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

Eric H. Forster

September 18, 1963 - August 18, 2014

I shall enter the very presence of all my guides,

Those lights of this world who are yet to appear,

Those sequentially turning the wheels of complete awakening,

Those who reveal nirvana - final, perfect peace.

-- from The King of Prayers

FLY CREEK VALLEY - Eric Henry Forster, age 50, made the transition from this life to the next on August 18, 2014.

Eric entered this life September 18, 1963, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. He was a son of Henry and Frances (Kirby) Forster.

After graduating from high school in 1982, he attended college. He later served his country during the mid-1980s in the United States Navy.

At present he was an organic farmer and assisted his mother on Shadbush Farm in Fly Creek Valley.

A devoted follower of the teachings of Buddha, Eric was a vital part of the Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Meditation Center in Cooperstown.

Eric is survived by his mother, Frances K. Forster, of Fly Creek Valley; two aunts, Annaliese and Dorothy; an uncle, Allan; and his friends of the Buddhist faith.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Forster, and a brother, Mark Forster.

A gathering is being planned and will be held at Shadbush Farm in Fly Creek Valley in the Spring.

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.

Elizabeth Davidson

February 9, 1923 - August 10, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - Elizabeth Davidson, 91, of Cooperstown, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2014, at Otsego Manor.

Betty was born in New York City on February 9, 1923, the daughter of Willard James Davidson -- a native of Cooperstown -- and Ruth (Sutton) Davidson, who was from Slate Hill in Orange County.

At the age of six months, Betty and her parents moved to Cooperstown, where she graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1940. She then went to the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in New York City where she trained for three years to become a Registered Nurse. After that she attended the University of Minnesota where she received her bachelor of science degree and stayed on as part of the nursing school faculty. A person committed to education -- her own as well as others' -- she later became associated with Boston University, as well as Hartwick College in Oneonta.

Since 1941, Betty was affiliated with the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Following a long and distinguished career which culminated in her being the Discharge Planning Coordinator, she retired in 1985.

A person of deep faith, Betty was a member for many years of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown. She was also involved in her community, taking classes through the Center for Continuing Adult Learning, attending concerts and community dinners.

Betty will be fondly remembered for her stateliness, strength, great competence as a nurse, as well as her pragmatic, self-sufficient and independent nature.

Betty is survived by several cousins and friends.

A graveside service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Fly Creek, with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, and the Rev. Betsy Jay, Chaplain at Bassett Medical Center, officiating.

For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Betty, please consider Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

Wilhelmus Pijnenburg

March 13, 1936 - August 2, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - Wilhelmus "Willy" Pijnenburg, a long-time resident of Cooperstown and retired superintendant of The Leatherstocking Golf Course, passed away Saturday morning, August 2, 2014, at his home on Fair Street, surrounded by his family. He was 78.

A native of Holland, he was born March 13, 1936, in Tilburg, a son of Alfons and Josephina Henrika VanLoon Pÿnenburg. On January 22, 1952, Willy, his mother and seven siblings came to America. A newspaper article from January 30, 1952, best describes the family's arrival: "A 48-year-old mother and her eight children -- 4 boys and 4 girls ranging in age from 7 to 20 -- are now in Cooperstown, looking forward to a new life in a new country. Mrs. Josephine Pijnenburg and her family arrived in New York on Wednesday of last week. Instrumental in the emigration of the family to this country were Mrs. Hiram Burch, member of the local Double X Club, a 20-member women's social group which "adopted" the family several years ago and J. Harry Cook, well-known Cooperstown business man who has promised employment here for the oldest boy." Willy and his family quickly settled into their new home on the corner of Walnut and Delaware Streets and into life in the Village of Cooperstown.

On August 31, 1958, he married Eileen Bowman in a ceremony at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. Robert Murphy officiating. Willy and Eileen then made their home on Fair Street, where they raised their four children.

An avid golfer, Willy was employed for many years as the superintendant of The Leatherstocking Golf Course. He also enjoyed playing golf with his many friends, and was a part of the group that plays every Wednesday at Leatherstocking.

A member of the Native Sons of Cooperstown, Willy served his community as a member of Mechanics' Hook & Ladder Co. No. 5 of the Cooperstown Fire Department, and served as Fire Chief from 1980-1982.

Willy is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Maria and Rick Ragsdale of Adrian, Georgia, and Michelle and Steven Imbasciano of Morris; two sons and one daughter-in-law, David and Sharon Pijnenburg of Bethel, Connecticut, and Bill Pijnenburg of Hartwick; and a special granddaughter, Jacqi Le Pijnenburg of Bethel, Connecticut.

He is further survived by three sisters, Elssie ("Els") Tipsword of LaGrange, Georgia, Johanna ("Jo") Rotter and her husband, Peter, of Canastota, and Anna ("Ans") Rasmuson and her husband, Jim, of South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Edna Pijnenburg of Hogansville, Georgia, and Willy Fae Pijnenburg of LaGrange, Georgia; two brothers-in-law, John F.("Jack") Bowman of Apalachicola, Florida, and Charles A. Dimick of Cooperstown; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Eileen, who died August 19, 2005; one sister, Maria Johanna Pijnenburg Dimick, who died June 22, 2006; and three brothers, Andreas ("Andy"), Hubertus ("Hubert") and Alfons Pijnenburg.

Friends may call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, when Willy's family will be in attendance.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding.

The Service of Committal and Burial will be private at a later date in the Bowman Family Plot at St. Mary's Cemetery, Index, where Willy will be laid to rest with Eileen.

For those who wish to make a gift in memory of Willy, his family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Cooperstown Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

Harlo P. Beals, Jr.

October 3, 1926 - July 28, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - Harlo P. Beals, Jr., a native of Cooperstown, passed away Monday morning, July 28, 2014, at Otsego Manor. He was 87.

On October 3, 1926, Harlo was born at The Thanksgiving Hospital in Cooperstown, a son of Harlo P. Beals, Sr. and Margaret (Bostwick) Beals. His father had moved the family to Cooperstown in 1923, when he was chosen to be the manager of the Otsego County Farm Bureau Association.

After graduating from Cooperstown High School with the class of 1944, Harlo entered into active service with the United States Army and proudly served his country during World War II.

Following his military service, he attended Cornell University, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1950.

After working for American Chemical, Harlo returned to Cooperstown and joined the McEwan Hardware Company in 1969 as a principal, and was named Secretary of the corporation. He continued with the company following its' affiliation with Ace Hardware, and retired in 1994.

Throughout his life, Harlo lived in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Ithaca, and Canada, yet always considered Cooperstown his true home. A member of the Native Sons of Cooperstown, Harlo was also a member of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579, the Cooperstown Fire Department, and was a former member of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown.

Harlo's interests included restoring Model A and Model T cars, player pianos, repairing antique clocks and antique wooden boats. He thoroughly enjoyed boating on Otsego Lake.

Harlo is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha Scott Beals, whom he married September 17, 1949, in Ithaca. He is further survived by two sons, Kevin Beals and his wife, Kathie, of Parish, and Stephen Beals and Stacy of Cooperstown; 1 daughter, Susan Beals of Cuyler; two foster daughters, Tina Parks and Dale Hendricks of Cooperstown and Nancy Parshall and her husband, Carl ("Pete"), of Morris; and 12 grandchildren, Kyle Beals and his wife, Brandy, Kory Beals and his wife, Kelly, Gabe Beals, Melanie Bobowski, and her husband, Mattias Wadenstein, Jessica MacKay and her husband, Joshua, Elizabeth Soutar and her husband, Gordon, Sarah Roberts and her husband, Joseph, Laurie Butts and her husband, John, Carrie Warner and Jamie Parson, Jillian LaBadia and her husband, Joey, and Neil and Christine Parshall. Harlo also enjoyed his 11 great grandchildren, Jackson Beals, Wyatt and Allison Butts, Hailey James, Karli Warner and Madison Parson, Ronin Mooney, Tala MacKay, and Caitlin, Emily and Adam Roberts. Harlo also has a sister-in-law, Ruth Scott, of Trumansburg, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Burton and Robert Beals.

A graveside service will be offered at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2014, in Lakewood Cemetery, with the Rev. Betsy Jay, Chaplain at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, officiating.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Cooperstown Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or to The Rotary Club of Cooperstown for the benefit of the Youth Exchange Program, P.O. Box 993, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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