All Obituaries

ITHACA – Clayton L. Dans Jr, 86, beloved husband and father, died Friday, May 19, 2023 at Cayuga Medical Center after a short illness. Clayt, the son of Clayton and Gertrude Mack Dans was born June 29, 1936 in Cortland Memorial Hospital, Cortland, NY.  On July 5, 1958 he was married to Geraldine “Gerry” Frady and has lived in Freeville since then in the same house. Clayt cherished his family and home. He worked at the Smith Corona Corp in Cortland prior to...

James D. McBain, 64, of Locke, NY, formerly of Lowville, passed away Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca NY after a long battle with Lung Cancer. James was born October 10th, 1958 in Lowville, NY. He is the son of Virginia and Ralph McBain. He attended Albion High School.  James worked on a crop farm for many years, as well as a few dairy farms in Lewis County. He also worked at his friend Bruce's garage for a years changing oil and brakes on...

Emmanuel Ofori Akyea, age 82 of Dryden, NY passed away May 16, 2023.  Emmanuel Ofori Akyea, or “Togbe” as he was known, was born on December 1, 1940, in Lateh in the Eastern Region of Ghana, West Africa. He was a native of Peki. “Togbe” is an honorific Ewe word meaning grandfather and elder. The first of 11 children, Togbe’s father set a high bar. His mother, Rosa Akyea, was an industrious homemaker and loving parent. His father, Felix Akyea, was an...

Margarita Grigoryeva (July 4, 1936 - May 15, 2023) passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a cherished legacy as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born on July 4, 1936, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Margarita was the youngest of four children born to Edward and Margarita Vigeant. Her early years were marked by adversity when her family, due to their German roots on her father's side, was displaced to Kazakhstan during World War II. Tragically, her father was drafted...

Clarence Aaron Marquis (89) horse wrangler, champion pie eater, meandering driver, and friend to all, passed away Friday, May 12th.  He leaves a legacy of love across generations, and a demonstration of true community, generously giving of his time to anyone who needed a hand. Born to James and Ethel Marquis on March 16th, 1934, Clarence and his four siblings, Ken, Kathleen, Kermit, and Cliff (all deceased) were raised on the family farm in Freeville, NY. After graduating from Dryden...

Edward J. Harris, 101, of Harford, NY went home to be with the Lord on April 22, 2023. He was born in Groton, NY on April 19, 1922. He is predeceased by his parents, Edward B. Harris, and Dorothy Twinning Harris; his sister, Mary Harris and his loving wife of 67 years, Jeanne Diamond Harris. He is survived by a close, loving family that includes his two children, Edward C. Harris (fiancé, Diane Lewis) of Panama City, Panama and daughter, Deborah J. Shelley (husband, Lloyd) of Dryden,...

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023 Walter Robert Lott, loving husband, father, and grandfather, of Dryden, New York, passed away at the age of 86. Walt was born December 9, 1936 in Troy, New York. He graduated from Lansingburgh High School and joined the Air Force, proudly serving for 20 years. After his service, Walt worked in both flooring and automotive sales. On September 14, 1968 he married Sylvia Millick and together they raised four sons, Troy, Eric, Dave, and Steve. One of Walter’s...

Marsha A. Waters, age 60 of Freeville, NY passed away Friday, April 28, 2023. Born June 17, 1962 in Elmira, NY she was the daughter of the late Leroy F. Inscoe and Eleanor Kelly Stickane. First and foremost, she was a Caregiver to anyone in need, especially her friends at Unity House, who were very special to her. She had a very quirky sense of humor and was a shopaholic, using shopping as a form of therapy. Marsha is survived by her partner, Javon Waters of Freeville, NY; daughters, Gina...

Marian (Preston) VandeVelde, Born December 15, 1922 in Apulia Station, NY, passed away at the age of 100 on March 27, 2023 after a year of health issues.  Marian is survived by her daughter Shirley Bennett Baker (FL), grandchildren Duane Baker (TX) and Denise Baker (NY), who were the highlights of her life. She is also survived by niece Sharon Nedrow, nephew Kevin (Barbara and their 3 daughters) Clifton Springs, NY, Barbara Preston Springfield (TX) and other nieces & nephews. ...

Stephen James Moyer, age 68 of Brooktondale, NY passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023 at his home. Born August 2, 1954 in Ithaca, NY he was the son of Rodney Moyer and the late Barbara J. Dickens Moyer. Steve had been employed as a foreman with the City of Ithaca, a school bus driver with Ithaca City School District and was a driver for Weitsman Steel. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying anything that involved being outdoors. Yearly rendezvous camping and canoeing expeditions were a summer...