Obituaries published the week of August 7, 2003

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In Memoriam

Ruth R. Culbertson

St. Michael's Church member

Ruth R. Culbertson “Mickey”, 91, died May 28, 2003 at the Episcopal Church Home in Rochester. Mrs. Culbertson resided at 41 South St. in Geneseo prior to her entry into the nursing home. She is survived by one daughter, Shirley (Howard) Budd of Rush; one son, James (Carolyn) Culbertson Jr. of Indianapolis, Ind.; two grandchildren, Ruth R. Culbertson of Indianapolis and James Culbertson III of Osaka, Japan; one nephew, Ellsworth Swift of Cuba, N.Y.; several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Samuel Culbertson in 1995. She was born Aug. 24, 1911 in Cuba, N.Y. the daughter of Arby and Chella (Carrier) Rowley. She was a graduate of Geneseo Normal School. She was a longtime member of St. Michael's Church and the Geneseo Garden Club. No prior calling hours. Memorial Services were held Aug. 2 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Geneseo. Interment, Temple Hill Cemetery in Geneseo. Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Church, 23, Main St., Geneseo NY 14454. Reference: Rector-Hicks Funeral Home Inc., 111 Main St. in Geneseo.

Stephen H. Duffy

Conesus resident

Stephen H. Duffy, 50, of Clark Road, Conesus, died July 29, 2003 at his home. He was born the son of Howard and Mary Ragon Duffy on June 6, 1953 in Rochester. He was employed at Kirkwood Oil in Lima. He was a 1971 graduate of McQuaid High School and was a member of St. Joseph's/St. William's Church Faith Community. He is survived by his parents, Howard and Mary Duffy; brother, Martin (Maria) Duffy; sisters, Patricia Duffy, Martha (Brian) Dexter, Catherine (Philip) Semrau; sister-in-law Ada Duffy; nieces and nephews, Ragon Duffy, Mae Coffman, Gregory and Tricia Semrau, Chloe and Matthew Dexter and Anthony Duffy; best friends, Mary and Cindy McHugh. No prior calling. Friends attended his Funeral Mass Saturday at St. Thomas More Church, East Ave., Rochester with the Rev. Lee Chase officiating. Burial, Whitehaven Memorial Park. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the St. Joseph's/St. William's Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 77, Livonia NY 14487. Arrangements, Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 21 Big Tree St. in Livonia.

John R. Harper

Officer of Harper Sales, Inc.

Avon-Conesus Lake: John R. Harper, 58, died suddenly July 31, 2003 at his home on Conesus Lake. He was born on April 24, 1945 in Rochester the son of Ralph S. Harper and Genevieve (Gay) Harper. John was an Officer of Harper Sales, Inc., a family business of manufactured home. He was a 29 year member of the Avon Rotary Club where he served as president, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a life member of Michigan State University Alumni Association. He served in the National Guard for 6 years. He was predeceased by his mother Genevieve Harper in 1995. He is survived by is wife of 34 years, Margo (Hayden) Harper of Avon; two sons, Joel (Julie) Harper of Honeoye Falls, J.Randall “Randy” Harper of Avon; granddaughter Elizabeth Harper; father Ralph S. Harper of Penfield; two brothers, Ralph R. (Helen) Harper of Pittsford, James (Constance) Harper of Rush; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Geoffrey (Karen) Hayden of Marion; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Calling hours will be held Tuesday 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc. in Avon where Funeral Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. with Deacon Edward Mathis officiating. Interment, Mendon Cemetery, Mendon, N.Y. Memorials may be made to the Avon Rotary-Lions Ambulance Fund, 60 Temple St., Avon NY 14414 or the Rotary Foundation-Polio Plus c/o Avon Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1, Avon NY 14414 in his memory.

Mary Elizabeth Hogan

Retired school teacher

Mary Elizabeth Hogan, 89, of Tuscarora Ave., Geneseo, formerly of Newton Centre, Mass., died July 29, 2003 at Highland Hospital. She was born the daughter of John and Julius A. Leary Herlihy on May 12, 1914 in Newton, Mass. She was a retired school teacher of the Newton and Needham Public Schools in Massachusetts. She was the wife of the late William Edward Hogan Sr. She is survived by her children, Jane F. of Geneseo, Anne L. of Fullerton, Calif., William E. Jr. of Williamsville, N.Y.; grandchildren, Kelsey E. and Allison M., both of Williamsville; special friend Katherine R. Buxton of Fullerton, Calif. Funeral Services will be held in Needham, Mass. with burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the Hope Hall School, 1612 Buffalo Road, Rochester NY 14624. Arrangements: Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 21 Big Tree St. in Livonia.

Richard J. LaDelfa

St. Petersburg resident

Richard J. LaDelfa (Dick), 78, of St. Petersburg, died July 23, 2003 at Seminole Nursing Pavilion. Born in Rochester, he went to St. Petersburg in 1956 from Mt. Morris. He retired after 24 years as a retail advertising salesman for the St. Petersburg Times. He enjoyed collecting antiques. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Marilyn J.; three sons, Larry J., Kenneth E. and Richard M., all of St. Petersburg; a brother, Robert of Mt. Morris; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Reference: Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

Richard W. Lyness Jr.

York resident

Richard W. Lyness Jr., 54, of 2461 Dow Road in York, died Aug. 1, 2003 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was born in Warsaw, N.Y. on June 15, 1949 the son of Richard W. Lyness and Irene Fitzimmon. He was a farmer most of his life and worked for the Donnan Farms in York. He is survived by his wife Geraldine (Harcleroad) Lyness; mother Irene Lyness of York; daughter, Michelle (Todd) Kelly of Perry; two sons, Richard W. (Daphane) Lyness III of York and Daniel (Elizabeth) Lyness of Linwood; four grandchildren, Rebecca, Alyssa, Jessica and Benjamin; two sisters, Ruth Ann Taft of York and Cheryl (Paul) Harcleroad of York; one brother, James (Renee) Lyness of York; several nieces and nephews. Calling hours were held Aug. 3 at Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, Inc., 111 Main St. in Geneseo where Funeral Services were held Aug. 4 with Rev. Joy Bergfalk officiating. Burial, Pleasant Valley Cemetery in York. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Dian M. McQuaig

Floral designer

Dian M. McQuaig, 65, of Caledonia, died July 30, 2003 at her home after a long illness. She was born Dec. 7, 1937 in Rochester to Frederick and Madeline (McEntee) Clark. Dian was a floral designer for All Around Floral Shop, Mt. Morris. She was also a member of Ladies Auxiliary, Caledonia Fire Department. She is survived by her husband, Wallace McQuaig of Caledonia; daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and Rocco Mesiti of LeRoy, Kari and Robert Reed of Mumford; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Gina McQuaig of Caledonia; grandchildren, Crystal Reed, Rocco and Nicholas Mesiti; brothers, Herbert (Denise) Clark of Naples, Timothy (Viviam) Clark of Bergen; sister, Patricia Palmisano of Brighton; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Her daughter, Traci and parents, Frederick and Madeline Clark predecease Dian. Friends called Thursday, 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Alhart Funeral Home, 3068 W. Main St., Caledonia. Her Funeral Service was held Friday at St. Columba Church. Interment, St. Columba Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Genesee Valley Chapter, 3300 Monroe Ave. Ste. 319, Rochester NY 14618 or American Cancer Society, 1400 Winton Rd. N., Rochester NY 14609-5896.

Alice Reed Stirling

Livonia Central School graduate

Alice Reed Stirling, 78, died July 19, 2003 in Bartlett, Tenn. after a short illness. She was a 1942 graduate of Livonia Central School. For many years she was a civilian employee at Memphis Naval Air Station in Millington, Tenn. She was predeceased by a daughter, Pam and son-in-law, Ray DePriest; sister, Edith R. Luce and parents, Ruth S. and Willard W. Reed. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jack V. Stirling of Bartlett, Tenn.; a daughter, Laurie (Bill) Casto of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren and one great granddaughter; three sisters, Jean R. Coykendall of Orange, Calif., Ruth R. (Ed) Banks of Export, Pa. and Rachel R. (Elwood) Long of Geneseo; sister-in-law, Betty Parnell of Lincolnshire, Ill.; a brother-in-law, Leonard Stirling of Pamplin, Va.; many nieces and nephews. Memorials will be held at the convenience of the family.

Shirley M. Turcotte

Honeoye resident

Shirley M. Turcotte, of Honeoye, passed peacefully Aug. 4, 2003 at Thompson Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered by her husband, Will; her two sons, Scott (Mary), Mark (Cindy); her two daughters, Dawn (Mario Madau) and Lynn; her seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter will miss her dearly. A special “Thank You” to the nurses and staff of Thompson Memorial Hospital. Friends and family called Aug. 6 at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 8796 Briggs St. in Honeoye. A Mass will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church, 8761 W. Main St. in Honeoye. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1440 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago IL 60607.

James E. Vernoy

Retired Spanish teacher

James E. Vernoy, 66, died July 25, 2003 at Highland Hospital in Rochester. He was born on April 23, 1937 in Rochester the son of Darwin Vernoy and Ann (Evans) Vernoy. He was a retired Spanish teacher for the Rush-Henrietta School District. He enjoyed reading, woodworking and his family. He is survived by his wife Edna (Tubbs) Vernoy of Lima; two sons, Mark (Shari) Vernoy of California, Thomas Vernoy of New Jersey; beloved family member Teresa Hartford; two grandchildren, Johnnie Nicole and Brandon James Vernoy; sister Valerie Johnson; several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held at the O'Connell-Dougherty Funeral Home in Lima with Rev. Bill Pegg officiating. Memorials may be made to the Lima Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 335, Lima NY 14485, Pet Pride of New York, 7731 Victor-Mendon Road, Victor, NY 14564 or Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport NY 14450 in his memory.

Merle P. Wingate

Livonia resident

Merle P. Wingate, 79, of North Street in Livonia, died Aug. 3, 2003 at his home. He was born the son of Roy and Ethel Trescott Wingate on Feb. 4, 1924 in Livonia. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Wingate in 1995, his brothers, Floyd, Earl, Karl Wingate. He was an owner of the Wingate Sand and Gravel. A lifelong member of the Livonia Fire Department, the Hemlock Lake Union Agriculture Society (Fair), the Conesus Lake Sportsman's Club, the L.A. & L. and Livonia Rotary. He is survived by his children, Joyce (Philip) Boyden of Vestal, N.Y., James R. Wingate of Livonia; grandchildren, Cameron and Shane Boyden; brothers, Harmon Wingate, Glenn (Shirley) Wingate, Gordon (June) Wingate, all of Livonia; several nieces and nephews. Friends called Monday and Tuesday at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., Route 15 in Livonia. A Graveside service was held following Tuesday calling at Union Cemetery in Livonia. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the Livonia Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 8, Livonia NY 14487.

Pamela J. Yull

Geneseo resident

Pamela J. Yull, 50, of 3365 Avon Road in Geneseo, died July 27, 2003 at her residence after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her husband Don; her children, Ashley and Camden Yull at home; her parents, Gene and Viola White of Greece, N.Y.; two sisters, Renee (Bob) Ward and Tracie (Tom) Doerner, both of Greece; several nieces, nephews and cousins; Special thanks to Dr. Lawrence Shulman and his team at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass. She was born May 6, 1953 in Rochester the daughter of Eugene and Viola (Cooper) White. She earned her Associates Degree in Business at Monroe Community College in Rochester. Visitation was held at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home Inc., 111 Main St. in Geneseo on Tuesday. Funeral Services were held July 30 at the York United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Neil Frood officiating. Burial, Pleasant Valley Cemetery in York. Memorials may be made to the Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, Mass. 02115-6084.