Death of former Times receptionist Pat
http://www.fakenhamtimes.co.uk/nw24/...0204143822.jpg
Pat Newstead

05 February 2009

A woman who was a well-known figure in the Fakenham area in her role as a receptionist for the Fakenham and Wells Times and its sister paper the Eastern Daily Press, has died after battling Motor Neurone Disease.

Pat Newstead, 68, died at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Before going into hospital she had been living at the St Nicholas Nursing home in Sheringham. She had also been a day patient at the Tapping House Hospice in West Norfolk.

Her husband, Bill, to whom she was married for 48 years, said Pat loved her job at the newspaper's old office on Bridge Street and in the 14 years from 1974 that she worked there she became a well-known and popular face in the town.

“Pat loved the job and was heart-broken when she had to retire after suffering a heart attack in November 1988,” said Mr Newstead.

She was born in Fakenham but moved to Wells as a toddler and she and Bill were married in the town's St Nicholas Church in 1960.

Mr Newstead said his wife enjoyed attending the Tapping House Hospice one day a week and he couldn't praise enough the level of care and support she was given by the staff and volunteers. “There are some wonderful people there and the level of care is second to none,” he said.

The couple had no children but Pat is survived by two sisters, Dawn, Yvette and a brother, John.

The funeral is being held tomorrow at the Mintlyn Crematorium, King's Lynn at 12.15pm. Donations are invited for the Tapping House Hospice and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

McKAY, RAYBURN L. (SCOTT)

Born April 12, 1950 Died January 12, 2009

Born in Bay City, Michigan to William C. and Mary Lou McKay, Scott made San Diego his home for the past 16 years. He was an avid sailor having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and retiring as a Captain in 1996.

He will be lovingly remembered by his two children, Maggie and Bud; his father, William (wife Cathy); brother Bill (wife Mary); and sisters, Leslie and Lynda.

A brief Memorial Service was held Saturday, January 17th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mission Bay Yacht Club, 1215 El Carmel Place, San Diego, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to be made in his honor to the ALS Association which can be found online at www.alsa.org/donate.

https://www.usna.com/SSLPage.aspx?RS...obits&pid=7177

Slatington woman dies in 'suspicious' house fire
Smoky blaze claims life of widow, who was afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease.
By Andrew C. Martel | Of The Morning Call
February 5, 2009



Lisa and Larry House were dying together. So they decided to make the time they had left count.

In 2007, the Slatington couple rented a car and drove cross-country to Montana, where they spent a few weeks in a cabin.

''That was their dream: to buy a cabin and live in the woods,'' said Larry's sister, Rilinda Fetherolf. ''We were shocked ..., but when they came back safely, we were so glad they took it.''

Larry died last August at age 50 from complications related to a decades-long battle with cancer. Lisa, 47, had endured amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease, since 2007.



But the disease didn't kill her. She died early Wednesday after a fire trapped her in her bedroom. An unidentified person escaped from the home, the Slatington fire chief said.

The Lehigh County district attorney's office is calling the case ''a suspicious fire and death,'' but authorities said they had not determined what caused the fire at 424 W. Washington St.

House was pronounced dead at 12:11 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, about an hour after the fire started, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said.

She was in cardiac arrest when firefighters pulled her out, but they later regained a pulse before transporting her to the hospital, according to police radio reports.

Slatington Police Chief Dave Bachman said he didn't know whether House's disability prevented her from escaping. ALS is typically a fatal condition in which neurons controlling muscle movement degenerate, causing the patient to lose the ability to move and breathe.

An autopsy was done. The cause of death was attributed to smoke inhalation and the manner of death is pending further investigation, Grim said in a news release.

Lisa House was the only person in the home when firefighters arrived, said Keith Weaver, chief of the Slatington Volunteer Fire Company. He said one person escaped before firefighters arrived and was not hurt. He would not identify that person.

Four people living in the other half of the twin were unhurt. Their house was not damaged and they returned to it Wednesday, Weaver said.

He said heavy smoke was pouring from the roof of the duplex when firefighters arrived, but the fire ''was knocked down relatively quick. The rescue was done relatively quick.''

He estimated 45 volunteers fought the fire.

Slatington police, the district attorney's office and state police are investigating, according to First Assistant District Attorney Steven Luksa.

Fetherolf remembered her sister-in-law as a woman with a beautiful spirit, very helpful, devoted to horses and her husband.

''She called him her 'house man.' They just adored each other,'' Fetherolf said. ''They inspired others to have a better relationship. I know they inspired me to.''

Larry, who was in charge of maintenance at a local motel and at AmeriCold Logistics in Fogelsville, was married to Lisa, a cafeteria services employee for the Northern Lehigh School District, for nearly 16 years. They raised her son, Chad Lever, together. Chad, an adult, was the only person closer to Lisa than her husband, Fetherolf said.

Her home looked only slightly damaged Wednesday. Plywood covered the second-floor windows, and the siding nearby was singed. A pile of toiletries and appliances lay in the driveway, and a wheelchair access ramp ran from there to the front door.

As the family prepared for its second funeral in less than six months, Fetherolf remembered her sister-in-law's generosity. She also recalled their days horseback riding together. Lisa loved horses so much that Larry paid for her weekly riding lessons.

''That was the love of her life: horses,'' Fetherolf said. ''Well, besides Larry.''


http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-...,1538471.story

John Iverson Toland
Chairman of the sociology department at Towson University
By Frederick N. Rasmussen
February 6, 2009

John Iverson Toland Jr., a retired sociology professor and former chairman of the department of sociology at Towson University who also volunteered at a Govans food pantry, died Saturday of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease, at St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 79.

Dr. Toland was born in Birmingham, Ala., and was raised in Atlanta and Columbia, S.C., where he graduated from high school in 1948.

After serving in the Navy from 1949 to 1951, he served in the Army from 1953 to 1955.

He had attended Clemson University and the University of South Carolina before earning a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Tulsa in 1956.



In 1958, Dr. Toland earned a master's degree in sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his doctorate in the discipline, also from UM, in 1969.

"He majored in sociology because it was the only course he got an 'A' in," said his wife of 49 years, the former Elizabeth Ellen Evans.

While earning his master's and doctorate, Dr. Toland worked for three years as a caseworker at Patuxent Institution in Jessup. From 1960 until 1966, he was an instructor in sociology at College Park.

He joined the faculty of what was then Towson State College in 1966 as an assistant sociology professor, and three years later, he was named the first chairman of the newly established sociology department.

"He remained at Towson for 28 years, teaching courses in sociology, criminology and the family while advising hundreds of majors in law enforcement and criminal justice," Mrs. Toland said.

"Jack was the person who was responsible for creating the basis for our criminal justice program back in the 1970s. He made an important contribution to Towson during those burgeoning years of high spirit and growth," said Howard L. Nixon, who was later chairman of the department of sociology.

"He hired people who spent their entire careers at Towson. When I came to Towson, he was the first person I got to know, and he was very helpful to me as a new chair," he said. "He was also a wonderful adviser and took time with students."

Douglas W. Pryor, the current department chairman, said Dr. Toland remained active in the discipline after retirement and continued working with students.

"He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and I talked to him repeatedly for advice," Dr. Pryor said. "He always put his students first. Having his students learn was central to him and what mattered most."

Dr. Toland, who retired in 1994, had lived on Cedarcroft Road for nearly 40 years.

For the past decade, Dr. Toland had been an active volunteer with the CARES (Civic and Religious Emergency Services) food pantry based at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Govans. The pantry is sponsored by the Govans Ecumenical Development Corp.

"He used to walk past my house," said Nancy Clark, a Cedarcroft neighbor and longtime GEDCO volunteer. "One time I said, 'Jack, you want to volunteer?' I picked him up that Monday, and he's been here twice a week ever since. And that was 10 years ago."

Dr. Toland's job was to unpack and sort donated food and organize food packages for clients.

"He was well known to our clients. He was friendly and paid attention to them," Mrs. Clark said. "He was extremely reliable and dependable."

Mitchell Posner is executive director of GEDCO and a longtime friend.

"Jack's role was that of a stalwart, and what he did really was a thankless but necessary task," said Mr. Mitchell. "But he put his heart and soul into it because he wanted to help people."

He recalled that no matter how busy he was, Dr. Toland always had a "minute to talk, offer encouragement or make a suggestion for improvements."

Dr. Toland enjoyed spending time at a vacation cabin on the Cacapon River in West Virginia. He also enjoyed his English sheep dogs, Scottish deerhounds and English springer spaniels, family members said.

Dr. Toland was a member of Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road, where a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Also surviving, are three sons, Daniel I. Toland and Christopher A. Toland, both of Baltimore, and David E. Toland of Madison, Wis.; a daughter, Mary Jo Hoffman of Kent Island; a sister, Jo Heslin, of Port St. Joe, Fla.; and two grandsons.

Former St. Albans mayor 'Jack' Gessel Jr. dies at 81

Lewis Oliver "Jack" Gessel Jr., a former mayor of St. Albans, died Friday at his St. Albans home from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was 81.
By Staff reports

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. - Lewis Oliver "Jack" Gessel Jr., a former mayor of St. Albans, died Friday at his St. Albans home from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was 81.

Gessel served as the city's mayor for four years from 1998 to 2001. He also was a member of City Council for 12 years.

Born in South Charleston, Gessel served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War, and was a member of area American Legion and VFW posts.

He was the retired owner of Gessel's Garage in St. Albans and a member of Washington Masonic Lodge 58 AF & AM, where he served as past master.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Baptist Temple, 1901 MacCorkle Ave., St. Albans, with the Rev. J. David Pence and the Rev. Tim Campbell officiating. Burial with Masonic rites and military honors will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Chapman Funeral Home, 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans.

Sean Forrester Scott (1969-2009)

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2/9/2009

February 9, 2009

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sean Scott, president of the ALS Therapy Development Institute died today due to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). Sean, pictured below with his wife Nancy following their wedding in 2008, was 39 and announced his own passing in an email to his family and friends. The following are excerpts:

"Hello my friends....If you're reading this then I am gone. Dead at 39 of this miserable disease that afflicts my family....Just last year I was worried about turning 40. Now it appears I'll never have the chance..... It's both surreal and horrifying to watch as muscles fail and with them skills that you spent a lifetime developing simply disappear. I'd trade every minute that I've got left for just one more chance to run across the tennis court and crack a forehand....I spent the last decade building an infrastructure to combat this disease. I had declared war on it but in the end it got me first. At a minimum, I think I earned the right to be referred to as KIA and not a victim. I'd prefer that you remember me that way."

Sean became active with ALS TDI when his mother, Vanna, was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. He quickly became a leader on the research and development team - teaching himself neurobiology and reading the anthology of publications on potential therapeutics. He developed the information management system used by the research team - allowing for greater collaboration between research groups and the streamlining of experiments and process. He focused on building the system and infrastructure needed to execute the largest assault possible. With the system built and working, Sean focused on making sure that scientists in the lab had the resources they needed to act on the best ideas quickly, and he sought out the funding needed to speed up the process. He went on the road and met with anybody that would listen. This led him to Augie Nieto and Sharon Hesterlee. The funding provided through the ambitious partnership he brokered between ALS TDI, Augie's Quest and MDA, accelerated ALS research like never before.

Sean was diagnosed with ALS in early 2008. He was married in June of last year to Nancy Kelly, who also devoted herself to the fight with Sean when his mother was diagnosed.

"If you were around for any of the machinations related to my battling ALS you might have mistaken me for an ambitious person. In reality, I did it all so that I wouldn't have to tell the green-eyed girl that I love that I'd be leaving her all alone. You may pity me for having half of my life stolen, but you should know that the part I got to live I lived happily and in love."


In lieu of flowers, the Scott family asks that you live your life as Sean did - as happily as possible, and in love. If you would like to donate to the Sean Scott Fund at ALS TDI you can do so here: http://seanscottfund.alscommunity.org/

Co-founder of Jard'n de Los Niños, passes away at 66 (3:20 p.m.)
By S. Derrickson Moore/Sun-News reporter
Posted: 02/11/2009 03:13:54 PM MST

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LAS CRUCES — Sister Anna Waldschmitt, O.S.F., who co-founded Jard'n de Los Niños in Las Cruces, died Dec. 22 in Dubuque, Iowa. She was 66.

Waldschmitt served for 10 years as director of the shelter for homeless and near homeless children, which she started with Sister Beth Daddio, O.S.F.

"She was loved in the community and one of our two founding mothers who were instrumental in starting and building Jard'n," said Jard'n de los Niños director Shirley Jaquez.

"What she saw the community needed at the time has proven true," Jaquez said. "Sister Anna wrote grants and helped Jard'n become financially stable and provide a model program for children that need assistance, keeping them safe from harm in a loving, nurturing environment,"

In 1995, Waldschmitt and Daddio began providing child care for homeless children in donated space at Peace Lutheran Church. They created a center that became a national model, working with local artists and volunteers on fundraising campaigns that included artists' holiday cards, art auctions and special events.

The two women mobilized help from the Las Cruces community, state and local government grants, and foundation support to build a center in Community of Hope. Jard'n moved to the new building, owned by the city of Las Cruces, in 2002.

Waldschmitt was born Shirley Waldschmitt on Feb. 18, 1942, in Remsen, Iowa, the oldest of six children of Raymond and Agnes Freking Waldschmitt.

In 1960, she joined the Sisters

of St. Francis in Dubuque, Iowa, and began her ministry as an elementary teacher at Melrose Park, Ill., and Garnavillo and Cascade in Iowa. She received a master's degree in religious education and served as a pastoral minister at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minn., in Estherville and Council Bluffs in Iowa, at Holy Family Church in Albuquerque and Holy Cross Church in Las Cruces.
From 1979 to 1984, she served on the formation team for the Sisters of St. Francis. In the late 1980s, she spent six months learning Spanish•Guatemala and returned to volunteer for one year at Casa Romero Refugee Center in Brownsville, Texas.

In 2004, she moved to Iowa and joined the Sioux City Neighborhood Project.

"She ministered among the Hispanic population there as friend and advocate. She was involved in the founding of Clare Guest House, a home of support and safety for women recently released from prison," said Daddio, who has returned to make her home in Las Cruces, where she will be involved with fundraising programs for Jard'n de los Niños.

Waldschmitt was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in March 2006, and moved to a nursing home at her mother house in Dubuque about six months before her death.

At services December in Dubuque, her "personal life vision statement" was quoted: "I foster and participate in communities of healing, celebration and creative change."

She is survived by four brothers and one sister, all living in Iowa, nieces and nephews and her Franciscan sisters, with whom she shared 47 years of her life.

A private memorial service is planned in late February in Las Cruces.

A memorial fund has been established to benefit projects at Jard'n de los Niños. Checks, payable to Sister Anna Memorial Fund, may be sent to Sister Beth Daddio, 1300-G El Paseo Road, #162, Las Cruces, NM 88001.

S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com

http://www.lcsun-news.com:80/ci_11681225

Donald Brady Larson, 1965-2009, Battle Mountain High grad
Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday in Grand Junction
Vail, CO Colorado

Donald Brady Larson, 43, of Grand Junction, passed away Feb. 6 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Donald was born June 23, 1965, in Inglewood, Calif., to David and Toni Larson. His early years included Huntington Beach, Calif., Pueblo, and Centereach, N.Y. In 1978, his family moved to the Vail Valley. He attended Battle Mountain High School from 1979 to 83, graduating with honors.

Don attended the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, earning bachelor’s degrees of in science and mechanical engineering in 1988 and a master of science, applied mechanics, in 1991.

He moved to Wolfurt, Austria, in 1991 to work for Doppelmayr Seilbahnen as a project engineer. He spent weekends hiking and mountain biking the Bregenzerwald, skied in Vorarlberg and Tirol, and traveled in Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Switzerland.

He moved to Grand Junction in 1992 to work for Poma of America as a project engineer. He became a professional engineer in 1995. He joined Tramway Engineering in 1998 as an engineering consultant before opening his own consulting business, Ropeway Technical Services, in 2003.

He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005 but continued to work through 2007. In 2008, he was proud to receive the Robert Lesage Award for contribution and devotion to the ski industry.

Don played the saxophone for 12 years in symphonies and marching and jazz bands, and played the electric bass for six years in jazz bands and musicals. He climbed 17 of Colorado’s 14ers, enjoyed mountain biking, skiing and scuba diving.

Don met Gretchen Margaret Buck on a blind date in 1995. He convinced her to learn to scuba dive in addition to their other common interests of hiking, biking and skiing. They married April 25, 1998, at West Bay, Grand Cayman.

Don is survived by his wife; daughter Elisabeth; son Tyler; his parents; sister Laura; nieces; a nephew; and in-laws.

Don has asked that his ashes be scattered. Don asked that donations be made to: ALS Therapy Development Institute (http://www.als.net) or Hospice & Palliative Care of Western CO (http://www.hospicewco.com).

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road in Grand Junction.

http://www.vaildaily.com:80/article/...%20High%20grad

Gary Fizell
Published - Feb 12th, 2009
By



Mr. Gary Robert Fizell of Listowel, and formerly of Monkton, passed away peacefully at home, after his 10-year battle with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s disease), on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at the age of 55.
Gary was the beloved husband of Brenda (Pollard) Fizell; proud Dad of Benjamin Fizell and his wife Christine, and Daniel Fizell, all of Monkton, and Curtis Fizell and his friend Shelley Groshaw of Listowel; and grandfather of Mary, Sarah, and Benjamin Jr.
He was the son of Marge Fizell-Miller and her husband Bill of Listowel; brother of Cathy Buchanan and her husband Barry of Listowel, Pat Fizell, Linda Illman and her husband Harold, all of Monkton, and Connie Baillie and her husband Lloyd of RR 1, Monkton; brother-in-law of Yvonne Irvine and her husband John of London, Kenneth Pollard and his wife Marion of Elmira, Douglas Pollard of Kitchener, and Brian Pollard and his wife June of Sarnia; and he also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father Robert Fizell, and by his sister Julie-Ann in infancy.
Gary was a strong community man, making sure Monkton’s name stayed on the map. He enjoyed supporting his community and organized many fundraisers for minor hockey, minor ball, and girls’ hockey, such as Kinsmen hockey tournaments, and other hockey and baseball tournaments. One of his proudest accomplishments with the Monkton Wildcats was the fundraising to build the Elma-Logan Arena.
Gary enjoyed coaching Elma-Logan minor hockey and Monkton Wildcats Intermediate Sr. hockey. He received many coaching awards, as well as the Builder’s Award from Elma Logan Arena (1999-2000) and Volunteer of the Year for Elma Logan Minor Hockey.
He received the Norm Stirling Citizen of the Year Award in 2000 for his contribution to the betterment of his community. Gary had many wonderful memories from his years working at the Co-op in Monkton.
In addition to the work he did in his community, he was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 for his outstanding volunteerism and strong advocacy to educate and fundraise for A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Visitation was held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 1-4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8 from 1-4 p.m., with vigil prayers on Sunday at 12:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Listowel on Monday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. with Fr. John Johnson officiating. Spring interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Listowel.
Memorial donations to A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s), North Perth Community Hospice, or to a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca.

Poet and playwright Maclennan dies at 79
February 12 2009 at 02:13PM


By Mike Loewe

Grahamstown's much-loved poet, Rhodes English professor Don Maclennan, has died.

Don, as he was simply known to his many friends and fans, died in Port Elizabeth on Monday night at the age of 79.

After a decade of struggling with motor-neuron disease, the rock-climbing poet suffered a stroke in January.

His son, senior South African Press Association journalist Ben Maclennan, said his father died "relatively peacefully" with his wife Shirley nearby.

Maclennan's mind was not affected by the stroke, and he had continued "discussing poetry with friends and listening to poetry right up to the end".

This was despite loss of movement, a very limited ability to communicate and a good deal of pain.



Maclennan also called for his latest poems, a meditation on death and the meaning of life titled Dress Rehearsal, to be read to him by his close friend, poet and Rhodes English lecturer Dan Wylie.

Many of Maclennan's works were published commercially and in his later years, privately.

"He kept on putting out slim volumes year after year," said his son Ben.

A few years ago he won the national Sanlam Poetry Prize.

Friends described his work as raunchy, with some despair, full of love, lean, frank, unpretentious but richly compressed.

Maclennan wrote a number of plays, several of which were performed. He also acted in a number of Guy Butler's plays.

Maclennan was born in the UK. After lecturing at Wits University and the University of Cape Town, he came to Rhodes in 1966 where he taught English for over 40 years.

He is survived by his wife and their children Ben, Joe, David, and Susan.


http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...5936332C833779

Funeral service set Wednesday for longtime Tri-Cities educator

By Sara Schilling, Herald staff writer


TRI-CITIES Gary Jensen could hardly go anywhere without running into a former student.

The West Richland man taught in Tri-City schools for more than 30 years, and in that time he touched countless lives, friends and family said.

Even the woman who visited him near the end of his life to talk about hospice care recognized him from the classroom.

“She said, ‘I can’t call you Gary. I have to call you Mr. Jensen,’ ” remembered his wife, Colleen.

Jensen, 63, died this week after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

He taught in Kennewick schools for 28 years and was a leader in the district’s teacher’s union. His tenure included several years at Highlands Middle School and a stint teaching students in juvenile detention.

He loved playing guitar and often used music to inspire his students. Sometimes, when his young charges in juvenile detention behaved well, he’d perform songs on request as a reward. A favorite was Jailhouse Rock.

Jensen also taught at River’s Edge High School in Richland for several years.

“He was one of those educators you just know had a lifelong passion for learning,” said River’s Edge teacher Brian Sites.

Jensen was born in Bellingham and attended Western Washington University. He had five children and eight grandchildren. Friends and family said he faced his illness with grace, even as it weakened his body and forced him to leave the classroom.

“Even when life was leaving him, there was a gentle humor,” said River’s Edge teacher Mike Carlson. “His spirit was not limited by what ALS was doing to his body.”

A funeral service is 1 p.m. Wednesday at the LDS Jadwin Chapel in Richland.

— Sara Schilling: 582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com



http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/479039.html

Patricia Kober, retired crossing guard, dies at 72
BY CHAU LAM | chau.lam@newsday.com
February 20, 2009


Patricia Rose Kober, a crossing guard who spent most of her life in North Massapequa, died Monday at her home in North Carolina. She was 72.

The cause was Lou Gehrig's disease, according to her family.

For nearly two decades, Kober helped children cross the streets safely at the junction of Boundary Avenue and the entrance to Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, said a son, James Kober, 45, of Hauppauge.

Over the years, Kober met and befriended some of the people who routinely walked on Boundary Avenue, her son said. One of them became Kober's lifelong friend. She retired from her job in 1999.

Kober was a kind and generous person who put others' needs before her, her children said.

Born in Brooklyn on Aug. 29, 1936, Kober attended St. Teresa of Avila. Kober's family moved to Seaford when she was 17, her son said. She married Neil Kober in 1962, and the couple settled in North Massapequa, where they raised three children.

In December 2007, Kober and her husband moved to Charlotte, N.C., to be closer to their only daughter, Donna Hutzel, 42, a registered nurse, who was also her mother's caregiver.

For more than four decades, Kober had belonged to the St. James Catholic Church in Seaford, where she attended Mass daily, her son said. And, every year, Kober did volunteer work, including collecting clothing and food as well as sending Christmas cards and letters to the poor.

Kober was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a Catholic, Irish-American organization.

Kober loved going to the movies and enjoyed watching "Dancing with the Stars," said her daughter.

In addition to her husband, daughter and son James, a Newsday employee, Kober is survived by a second son, Christopher Kober, 38, of Rockville Centre; a sister, Mary Coppins of Rockville Centre; two brothers, James Devlin of Bethpage and Charles Devlin of Knoxville, Tenn.; and four grandchildren.

Services are scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m., at Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in Bethpage. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 9:15 a.m. at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Seaford.

Burial will be at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Carolinas ALS Center, 1010 Edgehill Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207.

http://www.newsday.com/news/printedi...,1673017.story

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Brave paratrooper dies
By Pete Castle
December 11, 2008

video of jump click here.


A former paratrooper who battled through a serious illness to raise thousands of pounds for charity by tackling one final parachute jump has died.

Despite suffering from motor neurone disease (MND), a terminal illness which left him unable to speak or eat and struggling to breathe, Robert Applegarth decided to take on the challenge of a 12,000 ft freefall in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in July this year.

While Robert added one final parachute jump to a list of hundreds he undertook as a gunner in the Parachute Regiment and the Territorial Army, his 17-year-old daughter Katie tackled her first jump alongside her father.

Robert’s brother Michael Applegarth, 49, from Southwood, another ex-Para, also took part in the fundraising jump. Between them, the three raised more than £8,000 for the hospice and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Robert’s second wife Debbie, a nurse, said that Robert had amazed doctors at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London who treated him, when he had asked for permission for the jump.

The consultant who finally gave him the green light for the feat told him that he had never heard of an MND patient doing anything like a parachute jump, calling him a “one in a million” patient.

“They all thought he was bonkers,” Debbie said. “They had never had anyone ask anything like it before.”

Although Robert was determined to do the final jump with his brother and daughter, the experience took a lot out of him.

“He did say never again,” Debbie said. “It was almost too much for him really, but he wanted to do his last jump, and he did it."


http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s...ratrooper_dies

Dantzler praised for inspiring others

By Larry Fleming
Dalton Daily Citizen

Danny Dantzler, who had a profound impact on hundreds — if not thousands — of lives before and during his heroic battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, widely known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, passed away Friday night.

The former football star at Dalton High and the University of Georgia, and one of Dalton’s best amateur golfers, was diagnosed with ALS in July 2007. He immediately launched a personal ministry to anyone he came in contact with and worked tirelessly at Fellowship of Christian Athletes functions all across the area.

“His life of service to God and our community was going on when I got to Dalton,” said David Grusnick, executive director of the Northwest Georgia FCA. “It just breaks my heart to hear the news that Danny has passed away.”

In November 2007, friends from across Georgia honored Dantzler at “Danny Dantzler Day,” and his old college coach, Vince Dooley, participated in the fundraising event at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. A golf tournament was held at The Farm. Current Georgia coach Mark Richt’s wife, Katharyn, was the featured speaker at a women’s luncheon at First Presbyterian Church.

Loran Smith, the Georgia radio network’s sideline reporter and freelance columnist, emceed the dinner banquet, which attracted a sellout crowd at the trade center.

“If I had to talk about Danny, I would say that I never saw him flinch,” said Grusnick, who knew Dantzler for 20-plus years. “He had a deep, authentic faith and he remained solid in that faith through good times and the bad times. There was a glorious consistency about him, no matter the circumstances.”

Grusnick said he traveled extensively with Dantzler when he made appearances at high schools in the surrounding area to speak to FCA groups. Dantzler also spoke at various youth camps.

“Danny has been impacting the lives of young people for years and years,” Grusnick said. “And the one thing that stuck with me is him telling a lot of people he was going to be cured. And what he meant by that was he would be cured either on this side or the other side.”

Bill Chappell coached Dantzler at Dalton High School.

“Danny was a very unique person,” Chappell said, “and he had the most positive attitude as long as I’ve known him, and that’s going back to his time at Dalton High. He was a special person and influenced an awful lot of people. He sure influenced me. I was always amazed with his attitude, his outlook on life and everything else.”

Chappell’s admiration for Dantzler only grew as his former player battled Lou Gehrig’s disease, named for the famed New York Yankee first baseman who died of ALS in June 1941 at the age of 38.

“Since his illness he was just amazing,” Chappell said. “I can’t imagine putting myself in his situation. I can’t imagine me being like him, handling that the way he did. I don’t know many people who could be like Danny. It’s a terrible loss. We need a lot more Danny Dantzlers.”

Dantzler is survived by his wife, Jean, and children Leland, Watts and DeLancey.

DeLancey Dantzler posted a message on her father’s blog Friday, saying he was in the hospital and “won’t be posting for a few days.” DeLancey wrote, her father’s sodium count dropped and doctors put him on an IV to get the number up. She said her dad wasn’t up to seeing anyone, but the family would “covet all of your prayers. Thank you all for your support.”

On Thursday, it was evident that Dantzler still had his wonderful sense of humor.

He wrote: I goofed. I took too much medication. I’ve been groggy all day. Forgive me. I can almost hear the trumpet. Danny D.”

http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/loca...052001327.html

Doctor had huge impact on lives of those around him
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BORN in 1933 in Manchester to Cassandra Valerie and Colonel Alexander Joseph Gunn, Alexander Derek was the first of their two sons.

He grew up in Brooklands and Sale and went to William Hulme Grammar School where he achieved academic success in mainly arts subjects, including languages and history.

His ambitions to follow his father into the army were thwarted by failing the medical examination due to an eye injury sustained in boyhood which left him partially sighted in one eye.

The many visits to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London prompted a fascination in surgery and biology. Despite no science qualifications from school, he applied to read medicine and was accepted at Sheffield University — one of the only educational establishments at the time to welcome those without A levels in the three sciences. He was president of the Sheffield Medical Society 1959-60.

On qualifying in 1960 he completed post-graduate placements in Sheffield hospitals where he studied dermatology, obstetrics and public health.

At this time he was raising his two young children with his wife Sheila, an Oxford modern languages graduate whom he first met in Manchester when they were both young teenagers, and he married in 1958. He financed the family budget by driving taxis at night in Sheffield.

He took a position as an assistant medical practitioner at the University of Manchester’s Darbishire House Health Centre in Moss Side. It was here that he gained experience and developed interest in the health of university students as well as acquiring his diploma in public health. During this time he had many papers and articles published.

In 1965 he was awarded the Oliver Hawthorne research prize by the British Medical Association for his work.

Later in the Sixties he returned to Sheffield University as the assistant medical officer for the Student Health Service. In 1966 he became the medical correspondent for the Sheffield Telegraph.

His first published book, The Privileged Adolescent, provided an insight into the various health problems that affect academic youths, based on his experience at Sheffield and later in Reading, where he moved to take up the position as deputy director of the University of Reading Health Service in 1967, later succeeding to the position of director, which he held until retirement in 1997.

In 1975 he was awarded an Upjohn Travelling Fellowship to study student health in Canada and the United States, so he travelled to North America with his family for six months to complete his study and report.

Further medical journalism assignments during the Seventies and Eighties, included becoming the “Dear Doctor” for Mother & Baby magazine and for Woman magazine. This led to various broadcast and TV interviews.

Macdonald Publishing invited him to write a sex education book, Sex & You — an illustrated guide to the facts of life for young people, which was published in 1986. This was followed by Knowing about Pregnancy, Infertility — a practical guide to coping and a range of question and answer books on labour and birth, infertility and pregnancy. Other books published included Differential Diagnosis, and Oral Contraception in Perspective: 30 years of Clinical Experience with the Pill, which was jointly authored.

He supported a number of commercial organisations in Reading and London PR firm, DJ Edelman as well as writing leaflets and literature for Nestle, Roche, the Milk Marketing Board, and a range of other pharmaceutical companies.

He was a long term volunteer for the Red Cross Berkshire branch, providing gratis training and medical support.

An active lecturer on student health issues, he travelled extensively for the British Association of Health Services in Higher Education and the Medical Officers of School’s Association, delivering papers on his findings. He wrote for their news letters and was an active contributor at their annual conventions. His study Stress in Young People was published in 1975.

He was particularly vocal about enabling disabled students to pursue academic studies. In 1977 his study of UK university practices University Education for the Physically Disabled was published by the British Journal of General Practitioners.

Over many years he provided support to the British Council on behalf of students in the UK from overseas who suffered serious medical problems or needed repatriating. His jointly written paper Uprooting and Health: Psycho-social Problems of Students from Abroad was published by the World Health Organisation, Division of Mental Health, Geneva in 1983.

Post-retirement he provided medical surgeries for the students at Bulmershe College in Reading and helped with the assessment of students. He continued with this work until late 2007.

For his work with students, he was awarded an OBE in 1989.

Dr Gunn lived in Reading for 15 years and in Wargrave for more than 20 years. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, his son, daughter and three granddaughters.

He died on February 4th 2009 aged 75, after suffering from motor neurone disease, diagnosed in September 2008.


http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=559320

EllaMarie Saldi Wheeler
POSTED: February 26, 2009
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EllaMarie Saldi Wheeler, 67, of 10331 W. Sombrero Cr., formerly of Jamestown, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, in Peoria, Ariz.

She was born in Jamestown, the daughter of Frank and Grace Vullo Saldi and left at the age of 18 to get married. She lived in Southern California most of her adult life and was a medical transcriptionist in hospitals for more than 33 years.

She and her husband, Donald Wheeler, moved to Sun City, Ariz., in 2006, and were active members of Bellevue Heights Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sons: David McJimsey of Norco, Calif., Bruce McJimsey of Candby, Calif.; and three daughters: Kathleen Mueller of Escondido, Calif., Christina Galindo R.N. of Riverside, Calif., and Angela Galindo of San Marcos, Calif.; and 10 grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held by Pastor Mark Stevens at Bellevue Heights Church on Feb. 28, 2009, in Sun City, Ariz. The family suggests memorials may be made to the ALS Association.

http://post-journal.com/page/content....html?nav=5009

Joann Cataldo-Linker


Of Boston, formerly of Winthrop



Joann (Fagone) Cataldo-Linker of Boston, formerly of East Boston and Winthrop, died on February 18.


She was the devoted mother of Joanna Cataldo, Michelle Cataldo, Chuck Cataldo and Kara Cataldo, all of Winthrop; loving daughter of Phyllis (DeBonis) and the late Joseph Fagone; dear sister of Joseph Fagone of New Hampshire, formerly of East Boston, Charles and Frank Fagone, both of East Boston, and the late Annette Mannetta; cherished grandmother of Justin, Michelle, Johnna, Julliana, Jacqueline and Addison and is also survived by her many adored nieces and nephews.


Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Mazzarella Memorial Home (Orient Heights), East Boston. Entombment was in Holy Cross Mausoleum.


Memorial donations may be made to ALS Association, 320 Norwood Park South, Second Floor, Norwood, MA. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com.

http://www.winthroptranscript.com/20...w-newburyport/

[IMG]http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/2057/user10409.jpg[/IMG]

Mayo Peacock 1939-2009

It is with deep regrets that we have to inform you that Mayo has been released from the grips of ALS and is now in a peaceful place. Mayo really enjoyed the companionship that he received from this site and the encouragement that you all gave him. Mayo will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.

His loving wife,

Diana


Kensil
Male, 69 years
Quispamsis, NB

Sara M. Still -- Cresco, Iowa
3/3/2009 8:45:41 AM

CRESCO, Iowa -- The funeral for Sara M. Still will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin, Iowa. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Sara Marie Still, 72, of rural Cresco, Iowa, died Monday (March 2, 2009) at the Regional Health Service Hospital in Cresco. In February 2008 she had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.

She was born April 20, 1936, in Dumont, Iowa. In May 1953 she married Ed Oelmann; he died in 1971. She married Ronald A. Still on Dec. 27, 1975, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. Through the years she worked in factories in the Hampton and Nevada areas of Iowa. She also helped her second husband, Ron, farm and ran a daycare out of their home.

more at

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmana...p?z=5&a=388130

Robert ‘‘Bob’’ Sheesley
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Robert ''Bob'' Sheesley, 60, of 3277 Route 430 Bemus Point, passed away Tuesday (March 3, 2009), in his home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease.

He was born March 19, 1948, in Punxsutawney, Pa., the son of the late Boyd and Mildred Kuntz Sheesley.

Bob was employed by Local 17 as an operating engineer for 35 years. He loved operating heavy equipment. He was a member of Ingjald Lodge No. 65 Vikings, Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 557, and Randolph Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6533. Bob enjoyed baseball, hunting, boating, fishing, and golf.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Rhinehart Sheesley, whom he married Nov. 16, 1985; his daughter, Vicki and son-in-law, Bob Rauh of Ashville; four grandchildren, Libbi, Bobby Jr., Christina, and Nicki Rauh; a brother, George (JoAnne) Sheesley of Jamestown; two sisters, Jan (Ron) Staples and Shirley Payton, both of Catersville, Ga.; a stepbrother, Jim Kuntz of Big Run, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Sheesley; a brother, Tom Sheesley; and a sister, Carol Custer.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Dayle F. Keefer, will officiate.

Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and for one hour prior to the service Thursday in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County 4840 West Lake Road, Mayville, NY 14757.

David D. “Sysco Dave” Avery

David D. (aka “Sysco Dave”) Avery, 48, died Feb. 26. at his home in Sparks, Nev. from complications of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was employed by Sysco Food Service in the Lake Tahoe Basin until his disease forced early retirement in 2006. He was born in Janesville, Wis., Aug. 20, 1960, to Darrell and Barbara Avery. David is survived by his spouse of 24 years, Randi, his children Lauryn and Josh, all of Sparks. A Celebration of Life will be held at Cottonwood Restaurant, Truckee, Calif. on Sunday, April 5 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Please contact Randi at (775) 425-1830 or ralajo@yahoo.com for details, directions and to RSVP. Mt. View Mortuary is handling the cremation.

Mark Kuhn, Huntington Bay artist, dies of ALS at 57
BY KATHLEEN KERR | kathleen.kerr@newsday.com
10:14 PM EST, March 5, 2009



Mark Kuhn, a painter and sculptor who loved jazz, died Wednesday after a valiant race against time to finish a group of paintings he called "The Lifeline Series."

Kuhn, 57, of Huntington Bay, died after battling Lou Gehrig's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He kept painting until shortly before his death despite the physical impediments posed by the disease.

Kuhn's "Lifeline Series" - featured in a Newsday story just last Sunday - is scheduled for a July exhibit at the Art League of Long Island in Dix Hills. The show will go on.

"He has enough for a full show," Kuhn's wife, Donna Simonetti, said yesterday. "He left one unfinished painting and one blank canvas."


Kuhn was born in Minneapolis on June 18, 1951, and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1975. He started painting in high school and took up sculpture after moving to Long Island 19 years ago. Kuhn taught drawing and painting at the Art League.

Simonetti said Kuhn, who played the saxophone in high school, started playing the bass guitar about seven years ago when he received one as a gift from a dying friend.

"He approached it with a passion as he did many things," Simonetti said. "He definitely traveled to his own drummer."

After receiving the guitar, Kuhn and some friends formed a rock band called The Barking Men. The band performed at Huntington's Summer Arts Festival last year.

Kuhn especially admired the work of the Swiss painter Paul Klee and of jazz musician Miles Davis. And he enjoyed returning to Minnesota to visit musician friends there but tried to avoid the northern snows.

"He despised the Minnesota winters," Simonetti said.

Lynn Gray, a drawing and painting professor at the University of Minnesota who taught Kuhn and later became his friend, described his work as "exceptional."

"He had a profound passion for his work," Gray said. "He was rebellious and at the same time committed. He had this unpretentious way of wanting to get to know people."

In addition to his wife, Kuhn is survived by a daughter, Paige, and a son, Bennett, both of Huntington Bay; his mother, Kathryn Kuhn of Minneapolis; a brother, Matthew Kuhn of Corcoran, Minn.; and two sisters - Gabriel Ross of St. Paul, Minn., and Georgia Kuhn of Coon Rapids, Minn.

A wake is planned for tomorrow and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Connell's Funeral Home in Huntington Station with a Mass at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Centerport.

Last year, Paige and Bennett Kuhn formed a team to walk in an annual ALS fundraising event. The Kuhns request donations to the ALS Association in lieu of flowers. Information can be found at web.alsa.org/goto/markkuhn.

Barbara L. Page
March 8, 2009

Barbara L. Page, 76, Nashport, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital following a battle with cancer and Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Brave Neil loses his battle for life
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Published Date: 06 March 2009
By Leanne Clarke


NEIL Platt, who bravely chronicled his fight with motor neurone disease in an inspirational effort to raise awarness to help find a cure, has died.

The 34-year-old, from Morley, lost his battle with the disease at St Michael's Hospice, Harrogate, on Wednesday just a year after being diagnosed.

His family said he died peacefully, and naturally, with them by his side.

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Up...303-122608.jpg

Her impact was clear in the end
By Mark Woods
Story updated at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2009

http://www.jacksonville.com/files/im.../411119048.jpg
Provided by the Bishop family
Starr Bishop (left), her parents, Bill and Melody, and brother, Bill, pose for a family photo last Easter, two days after she was diagnosed with ALS. Starr, 21, died Saturday.


Starr Bishop got the news less than a year ago, on Good Friday.

She had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Even at its best, if there is such a thing with ALS, it's a horrible disease, one with no known cure, no stories of people who underwent treatment and stopped the ravaging of their bodies. And Starr and her family found out she had one of the most progressive types of ALS, one that gave her a life expectancy of one to two more years.

On that day, Melody Starr Anne Bishop was 20 years old.

She lived another 358 days, the disease methodically tearing apart her body. Her speech went first. Then her neck and arms and eventually the muscles that allowed her to breathe.

She died Saturday afternoon.

But her family says her death isn't the story. It's what happened in the 21 years of her life - particularly those 358 days.

"You think you know your child," said her mother, Melody Bishop.

Starr's parents are Bill and Melody Bishop, two local architects who are quite active in the community, particularly in areas of neighborhood planning. Bill is the city councilman for District 2. Melody designed the Northbank Riverwalk. And while they thought they knew their children (Starr and her 20-year-old brother, Bill), this past year was full of revelations.

They knew that Starr loved the outdoors. She had played soccer and skied, went sky diving and scuba diving. She made it to State Science Fair while at Paxon School for Advanced Studies with her studies on the river. And when she was 18, without any prodding from her parents, she went to a public meeting and spoke against closing off Hogan Street to building a parking garage. Our river, she argued, should be made more accessible, not less.

Her parents knew all this. Knew that she went to the University of Central Florida, dreaming of becoming a lawyer, a prosecutor, a politician. Knew that she ended up at the College of Architecture at the University of Florida, dreaming of following in the footprints her parents have left all over Jacksonville.

They knew she was active at Christ the King Catholic Church, even after she went away to college.

But they didn't know just how much she had affected others along the way. And how much she continued to do it until the end.

Even though she no longer could speak, she still was in school last fall. Through a disability program at UF, she had hired two graduate students to help her continue to work on a project. The focus of the project was a fascinating paradoxical concept. Create buildings that make people, especially kids, want to leave them. Entice those who are inside to get outside. And bring the outside to the inside.

Health and architecture. For future generations. As she was dying, this was her goal.

Melody Bishop found out about this when she went to visit her daughter in Gainesville and discovered a studio, the graduate students, drawings and a professor who started telling her all about the project.

And this was followed by more personal and profound revelations once Starr ended up back in Jacksonville, bed-ridden, but still plugging away at her school work online until a couple of weeks ago.

"It took her being hospitalized for me, as her mom, to begin to hear the rest of the story," Melody Bishop says.

When she went into respiratory failure and ended up in hospitals, first Memorial then Mayo, the news spread. People started showing up and inevitably telling Starr's family stories about her.

They heard from one parent about the time when Starr, then in high school, had heard that a friend who was at UF had been heading down a dangerous path. She hopped in a car after a half day of school, drove to Gainesville and confronted him. She made a difference for that family, the boy's mother told Starr's mother.

You think you know your child - and you assume the parts you don't know are the parts they want hidden, the embarrassing moments, the examples of immaturity.

As it turns out, even when you think you have a good kid, sometimes you don't know how good.

Each day in the hospital there were stories like this from a steady stream of visitors. Classmates, friends from church, parents of her friends, a high school teacher.

And each night, there was the 10 O'Clock Club.

A small sign said that only two visitors were allowed. But in the evening at least a dozen people crammed into Starr's room.

They told stories about her, held her hand and sang to her, mostly Christian rock songs from the Teen Life program at Christ the King.

"Some of the nurses even would come in and be tearfully singing along," Melody Bishop said. "You could hear the music kind of floating out to the hallways."

You think you know your child. And then, as she's dying, you learn so much about her life.

You would think that others were carrying her during the last 358 days. And I'm sure that did happen. But if you hear about the stories, or the messages waiting for her on her BlackBerry, you realize that even at the end it often was the other way around.

She was carrying them.

Arrangements

A vigil (viewing as well as stories or comments) for Starr Bishop will be held 6 p.m. Thursday. The funeral Mass will be 4 p.m. Friday. Both the Mass and vigil are at Assumption Catholic Church.

Because of Starr's love of the outdoors, the St. Johns River and the Riverwalk, the family is asking that contributions be made to the Starr Bishop Memorial Fund for tree plantings along the Riverwalk. Make checks payable to Greenscape with notation for the "Starr Bishop Memorial Fund." Send to: Greenscape, 4401 Emerson St., Suite 3, Jacksonville, FL 32207.



http://www.jacksonville.com/news/col...ear_in_the_end

Highland Park resident, director of AIDS advocacy group changed many lives before dying Saturday at 51
By ERICA HARBATKIN • Staff Writer • March 17, 2009



MIDDLESEX COUNTY — As Riki Jacobs made her way through college and law school, her goal was always the same: to change the way society serves the underserved.

When she died Saturday, she had succeeded in doing just that. Committing her life to helping people with HIV and AIDS, she succeeded in making a direct impact on laws and policies designed to help people often relegated to the fringe.
She was 51.

Jacobs, of Highland Park, served as the executive director of Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, the largest AIDS service organization in the state.

But when she took the helm of Hyacinth in 1993, it was on the brink of collapse.

The once-struggling nonprofit now has six offices throughout the state and a $5 million budget that goes toward serving more than 15,000 people living with HIV and AIDS.

"When the position of executive director opened up, she was one of the top candidates for it because she knew about HIV in New Jersey. The agency was a mess back then; it was about ready to go under," said Jerry McCathern, Hyacinth's senior director of development. "She could either be a hero or the agency could have failed. It would have failed under most people. But she took it from there and it's now the premiere AIDS service agency in the state."

But Jacobs never set out to be a hero. She considered her work a part of her life — part of her calling.

"To some degree, I think that has to do with being raised in a Jewish home, where you carry on a tradition of healing the world," said her older sister, Ellen Jacobs. "The message that drove all of us was the same — it's part of our responsibility to heal the world. In Hebrew it's called tikkun olam: repairing the world."

Before Riki Jacobs joined Hyacinth, she worked for the New Jersey Association on Correction from 1982 to 1992. There, she saw the severe impact AIDS was having on offenders and ex-offenders — especially women. And since New Jersey was the last state in the nation to provide syringe access through needle-exchange programs or over-the-counter syringe sales, the number of intravenous drug users in the state to contract HIV rose sharply.



But no one was paying attention.

"AIDS has been spread tremendously through injection drug use, through sexual contact with their partners — so women have this disproportionate rate of infection in New Jersey," McCathern said. "All the attention in the '80s and early '90s was on gay men dying, but women were dying too and they weren't getting any help, any attention."
Jacobs became an advocate for those women.

She developed one of the first programs in the country to help offenders with HIV and AIDS before their release from prison, created a prevention and education program at Mercer and Middlesex County correctional facilities, and cofounded the New Jersey Women's AIDS Network.

She earned her law degree from Rutgers-Newark School of Law in the mid-80s, and soon after married Angel Perez. They have two sons: Willie, 12, and Eli, 8.

"She wasn't just a mom or just a wife or just a social activist. Her life is the whole package," Perez said. "She didn't have two lives, like a lot of people who have a work life and a home life. Riki's life was all-involved."

And in balancing each aspect of her life, she also found balance in her attitude toward it.

"She didn't allow the depressing business that she was in and the difficulty of the job she was doing get her down," Perez said. "She could always see the funny side or the bright side while still maintaining a serious approach to it."

When a coworker, friend or family member was distracted by something at home, she would step back from her own work and listen.

"She absolutely cared about the people that worked in this organization," said Kathy Ahearn-O'Brien, who worked with Jacobs as the agency's senior director of finance and administration. "You could go to Riki and talk to her about stuff and she would sit and listen and she would give you advice."

McCathern laughed.

"Whether you wanted it or not," he added.

"And it was always with humor and the best of intentions," Ahearn-O'Brien said.

And complete honesty.

"She was absolutely authentic," Ellen Jacobs said. "With Riki, you always knew where you stood, for better or worse."

Riki Jacobs was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — or Lou Gehrig's Disease — in January 2005. Over the last two years, she lost her ability to speak, eat and use one of her arms. But by the end she was still using one finger to type e-mails to friends and colleagues. Even while she was fighting the disease that was paralyzing her body, she never stopped fighting for the the underserved populations with HIV and AIDS.

"Even last week, if you would have suggested that she wasn't going back to work, she would have looked at you like you had two heads," Perez said.


http://www.mycentraljersey.com/artic...NEWS/903170369

Former Lake supervisor dies of ALS
Barry Dean Poindexter
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Barry Dean Poindexter, 56, Houghton Lake, died March 14, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family.
A service was held March 17 at Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel. Interment will be in Lake Township Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.christler-holdship.com.

Mr. Poindexter was born May 19, 1952, in Breckenridge, the son of Frank and Clarice (Doty) Poindexter. He moved to Houghton Lake in 1978 and owned and operated Tradewinds Resort and Party Store on the West Shore. After selling the resort, he worked eight years with Region 7-B, now known as Michigan Works! He was an employment specialist and enjoyed working with employers and potential employees trying to fit needs together for the advantage of both. While with Region 7-B, he also worked with local agencies and service organizations with their relationship with the State of Michigan, gaining much knowledge of how the system of government works.

He went on to become the grant writer for Houghton Lake Community Education for more than 13 years. He specialized in obtaining many grants to assist people in reaching their employment and family support needs.

For the past four years, Mr. Poindexter was Lake Township Supervisor, obtaining funding through grants to improve services for Lake Township residents.

He and the former Sherry Vanderhoof were united in marriage Sept. 17, 1994. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with being with his family. He had been a coach and umpire with Houghton Lake Little League for many years and was involved in the starting of the Houghton Lake soccer leagues about 20 years ago.

Surviving Mr. Poindexter are his wife, Sherry Poindexter of Houghton Lake; son, Nick and his wife Nicole Poindexter of Higgins Lake; two daughters, Jessica Vanderhoof of Houghton Lake and Jennifer Vanderhoof of Houghton Lake; five grandchildren; his parents, Frank and Clarice Poindexter of Breckenridge; three sisters, Joleen and her husband Gary Lewis of Wheeler, Colette and her husband Mike Corgan of Shepherd and Jenny and her husband Greg Keller of Traverse City; two brothers, Lynn and his wife Janice Poindexter of Wheeler and Steve and his wife Rosie Poindexter of Saginaw; mother-in-law, Barbara Cone of Somerset Center; brother-inlaw, Alan and his wife Shannon Vanderhoof of Perry; and several nieces and


Funeral services were held for Barry Poindexter, former Lake Township supervisor, Tuesday. The 56-year-old Poindexter had resigned from his position in January following a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's Disease (see obituary on A3).

Nancy L. Claytor
March 21, 2009


CROOKSVILLE - Nancy L. Claytor, of Keystone St. Crooksville, passed away after a long battle with Lou Gehrigs Disease at 1:44pm Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Genesis Hospice Morrison House. Nancy was born in Perry County, the daughter of the late Robert Gareth and Ivy (Savage) Smith. She worked as a home health aid with Genesis Hospital, she was a member of the Jehovah Witness, Kingdom Hall at 6 mile turn.

She is survived by her three sons, Michael (Myra) Claytor of Campbellsville, KY, Daniel Shane (Christy) Claytor of Crooksville and William Lee Claytor of Crooksville; a brother, Joseph L. (Joyce) Smith of Logan; and four sisters, Gladys M. (Jack) Robinson of Crooksville, Judith (Dennis) Shattuck of Burlington, KY, Cinda Sue (Owen) McIntosh of Crooksville and Linda Lou (Roger) Brown of Roseville; six grandchildren Stacy (Dale) Baughman, Misty Claytor, Shayla McAllister, Will Claytor, Danielle Claytor and Traise Claytor; and four Great Grandkids, Arik Baughman, Sarah Baughman, Adrian Baughman and Jon-Micheal McAllister.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Claytor who passed away March 10, 2009; and a brother, Robert L. Smith.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The Thompson-Farus Funeral Home of Duncan Falls is assisting the Claytor family.

Carol Ann Davis

Carol Ann Davis, age 54, of Omro, passed away after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Omro Care Center. Carol was born on April 18, 1954 in Oshkosh, WI, the daughter of Roger and Nancy (Joy) Kleinschmidt. Carol was a graduate of Omro High School. She married Claire W. Davis on August 3, 1974.

Her memory will be cherished by her husband and best friend, Claire W. Davis of Omro, her daughters, Carrie Ann (Dennis) Davis of Wisconsin Rapids, Michelle Lynn Davis of Omro, one grandson, Harley Hunter Davis; one sister, Patricia (Steven) Mueller of Oshkosh; brothers, Russell (Susan) Kleinschmidt of Omro and John Kleinschmidt of Neenah. She is further survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and her kitties. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Nancy and Roger Kleinschmidt.

Carol grew up farming and retired in 1990. She was active in her community and very outgoing. She had several hobbies which included her crafts and animal rescue. In addition to this, she assisted her husband with lawnmower repairs.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 7 p.m. with Rev. Michael Magnuson officiating.

The family would like to thank the Omro Care Center, especially Dan; the MDA and ALS Association for their help and support.

"Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I'll remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all." – Laura I. Wilder

Kwiatkowski Funeral Home

425 Jefferson Ave., Omro

(920) 685-2207

www.omrofuneralhome.com

Robert E. Brooks
March 21, 2009


Robert E. Brooks, 81, of Great Falls, who spent most of his life farming and ranching in Minot, N.D., died of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease Monday in Great Falls.



A celebration of his life is 11 a.m. today at Immanuel Baptist Church in Minot. Thomas Funeral Home of Minot is in charge of arrangements.

Bob was surrounded by his family when he died.

His family includes his daughters, Lisa (Troy) Lindquist of Great Falls, Candy (Duane Tofteland) Brooks of rural Minot, and Becky (Ron) Nelson of Great Falls; his brother, Loren (Janet) Brooks of Hardin, Mont.; and his four grandchildren, Kelsey, Brooks, Connor and Allie.

Bob was born Sept. 30, 1927, in a stone farmhouse near Glenburn, N.D., to James and Goldie Brooks. He graduated from Glenburn High School, where he excelled in basketball and played trombone in the school band. He also was a member of the Glenburn Baptist Church. With the support of their parents, Bob and his brother, Loren, purchased their first Hereford heifers in 1943, starting a lifelong commitment to the breed. From that small beginning, their registered Hereford herd expanded. They showed their cattle at livestock shows across the country, including the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

In 1950, with the cooperation of their parents, another ranch was purchased near Burlington.

On Dec. 11, 1958, Bob married Alexzine Grenz. They made their home on the Burlington ranch, where they raised their three girls.

Bob loved the ranch life, and enjoyed teaching his girls to ride horse and work cattle. Brooks Ranch had its first production sale in 1958, and 55 sales followed. Some of these sales were listed in the Top 10 sales by the American Hereford Association. The Brooks brothers were among some of the first breeders to begin performance testing on their herd. A second ranch was purchased near Hardin in 1975, which his brother and family operated. Bob continued to operate the Brooks Ranch near Glenburn, where he enjoyed farming and ranching with his daughter, Candy.

Bob was instrumental in getting his grandchildren interested in livestock, and enjoyed helping them select their 4-H steers and watching them show. He was a member of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association for 56 years, and was an active member of the North Dakota Hereford Association, where he served as director and president. He also served as a trustee in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.



Bob walked softly around his herd of cows. He would carry a baby calf on his saddle, coaxing a cow to come and find shelter in the barn. He was a true and honest cowboy, loved and respected by his family. His children and grandchildren loved to hear him sing and whistle his large repertoire of old songs.

Bob lovingly cared for his wife, Alexzine, for many years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He stayed by her side as she battled the disease and cared for her at home until she passed away Nov. 3, 2008.

In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are suggested to the ALS Association, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, or Peace Hospice.

Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

Mildred Marie Perry
March 24, 2009

MARION - Mildred Marie Perry, age 54, of Marion, Ohio, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2009 at St. Anns Hospital in Columbus, Ohio after a five year battle with (ALS), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as " Lou Gehrigs Disease.

Mildred was born October 7, 1954 in Marion, Ohio to the late Harry Osborne and Betty (Landon) Osborne. Her mother survives in Marion, Ohio. On November 30, 1974 in Marion, Ohio, she married Stanley R. Perry and he survives. Mildred was a graduate of Marion Harding High School. For 12 years she was a secretary at the Cable Fulfillment Co.

Mildred is also survived by two sons, Shawn Allen Perry and Christopher Michael Perry both of Marion, Ohio. Also surviving are five brothers, Bob Newell and Dave (Kayleen) Osborne both of Marion, Ohio, Tommy Osborne, **** Osborne, and Johnny Osborne; two sisters, Patty Acres of Marion, Ohio and Shirley Osborne of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; and five grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at the Boyd-Born Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Keith Luke. Burial will follow in the Grand Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home prior to the service from 11:00 to 1:00 P.M.

Contributions can be made to the family in care of the funeral home.

Former Aintree mum Norma Greham dies after four-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease
Mar 26 2009 by Amy Salter, Maghull and Aintree Star

A BROTHER has paid tribute to his sister who died suddenly.

Norma Greham, formerly Norma Perry, 47, passed away after suffering from Motor Neurone Disease for four years.

Norma, who lived next to Aintree Racecourse in the late 1980s, grew up in Eaton Avenue, Litherland with parents Margaret and Edward, now in their 70s, and brothers Alan, 45, Steven, 43 and Phillip, 42.

In 1985 Norma married Sean Greham, now 46, whom she met at her 16th birthday party.

The couple lived together in Aintree and then off Stanley Road in Bootle, before moving to the Isle of Man 12 years ago with their children Andrew, 21, Bethan, 16 and Ellie, six, who is described as the spitting image of her mum.

Norma, who worked at the National Girobank in Bootle, was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting condition Motor Neurone Disease four years ago and made regular trips back to Liverpool to see a specialist.

Brother, Alan, said: “She had a healthy mind but couldn’t move her body and over the last few months her quality of life got worse so she moved into a hospice.

“But her death was really sudden, we still can’t believe it. She was a brilliant mum, really lovely and caring and like a mate towards the kids. She was totally happy-go-lucky and dead positive. No one had a bad word to say about her, she was really well liked. Everyone’s completely shocked by her death, it happened so suddenly.”

Norma died on March 5 and was cremated a week later on the Isle of Man. If anyone has messages of condolence they can send them to Sean Greham, 68 Cronk Grianagh, Braddan, Isle of Man IM44RN.

Vail Valley's Trent Cole: A man of his word
Friends to celebrate the life of longtime local resident tonight
Lauren Glendenning
lglendenning@vaildaily.com
Eagle County, CO Colorado

[IMG]http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1918/17808903.jpg[/IMG]
EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Trent Cole compared the Vail Valley to his memories of camp as a kid.

He loved the home he made here in 1992 with his wife, Kathy Cole, so much that when he got sick and needed the home health care the valley lacked, the couple wouldn’t move.

Cole was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, about five years ago. He died Saturday at the age of 67.

His friends watched the active man they knew deteriorate physically, but he never gave up mentally, said his longtime friend Doug Patton, a part-time Avon resident.

“The first time I saw him bed-ridden, I was fighting back tears,” Patton said. “I just felt so bad, but as we saw him more and more, I realized he still had a sense of humor. He was so buoyant. I felt a lot better when I was seeing him — he was positive when there was no reason to be positive.”

In September of 2007, Cole had already outlived his doctor’s expectations. He said he never thought about giving up, and it’s that attitude that probably kept him alive for so long, said his close friend Jay Swartzwelter, of Boulder.

Kathy Cole was another reason Trent Cole was able to outlive his diagnosis — she never left his side, Swartzwelter said.

“She nursed him,” Swartzwelter said. “I was up there around Christmas two years ago — I didn’t think he’d live another week after that trip, but Kathy was there (taking care of him) 24/7.”

But Kathy Cole couldn’t do it alone. She hired nurses to help take care of her husband. Pat Hammon, one of his nurses for about four years, said caring for him was an “amazing journey.”

Hammon was moved by the dedication of Trent Cole’s family, specifically Kathy Cole. She also learned a lot about herself and about understanding differences people have.

Hammon is a left-wing Democrat, while Trent Cole was a right-wing Republican. Trent Cole was patriotic, just as Hammon is, but the two rarely saw eye-to-eye on politics.

“It was growth for me, knowing I could meet or come to a common ground with somebody I had great differences with,” she said.

There was a warmth about Trent Cole that his friends admired, Swartzwelter said. He was always a man of his word, and a very trustworthy and dependable friend, Swartzwelter said.

And he always had a special place in his heart for children, which is why it was no surprise to those who knew Trent Cole that he became involved with Roundup River Ranch, a local nonprofit that is building a summer camp for children with life-threatening illnesses.

“Trent was a real community kind of person,” Hammon said.

Trent Cole regularly gave to various charities and causes, but he never did it for the recognition, Swartzwelter said. Some of his benevolence was publicized, but his best moments were when he gave anonymously, Swartzwelter said.

“He was just an all-American boy,” Swartzwelter said.

Lauren Glendenning can be reached at 970-748-2983 or lglendenning@vaildaily.com

Ronald Brent Davis
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Story last updated at -


Ronald Brent Davis, 57, passed away at his home on March 19, 2009, from ALS. Brent was born and raised in Lamesa, to Orvis and Gloria Davis. He liked the outdoors and grew up farming family land. He married Geneva Lou Capwell, also from Lamesa, and together they raised two children, Ron and Mindy.

In 1990, Brent relocated to Washington State where he met his current wife, Brenda Allen. Together they enjoyed camping in the mountains and spending time with friends and family. Brent spent many years involved with the local team penning and rodeo clubs. Some of his fondest moments were spent with his grandson Dalton, their horses, and their guns.

One of his other relaxing hobbies was woodworking. Over the years, Brent met many friends through various jobs as a truck broker, a FEMA supervisor, and a Hanford employee.

Brent is survived by his wife, Brenda; son Ron (Rebecca); daughter, Mindy; grandson, Dalton; mother, Gloria; sister, Sandy Craven; brother, Kent (Keepa); brother, Phil; sister, Kim; his beloved dogs, Boots and Banjo; and trusted horses, Hank and Casper. Brent is preceded in death by his father, Orvis.

The viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home in Yakima on Monday, March 23, 2009. The service will be 2 p.m. at the Keith & Keith chapel in Terrace Heights on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, with a gathering immediately following at the Selah Civic Center.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the ALS association or Memorial Hospice.

Hansen, Marie F.


Marie F. Hansen, age 79, of Fremont, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on March 26, 2009 at the Weyauwega Health Care Center, following a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. She was born on March 25, 1930, in Kaukauna, WI, the daughter of the late Joseph and Nellie (Van Den Bosch) Van Den Bogart. On November 23, 1948, Marie married Clifford Hansen, her life-long partner of 60 years. Marie was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Weyauwega and the St. Ann's Society. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making applesauce, and playing cards and dominoes.

Marie's nurturing, loving and caring nature will be very sadly missed by her husband, Clifford, her children, Janet (Fred) Rates, Oshkosh, William (Susan) Hansen, Fremont, Dale (Chris) Hansen, Appleton, Shirley (Don) Leichtnam, Colby, WI, Patti (Tom) Schmoldt, Weyauwega, and Diane (Dan) Kohl, Fremont. Marie will also be sadly missed by her 17 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren, , her three brothers, Peter (Geraldine) Van Den Bogart, DePere, WI, William (Shirlyne) Van Den Bogart, Appleton, and Richard Van Den Bogart, Oconto, a sister, Harriet Blajeski, Kaukauna, a sister-in-law, Joanne Gasser, Phillips, WI, a brother-in-law, LeRoy Heimerl, Kaukauna, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by two sons in infancy, Jimmy and Tommy, a granddaughter, Annie Hansen, a grandson and great-grandson, Scott and Blake Radtke, two brothers, John and Joseph Van Den Bogart, two sisters, Minnie Heimerl and Theresa Lyman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 30, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Weyauwega. Father Bert Samsa, OFM, Cap. will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Fremont. Friends may call at the Lewin Funeral Home, Fremont on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with at prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Lewin Funeral Home

210 Main St.

Fremont, WI 54940

920-446-2288

www.lewinfuneralhome.com

John W. Chanler, former Marine, made his mark in Geneseo
 

John W. Chanler, former Marine, made his mark in Geneseo
Jim Memmott • March 28, 2009



Legend in Geneseo, Livingston County, the town where I live, has it that John W. Chanler could still fit into his U.S. Marine Corps uniform even 40 years after he left the service.

That was easy to believe as John marched in our community's annual Memorial Day parade with other members of American Legion Post 271.

In perfect step and perfect fitness, he was a dependable fixture along the route. We were proud to know him, and he was happy to know us. As simple as it sounds, he was our friend.

John couldn't march recently as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the affliction known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ate away at his health, but not his spirit. Dealt a bad hand, he stayed in the game, worrying about everyone but himself until early on Wednesday morning when, in the company of his family, he died at age 68.

A retired insurance executive and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, John came from a socially prominent family but was unpretentious in every way.

"John crossed boundaries," said Will Wadsworth, Geneseo's town supervisor and a member of another storied Geneseo family. "He never let his status in life govern how he was. He knew your children's names, your dog's names."

"He had an extraordinary life by anyone's standards," said Kevin Chanler of Taos, N.M., John's oldest child.


John was born in 1940 in Washington, D.C., the son of Gertrude Laughlin Chanler, an heir to the Laughlin Steel fortune, and Hubert W. Chanler, a descendant of the tycoon John Jacob Astor. Mrs. Chanler, John and his sister Elizabeth, were in Pearl Harbor in 1941, as Hubert Chanler, an admiral in the U.S. Navy, was stationed there.

After the Dec. 7 attack, the family evacuated, eventually returning to Sweet Briar, an imposing mansion overlooking the Genesee Valley outside the village of Geneseo that would become home to eight Chanler children.

As a boy, John took up foxhunting on horseback, an avocation he enjoyed for decades.


However, he could not hunt as much as he wanted, as he was sent to boarding school at the age of 10. Graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island in 1958, he went on to Villanova University. Graduating in 1962, he served three years in the Marine Corps and then became an agent with the FBI, serving in Kentucky and Chicago.




In 1967, he married Sheila Welch, whom he had known since he was 8 and she was 4. The couple returned to Geneseo in 1968, and John became an insurance agent, eventually purchasing the agency that became the John W. Chanler Agency Inc. in 1980. The next year, he opened a second office in Geneseo. His son, Andrew W. Chanler, bought the agency, now known as Chanler Agency Inc., in 2002.

To Andrew, John was both a personal and a professional role model. "There wasn't anything he did where he didn't put his full effort in," Andrew said. "He filled every single day with as much as he could."
In addition to taking part in the Genesee Valley Hunt and serving as vice president of the board of governors, John was a past president of the Genesee Valley Conservancy, a long-time member of the Geneseo Fire Department, and a former board member of the Geneseo Foundation of the State University College at Geneseo.

He played for the Loon Lake Voyagers, an adult hockey team. He also was a licensed pilot and an avid skier. Beyond all of this, John was a person who could listen, who could encourage.

"He always gave someone a chance. He had wonderful empathy," said his daughter, Alice Brannegan of Stonington, Conn. "When we were growing up, he knew exactly how we felt."

John's special connection to children extended beyond his family. Mike Smith of Geneseo, a real estate agent, remembers John stopping by his house on an insurance matter many years ago. Smith's son Drew, then about 3, found John so engaging that he asked him to stay the night.

John was diagnosed with ALS in 2006. "We came home and I said to him, 'You know this is a horrible disease,'" Sheila Chanler recalled. "He said, 'I can make the best of every day. I'm living to live, not waiting to die. ... He never complained. He never said, 'Woe is me.'"

In addition to his wife and three children, John is survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Chatwin of Oxfordshire, England; Margaret Gay Chanler and Alida Dierker, both of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Felicity McClenachan of Lenox, Mass.; and his brothers, Adrian Chanler of Charleston, S.C.; Oliver Chanler of Geneseo and Alexander Chanler of Andover, Mass. He is also survived by six grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary Church in Geneseo.


Memorials can be sent to the Genesee Valley Conservancy, P.O. Box 73, Geneseo, NY, 14454, or to an organization the donor shared with John.

In 1967, he married Sheila Welch, whom he had known since he was 8 and she was 4. The couple returned to Geneseo in 1968, and John became an insurance agent, eventually purchasing the agency that became the John W. Chanler Agency Inc. in 1980. The next year, he opened a second office in Geneseo. His son, Andrew W. Chanler, bought the agency, now known as Chanler Agency Inc., in 2002.



To Andrew, John was both a personal and a professional role model. "There wasn't anything he did where he didn't put his full effort in," Andrew said. "He filled every single day with as much as he could."

In addition to taking part in the Genesee Valley Hunt and serving as vice president of the board of governors, John was a past president of the Genesee Valley Conservancy, a long-time member of the Geneseo Fire Department, and a former board member of the Geneseo Foundation of the State University College at Geneseo.

He played for the Loon Lake Voyagers, an adult hockey team. He also was a licensed pilot and an avid skier. Beyond all of this, John was a person who could listen, who could encourage.

"He always gave someone a chance. He had wonderful empathy," said his daughter, Alice Brannegan of Stonington, Conn. "When we were growing up, he knew exactly how we felt."

John's special connection to children extended beyond his family. Mike Smith of Geneseo, a real estate agent, remembers John stopping by his house on an insurance matter many years ago. Smith's son Drew, then about 3, found John so engaging that he asked him to stay the night.

John was diagnosed with ALS in 2006. "We came home and I said to him, 'You know this is a horrible disease,'" Sheila Chanler recalled. "He said, 'I can make the best of every day. I'm living to live, not waiting to die. ... He never complained. He never said, 'Woe is me.'"

In addition to his wife and three children, John is survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Chatwin of Oxfordshire, England; Margaret Gay Chanler and Alida Dierker, both of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Felicity McClenachan of Lenox, Mass.; and his brothers, Adrian Chanler of Charleston, S.C.; Oliver Chanler of Geneseo and Alexander Chanler of Andover, Mass. He is also survived by six grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary Church in Geneseo.


Memorials can be sent to the Genesee Valley Conservancy, P.O. Box 73, Geneseo, NY, 14454, or to an organization the donor shared with John.


http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...0326/1002/NEWS

Jane Drury made history
By Kevin Zimmerman/Staff Writer
Wed Apr 01, 2009, 10:29 AM EDT
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Chelmsford - Jane Drury never figured the focus on her life would be on Chelmsford’s history.

“I was a chemist,” Drury said. “I avoided any history class that was not required. History was just learning a bunch of dates.”

But after Margaret Mills approached her in the early 1970s to help catalog a growing list of historical documents and photographs, Drury discovered there was more to the subject than rote memorization.

“You didn’t turn Margaret down,” said Drury. “She wanted me to write a walking tour of the town. The rest is literally history.”

Drury never wrote up that walking tour — that fell to another one of Mills’ protégés — but she did discover a passion for history that lasted up to her death last weekend after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Most of her research was centered on creating a document of the town’s older houses that follows the history from the time it was built until today. After those are written they are filed in the state’s historical archives.

“She did meticulous research on deeds at Town Hall,” said Judy Buswick, who worked with Drury on various projects. “She made a life’s work of it and created a historic document for Chelmsford that Chelmsford wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Most of her research started with a title search so she was able to say who owned the house and when.

That would be followed by an inspection of the structure to make sure if it was described as a Victorian-style home it included design elements indicative of that era.

“If a building is 1828 or later, I can get a date within a year,” said Drury.

Then she would find other supporting documents, such as town reports, tax records and old newspaper articles, which would round out the complete picture of the building and of the people who lived there.

Along the way Drury’s research helped dispel some previously held thoughts about the lineage of some buildings.

One such case involved the house on the corner of Davis and Parkhurst roads.

All the data available at the time of her inventory suggested the home was built in the mid-1800s. But once Drury got into the building she discovered plenty of architectural details that suggested it was older than that.

“I was confused,” said Drury. “There was evidence of a center chimney and the entryway looks like Greek Revival.”

It all seemed to point to a house that probably was built in the early 1800s, said Drury.

A little research pointed her in the direction of Henry Spalding and his father, Israel. The senior Spalding purchased a lot of land along what is Old Westford Road, said Drury.

The plot at Davis and Parkhurst roads was most likely a wedding present for Henry, who married in the early 1800s, and built the house there.

Drury suspected that after Israel’s widow moved into the home with Henry there was some substantial work done on it, including changing the location of the front door from the Davis Road side to face North Road.

That probably happened around 1840, said Drury.
Her encyclopedic knowledge of the town’s history made her the first person you would go to if you had a question, said Villu Tari.

“Her knowledge was based on research,” said Tari. “If you asked her a historic question she had an answer you knew was based on facts.”

Some historians create nice vignettes to explain some things they cannot verify, said Tari. But Drury always dealt in facts.

“That made her unique and a reliable and valuable asset to the town,” said Tari.

For Drury, the inventories took the history of the town’s buildings beyond just who owned what and when.

“This is just a bunch of wood and stone until I put people in it,” said Drury. “It’s our history. History that the town shouldn’t lose.”

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the First Parish Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2 Westford St., Chelmsford.

Kevin Zimmerman can be reached at chelmsford@cnc.com.

California trainer Matlow dies


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RICHARD MATLOW
Benoit & Associates photo
by Jeff Lowe

Longtime Southern California trainer and owner Richard Matlow died on Tuesday after a fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was 66.

Matlow retired in late January, a few months after recording his only graded stakes victory with Jack o’ Lantern in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) on November 23

Over the course of 45 years in racing, Matlow earned widespread respect for a particularly sharp eye. He used that skill to establish a niche in which he developed inexpensive horses into precocious winners and resold them privately.

Matlow bought champion Reraise as a yearling for $8,000 and resold him privately following a maiden victory. Reraise went on to win the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) en route to the Eclipse Award as champion sprinter.

Another $8,000 yearling Matlow bought and resold was King of the Roxy, a multiple graded stakes winner who finished second in the 2007 Santa Anita Derby (G1).

“He was a wonderful man, a neighbor at one time, and one of my trainers back in the day,” said Bob Selvin of National Turf handicapping service. “[He was] a great horseman and had a sharp eye for buying young horses and then reselling them.”

Matlow served for several years as the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s chief yearling inspector when the organization operated the annual Del Mar yearling sale.

Late trainer Eddie Gregson encouraged Matlow to take the job.

“He never had a big bankroll, but with less money he got better results than anyone I could remember,” Gregson said at the time.

Barry Irwin, principal of King of the Roxy’s owner, Team Valor International, compared Matlow to a gifted artist in describing his acumen in February.

“No matter where you dropped him off, because he’s such a good horseman and has such a good eye for a horse, he would find a way to make money and create a horse,” Irwin said.

Matlow is survived by his son, Andrew, 25, his mother, Florence Farell; brother, Stephen; sister, Candace Farrell, and his former wife, Patricia. At Matlow’s request, there will be no funeral services..

Jeff Lowe is a THOROUGHBRED TIMES staff writer

John Heselden, former Gannett executive and Rochester newspapers general manager, dies after battle with ALS
Gary McLendon • Staff writer • April 3, 2009


Longtime Gannett Co. Inc. executive and newspaper foundation trustee John E. "Jack" Heselden died Wednesday after a long struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

He was 88.

Mr. Heselden, a former resident of Pittsford, joined the Frank E. Gannett Foundation board here in 1967.


For a period of time in the 1970s, he was general manager of Rochester newspapers — the Democrat and Chronicle and the former Times-Union. He held a number of other executive positions in Gannett Co. Inc. during his career, notably publisher of USA Today and deputy chairman of the board, roles he took on in 1983. He retired in 1985.

"He was a nice, courteous, gentlemen. He had a steady hand on the tiller when he was general manager of the newspapers in Rochester," said Thomas P. Flynn, retired vice president of communications for the Democrat and Chronicle, who worked 30 years in the newsroom as an editor and reporter.

"He had a very prominent position in the organization. He supervised the Rochester papers. He was somebody who was very meticulous about what he did," Heselden's successor, former Times-Union and Democrat and Chronicle publisher Eugene C. Dorsey, said Thursday by telephone from Longboat Key, Fla.

Mr. Heselden, of Towson, Md., is namesake of the John E. Heselden Fellowship, which is open to newspaper executives interested in marketing or general management. Mr. Heselden was also a former president of the New York State Publishers Association Inc. He served as a trustee actively and in an advisory role for the Gannett and The Freedom Forum Foundation board of trustees for 42 years.

Mr. Heselden retired from The Freedom Forum Foundation board in 1999. However, he continued to serve in an advisory capacity.


In a jointly signed message in The Freedom Forum's 1999 Annual Report, Mr. Heselden is described by Charles L. Overby, chairman and chief executive officer of The Freedom Forum & Newseum, and President Peter S. Pritchard as "a behind-the-scenes giant."

(2 of 2)


Newseum is an interactive news and journalism museum founded by former Rochester and Gannett newspaper executive Al Neuharth.


"Although Jack isn't known by as many people worldwide as Al, his work and influence at the foundation have been enormous," they wrote.



"He has seen the evolution of the foundation from a small office in Rochester, N.Y., where it was the Frank E. Gannett Newspaper Foundation, to The Freedom Forum, an international operation that reached people in 61 countries in 1999."

Mr. Heselden and wife, Ethel, are founding members of Newseum's Friends of the First Amendment Society.


In a statement Wednesday, Overby, a friend of Mr. Heselden, said: "His daughter Nancy told me this morning that he died peacefully, with Ethel — his wife of 67 years — at his side. Nancy said he was 'with it' until the very end and even asked two days ago if the financial statements had come yet."

Private funeral services will take place for family members only. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial gifts be directed to: The Packard Center for ALS Research, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 100 North Charles Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21201.

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Tom Stallings, a math teacher at Huron High School, monitors a study hall class in 2004. Stallings died Thursday from Lou Gehrig's Disease, a terminal neuro-muscular disorder that eventually destroys respiratory function.

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