Richard C. “Dick” Duryea – 89 – formerly of 35 Preston Ave., Hornell passed away Friday morning (April 29, 2011) at McAuley Manor, after living a long and peaceful life.  He was surrounded by his three loving daughters. 

Born in Owego, NY on September 7th 1921, he was the son of John E. and Mabel (Bouquet) Duryea.

Dick was a U.S. Navy Veteran, honorably serving his country in WWII from (1942-1945).    He moved to the Hornell area in 1940 and was a graduate of Hornell High School class of 1941.   

His first job was a coach sweeper for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad.  After serving his country he was employed as a licensed electrician for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and later for the General Electric Corporation for many years retiring in 1981. 

Dick enjoyed listening to big band music and had been a drummer for several area bands, including Joe Argentieri’s Band, Carlton Dart Trio and the Versitones. 

Charles F. “Charlie” Bacon – 67– of 174 East Ave., Hornell, died early this morning (Monday, April 18, 2011) at St. James Mercy Hospital, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on October 3, 1943, he was the son of George & Mildred (Hann) Bacon.

Charlie attended Hornell High School and later earned his General Education Diploma (GED).  For several years he was employed as a carpenter & “roofer” for a local roofing company.  For over 20 years Charlie worked as a “Over The Road” (OTR) Truck Driver for several tricking companies, including John Giles Tricking, Fiamingo Moving & Storage and M.S. Carriers.  He primarily served the East Coast.

He had been a member of the Hornell IOOF and a booster member of the Hornell VFW.  He enjoyed hunting & fishing and also enjoyed watching NFL games and rooting for the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.

Nancy M. Losecco – 86 – of 8 Marshall Ave., Hornell, died Sunday afternoon (April 17, 2011) following a long illness.

A native & life resident of Hornell, she was born March 7, 1925 and was the daughter of Joseph & Anna Marie (Generalli) Trentanelli.

Nancy was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1943).  She had been employed as a comptometer operator at the former Erie Railroad for several years.  Nancy was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.

She was married on September 10. 1946 to Salvatore “Toddy” Losecco who died September 23, 2000.  Nancy was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Anthony Trent and Joseph Trentanelli.

Thomas D. “Tom” Turner – 55 – of 6375 Crosby Creek Rd., Hornell, died suddenly Wednesday evening (April 6, 2011) following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on July 26, 1955, he was the son of Robert & Ann (Carson) Turner.

Tom grew up in Hornell and attended Alfred-Almond Central School.  From 1974-1977 he served his country as a member of the US Army National Guard.  He later earned his Associate’s Degree in Human Services at SUNY Alfred.

For 18 years, Tom was employed by St. James Mercy Health System.  For two of those years he worked in the Psychiatric Care Unit of St. James Hospital and for the past 16 years served as a Substance Abuse Counselor in the MATCH Unit.  Throughout the years he also worked several jobs, including photographer for the Hornell Evening Tribune, where one of his pictures was published worldwide in the Stars and Stripes Military magazine.  He also served as a substitute teacher at the Wildwood Campus; worked for the City of Hornell’s Public Works Department; and the former SKF Industries.

Dina M. Gallese – 81 – formerly of 138 East Elm St., Hornell, died Monday afternoon (April 4, 2011) at the Rochester Presbyterian Home in Rochester, NY where she has resided for the past 4 years.

A native & life resident of Hornell, she was born September 8, 1929 and was the daughter of Massimino & Giovina (Radoccia) Ciancaglini. 

Dina was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1947).  Following high school, she was employed at the former Elmhurst Dairy and later worked as a sales clerk at the former Big N Department Store. 

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a lifelong member of St. Ann’s Church where she had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.  She often volunteered her time at the church where she would help clean and also iron the Altar Cloths and Church Vestments. 

Dina, along with her friends, Rita Burdett, Jean Onorato and Mary Onorato, formed a “Neighborhood Bereavement Group” whose purpose was to help grieving families when someone died.  They, as a group, would prepare food and collect money for flowers to help these families in their time of need.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening and would spend countless hours going to garage sales & yard sales.

She was married to Dominic Gallese who died in 1970.  She was also preceded in death by her son, Dominic Gallese II who died in 2002; 3 sisters, Mary Paul, Angeline Roselli and Malvina Schiavi; 1 brother, Albert Ciancaglini.

Carmen A. Cartella – (83) – formerly of Hornell, died early Tuesday morning (March 29, 2011) at St. John’s Home in Rochester where he had resided for the past five years.

Born in Hornell on June 21, 1927, he was the son of Pietro & Mary “Minnie” (Rechichi) Cartella.

Carmen was a graduate of St. Ann’s School, Hornell High School and Alfred State College (Class of 1956).  He was an Air Force Veteran having served in the Philippine Islands.

He had been employed at the former Erie Railroad and later Conrail in the car shops, retiring after 38 ½ years of service.

A member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church, Carmen was a member of Our Lady Chapel Rosary Society.  For over 20 years, he went on retreat at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua.

Carmen was a long time member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus, Hornell American Legion and the G. Carducci Lodge (Sons of Italy)

Erma J. Clark – 89 – formerly of 2 Rural Ave., North Hornell, died Saturday afternoon (March 19, 2011) at McAuley Ave., where she has resided for the past 5 months. 

Born in Renovo, PA on August 23, 1921, she was the daughter of Elmer & Vera (Ames) Weaver.  She resided in Hornell for most of her life.

Erma was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1939).  Throughout the years she was employed at several area businesses including Huegets Textiles of Hornell, Westinghouse Corporation of Bath, Loohns Cleaners of Hornell and returning Stern & Stern Textiles (formerly Huegets) as an inspector.  She retired in 1986.  Following her “retirement”, Erma served as a Home Care Giver for the elderly in the Hornell area.

She was a former member of the United Methodist Church of Hornell.  She was also a former member of the Women of the Moose.  In her younger years, Erma enjoyed square dancing and had been a member of the Buds & Blossoms Dance Group.  She later assisted Dixie Brundage with her Line Dancing Group.

Erma enjoyed many hobbies including ceramics, knitting and sewing.   She was also known as an outstanding cook and especially loved spending all day on Sundays preparing “Sunday Dinner” for her family.  It has often been said that “the Clark family never runs out of mashed potatoes!!”

Robert T. “Bob” Manhart – 75 – formerly of 71 Church St. Court, Hornell, died unexpectedly early Wednesday morning (February 23, 2011) at Sue’s Rest Home in Hornell where he has resided for the past 2 months.

He was born on March 26, 1935, and was the son of Milo & Marjorie (DeGroff) Manhart Sr. & the adopted son of Leona Manhart.

A native & lifelong resident of Hornell, Bob attended school in Hornell.  In his younger years he had been employed in the maintenance department of the Steuben County Department of Social Services.  He was also a laborer doing farm work in Burns, NY. 

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.