Obituaries & Guestbook

Vivian Crary Miller

6/27/2022

    Vivian Crary Miller, 91, of Elbridge, passed away on Monday, June 27th. She was employed at Welch Allyn for many years. She enjoyed time with her family, from family vacations to backyard barbeques. Holiday dinners were her favorite. Vivian loved music and attended many local concerts.
    Vivian was predeceased by her parents Fay and Marie Crary, daughter Elaine Lamphier, brothers Fay and Everett Crary, and sister Arlette Crary Miller.
    She is survived by her husband of 68 years Richard D. Miller, son Randy (Susan) Miller, sister Martha Shippey, brother Wilfred Crary, grandchildren Brian (Jennifer) Miller, Kimberly Miller and Nicole (Austin) Brutcher, three great grandchildren and various nieces and nephews.
    Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 30 from 4 to 6pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral service will be on Friday, July 1 at 10:30 am at the funeral home.
    In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Centers at St. Camillus. The donation link is http://www.st-camillus.org/ and at the bottom of the page select “make a donation”.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

1 Comment

Kenneth E. Young

6/23/2022

12 Comments

    Kenneth E. Young, 88, died peacefully at his home in Skaneateles, NY on June 23, 2022 of natural causes.
Born August 21, 1933 in Cortland, NY, he was the son of Otis and Hazel Henry Young.
    He was a respected farmer who worked and lived for more than 60 years on the farm he acquired on Lacy Road in Skaneateles, NY in 1960. He, his wife and sons grew the farm into a successful business now known as Twin Birch Dairy.
Although he worked tirelessly on the farm, he also found time to enjoy life. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, ride motorcycles and race snowmobiles. He won the World Series Snowmobile Championship twice during the 1970s and was inducted into the Eastern Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame in 2018.
    Beloved by his wife, children, grandchildren and many in the community, he was known for his strong work ethic, adventurous spirit, quick wit, warm smile and competitive nature in everything he did from playing pitch to sports.
    He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Georgienna Mary (Murray) Young, his parents and four brothers Malcolm, Gerald, Otis and Merwin Young and a sister, Margaret St. John.
Surviving him are his brother Ernest Young (Janet) of Cuyler, NY; and five children, two sons Dirk Young (Karen) and Kenneth E. Young II of Skaneateles and three daughters, Dariel Curren (William) of Roxbury, CT, Georgia Davala (George) of Vero Beach, FL and Lisa McGlynn (Steve) of Skaneateles, NY; 12 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
    His family feels truly blessed to have had such wonderful caregivers for their father in the last years of his life.
    Calling hours will be held at the Owasco Reformed Church on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 form 9:30-11:30 a.m. and will be followed immediately by the funeral service. Private burial will be at the Owasco Cemetery. Reception will follow.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eastern Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame, Crane’s Snowmobile Museum, 172 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

12 Comments

Susan Lynn Loeffler

6/22/2022

8 Comments

    Susan Lynn Loeffler (68) passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
    Susan was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend, who impacted the lives of everyone she knew. She was a woman of unshakeable faith and strong convictions, which always brought her peace during troubled times. She was a member of Marietta United Christian Church, and her faith always guided her. She loved her family above all else on this Earth. She was deeply proud of her children and their accomplishments, and always found the time to listen to, encourage and help them in any endeavor or challenge.
    A true Renaissance woman, Susan had many passionate interests, including art and illustration, music, science, history, politics, gardening, and almost anything outdoors. She was an avid student her entire life and a fierce seeker of truth and knowledge, always striving to sate her endless curiosity about any topic which piqued her interest. She also loved teaching as much as she did learn, and never missed an opportunity to give a lesson on any topic to anyone within earshot. While working as an academic advisor at Columbia College, she often tutored students for free after hours and took great joy in watching them succeed. This was just a continuation of a lifetime spent teaching and helping anyone with a need or interest. She was an easy conversationalist which led to the development of many lifelong friendships throughout her years.
    One of Susan’s greatest lifetime passions was art, and she was an incredibly talented artist across several mediums. She was the cover illustrator for The Adirondack Kids book series, which includes 20 books published over the past 20 years. She also worked as a freelance illustrator throughout her life. Her beautiful artwork will forever memorialize her for her loved ones on their walls and bookshelves. She was an accomplished violinist, and a skilled pianist. She played piano beautifully at any opportunity, which will remain a blessed and comforting memory for all who heard her play. She had a wonderful imagination and utilized her artistic talents to create unique and beautiful gifts for her children and grandchildren.

    Susan was highly knowledgeable about birds, and her outdoor activities often turned to birding efforts and tutorials. She loved hiking and took advantage of any opportunity to be outside. She also enjoyed kayaking, cycling and swimming. She was an avid gardener her entire life, and she always found joy and tranquility in caring for her gardens.
    Susan graduated from Cicero High School in 1972. She was salutatorian of her class and a National Merit Scholar. She attended Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology in 1976. Over the years, she also earned an Associate’s Degree in Art Illustration and a Master’s of Education.
    She is survived by her loving husband Glenn Dick, her parents John and Cecelia Loeffler, her children Samuel Dickson, Katherine Dickson, Paul (Alexa) Dickson, Thomas Dickson, and Mary Dickson, her stepsons Richard Berman, Kenneth Dick, Ryan Dick, and Justin Dick, her siblings Karen (Mark) Foegen, William (Beverly) Loeffler, Martha Loeffler, and John (Karen) Loeffler, her grandchildren Jacob, Job, and Eloise, and many beloved nieces, nephews and close friends. Her unconditional love will be cherished forever, and she will be missed beyond words.
    Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 28, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at 11 am, at Rose Hill Baptist Church, 2609 Rose Hill Road, Marietta, NY.
    In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to AscentCare Pregnancy Services and Resource Center at 20 Academy Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

8 Comments

Stephen George Burns, Jr.

6/20/2022

3 Comments

    Stephen George Burns, Jr., October 16, 1941 –June 20,2022, Born in Auburn, New York at Mercy Hospital. The family moved to Skaneateles when Steve was 12 years old.
    After graduation Steve worked at GE and then transitioned to Carrier Corp, working there for 35 yrs. Upon retiring from Carrier he drove for Werner Trucking for 2 years.
Steve loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, hiking and running. Many trips were enjoyed in the Adirondacks. Steve married Betty Lader in 1964. They both loved basset hounds and riding his motorcycle.
    Steve was predeceased by his wife Betty, his parents, Stephen and Henrietta and his brother, David.
    He is survived by his sister, Kathleen Burns Hotchkin (Randy) (Dubuque, Iowa), sister-in-laws, Robin Burns Fowler, Roberta Lader and brother-in-law Ed Landers, many nieces and nephews and cousins.
    Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 27th from 10 to 12n with a funeral service immediately following at Noon at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Burial in St. Mary’s cemetery. Donations can be made to the Local SPCA.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

3 Comments

Angie Martino-Gregory

6/14/2022

7 Comments

    On flag day, June 14, 2022, heaven gained a go-getter when Angie Martino-Gregory of the town of Sennett passed away peacefully at the age of 81. Angie is preceded in death by her parents, Angelo Martino and Margaret Wilmarth Martino Deland, and her husband, John “Jack” Henry Gregory, Jr.
    Angie embraced life and all that came with it, from the time she was a teenager she grabbed life by the horns and met it head on. She started her career in a bank and then became an office manager for Kenny G Guy Roofing company for many years. She worked as a bookkeeper for Cayuga County Cooperative Extension and several municipalities and served as the Sennett Town Clerk for 20 years, supporting her husband during his time as the local magistrate. She and her husband were active in the Sennett Fire Department and Angie was president of Sennett Women’s Auxiliary for many years.
    She was a farmer and military wife for nearly fifty years, providing the glue to her husband’s endeavors. There are images of Angie driving the four-wheeler balancing a gin and tonic in one hand, and dad’s coffee in the other; Serving up mountains of food and drink while hay was being stacked in the barn; and, for the past 25 years, Angie supported her husband with every purchase and restoration project of Korean War era military equipment – herself becoming president of the American Legion Post 239 Auxiliary for several years as her way to share his love for this country. These vehicles, known as “Gregory’s Army”, were seen in many Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day events throughout the area.
    Angie was one-of-a-kind. Whatever challenges she faced or project she was involved in, she jumped in with all heart, mind, and soul. She gave stage 4 lung cancer the finger and defied all the odds and lived almost two-in-a half years longer than expected. You always knew where you stood with Angie whether you liked to hear it or not, or even agreed with it. Her door was always open, music was on and there was always food, drink, and cigarettes and time with family friends spent together. There have been a lot of good times at the Farm because of Angie.
    As someone recently wrote Angie was sweet, feisty, and generous. We would add she was courageous. There are not enough words to cover all that Angie did with her life and what she meant to so many people. She was hard working, self-assured, and strong. She loved looking out over the farm and left this earth with honor and dignity.
    We ask if you come to the calling hours, the funeral service, or unable to make it at all, wear something bright and colorful. In true Angie fashion, she would not want black or sadness, she would want music, sunshine and happiness.
    She is survived by her brother, Anthony (Joyce) Martino, two sisters, Geraldine Lawler, and Roseann Spinelli. Step-children, Amy Lynne Gregory (Robert Farrell) of Marcellus, Lauri (Mike) Kulis of Auburn, John H. Gregory IV (Jodie Eversman) of Honolulu, HI, and Lisa Gregory (Charles) Kahle of McGraw. Eight grandchildren, Jack H. Gregory V, Shannon Bay Gregory, PFC Tyler M. Mix, Shelby L. (Andrew) Martin, Gabriel T. Kahle, Zachary T. Kahle, Gregory Jordan, and Jessica (Kevin) Giangreco. Three great-grandchildren, Aurora and Miller Giangreco, and Caleb Martin. Her two cats, Frankie and Goofus.
    We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Tom Coyne, her neighbor, and her dear friends Bob and Connie Feeter, who provided her with special memories, care, and friendships.
    Calling hours for Angie will be Friday, June 17, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:30 with services immediately following at Grace Chapel, Skaneateles NY. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery.   Contributions may be made in memory of Angie, American Legion Post 239 Skaneateles or Honor Flight Syracuse.

7 Comments

Patricia Anne Brissett-King

6/12/2022

1 Comment

    Patricia Anne Brissett-King, 86 passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2022. She was born in Syracuse, NY on February 1, 1936 to Leon Brissett and Rosemary Locke Brissett.
    Her love of nature and creatures was obvious as her plants flourished in her living space and animals were always welcome at her door. She was especially proud of her horses that she raised, taking two to France where she lived and competed in an international endurance race.
    She enjoyed attending polo matches where she could wear one of her treasured hats. Pat adored her dogs, especially Bella, with whom she shared her last days. Dairy farming was also a large part of her life, starting her own farm and then occasionally assisting other operations.
    Pat’s agricultural knowledge proved beneficial as she cared for an apple orchard and would readily help others with their trees. Leatherwork and painting were among her many passions. A few of us are blessed with an article created with her own hands.
    Pat was a member of the Altar Guild at St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles. She polished the silver and assisted in setting up for various ceremonies.
    One of her favorite activities was visiting with her acquaintances at Gateway Apartments and sharing many stories of her colorful life.
    Pat is survived by her sisters, Susan (Gerald) Ellis and Linda (Michael) DeLorm, daughter, Deborah (Edward) Stevens, four grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, many nieces, and nephews. Pat is predeceased by her parents and a son, Dale Robert Melvin.
    There will be no calling hours. The service will be Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the St. James Episcopal Church, 96 East Genesee St. Skaneateles, NY 13152. You are welcome to stay for the luncheon, immediately following the service.
    Please in memory of Pat, if you are willing and able, in lieu of flowers, donate to: Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NY 13208 Outreach, 819 W. Genesee St. Skaneateles, NY 13152 or to The Children’s Ministry at St. James Episcopal Church.

1 Comment

Gerard E. Hanlon

6/11/2022

22 Comments

       Gerard E. Hanlon, age 79, of Harding Township, NJ and Otisco Lake, New York passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022 after a long, hard fought battle with prostate cancer.
    Jerry graduated with a B.S. from Syracuse University in 1965 and Rutgers Law School, J.D. in 1973. He then served as a law clerk on the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division.
    Jerry was admitted to the NJ Bar in 1973 and the NY Bar in 1981. He was selected as a NJ Super Lawyer annually from 2005 to 2022.
    Jerry Hanlon was certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney and a Civil Trial Attorney. He is one of very few attorneys who is certified as both. In 1978, Jerry started his own private practice. The firm grew from a solo practice to a well-respected firm, Hanlon Dunn & Robertson, specializing in many aspects of the law. Jerry served in the US Marine Corp Reserve. He was a Lieutenant in the US Army National Guard. He was very active in the community of Harding Township where he served on many volunteer committees.
    He was an active member of the Volunteer Fire Department since 1978, and a past president. Jerry enjoyed a well-known reputation for integrity and professionalism. He was known as a “lawyers’ lawyer.” At the end of Jerry’s career, he primarily focused on Ethics Law representing his fellow lawyers.
    He is pre-deceased by his mother, Helen “Nan” Hanlon and his beloved canine companion “Baxter".
    He is survived by his devoted wife Rosie, his twin sister Nedra Chamberlain (Denny) and sister Debbie Nervina (Peter) and his 2 children Drs. Lara and Matthew Hanlon, son in law Matthew O’Mara, daughter in law Lauren Hanlon and grandchildren Skylar, Sean, Meddy, Sawyer, Archie, Penelope and Finn.
    Jerry was known for his passionate love of family, running, Syracuse sports, Otisco Lake, Baltusrol Golf Club and New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department.
    Jerry was a father figure and trusted advisor to many and known for being generous beyond measure. He was loved and respected by friends and relatives alike. His presence will be deeply missed.
    A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 2nd at 10am at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
        A second service will be held at St. Mary’s Abbey, 230 Mendham Rd, Morristown NJ on July 23, 2022 at 12 PM.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Madison YMCA, 111 Kings Road, Madison NJ 07940 or Manchester, NH Special Olympics. https://www.sonh.org/
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

22 Comments

Thomas "Squid" Ellithorpe

6/7/2022

8 Comments

    Tom (Squid) Ellithorpe, of Skaneateles, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022 on his 67th birthday. Tom was born in Potsdam, NY on June 7, 1955. He graduated from West Genesee High School in 1973.
    Tom worked for over 30 years as a supervisor at Edgcomb Metals, followed by construction for McLennan Interiors, then fiber optic technologies for Lifatec USA. He retired in 2017 but continued working for Lifatec part time.
    He loved spending time with his family, refurbishing and building model trains, planes, and ships, golfing, boating, skiing and snowmobiling, and watching golf, car racing, World War movies and documentaries, and Syracuse basketball. His fun-loving and generous spirit made him many lifelong friends.
    Tom was predeceased by his parents, Edward F. and Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Ellithorpe.
    Surviving is his wife of 34 years Cheryl; son Geoffrey; daughter Morgan (Tyler Nichols) and grandchildren Owen and Lincoln; sisters Kathy Meadows (Terry) and Dawn Bahns (Thom); brothers Bill (Kathy), Randy (Chris), and Brian (Kris); stepmother Lois Ellithorpe Merrill; and 11 nieces and nephews and 11 grandnieces and grandnephews.
    Calling hours will be Monday, June 13th from 4pm to 6pm at the Robert D. Gray funeral home, Skaneateles. A toast to Tom’s life will be held at Lakeside Pub after calling hours.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local National Public Radio (WRVO in central NY; npr.org) and/or Access CNY disability services (accesscny.org).
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

8 Comments

Virginia "Jinny" Zechman

6/2/2022

2 Comments

    Virginia “Jinny” Zechman, passed away, peacefully, on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at Auburn Community Hospital after a long struggle with chronic health issues.
Jinny was born on September 28th, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA to Harold Poad and Florence Meyer. She was an only child of extremely musically talented parents.
    Jinny was also a musician and was known locally as the lady banjo player with the Soda Ash Jazz Band.
She graduated from Lower Merion High School, outside Philly in 1952, then attended Cornell University for 2 years. She returned to college in her mid-30’s and received her degree in education from Cortland State and also received a Master’s in reading. We called her the grammar police because she was always correcting us! Jinny taught 2nd, then 1st grade at Herman Ave. Elementary School where her classroom was affectionately referred to as Zechman’s Zoo.
    Jinny, our mom and Oma, was also a gifted athlete. She was an accomplished golfer, but her passion was basketball. She held the record for most points scored in a single game, both boys and girls, until a young ball player at Lower Merion, named Kobe Bryant broke her record! She was inducted to the athletic hall of fame at her high school in 2014 and her picture now hangs in the rafters alongside Kobe’s.
    She quietly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was there when we needed her, our strength when we just couldn’t handle it.
Jinny is survived by her children, Linda Zechman Vanholtz (Bruce) of Skaneateles Falls, Andrew Zechman of Manhattan, 3 grandchildren, Danielle Vanholtz of Skaneateles, Toby Vanholtz (Liz) of Milton, FL and Dylan Vanholtz of Greenville, NC. Also 2 great grandchildren, Owen Vanholtz and Paris London both of Skaneateles.
    There will be no calling hours and service will be private.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held for Jinny and Russ Zechman on Friday, August 12th from 5-? at the Skaneateles American Legion.
    The Soda Ash Dixieland Jazz Band will be playing in memory of Mom as their Lady Banjo player.
    Please, in memory of our Mom and Oma, if you are willing and able, donate to your local library. She was a fierce advocate of literacy!

To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

2 Comments

Pastor Stephen Hluchy

5/29/2022

7 Comments

    Pastor Stephen Hluchy, a forty-five year resident of Skaneateles NY, died Sunday,May 29 surrounded by his daughters after a long struggle with cancer. He lived in the St John’s community in Rochester, NY for the past nine years.
    Steve was born in 1928 in Jamesburg, New Jersey, the son of the late John and Anna (Viskup) Hluchy. He spent his childhood years in New York City and Robbinsville, NJ. After graduating Allentown High School, he attended Wagner College in New York City where he graduated with a B.A. in history in 1954. He married his wife Olga Nahlik in 1954 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church In New York City. He was ordained there five years later in 1959 upon his graduation from Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary.
    For his first call, he served a bilingual Slovak/English ministry to three sister parishes in Pennsylvania for nearly a decade: Saint Matthews Lutheran Church in Mount Carmel, Holy Emmanuel Slovak Lutheran Church in Mahanoy City, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Saint Clair, sometimes officiating six services each week. He answered a call to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Skaneateles, New York where he served for the next twenty-five years until his retirement in 1992. During his years in Skaneateles, he served as fire department chaplain and as a member of the Clergy Association of Skaneateles and the Narcotics Council. He was also on the committee for the Caring Coalition which became the Hospice of Central New York. After retirement, he was a visiting minister for St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Syracuse, NY where he cared for the elderly, sick and homebound. He was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus at Holy Trinity in 1995. Steve was beloved by his parishioners and known by his colleagues as a pastor of integrity and moral character and for his caring ministry. He recently celebrated his sixty-third anniversary of ordination.
    His passion for gardening began in his youth at his parents’ farm in New Jersey. He took great pride in his gardens and plant collection in Skaneateles and continued this interest in caring for his smaller outdoor beds and indoor plants in Rochester. He enjoyed long rides in the countryside and picking fruits and vegetables in the summer. He loved classical music, a passion he instilled in his daughters; he had an excellent singing voice which he used when chanting the Slovak liturgy during his ministry. He was an avid reader particularly of history, enjoyed cooking, was an involved and loving father to his three daughters and a wonderful grandfather to his two grandsons, the lights of his life.
    He was predeceased by his wife, Olga (Nahlik) of 62 years; his parents; his brother, John Hluchy; sister, Anna; and brother-in-law, John Pavlovich. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Agati; his three daughters, Carol Carson (Bill), Michele Hluchy (Larry Deis) and Stefanie Hluchy (Francisco Delgado); grandsons, William Carson (Kaitlin) and Alexander Carson (Catharine); and great-granddaughter, Mae.
    The family wishes to thank the excellent team of caregivers who helped Steve during his final years.
    A Memorial Service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Skaneateles on Friday, June 24th at 11am.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Skaneateles.

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Welcome

Vivian Crary Miller

Kenneth E. Young

Susan Lynn Loeffler

Stephen George Burns, Jr.

Angie Martino-Gregory

Patricia Anne Brissett-King

Gerard E. Hanlon

Thomas "Squid" Ellithorpe

Virginia "Jinny" Zechman

Pastor Stephen Hluchy

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