OBITS: Post-Star 28 Aug 2005; Glen Falls, Warren co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: Post-Star http://www.post-star.com Aiken Sr., Vincent L. SILVER LAKE, Wash. -- Vincent L. Aiken Sr., 93, of Silver Lake, Wash., passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at the Veterans Medical Center in Portland, Ore. Born May 24, 1912, in The Glen, he was the son of Clifford and Rosamund (Smith) Aiken. He was a graduate of Schroon Lake Central School. He had lived in Silver Lake, Wash., for more than 50 years. Mr. Aiken served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, stationed in the South Pacific. He was a bombardier, tailgunner, pilot, and a Pearl Harbor survivor. He was a gypo logger, faller for Wayerhaeuser, side rod in logging camp for Gilmore Logging, and owned and operated Aiken Shake Co. Survivors include two sons, Vincent Aiken Jr and his wife, Karen, of Ellicott City, Md., and Roger Aiken and his wife, Janey, of Purdy, Wash.; three daughters: Esther Ames and her husband, Griff, of Bremerton, Wash., Billie J. Hodges of Warrenton, Ore., and Kathleen Painter and her husband, Bob, of Bremerton, Wash.; a twin brother, Vernon Aiken and his wife, Gladys, of Lodi, Calif.; a sister, Grace Butchino of Hadley; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Silver Lake Cemetery, Wash. Memorial donations may be made to the V.F.W. Post 10882 Building Fund, P.O. Box 152, Toutle, WA 98649. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Bailey, Nona E. SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Nona E. Bailey of Elizabeth Lane passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24 2005, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at noon Friday, Sept. 2, at the Trinity Baptist Church, Ballard Road, Wilton. A complete obituary will follow in Tuesday's edition of The Post-Star. Arrangements are under the direction of William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, burkefuneralhome.com, 584-5373. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Golden, Cheryl E. PLAINFIELD, Conn. -- Cheryl E. Golden, 54, of River Street, Moosup, Conn., beloved wife of John J. Golden, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, in Westfield, N.Y., as the result of an automobile accident. Born Jan. 11, 1951, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of Charlotte (Chandler) Mudgette of Arizona and the late Carl Mudgette. Mrs. Golden had resided in Moosup, Conn., since 1992, moving from Unionville. She had been a volunteer at Plainfield Catholic School in Moosup. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, fishing, camping, yard sales and spending time with her grandchildren. Besides her husband and mother, she leaves two sons, Mason J. Golden of New York City and Wayne Dumas of New York; one daughter, Rae Ann Pettigrew of Central Village; two brothers, Michael Mudgette of New York and Carl Mudgette of Arizona; seven sisters: Sylvia Friedman of New York, Jackie Liapes of Arizona, Carla Ormsby of Florida, Joan Singleton and Jean Jenkins, both of New York, and Billie Jo Mudgette and Jennifer Mudgette, both of Arizona; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Patrick Mudgette, died before her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at All Hallows Church, Moosup, Conn. Burial will follow at All Hallows Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Plainfield Catholic School, 120 Prospect St., Moosup, CT 06354. Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home of Plainfield, Conn., has been entrusted with arrangements. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Gonyo, Jeremiah Raymond POTTERSVILLE -- Jeremiah Raymond Gonyo, infant son of Erin Jean Plumley Myers, formerly of Ticonderoga and most recently of Pottersville, and James Daniel Gonyo of Pottersville, passed away Thursday, Aug. 25, at Glens Falls Hospital. Survivors in addition to his parents include his maternal grandfather, Ernest Plumley of Ghent, N.Y.; his maternal grandmother, Dolly Brown of Pottersville; and his paternal grandparents, Marvin and Joyce Gonyo, both of Minerva. A graveside service will take place Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m. at the family plot of Mount Hope Cemetery of Ticonderoga. The Rev. Anne Huestis will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home of Ticonderoga. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Johnson, Michael J. EWA BEACH, Oahu Island, Hawaii -- Michael J. Johnson, 31, of Ewa Beach, Oahu Island, Hawaii, died Wednesday, Aug., 3, 2005, at St. Francis West Hospital as a result of complications from cancer. Mike was born Dec. 13, 1973, in Buffalo, the son of Eileen Johnson and the late Walter Johnson. He attended Hadley-Luzerne High School and graduated in 1992. He worked summers at Mario's Restaurant in Lake George. Mike went on to fulfill his dreams of serving in the Army. He served as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Lieutenant Johnson was a decorated field artillery officer who received several awards and decorations. He is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1990, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. After completion of basic and advanced individual training as a crane operator, Lieutenant Johnson went on to serve our country in both Active and Reserve Duty. Lieutenant Johnson served as a crane operator in the 464th Engineer Battalion in Schenectady, in the U.S. Army Reserves. He requested to serve on active duty in February 1993, and was assigned to the 63rd Ordinance Co., serving again as a crane operator until March 1995. He re-enlisted to serve as an infantryman in March 1995, and was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, serving in positions from rifleman to team leader in Fort Campbell, Ky. In July 1997, he was assigned to Fort Jackson, S.C., to conduct training as an Army recruiter and follow on assignment to Albany, where he served as a recruiter. There, he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded three gold stars and two sapphire stars to his gold recruiter badge. In June 2001, Lieutenant Johnson was assigned to Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Oahu Island, Hawaii, and served as a squad leader for C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. In March 2002, he applied for and received a release from active duty as a Green to Gold Scholarship recipient. During school, he served in the simultaneous membership program attached to the 9th ARCOM. Lieutenant Johnson graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor's degree in Justice Administration. He was commissioned as an officer in the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course at Fort Sill, Okla. After completion of the basic course, Lieutenant Johnson was assigned to Schofield Barracks and the 25th Infantry Division (Light). Upon assignment to the Division, he was selected to attend and graduated from the Indian Army War College in Mhow, India. He was then assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment and served as the Fire Support officer for A Co., 1st Battalion 27th Infantry. Mike is survived by his wife, Tracy A. Pollard-Johnson; a daughter, Aysha; a son, Nigiel C.; his mother, Eileen; brothers, Walter K., William and Robert; sisters, Bonnie Roetzer, Jeanne Ball, Lori Ackerman and MaryLou Gray; several nieces and nephews; and close friends, Tim, Laurie and Dana McDonough. He cherished his family and friends. He loved his life in the Army, living in Hawaii, surfing and riding his motorcycle. Mike was always ready to share a laugh and a smile! He touched many lives in the short time he was with us! Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Rafferty, Veronica C. RHINEBECK, N.Y. -- Veronica C. Rafferty, formerly of Hurley, N.Y., died Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, at the Baptist Home at Brookmeade in Rhinebeck, N.Y. She was 79. Born Sept. 1, 1925, in Keesville, she was a daughter of the late Joseph C. and Catherine Whalen Melonson. Mrs. Rafferty was a retired elementary school teacher, having taught at the Grant D. Morse Elementary School in Saugerties and the Kingston Consolidated School District. She was a member of the AAUW, St. Joseph's Altar Rosary Society, Ulster County Retired Teachers, Saugerties Retired Teachers and the Hurley Heritage Society. Her husband, Frank J. Rafferty, died July 16, 2002. She was also predeceased by three sisters, Elizabeth A. Smith, Theresa Ocksrider and Helen Melonson. Survivors include two sons, Gregory F. Rafferty and his wife, Kathleen, of Red Hook, and Jeffrey J. Rafferty and his wife, Alyson, of Hurley; four grandchildren: Brendan, Katie, Colin and Brian Rafferty; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral procession will form at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday at Henry J. Bruck Funeral Home, 261 Broadway, Kingston, N.Y. 12401. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church, Kingston. Interment will be at Hurley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Veronica C. Rafferty Scholarship Fund or the Hurley Rescue Squad, c/o the funeral home, would be appreciated. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Slater, William L. GUILDERLAND/ GRANVILLE -- William L. Slater, born in Blue Island, Ill., died at his home Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005, as a result of a house fire. His wife Helen died with him. Bill grew up in the Granville area. He enjoyed sports, lettering in football and track. He graduated in 1965. Through SUNY Buffalo, Bill received a degree in mechanical engineering in 1969. He did design work for many companies and gained respect here and abroad. Bill and Karen Kiepler of Granville married and had a son, William John, currently of North Carolina. He is survived by eight siblings: John W. Slater and his wife, Jacquie, of Milwaukee, Wis., Jerry W. Slater of Chicago, Ill., Ruth Dorogi and her husband, Dennis, of Brockton, N.Y., Helen Hayward and her husband, Glen, of Granville, Ralph E. Slater and his wife, Pat, of Cambridge, IvaLee Slater of Miami, N.Y., Robert Slater of Chicago, Ill., and James P. Slater and Sandy Sweet of Greenwich. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Robert M. King Funeral Home, 23 Church St., Granville. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005. Vurraro, Frank F. SYRACUSE -- Frank F. Vurraro, longtime businessman of Syracuse, went on to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, Aug. 26, 2005. Frank had lived in Greenwich, N.Y,. with his family prior to his recent stay at Pleasant Valley Infirmary in Argyle. Mr. Vurraro was born in Syracuse on Oct. 10, 1915. He was the co-proprietor of the Dale Market, a family business from 1944-1962. He then became a sales representative for F & R Confectioners and Ross Empire Brokerage Companies. He was honored for his outstanding work, and was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in Hershey, Pa., in 1977. Mr. Vurraro retired from Ross Empire at the age of 80. He was an avid golfer for most of his life and was a horse owner at Vernon Downs. Mr. Vurraro was predeceased by his mother and father, Frank and Flora Vurraro of Lakeland, Fla.; his beloved wife, Jane Maurer; his brothers, Joseph of Liverpool, N.Y., Victor of Zephyr Hills, Fla., and Theodore of Hollywood, Fla. He is survived by his sisters, Edith Esposito of Syracuse and Elizabeth Vurraro of Zephyr Hills, Fla. Mr. Vurraro is also survived by his only son, Frank E. Vurraro and his wife, Claire, of Greenwich, N.Y.; grandchildren: Kathryn Newell and her husband, James, of Providence, N.Y., Kim Vanyo and her husband, Thomas, of Saratoga Springs, Karen Beck and her husband, Duke, of Greenwich, and Kristopher Vurraro and his wife, Rene, of Bergen, N.Y.; 12 great-grandchildren: Sarah, Aaron, Hannah and Noah Newell, Christina, Olivia, Hunter and Symon Vanyo, Ryan and Alison Beck, and Annabella and Alexandra Vurraro. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Burns Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 East Genesee St., Syracuse. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at St. Joseph the Worker, in Liverpool. Mr. Vurraro will be interred at White Chapel Cemetery in Dewitt, N.Y. For directions to the funeral home or to leave a note of condolence, please visit www.burnsgarfield.com Frank's family suggests that memorials in his name be made to Washington County Hospice, 415 Lower Main St., Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Published in the Post-Star on 8/28/2005.