Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: June 2019

Frederick S. Vesely, Sr.

1927 - 2019

HARTWICK – Frederick S. Vesely, Sr., 92, of the Town of Burlington, passed away early Friday morning, June 28, 2019, at A.O Fox Memorial Nursing Home in Oneonta.

He was born February 24, 1927, in New Windsor, one of ten children of Andrew and Matilda (Gaydos) Vesely.

In his youth, Fred attended a one-room schoolhouse in Little Britain. At the age of 16 he left school and went to work for Crowley’s Dairy Company.

On August 15, 1948, he married Jeanne M. Oles in Newburgh.

After working for Crowley’s for 30 years, he retired at the age of 46, and he and his family moved to Hartwick where he owned and operated a dairy farm. After the barn burned in 1976, he retired from farming and went to work at The Farmers’ Museum and the Fenimore House where he was in charge of buildings and grounds.

After Jeanne passed away on December 10, 1987, Fred married Doris Grant on May 27, 1989, in a ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta. Doris passed away on August 16, 2010.

For many years, Fred was a communicant of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown.

Fred is survived by his two sons, Frederick “Rick” S. Vesely, Jr. and wife, Roberta, of Hartwick, and Michael “Mike” L. Vesely, Sr. and wife, Coleen of Springfield Center; ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and one great great grandson; one sister-in-law, Joyce Vesely, of Walden; a brother-in-law, Robert Ferris, Sr. of Vails Gate; and many nieces and nephews. He is further survived by one stepson, Robert Blais and wife, Linda and a step daughter-in-law, Sherri Blais, all of Bethel; one step daughter, Linda Citro Gorton and husband, Forrest of Jeffersonville; eight step grandchildren; and twelve step great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Jeanne M. Vesely, his second wife, Doris Blais Vesely; a step son, Jay Blais; and all his siblings.

Family and friends are welcome to call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, Monday, July 1, 2019, from 6-8 p.m.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic, 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 Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

Memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, 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.

Leon “Lee” A. Preston

1942 - 2019

HARTWICK – Leon “Lee” A. Preston, 77, of Hartwick, passed away peacefully Monday evening, June 24, 2019, with his children at his side, at A.O. Fox Memorial Nursing Home in Oneonta.

He was born February 28, 1942, in Delhi, a son of Clara Tompkins. Clara married Charles Preston who adopted Lee and along with Clara raised him.

On December 8, 1959, Lee married the love of his life, Bessie Belinda Gill in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Hartwick. This was the beginning of a long and happy life together as they bought a home and raised their family in Hartwick. Lee still resided in the family home of over 50 years.

As a young child, Lee attended a one-room schoolhouse in Westville of which he shared many stories. In his later school years he attended Milford Central School.

For more than 40 years years, Lee was employed at The Lake Front Motel in Cooperstown as head of maintenance. This was a job that he really enjoyed. He was a master of many skills and took pride in his work and encouraged all staff that he mentored to do the same.

Lee was a devoted family man. He had a great love for Bessie and his family. He was a selfless man that always gave more than he had to give. He looked forward to holidays and time spent together with those he loved. He was affectionately called “Poppy” by his grandchildren and “Pops” by his children. He was one of a kind-the mold was broken on him, in a good way.

Lee was very proud of his children and their accomplishments in life. He was also very proud of his grandchildren. He was very proud of and enjoyed his lunch time phone calls with his grandson, Tyler. He was very proud of Kate’s educational accomplishments. He was also very proud of Amy as mom to his two great grandchildren.

Lee loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and climbing mountains in search of the perfect ginseng root. He shared his outstanding hunting skills with his children and grandson Tyler. In his younger adulthood, he enjoyed playing softball and was captain of his team. He wasn’t a very big guy, but he was a heck of a first baseman. He enjoyed a good baseball game on TV and loved to watch his Dodgers and Red Sox play ball.

Lee enjoyed sitting on his back porch watching the birds and enjoying a game of baseball being played by the neighbor children, Jaxon and Luci. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and his drives “around the hood”.

Lee is survived by his three children, Jeffrey S. Preston (Meg), Janet L. Preston (Tim McLean) and Pamela K. Preston (Ron Moore), all of Hartwick; three grandchildren, Tyler and Kate Preston of Hartwick and Amy Preston of Norwich; two great grandsons, Dante Cancho and Jameson Long; three step grandchildren; step great grandson Derek Moore and several other step great grandchildren; two brothers, Kevin Preston (Ella) of Middlefield and David Preston (Gaye) of Florida; a sister-in-law, Darlene Lance of Oneonta; a sister-in-law Carol Preston; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lee is also survived by close friends Sandy Austin, Amy Field, Colleen Kukenberger, Rick Kleingardner and Ky Stickles. Lee had many friends as he had a compassionate heart and listening ear.

He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Bessie, who died May 13, 2015; their son, Keith A. Preston, who died July 21, 2009; his mother, Clara (Tompkins) Preston; his father, Charles Preston; and a brother, Ivan L. Preston, who died October 10, 2009.

We will not say goodbye as you will be with us every day; we will only say I love you and can’t wait to see you again!

In accordance with Lee’s wishes there will be no services. Remember your times spent with him, smile, and know he is at peace. The family may host a Celebration of Life to remember Lee at a later date.

The family would like to thank the 4th floor staff at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown and the Unit 3 staff at A.O. Fox Memorial Nursing Home in Oneonta for the compassion and quality care provided to Lee these past few weeks.

Following the death of his son, Keith, a fund was established in his memory to assist those who wanted to experience Keith's love of sports and the outdoors by attending DEC and sports camps. For those who wish to make a gift in memory of Lee, his family suggests that contributions be made to the Benefit of Keith Preston and sent to the Leatherstocking Regional Credit Union, 24 Glen Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Or, contributions may also be made to The Hartwick Rod and Gun Club, PO Box 251, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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

Michael I. Savic, Ph.D.

1929 - 2019

ATLANTA, GA – Dr. Michael I. Savic, age 89, died in Atlanta, GA, on June 24, 2019.

He was born August 4, 1929, in Belgrade, Serbia to Miodrag and Jelena (Milisic) Savic.

He married Rose Ruzica Micovic on June 3, 1961. They immigrated to the United States in 1967.

Dr. Savic was a professor of electrical engineering, most recently at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an inventor with over ten US patents. He lived in Wilbraham, MA, Ballston Lake, Sarasota, FL and Atlanta, GA.

Survivors include his daughter, Alice Jane Savic of Atlanta, GA and a brother, Dr. Slobodan Savic of Serbia.

Otpevanie at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019, in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Monastery, 1407 Robinson Road, Jordanville. Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Monastery Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Monastery, PO Box 36, Jordanville, NY 13361.

Arrangements by Fischer Funeral Care in Atlanta, GA and Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, Cooperstown.

Saidy Toufic Maalouf

1946 - 2019

COOPERSTOWN – Saidy Toufic Maalouf, a native of Lebanon currently residing in Cooperstown with her daughter and family, passed into eternal life Thursday evening, June 20, 2019, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by family. She was 72.

Born August 15, 1946, in Hadath, Balbeck, Lebanon, she was a daughter of Toufic and Farida Maalouf.

On May 6, 1971, she married Gebrail “Gaby” Abou Zeidan in Ablah, Lebanon.

Saidy is survived by her husband of 48 years, Gaby, of Cooperstown; their five children, Nayef Bou Zeidan of Montreal, Canada, Roger Bou Zeidan of Lebanon, Dory and Chadi Bou Zeidan of Montreal, Canada, and Pascale Gebrail Raymond, MD and husband, John. F. Raymond, MD of Cooperstown; 8 grandchildren; three brothers, Tannous, Joseph and Emile Maalouf; one sister, Rachida Maalouf; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two younger brothers, Nicolas and Gerges, and a sister, Souad.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2019, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Frs. Pierre Bou Zeidan and Rabih Zougheib, presiding.

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

“That Her Memory May Be Eternal”.

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

Gertrude Margaret Clark

December 14, 1923 – June 19, 2019

MUNFORD, TN - Gertrude Margaret Clark, 95, passed away June 19, 2019, in Munford, TN.

She was a retired accounting department employee for Konica, a devout Catholic, loved her grandchildren, and enjoyed big band music. She was also proud to be Irish, and loved her cocktail time.

Mrs. Clark was predeceased by her husband, Ambrose David Clark, who died in 1975.

She is survived by her daughters, Maureen (Jerry) Butler and Sue (Daryl) Ketcham; sister, Barbara Searles; grandchildren, J.L. (Heather) Butler, Kaitlyn Ketcham, David (Sarah) Butler, Daniel (Claudia) Butler, Robert Butler, and Meagan Butler; and grandchildren, Hayden Butler, Dylan Butler, Damon Butler and Abigail Butler.

Visitation and Services were held Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Munford Funeral Home in Munford, TN.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.

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

Roberta A. Morley

1933 - 2019

COOPERSTOWN – Roberta (Bobbie) A. Morley, a resident of Allerton House in Hingham, MA and formerly of Cooperstown, passed away Friday, June 14, 2019, in Hingham, MA. She was 85 years old.

Born December 22, 1933, in Newark, NJ, she was the daughter of Leonard and Viola (Smalley) Schilling. Bobbie attended Immaculate Conception High School and the State University of New York at Delhi and Oneonta. She received a nursing degree.

On February 27, 1954, Roberta married Joseph F. Morley in Bloomfield, NJ. They were married for 43 years before Joe’s death on February 21, 1997.

For 22 years, Bobbie and Joe resided in Cooperstown on Christian Hill. They raised four sons. Following Joe’s death, Bobbie moved to Stuart, FL. She married James DePietro in Stuart in April 10, 2010. James passed in February 2019.

Bobbie was an active communicant of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. She was a Registered Nurse and prior to retirement was working for Otsego County Public Health. Nursing was very important to Bobbie as she spent countless hours serving others. After retiring to Florida Bobbie was a volunteer at the St. Martin County Hospital in Stuart.

Bobbie is survived by three sons, Robert J. Morley of Phoenix, AZ, J. Scott Morley of Guilderland Center, and Curt G. Morley and wife, Katherine of Hingham, MA; six grandchildren, Griffith P. of Massapequa and Alec of Hartwick, Taylor and Brooke of Boston, MA and Samantha and Joseph of Hingham, MA; a great granddaughter, Donna Marie; a sister, Emily Swihura and husband Stephen of Melbourne, FL; a brother, Leonard R. Schilling and wife, Cathy, of Lowell, IN; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Bobbie was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Louise who died in 1957, and a son, Peter who died June 21, 1988.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. Kenneth Doyle officiating. The service of committal and burial will be private in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.

Following Peter’s death in 1988, a fund was established by his family and friends for a cash award to be presented in his memory to a member of the graduating class of Cooperstown Central School who plans to continue his/her education, and who personifies the qualities that Peter is remembered for, namely: scholarship, leadership, citizenship, athletic ability and involvement in school activities. Through the years money has been added to the principal of this fund in memory of his father and in recognition of the family’s support of education. These monies represent the Morley Family Fund, and that income, combined with that of the Peter G. Morley Scholarship Award is given to the appropriate senior. The Morley family therefore respectfully requests that expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts for Roberta be made to the Morley Family Fund at Cooperstown Central School, 38 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

Roberta L. Wood

1928 - 2019

COOPERSTOWN – Roberta L. Wood, 90, of County Highway 33, Cooperstown and formerly of Long Island, died Sunday evening, June 9, 2019, surrounded by family at her home in the Town of Middlefield.

She was born July 27, 1928, in Brooklyn, a daughter of Walter F. and Laura (Wilson) Acker.

On January 13, 1951, Roberta married Richard Corbett Wood, also from Brooklyn, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brooklyn. The two shared 55 years of marriage until Dick’s passing on September 3, 2006.

For many years she worked as an insurance agent for the K & C Agency in Valley Stream on Long Island, where she and Dick lived and raised their family. In the early 90s they moved from Long Island and settled in Cooperstown.

Roberta is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard S. and Laurie Wood of Cooperstown and Douglas J. and Kathleen Wood of Bay Shore; her grandchildren, Jennifer Craver and husband, Tim, Rachael Wood and Dave Allison, Alyssa Wicker and husband, Brett, Amy Waldron, Brandy Hardy and husband, Robert, Dawn Saxon and husband, Tim and Janine Marie Perez; numerous great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a grandson, Douglas Richard Wood, who died April 22, 2018, and a brother, Victor (Vic) Sinnott who died January 4, 2018.

In accordance with Roberta’s wishes, there will be no services.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

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