Blog Archives

Janice Marie Hugan Ahrens

9/27/2020

Janice Marie Hugan Ahrens, 83, passed into rest after a long illness. She was a resident of the Skaneateles, Marcellus area since 1974. Janice moved here with her husband from Buffalo for a promotion. Janice was dedicated to and dearly loved her family. She is survived by her loving husband, George F. Ahrens, daughter Deborah (Mark) Halloran and Pamela Gross, grandson Alexander (Colleen Dorgan) Gross, sister Marilyn Norman, and sister in law Linda Pietrzak, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was an avid gardener and a yoga enthusiast. She was forever grateful for her years spent on the water at Skaneateles Lake. At 48 she graduated with a degree in social services and spent time as a hospice volunteer at the Matthews House in Auburn, NY.
Services are private, Janice will be laid to rest in Acacia Park Cemetery in North Tonawanda. Contributions can be made in her memory to the Matthew House 43 Metcalf Drive Auburn, NY 13021 or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Helen A. Austin

9/18/2020

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Helen A. Austin, 101, of Auburn, passed away on Friday September 18th. She was born at home on April 2, 1919 in Niles, NY. Helen was the daughter of Charles and Edna Gravitt. Helen was a homemaker and she was a member of Owasco Reformed Church. Helen was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who enjoyed sewing, crocheting, canning, and growing flowers. She enjoyed traveling to Florida and spending her winters each year with her husband Harold in years past.
She is survived by her son Norman E. Austin and his wife Mary K. Austin; seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Helen was predeceased by her husband Harold A. Austin, daughter Cynthia A. Austin, and sister Doris Rejman.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd at 11am at Owasco Rural Cemetery.
The Austin family thanks the staff at AMH and The Commons for their care and support. Donations may be made in Helen’s memory to Owasco Fire Department, Fleming Fire Department and Owasco Reformed Church. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Robert G. Werner (Bob)

9/13/2020

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Robert G. Werner (Bob) passed peacefully September 13, 2020 surrounded by family after a brief battle with cancer. Born March 6, 1936 in South Bend, Indiana, he graduated from Purdue University, married his beloved wife Jo (Hite) and spent 2 years serving in the Marine Corps. He went on to get a Master’s degree from UCLA and a PhD from Indiana University. In 1966 the family moved to Syracuse, New York where he began teaching at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. His specialty was ichthyology and limnology. He also spent 2 years at Cornell University before returning to ESF and moving to Skaneateles where he has become a champion of Skaneateles Lake and the surrounding Finger Lakes. He was actively involved in managing invasive species and caring for the general health of the lakes.
Additionally, in 1978 Bob spent 6 months in Oban, Scotland working with the Scottish Marine Biological Association and in 1988 Bob and Jo went to Argentina under a Fulbright Scholarship.
Bob’s love for the Finger Lakes and the community of which he was a part was superseded only by his love for his family. He was an inspiration to many not only in his intelligence and scientific knowledge, but also in his patient and modest way. Bob leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, a daughter Kitty Robinson (Andy), a son Kurt, a sister Anita (Richard) O’Toole, and a brother Michael (Virginia) Werner and 5 grandchildren; Jeff (Jamie), Corey and Haley Werner, Rachel and Anita Robinson.
There is a CaringBridge website for Robert Werner where we will post information on a memorial sometime in the future. You can subscribe to the site to receive e-mail updates.
Donations can be made to Skaneateles Lake Association or Finger Lakes Land Trust.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Robert Carl Spearing

9/4/2020

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Robert Carl Spearing of Marietta, NY passed away unexpectedly on September 4th, 2020 while mountain biking with his dear friends in the Adirondack Mountains. He was only 53 years old.
Rob was born on November 12th, 1966 in Auburn, NY. He graduated from Jordan-Elbridge High School in 1985. Rob first attended the State University of New York at Oswego where he received a bachelor’s degree in teaching and then attended the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he received a second bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Rob began his young engineering career at Phillips and then moved to Pall Trinity in Cortland in 1991. In 2012 he moved to the Carrier Transicold Corporation as an engineering manager. Within eight years he had been promoted to an Associate Director of Engineering Management position. He was incredibly respected by his peers and colleagues alike.
A passionate and enthusiastic hunter and fisherman, an avid boater and adventurer, Rob loved to be outdoors. He cherished his time as a charter boat captain on Lake Ontario for 7 years through his college years and beyond. Rob joined the Cazenovia Fire Department in the late nineties where he served there for 11 years as an officer. During that time, he enjoyed conducting training for the Madison County Search and Rescue Dive Team. In 2009, Rob moved to Otisco Lake and joined the Amber Fire Department not only becoming a respected member and receiving their 2014 Fire Fighter of the Year Award, but also a man who fully embraced the members of the lake community.
Rob 1st became a father in 1996 when his son Tristan was born and again in 2002 when he adopted his daughter Victoria, he embraced fatherhood spending every moment possible with his children. From coaching their baseball teams, teaching them to ski, taking them hiking, attending their swim meets and attending Victoria’s soccer games, he was a constant encourager and mentor. He cherished his role as their Dad and adored them beyond compare. Rob passed on his large passion for life, his sense of adventure, his gentle kindness and ever-expansive generosity.

In 2009, he met his future wife, his true soul mate and love of his life, Jennifer Tambroni Spearing. They married on January 7th, 2012 and he did not hesitate to take a place beside Zachary & Olivia Maitland (Kopec), in his role as their father, embracing them with love, wise guidance and happiness.
He was a selfless man of true character. A kind, gentle and humble man who was loved, respected and revered by family, friends and colleagues alike. Perpetually happy and always looking for the next great adventure to embark upon; his positive energy and fun spirit have left a gaping hole in a sea of aching hearts. He effortlessly and kindly touched so many, many lives in a positive and meaningful way. The sudden, tragic passing of his beautiful soul is shocking and has left many in unbearable pain. He would have wanted everyone to make sure to be excellent to each other through this difficult time.
In addition to wife Jennifer and children Zachary, Olivia, Victoria and Tristan, he is survived by his mother, Sheril Spearing, sister Karen Spearing Sikorski and her daughters; Ashley Sikorski (Zachary Edwards), Caitlyn Sikorski (Dan Culotta), great niece Kadence Sikorski, son in law, Paul Kopec and grandson, Paul Kopec Jr. He is predeceased by his father, William F Spearing and brother in law, Rich Sikorski.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 17th from 4 to 8 pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
The open-air funeral will be held on Friday, September18th beginning at 10 am at the Lafayette Apple Festival grounds – 5330 Rowland Road, La Fayette NY 13084. Please dress accordingly and plan to arrive promptly at 10 am to seat yourself/group in the lawn. Chairs will be provided at the venue. We ask that you bring a face covering and practice the allotted 6 feet of social distancing between groups. We invite you to join us after the service for a meal and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Amber Volunteer Fire Department.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Charles Bradford Rounds

9/2/2020

22 Comments

Charles Bradford Rounds (CBR, Charlie), 69 of Skaneateles passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday.
Charlie, a reputable lifetime resident of Skaneateles, contributed immensely to our community throughout his career by developing and enhancing many of our lakeside properties through his business ‘The Boat Barn.’ Charlie fully restored the Civil War cannons in the Lakeview cemetery for our community. His generosity, meticulous craftsmanship and extraordinary memory of our community’s history and culture will long be remembered.
Charlie is survived by his wife Melanie, daughter Abby, his favorite little friend Grace and a grandson Jonathan. He is also survived by his cousin Dave Rounds, step mom Eloise Wentzel, step sisters Leslie and Leigh, step brother Van. Several nieces and nephews, and his many, many dearly loved friends.
Charles’s wishes were in lieu of flowers please donate to the SPCA. He loved his kitties Max and Emmy with all his heart. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 9th from 4 to 6pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Masks are required and limited entry in the building at one time. There will be a celebration of Charles’s life at a later date.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.