Life Story

Dec 24, 2014

George W. Keefer, 91, of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, following a brief illness.

Born in Englewood, NJ on February 12, 1923, Mr. Keefer was the son of the late George A. and Alma Schlick Keefer. He was a retired dock builder with Carpenter’s Union Local #1546 in New York, NY.

He is survived by his...

Dec 4, 2014

Patric F. Loomis, 52, of McDonough, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 4, 2014, at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich, NY.

Born in Cortland, NY on May 23, 1962, Pat was a son of the late Floyd Loomis and Edna Harvey.  A lifetime resident of this area, he was a “graduate” of Cincinnatus Central School and worked as a toolmaker...

Dec 2, 2014

Halstead C. Hopkins II, 72, of Taylor, NY, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

Hal was born in Paterson, NJ on April 28, 1942, a son of the late Halstead and Evanna Winans Hopkins.  He retired from Norwich Pharmaceuticals in 2005 and prior to that had worked at Syracuse China.  Hal was a very accomplished...

Dec 2, 2014

Rita H. Stith, 77, of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at her home in Pitcher, while surrounded by her family.

Born on January 13, 1937, Rita was a daughter of the late Harry and Belle Moon Hicks.  A longtime resident of Pitcher, she was a 1953 graduate of Otselic Valley School.  She held several jobs in...

Nov 30, 2014

Constance F. Black, 81, formerly of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014, in Boston, MA.

Connie was born in Dundee, Quebec, Canada, on January 10, 1933, a daughter of the late George and Annie McPherson Benane.  A resident of Cincinnatus from 1962 until 1999, she was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic...

Nov 4, 2014

Ernest George “Corky” Dykeman, 59, of Cortland, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, in Farmington Hills, MI.

Corky was born in Cortland, NY on December 7, 1954, the son of the late Walter and Louise Bishop Dykeman.  A longtime resident of the area, he was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.  He had worked at...

Oct 26, 2014

Lura “Nana” Margaret Bush Turshman, 79, of German, NY, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 26, 2014, while surrounded by her family.

Lura was born in Cortland, NY on November 5, 1934, the daughter of the late Floyd and Margaret Ryan Bush.  Throughout her life, she was involved in dairy farming where she could milk cows; and...

Oct 15, 2014

Mary T. Gasiorowski, 87, of Kirkwood (Binghamton), NY, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at Binghamton General Hospital, Binghamton, NY.

Mrs. Gasiorowski was born in Binghamton, NY on May 12, 1927, the daughter of the late Stanley and Catherine Wnek Dec.  A lifelong resident of the area, she was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Kirkwood.  She was...

Oct 5, 2014

James D. Vosburg, 46, of Freetown, NY, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2014, at University Hospital, Syracuse, NY, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Jim was born in Cortland, NY on May 25, 1968, the son of Douglas Vosburg and Sheila Taft.  A graduate of Cincinnatus Central School, Jim was a member of the Iron Worker’s Union and...

Sep 20, 2014

Wilma Ruth (Stith) Closson, also known as “GG,” 77, of Cincinnatus (Taylor), NY, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2014, at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, NY, while surrounded by her family.

Born in North Pitcher, NY on January 10, 1937, Mrs. Closson was the daughter of the late William and Myrtle Carr Stith.  A lifelong resident of the area,...

Sep 20, 2014

R. Henry Knickerbocker, 90, of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away at his home on Saturday, September 20, 2014, while surrounded by his family.

Henry was born in Cincinnatus, NY on June 25, 1924, the son of the late Edwin and Helen Murray Knickerbocker.  A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus.  He...

Sep 14, 2014

Edward Eugene Allen, 56, of Syracuse, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 14, 2014, at his home in Syracuse.

Born in Syracuse, NY on September 1, 1958, Eddie was the son of the late Eugene and Geraldine Gleason Allen.

He is survived by his siblings, Beverly Marshall, of Florida, Joanne (David) Morgan of Hamilton, Deborah Parkhurst of S. Otselic,...

Sep 10, 2014

Delores A. McCann, 73, of Willet, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 17, 1940, Delores was the daughter of the late Evelyn Engle Lopardi.  A longtime resident of this area, she retired from Price Chopper in Cortland in 2011 where she had worked as a cake decorator for 25 years.  She...

Sep 8, 2014

Mary L. Fitch, 64, of Elmira, NY, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2014, at her home, following an extended illness.

Born in Roaring Springs, PA, on June 8, 1950, Mary was the daughter of the late Edward and Anna Buseck Sheats.  A longtime resident of the Elmira area, she had worked for the Corning School District, where she had...

Aug 27, 2014

Irving L. Raymond, 68, of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, at his home while surrounded by his loving and devoted family and friends.

Born in Taylor Valley, NY, on February 6, 1946, Irv was the son of the late Henry and Maggie Fox Raymond.  He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era Conflict from December...

Aug 21, 2014

Deborah L. McUmber, 61, of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, NY, following a brief illness.

Deb was born in Cortland, NY, on February 13, 1951, the daughter of the late Ernest and Marlea Underwood Bilodeau. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fireman’s Association of the...

Aug 20, 2014

Aug 6, 2014

Lyle Leslie Peak, 81, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 while surrounded by his loving family.

Lyle was born in Cortland, NY on July 15, 1933, the only son of Leslie and Mary Blanchard Peak.  He graduated from the Cincinnatus Central School in 1950.  He married Beverly Svenson on June 28, 1952 and she remained...

Aug 1, 2014

Agatino “Lefty” J. Cannetti, 86, of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2014, at Cortland Regional Medical Center.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on April 18, 1928, Lefty was the son of late John and Carmela Grasso Cannetti.  He was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cincinnatus, and was instrumental in the construction of the...

Jul 31, 2014

Neal J. Root, 85, of Smithville Flats, NY, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, NY, following a brief illness.

Neal was born in Smithville Flats on April 25, 1929, the son of the late Ray and Eva Coville Root.  A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the Smithville Flats...