Louise Swertfeger
Louise Swertfeger passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the NY State Veterans Hospital in Oxford. A full obituary will be published when it becomes available.
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Charles Ward
Charles E. (“Chuck”) Ward, 83, of Ballston Spa, NY and formerly of Deposit, Norwich and Walton, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 following a short illness.
Born in Deposit on October 12, 1928, Chuck was the son of F. Erwin Ward and Isabella Post Ward. He graduated from Deposit Central School with the Class of 1946. Following graduation, he was recruited to play baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers in Florida. Chuck later returned to Deposit and in 1948 began his career with NYSEG as a lineman. He served for 40 years and retired as a general foreman in Mechanicville, NY. During retirement, Chuck enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing on Lake Ontario, and trap shooting competitions as a member of the Kayaderosseras Fish and Game Club in Ballston Spa. He took great pride in his garden and enjoyed sharing his harvest of vegetables with his neighbors.
Chuck was a 58-year member of the Deposit Masonic Lodge #396 F & AM, serving as Master in 1959. He was a charter member of the McCabe Hollow Sportsmen’s Club in Deposit, former member of the Deposit Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Royale Oasis Inc. in Walton.
On July 23, 1949 in Deposit, Chuck married Claire L. Lovell who predeceased him on August 17, 1994. He is survived by two daughters, Susan M. Ward, of Catskill, and Mary Jane Benenati and her husband, Steven, of Norwich; two sons, Braden D. Ward and his wife, Kathy, of Oneonta and Mark J. Ward and his wife, Jane, of Walton; seven grandchildren, Matthew Ward, of Oneonta, Aaron Ward and fiancee Jessica Endries, of Oneonta, Jason Ward and his wife Leanne, of Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, Jeffrey Ward and his fiancee Shannon Brown-Zawerton, of Knoxville, TN, Lauren Walling and her husband Tyler, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Ryan Benenati, of Tampa, FL, Katie Benenati, of Norwich; four great-grandchildren, Logan and Abigail Ward, of Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, Eliana Ward of Oneonta and Wyatt Ward of Richfield Springs. Chuck is also survived by his sister, Martha Ward Carver, of Greenfield Center, NY, cousin M. Edward Hartz, of Wilmington, NC; two brothers-in-law, John (Jack) Lovell, of Prescott, AZ, and Joseph Lovell and his wife Norma, of Schenectady. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Mr. Ward’s family wishes to thank his nurse, Tammy as well as Karen and all of the caring staff of The Community Hospice of Saratoga.
Funeral services for Mr. Ward will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, 107 Second Street, Deposit, NY. Friends are invited to call at the church from 1 pm until the time of the service. Burial at the Pine Grove Cemetery will take place in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Deposit Central School (DCS) Alumni Association, PO Box 44, Deposit NY 13754, or The Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs NY 12866.
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Priscilla Davis
Priscilla J. “Cilla” Davis, 61, of Oxford passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City.
Born in Cleveland, OH on June 6, 1950, Cilla was the daughter of Christie and Jean (Pickens) Davis. She was a high school National Merit Scholarship recipient, and graduated with multiple honors from Colby College. Cilla worked for 25 years as a medical writer/editor for Norwich Pharmaceuticals and later as a freelance medical writer/editor. Her work was also published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Cilla was particularly fond of animals, especially cats and dogs, and adopted 25 pets from the Chenango SPCA. Her greatest wish was that everyone love and respect animals as much as she did.
On June 23, 1984, along the banks of a Gatlinburg, TN river, Cilla married her beloved husband, James G. Jared, who survives. She is also survived by stepdaughter, Julie Demilio, of Anapolis, MD, sister, Pat Murphy, of Bar Harbor, ME, nephew, Mike Murphy, of Boston, MA, and niece, Lori Lutton, also of Boston. Cilla was predeceased by her sister Barbi Davis.
At Cilla’s request, there will be no funeral services or calling hours.
Please consider a contribution in Cilla’s memory to the Chenango SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815, or making a donation to the SPCA through your will, as Cilla did.
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Doris Jackson
Doris D. “Dorie” Jackson, 86, formerly of Coomes Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 at the home of her daughter, Ann Callahan, with her loving family by her side.
Born in Norwich on November 4, 1925, Dorie was the daughter of George and Eva (Quinn) Devine. She was a 1943 graduate of Norwich High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Manhattanville College in 1947. She travelled by ship to Europe and visited Paris, London, Germany and Switzerland before returning to work for the Norwich Pharmaceutical Company.
On August 16, 1952, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Dorie married Richard F. Jackson. Dick died on December 30, 1990. Together, they raised five children. Dorie worked as an aide for several years at the Norwich High School English Department. She also worked as an aide at Guernsey Memorial Library where she loved the genealogy department. Most recently, she enjoyed calling library patrons to let them know their books were available.
She was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Dorie is survived by her children and their spouses, Ann and Bill Callahan, Maggie and John DeTomi, Rick and Nancy Jackson and Paul and Bernadette Jackson, all of Norwich and Tom and Stephanie (Densmore) Jackson of LaJolla, CA; grandchildren, Ricky (Jen) and Jim (Tara) Jackson, Sean and Katie Callahan, Briana and Matthew Jackson and Katarina and Ryan DeTomi; and great grandson Bryce Jackson. She was predeceased by a son, James, and two brothers, Donald and Richard Devine.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Dorie will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will take place in St. Paul’s Cemetery in the spring. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Friday from 4 – 7 pm. There will be a prayer service at the funeral home on Friday at 3:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dorie may be made to either, Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Chenango Co. SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815.
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George Zieno
George A. Zieno, 87, of Grove Avenue, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 2, 2012 at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City.
Born in Norwich on November 27, 1924, George was the son of John and Rose (Garafalo) Zieno. He graduated from Norwich High School and then served in the United States Army during World War II. He returned to Norwich following his discharge from active service and, for many years, was the proprietor of City Floor and Wall Covering.
He was an active member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, serving for many years as an usher and altar server. George delivered Meals on Wheels for twenty-five years. He enjoyed gardening and cooking, especially spaghetti and meatballs. George was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Norwich Family YMCA.
On September 1, 1952, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, George married Phyllis Holdrege who survives. He is also survived by his son, John and his wife, Pamela, of Norwich and his daughter, Debbie Fratini and her husband, Michael, also of Norwich; grandchildren, Taylor, Rachel, Daniel and Adrianna and a brother, Dominick Zieno of Lyons, NY. He is also survived by several sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Nielsen.
A Mass of Christian Burial for George will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 6, 2012 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in the spring. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5-7 pm. There will be a rosary service at 4:30 pm.
Contributions in memory of George may be made to either the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790 or to St. Bartholomew’s Church, 89 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.
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Bernard Brunza
Bernard A. “Berney” Brunza, 80, of Pratt Road, passed away at the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford, NY on Saturday, December 24, 2011.
Born August 21, 1931, Berney was the son of John and Josephine (Woicekowski) Brunza. He was a 1949 graduate of Forty Fort High School in Luzerne, PA, and a 1954 graduate of Kings College. Berney also completed a master’s degree in education at Colgate University. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1957.
He spent his entire working career in the field of education starting as a science teacher at Guilford and Maine-Endwell Central Schools. Prior to his retirement, Berney spent most of his working years as an administrator in the Norwich City School District. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed farming. Berney was referred to by many as a “gentleman farmer” due to 40 years of farming his Pratt Road land.
Berney is survived by his children Brian (Monica) Brunza, Maine, NY; Bernard II (Jessica) Brunza, Argyle, NY; Brendan (Freda) Brunza, Raleigh, NC; Bobbi (Tom) Turner, Lafayette,NY; and Belinda (Jim) Keator, Norwich, NY. He is also survived by grandchildren John R. Brunza, Nicole (Ron) Miller, Kacie Brunza, James and David Turner, Joshua, Lauren and Keating Brunza, and Savanna and Devin Keator; and great grandchild Breese Miller. Brother Jay Brunza and sister Lorraine (Paul) Hiznay also survive. Berney was predeceased by his daughter, Beth Brunza.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the NYS Veterans’ Home for the quality and compassionate care they provided our father during his stay there.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at St. Paul’s Church with Rev. Ralph Bove, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Contributions in Berney’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
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Jack Stark
Jack “Grandpa” Stark, 89, most recently of Oxford, NY, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at the Chenango Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side.
Born June 2, 1922 in Johnson City, NY, Jack was the son of Clarence and Viola (Pickett) Stark. At the age of 21, Jack entered the U.S. Navy during World War II. Later, Jack volunteered with the Marine Corpsmen and served valiantly tending to the needs of his fellow soldiers wounded on the battlefield, including those wounded at the battle of Iwo Jima. Jack was one of the last surviving Marine corpsmen who served at Iwo Jima. He was also a decorated Purple Heart veteran, and served on seven different naval vessels before completing his military service.
Jack worked for decades with the IBM operation in Endicott, NY where he served as a security officer. In his private life, Jack greatly enjoyed fishing at the Cannonsville Dam and in Dorchester Park at the Whitney Point Reservoir. Jack was also skilled at woodworking, gardening, and refurbishing antique furniture. He was a living “Jack of all trades.” Because he was so friendly, wherever he resided Jack was always referred to as “Grandpa” by his neighbors.
Jack is survived by his adopted children Mary (Bruce) Voorhees and Judith Birt. He is also survived by his grandchildren Rebecca (Brian) Barre, Heidi Richards, Michael Voorhees, and Pamela (Chad) Newell; great grandchildren Cassie Hunt, Marshall Hunt, Patrick Ladue, Heather Kelsey, Kristi Richards, Curtis Richards, Matt Voorhees, Jonathan Hansen, Courtney Hansen, Jack Newell; and great-great grandchildren Reagen Hunt and Aiden Kelsey. Jack’s close cousin, David Stark, and a dear friend of the family, Theresa Harris, also survive.
According to Jack’s wishes, no funeral services will be held.
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Joseph Natoli
Joseph D. Natoli, 86, of Park Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
Born in Fulton, NY on December 31, 1924, Joseph was the son of Christopher and Santa (Favorida) Natoli. After moving to Norwich at a young age, Joe graduated from Norwich High School with the Class of 1944 where he was a member of the football team. He was drafted into the army out of high school and served with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, known as the “Hell on Wheels” Division. He served in Northern France, Ardennes and the Rhineland campaigns and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he was seriously injured. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with three bronze stars and two Purple Hearts.
Following his recovery from his injuries, Joe married the love of his life, Angelina Favorito, in 1946 in Norwich. He joined the workforce at the Norwich Shoe Company where he remained for forty-four years. Joe was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church where he was a long-time usher, and of the Knights of Columbus. He loved music, marching bands and drum and bugle corps. He was a dedicated fan of high school and college football and an avid Syracuse University fan.
In addition to his wife, Angelina, of Norwich, Joe is survived by a son, Christopher Natoli and his wife, Maureen, of Norwich and a daughter, Sandra Petruzzelli and her husband, Michael, of Rochester; four grandchildren, Beth Ann Natoli of New Orleans, LA, Nathan Natoli, of Norwich, Natalie Tortorelli and Michael Petruzzelli, both of Rochester; and a great granddaughter, Madison Petruzzelli, of Rochester. Several cousins also survive.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Joe will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 9, 2011 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Committal services will follow in Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 – 7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church, 89 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.
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William Sumner
William R. “Bill” Sumner, 63, of Locust Street, passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at his residence with his family by his side after combating pancreatic cancer.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Geneva, NY, Bill was the son of Robert and Beverly (Adams) Sumner. He graduated from Norwich High School and Mount San Antonio College, Pomona, CA, with a degree in commercial aviation. Bill was also a graduate of Flight Safety, Vero Beach, FL, with instructor and instrument flight instructor ratings. From 1968-1970, Bill was stationed in Worms, Germany, during his service with the U.S. Army.
Bill’s passion was flying. His father taught him to fly, and he completed his first solo flight at age 16. Bill and his Dad formed the Sumner’s Flight School in 1972, and Bill taught many local residents how to fly. Bill especially loved performing aerobatics, and in 1979 purchased a Pitts S1S Special aerobatic airplane. For several years Bill delighted crowds during his performances at the annual Norwich Rotary Fourth of July Balloon festivals.
During his aviation career, he flew for Midstate Aviation, Warren Eaton Airport, Norwich, from 1972 through 1980, and the Bendix (Amphenol) Corporation, Sidney, from 1980 through 1984. He joined The Raymond Corporation as Chief Pilot, Manager of Flight Operations, located in Binghamton, NY, in 1986, and continued in that role until his health precluded it in April 2011. When time allowed, Bill also worked in his family’s business, Sumner’s Office Supplies (now Hayes Office Supplies).
Bill’s other passion was the family camp at Hatch Lake, Eaton, NY. He spent summers there as a child and it has been a traditional family summer retreat ever since. This past summer was especially meaningful to Bill due to the many family gatherings there. He also had a love for motorcycles and cherished his many rides and adventures with his best friend Elwyn Voss.
On September 17, 1976, he married Deborah (Nober) Sumner in Norwich, who survives. He is also survived by daughters, Jill Whaley of Rochester, Stephanie Sumner and son-in-law, Randy Klatt, also of Rochester; granddaughters, Alaina Whaley and Emily Sumner; sisters, Sandy (Geary) Ray, of Ventura, CA, and Sherry (John) Collins of West Palm Beach, FL. Also surviving are nieces Cynthia (Edward) Macke of Las Vegas, NV, Karen Scott of Ventura, CA, Elaine DeRensis of Walnut Creek, CA, Erica (Doug) Musich of Pasadena, CA, Kristie (Michael) Sailor of Norristown, PA, and nephew, John Collins of West Palm Beach, FL; great nieces, Samantha Scott of Ventura and Emily Musich of Pasadena and great nephews, Tyler and Evan Macke of Las Vegas, and Ben Musich of Pasadena; and his beloved dogs, Sadie and Shamrock, and parrot, Ruby.
The family would like to express special thanks to his caregivers, particularly Becky (Bucky) Skotty, Shelley Delello, Christine Fitch, and Stacy Corbin of Chenango County Hospice, and Dr. Matsuo, Patty, Brenda, Teresa, Susan, Randi, and Michael of Bassett Cancer Center in Oneonta, NY.
A funeral service for Bill will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Charles Taylor, pastor of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Bill’s memory to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815, or Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815.
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Herminio Otero
Herminio Otero, 55, of Silver Street, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Chenango Memorial Hospital with family by his side. A funeral service will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 with Father Ralph Bove, pastor, St. Bartholomew’s Church, officiating. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.