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Death Notices for the week of
September 3, 2006
Many of the "regulars" were gathered around a table in the backroom of the Hilton Family Restaurant. As time passed, the gathering of friends of the late Nicholas "Nick" Panarites who came to share their memories of the man named by many as the "unofficial mayor of Hilton" grew in number. While Panarites, 89, who died August 5, was known to many as the proprietor of the family owned Hilton Candy Kitchen, he was also called friend by many. Jim Daily pointed to the still-empty seat at the table across from him at the restaurant and said, "That's where Nick used to sit - and talk." According to everyone at the tables, Nick loved to talk. "He would talk about WWII. He would tell us stories we had heard a hundred times before," Daily said with a bit of a laugh. Panarites served in the Army from 1940-1945 with Battery D of the 209th Coast Artillery. He was a member of the Hiscock-Fishbaugh American Legion Post, Hilton Odd Fellows and Clio Lodge #779 F&A.M. Jack Jennejahn said, "Nick told us how he shot down a plane with an artillery gun. He never missed a patriotic event or a march. He was proud to have been a soldier." Before everyone gathered at the Hilton Family Restaurant they congregated at the Panarites restaurant. Bob Elliott remembers how the gang used to flip pennies to see who would have to buy coffee. "A lot of the pennies ended up on a ledge in the restaurant and Nick said he was going to put all of that money in his casket," he said. "We don't know if the pennies made it in or not." Nick was known for making his own candy and ice cream including his family "Alpine Strawberry" and "Tutti-Fruitti," but Daily remembered the day a man came into the restaurant and ordered eggs. "The first time Nick brought them out, the man said they were too hard. Nick went back and cooked the order again, the man said they still weren't right. At that point Nick just yelled, 'get out!' " Everyone at the table laughed at that memory. Jennejahn also recalled that if you received an invitation to visit the basement where the Panarites made their ice cream and candy you could consider yourself "very fortunate." Russ Wright remembered that each Easter the benches in the restaurant would be lined with boards that were filled with Easter candy. "Nick always had penny candy in the store and even when everyone else raised their candy to five cents, Nick still sold penny candy." Panarites's father's cousin, Ernest, purchased the Candy Kitchen in 1917. Nick's father Louie was, at that time, working in a tannery. When Nick was five-years-old the family moved from Massachusetts to Hilton and bought the ice cream parlor. Village of Hilton Mayor Larry Gursslin, who was a teenager when he met Panarites, said that, "Nick knew my parents and grandparents and said if he found gum under a table or soap on any windows and found out it was me, he would tell my parents." Gursslin said that about 15 years ago the village dedicated a street and renamed it Panarites Lane. It is located behind Hilton's bowling center, Pleasure Lanes. "At the dedication ceremony, Nick was choked up and fighting back the tears. He said he never thought an immigrant would ever be embraced the way he and his family were," Gursslin said. "Nick and his family were very involved in the community." Don Wasielewski summed it up by saying, "Nick was a great guy." The men, and a few of their wives, still come together at the Hilton Family Restaurant to pass the early morning hours but as one of them said, "our table keeps getting a little bit smaller with the passage of time." ADAMS BASIN •Crouse, Dolores M. (Rondash), August 22, 2006 at age 79. Predeceased by her husband Robert J. Crouse. Survived by her children R. John (Starr) Crouse and Barbara (Henry) Hrankowsky; grandchildren Daniel Hrankowsky, Joan, Janelle and Jillian Crouse; sister Jean (William) Friedman; many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was said August 28 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm or a charity of one's choice in her memory. BROCKPORT •Bullock, Loleta S., On August 24, 2006 at the age of 92. Predeceased by her son, Gary in 1967 and husband, Dayton in 1999. Survived by her daughters, Sharon (Eugene) Root, Sally Kubica; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service was held August 30 at the Calvary Chapel of the West Side, Spencerport. Interment, private. Contributions can be made to The Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607 in her memory. •Hoffman, Chrystal G., July 1, 2006. A Memorial Service was held August 31 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Brockport. Interment, Lake View Cemetery. •Korber, Jane Willis, On August 19, 2006. Predeceased by parents Warren and Lillian Willis, brother Donald Smith, and is survived by her husband, Eugene; brothers-in-law, Vincent (Wilma) Korber, Harold (Marcia) Korber; sister-in-law, June Wheeler; several cousins, nieces, nephews and grand niece and nephew. Jane was a teacher at Kendall for 6 years, taught at the Pittsford School District for 27 years, and was a longtime member of St. Luke's Altar Guild & Eastern Star. A Funeral Service was held August 25 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Brockport. Interment, Lake View Cemetery. Contributions can be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Park Ridge Hospital, Morgan-Manning House or the American Cancer Society in her memory. BYRON •Stanton, David F., August 27, 2006, at age 56; son of Jean (late Floyd) Stanton; husband of Bonnie J. Mowers Stanton; father of Tammy (Joe Boyle) Stanton; grandfather of David Allen Boyle; brother of Joann (Paul) Koetter and Kim (Jack) Woodams; also survived by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral Services were held September 1 at H. E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Bergen. Contributions can be made to the family in his memory. GREECE •Tobin, George R., "Ray," August 24, 2006 age 75. He is survived by his wife, Janet (Hogan) Tobin; three children, Marcy Tobin, Pamela (Fred) Matthews, and George R. III (Kerry) Tobin; three grandchildren, Samuel and Lindsey Matthews, August (AJ) Tobin; his brother, Robert Tobin. He was a graduate of the University of Rochester, retired Eastman Kodak Engineer, US Army veteran and former Town of Greece Councilman. A Private Graveside Service was held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Greece Ridge Fire Department in his memory. HAMLIN •Rath, George "Sammy," August 25, 2006, at age 85, to join his wife of 59 years, Nancy (his "Bobby Sox Gal") and his son Chris (Mickey) Rath. He is survived by his loving children, Jeff (Michelle) Rath, Wendy Rath, Gretchen (Bill) Breon, Todd (Joanne) Rath; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Helen Szklany (Louie), Laurie Schultz, Kelly Wright (Gordon) and extended family. Member of the American Legion Post #575, served as a crew chief on P-38s in the Pacific. He returned home to farm in Hamlin and after retiring from Rochester Products, sold firewood on the side. A Memorial Service was held August 29 at Fowler Funeral Home, Inc., Brockport. Interment at Riga Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Lifetime Care or Chili Ambulance, 3308 Union Street, Rochester in his memory. HOLLEY •Bartlett, Esther C., Age 93, August 20, 2006. Predeceased by husband of 43 years, George Henry Bartlett; grandson Jon-David Bartlett. Survived by sons James (Sandra) Bartlett, John (Evelyn) Bartlett; daughter Mary Lynn Baehr; sisters Ruth (Olaf) Johnson, Myrtle Lindstrom; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; dear friend Vivian Eddy. Her Memorial Service will be later in the fall at the Holley Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions can be made to Jon-David Bartlett Scholarship Fund, Albion High School, 324 East Avenue, Albion, NY 14411. •Petrelli, Rose A., August 28, 2006, age 91. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael, 1994; and her daughter, Grace, 1968. She is survived by her daughter, Marie (Sam) Villareale; her grandchildren, Michael and Theresa Villareale of Holley, with whom she made her home; also Samuel (Vivian), David (Debra) Villareale; great-grandsons, Sammy and David; her sister Mary Ellwood; nieces, nephews and friends. A Funeral Mass was said August 31 at Holy Cross Church, Rochester. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Eastern Orleans Community Center, P. O. Box 96, Holley 14470 in her memory.
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