Obituaries published the week of August 23, 2001

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In Memoriam

Donald H. Girard

Donald H. Girard, 65, of 9 Hollywood Dr., North Grafton Grafton, Mass., died Aug. 15 in the Atlantic City (NJ) Medical Center after being stricken ill while vacationing in Atlantic City. He is survived by his wife Carol M. (Berg) Girard; one son Theodore N. Girard of Holden; two daughters, Dr. Deanna Girard-Lyons of Livonia and Donna E. LeBlanc of Leominster; two brothers, Raymond Girard in Virginia and Joseph Girard of Worcester; six sisters, Gloria Lundy of Shrewsbury, Doris McManus of Burlington, Mass., Marie Paule Lavin, Gertrude Girard and Lucille Letourneau, all of Grafton, Terese Gusha of Holden; six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was born and raised in Worcester, the son of Hormidas and Adelia (Laliberte) Girard. He lived in Worcester for 30 years moving to North Grafton in 1966. He was a kiln worker at Norton company in Worcester for many years before retiring. He was a member of The Greendale Retired Men's Club and its bowling league and he was an enthusiastic sports fan. He was a 1955 graduate of St. Stephen's High School in Worcester and he was a Korean War veteran serving as an Airman 1C in the U.S. Air Force. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug.20 in St. Mary's Church, 17 Water St., North Grafton. Interment was in Pine Grove Cemetery, North Grafton. Memorial donations may be made to The Sterling Animal Shelter, 17 Laurelwood Road, Sterling MA 01564. Funeral arrangements were with The Robert C. Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton, MA.

Edward G. Holley

Edward G. Holley, age 79 of 164 Chapel Road, Wayland died August 13, 2001 i Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY. Ed was born April 7, 1922 in Macon, Ga the son of William and Mary Chancelor Holley and resided in Woodside, Astoria, Spring Valley, North Port, L.I. and Rochester, Mass. Prior to moving to Loon Lake in 1973. He married the former Norma Kahl on February 1, 1947 in Valley Stream, L.I. she survives. Prior to his retirement in 1984 he was employed at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Ed was a Communicant of Sacred Heart Church Perkinsville. He was an active member of the Loon Lake Association. A Veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Navy. Predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers: William, Bob, and Calvin (Porky) Holley and 2 grand children; Ricky and Becky DiFonzo. He is survived by his wife Norma. 3 daughters & sons in law; Christine (Kevin) McNulty and Kathleen (Jim) Martina all of Fayettville and Noreen (Richard) DiFonzo of Henrietta. 1 son and daughter in law; Edward (Kathy) Holley Jr. of Ballston Spa. 1 sister; Betty Ann Bunbury East Northport. 12 grandchildren; Colleen, Kevin, Katie, and Carolyn McNulty. Jennifer, Jeffrey, and Jim Martina. Rachel DiFonzo. Mathew, Mary, Nathan and Caleb Holley. Several Nieces and nephews. Friends were invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Perkinsville. Internment Lakeside Cemetery, Loon Lake. “When God measures a Man, he puts the tape measure around his heart instead of the head”. Contributions may be made in Eds name to: Mary Cariola Childrens Center, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620. Arrangements by St. George-Stanton Funeral Home.

Howard A. Nichols

Howard A. Nichols, age 86, of Carnel Road, Conesus formerly of Retsof died Sunday August 12, 2001 at Noyes Memorial Hosptial in Dansville, NY. He was born the son of Harvey and Annie Marie Alexander Nichols on April 5, 1915 in Geneseo, NY. He was a retiree of AKZO Salt Mine where he was a minor of over 45 years. He was amember of the NY State Harness RAcing and was a life long resident of Retsof. He was predeceased by his wife Ruth in February 11, 1996. He is survived by his daughte rSharon (Martin) Nichols-Johnston of Conesus, steop grandchildren Tracy Ann (Michael) Powell, Mark (Rebecca) Johnston. Several nieces and nephews. Friends called at the Kevin W. dougherty Funeral Home Inc. Route 15, Livonia where services were held Friday with the Rev. David Hotchkiss officiating. Burial Temple Hill Cemetery, Geneseo. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to one's favorite charity.

Richard Lowell Rumfelt

Soldotna, Alaska resident Richard Lowell “Dick” Rumfelt died Aug. 13, 2001 at his home in Soldotna, Alaska. He was 69. Friends joined to celebrate Dick's life Aug. 22, at Sport Lake Cabin on Moser St. next to the Sport Lake Boat Launch, near Sterling, Alaska. His ashes will be interred in Spruce Grove Memorial Park Cemetery at Kasilof, Alaska. Mr. Rumfelt was born Jan. 11, 1932 in Geneseo, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He moved to Alaska in 1951, living in the Anchorage area. In 1962, he moved to the Kenai/Soldotna area. He worked as a self-employed building contractor. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, auto mechanics, playing cards and visiting with friends. His friends said, “Dick was a person so many people relied on and loved. He was a 'grouchy' man with a kind heart. He could build or make anything work. Dick's family and friends will truly miss him.” He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Viola and brothers, Franklin and Ralph. He is survived by his sisters, Norma Rumfelt and Dora Thompson of New York and his many friends. Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel, Kenai, Alaska.

Kenneth S. Witter

US Army Veteran, Kenneth S. Witter Jr., 64, retired electrician for Conrad's Appliance Store in Geneseo died Thursday, August 16, 2001 at Wyoming Co. Nursing Facility in Warsaw, NY. Mr. Witter lived at 55 South Main St. in Perry, and was formerly from Geneseo. He is survived by 1 daughter Sherry Lynn Witter of Rochester, NY, 2 sisters Sylvia (John) Woolston of Livonia, NY, Sally Ann Witter of Geneseo, NY, 3 brothers Harold Witter of Phoenix, AZ, Otto Witter of Brockport, NY, Harlow (Ruth) Witter of Perry, NY, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was born August 21, 1936 in Geneseo, NY the son of Kenneth and Mabel (McKenzie) Witter Sr. He served in the US Army enlisting on March 24, 1960 in Rochester, NY and being discharged on April 26, 1962 on Fort Knox, KY. He then served as a US Army Reserve until March 2, 1966. Visitation was held at Rector-Hicks Funeral Home in Geneseo. Memorials may be made to Wyoming County Nursing Facility Warsaw, NY 14569. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home with Lucille Kane of Geneseo United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Temple Hill Cemetery in Geneseo.