John R. Coburn – 66 – of 5545 Crosby Creek Rd, Alfred Station, died early Sunday morning (March 3, 2013) at his home, following a long illness.

Born in Lackawanna, NY on January 3, 1947, he was the son of John & Mary (Dobbins) Coburn.

John grew up in North Boston, NY area and was a graduate of Hamburg High School (class of 1965).  He was a graduate of Alfred University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Ceramic Engineering and his Master’s Degree in School Psychology.

He retired from Genesee Valley BOCES after 30 years, working at various schools in the district.  Following his retirement, he went on to earn a Paramedic Certificate from Corning Community College.  He also held certifications as an Emergency Medical Technician, EMTII, and Critical Care Technician.

Margaret Anne “Peggy” Rice – 59 – of 17 Harrington Pl., Hornell, went to be with the Lord on Sunday (March 3, 2013) surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

 A native & life resident of Hornell, she was born November 18, 1953 and was the daughter of James & Marion (Baker) Clark.

 Peg grew up in Hornell where she attended Lincoln School and St. Ann’s School.  She later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1971). 

 She was employed for 28 years as a secretary at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) retiring in 2009.  Peggy was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a livelong communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church.  She had also been a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge. 

 Peggy will be remembered as a warm & gentle woman with a heart of gold.  Although she lived a simply, quiet life, she always found time to laugh with her friends or lend a helping hand to anyone in need.  Her true joy in life, however, was simply spending time with her family and caring for her dogs.  She will be truly missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her!

Catherine M. “Cathy” Hogan – 61 – of Rochester, formerly of Hornell, died Saturday afternoon (March 2, 2013) at Mount Carmel House in Rochester, following a brief illness.

 Born in Hornell on January 18, 1952, she was the daughter of Joseph & Catherine (White) Hogan.

 Cathy grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1970). 

 Further education includes a Diploma in Nursing from the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY in 1973, a BS in Nursing Cum Laude from SUNY Institute of Technology Utica/Rome, an MS in Nursing with a specialization in oncology nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978 and a Post-Master’s Certificate as an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA in 1995.

Michelle G. “Mickey” George – 59 – of 34 Sawyer St. Site, Hornell, died Thursday afternoon (February 28, 2013) at St. James Mercy Hospital, following a long illness.

She was born in Hornell on October 12, 1953, and was the daughter of Gilbert & Carmella (Constantino) Carlton.

Michelle grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1971).  She resided in Rochester for several years where she had been employed as a waitress.  After moving back to Hornell, she worked in the meat department of the former ACME Grocery.

Janet T. Grassi – 94 – of 18 Marick Park Drive, North Hornell, died Tuesday afternoon (February 19, 2013) at Rochester General Hospital, following a brief illness.

Born in Hornell on May 25, 1918, she was the daughter of Frank & Mary (Falco) Miller

Janet grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School.  She was employed for several years at the former Merrill Hosiery in Hornell and later worked in the cafeteria at Hornell High School. 

From 1964 – 1968 she and her family resided in Wayne, NJ and Pequannock, NJ.  In 1968 the family moved to Callicoon, NY where they resided for about 3 years.  The Grassi family has resided in the Hornell – Canisteo area since 1971.  In later years, Janet & her husband, Toby traveled extensively throughout the United States, re-connecting with family and lifelong friends.

Linda L. Caruso – (62) – of 475 Seneca Rd., North Hornell and also a resident of Largo, FL, died Monday evening (February 18, 2013) at her home in North Hornell, following a lengthy illness.

Born in Hornell on August 26, 1950, she was the daughter of Anthony & Phyllis (Altieri) Parlave.

Linda grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School.  She later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1968).

She was employed for about 2 years as a secretary for the State of New York.  Linda also worked for several years for Steuben County A.R.C. in Hornell, where she also volunteered.  For many years, Linda served as bookkeeper & secretary for Caruso’s Construction, retiring about 3 years ago.

Joseph T. “Joe” Dropp – 89 – of Susquehanna, PA, formerly of Hornell, died Sunday morning (February 3, 2013) at the Barnes Kasson Nursing Facility in Susquehanna, following a brief illness.

Born in Susquehanna on June 14, 1923, he was the son of Stephen & Katherine (Belko) Dropp.

Joe grew up in Susquehanna and was a graduate of Susquehanna High School.  He was a veteran of WWII serving in the US Air Force.  Joe moved to Hornell in the mid 1940’s where he resided for about 30 years.  He returned to Susquehanna where he has lived for nearly 40 years.

For over 40 years, Joe was employed as a mechanic for the former Erie Railroad, Erie Lackawanna & Conrail, retiring about 29 years ago.  He was considered an extremely talented mechanic despite losing his left arm in a work related accident. 

Diane Lynn (Coogan) Terpstra – 58 – of 44 East Washington St., Hornell, died Monday evening (January 28, 2013) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in North Hornell on September 28, 1954, she was the daughter of William & Joyce (Hallett) Coogan who preceded her in death.

Diane grew up in Hornell where she attended Hornell High School.  She was known for her beautiful flowers she planted in her front yard, and her open door to all family and friends who sat around her kitchen table.  One of the many important things in life for Diane were her children and grandchildren and enjoyment of watching her grandkids play sports. Diane was known for her loving, caring ways towards everyone.  She will always be loved and never forgotten.  

Robert P. “Bob” Fitzwater – 60 – of 6703 Burt Hill Rd., Canisteo, (Town of Howard) died unexpectedly Friday morning (January 25, 2013) at his home.

Born in Bath, NY on May 11, 1952 and was the son of Carson & Jean Strait Fitzwater.

Bob grew up in Bath where he attended Haverling High School.  He was a veteran of the US Navy, serving his country from 1970 – 1974 aboard the USS Independence.

For about 16 years, Bob was employed as a Strip Crew Leader for Morrison – Knudson (M.K.) Corporation and later Alstom Corporation.  He later was employed for about 9 years at TTA Corporation and most recently at Bombardier Corporation.

Marguerite Lorraine Cullen – (89) – a resident of McAuley Manor, went to Heaven Wednesday morning (January 9, 2013) following a long illness.

A native & life resident of Hornell, she was born Christmas Eve 1923 to William & Cecelia (Horton) Furlong.

Marguerite attended Hornell High School, Class of 42 and later earned her Nurse’s Aide Certificate.  Throughout the years, she worked as a “Private Duty Care Giver” and also was employed at Hornell Gardens & Clancy’s Nursing homes.

She had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church and more recently was a communicant of
St. Ann’s Church. 

In her younger years, Marguerite was a tap dancer and actually won $100 in a tap-dancing contest in Hornell in 1937.  She enjoyed playing bingo and also liked to make an occasional wager at OTB.  Mostly she will be remembered as a loving and caring Mother and Grandmother. Affectionately, known as “Gigi” and “Gramma Maggie”