Dr. Balázs Seléndy, born in Budapest, Hungary, to Jenö Seléndy and Irén Kosma on September 5, 1937, passed away peacefully in his home on July 5, 2021, after an intense and devoted life of public service and study in three countries. He spent his last years in the pursuit of lifelong passions, including for reflection, writing, reading, karate, and photography, living quietly with his beloved Patricia Gambitta in Fly Creek, New York.
Balázs grew up in war-torn Hungary, spending his childhood in the midst of the deprivations of World War II. With Calvinist and Catholic parents but a Jewish paternal grandfather, his family stayed beyond reach of the Nazis due in part to his father’s military service to the Austro-Hungarian empire during WWI.
In October and November 1956, as a young medical student, Balázs fought in the spontaneous, student-led revolution against the Soviet-backed Hungarian People’s Republic. After a large Soviet force invaded Hungary and destroyed the uprising, rounding up revolutionaries, Balázs was forced to leave his family, including younger brother Szabolcs, and to emigrate with other Hungarian refugees under cover of darkness across the border to Austria. His father gave him a treasured Leica camera to pay for his crossing, but, after Balázs helped a fellow refugee escape, she paid for him, and he photographed with the Leica for decades.
Bruno Talevi in his WWII Navy uniform, which fit him all his life.
ONEONTA – Bruno A. Talevi, still looking fit in his World War II Navy uniform, departed this life and went to grasp the hand of the Lord on April 3, 2021.
“Paw-Paw”, as his beloved grandchildren dubbed him, was born in New York City on Aug. 16, 1925, the son of Peter and Rose Talevi. He grew up on the streets of New York and Long Island, playing stickball, Johnny-on-the-Pony, and pinball, and eventually graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School at 16.
After graduation, he worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), formed to obtain information to sabotage the military efforts of enemy nations during World War II.
Bruno joined the Navy as soon as he turned 18, assigned to the signal corps, transmitting teletype messages from the South Pacific. Although devoted to the military and a loyal American, he was saddened by the dropping of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Honorably discharged, Bruno returned home and met a beautiful young lady – Vera A. Careccio, whom he married on Aug. 22, 1948.
The G.I. Bill enabled Bruno to attend St. John’s University, and he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1950. He joined a small accounting firm in New York City for three years, then moved to Oneonta, where his accounting practice grew to be the largest in three counties.
He retired in 1986 after moving to Cooperstown with Vera.
COOPERSTOWN – William David Clark, 95, a World War II veteran, former mayor of Cooperstown and a member of the family that owned McEwan’s Hardware, died at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. He was lovingly known as Bill, Dad, and Pop.
He entered this world on June 18, 1925, the only child of Lester James Clark and Catherine Mae Halsdorf.
He was raised in Cooperstown, graduated high school there and entered the Engineering School of Cornell University.
ONEONTA – A graveside service was planned today for William E. Grimes, Sr., one of Oneonta’s last remaining World War II veterans, and a decorated one. He passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the age of 98, plus one day.
William fought in the Battle of the Bulge, which blunted Germany’s last major offensive on the Western Front, and he was wounded during the seizure of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, the last remaining bridge over the Rhine; the unexpected capture expedited the U.S. invasion of Germany. Among the most famous episodes of World War II, a major motion picture, “The Bridge at Remagen,” (1969) with Robert Vaughn and George Segal, retold the story.
Frank E. Marra, World War II veteran and retired bank vice president, on his 100th birthday.
Born in New York City at the height of the deadly Spanish Influenza on Sept. 24, 1918, Frank Edward Marra succumbed to complications of COVID-19 on April 5, 2020, in White Plains at the age of 101.
The son of the late Arthur and Mary Marra, Frank resided for most of his long life in Yonkers, and had winter residences in Boca Grande and Sarasota, Fla.
Upon Graduation from City College of New York Business School in 1938, Frank relocated to San Francisco to take a position with Bank of America. As world events presaged a coming global conflict, Frank returned to New York to join the Army Reserves and was called to active duty on Dec. 8, 1941. following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the previous day.
MARYLAND – Edward C. “Nick” Stalter Sr., 94, a World War II Navy veteran, Teamster and motor freight driver, passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning, Oct. 20, 2019.
He formerly lived in the Town of Maryland.
He was born on Feb 2, 1925, in Doodletown, Rockland County. He proudly served in the Navy on the LST 294 during World War II. Ed was a Teamster for 44 years as a driver for Linden Motor Freight.
ONEONTA – One of Oneonta’s few remaining members of “The Greatest Generation” passed away today, Aug. 8, 2019, to be welcomed by his family and many friends in heaven.
Charles R. Blanchard, 91, was born in Oneonta on May 25, 1928, the son of Merton and Emma (Roscoe) Blanchard. He attended Oneonta schools and then joined the war effort serving in the Merchant Marines and Navy.
ONEONTA – John H. Lance, Sr. 92, of Oneonta, a World War II veteran and 15-year member of the Oneonta Fire Department, entered into eternal life on Monday, June 3, 2019 at home, with his wife Darlene by his side.
He was born on Oct. 9, 1926 in Parshall Hospital, Oneonta, the son of Harry and Mary (Forte) Lance. He graduated from St. Mary’s School.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Richard J. Teachout, 97, of Johnson Street, a World War II veteran and retired dairy farmer, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, Feb. 27, 2019, in his home. He had the comfort of his loving family by his side at the time of his passing.
Richard was born Feb. 22, 1922, in Schenectady, a son of the late Oscar Carl and Isabel Antis Teachout. He was raised and educated in Richfield Springs. In 1942, Richard joined the Army and fought in World War II, serving in the South Pacific. On June 6, 1943, in Cooperstown he married the former Wanda Thayer, a blessed union of 63 years until her passing in 2006.
Dairy farming was a large part of Richard’s life, after returning from the war he purchased a dairy farm in Richfield, which he and his wife worked.
COOPERSTOWN – Leland C. Smith, 96, a World War II veteran who spent his career in Bassett Hospital’s business office, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, at Promenade Assisted Living in Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County.
Leland was born on Feb. 5, 1922, in Cooperstown, to Ethel and Charles Smith. He died less than a week before his 97th birthday.
ONEONTA – Frank J. Rogers, 93, of Oneonta, a World War II veteran who worked for Opportunities for Otsego on moving to Oneonta in the 1970s, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, at home in Oneonta.
He was born on Aug. 5, 1925, in Manhattan, the son of Thomas and Grace (Mead) Rogers. On Dec. 20, 1947, he married Teresa Evans, who passed away in 2000.
ONEONTA – Howard Coons, 92, a career Postal Service employee at the Oneonta Post Office, passed away peacefully at Fox Nursing Home on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
He was born in 1926 in Stamford, son of Howard and Mabel Dowell Coons. He lived most of his life in Oneonta, graduating from Oneonta High School.
He served in the Navy and was stationed in the Philippines during World War II.
DAVENPORT CENTER – John A. Powers, 99, a World War II veteran decorated for his service in the famed 10th Mountain Division ski unit, passed away May 10, 2018, at Fox Hospital.
He was born March 24, 1919, in Oneonta, the son of William and Mary Powers.
John grew up in Oneonta and was a long-time resident of Davenport Center.
In the Army during WWII, he served in the 10th Mountain Division’S Infantry Ski Troop. He received two bronze stars, one for heroic achievement, the second for meritorious service.
ONEONTA – Robert C. Stiefel, 93, a World War II veteran and SUNY Oneonta retiree, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at the Chestnut Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
Bob was born on June 14, 1924, in Oneonta, the son of Charles and Mabel (Moon) Stiefel.
He served his country in the Army during World War II, (1943-1945), the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
MIDDLEFIELD – Andrew J. Kubis, 97, a farmer, decorated World War II veteran and founding member of the Middlefield Fire Department, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017 at home surrounded by his family.
Born in Kearney, Pa., on Sept. 28, 1919, to Michael and Mary Kubis, the family moved to Middlefield when Andrew was 11. Andrew lived and worked on the family farm until joining the Army, where he was a tank unit commander in the armored cavalry.
Dr. Balázs Seléndy, born in Budapest, Hungary, to Jenö Seléndy and Irén Kosma on September 5, 1937, passed away peacefully in his home on July 5, 2021, after an intense and devoted life of public service and study in three countries. He spent his last years in the pursuit of lifelong passions, including for reflection, writing, reading, karate, and photography, living quietly with his beloved Patricia Gambitta in Fly Creek, New York.
