Peter Lindsay Macarthur

1970 - 2021

COOPERSTOWN – Peter Lindsay Macarthur, 51, of Dobbs Ferry and Cooperstown, died unexpectedly earlier this month at the family home on Stockingbrook in Cooperstown. 

He was born April 10, 1970, in Ridgewood, NJ, a son of Lindsay Macarthur, Jr. and Warrene Shreve “Lennie” Macarthur. 

A 1988 graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, Peter went on to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME where he graduated in 1992, exactly 40 years after his father, with a dual degree in German and Political Science. He continued his studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where he earned his Master of Science in International Politics in 1995. He enjoyed being part of a team and, from his early years at Choate, he rowed competitively for his school teams at home and abroad. 

Peter pursued a long career in commercial banking, beginning in 1995 with the Bank of Scotland through his current position as a Senior Relationship Manager for HSBC Bank USA in New York City.

Peter’s well-known dedication to community service dates to his early high school years in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, where he was a junior member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps. A certified EMT, Peter was a member of both the Cooperstown Emergency Squad and the Dobbs Ferry Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Peter also served on the board of Pathfinder Village, Edmeston, for several years. 

Peter always enjoyed his time spent in Cooperstown, especially in the summer months, and was an active member of the Cooperstown Country Club. He made sure all enjoyed the beauty and rich history of the area he loved. We share the memory of many activities with Peter: boating on Otsego Lake, hiking to Star Field, visiting the Cooperstown museums and cider mill, watching him march in the Springfield Fourth of July parade, mountain biking on trails and back roads, or just piling into the gator to visit neighbors and nearby friends. We will miss his warm smile, jovial laugh, and big bear hugs. He was an encourager to us all. 

Peter is survived by his three siblings, Anne M. Booth and husband, Thomas of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Jennifer M. Davis and husband, Louis D. "Tripp" Davis III of Abington, PA, and David P. Nichols and wife, Louise Reid Boyce Nichols of Wilmington, DE; two nephews, Ensign Owen P. Davis, USN and William Hewitt Ward Nichols; two nieces, Gwenyth A. Davis and Eliza Campbell Nichols; an uncle, Warren Perry Shreve and wife, Diane of Blue Springs, MO; and cousins Tracy Stewart, Shelby Stewart Giunti and Ashley Stewart Waltemath. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Lindsay Macarthur, Jr. who died July 6, 2017, and his mother, Warrene S. “Lennie” Macarthur, who died September 22, 2020. 

A private service is planned for the family, and a public gathering in Peter’s memory will be held in the late spring or early summer. 

One way to remember and honor Peter’s life would be to make a memorial donation to the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Pathfinder Village Foundation, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston, NY 13335-2314; https://pathfindervillage.org/get-involved/donate. 

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.

Douglas K. Walrath

1929 - 2021

COOPERSTOWN – Douglas K. Walrath, beloved husband, father and grandfather, who served the Village of Cooperstown as Clerk, Treasurer and Administrator and who was active with the Rotary Club and Christ Church, left us suddenly and unexpectedly after a brief illness Friday afternoon, December 17, 2021, at Bassett Medical Center with his wife, Peg, and Fr. Nathan Ritter, his pastor by his side. He was 92. 

Born December 11, 1929, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Douglas Kramer Walrath was one of two sons of Douglas O. and Bertha (Kramer) Walrath. Raised in the Village, he graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1947. 

During the Korean War, Doug proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was badly wounded while on active duty and received the Purple Heart in April 1951. 

Following his military service, Doug attended Ithaca College and earned a bachelor of science degree in radio and television graduating magna cum laude.

Beginning in February of 1965, Doug was employed by the Village of Cooperstown and served as Village Clerk and clerk of all the Village boards. As Village Treasurer, he was Administrator and Chief Budget Officer. He attended the training school sponsored by the New York State Conference of Mayors and in 1969 received their five-year award for training. He also helped organize the New York State Association of Municipal Purchasing Officials and served as Secretary. 

His service to the community extended to his work as treasurer of the parent support group that raised funds to send the CCS Girls Field Hockey team to Australia in 1983. He also served as score keeper for the town ball club in the 1960s. 

After retirement in June 1990, he continued serving the Village of Cooperstown when he was appointed to complete Jim Woolson’s unexpired term as Village Trustee. He also served a short term on the Village Water Board. 

Of the Episcopal faith, Doug was a life-long faithful and dedicated member of Christ Church in Cooperstown. After a dozen years of service, he retired in 2005 as church treasurer. He also served as a Sunday School teacher and Junior Warden of the Vestry.  

An active and dedicated member of the Cooperstown Rotary Club since 1970, Doug was a Paul Harris Fellow and served on the House Committee. He was also a member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128. 

Throughout Doug’s life, he was always devoted to his God, his family, his local community and his country with a faithfulness that was truly honorable.

Doug is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Margaret (Peg) Blencoe, whom he married on July 22, 1967, in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown; their daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Walrath-Tamayo and her husband, Salvador of West Chicago, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Salvador Douglas Tamayo of Madrid, Spain and Sofia Vareliana Tamayo of West Chicago, Illinois. He is further survived by his wife’s sister and husband, Ruth and Peter Deddish of Oak Park, Illinois and their family, and many other nieces and nephews.  

He was predeceased by his father, Douglas O. Walrath who died July 30, 1974; his mother, Bertha K. Walrath who died November 11, 1987; his brother, James O. Walrath who died April 8, 2012, and a nephew, James C. “JC” Walrath who died June 10, 2006. 

​The Office of the Burial of the Dead will be offered at 11 o'clock in the morning on Friday, July 8, 2022, at Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Rev'd Nathan P. Ritter, Rector officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will following in the Blencoe Family Plot in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown. Military Honors will be rendered at the cemetery by members of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128, Cooperstown and the New York State Military Forces Funeral Honor Guard. Immediateley following the interment, there will be a reception at Templeton Hall, Cooperstown.  

As a way to honor the memory of Doug’s life, his family would appreciate memorial donations to the Cooperstown Rotary Foundation, PO Box 993, Cooperstown, NY  13326, or to the faith-based 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.

John Robert Oakley

1945 - 2021

CHERRY VALLEY – John Robert Oakley, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother who worked for many years as a logger and then a loom operator and technician for Thistle Hill Weavers, passed Friday night, December 17, 2021, at his home on Chestnut Ridge Road surrounded by his family. He was 76.

Born July 20, 1945, in Muncie, Indiana, John was a son of William Marion Oakley and Ruth (Dunn) Oakley. 

For many years he was employed by Otsego Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a foreman for the line clearance crew. In recent years he joined with his wife, Rabbit Goody in operating Thistle Hill Weavers in Cherry Valley. John was especially adept at maintaining and repairing the complex looms and machinery involved with the day-to-day operations at Thistle Hill Weavers, and was greatly appreciated for his expertise and engineering skills.

He will be fondly remembered as a calm and peaceful man who possessed a special and unique relationship with his God. 

John will be greatly missed by his wife, Rabbit Goody of Cherry Valley; his four children from a previous marriage, Hollyann Oakley of Cherry Valley and her children, Jasmine and Jacob Neill, Daniel Oakley and wife, Diana of Cherry Valley and their children Dorothy and Gabriel Oakley, Courtney McInnis and husband, Josh of Mountain View, Hawaii and their children Isaiah, Elijah, Aaron, Azariah, Tabitha and Noah John, and Rebecca Sutherland and husband Guy of Boston, New York and their children Clara and Griffin; a sister, Virginia Braley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a brother William Oakley of Charleston, South Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of John’s life will be held next year.

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.

Ryan Scott Bennett

1991 - 2021

HARTWICK – Ryan Scott Bennett, 30, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Hartwick on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. 

He was born September 6, 1991, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, the son of Deborah Lynn Ubner Bennett. After graduating from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 2010, he attended Herkimer County Community College. 

Most recently he was employed as a cook at Stagecoach Coffee in Cooperstown. 

Ryan valued the time spent with his family, whether on holidays or ordinary days, whether at the beach, the park, or home on the couch playing video games. He enjoyed going places and outdoor activities with his Mom and daughter. Ryan adored his daughter Aubree, taking great pride in her achievements and supporting her goals. 

Ryan was happiest when he had meaningful work to do. When not preparing food at Stagecoach Coffee, Ryan enjoyed riding his motorcycles or learning new things working on his car with his grandpa and Raymond. He was always quick to offer help to someone in need.

In 2018, Ryan was part of his church’s mission team that travelled to the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, where he helped repair houses damaged by Hurricane Maria. The experience moved him deeply, and her vowed he would return if given the chance. 

Ryan is survived by his loving mother, Deborah Bennett and her partner, Raymond R. Bennett, Jr. of Fly Creek; his beloved daughter, Aubree Bennett of Ilion; his maternal grandparents, Robert & Marcia Ubner of Fly Creek; his aunts and uncles Scott (Teresa) Ubner and cousins Christopher & Adam Ubner of Fly Creek, Mark (Melissa) Ubner and cousins Todd, Shania, & Jenna Ubner of Burlington Flats; and several other loving family and friends. 

Ryan’s family will receive friends beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, 852 County Highway 26, Fly Creek. The visitation will be followed by a Memorial Service at 5 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, pastor officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, Ryan’s family would greatly appreciate that memorial donations be directed to Deborah Bennett for the benefit of Aubree Bennett via the Leatherstocking Credit Union, 24 Glen Avenue, 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.

Robert E. Hall “Papa”

1946 - 2021

SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Robert E. Hall, who will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, December 2, 2021, at his home in the Town of Springfield. Bob was 75.

Robert Edward Hall was born July 27, 1946, at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Utica, one of four children of Lincoln Jasper Hall and Helen Mae VanEtten Hall. Raised in Utica, he was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. 

On April 16, 1966, Bob married Mary Judith Horgan, the love of his life, in a ceremony at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Utica. 
Bob will truly be missed by his family and all those whose lives he touched in so many different ways.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Judy, of Springfield Center; their four children, Kimberly Van Dyke and husband, Richard of Springfield Center, Robert E. Hall, Jr. of Cooperstown, Robin McCormack and husband, Patrick of Remsen, and Aaron Scot Hall of Albany; and eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Danielle Burr and husband, Jake, and their children Helena, Willow, Leo and Judith, Nathan and Nash Van Dyke, Maggie and Reilly Hall, Michael, Madelyn and Alexander McCormack, and Isabella, Marley and Cooper Hall. He is further survived by a brother, Ronald Hall and wife, Joanne of Whitesboro; two brothers-in-law, John Davidson and Phil McKenzie; several nieces and nephews, and many special friends. 

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Davidson and Beverly McKenzie. 

Throughout his life, Bob held many jobs, and will be remembered for always being a hardworking man. He worked for Indium Corporation in Clinton, owned and operated Hall’s Red & White grocery store in King Ferry, and was a truck driver and delivery man for Freihofer’s bakery in Nelliston. 

Baseball was always an important and integral part of Bob’s life, from his childhood years, through high school, and then as an adult. In his younger years he played fast-pitch softball. As he got older, he decided to hang up his glove and become an umpire, a position he truly excelled in. For many years, he was the umpire for the Milford Macs. Bob, with the help and support of dear friends and fellow umpires, was integral in the formation of the NY Susquehanna Valley Umpire Association and held the title of Commissioners/Assignor for many years. Bob took pride in keeping everything in good order when it came to scheduling games at historic Doubleday Field. He also did some scouting work and was instrumental in organizing the 2015 Cooperstown Baseball Classic between the women’s Japanese and U.S. National Baseball Teams. 

The greatest joy in his life came from being husband to Judy and Papa to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was their greatest fan and loved watching his family grow and excel in their areas of interest. 

A visitation will take place between 12 Noon and 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. 

A Funeral Service will be offered at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Fr. Michael Cambi, pastor of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown officiating. Interment will follow in Springfield Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the Hall family would appreciate donations in memory of Bob to the Friends of Doubleday, PO Box 1275, 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.