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FLY CREEK—Howard Charles Michaels, known affectionately as Charlie, died August 26, 2023, following a brief illness. He was 89.
A fifth-generation Cooperstownian, Charlie was born and raised in Cooperstown. He graduated from Cooperstown High School then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the signal corps during the post-war occupation of Germany.…
In Memoriam Ronald G. Peters May 28, 1944-February 01, 2023 ONEONTA—Ronald G. Peters, 78, passed away unexpectedly at home on February 1, 2023. Ron was born on May 28, 1944 to William J. and Evelyn M. Peters in NYC. He attended Great Neck High School, where he acquired a band of lifelong friends and graduated in the Class of 1962. He spent the summer after graduation on the Hospital Ship SS Hope on its mission to Peru. He was so interested…
In Memoriam Stephen Timothy Kilty 1933-2023 COOPERSTOWN—Stephen Timothy Kilty, almost 90, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023 after a long, happy life filled with his family, his Catholic faith, work, golf, and travel. Tim was born in Stillwater, Minnesota on June 7, 1933 to Stephen MacGregor Kilty and Harriet Ryden. He attended the Stillwater High School and was involved in many sports, helping the Stillwater Ponies to a sectional championship in basketball in 1951 as a senior. As the…
In Memoriam Sharon W. Sprague, 90 March 25, 1932 – December 17, 2022 WEST WINFIELD – Sharon W. Sprague, 90, of West Winfield, NY passed away at home on Saturday December 17, 2022. Sharon was born on March 25, 1932 in Walton, NY the son of the late Walter A. and Maude E Borden Sprague. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Nellie in 2015, sisters Lu Anne Benjamin and Ellen Stephens, a son Joseph Sprague,…
In Memoriam Patrick F. “Tex” Gorden, Jr., 74 December 2, 1948 – December 13, 2022 MARYLAND – Patrick F. “Tex” Gorden, Jr., who served for many years as a locomotive engineer for The Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad, passed away early Tuesday morning, December 13, 2022, at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center, following a valiant battle with cancer. He was 74. Born December 2, 1948, at home on South Delaware Street in the Village of…
In Memoriam Frank M . Van Auken, 102 May 9, 1920 – November 10, 2022 Frank M. Van Auken, 102, passed away peacefully at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown, NY, on November 10, 2022, where he had lived since February 2018. Frank was born May 9, 1920, at his family home on Fassett Rd. in East Springfield, NY. He was the son of Olen Van Auken and Jennie Marks Van Auken. After graduating from East Springfield School, Frank enlisted in the…
In Memoriam Philip L. Washburn, Esq., 81 November 14, 1940 – October 22, 2022 COOPERSTOWN – Philip L. Washburn, Esq., a long-time resident of Cooperstown and well-respected attorney, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, October 22, 2022, at HarborChase of Prince William Commons in Woodbridge, Virginia, with family at his side. He was 81. Born November 14, 1940, in Gouverneur, Phil was a son of Leonard Bacon Washburn and Marguerite (Halpin) Washburn. After graduating from Gouverneur High School in 1958, Phil…
In Memoriam Leon K. Beach, 73 December 8, 1948 – September 13, 2022 ONEONTA – Leon K. Beach, 73 of Oneonta passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the NYS Veterans Home, Oxford. He was born December 8, 1948 in Oneonta, the son of Kenneth and Margaret Beach. In the summer of 1962 he worked on his grandparents farm while his grandfather was sick with lung cancer. Leon attended Milford and Otego schools and graduated from Unatego Central School in…
Life Sketches by Terry Berkson Thor Dackin, A portrait The current attack on Ukraine reminds me of Russia’s invasion of Hungary back in 1956 and an army buddy who had been a product of the Hungarian Revolution. His name was Thor Dackin. His family upon fleeing Hungary and entering America, settled in Philadelphia. The first time I saw him was in June of ‘65 on the troop train that was carrying us and several hundred other guys down to Fort…
In Memoriam Gerald D. Monroe, 76 September 13, 1945 – May 8, 2022 COOPERSTOWN – Gerald Douglas “Jerry” “Jiggs” Monroe, 76, of Cooperstown, passed away Sunday morning, May 8, 2022, at the Samuel S. Stratton V.A. Medical Center in Albany following a valiant battle with cancer. Jerry, or Jiggs, as many people knew him, was born September 13, 1945, in Cooperstown, a son of Walter J. and Ernestine (Tabor) Monroe. He was raised in Hartwick and attended Hartwick High School.…