Blog Archives

David (Jug) Caveny

2/25/2024

                                                                                                                              David (Jug) Caveny, 88, passed away peacefully February 25, 2024 at Upstate Medical Center. He will be missed by so many – if you ever needed help, he was always there to lend a hand. He was the son of the late Thomas and Ellen Caveny of Westvale.
    David graduated from Cathedral High School, went on to Dean Academy in Massachusetts and went on to join the Marines. Upon discharge from the service, he took a job at American Airlines where he spent nearly 40 years – the last 15 years spent at DFW Airport in Dallas, TX., before retiring. David was happy to return to the Syracuse area and reside in Skaneateles, NY among family and friends.
    He is survived by his wife of 63 years Karen (LaHart) Caveny; sons Michael (Marianne) Caveny, Patrick Caveny; grandson Alexander Caveny, sister Jane (Caveny) Rickert as well as many nieces and nephews.
    Services will be on Saturday, March 9th at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles with a calling hour from 9 to 10 followed by a mass at 10:30am. Reception immediately following. Burial service will be private.
      In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Syracuse VA Center at https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online/
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com

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Richard (Rich) Louis Grassetti

2/23/2024

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                           Skaneateles, New York – Richard (Rich) Louis Grassetti, 78, died Friday, February 23, 2024, unexpectedly in route to a medical appointment with his wife Pamela Grassetti. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer and was about to initiate treatment.
        Rich was born December 1, 1946, to the late Carlo and Evelyn (Toro) Grassetti. He was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts before moving to Monson, MA in 1957 and he graduated from Monson Academy. His love of baseball was a major focus during this time playing Triple-A ball, and he was actively pursued by a Boston Red Sox scout.
    After graduating from the academy, he served in the US Air Force and also with the Air Force Reserves. He completed his undergraduate studies at Westfield State University and obtained a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Idaho.
                   Rich originally settled in Monson, Massachusetts with his wife Pamela; however, his education allowed for a career with the United States Forest Service. He and his family traveled west in 1995 ultimately relocating to Idaho and Washington and then back east to residing in West Virginia, and later Upstate New York. He retired from the Forest Service in 2017 but engaged in periodic extended travel throughout the United States, predominately to Idaho and Oregon, to strategically avoid Upstate NY winters.
                      His love of baseball never subsided and he was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox. He also had a fondness for animals and periodically spent time caring for different dogs after he retired. He was very close with his St. Bernard, Bella, who passed in 2019.
    Rich will be deeply missed by his wife of 41 years Pamela (Chmura) Grassetti, daughters Abigail and Audra, son Ben, his surviving siblings and their partners and children, and many dear friends.
                  Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 10am at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. With a reception to follow.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Matthew Jay Landon

2/18/2024

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    Matthew Jay Landon, originally of Darien Ct, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18th. Matthew was born July 3, 1970 to Frances S. and Stephen L. Landon.
    He is survived by his sister Linda, and brothers Russell and Stephen, and their extended families.
    Matt's love of art and fashion began in Washington Depot Ct, where he started his skateboard clothing line, 3D Innovations. He first brought his fashion to Boston when he opened his store Hanger 18.
    He later moved to Brooklyn and began his new clothing lines, Sensitive and Brains on Fire. It wasn't until his residence in Skaneateles NY did his art transition from silkscreen and fashion to brush and canvas. Over the past few years Matt was developing his painting style and selling his artwork online.
  Anyone who knew Matt knew that art was the cornerstone of his life, he could be content with a napkin and a black sharpie. He will be missed, he left an impression on all of us, but his art will live on.
    The family hopes to put on a memorial art show for Matt in the future. We will post more information when we have it. RIP Sparky.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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John Benton McLaud

2/11/2024

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    John Benton McLaud, having lived a most wonderful life, passed away at the age of 92. With him, he will always have happiness, love, beautiful thoughts and prayers given by his wife Bunny, his son Michael (Therese and Cameron) and his son Joshua.
    Born in Meadville, PA, he was the only son of Benton and Helen. Predeceased by his sisters Jane and Mary as well as his twin sister Joyce, he is survived by his sisters Sally, Alice, Ruthie, and Martha.
    As a young boy he worked with his father refinishing floors of which he would continue to do later in life. John graduated from Penn State University. Upon graduation he was an Air Force ROTC Soldier for two years. He taught Journalism and English in Geneva, Ohio before pursuing his Master's Degree.
    The family moved to Camillus, NY. John was an elementary guidance counselor for two years at Seymour School in Syracuse before leaving under Title One to work at the Syracuse District Central Office. He completed his Certificate of Advanced Study degree at Syracuse University. He became elementary Principal at McNamara School in Baldwinsville. He loved his great career in education.
    John's life was full of fun adventures, traveling to many places with his family, spending summers at their cottage in Charleston Lake, Canada and many winter months in Hilton Head. John loved his golden retrievers. His heart would be filled with happiness if doggy greetings and treats would be given to all previous dogs, with taking a friend or family out for a fun evening and with giving smiles and love to wonderful people who always do acts of kindness.
    A forever thank you to the staff at the Peregrine Senior Living Center for their outstanding care given to John, to the staff at Crouse Hospital and to the Finger Lakes Center for Living in Auburn for their wonderful ways of taking care of him.
    A great gift would be to donate to the Skaneateles American Legion, Post 239. Members are always caring for others. They have true hearts of gold. They never stop giving to all people who held a helping hand - always caring for others.
There are no services at this time.

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Christina E. Hess

2/5/2024

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                                              In Loving Memory of Christina Hess. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Christina Hess, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and sister. Christina passed away, on the 5th of February, at the age of 91.
Christina was born on October 7th 1932 to Paul and Anna Strbac in Spafford, NY and as a child she moved to the village and became a lifelong resident of Skaneateles.
            Christina is survived by her devoted sons Mark, Bryan, and Alan, and her loving daughter Carol. Each of them carries on her legacy in their own unique ways. Mark lives in the Hamlet of Owasco, Bryan still resides in the family home in Skaneateles, Carol in Daytona Beach, FL and Alan and his wife Susan in Hampton, VA.
                                                                       She is also survived by her sister Lucy Sefca of Skaneateles, NY, her nephew Milan Sefca and his children and grandchildren of Skaneateles, NY and her nephew Joe Sefca also of Skaneateles, NY.
           Christina's greatest joy in life was her family. She was a grandmother to six grandchildren Raven, Adrian, Doris, Bryan Jr, Candice and Ashley and a proud great-grandmother. Her memory will live on through the generations she leaves behind.
           She will be laid to rest alongside her mother and father at Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles, NY. on Saturday February 10th at 10AM.
    Christina's departure leaves a void in the lives of all who knew her, but her spirit will forever shine brightly in our hearts. May she rest in peace, reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her, watching over us all from above.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.