Blog Archives

Deborah Koller Donigan

8/31/2022

    Deborah Koller Donigan passed away at her home on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 2, 1956, Deborah graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius high school in 1974, where she met her husband, Steven.
    Deborah was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She served the local community as a pharmacist in Skaneateles throughout her career, and selflessly dedicated her free time to the Mission of Miracles medical mission trip in El Salvador.
    Deborah is survived by her husband, Steven; children, Mallory Lesch (Mike), Jeff (Morgan), and Kelly (Molly); and grandchildren, Aurora and Ava.
    The love she showed her family will carry on with the addition of two grandchildren on the way. Her smile and laugh will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
    Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Debbie’s name to Mission of Miracles (http://www.missionofmiracles.org).
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

33 Comments

Rena E. Pasternak

8/25/2022

7 Comments

  Rena E Pasternak, 94, of Skaneateles died Thursday, August 25th. She was born in Syracuse and was a lifelong resident of Skaneateles.
    She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles and the Order of Eastern Star at Marcellus and a lifetime member of the Native Old Timers of Skaneateles.
    Her priority was her family and spending time with them and considered herself blessed. She enjoyed watching the financial channel, Hallmark, the Yankee's games and SU basketball.
    She was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Ruth Edwards, her brothers Herbert and John Edwards and her beloved husband James Pasternak.
    Surviving are her children: James E. (Cindy) Pasternak and Gail A. (James) Van Wagner, 7 grandchildren: Cary (Rodney) Shaffer, Julie Allen, Michael (Isabelle) Wellauer, Stacey (John) Morris, Jeff (Melissa Kornblau) Pasternak, Jeremy (Sheila) Wellauer, Sara (Doug) Weed and 16 great-grandchildren and 2 sister’s Nancy (Allen) Smith and Nora (Jim) Brown.
    Services will be private. Burial in Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles. Contributions may be made to SAVES.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

7 Comments

Arthur E. Brothers

8/23/2022

8 Comments

Known for saying, “Aren’t we lucky”, Art Brothers had a wonderful life filled with family and friends.
    He passed leaving his wife Marlene (whom he had known for 70 years), his daughter Melanie, son-in-law Michael, and one granddaughter Mia of whom he was very proud. He was a brother-in-law and left behind many nieces and nephews. Art was the son of Frank and Dora Brothers, predeceased by his 4 brothers Warren, William, Richard, and Earl.
    He volunteered for the draft and spent most of his time in Munich Germany where he enjoyed going to the Hofbrau Haus. He worked for Niagara Mohawk for the majority of his life and became the Supervisor of Payroll. He was President of the local Jaycees, a volunteer ambulance driver for SAVES, a member of the American Legion and the Skaneateles Country Club.
    He was 86.
    There will be no calling hours. Private services will be held for the family.
    The family would appreciate any donations in Art’s name to go to Laker Limo PO Box 644 Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

8 Comments

Marshall Skiff Brennan

8/17/2022

41 Comments

Born August 10th, 1986 - Died August 17th, 2022

Marshall Skiff Brennan, the beloved son of Edward and Deborah Brennan of Skaneateles, passed away peacefully on Aug 17th at his home in Boston, MA.

A 2006 graduate of Tilton School, he received his BA in Communications from Hobart William Smith College in 2010.

Marshall worked at MCL Respite Center in Hopkinton, MA for the last 12 years as a respected, admired and loved staff member. From helping with the Boston Marathon, supervising outings for his groups, and adventuring on Zoom trips to far away places, he provided love and care to so many.

He loved his family, making music, The Bills, the lake, our dog Fuji, and most of all spending time with his nieces Reese and Savannah.

Marshall was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Lois and Ed Brennan of Chicago, maternal grandparents Joan and Marshall Skiff of Skaneateles, Aunt Robin (Skiff) Pittard, Aunt Linda (Brennan) Thode, cousins Amy and Michael Lisnow.

He is also survived by his brothers, Eddie (Marianne) Brennan of Skaneateles, Steve Brennan of Hawaii, nieces Reese and Savannah Brennan, Aunts Lynn (Dave) Soderberg, Patty (Scott) Curtis, Sandra (Doug) Adams, Uncle David (Suzanne) Pittard, Aunt Sharon Lisnow, Aunt Cindy (John) Walls of Florida, Uncle Don (Kim) Brennan of Wisconsin, Uncle John (Jean) Brennan of Florida, and 26 amazing cousins.

Although Marshall was so loving and joyful around family and friends, he struggled like so many with mental health issues. Deeply kind, thoughtful and loving to all he met, his generous spirit and bright light will always shine.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, August 28th from 1 to 5pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 29th at 10am at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Skaneateles, with private burial to follow.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
MCL Respite Center - 112 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508.435.1222

41 Comments

Ronald D. West

8/16/2022

7 Comments

    Ronald D. West of Scipio Center, NY passed to the other side August 16, 2022.
    He was a loving brother, friend, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years Constance, a daughter Denise (Jeff) Ellis, daughter-in-law Jean West, son-in-law Kirby Huseby, two brothers, Carlton (Shirley) West, and Rexford West and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
    He was predeceased by his daughter Deborah Huseby, his son Ronald Jr., his father Rexford West, his mother and step father Nina and Clinton Packard and his sister Sue Gorman.
He will be fondly remembered for his financial ability and help to many, working at the National Bank of Auburn, the Emerson, French and Metcalf Foundations.
    He was a deacon of Second Baptist Church for many years and loved the ministry and people who were privileged to sit under the teachings of Dr. James Stuart, learning much from God’s precious Word.
    Because of Jesus Christ and His blood shed and resurrection we are praising His name for being the way, the truth and the life for Ron.
    The best memorial you could leave for Ron is to surrender your life to Christ for forgiveness of sins, thanks to all our praying friends, God has answered our prayers.
    Calling hours for Ron will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday August 20, with a service to follow at 11 a.m. all at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, 49 Jordan St. Skaneateles.

7 Comments

James Ciccone

8/6/2022

81 Comments

    James Ciccone, 91, of Skaneateles. A man of noble spirit and humanitarian principles. "Coach C" spent his life teaching and helping through athleticism for the betterment of the community and others.
    Athletic Director City of Syracuse Department of Parks and Recreation from 1969-1991. Coached softball team “J.C. Girls” to international competition in 1970’s. Most recently assistant softball coach Colgate University in 1990’s and 2000’s, 3 NCAA tournament appearances. Inducted to USSSA NYS Hall of Fame in 2014.
    Survived by wife Constance, children Diane, James, Joseph and John.
    Calling hours will be held at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles on Thursday, August 11th from 2 to 3:30pm with a service immediately following.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Deborah Koller Donigan

Rena E. Pasternak

Arthur E. Brothers

Marshall Skiff Brennan

Ronald D. West

James Ciccone

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