Obituaries

Byron – Mrs. Margaret G. Foley, 93, of Byron, passed away on Saturday at the Wegman Family Cottages at Park Ridge Living Center, in Rochester.

Mrs. Foley was born October 30, 1923 in Rochester, a daughter of the late Nicholas Giembesta and Mary Pilato Giembesta.

A graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Mrs. Foley was a 35-yar employee at Schlegel Manufacturing in Rochester. A longtime member of the former St. Michael's Mission in South Byron, she served as a sacristan and organist of the church for many years. An accomplished songwriter, she wrote over 1000 hymns and had many songs published including the music used for the 165th anniversary for the Town of Byron. She had a deep love of music and was accomplished playing the organ, accordion and piano.

She loved playing cards, especially euchre, playing Bingo, trips to the casino and watching horseracing, especially at Batavia Downs. She enjoyed visits for ice cream at Lickity Splits and watching baseball, especially the New York Yankees.

She was devoted to her family, especially her granddaughters.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful care she received while she resided at The Cottages #300. 

Her husband, Kenneth E.  Foley, passed away in 1987.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon F. Bidwell of Byron; two granddaughters, Kelly (Nicholas) Picardo of Hilton and her children, Sophia and Trevor Picardo; Katharine (Richard) Gomersall of Royal Palm Beach, Florida and her children, Brennan and Kennedy Gomersall; her sister-in-law, Caroline (Walter) Edwards of Akron; lifelong friends, Michael (Marge) Rimmer of Batavia and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is predeceased by her son, Patrick John Foley who passed away in 1991 and her siblings, John Giembesta, Helen DeFrancesco and Carm Morreale.

There are no prior visiting hours. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Brigid's Church, 18 Gibson Street, Bergen.  The family has asked that those who are attending Margaret's Mass on Saturday to write their favorite memory as her family is preparing a memory book. She will be laid to rest in Byron Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Please consider memorials in her name to the South Byron Fire Department, P.O. Box 22, South Byron, New York 14557, Byron Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 326, Byron, New York 14422 or to the donor's favorite animal shelter. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in Margaret’s memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 South Lake Avenue, Bergen.

 Mabel Herman Orman, 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Oswego, New York. Mabel was born on October 2, 1923 to Mabel and John Herman of Warsaw, New York. Mabel was predeceased by her husband, Sie, and her son, Terry, along with five brothers and three sisters.

She married Harold (Sie) Orman in 1942 and they resided on a farm on Route 20A in Perry Center. Mabel became a hairdresser, set up shop in her home, and while making women beautiful and happy, established many lifelong friends. Mabel found joy in caring for others; baking cookies for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, sending cards to friends and family for all occasions, and volunteering at her church. She was an active member of the Perry Center First Congregational Church for all the years she lived in Perry and Warsaw and when she moved to Oswego, she became a beloved member of the Faith United Church.

She is survived by one brother, Paul (Esther) Herman, her daughters Jeanne (Michael) Brown and Joanne (Kenyon) Dickens, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mabel will live in our memories and hearts forever.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main St. Perry, NY 14530. A 4:00 P.M. Funeral Service will follow calling hours the First Congregational Church 7205 Perry Center Road, Perry, NY 14530. She will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Perry Center.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Perry Center First Congregational Church, Perry Center Road, Perry, New York 14530; Faith United Church, 12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive, Oswego, New York 13126; and Friends of Oswego County Hospice, Inc., PO Box 102, Oswego, New York 13126. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.

John C Pierson, 82, passed away on Friday February 10, 2017 at the Absolut Center for Nursing in Gasport. He was born on March 7, 1934 in Varysburg to the late Carl and Helen (Alwart) Pierson. John is also preceded in death by his first wife Mary Pierson; their daughters Kathy and Laurie Pierson and also preceded in death by his second wife Rose Pierson.

John served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and worked for Westinghouse as a machinist for many years and he also enjoyed hunting and fishing and watching many different sports.  He was a member of the East Shelby Bible Church for many years with Rev. Olsen. The family extends a very special thank you to Rebecca Hoak for all the loving care and attention she has given John during his illness and time of need

He is survived by his sisters; Marge Townsend, Betty Watkins;  a brother Paul Pierson along with their children Peggy Redman ,Thomas Townsend ,Diana Armstead ,Wayne Watkins , Mimi Jackson, and a cousin Barbie Harkness, along with other family members. John is also survived by Rose children Rebecca Hoak, Deborah Patchin; 6 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren.  

There will be no prior calling hours. A 3:00PM Graveside Service with the Military Honors will held on Tuesday February 14, 2017 at the West Middlebury Cemetery in East Bethany, NY across from the West Middlebury Baptist Church 4950 W. Middlebury Rd. E. Bethany 14054.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Genesee County Animal Shelter 3841 West Main Street Rd. Batavia, NY 14020 in John’s memory. For more information please call (585) 343-8260 or to sign a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

William G. Ray Jr., 80 of Batavia, passed away peacefully on Friday February 10, 2017 at Genesee County Nursing Home. He was born June 1, 1936 in Batavia to the late William G. (Helen Simmons) Ray Sr.. Mr. Ray is preceded in death by two children William G. Ray III, Lisa Ray; sisters Helen Fisher and Esther Langmaid, father-in-law Anthony "Butch" Zito.

Mr. Ray retired after 25 years of service at Eastman Kodak. He was a loving husband, father, poppi and great-grandfather. Bill enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events, reading, cross-word puzzles and vehicle restoration. He was an all around handy man and could fix anything. Bill was a 1954 graduate of Batavia High School and went on to serve in the United States Army from January 1954 to January 1957.

He is survived by his loving wife Concetta “Connie” Ray; children Anthony (Chaka) Ray; Jaime (Jason) Pratt all of Batavia; Jackie Dennington, Darlene Ray both of Texas; brother Gordon (Barb) Ray of Batavia; Hermina McCarrick of Florida; mother-in-law Celia Zito of Batavia; brother-in-law Sal Zito of Rochester; sister-in-law Carol (Brian) Wolfley of Alexander; 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.  

Friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday February 16, 2017 from 3:00 - 7:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. A 7:00 PM Celebration of his life will immediately follow calling hours at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Genesee County Animal Shelter 3841 West Main Street Road Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call (585) 343-8260 or to sign a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.