| Obituaries
• Submitting
an Obituary • Obituary
Index •
January
- March 2005
January
7, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Rosemary Gasbarre
Rosemary Gasbarre, 77, a career nurse, passed
away on Dec. 8, 2004. She died at home in Silver Spring,
Md., where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law.
Gasbarre, born Zoltoski in Williamsport, Pa.,
grew up in Clearfield before moving to the Buffalo area
upon marrying William Dean Gasbarre. She and her family
lived on Grand Island from 1955 to 1980, and then throughout
Western New York. She relocated to the Washington, D.C.,
area, where she helped raise two grandsons, Colin and Jamie.
A member of the TAI Sophia Institute of Acupuncture
and the National Center for Homeopathy, Gasbarre was active
in alternative health issues.
Survivors include her sister, Henrietta
Evans of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Roberta Gasbarre
(Oran Sandel); and beloved grandchildren. William passed
away in 1961.
January
8, 2005 - Lewiston Porter Sentinel
Gerald J. Schmitz
Schmitz Gerald of Lewiston recently passed
away at the age of 93.
He was the husband of the late Irma (Smith)
Schmitz and Margaret Schmitz; the father of David (Carol)
Schmitz and Barbara (Charles) McGill; the grandfather of
Dr. David Schmitz, Andrea, Charles, Gerald, Patrick, Matthew,
Arthur, Teresa and the late Joseph McGill; the great-grandfather
of many; the brother of Delores Armbruster, and the late
Alma Pitts; Charles M. and Joseph Schmitz and Marie Ballard.
Friends may call Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the
Wentland Funeral home, 10634 Main St. North Collins (Route
62). Funeral services will be held there on Monday morning
at 9:30. A 10 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will be conducted
from St. Martin's Church Langford.
January
14, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Todd Shea
Todd Shea, a Grand Island resident, passed
away on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005.
Shea is survived by his parents, Daniel and
Shauna Shea; his grandparents, Arthur Davis and Jack and
Irma Shea; two brothers, Ryan and Timothy Shea; and a sister,
Megan Shea. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Emily
Davis.
Private services were held at the family’s
convenience. Arrangements were made by Kaiser Funeral Home.
January
21, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
John Patrick
Harrison
John Patrick Harrison, an artist and musician,
passed away on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004. Harrison, 54, was
born in Niagara Falls and raised on Grand Island.
A popular creator, Harrison was well known
for his etchings, metalwork and lithographs. He was also
an accomplished musician and dedicated family man.
Harrison was predeceased by his mother Catherine.
Survivors include his father, John Harrison; his wife Betty;
sons Ian and Ross; a brother, Bill; a sister, Barbara; and
an extended family.
Services were held at the Lake Elsinore Cultural
Center in California on Jan. 3. Arrangements by McWane Funeral
Home.
In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate
donations made in his name to the Chron’s Foundation (www.ccfa.org/donate/memorials)
or to the Fine Art for Great Kids Scholarship Fund (c/o
Nancy Andrzejczak, 545 Channey St., Lake Elsinore, Calif.,
92530).
George Eugene
Fuhrman
George Eugene Fuhrman, 51, a resident of Grand
Island, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, Jan. 18,
2005.
The former resident of Erie, Pa., was employed
by Seneca Niagara Casino. He enjoyed racquet ball, golf,
playing cards and loved going on vacations. He was a former
boy scout, paperboy and was involved in many social clubs.
Fuhrman was predeceased by his father, Eugene
George Fuhrman. Survivors include his daughters, Denise
Ann Fuhrman of Grand Island, and Nicole Marie Fuhrman of
Niagara Falls; his mother, Nancy G. Fuhrman; four brothers,
William J. Fuhrman, Christopher J. Fuhrman and John P. Fuhrman
of Erie, and Eugene S. Fuhrman of Seattle; a sister, Jean
Anne Cater of Erie; six cousins, four nieces, five nephews,
one great-nephew and two great-nieces.
Visitation will be today, from 2 to 4 and
7 to 9 p.m. at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated tomorrow at
9:30 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Church. Interment will be in
Whitehaven Cemetery.
Carmela McKnight
Mondo
Carmela McKnight Mondo (nee Bellanca) of Williamsville,
formerly of Grand Island, recently passed away at the age
of 95. Mondo, who was of the Catholic faith, died at Elderwood
at Bassett Park.
Mondo was predeceased by her husbands, J.
Robert McKnight and Charles Mondo; four sisters and one
brother. Survivors include a daughter, Joanne M. (Richard)
Hartman of Haines City, Fla. (formerly of Grand Island);
a son, Robert (June) McKnight of Williamsville; five grandchildren
and 11 great-grandchildren.
A private funeral was held. Memorial donations
may be made to the American Heart Association at 1-800-275-0582.
Prayers are also welcome.
January
28, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Sterling T.
Haslam
Sterling T. Haslam, 78, a 50-year resident
of Grand Island, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005.
Haslam, born in Bangor, Maine, served in the
U.S. Army from 1945 to 1954. He was a veteran of both World
War II and the Korean War. He worked for Dunlop Tire in
Tonawanda for 30 years, retiring in 1976. He was the former
owner of the Chateau Motor Lodge and Cinderella Motel, both
of Grand Island.
Haslam was a member of Trinity United Methodist
Church, the Grand Island Golden Age Club and the Charles
N. DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post #9249.
He was predeceased by his parents, Alfonzo
and Edith Haslam. Survivors include his wife, Ingeborg Haslam;
and his brother, Warren Haslam of Lewiston, Maine.
Funeral services were held at Kaiser Funeral
Home, with the Rev. Paul Robinson officiating. Interment
in Whitehaven Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist
Church.
Raymond L. Deeter
Raymond L. Deeter, 85, formerly of Grand Island,
passed away on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at Elderwood Health
Care at Oakwood, Amherst.
Deeter was employed by the Grand Island Central
School District from 1961 to 1975 as a driver and mechanic.
He was best known as their “bus driver” or the “guy with
the pipe.”
Deeter was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy
(Dodge) Deeter, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived
by his daughter, Linda Rae (Louis) Tufillaro, four sisters-in-law,
two brothers-in-law and several nieces and nephews in Western
New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Oregon.
A private Mass will be held at a later date.
Arrangements provided by Kaiser Funeral Home.
Dorothy Jill
Farquharson
Dorothy Jill Farquharson, 77, a 30-year Grand
Island resident, passed away on Monday, Jan. 24, 2005.
Farquharson, born in Bradford, Pa., was formerly
a graphic artist at Zippo Lighter and a real estate agent
with Century 21 on Grand Island until retiring in 1990.
She was interested in art her entire life,
and was an active member of the Grand Island Art Society.
Farquharson also took an active interest in her sons’ activities.
She was the daughter of Gus and Margaret Anderson.
Farquharson was predeceased by her husband Rex. C. Farquharson;
and her sister, Jean Walters. She is survived by her sons,
Jay C. Farquharson of Grand Island and Jon M. Farquharson
of Philadelphia; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn; sisters, Jane
Howe and Marion Anderson; she was sister-in-law to John
Walters, Shirley (Bob) O’Neill and Bob (Fay Ruth) Farquharson;
she was aunt to Martha Bojarski, William Howe, Marcia Armstrong,
John Walters, Dawn Stewart, Shelly Gibson and Brian and
Dennis O’Niell.
Visitation was held at Kaiser Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held today at 10 a.m. in St. Martin-In-The-Fields
Episcopal Church, 2587 Baseline Road, Grand Island.
Interment will be in Willow Dale Cemetery,
Bradford.
MaryLou Lunsford
MaryLou Lunsford, 69, of Grand Island, passed
away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 in Hospice Buffalo.
Born MaryLou Rotella, she was educated at
Gaskill School and St. Mary of the Cataract School in Niagara
Falls. As a young mother, she was a charter member of the
Niagara Falls Mothers Club. After moving to Grand Island
in 1962 with her husband, the late Jack, she raised her
growing family.
Lunsford worked at Hooker Chemical and Riverwood
Health Facility before joining the Grand Island Central
School District as a bus attendant in 1989.
Her daily bus work brought great joy to both
her and her children - including many with special needs.
Her many friends at the bus garage enjoyed the fun-filled
and memorable special events she frequently organized.
Lunsford enjoyed singing as a member of the
Carousel City Chorus of the “Sweet Adelines,” and was a
devout member of St. Stephen’s Church. There she was an
early member of the Home School Association and the costume
designer for many “Parish Players” stage productions. Her
devotion to Mary led to her membership in the Magnificat
group.
Survivors include two brothers, Richard (Colleen)
Rotella of South Carolina and Toby Rotella of Florida; two
sons, Mark (Ginny) and Tim (Kitty), both of North Carolina;
four daughters, Jacquie Shoemaker of Arizona, Lisa (Paul)
Stoddard and Karen (David) Conboy, both of Grand Island,
and Janice (Dave) Ayers of Ohio; she was beloved “Nanny”
to 24 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; she was
the loving aunt of numerous nieces and nephews and a dear
friend to many.
Arrangements will be made through Kaiser Funeral
Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St.
Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Interment
in St. Stephen’s Church Cemetery.
February
4, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Louise Ann (Bricka)
Ackerman
Louise Ann (Bricka) Ackerman, 74, of Grand
Island passed away on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005.
Born in Buffalo, and educated at Buffalo State
College, Ackerman was a special education teacher from 1950
to 1986. She was a member of the New York State Teacher’s
Association, Home Bureau and St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
She was also a volunteer for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ackerman’s survivors include her husband,
Allen W. Ackerman of Grand Island; daughters Ann (Jeffrey)
Stewart of Unionville and Nancy (Michael J.) Maloney of
Buffalo; sons Allen P. Ackerman of Kenmore and Thomas (Elizabeth)
Ackerman of Kenmore; a sister, Betty (Willard) Goodwin of
Louisville, Ky.; and three grandchildren, Sarah Stewart,
Katherine and Grace Ackerman. She was predeceased by her
parents, Charles Bricka and Jeanetta Metz; and her sister,
Jean Bricka.
Memorial services were held at St. Timothy
Lutheran Church, 1453 Staley Road.
February
11, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Thomas
E. Colley Jr.
Thomas E. Colley Jr., 52, of Oswego, died
on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005.
Born in Buffalo, he was the son of the late
Thomas E. Colley Sr. and Madelyn Colley of Oswego. He lived
on Grand Island from 1953 to 1975.
Colley was a warehouse manager for Battery
Research and Testing in Oswego.
Survivors include his mother; his wife, Brenda;
step-daughters Michelle and Leanne; a son, Thomas Edward
III; three sisters, Tony Colley, Casey Ebert and Mary Caughey;
and one brother, William Colley.
There are no calling hours. A Memorial Mass
will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m., in the St. Mary’s Star
of the Sea Church, Mexico, N.Y.
Arrangements care of Nelson Funeral Home,
124 W. Fifth St., Oswego.
February
18, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Joseph Michael
D’Ingillo
Joseph Michael D’Ingillo of Grand Island passed
away on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005.
D’Ingillo was the beloved son of Joseph and
Colleen (Kelly) D’Ingillo. He was the brother of Christine
(John) Amtsberg, James (Judy) D’Ingillo and Jonathan (Cheri)
D’Ingillo. Additional survivors include nephews and nieces
Michael, Matthew and Daniel Schnieder, Andrew, Sarah and
Joey Michael D’Ingillo; a great-niece, Megan Tai; and a
great-nephew, Harrison Michael Schnieder.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Kaiser
Funeral Home. The Rev. James Lange presided. Interment in
Whitehaven Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation.
February
25, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
George Shaw
George W. Shaw, a native of Wisconsin and
a Grand Island resident, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 17,
2005.
Shaw is survived by his wife, Patricia A.
Shaw; his children, Sherry L. (John) Watkins of Brighton,
Mich., and Scott W. (Patricia D.) Shaw of Grand Island;
grandchildren Jennifer Watkins, Evan and Ben Shaw; siblings
Clara (Joe) Miller, Ruthann Agualera, Bonnie Sue (Duanne
Thomas) Crabtree and Meril Gray; and nieces, nephews and
many good friends. He was son to the late George and Virginia
Shaw, and the stepson of the late Eleanor Shaw Roraff.
Visitation and funeral services were held
last week at Kaiser Funeral Home. Entombment in Elmlawn
Cemetery, Tonawanda.
Memorials may be made to the George W. Shaw
Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of M&T Bank, 2381 Grand
Island Blvd., Grand Island, NY 14072.
March
4, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Paul M. Facklam,
Sr.
Paul M. Facklam, Sr. passed away Feb. 27,
2005, in his Grand Island
home.
He is survived by his wife, Linda (Darby)
Facklam; his sons, Paul M.
(Kelly) Facklam, Jr. of Boston and Kevin G. Facklam of Chicago;
a sister,
Jeanne (Dean) Harper of Rochester; two brothers, Arnold
W. (Carole) Facklam
II of Hamburg and Norman (Marianne) Facklam of Queensbury;
and several
nieces and nephews.
Mr. Facklam was the son of the late Arnold
W. and Mildred Facklam.
He was born in Buffalo on Dec. 18, 1945, attended
local schools and has
been a resident of Grand Island since 1957.
Mr. Facklam is a veteran of the U.S. Marine
Corps. He served from 1966
to 1969 and was stationed in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.
He worked at the Nabisco Milkbone Bakery
in Buffalo for 30 years, until
retiring in 1998. While at Nabisco, he was active in the
local union and
became vice president of the union.
He was a member of Disabled American Veterans-New
York Chapter 168 and
also Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 77, for which
he served on the
Board of Directors.
Mr. Facklam enjoyed traveling, working with
computers and spending time
with his family and pets.
Visitation was held Tuesday and Wednesday,
and funeral services were
held Thursday at the Kaiser Funeral Home.
Interment was in the Riverdale Cemetery,
Lewiston. Flowers are declined.
Memorials may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation,
24 Old Georgetown
Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 (www.melanoma.org.)
Mary V. (Haley)
Haller
Mary V. (Haley) Haller, a long-time Grand
Island resident, passed away on March 2.
The wife of the late Delbert J. Haller, she
is the mother of E. Delbert (Nannette) Haller, David M.
(Margaret Ann) Haller and the late Maryrose Elstrodt.
She is the grandmother of Delbert, Jennifer,
Jamie and Jeannette Haller, Beth Elstrodt, Julie (Wraye)
Duziak and the late David M. Haller, Jr. She is the great-grandmother
of Emily Rose, Eliza Duziak and Jordan Haller.
Mary is the daughter of the late Edward and
Viola Haller and sister of the late Helen C. Ring and David
B. Haley.
Visitation will be held today from 4 to 8
p.m. at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated
Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's R. C. Church, 2100
Baseline Road. Interment will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery.
March
11, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Kathy (Schoenle)
Bibeau
Kathy (Schoenle) Bibeau, formerly of Grand
Island, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2005, at the Ocala
Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla.
Bibeau is survived by her loving husband,
Glenn Bibeau of Ocala; and her brother, Michael (Debi) Schoenle
of Grand Island. She was daughter to the late Madonna and
Albert Schoenle.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday at
the Central Christian Church in Ocala.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested
gifts be sent to the Marion County Humane Society.
Barbara C. Brennan
Barbara C. Brennan, a long-time Grand Island
resident, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2005.
Brennan was the wife of Robert E. Brennan;
the mother of Patrick (Jennifer) Brennan of Douglasville,
Ga.; the grandmother of Jack and Jessica; the sister of
Dr. Marjorie Allen of Raleigh, N.C.
Visitation was held Monday at the Kaiser Funeral
Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday
at St. Stephen’s Church. Internment was at St. Stephen’s
Columbarium.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo,
225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY, 14227.
March
18, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Helen
B. Reynolds
Helen B. Reynolds, a Grand Island resident
for 20 years, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2005.
Reynolds was a member of the Grand Island
Golden Age Center.
She was mother to Homer S. (Charlene) Reynolds,
Barbara A. (Ronald) Gannon, Robert A. (Judy) Reynolds and
Patrick C. (Julie) Reynolds; the grandmother of Anne Marie,
Michelle, Christopher, Darcy, Nicole, Tammy, Rick, Dennis,
Stacey, Robert and Amy; the great-grandmother of 18; sister
to Irene Kostalek, Henry Sachanowski and the late Dorothy
Ziolkowski, Stanley, Edward and Alfred Sachanowski.
Visitation was held yesterday at the Kaiser
Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held today at 10
a.m., at The Chapel, 895 North Forest Road, Williamsville.
Interment in Elmlawn Cemetery.
(no photo)
|
