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"It is the
soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is
the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag."
Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC |
Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier
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VFW Post #369 Local Tributes
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Charles Robert Roach June 16, 2011 Charles Robert "Bob" Roach, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 16, 2011, surrounded by loved ones at St. Luke's Health Services in Oswego, NY. Bob was born on December 29, 1919, to Charles Richard Roach and Charrie Halsey Roach in Mexico, NY. He was the youngest of four children and was predeceased by his sister, Edith Roach Hansen; and brothers, Glenn and Harold. |
| He was a lifelong resident of Mexico until moving to St. Luke's in Oswego in February 2009. He graduated from Mexico Academy and Central schools. Robert served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked for the New York Central Railroad. He was a proud veteran of service, in the 475th Fighter Group of the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific, during WWII from 1942 until 1945. He was an avid Red Sox fan and an insatiable reader. With his keen memory for historical facts and people, Bob was a prolific storyteller. In May 1950, he married Victoria Sachel. Together they ran the Mexico Bowling Alley for five years and then Bob Roach Gas and Grocery (formerly Sachel's) from 1958 until 2004. Bob is survived by his wife, Vicky, St. Luke's, Oswego; his daughter, Amy L.R. Good (Gary) of Liverpool, NY; and son, Michael I. Roach, Virginia Beach, VA. He was predeceased by two infant daughters, Charrie Lynn and Anne Marie. He is also survived by two grandsons and their wives; three greatgranddaughters; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at Harter Funeral Home, Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Burial will be in Mexico Village Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 21, 2011, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Luke's Health Services, 299 E. River Road, Oswego, NY 13126 or the VFW, Route 3, Mexico, NY 13114. |
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April 2, 2011 John H. Castle, 97, of Mexico, died Saturday at his home, which was the same home he was born in. He is the son of the late Ward B. and Rose Sullivan Castle. He was an employee of Nestle's of Fulton, retiring in 1979. He was an Army veteran, serving during WWII from 1941-1945 as a medic in the South Pacific. |
He was a member and past commander of the Stone Davis Post #384, the American Legion, Mexico, NY. He was a member of the Edick Hamlink Post #369, VFW, Mexico, NY. He was Oswego County American Legion commander and county historian. He was a 73-year member and past master of Mexico Lodge #136 F&AM, Mexico, and a former master and 45-year secretary of Mexico Lodge #135, Royal Arch Masons. He was an active member of Arbiet Lodge #168 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a member and past master of the Mexico Grange. He was a past master of the Pomona Grange of Oswego. He was a Republican committeeman for the town of Mexico for over 30 years. He was a lifetime member, elder and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Mexico. He was on the church's cradle roll. Surviving are his wife, the former Thelma Williams. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday from the First Presbyterian Church, Church St., Mexico, NY, with the Rev. Karen Green officiating. A Masonic service will be held at the church at 12:45 p.m. Burial will be in Mexico Village Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are in care of Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Contributions may be made to Friends of Oswego County Hospice, P.O. Box 102, Oswego, NY 13126.
Published in Syracuse Post Standard from April 3 to April 4, 2011 |
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February 25, 2011 Frederick H. "Freddy" Landphere, 88, of Mexico, died Friday at the V.A. Medical Center, Syracuse, NY. He was born in Mexico, son of the late Frank and Mary Landphere. He was a WWII Army veteran, serving in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1945. He was a prisoner of war in Germany and was released at the end of the war. |
He received many medals and was one of the last P.O.W.s living. Fred was a Life member of VFW Post 369 in Mexico, NY.
On August 29, 1929, he married Bertha M. Helinger of Mexico. In 1945, he went to work for Lenox Furnace of Syracuse and started dairy farming in 1946, until they were burned out in November of 1990. They then went onto vegetable farming until health problems caused him to go to Loretto Nursing Home in Oswego and then to the V.A. Medical Center of Syracuse. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Bertha; one daughter, Mary Jane Landphere Backus; three grandchildren, Edward, Mary and Mindy; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Raymond; one sister, Lena French; and one son-in-law, Lowell Backus. Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Spring burial will be in South Richland Cemetery. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Published in Syracuse Post Standard on February 28, 2011 |
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It is with great sadness that I am writing this. Our beloved sister, Chaplain, Veteran and Family Support Chairman and friend, Dawn Rock was called to heavenly home on Thursday February 10th from a fatal heart attack at the very young age of 36.
Dawn went to work as usual for the Department of Social Services and by 9 o'clock had to leave work as she started to not feel well. She only got down the road a couple of miles and drove off the road into the snow bank. The man right behind her asked if she needed help and she replied yes to medical help. He immediately called 911 and went into the passenger side of the car to help Dawn. |
She passed away in that car but what was truly amazing is that the man who stopped to help her and sat with her as she drew her last breaths was a retired Navy man. I really feel that God works in mysterious ways and sent to Dawn in her last moments on earth one of the veterans that she had dedicated her life to serving. Dawn will be so sadly missed in our organization. There was no task to big or small that she would ever turn down. She brought with her a great deal of love, support, compassion and bright new ideas.
Thirty two sisters traveled to the Newcomer Funeral Home on the 15th to pay their last respects and take part in the Memorial Service by placing a carnation for our departed sister and friend. Since Dawn had been our Chaplain I filled in as Chaplain and wrote an Eulogy for her and had Oswego County Council President, Joan Tucker do the President part. Dawn was also the Jr. Vice President in the Oswego County Council.
Several of our veteran members and sisters from the county and other posts also attended the services. What an outstanding show for such a wonderful person.
Another kind of eerie but yet so fitting coincidence is that in the room across from Dawns was a Viet Nam Veterans Funeral going on so out front was about 20 veterans with the flags lining the driveway and walkways into the home. At the exact moment when Dawns Services were over so was the veterans and "Taps" began to play. Coincidence? I am not so sure, I like to think that they both got their wings at the same exact time.
After the services everyone was invited back to the post for a reception. Several sisters and friends brought dishes to pass. Thank you to all who took part in the services, the set up, the food and the clean-up.
The services were very beautiful and heartfelt but perhaps one of the hardest that we have ever had to do. No one could possibly believe that someone so young and with so much to offer could be taken from us. I attached a copy of the Eulogy and also a picture of Dawn for your viewing.
God Bless Dawn, she will be sadly missed. May she rest in peace.
By: Mary Reeser
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Donald E. Skilinski
November 8, 2010 Donald E. Skilinski, 64, of Mexico, died Monday at the SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse, NY. He was born in Fulton, son of the late Earl and Margaret Gifford Skilinski. Donald was retired as an investigator for the Oswego County Sheriff Dept. |
He was formerly the Justice for the Town of Mexico and was the Town of Mexico Zoning and Code Enforcement officer. He was an Air Force veteran, serving in Vietnam. He was a life member of the Edick-Hamlink Post #369 VFW, Mexico, NY and a member of the Stone-Davis Post #384, the American Legion, Mexico. He was a communicant of St. Anne Mother of Mary Catholic Church of Mexico and was a eucharistic minister and an usher. He was a member of the Mexico Senior Stars and the Robert Farnham Tuesday night golf league. He was especially proud of his two children in the military, Sgt. Marc Skilinski, and Capt. Cherie Skilinski who is serving in the 101st Airborne, as Don did in Vietnam.
Surviving: his beloved wife of 35 years, the former Louise Hansen; two daughters, Julia Brooks of Oswego, Cherie Skilinski of Ft. Campbell, KY; one son, Marc Skilinski of Smiths Barracks, Germany; one sister, Veronica Peterson, New Haven; two brothers, Michael Skilinski of Aniston, Alabama and David Skilinski of 29 Palms, CA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday from St. Anne Mother of Mary Catholic Church, Main St., Mexico, NY. Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery. Calling hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday from the Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Contributions in Don's memory, may be made to the Mexico VFW Post #369, Scenic Ave., Mexico, NY 13114. |
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Lester H. Wood
November 1, 2010 Lester H. Wood, 89, of Liverpool, a former resident of Mexico, died Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse. He was born in Sandy Creek, son of the late Thomas H. and Laura "Tessie" Christman Wood. He was a WWII Army veteran and received the good conduct medal; American Defense Service Ribbon; the Purple Heart; one Silver Service Star and one Bronze Star to European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre. He was a life member of the Edick-Hamlink Post #369 VFW, Mexico, NY. He attended the Fernwood Baptist Church. He was formerly employed by Nestles of Fulton, and was a farmer. He also was employed by Marsellus Burial Vault Co. of Mexico. |
| Mr. Wood retired in 1986 from the Mexico Academy School District as head custodian of the Mexico Elementary School. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, the former Catherine E. Hawley Wood; two daughters, Jean Wood, Liverpool, Amy Wood, North Syracuse; three sons, Glenn (Joan) Wood, Conway, SC, Norman Wood, Liverpool, Allen Wood, Liverpool; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond Wood, Baldwinsville, Carl Wood, Warner Robins, Georgia; one sister, Helen Crossett, Oswego; several nieces and nephews; two half brothers, Gary and Brian; two half sisters, Pam and Barbara. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday from Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Burial with full military honors will be in Mexico Village Cemetery. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in Lester's memory may be made to the Mexico VFW, 5930 Scenic Ave., Mexico, NY 13114 or the Parkinson Foundation. |
ROBERT K BEARE
Born Syracuse, NY October 20, 1927; Ret. Glazier.
40 year Life member of VFW Post 369, passed away in Houston, TX on August 11, 2010. Survived by spouse Cathey Beare
Published in Houston Chronicle on August 15, 2010
Harvellon F.
Lehtonen , 67, of Palermo, died November 19, 2009. Born
June 1, 1942, he was the son of John and Bessie (Wilmont)
Lehtonen. Harvellon was employed at Armstrong/Interface
Solutions in Fulton for over 40 years. He was a veteran
of the Navy, Army National Guard and Air National Guard,
with an accumulation of 20-plus years of service. He
was a member of V.F.W. Post #369 in Mexico and an active
member of the Mexico Trail Riders Snowmobile Club. Harvellon
enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing horseshoes. He was
predeceased by his parents; a brother, Howard; a sister,
Ruth; and a grandson, Bryan.
Surviving are
his wife of 48 years, Janet (Kellogg) Lehtonen; daughter,
Brenda Hillman of Mexico; sons, David Lehtonen of
North Carolina and Paul (Paula) and Kristopher (Jodi)
Lehtonen, all of Mexico; sister, Geraldine Diffenbacher
of Pennsylvania; brother, Carl Lehtonen of Central
Square; mother-in-law, Adeline Kellogg of Hannibal;
10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; several nieces
and nephews. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m.
Monday at Foster Funeral Home, Fulton. Calling hours
are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 910 Fay
Street, Fulton. In lieu of flowers, contributions
may be made to the Mary and Charles Haney Fund, c/o
Hematology/ Oncology Dept., 140 West 6th Street,
Suite 110, Oswego, NY 13126; Friends of Oswego County
Hospice, P.O. Box 102, Oswego, NY 13126; or to Palermo
United Methodist Church, 11 County Route 35, Fulton,
NY 13069. Foster Funeral Home, Inc.
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Kurt R. Krieger
September 19, 2009 Kurt R.
Krieger, 62, of Mexico, died Saturday at the Oswego Hospital.
He was born in Utica, son of Lorraine Krieger and the late
Frank Krieger. He was a Navy Seal and was command SGT major
in the Army Reserves for 40 years. |
| He served
three tours in Vietnam and served in the Gulf War and
served in Afghanistan after 9/11. He was a Life member
of VFW Post 369 in Mexico, NY, and the Russell Horning
Post #601 The American Legion Parish, NY. He was a power
lineman for IBEW Local #1249, N. Syracuse, NY, after
retiring from Niagara Mohawk. Surviving are his wife
of seven years, the former Paulette Bourlier; his mother,
Lorraine Krieger; one son, Gregory Krieger, North Syracuse;
twin daughters, Stacy Devendorf, Fulton, Kimberly Johnson,
Whitesboro; one stepdaughter, Tammy Rowe, South Carolina;
five grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; one sister,
Karen Sents, New Hartford. Funeral Mass will be held
11 a.m. Saturday, September 26, 2009 at St. John's Catholic
Church, Oxford Road, New Hartford, NY. Burial will be
in Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse. A celebration of Kurt's
life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, September
27, 2009 at the Mexico VFW Scenic Ave., Mexico, NY. Contributions
may be made to Paws Across Oswego County, 2035 Co. Rt.
1, Oswego, NY 13126, or the Mexico VFW. Arrangements are
in care of Harter Funeral Home, Mexico, NY. Published
in Syracuse Post Standard on September 23, 2009 |
| Irwin,
Curtis E., November 27, 2008 Curtis E. Irwin, 90, of
Seneca Hill Manor, formerly of Mexico, died Thursday,
November 27, 2008. Born in Texas, NY, he resided in
the Mexico area all his life. He was employed as head
maintenance director at the Manlius Military Academy;
also he owned and operated Curtis E. Irwin Plumbing & Heating
in Mexico. Later in life, he worked for the Metropolitan
Water Board.He was a WWII Army veteran, serving in
the European Theatre, and a 63 year life member of
Edick-Hamlink VFW Post 369.. He was predeceased by
his wife, Jean, in 2002 and a son, Kenneth, in 2000.
He is survived by three sons, George (Laura) of Pulaski,
William (Faye) of New Haven, Roger of Orwell; two daughters,
Susan (Tom) Heppell of Fulton, Lucy (Jerry) Relyea
of Albany; one sister, Mildred McLaughlin of Mexico;
daughter-in-law, Marilyn Irwin of Florida; 11 grandchildren;
three great-grand-children; one niece; and one nephew.
Services will be held in the spring at a time to be
announced. Burial will be in Mexico Village Cemetery.
Arrangements in care of Harter Funeral Home, Mexico,
NY. Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 12/2/2008
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Tourot Sr., Frederick Ernest
October 26, 2008 Frederick Ernest Tourot Sr., 80, of Mexico,
passed away October 26, 2008. He was born and raised
in Mexico, NY. Fred was a WWII veteran, serving as
a member of the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific Theatre
on the Island of Guam. Fred was a past Commander (1961-1962)
and 50-year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 369 and a member of Local #12 Carpenters Union.
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| He was the son of the late Charles and
Frances Tourot of Mexico, NY. He is survived by his
wife of 60 years, the former Shirley VanTassell;
three daughters, Cindy (Brian) Lynch of Baldwinsville,
Sherry Tourot of Mexico and Penny Tourot of Mexico;
two sons, Fred Tourot of Mexico and Charles Tourot
of Mexico; 11 grandchildren, Brian and Micheal Lynch,
Amy and Heather Ginn, Justin, Adam, Tyler Tourot,
Nicole, Kristin Tourot, Danielle, Jonathon Franey.
He was predeceased by one brother, Charles Tourot,
and one sister, Nancy Knapp. Funeral services will
be 11 a.m. Wednesday from Mexico United Methodist
Church with Rev. William Palmer officiating. Calling
hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Harter Funeral
Home, 9 Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Contributions
may be made to Mexico Volunteer Fire Dept., McFee
Ambulance Corps or Mexico United Methodist Church. Published
in the Syracuse Post Standard on 10/28/2008 |
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July 26, 2008 Lyle C. Rasbeck, 83, of Apex, NC, formerly of Mexico,
NY, passed away on July 26, 2008 in his sleep. Lyle was
born October 6, 1924 in Sterling, NY to Floyd and Ruth
Rasbeck.
In 1943, he married Winona Ruth Worden, who
preceded him in death.
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He was also predeceased by his parents, and one sister, Grace. Survivors
include one brother, Robert (Cathy) Rasbeck of Oswego;
two sons, Lynn (Kimberly) Rasbeck of Mexico, Larry
(Theresa) Rasbeck of N. Carolina; two daughters, Brenda
(Donald) Badger and Diane Milewski, both of N. Carolina;
12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, and
several nieces and nephews.
Lyle attended Oswego High School, he then entered the U.S. Navy from
1943 to 1945. He served in World War II during the
Pacific Campaign. He was partners in Rasbeck Dairy
with his father and brother in the 1950s through the
1970s. He also farmed for a number of years. He was
a truck driver, and retired from Teamsters Local 317.
Lyle also was employed part-time with Halsey Machinery
in Mexico.
He was a life member of Edick-Hamlink Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 369, located in Mexico. Services
will be held Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 4 to 7
p.m. at Harter Funeral Home in Mexico. Graveside
service at Peck Cemetery, located on Co. Rt. 4, Scriba,
Friday, August 1 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions
can be made to the V.A. Hospital or Hospice of CNY.
Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 7/30/2008
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Mosher, Alfred F.
June 11, 2008 Alfred F. Mosher, 73, a resident of Oswego
and a former resident of Central Square, died Wednesday.
He was a 20-year veteran of the US Air Force, serving in
Korea and Vietnam. He resided in Central Square for over
30 years. He was employed for 20 years with the US Postal
Service. |
He was
Post Commander for the American Legion Post #915 from
1995 to 1996 and a Life member of VFW Post 369, Mexico,
New York. He is survived by his first wife, Kay Shiota
of California; a daughter, Barbara (Kevin) Gyda of NJ;
a brother, Thomas (Anne) Mosher of Oswego; a sister,
Mari Hest of Syracuse; a sister-in-law, Ursula Mosher
of Oswego; his friend and former wife, Pauline Vona of
Oswego; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the Dain-Cullinan Funeral
Home in Oswego. Contributions to the American Cancer
Society. www.daincullinan.com Published in the Syracuse
Post Standard on 6/13/2008.
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Gill, Hugh A. (Tree) March 26, 2008 Hugh A. (Tree) Gill,
84, of Mexico, NY passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at
his home. Hugh served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII
in the Pacific Theatre. He was a 60-year member of the Edick-Hamlink
Post #369 VFW Mexico, NY. Hugh was retired from and a 60-year
continuous member of teamsters Local #317, Syracuse, NY.
He also retired from the town of Mexico Highway Dept. Surviving
his wife of 55 years the former Marian Parsons; one son,
James H. Gill of Oswego; one daughter, Joann M. Gill of Mexico;
two grandchildren, Amy and Steven Gill of Oswego; two great-grandchildren,
Haley and Emma; two sisters, Ruth Greenway of Mexico and
Irma Lee Hillick of North Syracuse; one brother DeMilt Graves
of Mexico and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services
will be at a later date in the Mexico Village Cemetery. Calling
hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Harter Funeral Home,
9 Washington Ave., Mexico, NY. Contributions may be made
to Friends of Oswego County Hospice, P.O. Box 102, Oswego,
NY 13126. Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 3/27/2008.
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Schill,
Joseph Thomas
January 13,
2008 Joseph Thomas Schill, 70, of Hastings, NY, died
Sunday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse, NY. He was
a sheet metal worker and an inspector for Carrier Corp.
for 35 years. He was a Marine Corps veteran.
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He was
a life member of the Russell Horning Post #601, the American
Legion of Parish and was past county commander. He was
a member of the Edick Hamlink Post #369 VFW, Mexico,
NY. He was a member of the 40 & 8 Club. He was an
avid hunter, fisherman and an outdoorsman. He was a member
of the Oswego County ATV Club. Surviving: wife of 51
years, the former Beverly Pratt; one daughter, Brenda
Schill of Pulaski; four sons: Thomas of Tully, Scott
of West Monroe, Daniel of Hastings and Rob of Granby;
six grandchildren, Eric Schill, Brandon Schill, Anthony
Armstrong, Brittany Schill, Stephanie Schill and Katelyn
Schill; one sister, Jane Schill of Albuquerque, NM; a
half sister, Sharon Price of North Syracuse; two stepbrothers,
Jack Holton of Rhode Island and Doug Holton of Watertown;
his beloved friend, Sadie. Arrangements by Harter Funeral
Home.
Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 1/15/2008.
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ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY - At Christmas
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| Readers
may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000
-- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington,
Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the
wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done
this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups
of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with
this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable
is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of
the state. |
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