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Mary Louise Thompson

12/28/2023

    Mary Louise Thompson beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, died December 28, 2023. She was 91 years young.
    Born on April 25, 1932 to Robert and Katharine (O’Brien) Williams in Syracuse, NY she was a graduate of The Convent School, St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg MD and Catholic University in Washington, DC. One fateful summer, Mary Louise met a new neighbor at her parent’s camp on Skaneateles Lake, Dr. Stewart L. Thompson. They began a courtship that ended in their marriage on April 24, 1970.
    As a member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish, Mrs. Thompson served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the RCIA team for 10 years. She also volunteered for many years at the Stella Maris Retreat House. Mrs. Thompson was a member of the Syracuse Rotary Club with her husband.
    Mrs. Thompson was predeceased by her husband Dr. Stewart L. Thompson and is survived by her son Peter and his wife, Kim, their children Maeve, Colin, Molly, and William of Syracuse, NY, stepchildren, Paula Moore and her husband Roy of Loudon TN, Mark Thompson and wife Linda of Bristol, CT, Stewart Thompson of Loudon, TN and David Thompson and wife Debbie of Glendale, AZ, as well as their children and grandchildren.
    She is also survived by her niece Kathy Gentile and husband Michael of Endicott, NY, her nephew Robert Scott and his wife Sue of Clay, NY and her nephew Timothy Scott and wife Nancy of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, and their children and grandchildren, first cousins, Lawrence Ryan and wife Ann of New Jersey, their children and grandchildren, and Margaret Ryan of Syracuse, NY.
    Calling hours will be Sunday, January 7th from 1-3 pm at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday January 8th at 10AM at St. Charles Church, Syracuse, NY.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Syracuse Rotary Foundation or the Father Champlin Guardian Angel Society. To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Cynthia Dietz Tracy

12/25/2023

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Treasured by her family and her community, and a 1972 Post-Standard “Woman of Achievement,” Cynthia Dietz Tracy, 104, of Skaneateles and Syracuse, died on December 25, 2023.
She was born on March 23, 1919 at the Memorial Hospital in Syracuse to Hugh Hamilton and Susan Taggart Goodhart, who named her after a gravestone they liked. Cynthia had fond memories of growing up with her adored baby brother David, and maternal grandmother, Ida (Mogee) Taggart, who lived with the family during her childhood. Cynthia attended Central High School in Syracuse before graduating from The Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA. She then studied history at Smith College, and graduated with the class of 1940. In college Cynthia competed with the college’s synchronized swimming team and worked as a counselor at Camp Wyonegonic in Maine. Cynthia was a deeply caring person who believed in helping others, and this ethos, goodwill, and deep respect for humanity guided her life.
Cynthia and her first husband Gerry Johnson Dietz met at a summer dance at the Skaneateles Country Club, and the two courted for over a year (and graduated from Yale and Smith, respectively), before marrying at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse on December 21, 1940. The pair enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the world together while Gerry served as the President and Chairman of the Board of the R.E. Dietz Company.
Cynthia and Gerry soon started a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Sons Hugh and Michael joined the family, and twin daughters Susan and Cynthia followed shortly thereafter. The family enjoyed happy years on Burlingame Road in the Sedgwick neighborhood, and summers on Skaneateles Lake: sailing, swimming, and as members at the Skaneateles Country Club. Gerry passed away in 1993.
Cynthia knew the second love of her life, Charles (Ted) Sedgwick Tracy from childhood. When both were widowed, they reconnected and married at Park Central Presbyterian Church on March 19, 1994. They treasured their sixteen years together and enjoyed rooting for hockey at Ted’s alma mater, Cornell, reading, traveling, and hosting grandchildren and step-grandchildren during summers at the lake. Their grandchildren and great grandchildren were their pride and joy, and they were extremely supportive, involved, and loving grandparents to their large blended brood.
Cynthia found much joy in public service, especially at the Consortium for Children’s Services in Syracuse, which she helped found and where she served as a board member for many years. She was also active with the Park Central Presbyterian Church and her alma mater Smith College and served for 15 years on the board of the Huntington Family Center. She was also a member of the Corinthian and Century Clubs in Syracuse, and of the Skaneateles Country Club.
Everyone who knew Cynthia knew she was a keen bridge player and an avid reader. Cynthia would often ask visitors and friends what books they’d read recently, and she read three newspapers every day – and had opinions on topics and issues big and small. Cynthia’s curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and capacity to listen and remember details about friends’ and families’ lives remained constant throughout her long and fruitful life.
Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, her brother David (Elizabeth Covington) Goodhart, her brothers-in-law Robert (Ann Espe) Dietz III, John (Julia Grant) Dietz, and sister-in-law Olga (John) Turner.
Cynthia is survived by sons Hugh (Ginger Dunlap-Dietz) Dietz, Michael (Fouad) Dietz, and daughters Susan (Harry) Larsen and Cynthia Dietz, grandchildren Benjamin (Marcella) and Isaac (Jessica) Dietz, Cecelia, Virginia, Peter (Susan), Lincoln (Emma), Joseph (Anjulina) Larsen, and great-grandchildren Campbell, Harper, Iris, and Albert Dietz and Helen, Phoebe, Moses, Mason, and Eliza Larsen, as well as several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews. She was also stepmother and step-grandmother to the Tracy family: children Elizabeth (David) Hayes, Kathryn Tracy, Charles (Teri) Tracy, Anne (Barry Sumners) Tracy, grandchildren Timothy and Ann Elizabeth (Heather) Hayes, Kathryn (John) Tracy Rizzi, Ani Tracy, Marty (Tara) Bayard Tracy, Kristen and Sarah Tracy-Wanck, Nicholas Tracy-Sumners, and several great-grandchildren.
Services will be private. Donations to the Children’s Consortium of Syracuse or The Huntington Family Centers in Cynthia’s memory would be appreciated.
To send condolences visit:robertdgrayfuneralhome.com

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Helen Georgia Schillawski Dobrovosky

12/20/2023

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    Helen Georgia Schillawski Dobrovosky, 91, of Skaneateles, died December 20, 2023. Helen was born in Auburn, New York on May 6, 1932 to Henry and Lola Schillawski. After graduating high school in 1950, she attended business school and was employed by Red Star until 1960 when she married George Dobrovosky and moved to Hencoop Road in Skaneateles.
    Helen then worked for over 50 years as a secretary/bookkeeper for the family business, Dobrovosky Excavation. She and George raised five children and remained devoted to one another until his passing in 2003.
    Helen was a faithful New York Yankee fan, but she was an even bigger fan of her children and grandchildren in their athletic endeavors. She attended countless contests and with her notebook and pen in hand, meticulously recorded stats. Helen was an expert knitter and quilter and made sweaters, hats, mittens and quilts for her family as well as donating many homemade items to charity.
    She was an active member of her church and a volunteer with Meals on Wheels for 25 years. Helen's baked beans, potato salad, Kentucky butter cake and apple pie were legendary.
    Helen is survived by her children Daniel (Mary), Henry, Martha (Peter) and Timothy (Janet); grandchildren Kara (Brian), George, Keith (Blair), Daniel, Joanna and Olivia and great granddaughters Bennett and Reece. She was predeceased by her husband, George and son, Paul.
    Memorial service will be held on December 22nd at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Skaneateles with a reception to follow.
    Donations in Helen's name may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
    We will miss you, Mamoo!
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Donald E. Cox

12/19/2023

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    Donald E. Cox, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 19th while at the Iroquois Nursing Home.
Born March 14, 1937, to Harry & Mildred Hannum Cox, Donald was a lifelong resident of Skaneateles. He was an Army Veteran along with being an avid golfer, hunter, carpenter, storyteller, pitch player, and a friend to many.
    He loved to spoil his animals and raised everything from dogs to cats to pheasants. Not only was he a lifelong resident of Skaneateles he also worked for the Village of Skaneateles up until his retirement. He was always one who enjoyed helping those that asked or needed it. Donald spent the past few years at Camillus Ridge Terrace where he was well taken care of.
    Donald was predeceased by his mother and father along with his daughter, Jeanne Pratt, and sisters, Barbara Hawks, Betty Austin, and Linda Smith. Left to celebrate his life are his daughter Cindy [John} Delgado, Mother of his children Virgina [John] Shaffran, Son in law Mike Pratt, Grandchildren Mindy Pratt Rodriguez and Joseph Pratt, Great grandchildren Brixton Rodriguez, Iona Pratt, and Roxanne Pratt, Stepdaughters Susan Barrett and Jackie Heymsfield, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
   A Special thanks to dear friends Lois Exner and Peter Major who were always there for Donald and family even in the hardest of times.
   A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 1st from 12 to 4pm with a lunch buffet until 2pm at the Skaneateles American Legion Post #239.
       In lieu of flowers donations in the memory of Donald’s life can be made to the Skaneateles American Legion, 3808 Jordan Road, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Gregory A. Surbeck

12/19/2023

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    Gregory A. Surbeck "Dudley", 77, of Skaneateles, NY, passed away on December 19, 2023. He was born on April 12, 1946, in Auburn, NY, to the late Ernest and Anna Surbeck.
   Dudley is survived by his loving wife Linda Bishop-Surbeck, Stepdaughter Elizabeth (John) Wilbur of Weedsport, Stepson Nicolas (Danielle) Simmons of Cleveland, and his cherished grandson's TJ, Gavin, and Nicolas.
    Dudley attended Skaneateles High School and later embarked on a successful career. He retired from the Village of Skaneateles Dispatch, where he dedicated many years of service.
    A celebration of Greg's life will be held on January 20, 2024, at 1pm at the Skaneateles Fire Department.
    In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the Skaneateles Fire Department and/or SAVES. Contributions to these organizations would be greatly appreciated.
Please join us as we remember and honor Greg's life and the impact, he had on those around him.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Robert A. Brown

12/18/2023

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    Robert A. Brown, 76 of Skaneateles passed away at home on Monday, December 18th.
    He serviced in the Air Force and retied from the Veterans Hospital in Syracuse with 34 years of service.
    He is survived by his sister Linda Hosmer, brother Donald Harvey, niece Kelly Hosmer and her children William and Cadi Rock.
    There will be no services and will be buried in Maple View Cemetery in Cohocton, NY. Donations can be made to Hospice of CNY or Laker Limo.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Byron Richards

12/16/2023

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         Hendersonville, NC - Byron Richards 91 of Hendersonville, NC, formally of Skaneateles, NY died Saturday December 16, 2023, at Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville NC.
     Byron was born October 30, 1932, in Akron, NY to the late Robert Joseph and Helen Richards. He was a graduate of General Motors Institute in Flint MI with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he spent 15 years at General Motors.
     In 1968 Byron moved to Skaneateles where he worked 20 years in the newly created Fiber Optic Division at Welch Allyn and earned a patent for the flexible cord fiber optic bar code reader which is a part of our everyday lives today. He retired in 1988 and relocated to Hendersonville, NC.
    Byron was an avid collector of conifers and created, with his wife Hazel, an impressive arboretum that was visited by tour buses several times a year. Byron was a marathon runner and hiker with a goal of reaching the highest peak in each of the 50 states, he completed 29, many over 10,000ft. Byron was a fine craftsman, having built his dream home with his wife Hazel. Everyone loved Byron.
     Byron is survived by his wife Hazel of 67 years; two sons Tyde Richards and his wife Denise of Skaneateles NY, Dirk Richards and his wife Lori of Cincinnati OH, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
      Memorial service will be held on Friday, January 19th at 11am at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 21 State Street, Skaneateles with a reception to follow.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Pauline Kaufmann

12/16/2023

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    Pauline Kaufmann, 77, passed away on Saturday, December 16th, 2023 in New York City. She was born on July 5th, 1946, in the Bronx, where she resided for most of her life. She also lived in to Auburn and Skaneateles for several years, maintaining strong ties to the cities.
    Mrs. Kaufmann is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Kaufmann; her brother William Michalski, along with her sister-in-law Angela, and her nephew, Andrew; sister-in-law Ruth Brosnan, along with her husband, Walter, their children, and grandchildren; and sister-in-law Helen Kaufmann, along with her daughter, Jennifer. She is predeceased by her husband, James "Jimmy" Kaufmann.
    Funeral services will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 21st and Friday, December 22nd, at Fox Funeral Home in Bronx, NY. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 23rd, at St. Philip Neri Church.
     Calling hours will be held at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles on Wednesday, January 3rd from 11 to 12:30pm with a graveside service at 1pm St. Joseph's Cemetery in Auburn, NY.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Graham Witschief Wood

12/12/2023

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Graham Witschief Wood passed away peacefully on December 12, 2023, at the age of 87. Born in Syracuse and raised in Syracuse and Skaneateles, he was the son of Florence Witschief Wood and Charles Amos Wood. He graduated from the Salisbury School in Connecticut and Yale University with a degree in Industrial Engineering.
After starting his career at Smith-Corona Marchant, followed by Crouse Hinds and R.E.Dietz, Graham purchased the Ralph W. Earl Company, a fluid power distributor. With his background in manufacturing and finance, he saw the opportunity to offer customers more complete solutions through the assembly of complete hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Working with a great group of people in the company, his dreams became reality. The company’s further expansion into electronic automation solutions has been such a joy for him to see.
Graham was a past board member of the Fluid Power Distributors Association, the Rescue Mission, the Cazenovia Club, and Manlius Pebble Hill School. He had volunteered for the Francis House, which was very special to him. He was a past president of the Yale Club of Central NY and a past member of the Cazenovia Ski Club, the Century Club, the University Club and the Coral Beach & Tennis Club, Bermuda.
While he had many interests, Graham's greatest joy came from spending time with friends and family, with family trips holding a special place in his heart. Whether it was summer days on the boat, skiing with grandchildren, teaching them how to travel by train in a foreign country, playing in the sand on the beach, watching for the green flash at sunset, or simply playing hop on pop, when surrounded by family he was the happiest.
Graham’s best friend and wife of 63 years, Josephine Kane Wood, predeceased him in 2021. While he had known Joelle all his life, it wasn't until college that they fell in love and were married in June 1958. Together they built a wonderful life together, full of love and laughs, fun with friends and joyous times with family.
He is survived by his daughters Susan W. Holliday and Margaret (Terry) Holleran, son in law, Martin F. Holleran III, grandchildren, Megan DeJonge (Austin), Ryan Holliday (Caroline), Bradley Holliday, Shane Holleran, great granddaughter Eloise DeJonge and second great granddaughter to be born in June. Graham’s sister Nancy Wood Wellman and brother Charles A. Wood Jr. predeceased him.
Alzheimer's presents a series of increasingly tough challenges for any family. Over the last several years, Graham faced the challenges of this disease with his ever-present positive spirit and sense of humor. Our hope is that with awareness, education and research people will better understand the disease, how to support those with it, and how to reduce personal risk. Please consider supporting the Alzheimer's Association of CNY.
The family will have a private service and would like to thank everyone for their support. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Susan Ash Estabrook

12/6/2023

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Susan, “Susie” Estabrook, was born at Crouse hospital in Syracuse, New York on April 1, 1942. She and her two sisters, Carolyn and Ellie, were raised by their parents Janet and Henry Estabrook in Fulton, NY. She attended school in Fulton, NY, four years of high school at Emma Willard School in Troy, NY, and Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

In the summers, Susie’s family enjoyed “lake-life” at Fair Haven Bay where she loved sailing with her Father and sister Carolyn, and became an accomplished racer in her Rhodes Bantam sailboat.

After earning an Associates Degree in Communications, Susie followed her dream of getting involved in TV and Radio. She first worked in TV at Channel 9 in Syracuse, and later moved to WSYR Radio in Syracuse where she hosted her own radio show called, “A Date with Susie” with music and fun conversations. Susie chased her dreams of being one of the few female radio-hosts in the early 60’s and found wonderful success at an early age.

Susie had two children, Winston and Laura, and without a doubt committed her life to her children. She raised her family in Fayetteville, NY after a brief beginning in Camillus, NY. As a mother, she was loving and supportive and always encouraged her kids to pursue their passions. She never missed a game, a gymnastic meet, a school event, a life milestone, or a birthday. She was very protective of her kids and her family as they were her world. Her career while raising her children was selling residential real estate with majority of her career alongside her friends at Coldwell-Banker Burlingame. In 2005 she celebrated the arrival of her first grandson, Carson and in 2011 her second grandson, Bryce. Through Susie’s presence and keen wisdom, she instilled her strong values of kindness, giving, family, friendship, temperament and love in her kids and grandkids.

In the mid-1980’s Susie became a snow-bird and spent half of the year in Naples, Florida where she developed a strong group of friends, jumped into volunteer activities, travel opportunities and a created a welcoming gathering spot for family. The flowers and overall beauty of the Naples area brought her tremendous happiness and vibrancy.

Outside of her family, Susie was fully engaged in her community. She was a proud member of both the Onondaga Golf and Country Club and the Century Club in Syracuse and Club Pelican Bay, in Naples, Florida. She was a long-term active member of St. David’s Church in DeWitt, NY. She was a dedicated volunteer in Syracuse at the Syracuse Garden Club, The Everson Museum, Oakwood Cemetery and the Junior League. In Florida, she was a member of the Naples Botanical Garden, The League Club and the Naples Garden Club where she was a talented participant in the annual flower competitions proudly brought home the blue ribbon many times. She was one of the founding bundles-of-energy that started “Footloose and Fancy Free”, a fun group of single, divorced, widowed women who frequently gathered to enjoy comradery and the beauty, food and entertainment in the Naples area.

Susie was many things to many people: a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend, a mentor, a dog-lover, and a leader. She had a marvelous and humble selflessness that was deeply rooted in her character and demonstrated by her care for her family, her commitment to her volunteer work, her creative floral designs, her detailed trips she organized for the Everson Museum, and the joy shared with selling homes. She loved knowing she was providing wonderful experiences for others.

Susie lost her battle against cancer two weeks after a diagnosis and spent her last two weeks in Crouse Hospital. She and her family thank the teams in the Crouse Hospital Emergency Department, and the Cardiac Floor on 4North.

Susie is survived by her son Everett Winston Rodormer, daughter Laura Rodormer, grandsons Carson Rodormer and Bryce Rodormer, her sisters Carolyn (Milton) Frye and Ellen Ganey.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 13 at 10:00am at St. David’s Church, 14 Jamar Dr, Fayetteville, NY 13066, with a reception immediately following in the St. David’s Church parish hall.

Donations in Susie Estabrook’s honor may be directed to the Syracuse Garden Club, PO Box 6, Manlius, NY 13104, [email protected] (315-682-8697) or the Naples Garden Club, c/o Carole Whittemore, 2064 Isla Vista Lane, Naples, FL 34105.

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