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Death Notices for the week of
March 12, 2006
Former Sweden Supervisor John Henion died Sunday, March 5, 2006 peacefully after pancreatitis and heart complications. A lifelong resident of Sweden, Mr. Henion held the town and its residents as top priorities during much of his life. He first took a seat on the town board in 1972 with little political experience and served until 1990 when he ran for supervisor and was elected, replacing fellow Republican Jean Brooks as the town’s leader. In an article announcing his retirement written by then-Westside News reporter Leisa Strabel (September 15, 1997) Mr. Henion was asked about political promises. “I don’t make them,” he had answered. “I say they’re like having babies -- easy to make but hard to deliver.” Co-workers at the town hall noted his good humor and ability to relieve stressful situations using his quick wit. He served the town as an elected official for 26 years. In the article, Mr. Henion said what those who knew him realized immediately -- he liked people, liked being supervisor and enjoyed solving problems. He was known to be a hands-on leader who made it a point to be in the office every morning and to be accessible to staff and residents, even though the job was part-time. Mr. Henion was a farmer for much of his life and operated Henion Orchards for many years. He also worked in the grounds department at Eastman Kodak Company for 14 years and at Monroe County’s Churchville Park and Golf Course. He was instrumental in the creation of the town’s right to farm law. John Henion led the town during a time of transition from being industrial based to more commercial enterprises. He favored keeping the town’s rural charm but worked to keep all aspects of a healthy community in balance. “Residents want expanded water and sewer lines, but if we expand those things too much, we’ll lose the rural character,” he said in the 1997 retirement interview. Mr. Henion was still serving on the town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee at the time of his death. One of his special interests was the town park’s development. In 2002, the town named the road in the Redman Road park area the John Henion Parkway. Other major projects accomplished during his tenure were the building of the Sweden Senior Center (during his years as a councilman) and its expansion while he was supervisor. He was supervisor when the decision were made to build a new Seymour Library and to create the recycling center. He was named the 1996 elected official of the year by first the Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association and then by the state chapter for his support of public works projects. “I didn’t have the pleasure to serve with John on the town board, but he was quick to offer his support and assistance when I became Sweden’s supervisor,” said Buddy Lester. “John never lost his interest in town government. He had been out of office since 1997 but still made it a habit to stop in at the town hall regularly to remain informed and to discuss issues,” Supervisor Lester said. “Even during the past year when he was struggling with health issues, John continued his commitment to the residents of Sweden by serving on the Comprehensive Plan Committee, commenting on the operation of the recycling center and advocating for park development,” Lester said. “Sweden residents are the beneficiaries of John’s persistent efforts to convince the state to donate the 160-acre park to the Town of Sweden,” the Sweden supervisor said. “Although the final negotiations on the park didn’t occur until after he left office, it was John’s hard work that paved the way. In recognition of his efforts, the town board named the road into the park the John Henion Parkway.” “I think it’s evident that Sweden residents had a great deal of respect for John and trust in his integrity as they elected him to terms totaling 26 years, the last eight as supervisor. It’s likely that he’s the longest serving elected town board member,” Lester said. “I’ll miss his quick wit, his knowledge of town government and his genuine, sustained interest in our community.” Mary Anne Pietrzykowski served on the Sweden Town Board during Mr. Henion’s tenure. “As a supervisor, John Henion was organized, thorough, honest and always fair,” she said. “These attributes, coupled with his old fashioned way and wry humor, made working with him a pleasure.” Mr. Henion was predeceased by a grandson, James and a brother, Wallace. Survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois; children, Tom (Eileen) and Ron; four grandchildren, Dean (friend Kelly), Arianne, Alexis, Alric John; two great grandchildren, Andrew and Alex; brother, Bruce (Beverly), Richard (Joyce); several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service was held Saturday, March 11 at the Concordia Lutheran Church of Brockport. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to the Concordia Lutheran Church of Brockport, Sweden Senior Citizen Center or the Lakeside Memorial Hospital in his memory. AREA •Essig, John F., February 12, 2006, age 72. Survived by his wife Doris; children, Gabrielle (Richard) LaManna, Ronald Darling, James (Sandra) Darling; brothers, William Essig, Albert (Rosemary); sister, Patricia (Daniel) Tomczak; grandchildren, Amy (Al) Meadows, Kory, Jason (Susan), Benjamin, Christopher, Jamie and Jenna Darling; great grandchildren, Dawson and Hogan Meadows, Brinley Darling; many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held March 11 at Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Hilton. Donations can be made to American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Association in his memory. •Sperr, Andrew "AJ," March 1, 2006. Two-time winner of the Outstanding Trooper Award for the years 2004 and 2005 with Troup E. AJ was an Aquinas graduate where he was the Mission Bouts Heavy Weight Champion. He was a member of the Northstar Sportsman's Club, an avid hunter and fisherman. AJ's passions were his family, friends and the great outdoors. Survived by his parents, Andrew L. and Jean W. Sperr; brothers and sisters, Nancy (Mike) Iafrati, Jim (Karen) Sperr, Bill (Mary) Sperr, Mary (Patrick) Maloney, Barb (Ralph) Koons, Dan (Sandy) Sperr, John (Sheila) Sperr, Judy (Jeff) Bennett, Patty (Chris) Ryan and Katie (Jon) Krotz; special friend Suzanne Cleary; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; former wife Fadilah Sperr. A Funeral Mass was said March 6 at St. Lawrence Church. Donations can be sent to Hunt of a Lifetime, 6297 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, Pennsylvania 16421 or to a charity of one's choice in his memory. BERGEN •Austin, Frank Sr., of Sanford, Florida, formerly of Bergen, on March 3, 2006, at the age of 82. Survived by his children, Pat (Don) Knox, Lela "Lee" Ladd (Terry Brown), Judy Tardy (David Squires), Frank (Judy) Austin Jr., Debbie (Jeff) Perry; 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services and Arrangements by Baldwin-Fairchild-Oaklawn Park Funeral Home, Highway 46a and Rinehart Road, Sanford, Florida. BROCKPORT •Phillips, Richard D., on March 8, 2006. Predeceased by his granddaughter, Leah McFarlane; brother, Ernest; parents, Ernest and Ruth. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; children, Richard T. (Mary Ann), Kristin (Timothy Sr.) Coon; grandchildren, Brandi, Lindsay, Jeffrey and Timothy Jr.; sisters, Patricia (Donald) Pilger, Linda (Kenneth) Madigan; brother, William (Helen); many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, March 13 at 11 a.m. at the Brockport United Methodist Church. Contributions can be made to the Lake Plains Dialysis Center, 11020 West Center Street Ext., Medina, NY 14103. •Richardson, Jean A., On March 7, 2006. No prior calling. A Graveside Service will be held in loving memory of Jean on Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m. at the Byron Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Lakeside Foundation: Beikirch Care Center Department in her memory. •Smith, Edwin S., March 3, 2006. He is predeceased by his wife, Florence and daughter, Betty Smith-Webster. He is survived by his wife, Genevieve Connaroe-Smith; daughter, Gale Gurgir; six grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; brother Robert (Margaret), sister, Arlene Bell and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held March 5 at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Interment, Lake View Cemetery in the spring. Donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Brockport or the Sweden Senior Center in his memory. CHURCHVILLE •Drews, S. Virginia (Whitney), March 8, 2006 at age 91. She was predeceased by her husband Clarence E. Drews. She is survived by her sisters Avis Theis and Kathleen Skelton; her niece and nephew Susan (Rick) Huff and Forrest Skelton; her great niece Leslie Skelton and her special friends Larry and Linda Wright. A special thank you to Virginia's caregivers on the 4th floor of Lakeside Beikirch Care Center. Funeral Services and interment in Creekside Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to Union Congregational UCC, 14 North Main Street, Churchville, NY 14428 in her memory. •Wainwright, Harold (Dick) Benjamin, formerly of Churchville, died February 28, 2006, in Panama City, Flroida. Predeceased by wife Eunice, parents Leroy and Elsie, sister Idabelle (Rapp), brothers Harlow and Virgil. Survived by sons George (Sharon), Douglas, Jay (Nancy); five grandchildren and two great grand-children; sisters, Virginia Barkman and Alice Klino; brothers Jesse (Bess), Leroy (Linda), Donald (Linda), and Robert (Elaine); sister-in-law Shirley (Jarrett); many nieces and nephew. Harold was a veteran of WWII, and a member of the Harvey C. Noone VFW Post, Churchville. Serives were held in Panama City on March 5. HILTON •Boddy, Raymond, March 3, 2006, age 86 at Latta Road Nursing Home. Predeceased by his wife Joyce. Survived by his children, Jon (Sandy) Boddy, Karen Boddy, Cathy (Floyd) Shell, Patricia (Ronald) Spindler; brothers, William (Marian) Boddy, Robert (Violet) Boddy; sisters, Shirley Foringer, Lillian (Ervin) Czerkas; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews; special and very dear friends, Gary (Donna) Thompson. Ray was a member of the VFW Post 6105 and Clio Lodge. Funeral Services were held March 7 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Inurnment, Parma Union Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association in his memory. •Kinsella, Vinnetta, March 3, 2006, age 98. Survived by her sister, Teresa (Herbert) Greene; brother, Joseph Kinsella; niece Judy Strang; nephews, Jerry, James and John Greene. Miss Kinsella was a longtime teacher for the Hilton School District, starting her career in one-room school houses in Parma and Greece. A Memorial Mass will be held in the spring. Private interment, St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Hospice of Rochester in her memory. HOLLEY •DeFilipps, Edith E., age 86 died March 7, 2006. She is survived by her brothers, Michael (Pat), Edward, David (Mary Ellen); sister, Louise Lusk; brother-in-law, Frank Formicola; sister-in-law, Sara DeFilipps; several nieces, nephews; cousin, Mary Leuze. Edith was prede-ceased by brothers, Saverio, Dominic, George, Louis; sis-ter, Fedora Formicola; sister-in-law, Virginia and Nellie; brother-in-law, William Lusk. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date at St. Mary's Church in Holley. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Holley Ambulance Inc. or the charity of one's choice. SPENCERPORT •Fogg, Christopher D., Sunday, March 5, 2006 at age 27. He was predeceased by his brother, Daniel A. Fogg. He is survived by his father, David A. Fogg of Ogden; his mother, Deborah A. Carney of California; his sister, Elizabeth (Anthony) Ababon; nephew, Alec Ababon; maternal grandmother, Patricia VanLare; many aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral Services were held March 10 at Walker Brothers Co. Funeral Home Inc., Spencerport. Spring interment, Lakeview Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in his memory. •Whitney, Donald E., Jr., suddenly at age 56 on February 20, 2006 in Bay Pines, Florida. Predeceased by his mother Joan Milne, father Donald E. Whitney, Sr., stepfather Edward Quackenbush. Survived by his children, Andrew, Beth and Tammy; his sisters Karen Sheldon, Sharri (William) Thomas, SuAnn (Charles) Bush; brother Gary (Sandra) Whitney; stepbrothers Dennis, Glen, Dale, Brian Quackenbush; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was a retiree of the U.S. Postal Office and a proud Navy veteran. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 18 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 65 Church Street, Spencerport. •Wilson, Margaret C., (Crosson), March 6, 2006. Predeceased by granddaughter, Kelly Wilson; sons-in-law, Harry Trott and Robert M. Waters. Survived by her loving husband of 68 years, William R. Wilson Sr.; daughters, Wende Trott of Florida, Gail (Fred) Boyd Jr. of California and Sandra Waters; son, William R. Wilson Jr. of Florida; daughter-in-law, Sheila Wilson of Florida; sisters-in-law Grace Flugel and Marjorie Wilson; brother-in-law, Gordon Wilson; grandchildren, Debra (Robert) Bowles Jr., Shelley (Jonathan) Miele, Lori (Ross) Russo, Vicki (Toby) Klein of Florida, Richard (Marlene) Kowalski, Kathy Lyman, Linda Odiorme of California, Wende Tucker, Kimberly (Carl) Mastrella, Karrie (Robert) Lauro and William R. (Ali) Wilson III of Florida; 20 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Services were held March 8 at Walker Brothers Co. Funeral Home Inc., Spencerport. Inter-ment, Fairfield Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Visiting Nurse Hospice or to the Alzheimer's Association in her memory. SWEDEN •Henion, John H., March 5, 2006 peacefully after pancreatitis and heart complications. John lived in Brockport his entire life on the family fruit farm. After years of fruit farming John worked at Kodak in the Landscaping Department then for Monroe County Parks Department. He had a love for boating and served as Commodore for the Brockport Yacht Club and served his community for 25 years as Councilman and then Supervisor for the Town of Sweden. He was long time members of the Republican Party. Predeceased by a grandson, James, and a brother, Wallace. Survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois; children, Tom (Eileen) and Ron; four grandchildren, Dean (friend Kelly), Arianne, Alexis, Alric John; two great grandchildren, Andrew and Alex; brothers, Bruce (Beverly), Richard (Joyce); several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service was held Saturday, March 11 at the Concordia Lutheran Church of Brockport. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contribu-tions can be made to the Concordia Lutheran Church of Brockport, Sweden Senior Citizen Center or the Lake-side Memorial Hospital in his memory.
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John Henion, Sweden town leader, friend of many