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Peter S. Papanou 93, of Skaneateles passed away on Thursday Jan. 25th, at Auburn Community Hospital. Peter grew up in New Castle, PA were he was a hotel manger at Shenly hotel. Peter is survived by his loving wife Mary Arthur Papanou. Services are private.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
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Mildred “Millie” Hole, 82, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2018 after a brief illness. Born and raised in the Owasco area, she was the daughter of Clyde and Virginia (Dent) Greenfield. Millie graduated from Skaneateles High School, Auburn Memorial School of Nursing, and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from SUNY Cortland. She taught health education at Port Byron High School for 22 years. She loved the 4-H Club, quilting, poetry, writing, music, genealogy, flower gardening and bird watching. Millie was the neighborhood nurse who always helped out with the family farm and supported the community.
She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Elmer; children, Deborah Gray of Owasco, NY, Eric (Brenda) of Myerstown, PA, Jerald (Susan) of Baldwinsville, NY, Melinda Franklin of Waterloo, NY, and Terry (Annie) of Sharpsburg, GA; 16 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; siblings, Neal of Manlius, NY and Roy of Venice Center, NY, and many nieces and nephews. Millie was predeceased by her parents, and siblings, Raymond Greenfield and Carol Czolowski. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Owasco Reform Church; 5105 State Route 38A, Owasco, NY. Calling hours will be on Friday from 4 to 7pm at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, 49 Jordan St., Skaneateles, NY. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to DAV – Disabled American Veterans; P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  Pearl M. Hiserodt, 95 of Weedsport passed away peacefully on January 22, 2018 at Auburn nursing home. Pearl grow up most of her life in Memphis, NY. She was sweet, passionate and loved to laugh; and was a spelling bee champion. She’s was predeceased by her loving husband Harold in 2007 and daughter Linda Cleverly. Pearl is survived by her daughter Joan Klaben of Weedsport, 2 sons Douglas (Robin) of Elbridge and Kenneth (Sharon) of Arkansas. 2 sisters Helen Chapman and Evelyn Parsons, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 27th from 12 to 2 pm with a service to follow at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Burial will be private in Emerson Cemetery.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  William “Bill” Bell, 96, of Skaneateles and Manlius, passed away peacefully on Monday. Born in Baltimore, MD, he grew up in Mt. Vernon, NY, was educated at Williams College, class of ’41, and spent a year in medical school before enlisting in the US Navy in 1942, attaining the rank of Lieutenant by the end of WW II. He came to Syracuse in 1948 to pioneer the building of the first TV station in town, WHEN-TV, channel 8 (CBS), and to manage their radio station for 17 years. Bill also worked as the director of community services for Syracuse University Research Corp. for five years before moving to Argosy House Drug Rehabilitation Center as Executive Director. Bill finished his career as the Director of Development at St. Joseph’s Hospital, retiring in 1989.
Throughout his career, Bill was committed to community service. He helped found the South Side American Little League, later becoming President, and he managed teams long after his kids were done playing. He drove for FISH of Skaneateles, taking patients unable to drive to appointments, and he served on the board of the Skaneateles Public Library. Bill enjoyed lively discussion and conversation with family, friends and almost anyone! The love and pride for his four grandchildren, Kyle (Paola), Lauren, Mackenzie and Natalie, was second to none. Bill was pre-deceased by his wife of 52 years, Natalie “Archie” Barry Bell, and by his brothers, Walter and Tom. He leaves behind his children, Peter and his wife Deborah Rogers, daughter Kathie, and Chris and his wife Linda. There will be a Celebration of Bill’s Life on Saturday, January 27th, at 2PM at The Hilltop Restaurant in Skaneateles. Donations in his name may be made to the VA Hospital in Syracuse, who provided excellent care for him over the past five years, or a charity of your choice. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  John C. Nolte, 74, of Niles, NY passed away on January 20, 2018. John loved to hunt and spend time with his grandkids. He was predeceased by his wife, Christine in 2010. He is survived by his children, Chris (Leeann) and Michelle (Chris) Baker, grandchildren, Kali, Cassie, Kyle and Brittany Nolte and Shane, Rachel, and Jackie Baker, sister, Sandy (Sun-Kee) Kim and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be private. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  John W. (Jack) Howard passed away January 14, 2018 from natural causes.
He was 93 years old. He lived most of his life in Skaneateles NY and then retired to Bluefield Manor in Auburn NY in 2007. He was raised in Bloomfield NJ where he was an accomplished student athlete. Jack attended Dartmouth College where he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in chemistry. While in his undergraduate years, he joined the US Navy V12 program becoming a naval officer in World War II from 1942 to 1946. He served in the Pacific theater as a ship's officer on an LSM amphibious ship. After the war, he returned to Dartmouth College for his Master's degree as a teaching fellow. His affection for and involvement with Dartmouth were lifelong. He was an alumnus class president and interviewed entrance candidates for many years. Jack joined DuPont in 1948 as a research chemist and went on to positions in manufacturing and technical sales. He went into business for himself in 1969 and pursued careers in recycling waste chemicals and oil. He ended his career as a marketeer and broker of natural gas. He retired at the age of 80. Jack's community involvement was long and varied. He developed and conducted community blood drives for the American Red Cross, and was an award-winning member of the Masonic Lodge 522 of Skaneateles. As a member of The Skaneateles Country Club he served as Commodore, Board Director and two term President. Worshiping at the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles was a significant part of his life. He served on its Session multiple times and took many leadership roles. His greatest joy was to mentor four church sponsored Sudanese Lost Boys and to be a co-founder of the Duk Lost Boys Clinic. He served the clinic as its project manager, director of operations and Chairman of the John Dau Foundation. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ruth and a family of four children: Suellen, Robert (Claire), Joann (Charles Hymes) and Jonathan. His family totals 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles Memorial Fund To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
Helaine “Ginger” Renner (83) passed away on January 12th, 2018 at her home in Skaneateles. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Dr. Robert R. Renner and her sister, Dolores “Dee” Rudiger. Surviving are her four children: Debra A. of Delmar, NY; Tara L. of North Syracuse, NY; Reid R. of Appling, GA; and Tamara L. of Skaneateles, NY. In addition, she leaves behind several nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Tasha.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Ginger grew up in Berlin, MD, on the Eastern Shore. Salutatorian of her high school class, she then attended the Thomas Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing where she met her husband, who was doing his internship at the Medical School. He accidentally slept through their first date, but, as she said, she got even by marrying him!!! When her husband joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, she transferred to the University of Hawaii where she earned her B.S. in Nursing with top honors. Later, while working as a member of the nursing school faculty at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital, she attended Syracuse University, earning her M.S. degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Adult Education. During the late 1980s, she developed an interest in wildlife rehabilitation. She earned her NYS Wildlife Rehabilitator license and, over the years, cared for hundreds of injured and/or abandoned animals in her home’s "Second Chance" nursery. Raccoons were Ginger’s primary passion, but she also cared for a variety of other small mammals whenever they were in need. She was very proud when the National Wildlife Federation designated her property as a wildlife habitat. Her love of, and dedication to, all animals (both wild and domestic) was unending. She was also a life member of the Finger Lakes S.P.C.A. where she served as a member of the Board of Directors and as Chairwoman of the Education Committee. Other memberships included the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society, the World Wildlife Fund, the Fund for Animals, Defenders of Wildlife, the National Wildlife Federation, and the NYS Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. Besides helping animals, she was also dedicated to supporting organizations that helped veterans. There will be no calling hours and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to her favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, P.O. Box 567, Kanab, UT 84741-0567. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Joyce L. Becker 90 of Borodino passed away at The Commons on St. Anthony on January 9, 2018.
Joyce married Donald Becker in 1948 and moved to Borodino as a young bride. She was a loving mother to Janet, David and Brenda. After raising their family, Joyce and Donald celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in April 2016. Joyce was a member of the Borodino United Methodist Church for more than 65 years and a member of United Methodist Women. She was dedicated to Brenda’s special needs and care. She loved her family, Christmas, babies and had a passion for “Gone With the Wind”. Joyce is survived by her children: Janet (Richard) of Borodino, David (fiancé Dawn Brock) of Union Springs and Brenda of Eldridge; six grandchildren: Phillip Haines (Adrienne), Jeffrey Haines (Tina), Audrey Misiano (Kevin), Kevin Haines, Brian Becker (Kelly) and Bradley Haines (Kelly), 15 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She is predeceased by her husband Donald, her parents Harold and Cordelia Rienhardt and her sister Norma Rienhardt. Calling hours will be held on Friday January 19th from 5 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A funeral service will be held on Saturday January 20th at 10am at the funeral home. Joyce will be buried in Borodino Cemetery. We would like to thank Jean, Lora, Denise and the rest of the staff at The Commons for the dedicated and compassionate care they provided our mother. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be sent to: Borodino United Methodist Church, 1820 State Route 174, Skaneateles, NY 13152. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  Douglas R. Robertson, PhD, 79, passed away peacefully at Upstate Medical University with his loving family beside him and with a view of Weiskotten Hall. He was born in Buffalo, NY, the son of Clarence P. and Eileen (Grogan) Robertson. Doug had a passion for teaching throughout his life. He was a voracious reader with an insatiable curiosity, and he will be remembered for his encyclopedic knowledge of all things, from the common to the obscure. An aficionado of classical music and an accomplished chef, loved ones enjoyed his eggs benedict or beef Wellington while listening to Vivaldi in the background. A glass of single-malt scotch accompanied stories of his affection for photography, astronomy and travel. He loved all things Italian, including homemade pasta, red wine and Parmigiano Reggiano. He also loved Burger King. He had a passion for nature and science, both deep interests that led to his long career at Upstate Medical University.
Doug received his BA and MA degrees in Biology at the University of Buffalo. He received his Doctorate in Anatomy at Upstate Medical Center in 1966 and became Assistant Professor of Anatomical Sciences at the University of Florida School of Medicine from 1966 to 1970. At that time he also served as Executive Secretary of the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida and was responsible for the cadaver procurement program for medical education for the Florida Medical Schools. In 1970, he returned to Syracuse as Associate Professor of Anatomy at Update Medical Center and became Professor of Anatomy in 1976. His research interests were in calcium endocrinology in amphibians, with morphological studies of the ultimobranchial body, and the endocrine origin of the calcemic hormone, calcitonin. He received grant funding from the NIH and NSF. He was nationally and internationally recognized for his work in amphibian calcium metabolism. He taught Gross Anatomy and Human Embryology for over 40 years to medical students and residents, gaining notoriety for his ambidextrous chalkboard drawings of anatomical structures. As a member of the Graduate Faculty he taught a course in Data Analysis to Doctoral students. He was a member of numerous scientific organizations, including SigmaXi, The Scientific Research Society, where he served as President of the Syracuse Chapter. He was a recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the President’s Award and the New York State Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He served on the Board of the Syracuse affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation and several committees of the National Kidney Foundation. He was named Emeritus Professor upon his retirement in 2011. Amidst all of his accomplishments, Doug seamlessly incorporated more than 20 years of hemodialysis to treat his Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). He ultimately succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Doug is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Judith P. Robertson, MD, and his cherished family: son Geoffrey Robertson (Jocelyn Robertson, MD) and daughter Nicole Robertson (Richard Garber), and his four grandchildren, Zoe & Ally Robertson and Reed & Daryn Garber. He is also survived by his dear cousin, Sandra O’Brien, and a loving extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues and caregivers. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Gail Lisi and his brother Donald Robertson. A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Doug’s honor may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (pkdcure.org) or the Skaneateles Music Festival (skanfest.org). To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  It is with great sadness that the family of Cheryl Everson Davis announces her passing on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at the age of 70. Her children and grandchildren were by her side when she drifted off to be amongst the angels. Cheryl was born in Clifton Springs to Roy and Maureen Everson. She attended the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and went on to receive her Master’s in Music Education at Ithaca College. She met the love of her life, Robert Davis, while attending college. They were married and settled in Skaneateles where they raised their four children. Having a passion for music Cheryl became an elementary school music teacher. She had a long career at Dryden Elementary School where she taught the importance of music in our lives to the youth and one of her greatest joys was directing school musicals. She loved to sing and play the piano, sit on deck looking out over the lake, as well as spending lots of time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren who she cherished. Upon her retirement, she had an opportunity to continue to spread the love of music to other children in Uganda. She touched the lives of so many less fortunate during her time there. Cheryl was a generous person and always put others’ needs before her own. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Skaneateles. Cheryl is predeceased by her husband Bob and daughter Alison. She will be forever being remembered by her son Brian Davis (Melissa), daughter Emily Davis (Hal), son Michael Davis (Liz), grandchildren Benjamin and Ethan Davis, sisters Elaine Walker, Jan Mattison (Bob), and Sandra Davis (Mary).
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 10th from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 11th at 11am at the United Methodist Church in Skaneateles. In the lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, or Kampalachildren.com. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. |
