Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: July 2024

Richard Edmund Eldridge

1943 - 2024

NEW LISBON – Richard Edmund Eldridge entered Eternal Rest peacefully in his sleep on July 13, 2024, at the age of 81.

While Richie was born May 2, 1943, in Georgia, he liked to say in his dearest Cape Cod accent, “it was because his Momma couldn’t make it up noth (north) on time.” He arrived on The Cape “a few days later.”

Richie is predeceased by his parents, Richard A. Eldridge, Elizabeth (Betty) Phoebe Hibbard-Eldridge of Chatham, MA and his son, Scott Brennan of upstate New York.

Richie is survived by his widow, Jane (née Walton) Eldridge; his daughter Caroleigh and son-in-law, Joris Schampaert of Portugal; grandchildren Nastazya, Saszkya & Sebaztyan Schampaert of Belgium; his namesake, Richard Hewlett of Otego and Kali Amaro of New York.

Being a part of the Chatham community, Richie was a long time Boy Scout when they met at Doc Keene's Scout Hall and a valued member of the South Chatham Community Church. Graduating from Chatham High School in 1961, Richie immediately became a commercial fisherman and was written of several times in Yankee magazine. Several years later he became a 1979 graduate of Daytona Beach Community College having mastered marine mechanics. This made life easier and more independent after having purchased the fishing vessel “Cristen” from Billy Nichols, also a beloved member of the Cape Cod community.

Richie, his family and friends spent long relaxing days at his camp on Monomoy Island. A treasure forever even when the family was stranded by ocean ice and had to be airlifted to the mainland by Coast Guard helicopter ... this was a favorite memory of Richie.

From his hunting property in New Hampshire to relocating to his loved New Lisbon country home, he so enjoyed his life and his people. His senior group of friends at the fire station, his people at The Rod & Gun Club & VFW buddies in Hartwick, best friend and ‘brother’-- Gordon Baker, Cousin Jon, Julie and Bruce, Fred, Larry ... he was dearly loved by so many.

The fabric of his life and all of those he met along The Way.

We pray as he passed over he was met by his beloved Golden Retriever, Lobo and his son, Scotty, who also passed on this same day, eight years earlier.

The world was a better place with Richie in it and those who knew him were blessed to have been part of his life.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Richard Eldridge may be made to the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 1, PO Box 86, Hartwick, NY 13348-0086.

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.

Timothy G. Anderson

ONEONTA – Timothy G. Anderson, 73, passed away on May 22, 2024, after a battle with cancer.

He was the son of Paul and Mildred (Bullis) Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Schmitt) Anderson. They were married May 22, 1971.

He worked in Oneonta until February 22, 1972, when he entered the U.S. Air Force. He went to Lackland AFB in Texas and then was in New York, Guam, Korea, and then west to Nevada, Montana and Washington State. He retired in January 1993, and came back to Oneonta. He then went to work for Upstate Homes, now Springbrook, and retired in October of 2021.

He earned two associate degrees and went to SUNY and earned a bachelor degree in 2000.

He is also survived by his son, Robert; two granddaughters, Alicia Anderson and daughter, Serenity Mae, and Julianna Anderson; his three brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law; sister, Joann Rutter of Canada; as well as a nephew, Ronnie Schmitt and his wife, Rebecca of Walton, along with several nieces and nephews.

Sophie B. Rogers

1926 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Sophie Rogers, longtime Cooperstown resident, passed away peacefully in the early hours of April 13, 2024, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, where she had been a patient for seven years.

Born June 20, 1926, to Polish immigrants Joseph and Anastasia Bryn, Sophie was the youngest of four daughters. She graduated from Richfield Springs Central School as salutatorian, furthering her education at Utica School of Commerce.

In the summer of 1946, she met Carlton (“Cartie”) Rogers of Toddsville at a dance, where he “swept her off her feet.” They were married the following spring, settling in the village to enjoy family and friends, nature and music.

Sophie worked at Bankers Trust and Cartie worked for Mitchell’s Moving and Storage. After Cartie passed away, Sophie found an apartment, where she continued to enjoy family and friends, gardening and music.

Sophie was predeceased by her husband, her parents and siblings, and in-laws. She leaves behind her children and their families: Carole Roos and husband John, daughters Erika Brown and Gopi, son Jonah Brown, and grandsons Haedyn and Giulian Gerow; Richard Rogers and wife Barbara, daughters Cailynn Rogers and Melissa Winans and husband, Cory, and children Allen and Jocelyn Winans.

A graveside service will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek, with Fr. Michael Cambi, pastor of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown officiating.

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

James R. Renckens

RICHFIELD SPRINGS

Beloved husband, father, friend, and teacher, Jim Renckens passed away at his home in Richfield Springs on July 13, 2024, at age 84, surrounded by his loving family. He will be remembered for his deep love and devotion to his wife of 54 years, Polly, with whom he raised three children and side by side they gave their time and talents generously to the communities that they loved. His humor was infectious and he used it to put everyone he met at ease and he brought a smile to the face of anyone he spoke with.

Jim was born in Dunkirk to Lillian and Paul Renckens, the youngest of a loving and boisterous family. He went on to college at SUNY Fredonia where he earned his teaching degree and met the love of his life, Polly. During a chance encounter at a bar he was invited to move to Hawaii and teach. He spent from 1965 - 1967 teaching at a small school on Oahu and formed deep friendships that would last the rest of his life.

He returned to New York in 1967 and reunited with Polly; they married in September 1968. Shortly after, they moved together to Cooperstown and took over as Innkeepers at the Hickory Grove Inn. With the advice, love and help of the neighborhood the Grove became a gathering place for friends from near and far.

Following the “the Grove Years”, Jim returned to teaching and for over a decade taught 5th and 6th grade reading, spelling and social studies with a beloved team of colleagues and friends at Milford Central School. He was known as a teacher and colleague who loved the students and whole community. He began each day with a riddle and it wasn’t uncommon to see former students stop by Room 207 to see what was on the board on any given day.

Throughout his life friendship, service, and faith were always at the center. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Cooperstown and after moving to Richfield Springs in 2006 became active in parish life at St. Joseph’s. His dedication to his community and enthusiasm for helping others showed up in every aspect of who he was: He was an active member of Red Cross and Winter Carnival Committees, Relay for Life, and Cooperstown and Richfield Springs Food Pantry. He was part of the volunteer team that hung Christmas lights on the lamp posts, and could be – and was – called on to help in small and large ways.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Polly Renckens of Richfield Springs; his three children and grandchildren: Shannon Varner Renckens of Saugerties, wife Jenn Varner Renckens, children Keegan and Finnegan; Patrick Renckens of Saco, Maine, wife Shannon Bennett, children Lilian and Cecelia; and Beth Gibbons of Ypsilanti, MI, husband Mike Gibbons, children Jonah, Patrick, Andrew. His spirit and love live on through his extended family who are spread across the country and through his beloved friends who span generations and places.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the Cooperstown or Richfield Springs food pantry: Checks to Richfield Springs Food Pantry can be made out to RS Food Bank and mailed to P.O. Box 140 Richfield Springs, NY 13439-4848. Donations to the Cooperstown Food Bank can be made online at: Cooperstown Food Pantry - Provide Support.

The family invites you to join for a celebration of Jim's life – donning vibrant colors and coming together to grieve and laugh and share.

Calling Hours: Tuesday, July 23, 4-7 p.m., Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY.
Mass: Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m., St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY.