Blog Archives

Louise H. Day

4/30/2021

Louise H. Day, 94, passed away on Friday, April 30th at The Nottingham in Jamesville.
Louise was born on June 23, 1926 in Dover, PA. She lived all her adult life in Syracuse and was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. She enjoyed handicrafts, spending winters in Stuart, FL and time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, A. Robert Day, in 2009. She is survived by her daughter Janet Amond and husband Trent; grandson Tristan Amond and wife Elizabeth; grandson Ryley Amond, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hour will be Tuesday, May 4th at 10:30am at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles, with a service at 11:30am. Louise will be buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Robert Ekman Cook

4/25/2021

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    Robert Ekman Cook died on April 25th at the Commons Rehab in Auburn, NY. Born on February 1, 1932, Bob was the son of Henry C. and Mabel Helen Cook. He was predeceased by his sister Beverly Jane Cook and brother Henry C. Cook, Jr.
    He grew up in Strathmore attending Syracuse Central High School where he lettered in football and track, setting a record in discus throwing. He earned his Eagle Scout Award and worked in the Adirondacks at Boy Scout Camps during the summers, leading many adventure camping and canoe trips, as well as climbing almost all of the peaks. Bob held a life-long love of the Adirondacks and was thrilled to be able to attend the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid with his family. Many thanks to his wonderful friends from the Chicago area for being a part of that great experience.
    He received a track scholarship at Syracuse University based on his record in discus throwing. At SU he was on the track, football, and ski teams and a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity where he served as president. Bob received a B.S. in accounting from S.U. after which he entered the United States Air Force. He was Budget Officer, became a First Lieutenant, and an Air Force pilot. His love of adventure lead him to do everything from water skiing behind an air plane on Oneida Lake to traveling all over the US and Canada, pulling a trailer behind his van. He also traveled much of China living there for a while.
    Bob worked for Montgomery Ward at the catalog headquarters in Chicago as an accountant/comptroller and later at Dental Network, and finally at Oregon State's Boy Scout headquarters. Bob was a dedicated champion of the Boy Scouts and was a
Boy Scout leader when his three sons were members of troop 16 in Oak Park, IL.
    He is survived by his wife Janet Adams Shadle; son Eric (Christine) Cook living in Phoenix, AZ; a daughter Heidi Cook (James Patton) living in Farmington, MI; and another son Timothy Cook living in Berwyn, IL. His son David died in 2011 in Springfield, IL.
Bob is also survived by step-son Timothy (Kimberly) Shadle, living in Skaneateles; his nephew James (Debbie) Cook of Liverpool; and grandchildren Kelly Nelson, Jeffrey and Joshua Cook, and step grandchildren Justin and Allison Shadle.
    His family would like to thank the caring staff at The Commons of Auburn for his care.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 31st at 1pm at the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Assn. at 441 W. Kirkpatrick St. in Syracuse.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Kathleen "Tiny" Weinerth

4/14/2021

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Kathleen Tiny Weinerth passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 14th after a brief stay at Upstate Community Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she was treated with compassion and love. Tiny was an adoring, and caring mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was born in Auburn, NY on June 6, 1920 to George and Alida Smith. She enjoyed modern western square dancing, line, and round dancing. She was a member of the Skaneateles Singing Seniors and a member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. Back in her heyday she owned and drove a motorcycle.
Tiny was a life-long resident of the Skaneateles area. She was a graduate of Skaneateles schools, class of 1938. She worked at Welch-Allyn for 34 years, and then retired to travel, and enjoy her family.
She was preceded in death by her son Charles “Tom” Weinerth, and her grandson Michael Weinerth.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Adkins of Selbyville, Delaware, and her son David Weinerth (John) of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Gary Simmons, Michelle Simmons, Crystal Seal (Rick), Tammy Simmons (Derek), Scott Weinerth. Several great grand-children, Matthew (Tabitha) Travis (Tammy), Guy, Hunter, Joshua Smith and several great-great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Services will be on Wednesday, April 21st at 12 noon at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Masks are required. Any donations in her name may be made to SAVES or Matthew House.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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John "Jack" Colgan McNeil II

4/3/2021

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John “Jack” Colgan McNeil II, 57, of Cortland, NY, passed away peacefully early in the morning on Saturday, April 3rd, after courageously battling a long illness. He is survived by his son, John Colgan McNeil III (Elizabeth); daughters, Nora McNeil Kszystyniak (Josh) and Emily McNeil; sisters, Martha Auster (Moe) and Maureen Wermers (Dan); brother James McNeil (Molly) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, John Colgan McNeil, and mother, Henrietta Huxford McNeil.
Jack was a graduate of Vestal High School and Niagara University. He went on to work as a carpenter for McNeil Development Co. in Cortland, NY, where he loved working with his cousin and best friend, David McNeil. An avid and skilled skier, Jack served for 10 years as a senior member of the Labrador Mountain Ski Patrol, where he could be seen on the slopes every Christmas Eve dressed as Santa Claus. He also volunteered at the Skaneateles Ski Club, where he taught his three children to ski.
Jack was an incredible father to his son and daughters, lifting them up and supporting them in everything they did. He was that special kind of person who always sought to put others’ needs before his own. Jack was also a master storyteller known for his sense of humor. His laughter, kindness and generosity will be cherished by all those fortunate enough to have known and loved him.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his name to the Skaneateles Ski Club and Francis House in Syracuse, NY.

Jack will be laid to rest in Skaneateles at St. Mary's Cemetery on April 7th, preceded by a private service at St. Mary’s of the Lake. Friends may celebrate his life and express their condolences from 5 – 7PM Tuesday, April 6, at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Richard James Kraetz, Sr.

4/2/2021

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Richard James Kraetz, Sr. of Skaneateles, NY, and a Navy veteran of World War II, passed away April 2, 2021. He was 94. After surviving Covid-19 in December 2020, he could not quite fully recover and died peacefully surrounded by his family at the home of his son Rick and daughter-in-law Shelly.
Born in Buffalo, NY to William and Enid Kraetz, he is survived by his children, Pamela Odlum (Michael) of Skaneateles, NY and Long Island, Richard J. Kraetz, Jr. (Shelly) of Skaneateles, Suzan Sletteland (Erik) of Bedminster, NJ, and William R. Kraetz (Chrissy) of Derby, NY. Grandchildren are Katherine Odlum Moye (Loren) and Emily Odlum Andrews (Kevin), James, Taylor (Katherine) and Kelsey Kraetz, Sam, Peter, and Ben Sletteland and Hannah and Mae Kraetz. Great grandchildren are Andy (Emily & Kevin), and the twins, Alexandria and Augustus (Taylor & Katherine). He is predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou Weil Kraetz, and his grandson, Andrew M. Odlum of Skaneateles, NY.
Richard attended Bennett High School and Nichols School in Buffalo, NY and Hobart College in Geneva, NY. He lived in Buffalo and Rose Hill, Ontario, Canada for many years. He was an avid dog lover with a particular fondness for Golden Retrievers. He owned and operated a Chevrolet dealership in Buffalo, and along with his wife owned the Shop for Pappagallo in Buffalo on Delaware Avenue for 28 years. Richard retired to Venice, FL with his wife Mary Lou, and after 15 years they relocated to Skaneateles, NY. For the last three years he was grateful to the assisted living staff at Camillus Ridge Terrace. He was very happy there and in his glory as a crooner and avid participant in nickel bingo.
Richard was a member and deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo. For many years he was a volunteer at Roswell Park Hospital in Buffalo and, along with his wife, tended the Memorial Garden at Roswell.
Services are private. Contributions may be made to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Box 631 Buffalo, NY 14240.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com