Bernard F. Smith, Sr., 88, of 8 Park Avenue, Arkport, died Tuesday, January 18th, 2011, following a brief illness. 

Born in Wayland, NY, on September 27, 1922, he was the son of Fred & Mary (Reigelsperger) Smith.

Bernard grew up in the Wayland-Cohocton area and was a graduate of Cohocton High School.  A veteran of WWII, he entered into the service of his country May 17, 1943, and was stationed in England.  He was a decorated Airman and was honorably discharged October 4, 1945, after the completion of 35 successful missions.  He moved to the village of Arkport in 1949, was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church, and a life-long member of the Arkport American Legion.

He was employed as an auto mechanic for all of his life.  He had been employed at several area businesses including Arkport Motors, Blovsky Ford of Hornell, Perry & Thompson of Bath, NY, and Auto Specialized Service of Hornell.  Bernard eventually purchased Auto Specialized Service from his uncle, Murray Burdett, which he owned & operated in partnership with his son, Bernie Jr., for many years.  The family tradition continues today as Bernie Jr., co-owns and operates the business in Arkport, NY, with his son (Bernard’s eldest grandson) Brad Smith.

Bernard enjoyed his garden tremendously; especially the pursuit of the perfect tomato.  He enjoyed photography and all sorts of technology.  His cooking and baking abilities were well-known and desired among those lucky enough to have sampled them.  His grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately referred to him as their “Poppy” and were a great source of pride and enjoyment to him. Many of his last days were spent tinkering with them on their various projects, tirelessly answering their many questions, and laughing at their antics. 

Samuel D. “Sam” Strickland – 56 – of 10285 Warden Road, Swain, died Monday afternoon (January 10, 2011) at McAuley Manor following a long illness.

Born in Fort Lee, VA on September 16, 1954, he was the son of John O Strickland and the former Joann Dickerson.

Throughout the years, Sam resided in many locations including Virginia, Alabama, New York State & Vermont.  He has resided in Swain for the past 7 years.

After receiving his GED, Sam earned his bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry from the School of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. 

He was a veteran of the US Army, serving his country from 1972 – 1975.  While in the military he was stationed in several locations including Germany.  He was employed for about 20 years with the USDA as a meat inspector, primarily while living in Vermont.

Sam was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and making maple syrup.  He was also a member of the Canaseraga American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his father, John O Strickland, SR.

Surviving are his son, Samuel O. Strickland of Canaseraga; his mother, Joann Wing; 3 brothers; 3 sisters; several nieces & nephews.

Angeline M. “Angie” Mardo – 93 – a former resident of 155 River St. and most recently Updyke’s Willow Ridge Quality Care Facility, died early Sunday morning (January 9, 2011 at St. Ann’s Nursing Facility in Rochester following a long illness. 

Born in Gaelton, PA on June 29, 1917, she was the daughter of James & Josephine (Federico) Gangemi.   She has resided in Hornell for most of her life. 

She was employed for 22 years at the former Tuttle & Rockwell Co. as a home designer and seamstress of custom made drapes & slipcovers.  She retired in 1977. 

Angie was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America; Ladies of Columbus; St. James Women’s Board; and for 16 years served as chairman of area blood banks for the American Red Cross.  She also volunteered her time at St. Ann’s School and for 13 years was a RSVP volunteer. 

She was the 1^st volunteer for the Hornell Public Library Home Delivery Service which began in the late 1970s and is still in operation today.  She was the recipient of a Volunteer Certificate in recognition of 4000 hours of volunteer service from President George W. Bush. 

Angie was an avid New York Yankees fan and enjoyed reading the daily newspaper.  Angie’s greatest joy however was simply being a loving wife & mother. 

Shirley A. Capozzi – 78 – formerly of Hornell, died Sunday evening (December 19, 2010) at Homestead Nursing Home in Penn Yan, NY where she had resided for the past 8 years.

Born in Salamanca, NY on March 27, 1932, she was the daughter of Raymond & Lauretta (Crooks) Gieger.

Shirley grew up in Salamanca and was a graduate of Salamanca High School (class of 1950).  In the mid 1970’s she earned her nursing degree at Alfred State College (SUNY Alfred) graduating top of her class.

She resided in Hornell for most of her adult life and had been employed as a registered nurse at St. James Mercy Hospital for several years.  She later served as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit of the Bath Veteran’s Hospital. She was adored by her patients and highly respected by her colleagues.

Shirley had been a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of both St. Ignatius Loyola Church and St. Ann’s Church. Shirley enjoyed collecting “Precious Moment” figurines and her interests included shopping, country music and reading.  She will be remembered as a woman who had deep love and devotion to her family.

She was married on May 26, 1951 to Joseph A. Capozzi who died February 7, 2005.  She was also preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Gieger.

Leonora M. “Lee” Wing – 82 – of Burleson, TX, formerly of Hornell, died early Saturday morning (January 1, 2011) in Burleson, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on September 25, 1928, she was the daughter of George & Ruby (O’Neil) Baird.

Lee grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1947).  Following high school, she attended beautician’s school and became a licensed hairdresser. 

For several years she owned & operated a shoe store in Woodstock, NY.  Lee later enrolled in nursing school in North Carolina and became a nurse’s aide.  She was employed as a first aide trainer at IBM Corporation in North Carolina and later began working on the assembly line.  She retired from IBM in 1985. 

Lee enjoyed all crafts, especially ceramics, knitting, cross stitching, crocheting & embroidery.  She also enjoyed watching professional & competitive ice skating on television, especially the Olympics, and playing bingo.  She would also spend countless hours watching old movies on TV.

She was married in 1990 to Dale Wing who survives.  Together they resided in several locations, including Hornell, Peoria, AZ, and Chino Valley, AZ.  They have lived in Burleson, TX, for the past 5 years.

Lee was preceded in death by 2 brothers, David Baird & Richard Baird; 2 sisters, Ruby Dailey and Barbara Caudell.

Thomas E. “Tommy” Vondracek, JR – 32 – of 316 Grand St., Hornell, died early Saturday morning (January 1, 2011) as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle-pedestrian accident.

Born in Fort Bragg, NC on August 25, 1978, he was the son of Thomas & Sheila (Burger) Vondracek.

Tommy grew up in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area where he attended Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, NC.  He later received his high school diploma through Fayetteville Tech.  From 1987 – 1990 he & his family resided in Germany.  In 1990 the family returned to Fayetteville where they lived until moving to Hornell in 1998.

Throughout the years, Tommy had worked numerous jobs, including asbestos removal for several demolition projects in New York State and Ohio.  For three summers he was employed by the Village of North Hornell.

Pauline I. Ryan – 96 – formerly of Ohio died Friday afternoon (December 24, 2010) at Updyke’s Willow Ridge Quality Care Facility in Hornell.

Born in Newark, OH on July 2, 1914, she was the daughter of Earl & Elizabeth (Long) Rainey.

Pauline grew up in Newark and was a graduate of Newark High School.  She later graduated from Newark Business School.  She had been employed for several years as a bookkeeper at Heisey Glass Company.

William J. “Bill” Raish SR – 82 – of 3351 Pierce Rd., Canisteo, died Sunday evening (December 5, 2010) at St. James Mercy Hospital following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on October 11, 1928, he was the son of Jesse & Helen (Clancy) Raish.

A lifelong resident of the Hornell / Canisteo area, Bill was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1947).  Following high school, he worked for his father at J.H. Raish Plumbing & Heating for several years.

Bill was a veteran of the US Army, serving his country during the Korean Conflict.  After being honorably discharged from the military, he joined Local Union #13 (Plumbers Union).  He worked for several contractors throughout the southern tier, often in the capacity of superintendent or foreman.  In 1968 he purchased J.H. Raish Plumbing & Heating from his father and in 1970 changed the name to Main Plumbing & Heating which he has owned & operated for the past 40 years.

John R. “Jack” Kohnke passed away with his family at his side on November 10, 2010, following a brief stay at the Leesburg Memorial Hospital.

Formerly of Hornell, N.Y., Jack was born in Pittston, PA, on December 3, 1923, to Robert Russell Kohnke and Mary Catherine King. He was the oldest of three sons.

Jack graduated from Hornell High School in 1941 and was a member of the Hornell High School Basketball Championship team. He was a long time supporter of the Hornell Alumnae Association. As a youngster, he was active in numerous sports; as a parent, he coached his children in a number of sports over the years.

He served his country during WW II in the United States Navy in the Pacific theater and returned to Hornell after VJ Day. He married Edna A. Bash on February 15, 1947, and together they built the “American Dream.”

Margery A. Stephens – 69 – of 1244 Maple Court, Hornell, died early Sunday morning (December 5, 2010) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on August 6, 1941, she was the daughter of Leo & Kathryn (Mosher) Watkins.

Margery grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1959).  She later earned her beautician’s license from Hornell BOCEES.  She was employed for a time at Donna Beaver’s Hair Salon in Hornell and for several years owned & operated The Beauty Mark out of her own home.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church and later St. Ann’s Church.  Margery was a life member and past officer of Alpha Zeta Beta (AZB) Sorority.  She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).