Blog Archives

Marion F. Lear

11/27/2019

Marion F. Lear, 90, of Skaneateles, NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by family November 27, 2019.
Marion was born in Cortland, NY to Salem and Nazera Ferris. She grew up in a loving family as the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Cortland High School and worked as an Operator with NY Telephone Company. She married Wayne Lear in 1951 and in 1957 they moved to Skaneateles. Marion devoted her life to her family, community, and church. She enjoyed helping people. She had active roles in many organizations including the ambulance corps, St Mary’s Parish, and Republican Party. She faithfully served the local, County, Northern Central and CNY Fireman’s Auxiliaries. She worked forty-three years as the Town Tax Collector and Assessor’s Clerk. Her beautiful smile warmed everybody's heart. She loved to cook, to visit, and to play card games with friends and family. She gave her love unconditionally to daughters, June Lamon, April (Jim) Dale, Lori (Jim) Milne and Mary Jane (Otto) Meier, and their families.
She is predeceased by Wayne, her husband of 64 years. She is survived by four daughters, three grandchildren- Adam Milne, Kristen (Dave) Marks, Claire Milne, two sisters- Tena (Tom) Maguire and Rena (Jim) LeFever, and extended family.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, December 11th at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles from 4 to 7 pm.
Private burial planned in Springtime.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Skaneateles Emergency Service- SAVES.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com

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Alice M. Tokarz

11/25/2019

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Alice M. Tokarz, 91, of Skaneateles passed away peacefully Monday November 25, 2019 at Upstate University Hospital @ Community General. Born in Auburn to the late Fred and Millicent Brewer Lader, she retired from St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was a Central Service Technician. She was a loving caring and compassionate mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. She was a special woman who everyone loved.
Alice is survived by her 6 daughters Linda, Diane, Donna, Maria, Suzanne and Melinda. She is also survived by her sisters Marilyn, Pauline and Freda, along with several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Lewis and sons Michael and Edwin.
Services for Alice will be 10 a.m. Saturday November 30 at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home. Calling hours will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday November 29 at the funeral home, 49 Jordan St., Skaneateles.

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Mary Jane (Grindrod) Fogerty

11/5/2019

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Mary Jane (Grindrod) Fogerty 79, of Skaneateles and previously Manlius N.Y. passed away peacefully on November 5th, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Jane was born April 6th, 1940 in Lynn Massachusetts to Warren and Alice Grindrod. She is survived by her daughter Tara Harris (Jim) of Fayetteville NY, son Matt of Skaneateles NY, and grandchildren Brad, Abbey, Mia Harris and Seamus Fogerty, her sisters Julie Donnelly and Paula DiCenzo and many special nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband Art, beloved son Mark and several relatives and dear friends.
Mary Jane was a graduate of the College of Saint Rose and went on to get her Master’s degree from SUNY Oneonta. She went on to successful careers in teaching, counseling at LeMoyne College and later in Real Estate. She also served in many volunteer roles, from crisis hotlines to school groups her children were involved in as well as the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce and numerous others.
She was a social person with many friends, many hobbies and many interests. Mary Jane loved her family above all else, especially all of their gatherings at the lake. She enjoyed travel and visited many places across the globe. She was an avid golfer and also enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, and walking with friends. Mary Jane loved attending all her of grandchildren’s many school and sporting events and was an avid Syracuse sports fan. She was a communicant at Saint Mary’s in Skaneateles and previously Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville and was a Eucharistic minister at both places.
Her legendary humor, wit and feisty personality will be missed by so many. Whether she was in Skaneateles, Hilton Head or Syracuse, Mary Jane was at the hub of all social activities. Her decades long gatherings with neighbors, friends and extended family were her greatest joy.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 1 pm at Saint Mary’s of the Lake Catholic church in Skaneateles with a funeral mass and celebration of life to follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Francis House, where her son Mark received such wonderful care a year ago.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com

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Michael I. Cates

11/4/2019

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Michael I Cates, 77, passed away on November 4th, at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a battle with cancer. Born in Lewiston, Maine, he and his wife, Ruth, enjoyed summer vacations in Maine and many trips to faraway places over the years.
Mike most recently worked as the building superintendent at the State Tower building in Syracuse, retiring after 25 years. Mike loved to play golf, belonging to 2 leagues and Treasurer of one. He was proud of his military service and enjoyed hearing, “Thank you for your service” when he wore his Air Force Veteran baseball cap.
Mike also was an avid New York Yankees fan, and he and Ruth enjoyed many baseball trips with Mike’s childhood friend, Jim MacBride, and his wife, Ann Marie.
Mike was proud of his 50-year membership of both the Cortlandville Masonic Lodge #470 and the Local 267 Plumbers & Steamfitters union.
Predeceased by his sister, Elaine Stout, and his grandson, Joshua Cates, he is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ruth, and by his children, Kandi (Dan) Horst, Brian (Stacy) and Annette Cates, Christopher Searle, 5 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, one cousin and many friends.
Services will be held at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home on Monday, November 11th at 1pm. Friends may call from 11 to 1pm. Burial will be at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Navarino immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Apple Valley UMC, P.O. Box 126, Marietta, NY. 13110.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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John H. Manilla

11/3/2019

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John H. Manilla, 96, passed away peacefully on November 3rd. A lifelong resident of Skaneateles, New York, John graduated from Skaneateles Central High School and attended Arnold College. In 1942, John left college to enlist in the 8th Army Air Force and was stationed outside of London, England. He served his nation proudly as a waist gunner on a B-17, flying 33 missions over enemy territory. After the war, he graduated from the State University of New York at Delhi. Upon graduation, he started the John H. Manilla Construction Company which he owned and ran for 50 years. John was very active in his local community. He was a member of many organizations including the Skaneateles American Legion Post 239, former president of the Skaneateles Rotary Club, sixty-five-year member of the Skaneateles Fire Department, the Home Builders Association of Central New York, the Skaneateles Country Club, and St. Mary’s of the Lake Church.
John was predeceased by his parents, James and Mary Manilla, his brother, Paul, and his sister, Martha. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife of sixty-three years, Marty; his brother, S. James; his four children -- John J. (Stephanie) and sons, Martin and James of Fairport, NY; Cynthia A. McGovern (Tom) and children, Meghan, Tommy and Patrick of Sherman, TX; Beth Sandora (Joe) and children, Stephen, Michael and Jenny of Yardley, PA.; and Martha Major (Mark) and children Kevin, Michael and Madeline, also of Yardley, PA, and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no calling hours. Services will be Saturday, November 9th at 10:00am at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has established a scholarship fund in John’s name. Donations may be made to the John H. Manilla Scholarship Fund, American Legion Post 239, PO Box 24, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
The family would like to give special thanks to the extraordinary caregivers at Upstate Medical Center, 9th floor units F and G.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.