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Ethel M. Famoly

1/30/2019

Ethel M. Famoly, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 30th at Finger Lakes Center for Living where she had been a resident for the past 6 years. Ethel was born on March 3, 1923 in East Rodman New York. She spent the majority of her adult life in Skaneateles New York where she raised her children. She is survived by her daughter Jill (Larry) DeBerry of Logan Ohio and sons Bruce and Charles of Niles New York, Jon of Bath New York and Randall of Auburn New York and sisters Connie Frost of Watertown New York and Mary Collins of Chaumont New York, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is predeceased by daughters Christine (John) Nolte and Catherine (Hayden) Todd and Sisters Sally Coleman of Brewerton New York and Helen Porter, Mabel Ralph and Shirley Ralph of the Watertown New York area. There will be no services and in lieu of flowers please send donations to SAVES Ambulance of Skaneateles.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Allen Bitter

1/29/2019

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Allen Bitter, 63, passed away in his sleep on January 29, 2019 at home in Skaneateles, NY.   Allen was born in Lyons, NY. He was nine years old when he acquired his first dairy goat and from then on, he always kept goats.   His interest in agriculture was fostered through FFA, and when he graduated from Tri-Valley high school, Allen was the NY State FFA President.
At Cornell University, Allen enjoyed participating in CUDS and he graduated in 1978 with a degree in Ag Sciences. After graduation, he worked for Cooperative Extension and USDA before joining Farm Credit. There he met his future wife, Jan, and they were married in 1990.
The Bitters bought a small farm outside Skaneateles where Allen’s menagerie grew to include goats, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats.   Allen loved studying pedigrees and showing livestock. He was a licensed ADGA Judge for 40 years, and an ADGA Director for 15 years. In 2009, Allen was chosen for the ADGA Dairy Goat Pioneer award.
When three children came along, Allen juggled his livestock chores around being a stay at home Dad, a role that he embraced.   Allen was a great Dad, a supportive husband, a good neighbor, and a friend you could count on.
Allen is survived by: his wife, Jan; his three children Kathleen (Sam) Rhoades, Susan Bitter, and Thomas Bitter; siblings Dan (Mary) Bitter, Suzanne Churchill, and Paula Mierop; and 16 nieces & nephews. He is predeceased by his mother Laura and father Victor.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 8th from 3 to 6pm at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A memorial service will be on Saturday, February 9th at 10am at the Borodino Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New York FFA Foundation 9340 Long Pond Rd, Croghan NY 13327.http://www.nyffafoundation.org/contributions.html

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Matthew Douglas Murray

1/27/2019

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Matthew Douglas Murray, 29 of Elbridge, passed away after a brief illness on January 27, 2019. Born January 30, 1989 in Auburn, Matthew was a 2007 graduate of Skaneateles High School where he played football and lacrosse. He attended Roanoke College in Salem, VA and was a self-employed carpenter. As a child, Matthew loved playing hockey and spending time on Skaneateles Lake. Matthew had an infectious smile and sparkling blue eyes and charmed all who knew him. In recent years, Matthew took up wood-working, landscaping and raising chickens. He was an avid Syracuse University fan, especially basketball, and looked forward to watching “his team” whenever they played.
Matthew is predeceased by his father, Michael J. Murray, his grandfather Dr. Francis M. Murray and Uncle Matthew Murray. He is survived by his mother, Tammy Murray (Todd Frendak) of Skaneateles, a sister, Jessica Murray (Kristopher LaPointe) of Auburn, a nephew, Logan LaPointe, grandparents Nancy Murray of Skaneateles and Judy and Douglas White of Moravia, great grandmother Laura Green of Lansing, many cousins, several aunts and uncles and his beloved chocolate lab, Cubbie.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 30th from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral service will be on Thursday at 10am at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles. Matthew will be buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Skaneateles Lake Association, Inc. PO Box 862, Skaneateles, NY 13152 www.skaneateleslake.org
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Nanette Gere Soule Rodormer, "Tuni"

1/26/2019

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Nanette Gere Soule Rodormer "Tuni", of Skaneateles, age 73, passed away peacefully Saturday January 26, 2019 at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital with her loving family by her side. Born October 22, 1945 in Syracuse to Constance and Hendrick Soule, she attended Nottingham High School and graduated from Green Mountain College in 1965. She was a court reporter for Judge Hancock and later in life received her Master’s in Education; going on to teach English as a Second Language in the North Syracuse School System She took great pleasure in watching her students gain success throughout their careers and personal lives, keeping in touch with many of them over the years.
She was a devout Christian and found great joy within the Church. She has been a committed member of St. Mary's of the Lake in Skaneateles for over 25 years. She loved to share her gift of music by playing the piano, guitar and singing joyful songs for all to join. Tuni truly enjoyed contributing to the Garden club of Syracuse and creating beautiful gifts and friendships in the local quilting guild.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Edwards Rodormer, her children Robert Edwards Rodormer Jr. (Ted), 43, daughter Katherine Rodormer Creedon, 40, stepchildren Everett Winston Rodormer II, 52, and Laura Rodormer, 50, brother Hendrick Soule, sisters Constance Soule Palumb and Carol Soule Jones and nieces and nephews that she loved with all her heart. She had eight adoring grandsons Carson, Michael, John, Charles, Bryce, Johnnie, Trip and Jack who all absolutely adored their "Grandma Tuni". They were her greatest joy.
Calling hours will be held Friday, February 1st from 4 to 7pm at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Skaneateles. Funeral service will be on Saturday, February 2nd at 1pm at St. Mary's of the Lake Church.
Donations can be made to St. Mary's of the Lake Church 10 West Austin Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152 or to a charity of your choice.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Barbara Karilyn Schwenk

1/24/2019

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Barbara Karilyn Schwenk, 77, passed away at Auburn Community Hospital on January 24th, after a prolonged struggle with COPD.
She was born January 22, 1942 in Auburn, NY and was a lifelong resident of Spafford, NY. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Richard and Caroline (Hunt) Brown.
The oldest of three sisters, she graduated from Skaneateles High School in 1959 and from Auburn Memorial Hospital School of Nursing on a full scholarship in 1962. She was an R.N. for many years at Auburn Memorial Hospital, then in various private practice offices for several years, as well as for Hospice, working full-time while raising two sons. She also taught nursing at Cayuga Community College.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jay C. Schwenk, two sons, Gregg (wife Susan) and Gary, and two sisters, Bonita Wink (husband Larry) and Rebecca Thayer (husband E. Stephen).
Calling hours will be Thursday, January 31st from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A spring burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York (www.flspcaofcny.org), Guiding Eyes for the Blind (www.guidingeyes.org) and The Humane Society (www.humanesociety.org).
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Rosemarie E. Sherman

1/22/2019

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Rosemarie E Sherman, 86, of Skaneateles, NY passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. Born in New Jersey, Rosemarie moved to Skaneateles in 1962 where she raised her family. Over the years Rosemarie enjoyed her experiences playing tennis, skiing, flying solo in a plane, reading, gardening, cooking, baking for her family, traveling the world with her husband of 51 years, and she prided herself being in the original “Skan-E-Antics”!
After their retirement, Rosemarie and Ken relocated to Mt Pleasant, SC, where they resided until his death in 2008. Rosemarie returned to Skaneateles and enjoyed life with her family. She is survived by her children Dawn Sroka (David VanNess), Mitchell Sherman (Margaret Sherman); the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Alexandra Stevens (Erik Stevens), Jacob Sherman and Lucas Sherman; her sister JoAnne Sills; her nephew and family Greg Sills (Melissa Sills, Robbie and Zoe); and her loving fur babies, Gizmo, Lizzie, Ziggy and MoMo. A celebration of Rosemarie’s life will be held this summer. Memorial donations may be made in Rosemarie’s name to Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.
Her Family would like to thank Hospice of CNY for their help and support.

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Cynthia Gill Newell

1/12/2019

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Cynthia Gill Newell of Owasco, NY went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2019 after a long courageous battle with cancer. She worked many years in the dental field, most recently with Skaneateles Dental Associates. She is survived by her husband David, two sons Corey and Kyle and her sister Marie (Russell) Laning along with several cousins. A celebration of Cindy’s life will take place this summer.

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Jack C. Litteau

1/1/2019

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   It is with heartfelt sadness that the family of Jack Litteau announces his passing on January 1st at the Syracuse VA Medical Center at the age of 72 following a courageous battle with ALS. Jack, the son of the late Donald and Betty Litteau, was born in Oneida, NY, graduated from Holland Patent High School and attended Mohawk Valley Community College. He worked at Anheuser Busch Brewery as a journeyman and maintenance machinist, retiring in 2003. Jack was a very proud 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, 174th Air National Guard, Syracuse, NY. He was also a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and Pedro Rescue Helicopter and the Air Rescue Association. For many years Jack was a Volunteer Fireman with the Stittville and Floyd Fire Departments.
   Jack and his wife Beverly lived in Skaneateles, NY for over 30 years where they enjoyed the company of the many friendships they developed before moving to Camillus, NY in early 2017.
   Jack loved old cars, Classic cars, all cars and for many years enjoyed both participating in the Syracuse Nationals car show, as well as admiring all the other cars entered. Jack was known to be able to “gut” an old car, put it back together and make it “show worthy”.
   Combining his desire to help others and the love of being outdoors, Jack spent many hours volunteering at the Matthew 25 Farm in Vesper, NY.
   Jack was predeceased by a step-daughter, Janet White. He is survived by his loving wife Beverly Ianuzi of Camillus, NY; four daughters, Vicki (William) Wunderle of Woodbridge, VA, Sherri Torrence of Rome, NY, Sondra Butcher (Steve) of Rome, NY and Carla Litteau of Spafford, NY; three step-children, Stephen (Barbara) Ianuzi of New Woodstock, NY, Sharon (Michael) Beney of Camillus, NY and Alan (Roseanne) Ianuzi of Pennelville, NY; one grandchild, Dylan Jeremy Litteau; six step-grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren.
   Jack was an active member of the Skaneateles United Methodist Church, Jordan Road, Skaneateles, NY.
   The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff on 4 South at the VA hospital for the compassionate and excellent care they provided during Jack’s 18 month stay there.
   Calling hours will be held at Skaneateles United Methodist Church, Jordan Street on Friday, January 11th from 1:00-3:00 PM with a celebration of Jack’s life immediately following. Burial will be private.
   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Matthew 25 Farm, 919 Mechanic St., Tully, NY, 13159 or to the ALS Association’s Upstate Chapter, 135 Old Cove Road, Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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