Mark Hal Goldstein

COOPERSTOWN - Mark Hal Goldstein passed away peacefully on the morning of June 25, 2015, at the age of 70. 

Although Mark lived many complex years, we are extremely proud of his accomplishments in later life.  

His ability to express love and his sense of humor will be missed by all, especially his long-time friend and mentor, Ray Peretin -- who was responsible for changing his life -- and the extraordinary Peretin family.  

Mark was laid to rest June 26, 2015, near his parents in Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale on Long Island. Rest in peace, dear Mark. The Goldstein Family.  

Arrangements were 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 G. Brooks

1953 - 2015

WEST EXETER - John Grant Brooks, beloved husband, father, Papa, son and brother, died early Sunday morning, June 7, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, after a valiant struggle with cancer. He was 61.

Born December 21, 1953, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, John was the son of John G. and Marjorie Ann (Price) Brooks. Raised in West Winfield, he graduated from Mount Markham Central School. He then attended and had a really great time at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, where he received an associate degree in agricultural engineering.

On December 18, 1978, John began a 36-year career with the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, and was currently serving as West Winfield MPS crew leader.

A vital and active member of his community, John was a member of the West Exeter Volunteer Fire Department, and served at one time on the Board of the Town of Exeter. He was also a devoted and faithful member of the Federated Church in West Winfield.

In his leisure, John enjoyed being outdoors. He loved to golf, especially with his son, Matthew, and son-in-law, Jay, as well as with his minister, Dick Tulip. He also loved kids, and at one time coached Little League in West Winfield for the Rotary Club-sponsored team. His enthusiasm for sports extended to being a great fan of the Jets and Yankees.

John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Luanne T. Brooks, of West Exeter; one son, Matthew Brooks of West Exeter; one daughter, Melissa Gregory and her husband, Jay, of Mount Vision; and two beloved grandchildren, Grant and Grace Gregory, whom he adored and with whom he loved spending as much time as he could. He is further survived by his mother, Marjorie Ranger and her husband, Robert Ranger, who was very much a father to John throughout his life; one sister, Kelley Tripple of Bridgewater, and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters-in-law.

He was predeceased by his father, John G. Brooks, who died August 14, 2004; his father-in-law, James W. Truex, who died July 23, 2007; and his mother-in-law, Janice Buell Truex, who died April 20, 1987.

All are invited to attend a Service of Remembrance and Celebration of the Life of John Grant Brooks, which will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at The Federated Church in West Winfield, with the Rev. Richard Tulip, pastor, officiating.

John's family extends their gratitude to Dr. Anush Patel of the Bassett Cancer Institute, for all the care he and the rest of the staff extended to John as he bravely fought plasmablastic lymphoma, a very rare form of cancer.

For those who wish to remember and honor John's life with a memorial donation, his family respectfully requests that gifts be made to the Bassett Cancer Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or the West Exeter Volunteer Fire Department, 6960 State Highway 51, West Winfield, NY 13491, or The Federated Church, 452 East Main Street, West Winfield, NY 13491. And in grateful recognition of all those who donated blood for John, please consider this as another thoughtful option.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, 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.

David L. Gallagher

1948 - 2015

WESTVILLE - David Lee Gallagher, 67, of Westville, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 6, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown following a valiant struggle against leukemia.  

Born April 27, 1948, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, he was a son of Frank and Marie (Clark) Gallagher.

After graduating from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 1966, he attended Clarkson University in Potsdam and then Union College in Schenectady. During this time, the United States was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, and David, being a proud American, left college and voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a combat medic, and for his heroic and meritorious achievements during the war, earned two Bronze Stars.  

Following his military service, David returned home, and completed his education at the State University of New York College at Oneonta where he graduated with a bachelor's degree from the pre-med program. He then went to work at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, where he first served as a scrub nurse. He later did renal research with Dr. Ramsay and ultimately became a tech specialist in clinical chemistry and nuclear medicine, retiring from Bassett Healthcare Network in November 2012.  

Throughout his life, David had many and varied interests and hobbies, and never tired of learning and trying something new. He raised pheasants, enjoyed goose hunting and the second love of his life (his wife, Shelley, being the first) were his Labrador Retrievers, whom he enjoyed raising and showing. He also enjoyed buying and selling arrowheads at auctions, and always had some sort of project in the works, be it a new patio or swimming pool. One of his more recent interests was blacksmithing, and he was currently building a smithy so he could practice his newest hobby.  

David was a life member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown, and just recently became a member of the Board of Directors of the Westville Cemetery Association.  

David is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Shelley, whom he married April 28, 1973, in a ceremony in New Hartford. He is further survived by his brother, James B. Gallagher and his wife, Julie Jeter, of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Karen Wiediger and her husband, David, of Syracuse and Linda Handler of Camden; as well as several nieces and nephews, including Christopher Gallagher and wife, Karen, and David, Vicki, and Elizabeth Handler.  

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie C. Jewell, who died October 12, 1980, and a step brother, Richard D. Jewell.  

A visitation will be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, when David's family will be in attendance.

Graveside Services will be offered at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015, in the Westville Cemetery, with the Rev. Betsy Jay, Chaplain at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard.  

As an alternative to flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, 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.