Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: January 2014

James F. Faliveno

August 18, 1946 - January 26, 2014

CHERRY VALLEY - James F. Faliveno, 67, of Cherry Valley, NY, passed away peacefully in his home following a brief illness on January 26, 2014. Jim was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing.

Born in Gloversville, NY, to the late Fred Faliveno and Mary Viscosi on August 18, 1946, Jim attended local schools and graduated from Ithaca College. Jim is the founder and president of Monumental Computer Applications, Inc., located in Cherry Valley, NY. It has grown to be an internationally recognized company serving the monument industry for over 28 years.

Jim married Jeanne Burton on August 5, 1995, in an outdoor ceremony at their home in Cherry Valley. James Faliveno is survived by his wife, Jeanne Faliveno, and her children Chris VanCour and wife, Daniela Giacomelli, of Baldwinsville, NY, Shannon VanCour and husband, Liam Delaney, of Cherry Valley, David Hargrove and fiancé Sheena Hobart of Jeffersonville, VT, and Daniel Hargove of Cherry Valley. Grandchildren include Gianlucca and Marco VanCour, Aidan and Declan Delaney and Logan Hargrove. Jim is survived by his brother, Tim Faliveno and wife, Karen, of Ilion, NY, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members. Jim was predeceased by his brother, Fred Faliveno.

Jim was known by the local community to be encouraging and supportive. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. His extreme generosity was extended to charities and organizations throughout the area.

"Gentleman Jim", as known by his friends and fans, had a lifelong passion for singing and enthusiastically playing the guitar at many different venues and events. He will be missed by the music community.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School extra-curricular music fund, P.O. Box 485, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.

Calling hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, and funeral Thursday, January 30, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY.

A burial service will be held at a later date.

The family would appreciate all floral orders to be placed with A Rose is a Rose in Cherry Valley. Thank you.

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.

Donald L. Olin

February 11, 1933 - January 24, 2014

FLY CREEK - Donald Lee Olin, 80, passed away Friday evening, January 24, 2014, at Otsego Manor.

Born February 11, 1933, Don was the second son of Francis S. and Beatrice Q. Olin.

He spent his school years in Fly Creek and Cooperstown, graduating from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1951. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Oswego State University, graduating in 1960. He taught Industrial Arts and Driver Education.

On March 21, 1964, he married Gail R. Townsend at the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta. Don and Gail taught in the Albany area at the Guilderland Central Schools. In 1968 they moved to the Cooperstown/Fly Creek area to raise their family.

Don owned "The Cobbler Shoppe" shoe store in Cooperstown for eight years, selling real estate "on the side." In 1977, he opened Don Olin Realty. Since his retirement in 2000, Don and Gail have spent about six months "on the road" living in their RV.

Don is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gail, of Fly Creek; three daughters, Stacey (Robin) Donaldson of Florida, Tami L. Olin and her children, Beatrice and Tanner of Franklin, Tennessee and Karli (Justin) Walsh and their children, Isabela and Finnian of Doha, Qatar; his brother, Richard (Jean) Olin of Florida; and many nieces and nephews and their children.

Don was predeceased by his parents.

There will be no calling hours.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the family's convenience.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don's memory may be made to the Fly Creek United Methodist Church's Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 128, Fly Creek, NY 13337.

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

Celebration of Life Memorial Service
Updated 7/15/2014

FLY CREEK - A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Donald Lee Olin will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2014, at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, pastor, officiating. Immediately following the service light refreshments will be served at the church. As this will be a casual event, it is requested by Don's family that people dress accordingly.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don's memory may be made to the Fly Creek United Methodist Church's Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 128, Fly Creek, NY 13337.

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

Christine E. Wheeler

February 4, 1962 - January 20, 2014

ONEIDA - Christine E. Wheeler, 51, of Oneida passed away Monday morning, January 20, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

Born February 4, 1962, in Central Islip on Long Island, she was a daughter of the late Edward David and Marion Thelma (Forsyth) Goritski. She was a graduate of Oneida High School.

On August 1, 1981, Christine married Christopher Charles Wheeler in a ceremony at which Judge Lawrence Finley of the City of Oneida officiated.

For the past several years Christine was her husband's business partner in Wheeler's Place, a pet supplies and wood products business. She had a fondness for all animals, great and small, and loved flowers, especially roses.

Christine is survived by her beloved husband of 32 years, Christopher C. Wheeler of Oneida; their two sons who were her pride and joy and her best accomplishment, Craig Wheeler and his fiancé, Kristen Corcoran, of Easton, PA, and Curt Wheeler and his wife, Jennifer, of Bedminster, NJ; two sisters, Dorothy Janczuk and her husband, Timothy, of Morrisville and Marion Tanner and her husband, Brian, of Chittenango; a brother-in-law William Duncan Wheeler and his wife, Evelyn, of New Bern, NC and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Harley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Craig Goritski who died October 16, 1993.

Christine's family will receive friends at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, from 5-8 pm.

A funeral service will be offered at the funeral home at 12 noon on Thursday, January 23, 2014, with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating.

Burial will be later in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Christine's family would appreciate memorial gifts to Wanderer's Rest Humane Association, 7138 Sutherland Drive, Canastota, NY 13032.

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

Notice of Service of Committal and Burial
Updated 6/4/2014

ONEIDA - The Service of Committal and Burial for Christine E. Wheeler, 51, of Oneida, who died January 20, 2014, will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2014, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Fly Creek, with the Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating.

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

Michael J. Basile

January 12, 1952 - January 18, 2014

O God, who said as long as you did it for one of these my children you did it for me, grant a fitting reward to your fireman who has given his time and energy for the good of others. To him who gave up his rest at all hours of the day and night grant eternal rest; to him who has answered his final alarm on earth, grant a place of refreshment, joy and peace.

HARTWICK SEMINARY - Michael J. Basile, a man who dedicated over 40 years to fire and EMS efforts in his community, passed away following a valiant battle with cancer Saturday evening, January 18, 2014, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown with his loving family at his side. The current Chief of Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2 in Hartwick Seminary, Mike was 62.

Born January 12, 1952, in Far Rockaway, Queens, he was a son of Joseph F. and Phyllis (Maiorino) Basile.

Raised on Long Island in Massapequa, he graduated in 1969 from Plainedge High School. After briefly attending college, he went to work for Baisley Lumber Company on Long Island. When he moved to Hartwick he learned the electrical trade with his uncle. He later started his own business, Basile & Son Fire Alarms.

In 1972 Mike and his family moved upstate to Hartwick. He came to meet Claudia D. Hall, and the two were married October 19, 1986, in a ceremony at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church.

Throughout most of his life Mike was dedicated to fire service, beginning with his membership as a young man in the North Massapequa Fire Department. After moving to upstate New York, Mike played a vital role in contributing to fire and EMS efforts in his community as well as in the county. He first served Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 1 as Captain of the Hartwick Emergency Squad, and was currently a volunteer and Chief for Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2 in Hartwick Seminary. He was also currently serving as the Deputy EMS Coordinator (OC-7) for the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services.

In his leisure, Mike enjoyed playing the accordion as well as the keyboard along with his brother, Alan, in their band, "Travelin' Thru".

A well-respected individual, Mike was a person everyone loved. He will be greatly missed by his family and the community he served so selflessly.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Claudia, their son and daughter-in-law, John ("J.R.") and Jennifer Basile, and one granddaughter, Kaylee Basile. He is further survived by his mother, Phyllis Basile; one brother and sister-in-law, Alan P. and Peggy Basile; one sister and brother-in-law, Joann M. and Bernie Zeh; his nieces and nephews, Katherine Basile, Joe Basile, Bernie Zeh III, Christopher Zeh, Dominick Zeh, Michelle Zeh, Jody Harrington, and Jenna Utter and her husband, Kevin, and their son Lucas; and a sister-in-law, Debbie Harrington and her husband, Gary. Mike will be especially missed by his beloved Dalmatian, Chief.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph F. Basile, who died December 9, 2012.

Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 3-6 pm when Mike's family will be in attendance.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, 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, a Firefighter Memorial Service for Chief Basile will be conducted by his fellow firefighters.

Immediately following the services at the church, Chief Basile's remains will be borne to E-372, Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2's 2006 Freightliner Pumper. A procession will follow, during which Chief Basile's remains will pause at Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 1, his former home in Hartwick, and will culminate with the Final Alarm at Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2. A reception will follow in the Fire Hall.

For those who so desire, donations in memory of Mike may be made to Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2, 4877 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

David F. Lewis

March 24, 1935 - January 14, 2014

UNADILLA - David F. Lewis passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown following a lengthy illness. He was 78 years old.

Born March 24, 1935, David was a son of the late Agnes and Frank Lewis of Highland Mills.

He was a United States Marine veteran who served during the Korean War, and was an avid sportsman and reader.

David is survived by his daughter, Marylouise (Kevin) Dygert; grandson, Christopher Dygert; his sister, Ellen (Ferris) Tomer; brother, Albert (Jan) Lewis; his mother-in-law, Maria Sullivan; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Katherine Sullivan Lewis in April 2012.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date.

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

Peter M. Johngren

January 18, 1941 - January 4, 2014

HARTWICK – Peter Morgan Johngren died Saturday, Jan. 4, at his home surrounded by his family following a lengthy illness. He would have been 73 on Jan. 18.

Peter was born in Brockton, MA, in 1941, the first child of Alton Elof Johngren and Ruth Bonhotal Morgan. He attended Brockton public schools and graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. He graduated from Albany Medical College in 1967 and finished his psychiatric residency at the Cleveland Clinic in 1971.

Peter served as a Major in the US Army Medical Corps at Madigan Army Medical Center in Ft. Lewis, WA from 1971 to 1973 during the Vietnam War. He was employed by M.I. Bassett Hospital beginning in July, 1973, and served as attending psychiatrist on the inpatient unit until 1997. He continued as a consulting psychiatrist until his full retirement in 2002.

While still in medical school Peter married Jane Ann Schaefer, whom he had met at Tufts in 1962, in Westport, CT. His two children, Emily Ruth Johngren Ward and Michael Peter Johngren, were born during his residency in Cleveland.

An amateur photographer since the eighth grade, when he began developing and printing his own black and white images, Peter experimented with color printing and enthusiastically embraced digital photography and printing with Photoshop from its beginnings. He studied photography with George Lepp, Gary Randorf, and Carl Heilman II, among others, and with the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and John Radigan’s Adirondack Photography Institute.

Peter’s nature photographs have been shown in exhibits at the Cooperstown Art Association, the Central New York Community Arts Council at The Stanley in Utica, The Smithy-Pioneer Gallery in Cooperstown, Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts (now CANO) in Oneonta, the Arts Guild of Old Forge (now View), Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake, and the Yager Museum at Hartwick College. He also participated in arts festivals in Saratoga Springs and Inlet, NY. His image “In the Dawn’s Early Light” won the award for Best Adirondack Photograph in Old Forge in 2006.

In addition, Peter made a specialty of photographing the work of other artists, including folk painter Ed Johnson and sculptor Walter Dusenbery, among others, and worked extensively with Scottie Baker of Natura Productions for many years. With his wife Jane, a potter and writer, he formed Heatherspray Studio, and also enjoyed producing limited editions of books of his photographs.

One of the books documented his building of “Winslow,” a wooden sailboat reminiscent of the boats he had enjoyed in his youth on Cape Cod, a project he decided to take on to counter the negative effects of chemotherapy. He finished the boat in May, 2009, and was able to sail it occasionally on Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks for three summers.

An outdoor enthusiast since childhood, Peter enjoyed sailing, downhill skiing, hiking, backpacking and canoeing, but he was also a computer geek, stereo buff, movie aficionado, and a fan of all kinds of music, which he loved hearing in live performance and on his own sound system. He was an early fan of Justin Bieber and followed the young singer on Twitter using the handle “Senior Biebs.” He even received a shout-out from Justin after a newspaper article in Canada profiled Peter’s interest and its therapeutic impact on his illness.

Peter is survived by his wife and best friend, Jane, of 48 1/2 years; his children Emily Ward and her husband, Bob, and Michael Johngren and his wife Jeanne Muller Johngren; his granddaughter Maia; his brother Carl Alton Johngren; his nephew Dana Johngren and his wife Rachel and their children Bart, Erin and Brianna; his sister-in-law Susan B. Schaefer; and his niece Rebecca Schaefer Kohl and her husband Nate.

His family would like to express their gratitude to the entire staff of Bassett Healthcare Network’s Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Eric Bravin and Dr. Tim Campbell, and to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, especially Sharon Kinch-Mead and Anne Bishop, among others.

The family will be pleased to welcome friends to remember and celebrate Peter’s life by calling at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown on Sunday, January 12, 2014, from 3 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Peter’s memory may be made to the Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

Grace Annamay Carlsen Lettis

May 13, 1928 - January 5, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - Grace Annamay Carlsen Lettis of Cooperstown, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 5, 2014, at Albany Medical Center. She was 85.

Born May 13, 1928, in Lindenhurst on Long Island, Grace was the fourth child of Ole Gustove and Anna Nicole Nelson Carlsen. Both her parents had immigrated from Norway in the early part of the twentieth century.

When she was a teenager, Grace's family moved to Brooklyn where she attended Washington Irving High School. After World War II the family moved to Oneonta where she worked as a telephone operator and later at Bresee's Department Store.

It was during this time that she met her future husband, Donald Robert (Bob) Lettis. They were married in Oneonta in 1947 and in 1950 they moved to Worcester where Bob taught school. In 1956, Bob's profession took the family to Cooperstown. While living in Cooperstown, Grace was employed at the Smart Shop and Nick Sterling's Ski Shop, both in Cooperstown and Konstanty's Ski Shop in Oneonta. In 1964 the family moved to New Jersey where Grace served as a long distance operator while her husband did graduate work at Pratt Institute in New York City. In 1966 the family moved to Hingham, MA where they lived for 36 years.

During the years that they lived in Massachusetts Grace received her baccalaureate degree from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and her Master's Degree in Social Work from Simmons College. She became a Licensed Social Worker and was employed by the South Shore Mental Health Clinic in Quincy, MA and was with the Hingham Visiting Nurses Association when she retired in 1987.

Her greatest pleasure and passion were her gardens. She had three at her home in Hingham, the most beloved of which was her rose garden which she maintained along the white picket fence at the side of "Shipcote", located on Ship Street in Hingham. Passersby would stop and photograph the beautiful roses and artists would set up their easels and paint them.

She was a long-time member of The First Parish Church in Hingham, Unitarian Universalist ("Old Ship Church"). Locally, she was a member of the Women's Club of Cooperstown.

Grace leaves her husband of 66 years, Donald Robert (Bob) Lettis of Cooperstown; three children, Charlotte Richardson and her husband Kirk of Portland, OR; Paula Bedford and her husband Jim of Northville, MI and Daniel Lettis of Clayton, NM; six grandchildren, Briget Bent, Nicole Meyer, Jacob Meyer, Daniel Meyer, Sam Richardson and Henry Richardson; three great grandchildren, Tanner Bent, Jillian Bent and Katelyn Torres; and one niece, Carol Kruitz and her husband Frank.

She was predeceased by her parents, Ole Gustove and Anna Nicole Carlsen; two sisters, Thelma Fryberg and her husband Ernest and Maude Soltys and her husband Walter; and one brother, Norman Carlsen and his wife Jean. She was also predeceased by her dear friend and mother-in-law, Charlotte Hall Lettis.

Family and friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 2-4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, January 10, 2014. A Funeral Service will be offered at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating.

Immediately following the service at the funeral home, all are welcome to attend a reception in the Augusta Clark Room of The Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.

Burial will be at a later date in the Lettis Family Plot in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to The Charlotte Hall Lettis Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o Cooperstown Central School District, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or to The Friendship Fund for The Friends of The Old Ship Meeting House, 55 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043.

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

Jack Weber

November 18, 1929 - January 3, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - John H. "Jack" Weber, Jr., 84, of Cooperstown, passed away Friday evening, January 3, 2014, at his home.

Born November 18, 1929, in Long Island City, he was the son of John Henry and Eleanor (Gernon) Weber.

Raised in Rego Park, Queens, he attended Forest Hills High School where he excelled in sports, lettering in soccer, baseball, and gymnastics. After graduating from high school, he attended the New York Institute of Applied Technology for a year. On May 28, 1952, Jack entered into active service with the United States Navy and proudly served his country during the Korean War aboard the USS Harder (SS-568), the second submarine to serve the US Navy by that name. He received his Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States on March 25, 1954.

Just prior to entering the military, Jack married Helen Schlimmeyer, the love of his life who he met during his high school years while he was playing sports and she was cheerleading. They were married on April 29, 1951, in a ceremony at Ascension Church in Rego Park, and settled in northern New Jersey in the Borough of Waldwick where they raised their family.

A steamfitter by trade, Jack was a member of Steamfitters Local 638, and was employed for many years by Centrifugal Associates in New York City. An active member of the Waldwick community, he served as a member and at one time Chief of the Waldwick Fire Department, and was also a devoted communicant of St. Luke's Church in Ho-Ho-Kus.

Through their good friend, Marjorie Landers, the Webers were introduced to Otsego County, and, after purchasing a second home and spending many weekends in the area, they became full-time residents in 1992.

After moving to Cooperstown, Jack became an active part of the community. A communicant of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church he served at one time on the Parish's buildings and grounds committee. Jack also enjoyed working at The Farmers' Museum as an interpreter, especially as a broom maker in The Westcott Shop and as a printer in The Print Shop. A dedicated volunteer for Bassett Healthcare and Habitat for Humanity, Jack was also a generous blood donor for the American Red Cross, having passed the five gallon mark many years ago. In his leisure he liked to read and cook.

Jack will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by one son, Ronald J. Weber and his wife, Arlene, of New Paltz; two daughters, Nancy Tallman and her husband, Dennis, of Fly Creek and Christine A. Soell and her husband, Julian, of Allendale, NJ; and eight grandchildren, Katie A. , Christopher R. and John J. Weber, Kyle S. Tallman, and Justin L. , Emily A. , Mitchell J., and Adam D. Soell.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Helen S. Weber, who died January 28, 2013; one sister, Eileen Hunter, who died January 8, 2013; and a son-in-law, Scott G. Peterson, who died July 17, 2001.

In fulfillment of Jack's desire to have his body donated for medical education and research, he has been gratefully received by the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical College.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in memory of Jack at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 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.

The Service of Committal and Burial will take place at a later date in St. Mary's Cemetery in Index.

In keeping with Jack's devotion to fire service, and in gratitude for assistance from local emergency personnel, Jack's family would greatly appreciate that memorial gifts in his memory be directed to The Cooperstown Fire Department, P. O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Another way to memorialize Jack's life would be a donation to The Farmers' Museum, P.O. Box 30, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County, 291 Chestnut Street, Suite 284, Oneonta, NY 13820.

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