•Jolly, Herman Joseph, of LeRoy, NY, died July 17, 2011 after battling chronic illnesses. Predeceased by his parents, Martin and Edith Jolly of Macedon, and brother, Tom of Ohio. He is survived by his wife Jean Jolly of Holley; daughter Jeannie McCarthy (Michael) of Hamlin; son William Jolly (Cheryl) of Hamlin; daughter Sharrie Mitchell (Steve) of Alabama, and daughter Karen Jolly-Bobbitt (Carl) of North Carolina; brother Jerry (Dolores) of Ohio; also survived by a very large extended family of step-children, grandchildren, family members and many friends. “Joe” Jolly worked for Sodoma Farms for over forty years.
Calling hours were not observed.
BERGEN
•Ruginis, Constant T. “Gus,” July 22, 2011, age 98, formerly of Hilton. Predeceased by his wife, Dorothy and his sisters, Alice Farley and Bernice Kahn. Survived by his nieces, Michele “Mickey” Rodak, with whom he made his home, also Gloria Kellman.
A Military Graveside Service was held July 25 at Parma Union Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14021 in his memory.
BROCKPORT
•Lincoln-Dunne, Dawn E., On July 23, 2011 after a long courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. She is predeceased by her husband, Garry “Jake” Dunne. She is survived by her children, Jade and Garret Dunne; grandchildren, Isaiah and Gianna Dunne.
A Graveside Service was held July 28 at Parma Union Cemetery, Hilton.
CHILI
•Hendershott, John C. “Jack,” of Clearwater Florida, formerly of Chili, died July 20, 2011. He is survived by his wife Marion L. Hendershott; sons Stephen (Irene), Thomas (Linda Mase); grandchildren Stephanie Hendershott, Otis Hendershott (Kelly), Mason Hendershott and great-grandchildren Liana Hendershott, Deacon Hendershott, Victor Hendershott. Jack retired from Churchville-Chili Central School after 20 years as the Business Manager and prior to that, 23 years at General Railway Signal.
Jack was a US Navy combat veteran of WWII having served on the aircraft carrier USS Petrof Bay, and participated in eight major Naval battles in the Pacific.
Donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital. Burial at the convenience of the family.
CLARKSON
•Clark, Roger T., “Zuke,” Died December 10, 2010 in South Carolina, formerly of Clarkson.
A Military Graveside Service was held July 30 at Mt. Albion Cemetery.
GATES
•Huether, John Sr., “Jack,” July 25, 2011, age 72. Founder of Huether Heating and Cooling and a long standing member of A.C.C.A. Predeceased by his parents, Francis and Dorthea; brother, Robert; and grandson, RJ Williams (MacGovern). Survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet (Monk); siblings, Marilyn (Walt) Probst, Carol (Tom) Maxwell; children, Deborah Carney (Bob Berkey), John (Mary) Huether Jr., Kimberly (Rich) Williams and Barbara (Chris) Clark; grandchildren, Jamie (Scott) Rice, Jenna Carney (Jose Rivera), Holly Williams, Mandy (Andy) Schmidt, Sarah, Hannah, Mikaela Clark; great-grandchildren, Xavier, Madyson, Olivia, Lilly, Amari and Brody; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. John was a Paul Harris Fellow given by Spencerport Rotary, a member of the Elks, Eagles, and American Legion.
A Funeral Mass was said July 29 at Holy Ghost Church. Interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in his memory.
HAMLIN
•Schaffer, Carol, July 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Survived by her sons, Austin, Eric, Luke, Scott and Jason Dingman and their wives; her sister, Gloria Hamm; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service was held July 26 at Hilton United Methodist Church. Contributions can be made to the Church Memorial Fund in her memory.
•Smith, Kenneth R., July 20, 2011, age 87. Predeceased by his grandson, Noah. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary E. Smith; sons and daughters-in-law, Todd and Char, Gordon, Mark and Ann, Robert and Monika, Eric and Joanne Smith; his grandchildren, Erica (Chris) Dobson, Jillian (Adam) Webster, Nathan (Kathryn), Samantha (Derek Brado), Colin, Mallory, Caleb and Lucas Smith; four great-grandchildren, Alana, Olivia, Tanner and Bristol. Ken was a Veteran of WWII, a retiree of E.I. DuPont after 40 years.
A Private Graveside Service was held at Lakeside Cemetery, Hamlin. Contributions can be made to Walker Fire Department or Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in his memory.
HILTON
•Becker, Margaret J. (Meagher) “Peggy,” July 27, 2011, peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer at age 55. Peggy is predeceased by her parents, Paul and Elizabeth Meagher; sister, Mariann Lamuraglia; father and mother-in-law, Fred and Carol Becker; sister-in-law Linda Burgmaster. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Fred Becker; children, Colleen (Shane) Surek and Daniel Becker; sisters, Winnie (Mike) Carletta and Kathleen (Tim) Lincoln; brothers, Paul (Linda) Meagher and Michael (Sher) Meagher; sister-in-law, Beth Ann (Brian) Bryce; brother-in-law, David (Valerie) Becker; beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was employed for over 30 years at Bausch & Lomb, ending her career as a Marketing Manager.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated July 30 at St. Mark’s Church, Kuhn Road. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to American Cancer Society c/o Toast to Hope, 1120 South Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14620 or to Pluta Cancer Center, 125 Red Creek Drive, Rochester, NY 14623 in her memory.
HOLLEY
•Hawley, Eloise J., Age 84, July 25, 2011. Predeceased by husband F. Neil in 2008. Survived by daughters, Madge Fry of Hamlin, Susan (Don) DePalma of Albion; sons Thomas of Holley, Peter (Lisa) of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; granddaughters, Jacqueline (Tony), Meaghan (Glenn), Lynette (Will), Marisa, Nicole; great-granddaughters Kaitlyn, Emma; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services were held at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Holley. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance in her memory.
NORTH CHILI
•Fleming, Howard “Howie,” died July 3, 2011. Predeceased by his father Jim and sister, Cathy. Survived by his mother, Gladys; sister, Vickey; children John and Stephanie; cousins, aunts, and uncles.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 5 at Victory Community Church, 1619 Manitou Road.
OGDEN
•Gillis, Donald R., After a brief illness on July 26, 2011, at age 62. Predeceased by his father, John P. Gillis, Sr.; brother, Edward J. Gillis. He is survived by his loving wife, Sherry (Slavas) Gillis; son, Jared (Jennifer) Gillis; grandchildren, Brooke and Brayden; mother, Rose Gillis; brothers and sister, John P. Jr. (Jackie) Gillis, Michael Gillis (Joanne Yahn), Rosemary (Michael) Koban, Thomas (Jennifer) Gillis; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Don was a retiree of Rochester Products.
Services and interment were held privately. Donations can be directed to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Upstate, NY, 1650 South Avenue, Rochester 14620 in his memory.
SPENCERPORT
•Cooper, Truey (Johnston), Died July 21, 2011 at age 101 at her home. Predeceased by her husbands, Thomas Borden Johnston and Gillie Dee Cooper; children, Gertrude Rodenberger, John Johnston, James Johnston and three infants at birth. Survived by daughters, Anne (Paul) Sterneman, Nora (William) Spindler-Miller and Deborah (Harold) Hume; and son, David (Suzann) Johnston; daughters-in-law, Nancy Johnston and Cheri Johnston Boden; 18 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Truey’s life was held July 23 at the Spencerport Bible Church, Spencerport. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to support Truey’s great-grandchildren, Travis and Kaylyn Julian who are leaving for a mission service in Africa with RCI International in c/o Spencerport Bible Church, 1948 North Union Street, Spencerport 14559 or to the Spencerport Bible Church in her memory.
•Costine, William (Bill), in Columbia, Mississippi, formerly of Spencerport, died July 13, 2011 at age 58. He is survived by his parents, Richard (Dick) and Doris Costine of Spencerport; sister, Susie Costine McKnight of Arizona.
A graduate of Spencerport High School, Bill worked at Dick’s Hardware in Spencerport and at Eastman Kodak Company. He was an avid ball player and bowler.
•Reynolds, June C. (Veale), July 23, 2011 at the age of 88. June was predeceased by her husband, Nelson and her parents, Arthur and Mildred Veale. She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (Romero) Britto, Diane Searls and Gail (Joe) Cosler; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Dan) Miller, Amanda (Jim) Sprague, Katie (John Devine) Searls, Jarrod Cosler, Brendan Britto; great grandchildren, Ryan, Zachary and Makayla, Isabel, Jacob and Kylie; several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated July 28 at St. Vincent DePaul Church, Churchville. Interment, St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Kidney Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice in her memory.
•Urckfitz, Mary I. (Kissel), July 20, 2011 at the age of 93. Mary was predeceased by her husband Floyd Urckfitz. Survived by her children, Ilene Urckfitz, Carol Banfield and Michael (Beth) Urckfitz; grandchildren, Dan (Carol), Jeff (Joanne) Bocach, Jason (Kelly), David (Christy) Urckfitz and Joshua Wambach-Urckfitz; great-grandchildren, Katie, David, Ashley, Taylor, Brynn, Nicholas, Tyler, Sara and Emily; brother, Walter (Joy) Kissel; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services were held July 25 at Walker Brothers Funeral Home, Inc., Churchville. Interment, Creekside Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Churchville Fire Department or Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.
•Wittman, Dorothy (Breiner), Peacefully at home with her family by her side on July 21, 2011 at the age of 94. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Wittman, her sons, Eugene Jr., and William Wittman and her grandchildren, Eric, Lisa Rupp and Dori Wittman. She is survived by her children Bernard (Stefanie) Wittman, Mary Rupp, Theodore (Marjorie) Wittman, Patricia (Geoff) Brown and Andrew (Marcia) Wittman; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Karen and Leslie Wittman; many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass and Interment were celebrated privately at St. Jude’s Church and St. John’s Cemetery in Spencerport, with respect to Dorothy’s wishes.
A Tribute to Tobi Ekeze
by Bob Iveson
Our community was greatly saddened by the passing of Dr. Tobias Ekeze on Saturday, July 16.
He was a vice-principal at Brockport High School. He was the perfect example of the American dream, having emigrated from Nigeria and fully appreciating all that America has to offer, and making a huge contribution in return.
I first met Tobi nearly 25 years ago. I needed experienced help for our Biology labs at Ward’s Natural Science. It would take too long to train new technicians. Area colleges may be able to supply students for a day, if they had a full day without classes. Tobi and Kevin answered the call, from SUNY Brockport. They, and a few others, were an answer to our needs, skilled biologists who could quickly learn procedures.
Tobi, Kevin, and I rode to work and back. It was very entertaining. Tobi constantly marveled and praised the U.S. “What a wonderful country,” he would say. “Anyone can do what they want.” No commercials for the USA could be better than Tobi’s conversations.
As a biology major, Tobi was a highly skilled technician. Following graduation, he was far better than the opportunities the business could offer. Tobi joined Eastman Kodak Co. He then went with Johnson & Johnson as a researcher, when Kodak sold J&J.
We remained friends. I had the honor of attending Tobi and Karen’s wedding, an unusual and beautiful ceremony with African and English components.
Tobi was not happy at J&J and told me he really wanted to get into education. He wanted to teach in the inner city – wanted to be a strong role model for inner city youths.
So Tobi got his teaching certificate and did what he said he’d do.
After several years at this he became frustrated. He told me that when they had “parents’ day” for his class, only one or two parents showed up. He was very disappointed. He felt he could make a better contribution through administration. Tobi got his administrative certificate. Tobi lived in this community and he loved Brockport. He was elated when we hired him as vice-principal at Brockport High School.
A lifelong learner, Tobi got his PhD driving to the University of Buffalo, summer and winter. This chronology and Tobi’s qualifications aren’t half the story.
Tobi was a big, strong man with a great welcoming smile. Most of the students at Brockport High thought he was the principal because he was always involved with them. Tobi was loved and respected by all, because Tobi loved and respected everyone.
He believed in the kids, and he praised Brockport almost the way he had praised the U.S.
I was in the high school atrium one day when there was a disturbance. A student with a problem came in with a security person. The student was yelling “you can’t touch me.”
Tobi heard the commotion, came out of his office, put his arms around the student and walked him to a bench, where I’m sure the problem was resolved.
That’s just one example of the way Tobi was.
Tobi and Karen have two children, Julian, a senior this year, and Isabella, a junior.
The family designed their beautiful Brockport home. He had campfires for his neighbors – we sat around and solved world problems by the flickering flames.
Tobi was a great friend and one of the finest men I’ve ever known. The good Lord took him home too soon, but his suffering is over, and his legacy will remain forever in our hearts.
See death notice in archives July 24, 2011
