To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
Suzanne C. Ingraham Cyphers, 77 went home for Christmas on December 24th to be with her Lord and Savior. Born in Syracuse on November 2, 1940. Sue graduated from Cazenovia High School. Her greatest joy and life’s passion was her family. Her husband was her best friend. Sue and Dick proudly operated Cyphers Nursery for over 20 years. Sue loved finding treasures in antique shops and painting in her free time. Sue is survived by her loving husband Richard of more than 55 years, 2 sons Jeffrey (Margaret) Cyphers of Grantham, NH, Scott (Marlo) Cyphers of Huntley, IL and 2 daughters Wendy Cyphers Hamilton of Keeseville, NY, Pamela Cyphers of Madison, NJ, 9 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and many loving family members. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 29th from 2 to 4pm with a service to follow at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home Skaneateles. Donations in Sue’s name can be made to SAVES or the Skaneateles Fire Department.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
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Millie Fontanella passed away on Christmas Eve. Coincidentally, that was her favorite night of the year. Millie has lived in Skaneateles for the past 60 years. In 1969 she began employment at SCS. Millie thoroughly enjoyed her work, and it was there that she met her lifelong friend, Betty Edmunds. Upon retirement, Millie and Vic split their time living in both Skaneateles and Florida for twenty years. At 92 years of age, Millie was very independent and chose to remain in her beloved home. She was grateful for the many friends who would often drop by to visit with her. In many ways Millie was an extended “Mother” to all. Millie is survived by her daughters, Lorraine Bates (John Martin) of Northbridge, MA and Patti (Lance) Burghardt of Skaneateles, NY. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Victor. Services are private. Millie loved her grand dog, Coogan; therefore any donations can be made to Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY 41 York St. Auburn, NY 13021.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. John R. (Jack) Varney, practicing lawyer in Syracuse for over 50 years, died on December 23, 2017. He was 85 years old. He wrote this obituary.
I was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on Christmas Day, December 25, 1931. My early childhood was spent in Sioux Falls, South Dakota until my family moved to the East in 1941. We lived in Tonawanda, New York, where I graduated from St. Francis of Assisi Grammar School in 1945 and in 1947, my family moved to Syracuse, where I attended the Christian Brothers Academy. I graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1949 and was a member of the National Honor Society. In 1999, I participated in the Golden Jubilee of the CBA Class of 1949. After attending LeMoyne College in 1949 for one semester, where I was the freshman class student government representative, I transferred to the University of Notre Dame and enrolled in the College of Engineering. I graduated from Notre Dame in 1953, with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. I attended the 50th Class Reunion in June of 2003. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, I was a patent examiner in the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. from 1953 to 1956 while attending Georgetown University Law School, where I took a degree of Juris Doctor in 1956. I served briefly in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and in 1957, I returned to Syracuse and initially began the practice of Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law. In 1964, I joined the law firm of Hancock, Dorr, Ryan & Shove, which ultimately became Hancock Estabrook LLP. I became a partner in that firm in 1968 and specialized in the area of real property valuation actions and proceedings. I tried several multi-million dollar cases over the years in both the field of real property tax assessment review proceedings and eminent domain actions. During this career, I became a well-known practitioner in the field of real property valuation proceedings and published articles in that field and lectured to Bar Associations and Appraisal Associations in the field of real property valuation. I was admitted to practice law in Virginia, New York, and Florida and was a Life Fellow of both the American and New York State Bar Associations. I was also active in the Onondaga County Bar Association and State Bar Associations, where I participated in and chaired eminent domain and tax assessment committees. I was a patron of the arts in Skaneateles and Syracuse and was active in community affairs and was a member of the University Club of the University of Notre Dame and The Army Navy Club, in Washington, D.C. I was a lifetime downhill skier, skiing locally, starting at Drumlins and then at Labrador Mountain for over 60 years. I skied at all of the major western United States ski areas and for many years hosted an annual ski vacation for my children and grandchildren in Aspen, Colorado. In addition, I skied in a number of European ski areas in Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden, and Austria. I was a member of the Over 70 Ski Club. I was an inveterate traveler and traveled with my wife Judy Varney to all of the continents, including Antarctica and also traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. I was an avid bridge player and my hobby in later years was woodworking and furniture making. I was active in Democratic party politics and worked as the Upstate Legal Coordinator in the campaign of Robert F Kennedy until Senator Kennedy’s assassination in June of 1968. Thereafter, I chaired the Onondaga County Committee to Elect Paul O’Dwyer to the United States Senate and was active in the campaigns of many local elected Democratic officials. Three of my children, Christine, Kevin, and Molly, served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations. At one point, all three were working in the Clinton White House. I am survived by my wife Judy Foster Varney and six children; Christine A. Varney (Thomas Graham) of New York City, Mark W. Varney of Fairfax, VA, Brian T. Varney (Nittayaporn Chaiyakham) of Arlington, VA, Kevin P. Varney (Betsy Hildebrandt) of Washington, D.C., Jacqueline M. McKone (John McKone) of Arnold, MD, and Molly M. Muldoon (Robert Muldoon) of Severna, MD; and nine grandchildren; John Graham (Jenny Graham), Michael Graham, Molly McKone, Julia Varney, Colin McKone, Ryan Muldoon, John Benjamin Varney, Jack Muldoon, and Owen Muldoon. My first marriage to Mary Theresa Walsh, who predeceased me, ended in divorce. Jack will be missed by all who knew and loved him, his many nieces, nephews and cousins from California to Ireland who adored him. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at a future date. Contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the Skaneateles Festival, 97 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Tanya Ryan, 85 years young and a longtime resident of Skaneateles, was married to Emmett Ryan for 64 years and raised 8 children together.
Tanya owned and operated the Hilltop Restaurant in Skaneateles for many years and continued to work there until just months before her passing. Always a smile and joke at the ready, she enjoyed her work there and gained much joy seeing her longtime friends there each day, and making new friends along the way. Always an open heart and giving spirit to all who knew her, she also volunteered her time at Hospice and the food pantry. A devoted wife, amazing mother, and a gift to all who met her. She will be missed. Please join us to celebrate her life on Jan.6,2018 at the Hilltop Restaurant. 2-4pm. Donations may be made to Hospice of the FL in Auburn, NY or The Food Pantry, Skaneateles. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Dale Charles Elliott, 74 of Skaneateles passed away on December 6th at Seneca Nursing Home. Services are private with burial in Lake view Cemetery, Skaneateles.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Frances Mary (Kenney) Hole 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2017. She was born in Jordan, NY on June 30, 1934. She graduated from Jordan High School in 1952 and graduated from Auburn Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 with a Registered Nurse Diploma. She worked until her retirement in 1993 at Auburn Memorial Hospital, Hospice, and Community General Hospital. Her specialty was Geriatric Nursing. She lived in Borodino for 50 years and was raised on a farm driving horses. She always wanted to be a nurse when she grew up. She had 6 children, loved baking cookies, square dancing and attending grandchildren activities. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary (Ostrowski) and Laurence Kenney. She is survived by her husband, Jack E. Hole, they were married on Feb. 11, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Church in Jordan, NY; Daughters- Barbara (Stephen) Geier, Janice Beaman, Jeanne (Keith) Harter, Jacqueline (Andrew) Holmes, Kathleen (JD) Thomas; son-Robert (Julianne) Hole; Brother- William (Sharon) Kenney; Sisters- Clara Ramsden, Jeanette (Loren) Peterson, Patricia (Bruce) Jorolemon
Grandchildren- Jeff and Adam Geier; Nathan, Brandon and Chris Beaman; William Hudson, Alicia Wise, Markus and Mallory Harter; Matt and Michelle Hole; Delana, Kaeli, Chris and Alec Thomas; Maris Holmes; Great Grandchildren-Chance, Trenidy, Maggie, Grey, Noah, and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 9th at 10am at St. Mary’s of the lake church, Skaneateles. Calling hours will be on Friday, December 8th from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Borodino Volunteer Fire Department or Alzheimer’s Association. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Gwen McBurney 86, of Marietta, NY passed away on December 4th at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse. Services are private. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. Bevereley “Becky” Tucker, 87, of Skaneateles passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 with her family by her side. She worked as an RN in the Nursery Department at Community Hospital for 25 years. Becky was a member of the Skaneateles United Methodist Church. She was devoted to her 8 children, 16 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.
Becky is predeceased by her parents and sister. She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, John F. Tucker, children; Mark (Elaine), Kirk, Diane (Rich) McDermott, Terri (Daniel) Leubner, Brenda (Tony) Shea, Penny, April (Gary) Tucker LaPoint, and Daniel (Jennifer). A celebration of life will be held on January 13, 2018 at 11am at the Skaneateles United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skaneateles United Methodist Church, SAVES or Matthews House. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com. |
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