Obituaries published the week of November 22, 2001

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In Memoriam

Edith H. Abbott

Edith H. Abbott, 60, of Avon, died suddenly Nov. 17, 2001, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She was born May 3, 1941, in Fenner, N.Y., the daughter of William and Bertha (Snyder) Roberts. Edith enjoyed craft projects, gardening and family gatherings. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Donald F. Abbott Sr.; a daughter Sharon (Edward) Batte of Springwater; two sons, Donald (Lisa) Abbott Jr. of Conesus and Ronald “Willie” (Anita) Abbott of Avon; five grandchildren; four brothers, Warren (Vickie) Roberts, Ronald (Toni) Roberts and Wayne Roberts, all of Chittenango, N.Y. and Floyd Roberts of Bridgeport, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Howard Roberts and sister Emma “Sis” Kilts. Her Memorial Service was held Nov. 20 at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home Inc. in Avon with Rev. Larry Beman officiating. Memorials may be made to the family.

Richard L. Cox Sr.

Richard L. Cox Sr., 74, of Baldwin Dr., in Dansville, died Nov. 12, 2001, at Noyes Memorial Hospital. He was the father of Richard “Blu's” Cox Jr. who died in 1992. Dick was born in Dansville May 21, 1927, son of the late Charles and Agnes McGriggen Cox. He was married in St. Patrick's Church Sept. 3, 1949 to Helen Applin Cox who survives. Prior to his retirement in 1982 Richard had been employed at Craig Developmental Center in Sonyea for 27 years. Dick's two life passions besides family were the Dansville Fire Department and Scouting. He was a 52 year member of the Protective Fire Company along with memberships in the Livingston County Fire Association, Western New York Fireman's Association and the NYS Fireman's Association. He was honored numerous times for his service including being recipient of the 1991 Dansville Fire Police Award. He also received the Fire Police Awards from Livingston County in 1978 and 1983, Western NY in 1985 and 1991 and NYS Fireman's in 1985. His Scouting achievements included over 40 years of service which he held offices of Commissioner of the Thunderbird District-Five Rivers Council receiving the District Award in 1998 and Distinguished Service Award in 1995. He also served as Chairman for Troop 73 Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Pack 31 receiving their Distinguished Commander Service Award in 2001. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus and a social member of the Fearless Hook and Ladder Company. Dick always enjoyed hearing a good joke as well as being somewhat of an expert joke teller. Besides his loving wife Helen, Dick is survived by two sons, Dennis of Dansville and William (Barbara) of Geneseo; one daughter Jacquelyn (Richard) Fronk of Dansville; brothers, Philip (Irma) and Robert (Joanne) Cox of Dansville; sisters, Ruth Cox of Long, Ky., Margaret Fannaro of Mt. Morris, Mary Flickner and Agnes “Theresa” (Bud) Shull of Dansville; grandchildren, Dennis, Eric, Brody, Lynn, Abbey and Gillian Cox, Tammy Kenney, Molly Higdon, Christina, Jason and Billyjo Fronk. Also surviving are eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Friends called Thursday and Friday at the Chamberlin Funeral Home Inc., 73 Main St. in Dansville. A fireman's prayer service was held at the funeral home Thursday evening. A Funeral Mass was held Saturday at St. Mary's Church. Burial, Greenmount Cemetery. Donations to The Protective Fire Company, Dansville NY 14437 or the Livingston County Hospice, Mt. Morris NY 14510.

Paula S. Knickerbocker

Paula S. Knickerbocker, 70, retired from the United States Census Bureau, died Nov. 13, 2001, at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville. Mrs. Knickerbocker resided in Perry and was previously from Cuylerville. She is survived by her husband Paul; her children, Susan (David) Marie of Knoxville, Tenn., Paul B. Knickerbocker of Pittsford, Jane (Robert) Wisner of Cuylerville; grandchildren, Paul and Amanda Marie of Knoxville, Tenn., Kyle and Evan Wisner of Cuylerville. She was born March 24, 1931 in Rochester the daughter of Paul and Margaret (Burke) Strahm. No prior calling hours. Private funeral services were held Nov. 16 at St. Mary's Church in Geneseo with Father Daniel McMullin officiating. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneseo. A reception was held Friday at the National Hotel in Cuylerville for both family and friends Reference: Rector Hicks Funeral Home Inc., 111 Main St. in Geneseo.

Constance H. Kornbau

Constance H. Kornbau, 93, of West Swamp Road, Conesus, died Nov. 13, 2001, at the Teresa House in Geneseo. She was born the daughter of Joseph and Mary Mealhone Henry in England On Jan. 17, 1908. She was a clerk at SUNY Geneseo for many years in the bookstore. She was predeceased by her husband Clarence “Bud” on Nov. 8, 1978. She was a member of the Lakeville United Church of Christ, the American Legion Auxiliary of Conesus, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW in Dansville. She was also predeceased by her daughter Elizabeth McPerren and son Floyd Kornbau. She is survived by her son LaVerne (Donna) Peeler of Fall River, Wis., Joseph (Joyce) Kornbau of Livonia, Roger Kornbau of Wayland and Peter (Darlene) Kornbau of Ottawa Lake, Mich.; daughters, Ruth Barber of Wellsville and Linda (Thomas) Sargent of Rochester; 31 grandchildren; 57 great grandchildren; and 13 great great grandchildren; sisters, Olive Campbell and Maureen Johnson, both of Canada; several nieces and nephews. Friends called Friday at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Route 15, Livonia where funeral services were held Saturday with the Rev. Lauri Craig officiating. Burial, Union Cemetery in Scottsburg. In lieu of flowers friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the Teresa House, 21 Highland Road, Geneseo NY 14454.

Ashley M. Nevin

Ashley M. Nevin, 17, of Avon, died suddenly Nov. 12, 2001. She was born Dec. 29, 1983 in Rochester the daughter of William S. and Mary (Welch) Nevin. Ashley was a senior at Avon Central School and was employed part-time at the Avon Nursing Home. She was loved by her many friends and coworkers. Her hobbies included caring for animals, enjoying the out-of-doors and listening to music with her friends. She is survived by her parents, William S. and W. Nevin of Avon; a sister Lisa R. Nevin and brother Jamie R. Nevin; her paternal grandmother Ella May Nevin; aunts and uncle, Sandi Irish, Dick and Karen Nevin, all of Avon; and cousins. Friends called Thursday and Friday at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 350 Genesee St. in Avon. Her Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday at St. Agnes Church in Avon. Interment, St. Agnes Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1650 South Ave., Suite 100, Rochester NY 14620.

Alice M. Peri

Alice M. Peri, 76, a retired social worker for Livingston County in Geneseo, died Nov. 14, 2001, at the New York State Veterans Hospital in Batavia. Mrs. Peri lived on Richmond Ave. in Batavia and was previously from Geneseo. She is survived by her daughter Margaret Peri of Batavia; two sons, Lenny (Pam) Peri of Rush, James (Donna) Peri of Geneseo; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sister Marion (Harold) Johnson of Rochester; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Peri in 1983. She was born Oct. 11, 1925 in Geneva, N.Y., the daughter of John and Margaret (Needham) Sweeney. Visitation was held at Rector Hicks Funeral Home Inc., 111 Main St., Geneseo, on Friday and Saturday. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church, 4 Avon Rd., Geneseo NY 14454 or Geneseo Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 428, Geneseo NY 14454. Funeral services were held Nov. 17 at St. Mary's Church in Geneseo with Father Daniel McMullin officiating. Burial, St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneseo.

Leonard Francis Sleight

Leonard Francis Sleight, 89, of 3721 County Road #37, Bloomfield, died Nov. 17, 2001 at his home. He was born the son of Earl and Erma (Marshall) Sleight on March 10, 1912 in North Bloomfield, N.Y. He was a retired contractor working in and around Honeoye Falls, Lima and surrounding towns. He worked with his brothers, Marshall and Vivian and later for his son Kenneth Gail Sleight. He retired in the 60s due to poor health. He is survived by his wife Helen (DeDee) Sleight; daughter Amaryllis (Charles) Shellman of Bloomfield, Susan (David) Van Curan of Rush, and Kenneth (Bonnie) Sleight of Jamestown; grandchildren, Michael Shellman, Brenda (Lenny) Tripp and Dawn (David) Good all of Bloomfield, Katie and Matthew Van Curen of Rush, Jordan, Bryan and Morgan Sleight of Jamestown; great grandchildren, Brandon Tripp, Heather-lyn and Hannah Good, all of Bloomfield; brother Richard Sleight of Honeoye Falls; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Sleight of Honeoye Falls and Anna Staines of Virginia; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Kenneth Gail Sleight, daughter-in-law Sylvia Sleigh, two grandchildren, John and Lynn Sleight, two brothers, Marshall and Vivian, sister Leonara. No Prior calling. His family will receive friends and family for a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Allens Hill United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Allens Hill United Methodist Church, 3898 Allens Hill Rd. (County RD #40), Bloomfield, N.Y. 14469. Arrangements by the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc. in Livonia.