Blog Archives

Randall "Randy" Eldred

9/26/2019

Randall G. Eldred
Kind, gentle, wise soul

Randall “Randy” Eldred, 61, of Skaneateles passed away on September 26, 2019 after a short battle with cancer. He was a kindhearted person who lived a life of integrity, humility, empathy, generosity and compassion. Randy exemplified the goodness in humanity. He was a humble man who worked hard all his life and above all else, cherished his family. Randy leaves deep footprints in our hearts.

Randy was born in Callicoon, NY on May 3, 1958 to Lloyd and Muriel Eldred. In 1966, his father bought some prime farm land in Central NY and moved his family to Owasco when he was in third grade. During this time, his parents founded and developed the business: Eldred, Hay, Grain, and Seed LLC. In 1976 Randy graduated from Skaneateles High School and attended Morrisville Technology College. After graduating, his family worked together to build and develop the family business into a successful farm. Randy's forte was the “go to problem solver.” He had an uncanny ability to generate unique and innovative solutions to the countless challenges of the farm. Many local farmers frequently called Randy for his advice and expertise.

We will also remember Randy as being a truly kind and gentle soul. He would lend a hand to anyone in need. Randy also had a great sense of humor and would put a smile on your face. He was a second father and true friend to countless people.
Randy enjoyed many hobbies. He and his wife, Lisa, built their home together and also refurbished several properties. They developed the Eldred Pond into a beautiful serene sanctuary. He had a sincere love of the land. Randy loved raising beef cows and pigs for family and friends. He enjoyed growing potatoes, sweet corn, and vegetables and often donated the surplus to local food pantries. Randy’s greatest joy in life was the time he spent with his family. He loved spending quality time working side by side with his boys; Peter, Weston, and Kevin.

Randy is survived by his loving family: his mother, Muriel Eldred, his wife and high school sweetheart, Ellisa, of 39 years, his cherished sons, Peter and Kevin, his beloved brother, Doug (Linda), his aunt Linda Metzger (Jim), his uncle Bob Eldred (Judy), his sister in law, Linda Pokrajac, his brother in law, Peter Wuerslin, many cousins, several nieces and nephews, and his childhood best friend, Randy Green. Randy was preceded in death by his beloved son, Weston and his father, Lloyd Eldred.

A memorial celebration of Randy’s life will be held Monday, Oct. 7th at 11am at the Owasco Reformed Church, Main St., Owasco. Burial will be private at the Eldred Pond. Friends are invited to the Dutch Hollow Country Club after the service.
Randy cared and loved deeply. His love will continue to be felt by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Randy’s memory to; Weston D. Eldred Scholarship fund at CCC Foundation, 197 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Michel S. Hutchinson

9/24/2019

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Suddenly on September 24, Michel S. Hutchinson died from an ongoing medical condition. He is survived by Diana Cole, his significant other and his parents, Suzanne Hutchinson (Sid Fisher) and Robert Hutchinson(Vicky) of Concord, NY.
Michel was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mary Louise and Lawrence T. Tiernan; his paternal grandparents, Robert C. Hutchinson, Sr., of Milford, CT and Judith and Thomas McGuire of Deer Isle, ME. His aunt, Sharon Pritchard of Milford, CT and several very favorite members of the Tiernan family, Aunt Mae and Uncle Frank Tiernan; Uncle Frank (Buck) Focer.
He is also survived by his aunts and uncles: Jan (Gary) Rodgers of Pittsburgh, PA; Thomas (Dr. Cheuk Bong Tang) Tiernan of Pittsburgh, PA; Charles (Marc Zanola) Tiernan of Aliso Viejo, CA; and Judith (David) Ross of Newburyport, MA, and many nieces and nephews.
Michel was born on June 30, 1970 in Pittsburgh, PA. Friendly by nature, Mike acquired many new friends after moving to Skaneateles in 1978. He attended Skaneateles Schools.
Since his extended family lived primarily in Pittsburgh, Mike quickly established friendships with his friends’ parents who became his early mentors, including Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Pat) Bowling and Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Vicky) Wheeler.
Mike graduated from Cayuga Community College with a degree in Telecommunications. Where his mentors, Professors Stephen Keeler, Robert Frame and the late Richard Mahlstead encouraged his educational pursuits and enjoyed his sense of humor.
After Mike chose not to continue in his original field, he pursued several career paths. Landing a position at E. John Gavras Center in Auburn, Mike found how rewarding it was to become a caregiver for individuals with special needs.
The Gavras Center, also, provided opportunities to work in the homes of individuals during the weekends. During one of these assignments, Mike’s path crossed with Father Albert Shamon, a highly regarded priest from the Auburn area. Father Shamon’s gentle demeanor touched Mike’s heart. Mike often stated that Father Shamon restored his faith in God.
Mike moved to Florida in 2014. He continued working with people with special needs. His main goal was always to create a situation that would make “his kids” laugh.
A Memorial Service celebrating Mike’s life will be held on November 16 at St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles, NY. The Memorial service will begin at 11 AM with calling hours immediately following in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made in Michel’s memory to St. James Episcopal Church, Skaneateles, NY; Borodino United Methodist Church, Skaneateles, NY; Cayuga Community College, Auburn, NY; E. John Gavras Center, Auburn, NY; or to a charity of your choice.

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Samuel Lonzo Hall, Jr.

9/20/2019

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Samuel Lonzo Hall Jr. of Skaneateles, NY quietly passed away at his home on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.
Born April 1932 in Harriman, Tenn., he was the son of the late Samuel Lonzo Hall Sr. and Audera Judd Hall. Sam was also known to family and friends in Tennessee as “Doc” and “Jr” and graduated from County High School in 1951. From there, Sam joined the Navy in September 1951, where he met the love of his life, Julia (Judy) Loperfido. He served eight years in the Navy, earning the National Defense Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Sam’s most significant duty assignment was with the U.S. Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan upon the U.S.S. Kirpatrick.
While in the service, he and Judy were married, and upon being honorably discharged in 1959, they moved to Skaneateles to live the rest of their lives in the family home. Sam then was hired by the NYS Correctional Services, beginning at Sing Sing Prison and spending the remainder of his career at Auburn Prison, Auburn, N.Y. He was also involved with the Mottville Fire Department for many years.
Sam will be fondly remembered for camping and fishing with his family, especially his grandchildren, singing Johnny Cash songs and watching John Wayne movies.
He was predeceased by his wife, Judy in 1998, and siblings, Ruth, Lester, Aubrey, and Harvey.
Sam is survived by his children, Joyce Hall, Carol (Mark) Speach, Tim Hall, and Todd Hall; four adored grandchildren, Kate (Nick) Sambuco, Nick (Christina) Speach, Cassie (Tyler) Dufford, and Zachary Hall; nine beloved great-grandchildren, Cole, Eva, and Luca Sambuco, Jimmy and Vicki Speach, and Maya, Sam, Anna, and Jenny Dufford. He is also survived by two sisters, Betty Jo Murray, of Tennessee, and Maude Taylor, of Texas.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Robert Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles. Following the service, burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to your local volunteer fire department, S.P.C.A., or your veteran’s association.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Donald Richard "Rick" Phelps, Jr.

9/14/2019

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Donald passed away unexpectedly at his home in Auburn, NY on September 14th. Donald was a hard-working man who loved family, music, stock cars, and the outdoors. He leaves behind his daughter, Katya Estes; his grandson, Casey; step-daughters Leah Smith and Sara Westfall and their children; his sister, Donna Fellows and her family; his aunt, Freida Stopyro who lovingly raised Rick and his siblings; his uncle Donald Stopyro and many wonderful cousins. He will, perhaps, be most greatly missed by his loyal companion and best friend, Emma (his dog). A small service will be held to honor his memory at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles on Friday, September 20th at 10:00 am.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Patricia M. Riley

9/11/2019

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Patricia M. Riley, 78, passed away on September 11th at her home in Auburn, NY, surrounded by the love of her family.
Patricia was predeceased by her partner of many years Rodney J. Clarke.
Surviving are her children; William Valletta Jr., Patsy Ast (Stephen), Mark Valletta (Tracy), Stacy Benesch (Steve) and Scott Clarke (Michelle) and Sean Clarke. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of whom were the joy of her life. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, the greatest gift to our mother would be to spend the day with those you cherish, your loved ones, family and friends, as that is what was most precious to her. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Gary Blain Trento

9/5/2019

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Gary Blain Trento, 77, of Skaneateles, N.Y., passed away Thursday, Sept. 5, at home after a long illness. Born in Syracuse, he graduated from the University of Virginia and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree at the Pratt Institute in New York City. He taught painting and drawing at Syracuse University for 39 years, retiring in 2005. He continued teaching atelier workshops in the converted barn behind his home until 2017. He was a highly accomplished artist, showing his paintings and drawings in dozens of galleries and museums in the United States and Canada. Among his commissions was a portrait of SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor unveiled at the university in 2005. He attended the opening of his final exhibition, a retrospective of his paintings, at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, N.Y., on Aug. 30. He loved to travel, teaching at SU’s London program in the 1987-88 academic year, then bicycling with his beloved wife, Jill Doscher, from London to Florence, Italy, where he taught in the summer program. Beyond his mastery in the classroom and studio, his consummate skill on his Ferris lawn mower and uncanny ability to create the perfect gin and tonic were legendary. He is survived by his wife, Jill; his son, Matthew Trento (Paul Rodrigues), of Boston; his daughters, Jessica Trento, of McMinnville, Ore., and Rebecca Arribasplata (Omar) of Delray Beach, Fla.; and his granddaughters, Isabella and Sofia Arribasplata. A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to HumaneCNY or the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Malcolm C. Downs, Jr.

9/3/2019

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Malcolm C. Downs, Jr., of Skaneateles, NY passed away on September 3, 2019. He was 93 years old. Malcolm was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on November 6, 1925, the first of the six children of Malcolm Clifford and Kathryn Bensinger Downs. Malcolm was a graduate of University of Virginia participating in the V12 officer training program and NROTC during World War II. Upon graduating in 1945, the Navy deployed him to the South Pacific serving first as a personnel manager in Saipan coordinating the building of airstrips and then in Guam as Harbor Master. When he left the Navy, he joined American Locomotives. He worked for ALCO for 37 years, retiring as the manager for the renewal parts division.
Malcolm was an avid sailor and golfer. He volunteered as a Deacon with First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles, as well as volunteering with Boy Scouts and Coast Guard Auxiliary. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Jane and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Malcolm was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marilyn and brothers, David and Floyd. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Jane, sons, Malcolm “Mack” (Gwen) of Holly Springs, NC, Michael of Skaneateles, NY, and daughters Nora (Ray) Wright of Glen Mills, PA and Amy (Mark) Widener of Newport News, VA. and six grandchildren. His two other siblings, Gladys Hull, and Deborah (Jerry Feldman) Kearney survive, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church Skaneateles, 97 East Genesee St., with Rev. Monica Styron officiating. The family will greet friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.