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Marguerite Kearsing
GRAND GORGE — Marguerite Kearsing, 89, of Grand Gorge, and formerly of Massapequa, died April 7, 2003, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
She was born Oct. 31, 1913, in Seaford, the daughter of Henry Haff and Phoebe Hendricksen.
She married Howard Kearsing in 1934 in Mineola. He died in 1994.
Marguerite was a homemaker, and also worked at the Massapequa Post as a proofreader and typesetter. After retiring from the Massapequa Post, she moved to Clearwater, Fla., where she lived for 30 years, before moving to Grand Gorge.
Marguerite is survived by two daughters, Jeanne and husband, Edward Smith, Roxbury, and Judith and husband, Henry Marguez, Massapequa; one sister, Geraldine Pratesi, Cape Coral, Fla.; nephew, Budd Jesseau, Valley Stream; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and dear friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, Howard; a daughter, Marguerite Natale; and one brother, Whitney Haff.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Services are private; under the direction of the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury.
John Thorington
GRAND GORGE — John William Thorington, 86, of Grand Gorge died April 8, 2003, at his residence.
He was born on April 29, 1916, in Roscoe, son of Albert and Amy (Gavett) Thorington.
He married Catherine Murray on July 29, 1941. She died Feb. 18, 1975. His second marriage was to Nellie Coager Ferris on Aug. 21, 1976.
John was a retired dairy farmer. He lived in Grand Gorge for 60 years, moving here from Delhi.
John was a member of the United Methodist Church, Grand Gorge; Roxbury Senior Citizens Club; National Grange; and Delaware Valley Grange where he held the position of Master. He was a 50 year member of the grange.
He was the President of the Grand Gorge Central School Board of Education from 1964 to 1965; United Methodist Church trustee and he served on the finance committee; he served as President and Delegate for Eastern Milk Producers Association; past Roxbury Town Assessor and 4-H Leader.
John is survived by his wife, Nellie Coager Ferris Thorington, Grand Gorge; two sons, Stanley and wife, Christine, Thorington, Grand Gorge, and David Thorington, Grand Gorge; two daughters, Barbara and husband, Paul Green, Harpursville, and Ann and husband, James Eignor, Scotia; stepchildren, Richard and wife, Doreen Ferris, Grand Gorge, Charles and wife, Sandy Ferris, Stamford, Kenneth Ferris, Pittsburgh, Pa., Donald and wife, Donna Ferris, North Blenheim, and Laraine and husband, Robert Basani, Davenport; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; nine stepgrandchildren; 16 step great-grandchildren; one sister, LaEtta (Lolly) Theuman, Monsees, Grand Gorge; one brother, Dr. Gerald Thorington, Rushford; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2003, with the Rev. Robert Nash officiating, at the United Methodist Church in Grand Gorge.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Grand Gorge.
Contributions may be made in memory of John W. Thorington, United Methodist Church, Grand Gorge, NY 12434.
Funeral arrangements are by the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury.
Claudia T. Bigelow
SHERBURNE — Claudia T. Bigelow of 34 Chenango Ave., Sherburne, died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 30, 2003, as the result of a motor vehicle accident in North Carolina.
She was born in Norwich on March 23, 1949, the daughter of Walter B. and Caroline Blanchard Thompson.
On Feb. 7, 1970, Claudia married Thomas Oren Bigelow at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne.
She was a graduate of Sherburne Central School, Class of 1967.
Claudia graduated from Hartwick College in 1971, with a BS in nursing. Following graduation, she worked at Chenango Memorial Hospital. Upon leaving CMH, she worked for Chenango County Public Health Nursing Service. At the time of her death, she had worked for 19 years as an elementary school nurse at Sherburne-Earlville Central School.
She was a member of the Sherburne-Earlville Teachers Association. Claudia was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne, and served on its altar guild. She had a great interest in reading and scrap booking.
Claudia was a loving mother and grandmother. She was devoted to her family and friends, who relied on her advice and guidance. She will be missed by all whose lives she deeply touched.
Surviving are her husband, Thomas; two children, Danielle Comer and her husband, Terry, Greensboro, N.C., and Matthew Bigelow, Sherburne; two grandchildren, Kurtis Brace Bigelow and Ethan Thomas Comer; a brother-in-law, Richard S. Duncan, Oneonta; a brother, Bruce Thompson and his wife, Barbara, Smyrna; a sister, Cathy Arena and her husband, Salvatore, Rochester; a sister, Susan Thompson, Smyrna; a sister, Vicky Tracy and her husband, Robert, Earlville; a brother, William Thompson and his wife, Valerie, Saratoga Springs; a sister, Karen Jacquay and her husband, Glenn, Cassville; a sister, Lisa Schraft and her husband, Ernie, Smyrna; a sister, Linda Wells and her husband, Michael, New Berlin; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by two infant sons, James and Scott Thomas.
Calling hours for Claudia will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2003, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the William W. Kehoe Funeral Home, Sherburne.
A memorial service for Claudia will be planned at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Sherburne, for early summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Memorial Fund, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Sherburne, N.Y. or a charity of the donor's choice.
Jack M. Tiffany
ONEONTA — Jack M. Tiffany, 67, of Oneonta, died Monday, April 7, 2003, at his residence after a lengthy illness.
Jack was born on June 23, 1935, in Oneonta, the son of Glenn O. and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Tiffany.
He married Doris Harvey on Dec. 29, 1956. She survives.
Jack devoted his life to the trucking and bus business, having owned and operated the Jack M. Tiffany Building Material Trucking Company, the A.T. Kirby Trucking Company and the Pathfinder Coach Lines.
He was a lifelong area resident and was an active part of the Southside Wesleyan Church family.
Jack was a devoted husband and father, who enjoyed working around the house and garage.
He was one of the first local heart transplant recipients in 1994.
Jack appeared in the community section of The Daily Star on Feb. 18, 2003, as a People feature.
Jack is survived by his wife, Doris; one son and his wife, Kenneth and Eileen Tiffany of Cary, N.C.; and a daughter and her husband, Jacquelyn and Richard Swift of South New Berlin; five grandchildren, Tiffany, Bret and Craig Swift, and Meegen and Brienne Tiffany; one brother and his wife, Clarence and Shirley (Gelespie) Tiffany of Nichols; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a son, Michael in 1979, and a brother, Glenn in 1999; and two nephews, Glen O. Tiffany III and Eric Tiffany.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2003, at the Southside Wesleyan Church on Route 23 in Oneonta, with the Rev. Eric Santamont, pastor, and the Rev. Robert Kazinski, pastor of the Portlandville United Methodist Church, as officiators.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad, Milford, NY 13807, the Southside Wesleyan Church, Route 23, Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Portlandville United Methodist Church, Portlandville, NY 13834.
Arrangements are by the Lewis-Hurley Funeral Home in Oneonta.
Marian C. Rich
CHERRY VALLEY — Mrs. Marian C. Rich, 85, passed away Monday, April 7, 2003, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
She was born June 29, 1917, in Cherry Valley, the daughter of Michael and Rose (Famalara) Cannistra. They are deceased.
On March 24, 1940, she married John P. Rich Sr. He died on May 3, 1986.
She graduated from the Cherry Valley Central School in 1934, and attended Syracuse University in Little Falls for two years for teaching.
She worked at the Cherry Valley Central Hotel, Tyron Inn as a waitress, Beech-Nut for a short while, and then went to work at Bassett Healthcare as a lab technician for 29 years.
Marian was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, volunteered at the Cherry Valley Museum, and worked on the County and Village Election Board for many years. She was an active member of St. Thomas Church, Cherry Valley.
Marian enjoyed her crossword puzzles, cooking for the whole gang and family, and playing cards to the wee hours of the morning.
Marian is survived by her daughter, Julia (Rich), and her son-in-law, Robert W. Lafler, of Cooperstown; her son, John P. Rich Jr., and daughter-in-law, Donna (Cole) Rich, of Balston Lake; grandchildren, Melissa and husband, Jeff Millett, of Balston Lake, Camille Rich of Charlotte, N.C., Rea Anne Rich of Mechanicville, Coleen and William Kukenberger Jr. of Hartwick; and great-grandchildren, Shane and Madison Stiles.
She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Anthony and Ida Rich of Little Falls; brother-in-law Joseph and Ann Rich of Boston, Mass.; sister-in-law Ursla Mastracko of Carmichael, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by special friends William and Betty Kukenberger Sr. of Cooperstown, and Stanley and Beverly Drake of Hartwick; and special neighbors Philip and Catherine Moore, and Tony and Gail Miles.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Michael, Thomas and Fred Cannistra; sisters, Roseina Lawler and Julia Thompson; and her special friend of 15 years, Roy Lincourt.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother to her family, and she will be missed by us all.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, with prayers at 8 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Church, Cherry Valley on Friday, April 11, 2003, at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the Cherry Valley Cemetery at a later date, next to her devoted husband of many years.
Donations in Marian's memory may be made to the Cherry Valley Emergency Squad, Cherry Valley.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Hilda M. Houck
DELHI — Hilda M. Houck, 88, most recently of Delhi, and formerly of Walton and Franklin, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2003, at the Countryside Care Center in Delhi.
She was born on July 14, 1914, in Walton, the daughter of Frank and Nettie (Francisco) Vickers.
A homemaker for most of her life, Hilda enjoyed crocheting and quilting. She also had numerous pen pals around the world.
Hilda is survived by a daughter, Bunny S. Houck of West Keansburg, N.J.; a grandson and his wife, Shawn and Stacy Springett of West Keansburg, N.J.; her great-grandchildren, Brittany, Kierstin and Stephanie Springett, also of West Keansburg, N.J.; and a nephew, Bradley Vickers of Norwich.
There will be no calling hours.
A graveside committal service will be held on Friday, April 11, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. in the Walton Cemetery, with the Rev. Dr. Lyle Linder officiating.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home in Franklin.
George Burlison
RICHFIELD SPRINGS — George Burlison, 96, of St. Johnsville, formerly of 6 Gould St., Richfield Springs, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday morning, April 9, 2003, in St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam.
He was born on March 16, 1907, and lived in this area most of his life. For many years Mr. Burlison resided in Oppenheim before moving to Richfield Springs. Since 1998 he has lived in St. Johnsville.
Mr. Burlison was a personable man who enjoyed his privacy and desired that his funeral be conducted in the same way.
He leaves no immediate family.
Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.
Ralph F. Amitrano
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ralph F. Amitrano, 86, most recently of Glendale, Ariz., and formerly of Oneonta, N.Y., and Kingston, N.Y., passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at his residence.
He was born Jan. 6, 1917, in Oneonta, the son of Michael and Jacomine (Balzano) Amitrano.
He married Elena Coacci on May 4, 1946, in Livorno, Italy.
Ralph served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was discharged as a Tech Sergeant with several campaign ribbons.
In 1982, he retired as a welder from the Hudson Cement Corporation in Kingston. Prior to that he was employed by the D&HRR for a period of 20 years.
Ralph was an avid sports fan, and was deeply devoted to his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Elena Amitrano, of Glendale, Ariz.; his children, Sergio Amitrano and his wife, Christine, of Albany, N.Y., Mary Jane Amitrano Van Steenburg of Jupiter, Fla., and Angela Amitrano Sawalqah of Phoenix, Ariz.; his grandchildren, Jason Van Steenburg, Jordan Sawalqah, Lia Sawalqah, Nicole Amitrano-Ehrie and her husband, Matthew, Christopher Amitrano, Matthew Kost and his wife, Janel, and Jocelyn Kost; a great-granddaughter, Grace Caroline Ehrie; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Sam Amitrano, Mary Lawrie, Kay Norak, Anthony Amitrano, Virginia Harmon, Angela Amitrano, Rose Amitrano and Michael Amitrano.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Oneonta, with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Emmons.
Visitation will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home in Oneonta.
Dorothea Grill
ONEONTA — Dorothea Grill, 94, of Oneonta, and formerly of Goodyear Lake, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
She was born on March 13, 1909, in Esingen, Germany, the daughter of Wilhelm and Emma (Wucherpfennig) Best. At 19, she immigrated to the United States with her parents.
On March 13, 1934, in Mount Vernon, she married Joseph Grill. He predeceased her on Sept. 20, 2000. Before her marriage, she had trained and worked as a cosmetologist and governess.
Dorothea was adept at and known for her crocheting and needlework. She also loved her lake home and her flowers.
Surviving are her two sons and their wives, Walter and Florence Grill of DeLancey, and Joseph and Linda Grill of Keystone Heights, Fla. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, John Grill, Christopher Grill, Mary Cottrell, Pamela Metlicke, Brenda Waters, Jenny Grill and Kristina Grill; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was a gentle and caring person and will be sorely missed by all those who came into her life.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad, Milford, NY 13807, or to the Alzheimer's Association, Northeastern New York Leatherstocking Region Office, State University College at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY 13820, or any other charity of one's choice.
Services will be private and are under the direction of the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Frank Prendergast
OTEGO — Frank C. Prendergast of Otego died Friday, April 11, 2003.
Frank was predeceased by his daughter Nancy, his son Frank Jr., and his granddaughter, Sarah.
Frank is survived by his devoted and loving Irish bride of 54 years, Rosaleen, as well as by four children, Maureen A. Pineau, Peter (Barbara) Prendergast, M.D., Loretta (Sam) Scott and Patrick (Deborah) Prendergast, as well as grandchildren, John Pineau, Jessica Davis and Hunter, Hart, Peter, Erin, Rebecca and P J Prendergast. He is also survived by his brother, Robert (Patricia) Prendergast, and sisters, Roberta (Trigger) Kalenowicz and Cathy (Al) Martin. In the fine tradition of the Irish, he is also survived by 47 nieces and nephews.
Frank was born in New York City on Aug. 6, 1919, and grew up in Jamaica, N.Y. He graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens.
During World War II, Frank served with honor and courage in the 388th Bombardment Group as a pilot of a B-17. Frank successfully completed 35 missions, including two on D-Day, bombing the Port of Calais in his plane the "Jamaica Ginger." He was awarded the Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross. Not one member of his crew was lost during the war, and he was the last surviving member of the crew. He was aptly inducted into the Lucky Bastard Club.
Frank met his wife, Rosaleen (of Donegal, Ireland) while serving in England. He and Rosaleen raised five children of whom he was immensely proud. Frank's "ditch-digger" speech inspired his children to become a doctor, lawyer, nurse and engineer.
Frank endured many hardships in his life, survived them all, always forging ahead, without ever holding a grudge. He was a retiree of Grumman Aircraft of Bethpage, L.I. While at Grumman, he was a quality control inspector for the Apollo program and later was stationed in Isfahan, Iran, in quality control on the F-14.
He was also a former president of the Otsego Delaware Board of Realtors and a member of the Kiwanis Club. He is already sorely missed.
An Irish wake will be held on Sunday, April 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta, and a Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary's Church, Oneonta, on Monday, April 14, at 10 a.m.
Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Leon Guernsey
COLONIE — Leon Guernsey, 80, of Colonie, died on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Inn of Community Hospice at St. Peter's Hospital.
He was born in Seward, on Dec. 19, 1922, and was the son of the late Elmer and Roseanna Therrian Guernsey.
He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Army 110th Infantry in the European Theater and was awarded two battle stars for the Normandy Campaign and the Northern France Campaign.
After an honorable discharge, Leon became a telegrapher and then a dispatcher for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.
He married Josephine Sandoli in Worcester on Sept. 15, 1946, and settled in Otego. In 1963, he was transferred to Colonie and retired from the railroad in 1983 after 37 years of service.
An avid do-it-yourselfer, Leon enjoyed carpentry, auto mechanics, electronics, home repair, gardening, ham radio (WT2E), piloting his airplane and spending winters in Zephyrhills, Fla.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Josephine Sandoli Guernsey. Leon is the beloved father of Janet Brustle and her husband, Karl, of Colonie and William Guernsey and his wife, the Rev. Justine Guernsey, of Delmar. He is the cherished grandfather of Kevin Brustle, James Guernsey, Timothy Guernsey and Justin Guernsey. He is the dear brother of Rose Marie Gergich and her husband, William, of Florida, Robert Guernsey and Paul Guernsey, both of Seward, and the late Lula Wilday, Alice Keyser and Wellington (Buster) Frank and Charles and Ernest Guernsey. Also surviving is his devoted neighbor, Rick Edwards.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, April 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Colonie Christian Life Center, 31 Vly Road, Colonie.
Internment will be later in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Worcester.
Memorial contributions may be made to community Hospice of Albany, 45 Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205, in memory of Leon Guernsey.
