Blog Archives

Lawrence J. "Larry" VanHoltz

1/18/2021

Lawrence J. VanHoltz of Elbridge NY passed away at home, after a difficult battle with cancer on 1.18.21. He was born to parents Florence and Hurley VanHoltz on 11.16.52 in Skaneateles NY.
Larry was a member of the Mottville Volunteer Fire department, he was retired from Onondaga county highway department.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Hurley and Florence VanHoltz, wife Anne VanHoltz, son Robert VanHoltz and brother Thomas VanHoltz. He is survived by partner Yvonne Mills, sons Lawrence (Donna) VanHoltz, Edward (Melanie Harvard) VanHoltz, Chad Vile, daughter Theresa (Ken) Carr, Grandchildren, Andrew (Dominique) Carr, Nathan Faulkner,Troy VanHoltz, Destiny Johnson, Taylor VanHoltz, Callan VanHoltz, Jadalynn Vile, Morgan VanHoltz, Teagan VanHoltz, Levi Lawless,Cara Vile, Lillian Carr and a great grandson Ryker Space, a sister Dorothy DiCarlo, brothers William (Ruth) VanHoltz, Norman (Sue) VanHoltz and Terrence (Nora) VanHoltz, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Larry was a man that had a quick wit at times a temper to match, however would be just as quick to offer a helping hand. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Calling hours will be held at Robert D Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles NY Wednesday 1.20.21 from 10-12pm private services will follow. In lieu of flowers please donate to Mottville Volunteer Fire Department.

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Pauline (Polly) Weeks

1/11/2021

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Pauline (Polly) Weeks, 97 of Skaneateles passed away January 11th, at the Commons on St. Anthony. Polly was born in New Hope on February 14, 1923 to the late John and Susie Matijas. She attended Moravia District School. She married Douglas Weeks in 1945 and lived in Skaneateles for more than 70 years. Through out her life Polly was active in her religion as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Polly is survived by daughters Donna Smith (Ron) and Diane Burdick (Arthur). Her grandchildren, Robin Lindstrom (Chad), Sarah Smith, Douglas Burdick (Ann) and Steven Burdick. Great grandchildren Jenna Lindstrom, Erika Lindstrom, Luke Lindstrom and Naishu (Adam) Burdick, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express our gratitude to all the staff at the Commons, and especially the 4th floor, for their compassion and kindness shown to our mother.
Services will be private at convenience to the family.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Mary Jayne Ashley Lipe

1/9/2021

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    Mary Jayne Ashley Lipe of Skaneateles, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 9th. Mary Jayne was born on May 6, 1952 in Mineloa, NY. MJ, as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, grew up on the North Shore of Long Island and spent the summers on the south end of Skaneateles Lake in the cottage built by her father, Tracy Ashley. MJ became a resident of Skaneateles in the summer of 1980 where she stayed to raise her two surviving sons; James (Mackenzie) Goss of Fairport, NY and Chris (Palma) Goss of Baldwinsville, NY. Grandma MJ will be missed dearly by her four beloved grandchildren; Brenna and J.R. (James) and Nora and Celia (Chris). She is also survived by her niece, Laura (Josh) Bowden of Simi Valley, CA.
    MJ was predeceased by her parents Tracy and Mary Ashley, sister Hollis (D'Andrea), step-son Shane Lipe and the absolute love of her life, Darryl "Burt" Lipe, former owner of Morris’s Grill in Skaneateles.
    MJ spent most of her professional career in the Auburn City and Cayuga County Court systems, a job she enjoyed until retiring to spend more time with her soulmate Burt. Whether on their boat or at the family’s cottage, MJ cherished being on Skaneateles Lake with Burt, their dog Shelby, and their countless friends. MJ also took great pride in having her sons’ friends spend time at their home and cottage making many lasting memories.
    Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 15th from 4 to 6pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Masks are required and limited entry into building at one time.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

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Joan Nill Howland

1/6/2021

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Joan Nill Howland, 92, was a longtime resident of Skaneateles who died Wednesday, Jan. 6, of complications from coronavirus at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. She was married for 34 years to H.T. “Tod” Howland, who predeceased her in 1984. Mrs. Howland was a librarian in Boston, Mass., and a story-time volunteer in Skaneateles. She was a Sunday school teacher at the First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles. She was active in clubs in Skaneateles, including the Leisure Hour Club. Mrs. Howland was an avid reader, golfer and bowler. She graduated from Nottingham High in Syracuse and Wellesley College in Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
She is survived by her three children: Jonathan Howland (and Ellen) of Loudonville; Lance Howland (and Anne) of Moraga, Calif., and Martha Smith (and Craig) of Syracuse, and grandchildren Justin and Joshua Howland; Molly and Erica Howland; and Maddy and Caleb Smith.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 31 at 11 AM at Burrows Chapel in Lakeview Cemetery Skaneateles, with burial to follow.
The family welcomes contributions in Joan Howland’s memory to the Skaneateles Library Association and the John D. Barrow Art Gallery, both at 49 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles NY 13152; or the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Ruth M. Kinder

1/6/2021

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Ruth M. Kinder, 93, of Marcellus and Skaneateles passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Upstate Community Hospital. Ruth was born in 1927 to Roy and Marguerite Webb in Pompey, NY and was a 1944 graduate of Marcellus Central School. In 1948 Ruth and George Kinder were wed and enjoyed 67 wonderful years together. They lived the majority of their lives in Marcellus NY, including enjoyable later years at the Upper Crown Mill.

Ruth was an accomplished seamstress and tailor. She designed and created many wedding gowns and did alterations and new clothes for clients all over CNY. She made thousands of American Girl doll clothes which she enjoyed selling on Etsy with her granddaughters. She made clothes for all her grandchildren. She was also a musician and enjoyed playing the piano into her 90’s. Ruth was named Peachy by her devoted family and she was a loving source of energy and optimism, always willing for a new adventure. She loved a good time, a good scrabble game and a good dish of ice cream. She and George were long-time members of Camillus Country Club and Howlett Hill Presbyterian Church. In retirement, Ruth and George traveled all over the world. They also enjoyed many years of snow birding in Myrtle Beach, SC and St. Augustine, FL.

Ruth is survived by her son Ted (Kathy) Kinder of Skaneateles, daughter Laurie (John) Sorge of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren James (Christine) Kinder, Christopher (Laura) Kinder, Whitney (Eric) Gaither, Ashleigh (Sebastian) Ibanez, Nicole (James) Glenos and Eileen (Ryan) Andres; great grandchildren Emma and Colin Kinder, James and Adeline Kinder, Bodie Gaither, Adriana and Owen Ibanez, Audrey and Matthew Glenos and Corey, Nolan and Sydney Andres. She was predeceased by the husband George. She was a true matriarch and will be sorely missed by her entire family.

A service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central New York Food Bank.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Robert M. Frendak

1/6/2021

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Robert M. Frendak, 84, passed away on January 6, 2021 from complications due to COVID-19. He was born in Elmira, NY on May 18, 1936 to Paul and Sue Frendak.
In his younger days, Bob lived and worked on the family farm on Lacy Road in Mandana. He was a member of the Skaneateles High School Class of 1955. Bob later worked as a carpenter at the Syracuse University Physical Plant, retiring in 1998 after 33 years of service. He was a lifelong communicant of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Skaneateles.
Bob enjoyed working in his wood shop, playing golf, watching SU basketball and the NY Yankees, square dancing with the Cayuga Cut-ups, and wintering in Winter Haven, FL.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of over 39 years, Melissa; his sons, Rodney and Todd Frendak (Tammy), all of Skaneateles; his daughter Jessica Meyer of Auburn; and his grandchildren, Sierra and Trevor Frendak. He is also survived by his brother Paul (Beverly) Frendak of Georgia and sister Joyce Sholtes of Florida. Bob was predeceased by his parents; infant brother James; his first wife and the mother of his two sons, Dolores Horning; and infant daughter, Lisa.
No Calling hours a graveside service will be on Wednesday, January 13th at 11am at Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Dorothy D. Duester

1/4/2021

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Dorothy D. Duester, 79, of Old Seneca Turnpike in Skaneateles, passed away on Monday January 4, 2021, at home and surrounded by family. She was born on October 5, 1941, in Manhattan, the daughter of the late Michael Dolan and Muriel (Berrill) Dolan. The proud daughter of an NYPD officer, she was raised in Queens and graduated from Cathedral High School and the New York Foundling Nursing School.
In 1956, she met Francis X. Duester at a high school dance. That encounter turned into a 59-year marriage. Dorothy and Frank started their lives together during Frank’s service in the Air Force, including a long stay in Portsmouth, NH. After his discharge from the service, Frank joined the NYPD and they returned to New York City, eventually living in Bethpage, Williston Park and Oyster Bay on Long Island. In 1983, Dorothy and Frank moved to Skaneateles with their children, setting up home in a beautiful 1850s farmhouse. Her children were the focus of her life and she, and they, became a part of the Skaneateles community.
Leaving the city enabled her to live out her love of animals, with a myriad of goats, cats, dogs, rabbits, and hamsters. The farmhouse became the canvas for her interior decorating, a lifelong passion. The “next Martha” put her skills to work, for many years operating the Earll Manor Bed & Breakfast at the farmhouse.
Dorothy’s grandchildren were the love of her life. Despite over 25 years of cardiac problems, multiple open-heart surgeries and recoveries, she never missed an event or moment in their lives. Nothing pleased Dorothy more than attending an Odyssey of the Mind competition, a hockey game, a tennis match, or a marching band performance. Despite an ailing heart, nothing could keep her away, whether it was a game at Allyn Arena or in northern New Hampshire.
Her dedication to her grandchildren was unmatched. Two years in a row she was awarded the Carl Wellman Fan of the Year Award by the Skaneateles High School hockey team (dying her hair with the team in 2019, clinching her second award). She could be found in rinks from Boston to Philadelphia to Buffalo to New Hampshire, along with shorter treks to the many rinks in Central New York. For many of these trips, she was discharged from an extended stay at Strong Memorial Hospital and then hopped in the car for a drive to Boston or Buffalo to watch hockey games or to visit grandchildren at school in Wolfeboro, NH or in Canton, NY, carrying medical equipment and batteries along with her. Her grit was amazing. Despite all her physical ailments, she never let it keep her from her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
She is survived by her husband, Francis, children Amy Duester, Michael Duester (Kelly), Cynthia Lynn (Timothy), and Chelsea Beccam (Vector), and grandchildren Luke Lynn, Ryan, Conor and Olivia Duester, and Brianna and Madison Casper. She is also survived by her siblings Pamela Kendrick and David Dolan (Carolyn).
There will be no calling hours. A Private Memorial Mass for family will be celebrated on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 10:00AM at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. The Mass will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/k9hIEasJzos
Always giving, Dorothy donated her body to SUNY Upstate Medical University. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Dorothy’s memory to either the Central New York SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Syracuse, New York 13211, or Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 7268 Caswell Street, North Syracuse, New York 13212.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Edward Vincent Egert

1/1/2021

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Skaneateles, N.Y. – Edward Vincent Egert, age 77, passed away peacefully on New Year’s Day. Ed was born October 2, 1943, in the Bronx, New York, the son of the late Seymour Egert and Antoinette (Petillo) Egert. He was raised in Yonkers, New York, and graduated from Iona Prep, St. Michael’s College, and Fordham University, where he received a law degree. Ed’s career spanned from law to marketing, from Skaneateles to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and back to Skaneateles. Ed retired as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales of Philips Electronics.
Ed was an avid chef, welcoming family and friends into his home over the years to cook and enjoy many wonderful meals, which were always prefaced with the toast his father Seymour proposed, “to many more occasions like this.”
Many family members looked to Ed for guidance, and as cousin Erin said, “he was a sage presence dispensing wisdom from a lawn chair, with a Gallic shrug and an elegant tinge of a New York accent.”
Ed is survived by his soulmate and wife of 54 years, Anna; children Janet (Tim) Dobrovosky of Skaneateles; Amy (fiancée Arthur George) of New Haven, Vt.; and Edward Jr. (Katie Demers) of Panama City, Fl.; grandchildren George, Joanna, and Olivia Dobrovosky; Ian and Neil Brons; and Hailey and Trey Egert; brothers Bob of Chico, Ca., and Charles of Paris, France; and numerous cousins.
He was our hero, fighting leukemia like a true warrior with dignity and grace; our guiding star, showing us the way; and our anchor, keeping us all together. We will miss you forever.
Services are private with a live-stream link: https://youtu.be/4xyx-SD24y4, a celebration of Ed’s life at a later date. He will be buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles. Donation’s in his name can be made to the Wilmot Cancer Center at Strong Memorial Hospital.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
e.e. cummings

To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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