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Lathrope Voorspuy
STATEN ISLAND Lathrope Voorspuy, a New Brighton scientist and homemaker widely known in Island political circles for her enthusiastic activism in election campaigns and for social causes, died Wednesday morning in Doctor's Hospital. She was 84 years old. She had been ill for some time with cancer and diabetes.
Mrs. Voorspuy went from girlhood in the deep South to follow many varied career paths research and analytical chemist, war-plant inspector, wife and mother.
But it was in the often boisterous world of reform Democratic politics in New York City first in Greenwich Village, and later on the Island's North Shore that she found an outlet for a political streak that was both deeply idealistic and more than a touch combative.
Lathrope Keen Baker was born in Alexandria, La., on May 16, 1918. Her father was an Army officer who served in France in World War I. Her family moved to Atlanta, Ga., when she was 5.
An early interest in rocks and nature led her to avid study of science in public schools and junior college, and in 1937, she enrolled in the University of Georgia to major in general science and chemistry. She was able to work her way through college with a number of study-related jobs, and after graduation got a job as a textile chemist with J&P Coats Thread in Georgia.
It was the outbreak of World War II, however, that changed the course of both her professional and personal life. At age 23, she became an inspector in the Chemical Warfare Procurement Office, a job that took her to textile mills throughout the South.
"More doors were open to women during the war," Mrs. Voorspuy told an interviewer a few years ago, "and when I got out of college, there were a number of opportunities for me because of the excellent timing." At the same time, Mrs. Voorspuy ruefully recalled the discrimination she and other women faced in the inspection service; women worked for lower pay and fewer benefits than men with the same or less education.
Later, during the war, Mrs. Voorspuy worked as a chemist for both private firms and for the University of Wyoming.
In September 1944, shortly after moving to New York City to take a job as an assay testing chemist, Lathrope Baker walked into Jack Delaney's Bar in Greenwich Village and met a young navigation officer with the Netherlands Merchant Marine, Hendrik "Hank" Voorspuy, whose ship was docked in Hoboken. (Mr. Voorspuy served aboard ships running the Nazi blockade to transport war supplies from the United States across the Atlantic. During one crossing, his ship was torpedoed off the southwest coast of Africa, and he and about a dozen other merchant seamen survived eight days in a lifeboat before being rescued by a British destroyer.)
Two weeks after the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan, Lathrope and Hank were married at 1 a.m. at the courthouse in Covington, Ga. The couple settled in Greenwich Village. In August 1995, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Near the end of the war, Mrs. Voorspuy took an assignment with a team of chemists at Columbia University working on a synthetic substitute for the anti-malaria drug quinine, which by then was in critically short supply.
After 1946, Mrs. Voorspuy worked in private industry, her longest career stint being textile chemist for the Maiden Form Co. in Bayonne, N.J., throughout most of the 1950s.
With the birth of her daughter, Cindy J. Voorspuy, in the fall of 1959, Mrs. Voorspuy stopped working outside the home in a manner of speaking.
Always politically liberal, she was further fired by the reformist zeal that was in the atmosphere of Greenwich Village of that era.
After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, she joined the Greenwich Village Chapter of the NAACP, serving as membership chairwoman. She was an active member of the Village Independent Democrats (the home club of Edward I. Koch, among others), and served in Bella Abzug's first campaign for U.S. Congress.
She was involved in the anti-Vietnam-War movement, the pro-choice movement and movements for nuclear disarmament.
In 1970, Mrs. Voorspuy and her family moved to New Brighton, Staten Island. She wasted no time in immersing herself in local politics, joining the Staten Island Democratic Association (SIDA), which honored her with the Peggy Johnston Service Award in 1995. (Her daughter, Cindy, is a past president of the SIDA.)
In 1973, she became captain of the 14th Election District of the 59th Assembly District and was elected to the Democratic County Committee.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Mrs. Voorspuy continued her vocal and energetic activism on both local and national issues. She was active in the opposition to the berthing of nuclear-capable ships at the Staten Island Homeport and served with a number of groups opposed to U.S. support of dictatorial regimes in Central America.
She and her husband purchased a house in Charlotteville, N.Y., in 1983 and lived there for five months of the year until 2001.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Voorspuy retained a Southern drawl and an irrepressible enthusiasm for parties and social gatherings great and small.
She was as famous for the southern specialties she'd cook up for the holidays as she was for the vigorous debate that would follow.
And, as friends and family agreed, no one was ever reputed to have escaped her company without an effusive hug.
She is survived by her husband, Hendrik; her daughter, Cindy, of St. George; a sister, Kathleen Sonheim, of Sun City West, Ariz.; and two nieces.
Services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2002, at the Harmon Funeral Home, Staten Island.
Graveside services will be held at noon on Saturday, June 15, 2002, at Charlotteville Cemetery, Summit, N.Y.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent in memory of Lathrope Voorspuy to UNICEF, 333 East 38th St., New York, NY 10016.
Martin J. Delello
ONEONTA Martin J. Delello passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, June 6, 2002.
One of 13 children, Martin was born on Nov. 11, 1919, in Binghamton. He was the son of Pasqule and Matilda (Martin) Delello.
Martin was married to Edith C. Sperry on May 5, 1946, at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Sidney.
Mr. Delello graduated from the Oneonta High School in 1938.
He was enlisted with the 91st Signal Corps, 91st Infantry Division serving in World War II. During his term of service, he was in the European, African and Middle Eastern campaigns and received a Bronze Star for Valor. He was honorably discharged with a rank of staff sergeant.
Martin was a building supervisor for the New York Telephone Co. He retired in 1975, after 30 years of employment.
He served on the Oneonta Service Board for 20 years. Until his illness, he was an active member of the Oneonta Lions Club for several years during which time he held the title of president for two terms as well as many other positions.
He was avid in raising money for the blind and assisting them with their needs such as talking book machines, transportation, etc.
Mr. Delello played baseball in the Oneonta City Leagues, was an avid roller skater at the Emmons Roller Rink and Interskate 88, and could often be seen selling popcorn for the Lions Club at community functions.
Martin is survived by his wife, Edith C. Delello, of home; his daughters and sons-in-law, Carla and James Norton of Milford and Linda and Edward Stringer of Oneonta; his granddaughter, Alysa G. Stringer and friend, Thomas Treadway, of Watervliet.
He is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Bernard and Rose Delello of Syracuse, Patrick Delello of Laurens, and Frederick and Nancy Delello of Oneonta; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Francis and Maurice Walley of Binghamton, Esther VanDermark of Oneonta, Eleanor and Leonard Beers of Norwich, and Martha Delello of Oneonta; and one brother-in-law, Joseph Maddalone of Sidney; brothers and sisters-in-law, Russell and Christine Sperry of Otego, Neva Eggleston of Norwich, Louise and Robert Peebles of Oneonta, Agnes and Leo Rous of Otego, Donald Sperry of Oneonta, and Roger Sperry of Oneonta; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law, Elton and Grace Sperry; five sisters, Cecelia, Phyllis, and Joan Delello, Bernice Mulkins and Carole Maddalone; two brothers-in-law, DeForest Mulkins and Leon VanDermark; sisters-in-law, Thelma Delello, Claudine Sabedra, and Myrtle Sperry; brother-in-law, Ernest Sperry and his wife, Cathleen.
Arrangements have been made with the Lewis-Hurley Funeral Home, 51 Deitz St., Oneonta. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2002. The family will be in attendance from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2002, with the Rev. Mel Farmer, pastor of the River Street Baptist Church, officiating.
Burial is to follow at the Glenwood Cemetery, Main Street, Oneonta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oneonta Lions Club Eye Program, P.O. Box 575, Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Fox Memorial Nursing Home.
Thomas A. Conway
CALIFORNIA Thomas A. Conway, late of Oneonta, N.Y., died in his sleep on Monday morning, May 6, 2002, in California.
He was born to Thomas and Ellen (LaPine) Conway in Ridgefield Park, N.J., on May 26, 1927.
He married Lillian Lamberson at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Queens, N.Y., on Feb. 6, 1955.
Mr. Conway retired from the U.S. Army in 1966, after more than 20 years of military service, which included combat in the Pacific Theater in World War II and Korea as well as assignments around the world.
He completed his graduate work at the State University College at Oneonta following his retirement from the military and began his second career teaching history and economics at Oneonta Senior High School, from which he retired in 1987.
Mr. Conway was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lillian, after almost 40 years of partnership.
Their daughters, Susan Conway and Cheryl Conner; son-in-law, James Conner; and granddaughters, Megan and Sarah Conner of San Diego, Calif., survive them. Mr. Conway also leaves brother-in-law, Raymond and Ann Lamberson of Cooperstown, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Laurie and Robert Feldscher of Islip, N.Y., sister-in-law, Christine Lamberson of Somerset, Pa.; brother-in-law, Tom and Jane Callahan of Hondo, Texas; nieces and nephews, Drs. Keith and Melissa Lamberson of Atlanta, Ga., Kevin and Beth Lamberson of Freeport, Maine, Kerry and James Giordano of Pinellas Park, Fla., Bryan Lamberson of Port Jefferson, N.Y., Melissa and Rick Mulhollen of Somerset, Pa.; and great-nephew and great-nieces, Kim and Maura Callahan, Tessa Giordano, Lauren Lamberson, Tyler Mulhollen and Emily and Julia Lamberson.
He was a member of both the Otsego County and the New York State Retired Teachers' Associations.
He was a Free Mason for more than 40 years and was a member and past master of Oneonta Lodge 466, the Binghamton Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons 32nd degree, the Kalurah Shrine Temple of Endicott and Shrine Clubs of Schoharie and Otsego counties. He was a member of Oneonta Elks Lodge 1312 for more than 30 years.
Contributions may be made to Shriner's Burn Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114-2699; Shriner's Orthopedic Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104; or the local Habitat for Humanity.
On a date yet to be decided, the ashes of both Mr. and Mrs. Conway will rest at the National Cemetery in Saratoga, N.Y.
Arrangements to be made by the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury, N.Y.
Wesley Carvill Sr.
ONEONTA Wesley W. Carvill Sr., 91, of Oneonta, Otsego County, died Sunday, April 28, 2002, at Fox Nursing Home, Oneonta, after a long illness.
He was the husband of Rosewitha Marshall Turner Carvill and his first wife of 48 years, the late Ivinetta Oliver Carvill.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Wesley W. Carvill Jr., Londonderry, N.H.; a sister, Della Winter, Decatur, Ill.; a brother, Gordon Carvill, East Greenbush; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
He was predeceased by a son, Raymond R. Carvill; two sisters, Beatrice Willey and Ruth Lobdell; and a brother, C. Raymond Carvill.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, June 9, 2002, at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the church.
Marjorie Crandall
ONEONTA Mrs. Marjorie (Walter F. Jr.) Crandall died Thursday, June 6, 2002.
She was born Marjorie Lucinda Thayer on Jan. 14, 1927 in Oneonta, the youngest child of Robert and Mabel (Van Woert) Thayer. Her brothers Frank and Orlo, then aged 10 and 8, doted on their baby sister.
Marjorie spent her early years in Portlandville and attended primary grades at the Portlandville School. Her parents then moved to the family home on VanWoert Street in Oneonta to care for Marjorie's grandmother Lucinda Shepard VanWoert, who was in failing health.
Marjorie married Pfc. Walter F. Crandall Jr. on July 4, 1943, at a ceremony held at the home of the bride's family. Later, the couple lived in Kansas, Nebraska, and Alabama. Marjorie and her family lived in Davenport Center from 1950 to 1984.
She was active in the (then) Methodist Church teaching Sunday school and serving as Sunday school superintendent. Many local children will remember the annual Christmas Pageant and holiday parties put on by teachers and staff.
She enjoyed services at First Methodist Church of Oneonta and after her retirement in 1997, looked forward to the activities of the Davenport Senior Club.
She and her husband loved to square dance Saturday evenings during the '40s and '50s. Family and friends gathered to enjoy dancing at their home. Harold Bryden would call and play fiddle. Marjorie and her sister-in-law Virginia played piano. Walt played harmonica and Cliff Crandall accompanied.
Marge and her family enjoyed camping and starting in the late '40s made it a yearly practice to explore New York State's Adirondack Park. She and Walt took their family to local lakes for fishing, swimming and water skiing for more than 40 years. Her grandchildren will always remember her love of family and her attitude of making everyday events into a party with the kids. Marge was known for her love of the outdoors and events such as clam bakes, winter barbecues and holiday festivities. She loved to play tennis and bowl, and for many years she and Walt sponsored local bowling teams. She loved to travel throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean.
Walt and Marge operated service stations at two locations on Main Street in Oneonta for more than 40 years. Marge also was employed by the U.S. Post Office as assistant post mistress in Davenport Center and also worked for the city of Oneonta Code Enforcement Office and the YMCA.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Charles and Nan (Crandall) Christman of Middlefield, N.Y. and their children, Lucinda Christman and son Alexander Benjamin of Oneonta, Michael Christman of New Jersey and Corey Christman of Otego; a son and daughter-in-law Alan and Nancy Crandall of East Meredith; their children Catherine (Crandall) and Stephen May and son Ian, of Sunnyvale, Calif., Cynthia Crandall and daughter Rebbecca Johnson of Oneonta, Lisa (Crandall) and Douglas Card and children Joshua and Carolyn of Oneonta; a son and daughter-in-law Robert and Jacalyn Crandall of West Davenport and their children Jill and Peter Marchitello of Boca Raton, Fla., and Amanda Christensen and fiancι 2ndLt. Robert Johnson of Rapid City, S.D. She is also survived by several sisters- and brothers-in-law.
She was predeceased by her husband Walter; her two brothers Frank and Orlo and sisters-in-law Vivian and Harriet Thayer.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, from the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta. The Rev. Ned Eastman of Oneonta will officiate.
Friends may call at the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta on Monday, June 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. when the family will be present.
Burial will be in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Robert W. Shillieto
BURLINGTON Robert W. Shillieto, 80, passed away at his home on Thursday, June 6, 2002.
Mr. Shillieto was born Aug. 4, 1921, at Burlington, N.Y., the son of Clyde Robert and Verna (Cady) Shillieto. He graduated from District #7, Town of Burlington in 1935, Edmeston High School, Class of 1939, and was a member of the Colgate University Class of 1944. He started his senior year at Colgate but was called for service.
He was a veteran of W.W. II Infantry. He became a dairy farmer partner with his father.
He married Irene Svencken at Oak Hill, N.Y., on Oct., 15, 1950.
Mr. Shillieto worked for the Otsego County Department of Social Services for 20 years, retiring as its commissioner in 1984.
Robert was a dedicated citizen, Burlington town assessor, former member and president of the Edmeston School board. He was an avid stamp collector and belonged to the Leatherstocking Stamp Club as well as other philatelic organizations.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years; four sons, Clyde and his wife Karen of Mt. Airy, Md., Otto and his wife Jan of West Brookfield, Md., Kim and his wife Pam of Bethlehem, N.H., and Wayne and his wife Pam of Spencerport, N.Y.; two daughters, Gale and her husband Tom of Little Falls, N.Y., Norma and her husband John of Little Falls, N.Y.; three sisters, Carolyn Lindberg (Carl) of Burlington, Marge Schellhammer (Edward) of Cooperstown, Margaret Pugh (Percy) of West Edmeston, N.Y.; and 15 grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Shillieto will be Monday, June 10, at 1 p.m. at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, Cooperstown, with the Rev. William Highfield, retired Methodist clergy, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Burlington Green Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, when the family will be in attendance.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.
