In Memoriam

Ella Lindsley Arnold ’33 of Fulton passed away Aug. 11 at the age of 99. She taught in a one-room country school near Bowens Corners and in Schroeppel. She was the first kindergarten teacher at the Cleveland Elementary School. Ella is survived by a son, a daughter, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Anna White Howell ’34 of Port Byron passed away May 29, 2011. She taught in the Port Byron School District for more than 40 years, retiring in 1975. Anna is survived by a daughter.

Merva Martz Walasek ’37 of Camden died July 4. She taught for several years before raising a family. After her children were all in school, she tutored homebound students. Merva is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren.

Helen Williams Cornell ’40 of Jamesville died June 17. She was a teacher for 26 years. She taught in California and Monroe County, and retired from the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. Helen is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister, Verna Faulkner ’36.

Dorothy Kiola Williams Gantt ’41 of Arlington, Va., died March 11. During World War II, she worked as a secretary in the War Department, office of the quartermaster general, in Washington, D.C. In the summer of 1944, Dottie returned to Oswego and worked at the Emergency Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario. Dottie retired from the U.S. Court of Military Appeals in 1972. She helped to establish the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics in 1982. She and her husband, Charlie, participated for 18 years, winning gold medals in dance, tennis and walking. Surviving are a son, two daughters, nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Howard Mumford ’46 of Fayetteville, Ga., died April 29. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Howard was a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal in the Atlanta Public Schools for 42 years. Surviving are his wife, Barbara; two daughters and five grandchildren.

Norman Gurley ’48 of Niagara Falls passed away April 18. He is survived by three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

William Jewett ’48 of St. Augustine, Fla., passed away Dec. 19, 2011. He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes, on Jan. 13, 2011.

Robert Sweet ’48 of Phoenix, Ariz., died July 9. In 1965, Bob founded Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix with 11 students and two classrooms. Today the company has 11 campuses across the country and more than 16,000 students. Bob retired from UTI in 1991. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie; 10 children; and 18 grandchildren.

Betty Henderson Kenyon ’49 of Freeville passed away June 25. She earned a master’s degree at SUNY Cortland. She was an elementary school teacher and later a mathematics coordinator during her 41-year career, with the majority of it spent in the Groton Central School District. Betty retired in 1991. She is survived by two brothers, Bernie and Allen.

Elizabeth Kettel Vomacka ’49 of Largo, Fla., passed away April 12. Prior to raising her family, she taught third grade in Valley Stream. She returned to the workforce as a teaching assistant at Garden City Preschool, and went on to become a lead teacher in Nassau County’s first day care facility. Elizabeth then worked as a recertification classifier until she retired. Her husband, John ’49, predeceased her Feb. 8. Surviving are two sons, a daughter and a grandson.

John Vomacka ’49 of Largo, Fla., passed away Feb. 8. He served in the U.S. Army. John was an educator in the New York City Public School System for more than 25 years. John was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Kettel ’49, who passed away on April 12. Surviving are two sons, a daughter and a grandson.

Henri Floch ’50 of Phoenix, N.Y., passed away July 3. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Henri taught in the Phoenix Central School District for more than 38 years. He is survived by his wife, Doris Burkle ’52; three daughters; a grandson; and two great-grandchildren.

Leland Salsbury ’50 of Brewerton died Aug. 19. He served with the Army Air Force during World War II. Leland earned his master’s degree at New York University. He taught at Spring Valley High School and worked 38 years as an electrical engineer at General Electric. Surviving are his wife, Johanna; a son; three stepchildren; and four grandchildren.

Kenneth Jahelka ’52 of Melbourne Beach, Fla., died Feb. 13. He earned his master’s degree at Hofstra University. Kenneth worked in the Levittown Public School District for 30 years, beginning in 1957 as an industrial arts teacher. He retired in 1987 as the director of industrial arts and vocational education. Surviving are his wife, Mary Thomson ’52; three children, Judith Kur ’74, Laura Fleming, and Kenneth; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Arthur Rogers ’52 of Denver, Colo., passed away Sept. 3. He received his master’s degree from SUNY Buffalo in 1962. Arthur started his teaching career in Canastota from 1952 to 1954. He taught in Newark from 1954-1956. He taught in the Niagara Falls City School District from 1956 until his retirement. Surviving are his wife, Gertrude Rochelle ’54; two daughters; two sons; and five grandchildren.

Rosalyn Reeves Snow ’52 of Memphis, N.Y., died Aug. 17, 2010. She was a substitute teacher for many years in the West Genesee and Baldwinsville School Districts. She was co-owner of Snow’s Egg Farm in Warners. Rosalyn is survived by her husband, Gerald; a son; a daughter; and three grandchildren.

Margaret LeRoy Ellis ’53 of Oswego died Aug. 9. She taught in Baldwinsville for three years and was a substitute teacher in the Oswego City School District for more than 30 years. Surviving are two daughters; two sons; a sister, Marilyn Kindle ’52; a brother; and six grandchildren.

Henry Straub ’53 of Penn Yan died March 23, 2009. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Henry taught industrial arts at Penfield High School for 35 years. In retirement, he worked as a general contractor. Surviving are his wife, Clarinda; a son; a daughter; and two grandchildren.

Lyle Allen Boyce ’54 of Valatie died Feb. 15. He attended Syracuse University and The University at Buffalo, earning master’s degrees in school administration and special education and a doctorate in audiology. Al was instrumental in developing the program for the deaf in the Guilderland School District where he taught science and was department chair, and later became assistant principal of the Junior High School. From 1967 to 1999, Al served as superintendent of schools of the Menands School District. He is survived by his wife, Regina; three sons; a daughter; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

Albert Skinner ’54 of Colorado Springs, Colo., died July 2. During the Korean War, Al served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and later spent two years on active Navy duty in the Mediterranean. He earned graduate degrees from Iliff School of Theology and Long Island University. Prior to seminary, Al was a social studies teacher and worked in the National Parks ministry. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1966 and spent the majority of his ministry as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. Al served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. He is survived by his wife, Ann; two daughters; two granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.

Doris Houser Tilton ’54 of North Syracuse died Dec. 18, 2011. Dorie taught in the North Syracuse School District for several years. She later embarked on a new career, working with deaf children, becoming an expert in sign language. Dorie was predeceased by her husband, Robert. Surviving are a son, a daughter and two grandsons.

Donald Thomasson ’57 of Elma died June 22. He is survived by his wife, Grace; three children; and four grandchildren.

Marguerite Gartrell ’58 of Oakdale died Feb. 16, 2011. She received a master’s degree from Hofstra University. Marguerite taught fourth grade at Timber Point Elementary School for more than 45 years.

Mary Lynn McDonald Sincebaugh ’58 of Orlando, Fla., passed away Jan. 4, 2012. She taught in Auburn and Florida for many years. She served on the Auburn Board of Education for several years. Surviving are her husband, Gerald; a son; a daughter; and three granddaughters.

Charles Sixour ’58 of Lenoir City, Tenn., died May 18. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; four daughters; 13 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Joan Tompkins Mattison ’60 of Newnan, Ga., passed away Aug. 20. She earned her master’s degree at SUNY Potsdam. She taught in the Ogdensburg City School District for 32 years. Surviving are her husband, George ’58, a daughter; a son; and five grandchildren.

David Weisenburger ’60 of Rome passed away Feb. 27. David taught industrial arts at Rome Free Academy. He retired in 1992, but remained active with Rome Free Academy as a substitute teacher. David is survived by his wife, Nancy; a daughter and three sons.

Eleanor House Cali ’61 of Oswego passed away June 6. She taught biology at Gates Chili High School until her move to Oswego. Ellie worked as a secretary at Oswego Catholic High School before taking a job at the Oswego Hospital Laboratory, a position she held for 25 years, rising to the position of county laboratory supervisor. In 1972, she and her husband, Michael ’63, opened Cali’s Carriage House Florist. Ellie is survived by her husband, two sons, a daughter and 12 grandchildren.

Bonnie Pritchard ’62 of Cazenovia died June 7. She taught kindergarten for 34 years in the Jamesville-Dewitt School District, retiring in 1996. Bonnie is survived by two sisters and a brother.

Vincent Savona ’63, M ’70 of Oswego passed away May 31. Vincent taught chemistry in Central Square and then at Oswego High School for 29 years. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Evangelist ’64, and two sons, Michael ’91 and Andrew ’94.

Paul Scheno ’63 of Pawleys Island, S.C., passed away Aug. 11. Paul was a teacher and reading specialist for more than 40 years. Surviving are his wife, Susan Roach ’63; two sons; and two grandchildren.

Marjorie Tyler ’63 of Hannibal died Aug. 1. She taught physical education and English at Hannibal High School. She retired as a typesetter and editor at the Brown Newspapers in Baldwinsville and had previously worked at The Palladium-Times, The Valley News and Red Creek Herald newspapers. Marjorie is survived by two brothers.

Donald Capron ’64 of Gilbert, Ariz., passed away July 14. He earned a master’s degree at the University of Vermont and an MBA from San Francisco State University. Don worked for Dansk International Designs as vice president of Western Regional Operations, and as vice president of Securities Analysis at Smith-Barney Securities. After retiring, he spent three years as an associate professor of business administration at the University of Massachusetts.

Edward Finnerty ’65 of Camden passed away Aug. 25. He also earned a master’s degree at Oswego. Ed taught in the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District for 13 years. He then worked for Harden Furniture for 25 years, retiring in 2005. He is survived by a sister, Joyce Seubert, and his aunt, Doris Brown Allen ’42.

Helen Cianci Lavinio ’65 of Southampton passed away May 11.

Patricia Johnson Diehl ’66 of Rochester died Aug. 15, 2009. She began her career as an elementary teacher at Park Road Elementary in Pittsford and retired as a guidance counselor at Pittsford-Mendon High School. Patricia is survived by her husband, William; a daughter; and two grandchildren.

Russell Hasseler ’67 of Newark died Oct. 26, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Christine Doyle ’70; two sons; and two granddaughters.

Gail Goodman Wright ’71 of Hicksville died Aug. 29. She is survived by three children.

Mary Bucher ’74 of Canton passed away June 6. She earned master’s degrees from SUNY Albany and St. Lawrence University. Mary worked as a librarian at SUNY Canton for 35 years. She is survived by five brothers.

Bennie Lee Walker ’74 of Brookline, Mass., died July 17, 2011. He was a retired assistant headmaster at Snowden International High School. Surviving are three daughters, a son and three grandchildren.

Irene Goldman Gilman ’75 of Oswego passed away Aug. 17. She worked at the Oswego Hospital Mental Health Unit, was director of the New York state Migrant Head Start Program and most recently was a substitute teacher in the Oswego City School District. Irene was predeceased by her husband, Kevin ’74. She is survived by a sister. Donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the P. Kevin Gilman ’74 and Irene Goldman Gilman ’75 Memorial Scholarship at 215 Sheldon Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126.

William Musacchio ’76, M ’78 of Oswego passed away March 19. He is survived by his wife, Janet, and a son.

David Bennett ’77 of Kalispell, Mont., passed away June 20. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a forest firefighter, and was a member of the Inter-regional Hotshot crew. David is survived by his wife, Becky; two children; and three grandchildren.

Ruth Nolan Mulford ’77 of Ronkonkoma died Sept. 12. She was employed at Oswego County BOCES from 1970 to 2000, and had been the regional vice president for the Long Island/Metro region of the Association of Builders and Contractors since 2000.

Regina Whiteside ’79 of Syracuse died May 10. She earned a master’s degree in deaf education and sign language interpreting at Gallaudet University. Regina was an American Sign Language interpreter, taught sign language at Onondaga Community College for more than 20 years and was an elementary school teacher of the deaf.

Jonathan Russell ’80 of Albany died Sept. 7, 2011. He worked as an analyst/software engineer for several brokerage firms. Jon is survived by two children.

Joseph Klapkowski ’83 of Highland Falls died March 3. He was a financial analyst with Valley National Bank in New York City. Joseph is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth; two sons; and two daughters.

Richard O’Brien ’83 of West Babylon passed away Sept. 29, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Katherine, and a daughter.

Joan Mathieu ’85 of Redding, Calif., passed away June 28. She is survived by her husband, Don Mathieu, Emeritus Professor of History.

Mario Caruso ’88 of Brewerton died Dec. 19, 2009. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Mario was a retired hair stylist and the owner of Caruso’s Imperial Coiffures at Imperial Gardens. He is survived by two sisters and two brothers.

Kathleen Deugaw ’97 of Colton passed away June 9, 2011.

Linda Day ’00, M ’10 of Sandy Creek passed away Sept. 12. She earned a master’s degree at Syracuse University. Linda previously taught at Immokalee High School in Immokalee, Fla. She is survived by two sons.

Chad Kelly ’05 of Fulton died July 23 at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar while doing contract work for the Department of Defense. Chad served with the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2010 and served in Iraq from August 2007 to October 2008. He was currently employed by MacAuley-Brown. Surviving are his parents, Herbert “Butch” and Donna, and his girlfriend, Lauren.

Edward McNally M ’05 of Syracuse passed away Oct. 20. He earned a bachelor’s degree at LeMoyne in 1988 and a master’s degree at St. Mary’s Seminary in 1995. Ed was formerly the chaplain at the Hall Newman Center.

Jonathan Rothwell ’09 of Fayetteville passed away May 13. He is survived by his parents, Dickson and Carol; a brother, Matthew; and a sister, Joy.

Brent Pangburn ’12 of Lisle passed away July 19. He is survived by his parents, Doug and Jody; a daughter; and a sister.

J. Michael Adams, professor of technology at Oswego from 1972 to1984 passed away June 21. He was the president of Fairleigh Dickinson University for more than a decade before his retirement in May. He was the president of the International Association of University Presidents. While at Oswego, Michael earned the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. He is survived by his wife, Susan; two daughters; a son; and four grandchildren.

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