North Hornell, NY

Laura M. Suriani, of Cleveland Avenue, died peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

Born in Mt. Morris, she was the daughter of Salvatore and Mary (Peraino) Miceli, and was married to Francis N. Suriani, who died in 1991.

A graduate of Hornell High School, Laura completed real estate and appraisal courses at St. John Fisher College, Ithaca College, Alfred State College, and Corning Community College.  During a trip to Italy, she completed cultural and language courses at the University of Siena.

A New York State licensed real estate broker and notary public, Laura was a well-known and respected real estate professional in the Hornell area for many years, having been associated with a number of local real estate agencies. She was previously employed by the Beneficial Finance Company, and J.C. Penney Company, both of Hornell.

Laura was a member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR), the New York State Society of Real Estate Appraisers, and the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers. She was also a member of the Western Steuben-Allegany Association of REALTORS (WSTAR), where she served as Treasurer and Vice President before being appointed Executive Officer, a position she held for over twenty five years.

She earned numerous real estate awards, including the prestigious Graduate Realtor Institute designation, certificates for completing courses in Executive Officer management, and WSTAR REALTOR of the Year.  Laura was inducted into NYSAR’s Honors Society, and was recognized for her outstanding performance as Executive Officer. She was awarded scholarships by NAR and NYSAR to attend Association Executives Institutes in Georgia, Massachusetts, and Nevada. She also attended Institutes in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Laura arranged for the NAR President to be guest speaker at WSTAR’s 50^th Anniversary Luncheon in Hornell. It was believed to be the first such visit of a national REALTOR President to the Southern Tier. The event was the subject of an article in the REALTOR Association Executives Magazine, entitled, “An AE’s Dream Event Come True”.

Active in community affairs, Laura served on the Boards of the Greater Steuben Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Hornell Camp Fire Council, Jacks and Jills Nursery School, and was a member of the Business Administration Program Review Team at Alfred State College. She also served on the Hornellsville Board of Assessment Review and the North Hornell Zoning Board of Appeals.

Laura was a Cub Scout Leader and later Troop Committee Chairperson of North Hornell Boy Scout Troop 37. She was involved in organizing the first Candlelight Ball at Hornell High School, and was the North Hornell Coordinator for the March for Youth Fund Drive. She served as Co-Chairperson of the Hornell Community Chest Campaign, and interviewed local community leaders on Hornell radio station WWHG’s “Youth Wants to Know” public affairs program.

She is survived by her children: Sammy, Raymond, Donald, and Susan; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

At Laura’s request, there will be no calling hours.  Private services will be held at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.  Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fremont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Hornell Volunteer Fire Department, 1 West Maplewood Ave., North Hornell, NY 14843.

Debra A. Healey – (63) – of 531 Dungan Road, Hornell, NY (Town of Bishopville), died early Friday morning (January 28, 2022) at her home, following a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Born in North Hornell on November 8, 1958, she was the daughter of Jesse & Audrey (Myhers) Pryor.

Debra grew up in Arkport and was a graduate of Arkport Central School (class of 1976).  While in high school, she loved playing sports, including softball & volleyball.

She was employed and later served as office manager at Hornell Agway Store in Hornell.  She also served as manager of Wilson Farms Convenience Store in Hornell.

Debra enjoyed knitting & crocheting and created beautiful Afghans which she gave to family & friends.  For several years she donated her time to the youth of the community by serving as softball coach.  She was a member of the Arkport American Legion.

She was married on July 10, 1999 to Kevin T. Healey who survives.

In addition to her husband, Debra is survived by her children, Jon Faulkner of Rochester and Lyndsey Faulkner of Rochester; 3 brothers, Scott Pryor of Atlanta, GA, Mike Pryor of Raleigh, NC and Jay (Kelly Riome) Pryor of Rochester, NY; 1 sister, Donna (Jeff) Sherwood of Bath, NY; several nieces & nephews.

At Debra’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. 

Debra’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843.

Marylou (Clark) Kelleher, age 94, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

She was born in Hornell on February 25, 1927, the daughter of Harlo & Mary Isabelle (Monaghan) Clark.  Marylou resided in Hornell for most of her life and moved to the Fairport and Pittsford areas in 2008 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. They were always her pride and joy.

She is predeceased by her husband John F. Kelleher; sister, Ruth McInerney; and brothers, Robert Clark and James Clark.

Marylou is survived by her children and their families, Bonnie (Lance) Casselmon of Manlius, NY, Susan (Joseph) Zuniga of Pittsford, NY, Daniel (Theresa) Kelleher of Penfield, NY, John (Ann) Kelleher of Penfield, NY, Julie (Glenn) Latulipe of Pittsford, NY; sister Jean Kubiak of Hornell, NY; 14 grandchildren; Katie and Shane Casselmon, JP and Conor Zuniga, Ryan (Erin) Kelleher, Heidi (John) Costello, Eric Kelleher, Kyle (Lauren) Kelleher, Kasey and Kevin Kelleher, Adam, Alexandria, Emily and Morgan Latulipe; cousins and several nieces & nephews.

Growing up in Hornell, she was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1944).  She later attended Florida State University in Tallahassee FL.

While living in Hornell, Marylou was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  More recently, she was a member of St. John of Rochester Parish in Fairport.

Marylou was a former telephone operator for Bell Telephone, working in Hornell, Corning & Geneva.  She had been a member of St. Ann’s Mother’s Club; a member of the AZB Sorority; and a St. Ann’s Boy Scout Den Mother.

Marylou was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be forever missed and never forgotten!

Family and friends are invited to the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St, Hornell, on Friday February 4th from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 5^th at 1:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church, Hornell. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Those wishing may remember Marylou with a memorial contribution in her name to either St. Ann’s Church, 27 Erie Avenue, Hornell, NY 14843 or St. Ann’s Academy, 41 Genesee Street, Hornell, NY 14843.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

Doris J. Congdon – (79) – of 69 Bennett St., Hornell, passed away  Wednesday afternoon (January 26, 2022) at her home with family around her, following a Long illness.

Born in Canisteo, NY on December 8, 1942, she was the daughter of William & Mary (Deason) Whalen.

Doris grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1962).  While in high school, she was employed in the dietary & housekeeping departments of St. James Mercy Hospital.

Following her high school graduation, Doris worked at Loohn’s Cleaners for about one year and later for Gunlock Corporation in Wayland for about one year.  Returning to St. James in the early 1970s, she worked in the laundry and central supply departments for the next 34 ½ years, retiring in 2005.

Doris was a member of the Hornell Association, the Loyal Order of the Moose and the AMVETS.  She was a Buffalo Bills Football fan and enjoyed rooting for the New York Yankees.

She was married on April 27, 1964 to Charles “Chuck” Congdon who died October 20, 2008.  Doris was also preceded in death by her grandson, Jamie Travis who died May 20, 2020; 2 brothers, William Whalen and Gerald Whalen; 1 sister, Rachael Stevens.

Surviving are 2 sons, Charles (Colleen) Congdon of Canandaigua, NY and Gerald (Petra) Congdon of Middlesex, NY; 1 daughter, Karen (Jimbo) Travis of Hornell; 1 sister, Patricia Harwood of Hornell; 5 grandchildren, Zachery Congdon, Marissa Congdon, Michael Schultz, Stanley Schultz and Mari-Margaret Travis; 1 great-granddaughter, Emma  Cancilla, Princes Charles J’erome Schultz; several nieces & nephews.

The family of Doris J. Congdon will receive friends on Thursday from 11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  Funeral & committal services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 1:00 PM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Doris’ family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 435 East Henrietta Road,          Rochester, NY  14620 or by visiting www.alz.org.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

Clair F. Almeter – 101 years young, died Monday evening (January 24, 2022) at his home, following a brief illness.

Born in West Almond on December 4, 1920, he was the son of Jacob & Mary (Schwab) Almeter.

Clair grew up on Jersey Hill in West Almond and, along with his 9 siblings, would walk nearly two miles to the one-room schoolhouse near their family farm.

For several years, Clair worked on the Almeter Dairy Farm and for about 15 years was employed at the former Erie Railroad primarily working in the Freight House.  For many years, he was employed as a plumber in the maintenance department at Alfred University.  He retired at the age of 65.

Clair was a 70 year communicant of St. Brendan’s Church of Almond.  He had a deep appreciation of nature and loved taking long walks in the woods and bird watching.  Clair was a hunter & fisherman and enjoyed working in his vegetable garden and flower garden.

He was married on May 16, 1946 to the former Mildred Alice George who died February 25, 2004.  Clair was also preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Clair Almeter who died April 22, 2021; 5 brothers; 4 sisters.

Surviving are his daughter, Patricia “Pat” (Bill) Childs of Wellsville; his daughter-in-law, Paulette Almeter of Almond; 4 grandchildren, Cary (Eileen) Childs, Lisa (Damon) Flick, Amy (Tom) Mingle and Jodie Carlin; 6 great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.

The family of Clair F. Almeter will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:30 AM at St. Brendan’s Church of Almond with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Almond, NY.

Clair’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to either St. Brendan’s Church, 11 South Main St., Almond, NY 14804 or to the Almond Fire Department, 1 Marvin Lane, Almond, NY 14804 or to the Almond Public Library, 42 North Main St., Almond, NY 14804.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

Bath, New York

Barbara A. “Barb” Percival – 79 – formerly of East Washington St., Bath, died early Sunday morning (January 16, 2022) at the Steuben Center in Bath where she resided for the past year.

Born in Bath on November 12, 1943, she was the daughter of Francis & Florence (Stucker) Covell.

She resided in Bath, NY and had been a cook at the Chat-A-Whyle Restaurant in Bath.  Barb was married to Andrew H. Percival who died May 25, 1994.

Surviving are her son, Andrew Percival of Crestview, FL; her daughter, Diane Vann of New Braunfels, TX.

At Barb’s request there will be no calling hours or service.

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

Barb’s family request that I lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Arkport, New York

Lavonne E. Sick – 76 – of 7940 State Route 36, Arkport, NY, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon (January 16, 2022) at her home.

Born in Pennsylvania on May 10, 1045, she was the daughter of Emerson & Daisy (Sager) Sick.

A resident of Pennsylvania for most of her younger years she had lived in Arkport for the past several years and had been employed in the cafeteria at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gaylord Sick.

Surviving are aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews.

At Lavone’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.

Lavone’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Joan P. Price, widow of Dr. Alfred R. Price, died at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, NY, Jan. 1, 2022, of complications from the Covid virus. She was 95.

She was born in 1926 in Philadelphia, Pa., the eldest daughter of Harry and Edna Pauline.

After graduating from high school, Joan enrolled in the School of Nursing at Pennsylvania Hospital, where she earned her RN degree. She subsequently became a surgical/head nurse at Pennsylvania Hospital, where she eventually met Alfred R. “Bob” Price, a young intern from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. They were married in 1953, while Dr. Price was finishing a stint with the U.S. Navy, and during this period, Joan volunteered as a nurse in Baltimore, MD, providing medical and nursing support through the polio epidemic. Following her husband’s Navy service, she and Dr. Price settled in Rosslyn Farms, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where they raised their son, Alfred R. “Rob” Price, Jr.

As a former nurse, Joan developed a keen interest in nursing facilities in the Pittsburgh area. A lifelong Episcopalian, she joined the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Church Home, and assisted in the development and construction of its affiliate, Canterbury Place, which became part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center system. She served as chairperson of the Canterbury Place Board of Trustees as well as a member of the UPMC Board. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Visiting Nurse Association.

Joan was a passionate political organizer also, and played instrumental roles in numerous campaigns at the local and state levels. She volunteered additionally in the 1978 and 1982 gubernatorial campaigns of the late Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh, as well as Thornburgh’s 1991 campaign for the U.S. Senate. Joan also assisted in the election of her brother-in-law, the late Hon. Gwilym A. Price, Jr., to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

For fun, Joan enjoyed vacations at her family’s cabin in northern Ontario, traveling in Europe, and jitterbugging. In 2003, she and her husband moved from Pittsburgh to a retirement community in Chambersburg, Pa., where they relaxed together through the final years of their 68-year marriage.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Rob Price and Susan Morehouse, of Hornell, NY; her beloved granddaughter, Lora Price of Richmond, VA., and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her mother and father, as well as her sisters, Patricia Pauline and Judith Strayer, and her brother, Harry Pauline.

Due to health risks associated with the Covid virus, a private funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Hornell.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Letters of condolences may be mailed to Alfred R. Price, Jr., 106 Chaddock Ave., Hornell, NY 14843.  Donations may be made to the Menno Haven Benevolent Fund, 2011 Scotland Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201 (development@mennohaven.org).

Bath, New York

Ronny A. Forgue – 63 – of 36 Geneva St., Bath, died unexpectedly Thursday (Decemeber 30, 2021) at his home.

Born in Rochester, NY on January 22, 1958, he attended school in Webster, NY.  Throughout the years, Ronny resided in New York State and Florida.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Theodora; his sister, Suzie; and his brother, David.

Surviving are three brothers, Terrance Tears, Brian Barth and Kenny Barth; several nieces & nephews.

At Ronny’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.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Scott E. Bennett – 61 – of  North Main St. Ext., Hornell, died Thursday evening (December 30, 2021) at Noyes Memorial Hospital following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on January 9, 1960, he was the son of William & Patricia (Davis) Bennett.

Scott, born and raised in Hornell, was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1978).  While in high school, Scott was an avid baseball player where he played catcher for the Hornell Red Raiders. With a passion so strong for the sport, Scott spent his daughters youngest years spending hours in the yard, teaching her how to be a catcher just like him.

At the age of 18, Scott began his career with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) where he served on the Bridge Maintenance Crew and as a Drill Rig Operator.  He retired on January 30, 2015 following 38 years of service. Scott also served as a member of the AMVETS and the American Legion.

In his younger years, Scott enjoyed fishing (lake & stream) and in recent years loved taking daily walks.  He was a New York Yankee (MLB) and a Buffalo Bills (NFL) Football fan.  Scott enjoyed watching the hummingbirds as they gathered around his hummingbird feeders which he had on his porch.  He also enjoyed the time he spent tending to his many “hanging plants.”

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Bill & Pat Bennett; and his brother, William “Mike” Bennett.

Surviving are his daughter, Erin (Eric Slocum) Bennett of South Dansville; 2 brothers, Tim Bennett of Arizona and Jeff (Bridget) Bennett of Dinwiddie, VA; 1 sister-in-law, Karen Bennett ; 1 Aunt, Betty Pauly; 1 niece, Brooke (Mike) Pfister; 2 nephews, Jesse (Kristin) Bennett and Joe Fiegl;1 great-niece, Nellie; 4 great- nephews, Michael, Jacob, Benjamin and Jax.

At Scott’s request there will be no calling hours.  A “Celebration of Life” will be held at date & time to be announced.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Scott’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843.