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obituary - Page 2

In Memoriam: Margaret Seaver Montarras

FRANCE—Meg (Margaret) Seaver Montarras, daughter of the late Robert Badger and Mary Sheil Seaver of Cooperstown, died peacefully in France on Sunday, January 28, 2024 after spending two years keeping pancreatic cancer at bay with her indomitable “joie de vivre.”
Meg and her twin sister, Sash, were born in Philadelphia in 1953 but moved to Cooperstown with their family in 1960. Meg graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1971. After stints at Sarah Lawrence and Mount Holyoke colleges, she moved to France and finished her degree at…

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In Memoriam: James E. Sawyer

ONEONTA—James E. Sawyer, 80, passed away unexpectedly at home on January 27, 2024.
He was born June 13, 1943 in Oneonta, the son of Emory C. and Mary E. (Taylor) Sawyer.
Jim graduated from Oneonta High School, Class of 1961 and one month later he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the USS Cone (DD 866) and was honorably discharged in August of 1965 with the rank of RM3.…

In Memoriam: Amanda Mary Swatling (Onyan)

It is with great sadness that we had to say goodbye to our loving daughter, sister, niece and friend.
Amanda is survived by her mother, Deborah, step-mother Wendy Fink-Onyan, and siblings Joshua (Charysse), Michael (Carrie), Rachael (Martin), Kala (John), Nicole (Corey), Colin, Tristin, and Bryden (Taylor). She was predeceased by her two dads, Terry Onyan and Michael Swatling; grandmothers Elizabeth Swatling, Joan Hopkins (Welch), and Norma Onyan; and grandfathers Roy Swatling and Robert Burns. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews…

In Memoriam: Roger Colton Smith

COOPERSTOWN—Roger Colton Smith, 87, of Cooperstown, died peacefully at home the morning of Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
Roger was born at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown on April 28, 1936, the son of LeRoy F. Smith and Gertrude E. (Spurbeck) Smith. After graduating from Cooperstown Central School, Class of 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed four years of active duty as a radar man on the USS Fremont, remaining in the U.S. Navy Reserve until 1962.…

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In Memoriam: Christopher D. Campbell

CHERRY VALLEY—Christopher Dudley Campbell, of Cherry Valley, died peacefully at home on January 6, with his family by his side. He was 74.
Chris was known for his easy smile, a remarkable inventory of stories told with dry humor and his boundless love for Cherry Valley. He was an avid history buff and collector, coauthoring a book about the history of Sharon Springs that featured his historical postcard collection.…

In Memoriam: Grace Louise Fabian

Douglassville, PA—Grace Louise Fabian of Douglassville, Pennsylvania passed away on January 1, 2024. She was born on January 26, 1938 in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Clarence Eddie Jones and Myrtle Blanche (Scaife) Jones.
Grace received her Training Certificate in Bible from the Practical Bible Training School and earned her Bachelor of Arts in cross-cultural studies from the State University of New York. She earned her master’s degree in human resource leadership from Azusa Pacific University in 1990. Finally, in…

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In Memoriam: Josephine L. Bliss

COOPERSTOWN—Josephine L. Bliss, a lifelong resident of the Cooperstown community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Her passing was in the presence of family at her home on State Route 28, in the hamlet of Index, just south of the village. She was 85 years old.
Josie, as she was affectionately known by her friends, was born on December 20, 1938, the third of four daughters of Max Gorney and Mary (Peplinski) Gorney. Josie was born on the family…

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In Memoriam: Robert Stewart Whyte

Robert “Bob” Stewart Whyte, 86, died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Cooperstown, New York, where he had recently relocated.
Bob was born in San Jose, California on May 13, 1937 and grew up in Watsonville, California, where he attended Watsonville High School. He became an Eagle Scout in 1952, played on the tennis team, and began cultivating his musical and comedy talents while writing skits for the rally committee.…

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In Memoriam: Gretchen V. Whalen

Gretchen Van Syckle Whalen died December 30, 2023 at The Nottingham senior living community in Jamesville, where she was an active resident for nearly eight years. She was 96 years old.
Gretchen was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey to Harold and Ruth Van Syckle. She earned a BA from Connecticut College, and master’s degrees from Newark State College and SUNY Albany. She was a long-time resident of Cooperstown and Manlius, and was involved in many community activities during her time in…

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In Memoriam: James A. McGrath

COOPERSTOWN—James Anthony McGrath, a long-time resident of Cooperstown and dedicated member of the Cooperstown Veterans Club, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta. He was 85 years old.
Born May 21, 1938 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Jim was one of eight children of John Thomas McGrath and Sophie R. (Maciag) McGrath. When he was 10 years old, Jim’s father passed away unexpectedly, and…

Putting the Community Back Into the Newspaper

Now through March 30, new annual subscribers to “The Freeman’s Journal” and AllOtsego.com (or subscribers who have lapsed for two or more years) have an opportunity to help their choice of one of four Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice:

Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Cooperstown Food Pantry, Greater Oneonta Historical Society or Super Heroes Humane Society.