Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: December 2023

James A. McGrath

1938 - 2023

COOPERSTOWN – James Anthony McGrath, a long-time resident of Cooperstown and dedicated member of the Cooperstown Veterans Club passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta. He was 85 years old.

Born May 21, 1938, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Jim was one of eight children of John Thomas McGrath and Sophie R. (Maciag) McGrath. When he was 10 years old, Jim’s father passed away unexpectedly, and soon after the family moved to Hartwick. Jim attended school there and graduated with the Class of 1957, which was the last class to graduate from Hartwick High School.

On February 13, 1958, Jim was inducted into the United States Air Force, and proudly served his country with the 4616th Air Base Squadron. Initially assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he eventually went overseas. He served as an aerospace control and warning systems operator (AC&W) and throughout his tour of duty often passed between East and West Berlin. He received his Honorable Discharge from the Military on May 31, 1962, and returned home to Hartwick, after work experience in Germany and marriage to Christa Rietzne in 1961. The marriage ended in divorce in 1967.

On January 15, 1978, Jim married Janet Lee Hurlburt (whom he met on a blind date on January 15, 1971) in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, and they settled into their home on Elm Street.

Throughout his life Jim was employed as a carpenter, first working with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and later on his own in the Cooperstown area.

Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, he enjoyed occasionally attending the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown with Jan.

Proud to be a military veteran, Jim was a faithful and dedicated member of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579 and the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown, and active in the Otsego/Delaware Counties VFW organization. He often served with the VFW honor guard for special events and funerals, and most especially enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow veterans at the Cooperstown Veterans Club; the place will not be the same without Jim’s presence.

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jan, of Cooperstown; a son, Patrick J. McGrath of Medina and spouse Julianne; a daughter, Sabina Stegmuller and spouse Martin of Leipzig, Germany; and grandchildren Fabian and Vincent Stegmuller of Germany and Makenzie, Jackson, Charlotte and Emmalynn McGrath of Medina.

He is further survived by a brother, Frank McGrath (Ann) of Lyman, South Carolina; three sisters, Mary Margaret McGrath (David Kane) of Annapolis, Maryland, Helen Senmartin (George) of Belleville, New Jersey, and Ann Kane of Lititz, Pennsylvania; a sister-in-law, Grace McGrath of Florham Park, New Jersey; and their families. He is also survived by brothers-in-law John Jr (Iva), James (Roxana) and Joseph (Donna) Hurlburt, all of Otego, and their families. Jim’s first wife, Christa also survives.

In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by three brothers, Joseph who died in infancy, John T. McGrath, Jr. who died November 16, 2008, and Thomas S. McGrath who died November 23, 2019. He is also predeceased by sister-in-law Janet McGrath (spouse of John) of Oneonta, brother-in-law, Jack Kane (spouse of Ann) of Pennsylvania, and parents-in-law, Jed and Jean Hurlburt of Otego.

Friends are invited to pay their respects to Jim’s family from 3 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in the Fellowship Hall at The First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, 21 Elm Street, Cooperstown.

At 4 p.m. a memorial service will take place in the Fellowship Hall at the church, with Pastor Mike Coles officiating.

Military Honors will be rendered at the start of the service by members of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579, the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128, and the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Elite Honor Guard.

Memorial donations may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project or 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.

Deborah A. Kiser

FLY CREEK – Deborah A. Kiser, who will be fondly remembered for her years as an elementary school teacher with the Cooperstown Central School District, entered into eternal rest following a valiant battle with cancer Sunday morning, December 10, 2023, at her home in Fly Creek with family by her side. She was 68 years old.

Born in Goshen, Debbie was one of five children of Ralph Michael “Mickey” and Carma Marye (Perrego) Ryan, who passed in 2017 and 2009 respectively.

As a young child, Debbie and her family moved to Milford and lived on their family dairy farm on the Hinman Hollow Road. After graduating from Milford Central School with the Class of 1973, she attended SUNY Oneonta, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

On June 5, 1976, Debbie married the love of her life, Kenneth David Kiser, in a ceremony at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. Kenny, who was also a member of the Milford Central School Class of 1973, and Debbie shared twenty-nine fun-filled years together until his untimely passing November 1, 2005.

Debbie was one of those lucky people who found work right out of college. As a student teacher in 1976, she student-taught Don Howard’s eighth-grade social studies class, and was hired to teach at the Hartwick Grade Center that fall, which was also the last year that building served as a school. It was then that she came to teach with the Cooperstown Central School District, where she stayed until retiring in 2011. Debbie once stated, “teaching was my career and my hobby. It was my life.”

Throughout the years she taught several grade levels, including second grade, fifth and sixth grade language arts and fourth, fifth and sixth grade social studies. She especially enjoyed the different ages of the students she taught and was surrounded by, stating that they were all great in different ways. Teaching a unit and then seeing how students learned was always gratifying to her, and she enjoyed seeing the projects students created. Her favorite was the travel brochure project the fifth-graders created. When teaching the younger grades she loved the plays and the Friday morning get-togethers with Mr. Thorn playing the piano and all the students singing their hearts out with the music. She also appreciated the part of the school day where a book was read out loud; she felt the sharing of the story created such community within the room. Perhaps her favorite memento from her years of teaching was a quilt created for her one year by the second graders.

At various times in Debbie’s life, she overcame challenges, but always came out on the other side in a positive way. She once said, “As the song goes…there are always mountains to climb. Not every day is easy, but over a lifetime you only remember the good moments.”

Throughout her life, Debbie was a devoted and faithful communicant of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. She was also a member of the original Board of Directors of the Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Debbie is survived by her two sons, Christopher Ryan Kiser and wife, Melissa of Cortland and Michael Paul Kiser of Florida; a grandson, Bentley Kiser; and her siblings, Patrick Ryan and wife, Chris of Campbell Hall, Michael Ryan and wife, Chris of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Sandra Strong and husband, Mike of Milford and Kelly Liner and husband, Tom of Milford, and their families.

In addition to her wonderful and supportive family, Debbie has been blessed with an amazing group of friends who also supported her through her journey with cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. Michael Cambi, pastor officiating. She will be laid to rest alongside Kenny in Fly Creek Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Debbie’s memory may be made to the Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education to support the foundation’s growth, honor Debbie’s dedication to education and support the students’ enrichment at Cooperstown Central School. Checks may be made to “CFEE” with “In Debbie’s Memory” on the memo line, and mailed c/o Cooperstown Central School, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

Jean Ballard

1927 - 2023

COOPERSTOWN – With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Jean Ballard, a cherished member of the Cooperstown community, who died on November 17, 2023, in Burlington, Vermont, surrounded by her loving family. She was 96. All who knew Jean were touched by her quick humor, lively spirit, and enormous heart.

She was born on June 2, 1927, in Duryea, Pennsylvania, to Rudolph and Anna (Kufta) Solarchik. After graduating from high school in 1945, Jean played a meaningful role during World War II, working in a silk mill that helped manufacture parachutes for American soldiers. It was there she met and fell in love with Joseph Bozosi, exchanging letters with him during the war while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. They married in 1948 in Cooperstown. Together, they worked at Sherry’s Tea Room and later co-established, operated, and managed the popular Otsego Diner for 15 years until Joseph’s passing. Jean devoted the next two decades to Bassett Hospital, contributing her skills as a phlebotomist in the hematology lab. She married Robert Ballard in 1981 and spent 19 happy years with him both in Cooperstown and in their condo in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Jean had been an active member of the Cooperstown St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church since 1947 and found great comfort in her faith. A unique aspect of Jean’s spiritual life was her special relationship with St. Anthony. Countless times, she sought his intercession and found solace in his assistance, especially when things were lost. St. Anthony became a guide in times of need, exemplifying the profound connection between faith and everyday life. She passed her connection with St. Anthony on to her family, many of whom turn to Jean’s most beloved saint when things go missing. She was also an active participant in the Cooperstown Criterion Club and Cooperstown Native Daughters. She enjoyed dancing the polka, walking on the beach while wintering in Florida, cross-country skiing, golfing, playing cards, and was an avid reader with a fondness for romance novels. Jean loved to laugh and tell stories and could often be found entertaining friends and greeting passersby from her back porch on Beaver Street. In her later years, Jean moved to Burlington, Vermont. There, she found comfort and support in the care of her family. Jean’s last chapter was marked by warmth and love.

Jean was predeceased by her first husband, Joseph Bozosi Sr.; second husband, Robert Ballard; parents, Rudolph and Anna (Kufta) Solarchik; sister, Dorothy Kashuda; brother-in-law, Joseph Wycallis; and special friend, Pete Cascio.

She is survived by her children, Joseph (Susan) Bozosi, Karen Bozosi (Douglas) Dailey, Stephen (Rhonda) Ballard, and Deborah Ballard; her brother Robert (Mary Winnie) Solarchik, sister Joan Wycallis, and brother-in-law Vince Kashuda; her loving grandchildren, Kenneth (Sarah) Phillips, Jonti (Tom) Rodi, Jacob (Diana Marinovic) Roesch, Benjamin (Shannon) Roesch, Sean (Michele) Dailey, James (Nancy Galante) Dailey, and Daniel (Annie Barker) Dailey; her great-grandchildren, Grace and Laura Phillips; Lucas, Oliver, Ellis, and Evelyn Rodi;

Felix and Leo Roesch; and Grayson and Finnegan Dailey; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

For the excellent care Jean has received, the family wishes to thank Gazebo Senior Living, Birchwood Terrace Memory Care, Bayada Hospice, and special thanks to Dr. Karen Sokol.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street, Cooperstown, with Fr. Michael Cambi, pastor, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, where Jean will be laid to rest alongside her first husband, Joseph Bozosi, Sr. Immediately following the service at the cemetery, there will be a reception in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, located directly behind the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be directed to the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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