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Raymond Brigham
UNADILLA — Raymond Brigham, 68, of state Highway 7 entered into eternal rest on Thursday evening, March 25, 2004, in Valley View Manor, Norwich.
He was born on Aug. 14, 1935, in Otsego County, a son of the late Ernest and Emma Trask Brigham.
Raymond will always be remembered as a kind, gentle and loving person who will be missed by his many friends and family.
Surviving him are two brothers and their wives, Arnold and June Brigham of Horseheads and Morris and Marjorie Brigham of Cherry Valley; two sisters, Grace Potter of Clinton and Gladys Irons of Phoenix, Ariz.; along with several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by five brothers, William, Lester, Edward, Herbert and Kenneth Brigham; and two sisters, Viola Herdman and Ethel McCurdy.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs, with the Rev. Alan Miller, pastor of the Richfield Springs Bible Church, officiating.
The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m.
Mr. Brigham will be laid to rest in Lakeview Cemetery, Richfield Springs, later this spring.
Vincent E. Coons
PINE PLAINS — Vincent E. Coons, 41, of Clearwater, Fla., and previously of Pine Plains, passed away on March 24, 2004, at home.
He was born on April 22, 1962, in Sharon, Conn., the son of Gerald and Dawn (Bryenton) Coons.
Mr. Coons was a graduate of Stissing Mountain Sr. and Jr. High School in Pine Plains. Mr. Coons was a former carpenter for C.R.S. in Tampa, Fla.
Survivors include his parents, Gerald and Dawn Coons, of Stamford; brother and sister-in-law, Steven D. and Laura Coons of Monmouth Junction, N.J., and brother and sister-in-law, Bryan D. and Annemarie Coons of Millerton; companion, Eileen and her children, Jennifer and Devin Leech, all of Tampa; niece, Sarah Coons; nephews, Jordan, Patrick, Brendan Coons, Anthony and Dean Galasso; aunt and uncle, Donna and Virgil Ryberg of Bismarck, N.D.; great-aunt, Alice Camburn of Pine Plains; cousin, Pam Camburn of Pine Plains; and several other cousins.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, from the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, S. Main Street in Pine Plains, with the Rev. Nancy Thorton McKenzie officiating.
Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at the funeral home.
Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Leonard M. Blau
ONEONTA — Leonard M. Blau, 80, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2004, at Bassett Healthcare Hospital in Cooperstown.
He was born June 27, 1923, in Brooklyn. Leonard was a United States Army veteran, serving during World War II, and a life member of the VFW.
Leonard was a cemetery worker and guard at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth. He lived in Queens until his retirement and moved to Oneonta 16 years ago.
Leonard was predeceased by his father, Otto Blau; his mother, Evelyn (Sartory) Backes; his stepfather, Michael Backes; a brother, John Welton; and a sister, Catherine Blau.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Helen Hill of Davenport; two nieces, Arleen Goscinski of Long Island, and Diane Welton-Calchi of Davenport; a great-nephew, John Welton; a great-niece, Lauren Welton; and a great-great-niece, Juliette Welton.
There will be a private cremation service locally. Then the committal service will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth, at a later date.
Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
Frances G. Gorsch
ROXBURY — Frances G. Gorsch, 96, of Roxbury, a woman who so many have described as "remarkable," received her greater calling on Sunday, March 28, 2004.
She was born on July 29, 1907, the daughter of Lela M. Proper and George F. Gibbs.
She was predeceased by the accidental death of her husband, former Roxbury Funeral Director Rudolph Gorsch Sr., in September 1955.
Frances is survived by a son, Rudolph Gorsch and wife Susan; four grandchildren, Stephen and wife MaryAnn of Oneonta, Karen LeClair and husband Jamie of Altamont, Diana Graham and husband Stephen of Victor, and Cynthia French and husband Wayne of Lansing; and seven great-grandchildren, Brittany French, Nicholas French, Delaney Escher, Anna Grace LeClair, Marina Ann Gorsch, Seanna Ann Gorsch and Bethany Gorsch.
Frances had often said that "life has quality and quantity and I have had them both." When one looks at Frances' life, they see a person who was active in her community in many ways. Active through her church as member and longtime organist and through education as a teacher, with a particular flair for working in special education. Active through Rotary International as pianist many years for the Roxbury Club and as one of the District's Paul Harris Fellows. Active through the Order of the Eastern Star as member and officer, and through the Red Cross as home service chairman during World War II. Active with help and support for her husband Rudolph as he continued the family "undertaking" business after the death of his father. One of her most recent accomplishments was the weekly "Kirkside" column which she wrote for the Catskill Mountain News. These are but a few of the many causes to which she was willing to provide her energy.
Throughout her life, however, the common thread has been that of music. When she was performing at the pipe organ or providing a bit of honky-tonk piano at Rotary, she was always enthusiastic. A music highlight of which she was proud was being able to play the Schulmeric Carillon at the World's Fair in 1963. If she was listening she was always appreciative, whether it was her brother who many remember playing the saw or her granddaughter just learning her trumpet skills. She took much pride in accompanying as others performed, particularly if they were family.
Frances was good to people throughout her life and she was good for people. Her energy, her optimism and her keen sense of humor have been contagious and unfailing, even as she was passing her 96th birthday.
She will be missed because she is no longer with us to participate, but she has left many moments of inspiration and happy memories upon which we may reflect.
In addition to her music, Frances has always had a special place in her heart for the emergency services and with that in mind, it is hoped that in lieu of floral remembrances, her friends will consider the Jay Gould Memorial Music Fund and the Roxbury Emergency Squad.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2004, at the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church in Roxbury, with the Rev. Richard Dykstra officiating. Burial will follow in the Roxbury Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are by the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury.
Harry A. Green
COOPERSTOWN — Harry A. Green, 87, of Cooperstown passed away peacefully, Sunday evening, March 28, 2004, at The Meadows.
He was born on July 12, 1916, in Mount Vernon, a son of Henry and Margaret (O'Neil) Green.
He married Lena Krisch on April 23, 1938, in the Bronx. Mrs. Green died on Nov. 19, 1987.
Raised in Yonkers, Harry graduated from Roosevelt High School and was then employed at the Brooklyn shipyards.
Following their marriage and move to this area, he and Lena first lived on Fork Shop Road and later moved to their home on Stone House Road, now known as Bissell Road.
For a short time he was employed at Remington Arms in Ilion, before starting a career in automotive sales and service. During employment as a mechanic for McDonough Motors in Cooperstown, he was trained to become a salesman and sold Ford automobiles for them. He was later employed by Berry Motors in Cooperstown, which became Odbert Motors in 1976, where he sold Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac automobiles, and GM trucks. Following his retirement, Harry wintered in Florida, maintaining his residence in Cooperstown.
In 1997, he moved to Robynwood Home for Adults in Oneonta and then Woodside Hall in Cooperstown, where he had resided for the past four years.
He enjoyed playing golf and pinochle, and was a fan of the New York Yankees. He was of the Catholic faith.
Harry is survived by one daughter, Barbara L. Green of Delmar; two sons and daughters-in-law, Henry A. Green and Deborah, of Cooperstown, and Charles G. Green and Lynn, of Hartwick; seven grandchildren, Leslie, Amy, Brian, Kevin, Megan, Natalie and Alex; one great-grandson, Ryan John Tymeson; one sister, Marie Scavarelli and her husband, Matt of Carmel; two brothers, John Green and his wife, Rose, and Willie Green and his wife, Anna, all of Yonkers; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Krisch of Fork Shop; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by one sister, Marge Tegmier; and two brothers, Edward and Steve Green.
A graveside service will be held later this spring in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery on a day and time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
Andrew Kloczko
COBLESKILL — Andrew Kloczko Jr., 57, of Campus Drive, died Sunday, March 28, 2004, at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores (Cooper) Kloczko; two daughters, Bernadette Kloczko of Central Bridge, and Alicia Kloczko of Middleburgh; a son, Michael Kloczko of Cobleskill.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Washington Heights, Cobleskill, with Father Thomas F. Berardi as celebrant.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, at the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.
Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cobleskill Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 451, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Michael R. Joslin
PITTSFIELD — Michael Raymond Joslin Jr., 26, of Pittsfield died Saturday, March 27, 2004, at his home.
He was born on March 20, 1978, in Cooperstown, the son of Michael Raymond Joslin Sr. and Ginger (Carney) Joslin.
He attended Morris Central School and received his welding certificate from BOCES of Milford. He was a lifelong area resident and was employed by Wilson Roofing of Oneonta.
He loved his dirt bikes, snowmobiling, his nieces and nephew, and his dog, Ozzie, and helping his family and friends.
He is survived by his mother and father, of Pittsfield; his sisters, Ginger Holt and husband Brian, of New Lisbon, and Charlene Ross of Palm Bay, Fla.; his grandmothers, aunts, uncle and cousins; and many friends.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 2, 2004, at 6 p.m. at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris, with Philip Paddock, speaker of the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses, officiating.
There will be no calling hours.
In memory of Michael, his family asks you to spend time caring for the ones you love, and do something special like their recent trip together.
Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
William Warnken
ONEONTA — William Warnken Jr., 80, of Oneonta passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2004, in Worcester, Mass., where he had been in rehabilitation for a medical illness.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Butler Warnken; his three children, Cynthia Warnken of Oneonta, William J. Warnken and Sue Ann Goodwin, of Worcester, Mass.; a brother, Henry Warnken of Lafayette, Calif.; and five grandchildren, Jeffrey and Mackenzie Goodwin, Shea Wilson, and William "BJ" and Julia Warnken.
Bill was born, raised, and was a lifelong resident of Oneonta. His parents, William Warnken and Margaret (Brachmann) Warnken Sr., owned and operated a photography studio in Oneonta for many years.
He attended Bugbee School and graduated from Oneonta High School. After graduating high school, he entered the Army and served in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. Until the time of his passing, he maintained contact with many of his high school and Army friends.
Upon returning to Oneonta after the war, he attended and graduated from Hartwick College. While a college student, Bill opened a drive-in theater. The Del-Sego was a landmark in Oneonta for several decades. In addition to showing movies, he sponsored country and western music shows and outdoor church on Sunday mornings at the drive-in. He also owned and operated Robo Car Wash for many years prior to his retirement.
Bill was a devoted Republican, outdoorsman, and environmentalist. He loved birds and deer hunting, and had particularly fond memories of his hunting dog, Kurt.
When he was younger, he was also active in such organizations as the Masons and Elks Club.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta.
Friends are invited to call on Friday evening, April 23, 2004, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home at which time the family will be in attendance.
A private committal will be held in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Barbara Christensen
WEST ONEONTA — Barbara Christensen, 83 years of age, of West Oneonta died Monday, March 29, 2004, at the Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin.
She was born Aug. 27, 1920, the daughter of George and Nettie Patten.
Barbara married John Christensen on Sept. 5, 1942, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Oneonta. Mr. Christensen predeceased her on Dec. 11, 1999.
She is survived by her two sons, David Christensen and his companion, Jean Bell, of West Oneonta, and John Christensen and his companion, Jeri Townsend, of Oneonta; her four grandchildren, Jill Marchitello and her husband, Peter, of Florida, Amanda Johnson and her husband, Captain Robert Johnson, of North Carolina, and Heath and Christian Christensen.
Barbara was predeceased by one son, Stephen Christensen on Jan. 6, 1989.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 23, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the West Oneonta Cemetery, West Oneonta. There will be no calling hours.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Elena Amitrano
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Elena Amitrano, 89, most recently of Glendale, and formerly of Oneonta and Kingston, passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2004, at her residence.
She was born on Sept. 3, 1914, in Rome, Italy, the daughter of Raniero and Maria (Demedici) Coacci.
She married Ralph F. Amitrano on May 4, 1946, in Livorno, Italy, and he passed away on April 9, 2003.
As well as being a homemaker, Mrs. Amitrano worked as a professional seamstress for several area stores, including Bresee's in Oneonta.
She is survived by her beloved children, Sergio Amitrano and his wife, Christine, of Albany, Mary Jane Amitrano Van Steenburg of Jupiter, Fla., and Angela Amitrano Sawalqah of Phoenix, Ariz.; her 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.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, April 5, 2004, 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, Emmons.
Visitation will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Albany Medical Center Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, 43 New Scotland Ave., Mail Code 119, Albany, NY 12208.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
