Bernice G. Bachanas

December 4, 1930 - November 6, 2014

FLY CREEK - Bernice G. Bachanas, 83, of Fly Creek, died Thursday afternoon, November 6, 2014, at her home on Goose Street. 

She was born December 4, 1930, in the family home on Harry Roseboom Road in  Westville, one of 13 children of Harry and Lucy (Pratt) Roseboom.

After graduating from Milford High School with the Class of 1948, she was employed for a time at J.J. Newberry's on Main Street in Cooperstown. It was there that she met her future husband, Norman "Bub" Edmund Bachanas (who was extremely shy!).

On June 20, 1953, Bernice married Norm in a ceremony at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown.

For many years, she was employed as a cook in the central kitchen for the Otsego County Sheriff's Department in Cooperstown.

Bernice was an active member for over 50 years of the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company Ladies' Auxiliary. For an equal amount of time, she also served with the Otsego County Board of Elections, and at election time was a familiar face at the voting booths.

In her leisure, she enjoyed playing cards and tending to her flower gardens. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially camping and the vacation that took place just about every August which provided many great memories over the years.  

Bernice is survived by three children, Jane Bachanas and her partner, John Knapp, of Schuyler Lake, Bruce Bachanas and his wife, Jerilynn, of Christian Hill, and Michael Bachanas and his partner, Laura Duncan, of Richfield Springs; seven grandchildren, Alex Hawxhurst, Whitney, Kelsey and Lillian Bachanas, Mariah and Mackenzie Bachanas, and Paige Cooper; one great grandson, Connor Freeman; one brother, Donald Roseboom and his wife, Alice, of Georgia and formerly of Toddsville; many, many, many nieces and nephews; numerous friends; and an extremely faithful, furry companion, "Bub", her kitty cat.  

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, "Bub," (who affectionately called her "Bersie") who died July 7, 2006. She was also predeceased by five sisters, Rena C. Short, Dorothy A. Smith, Mary Broas, Bertha Teachout, and Grace Roseboom; and six brothers, F. Arthur, Paul, Robert, Stanley, Freeman and Leon Roseboom.

A graveside service will be offered at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Fly Creek. The service will be led by a nephew, Ron Smith, who will offer the eulogy. A niece, Ramona, will sing "A Coat of Many Colors," accompanied by a nephew, Eugene.  

In lieu of flowers, the Bachanas family kindly suggests that memorial gifts be directed to the Fly Creek Emergency Squad or the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 218, Fly Creek, NY  13337, or 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.