Obituaries

Paul P. Perkins, age 86, of 15 Evergreen Street, Dryden, NY passed away peacefully Friday, June 20, 2008 at his residence after a one year illness. Mr. Perkins was born May 25, 1922 in Cortland, NY, the oldest son of Ernest and Josephine DeWitt Perkins. Paul was graduated from Dryden High School in 1940 and served in the US Navy in World War II at various continental stations and aboard the U.S.S. Beckham APA 133 in the South Pacific. The Beckham saw duty at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and was at sea for 10 months. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy as a Pharmacist's Mate First Class, Paul pursued studies at the Simmons School of Embalming and became associated with his father and mother at Perkins Funeral Home.

It was an honor for him to serve the community in the family funeral business until 2007. He operated the Perkins Ambulance Service until 1976. Paul was a member of the national, state and local funeral directors organizations. On April 21, 1946 he was married to the former Joyce McKinney also of Dryden. Mr. Perkins was a seventy-three year member and an Elder of The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, a member of the Dryden Fire Department, a member and Past Commander and Past County Commander of the Leonard T. Spaulding Post #1134, American Legion and a member of the Dryden Township Post #8158, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was one of the founders of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Team. Paul was proud to be a sixty-five year member and a Past Master of Dryden Lodge #472 F.&A.M. and served as Treasurer for more than fifty-five years. He was appointed by the Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York as the Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Brazil.

ITHACA - Mitta M. Bennett, age 92, of Ithaca, died Thursday afternoon, June 12th, at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca. Mrs. Bennett was born in Interlaken, the daughter of the late Arthur and Bessie Gibbs VanOstrand.

Mrs. Bennett worked many years prior to retirement as an assembler for NCR in Ithaca. She enjoyed spending her time crocheting and timing race cars throughout the East Coast. Mrs. Bennett was also an avid bowler and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the VFW and the Eagles Club in Ithaca.

ITHACA - Helen A. Grimm, age 80 of Ithaca, died Tuesday, June 10th, at the Virginia Medical Center in Arlington, VA. Mrs. Grimm was born in Hackensack, NJ, the daughter of the late Alfred and Eleaner LaVoe Abrams.

A graduate of Ithaca High School, Class of 1945, Mrs. Grimm worked at both Ithaca College and Cornell University before moving to Kentucky, where she retired in 1976 from the Community Action Commission of Northern Kentucky as an administrative assistant. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church throughout her years in Ithaca. While living in Ithaca and after her retirement, she served as President of the Titus Towers Tennant Council; on the Board of Directors for the Ithaca Housing Authority from 1993-1995; poll assistant for the Board of Elections; and member of the Ithaca Cable Commission from 1993-1995. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years in Ithaca.

Stanley M. Czerenda, 91, of 120 Sykes St., Groton, NY and formerly of Etna, NY died Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland, NY.

Born March 16, 1917 in Detroit, MI, he was a son of the late Joseph and Anna Hryb Czerenda and husband of the late Marilyn Parker Czerenda who passed away on May 4, 2008.

Stanley was retired as the Meat Department Manager of P&C Food Markets in Ithaca, NY. He had also been employed as the Meat Department Manager of A&P Food Store and COOP Food Store in Ithaca. Following retirement, he worked part time at Ludgate's Produce. Stanley served in the U.S. Army during WW II in the European Theatre and was a driver in the "Red Ball Express." He was a member of the United Food and Commercial Worker International Union and was a charter member and one of the founders of the Enfield Fire Department, he was a life member of the Etna Fire Department and a life member of the Dryden Township Post 8158 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Florence Miller, age 81, lifetime resident of NYC and, during the long gardening season, a resident of Mount Road in Trumansburg, passed away peacefully at her NYC home on May 25, 2008 following an extended illness. Florence was born on October 12, 1926 in Brooklyn, a daughter of the late Samuel and Bertha Rudetsky. She had been an Elementary Teacher and Guidance Counselor in the NYC Public School System.

She was independent, stubborn, strong witted, a voracious reader, a published writer, a patron of the opera, and an involved member of her community. She loved NYC (except for the pigeons) and equally loved the quietness of her country home; additionally, she truly loved her daughters.

ITHACA - Diane Lester, age 50 of Ithaca, died Wednesday May 28, 2008 at Lakeside Nursing Home in Ithaca. Ms. Lester is the daughter of the late Kenneth and Jean Lester. She is survived by her daughter, Dee Humby; a granddaughter, Cheyenne Humby; a sister, Judy Lester; a brother, Kenneth C. Lester; two aunts, Elizabeth (Milton) Savage and Beth Lester; sever cousins.

Friends and family may call Monday from 10:30 a.m. until time of 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service at the Norman Waterman Funeral Home, 124 W. Miller Street, Newark. Burial will follow in East Palmyra Cemetery. Arrangements were completed and under the care of the Herson Funeral Home, Ithaca.

Connie Costantini, 98, passed away on May 26, 2008 at Alterra Sterling House in Ithaca. Connie was born and grew up in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. In 1932 she married Joseph Costantini and moved to Brooklyn where they raised their three children; Assunta (Richard) Kovalcik of Edison, NJ; Paul (Patricia) of Ithaca; and Joseph (Cheryl) of Mays Landing, NJ. Connie is survived by eight grandchildren; Rick (Susan) and Andrew (Allison) Kovalcik, Joseph (Lisa) & William (Carrie) Costantini & Christine (Joseph) Gazzillo, and Joseph ( Tara), Anthony & Maria Costantini and thirteen great-grandchildren; Kelly Sue, Christopher & Kyle Kovalcik, Paul & Richard Costantini, Zachary, Katherine & Genevieve Costantini, Joseph, Nicholas & Patrick Gazzillo and Gabriella & A.J. Costantini.

She is also survived by many nieces & nephews. Her husband Joe and grand-daughter Susan Kovalcik will greet her at St. Peter's gate along with many friends & family. Connie worked as a seamstress creating designed label blouses in Brooklyn and was a proud member of the International Lady Garment Workers Union. She was a creative cook and many of her favorite dishes are now served by her children and grandchildren. Any gathering around her dining room table was a celebration and Connie was happiest when surrounded by her family. She also loved to crochet and created many blankets for several charities in the Ithaca area. Connie will also be remembered for her devotion to her faith as a member of Holy Cross Church in Dryden, NY and for the miracles of her Prayers & Rosary.

Callahan, FL - Maiga Zeipe, age 86, of Callahan, FL, formerly of Ithaca, a retired custodian with Cornell Animal Clinic died Sunday May 25th, 2008 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Zeipe was born on January 29th, 1922 in Aluksne, Latavia, the daughter of the late Peters and Helena Pulsts. Her husband Augusts Zeipe, preceded her in death on April 1, 2004. Mrs. Zeipe will always be remembered for her passion for flowers and her love for kitty cats.

Jacqueline Sonia "Jackie" Kelly, age 43, of 363 Munson Road, passed away with her family by her side at the home of her parents on Friday, May 16, 2008 after a valiant battle against Inflamatory Breast Cancer.

Jackie was born on February 5, 1965 in Stuttgart, Germany, the third of four children of Edward M. and Waltraud (Frank) Kelly. As a military brat, she attended schools in Italy, Germany, and Texas. Jackie enlisted in the US Air Force in 1987 and served in Mississippi, Wyoming, and Spain. Upon her honorable discharge in 1991, she moved to the Lansing area. Most recently, she had been employed at Cornell University as an HVAC technician.

Peter Merritt Rinaldo passed away on May 2, 2008. He was at home in Ithaca, NY surrounded by his family.

He was born in Evanston Illinois on June 21, 1922. He spent his childhood in Wheaton, IL, as part of an extended family of siblings and cousins. Many happy summers were spent at the family camp on White Earth Lake in Minnesota. In 1937 he won a contest and, at age 14, accompanied only by a classmate, went to Europe for six weeks. This was the beginning of many foreign travels throughout his life.

Lena E. Thiesen, 91, of 2473 Page Green Rd., Virgil, NY passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at University Hospital, Syracuse, NY.

Born August 31, 1916 in Virgil, she was the daughter of the late William and Nellie O’Day Bloomer and wife of the late Frederick Thiesen who died May 10, 1986. She had been employed with various Judges and Justices retiring from the Supreme Court System in 1979. She was a member of the Virgil United Methodist Church, Ladies Auxiliary of the Virgil Fire Dept., PTA, Ladies Auxiliary of the Cortland Memorial Hospital. She was very active in various civic and community activities and prior to her employment, she was a Republican Committee Member.

Theresa E. Teeter, age 92, resident of the Longview Community, died on Monday, April 28, 2008, at Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca.

Theresa was born on November 12, 1915 in Union Bridge, MD, a daughter of the late John and Theresa (Eberhart) Kroboth. She had been a lifetime resident of the Lansing and Dryden areas. Theresa had worked at Jamesway in Ithaca for nearly 20 years in addition to caring for her family.

Josephus (Jef) Van de Poel, age 82, of 1106 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, died on Friday, April 25th, 2008, at Hospicare of Tompkins County following an illness of several months.

Born in Leiden, Holland, on September 15th, 1925, he was the son of Josephus and Philomena (Thuring) Van de Poel.

During World War II he was a member of the Dutch Underground Resistance. He received his Ph.D. in Analytical and Organic Chemistry from the State University of Leiden in 1956 and immigrated to the United States, where he worked as a Research Chemist for E.I. Dupont. In 1958, he joined the faculty of Wells College in Aurora, New York as a professor of Chemistry and Physics where he taught until he retired in 1986. It was at Wells College that he met his wife, Marjorie Cowan Van de Poel, who was then a professor of Music at Wells College. Marge, Jef, and their children moved to Ithaca in 1974.

Freeville - Roderick E. "Tuffy" Holmes, 53, of Asbury Road, Freeville, NY passed away April 21, 2008 at the Hospicare Residence in Ithaca, NY after a four month battle with cancer.

He was born in Canastota, NY on May 31, 1954 to Doris and Roger Holmes Sr. Roderick was a graduate of Canastota high school, and served as a 9th infantry division, 2nd battalion, 77th armored Reconnaissance, scouting for tanks in the Yukon Territory. He received an honorable discharge, under the rank of Buck Sergeant in September 1975. Roderick was a dedicated employee of Cornell University for 18 years. His favorite hobbies included riding his Harley, fishing, hunting, the art of baking, and spending time with family and many close friends. Roderick was a beloved father and husband who will be remembered always by those who knew him.

Dorothy Pashley, 83, passed away on Monday April 21, 2008, at her home in Groton, NY surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Pashley; her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Lorri Kopf; and sister-in-law, Louise Kopf.

Dorothy is survived by her children and their spouses, Kathy (Hovey) Marquis, VA, Karen (Hovey) and Joe Borowitz, Wallkill, NY, Karel (Hovey) and Tom Jackson, Groton, Doug and Deonnita Hovey, VA, Jean (Pachai) and Daniel Griffiths, UT, JoAnne (Pachai) Hinkle, Oneida, NY; her fifteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; her brother, Robert Kopf, Ithaca; her niece, nephew, and their families; and many good friends. Dorothy was born in Tonawanda, NY, on December 26, 1924, the daughter of the late Harold and Josephine (Lance) Kopf.

John Butler Babcock, 85, of Ithaca, NY died on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Bridges of Cornell Heights surrounded in love by his three daughters. He was the son of the late Howard Edward (H.E.) and Hilda Butler Babcock. His wife, Nancy Keyes Babcock, pre-deceased him in December 2005.

John was raised on Sunnygables Farm of Ithaca, known to many in recent years as Turback's Restaurant. He attended Ithaca public schools through the tenth grade, then studied three years at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH where in 1941 he earned a degree in English.

James N. Sweazey, 81, of Lansing, NY, passed away on Tuesday April 8, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eva (Avery) Sweazey; his sons and daughters-in-law, James and Peggy Sweazey, Lansing, Jeffrey and Bobbi Sweazey, Lansing, Jerry and Laurie Sweazey, Minneapolis, Minn; his daughter, Joanne Sweazey Rubino, Lander, WY; his grandchildren, Melanie, Melissa, Patrick, Cameron, Tara; his sisters and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Bruno Mazza, Ethel Bucci; his aunt, Ollene Crandall; many nieces, nephews and special cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Casper and Doris Sweazey; brother, Thomas Sweazey; and brother-in-law, Adam Bucci. Jim was born in Ithaca, NY on August 17, 1926.

He shared work with his father, Casper Sweazey on the family farm during WWII and beyond to this day still mowing the hay with the crank 1949 Ford tractor. Jim was a Ford vehicle salesman for 33 years, working for Fred Brown, Cayuga Motors, and Maguire Ford. Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed an array of activities from dancing with his wife, water and snow skiing, hunting and fishing, or simply a tractor ride or sled ride with his grandchildren. He was an avid boater, spending countless hours aboard the Swing-N-Sway-Z with his family. Jim loved to attended major professional sporting events and the local sports as well, in support of his children and grandchildren who meant the world to him.

LANSING - Shirley A. "Ma Lou" Walrad, age 63, of 76 Lansing Station Road, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, following an extended illness.
Shirley was born on November 2, 1944 in Ithaca, daughter of the late Julius and Anna Sobol. She attended Lansing High School and worked at Ithaca Textiles and Smith-Corona prior to starting her family.

Ma Lou is survived by her husband, Howard A. Walrad, her son, Anthony "AJ" Walrad, both of Lansing; and a stepson, Howard A. Walrad Jr., and his daughter, Olivia; her sisters, Mary Mente of Ithaca, Betty (Peter) Churey of Genoa, Louise Lyon of Groton, Cecilia (William) Reynolds of Lansing; and a brother, Julius (Charlotte) Sobol of Groton; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Anthony, Joseph, John and George Sobol; and by sisters, Rose Milligan and Anna Sullivan.

FREEVILLE - Steven W. Emerson, 47, of 23 Baker Hill Rd., Freeville, NY passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at home.

Born March 22, 1961 in Ithaca, NY, he was a son of Walter Emerson and the late Beverly Sickmon Emerson. Steven was employed for many years with P & C Markets on Judd Falls Road in Ithaca.

RICHFORD - Robert L. Sherman, 73, of 23 Brigham Rd., Richford, NY passed away Monday, March 24, 2008 at Beechtree Care Center in Ithaca, NY.

Born November 7, 1934 at Homer, NY, he was a son of the late Bert and Harriet Walton Sherman. On April 19, 1975 he married Evonne VanEtten Dean at Snyder Hill Baptist Church, Ithaca. Mr. Sherman served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was a 35 year employee of Eastern A.I. Cooperative, now Genex. He raised and ran Beagles in field trials and was a member of the Cayuga Lake Beagle Club, he was an avid hunter, fisherman and bowler and was on the industrial league for over 30 years. He also enjoyed playing and coaching baseball for Kiwanis and coaching the Cinderella softball city league.