Obituaries

Lansing, NY -- Raymond G. Reynolds, age 67, of 35 Buck Rd., Lansing, NY, passed away at the Hospicare Residence on Friday, May 28, 2010.

Born in Auburn, NY on April 11, 1943, Ray was a son of the late Ralph and Helen (Morrison) Reynolds. After high school, Ray served for six years in the US Army Reserves. He spent most of his working years self-employed as a carpenter, and was well known in the Lansing area as an apple grower. One of Lansing School District's greatest sports supporters, it was rare for Ray to miss a game in any season.

Freeville -- Marian Elizabeth Traphagen, age 63, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Born December 28, 1946, in Ithaca, Marian was a lifelong resident of Tompkins County.   She was employed at Cornell University and later as a teacher’s aide with the Dryden School District, retiring in 2004.  Marian enjoyed life to the fullest, doing things she loved like reading, traveling in her motor home, gardening, going to the casino, being on her boat, shopping and watching her favorite show ‘The Andy Griffith Show’. Most of all Marian loved to spend time with her family.  She was a loving mother for 33 years and a darling wife for 34 years.  Marian has been an inspiration to all of us and will be loved and missed every day.

Andrew Elliott, of 127 Canaan Heights, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at Cayuga Medical Center at the age of 52.

Born in Seneca Falls, NY, on May 22, 1957, he was a son of the late Elmer D. Elliott, Jr., and Florence E. Bryant Elliott who survives him. A 1976 graduate of Lansing High School, Andy proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps from 1976 - 1979. He was employed at Cargill Inc. for nearly 22 years as a bulk handler and loader operator. An avid outdoorsman, Andy never passed up an opportunity to go fishing or hunting.

Clarence C. Benson, age 93, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2010, at the Groton Nursing Facility.

Born at home in Groton, NY, on January 4, 1917, he was a son of the late C. Fay and Marjorie (Buck) Benson. A 1935 graduate of Groton High School, Clarence was a lifelong resident of the Groton/Lansing area. He went to work dairy farming right out of high school and enjoyed his labor of love for over 50 years at Bensvue Farm on Lansingville Rd.

 

Francis "Sonny" Arcangeli, Sr., 73, passed away Saturday, April 3, 2010, at Beechtree Care Center with his family at his side.

Born in Watkins Glen, NY, on December 3, 1936, Sonny was a son of the late Frank and Dorcellia (Mapes) Arcangeli. A graduate of Watkins Glen High School, Sonny proudly served in the Army Reserves, and in 1958 married Eva (VanZile) Arcangeli. Sonny and Eva began raising their family and soon moved to their home on Lansingville Rd. in Lansing. Sonny was employed and retired with 31 years of service from General Crushed Stone in Lansing. Not one to sit around, he enjoyed a "retirement job" as a bus driver for the Lansing School District. He took great pleasure in watching the sporting events of his children and grand children. Sonny was also an avid RV camper, NASCAR fan, and just loved a good card game of any kind. He pitched horseshoes in the Northern League for Cecil's Tavern and bowled at Groton Corona Club.

 

Lansing, NY -- Vivian Ruth Dedrick, age 76, of 716 Auburn Rd., passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA.

Born in Rathbone, NY on August 27, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Willard Mose and Edith (Clayton) Harrington. After graduation from Addison High School, Vivian received her RN degree from Harpursville College. In 1956 she married Paul T. Dedrick, who survives her, and in 1965 they settled on their farm in Lansing where they raised their family.

 

DeForest E. Heffron of 658 Ridge Rd., Lansing, NY passed away on Monday, March 8, 2010, at the age of 82.

Born in Caroline, NY, on September 1, 1927, he was a son of the late Berkley and Jessie Edith (Mix) Heffron. DeForest was a graduate of Candor Central School and received his Bachelors Degree from Buffalo State and his Masters from Bowdin College. He proudly served his country in the US Air Force and US Marines.

Lawrence "PeeWee" Howe, 84, of 78 Mary St., Ithaca, NY, passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at Groton Nursing Facility.

Born April 11, 1925, in Ithaca, NY, he was an only child of the late Lawrence and Blanche (Miller) Howe. Raised on Cascadilla St., PeeWee was a lifelong resident of the area. After high school he proudly served with the US Army. Upon his return to Ithaca PeeWee went to work with the Laborers Local 785 and retired with over 38 years of service. He and his wife, Esther, enjoyed wintering in Cocoa, Florida with their friends, Dick & Mary Turner of Lockport, NY.

Ithaca - Barbara B. Yale, 81, of Ithaca died Tuesday evening, February 23, 2010, at her home in the woods by the lake.

Barbara was born in Rochester, NY, the daughter of late the Monroe and Julia Blumenstiel. She lived in Ithaca for the last 48 years, having moved here with her husband, Dr. Daniel I. Yale, when he set up his medical practice in orthopedic surgery.

Barbara loved Ithaca, especially the creativity of the community and the natural beauty of the area. She had a great love of people, and a knack for quickly getting to know them and making them her friends. She took great pride in her family.

Ithaca - Stephen John Zavaski II, age 59 of Ithaca, died unexpectedly on Monday at his residence. Stephen is the son of the late Stephen J. (R. Merle) Zavaski. He enjoyed cooking, raising orchids, listening to his favorite radio show on Sunday evening, and being around his nephews.

 

Survivors include his brother, David (Donna) Zavaski; a niece, Michelle Starks and Christopher (Stacy Nickerson) Zavaski; three great-nephews, Cosey Starks, Connor Zavaski, and Austin Nicherson; a cousin, Jeane Nash; a longtime friend, Janice Pack.

Leonard Smith, age 84, of Ithaca and formerly of Queens, passed away at home on Saturday, February 20, 2010 of natural causes. Leonard was born on July 15, 1925 in New Orleans, LA, the son of the late Ethel and Richard Smith, Sr. Leonard served honorably in the United States Army during WWII. In the late 1940s, he moved to Ithaca with his brother LeRoy Smith. He eventually relocated to New York City, where he worked for many years at Elmhurst Hospital.

Leonard was married to Gertrude "Frenchie" Smith for many years before she passed away from complications of diabetes. He then shared many happy years with his lady friend, Mamie Washington. In his later years, he was actively involved in church and spiritual activities. He recently moved back to Ithaca, where he enjoyed the slower pace of life and relaxed atmosphere. May his spirit rest peacefully with the Lord.

 

Trumansburg - Robert "Mark" Dunlop, age 51 of Trumansburg, died Saturday morning at his residence while under Hospice care. Mark is the son of E. Dawn Dunlop -Velasquez and the late Robert J. Dunlop. A painter by trade, Mark enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling with his family. He will always be remembered for being a lover of the outdoors and being social with his family and friends.

In addition to his mother, E Dawn Dunlop-Velasquez, survivors include his wife, Tammy Dunlop; a son, Brandon Dunlop; three daughters, Cassandra Dunlop, Samantha (Daron) Bantin, and Sheena Dunlop; six grandchildren; a sister, Rene (PT) Ryan; two nephews, Eddie (Natalie) Vorhis and Chris (Hale) Voris. Mark is predeceased by his step-father, Orlando Velasquez.

 

Juanita Irene Mooney, age 84 of Ithaca, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday (February 5, 2010) at Hospicare. Mrs. Mooney was born in Genoa, the daughter of the late Frances Wood. Mrs. Mooney was an avid BINGO player and she enjoyed going to the casino with her children when she was active. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting as well as working with canvas.

Survivors include her seven children, Mary Ussery, Frank (Sally) Wells, Carol (David Bogart) Reeves, Cherry (Howard) Porter, Richard (Cathy) Mooney, Tina (Jr.) Mooney, and Tony Mooney Sr.; 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Clara Fredenburg; several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Mooney is predeceased by her husband, Paul Mooney who died in 1963; a son, Paul E. Mooney; a grandson, Jimmy Mooney; a brother, Clarence Bagley and a sister, Bertha Hughes.

 

Robert W. Miller, age 85, died at home Sunday, February 7, 2010, following an extended decline in health.

Born to W. Dwight and Reda Miller on September 20, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, Bob graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and then entered the U.S. Navy at the height of World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater as a Radarman 1st Class aboard the U.S.S. Wesson, Destroyer Escort 184, from 1943 until the end of the war. His ship participated in many Pacific battles. On April 7, 1945, the Wesson was hit by a Japanese suicide plane. Eight crew members died and the ship was heavily damaged.

Ithaca - Blanche "Birdie" A. Wells, age 88 of Ithaca, died peacefully surrounded by here family, Tuesday evening at Beechtree Nursing Home. Matriarch of the Wells family, she was born in Newfield and is the daughter of the late Wesley and Nellie Crance. For many years, she was associated with the family businesses, the Corner Store Catering and Flower Field Florist. She was a charter member of Finger Lakes Button Club and a former member of the David Harriman Button Club in Cortland. Birdie was an avid BINGO player.

Birdie is survived by her five sons Lester A. Wells, Daniel "Boon" Wells, John A. (Dorrie Haring) Wells, Charles (Wanda) R. Wells, Arthur J. Wells; two daughters, Mary Jane Wells and Shirley Ann (Douglas) Allen; 7 grandchildren, Kristen (Mark Woodard) Wells, Melissa, Melinda and Melanie Allen, Charles II & Denver Wells, and Tyler Wells; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Michael Woodard and Connor Allen; two sisters, Pauline Cundy and Rita Grover; several nieces and nephews; three good friends, Mary Ann, Sally, and Jackie.

Kathleen Myra Frances Blatherwick, known to her friends as "Fran", died January 10, 2010 in Ithaca, NY. She was born on November 13, 1910 in Alton in Hampshire England. She attended St Margarets Bushey and received a degree in teacher education from Bishop Otter College in Chichester. She taught at Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where she married her first husband, Ralph Richard Sturgeon.

After his death she returned to England and lived in Cheltenham. She came to the United States in 1948 to marry Norman, "Jim", Blatherwick, former superintendant of Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock Falls State Parks. Following his retirement they lived on Anna Maria Island in Florida during the winter. Fran served as a volunteer to the Service League, Meals on Wheels and the Finger Lakes Library System into her nineties and also read to the blind. She was a life-long lover of nature and expert on wild flowers.

Robert Stolp, long-time Supervising Attorney for Tompkins County’s Assigned Counsel program, passed away Sunday night, January 10, following an illness.

“Bob had been in charge of our Assigned Counsel program for over 30 years and, with the help of a great staff, had created a program recognized for the high quality of legal defense provided to those who couldn't afford an attorney,” County Administrator Joe Mareane notes.  “Bob found the very difficult balance between looking out for the interests of the taxpayers and protecting the rights of the poor—and wasn't afraid to take on anyone who tried to upset that balance.  We will miss him.”

Gaylord "Gary" P. Hoover, age 61 of Danby, died on Saturday January 9, 2010 at his residence while under Lourdes Hospice care. Gary was born in Ithaca, the son of the late Paul and Barbara Hoover. He was an avid camper and fisherman.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Christina Hoover; two daughters, Michelle Hoover and Gayla Hoover; a son, Darryl Hoover; a granddaughter, Abigail Hoover and a grandson, Aiden Hoover; several nieces and nephews.

ITHACA - Charlotte C. Gray, age 97 of Ithaca, died Friday evening at Oak Hill Manor Nursing Home in Ithaca. Mrs. Gray was born in Towanda, PA, the daughter of the late Alfred and Bessie Chapman. Mrs. Gray was married to her husband, Charles O. Gray for 63 years prior to his death on November 17, 2000. She was an accomplished seamstress and a homemaker who enjoyed caring for her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Ruth (Richard) Stanton; a grandson, Richard C. Stanton; a step-sister, Jane C. Gerould; several nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, June Chapman. Mrs. Gray is also the sister to the late AJ Chapman and the late GR Chapman.

ITHACA - Raymond G. Foote Sr., age 72 of Ithaca, died Wednesday evening at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca. Ray was born in Ithaca, the son of the late Hudson and Frances Foote. For many years, Ray was a machinist for Ithaca Gun and Lansing Research. In later years before his retirement, Ray worked for Johnson's Apartments as a painter.

Ray is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marjorie Foote; two sons, Raymond G. (Sherry) Foote and Wayne (Sara) Foote; three daughters, April (Earl Anderson)Mosher, Kristine (Elmer) Cook, and Lori (James) Hamilton; seven grandchildren, Richard & Lacey Mosher, Lisa Marie Foote, James R. Foote; Amber Cook, James and Raymond Hamilton; a brother, James R. Foote.