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Joseph William Southern

5/14/2022

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Joseph William Southern
Educator
 
    Joseph William Southern of Skaneateles died at home after a long illness on May 14, 2022 at the age of 80. He was born September 2, 1941 to Marguerite and William Southern, Sr. of Mottville.
    He was a graduate of Skaneateles High School, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts Education at SUNY Buffalo, and completed his post-graduate studies at SUNY Oswego. He taught Industrial Arts and Technology in the Skaneateles Central School District from 1965-2000. He taught generations of students during his career, including his three daughters and his grandson. He also supervised over 30 student teachers. He loved his job.
    Joe was very involved in his community and often led the groups he joined as a chairman or president. Among such organizations were the Skaneateles Central School Teachers’ Union, the Mottville Fire Department, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Mottville, Laker Limo, and the Town of Skaneateles Planning Board which he served for twenty years.
    He was a devoted family man. He leaves behind Linda, his wife of 57 years, and his amazing daughters: Peggy Sue Southern, Heather Jo Moses, and Kari Jean Southern, as well as his son-in-law Richard Moses and his daughter-in-law Heather DiGiovanni. He is also survived by his grandson William Borza and his wife Emilie, his granddaughter Caitlin Harkins and her husband Geoff, and his treasured great-grandchildren Chase and Olivia Harkins and baby boy Borza due in October.
    Additionally, Joe is survived by his brother William Southern, Jr. (Patty), his sister Marsha Kiskaden (Donnie) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
    He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother Tom Southern (Mary). Joe will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all who loved him.
    At his request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to SAVES or the charity of one’s choice in Joe’s name.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.


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Ursula Kalb Stickles

5/11/2022

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    Ursula Kalb Stickles, age 98, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2022 with her favorite Dean Martin CD playing softly in the background.  At the time of her death, she was a resident at The Commons in Auburn, NY.
    Ursula was born on February 17, 1924 in Rehau, West Germany to Franz and Adele Kalb.  After marrying her American soldier, Jack, in 1952, she immigrated to the United States and lived for several years in the Albany, New York area.  She later moved to Washington, DC where she worked for the Social Security Administration until her retirement in 1989.  She then relocated to Lambertville, New Jersey and enjoyed a second career in real estate.
    Ursula enjoyed hiking and was an active member of various Volksmarch organizations in Washington, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.  She supported the Friends of the Delaware Canal and she was also an animal lover who was well-known in Lambertville as an animal advocate.
    She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Gridley and her husband, Chuck, of Skaneateles, NY, her grandchildren, Kate Ahlers and her husband Dan of Marcellus, NY, and Patrick Gridley of Auburn, NY, and her great-grandson, Connor Ahlers.
    Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an animal rescue organization of your choice. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.


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Jeanne Cox Pratt

5/10/2022

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    Jeanne Cox Pratt, 59, of Skaneateles, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2022.
    She was a 1981 graduate of Skaneateles Schools. For the past 18 years, she was employed at SCS as a teacher’s aid where she loved being referred to as “Momma Pratt”. Time spent with students, family and friends was special to her.
    Every August, you would find Jeanne in Watkins Glen amongst the other avid NASCAR fans where she continually made new friends, she rarely missed a family reunion at Crooked Lake.
    She is survived by Mike, her husband of 40 years; children- Mindy Rodriguez & Joe [Emma] Pratt; parents Don Cox, Ginny [John] Shaffran; sisters Cindy [John] Delgado & MariBeth Bindues; Her #1 joy was her grandchildren Brixton, Iona & Roxanne.
    Private celebrations of her life are being planned. The family will notify loved ones.
    In lieu of flowers, you may donate to SAVES or Skaneateles American Legion Post 239. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

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Leonard Ashbarry

5/6/2022

13 Comments

 
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    Leonard Ashbarry, 70, of Skaneateles, New York passed away May 6, 2022 after a battle with cancer. Leonard was born to Albert E. and Eileen Ashbarry in Lancashire, England.
    In 1960, the Ashbarry family emigrated to the U.S.A. settling in Skaneateles Falls. Leonard was a long-time resident of Skaneateles where he excelled at slow pitch softball on Morris’ Grill Tournament team which won many tournaments on the Eastern seaboard. Leonard was predeceased by his parents.
    He is survived by his brothers, Norman (Marsha) Ashbarry and Paul (Donna) Ashbarry of Baldwinsville, New York and  a sister Elaine M. (Ronald) Sylvester of Skaneateles Junction, N.Y., nephews, Trevor Ashbarry, Ronald Sylvester Jr., Kevin Sylvester and niece, Emily Ashbarry and several great nieces and nephews.
    Lenny will be remembered for his long-time employment at the P&C/Tops Markets in Skaneateles where he was known by all for his friendliness and good work ethic. Lenny loved spending time with family, watching golf, Manchester United Football Club and The Yankees.
    He loved to spend time driving his Miata roadsters (he had two) with the top down enjoying the Finger Lakes often enroute to play golf with his many golf buddies.
    A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 11am with a calling hour from 10 to 11am at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home. Following the service there will be a gathering at the Skaneateles Falls American Legion Jordan Road starting at 12 noon. 
    In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., East Syracuse, NY 13057
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

 

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Katherine M. "Millie" (Lawton) Giess

5/3/2022

3 Comments

 
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    Katherine M. "Millie" (Lawton) Giess, 95, of Skaneateles, passed peacefully Tuesday, at Upstate Community Hospital in Syracuse. Born in Syracuse, NY, she spent her early years in Lakeland before graduating from Solvay High School and Syracuse University.
    Millie spent her last 70 years in Skaneateles in the home her beloved John built. Her love of education led her to decades of teaching to include Skaneateles High School, Central High in Auburn, and Emily Howland Elementary School in Southern Cayuga.
    Millie and the love of her life of 68 years, John, enjoyed many years of traveling in their motorhome and winters in Florida. Millie was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Mary's of the Lake Church Millie enjoyed many memories, special events and holidays with family and friends. She was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing tennis, working in her garden and bird watching.
    Millie is survived by three children, Jacqueline Giess DeBagio of Auburn, NY, Penny McDonnell (Paul) of Parrish, FL, and Michael Giess (Christine) of Victor, NY; eight grandchildren, Brandon, Ryan, Tyler, Dylan, Danielle, Jenna, Jacob and Collin. Her first great-grandchild Carter, is due in June. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Millie was predeceased by her husband, John, her sisters, Anne and Elizabeth and her brothers, Charles and James.
   Calling hour will be held on Tuesday, June 7th from 10 to 11 am at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Millie will be laid to rest beside John at St. Mary's Cemetery.
    The family would like to extend a special thanks to Millie's extraordinary caregivers, Margaret Pritchard, Donna Vatter, Linda Moon and Lisa Oropallo and the staff on 3 West at Upstate Community Hospital.
    Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association via the Katherine "Millie" Giess Tribute Page at https://www.alz.org
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

3 Comments

Janet Mary Crane

4/30/2022

11 Comments

 
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    Janet Mary Crane, 84 passed away April 30, 2022.  She was born to the late Richard and Edna Anderson on December 5, 1937, in Auburn, NY. 
    Janet was a long-time resident of Mottville, NY.  She was raised there and went on to raise her own five children and two of her grandchildren there.  She worked in the food and retail industry for her whole life.   She was a member of St. Andrews Methodist church in Mottville.
    Janet loved spending her time in the sun tending to her gardens.  She kept an “open door” at her home where she often had family and friends visiting.  She would welcome anyone and insisted they stay for “supper”.  She loved to travel and attended many trips with her senior citizens group which she enjoyed very much.  Above all, Janet loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Sitting and watching the family at their many gatherings made her happiest.
    Janet was predeceased by her son, Daniel Crane, a daughter Valerie Ware, a grandson Joshua Ware, her son in law Gary Sweet, 2 sisters Helen (Dave) Shepherd and Betty (Bob) Ryan.
    Janet is survived by her daughters Teresa Crane (Mottville), Wanda Sweet (Mottville) and Kim (James) Oberlender (Camillus), 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a sister Joan (Ed) Quigley (Elbridge) and several nieces and nephews.
    Calling hour will be held on Wednesday, May 4th from 10:30 to 11:30am with a funeral service to follow at 11:30 at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
    In lieu of flowers donations in Janet’s name can be made to the Local SPCA.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

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Helen Simkulet Milliman

4/23/2022

2 Comments

 
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    Helen Simkulet Milliman, 102, formerly of Skaneateles Falls, passed away on Saturday, April 23rd at Loretto Nursing Home.
    Helen retired from Auburn General Electric of 30 years as a Quality Control Inspection Monitor. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, belonged to Skaneateles Seniors and Sennett Seniors. Helped at St. Michael’s Church making Easter bread and making pierogi. Helen spent the winters in Naples, FL.
    Predeceased by her husband Arthur R. Milliman in 1997. Survived by daughter Dona M. Savage, son Donald R. Milliman, 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
    Calling hours and funeral service will be at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Auburn on Thursday, April 28th from 10:30 to 12n with a service at Noon. Helen will be buried in Half Acre Cemetery.
    In lieu flowers donations can be made to the St. Nicholas Cemetery Fund.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

2 Comments

Harry E. Goetzmann, Jr.

4/20/2022

8 Comments

 
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        Harry E. Goetzmann Jr., 84 passed away peacefully at his home in Skaneateles NY on April 20, 2022, after a long illness. Harry was born in Amherst, NY in 1937, to the late Harry and Ruth Goetzmann.
    Harry was a serial entrepreneur and began his first job at the early age of five when he would rise at 5:00 a.m. as a substitute paperboy with the Buffalo Courier Express; he secured his own route at the age of nine through high school alongside his five siblings who held paper routes as well. Harry excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society, as well as in athletics on the track team, baseball team and as Captain of his high school football team. He was the treasurer of his senior class and later in life he was voted the “Most Successful Alumnus, class of 1955” of Amherst Central High. 
Harry graduated college in 1959 with a Business degree from Syracuse University attending on a full scholastic scholarship. He captained the football and basketball cheerleading team and played on the Syracuse lacrosse team.  Harry was an Army ROTC cadet at Syracuse graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate.  Harry went on to serve his country flying helicopters as an officer in the Army.
    Harry began his professional career with IBM in Syracuse as a salesman and later as a sales manager. Six years after joining IBM Harry left to start a new company, Syracuse based Continental Information Systems (CIS) which was a company that bought, refurbished and leased IBM computers to businesses. Harry began the company in his home.  CIS eventually grew to 1,200 employees, had over fifty offices in the United States, Germany, England, Switzerland and Japan.  CIS excelled at re-leasing computer equipment and eventually ventured into the leasing of commercial aircraft, trains and ocean-going ships.  As the Chairman, President and founder of CIS one of Harry’s greatest achievements was listing his company on the New York Stock Exchange.
    Harry was a founding partner for Schomann Entertainment, an entertainment and communications company.  He then founded and developed MegaCom Limited, the first cellular company in the Republic of Georgia.  MegaCom provided the ability for Georgians to communicate on an international level. 
    Harry supported numerous business and civic organizations. Harry served as Trustee for Syracuse University, Cazenovia College and WCNY.  Harry was on the Board of Directors for Chase Lincoln First Bank, Salvation Army, Hiawatha Boy Scout Council of America, Crouse Irving Memorial Foundation, American General Life Insurance Company, Central N.Y. Leukemia Society, Citizens Foundation, Computer Dealers and Lessors Association, Central NY Metropolitan Development Association and Syracuse Symphony.  Harry was Chairman of the Board for the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Syracuse Services Corporation. 
    Harry met his Syracuse University sweetheart Sylvia Ingraham in 1956 whom he later married and they raised five children while residing in Skaneateles, NY.  Harry’s greatest joy came from spending time with his children, fifteen wonderful grandchildren and most recently one adored great grandchild. Harry was happiest spending time with his family and friends on Skaneateles Lake, in the Adirondack Mountains and at St. Augustine Beach.  Harry could always be found smoking his cigar while sharing stories about his days in the military, flying and his hunting adventures.
    Harry is survived by his wife of 63 years Sylvia, his children Craig (Jean) Goetzmann, Dan Goetzmann, Eric (Sheila) Goetzmann, Harry Goetzmann III (Partner Janet Winkelman) all of Skaneateles, NY, and Darlene (Mark) LaFontaine of Hudson OH. He is also survived by his brother Clark Goetzmann of Honeoye, NY, sister-in-law Katie Goetzmann of Marco Island, FL, sister-in-law Cynthia Goetzmann of Honeoye, NY and many nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by his parents, sister Grace Drew Kerns, brothers Paul Goetzmann, Col. Philip Goetzmann, and Don Goetzmann.
    Calling Hours will be held, Saturday, April 30, from 1 to 3pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles NY.
    If you choose donations can be made to Hospice Foundation of Central New York.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 
 

 


8 Comments

Ruddick Crain Trowbridge

4/17/2022

8 Comments

 
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    Ruddick Crain Trowbridge passed away on April 17, 2022 at the age of 90.  He is survived by his four sons; John, Thomas, Stephen and James.  He is also survived by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 
    Rud grew up in Monticello, New York, where he graduated from High School. He attended Fredonia State Teachers College and Ithaca College School of Music.  He taught instrumental music in the Albany area as well as the Phoenix and Oswego City School Districts.  Rud performed and conducted in several area music ensembles throughout the years; most recently, playing tuba in the Finger Lakes Brass Quintet and Hobart William Smith Colleges Brass Choir. 
    Rud also enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, fishing and gathering with family on the 4th of July.  After a short illness, Rud passed quietly in his sleep early Easter morning. 
    A Masonic ceremony will be at 10:45am with a funeral service at 11am on Friday, April 22nd at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Private burial in Lake View Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Skaneateles Masonic Lodge, 13 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

8 Comments

Marian Berry Loftus

4/4/2022

28 Comments

 
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    Marian Berry Loftus passed away April 4 having just celebrated her 98th birthday with her family 10 days before. 
Born and raised in St. Louis, she was the eldest of 7 children.  Her life took a turn when her mother died when Marian was a teenager and she became the “mother” of her younger siblings.  She attended the Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis, where she graduated top of her class.
    Marian met her husband, David, in St. Louis where he was attending the St. Louis University School of Dentistry.  After David graduated, they married, spent a few years in Brooklyn while David finished service in the United States Navy, and then moved to Skaneateles where they spent their entire lives.
Marian’s greatest joy was raising her family of 10 children.  The low point of her life was losing her daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) in a boating accident in 1966.
    Despite a busy home life, she made several significant contributions to the Skaneateles community.  Working with a few of her good friends, she helped start the first nursery school in Skaneateles which still exists today.  She was also a founding member of the Skaneateles Vincent House Guild.  Her faith was very important to her and she was a life-long communicant at St. Mary’s of the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Skaneateles.  As part of her religious duty, she served many terms as president of the Stella Maris Retreat Guild.  For many years, she also made dinners for the men at Unity Acres in Orwell, NY, and worked annually as a captain of a team going door to door to collect money for the American Cancer Society. 
    Marian was predeceased by her husband, David; daughter, Elizabeth, and five of her siblings.   She is survived by her children David Loftus Jr. (Jane), Pamela Pidhirny (John), Jo Ann Loftus, Mary Ann Loftus, Margaret Newland (Fergus), Jon Loftus, M.D. (Tayloe), Philip Loftus, Amy Kimm (Todd), Mark Loftus (Linh) and sister, Pat Berry.    She also has 14 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
    Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 9 at St. Mary of the Lake Church in Skaneateles at 10am. With private burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
    For much of her life, Marian asked her family to make contributions to the many charities she supported instead of giving her gifts.  
    Please help continue this tradition and in lieu of flowers, make a donation to SAVES in Skaneateles, Doctors Without Borders (can be made online), or a charity of your choice. 
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 
 

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