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Doris Mary Mates

6/30/2016

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. | Doris Mary Mates, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Skaneateles, N.Y., passed away on July 1, 2016 in New Smyrna Beach at the age of 90 after living a fulfilling life. She was born in Schenectady, N.Y. to Frank and Mary Scharbach. In 1947 she married the love of her life, William G. Mates. After graduating from Russell Sage College, she began her career in education, first as a teacher in the Auburn, N.Y. school system, and for many years as a guidance counselor in the Marcellus, N.Y. central school system. She was an avid golfer, and as a member, played many rounds at the Skaneateles Country Club. She was actively involved in many organizations including the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Avid Readers, and volunteered for many years at the Coronado Community United Methodist Church of New Smyrna Beach in “The Boutique,” a thrift shop benefiting many activities of the church. She was a parishioner of the Skaneateles First Presbyterian Church for almost 60 years.
She is survived by two sons, Wayne Mates along with his wife, Betty, and Bradley W. Mates and his wife, Andrea; a sister, Shirley Sutphen; a brother, Douglas Scharbach; along with four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of almost 50 years,
William G. Mates.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 in the First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles; followed by interment in the Lakeview Cemetery in Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local SPCA, as Doris was an avid lover of animals.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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David J. Colegrove

6/30/2016

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David Joseph Colegrove, 71, of Skaneateles, NY, passed away surrounded by his loving family on June 30, 2016. David is survived by his five children, David Patrick (Marisa), Kevin (Kiyomi), Jessica Storey (Matthew), Andrea Shaver, and Edmond (Lauren); his nine grandchildren, Elizabeth, Carter, Rachel, Nicolas, Elena, Silvia, Gloria, Madelene and Emerson; his six siblings, Nancy Vail, Kathleen, Joy Cornell (Brian), John (Gayle), James (Mary) and Elizabeth Dann (Matthew) and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Margaret, of Elmira, NY. David was born April 28, 1945 in Elmira, NY and was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College in Syracuse. David joined the United States Navy and admirably served during the Vietnam War on the USS Meredith. Following a long career in the insurance industry, he became an advocate for and developer of alternative energy programs. He was a longtime member of the Skaneateles community, raising his 5 children there and was an avid supporter of both Skaneateles and Syracuse University athletics. David was a very social and active man with many loyal, loving friends. He organized and completed marathons and triathlons, had a passion for reading and continuous learning, closely followed politics at all levels and loved to gather with friends to debate current events. He loved the outdoors, especially the waters of the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. David was very proud of his Irish heritage, devoted to his Catholic faith and a committed member of the St. Mary’s parish. His most treasured moments were spent gathering with his children, grandchildren, family and friends. David’s lasting legacy will always be the profound impact he made on the lives of others. A funeral mass is scheduled for Monday, August 1st at 10:00am at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in Skaneateles, NY. All are welcome to celebrate David’s life. A reception will follow at the St. Mary’s Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, David asked that contributions be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center at www.splcenter.org.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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David T. Robinson

6/28/2016

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David T. Robinson, 71, of Skaneateles, died unexpectedly at home on June 28th, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was a graduate of Onondaga Valley Academy and the Fannie Bortle School of Court Reporting. He was a court stenographer for the State of N.Y. Supreme Court and Court of Claims. After retiring, he continued his work as a freelance reporter.
David was a former board member of the Skaneateles Music Festival, President of the Skaneateles Figure Skating Club, Secretary of the Salt City F.S.C and Secretary to the Town Planning Board. He was also a former member of the American Guild of Organists and was a former organist at St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Andrews in Syracuse. He was presently a member of St. Mary’s Prayer Chain.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Beverly, daughter, Trina Rene Psenicnik (Zoran) of San Diego, CA, a son, Mark David Robinson (Charise) and two granddaughters, Grace and Stella, of San Diego, CA, a brother, Dr. Matthew Robinson of Fort Collins, CO and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Richard Robinson, predeceased him.
Calling hours will be at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles on Wednesday, July 6th from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles, on Thursday, July 7th at 10:00 a.m.
Donations in David’s memory may be made to the Skaneateles Food Pantry, Francis House or Joseph House of Syracuse.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Eleanor L. Wallace

6/26/2016

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Eleanor L. Wallace, a longtime resident of Skaneateles, NY, died Sunday the 26th of June of natural causes at Auburn Nursing Home in Auburn, NY.
Eleanor was born in Watertown, NY in 1926. She was raised by her grandmother, Adaline, and was proud to say that she grew up on a farm. She met Karl S. Wallace prior to his service in WWII and the two were married at a young age. Together they had two daughters, Candis Paul and Valarie Primrose.
Eleanor worked for the airlines as a reservationist for Pan-Am and later on for USAirways— where was employed for many years and created a network of lifelong friends. She was active in representing the airlines and following her retirement was significantly involved in the USAirways retirees association.
Ellie was passionate about music and loved to garden. She shared her love of landscaping and the outdoors with friends and family alike, and could frequently be found not only in her own garden— but also planting and tending the gardens of those she loved. She was an avid traveler, and loved to relate stories of her travels with friends and family.
She is survived by her daughter Valarie Primrose, and her three grandchildren, Cyd Louise Burke, Patrick Bernard Malloy and Alexandra Marie Paul. She also has eight great-grandchildren, of whom she was very fond. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Candis S. Paul as well as her husband, Karl S. Wallace.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 9th at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles, NY. As an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers please send donations to the family to assist in burial expenses.
“The garden is one of the two great metaphors for humanity.
The garden is about life and beauty and the impermanence of all living things." -Anne Lamott
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Nina Croxton Pittard

6/22/2016

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After a long and wonderful life, Nina Croxton Pittard, was reunited with her predeceased husband (Charles Warren Jr.), on June 22, 2016.
Nina was born in Clarksville, Texas, the daughter of Philip Arthur and Norene Stanford Croxton. Nina spent her youth in Dallas, TX where she attended Woodrow Wilson High School. In her late teens, Nina ventured to the University of Texas at Austin where she met her late husband, Charles. She and Charlie traveled extensively moving from Texas to California, Panama, Miami and finally setting in Setauket Long Island where they raised three children; David, Randy and Chip. After raising her three boys, Nina worked for Stony Brook University for 20 years.
Nina had a vibrant spirit and infectious attitude that afforded her beloved life-long friends. Nina enjoyed spending time with her friends and family and playing bridge.
Nina was a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She is survived by her sons David C. Pittard (Suzanne and the late Robin Skiff), James Randolph Pittard (Yin) and Charles W. Pittard III (Carol) as well as five wonderful grandchildren, David S. (Melissa), Eric, Lindsay, Charles W. IV and Connor Pittard and two great grandchildren (Skiff and Frances Pittard)
Please join family and friends at David and Suzanne’s residence at 10 Heritage Woods Rd., Skaneateles, NY for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 3-6pm.
A graveside burial will take place at Lake View Cemetery in Skaneateles on Monday, June 27th at 10am. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Skaneateles Historical Society or the American Cancer Society.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Anne Catherine Drisgula

6/20/2016

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Anne Catherine Drisgula, 95, of Skaneateles, New York, died on June 20, 2016. Born July 27, 1920 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Anna Beer and John Trela. Her father died soon after she was born and her mother later married Joseph Skowera, who helped raise her. She was educated in Springﬁeld area schools. Anne married the love of her life, Stanley Drisgula, on April 27, 1946 in Springﬁeld, Massachusetts. They lived most of their married life in Rome, N.Y. before moving to Skaneateles. Stanley died on April 25, 2006, two days prior to their 60th wedding anniversary. Anne was a longtime member of Transﬁguration of Our Lord Church in Rome, New York. She served as Chairwoman of the Rosary Society and on the church’s Viet Nam refugee committee. More recently, she was a faithful communicant at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles. She loved to cook for her family and enjoyed reading Agatha Christie and other crime novelists. Anne’s pies, pierogi and golumpki were the center pieces of holiday gatherings. Her proﬁciency with an iPad mini was the talk of the Finger Lakes Center for Living where she spent the last months of her life. Anne enjoyed sending and receiving text messages. Her family is convinced she often sent her messages to the wrong person as a way of improving family communication. In the recent phenomenon of six word memoirs to sum up ourselves to one another, Anne’s would be: Found true love; God, Stanley, family. Six words to describe her spirit would be: loving, comforting, charitable, humble, welcoming and thoughtful. Anne is survived by two daughters, Kathy Lovier, Skaneateles and Mary Rose Hake, Bradenton, GA; one son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Mary Drisgula, Scotia, NY; two brothers, Daniel and Paul (Ted) Skowera; eight grandchildren, Carolyn Boniface (John), Laura Kuhns (Peter), Dr. John Lovier (Virginia), Kristine Terrazzino (Sam), Kate Card Kenyon (Jim), Vincent Card (Jessica), Lian Drisgula, and Benjamin Drisgula (Debby); fourteen great grandchildren: Joshua, Owen and Abby Kuhns; Sam, Victoria and Jasper Terrazzino; Margaret, Michael, Jack and James Lovier; Zach Davis; Zach, Cameron and Ashtyn Card and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sisters; Irene Bonavita, Rosalie Moore, Josephine Trela, and Mary Sullivan; and four brothers; Joseph Trela, Stanley Trela, William Trela and George Skowera. Funeral services will be held at 10 am at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles. Internment services will be held in Rome, New York at St. Mary’s Cemetery on June 23rd at 3 pm. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations in Anne’s name can be made to The Finger Lakes Center for Living, 20 Park Avenue, Auburn NY 1302
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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William T. Blewett

6/15/2016

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William T. Blewett, 81, of Skaneateles passed away Wednesday June 15, 2016. Born in Niles, NY to the late Clarence and Elsie Blewett, he owned and operated Blewett Tire in Skaneateles for 22 years retiring in 2004. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Cayuga County Sportsman Club and the NRA. He loved everything about the outdoors especially gardening, hunting and fishing. After retirement he loved to help local farmers in any way possible.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years the former Evelyn Bisgrove; daughter Wendy Blewett of Auburn; son Kevin (Caroline) Blewett of Baldwinsville; grandchildren Sarah, Scott and Jacob Blewett and Brittany Stenger. He also leaves behind his sisters Mary Watkins, Delores (Bruce) Bisgrove and Alice Blewett; brother Pete (Judi) Blewett and his beloved dog and companion Shawna. Bill was also predeceased by 3 sons James in 1959, Tom in 1982 and Marc in 2006.
Service for Bill will be 3 p.m. Sunday June 19, at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home. Calling hours will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday prior to the service at the funeral home,
49 Jordan St., Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Welcome

Doris Mary Mates

David J. Colegrove

David T. Robinson

Eleanor L. Wallace

Nina Croxton Pittard

Anne Catherine Drisgula

William T. Blewett

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