Blog Posts

John E. "Jack" Burns, Jr.

4/5/2020

On April 5th, John E. (Jack) Burns, Jr., 87, of Marcellus, took his last flight out to be welcomed home by the Lord. Jack died of natural causes at St. Camillus Nursing Home. Jack was predeceased by his loving wife of over 52 years, Mary Anne. Jack leaves behind to cherish his memory five children, Michael, Carol (Jerry) Merriman, Kathleen (John) Copeletti, Susan (Don) VanCamp and Julie Higgins, along with four grandchildren he adored, Casey (Rachel), Katy (Brad), Colin and Angelina. Jack is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Jorge) Batlle and brother, Robert (Norma Jean) Burns.
Shepard Settlement was Jack’s home for over 80 years and, as the unofficial “Mayor”, Jack was the host to many dances, picnics and meetings for all to gather. Social hour in the barn was all day, every day, as Jack entertained friends, neighbors and strangers with stories, songs and inventions to fix any problem. Jack pulled off some elaborate pranks and all who knew him had a good laugh with him.
A graduate of Marcellus Schools, Jack made his living as owner/operator of Burns Truck Service and, with his father Ed, ran a snowmobile dealership for years. Jack lived a life of adventure, traveling from the Adirondacks to Alaska. Family vacations were filled with unpredictable road trips in the motorhome where Jack taught his children than the journey was far more fun that the destination.
Like his father, Jack’s lifelong dream was to own and fly airplanes. When not in the air, Jack loved to be in the woods hunting and fishing with his buddies, or volunteering at the Sabattis Scout Reservation. As a member of the CNY Bluegrass Association, Jack effortlessly played a dozen instruments and loved playing Friday nights at the American Legion.
Services at Shepard Settlement Cemetery will be private due to COVID-19. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Contributions may be made to SAVES Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Charles "Thomas" Weinerth

3/29/2020

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Charles “Thomas” Weinerth, 79, passed away on March 29th peacefully with family by his side. Born in Auburn, Thomas spent most of his life in Elbridge. He attended Skaneateles Schools and grew up in the Skaneateles Falls area.
He was predeceased by his son, Michael J. Weinerth and his father, William F. Weinerth. Surviving are his mother, Kathleen “Tiny” Weinerth of Skaneateles, his daughter Tammy Simmons (Derek) of Jordan, and a son Scott Weinerth. Siblings, Bonnie Adkins of Delaware, David (John) Weinerth of Texas, grandsons Hunter T. Simmons, Matthew (Tabitha) Weinerth, Joshua Smith and great – grandsons Landon Smith and Jason Weinerth; and several nieces and nephews. A special companion, Joan Vaverchek of Jordan and his dog “Dolly”.
He retired from the Local IUOE #545 Union. He and his good buddy James Gardner signed up together in 1966.
Thomas was a member of the Mahogany Ridge Buck Club, several Rod and Gun Clubs, Skaneateles YMCA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cards, line dancing, trap shooting, and nature.
Services are private. Thomas will be buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Elbridge at a later date. In his memory we ask for you to donate to Heathers Heroes for Hope, Elbridge or plant a tree or drop off treats to your local animal shelters.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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M. Minnette Frank

3/7/2020

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M. Minnette Frank, beloved wife, mother and daughter passed away on March 7, 2020.
Minnette was born in Opelika, AL on November 8, 1964; daughter of William and Jodi Reckmeyer.
Minnette was a graduate of Skaneateles High School class of 1982 and Syracuse University Bachelor of Arts class of 1986 and Masters of Fine Arts class of 1993.
Minnette was active in her children’s lives as Girl Scout Counselor, Boy Scout Counselor, craft programs and everyone’s biggest cheerleader.
If you met her, your day was better as a result.
Minnette was the glue that held our family together and words cannot express her positive impact on those she met.
Minnette is survived by her pride and joy; five children Michele Ann (Alan) Rochkind, Jordan W. (Colleen) Frank, Robert W. Frank, Meredith Marie Frank and William G. Frank, several nephews, a brother W. Herbert Reckmeyer, her parents Dr. and Mrs. William G. Reckmeyer and her beloved husband of 33 years, Bob.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 13th from 4 to 8pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral service will be on Saturday, March 14th at 10am at The First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, with a gathering following at the Skaneateles Fire Department. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your preferred charity in Minnette’s memory.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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William Frederick Huther

2/28/2020

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William Frederick Huther of Skaneateles, known to many as “Bill”, and many more as “Coach”, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 28, 2020. He was in one of his favorite places, Sanibel Island, Florida, enjoying time with his wife and family when he passed away.
Born in Utica, NY on December 9, 1934, he lived in both Hamilton, NY and Auburn, NY. Bill graduated from Auburn East High School in 1952 and played on the undefeated 1950 football team. In 1956, he received his Bachelors of Arts degree in History from Colgate University where he played basketball, baseball, and track, and was a teammate on the 1955 baseball team that played in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The following year, Bill returned to Colgate and received a Master’s of Arts degree in Physical Education.
Bill served in the U.S. Army First Division (The Big Red One) in Fort Riley, Kansas and Baumholder, Germany. He taught physical education, health, and coached football, basketball, baseball and tennis at various levels at Auburn Central High from 1959-1970. In 1968-1969 he was a Fulbright Exchange Teacher at Marshalswick School in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. Bill became a Guidance Counselor at Auburn High School in 1970, where he had a profound impact on the lives of generations of Auburn students until his retirement in 1994. Bill often said that teaching was “caught, not taught”, and there were no truer words to describe how he treated his work. The values of service, education, and the importance of athletics in personal development were instilled in Bill at a very young age by his parents, and he lived his life focused on building relationships with students, teaching them about citizenship, sportsmanship and personal responsibility. After retiring from the district, he continued to invest in young people as an Area Admissions Representative for Albright College in Reading, PA until 2009.
Bill was an avid athlete well beyond high school and college. He played semi-pro basketball for Kufs News, The Italian Village and Pecorello’s Market in Utica. He taught tennis during the summers in Wilmington, DE; Hamilton, Bermuda; and the Owasco Country Club in Auburn. Bill was a five-time Auburn Men’s Singles Tennis Champion, and the 1991 National Senior Games Men’s Singles Tennis Champion (ages 55-59), as well as the National Men’s Doubles Tennis runner-up the same year. His dedication to the athletic and educational programs of Central New York were recognized with a Section III Service Award in 1973. In 2002, he was honored to be elected alongside his father Joseph (posthumously) to the Auburn High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
A true citizen of the world, Bill remained active in a variety of organizations that were near and dear to him throughout his life including NYSRTA, The Cayuga Museum, The Schweinfurth Museum, Rockport Massachusetts Art Association, and Townsend Lawn Tennis Club in St Albans, England. He had also been active with Teenage March of Dimes, the Cayuga County Mental Health Association, was an advisor to YMCA Hi Y groups, and the treasurer of Friends in Service Here (F.I.S.H) in Skaneateles. Throughout Bill’s life he enjoyed - and excelled - at his many hobbies including golf, tennis, and oil painting.
Bill loved where he grew up and the communities, he lived in. Along the way, he seemed to make a connection with everyone and those relationships only grew stronger over the years. Former colleagues, students, and friends from throughout his life were always on his mind and in his heart. None of these connections, however, were as important to him as his love for his family, especially his six adoring grandchildren. In recent years, you could find “Bompa”, at birthday parties, sporting events, concerts, or on the floor playing with truckies. No family moment was missed, and every milestone was celebrated with a phone call, congratulatory note, or hug.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Cornelia Huther of Auburn and Hamilton, NY and Tavares, FL and grand-nephew Graham Murphy of Liverpool, NY.
Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years Carol, daughter Erika (Jason) Clark and grandchildren Leah, Jackson and Tabor of Marcellus NY; son Kevin (Christina) Huther and grandchildren William, Petra and Lukas of Medfield, MA; exchange daughter Kaisa (Jari) Kortesoja, and their children Eeva, Eero and Aune of Pori, Finland; sister-in-law Susan Bobbett of Saratoga Springs, NY; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held from 2-6pm Sunday, March 8th at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Monday, March 9th at the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles, 97 East Genesee Street with a burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the E. John Gavras Center, 182 North Street, Auburn, NY 13021, www.gavrascenter.com; F.I.S.H. of Skaneateles, Inc, 24 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152 and the John Dau Foundation, 97 East Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152, www.johndaufoundation.org

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Margaret "Marge" Sykes

2/27/2020

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Margaret “Marge” Sykes of Skaneateles passed away Thursday February 27, 2020 at home under Hospice care and with her loving family nearby watching over her.
Marge grew up in the Hawley Avenue area of Syracuse attending St. Vincent DePaul High School. She retired as a secretary at General Electric in Syracuse.
Marge was a member in St. Patrick Church in Jordan and was active in Altar and Rosary, Food Pantry and Bible Study. She treasured the many friendships resulting from these activities. She also volunteered frequently at the Food Pantry at Northside Ministries of Assumption Church on North Salina Street in Syracuse. She recently was connecting with the Secular Order of the Franciscans Road to Emmaus Ministry of Syracuse.
Marge especially enjoyed the luncheons she shared with her St Vincent’s graduation classmates.
Marge was a family person. So many memorable weekends and vacations were spent with family at the cottage at Bobs Lake in the Land of Lakes in South Frontenac Ontario.
She enjoyed hiking, bird watching, boating, and gardening. She was a longtime member of the Skaneateles Garden Club and a member with her husband Bob of the New York Forest Owners Association NYFOA.
Marge and Bob enjoyed operating Fox Ridge Bed & Breakfast in their home for 23 years.
She and Bob enjoyed a few recent trips to Florida to help break up the long upstate winters, and to visit dear friends and relatives there.
Marge is survived by her husband Bob, children Chris Couse of Galeville, Jim Couse (Michelle) of Skaneateles, David Couse of Lyncourt, and Mary Carroll (Rich) of Liverpool. Stepsons Robert Sykes Jr. of Skaneateles and Rusty Sykes of House Springs Missouri. Grandchildren Kaylee, Brendan, Trevor, Grace, Lainie, Aiden, Malia, Finnan and Sophia. A brother Dave Mancini and a sister Carol (Richard) Brostek.
She was predeceased by her parents Leonard and Rose (Pignalberi) Mancini.
Calling hours will be 4-7 pm Friday, March 6th at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7th in St. Patrick's Church of Jordan.
Donations may be made to Franciscan Northside Ministries Food Pantry at Assumption Church 808 N. Salina Street Syracuse, NY 13208, or to the Shepard Settlement Cemetery c/o Town of Skaneateles 24 Jordan Street Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Josephine Montgomery Gregg

2/23/2020

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Our sweet mystery of life, Josephine Montgomery Gregg, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2020. She will always be remembered as a person who saw the bright side in every situation. While she projected an aura of lightness and joy, Jo possessed incredible leadership skills and administrative savvy. She was a founding member and President of the Skaneateles Cooperative Nursery School, President of the Skaneateles Garden Club, and President of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers of St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. She was President of the Austin Park Development Fund and, in the mid 1960’s, Jo developed and participated in the successful annual fundraiser known as “Skane-E-Antics,” which featured humorous performances by dozens of residents each year. She was a founding member and later President of the Skaneateles Unit of the Syracuse Symphony Guild, President of the Syracuse Symphony Guild, and President of the board of the Opera Theatre of Syracuse. Jo built the annual “Polo for Opera” event, which was held throughout the 1980’s and 90’s.
She was the first woman to receive the Skaneateles Jaycees Award and awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce. The Junior League of Syracuse gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Cultural Resources Council honored her with their Service to the Arts Award.
She was the broker/owner of a successful residential real estate firm, based in Skaneateles, for more than three decades.
Jo, the youngest of three children, was born on June 6, 1925 in Atlantic City NJ. Her father, Harold B. Montgomery, was the general manager of the renowned Traymore Hotel until the Great Depression struck. Jo never forgot how her mother, Leonide Dagit Montgomery, picked up the pieces of their shattered lives and provided for the family. Her mother’s drive and determination inspired Jo in many ways through the challenging times in her life.
Jo’s husband, Holland C. Gregg II, was enlisted in the US Army Air Force and stationed in Atlantic City and, during World War II, Jo, her sister and her mother participated in USO dance parties, where Jo and Holly met. They married in 1946 and moved to Holly’s hometown of Ithaca, NY. Shortly thereafter they relocated to Syracuse where Jo would meet many life-long friends. She and her family, including three children, moved to Skaneateles in 1957. The New Year’s Eve parties at the Gregg household over three decades were the stuff of legend.
She and Holly were avid skiers and were founding members of the Skaneateles Ski Club. Jo loved playing golf and tennis in Skaneateles and in Vero Beach, FL where, in their later years, she and Holly spent their winter months.
Jo is predeceased by her husband and her grandson, Holland C. Gregg IV, and longtime friend, William Livingston. She is survived by her three children, Leonide (Bob) Connelly, Holland (Patience) Gregg, and James (Emily) Gregg. She is also survived by her grandchildren Christopher (Adelaide) Connelly, Beth Connelly, Jonathan Connelly (fiancé Dena Copani), Marietta (Thomas) Bolster, JJ Gregg and Keely Gregg. She adored her great grandchildren Sean Connelly, JP Connelly, Quinn Connelly, Avery Bolster, Benjamin Bolster, Luna Bolster and Nova Bolster, Griffin Connelly, Keegan Connelly and Sam Copani.
The celebration of Jo’s life on May 2nd has been postponed to a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Holland C. Gregg IV Research Fund, c/o Marietta Bolster, 47 East Lake Road, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Valdemar M. Lubieniecki

2/21/2020

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Valdemar M. Lubieniecki, 91 of Skaneateles passed away at Auburn Community Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27th at 10am at St. Mary’s of the lake church, Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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James J. O'Connell

2/13/2020

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O’CONNELL, JAMES J. (“Jim”) died peacefully at home in the town of Spafford, on the east side of Skaneateles Lake, in the presence of his loving wife and family on Thursday, February 13th at the age of 88. Jim was born in Troy, NY, on February 25, 1931, the son of William J. and Elizabeth (Walsh) O’Connell. He was raised across the Hudson River in Watervliet, graduating from St. Patrick’s School in 1944 and from Catholic Central High School in Troy in 1948. Jim then prepared for the priesthood in seminaries in Rochester and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse in February 1956.
As a priest Jim served as Assistant Pastor of St. Lucy’s Church, Syracuse (1956-63), then on the faculty of a brand-new Rome (N.Y.) Catholic High School, first as Guidance Director (1963-67), then as Principal (1967-71). He was a priest in residence at St. Peter’s Church in Rome, N.Y. (1963-66) and was part-time pastor of St. Mary’s, Florence, and St. Paul’s, Redfield (1966-1971). Jim was founding pastor of Pope John XXIII Church in Liverpool, a/k/a St. John’s Church, oversaw construction of the rectory (1971), church (1973), and rel. ed. addition (1979), while parish membership grew from around 240 families in 1971 to over 1,400 families in 1984. In the 1970’s Jim was active in several diocesan, statewide and national associations of priests, including one term (1976-78) representing priests of New York and New England on the (mainly lay) U.S. Catholic Bishops Advisory Council. Jim resigned from active ministry in January 1984 in order to marry.
Jim married Sharon K. Alexander in August, 1984. He completed legal studies at Syracuse University College of Law in May, 1985, and was admitted to practice law in February 1986. Jim’s entire legal career (1985-2020) was spent in the law office led by his friend Dennis G. O’Hara, known in 1986 as O’Hara, Felice: & Crough, later as O’Hara, O’Connell & Ciotoli. Jim practiced civil law, particularly Education Law, real estate purchases and sales, estate planning and estate administration, tax assessment matters, and municipal finance. He retired from the practice of law in 2020.
Jim was a Democratic activist from the age of 15. He served as CoChair or Vice Chair of CNY campaigns of Governor Carey in 1978, Ted Kennedy in 1980 and Mario Cuomo in 1982. From 1988 to 2018 he served many terms on the NYS Democratic Committee and, in 2016-18, on its Executive Committee. In 2018 the Onondaga County Democratic Committee honored Jim with a lifetime achievement award.
Jim is survived by his wife Sharon K. O’Connell, their sons, James A., of Skaneateles, and Daniel J. of Rochester, his sister, Helen M. (George) Lettko, of Troy, twenty nieces and nephews (9 Wilsons in Albany, 6 Holtons in Watervliet, and 5 Lettkos in Troy) and numerous other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents and by two of his sisters, Betty (Fred) Wilson and Mary (Tom) Holton.
The family will welcome relatives and friends for calling hours from 10:30 A.M. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 22nd at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, 81 Jordan St., Skaneateles, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon. A spring burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family. No flowers please. Memorial donations, if any, may be directed to Friends of St. Mary’s Florence (a 501c3 corp.), Community Bank, 41 Harden Blvd., Camden, NY 13316.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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Joseph P. Brillo

2/11/2020

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Joseph P. Brillo, 84, of Skaneateles passed away peacefully on February 11, 2020. He was born in Syracuse and graduated from CBA where he was a proud member of the 1951 Championship Football Team. Joe attended Bolles Academy in FL and SUNY Cortland. He came back to Skaneateles and started his successful excavating and septic company that he owned and operated for 51 years before retiring. Joe was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting and collecting antique cars.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Bella Brillo, siblings, George, Caroline, Georgia, and Mary. He is survived by his children; Peter, Joseph (Barbara), and Eric (Theresa), his three beloved grandsons; Jacob, Joshua, and Joey, and his former wife, Dolores Brillo. Following Joe’s wishes, his services were private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the CNY Alzheimer's Association; 441 W. Kirkpatrick St, Syracuse, NY 13204.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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James Lee Van Nostrand

2/1/2020

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On Saturday, February 1, 2020 James Lee Van Nostrand, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 76 years old.
He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Sara (Sepe) Van Nostrand; his daughter Beth (Van Nostrand) Caraccio and her husband Michael; his son Brad and his wife Patricia (Pabon) Van Nostrand and his beloved grandchildren, Dominick, Gianna, Gabriella and Scarlett, as well as his brother Gary, sister Lynne and many brother and sister in- laws, nieces and nephews. Jim is predeceased in death by his father and mother.
Jim was born on January 22, 1944, the son of James and Harriet (Boyce) Van Nostrand, and raised in Interlaken, NY. Jim adored growing up in Interlaken and often reflected fondly on his many memories of his small-town upbringing with his siblings and friends on the shores of Cayuga Lake.
Jim graduated from SUNY Cortland with a degree in education and received his Master’s Degree from Syracuse University. He moved to Skaneateles in 1965 and fell in love with the small town and community like the one in which he grew up. Jim was an elementary school math and science teacher for Skaneateles schools for 19 years and then worked in sales and marketing for many years after that.
On August 12, 1972 Jim married Sara (Sepe) Van Nostrand and together they raised their children Beth and Brad.
Jim enjoyed playing the piano, listening to music and dancing in many Skan-e-antics productions over the years. He was an avid bridge player and loved to socialize with dear friends and tell jokes. Above all, he adored his wife, children and grandchildren and wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. He felt such pride in their lives and successes. When he became a grandparent, he found his new passion and purpose.
Jim was involved in a car accident in 2007 in which he suffered a traumatic brain injury, dramatically changing his life forever. With the continued love and support of his family, he persevered for 13 long years, but eventually time took its toll on his body and mind, and he finally found the peace and freedom he so deserved.
A mass for Jim will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles, followed by a private burial and then a gathering for family and friends.
In memory of Jim’s love of education, Skaneateles and his grandchildren, any donations can be made to: The Skaneateles Education Foundation www.skanedfoundation.org
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.