Robert Mills Crampton

May 1, 1944 - October 21, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Robert Mills Crampton, a long-time teacher and avid sportsman, died at his home, "Maple Shade", early Monday morning, October 21, 2013. A loving husband and father, he was 69.

A native of New Jersey, Bob was born May 1, 1944, in Rahway, a son of the late Charles Ward Crampton, Jr. and Marion Elizabeth née Mills Crampton. He grew up in Westfield, where he enjoyed playing on little league and pony league baseball teams.

Throughout his youth, Bob enjoyed visiting the Cooperstown area, and with his family were regular summer residents of the Otsego Colony.  

After graduating from high school, Bob attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in economics in 1966. While a student at Lafayette, Bob excelled in sports and other extracurricular activities. During his freshman year he played on the baseball team, and for the next three years was on the golf team, ultimately being named MVP in his senior year. Bob was also a member of the Bridge team and was a social member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Bob later attended Montclair State College where he earned a Master's degree in education. He began his teaching career in 1969 with the Binghamton School District, and taught at the Alexander Hamilton Elementary School until 1973. Bob and his family then moved to Cooperstown and in September of 1974 he began teaching third grade at the Schuyler Lake School, which was a part of Richfield Springs Central School, where he taught until 2004 when he retired.

Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed playing all kinds of sports. He played squash, and as a member of the Clark Sports Center Squash Team, played in many tournaments at the Fort Orange Club in Albany. He also played tennis, which he coached, along with golf, at Richfield Springs; racquetball, table tennis and basketball at the Clark Sports Center.    

Golf, though, was his main passion - the sport at which he truly excelled. As a high school student, he got his first hole-in-one while playing at the Otsego Golf Club in Springfield Center. In the early 70s he was a member of the En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott where he was club champion and played in the first BC Open, a PGA tour golf tournament. A long-time subscriber at The Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, Bob was club champion there multiple times, as well as being champion at the Otsego Golf Club.  

In addition to teaching and playing sports, Bob enjoyed owning and operating the bed and breakfast he and his wife, Linda established in 1986, named "Maple Shade".    

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, the former Linda Lee Stiles, whom he married on June 18, 1966, in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. Bob is further survived by their children and their families: Robert Stiles Crampton of Seattle, Washington, Michael Ward Crampton and Lisa Smith and their son, Julian Robert Smith Crampton, all of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, and Nancy Lynn Crampton and Felix Abreu, and their daughter, Emilia Mae Abreu of the Bronx.  

Bob is also survived by his brother, William Scott Crampton, of Colorado; two nieces, Mary Beth Crampton of Boston, Massachusetts, and Lindsay Crampton of Rochester; and two nephews, Matthew Reid Crampton of Rochester, and William Scott Crampton, Jr., of Colorado.

Family and friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2013, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. 

The family will be having a memorial for him next Spring at their home.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049.

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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Benjamin H. Clark

COOPERSTOWN - Benjamin Harris Clark, a native of Cooperstown who resided in Jupiter, Florida, and was employed as the Broadcast Manager for Prestige Cruise Lines on their ship "Marina", died unexpectedly of natural causes on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, while in port in Barcelona, Spain. The son of Robert J. Clark and the late Sandra Goddard Clark, Ben was 43 years old.

Ben was born in Cooperstown and lived there through his Junior High School years. He then moved to Jupiter, Florida, where he graduated from Jupiter High School. He went on to receive an Associate of Arts Degree from Palm Beach Gardens Community College and an Associate of Arts Degree in Video Production from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

Ben worked as a Broadcast Manager in the cruise line industry for sixteen years. During this time Ben traveled to all corners of the world, exploring places that most of us could only dream of and touching the lives of many in the process. He was known to his many friends all over the world as "Big or Gentle Ben", which clearly reflected his gentle warmth and caring personality.  Ben was an excellent amateur photographer who documented his travels and the friendships he forged through his pictures, sharing his journeys with his many friends and family online.  

Even when Ben was not aboard ship he loved to travel, crisscrossing the country during his time off visiting friends and family. He had a special love for Walt Disney World where he worked for a period of time in his twenties, and he often returned there to spend time with these friends.

Ben was predeceased by his mother, Sandra, and grandparents Betsy and John Goddard, and Lillian and Harris Clark.

Ben is survived by his father, Robert, and his partner Deni Wicks; his brother Stephen Clark and his wife, Arleen; his sister Karen Breitkreuz; his aunts and uncles, Carol Hanlon, Gail Daly and her husband, George, Ben Goddard and his wife, Lynn, Lucille Roberts, and Joan Clark; his cousins Linda Pokorny, Joan Mahoney and her husband, Tad, Joyce Boyd and her husband, Spike, Gordon Clark and his wife, Nancy, Karen Moakler and her partner, Jim, Alan Clark and his wife, Alina, Cynthia Minkiewicz, Bradley Clark, Jim Clark and his wife, Diane, Jeff Daly and his wife, Shelly, Brian Goddard, Katherine Goodison, Julie Ray, and Don Roberts; and second cousins Jennifer Mickle and her husband, Ron, Brian Pokorny and his wife, Susan, Mike Pokorny and his wife, Maggie, Shawn Pokorny, Shannon Mahoney, Shaun Mahoney, Suzanne and Jackie Clark, Alan and Mitchell Clark, Lauren and Josh Daly.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, October 26, 2013, from 11-1 p.m., followed by a service to celebrate Ben's life, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown

In lieu of flowers, Ben's family suggests that memorial gifts be directed to The SPCA of the Treasure Coast, 1008 NE Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach, FL 34957 or 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Robert C. Hoag

September 20, 1946 - October 15, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Robert Carl ("Bob") Hoag, a long-time resident of the Cooperstown area, passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, October 15, 2013, at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin. He was 67. 

Born September 20, 1946, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, he was a son of Lafayette C. and Gertrude (Eggleston) Hoag. Raised in Cooperstown, he graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1967. 

On July 13, 1967, Bob was inducted into the United States Army, and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War with Company C, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry, 2nd Armored Division. He was awarded a Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge. On July 11, 1969, he received his Honorable Discharge from the military, and was Honorably Discharged from the Reserves in 1973.

Shortly after returning to Cooperstown from his time in the service, Bob became employed at the Victory Market and later the Great American, where he served for many years as a stock clerk.  

An avid outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed camping and hunting, as well as travelling. He always enjoyed taking rides in the car, and came to know all the back roads in the area. His true love was trains, with his enjoyment extending from model railroading and the many layouts he created, to volunteering with the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society as a traffic and crossing guard on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad.  

Bob is survived by his wife, the former Leona Seward; their two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica; three stepsons, Mike Smith and son, Brett, Shawn Smith & son, Alex, and Patrick Smith and son, Keegan; three grandsons, Isaiah Hoag, Nathanial Juhl, and Donald Holden; two brothers, Donald Hoag and his wife, Barbara, of the Town of Maryland, and Richard Hoag and his wife, Barbara, of Middlefield; two sisters-in-law, Dawn Hoag of Milford and Kathryn Hoag of Bridgewater; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife's siblings, Marge Hill and her fiancé, Phil, of Red Creek, John Seward and his wife, Hortencia, of California, and Senator James L. Seward and his wife, Cindy, of Milford. 

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude, who died January 24, 1979; his father, Lafayette, who died September 21, 2002; three brothers, Charles F. Hoag, who died July 31, 1989, Lafayette A. "Bud" Hoag, who died May 23, 2009, and Douglas B. Hoag, who died June 19, 2012; a granddaughter, Alyssa Hoag, who died in 2006; a nephew, James Hoag, who died in 1990; and an uncle, William Carvin.  

Family and friends are invited to call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2013.

A Funeral Service will be offered at the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013, with the Rev. Ronald Fralick officiating.

Following cremation, Bob will be laid to rest at a later date in the Milford Cemetery. At that time, Military Honors will be accorded by members of the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard. 

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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Helen Williams

November 29, 1918 - October 8, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Helen Williams (née Lapinski) passed away at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown on Tuesday evening, October 8, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.  

Helen was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on November 29, 1918, to Joseph and Genevieve (née Gonsowski) Lapinski. She was a graduate of Bayonne High School.  

She met the love of her life, Tudor Penrose Williams, while they were both employed at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. Tudor went to serve his country in World War II, and upon his return they were married April 15, 1945. They lived in Leonia, New Jersey, which is where they built their first home together. Helen lived in Leonia until 2012 when she moved to Cooperstown to be closer to her family.  

Helen was employed at Lipton Tea, Inc. in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey until she retired in 1981. A long-time bowler and avid fan of the New York Yankees, she was a volunteer at St. Cecelia's Food Bank in Englewood, New Jersey for over 30 years, and was named volunteer of the year by the Lipton Tea Ambassadors for her many years of service. She was an active member of the Leonia Senior Citizens Club and enjoyed their trips to the casinos in Atlantic City.  

While living in Cooperstown, Helen joined the Prayerfully Made Group at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church where she met some wonderful new friends. She also enjoyed the luncheons with the Hartwick Seniors. Most of all she enjoyed all the times she got to spend with all her family here in Cooperstown.  

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Tudor, on July 3, 1981, and by her brothers Joseph and Alexander and her sisters Regina, Albina and Sabina.

Helen is survived by her son, Evan, and his wife, Susan, of Rochester Hills, MI; her daughter, Cynthia, and her husband, Stephen "Sharky" Nagelschmidt, of Cooperstown; Grandchildren Brooke Nagelschmidt and her companion, Ismael Bettancourt, Reid and Katie Nagelschmidt, David and Noelle Williams, and Daniel Williams; and her cherished great granddaughter Allison May Nagelschmidt.

Visitation was held at the Frank A. Patti Funeral Home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, on Friday, October 11, 2013.

On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Helen's life was celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Leonia, New Jersey. She was buried later that day at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey. 

Memorial donations in Helen's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 Adams Avenue, Endicott, NY  13760.

Arrangements were with Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Directors in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Anthony C. McShane

COOPERSTOWN - Anthony C. McShane, formerly of Christian Hill, passed away Wednesday morning, October 9, 2013, at his home in the Town of Oneonta. He was 71.

A long-time resident of the Cooperstown area, Tony served for over twenty years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, and more recently was in the pre-admissions department at Bassett Medical Center.

He is survived by his loving family members and many friends.   

A Celebration of Life will be offered from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2013, at Templeton Hall, located at the corner of Church and Pioneer Streets in Cooperstown. Please stop in for a casual time in which to share stories and some refreshments with Tony's family.  

In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to Round the Clock In-Home Care, LLC, "in memory of Anthony McShane" c/o Rebecca Little, 5580 Peakes Brook Road, Delhi, NY  13753.

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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Carmen D. Galati

COOPERSTOWN - Mrs. Carmen D. Galati, a resident of Lake Street in the Village of Cooperstown, died late Monday night, October 7, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. The wife of Joseph A. Galati,. Jr. , she was 86. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013, at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in Richfield Springs, with Fr. Paul Carey, pastor of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Waterville, presiding. 

The Service of Committal and Burial was later that afternoon in the Kateri Meadow Natural Burial Preserve at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna.

There were no calling hours.

Arrangements were 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Edward W. Koshar

September 19, 1931 - September 30, 2013

FLY CREEK - Edward W. Koshar, a life-long area resident, died unexpectedly Monday, September 30, 2013.  He was 82.

Born September 19, 1931, in the family farmhouse on Christian Hill, he was the son of Austrian-Hungarian immigrants Anton and Jennie (Rojec) Koshar.  

Ed married Elizabeth I. Gorney on August 1, 1953, in a ceremony at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. They shared 56 wonderful years together until Betty died December 2, 2009.

For many years, Ed was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Otsego Highway Department.    

A quiet, yet determined individual, his meticulously kept home and property were a testament to his old world upbringing. Ed will be fondly remembered as a good neighbor whose presence in Fly Creek will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Ed is survived by one son, Michael Koshar, Sr., of Lewiston, Maine; one daughter, Anne Stewart and her husband, Glenn Stewart, Sr., of Sanford, Maine; and three grandsons, Michael Koshar, Jr., and Liam and Nicholas Couture. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Olga Koshar of Christian Hill, Mrs. Josephine ("Josie") Bliss of Cooperstown, and Mrs. Dorothy Ricco of Ladera Beach, California, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Betty, Ed was preceded in death by two sisters, Rose Paciocco and Mary Janes; three brothers, Anthony Koshar, who was killed in action on February 19, 1944, in Enewetak on the Marshall Islands, Joseph A. Koshar and Frank R. Koshar; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen M. Cankar.   

With respect for Ed's wishes, there will be no services. Consolation may be taken by remembering that Ed is once again together with his beloved Betty.

For those who wish to make a memorial gift in memory of Ed, please consider the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 218, Fly Creek, NY  13337-0218 or 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Charles D. DeCarr, Jr.

December 26, 1932 - September 28, 2013

SCHUYLER LAKE - Charles Dennis DeCarr, Jr., TSgt US Air Force (ret.). A former resident of the Schuyler Lake area who more recently resided at the New York State Veterans' Home at Oxford, died Saturday morning, September 28, 2013, at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, he was 80.

Born December 26, 1932, in Richfield Springs, Charlie was a son of Charles Dennis DeCarr and Louise (Monroe) DeCarr. He first lived in Toddsville where he attended school until the family moved to Schuyler Lake. He attended grade school there until going to Richfield Springs Central School.

On August 27, 1951, Charlie enlisted in the United States Air Force, and began what would become a 19-year career in the armed forces. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and as a radar technician was part of the 13th Communications Construction Squadron. He was stationed in many places throughout the world, including Germany, Italy and Iceland. Towards the end of his Air Force career, he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska and received his Honorable Discharge at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, having attained the rank of Technical Sergeant.  

Upon his return to New York State, Charlie worked for a time in a glove factory in Amsterdam.

Always a devoted veteran, he was a life member of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579 in Cooperstown.  

Charlie is survived by his four children, Cheryl, Cindy, Charles and Randy, as well as his brother, Chester DeCarr and his wife, Jane Temple. He is further survived by nieces and nephews, including Chet DeCarr and his wife, Regina, Cheryl and Jim Foote, Cindy Paramore and family, Cathleen DeCarr and Christopher DeCarr.

He was predeceased by his companion, Lera A. Russell - another long-time Schuyler Lake resident - who died February 1, 2010, and by his son, David DeCarr, who died in 2008.   

Military Honors for TSgt. DeCarr will be offered at 1p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2013, in the Schuyler Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force Base Honor Guard from the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, and by members of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579 in Cooperstown. 

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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Therese M. McQuillan

December 13, 1928 - September 27, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Therese M. McQuillan, age 84, died Friday night September 27, 2013, at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown.  

A private graveside service was held in Calvary Cemetery in Queens.

Arrangements were 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.