George W. Smith, Jr.

1930 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - George W. Smith, Jr. died peacefully Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a brief illness. 

George was born March 10, 1930, in Delhi to George W. Smith and Viola Freidenstine Smith. He spent his early years in Delaware County, and began his education in the Rock Valley and Goulds schools where both of his parents were teachers. 

He moved to Cooperstown with his family in 1945 when they relocated to establish cauliflower farms in the Pierstown area. During his last two years of high school George distinguished himself as a three-star athlete in football, basketball and baseball under the tutelage of "Red" Bursey. As quarterback he led the 1947 football team through an undefeated season and often recalled, "beating Oneonta in the snow." George-along with his teammates-was recently inducted into the Cooperstown Central School Athletic Hall of Fame. 

George attended Springfield College for two years before enlisting in the Air Force where he proudly served his country for four years during the Korean War. In 1956 he moved to Colorado where he completed his education at the University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in economics. Upon his graduation he went to work for UNIVAC and began his career as a sales representative on "the cutting edge" of the computer industry.

He married Lona Smith October 7, 1967 in Denver, Colorado and the couple moved to Los Angeles, California, where George became sales manager for Systems, Science, and Software. In 1973 George returned to his hometown of Cooperstown to take over the operation of the family dairy farms. In addition George and Lona opened and operated Summerwood Bed and Breakfast in Richfield Springs from 1984-2000. When they sold Summerwood, George and Lona returned to live in the farmhouse on top of the hill on his much loved Tanner Hill Farms. 

In recent years George and Lona spent the winter months in Florida. George loved to travel and meet new friends. 

The Cooperstown United Methodist Church was his church family for most of his life. He was a lifetime member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No 7128 in Cooperstown and a member of the Glimmerglass Festival Guild. 

He is survived by his wife, Lona, of 48 years; sister Kathryn Smith Mollach; nieces Jennifer Mollach Rice (Steven) and August, Patricia Mollach Cassidy, Martha Mollach Stackhouse (Kendal) Julia and Matthew; sister-in-law Sue Parkinson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Wilda and Jim Metzdorf; niece Amy Metzdorf-Hill (Justin Hill) and Jasmin Hill; his extended Butler family; special friends Cal, Bob, Richard, Herman, Patrick, Wayne, Jason, and Nick; and many long-time friends in Denver and Los Angeles and across the country.

George was predeceased by his parents George W. and Viola Freidenstine Smith, and his brother-in-law, Francis (Les) Mollach and nephew Douglas Lundquist.

There will be a memorial service honoring George's life in Cooperstown in the Spring of 2016. 

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.

Barbara Fort Dorsey

1927 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Barbara Fort Dorsey, 88, of Cooperstown, died peacefully Friday, December 18, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, surrounded by her family.

Born March 14, 1927 in Utica, Barbara was the only child of Margaret (McKenny) William Lapham Fort.

Raised in Douglaston, Queens, she studied English at Marymount College in Tarrytown. She married John David Dorsey June 10, 1950, in St. Anastasia Church in Douglaston. The couple raised a family in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where they lived for four decades.

Barbara moved to Cooperstown in 1991, a community she proudly adored. She resided on Nelson Avenue and more recently at The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Bereavement Committee and the (St.) Mary Widows. She was a volunteer at Bassett Medical Center and belonged to the Glimmerglass Opera Guild, the Women's Club of Cooperstown, and the Dinner Belles. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Princeton Club of New York.

Barbara was an avid tourist, travelling widely in Europe and Asia. She was a lover of animals, making a home for many a needy feline, one of whom, Pippen, was locally famous for her escapades. She was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees.

Above all, Barbara devoted her life to her cherished family. She is survived by her four children, Jean Dorsey Cramer and her husband, William, of Cooperstown, Meg Dorsey of Auburn, California, John Fort Dorsey and his wife, Kara, of Cornwall and Amy Dorsey of Fort Collins, Colorado; her six grandchildren, Samuel Cramer, Matthew Cramer, Elizabeth Cramer, Alex Roehrkasse, Maria Roehrkasse, and Julia Thorbjornsen; and her two great grandchildren, Zoë Cramer and Benjamin Cramer. 

She was predeceased by her husband, John.

Visitation hours were held at Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown on Sunday, December 20, 2015, from 4-6 p.m. 
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, Monday, December 21, 2015, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. 


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.

Leah H. Waits

Generous, Gracious, Loving, Kind
1918 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Leah Maxine Henry Waits, 97, of Cooperstown, New York, formerly of Springfield, Ohio, passed away on December 14, 2015 in Cooperstown, New York.

Born to the late Lucinda (Lula) Hubbard Henry and Carl Henry of Chicago, Illinois, August 6, 1918, in St. Louis, Missouri, Leah graduated from Milan High School in 1938 and attended Trenton Junior College, now North Central Missouri College, Trenton, Missouri. 

Upon her marriage to Harold L. Waits (deceased, 1991) in 1942, and relocating to Ohio, she raised two daughters and was employed as a budget analyst at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. She retired in 1984 after twenty-five years of service.

She was a member of First Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio, for almost seventy years. Leah was the founding member of Springfield Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, 1945, a volunteer for the Springfield Symphony, and a member of the Clark County Historical Society.

Leah was a devoted mother and homemaker who enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandson. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Philip Washburn of Cooperstown, New York and Penny and Martin West of Ligonier, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Matthew and John Washburn, Jane and Benjamin West (Karen Crowther); one great grandson, Alexander M. Washburn; and many wonderful and attentive cousins of St. Louis, Missouri.

Her optimistic and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew her. 

A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, New York.


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.

Mary E. Higgins

1953 - 2015

HARTWICK - Mary E. Higgins, 61, of Hartwick, passed away December 14, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown with her family by her side following a long illness. 

Born December 26, 1953, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Mary was one of nine children of James H. and Kathleen M. (Healy) Millea. She graduated with the Class of 1972 from Cooperstown Central School.

She was first employed for the IRS in lower Manhattan. In the 1980s she owned and operated The Hub Coffee Shop and General Store in Hartwick. She then worked for the Otsego County Sheriff's Department until 1994, at which time she became employed by The Leatherstocking Corporation where she worked until very recently. 

Mary met Orrin D. Higgins at a dance at the Fly Creek Hotel. The pair was a perfect match and they were married July 29, 1974, in a ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cooperstown.

Mary's greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved being outdoors and building campfires on the hill. She learned to play the piano with her dear friend Linda, practicing yoga and Zumba, and Irish Step Dancing. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Orrin of Hartwick; three daughters, Brenda Nass (Bryan) of Ellensburg, Washington, Tamara Ashley (Matt) of Cortland, and Carrie Higgins Lorenz (Mike) of Hartwick; son Orrin D. Higgins, Jr. (Melissa) of Hartwick; special member of the family, Paige Shaul; and four grandchildren, Mitchell and Morghan Nass of Ellensburg, WA and Lily and Sawyer Higgins of Hartwick.

She is further survived by her seven brothers and one sister and their families: Thomas Millea (Carole) and Denis Millea (Janice), all of Peru, NY, James Millea of Scottsdale, AZ, Joe Millea (Susan) of Yacolt, WA, Pat Millea (Wendy) of Maryland, NY, Mike Millea of Hartwick, NY, Robert Millea (Sukena) of Atlanta, GA, and Eileen Murdock (Bob) of Hartwick; and her father, James Millea of Hartwick. 

She was predeceased by her beloved mother, Kathleen Millea. 

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Miss Jane Clark and The Leatherstocking Corporation, Maryanne Kehoe, Bassett 3rd floor and SCU, and many friends and family for all of their support

A time to gather and visit with Mary's family will be offered from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. 

For those who wish to remember Mary with a memorial gift, her family suggests that the following organizations be considered: A tuition scholarship in Mary's name for The O'Donnell-Kelly School of Irish Dance (please contact Kathleen O'Donnell at 607-293-6199); or The Kinney Memorial Library, P.O. Box 176, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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.

Marjorie L. Ofer

COOPERSTOWN - Marjorie L. Ofer (née Betulius) passed away at Focus Otsego on December 11, 2015, at the age of 85.

Her trajectory from a small farm in southern Indiana to retirement on the Upper West Side of Manhattan attests to her inviolable strength and belief in the possible.  

After graduating from Evansville College with a degree in education, she taught elementary school in Evansville, Indiana. Later in her career she obtained her librarian's certification. 

Her husband, Cosmas Ofer, predeceased her in 1979.    

Upon retirement she moved to New York City, where she lived for 23 years.  

The greatest joys of her life were her three grandchildren, whom she enculturated in New York City, Chautauqua and Europe.  

She is survived by her son Kurt, his wife Teresa, and their three children, Virginia, Hans and Max.

A celebration of Margie's life will be held in Evansville at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to Chautauqua UCC Society and sent to Ruth Becker, 5706 Encampment Ct., Fairfax Station, VA  22039.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting the family.


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.

Lois L. Itzen

1927 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Lois L. Itzen, 88, of Woodside Hall in Cooperstown and formerly of Milford Center, passed away Friday morning, December 11, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born Lois Laura Nelson April 26, 1927, in Montpelier, Vermont, a daughter of Richard and Mable (Potter) Nelson.  

On November 17, 1946, Lois married Victor Itzen in Wyckoff, New Jersey. The family moved to Milford Center in 1951 where they enjoyed raising and caring for sheep on their family farm. Lois especially liked knitting and spinning her own wool yarn from their sheep. In 1988, the couple moved to a home in the Town of Middlefield. 

She was always very proud of the time she spent working with 4-H and her girls, and will be remembered for being very independent, an animal lover, and a lifetime learner who was always interested in learning as much as she could. 

Lois is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Vicki Roberson and her husband, Alan, of Lewisville, Texas; a son-in-law, Dale Howe of Bertha, Minnesota; five grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Victor, who died November 19, 2008; one daughter, Nancy Itzen Howe, who died September 27, 1973; and one granddaughter, Michelle L. Stanton, who died in December 2004. 

A graveside service will be offered at 1 p.m. this afternoon, Monday, December 14, 2015, in the Milford Center Cemetery with the Rev. Stephen Fournier, pastor of the Milford Center Community Bible Church, 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.

Doris Vivian Hughes Powers

1923 - 2015

HARTWICK - Doris Powers, 92, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2015.

She was born on May 24, 1923, in the Town of Hartwick, the daughter of Madge (Gregory) and Gerald Hughes. She grew up in South Hartwick, attended South Hartwick District School and graduated salutatorian from Hartwick High School. 

She worked at Marlette's store in Mt. Vision and was a bookkeeper at Lynn Trailer in Oneonta during the war.

In 1943, she married William Powers and moved to Hinman Hollow where she became a valued member of the community and welcoming wagon for new families moving to the area. 

She was a member of the Hinman Hollow Grange for 72 years, a leader of the Hartwick Hustlers 4-H Club, a member of the South Hartwick Home Bureau, a life-time member of the Hartwick Historical Society, and in 1999 was named Hartwick Citizen of the Year. 

She was also an Election Inspector for the County and on the Co-operative Extension Executive Board. She was a devout Christian, grew up as a member of the Hartwick Methodist Church and after marriage she became a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Cooperstown.

She was the mother of nine children, a farm wife who grew large gardens and canned her own food.

Doris was an avid reader and loved reading to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well-known for her Chinese Checkers skills and sending your ball in croquet. She was always young at heart and was still sledding at 90.

In recent years you could drive past the farmhouse and see her sitting on the porch swing watching her hummingbirds and sunsets.

The center of her life, and her dearest devotion and love was for Bill, her husband and partner for 72 years. She was his bookkeeper, manager, accountant and support. When he died this past July part of her went as well. She has now joined him for eternity.

Doris is survived by her five daughters, Shirley Dobkins of Costa Mesa, California, Nancy Wyant of Hyattsville, Maryland, Jean Barry of Hartwick, Annette Kalinoski and husband, Tom, of Fletcher, Vermont, and Jackie Fricke and husband, John, of Northfield, Vermont; two sons, William, Jr. of Milford, and Joseph and wife, Mary, of Pleasant Valley; 17 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Susan Gladstone of West Henrietta; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; brother, Donald; and two daughters, Barbara and Judy.

Calling hours will be at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating. 

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Index.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Hinman Hollow Grange, 1049 County Highway 45, Milford, NY 13807.

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.

John H. Schallert, Sr.

1928 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - John H. Schallert, Sr., 87, of Fork Shop, passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 3, 2015, at the home of his daughter, Patricia, in Kalama, Washington.

He was born November 5, 1928, in Cooperstown, a son of Otto F. and Florentina (Petri) Schallert. He spent the early years of his life with his family at the Toddsville store, which they operated and lived in an apartment upstairs. The store has since been moved to The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown. From there they moved to Oaksville where he spent the remainder of his childhood. 

In 1946, John married Violet Weir or "Buster" as she was affectionately known. 

Soon thereafter John enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during World War II as a Military Policeman. He received his Honorable Discharge from the military and returned to Fly Creek.

John was a logger until the 1960s, at which time he and Violet purchased Fork Shop Farm on Bissell Road in Fly Creek, which they operated until his retirement in 1995. A lifelong breeder of Registered Holstein cattle, he was very proud of the "Fork Shop" prefix granted him by the Holstein-Fresian Association of America. 

John is survived by two sons, John H. Schallert, Jr. and JoAnn L. Dow of Hartwick and Richard J. Schallert of Milford; five daughters, Sherlee S. Rathbone and George Anzelone of Fly Creek, Bonnie J. Eldridge and Bill Burwell of Golden Lake, Ontario, Cathy S. Rose of Burlington Flats, Patricia V.M. Schallert and Mike Phillips of Kalama, Washington, and Shelley S. Wedderspoon of Cooperstown; many grandchildren, great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Violet; a daughter, Janet Truax; a grandson, Denis James Schallert; a brother Otto F. Schallert; and three sisters, Pauline Smith, Florentine Ottaway and Minnie Moseman. 

Family and friends may call from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. 

A Funeral Service will be held in his honor at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015, at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, pastor, officiating. 

A graveside service will follow at the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek with James Atwell officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard. 

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

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.

Diane S. Bobnick

1940 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Diane S. Bobnick, a long-time Cooperstown resident, passed away peacefully late Wednesday afternoon, December 2, 2015, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego, with her family by her side. She was 75.

Born April 22, 1940, in Albany, she was a daughter of Daniel A. and Dorothy (Benedict) Slover. As a young child, Diane and her family moved to Cooperstown, a place she grew to love and cherish throughout the rest of her life. After graduating from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1959 she pursued a secretarial course and graduated from Mildred Elley in Albany.

Through the years, Diane served as a nurse's aide at The Otsego County Infirmary-which later became The Meadows--as well as The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home. She was also employed as a clerk at the Fly Creek General Store and at CVS on Main Street in Cooperstown. 

A member of the First Baptist Church in Cooperstown, she married her husband, Louis J. Bobnick, in a ceremony there on November 26, 1965. For the past 40 years they made their home and raised their family just outside of Toddsville.

Diane will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mom, sister and aunt. 

Diane will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 50 years, Lou Bobnick, of Toddsville; their three sons, Michael Bobnick of Amsterdam, Daniel Bobnick of Hartwick and John Bobnick of Toddsville; one brother, Harold L. Slover of Fairfax, Virginia; one sister, Dorothy O. Smith and her husband, Roger, of Warnerville; and several nieces and nephews, Kathy, Dan and David Slover, and Roger, Russell and Megen (Whitaker) Smith. She is further survived by her faithful canine companion, Molly, who visited her every day during her stay at the nursing home. 

Diane always cherished her time with family, extended family and friends. She immensely enjoyed the waters of Otsego and Goodyear Lakes surrounded by her family and friends. She and Lou loved to travel the countryside, either by motorcycle or car. She loved to collect anything with turtles.

Friends may call to pay their respects to Diane's family from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. The visitation will be followed by a service at 6 p.m., with Richard Sliter, Acting Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, officiating.

Diane will be laid to rest in the Spring of 2016 in the Slover family plot in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, or the Fly Creek Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 218, Fly Creek, NY 13337.

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.

Julie Hopper Fiora

1948 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Julie Hopper Fiora died unexpectedly Monday night, November 30, 2015, at the lakeside summer home of her brother, Dr. William Hopper. She was 67.

Born July 26, 1948, Julie Frances Hopper was the daughter of the late Dr. Richard Hutchinson Hopper, a native of California, and Renèe May Rudd, a Swiss-educated Australian. She was born in the City of Djakarta on the Island of Java, Republic of Indonesia, during the time her father-who worked over thirty years in the oil industry at Caltex/Chevron-was discovering the Minas oilfields. As a newborn, Julie and her family moved to the Netherlands, and then several years later to the United States, settling in New York City and then Easton, Connecticut.  

While living in New York City, Julie attended The Brearley School on the upper East Side of Manhattan and later the University of Connecticut.

On July 29, 1983, Julie married Robert Vincent Fiora, and they made their home in Ellington, Connecticut. After Robert died in 1995, Julie lived in various places throughout the northeast.

Julie is survived by her brother, Dr. William Hopper, his wife Lois, and their sons Ian and Justin.  

She will be laid to rest near her parents in a private ceremony 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.

Maria A. Sullivan

1919 - 2015

NORWICH - Maria Antonia White Sullivan passed away late Monday night, November 23, 2015, at Valley View Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Norwich. She was 96 years old.

Of Spanish, Puerto Rican and English ancestry, Maria was born May 16, 1919, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her father, Edgar Ralph White, was of English descent, and her mother, Mercedes Antonia Bruna y Feliciano, was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico, from ancestors of Spanish and Puerto Rican descent. 

On February 15, 1942, Maria married Joseph P. Sullivan. They shared 36 years together until his passing on January 10, 1978.

Maria devoted much of her early years to caring for her family and home. Later on she worked for the Orange County Office for the Aging. This was the first agency of its kind in New York State and Maria was present at its inception.

She moved to Miramar, Florida, in 1980 to care for her parents until their deaths in 1982. Maria was a woman of great faith and taught Sunday School at St. Stephens Parish for many years. She later retired to Unadilla where she lived with her daughter. For the past five years she resided in Norwich.

In addition to her husband, Maria was predeceased by both of her children, Edgar P. Sullivan (2009) and Katherine Mary Sullivan McAllister Lewis (2012), as well as sons-in-law Henry E. McAllister (1981) and David F. Lewis (2014). She was also predeceased by her brothers Charles and Preston White and her sister Mercedes Mingus.

Maria is survived by her daughter-in-law, Gloria Sullivan; her six grandchildren, Marylouise Dygert and husband Kevin of Middlefield, Tracy Gonzalez and husband Willie of Plattekill, Joseph E. Sullivan and wife Lisa of Delaware, Patrick Sullivan of Middletown, Maria Sullivan of Brooklyn and Nicholas Sullivan of Highland; seven great grandchildren, Christopher Dygert, Rebecca Morgan, Edward Gonzalez, Joseph A. Sullivan, Dustin Plimley, Brandon Plimley, and Ray Sullivan; a great great grandson, Zachary Morgan; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date.

Maria will be laid to rest with her parents in the Garden of Meditation at Hollywood Memorial Gardens in Florida.

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.

Paul W. Berg

1938 - 2015

ONEONTA - Paul William Berg, 77, died Saturday morning, November 21, 2015, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego.

Born August 20, 1938, in Jamaica, Queens, Paul was a son of William and Minerva Berg.

He married Florence Allman on September 25, 1959, in Virginia.

For many years he was employed as a draftsman for Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, where he assisted in designing aircraft parts.  

Approximately 10 years ago, Paul and Florence moved to the Laurens area.  

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Florence; their two daughters, Barbara Rodriguez and her husband, Phillip, and Carol Heller and her boyfriend, Tom Pagillo, all of Hartwick; five grandchildren, Phillip Rodriguez, Jr. and fiancé Amber Hill, Michael Rodriguez and girlfriend Stephanie Ringel, Joseph Heller, Jr. and girlfriend Erin Fields, Vincent Heller and Justin Heller; three great grandchildren, Avril and Aiden Heller and Hayden Hill; and his new great granddaughter that will be born in February 2016.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 12 Noon on Friday, November 27, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. David Wm. Mickiewicz, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Oneonta, 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.

John P. Woods, Jr.

CANAJOHARIE - John Peter Woods, Jr., passed away at his farm November 8, 2015, where he resided for the last 45 years. 

Those who wish to remember John with a memorial gift may do so by making  a donation to the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110 or St. Mary's Healthcare Foundation, 427 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY  12010.

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.

Elinor H. Pollock

1928 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Mrs. Elinor H. Pollock, 87, of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, surrounded by her family. 

A native of Massachusetts, she was born April 16, 1928, in Beverly, youngest daughter of Maurice and Ruth (Pedersen) Hopkins. After graduation from high school, she studied at the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. Following her training, she stayed on to work at the Deaconess, and there met her future husband, Donald O. Pollock, while he was working his way through medical school. They were married June 7, 1953, at the First Baptist Church of Beverly.

The Pollocks first came to Cooperstown in 1955, when Don served his internship and residency at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. There followed a period of military service, which took the family to a succession of postings, including 2 1/2 years in Eritrea, East Africa. The Pollocks returned to Cooperstown in 1967. 

Devoted to her family and community, Elinor freely gave of her time and service. She enjoyed working with the Red Cross, traveling throughout the region as part of the bloodmobile staff. And as a breast cancer survivor, Elinor willingly reached out to many with a message of encouragement and hope. 

Perhaps most central to Elinor's life was her steadfast devotion to the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, for it was there that she faithfully blended her love of family and God. A member since1969, Elinor sang in the Chancel Choir, served in church leadership as a Deacon and an Elder, as Treasurer and Clerk of Session, volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher, was a member and/or chair of numerous committees over the years, and participated fully in the women's association. A generation of young people will remember Elinor as the one who prepared the food for the weekly Thursday school gatherings at the Presbyterian Church. 

In her leisure - and she did have some - Elinor enjoyed gardening, golf and playing Bridge. Before Alzheimer's Disease restricted her participation in those things she loved most, she excelled in exercising her gift of hospitality - making a meal, visiting a sick friend, arranging flowers from her garden, and sharing a smile. 

Elinor is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Dr. Donald O. Pollock, of Cooperstown; four children and spouses, Donabeth and Gil Urick of Bonita Springs, Florida, Peter and Diana Pollock of Cooperstown, Sally and Bud Zaengle of Greene, and Jim and Sharon Pollock of Georgetown; nine grandchildren and one great grandson, Philip Zaengle and wife, Amanda, and their son, Henry, Owen Zaengle and wife, Emily, Sam Zaengle and wife, Donna, Helen Zaengle, Jacob Zaengle, Karl Zaengle, Mary Zaengle, Laurel Zaengle and Benjamin Pollock; also many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her oldest son, the Rev. Stewart A. Pollock, and her siblings.

A Memorial Service to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the Life of Elinor H. Pollock will be offered at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor, officiating. Following the service there will be a time for refreshment and fellowship in the adjoining Chapel. 

She will be laid to rest in The Columbarium in the Presbyterian Churchyard.

For those who wish to remember Elinor through a memorial gift, her family respectfully requests that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, 25 Church Street, 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 W. Smith

1938 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Mr. Robert Whitehill Smith, this countries' oldest living heart transplant patient, passed away Tuesday evening, November 3, 2015, at Whitehill Cottage, his home in the Town of Middlefield, after a valiant struggle against cancer. He was 77.

Born February 2, 1938, in Flushing, Queens, Bob was a son of Charles and Theodora (Miller) Smith. 

After graduating from Bay Side High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 5, 1957. He served as an Air Policeman with the 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and was stationed for one year in San Antonio, Texas, 18 months in South Korea, and 12 months at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. He received his honorable discharge from the military on November 4, 1960, having achieved the rank of Airman Second Class, and continued serving his country in the Reserves.

In 1963, Bob went to work for J.C. Penney in Valley Stream, and spent the next 30 years working in various locations in the New York City area. At the time of his retirement in 1993 he was managing a store in Massapequa on Long Island. 

On March 29, 1980, Bob married the former Eulene Lewis in a ceremony at The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown. They lived on Long Island in Amityville, but when they both retired they moved to Oriental, North Carolina, and lived there for 11 years. 

On December 26, 1988, Bob had a heart transplant at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and until his death he was the longest living survivor of this type of operation in the United States. 

In October 2004, Bob and Eulene moved back to Cooperstown. He had always wanted to live in an old farmhouse, so when they found what they felt was the perfect home in the Town of Middlefield, they purchased it and called it "Whitehill Cottage". 

Bob was a talented carpenter and woodworker, and throughout his life crafted many beautiful outdoor and indoor items for their home. He also enjoyed oil painting, golfing, downhill skiing, ice skating, and riding motorcycles. An avid musician, he played the banjo, and for eight years Bob and Eulene performed as the duo "Harbor Sounds" at various venues in North Carolina.  Perhaps most of all, Bob enjoyed being on the water with Eulene in their 34' Egg Harbor Sport Fisherman yacht "Mistral". Together they cruised the waters off Long Island as well as the Atlantic. 

Bob lived a great life full of many enjoyable times and adventures. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Eulene Smith, of Cooperstown; two daughters, Deborah Schneider and Karen Cottone of Long Island; one son, Robert Whitehill Smith, Jr. of Pennsylvania; Eulene's daughter, Danielle Verity of Florida; Eulene's two sons, Blake Verity of Long Island and Blair Verity of Pennsylvania; grandchildren; and two brothers, Donald Smith of New Jersey and William Smith of Maine.

He was preceded in death by Eulene's son, Henry William Verity.

A memorial service will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church, with the Rev. William H. Delia, pastor, officiating. 

For those who wish to remember Bob with a memorial gift, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech Street, Johnson City, NY 13790 or the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322, 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.

Lyle N. Steere

1922 - 2015

CHRISTIAN HILL - Lyle N. Steere, 93, beloved Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, died October 23, 2015, in the house he built on Christian Hill with his family by his side.

Born in Hartwick on March 15, 1922, he was the son of Kendrick and Mary Elwood Steere. He married Elsie Ruparshek on September 25, 1948 in Cooperstown. They lived in Fly Creek and Christian Hill during their 57 year marriage until Elsie died June 19, 2006. 

During World War II, Lyle served his country in the United States Army. He enlisted September 4, 1940, and was in Battery D, 5th Field Artillery, Sacketts Harbor and Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion was formed. He later went to Camp Blanding in Florida and then to Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. In August 1942 he went on the Queen Mary to Scotland, and then to Titworth Barracks near Salisbury, England. After landing in Oran, Algeria, he served in Tunisia, Salerno, Anzio, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. At one point he met up with his brother, Nelson, who was with the 2nd Corps Headquarters in England, Africa and Italy. Lyle left Europe in July 1945 after being transferred to the 21st Replacement Battalion Headquarters Detachment, and received his Honorable Discharge August 12, 1945. During his time of military service he received the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. 

For many years he was a mechanic, and retired in 1982 after serving as Highway Superintendent for the Town of Otsego. 

Surviving Lyle are three sons, Karl Steere ( Kathy) and Kendrick of Christian Hill, and Alan Steere ( Roberta) of Schuyler Lake. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Christina Baker ( Jamar) of Colorado, Ashley Luck (Ian) of New Hampshire, Kerry Brown (Kevin) of Colorado, Kyle Steere of Ithaca and Tyler Steere of Schuyler Lake, as well as great granddaughters Adrianna, Alexis and Addison Baker and Ava Luck. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Sophia Culotti of Port Byron as well as beloved nieces and nephews.

Lyle was predeceased by his wife, two brothers, Stanley and wife, Anne, and Nelson and wife, Margaret, and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, from 4-7 p.m., when the Steere family will be in attendance.

Funeral Services will be offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at the funeral home, with the Rev. William H. Delia, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Cooperstown, officiating. At the conclusion of the funeral, Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard. 

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to 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.

Arlene M. Woodin

1934 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Arlene M. Woodin passed away Saturday morning, October 10, 2015, at A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta. She was 81. 

Born on July 23, 1934, in Marseilles, Illinois, Arlene Marie was the only child of Joseph and Lena née Veronda Viviani. Following her graduation from Marseilles High School in 1952 she attended Illinois State Normal University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education (Home Economics) in 1956.

She married Ernest Donald Woodin on December 21, 1957, in their hometown of Marseilles, Illinois, and they settled in DePue where she worked as a home economics teacher. Her creative baking skills were recognized when she won a nationwide self-rising flour competition for her recipe for Lemon-Mace Crisps. After welcoming daughter Beth and son Alan, the family moved to Cooperstown for the first time in 1964. Ernie's career with AT&T took them back to Illinois in 1966 and later to Somerset, New Jersey. In March of 1972, the Woodins returned to Cooperstown where they settled on Elm Street. After their children graduated from high school, they made their home in the Town of Middlefield.

During her years in Cooperstown, Arlene was employed at various times at Ellsworth and Sill on Main Street and in the library at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. While she did not return to teaching, Arlene demonstrated her love of all things related to home economics through her sewing projects, home decorating, and experimentation with new recipes. Her family will fondly remember her as a wonderful cook and a great baker whose pies were the highlight of every holiday meal.

Arlene is survived by two children, Beth A. Torruella and her husband, Reese, of Garner, North Carolina, and Alan J. Woodin and his wife, Allison, of Cobleskill; three grandchildren, Connor and Logan Torruella and Erika Marie Woodin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death on December 25, 2014, by her husband of 57 years, Ernest. 

Services will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dalton, Dr. Hills, Dr. Lone, and the nursing staff at the Bassett Cancer Treatment Center for their dedicated care and the staff at A.O. Fox Nursing Home and at Catskill Area Hospice who welcomed Arlene and gave her a safe and caring place to spend her final months.

For those who wish to make a memorial gift in memory of Arlene, her family suggests that the following organizations be considered: Bassett Medical Center Cancer Treatment Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 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, 82 Chestnut Street, 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.

Laura Margaret Kane

1927 - 2015

MT. VISION - Laura Margaret Kane, 88, of Mt. Vision, passed away early Sunday morning, October 18, 2015, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego. 

She was born June 27, 1927, in Barneveld, a daughter of John and Mary Irene (Barnes) Rowlands.

At the age of five, she and her family moved to Edmeston, where she attended school in the Goodrich Schoolhouse. She later attended school in New Berlin, and graduated in 1945 from New Berlin High School. 

Laura then moved away from home to attend beauty school; however, she became homesick and moved back to New Berlin where she was employed for a year in the cafeteria at the New Berlin school. 

In 1947 Laura married Archie Ainslie and joined him in farming at the Ainslie homestead farm on Scotch Hill in Hartwick. During this time she also worked at Rosa Leone's Adult Home in Hartwick, as well as a store clerk in the grocery stores in the community. She was also a bus driver driving her station wagon off the hill with the Scotch Hill kids to Hartwick Central School and then to the Cooperstown Central School bus stop. She also worked for Opportunities for Otsego. 

In 1971 she joined her second husband Everett Kane farming at Kanemead Farm in Mount Vision.

Her real joy was cooking and baking for others. In 1986 she opened Laura's Restaurant in Hartwick, where she served her homemade menu to the public for several years. Her Friday night suppers were enjoyed by all. 

Laura was an active community member. She was an American Legion auxiliary member, a 4-H leader, served on the Town Board, was a member of the Hartwick Cemetery Committee and a member of the United Methodist Church Hartwick. 

Laura is survived by her sister-in-law, Marge (Albert) Rowlands of Edmeston; her son Larry and wife Barbara Ainslie of Hartwick; her daughter Linda (Ainslie) and husband John Tuller of New Berlin; her son-in-law, Richard Twombly of Hebron (Amston), CT; and their children and families. Also surviving are her four step-children, Robert and wife Barbara Kane of Fly Creek, Ronald and wife Marilyn Kane of Mt. Vision, Rahlene and husband Mike Welch of Fly Creek, and Rodger and wife Fay Kane of Toddsville; and their children and families. 

Laura was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Robert (Jean) and Albert Rowlands, her husband Everett Kane and her daughter Gail (Ainslie) Twombly. 

Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, on Thursday, October 22, 2015, from 10 a.m. until 12 Noon. Funeral Services will follow at Noon at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Howard, pastor of the Hartwick United Methodist Church officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Hartwick Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Laura's memory to The Hartwick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 576, Mt. Vision, NY 13810

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.

Bridget M. Macaluso

1921 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - Mrs. Bridget M. Macaluso, 94, of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully Friday morning, October 16, 2015, at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Oneonta. 

Born August 11, 1921, in Hoboken, New Jersey, on a tugboat, she was the daughter of Patrick and Rita (Patterson) Bracken.

She met her husband Joseph Robert (Bob) Macaluso in the United States Navy and married him February 26, 1949, at the Church of St. Raymond in the Bronx.

Bridget was a lover of books, mysteries, words, humor, and conversation. She was a strong believer in community service. A funny, witty, loving, supportive and generous mother, grandmother and friend, she was loved and revered by all who knew her.

For many years she was employed as a secretary at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Campus of the Veterans Administration Hudson Valley Health Care System in Montrose. A determined person, she earned her GED at the age of 62 and then earned an associate's degree in psychology.

Bridget and Bob lived in Peekskill for over twenty years before moving to Cooperstown in June 1989. She was a communicant of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church, was a member and past president of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital auxiliary, and volunteered at the Susquehanna SPCA. Following Bob's death on April 23, 2001, Bridget moved to Oneonta, where she lived with her daughter, Patrice for ten years and then moved to Cooperstown with her daughter and son-in-law Roberta and Tom. The last few years she lived at Hampshire House, and then Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Oneonta.

Bridget is survived by four daughters, Jean Marie Macaluso of Kingston, Roberta Hohensee and her husband, Thomas, of Cooperstown, Patrice Macaluso of Oneonta, and Margaret Williams and her husband, George, of Saugerties; two sons, Alan Macaluso and his wife, Kelly of New Paltz and Brian Macaluso and his wife, Sari, of Kingston; eight grandchildren, Haley and Kyle Hohensee, Rebecca and Joseph Williams, and Sam, Ben, Theo and Charlie Schikowitz; and five great grandchildren, twins Cosmos and Hugh, Indio, Leone and Harper.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her 12 brothers and sisters, including Elizabeth, Mary, Peggy, Terry, Barney, William and John.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering to be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015. 

As an alternative to flowers, please consider donating in memory of Bridget to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 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.

Dr. Thomas A. Gratton

1935 - 2015

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 (KJV)

SCHENEVUS - Pastor Tom A. Gratton, God's faithful servant, went to meet his Lord and Savior early Tuesday morning, October 13, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 80.

Born October 9, 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was a son of James and Minnie (Ross) Gratton. Raised in Pittsburgh, he later moved to Rhode Island. 

Called to the ministry of his beloved Savior, Pastor Tom brought countless people to the Lord, including some who themselves became pastors. In 1973 he received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Theology. 

During his ministry he served churches in various places throughout the country, including Michigan and Texas. After serving the Spring Woods Baptist Church in Texas, he moved to the State of Maryland and for twenty-one years served as pastor to the First Baptist Church of Suitland, helping to grow what started as a small group of faithful Christians into the strong and vibrant congregation it is today. It was during his pastorate there that he presented his Doctor of Ministry thesis on strategizing an effective ministry in an urban, evangelical and racially integrated Southern Baptist Church. Dr. Gratton envisioned a totally new approach for ministry and commitment to being God's people on mission, and encouraged his colleagues to get excited about pastoring in multi-racial neighborhoods. He received his Doctor of Ministry from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1989, and retired from full-time ministry in 1993.

Throughout his years of ministry, he was accompanied by his first wife, Nancy A. Hall Gratton. They were united in marriage September 6, 1958, in Battle Creek, Michigan, and spent almost 50 years together until her passing on June 11, 2006.

Tom later met Karen Ann Olmstead McMahon, a native of Cooperstown living in Virginia who had also recently lost her spouse. Karen and Tom were married January 12, 2008, in a ceremony at Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. In 2010 they moved to upstate New York and Tom became a member and served as a supply preacher at the West Davenport Free Baptist Church and Stamford Baptist Church.

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Pastor Tom is survived by his loving wife, Karen A. McMahon Gratton, of Schenevus; one daughter, Rachael Moore of Tennessee; his faithful friend, Norma, whom he considered to be his daughter; two step daughters, Autumn Black Jewell of Orange, VA, and Stephanie Black of Middlefield; and several grandchildren, all of whom called him "Pops".

He is further survived by two sisters, Judy Parfitt and Lois Bott; a sister-in-law, Kathleen M. Olmstead-Mummert; two brothers-in-law, Richard L. Statler and Keith D. Olmstead; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his first wife, he was predeceased by two sisters, Betty DeJidas and Dorothy Mae Statler, and a brother, James "Jimmy" Gratton.

Pastor Tom will be laid to rest with his first wife, Nancy, in a private graveside service in the Garden of Reformation at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, Maryland. 

A memorial service will be offered at 2 pm. on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at the First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, 7415 SW Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with Rev. James L. Burcham, pastor, officiating.

Locally, a memorial service is being planned for the near future, and will take place at the West Davenport Free Baptist Church, 211 Charlotte Creek Road, with Pastor Steve Estes, officiating.

One of the people Pastor Gratton inspired to enter the ministry is Pastor Daniel Conrads, whose love of the Lord came from a seed planted by Pastor Tom. Not only did he become a pastor himself, Pastor Dan is now forming a new church. So in lieu of flowers, Pastor Gratton would be pleased if people would donate in his memory to Pastor Daniel Conrads for the benefit of the Richmond Church Plant, 1842 Valley Drive, Richmond, IN 47374. Your donation in memory of Pastor Tom will help grow this new church. 

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.

Elaine Beck Schaeffer

COOPERSTOWN - Elaine Beck Schaeffer of Cooperstown passed away suddenly at Bassett Medical Center on Thursday evening, October 8, 2015. She was 62.

Elaine was the loving wife of Charles and beloved mother of Scott and Elyssa. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Phyllis Beck.

Elaine spent her early formative years with her family in Nice, France. She was educated at Abington Friends, a Quaker school in Pennsylvania from which she cultivated a lifelong respect for individuals and emphasis on equality, simplicity and integrity. During high school she spent a year abroad in Braunschweig, West Germany.

Elaine attended Wagner College, graduating with a BA in German literature. She spent her junior year studying in Bregenz, Austria, where, among other interests, she took up skiing in the Alps.

After college, Elaine worked for the interior fabric and design firm Brunschwig & Fils in New York City as the production coordinator, during which she traveled to and worked with mills and showrooms throughout Europe and the U.S.

Elaine was dedicated to the arts from a young age, studying piano and singing with a religious choir, including on European tours. She studied drawing at the Arts Students League in New York City and maintained a passion for exploring art museums in the U.S. and while traveling in Europe for work and visiting her children during their own study abroad sojourns.

Elaine loved cooking and excelled at baking her famous carrot cake and unparalleled apple pie. Her smile would light up a room and could clear dark clouds from a rainy day. She volunteered for years at the Susquehanna Animal Shelter Better Exchange Thrift Shop and most recently worked for NYSHA at the Fenimore Art and Farmers' Museums in Cooperstown.

Elaine enjoyed any opportunity to work on her gardening, spend time with her friends, cats and now departed chessie, Tessa, and work on crossword puzzles (always written in ink pen, never pencil) among many other activities.

A closet historian and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Elaine was also a member of the Captain Cook Society and enjoyed reading about the adventures and discoveries of her ancestor James Cook, among other explorers.

A caring and dedicated mother and wife, Elaine was very loved and will be missed more than words can convey.

In addition to her husband and children, Elaine is survived by extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Friends and relatives are invited to Elaine's memorial service at 5 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street in Cooperstown. A private burial service will be held Friday.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Elaine's name be made to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. http://susquehannaanimalshelter.org.



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.

Gary S. Dunbar

1931 - 2015

COOPERSTOWN - On August 16th, 2015, Dr. Gary Seamans Dunbar, Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Los Angeles, died peacefully at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown at the age of 84. At the time of his death, Dr. Dunbar had been a resident of Cooperstown for twenty-seven years, moving here after retirement from the Department of Geography at UCLA. His first introduction to Cooperstown had been in 1952 when, as a graduate student at the University of Virginia, he came to the area to research the cultivation of hops for his Master's thesis and was captivated by the village, Otsego Lake and the surrounding countryside.

Gary Dunbar was born June 8th, 1931, in Clifton Springs, the son of Alvin Robert and Esther (Seamans) Dunbar. After graduating from Avon Central High School in Avon in 1948, Gary attended the University of Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in 1952 and a Master of Arts in 1953. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa (1952), Phi Eta Sigma (1949) and Phi Kappa Phi (1956) honor societies. On April 4th, 1953, he married Elizabeth Tighe in Rochester. In 1956, at the age of twenty-four, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Louisiana State University and embarked on a career of teaching and scholarship in the field of Geography.

After a year teaching at Longwood College in Farmville, Virginia (1956-1957), Dr. Dunbar accepted a teaching position at his alma mater, the University of Virginia, where he taught from 1957-1967, rising to the rank of Associate Professor and serving as Chairman of the Department from 1963-1967. While associated with the University of Virginia, he spent a year at the University of Dacca, East Pakistan (now Dhaka, Bangladesh) as a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar. He also taught for two years at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria (1965-1967).

Returning to the States in 1967, he accepted a position as a Visiting Associate Professor of Geography at UCLA and continued to work there until his retirement in 1988, earning the rank of Full Professor in 1970. Gary wrote nine books during the course of his life and published about 160 articles, notes and reviews, continuing to publish after his retirement. 

Endowed with an insatiable curiosity and desire to explore, Dr. Dunbar traveled widely throughout North and South America, the West Indies, Europe, Asia and Africa. He almost always included his wife, Elizabeth and their three children in his adventures. When the children were grown, he and Elizabeth continued to travel together.

While living in Cooperstown, Dr. Dunbar served on the Editorial Board of the New York State Historical Association from 1997-2005, as President of Friends of the Library and enjoyed twenty-five seasons of the Glimmerglass Opera. He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown. 

His family and many friends will remember his integrity, generosity, intelligence, thoughtfulness, dry wit and quick sense of humor, amazing memory, deep and resonant speaking voice and his courtesy. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Elizabeth (Tighe) Dunbar; his three children, Emily Dunbar-Smith and her husband, Frederick Harold Smith, of Jackson, Mississippi, Elihu Sidman Dunbar and his wife, Maria de la Luz Joachin Palafox Dunbar, of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Esther Dunbar-Cullum and her husband, Peter James Cullum, of Sonoma, California; and four grandchildren, Tighe Elijah Dunbar, Katherine Elizabeth Dunbar-Smith and her fiancé, William Walsh George, Jesse Peter Dunbar Cullum and Esme Olivia Dunbar Cullum. He is also survived by his brother, Alvin Webb (Pete) Dunbar and sister-in-law Waynne Boyden Dunbar; his sister, Sara Dunbar Widlund; his sister-in-law, Jean Daniels Dunbar; and five nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin Robert and Esther (Seamans) Dunbar and by his brother, Bruce Rex Dunbar. 

The family is planning a memorial service for the Spring of 2016. 

Memorials may be made at this time, if you wish, to the New York State Historical Association, The Farmers' Museum, the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown or to the charity of your choice. Mailing addresses for the three organizations listed are as follows: New York State Historical Association, P.O. Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326; The Farmer's Museum, P.O. Box 30, Cooperstown, NY 13326; the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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


NOTICE OF MEMORIAL SERVICE

COOPERSTOWN - A Memorial Service for Gary Seamans Dunbar (June 8th, 1931 - August 16th, 2015) will be held on Saturday, June 25th at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the New York State Historical Association, The Farmers' Museum, the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown or to a charity of your choice.

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.

Philip "Rooster" White Downs

1933 - 2015

FLY CREEK - A Memorial Service for Philip "Rooster" White Downs will be offered at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek.

Friends are welcome to pay their respects at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service. 

A native of Southampton on Long Island, Rooster spent most of his life farming, yet still found time to pursue his interest and love of car racing and the restoration of numerous antique autos, fire trucks, and tractors. More importantly he enjoyed life with his beloved wife of 36 years, Deirdre "Dee" Downs.

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.

Paul E. Okarski

1925 - 2015

HARTWICK - Paul Edward Okarski, 89, a retired defense contractor employed for 37 years with Sperry Gyroscope Corporation, passed away Sunday evening, August 30, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, just three days shy of his 90th birthday.

Born September 2, 1925, in Peabody, Massachusetts, Paul was a son of Frank Joseph Okarski and Anna née Krusciewicz Okarski and resided in Lynn and later Newton, Massacusetts.

On August 11, 1942, Paul entered into active service in the United States Navy and proudly served his country during World War II as a Naval Aviator. Ensign Okarski received his Honorable Discharge from the US Navy on October 22, 1945. Following his military service, Paul attended Middlebury College in Vermont, and graduated with the Class of 1951 with a degree in physics.

In July of 1951, he joined the Industrial X-Ray Division of Westinghouse as an Applications Engineer, but in September 1952 he began a career with the Sperry Gyroscope Company that would span four decades. Starting as a Field Engineer, he became involved with the Sparrow I missile program. Paul did on-site installation, checkout, calibration and operational activation of missile associated radar and ground support equipment, as well as in-plant contracts. He also served as a technical liaison between engineering and field support personnel.

In June 1956, he became a Representative Associate for the Air Armament Division, and in August 1957, Paul was promoted to the Counter Measures Division of Sperry Gyroscope where as a Marketing Representative he was responsible for the contract administration of the $100 million B-52 airborne integrated countermeasures system. This equipment utilized high accuracy multiple jamming techniques, sophisticated receivers and flight test equipment and provided a new measure of protection for our superbombers of the era. In 1960 Paul advanced to Senior Marketing Representative of the Radiation Division where he was responsible for marketing and contract administration of the US Navy's TALOS missile program. In 1963, Paul became the Senior Marketing Representative for the Information and Communications Division of Sperry Gyroscope. He had overall responsibility for sales and contract administration of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Systems including submarine fire controls and state-of-the-art sonar systems, as well as the preparation and execution of market plans for sophisticated intelligence equipment.

Through the 1970s and 1980s as Sperry Gyroscope became, though acquisitions and mergers, Sperry Rand, Sperry Univac, then simply the Sperry Corporation, Paul's responsibilities continued to grow. Elevated to Senior Overseas Contract Manager he travelled extensively world-wide, and was considered by his peers to be one of Sperry's top contract negotiators. He retired in 1989.

Throughout, Paul was a dedicated and loving family man. Married in 1957 to Barbara E. Okarski, also employed by Sperry Gyroscope, they had four children, all of whom have fond memories of vacationing in Florida where many now reside, as well as learning to ski and sharing may fun times on the slopes at Scotch Valley Ski Area in Stamford. Paul loved to be outdoors and enjoyed designing and building tree houses, doll houses, go-karts and even a backyard ice skating rink for his children and grandchildren. He loved a long road trip by car, a good grilled steak, and growing the best tomatoes. He paid attention to detail and believed any job worth doing was worth doing well. He imparted much wisdom to his family including having pride in our country, being happy, not worrying, and being brave. He was a man of science, who valued education, and was happy to share his knowledge with his family. He cared for us, participated in our lives, and made us better people. In his retirement, Paul built his dream house in Stamford, and enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle while skiing throughout New York and New England until the age of 82. Most recently, he made his home with his youngest son, Steven, in Hartwick for the past five years, and enjoyed all of the comforts of home and the benefits of the life he worked so hard to build.

Paul is survived by his four children; Lawrence Paul, Carol Ellen, and Scott Edward and his wife, Kristen, all of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Steven Edward of Hartwick; their mother, Barbara, of Port Orange, Florida; four grandchildren, Brian, Jason, Kelli and Abby; two nieces, Christie Lyons-Otto and her husband, Luther, of Athol, Massachusetts, and Mary Lyons of Paris, France; and two nephews, Joseph Lyons of Boston, Massachusetts, and David Okarski and his wife, Diane, of Los Angeles, California.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Anna Elizabeth Okarski, and all of his siblings; Edward Okarski, Helen née Okarski Lyons and Joseph Okarski.

The Okarski family received friends on Saturday, September 5, 2015, from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. A brief prayer service concluded the visitation, with the Rev'd Paul R. Messner, pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary, 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.