COOPERSTOWN – John Poole Briggs, 85, died peacefully at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, on September 16, 2022, with his fiancé at his side.
He was born on August 9, 1937, to Harold John Poole and Edna Martha (Fredericks) Briggs of Northport. As a young boy, he spent summers on his father’s boat, the “Silver Fox,” where he developed a love for the ocean. A businessman at heart, John would sell batteries and T.V. tubes to fishermen and boaters on the dock in Northport. At 15, he opened his first T.V. repair shop behind the Midway, a newspaper & soda shop. He then proceeded to help his lifelong friend, Elsa Posey, who was also 15, open her school of dance.
In 1954, he drove his 1934 wood-side Ford across the country to Alaska. After his funds were exhausted, he returned home. The young businessman continued his T.V. repair business as he rented a shop on Main Street in Northport. One lesson he would reflect on often was when his father borrowed $1,000.00 from him and used it as a down payment to purchase a building for the business. His father’s opinion was, in business, if you have to make payments, “it is better to own than rent.”
Aimee Kelley, loving daughter, sister and aunt, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. She was 36 years old.
Aimee is survived by her mother, Kathleen Kelley, her brother Christopher and his fiancée Alanna Adams, and the light of Aimee’s life, her nephew Callum, who called her MeeMee.
Her extended family, too numerous to mention by name, includes a band of adopted brothers who always had her back, childhood and teenage friends with many stories to tell, and a supportive network of others who loved her dearly.
ONEONTA – Leon K. Beach, 73 of Oneonta passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the NYS Veterans Home, Oxford.
He was born December 8, 1948 in Oneonta, the son of Kenneth and Margaret Beach.
In the summer of 1962 he worked on his grandparents farm while his grandfather was sick with lung cancer.
Leon attended Milford and Otego schools and graduated from Unatego Central School in 1967. He was an accomplished runner on the track team and ran under a 5-minute mile.
Boy Scouts were a big part of his life and he was proud to have attended the National Jam-boree in Valley Forge, Pa., in 1964.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Karen Louise (Van Allen) Ingham, 65, of Okatie (Callawassie Island) S.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5. Growing up in Richfield Springs, Karen enjoyed many long-time friendships in the area.
Karen received her undergraduate degrees from Bay Path University and American International College in Education. Karen continued her education by receiving her master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in Education, with a concentration in Reading. Karen’s love of teaching led her to give back to her community by teaching for 23 years in the Richfield Springs Central School District as a kindergarten teacher and then finishing up her career as the reading specialist for the district.
UNADILLA – Philip J. LaFratta, 72, of Unadilla passed away on September 12, 2022, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.
Philip was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Savino and Lillian LaFratta on June 15, 1950. He worked as a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed spending time visiting with family and friends. He enjoyed joking and making people laugh. Most of all he loved the companionship of his beloved pets.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Barbara Steckler, 88, native of Richfield Springs, passed away on September, 8, 2022. She was born on July 2, 1934, the youngest daughter of Reginald and Mary Louise Joslyn. Barbara spent the majority of her life in the Village of Richfield Springs. In her youth she was active in school, both academically and in athletics, as well as performing in band and chorus. Barbara graduated from RSCS in 1952. Upon graduation she attended Cortland State Teachers College and Eastern School of Physician Assistants.
Barbara was united in marriage to William Bill Steckler in Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Richfield Springs, on November 24, 1954. They were a loving married couple for 51 years until his passing in 2007.
EDMESTON – David C. Green, 64, of Edmeston, passed away at his home on Sunday September 11, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Dave was born on June 30, 1958 in Oneonta, NY the son of the late Owen C. and Alice B. Green.
A 1976 graduate of Edmeston School, Dave entered the United States Air Force following graduation. He married the love of his life, Patricia Green on October 17, 1976. He received an A.A.S in Audio Visual Productions Services through the Community College of the Air Force in 1997. After proudly serving for 22 years, he retired and returned to his beloved hometown of Edmeston. He spent the next 24 years employed with NYCM Insurance in the Brand Management division.
ONEONTA – Rich was born on August 7, 1943 in Oneonta, NY to Leslie and Lucille (Mulford) Elderkin. He was raised on the family farm in West Laurens. It was there where he learned his strong work ethic and mechanical skills (“There were no holidays on our calendar”).
His father died when Rich was 16, which left him running the 100 head family farm together with the hired man, his mother and “little brother” John- not to mention attending school and playing football. Eventually they decided to sell and Rich joined the Air Force on May 21,1963. (“I went to see the army recruiter who wasn’t on duty that day. Lucky for me, the Air Force recruiter was there and I could not have made a better choice for my life’s work”).
Laura Lee Rous, 38, a life long resident of Otego, Laurens and Oneonta passed away recently.
Laura was born on August 18, 1983, her fathers 25th birthday, in Oneonta, NY to Andrew and Valerie Rous. She was predeceased by grandparents Agnes and Leo Rous, John Hilsinger Sr, Winifred (Charlie) Varin, her father Andrew Rous, step father Brian Allmendinger, a fiancé Joshua Ellsworth, an uncle Tracy Rous, and a cousin Lucas Rothenberger.
Laura attended Unatego School, and was employed in a variety of jobs, including fast food, home health care, and All Star Village where her son currently works. She also enjoyed four wheeling.
No he’s not lost fishing Oaks Creek or overdue from “antiquing” or walking the dog, Dr. John Geier Freehafer, 82, died suddenly but peacefully August 27, 2022 at home in Cooperstown, NY with his loving wife of 37 years, Gail (Reid) Freehafer, and treasured dog LuLu with him. John was a devoted husband, caregiver, father, and a dear friend to many. He was best known for his quick intellect, gamesmanship, robust appetite for good food and good times, wry sense of humor, uncanny ability to catch the larger fish, and his Polo aftershave.
John was born in New Rochelle, NY on October 7, 1939 to loving parents Edward G. and Isabel (Houck) Freehafer, originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He and his parents spent (and he continued to spend) many wonderful summer days in West Dennis, Massachusetts foraging its shorelines with crab net, fishing pole or scallop rake, and its flea markets and antique shops. At least in his later years he was not kept roped to the bridge for safety, as his parents were prone to do.
COOPERSTOWN – Mary Teresa Leary, 94, resident of Monroe County, was taken by the Lord on Sunday, August 28, 2022, in Rochester.
Mary was born on December 31, 1927, in Niagara Falls to Joseph David and Agnes Gertrude Maher.
Mary graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester with a nursing degree and worked as a nurse. She married Dr. Herbert J. Leary in Lyons Falls in 1952, and after a series of moves, eventually settled in Poughkeepsie to raise one daughter and four sons. Later the couple moved to Cooperstown after building a home on Otsego Lake. Following her husband’s passing in 2007, Mary came to reside at The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home in Cooperstown, a place she truly enjoyed and appreciated.
HORNELL-Kenneth Gary Weir, 74, of County Route 56, Town of Fremont, passed away early Sunday afternoon (Aug. 28, 2022) at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester.
He was a member of Local Union No. 832 of Operating Engineers for 55 years.
Gary enjoyed family, friends, hunting, fishing, Polish food and country music.
ONEONTA – Dr. Joseph Scott Lunn, 91, died peacefully at his home on August 28, 2022. He was born on July 11, 1931 in Oneonta, NY to the late William H. Lunn and Dorothy (Hanks) Lunn. He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1949, and Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1953.
He received his medical degree in 1958 from the SUNY Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, NY, and continued his internship and residency in Syracuse. In 1962, he served a two-year tour with the Public Health Service in Atlanta, GA, conducting malaria research. In 1964 he undertook a two-year fellowship in infectious diseases at the Upstate Medical School, and then entered practice in Syracuse.
In 1969, he became an associate physician at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY, and in 1972 was appointed Chief of the Medical Staff at Bassett, a position he held until 1980 when he joined the Medical College of Georgia (now Augusta University) as an attending physician and clinical professor until his retirement in 1996.
COOPERSTOWN – Jeanne “Jeje” Stone Barrett Viek, 93, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Cooperstown on January 22, 2022.
She was born on March 22, 1928 in Bryn Mawr, PA, the daughter of Albert Oliver and Lisbeth Beatrice (Stone) Barrett. She grew up in Devon, PA. Most weekends the family went to their farm on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.
Jeje attended the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA, a private school for girls. Those who know Jeje won’t be surprised to hear she was pushed ahead two grades, and she was also a bit of a mischief-maker (but never malicious)! She attended Smith College where she majored in Science (and was well-known for her prowess at arm wrestling). She was also on the All-Smith Crew team. Jeje later went to West Chester State College (now University) to become a teacher. She eventually earned two Master’s Degrees at West Chester – one in Science Education and one in Reading.
EDMESTON – Ward S. “Seeber” Robinson Jr, 85, of Edmeston, Passed away at his home on Monday August 8, 2022.
Ward was born in Cooperstown on April 30, 1937 the son of the late Ward S. and Marion Pope Robinson Sr. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Margaret “Peg” Robinson in 2014.
He is survived by his daughter Jill; son Greg, daughter-in-law, Linda; the grandsons he adored, Alex and Nick; brother Van and his wife Carol, sister-in-law Barbara; brother-in-law Jerry and his wife Patty; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by by his long time companion and care giver Pat Stevens.
