All Obituaries

Ruth E. Bergan, 101, of Freetown, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the Cortland Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Ruth was born in Buffalo, NY, on June 13, 1918, the daughter of the late Nikolaus and Anna Worthman Reisinger.  She married Norman Bergan in 1936 and raised four children, after which she attended SUNY Buffalo for a degree in Elementary Education, graduating cum laude. She subsequently taught for the West Seneca School District for many...

Rebecca L. Totman, 59, of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at her home, while surrounded by her loving family. Becky was born in Cortland, NY, on October 20, 1959, the daughter of John and Virginia Hulslander House.  She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Cincinnatus where she served on various committees and assisted as a driving force during church dinners and booster club activities.  She worked closely with her husband, Phil, at...

Anna K. (Kipp) Brookes, 95, of Homer, NY, and formerly of Marathon, NY, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019, at the Cortland Regional Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Cortland, NY. Born in Weehawken, NJ, on February 1, 1924, Mrs. Brookes was the daughter of the late Hiram and Irene Schem Kipp.  A longtime resident of the area, she proudly served in the U.S. Navy Waves as a radio operator during WWII.  She was a member of the United Community Church of Cortland.  She also...

James A. Kelsey, Jr., 53, of Norwich, NY, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019, at Bassett Memorial Center, Cooperstown, NY. Jim was born in Norwich, NY, on October 18, 1965, the oldest child of James Kelsey, Sr. and Marie Spinella.  He had been employed by the Chenango County Highway Department for several years.  Jim was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Marie and Veryl Pittsley of Plymouth; his father and stepmother, James...

Robert J. Gooshaw, 61, of Willet, NY, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, August 5, 2019. Born in Ogdensburg, NY, on November 10, 1957, Mr. Gooshaw was the son of the late Robert F. and Janice Elizabeth Barbour Gooshaw.  He graduated from Ogdensburg Central School and obtained his associate’s degree from TC3.  Prior to his retirement, he had worked as a machinist at Monarch Tool Company and White Sundstrand Company in Cortland. He is survived by his children,...

Rodger D. Blanchard, Sr., 90, of Baldwinsville, NY, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the Iroquois Nursing Center, Jamesville, NY. Mr. Blanchard was born in Taylor, NY, on August 21, 1928, the son of the late Davis and Edna Phillips Blanchard.  He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1952 until 1955 where he achieved the rank of Captain and then served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1965.  Mr. Blanchard’s main profession was as a meat cutter and butcher.  He...

Kenneth “Cougar” D. Martin, 60, of South Otselic, NY, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at his home, following an extended illness. Ken was born in Jackson, CA, on December 12, 1958, the son of the late Kenneth and Barbara Bendon Martin.  He was a 1977 graduate of Otselic Valley Central School and then proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1978 until 1981.  He was a member and past commander of the Perry Cook American Legion Post #963, South Otselic.  He had...

Daryl Lynn Pace, 36, of Cortland, NY, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2019, at her home, while surrounded by her loving family. Daryl was born in Johnson City, NY, on November 12, 1982.  She was a graduate of Homer Central School Class of 2000 and received her Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Cortland in 2008.  For the past ten years, she has served as a paid firefighter for the City of Ithaca Fire Department.  Daryl loved the fire service, helping the community and educating...

Helena C. (Hunter) Wells, 81, of Cuyler, NY, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2019, at the Cortland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Cortland, NY.   Mrs. Wells was born in Gouverneur, NY, on July 2, 1937, the daughter of the late Ray and Myrtle Casselman Hunter. She is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Henry Wells; and her children, Elona (Mark) Wagner of Cincinnatus, Henry Wells, Jr. of Florida, and Kenneth Wells of Cuyler.  She also leaves behind her...

Sharon A. Liscio, 72, of McDonough, NY, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at her home, following an extended illness. Born in Grand Rapids, MI, Sharon was the daughter of the late John G. Cook, Jr. and Mary Snapp Cook.  She attended St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan where she was a tremendous contributor to their efforts.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University and was a member of Mensa.  She was also a graduate of New York University.  She...