Paul J. Lambert

COOPERSTOWN (Updated 1/2/2018)  - Paul J. Lambert, former Principal and Superintendent of Schools for the Cooperstown Central School District and later Director of the Clark Foundation Scholarship Program, as well as a coach and well-respected member of the community, passed away late Wednesday night, December 27, 2017, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. A loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather, he was 87.

The community is invited to pay their respects to the Lambert Family from 3-6 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2018, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown.

A complete obituary will be forthcoming.

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.

Bernice M. Levine

1952 - 2017

PORTLANDVILLE - Bernice M. Levine, 84, of Portlandville, passed away unexpectedly Monday evening, December 25, 2017, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. 

She was born March 11, 1933, in Springfield, a daughter of Leslie and Edna (Drake) Pierce. 

On May 10, 1952, Bernice married Paul J. Levine.

For many years she was employed by the Cooperstown Central School District in their food service department. 

Bernice is survived by her husband of 65 years, Paul J. Levine of Portlandville; two children, Paula Jean Knoebel of Southampton and Alan Levine and wife, Patsy; grandson Joshua Levine; granddaughter Ashley Levine and companion, Angelo Tenace; a great granddaughter Ronnee Rae Tenace; many nieces and nephews; and a sister, Wanda Houck. 

She was predeceased by mother Edna Pierce who died in 2003; sister Ellie Schults who died in 1980; and son-in-law, Terry Knoebel who died in 2012.

There will be no services.

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.

Emily Weir Thorn

1921 - 2017

HARTWICK - Emily Weir Thorn, 96, of Cooperstown and Hartwick, passed away Wednesday night, December 20, 2017, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego.

She was born August 19, 1921 in Adams to Bower F. and Clara (Cleaver) Weir. When Emily was only two years old her mom died of tuberculosis. 

In 1925, the family moved to Fly Creek, where Emily attended a one-room country school. She later attended school in Cooperstown, and graduated with the Class of 1939. 

Emily married Kenneth E. Thorn on August 24, 1941, in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown.

Following her marriage to Ken, Emily lived most of her life in Cooperstown where she was employed at the Cooperstown Academy run by Herbert E. Pickett on Pioneer Street, and later Cooperstown Central School. From 1952 until her retirement in 1986 she was employed at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, where she spent another 21 years as a volunteer in the hospital gift shop.

A member of the Hartwick United Methodist Church, she was also a member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown and the Hartwick Senior Citizens. 

Emily loved to cook and bake and was famous for her homemade donuts, graham cracker pies and strawberry jam. She also enjoyed tending her flowers and taking care of the birds.

Emily is survived by her children, Judith (David) Jackson of Oneonta, John (Barbara) Thorn of Hartwick and Janice (Jerry) Gage of Hartwick. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 30+ great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, as well as a brother-in-law, Robert Hribar of Fly Creek, several nieces, nephews and cousins and friends too numerous to count. 

She was predeceased by her parents, Bower and Clara; her husband, Kenneth E. Thorn, who died February 17, 1971; two stepsons, Allen and Donald Thorn; two half sisters, Ruth Curran and Leta Jane Hribar; and two grandsons, Anthony R. Gage and Kenneth Strait.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at the Hartwick United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Richard D. Howard, pastor officiating. 

Family and friends are invited to call at the Church Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Burial will take place in the Spring of 2018 in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Focus Otsego Serenity Place Activities Fund, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 for the benefit of resident needs. Donations may also be made to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Hartwick United Methodist Church, PO Box 44, 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.

Helen J. Forrest

1945 - 2018

MARYLAND - Helen June Collar Forrest, 72, of Maryland, passed away Tuesday morning, December 19, 2017, with family by her side at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born June 15, 1945, in Oneonta, a daughter of Howard R. and Marlynn (Lints) Collar. 

A graduate of Edmeston Central School, Helen was employed throughout most of her life as a cook in the food service industry. Through the years she worked at Robynwood and for SUNY Oneonta, as well as at the Lake Front Restaurant in Cooperstown. 

While she didn’t like cold weather, she still enjoyed the snow, especially sledding.

On August 10, 1990, Helen married Edward W. Forrest in a ceremony at her sister, Judy's home in the Town of Davenport. 

In addition to her husband of 27 years, Helen is survived by her children, Jodi Norton of Johnstown and Brenda Carvin and husband, Wayne, of Maryland; three sisters, Marion Card and husband, Richard of Hartwick, Judy Utter and husband, Fred of Davenport, and Cindy Baxter and husband, Gary of Maryland; five grandchildren, Robert Smith and wife, Danielle, Benjamin and Jessica Rogers, Meghan Norton and Brianna Carvin; 8 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother, Marlynn Lints Collar who died November 16, 1971; her father, Howard R. Collar who died August 13, 1993; a daughter, Wendy Sue Smith who died in 1964; and a brother, Donald H. Collar who died April 2, 2017. 

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

Following the visitation, a Funeral Service will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ken Zulkosky, associate pastor at Main Street Baptist Church in Oneonta officiating.

Burial will be in the Spring of 2018 in Bennett Cemetery in West Laurens.

As an alternative to flowers, and with respect for Helen's love of animals, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to Community Veterinary Center Compassion Fund, 4109 State Highway 7,Oneonta, NY 13820. This fund is utilized to help those who need financial assistance in the care of their animals, as well as to pay for the care of stray animals. 

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.

Ralph "Mickey" Ryan

1930 - 2017

MILFORD - Mickey Ryan, 87, of Milford, passed away Wednesday afternoon, December 13, 2017, at the New York State Veterans' Home at Oxford where he was given compassionate care after he succumbed to Alzheimer's. Mickey loved life and people, worked hard and played even harder.

Born October 23, 1930, at home in the Town of  Hamptonburgh, he was the son of Edward and Helen (Cutler) Ryan.

He grew up in Maybrook where he was known for his baseball abilities. He continued to play baseball and later softball into his fifties. Mickey met his future wife, Carma Perrego at a skating rink in Newburgh -- he always said she was the prettiest girl there. On October 21, 1951, Mickey and Carma were married in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newburgh.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy on the USS Van Valkenburgh during the Korean Conflict. He often said that if he did not have a family, he would have made the Navy his career.

Mickey went on to run a dairy farm in Campbell Hall, which was located next to the fire hall where he was proud to have always been the first one to answer alarms. In 1963 he fulfilled his dream by buying his own dairy farm on the Hinman Hollow Road in Milford, where he and his wife raised their five children.

Mickey was very active in the Milford American Legion Post No. 1566 -- it was his second home. One of his favorite pastimes there was calling Bingo every Sunday night. He not only served as commander at the local level, but also served as the New York State American Legion Commander. Proud to be a lifetime member of the Milford Post, he was equally proud of being a lifetime member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown.

During retirement from dairy farming, Mickey loved his work at the Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, where his love of people shone through every day. 

Mickey was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Carma Perrego Ryan, who died September 18, 2009; his mother, Helen Ryan, who died while Mickey was serving overseas in the Korean Conflict; his father, Edward Ryan; his sister, Sylvia Orman; his aunts who loved him as a mother, Lucy Coville and Ida Berberick; and his loving out-law, Ken Kiser, who died November 1, 2005. 

Mickey is survived by his dear sister, Annie Snyder and husband, George of Campbell Hall; his five children, Patrick Ryan (Chris) of Campbell Hall, Deborah Kiser of Fly Creek, Mike Ryan (Chris) of Virginia Beach, VA, Sandy Strong (Mike) of Milford and Kelly Liner (Tom) of Cooperstown.  He is also survived by his twelve grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, Michelle (Chuck), Alex and Riley Hite of Connecticut, Christopher (Melissa) and Bentley Kiser of Cortland, Kristin and Isabella "Bella" Strong of Milford, Melissa (Josh) Ashlyn and Owen Spriggs of Youngstown, Michael Kiser of Florida, Ashley (Adam) and Elizabeth Wetherbee of Connecticut, Alicia (Scott) and Ayla Flint of Cherry Valley, Sean (Riann) and Taylor Ryan of Connecticut, Ryan (Megan) and Adalynn Strong of Richfield Springs, Kyle (Paula) Liner, and Derek and Brooke Liner all of Cooperstown and Sierra Truax of Campbell Hall. There are many nieces and nephews who will also miss their Uncle Mickey.

Family and friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2017.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, December 18, 2017, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding. 

Burial with Military Honors will be held in the Spring of 2018 in Milford Cemetery. 

Since music brought his mind back to life memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Music Therapy Department at the New York State Veterans' Home at Oxford, 4207 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY  13830. Memorial donations may also be made to the Milford American Legion Post No. 1566, P.O. Box 22, Milford, NY  13807 or to the Cooperstown Veterans Club, P.O. Box 1264, 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.

Joseph Piambino

1939 - 2017

COOPERSTOWN - Joseph Piambino, 78, formerly of Long Island, passed away early Sunday morning, December 10, 2017, at his home on Hade Hollow Road with his family by his side.

He was born August 1, 1939, in Brooklyn, a son of Frank and Frances (Ingargiola) Piambino. 

He married Linda Ketcham on September 3, 1988, in Mt. Sinai, NY. 

For many years Joe was employed as a manufacturing engineer with Sperry Rand at their plant in Lake Success. 

Following his retirement, Joe and Linda moved from Long Island to Cooperstown.

An avid outdoorsman, Joe enjoyed fishing and boating as well as skeet shooting, and was a member of the Cooperstown Sportsmen's Association and the Richfield Sportsmen's Club.

Joe played guitar for many years and performed as lead guitarist in a band called Rhythm, Inc. from 1970-1980. 

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Linda, of Cooperstown; two sons, Frank Piambino and companion, Connie, of Alplaus, and Daniel Molyneux and wife, Bernadette of Shirley; four grandchildren, James, Emily, Thomas and Joseph; and one brother, Thomas Piambino and wife, Jean, of Island Park.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, officiating. Immediately following the services, the family will continue receiving friends until 9 p.m. 

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.

Mary L. Gray

1929 - 2017

COOPERSTOWN - Mary Louise Gray, 88, of Cooperstown, passed away Saturday evening, December 9, 2017, at her home on Walnut Street with her sister, Connie and nephew, Brent at her side. 

She was born January 13, 1929, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown and was graduate of Cooperstown High School, Class of 1948. She was first employed as a part-time telephone operator at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, where she also made formulas for the maternity and pediatric wards and the central supply department. 

In 1957, Mary went to work for Herkimer Memorial Hospital where she was responsible for setting up central supply, inventory, ordering supplies, making surgical packs, and supervising staff personnel. In November 1984, Mary left Herkimer and joined the staff at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, but after six months she took time off to care for her mother, Kathryn. 

A determined individual, Mary took it upon herself to apply her education and experience in a new field and enrolled at Herkimer County Community College, where she eventually received a teachers' aide certificate.

For many years she was a faithful and devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown. She will be especially remembered for helping out with almost every rummage sale at the church.

In her leisure, Mary always enjoyed shopping trips to New York City, especially at Christmas time. On one of these trips, she and her nephew, Brent, decided to go to the top of the Empire State Building, and at the age of 83 Mary got off the elevator and climbed the stairs for the final twelve floors. She also enjoyed horse racing and made several trips each summer to the Saratoga Race Course. 

Mary is survived by her sister, Constance ("Connie") Gray and her son, Brent, of Cooperstown; one aunt, Dorine Gray, and four cousins, Stephen, Michael and Jim Gray and David Austin. 

She was predeceased by her mother, Kathryn Masten, who died September 13, 1996. 

Abiding by Mary's requests, there will be no services.

She will be laid to rest in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery. 

As a way to remember Mary, her family requests that memorial 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.

Edward C. Storck

1948 - 2017

BURLINGTON FLATS - Edward Casey Storck, age 69, passed into eternal life Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at his home in the Town of Burlington. 

He was born April 21, 1948, in Brooklyn, the eldest son of Edward and Geraldine (Dee) Storck. He was raised in Congers, Rockland County.

A true conservationist, Edward worked as a Chief Operating Engineer for the City of New York (DEP) in the Grahamsville Water Treatment Plant, retiring in 2003.

Ed lived for hunting and fishing, no matter what season it may be.

On October 11, 2002, Ed married Denise Taylor in Matamoras, Pennsylvania. After living in Orange County, Ed and Denise moved to Forestburgh in Sullivan County. After a romantic trip on Valentine's Day to Cooperstown, they decided to relocate to Otsego County in 2009 and made their home in the Town of Burlington. 

On April 13, 2016, Ed was Raised in Farmers Lodge No. 553, Free and Accepted Masons in Edmeston. Brother Storck truly enjoyed the brotherhood and fellowship of being a Mason. 

Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Denise Storck; their three children and four grandchildren, Chief Warrant Officer Elliott Weidel, USMC, his wife, Katylynn, and their children Leila and Liam of Okinawa, Japan, Michelle Galligan, FNP, her husband, Scott, and their children Hunter and Julie Grace of Cuddebackville, and Captain Michael Weidel, US Army, of Tennessee. He is further survived by his brother, Patrick Storck. 

In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Storck.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. At 7 p.m. a Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted at the funeral home by Brothers from Farmers Lodge No. 553, F. & A.M. 

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor officiating. 

Immediately following Mass, all are welcome for a time of refreshment and fellowship at the Masonic Temple at 13 West Street in Edmeston. 

As an alternative to flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ed to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675

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.