Wanda O. Richards

September 6, 1923 - September 23, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Wanda Olmstead Richards, a native of Cooperstown who served for over 40 years as a guide and interpreter at The Farmers' Museum, passed away peacefully Monday morning, September 23, 2013, at Otsego Manor. She was 90.

Born September 6, 1923, Wanda was proud to have been the second baby born in the then newly re-opened Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. She was one of six children of Walter E. Olmstead, Sr. and Mildred née Butler Olmstead. Raised in the Village of Cooperstown, Wanda graduated with the Cooperstown High School Class of 1941.

On March 28, 1942, she married William George Richards, also a Cooperstown native, in Baltimore, Maryland.

For 44 and a half years, Wanda served as a guide and interpreter at The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown. Beginning as a guide in Bump Tavern, she later moved to Todd's General Store. She also worked in The Print Shop where she became proficient in operating the antique printing presses. She truly enjoyed her many years at the museum.  

Of the Episcopal faith, Wanda was a long-time and faithful member of Christ Church in Cooperstown where she was an active member of the Altar Guild. Wanda was also a member of the Silver Sirens, The Native Daughters of Cooperstown, and The Otsego Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She was very civic minded and was active with the local blood bank, served as a volunteer at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Unit 7128 in Cooperstown. In her leisure, she enjoyed taking their Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Oona and Paige, for walks around the village, as well as taking walks by herself, sometimes five miles in one day.

Wanda is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Lynn Meredith Richards Jones and David Jones of Cooperstown, and Elisabeth Richards Jerson and Robert Jerson of Springfield Center; three grandsons, Dr. Matthew William Richards Jones and his wife, Cora Jones, Jeremy Louis Clark Jones and his wife, Dr. Katherine Jones, and Michael Robert Richards Jerson; four great grandchildren, Phoebe Lynn Emerson Jones, Isabella Grace Richards Jones, William David Maxwell Jones, and Molly Foard Jones; a brother-in-law, Edmund Pike, of Albany; a sister-in-law, JoAnn Olmstead of Binghamton; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William George Richards, who died July 28, 2001; three brothers, Walter E. Olmstead, Jr., Leonard H. "Dick" Olmstead, and Robert V. Olmstead; and two sisters, Jean Olmstead Pike and Joan Elizabeth Olmstead Larsen.

Wanda's family wishes to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to everyone at Otsego Manor for the excellent care and kind and compassionate services rendered to Wanda during her residency there.  

The Office of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Eucharist (Rite II) will be offered at 11 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at Christ Church in Cooperstown with Fr. Mark Aaron Michael, Rector, officiating.  

The Service of Committal will follow at the Columbarium Wall in Christ Church-yard, where Wanda will be entombed with her husband, Will.   

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Ferdinand S. Thering

February 12, 1927 - September 21, 2013

HARTWICK - Ferdinand S. Thering, a life-long area resident who will be remembered for his dedication to farming, rural life and the Town of Hartwick, passed away in the presence of his family Saturday afternoon, September 21, 2013, in the family homestead at Rolling Acres Farm on Thering Road. Ferd, as he was known by just about everyone, was 86.

Born February 12, 1927, in Schenevus, he was a son of Henry and Clara (Gartung) Thering. In his youth he attended a parochial school in New York City and lived for a time in his father's native Germany. In 1941 Ferd's father purchased what became Rolling Acres Farm in the Town of Hartwick.

After moving with his family to the farm, Ferd attended Hartwick High School and graduated with the Class of 1944. A basketball player during his school years he was known to finish up chores on the farm and then run from there to the school to play ball with his friends and schoolmates.  

On June 14, 1952, Ferd married the former Marjorie Bachanas in a ceremony at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, where Fr. Patrick J. Whelan was the presiding pastor. Ferd and Marge then lived on and worked the family farm, which later earned the distinction of being a 50-year Dairylea Cooperative Family Farm. For many years, Ferd was also an active  member of the Farm Bureau.  

Ferd truly loved Hartwick, and for many years served his community well in several capacities. For over three decades he served as chairman of the Town Planning Board, and was the sole assessor for the Town of Hartwick, a role he filled especially well, and one in which he will be remembered for the fairness in which he conducted his duties.  

Much of Ferd's success in being able to talk to just about anyone on any subject, and which helped him become so good at what he did for area towns, came from his successful completion in 1969 of  the Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations, an accomplishment of which he was justifiably proud.    

In 1973, Ferd became a State Certified Assessor, and served at various times as the Tax Assessor for the Towns of Hartwick, Pittsfield, and Otsego, as well as for the Village of Cooperstown. Through the years he attended and successfully completed many courses in assessing and appraising at Cornell University, the most important of which he took in 1978. In 1983 he obtained status as a professional assessor, and in 1987 was granted the designation of Stated Certified Assessor Professional by the State of New York State Board of Equalization and Assessment. He also attended many training sessions of the Conference on Assessment Administration sponsored by the New York State Assessors' Association, Inc. (of which he was a member) including those on campground appraisal, one family home appraisal, advanced farm appraisal and assessment administration. The number of certificates he earned through the years could easily fill the walls in one room-he was truly dedicated to his role as an assessor. In 1992, Ferd was the recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation Award from the Otsego County Assessors' Association - which he served as president of for twenty years - the text of which best sums up his loyalty to the profession: "His efforts of providing the assistance and support to the assessment community in the County of Otsego are to be highly commended."

For twenty years, Ferd sat on the board of the Otsego Rural Housing Association, during which time he rarely missed a meeting. It has been said that he always voiced his opinion and never missed a chance for an argument.  

In his spare time, he was an avid bowler, playing with leagues in Cooperstown and Milford.  

An active Rotarian, Ferd joined the Cooperstown Rotary Club in May of 1982. A Paul Harris Fellow, he held a perfect attendance record for 30 years until his failing health and inability to attend meetings compelled the club to make him an Honorary Member just this past year.  

Throughout his entire life, which had its challenges and setbacks and its ups and downs, Ferd always persevered. Perhaps his life and character can best be summed up by stating that he was not a stubborn man - he was determined.

Ferd is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marjorie, of Hartwick; their three children, Henry J. Thering of Hartwick, Betty Staffin and her husband, Mike, of Fly Creek, and Tim Thering of Jupiter, Florida; four grandchildren, Jacob Staffin and his fiancé, Ashley Davidson, John Thering and his wife, Stacie, Noah Thering, and Autumn Thering; five great grandchildren, Violet, Josephine, Alexander, Camron, and Xavier; one sister, Margaret Balli and her husband, Eddie, of West Virginia; one brother, Henry E. Thering of Indiana; many nieces and nephews; and several cousins, including Ferdinand G. Thering, and others in Canada.

Ferd is also survived by his many friends and caregivers. Of special note, Anita Briggs Jones (husband, Butch) was an extra special friend, neighbor and political ally, and without his caregivers Mary, Patrick, Buddy and Shawn, Ferd could never have been able to stay in his beloved home.   

He was predeceased by his mother, Clara, who died May 30, 1968; his father, Henry Thering, who died October 17, 1984; one granddaughter, Kimberly Sue Thering who died March 9, 2002; and a sister-in-law, Charlotte Thering.

Friends and family are invited to call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2013. 

A graveside service will be offered at the Hartwick Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, officiating. Immediately following the service at the cemetery, all those attending are invited to the St. Mary's Parish Center on Elm Street in Cooperstown for a time of refreshment and fellowship. It has been requested that those attending this repast please park in the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown parking lot, which is adjacent to the Parish Center.  

With respect and gratitude for the many visits to the Thering homestead over the years, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Hartwick Emergency Squad,  P.O. Box 208, Hartwick, NY  13348. And even though their services were only needed for a day, the Thering family truly appreciates and suggests memorial gifts to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY  13820.  

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Pauline Tooley

August 25, 1922 - September 19, 2013

Pauline Tooley, 91, of Richmondville, passed away Thursday afternoon, September 19, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

Born August 25, 1922, in the Town of Hartwick, she was a daughter of Merton D. and Pearl M. (Turp) Tooley.

Pauline led a private life, which she shared throughout the years with companions Kenneth Merwin and Edward Hoosier, both of which preceded her in death.

She was also predeceased by three sons, Kenneth Merwin, Jr., Jerry Tooley, William Merwin, and a daughter, Patsy Brockway.

She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Cole, of Richmondville, several grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

There will be no services.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting the family.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Marjorie C. Gallup

July 19, 1921 - September 22, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Marjorie Camp Gallup died peacefully Sunday morning, September 22, 2013, at her home in Cooperstown. Better known by family and friends as Marge, she was 92.

Marge was born on July 19, 1921, in Middlefield, the youngest of six children to Alfred and Harriet Camp. She graduated from the Cooperstown High School in 1938 before joining the Women's Army Corp. She served in the military 1941 - 1945 in Washington DC, Papua, New Guinea and the Philippines. She obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Marge married Francis (Pudge) G. Gallup on April 17, 1949, and had three children: Mavis, Larry and Robert. Marge and Pudge operated Gallup's Taxi after the death of her father-in-law. She then worked for NY Telephone and AT&T until retirement in 1982 after 30 years of faithful service.

Marge was a woman devoted to her family and friends. Strong, stubborn, loving and a good sense of humor, she would lend a hand to anyone who needed it. Marge was a winning racecar driver who raced countless laps at Fonda, Morris and Brookfield. As an avid motorcyclist, snowmobiler and hunter she enjoyed the outdoors and had many stories about her adventures. Marge loved to bake and was known for her delicious pies! She was a devoted lover of animals and a bird watcher. Marge was also a proud lifetime member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown.  

Marge was predeceased by Pudge in 1993, her loving husband of 44 years, and her siblings Linda, Claude, Stella, Alfred, and Clifford. She is survived by her children, Mavis and Homer Lindstadt, Larry and Teriann Gallup and Bobby and Kathy Gallup; grandchildren Brian and Matthew Lindstadt; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends may call to pay their respects on Friday, September 27, 2013 from 9 - 10:30 AM at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown when Marge's family will be in attendance.  

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 on Friday, September 27, 2013 at the funeral home with Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating. Burial will follow in the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery with military honors accorded by the members of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard. Immediately following the services, a celebration of Marge's life will be held for family and friends at the Cooperstown Vets Club.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marge's name to the Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Michael Martinichio

February 29, 1952 - September 21, 2013

MILFORD - Michael Martinichio, 61, of Milford, passed away Saturday night, September 21, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

He was born February 29, 1952, in Binghamton, a son of the late James and Dorothy (Cady) Martinichio. After graduating from Binghamton North High School, Michael enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country as a Navy Corpsman for the next 10 years. During his time in the Navy, he received training in Nuclear Medicine Technology at George Washington University and the National Institute of Health. 

While stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, Michael met Kathleen "Kass" M. Hoffman, who was also serving in the military. They were united in marriage on March 28, 1980, in East Greenbush.   

In April of that same year, Michael received his honorable discharge from the Navy, and then became employed at Albany Medical Center where he eventually became chief technologist of nuclear medicine. He later went to work in the same field at Catskill Memorial Hospital. In June of 1991, Michael began working for Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, and served the Bassett Healthcare Network for the next twenty years as chief nuclear medicine technologist until retiring due to ill health in November 2011.

He was a very quiet man who enjoyed cooking, hunting and woodworking. He was also a member of Milford American Legion Post No. 1566.

Michael is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kass, of Milford; their daughter, Amelia "Amy" Martinichio, of Milford; and his son, Michael Clark, of Barrington, Rhode Island. He is further survived by his two brothers, Patrick and James, and a sister, Kathleen.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding. At the conclusion of the Mass, Military Honors will be accorded by members of the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Milford Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 359, Milford, NY  13807.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Nadine Louise Phillips

February 1, 1926 - September 21, 2013

HARTWICK - Nadine Louise Phillips, a life-long resident of Hartwick, passed away Saturday afternoon, September 21, 2013, at the Chestnut Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Oneonta. She was 87.

Born February 1, 1926, in Hartwick, Nadine was the daughter of Harold and Grace (Bryant) Beach. Raised in Hartwick, she graduated from Hartwick High School with the Class of 1945.  

She met her future husband, Robert Bruce Phillips, Sr., upon his return from serving in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. They were married on September 6, 1947 in a ceremony at her parents' home in Hartwick.  

That same year, Bob, and his father, Giles, entered into a partnership and began operation of Phillips Lumber Company, Inc. in Hartwick. Nadine served as the bookkeeper for the company for many years, as well as Secretary of the Board of Directors, until retiring in 1983.  

A member of the Hartwick Christian Church, Nadine also enjoyed serving her community, and was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Kinney Memorial Library.

In her leisure, Nadine enjoyed collecting antique postcards, and had amassed an extensive collection depicting the local area. She also had a passion for antique bottles, and her children have fond memories of digging for new finds.    

Throughout the years, Nadine and Bob enjoyed travelling together, especially in their Airstream travel trailer. They were members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International and travelled as far away as Alaska with their Airstream in tow.

Remembered by her family as a loving wife and devoted mother, Nadine is survived by her children, Mrs. Barbara Thorn and her husband, John, Bruce Phillips and his wife, Lucia, and James C. Phillips and his wife, Robin, all of Hartwick, and Mrs. Janet Welch and her husband, Chris, of Greene; seven grandchildren, Rev. John Thorn, Jr. of Texas, Jeffery Thorn of Hartwick, Jill Thorn of Rotterdam, Melissa Phillips of Hartwick, Sarah Thorson and her husband, Evan, of Endicott, Edward Welch of Rochester, and Sydney Welch of Greene; six great grandchildren, John Mark, Bethany, Keren, Jesse, Charity and Megan; and one great grandson, Kylan. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Robert Bruce Phillips, Sr., who died May 27, 2005. 

A graveside service will be offered at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013 in the Hartwick Cemetery with the Rev. Laverne H. Saxer, pastor of the Hartwick Christian Church officiating.  

For those who so desire, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Hartwick Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 208, Hartwick, NY 13348

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Truman K. ("T.K.") Bristoll

April 27, 1927 - September 9, 2013

SOUTH KORTRIGHT - Truman Kenly Bristoll, a World War II veteran and mechanical engineer for IBM who invented the ribbon feeding mechanism for typewriters, died Monday morning, September 9, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. Better known by family and friends simply as T.K., he was 86.

Born April 27, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was a son of Alan Yale and Frances Philbin (Kenly) Bristoll. While living in Narberth, Pennsylvania, he attended Wynewood High School. 

In October of 1944, T.K. enlisted in the United States Army and served as an airplane and engine mechanic. He received an Honorable Discharge on January 20, 1946, but the next day entered into active service in the Regular Army and continued working as a mechanic while serving in the Pacific Theater with the 371st Air Engineers. He also worked on docks as a hydraulic crew chief, later becoming assistant dock chief. On March 2, 1947, Corporal Bristoll received another Honorable Discharge from the US Army, but once again re-enlisted, this time with the Air Force of the United States. He was Honorably Discharged from the Armed Forces on March 2, 1950.

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), T.K. was employed for many years as a mechanical engineer for International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in Kingston and Poughkeepsie. During this time, he invented the ribbon feeding mechanism for typewriters. This invention, patented in 1958 (#US 2858928 A), helped revolutionize typewriters, making their operation much easier for the millions of people who utilized these once-vital business machines.  

T.K. was a man who had many and varied interests, all of which he pursued with a passion. While living along the Hudson, he received his license from the United States Coast Guard to operate or navigate motor boats carrying passengers for hire, and at one time captained a launch on the river. A licensed radio amateur (truly a misnomer, since T.K. was far from an amateur in this field) his call sign was W2TKB. At one time he served as President of the Walton Radio Association (also known as the Ham Radio Club of Walton and the Walton Amateur Radio Club) as well as the Margaretville Amateur Radio Club. He was also a model airplane enthusiast, and had a history of flying radio controlled planes during his years in Westchester County. T.K. was a true outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as photography. This love for the outdoors was imparted to many boys when he served as a Scout Leader with the Boy Scouts of America as well as through the hunter safety courses he taught while he and his family were living in Red Hook. Throughout his life he remained a steadfast member of the National Rifle Association of America.

In 1990, T.K. and his wife, Karen, began building a house on property they owned in Delaware County, and in 1998 they moved permanently from Red Hook to South Kortright where they have since made their home.

T.K. is survived by his wife of 41 years, Karen M. Bristoll, of South Kortright; three daughters, Amy Starr Blum and her husband, Henry, of Croton-on-Hudson, Bonnie Starr Bristoll of Red Hook, and Cynthia Starr Hanlon and her husband, Kevin, of Red Hook; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by an adopted son, Kent Starr Bristoll. 

He was preceded in death by one son, Alan Starr Bristoll, who died August 28, 1998, and one brother, Thomas Bristoll.

Interment will be private in the memorial garden at Christ Church in Red Hook. 

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Henry S. Found

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND - Mr. Henry Stuart Found, a resident of the State of Maryland, died August 12, 2013, at an assisted living facility in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was 97. 

A veteran of World War II, Henry served in the Pacific Theater with the United States Navy Construction Battalion, also known as the Seabees.  

On October 29, 1946, Henry married Ruth Bell Turney, in Houlton, Maine. After living for a time in the Cooperstown area, they moved to Montgomery County in the State of Maryland where they settled and raised their family. In their retirement years, Henry and Ruth moved to Shade Gap, Pennsylvania, where they enjoyed living in a log cabin. In 2007, they moved back to the State of Maryland to live with family.  

Henry is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Rebecca Ann Gehring of Hagerstown, Maryland, Mrs. Nancy Jean Chica of La Plata, Maryland, and Mrs. Susan Gay Lyst of Silver Spring, Maryland, and; two sons, David Guy Found of Damascus, Maryland, and Henry Stuart Found, Jr., of Nags Head, North Carolina; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Dottie Gebbia and her husband, Frank, of Cooperstown.  

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mrs. Ruth Bell Turney Found, who died September 4, 2007.  

A funeral service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2013, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club.  

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.