Obituaries

 

 Edwin F. Helak, 68, of Attica passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday April 7, 2016. He was born on March 31, 1948 in Buffalo to the late Florian and Joan (Kisiel) Helak.

Edwin was a member of the US Marine Corps and a retired Corrections officer of 30 years from Attica Correctional Facility. He was a graduate of Depew High School in 1965.  He was very active in the community along with serving as President of AYA Baseball as well as a youth baseball coach for over 10 years.  He was an avid golfer, hunter, gardener, and loved being outdoors. 

 Ed is survived by his loving wife of over 40 years Barbara A. (Slawatycki) Helak of Attica; a son Mark (Melissa) Helak of Lancaster; brother Paul (Dolly) Helak of Attica; sisters Margaret (Eugene) Weiss of Cheektowaga and Barbara Dobies of West Seneca; brother in law Ronald (Debbie) Slawatycki of Cheektowaga and sister in law Joanne Kirsch of Alexander along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday April 11, 2016 from 4:00 – 8:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. A 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday the 12^th at St. Joachim & Anne Parish 50 East Ave. Attica, NY 14011. He will be laid to rest in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in Attica.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Stevens Library 146 Main St. Attica. For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. 

THOMAS S. MITCHELL, SR.

Age 89, of Elba, died Wednesday evening April 6, 2016 at home with his family by his side. He was born June 6, 1926 in Astoria, Queens. An only child, he was raised by his mother, the late Emma (Rhind), also preceded in death by dear cousins, Charlotte (Ray) Buckhaults. 

Mr. Mitchell served our country as a member of the U.S. Army in the 94th Infantry during World War II, and as a member of the Constabulary, which was a post-war security force in the U.S. Occupation Zone of West Germany and Austria. He had a lifelong passion for learning, and to that end he pursued numerous hobbies. In his thirties he learned to fly. He held both single engine land and glider ratings. He was a member of the Long Island Soaring Society. A lifelong member of the EAA and a founding member of Gaines Valley Aviation/Airport in Gaines, NY. In years past he spent most Sundays at the East Bethany Airport visiting and flying with other local pilots. He also played guitar and his family has fond memories of Mom serenading the family with old country standards by Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Hank Williams while Dad played guitar. A passionate Buffalo Bills fan he followed the team closely and never missed a game. His other interests included being a licensed ham radio operator, call sign K2PUL and even taking piano lessons later in life. Professionally he installed and serviced printing presses for Heidelberg Eastern, Inc. for over 40 years as a member of IAM machinists union local #434. However, most importantly, he was the beloved patriarch of his family who will be remembered as a caring and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. 

Surviving is his partner in marriage for 48 years, Grace (Furman) Mitchell of Elba; his children, Anna (David Lee) Fenton of Batavia, Thomas Mitchell, MD (Cynthia Mitchell, PA) of NC and Elaine (Scott) Say of Oakfield; grandchildren, Monique, Matthew, Tayler, Madison, Lukas, Isaac, Zachary and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Aidan and Alaska-Vela; sister-in-law, Lavina (Joseph) Elek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The family will be present on Sunday April 10, 2016 from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where Funeral Services will be held 1:00pm Monday April 11. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery with full military honors and in lieu of flowers memorials in his memory are suggested to the Elba Volunteer Fire Department. 

Please share your thoughts and memories of Tom with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com 

THE FAMILY OF THOMAS S. MITCHELL, SR. IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

Carol R. Kinsley, 86, of Palm City, Fla., passed away on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Terrace at Hobe Sound, Hobe Sound, Fla.

Born in Yonkers, NY, she had been a resident of Palm City for several years coming from Fort Meyers, Fla. She moved to Florida from LeRoy, NY.

She was a homemaker and had been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stuart.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Jones of Evansville, Ind., Sharon Kinsley and her husband Gary of Holley, NY, Joni Kinsley and her husband Jeff Dougherty of Palm City, Eileen Siple of Bel Air, Md., Elizabeth Kinsley of Battle Creek, Mich., Judith Bolsei and her husband Phil of LeRoy, NY, and Virginia Stoneham and her husband John of LeRoy, NY; her son, Kevin Kinsley and his wife Agnieska of Darmstadt, Germany; her sister, Barbara DelRosario; 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan L. Kinsley; her daughter Marjorie Kinsley and her son Patrick Kinsley.

For those who wish contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southeast Florida Chapter – P.O. Box 22594, West Palm Beach, Fla., 33416, Phone 800-272-3900 or online at www.alz.org

  H. Roger Howe, age 75, of Perry passed away on Tuesday April 5, 2016 at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester surrounded by his family. Roger was born in Fillmore, New York on July 3, 1940, a son of the late Harold W. and Anna (Armour) Howe.  Along with his parents he is preceded in death by a son Craig who passed away in 1982, and a sister Patricia Leader.

Roger was a 1958 graduate of Perry High School, and studied engineering at Erie Tech in Buffalo. He worked for the Rochester Carpenter’s Union Local #85 for over 35years retiring in 1993. He was a member of Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in Perry, Constellation Lodge # 404 Free and Accepted Masons in Perry and the Silver Lake Sportsman’s Club where he started out as a Jr. member. He enjoyed collecting knives, guns, gardening, woodworking, hunting and fishing. An avid NY Yankees and New Orleans Saints fan. He especially enjoyed visits from family and friends.

He is survived by his wife; Nina (Forbes) Howe whom he married on June 22, 1963; a daughter Corinne (John) Goral of Perry; 3 grandchildren,  Natalie and Connor Goral and Brandon (Samantha) Rosa;  2 great grandchildren, Dominic and Gianna Rosa sister: Joan (Judd) Snyder of Inverness, Fl.; sisters in law Helen (Don) Follett of Mt. Morris, Carol Huffman of Mt. Morris, Elizabeth (Ray) Denby of Nunda, Ann Forbes of Mt. Morris and Sarah Forbes of Geneseo;  2 brothers in law William Leader of Orlando, Fl., and Richard (Sally) Forbes of Mt. Morris, along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call from 2:00- 4:00PM & 7:00-9:00PM on Friday April 8, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday April 9th at 11:00AM at the Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in Glenwood Cemetery in Perry.

Memorials may be made to the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church 88 S. Main St. Perry, N Y 14530 or to the Noyes Center for Kidney Disease and Dialysis 4616 Millennium Dr. Geneseo, NY 14454. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.

 

Arthur J. Buckley IV, 62, passed away at his home in Bennington on April 4, 2016. He was born on June 3, 1953 in Glens Falls, NY to the late Arthur J. Buckley III and Joyce (Mattison) Buckley.

Art was an “AICP” certified planner for the County of Wyoming. He loved auto racing, hunting, fishing and archery. Being outside with nature was so inspiring to him. Also, he enjoyed gardening and woodworking, which he was very good at.  Art was a very generous of spirit and was always there if someone needed him. He is a true friend. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, especially his wife and soul mate, Deborah.

He is survived by his loving wife Deborah Buckley of Bennington; siblings Michael (Susan) Buckley, Margaret (Richard) Goldberg and Marc (Barbara) Buckley; along with several nieces, nephews and friends.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday April 9, 2016 from 1:00-3:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. A 3:00PM Funeral Service will immediately follow visitation at the Funeral Home.  Interment will be held privately.

For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. 

STEVEN R. NEEDHAM

Age 55, of Batavia, died suddenly Friday morning April 1, 2016 at his home in Batavia. He was born September 18, 1960 in Batavia, a son of Doris (Weatherbee) of Batavia and the late John Needham. 

Steve was retired from Angelica Healthcare where he worked for many years. He enjoyed reading, had a love for music and playing the guitar and enjoyed hanging with friends at the Harvester Hotel. 

Surviving along with his mother are his siblings, Holly Needham of Oakfield, Mitch Needham and Wade Needham both of Batavia along with nieces, Carrie (Justin) Ohlson, Christina (Michael) Knapp, Madison Needham; grand nephew, Alex Ohlson along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Steve's family will be present from 1-3pm Friday April 8 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 where funeral services will immediately follow, memorials in his memory are suggested to the family and burial will be in Alabama Cemetery. 

Please share your memories of Steve with his family at http://www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500. 

THE FAMILY OF STEVEN R. NEEDHAM IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK.

Batavia - Stephen D. Urban, 39, of Batavia, died unexpectedly on Thursday (March 31, 2016).

He was born March 21, 1977 in Laredo, TX, a son of the late Faustino and Felicita (Cruz) Martinez.

Stephen enjoyed fishing.  

Survivors include one daughter, Miah Urban of Batavia; one son, Noah Garcia of Batavia; three brothers, LeRoy (fiancée Gloria) Ortega of Texas, Victor (Jo Lena) Cruz of Arizona and Carlos (Irene Peralez) Cruz of Texas; three sisters, Amy (Alan) Bledsoe of North Carolina, Heidi Urban of Batavia and Rosemary (fiancé Joe Davidge) Cook of Darien; Minnie Garcia of Batavia; his best friend, Veronica Garcia of Batavia and several nieces and nephews.

He is a brother of the late Henry Douglas Urban.  

There are no prior calling hours.  Services will be held privately and burial will be in Cary Cemetery, Oakfield.  Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were completed by the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia, (585) 343-8868.

  James G. Hess, 58, passed away Thursday March 31, 2016. He was born in Batavia on May 19, 1957 to Robert B. Hess of Batavia and the late Beverly (Shadbolt) Hess.

Jim is a graduate of Alexander Central and Genesee Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  He just recently retired from the Town of Alexander where he was a Heavy Equipment Operator. He sat on the Alexander Planning & Zoning Boards.  He loved camping, boating, golfing, woodworking and horseback riding.  Jim was a loving son, brother and friend to all he knew and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his father, Jim is survived by a brother; David (Joan) Hess of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; a sister Debora Thomas of Madison, CT; his girlfriend Chris Richley of Batavia; nieces Amanda Hess, Patricia, Victoria and Kathleen Hennessy; nephew David Hess Jr.; grandnieces Victoria Toro and Ellie Hess; step sons Brennan Bezon and Bradley & Sean McClellan.

Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday April 10, 2016 from 2:00 – 5:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. Funeral Services and Interment will be held privately.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/  .  For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. 

  Dayton “Pa” Schultz, 77, of Oakfield passed away on Monday April 4, 2016 at Strong Memorial Hospital in the Palliative Care Unit.  He was born September 29, 1938 in Medina, New York to the late William and Edith (Pratt) Schultz. He is preceded in death by siblings Wilma (Alve) Cratsenburg, Carl (Carol) Schultz, mother and father in law Erwin (Muriel) Chapell, sisters in law Nancy Chapell Dersam and Linda Chapell.

Mr. Schultz was a 1957 graduate of Medina High School and resided in Oakfield for 57 years. He worked for Cold Springs Construction Co., Oakfield Highway Department and Lamb Farms. Pa enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the Casino, his buddy Sophie and being poolside with family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife for 58 years Carolyn (Chapell) Schultz of Oakfield; sons Duane (Valerie); Dayton Jr. (Sherry); Michael (Christine); Timothy (Suzanne) Schultz all of Oakfield; brother Lyle (late Ruby) Schultz of Shelby Center; grandchildren Joshua Schultz, Gina (Andrew) Gerber, Jennifer, Ryan (Danielle), Andrea, Travis, Sherday, Katie, Melissa Schultz, Rochelle (Grant) Matla, Ashley (Ryan) Torchia; great-grandchildren Ryker, Liam, George, Jackson and Isabella. Brother in law Roger (Carol) Kirkpatrick of Chili; sisters in law Norma (late Oscar) Kessler, Jeanette (late Richard) Moore, Judy Chapell all of Batavia, along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Friday April 8, 2016 from 3 to 7 PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 10:00 AM Funeral Service will be held on Saturday April 9, 2016 at Oakfield Alabama Baptist Church 2210 Judge Rd. Oakfield, New York 14125. He will be laid to rest in Cary Cemetery, Oakfield.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the church or Palliative Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital 601 Elmwood Ave. Box 687, Rochester, NY 14642. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave 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.

Helen A. Rybak, 98, of Batavia passed away on Friday April 1, 2016 at the Genesee County Nursing Home in Batavia.  She was born on March13, 1918 in Perry to the late Anthony & Veronica (Zelik) Swider. She is predeceased by her husband Matthew M. Rybak and a brother Zygmund Swider

Mary Ethelyn Laura Van Tassel Brown, 98, passed away March 28, 2016 at her home in Chattahoochee, FL. 

Mary was born January 9, 1918 in Britton Run, NY to Leo and Winifred Van Tassel. 

She lived in Jamestown, Pembroke and Rochester, NY before moving to Monticello and then Chattahoochee. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Nazarene Church of Monticello where she was very active and a Sunday School teacher. Mary was a model of exuberant radical faith in Jesus. She loved children, the Bible and our Lord. She invested largely in kids of every age; in her own seven children, her grandchildren, many foster children, the kids of the church day care, and the Bible Quiz kids. The adult Bible classes she taught challenged both mind and heart. She deeply loved her husband Ed and her Lord.

She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Edward William Brown, Sr.; sons, Edward Brown, Jr. (Rhoda) of Elba, NY, Arthur Brown (Sylvia) of Wilmore, KY, Kenneth Brown (Nancy) of Dover, DE and Kurt Brown (Sharon) of Glens Falls, NY; daughters, Sharon Hutchinson (Donald) of Chattahoochee and Sally DeHollander (Steve) of Rochester, NY; one sister, Leora Wilcox of Irving, TX; 19 grandchildren 58 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a son Mark Wayne Brown.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a graveside service on Saturday (April 9th), 2:00pm at the Bear Ridge Cemetery (Bear Ridge Rd.) in Lockport, NY.

Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14001. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

Joseph C. Skawienski, of Varysburg, a  loving husband, father, grandfather and retired dairy farmer passed away at Wyoming County Community Hospital  on Thursday March 31, 2016 at the age of 86.  Joe (Jr. as he was called by some) was born in Orange County, New York in his boyhood and later his house on the family farm, in the village of Bullville, on March 2, 1930 the 3^rd and last child born to Joseph and Mary Skawienski.

Joe liked fishing, and all outdoor sports, building model airplanes and had even taken flying lessons at an early age. As he became a young man, he started farming full time with his father and mother. He met and married his future wife Sophia Klecha shortly after in 1957, and the couple had 3 sons, Joseph, Stephen, and Alan. Joe purchased and moved his family to a new farm in WNY in April of 1974, located in Johnsonburg NY, where he continued to dairy farm for another 25 years. He was an avid NY Mets fan, along with being a Buffalo Bills fan and also an avid Buffalo Sabres Hockey fan. During his retirement he enjoyed visiting his youngest son and family in Florida during the winter, and spending time with his others sons family in Varysburg in the warmer months of year. He enjoyed watching his 6 grandchildren growing up and going to their events and watching them play sports and spending time with his wife Sophia of 58 years for all of it.

He is survived by his loving wife Sophia E. (Klecha) Skawienski of Varysburg; sons Joseph and Stephen (Julie) Skawienski of Varysburg and Alan (Kelly) Skawienski of Branford, FL.; sister Julia (Skawienski) Klecha of Greene , NY; brother,  Ret. Lt. Col USAF Theodore (Olivia) Skawienski of CA; 6 grandchildren, Brandon, Collin, Austin, Kiele, Darren and Emily, along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday April 6, 2016 from 2:00 – 4:00PM & 6:00 – 8:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.  A 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday April 7^th at St. Joachim & Anne Parish 2311 Attica St. Varysburg, NY 14167.  He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Varysburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Varysburg Fire Dept. 2446 Main St. Varysburg, NY 14167. For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.

  Mary Ann Barrett, 86, of Batavia passed away suddenly on Friday April 1, 2016 at the Genesee County Adult Home in Batavia.  She was born in Perry, NY to the late George and Shirley (Hauck) Kearney.  She is preceded in death by her husband, David R. Barrett; sisters Jeanne(Norman) Rill,  Betty (Leon) Cooley and her much loved  dog, Paddy.

She is survived by her children: Michael P. (Donna) Barrett of Batavia, Lizabeth A. Barrett of Rochester, Emily J. Barrett (Gerard  Costello) of Park Ridge, NJ and Paul G. (Kathleen) Barrett of Batavia.  She is also survived by her four beloved grandchildren:  Caroline, Molly and Thomas Costello of Park Ridge, NJ; and Andrew Schiavi of Ithaca. Her sisters Shirley Smith and Barbara (Frank) Dyrbala survive her as well as many nieces and nephews and friends. She was the last remaining member of that generation of the Barrett family.

A 1948 graduate of Batavia High School, Mary worked for several years at Massey Harris before marrying David Barrett on June 17, 1950.  Mary worked behind the scenes helping her husband develop several businesses, one of which, Barrett’s Batavia Marine, is still in operation. Mary’s Roman Catholic faith was at the center of her life and she had been a member of St. Mary’s Parish since she was seven years old.  Through the years she was a devoted volunteer at the Church doing everything from sewing vestments for special occasions to cleaning the church facility.  She belonged to the Church Altar Society and volunteered at her children’s schools, St. Mary’s elementary school and Notre Dame High School. Mary was a talented artist and was well known for her sewing, especially her quilts.  In her later years she devoted her spare time to knitting and donated hundreds of hats, scarves and mittens to children in need through her Church and the Child Advocacy Center.

Mary’s family wishes to thank the staff of the second floor of the Adult home of the Genesee County Nursing Home for their kind, loving and compassionate care of our mother. We will miss you, Mom.  Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday April 4, 2016 from 4:00-8:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 12:00PM noon Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday April 5^th at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s) 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY 14020. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army (Batavia location) 529 E. Main St. Batavia, NY 14020 or Volunteers for Animals in Batavia http://www.vol4animals.org/. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave 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.

  Frank X. Lohmer, age 79, of Perry passed away on Thursday March 31, 2016 at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw. He was born in Germany on April 13, 1936 and moved to the United States when he was a young adult. He is preceded in death by his wife Roberta (Buchholz) Lohmer who died on December 4, 2015.

Frank worked as a farmer in his younger days, moving onto the former Mallory Timers in Warsaw, Paul Robb John Deere Dealership and retired from Fairview Box Factory in Warsaw. He was a gifted mechanic, working on cars, trucks, tractors as well as small engines. He enjoyed woodworking and collecting ball caps.

He is survived by his daughters; Barb (Brian Clair) Lohmer of Perry, Patty (Al Duboy) Lohmer of Dale; sons Frank (Beth) Lohmer of Perry, Howard (Tina Whitesell) Lohmer of Canaseraga, Michael Lohmer of Perry Center; 8 grandchildren; Ashton Clair, Matthew Lohmer, John Washburn, Jonathon Lohmer, David Lohmer, Amanda Lohmer, Elizabeth Lohmer and McKenzie Lohmer and 2 great grandchildren; Trevor and Caydence Lohmer.

Family and friends may call from 5:00-7:00PM on Monday April 4, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 5th at 11:00AM at the Funeral Home.  He will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Perry Center.

(In lieu of flowers) Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.