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Death Notices for the week of
July 14, 2003
He wasn’t afraid to volunteer and serve the community. Thomas H. Vandertang, 54, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003. A community leader in many regards, Mr. Vandertang was a long time resident of Ogden. Many friends and associates have noted how much he loved the town and its residents. Tom Vandertang’s death leaves open a position on the Ogden Town Council. He served a total of 19 years on various Ogden government boards -- zoning, planning and town council. His most recent responsibility as a councilman was as liaison to the Ogden Senior Center. “It was one of his major interests,” Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard said. “Keeping the building in top shape, securing grant funds for porch repairs and greeting the seniors now and then -- he enjoyed it all.” He followed through on his commitments. In the hospital, the day before his death, Mr. Vandertang’s wife, Sheila, said he asked her for a phone book to get a number to call someone to help with a senior center project. “He’d go and eat lunch with the seniors and was concerned for them,” she said. Tom Vandertang’s interest in the community and helping people began at an early age, his father, Adrian Vandertang, said. He had government service in his blood, having an uncle, Peter Vandertang, Adrian’s brother, who served on the county’s Board of Supervisors and who was involved in Ogden politics and government. “He looked up to Pete for that,” Adrian Vandertang said. Mr. Vandertang worked on the town’s cable committee in the early 1980s, studying options for cable TV franchises. He was employed by Ogden Telephone Company (now Frontier) as an installer and on the construction crew and worked in Ogden as well as the Parma and North Chili service areas. He retired in 1994. “That’s probably how he got to know so many people,” said good friend and telephone company co-worker Dick McQuilkin, and also how he established a network of connections for goods and services -- from the best tomatoes and corn delivered to friends and family to equipment for whatever special project he was involved with at the moment. “He never gave up on anything -- right up to the last few days before his death,” McQuilkin said, “and he never lost his sense of humor. He would do anything he could for the public.” Spencerport Canal Days is another Ogden area community event which will have to cope without Mr. Vandertang’s leadership. He had volunteered as chairman last year and died only a few weeks before the July 26-27 event. Tom Vandertang was also committed to fire protection. He began his volunteer affiliation as a member of the Churchville Fire Department in the late 1960s when he lived in a part of Ogden which received fire protection from Churchville. After moving to a new home in Ogden, he transferred to the Spencerport department and served first as a firefighter and later as an officer, continuing his membership until the time of his death. He served as Director of the Monroe County Fire Police, Past President of the Second Battalion Fire Police, and Past President of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department. “He loved the (Spencerport Fire Department’s) carnival,” Sheila Vandertang said. “It was his favorite thing. He looked forward to it every year.” “He was just a good guy,” Bill Hill of HiQual Heating and Cooling said. He’d known Mr. Vandertang for 25 to 30 years and had done work at his home. “Whatever Tom said he would do, he would carry through with it,” Hill said. He was a super guy who did a lot for the community.” Mr. Vandertang also had time for a few hobbies including following NASCAR racing and woodworking. He worked with fellow firefighter Bob Azzolina at his antique shop for a few years as well as constructed wood pieces for his own home and doll furniture for his granddaughters. Even in ill health, Tom Vandertang still took on new responsibilities. He was recently chosen to be president of the Spencerport Alumni Association. He was a 1967 graduate of E. J. Wilson High School. “Tom brought a lot to the town board,” Supervisor Gay Lenhard said. “He had strong opinions and expressed them. He was pro the people of the town of Ogden. He often brought a historical perspective to discussions -- previous owners and uses of property, changes that had taken place over time.” In discussions, Lenhard said, the former councilman would make board members think about the people’s perceptions of board decisions and was concerned about how residents would be affected. He is survived by his wife, Sheila A. Vandertang; his two sons, Mark (Michele) Vandertang of Irondequoit and Gary (Victoria) Vandertang of Ft. Collins, Colorado; six grandchildren, J. R., Tiffany and Kailee, Justin Paul, Justin Tyler and Bethanne; his parents, Adrian and Nellie Vandertang; his sister Judy (Gary) Gartz; his brother William (Alison) Vandertang; sister-in-law, Valerie Olverd; nieces Mindy (Kevin) Whelehan and Tiffany Gartz; nephews Gary Tad and Chris Bell; several aunts, uncles and cousins.. A Memorial Service was held July 7 at the Ogden Presbyterian Church, Spencerport. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department in his memory. AREA •Tighe, Dorothy, on July 2, 2003. Survived by her daughter-in-law, Pauline Tighe; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Interment July 8 at Lakeview Cemetery, Brockport. BERGEN •Bater, Emily J. "Aunt Em," July 3, 2003, at age 66, wife of 43 years to Kenneth E. Bater; mother of Todd Bater, Paul (Kathleen) Bater, Scott (fiancee Kristin Stark) Bater and Lamon Bater; sister of Robert (fiancee Jackie Toscano) Aradine, David (Marie) Aradine and Ann Bater; niece of Helen (Ellsworth) Noble; also survived by nieces and nephews. Mrs. Bater raised 75 chil-dren in 25 years as a foster care provider. Services were held July 7 at Bergen United Methodist Church, Bergen. Memorials can be made to the Bergen United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 216, Bergen 14416. BROCKPORT •Knab, Leland E., On July 4, 2003. He is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Doris and son, Leland Jr. He is survived by his children, Lynne (Mike) Mullins, Lucinda (Richard) Palasznski, Melody (Francis) Tennity, Dawn (Larry) Kittle, Lani (Rick Tozer) Streb, Lauana (Greg Goodridge) Patric, Arthur (Pam), Renee (David) Russell, Jason (Brenda); 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; his twin brother, Loren; two sisters-in-law, Esther and Marie Knab; brother-in-law, Webster (Meg) Chapman. Leland was a World War II Veteran and a locksmith at SUNY Brockport. Funeral Services were held July 8 at Fowler Funeral Home, Brockport. Interment, Lakeview Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Clarendon Ambulance Corps in his memory. GATES Morrison, Matthew J. "Matt," July 4, 2003, age 52. Survived by his wife, Karen McDowell Morrison; daughters, Erin Morrison and Jo Lynn Wilson; grand-children, Alyssa, Kayla and David; mother, Irma Viebrock Morrison; brothers, William and Thomas (Karen) Morrison; sister, Katherine (Jerry) Schneider; many nieces, nephews and extended family; his father-in-law and "pal" Kenneth L. McDowell; and a host of friends. Predeceased by his father, Bernard Morrison. Funeral Services were held July 8 at Westside Calvary Chapel, Spencerport. Interment, Fairfield Cemetery, Spencerport. Contributions can be made to Westside Calvary Chapel, 67 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport 14559 in his memory. HILTON •Schultz, Marion Anderson, formerly a resident of Hilton, died peacefully in her sleep on June 26, 2003. She was 91 years old, born on December 9, 1911. Marion taught in the Hilton school district for 40 years, until 1962. She and her family then moved to Southern California. In February 1992 she moved to Selma, Alabama to be near her daughter, Dr. Lucille Schultz Collins (Sanders) who has a medical practice in Maplesville near Selma. Her other survivors include her sister, Helen Truscott, who also lives in Selma; her daughter, Frances Eugenia Schultz (Hicks) who lives in France; her son, Karl Schultz, who lives in Southern California; three grandchildren and four great grand children, with another great grandchild on the way. Her three children and their spouses were all with her during the last week of her life. She sometimes told a story that illustrates the changes that occurred in her lifetime. As a little girl, she was badly frightened by an aircraft flying overhead. When her father learned that she was afraid of German bombers, he said, "Marion, don't worry, there will never be an airplane that can fly across the Atlantic." She her-self crossed the Atlantic by air six times. As a girl, she used to be taken to school in a horse-drawn sleigh. A service was held for her on Saturday, June 28, at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Selma, Alabama. Those wishing to remember her are requested to make dona-tions to the American Heart Association in her name. KENT •Doran, Gerard Joseph Sr. "Jerry," formerly of Chili. On July 7, 2003. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Jane Mulhern Doran; also survived by sons, Gerard Jr. (Desiree) and James (Josie); daughters, Margaret (Kevin) Osborn, Suzanne (Bruce) Pieszak, Kathleen (Rich) Miller, Patricia (Steve) Drexel; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his brother, Bernard (Roberta); several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and three sisters. Jerry was retired after 45 years of service with ConRail and was a 23 year member of the Teamsters Local #118. He was a member of the National Adoration Society. A Funeral Mass was said July 10 at St. Mark's Church, Kendall. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Do-nations can be made to St. Mark's Church or Hospice of Orleans County in his memory. •Koza, Donald E., Age 80, July 2, 2003. Survived by wife of 54 years, Margaret; children, David Koza, Nancy Johnson, Michelle Lazo, Donna Claiborne, Sharon Allport, Molly (Randall) Hoffpauir, Laura (Richard) Rice, Debbie (William) McNaughton, Doreen Hall, Richard (Angela) Van Wyngaarden, Michael Lowe, Jesse (Paula) Lowe, John (Cherri) Lowe, Joanne Lowe, Amy Schult; sisters, Dorothy McDonald, Margaret (Dan) Brunson; 35 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchil-dren; one great-great-grandson; several nieces, nephew and cousins. A Memorial Service was held July 5 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Kendall. Interment, Beechwood Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the church or the Orleans County Fair. OGDEN •Bradt, Louise E., July 1, 2003. Predeceased by her husband, Daniel R. Bradt. Survived by her children, Ronald (Patricia), James, Les (Janice) Bradt; brother, Joe Lazzaro; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Loretta and Don Hirschman, Richard and Jean Bradt, Bud and Theresa Markel and Tony Zazzaro; grandchildren, David, Maria, Donald and Daniel Bradt; nieces, nephews and cousins. A Funeral Mass was said July 5 at Holy Ghost Church. Private interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery. Con-tributions can be made to St. John's Home, 150 Highland Avenue, Rochester 14620 in her memory. SPENCERPORT •Mason, William C., July 7, 2003 at age 77. Predeceased by his wife, Elaine (Farley) Mason. Survived by his children, Connie (David) Degnan, William (Mary Ellen) Mason II, Sue (Dan) Hickey, Michelle (John) Soldi, Harry (Patty) Mason, Troy (Janine) Mason and Daniel Mason; his grandchildren, Raquel, Gavin, J.V., Ryan, Alyse, Billy, Josh, Megan, Erica, McKenna and Ty; his mother, Lucille Mason; his brother, Gerald (Jean) Mason; his sisters, Barbara Heeg and Janet Allyn; sister-in-law, Patricia Farley; and his special friend, Jean Brown; several nieces and nephews. He was a life member and past assistant chief of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department. A member of the Spencerport Fireman's Exempt, Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330, past master of Etolian Lodge #479 F&AM, retiree of Eastman Kodak Company. Funeral Services were held July 10 at the Spencerport United Methodist Church. Interment Fairfield Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department or to the Spencerport United Methodist Church in his memory. •Mueller, Helen "Mutti," July 8, 2003 at age 101. She was predeceased by her husband, Fritz Mueller and her son, Emil. She is survived by her sons, Fritz (Kathleen) Mueller of Webster and Paul (Roberta) Mueller of Arizona; her daughters, Hedy McGarry of Spencerport and Helen Miles of Colorado; 12 grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was said July 11 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Ogden Senior Citizens Center in her memory. •Vandertang, Thomas H., July 2, 2003 at age 54. He is survived by his wife, Sheila A. Vandertang; his two sons Mark (Michele) Vandertang of Irondequoit and Gary (Victoria) Vandertang of Ft. Collins, Colorado; six grandchildren, J. R., Tiffany and Kailee, Justin Paul, Justin Tyler and Bethanne; his parents, Adrian and Nellie Vandertang; his sister Judy (Gary) Gartz; his brother William (Alison) Vandertang; sister-in-law, Valerie Olverd; nieces Mindy (Kevin) Whelehan and Tiffany Gartz; nephews Gary Tad and Chris Bell; sev-eral aunts, uncles and cousins. He was a Councilman for the Town of Ogden, Director of the Monroe County Fire Police, Past President of the Second Battalion Fire Police, Past President of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department and was Past President of the Spencerport Alumni Association. A Memorial Service was held July 7 at the Ogden Presbyterian Church, Spencerport. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department in his memory. |
Thomas Vandertang,