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James H. Dougherty, 89 of Skaneateles passed away on October 28th. A funeral service will be held on Thursday November 2nd at 10am at St. Mary’s Church, Skaneateles. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday November 1st from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
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 Marvin H. Langley Sr. 99, passed away peacefully at his home in Skaneateles on October 27th. “What a Wonderful Life” is the title of his autobiography which reflects the joy and intensity with which he approached his life. After reading his book and learning of all his antics you might wonder how he made it out of his 20’s. He lived every day to the maximum and if you were with him - he wanted you to do the same. Marvin was the consummate story teller; ask anyone who knew him what their favorite story was.
Captain Marvin Langley was a Tank Commander in World War II. He was at Normandy on D-Day and in the Ardenne Forrest at the Battle of the Bulge. He didn’t speak often about the war but he did include fascinating details in his autobiography (which is available at Skaneateles Library.) Travel was a big part of Marvin’s life. He traveled extensively with his wife Emily covering 52 countries and all the well-known National Parks. With his second wife Rosie, he increased the total number of countries visited to 58. Marvin enjoyed sports of all kinds; playing, coaching, cheering and watching. Tennis was the sport he loved best and he was a lifelong golfer, tennis player and swimmer. There wasn’t a hockey rink in town when he moved to Skaneateles and Mayo Snyder asked if he would help start a program. With that Marvin and teams of 3 men would meet at 10 pm and use the fire hose to spray the blacktop where the town stored their trucks to make an ice rink. Fortunately, at the end of the first year, Bill Allyn stepped in and offered to help build an indoor rink. Bill also knew how to get the rest of the money needed from the State Recreational Fund. Ice Hockey in Skaneateles was started! Marvin was an entrepreneur and owned his own company. He was a Manufacturer Representative for several construction supply companies. He retired at age 70 from his career but never slowed down. Marvin shared his life, with the love of his life, Emily Williams, who he married at age 24. Emily predeceased him in 1995. Unlike many, Marvin was blessed with a second soul mate and married Rose Marie Bliss in 1996. He shared 19 years with Rosie who predeceased him in 2014. Marvin and Emily had 5 children; Emily (Lee) and her husband Patrick Browne, Anne and her husband Charlie McElroy, Judith (Minissali), Marjorie and her husband Scott Rockwell, and Marvin and his wife Patti. His 5 children blessed them with 13 grandchildren. To date, his grandchildren have produced 14 great-grandchildren. Sadly, Marvin was predeceased by his brother Charles Langley and son-in-law, Richard Minissali. Marvin’s last goal was to pass away in his own bed, in his own home. True to the end, that is exactly what he did. He couldn’t have done that without the care of his constant companions who were managed by his nurse Chris. Chris helped us all maintain Marvin’s quality of life. We couldn’t have done it without her. Another very significant person to Marvin was Lance. Lance was always available to help Marvin keeping his home and gardens in order. He was indispensable to all of us in his support of Marvin. Please join us in celebrating Marvin and his life. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles at 11am on Friday, November 3rd with a luncheon to follow at the Skaneateles Country Club. If you’d like to make a donation in honor of Marvin, please send donations to SAVES of Skaneateles or Laker Limo of Skaneateles. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  ROBERT D. HENNIGAN, Husband, Father, Professor, Engineer, Public Administrator, Veteran
Robert D. Hennigan, 92, of Skaneateles died peacefully on October 12, 2017. He was predeceased by his wife, Ginny (Egan) Hennigan, in 2004. Bob Hennigan was a doer. Whether in his professional, civic, spiritual, or family life he exerted commitment and confident leadership. At his retirement celebration a professional colleague humorously described him as “Occasionally wrong, but never in doubt.” Bob welcomed such comments as he exemplified Teddy Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”. A depression toddler, Bob was born in Syracuse and received his primary and secondary schooling at Most Holy Rosary and Christian Brothers Academy. Like many of his generation, Bob spent his late teenage years on the battlefields of Europe. A field promotion to Staff Sergeant presented his first serious leadership experience and developed his instinct to challenge authority. He honed that instinct throughout his life and imparted it to his children (Occasionally to his regret.) Educated @ Manhattan College following the war and later at SU’s Maxwell Graduate School, Bob enjoyed a long and consequential professional career. He spent his first eighteen professional years with the NYS Department of Health in several positions. During his tenure he was the principal architect of the Rockefeller “Pure Waters Program”, which laid the groundwork for the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act. Bob spent his final twenty-five professional years with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Joining the faculty as the Director of the SUNY Water Resources Center, he served in a number of administrative positions retiring in 1993 as Chair of the Environmental Studies Faculty. He educated a generation of engineers, problem solvers, and civic leaders whose subsequent influence stretches far beyond the ESF campus. Bob also served in numerous civic and professional leadership roles while at ESF. These included Executive Director of the State Commission on the Water Supply Needs of Southeastern NY, Chair of a number of Onondaga Lake committees, Chair of the Onondaga County Environmental Management Council, Chair of the County Water Quality Management Agency, and Executive Director of the NY Water Environment Association. Bob’s made his best decision when he married Ginny Egan in 1950. She enabled his professional success and together they provided a loving, stimulating, and fun household. Their greatest achievement was raising two daughters and six sons whose teenage years spanned the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Talk about commitment and confident leadership! They employed both while deftly guiding that crew through their journey to adulthood. Bob eventually displayed the same commitment and leadership guiding Ginny through her ten year battle with Alzheimer’s. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Hennigan of Westvale, NY and Karen (Jeff) Janson of Newburyport, MA, six sons, Robert (Margie-deceased) of Rensselaer, NY, Joseph (Mary Ellen) of Skaneateles, NY, Peter (Sue) of Hampton, NH, Bill (Moira) of Glenmont, NY, Dan of Manlius, NY and Christopher (Buffie) of Indian Land, SC, twenty-two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 19th from 4 to 7 at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 20th, at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Skaneateles. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Robert D. and Virginia E. Hennigan Scholarship Fund, ESF College Foundation, 315-470-6683, www.esf.edu. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  Skaneateles, NY — Myron J. Steen, 57, of Elbridge, formally of Skaneateles passed away early Saturday morning, October 7, 2017. Myron was dearly loved by his life partner, Tamara (Tami) McDonald, daughter, Madison, brothers Rick, Jon, and Leif plus a large contingent of friends, whom Myron considered his own extended family. Myron was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Margery (Olson) Steen, and Brother Eric Steen. Myron was born February 27, 1960, in La Crosse Wisconsin. He was a 1978 graduate of Tomah High School, was involved in high school sports - football and wrestling, an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and all outdoor activities. Myron had a distinguished career as an electrical engineer with Southwestern Bell, and was transferred from Chicago IL to Central NY in 1990 leading to his first retirement. His subsequent career was as a superior craftsman and contractor who brought joy to his clients with his exceptional skills. His motto was he now does not have a ‘job’, but earns a living doing what he does best and loves to do each and every day. The associated pride and attention to details is evident and carries on through all the projects he touched. Myron was very generous with his time: As a Vice-Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Post 239, Skaneateles, he was devoted to honoring our military veterans, making them feel honored, respected, supported. Myron carried the passion to make the legion post a continually better place for our veterans of all ages, and service levels to feel welcome and be comfortable. His involvement on the Legions management and oversight committees resulted in numerous major capital improvement projects to the legion, that would not have been accomplished without Myron’s expertise, contributions and leadership. Myron was a board director, and volunteer for the Skaneateles Laker Limo. He carried this devotion to help those in need and you would see him driving and assisting many to get to their destinations and home safely. A man who was always giving back. Myron was an outgoing person, lived life to its fullest. and touched many with his naturally kind, loving demeanor. He was a great friend to many, and was always considered a new friend to anyone who had the pleasure to meet him. He was an idol to those he mentored and helped teach the skills he was blessed to have, and share. Myron will be truly missed by one and all, and his legacy will continue on with so many memories to be shared. His natural ability to make all those around him smile and feel good affected so many throughout his life.
A celebration of Myron’s life will be held Thursday, October 12, at 2:00 pm at St. James Episcopal Church, Skaneateles. Immediately following will be a reception for family and friends at the American Legion, 3808 Jordan Road, Skaneateles. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Steen Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O The American Legion, 3808 Jordan Road, Skaneateles NY 13152 To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.  Jane L. Andersen, age 79, passed away on October 4, 2017, in her home in Skaneateles, New York, after a year battling cancer. Her loving life partner of three decades, Joe Gresser, was at her side. Jane was born on October 20, 1937, in Rochester, NY. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1955 and then Syracuse University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She also earned a Master’s in Education from The College at Brockport, State University of New York. Jane spent her entire career teaching in elementary schools in New Jersey and New York, and later taught math to middle and upper school students. For several years she also taught evening classes at the Auburn Correctional Facility, preparing inmates for better lives after prison. Her last fifteen years of teaching were at DeRuyter Central School in DeRuyter, NY. Her contributions to her students went far beyond mathematics. She encouraged them to be committed students, go onto college and aspire to fulfill their dreams. Because she was a strong, independent feminist, she was a role model to many middle school girls, many of whom stayed in contact with her for years. Several years after retirement in 2005, she returned to DeRuyter to receive a special honor for her dedication to teaching.
Jane was politically astute and used her math and science intellect to better understand and take action against climate change and fracking. She was a proud feminist, who believed in reproductive justice, higher education and equal pay for women, and the right of a woman to choose when to start a family. She was a staunch believer in equal rights and civil liberties and is remembered by family and friends for her activism, advocacy and participation in many marches and protests. Jane loved the outdoors, especially insects and wildflowers. Throughout her entire life it was very important for her to stay fit and she was drawn mostly to running. In her later years she even bought a bicycle so that she could improve her balance! She was also a regular skier at Song Mountain, even at age 78. You could often see Jane working in her lovely yard, weeding, mowing the lawn, or snow blowing. She successfully tackled any mechanical challenge and loved to learn new things – including how to fix her tractor and snow blower. Jane was accurately described by her grandnieces as “strong, fun and open-minded.” Jane and her beloved life partner Joe spent time in Skaneateles and Boston, but also loved visiting one of their favorite places, the beautiful outdoors of Henniker, NH. Joe and Jane found true love together and Joe was a devoted partner and caretaker. Jane is also survived by her son, Scot Andersen, his wife Corrin, and their children Maxine (age 8) and Kai (age 5) of Avon, CT. Sadly, Jane’s other son, Marc Andersen, died in 2001. Jane raised her two boys in New Hope, PA, a borough in Bucks County along the Delaware River. Her friend and ex-husband, Benny Andersen, originally from Denmark, lives in Doylestown, PA. She maintained many friendships in Denmark over the years. Jane is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lynda and Ray Skaddan from Philadelphia, PA (Jane and Lynda’s mother, Francis Telford Comstock, known as “Nana”, died at age 87 in 1991); nephew Dana Skaddan, his wife Sue, and their children, Ray and Brandy from Fairfax Station, VA; niece Leza Perkins, her husband Tom, and their children, Chase and Devon from Jenkintown, PA; niece Holly Skaddan and her children, Ryan and Michael from Doylestown, PA; niece Tracy Skaddan and her children, Lily and Lucy from San Diego, CA; cousin Robert Hovey, his wife Wendy, and their children Jonathan and Adrienne from Horseheads, NY; and cousin Zoe Levitsky and her husband John Clark of Comox BC. Family and friends will gather to celebrate and honor Jane on November 4, 2017, at 2pm at her home in Skaneateles, NY. Jane’s family would like to thank Hospice of the Finger Lakes for their kindness and care. If you would like to make a donation in her memory to a charity she supported, please contact The National Organization for Women at now.org, National Public Radio at npr.org or a Planned Parenthood affiliate near you. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. |
