James Niles

James A. Niles, 63, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.

James was born in Greene, NY on January 4, 1945. He was the son of Robert and Loretta (Kruger) Niles. He grew up in North Guilford and graduated from Bainbridge-Guilford High School. James served with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Forrest Royal. Upon his discharge he worked for periods as a contractor and at the Norwich Pharmacal Company before joining the staff at Chenango Memorial Hospital where he worked in the shipping and receiving department for forty years.

Jim was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and of the Norwich American Legion. He was an avid gardener, spending many hours tending his flowers and vegetables.

On April 12, 1969 at St. Bartholomew’s, Jim married Mary D’Ambra who survives. He is also survived by two nephews, Shawn and Lisa Niles and daughters, Avery, Miranda and Savanna, of Sherburne and James Niles of Henderson, Nevada; a sister, Carol Salatto and her husband, John, of Pennellville, NY and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Roger Niles.

A Mass of Resurrection for Jim will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Rev. Lester Smith, pastor of St. Malachi’s Church in Sherburne, will be the celebrant. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Friday from 6 – 8 pm. The rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm.

Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: www.wilsonfh.us.

Virginia Curley

Virginia Curley, 85, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008 at Valley
View Manor Nursing Home. Born in Norwich on September 21, 1922, she was the
last surviving child of Cornelius P. Curley and Elizabeth T. Curley, both of
whom were long-term residents of Norwich.

During her adult years, Virginia worked at the Community Workshop in
Norwich. She had a warm sense of humor and a wonderfully optimistic
personality.

Virginia was predeceased by three brothers, Ward, John, and Bernard Curley
and one sister, Elizabeth Berggren. She is survived by a sister-in-law,
Mary Lou Curley, a niece, Jean C. Hayes, and a number of nephews, including
Matthew, David, and Michael Curley, and George Berggren.

There are no visiting hours scheduled. A memorial service will be held at
St. Paul’s Catholic Church in the spring, at the time of internment at St.
Paul’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia’s memory to The
Memorial Fund of St. Paul’s Church, Norwich.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.

Josephine Stilwell

Josephine E. Stilwell, 90 of Wheeler Avenue passed away peacefully on Friday, February 15 at the Chenango Memorial Residential Health Care Facility. 

Born March 6, 1917 in Cooperstown, Josephine was the daughter of Carl and Ina (Briggs) Smith.  She graduated from Westford High School.  On November 1, 1953 in Oneonta she married Leland A. Stilwell, who survives.  Prior to her marriage she worked in a defense plant and as a clerk. After that she dedicated herself to raising her family.

Besides her husband Leland, Josephine is survived by a daughter, Lisa Stilwell of Norwich; three sons, Reginald and his wife Paula of Rhode Island, Shawn and his wife Diane of Delta, PA, and Kevin of Vestal; and two grandchildren Danielle Stilwell of Delta, PA and Shane Stilwell of Nichols.  She is also survived by her sisters Laone Gardner and her husband Lawrence of Cooperstown and Mary Finch and her husband William of St. Johnsville.  Josephine was predeceased by a son, Brian Stilwell, a granddaughter Nicole Stilwell, her sister Elnora Smith, her brothers Stuart, Carl and Marvin Smith, and her daughter-in-law Susan Stilwell.

At Josephine’s request, private funeral services will be held at the convenience of her family. 

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.  Condolences may be left for Josephine’s family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.

Landon Post-Eichler

 Landon John Post-Eichler, infant son of Sarah Eichler and Chris Post, passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse.

Besides his parents, Landon is survived by his grandparents Carol and Daniel Eichler, his aunt Jennifer, uncles Daniel II, Zachary, Daniel and Jason Haynes, and his godmother Terry Frair.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family at Calvary Baptist Church, with Rev. Brian Conover, pastor, officiating.

Contributions to Landon’s family may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, c/o Rev. Brian Conover, 75 Calvary Drive, Norwich.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.  Those wishing to send a condolence to the family may do so by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.us

Rose Zieno

Rose V. Zieno, 87, formerly of Maydole Street, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 01, 2008 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Rose was born in Norwich on January 1, 1921, the daughter of Thomas and Frances Mary (Lauricella) Zieno. She graduated from Norwich High School in 1938 and worked for the Norwich Knitting Mill for a short time and then for several years as a presser at Arrow Laundry.

Rose was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and active in many of the church functions.

She is survived by her brothers, Dominic Zieno and his wife, Cecelia, of Liverpool, NY and Augustine Zieno and his wife, Jean, of Norwich; a sister-in-law, Frances Zieno of Sidney; a brother-in-law, John Crumb of Auburn, CA and several nieces and nephews. Rose was predeceased by her brothers, Michael and Emmanuel Zieno and her sister, Rosalie Crumb.

A Mass of Resurrection for Rose will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 5. 2008 at St. Bartholomew’s Church with Rev. Douglas Cunningham, pastor, officiating. Friends are invited to call at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Rose may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. Those wishing to send a condolence to the family may do so by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.us.

John Bida

John Bida, longtime resident of Chenango Lake, passed away peacefully at his lakeside home on December 31, 2007.He was born in Amenia, NY, the son of Sam and Kateryna (Kancir) Bida. He was a graduate of Hawkins High School in Hawkins, Wisconsin.

After high school, John worked on the Shamrock Cranberry Marsh, which was owned and operated by his father in Hawkins and then moved to Daytona Beach, Florida where he raced dogs. He married Elma Murphy on August 17, 1946 and later moved to Rochester, NY where he was employed by General Motors for 27 years as an engineering supervisor for the Rochester Products Division. During this time he also raised, trained and drove standard-bred race horses along with his brothers, Frank and Paul Bida. His horses raced at tracks in Batavia, Vernon Downs, Saratoga and Pompano Park in Florida. After retiring to Chenango Lake in 1969, John spent time enjoying country life and continued to be actively involved in the horse business until the time of his death. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association.

John is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Elma, his yellow lab, Dolly and several of his beloved race horses. He is also survived by his brother, Pete Bida of Berkely, Michigan; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Art Miller of Glenwood, Florida and several nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by four sisters and their husbands, Eve and LaVerne DeForest of Sidney, Katherine and George Cole of Binghamton, Stella and William Lyons of South New Berlin and Mary Bida, also of South New Berlin. He was also predeceased by three brothers, Frank and Paul Bida of South New Berlin and Sam Bida of Ely, Nevada; his sisters-in-law, Neva Bida of Ely, Grace Bida of Berkley, MI and his nephew, Christopher Lyons of South New Berlin.

Graveside services for John will be held in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

The services are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.

Cesar Summermatter

Cesar Summermatter passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marie-Louise, and two daughters, Bettina and Annabelle.

Mr. Summermatter was born in Eisten, Switzerland in February of 1923. His love of the outdoors started at a young age growing up in the Swiss mountains near the Matterhorn. During World War II, he served in the Swiss Army protecting the country’s border. He worked as a chef in many famous restaurants including Michael’s Pub, The Stork Club in New York City and Cooperstown’s Otesaga Resort. His Swiss heritage and cuisine were featured at the Hathorn Inn in Warwick, NY, which he owned from 1966 to 1984. Christmas was always a favorite time of the year at the Hathorn as Cesar lit live candles on the 25 foot tall Christmas tree. After selling the Hathorn Inn, Cesar and Marie-Louise moved to East Pharsalia where he continued as a chef at the Otesaga Resort and also enjoyed farming. Cesar will be missed by his family and also by many friends.

Services for Cesar will be held at the convenience of the family.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.

Jennie Arria

Jennie B. Arria, 85, formerly of Waite Street, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 06, 2007 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Marie Barbarossa

Marie C. Barbarossa, 83, of Griffin Street, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2007 at her home.

Robert Smith

Robert C. Smith, 84, of Elm Street, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at his home.