HARTWICK—Paul Patrick “Moon” Mullins, 73, of Hartwick, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his loving family Saturday evening, January 28, 2023, at his home.
A native of Canada, Paul was born April 17, 1949 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, one of nine children of Patrick Joseph Mullins and Bridget “Betty” (O’Brien) Mullins.
After graduating from high school, Paul enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 25, 1968 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. While he was stationed in Japan at the USAF Hospital at Tachikawa Air Base he met Cooperstown native Mary Giovanna Curcio, and the two were married September 21, 1971 in Tokyo. Paul earned the rank of Sergeant, was transferred to the USAF Reserves in 1972, and received his honorable discharge in 1974.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS—Alexander J. Shields, 86, passed away on January 9, 2023 at home with his loving wife by his side. He was born in Oneonta on October 2, 1936.
Alex is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara A. Shields; a daughter, Ursula (Ralph) Thompson of Canandaigua, and their three children and four great-grandchildren; sons Gregory of Albany and Christopher of Washington, D.C.; stepchildren Harvey (Evonne) Elliott of Oak Hall, Virginia and their three children, and Charles (Mary Lou) Elliott of Binghamton, their nine children and six grandchildren.
AFTON—Alan James Curran, 73, passed away on January 8, 2023, in Afton, New York, with his family and loving dog, Max, by his side.
Born on August 21, 1949 in Youngstown, Ohio, Alan was the son of James Leroy and Marilouise (Hill) Curran. He joined the United States Air Force in 1969, where he worked as a jet aircraft mechanic. He served with honor and distinction until 1973, at which time he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
NEW JERSEY—Peter C. Lewis, 63, passed away December 2, 2022 at Cooper Hospital in New Jersey. He was born April 11, 1959 in Huntington Station, New York, the son of Charles Harry and JoAnn Muriel (Peldunas) Lewis.
Peter graduated from Andrew S. Draper Central School in Schenevus, Class of 1978. He then enlisted into the United States Air Force, serving from 1978 to 1998. While in the military, he met and married Virginia, the mother of their children. After retirement from the Air Force, Peter moved back to New York.
HARTWICK, NY – Vincent Joseph Cronin, Jr., 87, formerly of South Salem, NY, passed at home on October 16, 2022, surrounded by his loving family and faithful four-legged companion, Lila.
Born January 19, 1935 and raised in Yonkers NY to Vincent J. Cronin Sr. and Alice Alleman Cronin, he graduated from Roosevelt High School where his love of all NY sports teams was cemented beginning with the Brooklyn Dodgers. After high school he enlisted in the armed forces; becoming a navigator with the US Air Force and then attended Syracuse University, where he was a member of both the baseball and football teams, as well as Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
As a skilled Electrical Contractor, he owned and operated Seven Arrows Electric Company for forty years, realizing a dream to raise his children on lake Waccabuc where he vacationed as a child. He dedicated many years to the community by coaching several youth sports teams, and was a devoted congregant with St. Mary’s (Katonah).
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”).
SHALLOTTE, N.C. – Veronica La Verne M. (Mike) Hawver, 80, went home to be with the Lord, on April 26, 2022. She passed away peacefully in her home following a brief illness.
Mike was born March 2, 1942 in Perth Amboy, NJ the daughter of Michael and Verne (Franko) Nemyo.
Mike married James L. Hawver, her husband of 54 years, in February, 1963 at the Air Force Chapel at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
Mike was predeceased by her husband, Jim, and her parents, Michael and Verne (Franko) Nemyo.
Mike is survived by her two sons, James M. Hawver of Shallotte, NC and Scott F. and his wife Beverly (Braumuller) Hawver of Eva Beach, HI, two grandchildren Evan Scott Lee and Kyalimpa Faith, her brothers Ronald Nemyo and Joseph Nemyo of Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her foster granddaughter Ronella Pasquale.
OTEGO – George William Dieball, Jr., 80, of Otego passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022 at home.
He was born June 5, 1941 in Otego the son of the late George William and Helen (Birdsall) Dieball, Sr.
George graduated from Otego Central School. He attended Hart-wick College then joined the Air Force. He later graduated from SUNY Oneonta, then worked in Education and in Quality Control.
On September 11, 1965, George married Nancy Gillingham at the Otego Baptist Church.
DELHI – Theron Simplicia Batistea passed away Saturday March 5, 2022. He was born to parents Theodore R. and Bertha (Parish) Batistea on March 8, 1933, in Delhi, NY, which is where he lived in his later years.
He served 3 years in the US Army, 2 years in the US Air Force and 5 years in the US Army National Guard. He was a veteran who was active during the Korea War but was stationed in Germany. After his military days he would work as a security officer all over NY State in many different assignments.
To know “Uncle Teddy” you knew he had a deep infectious laugh that would bring you to laughing with him. He loved to talk about his love of cars especially Cadillacs and Lincolns, his love of music and dancing and the love of his life that he had left behind in Germany. His greatest conversations were memories of his parents, his younger siblings and just the good old days. He truly was at peace and was happy he lived a long full life.
COOPERSTOWN – Bruce E. Bachanas of Christian Hill, a life-long area resident who worked for many years as a baker, passed away Thursday afternoon, November 18, 2021, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 63.
Born December 20, 1957, in Cooperstown, Bruce Edward Bachanas was one of three children of the late Norman Edmund Bachanas and Bernice G. (Roseboom) Bachanas. In his youth, he and his family enjoyed many camping trips, as well as the annual family vacation that took place just about every August which provided many great memories. His nickname became “Wish”, bestowed on him by his grandfather because he was always wishing for this and wishing for that. After graduating with the Class of 1976 from Cooperstown Central School, he joined the military, and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.
COOPERSTOWN – Joseph A. Sapienza, Sr passed away peacefully at age 94 on August 7, 2021 in Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, PA. He was born in Cooperstown, NY on April 18, 1927. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; Santo and Santa Sapienza, brothers; Sam (Mary) and Jack (Rosie) Sapienza, sister; Jenny (Sam) Curcio and nephews and nieces Butch, Joey, Gloria, and Barbara. He is survived by his children Gail A. (John) Killeen and Joseph A. Sapienza, Jr, grandchildren; Keri (Kevin) Sapp, John T. (Heather) Killeen V, Marissa (Steven) Moeck and Christopher Sapienza, great-grandchildren; John T Killeen VI, Connor Killeen, Avery & Anna Sapp, Emma Rose & Stevie Moeck, nieces; Santa Morris, Gracie Barker, Sandy Fritch, Lucy Robertson, Mary Mullins, Sharon Curcio and many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
