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Sam R. Mason Jr.

12/24/2020

25 Comments

 
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Sam R. Mason, Jr., of Skaneateles and formerly of Homer, N.Y., the dear husband of Mary Lou Mason, and beloved father of Sam III, Linda, David, John, and Lisa, passed away peacefully on the morning of Christmas Eve, December 24.

All who knew Sam, loved him. His warm smile and kindness graced family, friends, and strangers alike.  He often talked of all the rich blessings of his life and had deep gratitude for a life well-lived.  He grieved deeply for Mary Lou every day since her death, after 66 years of marriage, in April 2017.  Their wedding anniversary is December 27.  We rejoice that they are together again in their eternal love.

Sam was born on August 15, 1926 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Samuel Rankin Mason and Gertrude Graf Mason.  His brother, Terry, was born in 1930.  Sam, from an early age, was a disciplined and talented student and athlete.  He was the captain of his high school swim team and led them to win the Erie city swim tournament every year he was in high school. He was also an accomplished tennis player and competed in the Youth US Open in high school. He graduated Salutatorian of his senior class.

Sam went to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania on a Navy scholarship and majored in Biology and Psychology and swam on the college swim team. The Navy sent him on to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania.  He continued to excel academically and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 

After his third year of medical school, he went home to Erie for a few weeks.  He was introduced to Mary Lou by his mother.  They went for a walk on their first date.  While getting to know each other, Mary Lou, an avid reader, asked Sam if he liked to read anything besides medical textbooks.  He replied that he had just finished War and Peace.  Sam claimed that Mary Lou stopped in her tracks and gave him a long look.  He always said that he owes his marriage to his mother and Tolstoy!  Sam and Mary Lou were soulmates and best friends.  Their joy in each other was inspiration to all of us.

After Sam’s medical residency in Syracuse University Hospital, he was assigned by the Navy to Camp Pendleton in California for two years.  After his Navy service, Sam wanted to practice medicine in an area where his efforts could make a big difference. They also wanted to live in central NY to be close to Mary Lou’s family and chose to settle down in the village of Homer, NY in the Finger Lakes Region of central NY.  He set up a private practice that grew to cover a large area in Cortland County and worked in Cortland Memorial Hospital for decades.  He was ultimately appointed Chief of Cardiology at Cortland Memorial Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Health Science Center in Syracuse.

Sam was inspired to help Cortland Memorial Hospital become one of the best in the region. He was committed to creating a new service in the hospital every few years.  Among the medical units and centers he created were the first ICU in upstate NY, a psychiatric ward, a radioisotope laboratory, a telemetry coronary care unit, and a cardiac rehabilitation unit.  He was a continual learner and nearly every year went to medical conferences and trainings.  He took the national medical boards twice throughout his career “just for fun.”

In the 1970’s he created a Bio-Medical Ethics Committee. He chose a nurse, a college philosophy professor, a Catholic priest, and a social worker to serve on the committee with him. Sam also brought hospice (the Caring Community of Cortland County) to the area.  He served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and the Special Children’s Center.

As Sam often said, he worked in the “golden age of medicine”.  He was passionate about his vocation, did house calls until the day he retired, got to know the families of his patients, and had a renowned kind and warm bedside manner.

Every few years, Sam took time off from his medical practice to volunteer elsewhere.  He worked for the Navajo Nation on their reservation in Arizona.  He worked in Zaire, now Congo, in a remote missionary hospital.  He worked with CARE Medico in Honduras, CARE on the Cambodian/Thai border, and with Save the Children in Sudan.

Sam touched countless lives with his kindness, intelligence, and humor. He was an inspiration to many, and especially to his children and grandchildren.  His greatest pleasure was to spend time with and hear about his children, and especially his grandchildren.  The family all looked forward to his speeches at every family gathering.  He would work for weeks on his remarks and would write multiple rough drafts.  They were always sentimental, appreciative, and witty.  And of course, they always started with a loving ode to Mary Lou.

Sam and Mary Lou had a joyful retirement, spending half the year in Naples, Florida with many family members, and half the year in central New York. In his retirement Sam became an avid cook and told Mary Lou that, after cooking for a family of seven for years, that she would never have to cook another meal.  He took great pleasure in pampering Mary Lou, doing all the shopping and errands in addition to cooking.  They did everything together – exercised every morning, took walks, sat side by side while they read their books, and watched a movie in the evening.  They stopped every day at 5 pm when Sam would prepare a delicious hors d’oeuvre and pour Mary Lou a half glass of red wine (for good health!).

Sam is survived by his brother, Terry, his children and their spouses, Sam and Sally, Linda and Roger, David and Jacqui, John and Margaret, and Lisa and Dan; his grandchildren Miggy, Sammy, Eliza, Farrell, Lucas, Gracie, David, Samantha, Holly, Olivia, Eli, Avery, and Jackson; and his great-grandchildren Jack, Will, Louisa, Frances, Alice, Mason, Charley, and Joey.  His memory will live on with all of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the St. James Episcopal Church, 96 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152.  We will hold a memorial service once we are safe from Covid so that we can gather together to celebrate Sam’s life.

You are welcome to offer your thoughts about Sam on the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home Guestbook page.
25 Comments

Pearl L. Card

12/20/2020

26 Comments

 
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Pearl L. Card, 91, of Skaneateles, passed away December 20th at St Camillus from complications of covid. She was born in Syracuse, to the late Nicholas and Anna (Scheftic) Lischak.
She graduated from Marcellus Central School in 1946 and from Rochester State Hospital School of Nursing n 1949. She worked at Krebs in Skaneateles while attending Nursing school and met Robert at that time. Pearl and Bob married September 3, 1949 and spent their remaining years on New Seneca turnpike, Skaneateles raising a family and operating Card farms and Robert S. Card excavation. Pearl love to cook and bake from scratch.
 She was a member of St Mary’s of the Lake Church.
She was predeceased by her husband Robert on December 13, 2004 and a son Charles Card in 2015. Predeceased by siblings- Pauline Pare, William Lischak, Walter Lischak, Jeanette Parody and Helena Fern Glowacki.
She is survived by her sisters Florence Larson and Annette Deon and sister-in-law Barbara Kuss. Survived by her children Nancy (Tom) Palmer of Marcellus, Bob (Sue) card, Bruce (Sheila) Card, Shirley (Rich) Williams all of Skaneateles.
She is also survived by grandchildren Tom Palmer, Jessica Dow, Katie Dixon, Nathan and Dan Card, Amy Vitale, Adam Card, Erica Kneeland, Mike and Molly Card and Vincent Williams, 11 great-grand-children and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be private for the family and burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Skaneateles.
Conurbations in her name can be made to SAVES.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.


26 Comments

Earl K. Shoemaker

12/18/2020

4 Comments

 
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Born 6/6/1933 in Elmira NY to Hartley & Buena (Earl) Shoemaker passed away at his home in Spafford NY on December 18th surrounded by family.
He was in NY State National Guard for 6 years. He was a long-time member of Spafford Fire Department and served 18 years as Fire Commissioner. He was a 54-year member of Operating Engineers, local 545.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Barbara (Cole) Shoemaker, his four children Michael, Nancy (Mike) Tierney, Joel (Cheryl), Matthew (Tammy) Shoemaker, a sister Sharon Chiang, as well as 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Burial will be in Spafford Cemetery in the spring at family discretion.
Donations may be made in Earl’s memory to Hospice of Finger Lakes, S.A.V.E.S., M.A.V.E.S., Spafford Fire Department or any charity of choice. Special thanks to Jody.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.


4 Comments

Louise Bishop Chave

12/17/2020

2 Comments

 
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Louise (Bishop) Chave, 96 of Sennett, died on December 17th. She was born April 26, 1924 at the family farm on Rt. 20 to Ralph S. and Mary Brock Bishop. Louise received her elementary education nearby at what was known as Marcellus District #8, then graduated from Skaneateles High School and Central City Business Institute.
She worked as a secretary at Crouse Hinds and a secretary at the Skaneateles and Marcellus United Methodist Churches.  At the end of WW II, she married Chellis Chave, Jr. and raised seven children.
She was a member of the Boyle Center Writers Group and was the author of several published novels.  She and her late husband enjoyed a rural life and bred Toy Fox Terriers as well as miniature horses.  They were honorary members of the Central New York Pony and Mule Driving Association and the Cayuga Cut-ups dance group.  They were former members of the Skaneateles Methodist Church.
Louise was preceded in death by her husband in 2008, sons John in 1986, Chris in 1956, and brothers Brock, David and Bruce.
She is survived by daughter Mary Lou Keenan of Edgewater, FL, sons Daniel of Williston, VT, Richard of Jamesville, NY, George of Arlington, TX and Gregory of Cortland, NY. Also, a sister, Harriet Cross of Webster, NY, 14 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. No services. Louise will be buried in Lake View Cemetery, Skaneateles. Contributions in her name can be made to the Skaneateles or Marcellus United Methodist Churches Building Funds.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.


2 Comments

Lillian Bishop Rogers

12/16/2020

2 Comments

 
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Lillian Bishop Rogers, 99, of Auburn, passed away on December 16th at Auburn Community Hospital after a short illness. Lillian was born on April 13, 1921 the daughter of Reece Bishop Sr. and Ada Brock Bishop. She married her loving husband George (Charlie) E. Rogers on June 14, 1941. They were married 59 years and 8 months until his death on February 16, 2001. She is survived by her daughters Ruth Elaine and Jane Marie of Auburn, her son Thomas C. (Liz) of Skaneateles. Three grandchildren Chad Rogers (Kathleen) Skaneateles, Lisa Stevens (Alan) Marcellus and Kayleigh Rogers (Jon Ryals) of Syracuse. Three great granddaughters Celia Joy, Isabel Jean and Lillian Clark Rogers of Skaneateles, special niece Barbara Benda of Skaneateles and several nieces and nephews. Lillian was predeceased by her husband George (Charlie) her parents Reece and Ada, infant son Edward James Rogers and granddaughter Jaclyn Rogers, sisters Gertrude Dell, Mary Haley and Gladys Magarel, brothers Reece and William Bishop. Two very specials sisters in law Helen Bishop and Betty Bishops. I thank Ruth for giving me a loving home for the last 15 years after leaving the farm which we loved and had so many happy years living there. Vacations, yearly trips to Old Forge, Sunday rides and stopping for ice cream at Gannon's and dining out There will be no services due to COVID. Burial will be private at Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com


2 Comments

Louise Marie Westphal

12/14/2020

7 Comments

 
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Louise Marie Westphal (Verdoni), of Skaneateles, NY, passed peacefully on the 14th of December. Louise was born at home in Wesleyville, PA to the late Joseph Verdoni and Mary Verdoni (Palermo). She is predeceased by her older sister Dorothy Harris (Muskegon, MI), and various cousins, aunts and uncles. She is survived by her beloved sister Mary Jane Clark and brother-in-law Dick Clark (Erie, PA): her children Frederick R. (Karen J. Stewart) Westphal (Auburn, NY), Bradley J. (Cynthia) Westphal (Bend, OR), and Lynne L. Caswell (Manchester, ME); her grandchildren Marthe (Brian) Thomas (Orange, VA), Alexander (Vickie) Westphal (Bend, OR) and Hannah Caswell (Los Angeles, CA); her great-grandson Riker Westphal; several nieces and nephews who brought great joy to her throughout the years; her step-grandchildren Brandon Stewart (Ballston Spa, NY), and Samantha (Sam) Stewart (Bill Morrissey) (Auburn, NY); and step-greatgrandchild, Avery Morrissey.
 Louise graduated from Wesleyville High School having been a majorette, prom queen and jitterbug champion.  Louise then put herself through nursing school in and worked as a nurse in Erie, PA.  Next, she raised her family in Skaneateles and Queensbury, NY, and when she was in her forties and her children were teenagers, Louise returned to school at Albany Medical College where she graduated with a degree as a nurse anesthetist.  She spent many years in this male dominated field at Auburn Memorial Hospital’s anesthesia department where she helped to bring the most current anesthesia thinking, procedures and medicines. Louise also worked in the emergency and maternity departments where she made many friends.
 In her younger years she enjoyed water-skiing on Skaneateles Lake and downhill skiing at the Skaneateles Ski Hill and Gore Mountain.  After Louise retired, she could be found playing bridge, golfing and cross-country skiing, traveling Europe with her friend Pat, volunteering at the St. James Thrift Store, delivering meals on wheels, vacationing with her family in Oregon and Maine with the occasional excursion to New York City and spending summers at her favorite spot-on Skaneateles Lake with neighbors, friends, and family.
 A private mass will be held at St. Mary’s of the Lake in Skaneateles followed by burial at St. Mary’s cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Saint Peter and John Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, Auburn, New York.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 
 

7 Comments

David O. Rapasadi

12/13/2020

22 Comments

 
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David O. Rapasadi, 72, of Skaneateles, NY passed away on December 13. David was born in Canastota, NY to the late Frank Peter, and Mary Carmella (Sgroi). David moved to North Syracuse and graduated from North Syracuse High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Brockport in 1972 and would go on to work in financial services for 30 years.
David loved music of all kinds and enjoyed playing the guitar and piano. Most of all, David loved his family and friends and relished the special times he spent with them. David is survived by his wife of 46 years, Maria (Prioletti) Rapasadi; his son David Michael (Kelly) of Mount Prospect, Illinois; daughter Gia Biel (Ryan) of Austin, Texas; and his four grandchildren; Luke, Nicholas, Gianna, and Renzo. He is also survived by his sister Maryanne Melbourne of Somerset, Wisconsin.
David was a loving husband and wonderful father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 4th at 10am at St. Mary’s of the lake Church, Skaneateles.
Live stream funeral mass YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjyMk15uW4U&authuser=0A
Private burial service will follow at St. Mary’s cemetery in Skaneateles.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.




22 Comments

Leslie F. Gettman

12/7/2020

14 Comments

 
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Leslie F. Gettman, 49, “slipped the surly bonds of earth” on December 7th in the loving embrace of her mother and two sisters.  Leslie grew up in Westvale and graduated from Westhill High School and the University of Scranton.  She then lived and worked in Washington, DC, New York City, Bel Air, MD, Takoma Park, MD, and in October 2018 she moved to Skaneateles, NY.
 
Leslie was strong and brave in the face of several serious illnesses and never once during her courageous fight did her kind spirit flag.  Leslie made friends with everyone and brought laughter with her everywhere she went; even in her darkest hour she was more concerned about others than herself.  She will be missed terribly. 
 
She is predeceased by her father, Charles Gettman, and is survived by her mother, Noel Gettman (Skaneateles, NY), and sisters, Heidi Gettman (Arlington, VA), and Hilary Gettman (Boston, MA). 
 
A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Leslie’s memory can be made to the Scleroderma Foundation (www.scleroderma.org) or to the ASPCA (www.ASPCA.org). 
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 

14 Comments

Douglas Pinckney

11/28/2020

52 Comments

 
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    Douglas Pinckney, 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 28th at his home in Skaneateles, N.Y. He was born in Auburn, N.Y. on October 16, 1938 to the late Wesley and Dorothy Pinckney.
     Doug grew up in Auburn and was an excellent athlete, lettering in four sports at Union Springs High School and “Mercury-footed Doug Pinckney” was inducted into the Union Springs Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. He served in the National Guard then started a career in radio with WMBO – becoming the voice of the Auburn Yankees.  
     Upon moving to Skaneateles in 1963, Doug started a successful sales company gaining lifelong friendships along the way.
     Doug was passionate about golf and his accomplishments on the course include winning numerous championships, playing in 49 Father-Son tournaments in a row, and scoring three holes-in-one. He also loved trap shooting and won a NYS Open Championship in the sport.
     Doug’s laughter was infectious, filling a room and letting everyone know the party was on. He cherished his family and friends. He was a remarkable father, brother and devoted grandfather—and the Best Man at all three of his sons’ weddings.
     He was a member of Skaneateles Country Club for over 50 years, and also belonged to The American Legion and numerous Rod and Gun clubs throughout the region.
 Doug is survived by his three children: Doug Jr (Georgina) and Chris (Cathy) of Skaneateles, and Mike (Jessica) of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren: Doug III, Madison, Noelle, Charlie, Will, Kaeden, and Ryland; and his sisters Jeanne Pinckney of Auburn and Linda Ireland of Tucson, AZ; and former wife Kathie Dyson (John) of Skaneateles. In addition to his parents, Doug was predeceased by his brother Robert.
     The family wishes to thank Jason Slottje for his great friendship and support, and Pam Sisson, Carrie, Pat. Shawnee and Brittany for their outstanding care.
     A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. In support of his grandchildren, contributions can be made to the Make a Wish Foundation Central New York and the Global Lyme Alliance.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 
 

 

52 Comments

Isabelle "Sue" O'Hara

11/16/2020

11 Comments

 
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   Isabelle “Sue” O’Hara of Sun City, AZ passed peacefully on November 16, 2020 at the age of 97, surrounded by her four sons. Sue is predeceased by her husband John “Jack” O’Hara, to whom she was married for 63 years. The couple moved to Sun City, AZ in 1994 from Elbridge, NY, where they lived for 31 years in the house Jack built on Sunview Drive.
   Sue was born in Waverly, NY to the late Domenic and Mary Constantine Alamo and was the youngest of ten siblings. She was predeceased by brothers Frank, John, Domenic Jr. and Anthony, and her sisters, Anne Garfield, Pauline Bean, Lena Alamo, Mary Keenan and Elizabeth “Tina” Alamo. She graduated from Waverly High School and worked several jobs until having her children.
   Sue is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: John and Kathy of Farmingdale, NJ, Michael and Betsy of Peoria, AZ, Joseph and Kelly of Skaneateles, NY, and Thomas and Lara of Glendale, AZ; and loving nephew Kevin Keenan of Houston, TX. She had many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and neighbors who were very special to her. She was a proud grandmother to her 7 grandchildren Ryan (Meghan), Katie, Erin (Alan Carroll), Jennifer (Jack Bullard), Mikey (Nikki), Lindsey (Stephen Babbles) and Amelia (Corey Knighton). She also had several great-grandchildren: Isabelle, Jack, Oliver, Owen, Brady, Molly, Isla, William, and Rory.
   Susie loved being surrounded by her family and friends and treated everyone special. She was adored by so many for her kindness, generosity, compassion, and strength. Everyone gravitated to Susie and Jack’s homes in both NY and AZ, where they were welcomed with open arms and of course, a pot of meatballs.
   Sue and Jack were devout Catholics and longtime parishioners of St. James Church in Waverly, NY, St. Patrick's Church in Jordan, NY, and St. Elizabeth Seton in Sun City, AZ.
   Services and final burial will take place a future date in St. Mary's of the Lake Cemetery in Skaneateles, NY.
   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Elbridge Library, 241 E. Main Street, Elbridge, NY 13060; and in honor of her husband, Jack, to Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter, 340 E. Palm Lane, Suite 230, Phoenix, AZ 85006.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

 
 

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