than 40 Years For D&H Railroad As Car Inspector
CLERMONT, Ga. - Burton Josiah Miller, 89, of Clermont, Ga. and formerly of Oneonta, passed away Friday, April 9, 2010, at the home of his daughter, Betty, in Clermont, Ga.
He was born Oct. 6, 1920, in Sidney Center, the son of the late Walter D. and Serena (Martin) Miller.
On July 26, 1941, Burton married Winifred Holmes in Oneonta. She predeceased him Sept. 26, 1988.
Burton proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army.
For over 40 years, Burton worked for the D&H Railroad as a car inspector.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and could fix just about anything.
Burton was a longtime member of the West End Community Baptist Church and served as a deacon, a trustee and an usher.
Burton is survived by his children, George Burton “Butch” Miller of Oneonta, Carl and Rosanne Miller of Oneonta, Betty and Daniel Bohmer of Clermont, Ga., and Margaret “Peggy” and Victor Umbach of Oneonta; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Willard and Daurice Miller of Oneonta, Alfred and Susie Miller of Oxford and Daniel Miller of California; two sisters, Evelyn Krummie of California and Greta Dixon of Florida; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a great-grandson, Jonathon Umbach.
Calling hours were Tuesday, April 13, in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta.
Funeral services took place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, in the funeral home with the Rev. Keith VanDewerker officiating. Burial followed in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
4-16-10
Florence A. Eckford, 86; WAC In WWII
COOPERSTOWN – Florence A. Eckford, 86, of Pemberville, Ohio, passed away April 6, 2010, at Otterbein Portage Valley.
Born in Cooperstown on May 5, 1923, to Charles and Helen (Bundy) Walrath. Florence was a WAC with the Army during World War II. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Pemberville and the Daughters of the American Legion.
Survivors include her son, Stephen C. Petchtle (Elizabeth Ciaccio); grand-daughter Eileen Petchtle; great grand-daughter Keara Josephine Allen, and several cousins, Doug and Peg Walrath, Jim Walrath, Jean Richards, and Jack and Janice Bayless.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Eckford.
According to Florence’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Pemberville American Legion Post or the charity of the donor’s choice. Burial will be with her husband in Florida National Cemetery.
4-16-10
Victoria M. Semrov, 93; Celebrated Slovenian Heritage
COOPERSTOWN – Victoria Mary Semrov, a long-time resident of the Cooperstown area and former secretary at Bassett Hospital, died Tuesday morning, April 6, 2010 at Folts Homes in Herkimer. She was 93.
Born Dec. 23, 1916, in Kansas City, Kans., she was a daughter of Joseph John Kriz and Mary Drobnic Kriz.
In 1921, Vicky and her family moved from the Midwest and settled on a farm on Christian Hill, outside Toddsville. In the 1940s, the family purchased a farm on County Highway 33, Town of Middlefield.
A 1935 CCS graduate, she attended the Knox School for Girls. For many years she was employed as a secretary at Bassett Hospital.
On Oct. 18, 1941, Vicky married Martin R. Semrov in Westville. He died Aug. 15, 1957.
Proud of her Slovenian ancestry, Vicky was a member of the Farmers Independent Benevolent Society in Fly Creek and over the years enjoyed some great times dancing to polka music at Corn Field Hall.
She was also a member of the Slovenska Nardona Podporna Jednota (SNPJ), a Slovenian heritage club in Little Falls, and her family fondly remembers when she baked strudel and potica.
She also enjoyed playing card games with friends, and looking after many family members throughout the years.
Survivors included a niece, Joan Marie Foutch and her husband, James, of Fly Creek; one great-nephew, John William Foutch and his wife, Heather, of Cooperstown; one great-niece, Jenilee Bolton and her husband, Michael, of Edmeston; and two great-great-nephews, Bryce James Bolton and Jack Wyatt Foutch.
In addition to her husband, Vicky was predeceased by their son, Robert M. Semrov, a state trooper who died in the line of duty on Jan. 27, 1973; he was shot after making a traffic stop on East Lake Road, Richfield Springs.
Also, one daughter-in-law, Deborah Lourdes Tilbe Semrov O’Brien, who died Nov. 7, 1989; one brother, Joseph John Kriz, Jr., who died Sept. 8, 2006; one sister, Mrs. Helen Jenny Huff, who died Dec. 14, 2005; and one great-niece, Jennifer Marie Foutch, who died April 2, 1981.
A graveside service was Saturday, April 10, at Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, with the Rev. Sundar R. Samuel, pastor, Cooperstown United Methodist Church, officiating. There were no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York, Pine West Plaza, Building 4, Suite 405, Washington Avenue, Ext., Albany, NY 12205-5515.
Arrangements were with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
4-16-10
David Jefferson McGown, 83; Cooperstown Native, Minister
COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native David Jefferson McGown, a retired Presbyterian minister, died peacefully Saturday, March 27, at his home in Santa Fe, N.M.
David was born Feb. 10, 1927, son of Frederick Hamilton and Esther McGown, brother of Frederick and Seabury McGown and Mary McGown Malhum.
He was a 1947 graduate of Yale University. In 1951, he earned a master’s in divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago.
In 1947-50, David taught English with the Yale In China program in Changsa, and was evacuated by the U.S. government ahead of the advancing Maoist revolution. He returned twice to reconnect with former students and friends when China was reopened to the West. David enjoyed surprising friends by speaking Chinese, and maintained an active interest in Chinese political developments.
David met and married Jeanne when they were both divinity students. They moved to mining towns of West Virginia, where he served as a pastor.
His career then took him to San Diego State University, Kansas State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus, where he served as a Presbyterian campus minister.
David also served the National Presbyterian Church as chairman of the General Assembly Nominating Committee, as an active member of the Witherspoon Society and as a founder of the More Light Society. He received the Presbyterian General Assembly Education Award. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe.
Dave and Jeanne traveled the world enjoying the experience of cultural differences in the Middle East, India and Europe. Before retiring they spent 18 months ministering to a congregation in Portishead in southern England. Retirement took David and Jeanne to Santa Fe in 1995, where they enjoyed church, family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Bourgeois McGown; brother Seabury McGown; five daughters, Beth, Chris, Lynn, Pam and Leslie; five grandchildren, Rebecca, Aaren, Weston, Ray and Hannah, and one great-grandson, Archer.
A memorial service was Saturday, April 3, at his church in Santa Fe.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ghost Ranch Foundation, a Presbyterian retreat center in Abiquiu, N.M.
4-16-10
George F. Goldsmith, 61; State Worker Active In CSEA
COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown native George F. Goldsmith Jr., 61, of Latham, died suddenly Monday, April 12, 2010, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy.
He was the son of the late George F. and Glenice E. (Talbot) Goldsmith Sr. He married Jeanne M. Chenel on Feb. 7, 1970, in Richfield Springs. She survives him.
In 2006, George retired from the state Department of Parks & Recreation in Albany as a tax valuation engineer.
George was a union activist in the Public Employees Federation from the organization’s inception. He held various union leadership positions over the years in three state agencies.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, two sons, and several grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 15, in the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham, with Father David Noone officiating.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home 3-7 p.m. Wednesday.
4-16-10
Russell C. Flint, 83; Ran Flint’s Garage For Half-Century
CHERRY VALLEY – Russell C. Flint, 83, proprietor of Flint’s Garage for more than a half-century, passed away Monday, April 12, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
He was born Sept. 6, 1926, in Pleasant Brook, the son of Floyd and Emma (Rogers) Flint. He married Velma Brundage on Jan. 25, 1947, in Westville.
A lifelong area resident, he operated Flint’s Garage with his wife and son Charlie for more than 50 years; Cherry Valley town clerk for 28 years, and Cherry Valley Central School bus driver for 41 years.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Cherry Valley, where he served as trustee and elder for many years, also the Roseboom Cemetery Association.
He was an avid lover of the outdoors, hunting, snowmobiles, antique tractors and cars and he sold Studebakers.
Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Velma Flint; one daughter, Connie McCall and her husband, Russell; six sons, Russell V. Flint and his wife Sharon, Charles Flint and his fiance Cynthia Hotaling, Kevin Flint and his wife Mary Beth, all of Cherry Valley, Keith Flint and his wife Tammy, of Glens Falls, Brian Flint and his wife LuAnn, of Queensbury, Dale Flint and his wife Rhoda, of Morris; 18 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Bill, George and Albert, and a sister, Marguerite.
Calling hours are 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, in the First Presbyterian Church, Cherry Valley, with Rev. Ron Fralick officiating. Burial will follow in the Roseboom Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cherry Valley or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.
4-16-10
Elsie F. Taylor, 91; Ran Service Station In Schuyler Lake
SCHUYLER LAKE – Elsie Flora (Shaul) Taylor of Schuyler Lake, who operated Taylor’s Service Station here for 30 years with her husband, George, died on Tuesday April 13, 2010, with her family by her side. She was 91.
She was born in Exeter Center, on March 23, 1919, the daughter of Bert and Margaret (Vrooman) Shaul. She married George E. Taylor on Oct. 2, 1945. He predeceased her on March 19, 2001, but they shared 57 wonderful years together.
She was also predeceased by her son Jack Edwin Taylor, who died in 1970 in Vietnam, where he was serving with the Army, and a sister, Celia B. Ferguson of East Patchogue, in October 2001.
Survivors include her daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Taylor Stickles and her husband, Edwin, of Schuyler Lake; two grandchildren, Tammy Stickles Behr and her husband, Kevin Behr, of Cherry Valley, and Jill Stickles Ludemann and her husband, William Ludemann III, of Sauquoit; two great-grandsons, Tyler C. Bianchine and Ryan W. Ludemann; a sister-in-law, Katherine Perkins of Richfield Springs, and nephew Donald B. Ferguson of East Patchogue, L.I., and his wife Mary and their children Donny and Sherry.
Elsie was a lifelong resident of Schuyler Lake, where she worked alongside her husband and was beloved in the small community.
Elsie devoted her life to her religious faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and told many about her convictions, the Bible and God’s hope for mankind. She loved family and good times.
George bought her a camp, Wanakena, on their eighth anniversary. Wanakena was given to Peggy and Ed on their 32nd anniversary, and is loved and enjoyed by all. Her family will miss her positive attitude, help, her outstanding sewing and crocheting capabilities and bookkeeping expertise. The family will cherish many fond memories of Elsie.
A memorial service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 7396 State Route 28. Friends may call at 1 p.m. prior to the service to extend sympathy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Schuyler Lake Fire Department, the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Catskill Area Hospice.
Arrangements are with the Ottman Funeral Home.
4-16-10
Ruth W. Curran, 81; LPN Was Life-Long Caregiver To Many In Cooperstown Area
COOPERSTOWN – Ruth W. Curran, 81, a lifelong resident of the Cooperstown area, died Saturday evening, April 10, 2010, after an extended illness.
The daughter of Bower F. and Grace (Allison) Weir, Ruth was born Sept. 24, 1928, on the family farm in the Town of Otsego.
She graduated from the Cooperstown High School, Class of 1947, and received her LPN certification from the Fox Nursing School, Oneonta. Thereafter she was a dedicated caregiver to many local people.
On Nov. 11, 1950, she married Gifford W. Curran. He predeceased her June 6, 1996.
Ruth, who was affectionately known within her family as “Aunt Jack,” was an individual who not only loved people but always enjoyed meeting new friends. She especially loved and was fiercely devoted to her family, especially her beloved nieces and nephews.
An accomplished gardener she spent countless hours tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. Indeed, she often “pressed” her nieces and nephews into service to help plant the many seeds, bulbs and plants she had purchased.
She was also an animal and bird lover and “adopter.” She enjoyed watching the many birds that benefited from her overflowing bird feeders and as well as rescuing and caring for injured and/or abandoned creatures of virtually every kind.
Ruth was a gifted cook and baker and many of her specialties, such as fruit tarts and Queen Anne’s Lace Jelly, will be missed by family and friends alike. She also loved antiquing and enjoyed attending and making a good buy at area auctions.
She was a member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown, St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, the National Audubon Society and the former Hartwick Seminary Grange.
Survivors include a sister, Leta “Jane” Hribar (Robert) of Fly Creek, and Leta’s and Bob’s children, Patricia Hribar (Frank Margagliotti, her fiance) of Burlington Flats, William (Donna) Hribar of Fly Creek, Deborah Shaughnessy (Patrick) of Conesus, and Franklin Hribar of Fly Creek; her sister, Emily Thorn of Hartwick, and Emily’s predeceased husband, Ken’s children, John “Jack” Thorn (Barb) of Hartwick, Judy Jackson (David) of Worcester and Janice Gage (Jerry) of Hartwick; as well as by a number of grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as several great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
She is also survived by her beloved, Shelty “Anne Lassie Curran;” her loving friend and companion, Richard Mayne; and her many close friends, among them, Anne Marnell of Alabama, Barbara Pope of Cooperstown; and her lifelong friend and high school classmate, Stella (Ubner) Lincourt (Harold) of Walton.
Funeral services for Ruth will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at St. Mary’s, with Father John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating.
Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home.
Given Ruth’s love of flowers, the family welcomes the gift of flowers, but also suggests that those who so desire make donations in Ruth’s memory to the National Audubon Society, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.
4-9-10
Mabel Rarick, 96; Enjoyed Needlepoint
ONEONTA – Mabel Rarick, 96, of Oneonta, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Otsego Manor, where she had been a resident for 12 years.
Born Aug. 5, 1913, in Alva, Wyo., she was the daughter of the late Archie and Iva Mae (Engle) Miller.
Mabel married Raymond Rarick on Oct. 25, 1933. He passed away in April 2000.
She was a member of the United Presbyterian (Red Door) Church since 1950, a member of the Star Class and the Sewing Circle. She enjoyed needlepoint, crossword puzzles, to cook and bake and was an avid reader.
She is survived by her daughter, Joan Brandt of Oneonta; her grandsons, Rich Blakeslee of Rochester and Aaron (Michelle) Brandt of Bend, Ore.; four great-granddaughters, Sierra Hillis, Miranda and Amanda Blakeslee and Cameron Brandt; one great-grandson, Mason Brandt; and one great-great-granddaughter, Alivia Hillis. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her infant daughter, Shirley; and four brothers, Ernest, Frank, Clyde and Ray Miller.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Evergreen Hills Cemetery, Unadilla.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
4-9-10
Christina Sperry, 69; Waitressed At Dukes, Bresee’s, Nick’s Dinere
ONEONTA - Christina Sperry, 69, of Oneonta passed away Thursday, April 1, 2010, at her home.
Born Jan. 9, 1941, in Oneonta, she was the daughter of the late William and Ruth (Bourne) Effner.
On July 25, 1982, Christina married Russell Sperry in Otego. He passed away on Feb. 6, 2010.
She was a waitress for many years at Dukes, Nick’s Diner, Bresee’s and other area restaurants. She enjoyed bingo, scratch off tickets and babysitting. She loved children. She was an amazing woman and will be greatly missed.
Christina is survived by her children, Richard Goodspeed and Tammy Green of Oneonta, Brian and Tami Goodspeed of Oneonta, Debbie and Mike Hall of Oneonta, Russell and Phyllis Sperry of Alaska, Virginia (Ginny) Castle of Buffalo, Richard and Melanie Sperry of Laurens, Wanda Sperry of Laurens, and Tom and Pam Berger of Buffalo, and Tony Beers of Oneonta; her special companion, Chi Chi; 38 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Steve Effner and Shirley Roberts of Afton, Patricia Hodge of Travelers Rest, S.C., Charles Effner and Sandy Gould of Oneonta, Marie and Paul Koerner of Bainbridge and Allen and Betty Wamsley of Oneonta; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband, Russell; one son, Douglas Sperry Sr.; and two grandsons, Richard and Donald Sperry.
Family and friends joined for a celebration of Christina’s life on Tuesday’ April 6 at the Oneonta Moose Lodge.
Burial of Russell and Christina will take place in the spring at the Elk Creek Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820, the American Cancer Society, or to the Otego Fire Department, River Street, Otego, NY 13825.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
4-9-10
Daniel Oliver, 73; Served In Air Force
OWASSO, Okla. – Daniel Henry Oliver, 73, entered eternal life March 30, 2010 in Owasso, Okla.
He was born July 29, 1936 in Oneonta, to Walt and Thelma (Kelsey) Oliver.
Daniel served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed golf, fishing and especially spending time with family.
Daniel is survived by his loving son Marc and his wife Julie; daughter Kim and her husband Bryan; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brother Raymond; sister Loretta; his faithful dog Pugs; and many friends.
The service was private.
Arrangements are by Kennedy-Amis-Kennard Funeral Service. 4-9-10
Francis “Pete” Fairchilds, 76; Superintendent, Building And Grounds At Franklin Schools
FRANKLIN – Francis “Pete” Fairchilds, 76, of Franklin, died peacefully following a courageous battle with lung cancer on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta.
Pete was born on Dec. 29, 1933 in Downsville. He was raised by Clive and Leah Franks of Harvard, New York. He married Joyce Clark on April 29, 1956.
Pete was the Buildings and Grounds Superintendent of the Franklin Central School for 25 years. He served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War.
He was an avid golfer and member of the Way Back of Sundown Golf Club and the Colonial Ridge Golf Club. For several years he competed in the DuPont World Amateur Champions Golf Tournament and won his flight in 2005. He was a member of the BPOE Lodge 2175 of Sidney, New York.
Pete is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce Fairchilds of Franklin; his children, Mark Fairchilds of Oneonta, Julie Hall and her husband, Jerry of Otego and Renee Wilcox and her husband, Mark of Greenville, New York.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Zachary, Ethan, and Erica Hall, Mark Stephen, Blaine and Paige Fairchilds and Kaela and Morgan Wilcox; his sisters, Cordelia Roberts, Catherine Sanford; his brother George Lockwood; his brothers-in-law, Palmer and David Clark.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Whitney Nicole Fairchilds.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 2, at the Franklin United Methodist Church with Rev. Joseph Bokel, Spiritual Care Chaplin of the Catskill Area Hospice, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin Emergency Squad, Franklin, NY 13775 or the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
4-9-10
Shari Lee Molinari, 45; Had Artistic Flair For Flower Arranging, Worked In Nursing Homes
ONEONTA - Shari Lee Molinari, 45, passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 29, 2010.
Shari was born Oct. 11, 1964, in Rome, to Louis Jr. and Wanda (Sweeney) Dean.
She graduated from Adirondack Central High School in June of 1982, and later that year enlisted with one of her friends in the United States Army from which she received an honorable discharge in 1984. She then joined the Army Reserves where she was active for many years.
She is survived by her beloved children, daughter, Nicole Yaciw and son, Jeffrey Molinari of Oneonta; her significant other, James Frederer, of Oneonta; her father, Louis Dean Jr.; cherished sister, Lori Ann Allbright, both of Caberg; half sisters, Jodie (John) Sykes of Floyd and Cindy (Tom) Retcho.
She was predeceased by her brother, Brian Dean; her mother, Wanda; her paternal grandparents, Louis Sr. and Josephine Dean; her maternal grandmother, Birdella Sweeney.
Shari was employed as a care provider for the elderly in various nursing homes. She had also had experience working with landscaping. She had an artistic flair for flower arranging and it was her dream to own her own florist shop.
Shari will be remembered for her humor and as a loyal friend to many. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She will be missed a great deal.
“Those we love remain with us, love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one’s gone. Those we love can never be more than a thought apart for as long as there is memory, they’ll live on in the heart.”
Calling hours were Monday, April 5, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta. A funeral service followed with the Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, officiating.
Interment in the Glenwood Cemetery in Oneonta will be at a later date.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
4-9-10
Shirley Elwood, 83; Was Teacher
FORT PLAIN – Shirley M. Elwood, 83, who retired from Van Hornesville Central elementary school in 1982 after 26 years, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2010, at Otsego Manor.
She was born May 18, 1927, in Schenectady, daughter of Jesse and Ursula Graham. She was married to John Elwood in 1959.
Survivors include her husband, family and friends.
Funeral services were Monday, April 5, at St. James Lutheran Church, Starkville, with Rev. Kenneth Dingman officiating. Burial will be in the Fort Plain Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Hornesville Fire Department.
Arrangements were with the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
4-9-10
Vera R. Barnes, 85; Published Writer
COOPERSTOWN – Vera R. Barnes, formerly of Middlefield Center, died late Tuesday morning, March 30, 2010, at her home in the Cooper Lane Apartments in Cooperstown. She was 85.
Born Nov. 8, 1924, in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of Joseph F. and Alfonsina (Benedetto) Russo. A graduate of Cooperstown High School, Class of 1941, she later attended Albany Business College.
On May 25, 1946, Vera married Sanford J. “Sandy” Barnes at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church. Vera and Sandy raised their family on a dairy farm they owned and operated for nearly 30 years in Middlefield.
Beginning in the early 1940s, Vera joined Smalley’s Theater on Main Street, where she served as a purchasing agent and was in charge of ordering short-subject films. She later was secretary for Atty. Edgar Chapman. Since the early 1980s, she worked for Otsego County.
She was a Cooperstown Native Daughter and was a former member of the Red Creek Valley Grange.
She volunteered with the American Red Cross, the United Way, the March of Dimes, the Susquehanna SPCA, as well as Bassett Hospital. She was chairperson of the American Cancer Society. She served on the Town of Middlefield Election Board, which later became the Otsego County Board of Elections.
A life-long avid reader, Vera loved words, and in the 1960s she began to write. Though she penned a few short stories, poetry was her forte. Seeking to improve her skills, she audited a creative writing course at Cooperstown High School in 1977. Her dream of publishing her work was finally realized with the book, “What Do You Do ’Til the Cows Come Home?”
Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Arnold and her husband, William, of Rock City Falls, and Jo Ann Barnes of Cooperstown; two sons, Michael Barnes of Fort Plain and Robert (Matt) Barnes and his wife, Julie, of Schuyler Lake; seven grandchildren, Patrick Arnold of Broadalbin, Michelle Arnold and her husband, Scott French, of Chicago, Illinois, Alison Randall of New York City, Scott Randall of Bristol, Connecticut, Shawn Barnes and Adam Barnes, both of Fort Plain, and Regan Robinson-Barnes of Schuyler Lake; two great grandchildren, Patrick Arnold and Hannah French; four sisters, Rose Thayer of Cooperstown, Olympia Burns of Woodstock, Mary Hollister of Rome, and Antonetta Russo of Oneonta; one brother, America Russo and his wife, Johnny Jo, of Paris, Texas, one brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, who died March 31, 2001; their son, Timothy M. Barnes, who died Oct. 8, 1989; one sister, Anna Pugliese; and twin brothers Joseph and Raphael.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, April 6, at St. Mary’s, with the Rev. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, where Vera was laid to rest with her husband and son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-01942.
Funeral arrangements were with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
4-2-10
Susan M. Harris, 58; Local Nurse, Oneonta Community Health Center Board Member
ONEONTA - Susan M. Harris, 58, of Oneonta, a nurse and Fox Hospital and at the Upstate Home for Children, now Springbrook, passed away at her mother’s home surrounded by her family and friends.
She was born Nov. 18, 1951, in Lyndon, Vt. Her parents were the late Robert and Lucille (Gaboriault) Harris.
She received a B.A. from SUNY Oneonta, then an LPN degree from Otsego Area School of Practical Nursing.
Survivors include her daughter, Allison Harris McCue and partner Ian Egling of Rochester, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.
Her father passed away in 1985; her mother, on Jan. 4.
Susan was an avid dancer, enjoying New England Swing, contradancing and waltzing.
A member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, she helped established the Oneonta Community Health Center and was a current board member.
A funeral was planned at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 16 Ford Ave.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sue Harris Fund for Patient Assistance at the Oneonta Community Health Center, P.O. Box 361, Oneonta, NY 13820 and/or Hospice of Otsego County.
4-2-10
Howard J. Odell, 80; Co-Owner of Rowe’s Auto Service For 41 Years, Served In Army
ONEONTA – Howard J. Odell, 80, of Oneonta, co-owner of Rowe’s Auto Service for 41 years, passed away Saturday, March 27, 2010, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born Nov. 29, 1929, in Meridale, the son of the late Fred and Mary (Fitzgerald) Odell. He graduated from Delaware Academy in 1946 and Morrisville Agricultural & Technical College in 1948.
He served in the Army in 1951-54, stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, during the Korean Conflict.
On Sept. 17, 1966, he married Cora Belle Gibbs.
Howard worked at Phillip’s Buick Garage for 16 years while also farming with his brother, Norman. He retired from Rowe’s in December 1994, but continued to work part-time until 2007.
In addition to his wife of 43 years, survivors include his daughter, Kay Louise Odell of Manchester, Tenn.; his son, Lance Edward Odell and his wife, Danielle, of Oneonta; two brothers, his twin, Harold Odell, and Lawrence Odell, both of Meridale; three sisters, Wilma Swantak of Delhi Stage, Grace Tuthill and her husband, John, of Delhi, and Doreen Laing and her husband, William, of Bainbridge; three sisters-in-law, Sylvia Odell of Meridale, Charlotte Odell of Everett, Wash., and Janet Stark of Youngtown, Ariz.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by one sister, Charlotte Corthell; and five brothers, Paul, Dayton, Donald, Norman and Maurice Odell.
The funeral was planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at the Bookhout Funeral Home with the Rev. John Osterhout, pastor, Meridale Community Church, officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to either Friends of Bassett/The Dialysis Unit, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Vera R. Barnes, 85; Published Writer
COOPERSTOWN – Vera R. Barnes, formerly of Middlefield Center, died late Tuesday morning, March 30, 2010, at her home in the Cooper Lane Apartments in Cooperstown. She was 85.
Born Nov. 8, 1924, in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of Joseph F. and Alfonsina (Benedetto) Russo. A graduate of Cooperstown High School, Class of 1941, she later attended Albany Business College.
On May 25, 1946, Vera married Sanford J. “Sandy” Barnes at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church. Vera and Sandy raised their family on a dairy farm they owned and operated for nearly 30 years in Middlefield.
Beginning in the early 1940s, Vera joined Smalley’s Theater on Main Street, where she served as a purchasing agent and was in charge of ordering short-subject films. She later was secretary for Atty. Edgar Chapman. Since the early 1980s, she worked for Otsego County.
She was a Cooperstown Native Daughter and was a former member of the Red Creek Valley Grange.
She volunteered with the American Red Cross, the United Way, the March of Dimes, the Susquehanna SPCA, as well as Bassett Hospital. She was chairperson of the American Cancer Society. She served on the Town of Middlefield Election Board, which later became the Otsego County Board of Elections.
A life-long avid reader, Vera loved words, and in the 1960s she began to write. Though she penned a few short stories, poetry was her forte. Seeking to improve her skills, she audited a creative writing course at Cooperstown High School in 1977. Her dream of publishing her work was finally realized with the book, “What Do You Do ’Til the Cows Come Home?”
Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Arnold and her husband, William, of Rock City Falls, and Jo Ann Barnes of Cooperstown; two sons, Michael Barnes of Fort Plain and Robert (Matt) Barnes and his wife, Julie, of Schuyler Lake; seven grandchildren, Patrick Arnold of Broadalbin, Michelle Arnold and her husband, Scott French, of Chicago, Illinois, Alison Randall of New York City, Scott Randall of Bristol, Connecticut, Shawn Barnes and Adam Barnes, both of Fort Plain, and Regan Robinson-Barnes of Schuyler Lake; two great grandchildren, Patrick Arnold and Hannah French; four sisters, Rose Thayer of Cooperstown, Olympia Burns of Woodstock, Mary Hollister of Rome, and Antonetta Russo of Oneonta; one brother, America Russo and his wife, Johnny Jo, of Paris, Texas, one brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, who died March 31, 2001; their son, Timothy M. Barnes, who died Oct. 8, 1989; one sister, Anna Pugliese; and twin brothers Joseph and Raphael.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, April 6, at St. Mary’s, with the Rev. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, where Vera was laid to rest with her husband and son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-01942.
Funeral arrangements were with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
4-2-10
Susan M. Harris, 58; Local Nurse, Oneonta Community Health Center Board Member
ONEONTA - Susan M. Harris, 58, of Oneonta, a nurse and Fox Hospital and at the Upstate Home for Children, now Springbrook, passed away at her mother’s home surrounded by her family and friends.
She was born Nov. 18, 1951, in Lyndon, Vt. Her parents were the late Robert and Lucille (Gaboriault) Harris.
She received a B.A. from SUNY Oneonta, then an LPN degree from Otsego Area School of Practical Nursing.
Survivors include her daughter, Allison Harris McCue and partner Ian Egling of Rochester, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.
Her father passed away in 1985; her mother, on Jan. 4.
Susan was an avid dancer, enjoying New England Swing, contradancing and waltzing.
A member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, she helped established the Oneonta Community Health Center and was a current board member.
A funeral was planned at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 16 Ford Ave.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sue Harris Fund for Patient Assistance at the Oneonta Community Health Center, P.O. Box 361, Oneonta, NY 13820 and/or Hospice of Otsego County.
4-2-10
Howard J. Odell, 80; Co-Owner of Rowe’s Auto Service For 41 Years, Served In Army
ONEONTA – Howard J. Odell, 80, of Oneonta, co-owner of Rowe’s Auto Service for 41 years, passed away Saturday, March 27, 2010, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born Nov. 29, 1929, in Meridale, the son of the late Fred and Mary (Fitzgerald) Odell. He graduated from Delaware Academy in 1946 and Morrisville Agricultural & Technical College in 1948.
He served in the Army in 1951-54, stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, during the Korean Conflict.
On Sept. 17, 1966, he married Cora Belle Gibbs.
Howard worked at Phillip’s Buick Garage for 16 years while also farming with his brother, Norman. He retired from Rowe’s in December 1994, but continued to work part-time until 2007.
In addition to his wife of 43 years, survivors include his daughter, Kay Louise Odell of Manchester, Tenn.; his son, Lance Edward Odell and his wife, Danielle, of Oneonta; two brothers, his twin, Harold Odell, and Lawrence Odell, both of Meridale; three sisters, Wilma Swantak of Delhi Stage, Grace Tuthill and her husband, John, of Delhi, and Doreen Laing and her husband, William, of Bainbridge; three sisters-in-law, Sylvia Odell of Meridale, Charlotte Odell of Everett, Wash., and Janet Stark of Youngtown, Ariz.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by one sister, Charlotte Corthell; and five brothers, Paul, Dayton, Donald, Norman and Maurice Odell.
The funeral was planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at the Bookhout Funeral Home with the Rev. John Osterhout, pastor, Meridale Community Church, officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to either Friends of Bassett/The Dialysis Unit, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
4-2-10
Dr. John Eric Olson, 78; 30-Year Physician, Professor, World Traveler, Conservationist
COOPERSTOWN – A memorial service for John Eric Olson, M.D., 78, who retired as Bassett Healthcare’s chief of surgical oncology, will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at The Otesaga.
Dr. Olson passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at his home outside Cooperstown after a short battle with cancer. Family members were at his side.
Born on Feb. 29, 1932, to Walter L. and Harriett Olson, in Dwight, Kan., John was the youngest of seven children raised on the family farm. His father was regionally recognized for applying modern soil and conservation methods.
Among his early role models was the local “horse and buggy” doctor, who had delivered him in the kitchen of his parents farm. By the time he graduated from Dwight High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1949, he planned to become a physician. He received a bachelor’s in 1953 and a medical degree in 1956 from the University of Kansas.
John and Rita met at a college orientation dance in 1951, and married on March 7, 1954, in Lawrence, Kan., cutting two days of classes to honeymoon in the Ozarks. While Rita worked as a physical therapist, John completed medical school.
After receiving his degree, Dr. Olson moved his young family to Cooperstown, interning at Bassett. After two years in the Navy, he returned to Bassett Hospital as a surgical resident from 1960 to 1963, then serving for six months as Harkness chief resident surgeon at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.
His interests in surgical metabolism and endocrinology led to a research fellowship funded by the National Institute of Health to spend a year in the laboratories of Dr. Francis Moore at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Mass., in 1964.
To fulfill his dream of living in the country while practicing academic surgery, Dr. Olson then returned to Bassett Hospital as an attending surgeon and director of the Tumor Clinic, with an appointment as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Columbia, elevate to clinical professor in 1981. He directed the ICU from 1969 to 1982.
He was involved in the oncology program throughout his career, receiving the chief of surgical oncology in 1992. After a 30 year career, he retired in 1995 holding the title of professor emeritus of surgery at Columbia.
Dr. Olson pursued his interest in research primarily through clinical trials, and over the course of his career helped Bassett participate in numerous multi-institutional National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel projects, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group studies of the comparative effectiveness of various multimodal treatment regimens for a variety of malignant diseases. He was a member of numerous professional organizations.
John and Rita loved to travel, explore new places, and meet new people and experience their cultural traditions, foods and art, in North and South America, Mexico, Europe, South East Asia and China, often combining medical outreach with these adventures.
Dr. Olson spent two summer months in 1972 in Natal, Brazil, on the hospital ship HOPE teaching local surgeons modern techniques and principles of surgical care.
In the fall of 1988, he was a visiting professor in the Medical Oncology Development at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1992-94, he was the director of Academia Sinica’s Surgical Oncology Training Program.
John was a lifelong conservationist, past president and board member of the Otsego County Conservation Association, and an early advocate of improving Otsego Lake’s water quality.
As a hunter and angler who insisted on the highest ethics afield, he instilled this same ethic in his sons, was the consummate stickler for gun safety and taught them the finer points of rifle and shotgun shooting and woodsmanship.
John was a regular at the Cooperstown Sportsman Association Sunday skeet shoots, and annually travelled to Kansas, South Dakota or Arizona to hunt upland game birds with family and old friends.
He enjoyed hunting deer and turkeys alone and with good friends near his home on Christian Hill, and could be counted on to provide fare for wild-game dinners savored with family and friends. John and Rita loved to spend time at their cabin in the Adirondacks relaxing, hiking and trolling flies for trout behind a row boat on nearby lakes. John also travelled with family and friends to places like Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, Norway, Russia, Belize, Mexico and the Christmas Islands to fly fish for trout, salmon, bonefish, tarpon.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his three sons, Stephen E. Olson, M.D., of Harney County, Ore., Thomas G. Olson of Walla Walla, Wash., and Timothy J. Olson, his wife Paige and their son, John E. Olson of Pierre, S.D.; a brother George W. Olson, D.V.M., of Prairie Village, Kan.; two sisters-in-law and numerous nephews and nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to Columbia Bassett Medical School, c/o Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Dr. John Eric Olson, 78; 30-Year Physician, Professor, World Traveler, Conservationist
COOPERSTOWN – A memorial service for John Eric Olson, M.D., 78, who retired as Bassett Healthcare’s chief of surgical oncology, will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at The Otesaga.
Dr. Olson passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at his home outside Cooperstown after a short battle with cancer. Family members were at his side.
Born on Feb. 29, 1932, to Walter L. and Harriett Olson, in Dwight, Kan., John was the youngest of seven children raised on the family farm. His father was regionally recognized for applying modern soil and conservation methods.
Among his early role models was the local “horse and buggy” doctor, who had delivered him in the kitchen of his parents farm. By the time he graduated from Dwight High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1949, he planned to become a physician. He received a bachelor’s in 1953 and a medical degree in 1956 from the University of Kansas.
John and Rita met at a college orientation dance in 1951, and married on March 7, 1954, in Lawrence, Kan., cutting two days of classes to honeymoon in the Ozarks. While Rita worked as a physical therapist, John completed medical school.
After receiving his degree, Dr. Olson moved his young family to Cooperstown, interning at Bassett. After two years in the Navy, he returned to Bassett Hospital as a surgical resident from 1960 to 1963, then serving for six months as Harkness chief resident surgeon at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.
His interests in surgical metabolism and endocrinology led to a research fellowship funded by the National Institute of Health to spend a year in the laboratories of Dr. Francis Moore at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Mass., in 1964.
To fulfill his dream of living in the country while practicing academic surgery, Dr. Olson then returned to Bassett Hospital as an attending surgeon and director of the Tumor Clinic, with an appointment as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Columbia, elevate to clinical professor in 1981. He directed the ICU from 1969 to 1982.
He was involved in the oncology program throughout his career, receiving the chief of surgical oncology in 1992. After a 30 year career, he retired in 1995 holding the title of professor emeritus of surgery at Columbia.
Dr. Olson pursued his interest in research primarily through clinical trials, and over the course of his career helped Bassett participate in numerous multi-institutional National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel projects, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group studies of the comparative effectiveness of various multimodal treatment regimens for a variety of malignant diseases. He was a member of numerous professional organizations.
John and Rita loved to travel, explore new places, and meet new people and experience their cultural traditions, foods and art, in North and South America, Mexico, Europe, South East Asia and China, often combining medical outreach with these adventures.
Dr. Olson spent two summer months in 1972 in Natal, Brazil, on the hospital ship HOPE teaching local surgeons modern techniques and principles of surgical care.
In the fall of 1988, he was a visiting professor in the Medical Oncology Development at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1992-94, he was the director of Academia Sinica’s Surgical Oncology Training Program.
John was a lifelong conservationist, past president and board member of the Otsego County Conservation Association, and an early advocate of improving Otsego Lake’s water quality.
As a hunter and angler who insisted on the highest ethics afield, he instilled this same ethic in his sons, was the consummate stickler for gun safety and taught them the finer points of rifle and shotgun shooting and woodsmanship.
John was a regular at the Cooperstown Sportsman Association Sunday skeet shoots, and annually travelled to Kansas, South Dakota or Arizona to hunt upland game birds with family and old friends.
He enjoyed hunting deer and turkeys alone and with good friends near his home on Christian Hill, and could be counted on to provide fare for wild-game dinners savored with family and friends. John and Rita loved to spend time at their cabin in the Adirondacks relaxing, hiking and trolling flies for trout behind a row boat on nearby lakes. John also travelled with family and friends to places like Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, Norway, Russia, Belize, Mexico and the Christmas Islands to fly fish for trout, salmon, bonefish, tarpon.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his three sons, Stephen E. Olson, M.D., of Harney County, Ore., Thomas G. Olson of Walla Walla, Wash., and Timothy J. Olson, his wife Paige and their son, John E. Olson of Pierre, S.D.; a brother George W. Olson, D.V.M., of Prairie Village, Kan.; two sisters-in-law and numerous nephews and nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to Columbia Bassett Medical School, c/o Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.
4-2-10
Mary Buckley Parriott, 83; Painter, Professor
COOPERSTOWN – Mary Buckley Parriott, a painter and educator, died Thursday afternoon, March 25, 2010, at Bassett Hospital. Known professionally as Mary Buckley and wife of the late Joseph Marshall Parriott, she was 83.
Born June 6, 1926, in New Haven, Conn., Mary was the daughter of Raymond and Mary (Thompson) Riordan.
She attended Keuka College, Yale University Graduate School of Art and the Brooklyn Museum School of Art, where she studied with Victor Crandall, Hans Hofmann and Sabro Hasagawa.
Early in her professional career, Mary worked with the architect Philip Johnson as a color consultant on the Seagram Building and The Brasserie in New York City. She also worked with Johnson on the roof of the New York State Pavilion and British Products Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair.
Although she remained friends with Johnson, she said that she found the noise and business of design offices unattractive and did little consulting after that period, content to create and educate in calmer environs.
One exception was an extended period of consultation in the late 1980s to the furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
Although she began her artistic career as a sculptor, Mary became better known for her paintings. Her knowledge of color, light, perception and design were developed during her 37 years teaching foundation courses at Pratt Institute.
During her tenure at Pratt, she developed an influential foundation course, “Light, Color and Design.”
A MacDowell Colony fellow and a Royal Society of Art fellow, Buckley published articles on color for Time Life, Inc., American Painting Contractor, and the Brooklyn Journal of Interior Design. She edited color entries for the Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques and was the author of a color theory bibliography for Gale Research.
Her work has been exhibited at the St. Boniface Gallery at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, the Prince Street Gallery, the Hecksher Museum in Huntington, the Albany Art Institute, Pratt Institute, as well as the Munson Gallery in New Haven. Her works are in numerous collections, including the Yale University Art Gallery and the New York State Legislature.
Shortly after retiring from teaching in 1992, she was invited to create a work of art for the Chapel of St. Columba at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, a project that took months of research and the 62 oil paintings celebrating Columba’s life were four years in the making.
Another commission, “People II,” an assembly of silhouetted figures, is on permanent installation outdoors in front of the State Legislature Building in Albany. Buckley also created four 30-foot-tall painted aluminum banners depicting the symbols of New York State for the Legislature Building.
Buckley and her husband, Joseph, founded the Mary Buckley and Joseph Parriott Endowed Scholarship Fund, for talented first-year students in Pratt’s Foundation Department in need of financial assistance. They also founded the Margaret Gate Institute, aimed at improving spaces in hospitals for the mentally and physically ill, and received an American Psychiatric Association citation for their work in this field.
In 1998, the couple relocated to Cooperstown. An industrial designer and educator who was the retired chair of Pratt’s Industrial Design Department, her husband passed away March 12, 2000. A long-time devotee of opera, Mrs. Parriott enjoyed attending performances of the Metropolitan Opera, and it was largely the Glimmerglass Opera – and the local scenery – that brought the couple to the Cooperstown area, where Mary had to re-learn to drive a car.
She showed her work at the Cooperstown Art Association, the Smithy-Pioneer Gallery and the Van Ess Gallery at The Yager Museum, Oneonta.
She is survived by her brother, Raymond Riordan of New Haven.
The Office of the Burial of the Dead with the Holy Eucharist will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, in St. Agnes Chapel at Christ Church in Cooperstown, with the Rev. Mark A. Michael, rector, officiating.
A memorial service is being planned for the interment of Mrs. Parriott’s urn in the Columbarium in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Buckley and Joseph M. Parriott Endowed Scholarship Fund at Pratt Institute, Department of Institutional Advancement, Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
3-26-10
Wayne Edward Carrington Sr., 79; Active In Masons Locally, Statewide
ONEONTA - Wayne Edward Carrington Sr., 79, an active Mason who retired after 41 years with Wilber National Bank, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home with his family at his side.
He was born April 11, 1930, in Meredith, to Glenmore W. Carrington Sr. and Elsa McIlwain Carrington. The family moved to Southside Drive in Oneonta from Meredith in 1935.
He graduated from Oneonta Senior High School in 1948, and enlisted with his brother, Sterling in the Army in 1952, to serve during the Korean War assigned to the 8th Transportation Europe Traffic Regulation Control Group in Manheim-Kerfetal Germany.
He attended Albany Business College, then joined Wilber, retiring in 1990.
Wayne married Dorothy A. Bennett of Sauquoit on Aug. 19, 1950.
He was predeceased by his father, Glenmore, mother, Elsa; and three brothers, Sterling J., Keith L., and Glenmore W. Jr. and his wife, Norma.
Dorothy survives him, as do their three children, Kathie A. Greenblatt and her husband, Arnold; Judy L. Carrington and Wayne E. Carrington Jr., grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings.
The Masonic Fraternity was a guiding light in his life which he served faithfully for 50 years at Oneonta Lodge No. 466 F&AM. He was master in 1986, and more recently a trustee. He also served as a past high priest of Oneonta Chapter No. 277 Royal Arch Masons, past master of Oneonta Council No. 87 and past commander of the Otsego Commandery No. 76 Knights Templar and as a member of Norwich Commandery Knights Templar.
He was very proud to serve as past grand master, Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of New York in 1994 to 1995, and as a trustee to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York from 1993 to 1997.
Wayne is a past President of the Grand Council Charity Corporation of the State of New York involved in Parkinson’s research and was also a member of Lodge, Council, Chapter Consistory of Utica, and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a Past Pre Eminent Governor of United York Rite College No. 127, Utica, Past Sovereign Red Cross of Constantine, member of New York College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana, Order of Noah (Canadian) and the American Lodge of Research. In addition to Freemasonry he had been a member of numerous organizations including: Young Republicans, Rotary, Jaycee’s and the American Legion Post No. 259 of Oneonta.
Wayne enjoyed traveling back roads, golf, fly-tying, collecting fly fishing gear and history books on Delaware and Otsego Counties, but most of all he took great pleasure in his home, family and many, many friends.
Calling hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 26, at the Bookhout Funeral Home. A Masonic Funeral Service will be at 7 p.m. Friday evening at Bookhout Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Elm Park United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Olu Harding officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Wayne requested that donations be made to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501 or to Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
3-26-10
Carol Lynn Herr, 66
Schenevus – Mrs. Carol Lynn Herr, 66, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at her home.
She was born February 14, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of Matthew W. and Henrietta C. (Longhito) Kinnane. She married James Herr, he predeceased her.
Survivors include her daughters Carolyn and Doreen, and grandchildren: Alicia, Joseph, Brina, Hailey, Aliviya, and Jordyn.
Funeral services and burial will be held in Farmingdale, NY.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.
3-26-10
Donna Guido Paris, 55; Formerly Worked For County, Bassett
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – Mrs. Donna Guido Paris, 55, of Newport News, Va., formerly of Oneonta, Cooperstown, and Cherry Valley, New York passed away on March 16, 2010.
She was born October 13, 1954, in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York, the daughter of Donna Paluseo Guido and the late Louis Anthony Guido, Sr. of Cherry Valley.
Donna was a 1972 graduate of Cherry Valley Central School. She worked for the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services in Cooperstown from January, 1973 to August, 1990. Initially she worked as a typist, and later as an Assistant Emergency Services Coordinator. She also was an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course Administrator at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. More recently, she ran her own business as Paris Support Systems, doing computer aided design work for cemetery memorials.
Besides her mother, she is survived by her beloved husband of 30 years, Frederick Charles Paris; a brother, Louis Anthony Guido, Jr. and his wife JoAnn of Cherry Valley, a niece and beloved godchild Jessica Lynne Guido of Ithaca; a sister, Frances Guido Althiser and her husband Mark of Cooperstown; an Aunt and godmother, Theresa Paluseo O’Leary of Stony Brook; a sister-in-law, Helen Palmer Paris of Avon, and two nephews, Jeremy William Paris and his wife Jill of Macedon, and Brenton Glen Paris and his wife Stacie of Gates.
No funeral services were held. Burial services will take place in May at the West Lowville Cemetery in West Lowville, New York. Please make donations in her name to the church, worship center, or Christian organization of your choice that honors the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3-26-10
Gordon D. Ostrander, 81; ‘The Syrup Guy’
SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Gordon D. Ostrander, 81 of Mesa, AZ (formerly of Springfield) passed away peacefully, Friday, March 12, 2010. He was born May 1, 1928, the son of Earl and Wollie Miller Ostrander of Van Hornesville where he went to school and graduated with the Owen D. Young class of 1946.
He then worked on the family farm on Summit Hill Road before joining the Army in 1951, serving in Germany until his discharge in 1953.
In 1954 he married Marlene Lybeck of White Plains N.Y. Gordy became a successful retail businessman providing for his family, while also coaching little league, being a volunteer fireman, a Town Justice and a school bus driver.
In 1958 he bought the Mobil Gas Station on the corner of routes 20 & 80 in Springfield from then on to be known as “Gordy’s Jiffy Service Station” as well as operating a Tastee Freeze ice cream place with his wife Marlene. Gordy sold a lot of different things on the corner from cantaloupes and maple syrup to Gravely lawn tractors and Arctic Cat snowmobiles. To be known as “ Gordy’s House of Cats.” In 1984 he sold the corner and moved with his wife to sunny AZ. Where he became a member of the American Legion and V.F.W.
Gordy lived a good and full life and accomplished many things, a few being, he was on the old version of Hollywood Squares with Peter Marshall and won a Broyhill dinning room set along with Rice-a-Roni.
He was also known as “The Syrup Guy” by the Hall of famer, Roy Campanella and his family. The reason why is because every year after the H.O.F. inductions, Mr. Campanella would stop by on his way out of town and buy a Quart of Fassetts maple syrup. When Gordy sold the station in 1984 this tradition continued with Gordy personally going to Cooperstown on induction weekend and hand delivering the syrup to Mr. Campanella, who looked forward to this yearly tradition. Even after Roys death, Gordy kept up his pilgrimage to Cooperstown and made sure Mrs. Campanella received the syrup until her passing.
While in Arizona, Gordy pursued a life-long passion of baseball and became a player on a 55-and-older senior softball team. He was very proud of his senior softball career, which over the years won him two world champion rings and three World Series rings and was by no means a small accomplishment, traveling all over the Country and Canada playing in tournaments up into his 70’s. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest, he will be greatly missed.
He was predeceased by his older brother Stanley and niece Sharon Gordon.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Marlene of Scottsdale, AZ; three sons, Ken and Debi of East Springfield, Dan and Annie of East Springfield, Bill and Kelly of Scottsdale; three grandchildren, Brandi of Oswego, and Breanna and Jacob both of East Springfield; one step grandchild, Andrea of Scottsdale; three step great grandchildren Cristian, Kelsy and Noah all of Scottsdale; nephews Rich, Lauren and John Ostrander and their families; and last but not least his very significant other Miss Janice Miller of Mesa, AZ.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 20 at the Ottman Funeral Home, 22 Church St. Cherry Valley with Rev. Alan Miller officiating.
Spring burial to take place in the Springfield Center Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.
3-26-10
Guy W. Amsden, 44; Bassett Director of Pharmacy Services, Father Of Two
COOPERSTOWN - Guy W. Amsden, a loving husband and father and beloved son and brother, died unexpectedly Monday morning, March 22, 2010, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. The Director of Pharmacy Services for Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown and Little Falls, he was 44.
Guy was born Feb. 17, 1966 in Willimantic, CT, a son of William B. and Elizabeth (Coles) Amsden of Stratham, NH. Raised in Latham, he graduated from Shaker High School and then attended Albany College of Pharmacy where he received a B. S. degree in Pharmacy. He later attended the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Pharmacy where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy.
On June 26, 1993, he married Jennifer Ann Potratz in Buffalo.
Guy was a registered pharmacist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Pharmacy, Inc. and was a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
During his career, he taught and was the author of many publications and book chapters in the field of infectious disease. He also received many grants for his research, was on the editorial boards for several journals and text books, and reviewed many manuscripts. He traveled the world presenting his research and sitting on many advisory boards.
Guy leaves behind his beloved wife, Jennifer Ann (Potratz) Amsden and their sweet children, Kyle W. Amsden and Katelyn M. Amsden, all of Cooperstown. In addition to his parents, he leaves two brothers, William D. Amsden and his wife Benita of Millbury, MA and Eric A. Amsden of Larkspur, CA; three nieces, Rachel Amsden, Hannah and Sophia Potratz and one nephew, Theodore Amsden; his wonderful in-laws, Sandy and Richard Potratz of Orchard Park; his sister-in-law, Valerie Potratz of Holland and brother-in-law, Mark Potratz of Raleigh, NC; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.
Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 26, when Guy’s family will be in attendance.
A funeral service will be offered at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 27, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating. Immediately following the service, all present are invited to join with the family for a time of refreshments, fellowship and sharing at St. Mary’s Parish Center, behind the church.
The Service of Committal and Burial will be private at Memory’s Garden Cemetery and Memorial Park in Albany with the Rev. John Phillippe, associate pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Funeral arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
3-26-10
Father Roman, Oneonta Pastor, Dean Of Otsego County Priests
The Rev. Paul A. Roman, who was dean of Otsego County Catholic priests while serving as pastor of St. Mary’s in 1989-2003 in Oneonta, died Monday, March 22. He was 73.
A diocesan priest for 38 years, Father Roman passed away at St. Peter’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Albany, after a long illness.
Paul Anthony Roman was born Jan. 15, 1937, in Albany, to Alexander and Frances (Kolakowska) Roman, the fourth child of 11 children.
He attended St. Casimir and St. Joseph’s Academy, and Philip Livingston and Albany high schools.
Before entering Mater Christi Seminary in 1962, he had served as a sergeant in the National Guard, and for the state Court of Claims and the Office of Audit and Control. He studied at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, was ordained in 1971 and assigned to St. James Church, Albany.
He became district director of religious education in Warren, then Fulton counties. He ministered at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Schenectady, and taught at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School there.
He was a pastor in Granville before his assignment to Oneonta, retiring from St. Mary’s in 2003 after a brief illness.
The funeral was planned at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Delmar. Calling hours were 4-8 p.m. the day before, also at St. Thomas. Burial was to follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.
3-19-10
Richard L. Scholet, 91; Furniture Store Founder
Richard L. Scholet, 91, former owner of Scholet’s Furniture, passed Monday, March 8, 2010, at Fox Hospital. He resided in Richmondville.
Born Feb. 11, 1919, in Ogdensburg, he was a son of Leo J. and Ethel (Haller) Scholet.
Mr. Scholet founded the furniture store in Cobleskill. He sold the company to his son, Arthur, in 1984.
A World War II Army veteran, he was active in the Cobleskill VFW and the American Legion Post 1261 and its color guard.
He was a member of the Cobleskill Exchange Club for over 60 years and former president, and a member of the Cobleskill Masonic Lodge.
Dick was active in the Salvation Army, the Christian Men’s Breakfast Group, First Church of Christ, Scientist in Oneonta, the Cobleskill Merchants Bureau, the Schoharie County Republican Party, and was past president of the Cobleskill Chamber of Commerce.
Active in the Boy Scouts for than 50 years, received the Silver Beaver Award.
Survivors include his wife, Jean, three children, sons Arthur and Thomas, and daughter Cosanne Schnerberger, a sister, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
3-19-10
Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85; World War II Veteran, Avid Traveler
ONEONTA – Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85, of Ballston Spa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at home supported by her loving family.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she was the daughter of Robert and Deborah Magruder. Mary grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Nottingham High School. Mary proudly served in the U.S. Navy WAVES during WWII in Washington D.C., where she achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class in the Intelligence Division. She married Percy “Tommy” Tompkins in 1947, and together enjoyed 62 years of love, family, friendship and travel.
For much of her adult life, she lived in the Otego and Oneontaarea, where she served as Past Matron of the Eastern Stars and Past President of the Otego Fireman’s Auxiliary, and was active in both the Otego and Oneonta Methodist Churches. Mary was co-owner of the Otego Hardware store for several years while at the same time assisted in managing the Town of Otego affairs as Town Clerk. For three years she and “Tommy” managed The Sidney Senior Village. Upon retiring, Mary and “Tommy” traveled the United States in their RV taking in all the sights and sounds of the country they both loved.
Mary was passionate about volunteering; she prepared meals at Oneonta’s Saturday’s Bread, and knitted blankets for premature babies. She enjoyed watching many sports and was often seen at local sporting events. Mary was recently active in the Malta Ridge Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens Association in Ballston Spa.
Mary is survived by her husband and best friend, Percy “Tommy” Tompkins, her five sons; James (Debra) of Rockwall, Texas, Kenneth (Jana) of Westminster, Colorado, Kevin (Joanne) of Quinton, Virginia, Bruce (Lorraine) of Manlius, N.Y., and Brian (Laurene) of Ballston Spa, N.Y., thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her sister Jane Anderson of Cummings, Georgia, and her brother John Magruder of Onondaga Hill, N.Y.
A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, March, 5, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
3-19-10
Mary V. Powell, 94; Family Woman
ONEONTA – Mary V. Powell died peacefully late Monday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2010 in the place she most loved – her home of 63 years at 18 Maple St., Oneonta.
Mary was born April 3, 1915 in Shalichi, Poland to Fyodor and Wiera (Zedick) Sakowich. At age 13 she traveled alone from Warsaw to New York to join her mother and stepfather, Phillip Pasko in Oneonta. Mary attended Mitchell Street School and went on to get her license as a hairdresser. She married Fred N. Powell on Nov. 23, 1946 in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta.
As a young woman Mary loved to draw. Later in life she used her artistic talent to create vibrantly colored hooked rugs and intricately crocheted tablecloths, curtains, table runners, and doilies. She loved to read and especially enjoyed putting old Tuco jigsaw puzzles together. Mary loved traveling the back roads around Oneonta and Cooperstown, and spending time at her daughter and son-in-law’s camp at Arnold Lake.
The greatest joy of Mary’s long life was her unconditional love of her family and the creation of a loving home. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. Mary was a lover of nature and enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels near her home. She had a green thumb and was frequently asked to restore health to ailing house plants.
Mary is survived by her five children: Mary, Rose Anne and husband, Bud Pirone, Betty, Chris, Fred and wife, Sue Powell; her grandchildren, Ana and Heather Powell; her beloved sister, Anna and husband, Donald Cooper; her niece, Mary-Anne Ross; her nephew, Phillip Cooper and his wife, Tina and their daughter Emily; her step-grandchildren, Patty Pirone (Orson Moon), Kim Baskin (Walter), and Mike Pirone; her step-great grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, and Sadie Baskin and Lila Pirone-Moon.
Mary was predeceased by her mother, father, stepfather, her brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, and her beloved husband of 47 years.
Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Rosary Society. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there Friday, Feb. 28.
3-19-10
Nellie C. Cole, 85; Former Chief Clerk Of Family Court
SIDNEY – Nellie C. Cole, 85, of Sidney, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at Bassett Hospital.
Nellie was born on Jan. 13, 1925 in Oneonta, the daughter of the late Clarence Joseph and Rose (Decker) Oliver. She married Irving W. Cole on October 14, 1944 in Oneonta. He predeceased her on Sept. 20, 1998.
Nellie grew up in the Oneonta area and graduated from the Oneonta High School, class of 1943. She obtained her AA Business Degree from the Delhi Agricultural and Technical College. She and her husband owned the former Buster Hyzer Dairy Farm. She worked for 25 years in Delhi, first as a Legal Secretary to the Honorable Richard H. Farley. Upon his election to a Delaware County Judgeship, she became Chief Clerk of the Family Court of the State of New York, a position she held until her retirement in 1987.
She was an avid quilter and has shown many of her quilts in area shows. She was an active member of the TriTown Piecemakers of Sidney and a member of the National Quilters Association. She was also a member of the Community Bible Church in Franklin and former member of the Women of the Moose #502 in Sidney. She was a volunteer for the Sidney Hospital Guild and the Delaware Valley Humane Society.
Nellie received many honors and awards. She was the Hospital Guild Volunteer of the Year in May, 2001, she was the Sidney First Lady of the Year in April 2003, she was the Republican Citizen of the Year 2007, was a member of the Delaware County and Sidney Republican Committees.
Nellie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Barry W. and Marie Cole of Sidney, Barbara Ritchey of Sidney and Janice and Donald Mushtare of Worcester, Massachussetts.
Nellie was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a brother, William Oliver.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5, at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, 625 Main St., Franklin with Rev. Robert Goldenberg, Pastor of the Circle Drive Alliance Church in Sidney, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
3-12-10
Anthony Roda, 70; SUNY Philosophy Professor
ONEONTA – Anthony Roda, professor of philosophy at SUNY Oneonta, passed away at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, N.Y. on Thursday, March 4, 2010. He was 70.
Dr. Roda was born in Fossato Jonico (Reggio Calabria), Italy. He is the son of Domenico Roda and Caterina Messineo. He moved to Jersey City, NJ in 1949 and was salutatorian at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ in 1959. He received his B.S. in Mathematics at Saint Peter’s College in 1962, his M.A. in Philosophy at Washington University in 1964, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy at Southern Illinois University in 1968.
He began teaching at SUNY Oneonta in 1967. During his tenure as professor of philosophy, he was involved in numerous organizations, received a variety of awards and had multiple publications.
Dr. Roda enjoyed the intellectual engagement with both students and faculty that teaching provided. He was fluent in Italian (writing, reading, and speaking) and possessed a deep knowledge of southern Italian culture and philosophy.
When he passed away, Dr. Roda was serving as Editor of the academic journal, Educational Change, a role he had performed for more than a decade.
He cared about the local community and involved himself in the Oneonta Italian American Club, serving as its president for several years.
Dr. Roda was a member of the American Philosophical Association, the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy, the Dante Society of America, the Institute for Vico Studies, and New York State Foundation of Education Association.
He is survived by his son, Michael Roda, of Albany, NY; his daughter, Mariah Roda, of New York, NY; and his sister, Teodora Salvemini, of Franklin Lakes, NJ.
He was predeceased by his son, Dominick Roda.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, in St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta. Interment will be in the spring in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Dr. Roda’s memory can be made to the College at Oneonta Foundation Scholarships, and mailed to the College at Oneonta Foundation, 308 Netzer Administration Building, SUNY College at Oneonta, Oneonta NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta. 3-12-10
Emily Harrington, 55; Worked At A.O. Fox, Astrocom Electronics, Daddy Al’s
SCHENEVUS – Emily Harrington, 55, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, Friday, March 5, 2010, after a three year battle with breast cancer.
She was born April 30, 1954, in Oneonta, the daughter of Ivan and Shirley (Palmer) Risley.
Emily was employed by A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Astrocom Electronics and Daddy Al’s. She enjoyed playing bingo, going to casinos, cooking and baking. Emily cared for everyone and was always doing for others.
She is survived by her sons, Gilbert Pidgeon of Oneonta and Donald and Angela Pidgeon of Davenport Center; two brothers, Larry and Pam Risley of Texas and Charles and Priscilla Risley of Virginia; her companion and love of her life, Charlie Bodden, of Schenevus; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; and her beloved cat, Karen.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Paul Pidgeon, and Stanley Harrington.
The funeral was at 8 p.m. on March 10 with the Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, officiating.
Interment in the Glenwood Cemetery will take place at later date.
Donations may be made to Breast Cancer Awareness at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
3-12-10
George VanCuren, 86; Received Purple Heart
ONEONTA – George VanCuren, 86, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
He was born Oct. 1, 1923, in Middleville, the son of Charles and Mabel (Skillen) VanCuren. George married Eleanor Scorzafava on June 29, 1945, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta. He was a United States Army Air Corps veteran. During World War II, his plane was shot down and George became a Prisoner of War for 11 months. He received a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and a POW Medal World War II.
George worked for the D&H Railroad and the United States Postal Service. He was a member of the Oneonta American Legion Post 259, the Oneonta VFW Post 1206 and the BPOE Elks Club No. 1312.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor VanCuren; two daughters, Linda Mercadante of Red Bank, N.J., and Denise Kane and Jeff Ouimet of Oneonta; grandchildren, James E. Kane III, Heather and Nels Anderson and Joel and Meredith Mercadante; sister, Dorothy Beams of Schenevus; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, William; sister, Edith Gaughan; brothers, Lawrence, Maurice and William VanCuren; a son-in-law, Eugene Mercadante.
The funeral service was at 1 p.m. on March 10 with the Rev. Keith VanDewerker, retired, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
3-12-10
Florence (Anne) H. Sprague, 79; Crossing Guard For 25 Years
MT HOLLY, NJ – Florence (Anne) H. Sprague, 79, of Fieldsboro, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Samaritan Inpatient Hospice, Mt. Holly, NJ.
Born in Long Island, NY, she was a former resident of Cooperstown, NY, before moving to Bordentown 30 years ago. She was employed as a crossing guard for 25 years with the Bordentown Police Department. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years Milton D. Sprague; devoted mother of Gary and his wife Doreen Sprague, Allen and his wife Liz Sprague Kathleen and her husband David Klein and Tim and his wife Melissa Sprague, 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; her sister Josephine Fenner; her very dear friends Diane and Ralph Bakkelid.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, March 9 at the Huber-Moore Funeral Home 517 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ 08505. Interment will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08060 or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 1332 North Halsted Street, Suite 201 Chicago, IL 60642
Arrangements are under the direction of Scott C. Larkin, Huber-Moore Funeral Home, Bordentown, NJ.
3-12-10
Donations In The Name Of Henry E. Ludlam
COOPERSTOWN – Donations in memory of Henry Ernest “Hank” Ludlam, of Cooperstown, may be made to the Town of Middlefield Historical Association, P.O. Box 348, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
3-12-10
Pearl Justice Ottman, 86; Wife, Homemaker, Girl Scout Leader
CHERRY VALLEY – Pearl Justice Ottman, 86, of Cherry Valley, NY passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at The Otsego Manor, Cooperstown,NY.
She was born on Jan. 12, 1924,in Manning, South Carolina to Luther and Lola (Braddock) Justice. She was predeceased by seven brothers and two sisters.
She graduated from Manning High School and went to work as a civilian secretary for the Army at Stark General Hospital in Charleston, SC. It was a debarkation hospital for casualties from overseas during WWII. She met her husband, Wayne, there. They were married and lived in Charleston before moving to Cherry Valley.
Pearl spent her life as a wife, homemaker, Girl Scout leader, room mother, wonderful aunt, grandmother, great friend, but most of all she was a mom. Her home was always full of food, fun, and love. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and watching her backyard birds. She and Wayne enjoyed traveling together on many trips and spending time with family and friends at their camp on Canadarago Lake. Pearl loved the ocean and a favorite destination was the beach in South Carolina. She had a wonderful life.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, J.L.Wayne Ottman, a daughter, Claire Ottman and a son, Christopher (Laura) Ottman , all of Cherry Valley,NY; a daughter, Deborah (Larry) Kelsen, of Cazenovia,NY; one brother, Carlisle (Ava) Justice of Manning,SC; grandchildren, Shane (Kristen) Kelsen of Jamesville,NY, Lauren Kelsen of Cazenovia and Livingston Ottman of Cherry Valley; several beloved nieces & nephews, grand nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and many friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her so dearly.
Calling hours will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, followed at 1 p.m. by a Memorial Service at The Ottman Funeral Home in Cherry Valley with Rev. Lyman Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Cherry Valley Memorial Library, PO Box 25, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
3-12-10
Martha Annett Taylor, 92; Raised Eight Children
COOPERSTOWN - Martha Annett Taylor, 92, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, March 7, 2010, at Otsego Manor in Cooperstown.
Affectionately known as Sue by her family and friends, she was born Feb. 6, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Cecil B. and Helen Bancroft Arnold Annett. Raised in Moorestown, New Jersey, Sue went on to attend the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont, from which she graduated in 1940 with a major in literature.
Soon after graduation, she married George Pearson Taylor, a friend of her older brother’s who fell in love with her kindness, fresh-faced beauty and sly sense of humor. They settled in Auburn, New York, but later moved to Sue’s native Moorestown, where they raised eight children - including two adopted from Korea - in a cheerfully hectic household.
Despite her demanding home life, Sue earned a master’s degree in education from Glassboro State College - now Rowan University - in Glassboro, New Jersey. She worked for decades as a remedial reading teacher in the Moorestown Public Schools, retiring in 1982.
Sue and her husband, George, moved that year to Beach Haven Park, New Jersey, where each summer they entertained a growing brood of grandchildren in a house three blocks from the ocean. Piano music filled their home on many a night - Mr. Taylor, an accomplished musician, played old standards on the piano while his wife and family sang along - as did abundant laughter.
The Taylors moved in 1991 to Deltona, Florida, following Sue’s beloved brother and sister-in-law, Cecil (Sam) and Dorothy Annett. Following her husband’s death in 2001, Sue returned to the Northeast - first to Seneca Falls, then to Cooperstown, to be near her oldest daughter, Nancy Goodnough, in 2005.
Sue loved children, animals, long walks, backyard picnics and tall glasses of iced tea. She was gregarious yet strikingly gentle, polite yet famously stubborn when she set her mind on a goal or took up a cause.
Most of all, she was abidingly loyal to her family, loving her children and grandchildren unconditionally and devoting her seemingly endless energy to their happiness. After an accident left one of her sons, Jonathan, paralyzed from the neck down in 1966, Sue was his most faithful companion until his death in 1980.
Sue is survived by her seven other children: Nancy T. Goodnough of Cooperstown, R. David Taylor and his wife, Carolyn, of Beach Grove, Indiana, George P. Taylor, Jr. of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Helen T. Young and her husband, Jay, of Seneca Falls, New York, Mark A. Taylor of Pinellas Park, Florida, Christopher Taylor of Cambridge, Vermont, and Jennifer T. Couture and her husband, Steven, of Fairview Heights, Illinois. She also leaves 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Dr. Robert W. Taylor, of Aurora, New York; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and son, Sue was predeceased by one son-in-law, C. Peter Goodnough, who died Feb. 20, 2002, and one brother, Cecil B. Annett, Jr.
The family will hold a memorial service in Moorestown, New Jersey, later this year.
Burial will be in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Moorestown, New Jersey, where Sue will be laid to rest with her husband, George.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Otsego Manor Serenity Place Activities Fund, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
3-12-10
Steven E. Haffner, 51; 24 Years As Case Supervisor For County
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Steven E. Haffner, 51, of State Highway 28, passed away Saturday morning, March 6, 2010, in his home after an extended illness. He had the support and comfort of his loving family at his side.
He was born April 15, 1958, in Herkimer, son of Eva Schanz Haffner and the late Emil Haffner. A lifelong Richfield Springs resident, he was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School. He furthered his education graduating from Clarkson University with a degree in industrial engineering.
For the past 24 years Mr. Haffner worked as a Case Supervisor for the Otsego County Department of Social Services in Cooperstown.
He was an honorably discharged member of both the United States Army and United States Navy Reserves and had served our country during the Gulf War, and was a member of the Richfield Springs Vets Club. On Nov. 10, 2008, he was united in marriage with Margaret Winnie in Las Vegas, Nev.
Steve will be remembered as a man who was always active. He had a strong love for the outdoors where he enjoyed hiking and camping. He was an avid runner and had participated in the Boiler Maker and the Adam Helmer Run. He was also a member of the Richfield Springs Golf League. As a true sports fan, he followed all football and baseball games when ever he could.
He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.
Surviving are his devoted wife, Margie; his mother, Eva Haffner; two sisters and their husbands, Monica and Richard Harris, and Ann and David Young, all of Richfield Springs; three stepchildren, Daniel Allison of San Mateo, Calif., Timothy Allison and his wife, Sanober of Chicago, Ill., and Carrie Seanor of Richfield Springs; a niece, Patty Smicinski and her husband, Bob of Johnstown; four nephews, Michael Harris of Big Clifty, Ky., Scott Harris of Richfield Springs, David Young and his wife, Tracy of Jordanville, and Brian Young and his wife, Jan of Westdale; and several cousins.
A celebration of life was held Wednesday March 10, in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs.
Interment will take place at a later time convenient to the family.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care .
or the charity of one’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
3-05-10
Mary V. Powell, 94; Family Woman
ONEONTA – Mary V. Powell died peacefully late Monday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2010 in the place she most loved – her home of 63 years at 18 Maple St., Oneonta.
Mary was born April 3, 1915 in Shalichi, Poland to Fyodor and Wiera (Zedick) Sakowich. At age 13 she traveled alone from Warsaw to New York to join her mother and stepfather, Phillip Pasko in Oneonta. Mary attended Mitchell Street School and went on to get her license as a hairdresser. She married Fred N. Powell on Nov. 23, 1946 in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta.
As a young woman Mary loved to draw. Later in life she used her artistic talent to create vibrantly colored hooked rugs and intricately crocheted tablecloths, curtains, table runners, and doilies. She loved to read and especially enjoyed putting old Tuco jigsaw puzzles together. Mary loved traveling the back roads around Oneonta and Cooperstown, and spending time at her daughter and son-in-law’s camp at Arnold Lake.
The greatest joy of Mary’s long life was her unconditional love of her family and the creation of a loving home. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. Mary was a lover of nature and enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels near her home. She had a green thumb and was frequently asked to restore health to ailing house plants.
Mary is survived by her five children: Mary, Rose Anne and husband, Bud Pirone, Betty, Chris, Fred and wife, Sue Powell; her grandchildren, Ana and Heather Powell; her beloved sister, Anna and husband, Donald Cooper; her niece, Mary-Anne Ross; her nephew, Phillip Cooper and his wife, Tina and their daughter Emily; her step-grandchildren, Patty Pirone (Orson Moon), Kim Baskin (Walter), and Mike Pirone; her step-great grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, and Sadie Baskin and Lila Pirone-Moon.
Mary was predeceased by her mother, father, stepfather, her brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, and her beloved husband of 47 years.
Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Rosary Society. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there Friday, Feb. 28.
3-05-10
Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85; World War II Veteran, Avid Traveler
ONEONTA – Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85, of Ballston Spa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at home supported by her loving family.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she was the daughter of Robert and Deborah Magruder. Mary grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Nottingham High School. Mary proudly served in the U.S. Navy WAVES during WWII in Washington D.C., where she achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class in the Intelligence Division. She married Percy “Tommy” Tompkins in 1947, and together enjoyed 62 years of love, family, friendship and travel.
For much of her adult life, she lived in the Otego and Oneontaarea, where she served as Past Matron of the Eastern Stars and Past President of the Otego Fireman’s Auxiliary, and was active in both the Otego and Oneonta Methodist Churches. Mary was co-owner of the Otego Hardware store for several years while at the same time assisted in managing the Town of Otego affairs as Town Clerk. For three years she and “Tommy” managed The Sidney Senior Village. Upon retiring, Mary and “Tommy” traveled the United States in their RV taking in all the sights and sounds of the country they both loved.
Mary was passionate about volunteering; she prepared meals at Oneonta’s Saturday’s Bread, and knitted blankets for premature babies. She enjoyed watching many sports and was often seen at local sporting events. Mary was recently active in the Malta Ridge Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens Association in Ballston Spa.
Mary is survived by her husband and best friend, Percy “Tommy” Tompkins, her five sons; James (Debra) of Rockwall, Texas, Kenneth (Jana) of Westminster, Colorado, Kevin (Joanne) of Quinton, Virginia, Bruce (Lorraine) of Manlius, N.Y., and Brian (Laurene) of Ballston Spa, N.Y., thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her sister Jane Anderson of Cummings, Georgia, and her brother John Magruder of Onondaga Hill, N.Y.
A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, March, 5, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
3-05-10
Nellie C. Cole, 85; Former Chief Clerk Of Family Court
SIDNEY – Nellie C. Cole, 85, of Sidney, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at Bassett Hospital.
Nellie was born on Jan. 13, 1925 in Oneonta, the daughter of the late Clarence Joseph and Rose (Decker) Oliver. She married Irving W. Cole on October 14, 1944 in Oneonta. He predeceased her on Sept. 20, 1998.
Nellie grew up in the Oneonta area and graduated from the Oneonta High School, class of 1943. She obtained her AA Business Degree from the Delhi Agricultural and Technical College. She and her husband owned the former Buster Hyzer Dairy Farm. She worked for 25 years in Delhi, first as a Legal Secretary to the Honorable Richard H. Farley. Upon his election to a Delaware County Judgeship, she became Chief Clerk of the Family Court of the State of New York, a position she held until her retirement in 1987.
She was an avid quilter and has shown many of her quilts in area shows. She was an active member of the TriTown Piecemakers of Sidney and a member of the National Quilters Association. She was also a member of the Community Bible Church in Franklin and former member of the Women of the Moose #502 in Sidney. She was a volunteer for the Sidney Hospital Guild and the Delaware Valley Humane Society.
Nellie received many honors and awards. She was the Hospital Guild Volunteer of the Year in May, 2001, she was the Sidney First Lady of the Year in April 2003, she was the Republican Citizen of the Year 2007, was a member of the Delaware County and Sidney Republican Committees.
Nellie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Barry W. and Marie Cole of Sidney, Barbara Ritchey of Sidney and Janice and Donald Mushtare of Worcester, Massachussetts.
Nellie was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a brother, William Oliver.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5, at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, 625 Main St., Franklin with Rev. Robert Goldenberg, Pastor of the Circle Drive Alliance Church in Sidney, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
2-26-10
Fred M. Quaif, 86; Veteran, Taught At SUNY Morrisville
SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Fred M. Quaif, 86, of Springfield Center, an Army veteran and teacher at SUNY Morrisville, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, Feb. 19, 2010.
He was born on May 27, 1923, in Cooperstown, son of the late William Quaif and Katherine Maxted Quaif. During World War II, he was an aircraft mechanic in the Army. Fred was educated at SUNY Oswego and taught Electrical engineering technology at SUNY Morrisville for over 20 years.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Mcshane Quaif, in July 2003. He is survived by three sons, Richard Quaif of Dryden, Steven Quaif of Westmoreland, and Roger Quaif of Springfield Center; a daughter, Trudy Quaif of Delmar; and two grandsons, Kevin Holmes and Andy Holmes, both of Delmar.
Funeral service and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Springfield Fire Department, P.O. Box 358, Springfield Center, NY 13468
Arrangements were with the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
2-26-10
2-26-10
He was born on April 17, 1921 and grew up in Cooperstown. He graduated from Cooperstown High School, Class of 1939, and from the Naval Academy, Class of 1944. He served his country in the South Pacific in as an executive officer on a gunboat.
He married his high school sweet heart, Katherine Mary Bouton, in 1946. For 35 years, Robert worked as an engineering specialist at General Electric in Schenectady.
Robert was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, and is survived by their two children, Capt. Timothy Bouton Gilchriest, USN, and Mary Katherine Crimi; and five grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
2-26-10
He was born in Highland on Nov. 4, 1925, son of the late Philip and Edith Starrett Schantz.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Priscilla V Schantz; children Stewart T. and Siobhan Archard, two grandsons, Ryan T. and Connor J. Damon, and friend Owen T. Clark.
He was pre-deceased by daughter, Shelley Schantz, in 1998 in Richmond, Va.
Mr. Schantz attended Vassar College and graduated from Albany Law School. During World War II, he served in the Pacific and fought on Okinawa.
An attorney for over 50 years, he received multiple commendations for pro bono representation of indigent people. He was a member of the Dutchess, Ulster and Oneonta county bar associations, and the New York Trial Lawyers Association. He was president of the Ulster association in 1964-65.
He represented the Highland Fire District, the Town of Plattekill Zoning Board, the Highland School District, the Town of Lloyd Board of Assessment Review, the American Legion, the First National Bank of Highland as general counsel and the First National Bank of Rhinebeck as legal representative to the Highland area.
He was a director of the First National Bank of Highland for 25 years and the First Empire State Corp. for 10 years.
He was a member of the state Committee on Professional Standards, Third Judicial Department, for three years and chairman for one term.
He was also on the board of the Poughkeepsie Day School and president for two years, as well as a past board member of the Millbrook School.
Burial is private and at the convenience of the family.
Gifts may be made to The Ascension Church of West Park, NY 12493 or the Suncoast Hospice, Clearwater, Fla.
2-26-10
He was born Sept. 2, 1918, in Meredith, the son of Jesualdo and Marguerite (Dragona) Baldo. He married Isabel Goodwin on Sept. 19, 1938, and she passed away on March 2, 2004.
For a period 42 years, Harry was a local mail carrier. He retired as a command sergeant major with the National Guard after serving 30 years.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, and a former member of the BPOE Lodge #1312. For many years he prepared tax returns for the elderly and was a guard at the Neahwa Park Skating Pond.
He loved music and dancing and enjoyed playing the guitar and piano. Harry taught a snowmobile safety course, as well as being an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his grandchildren, Michael (Sharon) Baldo, Debbie (Jim) Rathbun, David Baldo, Charlie (Carrie) Baldo, Robert Henderson, Dawn Henderson; his great grandchildren, Tanya, David, Jr., and Kevin Baldo, Jennifer and Shane Quackenbush; and two great great grandchildren, Tyler and Kaylee.
He is also survived by two sisters, Della Shutters and Elizabeth Muller, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his two sons, Harry J. Baldo, Jr. and George A. Baldo; two brothers Pasquo and Suli Baldo and his sister, Anne Mackey.
The Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
2-26-10
Edith was born to Milo and Hildegard Johnson Krejci in Great Falls, Mont., on April 19, 1907.
After spending her early years in Montana where her father was a metallurgist with the Anaconda Copper Company, Edith’s family moved to Chicago, Cleveland, back to Great Falls and, in 1923, to New Jersey where she graduated in 1925 from South Orange and Maplewood (N.J,) High School. Edith then enrolled in Barnard College in New York City, graduating in 1929 with a degree in biology.
Following a brief period working for the Cornell Medical College at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Edith, her sister and mother relocated to Uppsala, Sweden while her father worked in Russia for two years as one of the American metallurgical experts assisting in one of Stalin’s Five Year Plans. While in Sweden, she furthered her education at the University of Uppsala.
In late 1932, the middle of the Great Depression, the family returned to the United States to a recently purchased and renovated family home in Decatur. Thanks to this move, she met the love of her life, Emmons B. Bulson of Worcester, whom she married in 1937. For the remaining 72 years of Edith’s life, her home was the house which she and Emmons purchased in 1938.
Until well into her nineties, Edith continued furthering her knowledge of the world around her by auditing courses at Hartwick College. She was an avid reader and, until recently, devoured the New York Times cover to cover and frequently worked the crossword puzzles. She wrote short poems for family and friends celebrating their significant events, enjoyed traveling, doted on her pet cat and to the end loved to eat dessert – especially chocolate. One of the many highlights of her life was attending her 75th college reunion and telling the 2004 graduates what college life in New York City was like for a woman in the 1920s.
Edith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Worcester, the Worcester Women’s Club, the Worcester Community Chorale and the Glimmerglass Opera Guild.
Edith was predeceased by her sister Laura in 1990, her husband Emmons in 1991, and a nephew, Steven Milavec, in 2007.
Survivors include her two children, Christine Bulson of Worcester, with whom she made her home, and Albin (Antoinette) Bulson of Dunnellon, Fla.; two granddaughters, Diana (Mark) Degon of North Attleboro, Mass., and Suzanne Bulson of Boston; two great-granddaughters, Emily and Haley Degon; family friend George Harrington of Morris, and a niece and nephew, Cynthia (James) Seward of Milford and Bruce (Sandra) Milavec of Oneonta.
A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Worcester with a reception following at the Worcester Inn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Worcester Emergency Squad.
2-19-10
The father: His five daughters was pallbearers and had roles in the service.
The public servant: Mayor Carol B. Waller praised his dedication of time – “something we give freely, something we cannot get back” – during his years of public service, as mayor, county representative and village trustee.
The fireman: A former fire chief, president of the fire company and founder of the EMT squad, his dress hat was on the coffin. The 1952 Mack pumper that transported the coffin stopped at the Chestnut Street firehouse, where the siren was sounded in commemoration.
The Irishman: A bagpiper played, and Ron Johnson sang “Danny Boy.”
The man of faith: A lifelong member of St. Mary’s, “he has seen many Lents and now he is enjoying Easter,” said Father John P. Rosson, pastor, during the homily at the Saturday, Feb. 13, funeral mass.
“He was the grand marshal of Cooperstown,” Father Rosson later reflected. “He was always its greatest cheerleader.”
Stuart Patrick Taugher, 87, passed away Wednesday morning, Feb. 10, 2010, at Otsego Manor.
Born March 22, 1922, a son of Patrick and Margaret (Doran) Taugher, he was raised on the family farm in Pierstown with three brothers and two sisters; only one sibling, Mrs. Eileen T. Goodenow, 89, of New Hartford, survives.
At first, the family milked 25 Holsteins, but then got into cauliflower. Throughout his high school years, he remembered in a 2007 interview, he would drive to New York City produce markets twice a week, beginning as early as possible in the spring to get a jump on the Long Island farmers.
He graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1940; his future wife, Josephine Coleman, known as Jodie, was in the Class of 1943. Because two of his brothers were already in the Armed Forces, Stu, the youngest, and his oldest brother were barred from the military.
Stu and Josephine married on Nov. 24, 1945, and as he got into business – he was Allstate Insurance’s agent in Cooperstown for 39 years – the Taughers began their family at their Maple Street home.
In the fire department, he soon moved into a leadership position. In addition to deploying the crews when The Freeman’s Journal building at Main and Pioneer burned in 1962, he battled blazes that took out Wood’s dry cleaners, (site of T.J.’s today), and the Red & White grocery.
What he most remembered were the human tragedies. He carried a baby who succumbed to smoke inhalation out of a home on Irish Hill, and an 8-year-old boy out of a second-floor apartment in Oaksville.
“That’s one of the saddest things you can get involved in,” he said in the interview.
In 1969, Taugher and then-Fire Chief Malcolm Root – faced with the likelihood Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital would give up its ambulance service – convinced the department to sponsor an emergency squad. Nine men volunteered and spent 51 hours over the winter training. The squad completed its first successful call on July 4, 1970.
By then, Taugher had accepted elective office: In 1967, after 35 years of GOP dominance, he was elected mayor on the Union ticket. The streetlights that still illuminate Main Street were installed during his term.
He then ran for the new county Board of Representatives, becoming the first representative from the Town of Otsego (District 8), a position he held for the next 10 years.
At the end of 1969, even before he took office, he was designated to go to Albany with Guy Rathbun of Morris, the Republican chairman of the board, to work through the transition from a 19-member supervisors’ board to the new 14-member body.
During his tenure, he was proud to be the first Democrat to become chairman of a standing committee in county government.
In 1979, he left the county board and had a short hiatus from elective office, although he continued to be active in the fire department and ambulance squad. Soon, however, he answered the call again and returned to the village board. That stint, it turned out, would last almost a quarter-century.
One of Trustee Taugher’s memorable phrases, recalled Giles Russell, who served with him on the village board, was, “How’s this going to effect the good people of Cooperstown?”
He was especially proud of many positive changes in the village during his terms of office, when the new water plant was completed and the new reservoir dedicated in his honor.
A proud and supportive father, Stuart was also involved with his daughters’ education, and when the newly built Cooperstown Elementary School opened on Walnut Street in September 1955, he served as the first president of the Parent Teachers’ Association.
St. Mary’s communicants from those days would look forward to seeing the tall father entering the church every Sunday – he never missed a one – with his wife and five daughters following him in single file to the “Taugher pew.”
All the daughters received Clark Foundation scholarships, a source of pride and appreciation throughout Taugher’s life.
At St. Mary’s, Stuart served for many years as an usher. He was a past member of the former Leatherstocking Council, No. 1879, Knights of Columbus.
In his private life, Stuart always enjoyed digging in the dirt, especially on his land in Pierstown, and will be remembered by many for his well-tended and productive flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Surviving are his five daughters, Karen M. Taugher of Utica, Patricia T. Schultz of Fly Creek, Marcia Pugliese and her husband, Stephen, of Pierstown, and Jacqueline Ruck and her husband, Richard, and Colleen Sheldon and her husband, Scott, all of Milford, Pa. (Jacqueline and Colleen are twins); 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; his sister Eileen; a brother-in-law, Charles A. Coleman, Jr. and his wife, Dolores, of Cooperstown; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Carol Coleman of Glen Burnie, Md., and Morganna Garbera and her husband, Michael, of Richfield Springs; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Jody; three brothers, Gregory, Ogden and Reginald Taugher; one sister, Patricia A. Taugher; two brothers-in-law, Frederick Goodenow and Roger A. Coleman; and one sister-in-law, Jane A. Reich.
The service of committal and burial will take place later this spring in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.
As an alternative to flowers, it is suggested by the family that contributions be made to Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326, Cooperstown Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
In 2007, Chuck Coleman encapsulated his brother-in-law this way: “He was a pillar of the fire department. He was a pillar of the village board. He was a pillar of the county. He has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve known. He deserves all the accolades he can get.”
2-19-10
Born Aug. 30, 1929, in New York City, she was one of three daughters of Patrick J. and Margery (Mackey) McEntegart. At a young age she moved with her family to Great Neck, where she was raised. On Oct. 8, 1955, she was married to Emil J. Ludecker at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Great Neck by her uncle, the Archbishop Brian McEntegart. Emil and Marge thereafter lived and raised their family in West Nyack.
She was employed for many years as a social worker by the Rockland County Department of Social Services in child protective services.
For many years the family spent free time at their farm on Winnie Hollow Road in the Town of Roseboom and, after her retirement in 1990, moved permanently to the farm. Following Emil’s death in 2001, Marge moved to Lakeland Shores in the Village of Cooperstown.
In keeping with her strong Christian faith and her need to help others, Marge was an active and tireless volunteer in her church and community. She was an active member of the Altar Guild and served as a eucharistic minister for her church, St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake.” She also volunteered many hours at Meals on Wheels and at Bassett Hospital and, prior to that, for many years at Bernstein House, a half-way house for previously institutionalized individuals.
In her free time, she especially enjoyed playing bridge, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, doing crossword puzzles and reading.
Survivors include two sons: Michael Ludecker, his wife Sherry and their four children, Daniel, Vanessa, Andrew and Paige of Piney Flats, Tenn., and James Ludecker, his wife Suzanne and their two daughters, Kristen and Megan of Florida, N.Y.
Also her two sisters, Patricia Murphy of Syosset, and Jane Dooher of Camilus, as well as by three close cousins, Mary Welch, Eileen McEntegart and Katie McEntegart, many nieces and nephews, and by her many church, community and bridge playing friends.
Friends are invited to pay their respects 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, when the family will be in attendance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church with Marge’s cousin, Father Peter Worn, pastor of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Cazenovia, and Father John P. Rosson, St. Mary’s pastor, co-officiating.
Burial will occur in the spring in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, one of the many charities she supported.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
2-19-10
There will be no services, and burial will be private later this spring in Hartwick Cemetery.
The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting with arrangements.
2-19-10
She was born June 3, 1936, in Jefferson, the daughter of Peter (predeceased) and Nellie (Rivenburgh) Bouck.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Raymond F. Yerdon Sr.; her mother, Nellie Bouck of Cherry Valley; three sons, Raymond Yerdon Jr., Cooperstown, Tim Yerdon and his wife Birdy, Richfield Springs, and Michael Yerdon, Schenectady; a daughter, Cindy Borchert, and her husband Daniel, Cherry Valley; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Yerdon, Middlefield, 11 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren; three brothers, Joe Bouck and his wife Star, Leonard Bouck and his wife Carol, and Willard Bouck and his wife Linda; a sister, Shirley Beaulieu and her husband Milt, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Marian was predeceased by a son, Ricky A. Yerdon, on June 0, 2008; a grandson, Adam S. Yerdon, on Aug. 3, 1998, and a brother, James Bouck on Sept. 28, 2005.
The funeral was Monday, Feb. 15, at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Memorial contributions may be made to Raymond Yerdon, P.O. Box 345, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.
Arrangements were with the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
2-19-10
He was born on April 9, 1979 in Brooklyn, the son of Gerard Graves and Donna (Morrison) La Martina. He married Crystal Murch on Sept. 16, 2009 in Oneonta.
Jarrod attended Oneonta High School and was currently employed with American Blade in Oneonta.
He was an avid Yankee fan. He also enjoyed basketball and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Crystal G. Graves of Oneonta; his father Gerard Graves of Oneonta ; his daughter, Mackenzie Rae Graves of Laurens; his sister, Jacqueline Graves of Oneonta; his mother, Donna and stepfather, John La Martina of Ocala, Florida.
He is also survived by his grandmother, Beverly Exter of Tampa, Florida and several aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous loving friends.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta at which time the family will be in attendance. A time of sharing and reflecting on Jarrod’s life will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mackenzie Rae Graves College Fund, c/o John La Martina, 11284 Southwest 139th Place, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
2-19-10
Born March 30, 1930, in Oneonta, she was the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Huff) Bohm.
Dorothy worked for Homer Folks until they closed and then went to work for the City of Oneonta, as a secretary to the Personnel Director until her retirement.
She loved cats, especially black cats, and making people smile. She had a sharp wit and everyone who knew her enjoyed her stories and jokes.
She is survived by her special lifetime friend, Grace Speranzi and family. Grace’s family was her family. She is also survived by a cousin, Clara Rosa and family.
Friends may call at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. A memorial service will be held immediately following at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Mel Farmer, pastor of River Street Baptist Church, officiating.
Burial will take place in the spring in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are being handled by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
2-19-10
The daughter of Nellie and Moses D. Bomhower, she was born in Beverly, Mass., on Oct. 6, 1911.
Dorothy had worked at Bresee’s Health Bar and Karmelkorn prior to working at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in the Admitting Office and in the Business Office. She retired from Fox Hospital in 1976, and worked part-time at Cop-Ease Print Shop from 1977 to 1991.
Dorothy was an active member of the Atonement Lutheran Church where she served as treasurer for several years. She was a past member of the Oneonta Business Women’s Club.
Survivors include her children, Gary Hartman of Syracuse, Beverly (Gene) Redding of Olathe, Kan., Diane (Lee) Van Houten of Cortland, and Patricia (Victor) Colucci of Brooklyn.
Dorothy was predeceased by grandson, Gregory Waterman in 2003; and daughter-in-law, Joanne Gage Hartman in January 2009.
She is survived by seven grandchildren, Jeffrey (Laurie) Hartman of Syracuse, David (Beth) Waterman of Mulberry, Fla., Jeremy Waterman of Kansas City, Mo., Mark (Tammy) Waterman of Gardner, Kan., Matthew (Amanda) Van Houten of Ithaca, Joshua (Cori) Van Houten of Wallingford, Conn., and Nolan (Barbara) McAdams of Big Rapids, Mich. Ms. Douglass is survived by 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
The funeral service was begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Atonement Lutheran Church. Dorothy’s final resting place will be Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Contributions may be directed to the Atonement Lutheran Church or A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital Memorial Fund.
2-19-10
He was born May 16, 1945, in Susquehanna, Pa., the son of the late Raymond and Evelyn (Markel) Yager.
David proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
On Aug. 28, 1999, David married Kathryn Cornish in Oneonta.
David was a machinist at Amphenol in Sidney for 28 years. In his early years, he owned a body shop and was an excellent mechanic. He could fix anything and was always tinkering. His current project was his 1932 Chevy Confederate pick up that he was restoring.
David was currently a member and the Vice President of the Oneonta RC Flyers, a member of the Mid State Antique Stock Car Racing (he was the driver of the No. 3.) In the 1960s and 1970s he drove at local race tracks. He was also a member of the Laurens Masonic Lodge and the Tri-Valley Riding Club.
He was an avid hunter. He enjoyed camping especially the campfires at night; playing cards, golfing, NASCAR (his favorite driver was the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.,) anything to do with trains, planes and automobiles; cooking; playing guitar in a band, but most of all, David enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
David is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Yager; four children, Barbara Frederick and grandchildren, TJ and Autumn, David and Pauline Yager and grandchildren, Steven and Meagan, Daniel and Kerry Yager and Dawn Yager; stepdaughter, Holly and Ben Doty and grandchildren, Kyle and Madeline; one brother, Richard (Sara) Yager; one sister, Sharon (Phil) Cook; father-in-law, Howard Cornish; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Brian Cornish and Maria Carr; sisters-in-law, Carol (Larry) Kessler and Janice Eichler; two aunts, Peggy Freeland and Florence Yager; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Barbara and Ed Haney and Gail Finch; one brother, Donald Yager; and mother-in-law, Mary Cornish.
Calling hours were Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, in the funeral home with Betsy Jay, Chaplain at M.I. Bassett Hospital, officiating. Memorial donations in David’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, Central Region, 120 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
2-12-10
Born May 11, 1931, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of Arel M. and Helena (Wilbur) Johnson.
A graduate of Schuyler Lake High School, Lera spent most of her life in the village and devoted her life to raising and caring for her family. For many years she was a member of the Schuyler Lake Universalist Church (The Old Stone Church), a place of worship that her mother faithfully tended during her lifetime.
Throughout her life Lera traveled the world, but she always enjoyed returning home to the family homestead in Schuyler Lake. She was a kid at heart, and possessed a wonderful collection of Mickey Mouse memorabilia, as well as many Teddy Bears and dolls. She also liked to listen to country western music, and was a big fan of Ronnie Smith and Willie Nelson.
Towards the end of her life here on earth, it was Lera’s wish to die at home, where her father and mother had passed in 1965 and 1988. In the end, her wish was at least partly realized, for during the afternoon hours of Feb. 1st, she came home one last time and lay in state in the front parlor of the family homestead.
Lera is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Russell of Idaho and Christine Russell of Oklahoma; one son, John R. Russell of Schenectady; four grandchildren, Amy and Lisa and Christopher and Jessica; three great grandchildren, Kayla, Jenna and Josie; and a companion, Charles DeCarr of Oxford.
Lera is further survived by five cousins, who, as an only child, she treated like her own brothers and sisters: Wilbur I. Biedekapp and his wife, Cindy, of Hancock, Mrs. Elinor Budine of Nichols, Mrs. Betty Jean Bell and her husband, Harry, of Delhi, Richard Wilbur and his wife, Sylvia, of Downsville, and Mrs. Virginia Quinn and her husband, Ronald, of Walton.
A funeral service was offered at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. George Budine, a family member and Presbyterian Lay Pastor, officiating.
Lera’s family received friends at the funeral home Friday afternoon one hour prior to the service.
The Service of Committal and Burial will take place later this spring in the Schuyler Lake Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
2-12-10
John was born March 6, 1928 in East Meadow, Long Island, New York, the son of John M, Sr. and Mary (Wolf) Lynch. On Sept. 23, 1950, John was married to Clara Bellows.
He proudly served in the United States Army, enlisting in 1945 and was stationed in Japan.
Until his retirement, John worked for many years at the Oneonta Consolidated School as the superintendent of grounds and maintenance.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Clara Lynch; his son, Gary John Lynch and his wife Deb; and his daughter, Barbara Werdann and her husband Frank.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Melissa Brockway and her husband Randy, Kristin Werdann, Brennan, Collin, Zachary, and Adam Lynch; his great granddaughter, Taryn Brockway; his two brothers, Howard and Edward Lynch; and his sister, Theresa Freiberger.
John was predeceased by his son, Douglas Lynch; his mother and father, Mary and John; and his sister, Margaret Tilton.
Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
2-12-10
Jeanne was born on July 7, 1927 at Parshall Hospital in Oneonta, the daughter of the late G. Frank and Florence A. (Fisher) Slawson. She married Lauren “Steve” Bryden of Franklin in 1944. They divorced in 1982.
Jeanne grew up in North Franklin on the family farm on Sleepy Hollow now Slawson Road. She lived most of her life in Franklin before moving to Oneonta.
She worked as a partner on the family farm until her 50’s, when she returned to school for training as a medical secretary. She worked for several years at the Delaware County Infirmary (now Countryside Care Center) and then at the skilled nursing unit at The Hospital in Sidney.
After living in Florida for a short period, she returned to the Oneonta area, working for the City of Oneonta for many years as a File Clerk working to archive many old maps and documents. She also worked for the Department of Labor before retiring.
Jeanne was a member of the Aldrich Baptist Church in North Franklin, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Nader Towers Residents Association where she served as treasurer.
Her hobbies included reading, traveling, and needlework. She enjoyed spending time with her family.
Jeanne is survived by her children, Thomas W. (Michele) Bryden of South New Berlin, Ronald L. (Paula) Bryden of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Doris J. (Art) Hughes of Johnson City and Penny E. (Christopher) Tremain of Otego.
She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Taryn (Bill) Hubbard, Heather (Chris) Bryden-Golliver, Dawn Bryden, Trevor Bryden, Steven Bryden, Steven Michalovic, Teresa Michalovic, Colleen Michalovic, Tyler Tremain and Kailee Tremain; her sister, Jeanette Bradshaw of Scotia, New York; her brother, Larry Slawson of New Jersey; her great grandsons, Owen and Braden; and a special former son-in-law, Henry Michalovic.
Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, G. Frank and Florence Slawson; her siblings, Laverne Slawson, Cora Lewis Belden, Frances Dahlberg, George Slawson, Lynn Slawson, Cliff Slawson and Ralph Slawson.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, in the Aldrich Baptist Church, North Franklin with Patricia Judd, officiating.
There will be no calling hours and a private family interment will be held in the spring at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
2-5-10
2-5-10
Helen E. “Lizzy” Kiser
COOPERSTOWN – Helen E. “Lizzy” Kiser, died Sunday morning, Jan. 31, 2010, at Bassett Hospital shortly after telling her family that she was ready to “leave this earth to be with the angels.” She was 85.
Helen was born Jan. 7, 1925, in Brooklyn, one of five children of Rudolph and Helena (Radke) Platt.
On Dec. 31, 1944, she married Arthur H. Kiser Sr., and shortly thereafter they moved to and made their home in the Cooperstown/Milford area purchasing their current home on State Highway 166 in the Town of Middlefield in 1949.
She was an accomplished seamstress and worked for many years doing tailoring at the Smart Shop in Cooperstown. She was an avid quilter and had many friends in local quilting and sewing circles. She was also an avid reader and shopper. She enjoyed striking a good bargain.
She was also a great lover of flowers. It was said of her that “she loved flowers of virtually all types … except white.” As much as she enjoyed her various activities and interests, however, her first devotion and love was for her family for whom she never could do enough.
Helen is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Arthur H. Kiser Sr., of Cooperstown; their six children, Arthur Kiser Jr., (Lori) of Cooperstown, Nancy Kiser (Joe Feola) of Cooperstown, Susan Georgia (Charles “Buddy”) of Walla Walla, Wash., Teresa Ann Kiser of Cooperstown, Richard Rudolph Kiser (Lori) of Apalachin, and Timothy Kiser (Tara) of the Milford area, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Helen will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at the Milford United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Rose Bellun, pastor of the Westville United Methodist Church, officiating.
Arrangements are with Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
1-29-10
1-29-10
Clara Ann Kramer, 86
COOPERSTOWN – Clara Ann Kramer died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, 2010, at Otsego Manor.
She was born September 17th, 20th or 23rd (records and memories vary) in 1923 in Twin Rocks, Pa., the seventh of 10 children (Julie, Frank, Alex, Steve, Katherine, Paul, Clara, George, Sam and Ethel) of Frank and Mary (Toth) Klosz. She was a child of the Great Depression, and became an adult at the start of World War II, moving with her sister, Julie, to work in factories in New Jersey.
Clara met her future husband, Staff Sgt. Charles Thomas Kramer, in Caldwell, N.J., and they were married Aug. 2, 1951 in Landover, Md. They raised their four children (Charles, Pat, Jack and Bruce) in Roselle Park, N.J. They worked hard at home and in their factories to give their children opportunity for education that they did not have. Clara was widowed in 1981.
She became a caregiver and companion for Mrs. Rhea Roberts, residing with her, her daughter and son-in-law in their homes in Florida and New Jersey. After Mrs. Robert’s death, Clara lived in her own home in Florida until 2004, when she returned north to enjoy time with her children, loving daughters-in-law (Peppy Kramer and Laura Kilty), grandchildren (Elizabeth, Anna, Kaitlin, Julia, Jack and Maddy), grand-dog (Oscar), and the abundant warmth and sunshine of central New York.
Kramer lived at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown and Folts Home in Herkimer before Otsego Manor. Drs. Barbara Healey, Bernadette Ryan and Carol Beechy provided her with just the right care for her illness. Kramer and her family have been, and are, grateful for the kindness of strangers who became friends.
Following cremation, her remains will be interred with those of her husband in Cressona, Pa.
1-29-10
Glenn M.Davis, 60; Retired Deputy Sheriff
SCHUYLER LAKE – Glenn Michael Davis, a retired Otsego County deputy sheriff and former Schuyler Lake fire chief, died early Thursday morning, Jan. 21, 2010, at Bassett Hospital. He was 60.
Glenn was born Jan. 12, 1950, in Cooperstown, a son of Truman Ray and Ida Isabelle (Curry) Davis.
He attended Schuyler Lake School through the sixth grade and graduated from Richfield Springs Central School, Class of 1968. He was a scholar-athlete, excelling in football and basketball, as well as academics. After graduation, Glenn studied biology at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Active in scouting, he achieved the rank of Eagle. As a boy, he also worked on his grandfather’s dairy farm and later at the Dairy Isle in Richfield Springs.
On July 14, 1973, Glenn married the former Linda Tyler in the First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta.
In March 1975, he began what would become a 25-year career in the sheriff’s department, retiring in 2000. He was one of the first officers assigned to the canine unit, and was especially proud of his dog, Gunner.
Dedicated to the Schuyler Lake community, he considered his neighbors as a second family. He was a 40-year member of the fire department, including serving as chief.
In addition to his wife of 36 years, survivors include one son, Geoffrey M. Davis of Salisbury, N.C.; one daughter, Jennifer Lee Davis, and one grandson, Lucas E. Davis, both of Schuyler Lake; two brothers, Larry A. Davis and his wife, Dana, and Tyson R. Davis and his wife, Abby, all of Schuyler Lake; one sister, Cynthia L. Brophy and her husband, Michael, of Ambler, Pa, two aunts and an uncle.
Memorial donations made to the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Box 112, Schuyler Lake, 13457 or the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad, Box 1456, Richfield Springs, 13439.
1-29-10
Raymond E.Baldwin, 95; Retired Farmer
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Raymond E. Baldwin, 95, of Richfield Springs, former owner of the Westville Grocery Store and later of Cold Springs Farm, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 23, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica.
Ray was born Nov. 1, 1914, on Darling Hill in Westford, a son of Edsil and Libby (Vandeveer) Baldwin. He attended schools in Westville and Westford.
On Dec. 21, 1935, he married the former Albena J. Domion in Richfield Springs
Beginning in 1934, Ray worked in Cooperstown for 18 years as a foreman for Bruce Hall Corp. In 1952, the family moved to Richfield Springs, where he and Albena owned and operated their dairy farm for 15 years. He then worked part-time for 22 years for Herkimer Wholesale.
Survivors include his daughter, Roberta Baldwin Crouth, and her husband, David, of Richfield Springs, and three granddaughters.
His wife passed away on Nov. 28, 2002.
A private family funeral service was to be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, with burial to take place in the spring at Westville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
1-22-10
Mary Buckley Parriott, 83; Painter, Professor
COOPERSTOWN – Mary Buckley Parriott, a painter and educator, died Thursday afternoon, March 25, 2010, at Bassett Hospital. Known professionally as Mary Buckley and wife of the late Joseph Marshall Parriott, she was 83.
Born June 6, 1926, in New Haven, Conn., Mary was the daughter of Raymond and Mary (Thompson) Riordan.
She attended Keuka College, Yale University Graduate School of Art and the Brooklyn Museum School of Art, where she studied with Victor Crandall, Hans Hofmann and Sabro Hasagawa.
Early in her professional career, Mary worked with the architect Philip Johnson as a color consultant on the Seagram Building and The Brasserie in New York City. She also worked with Johnson on the roof of the New York State Pavilion and British Products Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair.
Although she remained friends with Johnson, she said that she found the noise and business of design offices unattractive and did little consulting after that period, content to create and educate in calmer environs.
One exception was an extended period of consultation in the late 1980s to the furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
Although she began her artistic career as a sculptor, Mary became better known for her paintings. Her knowledge of color, light, perception and design were developed during her 37 years teaching foundation courses at Pratt Institute.
During her tenure at Pratt, she developed an influential foundation course, “Light, Color and Design.”
A MacDowell Colony fellow and a Royal Society of Art fellow, Buckley published articles on color for Time Life, Inc., American Painting Contractor, and the Brooklyn Journal of Interior Design. She edited color entries for the Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques and was the author of a color theory bibliography for Gale Research.
Her work has been exhibited at the St. Boniface Gallery at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, the Prince Street Gallery, the Hecksher Museum in Huntington, the Albany Art Institute, Pratt Institute, as well as the Munson Gallery in New Haven. Her works are in numerous collections, including the Yale University Art Gallery and the New York State Legislature.
Shortly after retiring from teaching in 1992, she was invited to create a work of art for the Chapel of St. Columba at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, a project that took months of research and the 62 oil paintings celebrating Columba’s life were four years in the making.
Another commission, “People II,” an assembly of silhouetted figures, is on permanent installation outdoors in front of the State Legislature Building in Albany. Buckley also created four 30-foot-tall painted aluminum banners depicting the symbols of New York State for the Legislature Building.
Buckley and her husband, Joseph, founded the Mary Buckley and Joseph Parriott Endowed Scholarship Fund, for talented first-year students in Pratt’s Foundation Department in need of financial assistance. They also founded the Margaret Gate Institute, aimed at improving spaces in hospitals for the mentally and physically ill, and received an American Psychiatric Association citation for their work in this field.
In 1998, the couple relocated to Cooperstown. An industrial designer and educator who was the retired chair of Pratt’s Industrial Design Department, her husband passed away March 12, 2000. A long-time devotee of opera, Mrs. Parriott enjoyed attending performances of the Metropolitan Opera, and it was largely the Glimmerglass Opera – and the local scenery – that brought the couple to the Cooperstown area, where Mary had to re-learn to drive a car.
She showed her work at the Cooperstown Art Association, the Smithy-Pioneer Gallery and the Van Ess Gallery at The Yager Museum, Oneonta.
She is survived by her brother, Raymond Riordan of New Haven.
The Office of the Burial of the Dead with the Holy Eucharist will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, in St. Agnes Chapel at Christ Church in Cooperstown, with the Rev. Mark A. Michael, rector, officiating.
A memorial service is being planned for the interment of Mrs. Parriott’s urn in the Columbarium in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Buckley and Joseph M. Parriott Endowed Scholarship Fund at Pratt Institute, Department of Institutional Advancement, Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
3-26-10
Wayne Edward Carrington Sr., 79; Active In Masons Locally, Statewide
ONEONTA - Wayne Edward Carrington Sr., 79, an active Mason who retired after 41 years with Wilber National Bank, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home with his family at his side.
He was born April 11, 1930, in Meredith, to Glenmore W. Carrington Sr. and Elsa McIlwain Carrington. The family moved to Southside Drive in Oneonta from Meredith in 1935.
He graduated from Oneonta Senior High School in 1948, and enlisted with his brother, Sterling in the Army in 1952, to serve during the Korean War assigned to the 8th Transportation Europe Traffic Regulation Control Group in Manheim-Kerfetal Germany.
He attended Albany Business College, then joined Wilber, retiring in 1990.
Wayne married Dorothy A. Bennett of Sauquoit on Aug. 19, 1950.
He was predeceased by his father, Glenmore, mother, Elsa; and three brothers, Sterling J., Keith L., and Glenmore W. Jr. and his wife, Norma.
Dorothy survives him, as do their three children, Kathie A. Greenblatt and her husband, Arnold; Judy L. Carrington and Wayne E. Carrington Jr., grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings.
The Masonic Fraternity was a guiding light in his life which he served faithfully for 50 years at Oneonta Lodge No. 466 F&AM. He was master in 1986, and more recently a trustee. He also served as a past high priest of Oneonta Chapter No. 277 Royal Arch Masons, past master of Oneonta Council No. 87 and past commander of the Otsego Commandery No. 76 Knights Templar and as a member of Norwich Commandery Knights Templar.
He was very proud to serve as past grand master, Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of New York in 1994 to 1995, and as a trustee to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York from 1993 to 1997.
Wayne is a past President of the Grand Council Charity Corporation of the State of New York involved in Parkinson’s research and was also a member of Lodge, Council, Chapter Consistory of Utica, and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a Past Pre Eminent Governor of United York Rite College No. 127, Utica, Past Sovereign Red Cross of Constantine, member of New York College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana, Order of Noah (Canadian) and the American Lodge of Research. In addition to Freemasonry he had been a member of numerous organizations including: Young Republicans, Rotary, Jaycee’s and the American Legion Post No. 259 of Oneonta.
Wayne enjoyed traveling back roads, golf, fly-tying, collecting fly fishing gear and history books on Delaware and Otsego Counties, but most of all he took great pleasure in his home, family and many, many friends.
Calling hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 26, at the Bookhout Funeral Home. A Masonic Funeral Service will be at 7 p.m. Friday evening at Bookhout Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Elm Park United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Olu Harding officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Wayne requested that donations be made to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501 or to Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
3-26-10
Carol Lynn Herr, 66
Schenevus – Mrs. Carol Lynn Herr, 66, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at her home.
She was born February 14, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of Matthew W. and Henrietta C. (Longhito) Kinnane. She married James Herr, he predeceased her.
Survivors include her daughters Carolyn and Doreen, and grandchildren: Alicia, Joseph, Brina, Hailey, Aliviya, and Jordyn.
Funeral services and burial will be held in Farmingdale, NY.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.
3-26-10
Donna Guido Paris, 55; Formerly Worked For County, Bassett
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – Mrs. Donna Guido Paris, 55, of Newport News, Va., formerly of Oneonta, Cooperstown, and Cherry Valley, New York passed away on March 16, 2010.
She was born October 13, 1954, in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York, the daughter of Donna Paluseo Guido and the late Louis Anthony Guido, Sr. of Cherry Valley.
Donna was a 1972 graduate of Cherry Valley Central School. She worked for the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services in Cooperstown from January, 1973 to August, 1990. Initially she worked as a typist, and later as an Assistant Emergency Services Coordinator. She also was an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course Administrator at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. More recently, she ran her own business as Paris Support Systems, doing computer aided design work for cemetery memorials.
Besides her mother, she is survived by her beloved husband of 30 years, Frederick Charles Paris; a brother, Louis Anthony Guido, Jr. and his wife JoAnn of Cherry Valley, a niece and beloved godchild Jessica Lynne Guido of Ithaca; a sister, Frances Guido Althiser and her husband Mark of Cooperstown; an Aunt and godmother, Theresa Paluseo O’Leary of Stony Brook; a sister-in-law, Helen Palmer Paris of Avon, and two nephews, Jeremy William Paris and his wife Jill of Macedon, and Brenton Glen Paris and his wife Stacie of Gates.
No funeral services were held. Burial services will take place in May at the West Lowville Cemetery in West Lowville, New York. Please make donations in her name to the church, worship center, or Christian organization of your choice that honors the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3-26-10
Gordon D. Ostrander, 81; ‘The Syrup Guy’
SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Gordon D. Ostrander, 81 of Mesa, AZ (formerly of Springfield) passed away peacefully, Friday, March 12, 2010. He was born May 1, 1928, the son of Earl and Wollie Miller Ostrander of Van Hornesville where he went to school and graduated with the Owen D. Young class of 1946.
He then worked on the family farm on Summit Hill Road before joining the Army in 1951, serving in Germany until his discharge in 1953.
In 1954 he married Marlene Lybeck of White Plains N.Y. Gordy became a successful retail businessman providing for his family, while also coaching little league, being a volunteer fireman, a Town Justice and a school bus driver.
In 1958 he bought the Mobil Gas Station on the corner of routes 20 & 80 in Springfield from then on to be known as “Gordy’s Jiffy Service Station” as well as operating a Tastee Freeze ice cream place with his wife Marlene. Gordy sold a lot of different things on the corner from cantaloupes and maple syrup to Gravely lawn tractors and Arctic Cat snowmobiles. To be known as “ Gordy’s House of Cats.” In 1984 he sold the corner and moved with his wife to sunny AZ. Where he became a member of the American Legion and V.F.W.
Gordy lived a good and full life and accomplished many things, a few being, he was on the old version of Hollywood Squares with Peter Marshall and won a Broyhill dinning room set along with Rice-a-Roni.
He was also known as “The Syrup Guy” by the Hall of famer, Roy Campanella and his family. The reason why is because every year after the H.O.F. inductions, Mr. Campanella would stop by on his way out of town and buy a Quart of Fassetts maple syrup. When Gordy sold the station in 1984 this tradition continued with Gordy personally going to Cooperstown on induction weekend and hand delivering the syrup to Mr. Campanella, who looked forward to this yearly tradition. Even after Roys death, Gordy kept up his pilgrimage to Cooperstown and made sure Mrs. Campanella received the syrup until her passing.
While in Arizona, Gordy pursued a life-long passion of baseball and became a player on a 55-and-older senior softball team. He was very proud of his senior softball career, which over the years won him two world champion rings and three World Series rings and was by no means a small accomplishment, traveling all over the Country and Canada playing in tournaments up into his 70’s. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest, he will be greatly missed.
He was predeceased by his older brother Stanley and niece Sharon Gordon.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Marlene of Scottsdale, AZ; three sons, Ken and Debi of East Springfield, Dan and Annie of East Springfield, Bill and Kelly of Scottsdale; three grandchildren, Brandi of Oswego, and Breanna and Jacob both of East Springfield; one step grandchild, Andrea of Scottsdale; three step great grandchildren Cristian, Kelsy and Noah all of Scottsdale; nephews Rich, Lauren and John Ostrander and their families; and last but not least his very significant other Miss Janice Miller of Mesa, AZ.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 20 at the Ottman Funeral Home, 22 Church St. Cherry Valley with Rev. Alan Miller officiating.
Spring burial to take place in the Springfield Center Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.
3-26-10
Guy W. Amsden, 44; Bassett Director of Pharmacy Services, Father Of Two
COOPERSTOWN - Guy W. Amsden, a loving husband and father and beloved son and brother, died unexpectedly Monday morning, March 22, 2010, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. The Director of Pharmacy Services for Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown and Little Falls, he was 44.
Guy was born Feb. 17, 1966 in Willimantic, CT, a son of William B. and Elizabeth (Coles) Amsden of Stratham, NH. Raised in Latham, he graduated from Shaker High School and then attended Albany College of Pharmacy where he received a B. S. degree in Pharmacy. He later attended the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Pharmacy where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy.
On June 26, 1993, he married Jennifer Ann Potratz in Buffalo.
Guy was a registered pharmacist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Pharmacy, Inc. and was a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
During his career, he taught and was the author of many publications and book chapters in the field of infectious disease. He also received many grants for his research, was on the editorial boards for several journals and text books, and reviewed many manuscripts. He traveled the world presenting his research and sitting on many advisory boards.
Guy leaves behind his beloved wife, Jennifer Ann (Potratz) Amsden and their sweet children, Kyle W. Amsden and Katelyn M. Amsden, all of Cooperstown. In addition to his parents, he leaves two brothers, William D. Amsden and his wife Benita of Millbury, MA and Eric A. Amsden of Larkspur, CA; three nieces, Rachel Amsden, Hannah and Sophia Potratz and one nephew, Theodore Amsden; his wonderful in-laws, Sandy and Richard Potratz of Orchard Park; his sister-in-law, Valerie Potratz of Holland and brother-in-law, Mark Potratz of Raleigh, NC; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.
Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 26, when Guy’s family will be in attendance.
A funeral service will be offered at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 27, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating. Immediately following the service, all present are invited to join with the family for a time of refreshments, fellowship and sharing at St. Mary’s Parish Center, behind the church.
The Service of Committal and Burial will be private at Memory’s Garden Cemetery and Memorial Park in Albany with the Rev. John Phillippe, associate pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Funeral arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
3-26-10
Father Roman, Oneonta Pastor, Dean Of Otsego County Priests
The Rev. Paul A. Roman, who was dean of Otsego County Catholic priests while serving as pastor of St. Mary’s in 1989-2003 in Oneonta, died Monday, March 22. He was 73.
A diocesan priest for 38 years, Father Roman passed away at St. Peter’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Albany, after a long illness.
Paul Anthony Roman was born Jan. 15, 1937, in Albany, to Alexander and Frances (Kolakowska) Roman, the fourth child of 11 children.
He attended St. Casimir and St. Joseph’s Academy, and Philip Livingston and Albany high schools.
Before entering Mater Christi Seminary in 1962, he had served as a sergeant in the National Guard, and for the state Court of Claims and the Office of Audit and Control. He studied at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, was ordained in 1971 and assigned to St. James Church, Albany.
He became district director of religious education in Warren, then Fulton counties. He ministered at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Schenectady, and taught at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School there.
He was a pastor in Granville before his assignment to Oneonta, retiring from St. Mary’s in 2003 after a brief illness.
The funeral was planned at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Delmar. Calling hours were 4-8 p.m. the day before, also at St. Thomas. Burial was to follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.
3-19-10
Richard L. Scholet, 91; Furniture Store Founder
Richard L. Scholet, 91, former owner of Scholet’s Furniture, passed Monday, March 8, 2010, at Fox Hospital. He resided in Richmondville.
Born Feb. 11, 1919, in Ogdensburg, he was a son of Leo J. and Ethel (Haller) Scholet.
Mr. Scholet founded the furniture store in Cobleskill. He sold the company to his son, Arthur, in 1984.
A World War II Army veteran, he was active in the Cobleskill VFW and the American Legion Post 1261 and its color guard.
He was a member of the Cobleskill Exchange Club for over 60 years and former president, and a member of the Cobleskill Masonic Lodge.
Dick was active in the Salvation Army, the Christian Men’s Breakfast Group, First Church of Christ, Scientist in Oneonta, the Cobleskill Merchants Bureau, the Schoharie County Republican Party, and was past president of the Cobleskill Chamber of Commerce.
Active in the Boy Scouts for than 50 years, received the Silver Beaver Award.
Survivors include his wife, Jean, three children, sons Arthur and Thomas, and daughter Cosanne Schnerberger, a sister, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
3-19-10
Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85; World War II Veteran, Avid Traveler
ONEONTA – Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85, of Ballston Spa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at home supported by her loving family.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she was the daughter of Robert and Deborah Magruder. Mary grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Nottingham High School. Mary proudly served in the U.S. Navy WAVES during WWII in Washington D.C., where she achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class in the Intelligence Division. She married Percy “Tommy” Tompkins in 1947, and together enjoyed 62 years of love, family, friendship and travel.
For much of her adult life, she lived in the Otego and Oneontaarea, where she served as Past Matron of the Eastern Stars and Past President of the Otego Fireman’s Auxiliary, and was active in both the Otego and Oneonta Methodist Churches. Mary was co-owner of the Otego Hardware store for several years while at the same time assisted in managing the Town of Otego affairs as Town Clerk. For three years she and “Tommy” managed The Sidney Senior Village. Upon retiring, Mary and “Tommy” traveled the United States in their RV taking in all the sights and sounds of the country they both loved.
Mary was passionate about volunteering; she prepared meals at Oneonta’s Saturday’s Bread, and knitted blankets for premature babies. She enjoyed watching many sports and was often seen at local sporting events. Mary was recently active in the Malta Ridge Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens Association in Ballston Spa.
Mary is survived by her husband and best friend, Percy “Tommy” Tompkins, her five sons; James (Debra) of Rockwall, Texas, Kenneth (Jana) of Westminster, Colorado, Kevin (Joanne) of Quinton, Virginia, Bruce (Lorraine) of Manlius, N.Y., and Brian (Laurene) of Ballston Spa, N.Y., thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her sister Jane Anderson of Cummings, Georgia, and her brother John Magruder of Onondaga Hill, N.Y.
A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, March, 5, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
3-19-10
Mary V. Powell, 94; Family Woman
ONEONTA – Mary V. Powell died peacefully late Monday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2010 in the place she most loved – her home of 63 years at 18 Maple St., Oneonta.
Mary was born April 3, 1915 in Shalichi, Poland to Fyodor and Wiera (Zedick) Sakowich. At age 13 she traveled alone from Warsaw to New York to join her mother and stepfather, Phillip Pasko in Oneonta. Mary attended Mitchell Street School and went on to get her license as a hairdresser. She married Fred N. Powell on Nov. 23, 1946 in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta.
As a young woman Mary loved to draw. Later in life she used her artistic talent to create vibrantly colored hooked rugs and intricately crocheted tablecloths, curtains, table runners, and doilies. She loved to read and especially enjoyed putting old Tuco jigsaw puzzles together. Mary loved traveling the back roads around Oneonta and Cooperstown, and spending time at her daughter and son-in-law’s camp at Arnold Lake.
The greatest joy of Mary’s long life was her unconditional love of her family and the creation of a loving home. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. Mary was a lover of nature and enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels near her home. She had a green thumb and was frequently asked to restore health to ailing house plants.
Mary is survived by her five children: Mary, Rose Anne and husband, Bud Pirone, Betty, Chris, Fred and wife, Sue Powell; her grandchildren, Ana and Heather Powell; her beloved sister, Anna and husband, Donald Cooper; her niece, Mary-Anne Ross; her nephew, Phillip Cooper and his wife, Tina and their daughter Emily; her step-grandchildren, Patty Pirone (Orson Moon), Kim Baskin (Walter), and Mike Pirone; her step-great grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, and Sadie Baskin and Lila Pirone-Moon.
Mary was predeceased by her mother, father, stepfather, her brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, and her beloved husband of 47 years.
Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Rosary Society. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there Friday, Feb. 28.
3-19-10
Nellie C. Cole, 85; Former Chief Clerk Of Family Court
SIDNEY – Nellie C. Cole, 85, of Sidney, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at Bassett Hospital.
Nellie was born on Jan. 13, 1925 in Oneonta, the daughter of the late Clarence Joseph and Rose (Decker) Oliver. She married Irving W. Cole on October 14, 1944 in Oneonta. He predeceased her on Sept. 20, 1998.
Nellie grew up in the Oneonta area and graduated from the Oneonta High School, class of 1943. She obtained her AA Business Degree from the Delhi Agricultural and Technical College. She and her husband owned the former Buster Hyzer Dairy Farm. She worked for 25 years in Delhi, first as a Legal Secretary to the Honorable Richard H. Farley. Upon his election to a Delaware County Judgeship, she became Chief Clerk of the Family Court of the State of New York, a position she held until her retirement in 1987.
She was an avid quilter and has shown many of her quilts in area shows. She was an active member of the TriTown Piecemakers of Sidney and a member of the National Quilters Association. She was also a member of the Community Bible Church in Franklin and former member of the Women of the Moose #502 in Sidney. She was a volunteer for the Sidney Hospital Guild and the Delaware Valley Humane Society.
Nellie received many honors and awards. She was the Hospital Guild Volunteer of the Year in May, 2001, she was the Sidney First Lady of the Year in April 2003, she was the Republican Citizen of the Year 2007, was a member of the Delaware County and Sidney Republican Committees.
Nellie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Barry W. and Marie Cole of Sidney, Barbara Ritchey of Sidney and Janice and Donald Mushtare of Worcester, Massachussetts.
Nellie was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a brother, William Oliver.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5, at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, 625 Main St., Franklin with Rev. Robert Goldenberg, Pastor of the Circle Drive Alliance Church in Sidney, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
3-12-10
Anthony Roda, 70; SUNY Philosophy Professor
ONEONTA – Anthony Roda, professor of philosophy at SUNY Oneonta, passed away at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, N.Y. on Thursday, March 4, 2010. He was 70.
Dr. Roda was born in Fossato Jonico (Reggio Calabria), Italy. He is the son of Domenico Roda and Caterina Messineo. He moved to Jersey City, NJ in 1949 and was salutatorian at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ in 1959. He received his B.S. in Mathematics at Saint Peter’s College in 1962, his M.A. in Philosophy at Washington University in 1964, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy at Southern Illinois University in 1968.
He began teaching at SUNY Oneonta in 1967. During his tenure as professor of philosophy, he was involved in numerous organizations, received a variety of awards and had multiple publications.
Dr. Roda enjoyed the intellectual engagement with both students and faculty that teaching provided. He was fluent in Italian (writing, reading, and speaking) and possessed a deep knowledge of southern Italian culture and philosophy.
When he passed away, Dr. Roda was serving as Editor of the academic journal, Educational Change, a role he had performed for more than a decade.
He cared about the local community and involved himself in the Oneonta Italian American Club, serving as its president for several years.
Dr. Roda was a member of the American Philosophical Association, the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy, the Dante Society of America, the Institute for Vico Studies, and New York State Foundation of Education Association.
He is survived by his son, Michael Roda, of Albany, NY; his daughter, Mariah Roda, of New York, NY; and his sister, Teodora Salvemini, of Franklin Lakes, NJ.
He was predeceased by his son, Dominick Roda.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, in St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta. Interment will be in the spring in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Dr. Roda’s memory can be made to the College at Oneonta Foundation Scholarships, and mailed to the College at Oneonta Foundation, 308 Netzer Administration Building, SUNY College at Oneonta, Oneonta NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta. 3-12-10
Emily Harrington, 55; Worked At A.O. Fox, Astrocom Electronics, Daddy Al’s
SCHENEVUS – Emily Harrington, 55, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, Friday, March 5, 2010, after a three year battle with breast cancer.
She was born April 30, 1954, in Oneonta, the daughter of Ivan and Shirley (Palmer) Risley.
Emily was employed by A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Astrocom Electronics and Daddy Al’s. She enjoyed playing bingo, going to casinos, cooking and baking. Emily cared for everyone and was always doing for others.
She is survived by her sons, Gilbert Pidgeon of Oneonta and Donald and Angela Pidgeon of Davenport Center; two brothers, Larry and Pam Risley of Texas and Charles and Priscilla Risley of Virginia; her companion and love of her life, Charlie Bodden, of Schenevus; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; and her beloved cat, Karen.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Paul Pidgeon, and Stanley Harrington.
The funeral was at 8 p.m. on March 10 with the Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, officiating.
Interment in the Glenwood Cemetery will take place at later date.
Donations may be made to Breast Cancer Awareness at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
3-12-10
George VanCuren, 86; Received Purple Heart
ONEONTA – George VanCuren, 86, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
He was born Oct. 1, 1923, in Middleville, the son of Charles and Mabel (Skillen) VanCuren. George married Eleanor Scorzafava on June 29, 1945, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta. He was a United States Army Air Corps veteran. During World War II, his plane was shot down and George became a Prisoner of War for 11 months. He received a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and a POW Medal World War II.
George worked for the D&H Railroad and the United States Postal Service. He was a member of the Oneonta American Legion Post 259, the Oneonta VFW Post 1206 and the BPOE Elks Club No. 1312.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor VanCuren; two daughters, Linda Mercadante of Red Bank, N.J., and Denise Kane and Jeff Ouimet of Oneonta; grandchildren, James E. Kane III, Heather and Nels Anderson and Joel and Meredith Mercadante; sister, Dorothy Beams of Schenevus; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, William; sister, Edith Gaughan; brothers, Lawrence, Maurice and William VanCuren; a son-in-law, Eugene Mercadante.
The funeral service was at 1 p.m. on March 10 with the Rev. Keith VanDewerker, retired, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
3-12-10
Florence (Anne) H. Sprague, 79; Crossing Guard For 25 Years
MT HOLLY, NJ – Florence (Anne) H. Sprague, 79, of Fieldsboro, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Samaritan Inpatient Hospice, Mt. Holly, NJ.
Born in Long Island, NY, she was a former resident of Cooperstown, NY, before moving to Bordentown 30 years ago. She was employed as a crossing guard for 25 years with the Bordentown Police Department. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years Milton D. Sprague; devoted mother of Gary and his wife Doreen Sprague, Allen and his wife Liz Sprague Kathleen and her husband David Klein and Tim and his wife Melissa Sprague, 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; her sister Josephine Fenner; her very dear friends Diane and Ralph Bakkelid.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, March 9 at the Huber-Moore Funeral Home 517 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ 08505. Interment will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08060 or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 1332 North Halsted Street, Suite 201 Chicago, IL 60642
Arrangements are under the direction of Scott C. Larkin, Huber-Moore Funeral Home, Bordentown, NJ.
3-12-10
Donations In The Name Of Henry E. Ludlam
COOPERSTOWN – Donations in memory of Henry Ernest “Hank” Ludlam, of Cooperstown, may be made to the Town of Middlefield Historical Association, P.O. Box 348, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
3-12-10
Pearl Justice Ottman, 86; Wife, Homemaker, Girl Scout Leader
CHERRY VALLEY – Pearl Justice Ottman, 86, of Cherry Valley, NY passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at The Otsego Manor, Cooperstown,NY.
She was born on Jan. 12, 1924,in Manning, South Carolina to Luther and Lola (Braddock) Justice. She was predeceased by seven brothers and two sisters.
She graduated from Manning High School and went to work as a civilian secretary for the Army at Stark General Hospital in Charleston, SC. It was a debarkation hospital for casualties from overseas during WWII. She met her husband, Wayne, there. They were married and lived in Charleston before moving to Cherry Valley.
Pearl spent her life as a wife, homemaker, Girl Scout leader, room mother, wonderful aunt, grandmother, great friend, but most of all she was a mom. Her home was always full of food, fun, and love. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and watching her backyard birds. She and Wayne enjoyed traveling together on many trips and spending time with family and friends at their camp on Canadarago Lake. Pearl loved the ocean and a favorite destination was the beach in South Carolina. She had a wonderful life.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, J.L.Wayne Ottman, a daughter, Claire Ottman and a son, Christopher (Laura) Ottman , all of Cherry Valley,NY; a daughter, Deborah (Larry) Kelsen, of Cazenovia,NY; one brother, Carlisle (Ava) Justice of Manning,SC; grandchildren, Shane (Kristen) Kelsen of Jamesville,NY, Lauren Kelsen of Cazenovia and Livingston Ottman of Cherry Valley; several beloved nieces & nephews, grand nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and many friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her so dearly.
Calling hours will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, followed at 1 p.m. by a Memorial Service at The Ottman Funeral Home in Cherry Valley with Rev. Lyman Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Cherry Valley Memorial Library, PO Box 25, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
3-12-10
Martha Annett Taylor, 92; Raised Eight Children
COOPERSTOWN - Martha Annett Taylor, 92, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, March 7, 2010, at Otsego Manor in Cooperstown.
Affectionately known as Sue by her family and friends, she was born Feb. 6, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Cecil B. and Helen Bancroft Arnold Annett. Raised in Moorestown, New Jersey, Sue went on to attend the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont, from which she graduated in 1940 with a major in literature.
Soon after graduation, she married George Pearson Taylor, a friend of her older brother’s who fell in love with her kindness, fresh-faced beauty and sly sense of humor. They settled in Auburn, New York, but later moved to Sue’s native Moorestown, where they raised eight children - including two adopted from Korea - in a cheerfully hectic household.
Despite her demanding home life, Sue earned a master’s degree in education from Glassboro State College - now Rowan University - in Glassboro, New Jersey. She worked for decades as a remedial reading teacher in the Moorestown Public Schools, retiring in 1982.
Sue and her husband, George, moved that year to Beach Haven Park, New Jersey, where each summer they entertained a growing brood of grandchildren in a house three blocks from the ocean. Piano music filled their home on many a night - Mr. Taylor, an accomplished musician, played old standards on the piano while his wife and family sang along - as did abundant laughter.
The Taylors moved in 1991 to Deltona, Florida, following Sue’s beloved brother and sister-in-law, Cecil (Sam) and Dorothy Annett. Following her husband’s death in 2001, Sue returned to the Northeast - first to Seneca Falls, then to Cooperstown, to be near her oldest daughter, Nancy Goodnough, in 2005.
Sue loved children, animals, long walks, backyard picnics and tall glasses of iced tea. She was gregarious yet strikingly gentle, polite yet famously stubborn when she set her mind on a goal or took up a cause.
Most of all, she was abidingly loyal to her family, loving her children and grandchildren unconditionally and devoting her seemingly endless energy to their happiness. After an accident left one of her sons, Jonathan, paralyzed from the neck down in 1966, Sue was his most faithful companion until his death in 1980.
Sue is survived by her seven other children: Nancy T. Goodnough of Cooperstown, R. David Taylor and his wife, Carolyn, of Beach Grove, Indiana, George P. Taylor, Jr. of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Helen T. Young and her husband, Jay, of Seneca Falls, New York, Mark A. Taylor of Pinellas Park, Florida, Christopher Taylor of Cambridge, Vermont, and Jennifer T. Couture and her husband, Steven, of Fairview Heights, Illinois. She also leaves 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Dr. Robert W. Taylor, of Aurora, New York; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and son, Sue was predeceased by one son-in-law, C. Peter Goodnough, who died Feb. 20, 2002, and one brother, Cecil B. Annett, Jr.
The family will hold a memorial service in Moorestown, New Jersey, later this year.
Burial will be in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Moorestown, New Jersey, where Sue will be laid to rest with her husband, George.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Otsego Manor Serenity Place Activities Fund, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
3-12-10
Steven E. Haffner, 51; 24 Years As Case Supervisor For County
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Steven E. Haffner, 51, of State Highway 28, passed away Saturday morning, March 6, 2010, in his home after an extended illness. He had the support and comfort of his loving family at his side.
He was born April 15, 1958, in Herkimer, son of Eva Schanz Haffner and the late Emil Haffner. A lifelong Richfield Springs resident, he was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School. He furthered his education graduating from Clarkson University with a degree in industrial engineering.
For the past 24 years Mr. Haffner worked as a Case Supervisor for the Otsego County Department of Social Services in Cooperstown.
He was an honorably discharged member of both the United States Army and United States Navy Reserves and had served our country during the Gulf War, and was a member of the Richfield Springs Vets Club. On Nov. 10, 2008, he was united in marriage with Margaret Winnie in Las Vegas, Nev.
Steve will be remembered as a man who was always active. He had a strong love for the outdoors where he enjoyed hiking and camping. He was an avid runner and had participated in the Boiler Maker and the Adam Helmer Run. He was also a member of the Richfield Springs Golf League. As a true sports fan, he followed all football and baseball games when ever he could.
He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.
Surviving are his devoted wife, Margie; his mother, Eva Haffner; two sisters and their husbands, Monica and Richard Harris, and Ann and David Young, all of Richfield Springs; three stepchildren, Daniel Allison of San Mateo, Calif., Timothy Allison and his wife, Sanober of Chicago, Ill., and Carrie Seanor of Richfield Springs; a niece, Patty Smicinski and her husband, Bob of Johnstown; four nephews, Michael Harris of Big Clifty, Ky., Scott Harris of Richfield Springs, David Young and his wife, Tracy of Jordanville, and Brian Young and his wife, Jan of Westdale; and several cousins.
A celebration of life was held Wednesday March 10, in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs.
Interment will take place at a later time convenient to the family.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care .
or the charity of one’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
3-05-10
Mary V. Powell, 94; Family Woman
ONEONTA – Mary V. Powell died peacefully late Monday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2010 in the place she most loved – her home of 63 years at 18 Maple St., Oneonta.
Mary was born April 3, 1915 in Shalichi, Poland to Fyodor and Wiera (Zedick) Sakowich. At age 13 she traveled alone from Warsaw to New York to join her mother and stepfather, Phillip Pasko in Oneonta. Mary attended Mitchell Street School and went on to get her license as a hairdresser. She married Fred N. Powell on Nov. 23, 1946 in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta.
As a young woman Mary loved to draw. Later in life she used her artistic talent to create vibrantly colored hooked rugs and intricately crocheted tablecloths, curtains, table runners, and doilies. She loved to read and especially enjoyed putting old Tuco jigsaw puzzles together. Mary loved traveling the back roads around Oneonta and Cooperstown, and spending time at her daughter and son-in-law’s camp at Arnold Lake.
The greatest joy of Mary’s long life was her unconditional love of her family and the creation of a loving home. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. Mary was a lover of nature and enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels near her home. She had a green thumb and was frequently asked to restore health to ailing house plants.
Mary is survived by her five children: Mary, Rose Anne and husband, Bud Pirone, Betty, Chris, Fred and wife, Sue Powell; her grandchildren, Ana and Heather Powell; her beloved sister, Anna and husband, Donald Cooper; her niece, Mary-Anne Ross; her nephew, Phillip Cooper and his wife, Tina and their daughter Emily; her step-grandchildren, Patty Pirone (Orson Moon), Kim Baskin (Walter), and Mike Pirone; her step-great grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, and Sadie Baskin and Lila Pirone-Moon.
Mary was predeceased by her mother, father, stepfather, her brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, and her beloved husband of 47 years.
Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Rosary Society. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there Friday, Feb. 28.
3-05-10
Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85; World War II Veteran, Avid Traveler
ONEONTA – Mary Magruder Tompkins, 85, of Ballston Spa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at home supported by her loving family.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she was the daughter of Robert and Deborah Magruder. Mary grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Nottingham High School. Mary proudly served in the U.S. Navy WAVES during WWII in Washington D.C., where she achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class in the Intelligence Division. She married Percy “Tommy” Tompkins in 1947, and together enjoyed 62 years of love, family, friendship and travel.
For much of her adult life, she lived in the Otego and Oneontaarea, where she served as Past Matron of the Eastern Stars and Past President of the Otego Fireman’s Auxiliary, and was active in both the Otego and Oneonta Methodist Churches. Mary was co-owner of the Otego Hardware store for several years while at the same time assisted in managing the Town of Otego affairs as Town Clerk. For three years she and “Tommy” managed The Sidney Senior Village. Upon retiring, Mary and “Tommy” traveled the United States in their RV taking in all the sights and sounds of the country they both loved.
Mary was passionate about volunteering; she prepared meals at Oneonta’s Saturday’s Bread, and knitted blankets for premature babies. She enjoyed watching many sports and was often seen at local sporting events. Mary was recently active in the Malta Ridge Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens Association in Ballston Spa.
Mary is survived by her husband and best friend, Percy “Tommy” Tompkins, her five sons; James (Debra) of Rockwall, Texas, Kenneth (Jana) of Westminster, Colorado, Kevin (Joanne) of Quinton, Virginia, Bruce (Lorraine) of Manlius, N.Y., and Brian (Laurene) of Ballston Spa, N.Y., thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her sister Jane Anderson of Cummings, Georgia, and her brother John Magruder of Onondaga Hill, N.Y.
A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, March, 5, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
3-05-10
Nellie C. Cole, 85; Former Chief Clerk Of Family Court
SIDNEY – Nellie C. Cole, 85, of Sidney, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at Bassett Hospital.
Nellie was born on Jan. 13, 1925 in Oneonta, the daughter of the late Clarence Joseph and Rose (Decker) Oliver. She married Irving W. Cole on October 14, 1944 in Oneonta. He predeceased her on Sept. 20, 1998.
Nellie grew up in the Oneonta area and graduated from the Oneonta High School, class of 1943. She obtained her AA Business Degree from the Delhi Agricultural and Technical College. She and her husband owned the former Buster Hyzer Dairy Farm. She worked for 25 years in Delhi, first as a Legal Secretary to the Honorable Richard H. Farley. Upon his election to a Delaware County Judgeship, she became Chief Clerk of the Family Court of the State of New York, a position she held until her retirement in 1987.
She was an avid quilter and has shown many of her quilts in area shows. She was an active member of the TriTown Piecemakers of Sidney and a member of the National Quilters Association. She was also a member of the Community Bible Church in Franklin and former member of the Women of the Moose #502 in Sidney. She was a volunteer for the Sidney Hospital Guild and the Delaware Valley Humane Society.
Nellie received many honors and awards. She was the Hospital Guild Volunteer of the Year in May, 2001, she was the Sidney First Lady of the Year in April 2003, she was the Republican Citizen of the Year 2007, was a member of the Delaware County and Sidney Republican Committees.
Nellie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Barry W. and Marie Cole of Sidney, Barbara Ritchey of Sidney and Janice and Donald Mushtare of Worcester, Massachussetts.
Nellie was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a brother, William Oliver.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5, at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, 625 Main St., Franklin with Rev. Robert Goldenberg, Pastor of the Circle Drive Alliance Church in Sidney, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
2-26-10
Fred M. Quaif, 86; Veteran, Taught At SUNY Morrisville
SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Fred M. Quaif, 86, of Springfield Center, an Army veteran and teacher at SUNY Morrisville, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, Feb. 19, 2010.
He was born on May 27, 1923, in Cooperstown, son of the late William Quaif and Katherine Maxted Quaif. During World War II, he was an aircraft mechanic in the Army. Fred was educated at SUNY Oswego and taught Electrical engineering technology at SUNY Morrisville for over 20 years.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Mcshane Quaif, in July 2003. He is survived by three sons, Richard Quaif of Dryden, Steven Quaif of Westmoreland, and Roger Quaif of Springfield Center; a daughter, Trudy Quaif of Delmar; and two grandsons, Kevin Holmes and Andy Holmes, both of Delmar.
Funeral service and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Springfield Fire Department, P.O. Box 358, Springfield Center, NY 13468
Arrangements were with the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
2-26-10
Ellen Meehan White, 85; Richfield Springs Native
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Ellen Meehan White, 85, of Emmitsburg, Md., passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, with her family by her side.
She was born April 14, 1924, in Richfield Springs, the daughter of Frank and Sadie Horan Meehan. She worked in management for the Department of Defense at Fort Richie.
She was a loving mother to five children, Kristine Ellinger of McMinnville, Ore., James T. White and wife, Beth, of Lake George, Mary Ellen White of Walkersville, Robert A. White and wife, Jennifer, of Emmitsburg, and Marc S. White of Murrells Inlet, S.C. She is also survived by grandchildren and a brother in Las Vegas.
She was married to the late George O. White, who was in the service until his death in 1975.
During her lifetime, she traveled with their family to many interesting places including Alaska and Germany, where she learned to be a great cook. In 1969, she moved to Emmitsburg with her family.
Ellen was a history buff and loved to talk about politics. Her knowledge of history and political science made for interesting conversation among her family and friends. Ellen was a loving and giving person who enjoyed hours of conversation with anyone. She also loved to watch almost all sports events with her family.
She looked forward to family vacations in Lake George, McMinnville (near Mount Hood) and Pawley’s Island, S.C.
A memorial Mass was Friday, Feb. 19, at St. Anthony Shrine Parish with the Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, C.M. as celebrant.
She is laid to rest next to her husband and family in Richfield Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine’s Nursing Center, 331 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
Online condolences may be made to the family at MyersDurborawFH.com.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Ellen Meehan White, 85, of Emmitsburg, Md., passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, with her family by her side.
She was born April 14, 1924, in Richfield Springs, the daughter of Frank and Sadie Horan Meehan. She worked in management for the Department of Defense at Fort Richie.
She was a loving mother to five children, Kristine Ellinger of McMinnville, Ore., James T. White and wife, Beth, of Lake George, Mary Ellen White of Walkersville, Robert A. White and wife, Jennifer, of Emmitsburg, and Marc S. White of Murrells Inlet, S.C. She is also survived by grandchildren and a brother in Las Vegas.
She was married to the late George O. White, who was in the service until his death in 1975.
During her lifetime, she traveled with their family to many interesting places including Alaska and Germany, where she learned to be a great cook. In 1969, she moved to Emmitsburg with her family.
Ellen was a history buff and loved to talk about politics. Her knowledge of history and political science made for interesting conversation among her family and friends. Ellen was a loving and giving person who enjoyed hours of conversation with anyone. She also loved to watch almost all sports events with her family.
She looked forward to family vacations in Lake George, McMinnville (near Mount Hood) and Pawley’s Island, S.C.
A memorial Mass was Friday, Feb. 19, at St. Anthony Shrine Parish with the Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, C.M. as celebrant.
She is laid to rest next to her husband and family in Richfield Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine’s Nursing Center, 331 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
Online condolences may be made to the family at MyersDurborawFH.com.
2-26-10
Robert C. Gilchriest, 88; Naval Officer
COOPERSTOWN – Robert C. Gilchriest, 88, of Cooperstown, an Annapolis graduate and Naval officer during World War II died Friday Feb. 19, 2010. He was born on April 17, 1921 and grew up in Cooperstown. He graduated from Cooperstown High School, Class of 1939, and from the Naval Academy, Class of 1944. He served his country in the South Pacific in as an executive officer on a gunboat.
He married his high school sweet heart, Katherine Mary Bouton, in 1946. For 35 years, Robert worked as an engineering specialist at General Electric in Schenectady.
Robert was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, and is survived by their two children, Capt. Timothy Bouton Gilchriest, USN, and Mary Katherine Crimi; and five grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
2-26-10
Stewart T. Schantz, 84; Attorney Maintained Lake Street Home
COOPERSTOWN – Stewart Traver Schantz, 84, who owned a home on Lake Street for years, died Feb. 15, 2010, in Florida.He was born in Highland on Nov. 4, 1925, son of the late Philip and Edith Starrett Schantz.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Priscilla V Schantz; children Stewart T. and Siobhan Archard, two grandsons, Ryan T. and Connor J. Damon, and friend Owen T. Clark.
He was pre-deceased by daughter, Shelley Schantz, in 1998 in Richmond, Va.
Mr. Schantz attended Vassar College and graduated from Albany Law School. During World War II, he served in the Pacific and fought on Okinawa.
An attorney for over 50 years, he received multiple commendations for pro bono representation of indigent people. He was a member of the Dutchess, Ulster and Oneonta county bar associations, and the New York Trial Lawyers Association. He was president of the Ulster association in 1964-65.
He represented the Highland Fire District, the Town of Plattekill Zoning Board, the Highland School District, the Town of Lloyd Board of Assessment Review, the American Legion, the First National Bank of Highland as general counsel and the First National Bank of Rhinebeck as legal representative to the Highland area.
He was a director of the First National Bank of Highland for 25 years and the First Empire State Corp. for 10 years.
He was a member of the state Committee on Professional Standards, Third Judicial Department, for three years and chairman for one term.
He was also on the board of the Poughkeepsie Day School and president for two years, as well as a past board member of the Millbrook School.
Burial is private and at the convenience of the family.
Gifts may be made to The Ascension Church of West Park, NY 12493 or the Suncoast Hospice, Clearwater, Fla.
2-26-10
Harry J. Baldo, 91; 42 Years As Mail Carrier
ONEONTA – Harry J. Baldo, 91, of Oneonta, passed away on Friday Feb. 19, 2010, at the Fox Hospital Nursing Home.He was born Sept. 2, 1918, in Meredith, the son of Jesualdo and Marguerite (Dragona) Baldo. He married Isabel Goodwin on Sept. 19, 1938, and she passed away on March 2, 2004.
For a period 42 years, Harry was a local mail carrier. He retired as a command sergeant major with the National Guard after serving 30 years.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, and a former member of the BPOE Lodge #1312. For many years he prepared tax returns for the elderly and was a guard at the Neahwa Park Skating Pond.
He loved music and dancing and enjoyed playing the guitar and piano. Harry taught a snowmobile safety course, as well as being an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his grandchildren, Michael (Sharon) Baldo, Debbie (Jim) Rathbun, David Baldo, Charlie (Carrie) Baldo, Robert Henderson, Dawn Henderson; his great grandchildren, Tanya, David, Jr., and Kevin Baldo, Jennifer and Shane Quackenbush; and two great great grandchildren, Tyler and Kaylee.
He is also survived by two sisters, Della Shutters and Elizabeth Muller, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his two sons, Harry J. Baldo, Jr. and George A. Baldo; two brothers Pasquo and Suli Baldo and his sister, Anne Mackey.
The Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
2-26-10
Edith Bulson, 102; Travelled Widely, Then Settled Locally
WORCESTER – Edith (Krejci) Bulson, 102, of Worcester, passed away Feb. 15, at Bassett Hospital following a short illness. Edith was born to Milo and Hildegard Johnson Krejci in Great Falls, Mont., on April 19, 1907.
After spending her early years in Montana where her father was a metallurgist with the Anaconda Copper Company, Edith’s family moved to Chicago, Cleveland, back to Great Falls and, in 1923, to New Jersey where she graduated in 1925 from South Orange and Maplewood (N.J,) High School. Edith then enrolled in Barnard College in New York City, graduating in 1929 with a degree in biology.
Following a brief period working for the Cornell Medical College at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Edith, her sister and mother relocated to Uppsala, Sweden while her father worked in Russia for two years as one of the American metallurgical experts assisting in one of Stalin’s Five Year Plans. While in Sweden, she furthered her education at the University of Uppsala.
In late 1932, the middle of the Great Depression, the family returned to the United States to a recently purchased and renovated family home in Decatur. Thanks to this move, she met the love of her life, Emmons B. Bulson of Worcester, whom she married in 1937. For the remaining 72 years of Edith’s life, her home was the house which she and Emmons purchased in 1938.
Until well into her nineties, Edith continued furthering her knowledge of the world around her by auditing courses at Hartwick College. She was an avid reader and, until recently, devoured the New York Times cover to cover and frequently worked the crossword puzzles. She wrote short poems for family and friends celebrating their significant events, enjoyed traveling, doted on her pet cat and to the end loved to eat dessert – especially chocolate. One of the many highlights of her life was attending her 75th college reunion and telling the 2004 graduates what college life in New York City was like for a woman in the 1920s.
Edith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Worcester, the Worcester Women’s Club, the Worcester Community Chorale and the Glimmerglass Opera Guild.
Edith was predeceased by her sister Laura in 1990, her husband Emmons in 1991, and a nephew, Steven Milavec, in 2007.
Survivors include her two children, Christine Bulson of Worcester, with whom she made her home, and Albin (Antoinette) Bulson of Dunnellon, Fla.; two granddaughters, Diana (Mark) Degon of North Attleboro, Mass., and Suzanne Bulson of Boston; two great-granddaughters, Emily and Haley Degon; family friend George Harrington of Morris, and a niece and nephew, Cynthia (James) Seward of Milford and Bruce (Sandra) Milavec of Oneonta.
A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Worcester with a reception following at the Worcester Inn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Worcester Emergency Squad.
2-19-10
Cooperstown Mourns ‘Biggest Cheerleader,’ Stu Taugher, Mayor, Fireman, EMS Founder
St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church was packed, and all aspects of Stu Taugher’s life were represented.
The father: His five daughters was pallbearers and had roles in the service.
The public servant: Mayor Carol B. Waller praised his dedication of time – “something we give freely, something we cannot get back” – during his years of public service, as mayor, county representative and village trustee.
The fireman: A former fire chief, president of the fire company and founder of the EMT squad, his dress hat was on the coffin. The 1952 Mack pumper that transported the coffin stopped at the Chestnut Street firehouse, where the siren was sounded in commemoration.
The Irishman: A bagpiper played, and Ron Johnson sang “Danny Boy.”
The man of faith: A lifelong member of St. Mary’s, “he has seen many Lents and now he is enjoying Easter,” said Father John P. Rosson, pastor, during the homily at the Saturday, Feb. 13, funeral mass.
“He was the grand marshal of Cooperstown,” Father Rosson later reflected. “He was always its greatest cheerleader.”
Stuart Patrick Taugher, 87, passed away Wednesday morning, Feb. 10, 2010, at Otsego Manor.
Born March 22, 1922, a son of Patrick and Margaret (Doran) Taugher, he was raised on the family farm in Pierstown with three brothers and two sisters; only one sibling, Mrs. Eileen T. Goodenow, 89, of New Hartford, survives.
At first, the family milked 25 Holsteins, but then got into cauliflower. Throughout his high school years, he remembered in a 2007 interview, he would drive to New York City produce markets twice a week, beginning as early as possible in the spring to get a jump on the Long Island farmers.
He graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1940; his future wife, Josephine Coleman, known as Jodie, was in the Class of 1943. Because two of his brothers were already in the Armed Forces, Stu, the youngest, and his oldest brother were barred from the military.
Stu and Josephine married on Nov. 24, 1945, and as he got into business – he was Allstate Insurance’s agent in Cooperstown for 39 years – the Taughers began their family at their Maple Street home.
In the fire department, he soon moved into a leadership position. In addition to deploying the crews when The Freeman’s Journal building at Main and Pioneer burned in 1962, he battled blazes that took out Wood’s dry cleaners, (site of T.J.’s today), and the Red & White grocery.
What he most remembered were the human tragedies. He carried a baby who succumbed to smoke inhalation out of a home on Irish Hill, and an 8-year-old boy out of a second-floor apartment in Oaksville.
“That’s one of the saddest things you can get involved in,” he said in the interview.
In 1969, Taugher and then-Fire Chief Malcolm Root – faced with the likelihood Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital would give up its ambulance service – convinced the department to sponsor an emergency squad. Nine men volunteered and spent 51 hours over the winter training. The squad completed its first successful call on July 4, 1970.
By then, Taugher had accepted elective office: In 1967, after 35 years of GOP dominance, he was elected mayor on the Union ticket. The streetlights that still illuminate Main Street were installed during his term.
He then ran for the new county Board of Representatives, becoming the first representative from the Town of Otsego (District 8), a position he held for the next 10 years.
At the end of 1969, even before he took office, he was designated to go to Albany with Guy Rathbun of Morris, the Republican chairman of the board, to work through the transition from a 19-member supervisors’ board to the new 14-member body.
During his tenure, he was proud to be the first Democrat to become chairman of a standing committee in county government.
In 1979, he left the county board and had a short hiatus from elective office, although he continued to be active in the fire department and ambulance squad. Soon, however, he answered the call again and returned to the village board. That stint, it turned out, would last almost a quarter-century.
One of Trustee Taugher’s memorable phrases, recalled Giles Russell, who served with him on the village board, was, “How’s this going to effect the good people of Cooperstown?”
He was especially proud of many positive changes in the village during his terms of office, when the new water plant was completed and the new reservoir dedicated in his honor.
A proud and supportive father, Stuart was also involved with his daughters’ education, and when the newly built Cooperstown Elementary School opened on Walnut Street in September 1955, he served as the first president of the Parent Teachers’ Association.
St. Mary’s communicants from those days would look forward to seeing the tall father entering the church every Sunday – he never missed a one – with his wife and five daughters following him in single file to the “Taugher pew.”
All the daughters received Clark Foundation scholarships, a source of pride and appreciation throughout Taugher’s life.
At St. Mary’s, Stuart served for many years as an usher. He was a past member of the former Leatherstocking Council, No. 1879, Knights of Columbus.
In his private life, Stuart always enjoyed digging in the dirt, especially on his land in Pierstown, and will be remembered by many for his well-tended and productive flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Surviving are his five daughters, Karen M. Taugher of Utica, Patricia T. Schultz of Fly Creek, Marcia Pugliese and her husband, Stephen, of Pierstown, and Jacqueline Ruck and her husband, Richard, and Colleen Sheldon and her husband, Scott, all of Milford, Pa. (Jacqueline and Colleen are twins); 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; his sister Eileen; a brother-in-law, Charles A. Coleman, Jr. and his wife, Dolores, of Cooperstown; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Carol Coleman of Glen Burnie, Md., and Morganna Garbera and her husband, Michael, of Richfield Springs; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Jody; three brothers, Gregory, Ogden and Reginald Taugher; one sister, Patricia A. Taugher; two brothers-in-law, Frederick Goodenow and Roger A. Coleman; and one sister-in-law, Jane A. Reich.
The service of committal and burial will take place later this spring in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.
As an alternative to flowers, it is suggested by the family that contributions be made to Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326, Cooperstown Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
In 2007, Chuck Coleman encapsulated his brother-in-law this way: “He was a pillar of the fire department. He was a pillar of the village board. He was a pillar of the county. He has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve known. He deserves all the accolades he can get.”
2-19-10
Marjorie V. Ludecker, 80; Tireless Volunteer
COOPERSTOWN – Marjorie V. Ludecker, 80, of Cooperstown, who retired to Otsego County in 1990, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, at Bassett Hospital following a short illness. Born Aug. 30, 1929, in New York City, she was one of three daughters of Patrick J. and Margery (Mackey) McEntegart. At a young age she moved with her family to Great Neck, where she was raised. On Oct. 8, 1955, she was married to Emil J. Ludecker at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Great Neck by her uncle, the Archbishop Brian McEntegart. Emil and Marge thereafter lived and raised their family in West Nyack.
She was employed for many years as a social worker by the Rockland County Department of Social Services in child protective services.
For many years the family spent free time at their farm on Winnie Hollow Road in the Town of Roseboom and, after her retirement in 1990, moved permanently to the farm. Following Emil’s death in 2001, Marge moved to Lakeland Shores in the Village of Cooperstown.
In keeping with her strong Christian faith and her need to help others, Marge was an active and tireless volunteer in her church and community. She was an active member of the Altar Guild and served as a eucharistic minister for her church, St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake.” She also volunteered many hours at Meals on Wheels and at Bassett Hospital and, prior to that, for many years at Bernstein House, a half-way house for previously institutionalized individuals.
In her free time, she especially enjoyed playing bridge, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, doing crossword puzzles and reading.
Survivors include two sons: Michael Ludecker, his wife Sherry and their four children, Daniel, Vanessa, Andrew and Paige of Piney Flats, Tenn., and James Ludecker, his wife Suzanne and their two daughters, Kristen and Megan of Florida, N.Y.
Also her two sisters, Patricia Murphy of Syosset, and Jane Dooher of Camilus, as well as by three close cousins, Mary Welch, Eileen McEntegart and Katie McEntegart, many nieces and nephews, and by her many church, community and bridge playing friends.
Friends are invited to pay their respects 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, when the family will be in attendance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church with Marge’s cousin, Father Peter Worn, pastor of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Cazenovia, and Father John P. Rosson, St. Mary’s pastor, co-officiating.
Burial will occur in the spring in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, one of the many charities she supported.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
2-19-10
Ida Lee, Age 101
COOPERSTOWN – Mrs. Ida Lee, 101, formerly of Hartwick and Cooperstown, died Wednesday morning, February 10, 2010, at the Ross Home for Adults in the Town of Maryland.There will be no services, and burial will be private later this spring in Hartwick Cemetery.
The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting with arrangements.
2-19-10
Marian K. Yerdon, 73; Retired From Meadows
CHERRY VALLEY – Mrs. Marian K. Yerdon, 73, who retired from The Meadows, the Otsego County nursing facility, after 32 years, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.She was born June 3, 1936, in Jefferson, the daughter of Peter (predeceased) and Nellie (Rivenburgh) Bouck.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Raymond F. Yerdon Sr.; her mother, Nellie Bouck of Cherry Valley; three sons, Raymond Yerdon Jr., Cooperstown, Tim Yerdon and his wife Birdy, Richfield Springs, and Michael Yerdon, Schenectady; a daughter, Cindy Borchert, and her husband Daniel, Cherry Valley; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Yerdon, Middlefield, 11 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren; three brothers, Joe Bouck and his wife Star, Leonard Bouck and his wife Carol, and Willard Bouck and his wife Linda; a sister, Shirley Beaulieu and her husband Milt, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Marian was predeceased by a son, Ricky A. Yerdon, on June 0, 2008; a grandson, Adam S. Yerdon, on Aug. 3, 1998, and a brother, James Bouck on Sept. 28, 2005.
The funeral was Monday, Feb. 15, at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Memorial contributions may be made to Raymond Yerdon, P.O. Box 345, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.
Arrangements were with the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
2-19-10
Jarrod Parker Graves, 30; Avid Yankee Fan
ONEONTA – Jarrod Parker Graves, 30, of Oneonta passed away on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.He was born on April 9, 1979 in Brooklyn, the son of Gerard Graves and Donna (Morrison) La Martina. He married Crystal Murch on Sept. 16, 2009 in Oneonta.
Jarrod attended Oneonta High School and was currently employed with American Blade in Oneonta.
He was an avid Yankee fan. He also enjoyed basketball and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Crystal G. Graves of Oneonta; his father Gerard Graves of Oneonta ; his daughter, Mackenzie Rae Graves of Laurens; his sister, Jacqueline Graves of Oneonta; his mother, Donna and stepfather, John La Martina of Ocala, Florida.
He is also survived by his grandmother, Beverly Exter of Tampa, Florida and several aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous loving friends.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta at which time the family will be in attendance. A time of sharing and reflecting on Jarrod’s life will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mackenzie Rae Graves College Fund, c/o John La Martina, 11284 Southwest 139th Place, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
2-19-10
Dorothy Bohm, 79; Loved Black Cats
ONEONTA - Dorothy M. Bohm, 79, of Oneonta, passed away Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at her home. Born March 30, 1930, in Oneonta, she was the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Huff) Bohm.
Dorothy worked for Homer Folks until they closed and then went to work for the City of Oneonta, as a secretary to the Personnel Director until her retirement.
She loved cats, especially black cats, and making people smile. She had a sharp wit and everyone who knew her enjoyed her stories and jokes.
She is survived by her special lifetime friend, Grace Speranzi and family. Grace’s family was her family. She is also survived by a cousin, Clara Rosa and family.
Friends may call at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. A memorial service will be held immediately following at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Mel Farmer, pastor of River Street Baptist Church, officiating.
Burial will take place in the spring in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are being handled by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
2-19-10
Dorothy Mary Douglass, 98; Retired From Fox Hospital
ONEONTA _ Dorothy Mary Douglass passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at A.O. Fox Nursing Home where she had resided since June 2002. Previously she had lived at 14 West St., Oneonta, for over 60 years. The daughter of Nellie and Moses D. Bomhower, she was born in Beverly, Mass., on Oct. 6, 1911.
Dorothy had worked at Bresee’s Health Bar and Karmelkorn prior to working at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in the Admitting Office and in the Business Office. She retired from Fox Hospital in 1976, and worked part-time at Cop-Ease Print Shop from 1977 to 1991.
Dorothy was an active member of the Atonement Lutheran Church where she served as treasurer for several years. She was a past member of the Oneonta Business Women’s Club.
Survivors include her children, Gary Hartman of Syracuse, Beverly (Gene) Redding of Olathe, Kan., Diane (Lee) Van Houten of Cortland, and Patricia (Victor) Colucci of Brooklyn.
Dorothy was predeceased by grandson, Gregory Waterman in 2003; and daughter-in-law, Joanne Gage Hartman in January 2009.
She is survived by seven grandchildren, Jeffrey (Laurie) Hartman of Syracuse, David (Beth) Waterman of Mulberry, Fla., Jeremy Waterman of Kansas City, Mo., Mark (Tammy) Waterman of Gardner, Kan., Matthew (Amanda) Van Houten of Ithaca, Joshua (Cori) Van Houten of Wallingford, Conn., and Nolan (Barbara) McAdams of Big Rapids, Mich. Ms. Douglass is survived by 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
The funeral service was begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Atonement Lutheran Church. Dorothy’s final resting place will be Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Contributions may be directed to the Atonement Lutheran Church or A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital Memorial Fund.
2-19-10
David C. Yager, 64; Amphenol Machinist For 28 Years
ONEONTA – David C. Yager, 64, of Oneonta, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at M.I. Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. He was born May 16, 1945, in Susquehanna, Pa., the son of the late Raymond and Evelyn (Markel) Yager.
David proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
On Aug. 28, 1999, David married Kathryn Cornish in Oneonta.
David was a machinist at Amphenol in Sidney for 28 years. In his early years, he owned a body shop and was an excellent mechanic. He could fix anything and was always tinkering. His current project was his 1932 Chevy Confederate pick up that he was restoring.
David was currently a member and the Vice President of the Oneonta RC Flyers, a member of the Mid State Antique Stock Car Racing (he was the driver of the No. 3.) In the 1960s and 1970s he drove at local race tracks. He was also a member of the Laurens Masonic Lodge and the Tri-Valley Riding Club.
He was an avid hunter. He enjoyed camping especially the campfires at night; playing cards, golfing, NASCAR (his favorite driver was the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.,) anything to do with trains, planes and automobiles; cooking; playing guitar in a band, but most of all, David enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
David is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Yager; four children, Barbara Frederick and grandchildren, TJ and Autumn, David and Pauline Yager and grandchildren, Steven and Meagan, Daniel and Kerry Yager and Dawn Yager; stepdaughter, Holly and Ben Doty and grandchildren, Kyle and Madeline; one brother, Richard (Sara) Yager; one sister, Sharon (Phil) Cook; father-in-law, Howard Cornish; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Brian Cornish and Maria Carr; sisters-in-law, Carol (Larry) Kessler and Janice Eichler; two aunts, Peggy Freeland and Florence Yager; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Barbara and Ed Haney and Gail Finch; one brother, Donald Yager; and mother-in-law, Mary Cornish.
Calling hours were Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, in the funeral home with Betsy Jay, Chaplain at M.I. Bassett Hospital, officiating. Memorial donations in David’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, Central Region, 120 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
2-12-10
Lera A. Russell, 78; Traveled World, But Always Came Home To Schuyler Lake
SCHUYLER LAKE – Mrs. Lera A. Russell, a long-time resident of Schuyler Lake, died Monday morning, Feb. 1, 2010, at the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home in Ilion. She was 78.Born May 11, 1931, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of Arel M. and Helena (Wilbur) Johnson.
A graduate of Schuyler Lake High School, Lera spent most of her life in the village and devoted her life to raising and caring for her family. For many years she was a member of the Schuyler Lake Universalist Church (The Old Stone Church), a place of worship that her mother faithfully tended during her lifetime.
Throughout her life Lera traveled the world, but she always enjoyed returning home to the family homestead in Schuyler Lake. She was a kid at heart, and possessed a wonderful collection of Mickey Mouse memorabilia, as well as many Teddy Bears and dolls. She also liked to listen to country western music, and was a big fan of Ronnie Smith and Willie Nelson.
Towards the end of her life here on earth, it was Lera’s wish to die at home, where her father and mother had passed in 1965 and 1988. In the end, her wish was at least partly realized, for during the afternoon hours of Feb. 1st, she came home one last time and lay in state in the front parlor of the family homestead.
Lera is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Russell of Idaho and Christine Russell of Oklahoma; one son, John R. Russell of Schenectady; four grandchildren, Amy and Lisa and Christopher and Jessica; three great grandchildren, Kayla, Jenna and Josie; and a companion, Charles DeCarr of Oxford.
Lera is further survived by five cousins, who, as an only child, she treated like her own brothers and sisters: Wilbur I. Biedekapp and his wife, Cindy, of Hancock, Mrs. Elinor Budine of Nichols, Mrs. Betty Jean Bell and her husband, Harry, of Delhi, Richard Wilbur and his wife, Sylvia, of Downsville, and Mrs. Virginia Quinn and her husband, Ronald, of Walton.
A funeral service was offered at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. George Budine, a family member and Presbyterian Lay Pastor, officiating.
Lera’s family received friends at the funeral home Friday afternoon one hour prior to the service.
The Service of Committal and Burial will take place later this spring in the Schuyler Lake Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
2-12-10
John Lynch, Jr., 81; Worked At Oneonta Consolidated School
BLUFFTON, S.C. – John M. Lynch, Jr., 81, of Bluffton, South Carolina and formerly of Oneonta, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 in Georgia.John was born March 6, 1928 in East Meadow, Long Island, New York, the son of John M, Sr. and Mary (Wolf) Lynch. On Sept. 23, 1950, John was married to Clara Bellows.
He proudly served in the United States Army, enlisting in 1945 and was stationed in Japan.
Until his retirement, John worked for many years at the Oneonta Consolidated School as the superintendent of grounds and maintenance.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Clara Lynch; his son, Gary John Lynch and his wife Deb; and his daughter, Barbara Werdann and her husband Frank.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Melissa Brockway and her husband Randy, Kristin Werdann, Brennan, Collin, Zachary, and Adam Lynch; his great granddaughter, Taryn Brockway; his two brothers, Howard and Edward Lynch; and his sister, Theresa Freiberger.
John was predeceased by his son, Douglas Lynch; his mother and father, Mary and John; and his sister, Margaret Tilton.
Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
2-12-10
Jeanne S. Bryden, 82; Archived Maps For City
ONEONTA – Jeanne S. Bryden, 82, of Oneonta, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at the Otsego Manor Nursing Home in Cooperstown.Jeanne was born on July 7, 1927 at Parshall Hospital in Oneonta, the daughter of the late G. Frank and Florence A. (Fisher) Slawson. She married Lauren “Steve” Bryden of Franklin in 1944. They divorced in 1982.
Jeanne grew up in North Franklin on the family farm on Sleepy Hollow now Slawson Road. She lived most of her life in Franklin before moving to Oneonta.
She worked as a partner on the family farm until her 50’s, when she returned to school for training as a medical secretary. She worked for several years at the Delaware County Infirmary (now Countryside Care Center) and then at the skilled nursing unit at The Hospital in Sidney.
After living in Florida for a short period, she returned to the Oneonta area, working for the City of Oneonta for many years as a File Clerk working to archive many old maps and documents. She also worked for the Department of Labor before retiring.
Jeanne was a member of the Aldrich Baptist Church in North Franklin, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Nader Towers Residents Association where she served as treasurer.
Her hobbies included reading, traveling, and needlework. She enjoyed spending time with her family.
Jeanne is survived by her children, Thomas W. (Michele) Bryden of South New Berlin, Ronald L. (Paula) Bryden of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Doris J. (Art) Hughes of Johnson City and Penny E. (Christopher) Tremain of Otego.
She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Taryn (Bill) Hubbard, Heather (Chris) Bryden-Golliver, Dawn Bryden, Trevor Bryden, Steven Bryden, Steven Michalovic, Teresa Michalovic, Colleen Michalovic, Tyler Tremain and Kailee Tremain; her sister, Jeanette Bradshaw of Scotia, New York; her brother, Larry Slawson of New Jersey; her great grandsons, Owen and Braden; and a special former son-in-law, Henry Michalovic.
Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, G. Frank and Florence Slawson; her siblings, Laverne Slawson, Cora Lewis Belden, Frances Dahlberg, George Slawson, Lynn Slawson, Cliff Slawson and Ralph Slawson.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, in the Aldrich Baptist Church, North Franklin with Patricia Judd, officiating.
There will be no calling hours and a private family interment will be held in the spring at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin.
2-5-10
Phyllis (Hebbard) Adair O’Connell
ONEONTA – Phyllis (Hebbard) Adair O’Connell, 64, of West Milford, N.J., and formerly of Oneonta, passed away on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, surrounded by loved ones.
She was born on June 6, 1945, in Delhi, the daughter of Herbert and Pauline (Palmer) Hebbard. She grew up on the Meadowbrook Farm in Davenport and attended Charlotte Valley Central School, where she graduated in 1963.
She married Eugene Adair on June 5, 1965, and eventually settled in Oneonta, where Phyllis was a member of the United Methodist Church and active in the Jayncees. She enjoyed bowling, golf and bridge. In addition to raising their three children, Phyllis and Gene opened their home to several foster children. Gene passed away suddenly in 1975.
Phyllis married Jack O’Connell on June 17, 1978, moving to Franklin Lakes, N.J., in 1981. Phyllis collected antiques, even owning and operating a small shop. She began working in the banking business in 1984.
At the time of her death, she worked in the commercial lending department at Lakeland Bank in Oak Ridge, NJ.
Survivors include three children in New Jersey, five step children, six grandchildren, and her mother and an aunt in Davenport.
The funeral was Feb. 3 at the United Methodist Church, Davenport, with the Revs. Nancy Russell and Martha Vink, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Davenport Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
She was born on June 6, 1945, in Delhi, the daughter of Herbert and Pauline (Palmer) Hebbard. She grew up on the Meadowbrook Farm in Davenport and attended Charlotte Valley Central School, where she graduated in 1963.
She married Eugene Adair on June 5, 1965, and eventually settled in Oneonta, where Phyllis was a member of the United Methodist Church and active in the Jayncees. She enjoyed bowling, golf and bridge. In addition to raising their three children, Phyllis and Gene opened their home to several foster children. Gene passed away suddenly in 1975.
Phyllis married Jack O’Connell on June 17, 1978, moving to Franklin Lakes, N.J., in 1981. Phyllis collected antiques, even owning and operating a small shop. She began working in the banking business in 1984.
At the time of her death, she worked in the commercial lending department at Lakeland Bank in Oak Ridge, NJ.
Survivors include three children in New Jersey, five step children, six grandchildren, and her mother and an aunt in Davenport.
The funeral was Feb. 3 at the United Methodist Church, Davenport, with the Revs. Nancy Russell and Martha Vink, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Davenport Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
Helen E. “Lizzy” Kiser
COOPERSTOWN – Helen E. “Lizzy” Kiser, died Sunday morning, Jan. 31, 2010, at Bassett Hospital shortly after telling her family that she was ready to “leave this earth to be with the angels.” She was 85.
Helen was born Jan. 7, 1925, in Brooklyn, one of five children of Rudolph and Helena (Radke) Platt.
On Dec. 31, 1944, she married Arthur H. Kiser Sr., and shortly thereafter they moved to and made their home in the Cooperstown/Milford area purchasing their current home on State Highway 166 in the Town of Middlefield in 1949.
She was an accomplished seamstress and worked for many years doing tailoring at the Smart Shop in Cooperstown. She was an avid quilter and had many friends in local quilting and sewing circles. She was also an avid reader and shopper. She enjoyed striking a good bargain.
She was also a great lover of flowers. It was said of her that “she loved flowers of virtually all types … except white.” As much as she enjoyed her various activities and interests, however, her first devotion and love was for her family for whom she never could do enough.
Helen is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Arthur H. Kiser Sr., of Cooperstown; their six children, Arthur Kiser Jr., (Lori) of Cooperstown, Nancy Kiser (Joe Feola) of Cooperstown, Susan Georgia (Charles “Buddy”) of Walla Walla, Wash., Teresa Ann Kiser of Cooperstown, Richard Rudolph Kiser (Lori) of Apalachin, and Timothy Kiser (Tara) of the Milford area, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Helen will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at the Milford United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Rose Bellun, pastor of the Westville United Methodist Church, officiating.
Arrangements are with Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
1-29-10
Burton Henry Sheldon II, 98; Never Lost Love Of Farming
WEST ONEONTA – Burton Henry Sheldon II, 98, who throughout his teaching career continued his interest in the family farm, passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2010, after a brief illness.
He was born on March 15, 1911, near the end of the horse-and-buggy era. He and his sister Katherine used to ride their ponies the one mile to elementary school in West Oneonta and later traveled by trolley to secondary school in Oneonta.
Burton’s father wanted him to be a lawyer, so he graduated with a B.A. degree in political science from Hartwick College in 1935. However, he obtained a teaching certificate from the Oneonta Normal School in 1936 and spent most of his teaching career, until retirement, as a junior high science teacher at the Draper School in Schenectady. He derived great pleasure over the years from his active participation as an alumnus.
Burton learned the love of farming from his parents, was active in 4-H and showed sheep at local, state and international fairs as a youth. Even while teaching out of the area, he returned to West Oneonta on weekends and summers to oversee the running of the family farm. Until just a few years ago, he continued to care for the farm and a small herd of Cheviot sheep.
Burton’s Christian faith was an important part of his life and he was a longtime member of the West Oneonta Baptist Church.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dora, and his sisters and their husbands, Mabel and Harrison Straight and Katherine and Richard Turrell.
Survivoes include nieces and nephews, Thomas (Christie) Moseley, Jim (Donna) Moseley, Elizabeth (Thomas) Quest, Marjorie (Joseph) Julian, Robert (Rusty) Turrell, Josephine Kenyon, John (Joyce) Turrell, Virginia (Timothy) Wetherbee, Ruth (Warren) Smith and Richard (Rhonda) Turrell; as well as their children and grandchildren.
The family gives special thanks to Dr. Ronald Zerbe for being a good friend to Burton, and to the staff at Fox Nursing Home for the care they gave him.
The funeral was Saturday, Jan. 23, at West Oneonta Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the church at Box 224, West Oneonta, NY 13861.
The Bookhout Funeral Home handled arrangements
1-29-10
Ruth E. Chamberlin Gomiller, 82; 32-Year Nurse’s Aide At Meadows
MILFORD – Ruth E. Chamberlin Gomiller, a nurse’s aide for 32 years at the Otsego County Home & Infirmary, and then The Meadows, passed on Friday evening, Jan. 22, 2010, at Bassett Hospital, after a brief illness.
She was 88, just four days shy of her 89th birthday.
Ruth was born Jan. 26, 1921, at Dog Hill Farm in the Town of Maryland. A daughter of Glenn Chamberlin and Jessie Mae Stickles Chamberlin, Ruth was only 7 when her mother died of tuberculosis.
Ruth attended school in Maryland, then at Oneonta High School when it was on Academy Street.
On June 22, 1936, she married Joseph James Gomiller, Sr., at a ceremony in West Oneonta, with the Rev. O. Blakely Hill officiating.
In 1951, she joined the Otsego County Home and Infirmary, which later became The Meadows, retiring in 1983.
A member of the Milford American Legion Post No. 1566 Ladies Auxiliary, she attended the Milford United Methodist Church.
She loved bingo, crossword and word-search puzzles, card games and country music, as well as watching game shows on TV. She also enjoyed fishing in the Susquehanna River, tending to her gardens, and just being with family.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley M. Gomiller of Milford; three sons, Joseph J. Gomiller, Jr. of Rockingham, N.C., Gerald F. Gomiller and his wife, Laura, of “Happy Valley” in the Town of Maryland, and John C. Gomiller and his wife, Jane, also of Rockingham; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband Joe died on Oct. 10, 1988. She was also predeceased by a sister, Maud Charlotte Chamberlin Youmans Mattice, on Sept. 3, 1972; and grandson Kevin Roy, Dickison on Oct. 22, 2009,
A graveside service will take place later this spring in Maryland Cemetery, where Ruth will be laid to rest in the Daniel Pratt plot along with her mother and father and sister.
Memorial contributions may be to the Milford American Legion Post No. 1566, West Main Street, Milford, NY 13807.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
1-29-10
Elizabeth T. Yetter, 83; Retired Therapist
ONEONTA – Elizabeth Theresa “Betty” Yetter, 83, passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at Otsego Manor. Survivors include a daughter in Oneonta.
Betty was born on March 23, 1926, in West Orange, N.J., the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Kocher) Quinn. She married William F. Yetter, who passed away on Feb. 5, 1999.
She worked for RCA record, and as an occupational therapist at Andover (N.J.) Nursing Home. In retirement, she volunteered with Catskill Area Hospice.
She enjoyed nature, especially bird watching and gardening, as well as crafting, crossword puzzles, reading, dancing and spending time with her family.
Survivors include her daughters, Linda M. Wright and her husband, David, of Reeders, Pa., Virginia A. Brower of Oneonta and Deborah J. Pasquariello and her husband, Peter, of Toms River, N.J.; three grandchildren, Kimberly Rispoli of Toms River, and David Brower and Melissa Brower, both of Oneonta; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Allie Rispoli.
In keeping with Betty’s wishes, there will be no formal calling hours. A private service was planned in Orange, N.J., for family members.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements were with the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
WEST ONEONTA – Burton Henry Sheldon II, 98, who throughout his teaching career continued his interest in the family farm, passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2010, after a brief illness.
He was born on March 15, 1911, near the end of the horse-and-buggy era. He and his sister Katherine used to ride their ponies the one mile to elementary school in West Oneonta and later traveled by trolley to secondary school in Oneonta.
Burton’s father wanted him to be a lawyer, so he graduated with a B.A. degree in political science from Hartwick College in 1935. However, he obtained a teaching certificate from the Oneonta Normal School in 1936 and spent most of his teaching career, until retirement, as a junior high science teacher at the Draper School in Schenectady. He derived great pleasure over the years from his active participation as an alumnus.
Burton learned the love of farming from his parents, was active in 4-H and showed sheep at local, state and international fairs as a youth. Even while teaching out of the area, he returned to West Oneonta on weekends and summers to oversee the running of the family farm. Until just a few years ago, he continued to care for the farm and a small herd of Cheviot sheep.
Burton’s Christian faith was an important part of his life and he was a longtime member of the West Oneonta Baptist Church.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dora, and his sisters and their husbands, Mabel and Harrison Straight and Katherine and Richard Turrell.
Survivoes include nieces and nephews, Thomas (Christie) Moseley, Jim (Donna) Moseley, Elizabeth (Thomas) Quest, Marjorie (Joseph) Julian, Robert (Rusty) Turrell, Josephine Kenyon, John (Joyce) Turrell, Virginia (Timothy) Wetherbee, Ruth (Warren) Smith and Richard (Rhonda) Turrell; as well as their children and grandchildren.
The family gives special thanks to Dr. Ronald Zerbe for being a good friend to Burton, and to the staff at Fox Nursing Home for the care they gave him.
The funeral was Saturday, Jan. 23, at West Oneonta Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the church at Box 224, West Oneonta, NY 13861.
The Bookhout Funeral Home handled arrangements
1-29-10
Ruth E. Chamberlin Gomiller, 82; 32-Year Nurse’s Aide At Meadows
MILFORD – Ruth E. Chamberlin Gomiller, a nurse’s aide for 32 years at the Otsego County Home & Infirmary, and then The Meadows, passed on Friday evening, Jan. 22, 2010, at Bassett Hospital, after a brief illness.
She was 88, just four days shy of her 89th birthday.
Ruth was born Jan. 26, 1921, at Dog Hill Farm in the Town of Maryland. A daughter of Glenn Chamberlin and Jessie Mae Stickles Chamberlin, Ruth was only 7 when her mother died of tuberculosis.
Ruth attended school in Maryland, then at Oneonta High School when it was on Academy Street.
On June 22, 1936, she married Joseph James Gomiller, Sr., at a ceremony in West Oneonta, with the Rev. O. Blakely Hill officiating.
In 1951, she joined the Otsego County Home and Infirmary, which later became The Meadows, retiring in 1983.
A member of the Milford American Legion Post No. 1566 Ladies Auxiliary, she attended the Milford United Methodist Church.
She loved bingo, crossword and word-search puzzles, card games and country music, as well as watching game shows on TV. She also enjoyed fishing in the Susquehanna River, tending to her gardens, and just being with family.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley M. Gomiller of Milford; three sons, Joseph J. Gomiller, Jr. of Rockingham, N.C., Gerald F. Gomiller and his wife, Laura, of “Happy Valley” in the Town of Maryland, and John C. Gomiller and his wife, Jane, also of Rockingham; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband Joe died on Oct. 10, 1988. She was also predeceased by a sister, Maud Charlotte Chamberlin Youmans Mattice, on Sept. 3, 1972; and grandson Kevin Roy, Dickison on Oct. 22, 2009,
A graveside service will take place later this spring in Maryland Cemetery, where Ruth will be laid to rest in the Daniel Pratt plot along with her mother and father and sister.
Memorial contributions may be to the Milford American Legion Post No. 1566, West Main Street, Milford, NY 13807.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
1-29-10
Elizabeth T. Yetter, 83; Retired Therapist
ONEONTA – Elizabeth Theresa “Betty” Yetter, 83, passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at Otsego Manor. Survivors include a daughter in Oneonta.
Betty was born on March 23, 1926, in West Orange, N.J., the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Kocher) Quinn. She married William F. Yetter, who passed away on Feb. 5, 1999.
She worked for RCA record, and as an occupational therapist at Andover (N.J.) Nursing Home. In retirement, she volunteered with Catskill Area Hospice.
She enjoyed nature, especially bird watching and gardening, as well as crafting, crossword puzzles, reading, dancing and spending time with her family.
Survivors include her daughters, Linda M. Wright and her husband, David, of Reeders, Pa., Virginia A. Brower of Oneonta and Deborah J. Pasquariello and her husband, Peter, of Toms River, N.J.; three grandchildren, Kimberly Rispoli of Toms River, and David Brower and Melissa Brower, both of Oneonta; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Allie Rispoli.
In keeping with Betty’s wishes, there will be no formal calling hours. A private service was planned in Orange, N.J., for family members.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements were with the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
1-29-10
Clara Ann Kramer, 86
COOPERSTOWN – Clara Ann Kramer died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, 2010, at Otsego Manor.
She was born September 17th, 20th or 23rd (records and memories vary) in 1923 in Twin Rocks, Pa., the seventh of 10 children (Julie, Frank, Alex, Steve, Katherine, Paul, Clara, George, Sam and Ethel) of Frank and Mary (Toth) Klosz. She was a child of the Great Depression, and became an adult at the start of World War II, moving with her sister, Julie, to work in factories in New Jersey.
Clara met her future husband, Staff Sgt. Charles Thomas Kramer, in Caldwell, N.J., and they were married Aug. 2, 1951 in Landover, Md. They raised their four children (Charles, Pat, Jack and Bruce) in Roselle Park, N.J. They worked hard at home and in their factories to give their children opportunity for education that they did not have. Clara was widowed in 1981.
She became a caregiver and companion for Mrs. Rhea Roberts, residing with her, her daughter and son-in-law in their homes in Florida and New Jersey. After Mrs. Robert’s death, Clara lived in her own home in Florida until 2004, when she returned north to enjoy time with her children, loving daughters-in-law (Peppy Kramer and Laura Kilty), grandchildren (Elizabeth, Anna, Kaitlin, Julia, Jack and Maddy), grand-dog (Oscar), and the abundant warmth and sunshine of central New York.
Kramer lived at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown and Folts Home in Herkimer before Otsego Manor. Drs. Barbara Healey, Bernadette Ryan and Carol Beechy provided her with just the right care for her illness. Kramer and her family have been, and are, grateful for the kindness of strangers who became friends.
Following cremation, her remains will be interred with those of her husband in Cressona, Pa.
1-29-10
Glenn M.Davis, 60; Retired Deputy Sheriff
SCHUYLER LAKE – Glenn Michael Davis, a retired Otsego County deputy sheriff and former Schuyler Lake fire chief, died early Thursday morning, Jan. 21, 2010, at Bassett Hospital. He was 60.
Glenn was born Jan. 12, 1950, in Cooperstown, a son of Truman Ray and Ida Isabelle (Curry) Davis.
He attended Schuyler Lake School through the sixth grade and graduated from Richfield Springs Central School, Class of 1968. He was a scholar-athlete, excelling in football and basketball, as well as academics. After graduation, Glenn studied biology at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Active in scouting, he achieved the rank of Eagle. As a boy, he also worked on his grandfather’s dairy farm and later at the Dairy Isle in Richfield Springs.
On July 14, 1973, Glenn married the former Linda Tyler in the First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta.
In March 1975, he began what would become a 25-year career in the sheriff’s department, retiring in 2000. He was one of the first officers assigned to the canine unit, and was especially proud of his dog, Gunner.
Dedicated to the Schuyler Lake community, he considered his neighbors as a second family. He was a 40-year member of the fire department, including serving as chief.
In addition to his wife of 36 years, survivors include one son, Geoffrey M. Davis of Salisbury, N.C.; one daughter, Jennifer Lee Davis, and one grandson, Lucas E. Davis, both of Schuyler Lake; two brothers, Larry A. Davis and his wife, Dana, and Tyson R. Davis and his wife, Abby, all of Schuyler Lake; one sister, Cynthia L. Brophy and her husband, Michael, of Ambler, Pa, two aunts and an uncle.
Memorial donations made to the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Box 112, Schuyler Lake, 13457 or the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad, Box 1456, Richfield Springs, 13439.
1-29-10
Raymond E.Baldwin, 95; Retired Farmer
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Raymond E. Baldwin, 95, of Richfield Springs, former owner of the Westville Grocery Store and later of Cold Springs Farm, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 23, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica.
Ray was born Nov. 1, 1914, on Darling Hill in Westford, a son of Edsil and Libby (Vandeveer) Baldwin. He attended schools in Westville and Westford.
On Dec. 21, 1935, he married the former Albena J. Domion in Richfield Springs
Beginning in 1934, Ray worked in Cooperstown for 18 years as a foreman for Bruce Hall Corp. In 1952, the family moved to Richfield Springs, where he and Albena owned and operated their dairy farm for 15 years. He then worked part-time for 22 years for Herkimer Wholesale.
Survivors include his daughter, Roberta Baldwin Crouth, and her husband, David, of Richfield Springs, and three granddaughters.
His wife passed away on Nov. 28, 2002.
A private family funeral service was to be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, with burial to take place in the spring at Westville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
1-22-10
Ruth S. Evans, 87; Seamstress
ONEONTA – Ruth S. Evans, 87, of Oneonta, an accomplished seamstress and tailor, passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at Fox Hospital, after a long illness.
Born on June 10, 1922, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late Isidor Charles and Frances (Yuro) Greenblatt.
She attended a trade high school, becoming a credentialed in her trade. During World War II, she repaired B-17 bombers and parachutes at Langley Air Field in Virginia. She worked in the garment industry in New York City until 1956, when she moved to Oneonta with her sons. Locally, she was a dressmaker for many years, and also worked in Bresee's alteration department.
Ruth married Stewart D. Evans on Aug. 15, 1964, in Milford. He died Aug. 1, 1978.
She was a member of the Royal Rebekah Lodge of Oneonta.
Ruth was a loving and laughing grandmother of three girls, having had boys herself.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her oldest son, Richard Greenblatt; her sisters, Estelle and Edith, and her brother, Alton.
Survivors include her son, Arnold Greenblatt and his wife, Kathie, of Oneonta; her granddaughters, Dr. Rachel Aghara and her husband, Dr. Sukesh, of Houston, Texas, Lauren Velten and her husband, Jeffrey, of Oneonta, and Jenilyn Greenblatt of Arizona; a great-grandson, Mikah Velten, and another one on the way; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
The funeral was planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Bookhout Funeral Home. Burial will be in the spring in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fox Hospital, 1 Norton Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820.
ONEONTA – Ruth S. Evans, 87, of Oneonta, an accomplished seamstress and tailor, passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at Fox Hospital, after a long illness.
Born on June 10, 1922, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late Isidor Charles and Frances (Yuro) Greenblatt.
She attended a trade high school, becoming a credentialed in her trade. During World War II, she repaired B-17 bombers and parachutes at Langley Air Field in Virginia. She worked in the garment industry in New York City until 1956, when she moved to Oneonta with her sons. Locally, she was a dressmaker for many years, and also worked in Bresee's alteration department.
Ruth married Stewart D. Evans on Aug. 15, 1964, in Milford. He died Aug. 1, 1978.
She was a member of the Royal Rebekah Lodge of Oneonta.
Ruth was a loving and laughing grandmother of three girls, having had boys herself.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her oldest son, Richard Greenblatt; her sisters, Estelle and Edith, and her brother, Alton.
Survivors include her son, Arnold Greenblatt and his wife, Kathie, of Oneonta; her granddaughters, Dr. Rachel Aghara and her husband, Dr. Sukesh, of Houston, Texas, Lauren Velten and her husband, Jeffrey, of Oneonta, and Jenilyn Greenblatt of Arizona; a great-grandson, Mikah Velten, and another one on the way; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
The funeral was planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Bookhout Funeral Home. Burial will be in the spring in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fox Hospital, 1 Norton Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820.
1-22-10
Doris Beaulieu Gallagher, 85; Navy Veteran
ONEONTA – Doris Beaulieu Gallagher, 85, a Navy veteran and former manager of Brackett's Bookstore, passed away at home Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, after a short illness.
She was born April 6, 1924, in Oneonta, the daughter of Joseph D. and Lillian F. (Young) Beaulieu.
Doris served in the WAVES in World War II.
She married Charles T. Gallagher on Aug. 14, 1946, in Oneonta. He predeceased her Dec. 18, 1995.
In addition to Brackett's, she worked for many years at the Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, and retired most recently from Catskill Area Hospice.
She was an avid reader, active in sewing and gardening. She most enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends.
Over the years, Doris was involved in Planned Parenthood, the OHS Alumni Association, Oneonta Garden Club and Catskill Area Hospice Auxiliary.
She was predeceased by her sisters Ruth Molineux, Jean Tremper and Virginia Simpkins.
The memorial service was Friday, Jan. 8, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, with Emily VanLaeys, life-cycle celebrant, officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Doris Beaulieu Gallagher, 85; Navy Veteran
ONEONTA – Doris Beaulieu Gallagher, 85, a Navy veteran and former manager of Brackett's Bookstore, passed away at home Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, after a short illness.
She was born April 6, 1924, in Oneonta, the daughter of Joseph D. and Lillian F. (Young) Beaulieu.
Doris served in the WAVES in World War II.
She married Charles T. Gallagher on Aug. 14, 1946, in Oneonta. He predeceased her Dec. 18, 1995.
In addition to Brackett's, she worked for many years at the Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, and retired most recently from Catskill Area Hospice.
She was an avid reader, active in sewing and gardening. She most enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends.
Over the years, Doris was involved in Planned Parenthood, the OHS Alumni Association, Oneonta Garden Club and Catskill Area Hospice Auxiliary.
She was predeceased by her sisters Ruth Molineux, Jean Tremper and Virginia Simpkins.
The memorial service was Friday, Jan. 8, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, with Emily VanLaeys, life-cycle celebrant, officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
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Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21, Died in Afghanistan
FRANKLIN – Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21, of Franklin, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, due to combat injuries sustained in Helmand Province, Afghanistan during his service to our country.
Nicholas was born Dec. 30, 1988, in Sidney, the son of William and Lisa Jordan Uzenski. He graduated from Franklin Central School in 2006 and attended Tompkins County Community College prior to his enlistment in the Marine Corps in Jan. 2008. Before his Afghanistan deployment, Nick was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Recon BTN, Bravo Company.
Nick was a first-rate friend and natural born leader. He loved and lived all aspects of his life to the fullest. He was very honored to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a Marine and serving his country. Nick was a delight to family and friends with his smile, sense of humor, and his natural ability to show compassion and caring to people of all ages. Nick loved many outdoor activities that included hiking, running, rock climbing, and four-wheeling.
Nick was involved in a variety of high school activities while attending Franklin Central School. His activities included being a member of the Drama Club, Spanish Club, SADD, Student Council, V Varsity Club, Varsity Baseball and Varsity Basketball Team. He was also the Senior Prom king in 2006.
Nick is survived by his mother, Lisa Uzenski of Sidney; his father, William and stepmother, Rebakah Uzenski; his sisters, Kaitlin and Cassidy; stepsister, Faith; and his three younger brothers, Zebadiah, Zechariah, and Jathniel, all of Bozeman, Mont; his great-grandma Brundege of Franklin; his grandparents, James and Audrey Archibald of Franklin; his grandfather, Alan (and Heidi) Jordan of Franklin; his great grandmother, Adaline Jordan of Oneonta and his Aunt Robin (and James) Basile of Oneonta. He is also survived by many other aunts, uncles and cousins. Nick had a great love for his family.
A memorial service was scheduled at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Franklin Central School Cafetorium. There will be a full Military Honor Ceremony held in Bozeman, Mont., later in the week.
Contributions may be made in memory of Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski to a scholarship fund in his name. Contributions may be sent to Franklin Central School, 26 Institute St., P.O. Box 888, Franklin, NY 13775.
Farewell our hero you will always be in our hearts.
FRANKLIN – Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21, of Franklin, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, due to combat injuries sustained in Helmand Province, Afghanistan during his service to our country.
Nicholas was born Dec. 30, 1988, in Sidney, the son of William and Lisa Jordan Uzenski. He graduated from Franklin Central School in 2006 and attended Tompkins County Community College prior to his enlistment in the Marine Corps in Jan. 2008. Before his Afghanistan deployment, Nick was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Recon BTN, Bravo Company.
Nick was a first-rate friend and natural born leader. He loved and lived all aspects of his life to the fullest. He was very honored to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a Marine and serving his country. Nick was a delight to family and friends with his smile, sense of humor, and his natural ability to show compassion and caring to people of all ages. Nick loved many outdoor activities that included hiking, running, rock climbing, and four-wheeling.
Nick was involved in a variety of high school activities while attending Franklin Central School. His activities included being a member of the Drama Club, Spanish Club, SADD, Student Council, V Varsity Club, Varsity Baseball and Varsity Basketball Team. He was also the Senior Prom king in 2006.
Nick is survived by his mother, Lisa Uzenski of Sidney; his father, William and stepmother, Rebakah Uzenski; his sisters, Kaitlin and Cassidy; stepsister, Faith; and his three younger brothers, Zebadiah, Zechariah, and Jathniel, all of Bozeman, Mont; his great-grandma Brundege of Franklin; his grandparents, James and Audrey Archibald of Franklin; his grandfather, Alan (and Heidi) Jordan of Franklin; his great grandmother, Adaline Jordan of Oneonta and his Aunt Robin (and James) Basile of Oneonta. He is also survived by many other aunts, uncles and cousins. Nick had a great love for his family.
A memorial service was scheduled at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Franklin Central School Cafetorium. There will be a full Military Honor Ceremony held in Bozeman, Mont., later in the week.
Contributions may be made in memory of Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski to a scholarship fund in his name. Contributions may be sent to Franklin Central School, 26 Institute St., P.O. Box 888, Franklin, NY 13775.
Farewell our hero you will always be in our hearts.
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Vern L. Law, 59; Highway Department Employee
WEST ONEONTA – Vern L. Law, 59, of West Oneonta, a mechanic who ran his own business before joining the Otsego County High Department, passed away suddenly Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at Fox Hospital.
He was born in Norwich, the son of William and Barbara (Brazee) Law. He married Kristine Martin on June 12, 1994, in Laurens.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Crystal Trask, Jim Ricca, Brian Trask and his wife, Kimberly, and Bill Trask and his wife, Debrah Trask, and five grandchildren, Patrick, Pheonix, Madison, Kaden, and Kayleigh.
The funeral was Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Johnston Funeral Home, Morris, with the Rev. Judy Thistle officiating. Burial will be in Bennett Cemetery in the spring.
Memorial donations may be made to the William David Martin Scholarship Fund, Laurens Central School, Laurens, NY 13796.
Vern L. Law, 59; Highway Department Employee
WEST ONEONTA – Vern L. Law, 59, of West Oneonta, a mechanic who ran his own business before joining the Otsego County High Department, passed away suddenly Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at Fox Hospital.
He was born in Norwich, the son of William and Barbara (Brazee) Law. He married Kristine Martin on June 12, 1994, in Laurens.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Crystal Trask, Jim Ricca, Brian Trask and his wife, Kimberly, and Bill Trask and his wife, Debrah Trask, and five grandchildren, Patrick, Pheonix, Madison, Kaden, and Kayleigh.
The funeral was Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Johnston Funeral Home, Morris, with the Rev. Judy Thistle officiating. Burial will be in Bennett Cemetery in the spring.
Memorial donations may be made to the William David Martin Scholarship Fund, Laurens Central School, Laurens, NY 13796.
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Venena Edmunds Bain, 76; Known For Her Apple Pies
ONEONTA – Venena Edmunds Bain, 76, of Oneonta, formerly of New Lisbon, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Wilson Memorial Hospital.
She was born on July 8, 1933, in Garrattsville, the daughter of Annie Marie (McVerry) and Thomas Ward. She married James Donald Bain on Aug. 4, 1951.
Venena spent many years as a homemaker, raising her family, gardening, canning and baking; her apple pies were particularly notable. In her later years, she was a waitress and a home health care provider.
Venena was predeceased by her husband of 50 years.
Survivors include her children, Donna Bain of Binghamton, Joyce Giacoma of Plantation, Fla., Nancy Burns and her husband, Jim, of Johnson City, and Kenneth Bain and his wife, Kitty, of Oneonta; her beloved grandchildren, Karen (Jason) Nuss, Peter and Andrew Giacoma and Jill and Adam Burns; also, brothers, a sister, a sister-in-law and step-siblings.
At her request, Venena's body was donated to the Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program.
The funeral was planned for 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Morris United Methodist Church.
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Venena Edmunds Bain, 76; Known For Her Apple Pies
ONEONTA – Venena Edmunds Bain, 76, of Oneonta, formerly of New Lisbon, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Wilson Memorial Hospital.
She was born on July 8, 1933, in Garrattsville, the daughter of Annie Marie (McVerry) and Thomas Ward. She married James Donald Bain on Aug. 4, 1951.
Venena spent many years as a homemaker, raising her family, gardening, canning and baking; her apple pies were particularly notable. In her later years, she was a waitress and a home health care provider.
Venena was predeceased by her husband of 50 years.
Survivors include her children, Donna Bain of Binghamton, Joyce Giacoma of Plantation, Fla., Nancy Burns and her husband, Jim, of Johnson City, and Kenneth Bain and his wife, Kitty, of Oneonta; her beloved grandchildren, Karen (Jason) Nuss, Peter and Andrew Giacoma and Jill and Adam Burns; also, brothers, a sister, a sister-in-law and step-siblings.
At her request, Venena's body was donated to the Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program.
The funeral was planned for 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Morris United Methodist Church.
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Jonathan Dean Sr., 67; Retired Welder
ONEONTA – Jonathan W. Dean Sr., 67, of Oneonta, a retired welder, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
Born Oct. 3, 1942, in Milford, he was the son of the late Orville and Bertha (McAdams) Dean.
He enjoyed motorcycles.
He is survived by his children, Stacey Dean, Jeremy Dean, Tanya Brooks, Jonathan Dean Jr., Cindy Starr, Sandy Mallette, Christine Fassett and Jonathan Swift; his brothers, Orville and Trudy Dean and James Browning; his partner of 18 years, Sharon Swift, and her children, Jolene and Jason Swift; a special friend, Bill Triolo, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother, Roger Dean.
The funeral was Wednesday, Jan. 20, Bookhout Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gary Bonebrake, pastor of the Main Street Baptist Church. Interment will be in the spring in Maryland Cemetery.
ONEONTA – Jonathan W. Dean Sr., 67, of Oneonta, a retired welder, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
Born Oct. 3, 1942, in Milford, he was the son of the late Orville and Bertha (McAdams) Dean.
He enjoyed motorcycles.
He is survived by his children, Stacey Dean, Jeremy Dean, Tanya Brooks, Jonathan Dean Jr., Cindy Starr, Sandy Mallette, Christine Fassett and Jonathan Swift; his brothers, Orville and Trudy Dean and James Browning; his partner of 18 years, Sharon Swift, and her children, Jolene and Jason Swift; a special friend, Bill Triolo, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother, Roger Dean.
The funeral was Wednesday, Jan. 20, Bookhout Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gary Bonebrake, pastor of the Main Street Baptist Church. Interment will be in the spring in Maryland Cemetery.
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Richard VanDewerker, 69; Former Cherry Valley Fire Chief
CHERRY VALLEY – Richard M. VanDewerker, 69, a 25-year member of the Cherry Valley Fire Department, where he served four years as assistant chief and two as chief, passed away peacefully on Sunday Jan. 17, 2010, surrounded by family at Bassett Hospital.
He was born in Bassett Hospital on Nov. 12, 1940, the son of Isabella and Douglas VanDewerker of Cherry Valley. He lived in Cherry Valley all his life.
He graduated from Cherry Valley Central School and SUNY Morrisville.
On July 28, 1962, he married Joan Richards at the First Presbyterian Church in East Springfield.
After college, he worked as a mechanic for Cook’s Auto, Earl Chase & Sons and Sam Smith’s Boatyard. He was later self employed until his retirement.
His many interests included camping at Indian Lake, boating, fishing, snowmobiling and spending time with family.
In addition to his service to the fire department, he was a charter member of the Cherry Valley Emergency Squad, and served as captain.
He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as both an elder and trustee, and sang in the choir.
He also belonged to the Odd Fellows Lodge in Cherry Valley.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, his mother; three sons David G. and his wife, Jackie, Kevin M. and his wife, Tina, and Mark R. and his wife, Kristie, granddaughter Emilee B.; a brother, Douglas F. and his wife, Phyllis, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Ottman Funeral Home, with a fireman’s service at 8. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Ron Fralick officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association or the First Presbyterian Church in Cherry Valley.
Ottman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
CHERRY VALLEY – Richard M. VanDewerker, 69, a 25-year member of the Cherry Valley Fire Department, where he served four years as assistant chief and two as chief, passed away peacefully on Sunday Jan. 17, 2010, surrounded by family at Bassett Hospital.
He was born in Bassett Hospital on Nov. 12, 1940, the son of Isabella and Douglas VanDewerker of Cherry Valley. He lived in Cherry Valley all his life.
He graduated from Cherry Valley Central School and SUNY Morrisville.
On July 28, 1962, he married Joan Richards at the First Presbyterian Church in East Springfield.
After college, he worked as a mechanic for Cook’s Auto, Earl Chase & Sons and Sam Smith’s Boatyard. He was later self employed until his retirement.
His many interests included camping at Indian Lake, boating, fishing, snowmobiling and spending time with family.
In addition to his service to the fire department, he was a charter member of the Cherry Valley Emergency Squad, and served as captain.
He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as both an elder and trustee, and sang in the choir.
He also belonged to the Odd Fellows Lodge in Cherry Valley.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, his mother; three sons David G. and his wife, Jackie, Kevin M. and his wife, Tina, and Mark R. and his wife, Kristie, granddaughter Emilee B.; a brother, Douglas F. and his wife, Phyllis, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Ottman Funeral Home, with a fireman’s service at 8. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Ron Fralick officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association or the First Presbyterian Church in Cherry Valley.
Ottman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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William Francis Leonard, 85; WWII Veteran, Avid BowlerCOOPERSTOWN – William Francis Leonard, a World War II veteran and avid bowler, died Friday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2010, at Otsego Manor. He was 85.
Born Nov. 24, 1924, in Perth Amboy, N.J., he was a son of Frank and Sophie (Nehila) Lenart.
As soon as he turned 18, Bill enlisted on Nov. 27, 1942, in the Army Air Force. During World War II, Bill served as a radio control operator with the Fifth Air Force and the 13th Army Air Corps, Headquarters Detachment 583rd Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion. In the Pacific Theater, he served in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and in Luzon in the Philippines.
He received an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and Ribbon, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with three stars, a Victory Medal and Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 5, 1945.
Bill returned to New Jersey, and worked for Corby's Laundry in Summit for 23 years. He later was employed by Hill City Cleaners, also in Summit.
In 1966, Bill met his future wife, Tillie Freid, at a bowling alley, and they were married Feb. 2, 1969, in Summit.
The couple moved to Cooperstown full-time in 1974, living on property that Bill had purchased in 1968. Bill was employed as a stock clerk by the Great American, retiring in 1986.
Throughout his life, Bill was an avid bowler. He was especially proud of having once bowled a 299 game for which he received the AMF 299 Award and a ring from the American Bowling Congress. He was also League Champion in 1967 and 1968.
Bill was also a model enthusiast. The Leonards also loved their pets, and had many dogs over the years, including their Jack Russell Terriers, Casey and Suzie, a Peke-A-Poo, Shadow, and his faithful friend Ginger.
In addition to his wife of 40 years, survivors include one son, Kenneth William Leonard and his wife, Patricia, of Davenport; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
A graveside service was Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Congregation B'Nai Israel section of United Hebrew Cemetery, Staten Island, with Rabbi Samuel Waidenbaum officiating. Military Honors were accorded by a contingent from the state Military Forces Honor Guard.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049 or the American Diabetes Association, Utica NY Office, Lomond Office Park, 110 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.
Arrangements were with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
William Francis Leonard, 85; WWII Veteran, Avid BowlerCOOPERSTOWN – William Francis Leonard, a World War II veteran and avid bowler, died Friday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2010, at Otsego Manor. He was 85.
Born Nov. 24, 1924, in Perth Amboy, N.J., he was a son of Frank and Sophie (Nehila) Lenart.
As soon as he turned 18, Bill enlisted on Nov. 27, 1942, in the Army Air Force. During World War II, Bill served as a radio control operator with the Fifth Air Force and the 13th Army Air Corps, Headquarters Detachment 583rd Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion. In the Pacific Theater, he served in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and in Luzon in the Philippines.
He received an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and Ribbon, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with three stars, a Victory Medal and Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 5, 1945.
Bill returned to New Jersey, and worked for Corby's Laundry in Summit for 23 years. He later was employed by Hill City Cleaners, also in Summit.
In 1966, Bill met his future wife, Tillie Freid, at a bowling alley, and they were married Feb. 2, 1969, in Summit.
The couple moved to Cooperstown full-time in 1974, living on property that Bill had purchased in 1968. Bill was employed as a stock clerk by the Great American, retiring in 1986.
Throughout his life, Bill was an avid bowler. He was especially proud of having once bowled a 299 game for which he received the AMF 299 Award and a ring from the American Bowling Congress. He was also League Champion in 1967 and 1968.
Bill was also a model enthusiast. The Leonards also loved their pets, and had many dogs over the years, including their Jack Russell Terriers, Casey and Suzie, a Peke-A-Poo, Shadow, and his faithful friend Ginger.
In addition to his wife of 40 years, survivors include one son, Kenneth William Leonard and his wife, Patricia, of Davenport; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
A graveside service was Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Congregation B'Nai Israel section of United Hebrew Cemetery, Staten Island, with Rabbi Samuel Waidenbaum officiating. Military Honors were accorded by a contingent from the state Military Forces Honor Guard.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049 or the American Diabetes Association, Utica NY Office, Lomond Office Park, 110 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.
Arrangements were with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
1-22-10
Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21; Marine Dies in Afghanistan
FRANKLIN – Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21, of Franklin, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, due to combat injuries sustained in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Born Dec. 30, 1988, in Sidney, Nick joined the Marines in January 2008. He was stationed on Okinawa with the 3rd Recon BTN, Bravo Company, before his deployment to Afghanistan.
While at Franklin Central School, he was a member of the Drama Club, Spanish Club, SADD, Student Council, V Varsity Club, Varsity Baseball and Varsity Basketball Team. He was also the Senior Prom king in 2006.
1-15-10
Irena Blaszczuk Putrycz, 86; Holocaust Survivor
DELHI – Irena Blaszczuk Putrycz, a Holocaust survivor, passed away Friday, Jan. 8, at the Countryside Care Center, Delhi. She was 86.
Irena was born on March 5, 1923, near the village of Zholoby, Ukraine. At 19, she and hundreds of other girls from the surrounding villages were forcibly relocated to work farms and factories in Nazi Germany and Austria.
For three difficult years she suffered hardships and abuse at the hands of her captors. On more than one occasion she tried to escape, only to be captured, returned and punished.
In the spring of 1945, when the Allied victory appeared inevitable, Irena and her infant daughter, Genia, were released from servitude. They survived, sleeping in bomb craters at night and hiding in burned-out ruins during the day.
Uneducated and with little more than her determination, she located a
displaced-person camp by way of the Red Cross. In 1946, she was relocated to a refuge camp in the United Kingdom.
It was there she met and later married Jozef Putrycz, a decorated combat veteran in the Polish army, who survived a Russian concentration camp.
In 1955, the family came to the U.S., finally settling in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. She had lived in Delhi for the past 11 years.
Irena is survived by her son, Walter Putrycz, and his wife Pamela Peters, of Franklin; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Nora Putrycz, Jozef Evan Putrycz, John Stetz and Mark Stetz. She is also survived by her son-in-law, John Stetz Sr.; three great grandchildren: Alison, Cal and Zinnia and
two nieces, Linda Putrycz and Lisa Cooke, Both of Canada.
She was predeceased by her husband and a daughter, Jennifer Stetz.
The funeral was Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, with Pastor Derek Johnson, Delhi Community Church, officiation. Internment will be in the spring in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.
Memorial donations may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive,
Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements were with the Lester R Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
1-15-10
DELHI – Irena Blaszczuk Putrycz, a Holocaust survivor, passed away Friday, Jan. 8, at the Countryside Care Center, Delhi. She was 86.
Irena was born on March 5, 1923, near the village of Zholoby, Ukraine. At 19, she and hundreds of other girls from the surrounding villages were forcibly relocated to work farms and factories in Nazi Germany and Austria.
For three difficult years she suffered hardships and abuse at the hands of her captors. On more than one occasion she tried to escape, only to be captured, returned and punished.
In the spring of 1945, when the Allied victory appeared inevitable, Irena and her infant daughter, Genia, were released from servitude. They survived, sleeping in bomb craters at night and hiding in burned-out ruins during the day.
Uneducated and with little more than her determination, she located a
displaced-person camp by way of the Red Cross. In 1946, she was relocated to a refuge camp in the United Kingdom.
It was there she met and later married Jozef Putrycz, a decorated combat veteran in the Polish army, who survived a Russian concentration camp.
In 1955, the family came to the U.S., finally settling in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. She had lived in Delhi for the past 11 years.
Irena is survived by her son, Walter Putrycz, and his wife Pamela Peters, of Franklin; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Nora Putrycz, Jozef Evan Putrycz, John Stetz and Mark Stetz. She is also survived by her son-in-law, John Stetz Sr.; three great grandchildren: Alison, Cal and Zinnia and
two nieces, Linda Putrycz and Lisa Cooke, Both of Canada.
She was predeceased by her husband and a daughter, Jennifer Stetz.
The funeral was Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, with Pastor Derek Johnson, Delhi Community Church, officiation. Internment will be in the spring in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.
Memorial donations may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive,
Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements were with the Lester R Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
1-15-10
Frank ‘Jack’ Wiswell, 76
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Frank C. “Jack” Wiswell, 76, a life-long farmer, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
Jack was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Windham, Vt., the son of the late William and Eudora Abbott Wiswell.
He came to Brookfield as a young man and graduated from Brookfield Central School.
In 1954, Jack married Janett Snow in North Brookfield.
He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and snowmobiling, as well as dancing. He was known as “Iron Man” in CB radio circles.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Jane Strom and her husband, Jim, of Castle Rock, Colo., Jean Armstrong and her husband, Jack, of Springfield Center, and Mary Wiswell, also of Springfield Center; two sons, Mike and his wife, Carolyn, of West Winfield, and Pete and his wife, Alicia, of Richfield Springs; a brother and sister-in-law; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jack is also survived by many members of the Snow family.
Jack was predeceased by sister Yvonne Fontaine and brother Samuel Wiswell.
The funeral was Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Brookfield Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mark Thall, pastor, officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Richfield Springs Ambulance or the American Lung Association.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Frank C. “Jack” Wiswell, 76, a life-long farmer, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
Jack was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Windham, Vt., the son of the late William and Eudora Abbott Wiswell.
He came to Brookfield as a young man and graduated from Brookfield Central School.
In 1954, Jack married Janett Snow in North Brookfield.
He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and snowmobiling, as well as dancing. He was known as “Iron Man” in CB radio circles.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Jane Strom and her husband, Jim, of Castle Rock, Colo., Jean Armstrong and her husband, Jack, of Springfield Center, and Mary Wiswell, also of Springfield Center; two sons, Mike and his wife, Carolyn, of West Winfield, and Pete and his wife, Alicia, of Richfield Springs; a brother and sister-in-law; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jack is also survived by many members of the Snow family.
Jack was predeceased by sister Yvonne Fontaine and brother Samuel Wiswell.
The funeral was Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Brookfield Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mark Thall, pastor, officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Richfield Springs Ambulance or the American Lung Association.
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Lona Geddes, 98; Managed DeBeer’s, CV Emblem ShopCHERRY VALLEY – Lona Geddes, who spent her married life in Cherry Valley and raised three children here, passed away Nov. 14, 2009, a day before her 99th birthday. Lona grew up in Gouvernor. After high school, she attended Deiberts Business School.
She moved with her family to Cherry Valley, where she met her husband, William. They on Oct. 1, 1931, and had three children; the youngest, Linda survives.
Lona was an avid bowler, playing on local teams for 40 years and traveling around New York State to compete.
She held many jobs over the years, working at Engels Bakery and manging DeBeer’s baseball shop and the CV Emblem Shop.
She was a long-standing member of the Rebekah Lodge.
After her son was seriously wounded in Vietnam, she retired to care for him when he came home from the hospital in 1969.
In 1983, the family join Linda in Jacksonville, Fla., where she expanded her interested in gardening year ‘round. Eventually, she developed 23 flower beds, which her daughter maintained -- under her instructions -- when Mrs. Geddes could no longer tend them herself.
Services will be held in Cherry Valley in late June. The Ottman Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Lona Geddes, 98; Managed DeBeer’s, CV Emblem ShopCHERRY VALLEY – Lona Geddes, who spent her married life in Cherry Valley and raised three children here, passed away Nov. 14, 2009, a day before her 99th birthday. Lona grew up in Gouvernor. After high school, she attended Deiberts Business School.
She moved with her family to Cherry Valley, where she met her husband, William. They on Oct. 1, 1931, and had three children; the youngest, Linda survives.
Lona was an avid bowler, playing on local teams for 40 years and traveling around New York State to compete.
She held many jobs over the years, working at Engels Bakery and manging DeBeer’s baseball shop and the CV Emblem Shop.
She was a long-standing member of the Rebekah Lodge.
After her son was seriously wounded in Vietnam, she retired to care for him when he came home from the hospital in 1969.
In 1983, the family join Linda in Jacksonville, Fla., where she expanded her interested in gardening year ‘round. Eventually, she developed 23 flower beds, which her daughter maintained -- under her instructions -- when Mrs. Geddes could no longer tend them herself.
Services will be held in Cherry Valley in late June. The Ottman Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
1-15-10
Thomas Miller, 58; Retired To Richfield Springs in ’99
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Thomas L. Miller, 58, a retired construction worker, passed away Tuesday night, Jan. 5, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
He was born March 13, 1951, in Piqua, Ohio, son of the late Lawrence and Ella Miller. Tom was raised in Bradford, Ohio, and was a graduate of Bradford High School.
Mr. Miller had lived in Plainfield and for 15 years and was a self-employed construction worker. He retired in 1999 and moved to Lake Street, Richfield Springs.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed bowling, playing pool, pitching horse shoes and fishing. An avid football fan, he followed and rooted for his Ohio football teams, Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns. More recently he was the coach of the “Genesee Pounders” softball team.
The funeral was Saturday, Jan. 9, at at J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Young officiating. Interment will be in the spring at Unadilla Forks Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad.
Thomas Miller, 58; Retired To Richfield Springs in ’99
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Thomas L. Miller, 58, a retired construction worker, passed away Tuesday night, Jan. 5, 2010, at Bassett Hospital.
He was born March 13, 1951, in Piqua, Ohio, son of the late Lawrence and Ella Miller. Tom was raised in Bradford, Ohio, and was a graduate of Bradford High School.
Mr. Miller had lived in Plainfield and for 15 years and was a self-employed construction worker. He retired in 1999 and moved to Lake Street, Richfield Springs.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed bowling, playing pool, pitching horse shoes and fishing. An avid football fan, he followed and rooted for his Ohio football teams, Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns. More recently he was the coach of the “Genesee Pounders” softball team.
The funeral was Saturday, Jan. 9, at at J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Young officiating. Interment will be in the spring at Unadilla Forks Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad.
1-15-10
Christine Fiore Pohl, 51; Mother of Two Sons, Oneonta Middle School Teacher, B&B OperatorCOOPERSTOWN – Christine Fiore Pohl, wife, mother and special-education teacher at Oneonta Middle School, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at her home, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 51.
In addition to teaching, she and her husband, Bruce, operated Brook Willow Farm Guest House on Route 33, Town of Middlefield, where she was noted for her breakfast creations and warm hospitality.
She was most proud of her two boys, Andrew and Philip, as they valiantly continued their college studies and activities throughout her ordeal.
Chris grew up in Washington, N.J., and graduated from Warren Hills Regional High School. She earned a B.S. in special education from Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey). She completed a master’s in curriculum development from the University of Phoenix while raising her boys, teaching fulltime, and overseeing the B&B. Early in her career, she was branch manager for a personnel agency in San Diego, Calif.
Chris is the daughter of Joan (nee Rapsis) of Washington, N.J., and the late Ralph Fiore, Sr. In addition to her husband, sons and mother, survivors include three sisters: Kathleen McGaurn and her husband, Gary, of Collingswood, N.J., Donna Risko and her husband, Wayne, of Bethlehem, Pa., and Anita Toupin and her husband David, of Phillipsburg, N.J.; three brothers, Ralph Fiore Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of Oxford, N.J.; Paul Fiore and his wife, Judy, of Alpha, N.J., and Philip Fiore and his wife, Kristen, of Marlton, N.J., as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating Chris’ life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at The Otesaga.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 13, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Washington, N.J., followed by interment in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Chris’ three favorite charities: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/ManyWaysToGive/Donate/), Massachusetts General Hospital Children’s Cancer Fund (http://www.israelcancer.org/), or directly to Bassett Hospital, c/o Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown NY 13326
Local arrangements are being handled by Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.
1-15-10
