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Death Notices for the week of
October 8, 2001 Paul Humphrey, 86, writer Spencerport resident Paul Humphrey died suddenly September 28, 2001. A noted writer, Mr. Humphrey was a frequent contributor to Westside News Inc. newspapers and a dear friend. He was 86. Born in New York City in 1915, Paul Humphrey’s intelligence and keen wit kept readers at full attention for nuances and added meaning. His popular short pieces, printed in Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald newspapers since the mid-1980s as “The Lighter Touch,” were mere samples of his thousands of light verse creations. His poems became Hallmark card messages and Good Housekeeping humor fillers, printed over the years in over 150 different publications. They graced the sides of buses in London, England and were collected in several small books. “I don’t know where they come from,” he said often of the short, emphatic messages. “They just pop into my head.” It wasn’t unusual for the poems to be presented on a table napkin or remnant of paper -- when the idea hit, whatever vehicle that could carry the words was put into function. Frequently, the thoughts came with illustration in the form of intricate doodles. A graduate of DeVeaux Academy and the University of Rochester, Paul Humphrey taught high school and college history (UR) and French from 1948 to 1964. Paul also traveled extensively during his lifetime and prepared travel accounts for various magazines -- among those recountings were his trip on the Orient Express and a journey to Egypt, when he was in his 70s, including a camel ride and visits to the Pyramids. He wove his life experiences into colorful word pictures for others to see. A champion for the written work, Paul liked nothing better than to encourage other writers, giving numerous workshops at Writers and Books in Rochester and in other venues. Self effacing and humble, he would acknowledge that a full list of his written work would be lengthy and varied. His biography of Maud Humphrey, his great aunt and the mother of Humphrey Bogart (Schiffer Publishing Ltd.), was notable and well received by the public and reviewers, but, especially in his later years, he seemed to enjoy as much the grassroots feedback he received after an article was published in our local newspapers or getting a reaction from a Lighter Touch reader. Yet, his commercial endeavors continued; he hadn’t given up the broader scope of his writing and, as recently as a few weeks before his death, was researching a commissioned magazine piece. Most, I will remember Paul’s support and his caring -- for people and for pets -- his beloved dog, his penchant for feeding the winter birds, the thoughtful comments, a little bouquet of old fashioned roses from his backyard presented in an Orangina bottle, a giant gathering of lilacs for the Westside News office, his visits from across town in his Model T, his amazing capacity for historical fact and for understanding cultures. In his own words: No epitaph for me We are better for having known Paul Humphrey. Luckily we have his words, though that brilliant mind and that caring heart are gone from us. Paul Humphrey is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor (Nicholson) Humphrey, M.D.; his children, Paula J. (John) Kim, M.D.; Paul N. (Cathy) Humphrey and Joel W. (Deborah) Humphrey. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Benjamin, Alexander and William Kim; John Paul and Mary Helen Humphrey; Scott Joel and Jessica Lela Humphrey. Memorial services will be held at a future date. Those wishing may contribute to the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 or to a charity of their choice in his memory. Celebrating a life Paul was always offering his assistance. “I’ll do whatever you want,” he would say. His interest in our little enterprise at Westside News was always appreciated. He felt his writing and poems that appeared in our newspapers gave him the most pleasure. Perhaps, he felt, it was because he was a resident of Spencerport. However, those who were fortunate enough to have known him knew that he was not merely a resident of Spencerport, but a true resident of the world. His writing was known around the globe. I always enjoyed reading both his prose and poetry. “I feel I have accomplished something if what I have written causes the reader to have to look up a word in a dictionary,” he would say. He was a joy to listen to for his command of the language. He also provided fascinating recounts of his association with members of the literary and artistic communities here and elsewhere. I sometimes felt like a little kid at his knee, listening to those stories. Paul Humphrey lived a full life for his 86 years and did not appear to slow his pace through it all. He and I had been involved in an effort in his neighborhood of late and his spirit and determination to muddle through was an inspiration. I will miss him for all that he has done for Westside News and for me personally. But I am more greatly saddened for the loss to the world. Paul Humphrey has indeed left this world a little better than he found it and everyone can be grateful for his efforts toward that end. BERGEN •Painting, Mary L. (Klatt), On October 1, 2001. She is survived by her husband, Robert; her children, Peggy (Don) Rybacki, Terry (Frank) Valles, Kitty (Michael) Leaman; five grandchildren; four brothers, Guy, Bill, Walt and Ben; many nieces, nephews and good friends. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Mary Jane Holmes, 440 Chapter. A Funeral Service was held October 4 at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Interment Lake View Cemetery. Friends can make contributions to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease.) BROCKPORT •Mavity, Marilee (Missy), Suddenly on Sunday, September 30, 2001. She is survived by her daughter, Tami and her fiancee, Colin Martin; her parents, Alfred and Helen; her brother, Christopher (Dina); her sister Colleen (Ed) Currin; several nieces and nephews. She was a member of ABATE. A Funeral Service was held October 4 at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Interment, Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. CHURCHVILLE •Gebhard, Eleanor (Klem), September 26, 2001 at age 72. She was predeceased by her husband, Roy C. Gebhard. She is survived by her family; Glenn with daughter Karen, Douglas with son, Joshua, Brian with son, Brian, Beverly (Gerald) Austin with children David, Emily and Laura, Barbara (Charles) DeKruger with children Bill, Cory and Ashley, Susan Male with children Robert, John and Amy, Marilyn Newcomb with children Stephen II (with son Stephen III), Joseph (with son Connor) and Timothy; brothers, Richard (Laura) Klem and Douglas (Mary) Klem; sister Marilyn (James) Kraus; several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was held September 29 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Churchville. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to the American Red Cross in her memory. HILTON •Scriber, Lena E., On September 27, 2001 at age 71. She is survived by her Lawrence; her children, Debra (John) Neri, Jr., Wendy Scriber, Patrice (Robert) Kopitzki; her brother, Claude Carson, Jr.; her sister, Blanche (Keith) Baxter; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service was held October 1 at Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Interment, Parma Union Cemetery. MURRAY •Hinkle, Willard M., On September 2, 2001 at his home in West Point, Virginia at the age of 63. He was a former Murray resident and an employee of Owens-Illinois leaving the area in 1979. He retired in December 2000 from Owens-Brockway Glass in Toano, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughters, Valerie (Jim) Niederhofer of Carlton and Vickie (Rick) Marriott of West Point, Virginia; four grandchildren; three stepchildren and their families; brothers, Lonnie of Michigan, Kenneth of North Carolina, Carroll of West Virginia; sisters, Marie Johnson of South Carolina, Wavilene Beauchamp of Michigan; his children's mother Winifred Hinkle of Holley; several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held September 6 at the Vincent Funeral Home, West Point, Virginia. Memorials can be made to the West Point Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, Box X, West Point, Virginia 23181. NORTH CHILI •Wainwright, Virgil A., September 25, 2001. He was predeceased by his brother, Harlow and sister, Idabelle Rapp. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Ruth (Wilson) Wainwright; his daughter, Nancy (Theodore) Robak; grandchildren, Rachel (Ian) MacDonald and Sarah Robak; great grandson, Cody; his brothers, Harold, Jesse (Bess), Roy (Linda), Donald (Linda), Robert (Elaine); sisters, Virginia Barkman and Alice Klino; several nieces and nephews. He was an employee of Harris Seed Company for 35 years. Funeral Services were held September 29 at Spencerport Assembly of God Church. Interment North Chili Rural Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Spencerport Assembly of God Church in his memory. PARMA •Ainsworth, Aura (Blossom), On September 26, 2001 at age 91. Widow of Bernard Ainsworth. She is survived by her brothers, Howard (Betty), Ernest and Kenneth (Joan) Blossom; her sisters, Evelyn Wright, Phyllis (Ralph) Bobzin and Merle (Francis) Murphy; sisters-in-law, Jo and Peg Blossom; brothers-in-law, Jim Gunn and Evart Winden; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her sisters and brothers, Vida, Ena, Warren, Ada, LaVerne, Donald, Harold and Morris Blossom, Doris Cooper, Marguerite Cole, Marion Cooper, Shirley Halliley, Avis Chamberlin, Dora Winden and Betty Gunn. A Graveside Service was held October 2 at Lake View Cemetery, Brockport followed by a Memorial Service at Parma-Greece United Church of Christ. Those wishing can make contributions to the American Diabetes Association or Parma-Greece U.C.C. Memorial Fund in her memory. •Hall, Hulda O. (Hahn), On September 30, 2001. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael F. Hall, 1971, her sisters, Gertrude Cass, Olga D'Aprile and Bertha Smith. She is survived by her loving sister, Alma B. Nicholls; her nephew, Lawrence Hall; and many devoted friends. She was a longtime member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, a 57th year member of Oak Hill Country Club where she was an avid golfer. She was a retiree from a General Motors dealership. A Graveside Service was held October 3 at Parma Union Cemetery, Hilton. Those wishing can contribute to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in her memory. SPENCERPORT •Allen, Donna Lynn (Parkinson), of Placentia, CA died on September 19, 2001. She was the daughter of W. Sterrett and Mary (Rusty) Parkinson of 4 Meadow Drive, Spencerport. Donna graduated from Spencerport High School in 1976 receiving the R.T. French award for excellence in Home Economics. Completing the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan in 1980, she was commissioned as a Nurse in the U.S. Navy. After an orientation program at Newport, Rhode Island, she moved to her assigned station at Balboa Hospital, San Diego, CA. She resigned from the Navy in 1985 with the commission of Lieutenant. Her death resulted from extensive complications from an automobile accident while participating in the orientation program in Newport in August of 1980. She is survived by her husband, Donald (Skip) Allen and their daughter, Lindsay Christin both of Placentia, California; her parents; and two brothers, William (Beth) of Dallas, Texas, Randy (Eleana) of LaVerne, California; and a sister, Robyn (Tom) of Canton, Georgia. Memorial Services were held in the Yorba Linda Friends Church in Yorba Linda, California on September 22, 2001. Those wishing can make contributions to: MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers), 17772 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 103, Tustin, California 92780. (Please note on check, "In memory of Donna Allen." •Carter, Helen E., On September 29, 2001 at age 83. She was predeceased by her husband, Clyde S. Carter and her son, Clyde W. Cater. Survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen (Richard) Keyser of Chicago; four grandchildren; four great-granddaughters; her brother, William B. Martin; her daughter-in-law, Ann Carter; and her nephew, Donald Carter. Funeral Services and interment were in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Contributions can be made to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 1279 Chili Avenue, Rochester 14624 in her memory. •Erickson, Josephine L., On September 30, 2001. Wife of the late Albert Erickson; mother of Albert (Ingrid) Erickson of Rochester, Russell (Terry) Erickson of Spencerport; five grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister of Cathryn Melaro of Olean, Ralph Anastasia of Olean, Dominic Anastasia of Hornell; several nieces and nephews. •Montgomery, Norma Jean "Dolly," September 29, 2001. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Henry "Hank" Montgomery; sons, Robert of Holley, Jimmie J. (Hazel) of Virginia and Shawn (Adeline) of Holley; daughter, Denise Stevenson of Albion; her brothers, Leonard (Patricia) Graves, Daniel (Dorothy) Graves and Douglas (Suzzane) Graves; sisters, Carol Ann Years and Dawn (Lin) Snyder; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews. She was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330 and was a Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #202, Holley. A Memorial Service was held October 2 at Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330, Trimmer Road, Spencerport. •Phillips, Clinton F., September 29, 2001 at age 90. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mildred (Hendel) Phillips; his children, Thomas (Diane) Phillips, John (Holly) Phillips, Marilyn (David) McAllister and Carol Kryger; 14 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was a retiree of Alliance Tool and Die Company. A Funeral Mass was held October 3 at Holy Ghost Church. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contri-butions can be made to the Lupus Foundation, 500 Helendale Road, Rochester 14609 in his memory. Fred Rupp, dedicated to children with disabilities On September 27, the lines outside Walker Brothers Funeral Home in Spencerport were long, and it was raining. Some people had umbrellas, but many waited without protection from the rain, yet no one was complaining. People were waiting to pay their respects to Fred Rupp, neighbor, community volunteer and good friend. Rupp died on Monday, September 24, 2001, of a brain aneurysm. He was 62 years old. His son, Fritz (Frederick, Jr.) wrote that love and dedication to people with disabilities defined his father. Rupp served for 25 years on the BOCES II Advisory Council and received a Lifetime of Service Award that he cherished. He and his wife, Mary, became active with BOCES II when their daughter, Lisa, was a student there. However, even after Lisa died in 1981, Mary and Fred continued their work there. Every year they organized a Christmas party for children with disabilities. Jo Anne Antonacci, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs at BOCES II, said that it was hard to explain just how much this meant to the children. "It is very difficult for these families to go to a mall and see Santa," she said. "This took the place of that." Fred, of course, made a wonderful Santa. Fred and Mary were also very involved with SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association). "Fred was often sought out to work on special committees. If we needed a person with a good background in special education, we looked to him," Antonacci said. "Fred once said to me as his term on the Advisory Council was ending (and I was embarrassed to ask him to stay on), 'Jo Anne, I am going to carry on Lisa's memory through this.' I wish," Antonacci said, "that I could work with more parents like Fred and Mary. Fred was the ultimate parent and supporter of our programs. He continually asked what could be done by himself and his family to help the programs." Her voice breaking, Antonacci said, "May God bless him. There's no doubt in my mind that Fred will be rewarded in heaven for all he has done for BOCES II and individuals with disabilities." Fred graduated from John Marshall High School and joined the Army in 1958 as a member of the Signal Corps. His assignment to Okinawa was a highlight of his Army career. He met Mary shortly after getting out of the army. Not long after that, Mary went into the convent and was unable to receive letters there from men. Fred kept in touch, signing his name "Freida" on his letters. Mary later left the convent and came back to Spencerport where Fred was waiting for her. Mary and Fred were married for 38 years. Fred and Mary have five children, most of them very close in age. Mary said that they often had three in diapers at the same time. Eric died in a farm accident in 1976 and Lisa in 1981. Their last child, Laura, was born later in their life. Fritz refers to her as a "gift to his parents." She is now 16 and a junior at Spencerport High School. The Rupps also have another daughter, Amy (Cory) Callahan and three grandchildren. Fred attended RIT and received a BS in Electrical Engineering. He retired from Kodak in 1991 after 28 years as an engineer. Fritz wrote, "His days playing softball on the Kodak league were legendary, as he became known as 'Babe Ruth of the Old Timers League.' " After Kodak, Fred worked for Lifetime Assistance, driving passenger vans from individual residences and group homes to work situations of day treatment or sheltered workshops. Pat Henderson, transportation coordination manager, says that he worked there almost two years. She said, "Fred had the unique ability to interact with all of our folks. Many of them knew him and everybody loved him. Fred drove out of all three of our bases - Brockport, Greece and Chili. He was really very dedicated and very dependable. He was a great guy. Fred was also a member of the Spencerport Jaycees and the founder of Citizens to Save Ogden. Fritz wrote, "Even in death, Dad got it right … He always wanted to go 'big and fast!' He was surrounded by his family at the end, and we will all miss him more than words can say." Note: This article was written with help from a memoir about his father by Fritz Rupp. |