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Alfred (Al) Matijas

6/28/2019

Alfred (Al) Matijas, 87, of Niles, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019. Al was born in New Hope on August 27, 1931 the son of John Sr. and Suzanna (Koncus) Matijas. He was raised and worked on the family farm until he joined the United States Army in July of 1954. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in June of 1956. After service to his country, he was employed by Smith Corona of Groton and Cortland for 38 years until retirement in 1994. During retirement, Al worked with his brother George in New Hope Rural Cemetery and at numerous homes along Skaneateles Lake for 15 years as a caretaker. During his down time, he enjoyed watching the Yankees. Al married June Marks on November 30, 1956 and was married for 49 years until her passing in March of 2006.
Al was predeceased by 11 brothers, 2 sisters and life-long friend Andrew Wagner. Survived by his three sons, Daniel (Yvonne) Matijas of Weedsport, Kevin Matijas and Allen Matijas both of Auburn and three daughters Valerie Rowe of Auburn, Deborah Walpole (Aanen Aanensen), and Dawn (Christopher) Czolowski, 8 grandchildren, Thomas Matijas and Ashley Piascik; Adam, Aaron, and Ryan Rowe; Mikey, Richard and Marissa Walpole, 8 great-grandchildren, Annalyse Matijas; Olivia and George Piascik; Chloe Knauss-Rowe, Logan and Sienna Rowe, James Rowe; Hunter Walpole, and a new great-grandchild due in January 2020, his sister, Pauline (Polly) Weeks of Skaneateles. He is also survived by his Grand Pup – Buddy.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 3rd at 10:30am at
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, West Genesee Street, Skaneateles. Interment will follow at New Hope Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Al’s memory be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or New Hope Fire Department.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all of Al’s aides over the past six years; a special caregiver, Sue Stayton and first responder Pat Merical.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Fran Milford

6/27/2019

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Fran Milford, Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Aunt F.A. died on June 27th, 2019 at age 98 after a very long life of excessive worry over her children, grand-children, and the state of religious and political affairs in the world. She often knew “how things SHOULD be done,” and was deeply concerned when people didn’t follow her advice. She finally said, paraphrasing one of her father’s beloved stories of a man with a stutter, “Hhhhow the Hell should I know!” and eased into a time period where she could enjoy herself and her family and let the rest of the world deal with the mess of its own making.
She lived through her son Rob’s catching the basement on fire while lighting up a spider on a clothesline, John’s vrooming up and down the property lines on his motorcycle for a month when she grounded him, Ann’s room which always looked like the after-effects of a rummage sale, Jane’s adamant refusal to go to church, and Meg’s tumultuous times with Michie Lozowsky, who is still convinced that she is truly a Milford and was switched at birth. Fran organized the chicken barbeques at her home when the Busos and Shapleys (her siblings and their children) visited from their overseas assignments, ducking flying ice cream bombs, dramatic interpretations of MacBeth complete with stabbings and ketchup-covered tee shirts, hide and seek in the dark games which could cover a quarter-mile radius, (lake-included), and ended after 11 p.m when she hosed and dried them all off, put them in their respective cars, and sent them all home with a big “Whew! Thank God that’s over!”
Her greatest joy was all of her grandchildren; she hosted innumerable visits with tea parties, sandwich platters, sit down dinners, picnics, card games, and lunches when they left school during breaks and brought their friends. Although she often threatened to put up a sign that said, “No Sanctuary,” her house was a refuge for us all. We knew we could come home and she would be there, with us and for us. We have all been gifted by her presence and this legacy.
May she rest in peace, or if given the opportunity, ask the big questions she always considered, and finally get her answers. We love her and she will be missed.
Fran was predeceased by her husband, Robert Stilwell Milford in 1978 and her son, Robert Shapley Milford in 2013. She is survived by her daughters Ann Ade (David) of North Carolina, Jane Cooney (Bud) and Meg Schneider (Robin) of Skaneateles, and her son, John Milford of Pennsylvania as well as 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles on July 20th, at 9 a.m. Burial services will be private. There will be no calling hours.

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Carolyn Collins Pringle

6/7/2019

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Carolyn Collins Pringle
A Long Life full of Adventures

Carolyn Collins Pringle passed away peacefully on the exceptionally beautiful spring morning of June 7th, 2019, in Skaneateles, NY. She was surrounded by family, especially the love of her life, Russell J. Pringle (Skip). Carolyn and Skip would have celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary this August and their time together was filled with love and beauty, surrounded by the waters of Skaneateles Lake and The British Virgin Islands.
Carolyn was born in Shelbyville Indiana and later grew up in Brackenridge Pennsylvania, where she met and started her courtship with Skip after his return from the Navy in World War II. Skip’s career brought them to Central NY, where they raised their 3 children. Their long life together was filled with adventures that included spending quality family time on the ski slopes, as well as amazing sailing adventures that started on Skaneateles Lake, and later continued on to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Carolyn was an exceptional cook and she created homes with beautiful surroundings that were a pleasure to be a part of. She loved and supported Skip unselfishly, and Skip has stated many times over the years, that he reached his many goals and dreams because Carolyn was by his side. Carolyn had style, beauty and class up to the very end of her time here on earth.
Along with her husband Skip, Carolyn is survived by her children: David Pringle (Francie) of Skaneateles, NY; Daniel Pringle of Gunbarrel, CO; Kathy Brewster (Nick) of Skaneateles, NY. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Collins Pringle (Emily) of Teton Valley, ID; Tassie Pringle (Dror) of Portland, OR; Russell Burkhardt, Abby Burkhardt, and LB Burkhardt of Skaneateles, NY. Also 2 great-grandchildren: Soren Pringle of Teton Valley, ID, and the newly arrived Ms. Tamara Zalouskia of Portland, OR. She was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Elizabeth Collins and sister Mary Jo Hiestand.
There will be a family celebration of Carolyn’s life held later this summer.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Hiram "Andy" Welch

6/6/2019

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Hiram “Andy” Welch, 59, of Skaneateles passed away unexpectedly on June 6, 2019. He attended FM and Skaneateles High Schools. Hiram was a mechanic and antique tractors and engine collector. He also collected and restored toy tractors Hiram loved to cook and grill out. His humor and quick wit would always put a smile on someone’s face.

Hiram was predeceased by his parents, John and Betty Welch. He is survived by his siblings, Elizabeth, “Betsy” Fitts and Daniel, and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 4 to 6pm at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.

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Keith G. Hawkins

6/4/2019

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Keith G. Hawkins, 88, of Skaneateles, died Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Crouse Hospital, with his wife and two daughters by his side.
Born May 10, 1931, Keith is survived by his wife of almost 32 years, Cheryl O’Connor Hawkins; his son, Gary (Heather) Hawkins of Los Angeles, CA; his daughter Cynthia (Ronald) Turner of DeWitt, NY; his daughter Paula (Daniel Lawton) Hawkins of Falls Church, VA; his grandchildren Sterling Hawkins, Berkeley Hawkins, Schuyler Hawkins, Haviland Hawkins, Allison Turner, Elliot Turner, Seamus Lawton, and Cordelia Lawton; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Katherine Johnson Hawkins; his brother, Eugene Hawkins; and his parents, Gladys Leevis Hawkins and Clifford Daniel Hawkins.
Owner and President of Green Hills Farms supermarket, Keith was proud of his roots on a family farm in South Onondaga, and often talked about getting his start selling eggs and Christmas trees. He transformed the vegetable stand started by his grandmother and moved by his father in 1934 to its Route 11 location into a flourishing, community-based grocery store. Over the course of his career, he would eventually own over nineteen businesses, including supermarkets, a wholesale grocery business, and a motel and other real estate in Florida. He also served on the board of directors of several area banks and businesses.
Keith was valedictorian of his 1948 graduating class at Onondaga Central School and received the school’s Wall of Distinction honor in 2012. Keith graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University in 1952 with the top marketing student award. He remained dedicated to education throughout his life, serving as member and then president of the board of trustees of Manlius Pebble Hill School during a critical period in the 1970’s.
Keith was a member of the Skaneateles Country Club. Books and music were always an important part of his life. He loved to travel, and visited over twenty countries. But his heart was happiest at home by the waterway in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL, or lakeside in Skaneateles. Being near or on the water was a source of great joy for him. The large “Hello There” sign Keith had permanently posted on his lawn in Skaneateles reflected his warm, outgoing, and generous nature. His kindness and optimism — and that infectious laugh! — will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
There will be a private family service at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Keith’s life on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Skaneateles Country Club, West Lake Road, Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Crouse Hospital Foundation and SAVES.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Alfred (Al) Matijas

Fran Milford

Carolyn Collins Pringle

Hiram "Andy" Welch

Keith G. Hawkins

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