Blog Archives

Robert Alan Holbein

4/27/2020

Robert Alan Holbein, 89, of North Road, Owasco passed away peacefully at Auburn Hospital on Monday, April 27th.
Al was born on April 19, 1931, the son of Walter Wm. Holbein and Viola Gray Holbein in Guilderland, NY.
After graduating Skaneateles High School in 1949, he went on to study at Cornell School of Agriculture, then returned to the family farm. In addition to working full time at Deveau Ford Tractor and later Main & Pinckney, the work and management of the farm was his lifelong passion; a tribute to his outstanding work ethic.
He was known for his mischievous good humor and his ready and distinctive laugh could be heard across a crowd. He would help anyone who asked and his quiet wisdom was often sought after by family and friends. In retirement, Al spent time maple sugaring, woodworking, and traveling with his wife.
Alan is predeceased by his loving and patient wife, Shirley Schneider Holbein and survived by four children; Greg Holbein (Julie), Jeff Holbein (Sally), Jonathan Holbein (Deb) and Heidi Levin (Paul). In addition, he is survived by twelve grandchildren: Verity, Robin, Heather, Matthew, Elisabeth, Sarah, Katie, Laurel, Holly, Sam, Nate, and Abby, and seven great grandchildren: Ajanae, Ryleigh, Noah, Brooklynn, Landon, Taheim, and Akira.
A memorial service will take place at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cayuga County Meals on Wheels at 149 Genesee St., Box 3, Auburn, NY 13021. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Richard Albert Marx, Jr.

4/19/2020

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Richard Albert Marx, Jr., age 83, of Skaneateles, New York, died on April 19, 2020, at St Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. He resided in Skaneateles and was a member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Church since 1972. He spent his early years in Wallingford, Connecticut living close to extended family and attending local schools. Shortly after high school graduation in June 1954, he and a close friend enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served on the U.S.S. Compton DD705, visiting many ports of call in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. His was the last ship to pass through the Suez Canal at the start of the 1956 Suez Crisis, limping south to Durban, South Africa for extensive repairs to the ship. He fondly recalled the generous hospitality of the local residents. Following his honorable discharge in 1957, he attended the Ward School of Electronics in Hartford, Connecticut, earning a degree as an Electronics Technician and spending the majority of his career with General Electric, retiring in 1993 as Northeast Regional Sales Manager.
He always treasured simple family traditions, especially Sunday dinners and holidays at home with family. Following retirement, he enjoyed having more time to spend with family, flipping “Poppyburgers” by the pool, “volunteering” at a local family farm, hunting and enjoying the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes. He was instrumental in the early development of the Skaneateles Conservation Area, serving as Committee Chair for many years. He also served as Number One Stockboy at the Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry and co-pilot for Meals on Wheels for a number of years.
He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Mary (Balderacchi) Marx. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Loretta; their children, Lorene, Rick (Alan), Lynn Brown (David), and Sheri Hass (Ron); grandchildren Steven (Tessa) and Laura Brown, Amanda, Joshua and Erin Hass, Anthony “AJ” Marx; and great-grandsons Adam and Peter Brown. He will continue to be greatly loved and sadly missed by his entire family.
Private services were held at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In the midst of this Covid 19 pandemic, his family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Glowacki for his kind and diligent attention during his last days at home, as well as the doctors and staff who cared for him at St Joseph’s Hospital.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the Food Bank of Central New York, SAVES or American Legion Robert J. Hydon Post 239.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Helen C. Hoffman

4/12/2020

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Helen C. Hoffman, 91, of Skaneateles passed away Easter Sunday April 12th at her home. She was a lifetime resident Skaneateles, born to the late Thomas and Lillian Coyne. Helen was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Mary’s of the Lake, member of the Skaneateles American Legion, and Manlius Cavalry Club. Helen ran the distribution of the Syracuse newspapers in Skaneateles and was a school crossing guard. She could often be seen sitting on her back porch feeding the ducks, tending to her flowers, and relaxing with her cat. Family was very important to Helen, she put their well-being before her own. Besides her parents, Helen is predeceased by her brother Jack Coyne, husband Robert Hoffman, both WWII Veterans, and son Karl Hoffman. Helen is survived by her children E. Ann Scouten of Syracuse, Wayne Hoffman of Skaneateles, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Services will be private due to current restrictions. Helen will be buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles. Contributions in Helen’s name may be made to the Skaneateles Ambulance (SAVES).
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Anne Pinker Jackson

4/11/2020

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Anne Pinker Jackson, a native and longtime resident of Skaneateles Falls, NY, passed away on Saturday, April 11th, in Pennsylvania. She was 101.
Anne was born in Skaneateles Falls on October 27, 1918, one of seven children of the late John and Helen Pinker. She graduated from Skaneateles High School in 1936 and married Donald Schneider Jackson in May 1947. The couple lived in Skaneateles Falls where they raised their family. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles. Anne moved to Media, PA in 2011 to live near her son Donald.
Anne was known for her loving care of her immediate and extended family, serving as primary caregiver for her mother and mother in-law. She enjoyed knitting and created many gifts over the years for family and friends. She was also a skilled seamstress offering her services to many in the community. She enjoyed cooking, refinishing furniture, shopping, and socializing with seniors with her husband in retirement.
She is survived by her daughter, Joan Wolfe (Geofrey) of Phoenix, AZ and son, Donald Jackson (Mary Beth) of Media, PA. She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Pinker, of Pittsford, NY. She is survived by 4 grandchildren: Julie, Jonathan, Jennifer, and Meredith, 4 great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial mass will be held at a future date and laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles, NY.
Charitable contributions in Anne’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles or a charity of your choice.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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John S. Lombardo

4/11/2020

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John S. Lombardo, 54, of Baldwinsville, passed away suddenly on April 11, 2020.
John was born in Syracuse and attended West Genesee High School where he excelled as both a student and athlete. He played football, wrestling and lacrosse and was recognized with the Scholar Athlete Award upon graduation. He continued his education at University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the Wharton School of Business with a BS in Economics.
John worked over 20 years in the investment industry, recently as Senior Portfolio Manager at AssetMark Financial, Inc. managing client portfolios. Prior to this role, John was a founding partner and CIO of Blue Water Capital Management in Syracuse, New York. His passion for investing and being an advocate for clients made him well loved by all in his professional career. He was a Chartered Financial Analyst
(CFA) and a member of the CFA Society of Rochester, New York.
He was a loving son and brother, and a doting uncle who enjoyed attending many activities with his nieces and nephews. He was a loyal and supportive friend to many and loved helping those in need. He volunteered regularly at We Rise Above the Street in Syracuse, a non-profit organization that provided food for the homeless.
He is predeceased by his father Anthony J. Lombardo and his two cousins Peter M. Baichi and David J. Baichi. John is survived by his mother Sandra (Boyden) Lombardo, his sister Tracey Simon (Mark) his brother Anthony J. Lombardo Jr. (Karen), three nieces Jenna and Alexa Simon and Amelia Lombardo, two nephews Kolby Simon and Jack Lombardo, his aunt Mary Lou Baichi (Peter) and his two cousins Matthew and Derek Baichi.
Private services will be held for the immediate family at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to We Rise Above the Street at 404 Oak Street, Suite 111, Syracuse, NY 13203.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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John E. "Jack" Burns, Jr.

4/5/2020

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On April 5th, John E. (Jack) Burns, Jr., 87, of Marcellus, took his last flight out to be welcomed home by the Lord. Jack died of natural causes at St. Camillus Nursing Home. Jack was predeceased by his loving wife of over 52 years, Mary Anne. Jack leaves behind to cherish his memory five children, Michael, Carol (Jerry) Merriman, Kathleen (John) Copeletti, Susan (Don) VanCamp and Julie Higgins, along with four grandchildren he adored, Casey (Rachel), Katy (Brad), Colin and Angelina. Jack is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Jorge) Batlle and brother, Robert (Norma Jean) Burns.
Shepard Settlement was Jack’s home for over 80 years and, as the unofficial “Mayor”, Jack was the host to many dances, picnics and meetings for all to gather. Social hour in the barn was all day, every day, as Jack entertained friends, neighbors and strangers with stories, songs and inventions to fix any problem. Jack pulled off some elaborate pranks and all who knew him had a good laugh with him.
A graduate of Marcellus Schools, Jack made his living as owner/operator of Burns Truck Service and, with his father Ed, ran a snowmobile dealership for years. Jack lived a life of adventure, traveling from the Adirondacks to Alaska. Family vacations were filled with unpredictable road trips in the motorhome where Jack taught his children than the journey was far more fun that the destination.
Like his father, Jack’s lifelong dream was to own and fly airplanes. When not in the air, Jack loved to be in the woods hunting and fishing with his buddies, or volunteering at the Sabattis Scout Reservation. As a member of the CNY Bluegrass Association, Jack effortlessly played a dozen instruments and loved playing Friday nights at the American Legion.
Services at Shepard Settlement Cemetery will be private due to COVID-19. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Contributions may be made to SAVES Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.