Rochelle Semel

1933 - 2016

HARTWICK - Rochelle Semel, artist, social and labor activist, teacher, and all around lover of life, died peacefully August 27, 2016, after a short, but serious illness.  

She will be deeply missed by her children Danny and Lani, her daughter-in-law Amelia, and her other family and dear friends. 

Rochelle was born in 1933 in the Bronx to Joseph and Julia Posner, and after many travels, eventually settled in Hartwick with her partner of 36 years, Paul Poulos (1938-2016).

Deeply caring, intelligent and aware, Rochelle brought these qualities into her personal life and her work. Rochelle was a talented artist, as well as Director of Trade Union Women Studies for Cornell's ILR School. Even after retirement, Rochelle continued for decades to teach at UALE Northeast Summer School for Union Women at Cornell.  

In 1976 she joined the I.W.W. which reflected her values and passions, leading to her deep involvement with the union. She participated in many roles over the years, including a period serving as General Secretary-Treasurer.

Rochelle appreciated simple pleasures such as reading, watching classic movies and cultivating the beautiful gardens where she lived.  

She will be forever held in the hearts of those whose lives she's touched.

Services will be held on August 30, 2016, in Cooperstown at Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.


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.

James Robert Millea

1955 - 2016

ARIZONA - James Robert Millea, 61, of Glendale, Arizona, and formerly of Hartwick, died unexpectedly Monday, August 15, 2016, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Scottsdale.

Jim was born May 31, 1955, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, one of nine children of James Hilary Millea of Rolfe, Iowa, and Kathleen M. née Healy Millea of Bootle, England. As a young child, Jim and his family moved from Iowa to Oneonta and then settled in Hartwick in 1957.

After graduating from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 1974, Jim became a carpenter, and for over 40 years worked as an independent contractor in New Jersey and then Arizona. For the past 15 years he resided in Glendale, Arizona.

Throughout his life, he was an avid cyclist, loved motorcycle trips with his family and time outside hiking in nature.

Jim is survived by his father, James H. Millea of Hartwick; three children and five grandchildren, Christopher J. Millea and wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Meghan, of Montgomery, Matthew J. Millea and wife, Lori, and their children, Ethan, Aaron and Luke, of Mechanicville, and Kathleen Seale and husband, Jason, and their daughter, Juniper, of Austin, Texas. He is further survived by seven siblings, Eileen Murdock and husband, Robert of Hartwick, Thomas P. Millea and wife, Carole of Peru, NY, Denis J. Millea and wife, Janice of Peru, NY, Joseph H. Millea and wife, Susan of Yacolt, WA, Patrick M. Millea and wife, Wendy of Maryland, NY, Michael J. Millea and wife, Jennifer, of Hartwick, NY, and Robert W. Millea and wife, Sukena of Atlanta, GA; a brother-in-law, Orrin D. Higgins of Hartwick, NY and many, many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was predeceased by his mother, Kathleen H. Millea, who died March 23, 1993, and a sister, Mary E. Higgins, who died December 14, 2015.

Family and friends are invited to call and pay their respects from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2016, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street, Cooperstown, with Fr. David Wm. Mickiewicz, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Oneonta, presiding.

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Hartwick Cemetery.

Jim's family respectfully requests that expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts be directed to the Cooperstown Sports Booster Club for the benefit of the new concession stand. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 141, 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.

Donna Lee Bailey

1946 - 2016

ONEONTA - Donna Lee Bailey, 69, passed away on August 15, 2016, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

Donna was born on September 24, 1946, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, a daughter of the late Maurice (Mike) and Cora Wikoff. A graduate of Cooperstown High School, she attended SUNY Cobleskill and graduated from the Culinary Arts Program at ONC BOCES.

Donna was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, and fondly remembered being part of the youth group that built the Youth Chapel. She also lovingly crocheted the nativity scene that for many years has been placed in the sanctuary during the Christmas Season. 

Over the years Donna worked at the Great American grocery store, the dietary department of Bassett Hospital and the Cooperstown General Store. She loved working with people, and her boisterous laughter could be heard anywhere she was. 

Donna is survived by her daughters from her marriage in 1969 to Ronald Louis Bailey: Anna Mary Stone (Laura) of Cobleskill and Gretchen Rose Bailey of San Diego, California. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren: Cheyenne Katriana Bailey of San Diego, California, and Daniel Jaykob Bailey of Cobleskill. She is also survived by her siblings, Dawn of Las Vegas, Nevada, Terry (Paula) of Cooperstown, Mark (Delsia) of St. Louis, Missouri, Kim of Cooperstown, and Lori Anna of Las Vegas, Nevada. She also leaves behind special friends Bonny and Vera and her dog, Ginger. Donna was blessed to have nieces Chery, Tulsa, Hannah and Sarai, and nephews Joshua, Kyle, Joseph, Matthew, Micah and Shane, as well as many great nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Donna's greatest joy in life was her family and friends, and while she was not often able to see them as much as she liked because of her state of health, she loved staying up-to-date and looking at pictures on Facebook. 

Every time she had a chance she was sewing or crocheting baby clothes, blankets and turtle rattles for each of the babies. 

Thank you to all of Donna's loving friends at Nader Towers, to all of our friends and family who have showered us with love, support and prayers, and to the nurses, staff and doctors at Bassett Medical Center, and at the Bassett Clinic at 125 Main in Oneonta. All of you made her last days on earth happy days. 

Donna did not want a funeral, so we will be having a celebration of her life that will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Nader Towers, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. Please dress casually, and do not wear black-she hated black! 

Donations can be given in Donna's memory to the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, 19 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or the Nader Towers Resident's Organization. 

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.

Marian R. Rathbun

1925 - 2016

COOPERSTOWN - Marian Ruth Rathbun, a long-time secretary at Cooperstown Central School, passed away Tuesday morning, August 9, 2016, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. A resident of Pierstown, she was 91.

Born April 18, 1925, on Irish Hill in Cooperstown, Marian was one of seven children of Joel L. and Anna (Lee) Rathbun.

After graduating from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1941, she attended the Knox School for Girls in Cooperstown, and later graduated from their two-year secretarial course. She then went on to faithfully serve the Cooperstown Central School District for many years as Secretary to the Principal and Clerk of the Board of Education. Marian will be fondly remembered by the administrative staff, faculty and many, many students she interacted so well with throughout the years. 

Marian is survived by her brother, James E. Rathbun and his wife, Carol, of Ballston Spa, and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Beatrice St. Onge, Bernice Butts and Helen R. Rogers, and two brothers, Levant G. and John W. Rathbun.

With respect for Marian's wishes, there will be no services.

She will be laid to rest near her parents in Springfield Cemetery.

As a way to remember Marian, her family respectfully requests that memorial donations be directed to a charity or organization of one's 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.

Richard E. Gohde

1943 - 2016

MILFORD - Richard Earl Gohde, 72, of Tansey Hill Road in Milford, passed away Sunday morning, August 7, 2016, at A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta.

He was born August 17, 1943, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, a son of Earl and Dorothy (Butler) Gohde.

Raised on the family farm in Middlefield Dick graduated from Cherry Valley High School with the Class of 1961, and then attended the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill where he earned an associate's degree in animal husbandry in 1963.

Dick was head of the Clark Estates sheep farm, but then moved to Greene to be an artificial inseminator. He decided to move back closer to home and became head of Sears tire and carpet installation, and also worked as an independent contractor with his brother, Doug Gohde. He later went to work for Bassett Healthcare as a painter in the maintenance department and retired from there after 25 years of employment.

In his leisure he enjoyed reading, especially books about cowboys. Dick had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a quick come back waiting. He will be missed by many.

On August 19, 1999, he married Laura M. Hitchcock in a ceremony at the Middlefield home of Justice of the Peace Raymond E. Burr, Sr. In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by six children, Melissa Moore of Fly Creek, Gordon Sparaco of Morris, Keith Gohde of Texas, Kevin Gohde of Florida, Heather Gohde of Oregon and Rebecca Gohde of Otego; a brother, Doug Gohde (Anne) of Schenevus; a sister, Linda Nitz (Richard) of Troy; a sister-in-law, Kathryn Thayer Gohde of the Town of Middlefield; as well as several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother, Kim M. Gohde, who died August 1, 2016.

A funeral service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Ronald Fralick, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cherry Valley, officiating. The service of committal and burial will follow in Middlefield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Richard's family suggests that donations in his memory be directed to a charity of one's 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.