Wilson Funeral Home, Inc.

Robin W. Straley Jr., 27, of Mt. Upton, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 16, 2010 in Sidney.

Born in Denville, New Jersey on August 4, 1982, Robin was the son of Jeannae Straley-Filippi and the late Robin W. Straley Sr.  Upon moving to New York in 1988, he received his schooling at the Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School and then worked several jobs before joining Wild Mountain Landscaping in Franklin.

Robin loved to spend time with his daughter, and his family. He had a big heart.  He loved telling jokes, making people laugh and had a soft spot for animals, especially homeless, which he gave homes to several throughout the years.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, snowmobiling and building stone walls.

He is survived by his daughter, Hannah Straley, of Norwich; his mother and step-father, Jeannae Straley-Filippi, and her husband, Jim, of West Edmeston and formerly of Mt. Upton; his sisters, Rheiannon Straley-Beach and her husband, Eric, of Sidney, Ralissa Straley and Ryann Straley, both of West Edmeston; a step-brother, Michael Filippi and step-sister, Victoria Filippi of West Edmeston and grandparents, Nancy Caldwell of Titusville, FL, Carol Gumaer of New Milford, PA, Frank Sisco of Norwich and James Straley of Florida; Several aunts and uncles, Keith and Valerie (Robin) Sisco, Art and Crystal Sisco and Jodie Sisco of Norwich; Kim and Mike Sherwood, Melinda and Joe Chovonec, Zina and Mick O’Grady, Kerry and Rodney (Whitey) Gumaer of New Jersey; Jack and Gwen Gumaer, Doug (Howser) Gumaer, Larry (Stretch) Gumaer, Manny Lavin of Pennsylvania; Kelly Lavin of Florida; Several cousins also survive.  He was predeceased by his father, Robin W. Straley Sr. and his grandfathers, James Caldwell and Douglas Gumaer.

Funeral services for Robin will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Wilson Funeral Home in Norwich.  Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 am until the time of the service.  Per Robin’s wishes, he will be laid to rest next to his Father, in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Robin, monetary contributions may be made for a College fund for his daughter, Hannah Straley.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.

Dolores Pinney Haskell, 82, died July 2, 2010, at Memorial Hospital, Norwich NY, surrounded by her family.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 6, at 11:00 am, followed by interment at St Paul’s Cemetery.

Dolores leaves her beloved husband of 59 years, Capt. William Charles Haskell, USN (Ret.), daughter and son-in-law Anne and Bob DeLong; son and daughter-in-law, George and Emily Haskell, and three beautiful grandchildren, Charlie, Elizabeth and Henry.

Born in Pensacola, Florida, Dolores graduated from the College of Notre Dame and served as a social worker, before meeting Charley, a Norwich native and recent Naval Academy graduate, who was in flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. They were married in 1951 and began a life of adventure with tours of duty in Florida, Texas, Rhode Island, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland

In additional to her career in social work, Dolores served as the President of the Naval Academy Women’s Club, volunteered with the George H.W. Bush Presidential campaign, enjoyed working in her daughter’s flower shop, and as a tour guide in Washington, D.C.

But always the center of her life was her faith and family.  A faithful and true Catholic, Dolores attended daily Mass for most of her life, and counted her blessings every day, first among them her family.  She was widely regarded as the “quintessential Navy wife” and reveled in her calling as “Most-Best Mama” to Anne and George.

Dolores brought high spirits, laughter, a great sense of fun and adventure, a bit of mischief and great love to every day, radiating a special joy as she lived her credo to the fullest: “it takes courage to be happy.” What everyone will remember about Dolores is her boundless enthusiasm, optimism, and unfailing cheerfulness throughout her life, even in the face of adversity, very recently saying, “I’m so glad to be alive!”

For the past 20 years, Dolores and Charley have made their homes in Arlingon, Virginia, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Chenango Lake, where they have been blessed with wonderful friends. The Haskell family also wishes to express deep gratitude to our kind and loving caregivers: Almetha, Marie, Maxine, Cris, Bing, Juanita, Mirella and Joan.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in Dolores’ memory to St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, or to the Poor Clare Monastery, 2505 Stone Hedge Dr. Alexandria, Virginia  22306.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.

Anthony A. “Tony” Caprio, 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 21, 2010, at Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Born in Scranton, PA, on November 28, 1914, Anthony was the son of Nicholas and Leondina (Della Terrza) Caprio.  He was a graduate of Central High School in Scranton.  Anthony received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton.  Following graduate school at Colgate University, Anthony worked as a research chemist at Norwich Pharmaceuticals where he was instrumental in the development of Pepto Bismol.  He later taught several of the sciences in the South Otselic schools and then the Sherburne-Earlville Schools, retiring in 1977.

Anthony enjoyed traveling with his wife, Mary, and had spent many winters living inFlorida.  He was a talented photographer, taking many family photos since the 1940’s.  He was also a skilled carpenter, building his own home and summer cottage.  He was also known as being a great teacher, possessing a great sense of humor and for being a family man who was extremely proud of his grandchildren.  He was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and of the Knights of Columbus.

On February 27, 1943, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Anthony married Mary LoPiccolo, of Norwich, who survives.  He is also survived by his children and their spouses, Leona and Frank Shield of Cincinnati, OH, Nicholas and Judith Caprio of East Aurora, NY, and Marianne and Dc. David Kirsch of Norwich; six grandchildren, Michael (Stephanie) Shield, Brian Shield, Dr. Anthony Caprio, Dr. Thomas Caprio, Nicole (Jeremy) Conant and Emily Kirsch; his brother, Michael (Lillian) Caprio of Mt. Pocono, PA and his sister, Louise Maro of San Jose, CA. Several nieces and nephews also survive.  He was predeceased by a sister, Jennie DiDario and a brother, Dr. Louis Galdieri.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Tony will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 25, 2010, at St. Bartholomew’s Church.  Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery.  Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.  The rosary will be recited at 1:30.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY  13815 or to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church, East Main Street, Norwich, NY  13815.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.

Angelina T. Benenati, formerly of Golden Age Apartments, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.

Born in West New York, New Jersey, Angelina was the daughter of Felix and Angelina (Barrese) Barbuto.  She had been a medical secretary for Dr. Robert Griffin at his office on East Main Street retiring to care for her husband, Tom, during his extended illness.

Angelina was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and of the Rosary Society of the church.

On October 25, 1941, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Angelina married Thomas J. Benenati who died on March 9, 1982.  She is survived by her children, Thomas M. Benenati, living in Georgia, and Susanne and Tom Rice of Norwich; grandchildren, Tanya Santa Lucia-O’Shields and her husband, Tim, of  North Carolina, Thomas J. Benenati of Florida, and Anastacia and Beth Benenati, both of Georgia; two great grandchildren and her brother, David Yacano of Camillus.  She was predeceased by her sister, Rose Cannestra.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A private service for Angelina will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home.  There will be no calling hours.  Burial will take place in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Angelina may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church or to the American Cancer Society.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.

Alden Malvern Jones, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 17, 2010, at his home.

Born November 17, 1915, in Batavia, NY, Alden was the son of Malvern S. and Edith A. (Call) Jones. He moved to Royal Oak, Michigan, in 1918, and attended school there. In 1931, the family returned to New York and resided with Mrs. Jones’ parents on a farm in Stafford. He graduated from Batavia High School in 1933 where he participated in such extra-curricular activities as male octet, band and the senior play. He attended Cornell University, graduating in 1937 with his bachelor’s degree, and earned his master’s degree in 1939. He was a member of Alpha Zeta Fraternity.

After working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Norris, TN, for five years as a Junior Aquatic Biologist, Alden returned to New York in 1943 and was employed by General Electric in Schenectady, Syracuse and Utica. Upon retirement in 1980, Alden moved to Raleigh, NC, where he joined the local chapter of the AARP, serving three terms and chapter president. He served four years as a North Carolina Assistant State Director of AARP and was also active in a local senior citizens club. He moved to Norwich, NY, in 1996 where he resided until his death.

While employed by the TVA, Alden was author or co-author of several technical papers in the field of fisheries and was a member the American Fisheries Society. While employed by GE, he was author of several papers in the field of continuing engineering education and several papers within General Electric on procedures.

As a life-long member of the Methodist Church, Alden had been active in the affairs of each congregation to which he belonged and for several years served as District Lay Leader in the Syracuse district. Most recently, he was a member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Norwich. Alden was a life member of the American Society for Engineering Education and served one year as chairman of the St. Lawrence Section. He was a member of the American Society of Training Directors and other similar organizations. Since 1982, Alden has been an active member of Lions Clubs International and twice was club president.

In 1940, Alden married Marie E. Bennett, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his daughter, Carolyn Funk and his son, Barton Jones. Alden is survived by his grandchildren and their spouses, Bonnie (Funk) and Dayne Peck of Gloversville, NY, Daniel and Jennifer Funk of Norwich, Jennifer (Funk) and Adam Ryan of Oxford, NY and Nathan and Jennifer Funk of Norwich as well as eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Eileen Lye, of Raleigh, NC, a niece and three nephews.

Memorial services for Alden will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in Stafford Rural Cemetery, Stafford, NY.

Contributions in memory of Alden may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Broad Street United Methodist Church.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home in Norwich. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com