Blog Archives

Christopher A. VanHoltz

6/29/2021

Christopher A. VanHoltz, 38, of Skaneateles, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by family on June 29, 2021. Christopher was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed his time hiking, four wheeling and fishing with his son.
He is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Hurley and Florence VanHoltz and maternal grandparents William & Kay Smith; his brother Michael and sister Shannon.
Christopher is survived by his son Dean; mother Deborah Coates (Kevin) and father Terrance VanHoltz (Nora); his sisters Amy and Kayla, brother Cory; nephews Wesley, Jackson and Wade, niece Allie and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, July 3rd from 10 to 12n at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Burial will be private at a later date in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles.
We want to extend a thank you for all of the prayers and well- wishes.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of one’s choice in his honor.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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John D. Burleigh

6/28/2021

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John D. Burleigh, 77, was born to June and Mark Burleigh on February 29, 1944 in Port Huron, Michigan. He passed away unexpectedly on June 28, 2021 in Cathedral City, CA where he had been a resident since 1996. John's family moved to Skaneateles, NY in 1951. He graduated from Skaneateles High School in 1962 and from the University of Kentucky with a BA degree in 1968.
John was preceded in death by his brother Dr. William Burleigh. He is survived by his sister Linda Burleigh-Kretzschmar of Raleigh, NC and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
John worked in various sales and marketing positions in Washington state and in California. He enjoyed adventure and travel in addition to reading and gardening.
He was buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles, NY.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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James Edward Corey

6/26/2021

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James Edward Corey, 73, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2021 at Riverside Doctors Hospital in Williamsburg, VA, after a long, hard-fought battle against ALS.
Jim was born October 24, 1947 to Edward and Mary (Gage) Corey in Auburn, NY. He was a 1965 graduate of Skaneateles High School. He attended Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, NY, and graduated in 1968 with an Accounting and Data Processing Degree. Jim retired from Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Syracuse, NY, in 2009.
    In addition to enjoying his family, Jim was an avid SU basketball and NY Giants fan. In his spare
time, he liked to fish, golf, antique cars, and collect coins and baseball memorabilia. Jim was known for his quick wit and sense of humor and loved to talk about his walk around Skaneateles Lake with his buddies on March 16, 1963 when he was 15.
    Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn (Feeney); his children James, Brian and Michele
(Khasidis); 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; his sister, Carole (Kelly); his brother,
Jeffrey; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
    There will be no calling hours. Services are Private. James will be buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Jim to ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter, 135 Old Cove Rd., Ste 213, Liverpool, NY 13090 or ALS Association DC/MD/VA Chapter, 30 W. Gude Drive, Ste 150, Rockville, MD 20850. To
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Robert J. Cox

6/25/2021

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Robert J. Cox of Skaneateles, passed away Friday, June 25th, at home with his family.
    Born in Auburn, Robert attended R.P.I. and S.U. He retired from Oldfield Precast Inc., where he worked as an engineer. After retirement, he devoted himself to the American Legion and to volunteer work at the V.A. hospital in Syracuse.
     He is survived by two siblings, Michael Cox (Linda) of Auburn, and Linda Cox-Randolph (Charles Randolph) also of Auburn, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
     He was predeceased by his parents, Neal and Elizabeth Cox, three siblings- Richard, David, and Paul Cox, and a favorite niece, Julie Bilinski.
    Calling hours will be held at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles on Tuesday, July 6th from 1 to 3pm with a service to follow at 3pm. Celebration of Bob’s life will be held after at the Skaneateles American Legion Post 239. A private graveside service will be held later. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sons of the American Legion Post 239, PO Box 24 Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Donna M. Chapman Sherman

6/18/2021

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Donna M. Chapman Sherman, 73, of Skaneateles Falls, passed away peacefully at the Matthew House in Auburn.
Donna was born on February 19, 1948 in Auburn, NY. Donna was raised in Skaneateles Falls and was a Graduate of Skaneateles Central Schools. She married Duane Sherman on August 6, 1966.
Donna loved working in her flower beds. She took pride in them and had an amazing green thumb. Donna was deeply loved and will forever be missed.
Donna is predeceased by her parents Donald and Elizabeth (Eggleston) Chapman.
She is survived by her husband Duane of 55 years together.
Her children Todd (Betty) Sherman and Jennifer Sherman. Brothers Terry and Ronald Chapman. A sister Kim Chapman-Wright. 5 grandchildren Amanda, Brian, Jessica Stern; Devin, Matthew Sherman and 1 Great-grandchild Kaylynn Sherman.
Nieces and nephews Heather Wright, Angie Chapman-Usowski, Peter Chapman, Michael Chapman and Ashley Chapman-Noga.
A Celebration of Donna’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 10th at 1pm at the American Legion Post 317, 4572 Jordan Road, Skaneateles Falls.
Lieu of flowers we ask for donations to Matthew House 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn, NY 13021.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Mary Pamela Walton Sullivan

6/16/2021

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Mary Pamela Walton Sullivan, 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021, at the Finger Lakes Center for Living in Auburn, NY. She lived most of her life in Skaneateles.
Mary was born on October 10th, 1941, in Auburn, NY to David Thomas Walton and Aurelle Wagner Walton. She was their first daughter and the third of what would be eleven children in the Walton family. Mary grew up in Skaneateles Falls, attending Elbridge Central School and graduating from Mount Carmel High in 1959. In school, Mary enjoyed cheerleading and handwork classes such as embroidery.
In 1960, the Walton family moved to a home on West Lake Road in Mandana. Skaneateles Lake would be the backdrop for more than two decades of family fun for the siblings and their children. Mary got her first job as a teller at the First Trust Bank in the village. Later she was employed by Lemoyne College as secretary to the Director of Financial Aid.
In the summer of 1967, Mary and her sister Elizabeth traveled to Newport, Rhode Island to work at beautiful Shamrock Cliff resort. Mary met William Sullivan and they married in 1968. They lived in Newport and had three daughters: Catherine, Brooke, and Monica.
Mary returned with her girls to Skaneateles where she found strength in raising them, passing on her strong Catholic faith and loving them unconditionally and without reservation. She often expressed how proud she was of them and how much they were loved.
A homemaker first, Mary also attended some classes at Auburn Community College and volunteered at the John D. Barrow Art Gallery in the Skaneateles Library. She enjoyed walking in the village, meeting friends at the Bakery, and attending prayer group at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. She loved family gatherings and being with all her grandchildren.
Mary is survived by her three daughters: Catherine Sullivan (Joshua McPhail) of Tenants Harbor, Maine; Brooke Langford (Matt) of Skaneateles; and Monica Bracken (Michael) of Saratoga Springs; her nine grandchildren: Elijah (Daiana), Adeline, Matthias, and Josiah McPhail; Wyatt, Caleb, and India Langford; and Basil and Spencer Bracken; and two great-grandchildren: Kevellyn Silva and Noah McPhail.
Mary is also survived by seven siblings: John Walton (Sue), Elizabeth Zebley (Barry), Anna Walton, Aurelle Rath (Jerry), Linus Walton (Kathy), Frank Walton (Debbie), and Sheila Walton (Moshe Toledo); sisters-in-law Carol Walton, Kathy Cooley, and Suzi Tucker; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mary was predeceased by her parents and brothers Peter Walton, David Walton, Jr., and Bart Walton and nephew Jason Walton.
A funeral mass will take place Tuesday, June 22 at 10a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles. Reverend Richard B. Dunn will officiate. Following the mass, a burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Auburn. A reception for family and friends will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to S.A.V.E.S. (Skaneateles Ambulance Volunteer Emergency Services) at 77 Fennell St. Skaneateles, NY 13152. To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the staff at Finger Lakes Center for Living.

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Patricia A. Tokarz

6/14/2021

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Patricia A. Tokarz, 74 of Owasco passed away peacefully on Monday, June 14th at Matthew House, Auburn.
Patty was born in Auburn, NY and was a life long resident of the Owasco area. She was a graduate of Central High School in Auburn. She went onto work for McQuay for many years before retirement and she was an avid reader.
She was predeceased by her parents Claire and James Hutchings, Sr.
Patty is survived by her husband of 33 years, Stephen J. Tokarz; a brother, James (Barbara) Hutchings; a niece, Jaime Schmitt; nephews Daniel and James Hutchings III; daughter, Lonna (Roger) Vrooman; son, Jason Mero, grandsons; Eric, Lucas, Adam Vrooman, Lucas and Ryan Mero; as well as a stepson Bradley Tokarz.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 25th at 10am at Robert D. Gary Funeral Home, Skaneateles. With burial in Lake View Cemetery, Fleming, NY.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Matthew House 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn, NY 13021.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Lia Bates

6/13/2021

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Services for Lia Bates, 93, of Skaneateles, will be held Saturday, June 19th at St. James Episcopal Church, Skaneateles at 10am. Calling hour will be from 8:45 to 9:45am at church. Burial will follow the service at Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles.
Born and raised in Amsterdam, Holland, Lia visited area schools and shared her memories of her childhood classmate, Anne Frank.
Lia married her late husband Paul Bates and raised five children in Skaneateles, where she lived for 64 years. They are Richard (Elisa), Paulia (Frank), Pamela (Jeff), Peter (Rose), and Christopher (Yolanda), 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nieces and nephews.
Contributions can be made to St. James Episcopal Church.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

32 Comments

Russel Paul Zechman

6/11/2021

6 Comments

Russel Paul Zechman passed from this earthly life on June 11, 2021 to join his parents and sister with our heavenly father.
Russ graduated from Skaneateles High School in 1949. He then attended Cornell University graduating in 1954. Russ served in the Army and was stationed in Verdun, France.
After a brief career with Honeywell, Russ returned to Skaneateles to run the Cedar House Bowling Lanes for his father.
He finally found his career path in floor covering, owning and operating Commercial Carpet Contractors for over 30 years. Most of his work with this company was for the SU dorms and dining halls.
After selling his company Russ volunteered with the Laker Limo as a driver. His favorite outings were the once a month Thursday night dinners with a group of ladies from the Village Landing and the Gateway.
Anyone that knew Russ knew his passion was football, he played for Coach Hyatt at Skaneateles, then played for Cornell and was a high school referee for 25 years.
Russ was predeceased by his parents Paul and Ada Zechman and sister Jeanette Zechman.
He is survived by his children Linda Zechman (Bruce) Van Holtz and Andrew Kent Zechman, grandchildren Danielle, Toby and Dylan Van Holtz and great grandchildren Owen Van Holtz and Paris Londono.
Services for Russ will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 18th at Skaneateles United Methodist Church. Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday June 17th at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers donation’s can be made to The Skaneateles Methodist Church or to Laker Limo.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Charlotte Barlow

6/4/2021

5 Comments

Charlotte Barlow, 85, passed away at The Commons at St Anthony’s on June 4th.
Charlotte lived her entire life in Binghamton, NY, where she worked for Loblaw’s Grocery Stores for over 20 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Allen, brothers William and Sylvan (Irene), sister-in-law Barbara and nephew Brian.
She is survived by her siblings Doug (Barbara), John (Mary Jane), George (Lorraine), Valerie (Robert) and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was a member of Oak Street United Methodist Church.
A memorial service is being planned for early July.
Contributions in Charlotte’s name can be made to Boys and Girls Clubs of America, or flowers to your favorite nursing home.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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