Blog Archives

Josephine "Fine" C. Beck

1/29/2023

     Josephine “Fine” C. Beck, 96, of Skaneateles, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, January 29, 2023, in Fleming Island, FL. Fine was born to Wubbo Spelde and Josephina van den Hoogen in Pekalongan, Indonesia on June 1, 1926.
                                                 After surviving WWII, in separate Japanese concentration camps for 4 years, Fine and her parents were reunited and returned to the Netherlands where she studied and became a nurse. In Amsterdam, she met Richard “Dick” Beck and they married on July 23, 1954. Fine, Dick, and their two daughters (sponsored by the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church) immigrated to the USA in 1963 and settled in Skaneateles, NY.
                                                                                         There they grew their family and actively participated in the church and the community. Fine loved people, especially children. She was a Girl Scout Leader and an active member in the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church.   She volunteered in the nursery, participated in the circle and church fair committees, and served as a Deacon and Elder.
    Josephine loved her flower gardens and, with Richard, expanded the vegetable garden her father had started for her when he and her mother visited from Holland for a year. Fine and Dick loved to travel and made friends wherever they went. They started by motorcycling through Europe and the Alps when they were newly married. Then they traveled throughout the United States and enjoyed camping with their children. They toured Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, and Indonesia throughout their retirement, visiting family and friends.
    Josephine had a beautiful, positive outlook on life. She will be remembered for her kind words and encouragement in all the cards and letters she wrote to family and friends, her thoughtfulness, caring attitude, and willingness to help people. She was always thankful and considered herself very blessed. Being an only child, she was so proud of having a large family. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Richard Beck and dedicated daughter, Charlotte Fragale.
    She will be missed by her daughters and their husbands: Josephine and George Schiazza, Caroline and Mark Pantaleo, Patricia and Michael Riley, Frances and David Glanville Jr.; her sixteen grandchildren and their spouses; her fifteen great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law; her nieces and nephews, her cousins, her friends, and all the individuals she "adopted" along the way.
    To celebrate Josephine's life there will be two services held at: Russell Haven of Rest in Green Cove Springs, FL on February 11, 2023, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon.
    Skaneateles Presbyterian Church on June 3, 2023, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon. Robert D. Gray Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mrs. Josephine C. Beck's memory to: Haven Hospice, Skaneateles Presbyterian Church, The Girl Scouts of America, Meals on Wheels Eastern Onondaga County.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Errol F. Rogers

1/25/2023

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    Errol F. Rogers, 89, of Brookdale Summerfield in Syracuse passed away on Wednesday, January 25th after a brief illness. Born to Scott Errol and Geneva (Howes) Rogers on May 6, 1933, in Belfast, Maine, he graduated from Crosby High School in 1951. Errol joined the Air Force in 1952 and was stationed at Sampson Air Force Base as an instructor in Geneva, NY. In 1954 he married Mary A. Celso and together they raised four children.
      Errol worked as a vending machine mechanic for over 40 years, retiring as a supervisor from Canteen Vending in 1997. After his retirement, he split his time between Syracuse and Cape Vincent, where he oversaw a community garden. Errol loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed his daily walks at Destiny Mall.
           Errol was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife Mary, and brothers Everett and Everson. He is survived by his children, Nancy Furbeck, Scott (Laurie Michelman) Rogers, Guy (Charlene Meyer) Rogers, and Andy (Denise) Rogers, his grandchildren Matt Furbeck, Amy (Ryan) Becker, and Meredith (Andrew McClusky) Rogers, and great grandchildren Riley and Ava Furbeck.
    He was proud of and often shared stories about his family. He also leaves behind many friends he made at Brookdale Summerfield.
    At Errol’s request there will be no services. A private memorial service and burial will be held at a later date.       Donations in Errol’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Margaret (Peg) Kelly

1/21/2023

34 Comments

    Margaret (Peg) Kelly, 73, of Skaneateles, NY passed away following a brave battle with cancer on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Peg was born on December 25,1949 in Niagara Falls, NY to Louis and Kathleen West.
    She graduated from Madonna High School in 1968 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She later earned her Master of Social Work degree from Marywood University in Scranton, PA where she would meet her future husband Michael Kelly whom she married on December 29, 1973.
    Peg went on to serve many people in several capacities throughout her career as a therapist in the field of social work. She spent over 20 years helping and healing children and their families in the Spencer Van-Etten Schools while working for Tioga County Mental Health. In 2016 Peg fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening Eastside Counseling Services with her daughter Meghan in Syracuse, NY. She spent several years helping to grow their successful group private practice while serving the community as a well-respected therapist and mentor until her eventual retirement in 2019.
    Peg and Mike raised their daughters Meghan and Molly in Athens, PA until fulfilling another dream of buying a beautiful property in Skaneateles, NY where they would eventually retire. Peg loved spending time at her retirement home hosting family and friends, doting over her grandchildren, and walking the fields of her property with her dogs and grand-dogs. She was a talented quilter and gifted many of her family and friends with the beautiful heirlooms to mark marriages and births. She cherished the many close friendships she built while raising her children in Athens, PA and enjoyed many new and meaningful friendships in Skaneateles.
    Peg was predeceased by her husband Michael, her sister Mary (Ronald) Hensel, brother David West and her parents. She is survived by her daughter Meghan (David) Kresge, and grandchildren Daniel and Beatrice; daughter Molly (John) Rathfon, and grandchildren Charlie and Vivian; brothers and sisters in-law C. Martin Jr. and Nancy Kelly, and Dr. Joseph T. and Amy Kelly; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
    Family and friends will be welcomed to join a celebration of Peg’s life which will be held later this year in Skaneateles, NY.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Jane Elizabeth Stebbins

1/16/2023

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    Jane Elizabeth Stebbins passed away peacefully at the Commons on Saint Anthony Street on Monday January 16, 2023. Born in Auburn, NY on June 29, 1936, Jane was a graduate of Moravia High School and Auburn Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. While on staff at Auburn Memorial, she was instrumental in setting up the first intensive care unit and served as the first head nurse.
    After retiring from nursing, Jane loved being a stay-at-home mom, gardening and bird watching. There was nothing she enjoyed more than summers spent on Skaneateles Lake with her sons and extended family. Jane had wonderful care at the Commons. It became her home, and the staff members became her friends.
    Jane is survived by her son Mark, her beloved daughter in law Bobbi, and grandsons Ryan and Thomas, sisters Kathleen (William) Walker, and Jan (Rocco) LoPiccolo.
    Jane was predeceased by her husband, Robert, son David, brothers Gerald and John and sisters Bonnie, Carol, and Lynne.
    Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 21st at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles from 9 to 10:30am with a service to follow at 10:30. Private burial will be in Soule Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to SAVES Ambulance (Skaneateles Ambulance Volunteer Emergency Services) at 77 Fennell St. Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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George John Kocsis

1/11/2023

9 Comments

    On January 11, George John Kocsis, 94, of Skaneateles died at home, peacefully in his sleep. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend, George was born on April 15, 1928 in Buffalo, NY. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Agnes Kocsis, sister Veronica Liebler, and niece Marsha Drew.
Survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dawn (Jane Dawn Divine), George was fiercely proud of his son Karl (Lisa); daughter Kristi Link (Aaron); grandchildren Jacob (Gabrielle), Benjamin and Julia Kocsis and Madison and Elizabeth Link. He is also survived by his brother Robert and several nieces and nephews.
    A 1945 graduate of Burgard Vocational High School in Buffalo, George enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946, where he served as a Sergeant Investigator in Germany during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1948. He went on to earn a B.S. degree from the University of Buffalo in 1953 and enjoy a successful career as a manufacturers' representative in the machine tool industry.
    Always ready with a joke and usually sporting a Pink Panther cap, George was generous with his vast knowledge about numerous topics, his tools, and his time. Through the years his passions ranged from his family, especially his cherished "Dawnie," with whom he shared a lifetime of joy, dancing, and laughter, to fishing; from wood crafting to craft cocktails; from downhill skiing to the place, he called home for 49 years, Skaneateles Lake, where he served as a member of the Lakeview Circle Homeowners Association from 1965-72 and 1985-present, helping to build and maintain the community's lakefront integrity for generations to come.
    Although George will be terribly missed, we take solace in the knowledge that his memory will live on in the glistening of the lake and the sound of our laughter when we share the memories of our incomparable patriarch.
    The family would like to give a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers who tirelessly helped over the past year- Trudy, Tonya, Julie, Robin, Tara, and Carrie.
    A private memorial service will take place in Skaneateles this summer.
     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO BOX 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry, 819 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Barbara Anne Mooney

1/8/2023

11 Comments

    Barbara Anne Mooney of Skaneateles, passed away peacefully, with family at her side, after a brief illness.
    She was 85. Born in Berlin, New Hampshire, Barbara was a 1955 graduate of Gorham High School and a 1958 graduate of the Concord NH School of Nursing. She was a member of St Mary’s of the Lake Church.
    A tremendous cook, avid reader and loyal Syracuse University sports fan, Barbara is best remembered as a loving wife and mother who always placed family and friends first and had a kind word for everyone she met. She will be greatly missed.
    Barbara is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Thomas Owen Mooney, of Skaneateles, and children Thomas B. of Syracuse, David S. of Ithaca, Andrea (Tom) Corona of Skaneateles and Maureen (Wayne) Sadlowski of Wake Forest, NC. Barbara was grandmother to Megan & Marysa Corona and Brendan, Matthew, Weston and Marielle Sadlowski.
    Per her wish, private services will be held at the convenience of her family.
    In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Abbey Pas'cal Cottrill

1/3/2023

23 Comments

    Abbey Pas’cal Cottrill, 29, of Hazleton, PA, formerly of Skaneateles, NY passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023. She is the daughter of Mark Cottrill and Kelly and Tucker Doelger.
                          Our Abbey loved big, like "ALL IN" big and with her big beautiful eyes wide open she saw it all. She was the melody and the music, the mirror in the song and if you knew her, you knew all of her. Our Abbey was honest and unapologetically imperfect and that is why she connected with and was truly loved by so many. Our Abbey was a healer. Through her own trials and her true heart, she found a way to heal herself and as many people around her as she could. Her candle, though brief, burned brighter than all.
    Abbey, a renowned risk taker moved through this world with the courage and adventurous spirit that most of us could only imagine. Absolutely fearless but with the proverbial " heart of gold" her Candle, though brief, burned brighter than all.
                                                                                                                             She will be deeply missed by her fiancé, Niyonna Thompson of Philadelphia, PA, her sister, Jessi Cottrill, her brothers, Kyle Cottrill and Kristoff Doelger. her maternal Grandparents, John E. and Patricia A. Pascal of Skaneateles and her paternal Grandparents, Earl and Sally Bozeat of Fort Pierce, FL. Numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
                                                                                        Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 12th from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.