Gunleif Jacobsen

ONEONTA & NEW YORK CITY – Gunleif Jacobsen, of Oneonta and New York City, passed away Monday, May 21, 2018, at home in Oneonta at age 83.

Gunleif was born in Brooklyn, the eldest son of Elias and Olena Jacobsen, who had recently emigrated from Karmoy, Norway.

He graduated from Ft. Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, and Baruch College, The City University of New York. He retired from a successful career on Wall Street in 1996. Very proud of his Norwegian heritage, he then spent two semesters at the University of Bergen and two summers at Oslo University’s International Summer School to deepen his knowledge of the country’s language, culture and society.

A member of All Souls Unitarian Church, NYC, and the Sons of Norway, he was an enthusiastic supporter of many cultural and environmental organizations including Carnegie Hall, MusicaViva, NY, Bassett Hospital, Otsego Land Trust, The Glimmerglass Festival, the Fenimore Art Museum and Doctors Without Borders. 

In his early years he was an accomplished figure skater. Later he turned to tennis and, as a member of the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, won Singles and Doubles Tournaments there in the early 80s. Perhaps owing to his Norwegian DNA he excelled on the ski slopes and for many years impressed onlookers with his classic form on the challenging trails of the Rockies and Wasatch Range. 

He loved travel and made several road trips across the US and enjoyed visits to Europe, particularly Germany and Norway, where he spent time with friends and family. 

Gunleif is survived by his brothers Tom and wife Gail of Manahawkin, New Jersey and Roy and wife Mary Ellen of Charlestown, Rhode Island; niece and nephews Dianne, Erik, Toby, Jeffrey and Kirk; and by his partner of forty-one years, Thomas Simpson.

He was a kind and gracious man making friends wherever he went, and will be remembered by those fortunate enough to have met him as a modest and caring person, with a ready smile, and an understanding and compassionate ear. 

There will be a gathering later this summer to celebrate his life.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Fenimore Art Museum, PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326, Otsego Land Trust, PO Box 173, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or the Guild of Glimmerglass Festival, PO Box 191, 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.

Joseph C. Roraback

1936 - 2018

HARTWICK – Joseph Clark Roraback, 81, an area resident for the past 30 years, died Friday night, May 25, 2018, peacefully with his daughters by his side.

He was born October 11, 1936, in Hudson, a son of William Roraback and Betty (Balder) Darrah.  

For many years he was employed as a supervisor for several construction firms. At the time of his retirement he was working for Lash Contractors, Inc.

Joseph is survived by his two daughters, Aline Kieper of Feura Bush and Deb (Karl) Bastian of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; two grandchildren, Zachary (Stacy) Kieper and Janelle (Bryan Gottlieb) Kieper; a sister, Phyllis (Jack) Scheriff; a brother, James Darrah; his late nephew Scott (Shannon) Kowalski; his nieces Andrea (Michael) Coon and Brooke Piatt; and nephews Michael (Randi) Kowalski and Karl Darrah.

He is further survived by his loving friend and companion Lela Reed and her children Brenda, Lori, Sue, and the predeceased Billy.   

Per Joseph’s request, there will be no services.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving 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.

Kathleen M. McClaine

1949 - 2018

CHARLOTTEVILLE – Kathleen M. McClaine, a resident of the Charlotteville area, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 20, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. She was 68.
Born June 9, 1949, in Schenectady, Kathleen was the daughter of Merlin Francis and Catherine Mae (Howland) McClaine.

For many years she was employed as a paralegal with the Law Firm of Peter W. Hill, Esq. in Oneonta.

Kathie enjoyed and was quite skilled at playing pool, winning many tournaments through the years. A member of the Oneonta 9-ball Division of the Mohawk Valley American Pool players Association (APA) League, she also enjoyed travelling to Las Vegas with fellow pool players to attend professional pool tournaments.

She will be fondly remembered by the residents of Charlotteville where she was active as a social member of the Charlotteville Fire Department.

Kathleen was predeceased by her husband who died in a motor vehicle accident in 1968; her father, Merlin F. McClaine who died in 1983; her mother, Catherine Howland McClaine who died in 1997, her brother, John F. McClaine, who died in 2017; and her longtime friend and companion, Joseph Vitale, who died in 2007.

Per Kathleen’s wishes, friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at 104 Willow Springs Road, Jefferson.

In memory of Kathleen, please consider a memorial contribution to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, Inc., 304 Howes Cave Road, PO Box 40, Howes Cave, NY 12092.

Arrangements are with 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.

Alice L. Talbot

1923 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN – Alice L. Talbot, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family by her side early Thursday morning, May 10, 2018, at The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home in Cooperstown. The widow of Howard C. Talbot, Jr., former Director of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, she was 94.

Born June 11, 1923, in White Plains, Alice Caroline Losee was the eldest child of Edward Samuel Losee and Bertha Weiss Losee. 

In her youth she attended East New York School in Brooklyn, near Ebbets Field. She was first employed as an I.B.M. operator for National City Bank in Brooklyn. On June 1, 1944, Alice entered into active service with the United States Navy and proudly served her country during World War II. Upon receiving her Honorable Discharge from the Military on March 4, 1946, Seaman First Class Losee followed her family from Brooklyn to Edmeston. Alice then joined New York Central Mutual as a keypunch operator.

On September 11, 1948, Alice married Howard Chase Talbot, Jr. in a ceremony at the Second Baptist Church of Edmeston. They met in the youth choir and their shared fondness of music continued throughout their marriage. Soon after they wed, Alice and Howard moved to Cooperstown where they made their home first on Walnut Street before settling in at 95 Pioneer Street. They raised their family and remained there for 60 years. While Howard was “the Mayor of Pioneer Street”, Alice was “The First Lady”. Even with their busy work and family schedules, they always enjoyed sitting together on their front porch and eagerly welcomed family, neighbors, friends and passers-by for conversation and camaraderie.

Although she never graduated from high school, Alice was an ambitious student who enjoyed learning. She earned her GED and took night courses in accounting. She returned to work as her children grew older and did the first Medicare billing for Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. Alice also worked for the Otsego County Forestry Service and for the Real Property Tax Department for Otsego County. She retired at age 63. 

Being the wife of the Director of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum meant that Alice was directly involved with many of her husband’s work-related affairs. At one particular Hall of Fame event that she was nervous to attend, new Hall of Fame Inductee “Pee Wee” Reese came over to meet her. Upon learning that he was her favorite ball player of all time, he embraced her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then told her that she was indeed an important part of the Hall of Fame family by virtue of being married to Howard.

While living in Cooperstown, Alice was involved in many organizations, including as a volunteer at Bassett Hospital. She was a member of the Criterion Club, the Cooperstown Woman’s Club, and the Native Daughters of Cooperstown. She and Howard utilized the facilities at The Clark Sports Center including participation in bowling leagues, and Alice was also an avid Bridge player. They enjoyed early morning walks together and loved to take long drives around the countryside with no particular destination in mind. Alice continued this tradition of excursions on local country roads with her family in recent weeks even as her health declined. 

Alice and Howard moved to The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home in the spring of 2015. After losing her husband, Alice settled into widowhood and was an active resident who enjoyed participating in all of the varied activities offered at the home. Crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles filled her quiet time. Alice lived in comfort with her fellow residents while the staff provided her with the most compassionate care and true friendship. They became, and will remain, her extended family. 

The two most important things in Alice’s life were her strong Christian faith and dedication to her loved ones. 

Alice and Howard were devoted members of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. Through the years she taught Sunday School, was a member of the Fidelis Guild (now the Women’s Guild) helped with rummage sales and in the kitchen with church suppers. She also enjoyed singing in the choir, and often sang duets with Howard. 

Alice's affection and love for her family was boundless. She was willing to participate in activities outside of her comfort if it meant being with her family, and they were always eager and grateful to have her join in the fun, which included hiking in her mid-sixties, parasailing at age seventy and boat rides into her nineties. She is survived by her three children, Julia T. DeLaurentiis and husband, Thomas, of Morris, Judy Talbot of Liverpool and Cooperstown, and James C. Talbot of Fayetteville; one granddaughter, Teresa M. DeLaurentiis and her husband, William C. Burdick of Morris; two great granddaughters, Fiorenza Marie Burdick and Silvana Marie Burdick; a sister-in-law, Jean Losee; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, Howard, who died July 18, 2015; three brothers, Robert (and his wife, Nellie), Frank and Edward Losee; and a sister, Florence (and her husband Graydon) France.

A visitation will be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018, when the Talbot family will receive friends. 

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Joseph Perdue, pastor, and the Rev. Betsy Jay, officiating.

Immediately following the service at church her funeral procession will pause by their former home on Pioneer Street, and then wind its’ way through village streets to Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown for the service of committal and burial. A reception will follow at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. 

The Talbot Family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be directed to The First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 19 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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.