Death Notices for the week of
April 1, 2007


Bergen and Spencerport mourn
passing of the 'Gentle Giant'

"If you just look around the community, everywhere you go, from Carpenter Park to the new highway garage, there are things Roy Hill had a hand in," said Village of Bergen Building and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Williamson.

His quiet and gentle, yet firm and strong influence will be greatly missed in this community, said neighbor Don Cunningham.

Hill, 66, of Bergen, died March 18. He and his wife had been temporarily staying at the Village Green Nursing Home in LeRoy recovering from injuries they received in a serious car accident while returning home from visiting family in North Carolina.

Roy Hill's service to the community he lived in all his life crossed many fronts and spanned some four decades. He served six years as Bergen Village Mayor in the 1970s, and also served on the village board and on numerous committees for both the village and town. As a young man he worked for the village and was a volunteer fireman. For many years he was also superintendent of public works for the Village of Bergen and most recently served as the general manager of operations for the Village of Spencerport, before retiring in 2000.

"We called him the Gentle Giant," said Spencerport Village Mayor Ted Walker, who at the time of Mr. Hill's service was a member of the village board in Spencerport. "He was just a great guy and very dedicated to his work. Some people need to do a lot of yelling and screaming to exercise their authority. Roy didn't need that. He had a gentle, low-key demeanor and charismatic leadership style. He made anyone around him comfortable. He got the village started in team building exercises to help everyone get to know each other and get along better. He was a great listener and problem solver."

Hill was also involved with the New York State Municipal Electric Utilities Association (MEUA) for seven years and served as its president. "He was well respected by the members of that organization," said Walker.

Roy Hill began his working career in the trades as a glazier and ran his own business for a while where one of his jobs was installing glass on the Changing Scenes restaurant in Rochester. His wife, Helen, recalls that those were lean years. Roy was very soft hearted, she said, and would make sure to take care of all the business bills and the needs of clients, but often there was little money left for them to live on. But, she adds, he had a knack for taking the best out of all his experiences and applying them in his service and interactions with people.

Not one to retire outright from public service, Hill continued until his death serving in many capacities in the church and community. One of these post-retirement duties was serving as Clerk of the Works for the Bergen highway garage. Helen said that he really enjoyed doing that because he was a representative of the people, making sure the work was done well. It was in capacities like these that Hill's winning sense of humor, easy manner and diplomatic skills were a great asset. And it was these signature skills that made him so highly sought after to be the master of ceremonies at community and church events.

Sports impersonator and 'The Secret Poet'
Not surprisingly, the five-foot ten-inch Hill who had the upper body build of a pro football lineman, excelled at sports in high school. John Cave was his high school buddy and best man at his wedding. He said Roy played on the basketball, soccer and baseball teams. Roy was the pitcher and Cave recalls in practice one time Roy pitched a curve ball to him. "I was waiting for the ball to break but it never did. It hit me and broke my arm."

Roy continued playing in Churchville after high school and even had a professional scout come and check him out. "Unfortunately, he wasn't playing well that day," recalls Helen. Roy loved to follow sports, particularly the Cleveland Browns, the Bills and the Syracuse Orangemen, and said Helen, he always had a soft spot for teams that were the underdog.

Long-time friend and Bergen resident Bob Cosgrove said some thought Roy had an uncanny resemblance to Mickey Mantle, a characteristic Roy and his friends were known to capitalize on now and again by trying to convince strangers that he was in fact the baseball great. Helen said that one time he was approached by a stranger who was convinced Roy was football icon Dick Butkus. He tried to dissuade the man but to no avail.

Hill had a prominent artistic side as well that seemed to blossom over the years. Roy's oldest son, Wayne, recalls how his dad would give them rhyming nicknames when they were younger. Then their birthday cards started having his rhymes included in them. Poems began appearing in the church newsletter under the byline 'The Secret Poet.' One day Wayne happened to read a poem that his Dad his written. His dad asked: "Did you like that?" and then threw him a whole folder full of his other poems. Wayne said it was like dad was saying, "Okay, the heck with the macho thing," and he put his love of poetry out there for all of us to see and enjoy.

Roy really loved words, explained Helen. He could spend hours on the crossword and jumble puzzles in the newspapers. He got to the point where he would just do them in his head so that the puzzles would be available for his kids to do if they wanted. He also loved Scrabble but it was hard to find anyone willing to play against him since they had absolutely no chance of winning. His poems were often custom crafted for a retirement, a birthday, a new baby, or the death of the friend. Many of these poems were re-written in calligraphy and hang as cherished treasures in the homes of friends and family.

Helen, who was from Byron, met Roy in high school and they married in 1962. Roy then began college at Roberts Wesleyan but to his chagrin, they made him take a remedial English course. Helen said her husband, the man of words, stubbornly insisted that they must have made some kind of mistake.

His brother's keeper
Mr. Hill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bergen where he served as an elder and deacon, member of Young Life Ministries and on the Missions and Evangelism Committee. He was also a Sunday school teacher, and active in the Drama Club. Fred Ely of Bergen said Roy would bring his joy and optimism to whatever group or committee he was working with. Many people looked to him for their emotional lift.

John Schrenker of Bergen, who served on committees with Hill, said he always would make you feel like you were the one doing all the work, when in truth, you couldn't have done anything without him.

Family members and friends alike speak of his humble, servant's heart, and tender concern for those in need. Johnson Towett was touched by this compassion first hand when his car broke down two-and-a-half years ago on Route 19 in Bergen. Towett, who is from Kenya, Africa, and was attending Genesee Community College, was at a loss for what to do. Hill was driving by and stopped to help him out. He diagnosed the problem (a broken suspension) and arranged for it to be fixed at the local service center. Hill even took Towett back and forth to work each day until the car was fixed. When Towett went to settle up the bill he discovered that Hill had already paid it. Hill invited Towett to church and ultimately to come live with them at their large home on Rochester Street in Bergen. "I had been feeling isolated where I was living and had prayed that God would provide a more nourishing living situation for me," said Towett. He came to regard the Hills as his adoptive parents. "Roy taught me about the ways of America. He attended to my needs as a father would to a son. He even went with me to court when I got my first traffic ticket. He taught me to slow down," Towett adds with a smile. "I'm a living witness of his goodness," said Towett. "He knew what it meant to be his brother's keeper."

In an open letter at the memorial service, family members said: "When you met dad for the first time it was like he was gaining another son, daughter, brother or sister. You were treated as a member of the family. By that measure, we must have the largest family that ever existed."

Roy Hill would never say good-bye to his friends or family. It was always "Buckle up." That meant many things, explains Towett. It meant: "Remember to put your seatbelt on," and "Take care of yourself." It meant: "Have a blessed day." And it meant: "I love you and I'll see you back here."

Roy Hill is the father of the late Lori Hill who died in 1972. He is survived by his wife, Helen F. (Cochram) Hill; two sons, Wayne R. (Michelle) Hill of Batavia and Mark D. (Gretchen) Hill of Greensboro, North Carolina; a daughter, Kristen (Jeremy) Rich of Bergen; two sisters, Lola (Bob) Schappell of Cornelius, North Carolina and Dorcas Arbach of Laurel, Maryland; six grandchildren, Ashley, Kelsey, and Lindsay Hill of Batavia, and Jordan and Sydney Hill of Greensboro, North Carolina and Quintin Rich of Bergen; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Bergen, 38 South Lake Street, P.O. Box 20, Bergen, NY 14416 or Genesee County Young Life, P.O. Box 363, Batavia, NY 14021.

Welcomed Home
by Roy G. Hill

Not by works and works alone,
will I be welcomed, welcomed home.

Home to be with Christ the King,
whose bells we toll, whose praise we sing.

Repentant, humbled, broken me,
awash in spirit searching thee,

Now offer you my life this day,
to serve you in whatever way,

To hold in faith your healing power,
your saving grace each waking hour,

To be your servant through and through
and welcomed home, my Lord with you.


BROCKPORT

•Carney, David J., of Cranberry Lake, New York died February 26, 2007 in Fairhope, Alabama. A former resident of Brockport, he lived in New York state most of his life. Born in 1928, he was a first generation Irish-American, the son of David and Mary Carney of Ireland. David was a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Fordham University graduate. He is survived by four sons, David, Stephen, Richard and Thomas; a daughter, Patricia and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Geraldine (Geri) Carney, in 1997, and his sister Ann Carney, in 1998.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Hubert's Church, Star Lake, New York on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m.


•Christian, Jane C., On March 23, 2007. She is survived by her sister, Jean A. Christian; her nephew, Paul Christian; her niece, Natalie Keesey and six great nieces and nephews. Jane was a retiree of 3M Company.

A Memorial Service was held at the Concordia Lutheran Church, Brockport on March 25.


•Schaad, Charlotte, A., On March 23, 2007 at the age of 87. Born in Newport, Rhode Island. Predeceased by her husband, Arthur, sister Etta, niece Jennifer and baby Christine. Survived by her daughter Nancy Schaad; sons, Russell (Patricia), Donald (Christy), Gary (Cathy); four grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Charlotte was a Bausch and Lomb retiree.

A Memorial Service was held March 28 at the Faith Lutheran Church. Contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice in her memory.


CHURCHVILLE

•Robinson, Mary E. (Shea), March 26, 2007 at age 100. Predeceased by her husband, H.N. Robinson, her parents, Rev. A. J. Shea and Maude Shea; several siblings. Survived by her children Rev. David W. Robinson and Eunice (George) Sitzer; grandchildren, John (Andrea) Robinson, Katherine (Timothy) Tyler, James Sitzer and Janell (Phalkun) Nov; great-grandchildren, Hayden Waring, Ariel Robinson, Owen Robsinson and Naomi Nov; siblings Dr. George Beverly Shea, Rev. Alton Shea, Mrs. Lois Wright and Mrs. Ruth Willett; many nieces and nephews. Mary was a member of Wesleyan Church of Spencerport for over 30 years.

Funeral Services were held March 29 at Wesleyan Church of Spencerport. Interment, North Chili Rural Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Cambodian Bible School Fund, #WM06-1113 to Global Partners, P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or www.praygivego.com in her memory.


HAMLIN

•Grashof, Pastor James R., Suddenly, March 23, 2007 at age 54. Survived by his wife of 26 years, Dee Grashof; his children Chris Hefke, Keri (Warren) Ehle; grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas, Joshua, Nathan and Madison; parents Robert (Mary) Grashof, Dorothy (Harry) Kreuzman; brothers, David (Liz), John, Stephen (Kim) and Paul Grashof; sisters, Kathy Marianetti and Susan Hanley; many nieces and nephews, cousins and his devoted church family. Jim was a Veteran of the United States Air Force.

A Memorial Service was held March 27 at Calvary Chapel Westside. Contributions can be made to Calvary Chapel Westside, 2407 Union Street, Spencerport 14559 in his memory.


HILTON

•Hyatt, Virginia M., March 27, 2007. Predeceased by husband, Donald. Survived by her sons, Rev. Donald Hyatt C.S.B. of New Mexico, Dennis (Leslie), David (Dorothy), Daniel (Bonnie) of Virginia, Robert (Laura) of South Carolina, Gregory (Suzanne) and Joseph; 23 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; brother, Gavin (Ruby) Reeves; sisters-in-law, Florence Reeves and Eleanor Gast; nieces and nephews; special family friends, Jacqueline Hyatt and Cheryl Placious. She was a life-long NY Yankees Fan.

A Funeral Mass was said March 31 at St. Lawrence Church. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Aquinas Institute, 1127 Dewey Avenue, Rochester 14613 in her memory.


HOLLEY

•Prince, Elma, Age 93, died on March 21, 2007 after a brief illness. Elma graduated from Holley High School and Brockport State College with a master's degree in education. She taught one year at LaFargeville, nine years at Williamson and 28 years at Washington Irving. She was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Holley and served in the Holley Board of Elections, Holley Library Board and Cypress Twig at Lakeside Memorial Hospital. Elma was a member of Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She is survived by her cousins, Sharon (Roger) Burkhart, Harlene (Harold) Slavny, John (Evelyn) Barlett, James (Sandy) Bartlett, Mary Lynn Baehr, Sister Miriam Scheel of the Dominican Monastery and several very close and loving friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Holley, 34 East Albion Street, Holley. Contributions can be made to the church in her memory.


•Sauro, Leonard Jr., Age 85, March 28, 2007. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Colleen; son, Larry (Pat) Sauro; daughter, Janice (Brad) Broekhuizen; four grandchildren: Bob (Jennifer) Sauro, Shannon Sauro, Joelle (Dan) Phennig, Zachary Broekhuizen; two great-grandchildren: Kendra Quill, Gina Sauro; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held March 31 at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Holley. Interment, Hillside Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to Orleans County Nursing Home or the Holley Emergency Squad in his memory.


NORTH CHILI

•McFee, Mary K., 89, a longtime resident of North Chili died suddenly, January 31, 2007 in Melbourne, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman. She is survived by two sons, John Norman of Grand Lake, Colorado and Michael James of Melbourne, Florida. She is also survived by four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at the North Chili United Methodist Church, 2200 Westside Drive at 11 a.m. on April 14. Donations can be made to Parkinson's Research or the North Chili United Methodist Church in her memory.


SPENCERPORT

•Grabowski, Patricia A., After a courageous battle with cancer on March 22, 2007 at age 60. Predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Frances Fiorica. Survived by her husband of 41 years John R. Grabowski; children Steven (Mary) Grabowski, Lisa (Tom) Swanger, Kelly (Jim) Savary and Johnny Grabowski; grandchildren, Katie, James, Britney, Samantha, Leah, Lindsey and Haley; sister, Gail (David) Paprocki; several nieces and nephews, cousins and many devoted friends. Patty worked for Dr. T. Mariano for several years.

A Memorial Mass was said March 24 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Contributions can be made to Unity Health Foundation, c/o ICU, 1555 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14626 in her memory.


•Ryan, Marion W., March 21, 2007, at age 84. Predeceased by her daughter Jeanie Ryan. Survived by her devoted and loving husband of 59 years, Jim Ryan; her daughters, Patty (Joe) O'Leary, Peggy (Mike) O'Brien, Sheila (Dave) Wallenhorst, Barb (Jeff) Jackson, Mary (John) Bruton and Cathy (Jim) Bunce; grandchil-dren, Becky (Mike) Carew, Brent Williams, Carrie, Tim and Kelly O'Brien, Scott, Julie and Brian Wallenhorst, Jen, Katie and Chrissy Jackson, Paul and Eric Bruton, Tracey and Kelsie Bunce; great-granddaughter, Kelly Carew; sisters, Ruth (Bill) Kraft and Norma McCarthy; several nieces and nephews. She is also predeceased by a brother and two sisters. Marion was a member of St. John's Church since 1947 and a member of VFW Auxiliary Post 6105.

A Funeral Mass was said March 26 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment, St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Leukemia Society of America or Alzheimer's Association in her memory.