Obituaries

DUNKIRK - Janet L. (VanDusen) Peterson, 98, of Dunkirk, formerly of Massena and Fredonia, passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born in the town of Kortright on April 5, 1926, the daughter of the late James Gould and Leta (Davenport) VanDusen Adair.
Janet grew up on the family farm. She...

The family of Robert Edwin Ahlqvist announce his passing on July 21, 2025. He was born on Feb. 28, 1953 in Staten Island, to the late Margaret Sahlke Ahlqvist and Bertel Andreas Ahlqvist. He graduated from Susan E. Wagner High School in 1971 and became a carpenter apprentice. In 1976, he moved to Laurens. He worked...

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Florence (Flossie) Barber Aldrich was born at Chase Hospital in New Berlin to William L. Barber and Alice Daniels Barber in 1943. She died Sept. 15, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the youngest of four children. All of her siblings, Albert Barber, Dora Carr and Howard Barber, predeceased...

ONEONTA - Debra S. Annutto-Dauenheimer, 62, passed on April 14, 2025, at Sloan Kettering Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.
Debbie was born Sept. 8, 1962 in Herkimer, the beloved daughter of Anthony M. Annutto Jr. and Judith A. (Sporer) Annutto.
Debbie graduated from Herkimer High School in 1980 and...

BAINBRIDGE - Debra Arotsky, 69, passed away unexpectedly March 17, 2025.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Al Arotsky, and children, Amanda (Joseph) Winans, Alan (April) McFee, Sara (Todd) Strong, Rebecca Arotsky (Will Vidler), and Sam Arotsky. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, Kaili and Richard Bryant...

UNADILLA - Stanley (Butch) E. Backus, 76, of Unadilla and Zephyrhills, Florida, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at Gulfside Hospice Center in Zephyrhills.
He was born Sept. 2, 1948 in Bainbridge. He was the son of the late Paul Lee Backus and LaVerna Beers Foree. He was married to the love of his...

Margaruite Bailey, 96, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025 at Chestnut Park Nursing Home, Oneonta.
She was born May 9, 1929 in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of William and Pauline (Weidmann) Alsina.
She married Theodore Brundage, together having a daughter, Pauline Violet Brundage Bose. Pauline's sons are Randy...

STAMFORD - Calling hours from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Stamford, where a celebration of life will follow at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Roxbury Fire Department.
Visit www.macarthurfh.com with condolences for Jon's family.

WEST DAVENPORT - Lena Barnes, a devoted member of the West Davenport community, passed away peacefully Aug. 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, family, and service. She was 91.
Born Sept. 1, 1933 in Worcester, Lena was a faithful member of West Davenport Methodist Church, where she found fellowship, strength,...

ONEONTA - Rosemary Baskin died April 28, 2025. She was born in Endicott, to Dorothy (Colegrove) and Armando Parisella. Rosemary was a graduate of Vestal High School, where she was salutatorian, class of 1956.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Harpur College (SUNY Binghamton) and Master of Science...

WEST DAVENPORT - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William R. Beams, a cherished father, grandfather and devoted husband, who left us Jan. 21, 2025. Bill was a remarkable man whose legacy of love, service and craftsmanship will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Born on Nov. 13, 1961 in...

ONEONTA - James "Jim" Benjamin, 63, of Oneonta, passed away on Feb. 10, 2025 after a brave battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Jim was a devoted husband, father, brother and friend, known for his deep love for family and his remarkable ability to connect with others.
Born on Jan. 17, 1962, Jim lived a life filled...

SCHENECTADY - Daniel R. Bibeau age, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at Ellis Hospital.
Born in Oneonta, he was the son of the late Daniel and Lise (Gauthier) Bibeau.
Daniel is survived by his daughter, Nicolle Bibeau; and nephew Shayne (Tara) Ferris, as well as many family members and close...

Thomas F. Brennan
MILFORD - Thomas "Tom" Francis Xavier Brennan, beloved son, husband, father, and brother who was an attorney for the State of New York, entered into eternal life Friday night, September 5, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home in Milford following a seven-year battle with Multiple System...

CHERRY VALLEY - Carol Ann (Hull) Bressett of Cherry Valley, passed away peacefully April 1, 2025, at Cooperstown Center after an extended period of declining health.
Born in Cooperstown Feb. 26, 1942; the oldest daughter of James and Evelyn (Smith) Hull of Cherry Valley. Carol was a graduate of the Cherry Valley...

DUNNELLON, FLA. - While filled with gratitude for his full life, the family of Albin Emmons Bulson of Dunnellon, Florida, is saddened to announce his passing on Dec. 23, 2024, at the age of 86, after a long illness.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Antoinette (Fedor); daughters Diana (Mark) Degon and...

UNADILLA - Susan E. Butler, 79, of Unadilla passed away Thursday evening March 13, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born Dec. 10, 1945 in Sidney to Stephen & Vivian (Grant) Quimby.
She married Sheldon L. Butler June 19, 1965 at Unadilla Friends Church, Rogers Hollow. She was a family care provider improving...

CHENANGO FORKS - Ricky E. Charles passed away suddenly at his home on Sept. 22, 2025 at the age of 75. He was born on March 2, 1950, in Hancock, the son of Reginald Charles and Patricia O'Boyle, both of whom predeceased him.
In 1972, he married the mother of his children, Deborah Charles. They were married for 25...

DEPOSIT - Robert E. Clemons, 89, passed away Monday, March 10 at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City.
Bob was born May 26, 1935, in Oneonta to Charles and Dolly Clemons.
He attended Oneonta schools and enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 18 years old. He started his Marine career at Camp Lejune, North...

Betty A. Coats, 86, passed away at Good Shepherd Village in Endwell, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Kenneth Coats; daughter, Vicky Lee Coats; parents, Raymond and Minnie Wheeler; sisters, Marion Joedicke, Doris Passero, and Mabel Knight; and brother, Mahlon (Pete) Wheeler.
She is...

WORCESTER - Floyd Maynard Conroe, 90, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Jan. 30, 2025 at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
He was born Oct. 7, 1934 in Worcester, the son of Floyd David and Ivah Mae (Becker) Conroe.
Maynard attended the East Worcester School and then Worcester School until...

SHELBURNE, Vt. - Carol A. Daley (Bird) passed away peacefully in the early morning of June 19 at The Arbors in Shelburne, Vermont, joining the love of her life, Fran, on what would have been his 89th birthday. In Carol's own words, she lived a "charmed life." Born in Valley Stream, she was raised by Fayette...

GUILFORD - Dr. Katharine Dawson, aged 85, passed away peacefully Oct. 9, 2024, on Gospel Hill in the presence of her daughter, Gretchen, grandchild, Allysa, and great-grandchild, Hudson.
She was born Oct. 29, 1938, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Marjorie MacLellen Dawson and Col. Gordon Dawson.
She was a resident of...

MOUNT VISION - George Robert Decker of Mount Vision, born on Dec. 12, 1946 to Firman Decker and Lillian (Grosse) Decker, passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2025. George passed in the family home he grew up in, surrounded by family members. He was 78.
George was a storyteller who loved to joyfully recount past...

UNADILLA - Eileen DeMulder passed away peacefully on her 94th birthday, Saturday, March 15th, surrounded by family at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. Eileen Clinnick was born in 1931 to Frederick and Mabel Clinnick in Albany. She graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1948. In the same year, she flew...

CHALLIS, IDAHO - Dan, son of George Dolezel and Leslie McLaud, was born May 5, 1969 in Otego.
He graduated from Unatego in 1987 and joined the Army. During his service he achieved the rank of sergeant, earned several exemplary service commendations, and proudly became an Army Ranger.
Daniel was an avid reader and...

STAMFORD - Frederick "Fred" Doyle, 77, of Stamford passed away peacefully March 28, 2025, at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, following complications of end-stage Parkinson's disease.
Fred was born April 23, 1947, in Oneonta and raised with his brother and three sisters on his family's small farm...

WESTVILLE - David L. Dresser, 94, of Westville passed away at home Tuesday, May 27, 2025. He was born July 26, 1930 in Albany to Lee H and Thelma (Hoag) Dresser.
Dave's family moved to Oneonta in 1938 where his interests included horses and cars. He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1948 and attended...

CONWAY, Arkansas - Matthew Robert Dyke, of Conway, Arkansas, formerly of Franklin, tragically passed away on Jan. 15, 2025. Matt was born Dec. 8, 2000, in Urbana, Illinois and was the son of Cheryl Harmon and Steve Dyke.
Before graduating from Franklin Central School in 2019, Matt was selected as an AVP Facilitator...

SIDNEY - It is with great sadness we let you know of the passing of Evelyn Jean (Johnston) Emerson, 94, of Sidney. Evelyn passed on Nov. 19, 2025, at the home she loved and felt safe in, surrounded by her beloved family. Evelyn was born on May 10, 1931 in Laurens, the daughter of Kenneth Selden Johnston and Gladys...

ONEONTA - Ragnhild Ericson, 89, of Oneonta, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Born Ragnhild Margareta Oscarsson in Borås, Sweden, she grew up surrounded by the rich traditions of Swedish life. A lifelong learner with a love for numbers, gardening and the culinary arts, she earned her associate degree...

ONEONTA - Barbara Farrell, 92, passed away peacefully March 8, 2025, in Oneonta.
Born Sept. 9, 1932, in Binghamton, Barbara was the daughter of Robert and Helen Fink. She attended St. Paul's High School before pursuing nursing at Wilson Nursing School, where she earned RN certification.
Barbara shared a loving...

WESTFORD - Glen A. Ferguson Jr., passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Monday, March 3 with his family by his side.
Glen is survived by his wife, Janet (Kowansky); daughter, Melissa (Mark) Silver; son, Glen (Laura) Ferguson III, and his precious dog, Gator; two granddaughters, Sarah Silver (fiancé...

HARTWICK - Sharon M. Field, 77, of Hartwick, entered into eternal life Tuesday morning, Aug. 26, 2025, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.
She was born Dec. 5, 1947, at Aurelia Osborne Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, the only child of Clarence L. and Esther M. (Knoetgen) Prindle.
Raised in Oneonta, she...

Lisbeth Firmin, artist, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, died on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025 from lung cancer.
Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Lisbeth knew she was an artist from an early age, drawing ever since she could hold a crayon and won her first coloring contest at age six. Considered an art...

WATERFORD, Maine - The Rev. Sandra Douglass McVickar Fitz-Henry of Waterford, Maine, passed away in her home surrounded by family July 8.
Born Nov. 23, 1939, she attended Reed College, raised a family in Oneonta with Terrance Fitz-Henry (deceased), a professor at Hartwick College, and worked as religious education...

McKinney, Texas - After a courageous 12 year battle with Stage 4 cancer, I sadly announce the death of my brother, Steve Fruscella. Steve was a 1971 graduate of Oneonta High School. He was 1975 graduate of USMA at West Point and had an MBA from Boston University.
When Steve was in high school he finished in the top...

AGAWAM, Mass. - Arthur (Art) Gage, 78, of Agawam, passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2025. Art was born in Oneonta in 1946, where he lived until he graduated from Hartwick College with a bachelor's degree and moved to Agawam, where he met his wife, Margaret (Maggie). He went on to complete a masters degree...

ONEONTA - Pauline (Wilcox) Gergel, born Nov. 2, 1939, in Lowville, passed away peacefully Dec. 5, 2024, in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was a longtime resident of Oneonta.
Pauline was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Charlotte Wilcox; her sister, Mary; and her brothers, Robert and John. She is survived by...

DAVENPORT CENTER - Terry L. Glance, 73, of Davenport Center passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his loving family, Aug. 27, 2025.
Terry was born on April 19, 1952, to Ruth and Peter Glance in Mio, Michigan. Upon graduating from high school and Michigan State University, Terry relocated to Manhattan. From...

FLY CREEK - Gary B. Goodwin died peacefully at home on July 19, 2025.
Born on June 21, 1941 in Maine, he grew up roaming the woods and fishing. He attended a one room schoolhouse and graduated from West Paris High School in 1959. He earned a BA in History from the University of Maine in 1963 and an MA in Psychology...

COOPERSTOWN - Edward Gozigian, of Cooperstown, passed away Monday with his beloved wife by his side. He was born in Syracuse, Nov. 9, 1931, the son of Katchperooni and Shooshanig Gozigian.
Edward attended Syracuse University undergraduate school, where he was a letterman on the diving team. After graduating in...

SIDNEY - Patricia A. Grays, 83, passed away peacefully with family by her side.
She was born Feb. 10, 1942, in Auburn to the late G. Alan Ward and Edna (Dubois) Ward. Pat graduated from Moravia Central School in 1960. She married the love of her life, George Grays Sept. 3, 1960, in Moravia. Pat worked for Smith...

COOPERSTOWN - Lynn Adele Green, 78, peacefully entered eternal life surrounded by her family late Sunday afternoon, March 23, 2025, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.
A native of Staten Island, Lynn was born June 28, 1946, in Westerleigh, daughter of Kenneth C. and Violet May Decker. At the age...

ONEONTA - Arnold George Greenblatt, 79, passed away peacefully at the Oxford Veterans Home July 2, 2025. In later years he had suffered from exposure to Agent Orange from his service in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and he received wonderful care at the VA Home, for which the family will be...

DeLANCEY - It is with great earthly sadness but also great heavenly joy that we mourn the loss of our mother, Florence J. Grill. Jesus called her home Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She is now at peace.
Mrs. Grill/Florence/Florci or Chickie, however she was affectionately known, was...

ONEONTA - Lillian E. Hall, 91, of Oneonta passed away on Aug. 28, 2025 at home.
She was born on Dec. 10, 1933 in Unadilla, daughter of the late LeRoy and Eunice Williams.
Lillian married Fredrick Hall, Sr. on Dec. 16, 1949. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great...

REXFORD - Christopher William Hart, beloved husband, son, father, grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 4, 2025 after a long illness. He was 68 years old. Surrounded by his loving family in his final moments, just as he wished, Chris departed this life with the same quiet strength and grace...