Maryellen Wrubleski

February 1, 1960 - December 21, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Mrs. Maryellen Wrubleski, 53, of Cooperstown, passed unexpectedly Saturday evening, December 21, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

A native of Massachusetts, Maryellen was born at Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster on February 1, 1960, a daughter of Richard and Dorothy (Brezenski) Dabrowski.

She began her career in nursing by attending Loretta Heights College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1983. She later attended Medical School at the University of Massachusetts where she earned a Master of Science in Nursing and received her Nurse Practitioner at University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

After resigning from University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Maryellen and her family left Webster, Massachusetts, to pursue a new adventure.

Maryellen and her family moved to Cooperstown where she served at Bassett Medical Center as a Nurse Practitioner of the Cardiology Department for several years. A determined and energetic woman, Maryellen sought to improve her nursing credentials and recently completed post graduate work at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to become a Certified Nurse Anesthetist at Bassett Medical Center.

A faithful Roman Catholic, Maryellen was an active communicant of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake " Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. An ardent supporter of the parish, she served as chairman of the annual food-drive for the Cooperstown Food Pantry and most recently chaired the first annual antique furniture sale.

Maryellen was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, and was an amazing friend. Her ability to make others look inside themselves to become better people and her compassion for learning is what truly made her great. Her love was inspiring and anyone in her presence felt her overwhelming desire to help those in need.

Maryellen is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Brian P. Wrubleski of Cooperstown; two daughters, Alexandra Gunther and her husband, Steven, and Natalie Wrubleski; her parents,  Richard and Dorothy Dabrowski; one brother, Mark Dabrowski; and her loving animals, Bentley, Zoe, Karen and Jinx.

Maryellen will lie in repose in the sanctuary of  St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street, Cooperstown, beginning Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2013. Following the Rite of Reception of the Body, friends may pay their respects to the family at the church from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2013, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding. The Service of Committal and Burial will be in  St. Mary's Cemetery in Index.

As an alternative to flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, 1220 B East Joppa Road, Suite 332, Towson, Maryland, 21286 or Springbrook, 2705 State Highway 28, Oneonta, NY  13820.

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

Service of Commital and Burial
Updated April 26, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - The Service of Committal and Burial for Maryellen Wrubleski, beloved wife of Brian P. Wrubleski, will be offered at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014, in St. Mary's Cemetery, Index, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, officiating.

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.

Franklyn H. Rollins

November 13, 1917 - December 2, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Franklyn H. Rollins, a retired Cooperstown Central School music teacher, who was equally, if not more well-known for his excellence in the field of photography, "reached the end of the road" on Monday evening, December 2, 2013, at Otsego Manor. A former resident of Linden Avenue and more recently The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, Frank was 96.

Born in Syracuse on November 13, 1917, Frank was a son of Karl B. and Goldie (Holt) Rollins. Proud of a great grandfather who served in the Civil War, Frank was fond of a photograph he possessed taken when he was a year old that featured five generations of his family. Raised in the University section of Syracuse, he lived there until the sixth grade when his mother and younger brothers - Eugene, who they called "Doc", and Tom - moved to Earlville to be closer to his maternal relatives in 1931.  

At Earlville, Frank became interested in music and started informal musical groups at the school before the first band director was hired. When that director was hired, while Frank was still in high school, he lived at the Rollins' house. Frank once stated "three of the band directors stayed at my house. My mom used to take in teachers to make some extra money," illustrating a custom of hosting teachers that has ceased in present generations.  

Frank took his interest in music to college and graduated from the Crane School of Music at the Potsdam Normal School - now SUNY Potsdam - in 1941, majoring in percussion. He received his Masters Degree from the Columbia Teachers College by taking summer sessions for three years to finish his degree in 1947. For 33 years Frank taught band and choir at Oakfield, Cobleskill and Cooperstown schools before he retired from Cooperstown Central School in 1974.

In addition to his musical interests, Frank had a talent for photography that developed at an early age. It was in Syracuse at the age of 10 that Frank got his first taste of photography when he took a filled grocery store punch card and redeemed it for a camera and a roll of film at the local super market. After his grocery store camera Frank moved on to his mother's boxed Brownie, a classic camera he used on and off for years.

It was when he moved to Cobleskill to teach that his passion for photography truly flowered. Cliff Van Dervort, a professional photographer in Cobleskill, took Frank under his wing and taught him the trade.  

Although he saw his photography skills flourish in Cobleskill, Frank grew tired of teaching there, and applied for the vocal teacher position at Cooperstown. After a successful interview with then-principal Nicholas J. Sterling, Sr. he began teaching in Cooperstown in the Fall of 1957. He first lived in a rented apartment on Pine Boulevard but soon after purchased his first, and only, house on Linden Avenue.  

When the move was made to a new school building in February of 1969, the auditorium was opened with a production of "Oklahoma!" with Frank conducting the pit orchestra. He went on to conduct for five more musicals including "Guys and Dolls" and "South Pacific".

For a time he photographed the dress rehearsals for school musicals as well as productions staged by the fledgling Glimmerglass Opera Theatre. Several of the singers Frank taught or photographed throughout those years went on to professional careers in music.

Even after retirement Frank stayed connected to the school through his business, Rollins Photos - which boasted a motto he borrowed from his mentor, Cliff Van Dervort: "a complete photographic service" - taking almost all the photos for the sports teams and a number of senior-year pictures for graduates.  

In addition to providing his photography skills to the school, he photographed the classes of the AT&T Data Communications training program held at the Otesaga Hotel in the 1960s. He held this job for nine years until AT&T closed the school in 1969.  

For over 25 years Frank also photographed the Candy Stripers at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and was the official photographer to the Cooperstown Art Association and former Gallery 53 Artworks.

Frank also did copy work of many people's family photographs, and worked with many local photographers including Lady Ostapeck and Leila Durkin.  

A multi-talented individual with many interests, Frank was also an airplane pilot, a painter, and at one time tuned pianos. Of the Episcopal faith, he was a member of Christ Church in Cooperstown. 

He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Eugene "Doc" Rollins, who died in 1985 and Thomas Alden Rollins, who died in 2011.  

Frank is survived by two sisters-in-law, Kathleen Rollins of Longview, WA, and Alicia Rollins of Florida, and several nieces and nephews.  

At Frank's request there will be no calling hours or funeral service. He will be laid to rest next spring in the family burial plot in Earlville Cemetery.  

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.

Christine R. Drake

November 18, 1959 - December 1, 2013

HARTWICK - Christine R. Drake, a woman who will be lovingly remembered for her kind and selfless nature, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, December 1, 2013, at her home in the Town of Hartwick. Known by all as Chris, she was 54. 

Born November 18, 1959, at St. Luke's-Memorial Hospital in Utica, Chris was a daughter of Ralph Edward Lee and Theta E. (Decker) Lee.  

Throughout her life, Chris filled many roles:  "Gigi", mother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, niece, and friend. She was like a mother to many and her home was always open to others, especially at dinner time. As a music lover, she let her "Soul Shine". She was a tireless volunteer in her never ending quest to "Pay It Forward". Chris' heart embraced all she met, she seized the moments she created, she fought for her life, she exuded strength, courage and giving. She truly believed in "Cherishing the Gift of Time" with family and friends. She lived it!

Chris left this earth "loving us all bunches".

Chris is survived by her husband of 35 years, Charles F. Drake ("Chuck") and their two sons, Charles Frederick Nelson Drake ("Charlie") and Brian Russell Drake, and two grandsons, Wyatt and Waylon Drake, all of Hartwick. She is further survived by her six siblings: Shelly D. Mather and her husband, Timothy, of Moravia, Steven C. Lee and his wife, Pat, of Moravia, Teresa J. Lee and her companion, Chris Keiser, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dawn M. Herzog of Moravia, Frederick Peacock of Auburn, and Tonia L. Mawson and her husband, Dan, of Fabius, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Chris is also survived by her mother-in-law, Ada Drake, and her husband, Grover Jeffers, of Oneonta, and four sisters-in-law, Terry Bliss and her husband, Terry, Cindy Drake, Tammy Willsey and her husband, Mike, and Linda Drake and her husband, Ashok Malhotra.  

In addition to her mother, Theta, and father, Ralph, Chris was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Charles E. Drake, who died in 1995.  

An Open House to celebrate Chris' life will be held at the Drake home beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013.  

In memory of our dear Chris, please consider volunteering your time or donating blood.  

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.