Month: March 2019

HORNELL-Jeffrey L. “Jeff” Pearl, 55, of 213 East Ave., Hornell, died Thursday morning (March 28, 2019) at his home, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on November 30, 1963, he was the son of Leon & Anna (Rogers) Pearl.

Jeff grew up in Jasper, NY and was a graduate of Canisteo Central School (class of 1981). Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the US Army serving his country from 1981-1984. While in the Army, Jeff was primarily stationed at Fort Hood, TX.

Following his honorable discharge from the US Army, Jeff moved to the Canisteo area and has resided in Hornell since 1987.

Employed as a bartender for most of his adult life, Jeff tended bar for several years at the Hornell VFW and later at the Hornell Eagles Club. For 13 years, he served as a bartender at Muhleisen’s Restaurant in Almond and most recently at AMVETS in Hornell. He retired in 2017.

Jeff had been a member of the Hornell American Legion and also the Hornell AMVETS. He was an avid comic book collector, having more than 20,000 comic books in his collection. He also enjoyed collecting rare coins.

He enjoyed watching football on TV and was a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan. He also loved watching the TV show, Jeopardy. Along with his wife, Ginger, Jeff loved spending time at Sugar Creek Glen Campground in Poages Hole Dansville. They also loved going to the annual hill climb at Poages Hole in celebration of their anniversary.

Jeff was married on August 17, 1991 to the former Ginger Preston who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters, Natasha (Michael) Fires of Dansville and Kari (Matt Mills) Pearl of Dansville; 3 brothers, Alan Pearl of Lake Whales, FL, William Pearl of Hornell and Tim Pearl of Hornell; 2 sisters, Denise (John) Pilling of Mansfield, PA and Grace Heckman of Jasper; his granddaughter, Teagen Fires; several nieces & nephews.

At Jeff’s request there will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, (April 6, 2019) from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the AMVETS on the Broadway Mall in Hornell where family & friends will have the chance to share stories about Jeff. Also, if possible, everyone is encouraged to wear the color purple as it was Jeff’s favorite color.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Jeff’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Bath VA Hospital Activities Fund, 76 Veterans Ave., Bath, NY 14810.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.

HORNELL-James Gerald “Jerry” Dunning, 68, of Madison Ave., passed away Tuesday afternoon (March 26, 2019) after a brief illness at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA.

Born in Hornell, NY, July 16, 1950, a son of Robert and Martha (Sweeney) Dunning, he had resided in Hornell all of his life. Jerry was a member of the Hornell First Baptist Church, the Elks, the Hornell Moose Club, the Tiersmen and later on the Star Drum Corps. He was the 1st assistant chief for the North Hornell Fire Department; he had served for 25 years. Until his death Jerry has been Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troup #37 in Hornell; he also belonged to the Order of the Arrow, he has been a part of scouting for over 50 years. Jerry loved spending time with his grandchildren, swimming, playing cards and in the past had enjoyed hunting. Jerry was employed for 20 years at the Hornell Wal-Mart where he was department manager. He was an avid Buffalo Bills fan, no matter what type of season they were having. On April 3rd 1971 Jerry married the former Patricia Anne Rowe who survives; they would have celebrated their 48th Anniversary this coming Tuesday.

He was predeceased by his parents and a niece; Donna Brown-Butcher in 2011.

He is survived by his wife Pat of Hornell, a daughter; Kim (Tom) Power of Olean, a son; Michael “Mike” Dunning of Hornell, 2 grandchildren; Benjamin “Ben” and Eloise “Ellie” Power of Olean, a sister; Sandra (Roger) Schulitz of Rochester, a brother; Robert “Mark” (Diane) Dunning of Perkinsville , sister-in-law; Sandy (Jim) Brown of Hornell, special friends; Randy D’Apice of Hornell and Marty Hendee of Louisiana, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @brownpowersfh. The family is being assisted by David W. Ames, Director.

The family will be present on Sunday from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM , at the Bender – Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St, Hornell. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 AM at St. Ann’s Church Erie Ave, Hornell, Rev. Cedric Cooper officiating. Burial will be in Hornell Rural Cemetery.

Friends may make memorial contributions to: Five Rivers Council, % Gary Decker, 244 West Water St., Elmira, NY 14901.

HORNELL-Leo F. Crosby JR, 77, of 7477 Seneca Road, Hornell, died Monday afternoon (March 25, 2019) at Elderwood at Hornell Nursing Facility, following a long illness.

Born in North Hornell on July 30, 1941, he was the son of Leo & Rose (Generalli) Crosby.

Leo grew up in Hornell and attended Hornell High School. He had been employed for a time at the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad as an electrician apprentice.

Residing in Rochester, NY for nearly 40 years, Leo had been employed as a truck driver for Fay’s Drug Store and later as a bus driver for the Fairport School System. For many years, he owned his own Taxi Cab business in the Rochester area. Originally he owned & operated 3 cabs and primarily worked in conjunction with the Rochester airport. He eventually owned & operated Fairport Taxi and operated throughout the entire Rochester area. He moved back to Hornell about 9 years ago.

Leo enjoyed watching sporting events on TV — especially baseball (LA Dodger Fan), football & basketball.

In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas P. Crosby.

Surviving are 3 brothers, William Crosby of Hornell, Kevin (Lisa) Crosby of Hornell and Michael Crosby of Louisville, KY; 1 sister, Mary Ellen O’Brien of Hornell; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces & great-nephews.

At Leo’s request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Leo’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to Make A Wish Foundation, 4742 North 24th St. (suit 400), Phoenix, AZ 85016 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 – Department 300, Memphis, TN 38148.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.

CANISTEO-Rhonda S. Sawczyszyn, 54, of 28 Green St., Canisteo, died early Monday morning (March 25, 2019) at Highland Hospital in Rochester, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on April 13, 1964, she was the daughter of Raymond & Marjorie (Wing) Aultman.

Rhonda grew up in the Hornell – Arkport area and attended Arkport Central School. Throughout the years, she resided in several locations, including Hornell, Arkport, Florida and had lived in Canisteo for the past 8 years.

She had been employed for a time at Sugar Creek in Canaseraga and had also worked in the Housekeeping Department of St. James Mercy Hospital.

Rhonda enjoyed “Therapy Gambling” and loved playing the slots in various casinos. Over the years, she and her husband, Dana, visited many casinos in various cities, including Atlantic City, Turning Stone Casino, Salamanca, Hamburg, Batavia, Niagara Falls, Nichols and Monticello.

She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Aultman.

Rhonda was married on February 14, 1996 to Dana Sawczyszyn who survives. Also surviving are her step-daughter, Sarah (Jason) Platt of Suffern, NY; her mother, Marjorie McDaniel of Canisteo; her siblings, Tammy (Stephen) Rauber of Canisteo, Richard (Polly) McDaniel of Canisteo, Ray Aultman of Canisteo, Melissa Hammond of Canisteo, Angela Aultman; her step-brothers & step-sisters, Peggy (Cheech) Miles of Canisteo, Chip McDaniel of Rochester and Laurie McDaniel of Canisteo; several nieces & nephews. Although Rhonda did not have any biological children, she considered her nieces, nephews & her many day-care children her own children whom she loved and adored!

At Rhonda’s request there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 4:00 PM at the United Methodist Church of Canisteo.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Rhonda’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to Wilmot Cancer Institute, C/O Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.

CAMERON MILLS-John David Brewer, 92, of County Road 24, passed away early Tuesday morning (March 26, 2019) at Steuben Centers in Bath.

Born in Cameron Mills, NY, June 24, 1926, a son of William and Miriam (Smith) Brewer, he had resided in the Bath area since around 2001, coming from Schenectady. When he was young he moved to Montrose Pennsylvania where he graduated high school. After high school John honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from 1944-1948; he was stationed for a period of time in Puerto Rico where he thoroughly enjoyed spending time on the beach. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Binghamton. He was retired from the NYSDOT where he was chief chemist. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. John traveled the world extensively; while on one of his trips to Europe he purchased an automobile and had it shipped back to the United States. He loved working on ceramics and singing.

He was predeceased by his parents, 2 sisters; Marceline (Sylvester) Suriani and Barbara Brutsman and a niece; Belinda Hoskins.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews; Nancy (Pete) Schneider, Laurie (Phil) Sutton, Joanne (Stanley) Cone, Frank (Roberta) Suriani, Filamina (Don) Peck, Chuck Suriani, Kelly Suriani and Lisa Suriani, a special great niece Allecia Brutsman and her son Garret who were especially helpful the last few months, as well as numerous cousins.

To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @brownpowersfh. The family is being assisted by David W. Ames, Director.

The family will be present on Saturday (March 30, 2019) from 11 AM-1 PM, at the Bender – Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St, Hornell, where funeral services will be held immediately following calling hours at 1 PM, Pastor Pat Neyman officiating. Burial will be in Town Line Cemetery, Cameron Mills.

A memorial service will also be held in June of 2019 when more of the family is able to get together.

Friends may make memorial contributions to: the Salvation Army.