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Obituaries

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July - September 2006

July 8, 2006 - Lewiston Porter Sentinel

Louis J. Ormsby

LEWISTON--Louis J. Ormsby, 92, a teacher who had a profound influence over young students during a teaching career that spanned more than 50 years, died Sunday, July 2, 2006, in Our Lady of Peace Nursing Home, where he had resided for the last year and a half.

A native of Niagara Falls, Mr. Ormsby was born March 28, 1914, the fifth of John and Johanna Ormsby’s seven children. He attended grammar school at Stella Niagara in Lewiston and St. Mary’s High School in Niagara Falls before going on to St. Jerome’s College in Kitchener, Ont. He later studied at Niagara University.

Known both professionally and affectionately as “The Major,” he returned to Stella Niagara in 1938 as assistant to the commandant of the cadet corps. His teaching career was interrupted in 1942 by World War II, when he was called to service with the Army Air Corps. He was a radio operator and cryptographer in the Pacific Campaign, serving in New Guinea and the Philippines before being discharged in 1945.

For his service, he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze service star, the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the World War II Service Lapel Pin.

After his discharge from the Army, he received a commission in the New York Guard, attaining the rank of major, which was the source of his title.

After the war, he returned to Stella Niagara in 1946 to resume a career that would last nearly half a century. During that time, he taught at the grammar school and high school levels, while directing the cadet program. He first coached football, when the cadets had a team, and also baseball and soccer.

During the ’40s and ’50s, and into the ’60s, the cadet program was known for its esprit de corps and the precision that marked the parade of the cadets on the annual review day. In the classroom, he taught English, history and speech. His best gifts to Stella students, an observer once noted, were his speech classes and the annual Culture Night during which students gave speeches, recited famous poems, and performed skits.

A lasting tribute to Maj. Ormsby’s contributions to Stella Niagara, Ormsby Hall, was erected in 1967.

After securing the accreditation of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the late 1980s, Sister Nicholas Macoretta, principal of Stella Niagara Education Park, paid tribute to Maj. Ormsby at a school assembly called to mark the achievement.

“Countless numbers of young men and women have been inspired by (his) dedication to elementary education, to the development of strong character and integrity in his students, and to the principles of good Christian living,” she said.

In testimony to his influence, countless students, many of them professional people, business men and women, educators and clergy, would often stop to visit him at Stella Niagara, where he remained in residence after his retirement in the early 1990s.

Maj. Ormsby was predeceased by a sister, Rose, and five brothers, Msgr. J. Stanly, I. Murray, Msgr. Basil A., Justin R. and Linus L. Ormsby Sr. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Barbara E. Ormsby of Youngstown, and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Rhoney Funeral Home, 901 Cayuga St., Lewiston, Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. The Sisters of St. Francis of Stella Niagara will conduct a prayer service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in the chapel at Stella Niagara. Friends may call there an hour beforehand. Burial will be in the cemetery at Stella.

In life of flowers, contributions may be made to Stella Niagara Education Park.

July 14, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Constance J. Gilbert

Grand Island resident Constance J. Gilbert passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2006. She was formerly an administrative assistant at GIBCO.

Constance was mother to William S. (Marcia) Gilbert and Cynthia L. (Donald) Darnley, both of Grand Island; grandmother to Christine, Daniel, Kaitlyn and Andrew Gilbert, and Michael and Ryan Darnley.

Visitation was held Wednesday, followed by funeral services Thursday at the Kaiser Funeral Home.

Interment was at Whitehaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York at 2805 Werhle Drive, Willaimsville, N.Y. 14221.

July 15, 2006 - Lewiston Porter Sentinel

Donna Pepe

Donna Pepe, 71, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away on July 2, 2006. She was born July 23, 1934 in Chicago. Before leaving Lewiston in 1996, she was an elementary school teacher at Lewiston-Porter for 20 years.

She is survived by her two sons, Marshall of Sarasota, and Jason of Brandon, Fla.; four grandchildren; her sister; and her two brothers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 773 Third Ave., New York, N.Y., 10017.

July 21, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Robert C. ‘Skip’ Trautman

Robert C. “Skip” Trautman, a lifelong resident of Grand Island, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2006.

Robert was husband to Jean (Eastman) Schlegel-Trautman; father of Sandra (Robert) Trautman Reed and Nancy Schlegel; the grandfather of Megan and Heather; the brother of Linda Murphy; and the uncle of Kathleen (Steven) Klimkiewicz and Kimberly Murphy. His parents, Charles and Evelyn Trautman, predeceased him.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 15, at the Kaiser Funeral Home.

Internment was in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Grand Island Fire Company.

George Brian Smith

George Brian Smith, 46, a resident of Grand Island, died suddenly on July 18, 2006.

Smith moved from Tonawanda to Grand Island, East River Road, when he was 3 years old. He enjoyed swimming, skating and living on the river throughout his childhood. When he married Patricia Smith, he bought a home on that same block of East River Road, where she and their children reside today.

Smith went to St. Stephen’s School – the first year it opened – and graduated from there, as well as from Grand Island High School.

He was employed in his family’s masonry business from the time he was 18 years old. An avid gardener, he also skillfully remodeled his circa 1930s home.

George is survived by his wife, Patty; his children, Heather, George, Brian and Brandon Smith; his father, George J. Smith of Grand Island and the Florida Keys; he was brother to Linda (Don) Kutzbach, John (Vikki) Smith, Sharon (Pete) Johnson and Bonnie (Mike) Leto – all of Grand Island; he was son-in-law to Trudy and Terence Smith of Tonawanda; brother-in-law to Michael (Carolyn) Smith, Judy (Michael) Killian, Margie (Jeff) Salada, Ken and Daniel Smith. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, many nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his mother, Mary Smith.

He was a loving husband and devoted father. He had a great sense of humor and will be missed by his family and many friends.

Services were held at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today, at 10 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephen’s Church, or to Children’s Hospital in memory of Amy Kutzbach.

Roy William Sexton Jr.

Roy William Sexton Jr., 52, of Ward Road, Sanborn, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2006, at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center.

Born in Buffalo on Feb. 5, 1954, to the late Roy and Patricia Sexton, Sr., Roy spent his childhood and young adult years living on Grand Island. He was united in marriage to Deborah J. Gallant and they resided in the riverside area of Buffalo, before moving to Sanborn for a number of years. There, Sexton enjoyed his garden and puttering around in the garage.

He was a self-employed handyman, working in various places throughout the county. Hobbies included auto mechanics and he was a member of the Charles N. DeGlopper Post 9249 Men’s Auxiliary on Grand Island.

Roy is survived by his wife Deborah (Gallant) Sexton; three brothers, Daniel Lee Sexton of Grand Island, Mark G. Sexton of the City of Tonawanda, and Peter Sexton of Texas; a cousin, Howard M. Sexton, and many nieces and nephews.

Dawn Marie Petrilla

Dawn Marie Petrilla, 42, of 110 Garrison St., passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2006.

Petrilla was born in New London, Conn. She retired from the United States Postal Service and was a member at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Dawn is survived by her mother, JoAnne Petrilla, of Grand Island; her father and stepmother, William J. and Sylvie-Anne Petrilla, of Easley S.C.; two brothers, William P. (Christine) Petrilla of Buffalo and Todd V. Petrilla of Jacksonville, Fla.; his sister, Kristi A. Petrilla, of Easley S.C.; two nephews Nicholas and Tyler; a niece, Zoie; and animal companions Merlin, Shaker, MacLean, Rocker and Missy.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pickens, S.C., on Saturday at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erie County SPCA, 205 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.thomasmacafee.com

Clifford H. Jones

Clifford H. Jones, a resident of Grand Island, passed away on July 1, 2006.

He was formerly the owner of Clifford H. Jones, Inc., in Tonawanda, a company that manufactured molds for plastic.

Clifford was the father of Philip H. (Beverly) Jones and David T. Jones; the grandfather of Jeffery, Margaret, Daniel, Scott and Jamie Jones; and great-grandfather to Sarah and Eric Jones. His wife, Ivy Eileen Jones, predeceased him.

Memorial services were held Thursday, July 20, at the Kaiser Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Niagara, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, N.Y., 14094.

July 28, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Deborah M. Jacobs-LaLiberty

Deborah M. Jacobs-LaLiberty, 53, of Grand Island, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2006, in Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital. Born on April 4, 1953, in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Marilyn (Orr) Jacobs. On Nov. 6, 1982, she married Gary D. LaLiberty.

Jacobs-LaLiberty was a graduate of Madonna High School and Niagara County Community College. She was presently employed at the New York State Power Authority. She taught religious education and was a member of the Niagara Catholic Alumni Association, and many other volunteer organizations too numerous to mention.

Jacobs-LaLiberty was the most selfless person in the world and was always ready to assist family and friends in whatever they needed. In short, she always put others first.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Gary D. Liberty; her three children Patrick, Jacob and Adrienne LaLiberty, all of Grand Island; her brothers and sisters, Pamela (Claude) Corrado of Florida, Linda (John) Coyle of Niagara Falls, Susan (Joseph) Rydzewski of Niagara Falls, Dennis (Nan) Jacobs of Lewiston, Mary Gail (Bob) Lamar of Niagara Falls, Francis (Laureen) Jacobs of North Tonawanda, Paul (Lynn) Jacobs of Oklahoma and John (Norma Jeanne) Jacobs of North Tonawanda. Deborah is also survived by her mother- and father-in-law, Donald (Amelia) LaLiberty, of Connecticut; her brothers- and sister-in-law, Allen LaLiberty of Rhode Island, Kevin (Jane) LaLiberty of Virginia and Cynthia M. (John) Harris of Connecticut; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services were held at the Otto Redanz Funeral Home, 2215 Military Road, Niagara Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Prince of Peace Church, 1055 North Military Road, Niagara Falls, with the Rev. Robert Hughson officiating. Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda.

Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Md., 20814.

Sign the guest register at www.ottoredanz.com

August 4, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Jane M. LaRiviere

Jane M. (Mildrew) LaRiviere, 46, of Grand Island, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center, after a brief illness.

LaRiviere was born on July 19, 1960, in St. Mary’s, Pa. She was the daughter of James W. and Shirley A. (Cattoni) Mildrew of Elma. She moved to the Buffalo area as a child and attended local schools. She graduated from West Seneca East High School, and attended the State University of New York College at Buffalo. There, she earned a bachelor of arts degree in graphic design.

On May 16, 1987, Jane married Ralph E. LaRiviere, and the couple moved to Grand Island. She was employed at F.N. Burt Company in Cheektowaga. Following that, she worked 14 years as a graphic and structural packaging designer at Buffalo’s Mod-Pac Corp. He ran Executive Carpet Cleaning.

LaRiviere was devoted to her family. She supported her children and husband in all of their endeavors. She also loved her dogs, and proudly displayed her championship soft-coated wheaten terrier show dog.

Jane is survived by Ralph, her husband of 19 years; her parents, James and Shirley; her children, Jeffrey F. LaRiviere, Mitchell M. LaRiviere and Tessa Jane LaRiviere – all of Grand Island; her brother, James R. Mildrew of Mountain View, Calif.; her sister, Deborah Van De Ven of North Las Vegas; her sister-in-law Lori (Kevin) Healey of Welland, Ontario; her nieces, Hanna and Olivia Healey. She was predeceased by her mother-in-law, Isabel Ecker.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Stephen’s Church. M.J. Colucci and Son made arrangements.

Mark D. Dearlove

Mark D. Dearlove, 54, a former resident of Grand Island, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 30, 2006, near his ranch in Denver.

A postal service career took Dearlove from Grand Island to San Clemente, Calif., where he resided for several years. He carved a niche for himself as a self-employed rancher in Denver while still working for the Post Office.

Dearlove was an avid golfer, a Buffalo Bills fan, and a respected businessman.

Mark was the beloved son of the late Raymond A. Dearlove and Jean D. Jones, as well as Clare H. (Dave) Jones. He will be sorely missed by his brothers, John, Dane and Todd Dearlove. He is survived by his wife, Sherry, and his sons, Wyatt and Drew. Additional survivors include his many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mark was formerly married to Cheryl Witnauer Dearlove of California.

A private ceremony was held Wednesday at the ranch.

August 18, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Andrew Michael Dlugosz

Andrew Michael Dlugosz, the beloved son of Michael and Frances (Swanson) Dlugosz, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006. He was a 2004 graduate of Grand Island High School and a pre-law student at the University at Buffalo.

An avid athlete, Andrew played football, soccer and lacrosse. He enjoyed traveling and trekked extensively throughout the U.S.

In addition to his parents, Andrew is survived by his siblings, Matthew M., Kate M. and Brett M. Dlugosz; and his grandmother, Ann Dlugosz. He was predeceased by his grandparents Leonard Dlugosz and Helen and Edward Swanson.

Visitation was held at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church.

Contributions may be made to the Andy Dlugosz Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Citizens Bank, 2140 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island, N.Y., 14072.

August 25, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Dawn Marie (Gworek) Becker

Dawn M. Becker of Eden, the beloved daughter of William Sr. and Sandra (Swannie) Gworek, passed away suddenly due to a car accident on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006.

Becker, a 1989 graduate of Grand Island High School, attended Tri-State University in Indiana.

While in high school, she was the manager of the cross-country team. In 1986, she was a foreign exchange student for the FICA in Ecuador. In her teen-age years, she was a member of Teddy’s Islettes. She also earned a Cadette Girl Scout Silver Award.

Becker was currently employed as an administrative assistant/buyer at Tzetzo Brothers on Military Road.

In addition to her parents, Dawn is survived by her two children, Colton and Cara Becker; and her brothers, William Jr. (Danielle) and Christopher (Connie Mosley) Gworek.

An 11 a.m. memorial service will be held tomorrow at All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 South Park Ave., Hamburg.

Contributions can be made to the Colton and Cara Trust Fund, care of 293 Laurie Lane, Grand Island, NY 14072.

Walter E. Berton

Walter E. Berton, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006.

Berton was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Air Corps. He was employed at the IRS in Buffalo as personnel and facilities manager until his retirement.

Walter was husband to Rita M. Berton; father to Jeffrey A. (Lisa) Berton, Gregory W. (Joann) Berton and Melanie M. (Ted) McGraw; grandfather to Lauren, Colton, Kathryn and Kelley. He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Lillian Berton.

Visitation will be held today, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated tomorrow, at 10 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

September 1 , 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Stella Bernadette Hess

Stella Bernadette Hess passed away on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006, with her family by her side.

Born on March 25, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Hess was the daughter of Stanley and Catherine Maciborski. She married Donald Albert Hess on Aug. 25, 1946. That same year, the couple moved to Grand Island.

Hess will be remembered as a charming, lovely woman, who always put other’s needs ahead of her own. She always had a good sense of humor; sang; and lived for her family. She performed with the Golden Agers, and bowled. She held a decent average for many years.

A member of Trinity United Methodist Church – where Hess participated in bazaars – her faith was very strong. She instilled that faith in her children.

Stella is survived by her loving husband, Donald; their children, Constance (Joel) Canfield, Margaret (Frank) Monaco, Donna (Tim) Klaaren and William Hess; their six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews. Five siblings, and her son, Bradley, predeceased her.

A service to celebrate her life was held this week at Trinity United Methodist Church. In lieu of gifts and flowers, donations in her name may be made to Hospice Buffalo.

September 22, 2006 - Grand Island Dispatch

Charles William ‘Bill’ Truitt

Charles William “Bill” Truitt, a resident of Grand Island, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006.

Bill was husband to the late C. Louise Truitt. He was father to Charles William Truitt Jr., Regina Truitt and Donald C. (Susanne) Truitt; grandfather to Athena Januchowski, David and Zachary Winter, Erich, Jesse and Lisa Truitt; great-grandfather to four children; and brother to Abagail Anderson of Oklahoma.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, at 10 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road.

Truitt was a member of the Eggertsville-Grand Island Lodge 1138 F&AM. That organization will conduct Masonic services following Saturday’s service at Trinity Church.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.

Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.