ONEONTA – Cynthia Lorenz McCarthy, 87, went home to be with the Lord, on Friday, April 8, 2022. She passed away peacefully in her home following a brief illness.
Cynthia was born July 1, 1934 in Lohrville, Iowa the daughter of Russell and Inez Lorenz.
Cynthia married Keith McCarthy on July 6, 1957 at the Methodist Church in Sharon Springs, NY. Prior to Keith’s death in 2007, they had made their home in Oneonta for 47 years, where Cynthia continued to live until her passing.
At the age of nine Cynthia’s father, a superintendent of schools, passed away from diabetes. Cynthia and her mother, an art teacher, traveled extensively, eventually settling in Sharon Springs, NY. Cynthia graduated from Sharon Springs high school and then attended the State University College of Oneonta, majoring in education. Cynthia taught in both the North Tonawanda School District and the New Hartford School District. Cynthia returned to Oneonta to teach young children as part of the Bugbee Migrant Child Care Program. She concluded her teaching career at Center Street Elementary School, Oneonta, retiring in 1996. She was a dedicated teacher who will always be remembered by her students and colleagues.
COOPERSTOWN – Carol Ann Sautin Gorsin, a longtime resident of Cobleskill and Cooperstown, New York, Lansdowne, Ontario and New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a well-loved wife, mother and school teacher, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 31, 2022 at the Regency Elderly Care in Edgewater, Florida. Carol was 82.
Born Carol Ann Sautin on April 29, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of Julius Sautin and Ann R. Sautin (Corso). She grew up in Brooklyn surrounded by her extended maternal family. She attended Saint Angela Hall, graduating in 1955. Growing up, she summered in Howes Cave, New York with her paternal grandmother. During these summer visits she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Gorsin, a longtime resident of Cobleskill. On September 29, 1957 they were married and settled in Cobleskill to work and raise their family.
While raising her two children and tending to her household she attended SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Oneonta where she received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Early Education. In 1970 she began teaching 6th grade science at Cobleskill Central School and continued, even after relocating to Cooperstown in 1973, until her early retirement in December 1986. Her innovative, creative teaching style and enthusiasm for a secure, upbeat and comfortable learning environment made her an invaluable educator and grade 6 team member. She was considered a favorite teacher amongst her students whom still remember having her as their teacher to this day! Her favorite holiday was Halloween where she would dress up, along with her fellow teachers, for her students and then visit Dick at his bank to entertain the workers and customers alike!
ONEONTA – She was born December 16, 1927 in Salem, N.Y., the daughter of Harry and Anna Currey.
She graduated from Washington Academy in Salem, N.Y., in 1945, from Oneonta Normal School (SUCO) in 1949 and St. Rose’s College, Albany, N.Y., in 1964.
She taught intermediate Special Education for 32 years for the Oneonta School District and Catskills Area BOCES in the Watkins House, the old Oneonta Jr. High School, Riverside School and Greater Plains School.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church since 1945. She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Rosary Society, Young At Heart, Otsego County Retired Teachers Society and a life member of the Oneonta Elks Club.
SCHENECTADY – Patrick “Pat” Anthony Foti, 85, a career-long teacher in the Capitol District and SUNY Albany administrator, passed away on Feb. 15, 2021, following a long battle with cancer.
Pat was born on Aug. 29, 1935, in Oneonta, the twin son of Italian immigrants, Giovanni and Gabrelena (Cologero) Foti. Survivors include his brother, Vincent F. Foti, Sr., of Oneonta, the retired SUNY Oneonta dean.
Faith, family and friends were at the center of Pat’s life. Pat worked in the family business, Foti’s Italian Bakery, on River Street, through elementary, high school and college. Throughout the rest of his life he found the aroma of fresh bread baking intoxicating and nostalgic.
CHERRY VALLEY – Karen Elizabeth Johnson Rury died peacefully in her home on January 28, 2021.
She was born in Fulton on Nov 30, 1949, to her parents, Rod and Jean Johnson. She lived in Oswego County until her family moved to Middlefield in 1963. Karen graduated from Cherry Valley Central School in 1967. She then attended SUNY Cobleskill and obtained a degree in Nursery Education. She then went to SUNY Cortland and received a degree in Elementary Education.
Paul Robinson and wife Martha were grand marshals of the 2016 Oneonta Fourth of July Parade, a memory he treasured. (AllOTSEGO.com file photo)Paul R. Robinson
ONEONTA – Paul Raymond Robinson, 79, a Marine, retired teacher and two-term Oneonta alderman, died peacefully on Oct. 22, 2020, at Bassett Hospital, after years of struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.
An engaged community leader, driven by a sense of fairness and a steadfast commitment to helping those in need, Paul was a lifelong Yankees fan, an adventurous pilot, a curious hobbyist and a collector of coins with a soft spot for dogs and children.
Many people will remember him walking his Boston terriers, Beacon and Sugar Bear, through downtown Oneonta.
ONEONTA – Richard Arthur Breuninger, 74, left this world Saturday June 13, 2020, in Cooperstown, as the result of a stroke.
Known as Dick, he was born Sept. 29, 1946, in Springfield, Mass., the son of Arthur K.E. Breuninger and Marama E. L’Esperance Breuninger.
Dick lived in Feeding Hills/Agawam, Mass., before going to Hartwick College in 1964. During high school, Dick had a keen interest in language and tutored Puerto Rican migrant workers and enjoyed studying Latin. At Hartwick College he majored in German and minored in history and biology. He first met his future wife, Mary Walter, during freshman week.
ONEONTA – Nancy M. Nichols, 96, a teacher, and during World War II a WAVE and a “Rosie the Riveter” in California, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019 at Fox Hospital.
She was born on Dec. 29, 1923, in Cooperstown, daughter of the late Arthur A. and Lillian (Newport) MacEwan.
Nancy graduated from Oneonta Normal School in 1941, and SUNY Oneonta, Class of 1952.
ONEONTA — Geri Mae Asp Scheele, 86, passed away Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, during convalescence at Fox Nursing Home &d Rehabilitation Center from a late October fall.
She was a resident for the past 10 years at The Plains at Parish Homestead, and had lived for 45 years before on Irving Place. Gerri was born on Sept. 19, 1933, in Holdrege, Neb., to Esther Marilla Jenkins Asp and Everett Eugene Asp, the third of four children.
She graduated from high school in Holdrege in 1951. Gerri was an excellent student and earned a scholarship to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. She had worked part-time as a shoe salesperson while in high school and found a similar position to assist with her finances while a college student in Lincoln.
Oz Smith, a pal of Joe Campbell and former WDOS announcer who also sang on Broadway, sings his original composition, “By The Time Tomorrow Comes,” for his old friend, ending with the standard, “Without a Song,” concluding, “I know there ain’t no love at all without a song.” At right is Joe’s portrait from his radio days.. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
“Big Chuck” D’Imperio remembers his radio colleague’s hearty handshake, infectious laugh and “pure joy for the art of broadcasting.”
ONEONTA – Take heart.
Joe Campbell Jr.
The 100 friends and admirers at “Voice of Oneonta” Joseph Campbell’s memorial service this morning certainly did, wife Judith reminded them of one of her husband’s favorite exhortations in good times and bad: “Life is just a bowl of cherries. Everything will be OK.”
That wasn’t always the case for Campbell, you might think, but you’d be wrong, judging from the testimony at the hour-long service at the Elks Club.
In failing health, he spent the last few years before he passed away at Hampshire House, but he loved life to the end, said son Joe: When one of his granddaughters reminded him he was almost “91 and a half,” Campbell was delighted. He passed away on March 6, 2019, at “91 and a half,” after hearing “The Campbells Are Coming,” performed on bagpipes.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – When Hillary didn’t get elected, it was time for me, Shirley Davidson Fisher, to go, and I did just that on July 17, 2019, at 96 years of age.
Sadly, I was predeceased by beloved daughter, Donna Schick, grandson Joel Carson and husband, Jack Fisher. I am survived by daughter, Suzanne (Robert) Davis and younger sister Blanche Fletcher, nieces, nephews and other relatives. Some will be mentioned.
My parents, Don and Mary Davidson raised me correctly, and I have tried to pass on the most important lessons. Come to the table when called and clean your plate, including all vegetables.
ONEONTA – Joseph Paul Campbell, age 91½, passed away on March 6, 2019, at 4:05 p.m. after hearing “The Campbells are Coming” on the bagpipes while surrounded by family.
A few days earlier, Pastor Eda Dorosky led a family prayer circle around Joe, welcoming him with grace to God’s table. A memorial service will be scheduled at a teacher-friendly time, with so many family members following in Joe’s footsteps.
Joe, Oneonta High School Class of 1945, was one of Oneonta’s most dedicated life-long community members. He was recognized through honors and awards throughout his life. Joe’s dedication to teaching, coaching, broadcasting, and community service were among his greatest contributions, which were woven through his life as a father, athlete, philosopher, educator, radio personality, music aficionado, and coach.
COOPERSTOWN – Sandee Hillman Alpern, 71, a spinner, weaver and potter, as well as Cooperstown Elementary teacher, passed away this morning, Jan. 10, 2019, at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Oneonta. She had lived in Cooperstown since 1976.
MOUNT VISION – Lillian Timer, 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Oneonta.
Lillian was born on Nov. 30, 1919, in Middlefield, the daughter of Earl and Pearl (Chase) Alpaugh. She was a graduate of Cherry Valley Central School and of Oneonta State College, Class of 1940.
On May 09, 1943, she married Edward Timer in Cherry Valley. They lived in Laurens and moved to Mount Vision in 1950.
COOPERSTOWN – Stephen Hammond, Jr., 83, of Cooperstown, a retired teacher, principal and downtown merchant, died Feb. 28, 2018, AT Bassett Hospital after a long bout with cancer.
Known to all as Buddy, he was a familiar figure at local hotspots such as the Cooperstown Diner, and was known for his outgoing personality and wonderful story-telling.
ONEONTA – She was born December 16, 1927 in Salem, N.Y., the daughter of Harry and Anna Currey.
