In Memoriam

Nancy Whitlock Adragna ’35 of North Syracuse passed away Dec. 19. She was employed by the Syracuse City School District for many years, retiring from the Franklin School. Nancy is survived by two sons, Richard and Robert “Mac” ’64; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several stepchildren and stepgrandchildren.

Walter Calhoun ’35 of Sun City, Ariz., died July 6 at the age of 100. He taught industrial arts for many years. Walter is survived by two sons and two grandchildren.

Arnold Lamont ’38 of Hamburg passed away Dec. 26. He earned a master’s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in education from SUNY Buffalo. His first teaching position was in Granville, where he introduced industrial arts education to the community. During World War II, he taught for three years in the Army Air Forces School at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, and later at the Army Air Forces School at Curtis Wright Corp. in Buffalo. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Radio Technician Training Program. After his discharge, Arnold served as a training officer in the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1947 he was appointed supervisor in the Bureau of Industrial Arts Education in the New York State Department of Education. In 1956 he was appointed supervisor of industrial arts education with the Buffalo Public Schools and in 1961 was made director of the program, a position he held for 26 years until his retirement in 1982. Arnold is survived by a son, a daughter, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Nellie Goodsell Kinney ’39 of Weedsport died Dec. 31. Nellie taught at Weedsport Elementary School for 30 years, retiring in 1974. She is survived by a son, a daughter and several grandchildren.

Dorothy Jones King ’40 of Clinton died Jan. 7, 2010. She was the first kindergarten teacher in Red Creek. Dorothy is survived by a daughter, a son, two grandchildren and a great-grandson.

John “Ring” Murray ’40 of Oswego died Dec. 22. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. He participated in the Normandy invasion and the Battle of Okinawa. He was a graduate of the Columbia Law School. Ring operated a private law practice in Oswego until he became Oswego County district attorney in 1958. In 1970, he was appointed surrogate court judge by then-Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, a position he held until his retirement in 1987. Surviving are a brother, a sister, and several nieces and nephews.

James Lyman Roney ’43 of Zionville, N.C., died Aug. 22. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Lyman taught in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District and later became a high school principal. He was also acting district principal for the Walton Central School District until his retirement. Surviving are two daughters and a grandson.

Margaret Kambas ’45 of Charlotte, N.C., died Sept. 1. She earned a master’s degree at Syracuse University and taught for 33 years. Margaret is survived by two sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Shannon Robarge ’47 of Oswego passed away Nov. 28. She taught in the Fulton City School District from 1949 until she retired in 1986. Mary is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Arlene Fix Stenuf ’47 of Skaneateles passed away Jan. 16. She received her master’s degree from Syracuse University. She taught for a number of years in Fairmount and in Virginia. Arlene is survived by a daughter, a son and four grandchildren.

Edwin Komendarek ’49 of Herkimer passed away Jan. 2. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He taught industrial arts and adult education at Herkimer and Little Falls schools for many years and served as the director of vocational education for Herkimer County Boards of Cooperative Educational Services for 18 years until his retirement in 1984. Edwin is survived by his wife, Marilyn; a son; and a granddaughter.

James Hanley ’50 of Batavia passed away Dec. 19. He is survived by two sons and two grandsons.

Lewis Braun ’52 of Oceanside died Sept. 26. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Safranko ’54; three children; and six grandchildren.

Alfred Marini ’54 of Honeoye died Nov. 12. He is survived by three daughters, two sons and seven grandchildren.

Corrine Kushner Starkman ’54 of Boynton Beach, Fla., passed away Dec. 12. Surviving is her husband, Alvin.

Barbara Briggs Coates ’55 of Skaneateles died Aug. 18. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter ’54. Barbara is survived by three daughters, Carole Tuchrello ’81, Susan Scott ’85 and Cheryl Armstrong ’88; a son, Christopher; and six grandchildren.

Blanche Barasch Plonsky ’55 of Lynbrook passed away June 22. She is survived by her husband, Robert; two sons, James and David ’85; and four grandchildren.

Pasquale DeLilli ’57 of Gloversville died Jan. 8. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Pat was an elementary teacher in Johnstown for his entire career. With his late wife, he owned and operated the former Tots to Toddlers shop in downtown Gloversville. Surviving are three sons, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Jane Lawton Holliday ’58 of Mexico passed away Dec. 21. She had been a teacher in Spring Valley, Utica, Mexico and Watertown. Jane is survived by her husband, Arnold; a son; and three grandchildren.

Donna Wright Flack ’59 of Fair Haven died Nov. 9. She taught throughout the Northeast for more than 25 years, retiring from Harris Hill Elementary School in Penfield in 1992. Donna was predeceased by her husband, William ’57. She is survived by two sons and three grandchildren.

Ruth Prugh ’60 of Crossville, Tenn., passed away Nov. 8. She is survived by her husband, Thomas.

Judy Fry Maihofer ’61 of Baldwinsville died Dec. 24. She also earned a degree at Columbia Teacher’s College. Judy taught in Peekskill and Ossining and for the Southern Westchester BOCES. Surviving are her husband, Walter; a son; a daughter; and two grandsons.

Philip Messer ’61 of Ocean Springs, Miss., died Nov. 13. Prior to his retirement, Phil was a school psychologist in the Pittsfield School District. He is survived by a daughter, a son and five grandchildren.

James Schmidt ’63 of Auburn died Nov. 10. He earned a master’s degree at SUNY Cortland. He began teaching at Central Tech in Syracuse. He was the former executive director of the Cayuga County Action Program. Jim worked in the Human Affairs Program at Cornell University and became the first director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology in Butte, Mont. He later spent more than 25 years as the director of Farm Workers Legal Services. Jim is survived by his wife, Denise; two sons, Robert ’88 and John; a stepdaughter; and five grandchildren.

Jeanne Tennant Mazzoli ’64 of Oswego passed away Dec. 11. She was a teacher at New Haven Elementary School for 37 years. Surviving are her husband, George; three children; and five grandchildren.

Donald Moore ’64 of Palm Bay, Fla., passed away July 15, 2010. He attended Pensacola Flight School and served as an officer in the Navy and the Air Force. Donald taught for more than 32 years at schools in Chadwicks and Sauquoit. After retiring and moving to Florida, he taught in Palm Bay. Donald is survived by his wife, Susan; three daughters; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Ruth Stephenson Van Ry ’65 of Camden passed away Dec. 15. Ruth began her education at Oswego with the class of 1941 and after many years, returned to complete her degree in 1965. She taught in the Camden Central School District for 24 years, retiring in 1982. Surviving are three daughters, two sons, 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann House ’66 of Hamburg died July 8. She is survived by a daughter and a granddaughter.

Alice Toner Kempton ’66 of Deer Park passed away July 30, 2011. She was a kindergarten teacher for 10 years before raising her family. Alice is survived by her husband, Raymond; four daughters; and one granddaughter.

Mary Battram ’67 of Rochester passed away Dec. 15. She taught chemistry at Red Creek Central School for 32 years. Mary was honored with the University of Rochester’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1988 and again in 1997, as well as four National Science Foundation Grants.

Richard Hughes ’67 of Ithaca died Oct. 2. He earned master’s degrees from Cornell University and SUNY Binghamton. Rich was a systems analyst at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration. Surviving are his wife, Diane; and a son.

Virginia Woods Mammi ’69 of Floyd, Va., passed away Feb. 14, 2012. She taught English at Pulaski County High School for 25 years. She is survived by her husband, Nicholas; a son; a daughter; and four grandchildren.

Carol Adams Morris ’70 of Greece died Sept. 28. Prior to her retirement, Carol was a reading teacher in the Greece School District. She is survived by her husband, John “Zeke”; three daughters; and her mother.

Barbara Duff Rockhill ’70 of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Watertown died April 21, 2012. She earned an associate degree at Jefferson Community College in 1969 and a master’s degree at SUNY Binghamton in 1976. Barbara worked for the New York State Department of Health from 1973 until her retirement in 2003. She is survived by her husband, Lumen.

Kevin Kehoe ’73 of Oswego died Dec. 7. Surviving are his wife, Luann Dixon ’72; two daughters; a son; and two grandchildren. He is also survived by seven siblings, including Dennis ’69.

Anthony “Kenny” Umina ’73 of Delmar died Oct. 27, 2011. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. He earned an associate’s degree at Auburn Community College. Before his retirement in 1999, Ken had a long career in law enforcement and criminal justice. He began as a police officer in Port Chester, then served in maximum-security correctional facilities with the New York State Department of Correctional Services, becoming the department’s youngest captain. Working in conjunction with the State Police, he began the DOCS K-9 unit. He was later appointed to serve as special deputy commissioner for the New York City Department of Correction. He later served two six-year terms as a parole commissioner. Ken was also an adjunct instructor of criminal justice at Auburn Community College and lectured at the State Police and Correctional Services Training Academies. Ken is survived by his wife, Carol; a son, Anthony; three daughters, Deborah, Carolyn Rafferty and Anne Horak ’97; and four grandchildren.

William Saul ’74 of Asheville, N.C., died Nov. 19. Bill worked at Glazers Wholesale Distributors for 20 years, most recently as vice president of strategic account education and development. Surviving are his wife, Gwynne; two sons; and two stepsons.

Gale Falzack Miller ’77 of Chestnut Ridge passed away May 23, 2010. She worked at Green Meadow Waldorf School for many years. Surviving are her husband, Michael ’76, and three children.

Mark Wagner ’77 of Boynton Beach, Fla., passed away Oct. 2.

Denise Denis ’79 of San Francisco, Calif., passed away Feb. 4, 2011.

Douglas Crane ’80 of Langhorne, Pa., passed away Nov. 28. Doug began his career with Unisys in Cleveland, Ohio. After moving to Langhorne, he had a career in technical marketing with Lucent Technologies and later operated his own franchise of Vanguard Cleaning Systems. He is survived by his wife, Rose Cardamone ’81; a daughter; his parents; two sisters and two brothers.

Barbara Goodwin Holthouse M ’80 of Oswego passed away Dec. 12. She earned her bachelor’s degree at SUNY Geneseo in 1973. Barbara was a speech therapist for Jefferson County BOCES, then a reading teacher in the Oswego City School District until 1980. She is survived by her husband, Gary; a son; a daughter and a granddaughter.

Dawn Krupa ’88 of Fellsmere, Fla., passed away May 14. She is survived by three daughters.

Donald Ward ’88 of Los Angeles passed away Aug. 21, 2010. “Chuck” earned a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He was a counselor and professor at Pasadena City College for 22 years. He is survived by his partner, Robert Cook; his parents; and five sisters.

Mark Waelder CAS ’97 of Syracuse passed away Sept. 26. He earned his bachelor’s degree at SUNY Cortland and his master’s degree at University College Dublin. Mark retired in 2006 as director of evaluation, assessment and planning after 32 years with the Syracuse City School District. He is survived by his wife, Karen; a son; a daughter; and three grandchildren.

Kevin Lipari ’98 of Baldwin died Dec. 14 while serving with the U.S. Army in the Logar province of Afghanistan. He was a communications specialist for the Army. Kevin is survived by his wife, Jessica; his mother; and two brothers.

Erich Geariety ’00 of Solvay passed away Nov. 1. He earned a master’s degree at LeMoyne College and was a graduate of Syracuse University School of Law. Erich is survived by a son; his mother and stepfather; and his father and stepmother.

Justin Kehoe ’04 of Binghamton died Nov. 24 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was a self-employed contractor. Surviving are his wife, Rickquel; a daughter; a son; his father and stepmother; and his mother.

Justin Morris ’06 of Wilton passed away suddenly in an accident July 7. Justin graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2002 and earned degrees in economics and history at Oswego. He worked at First Niagara Bank in Amsterdam and was studying to become a certified financial planner at the time of his death. Justin is survived by his parents, Claudina Owen and Richard H. Morris; a brother, Thomas R. Morris; Chiarra Morris; and grandmother Claudia Ashelman. He was predeceased by his brother Joshua Morris.

Raymond Bridgers, professor emeritus of education, passed away Feb. 21. Ray received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of William and Mary, and a doctorate in education from Duke University. He began his career as a teacher and principal in Virginia before coming to Oswego to teach at the Campus School. Ray continued teaching at Oswego in what is now the School of Education until his retirement after 35 years. Surviving are his wife, Carolyn ’78; children, Cynthia, Michael, Bradley M ’05, Katherine, Holly, and Lori ’87; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Charles Kollenkark, former assistant director of admissions, passed away Dec. 18. He began his career at Oswego in 1968 and retired in 1982. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis ’68.

Hugh McKenna, former director of the Learning Resources Center, passed away Oct. 8. Hugh served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952. He received his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport, a master’s degree from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. from Laurence University. He retired from Oswego in 1982. Surviving are his wife, Diana; two daughters, Antigone and Whitney ’90; and two grandsons.

Thomas Powell, emeritus professor of history, died Aug. 23. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam, his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Syracuse University. Prior to coming to Oswego, Tom was an instructor at the University of Akron and Syracuse University. He was Oswego’s first dean of Arts and Sciences and started Oswego’s Equal Opportunity Program. Tom stepped down as dean in 1971 to teach in the history department. He received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1976 and retired in 1996. He is survived by two daughters and two granddaughters.