MARGERY AFRICA
KEUKA PARK — Margery Africa, 85, of Keuka Park passed away peacefully after a long illness on Saturday, March 28, in the comfort of her home with her friends and family by her side.
A memorial service for Margery will be held sometime in the future at the convenience of the family. Friends are encouraged to sign her guestbook by visiting townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com
Born in Punxsutawney, Pa. on Jan. 27, 1924, Margery was the daughter of Dr. Hollister “Rip” and Alline Lyon. She graduated from Penn State University, receiving her degree in Physical Education and went on to teach in Savannah, Ga. while working at the YMCA. In 1960, she accepted a position as Professor of Physical Education at Keuka College and happily remained until her retirement in 1980.
Throughout her career, Margery proudly held the positions of Aquatics Director and Chair of Physical Education, as well as ambitiously starting Keuka’s Synchronized Swimming Program in 1978. In the summer of 1970, Marge was instrumental in helping children in the Fresh Air program acclimate to life on the lake during a summer program at the college. She remained fervently engaged with the student body through teaching water sports, sailing, swimming, golf and taking her students on canoe and bike trips around Keuka Lake. She was very active in the Keuka Women’s Athletic Association and the Outing Club. Keuka students from 1975 will fondly remember cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner over an open fire at the Long House.
You could always find Marge and her Labrador, Peter, at the lake for early morning crew practice.
Marge loved the lake, and took full advantage of every moment, living at her first home on the lake, and continued to do at Otseningo on West Bluff Drive, the home she shared with her husband, Philip. Her retirement years were filled with many well loved people, cats and dogs, including her beloved labs, Peter and Lily.
She endeavored to fulfill her interests in baking and selling bread, cooking for friends and family, gardening, swimming, and learning to become a grape harvester. She truly lived a full life, touched many lives, and will be greatly missed.
Margery is survived by her husband, Dr. Philip Africa, with whom she shared many happy years of marriage, a son, John Armstrong, of Rochester; nieces Sara Lyon of New Hampshire and Melinda Lyon of Massachusetts; nephew, Doug Lyon, of New Hampshire; step-daughters, Chris Africa of Iowa; Dorothy Africa of Massachusetts; Paula Africa, currently serving active duty in the Navy; Amy Brainerd, of Florida; and step-granddaughter, Kaitlin Brainerd of Florida. She is also survived by her loving cat and companion, Ink. She always held close to her the memory of her brother, William Lyon who passed before her.
LAMONT ''MONTY'' CAMPBELL
DUNDEE — Lamont ''Monty'' Campbell, 88, of Dundee, died unexpectedly Friday March 27, 2009 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, in Penn Yan.
Honoring his wishes, there are no prior calling hours. A private graveside memorial service with full military honors will be held at the convenience of the family. Inurnment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee.
The family respectfully requests no flowers, and graciously asks that memorial contributions be made to Keuka Comfort Care Home, P.O. Box, 107, Penn Yan, 14527; the charity of the donor´s choice; or plant flowers or a tree in memory of Monty.
Lamont was born Feb. 17, 1921 in Warren, Pa., the son of Ralph and Eloise Taylor Campbell. He graduated from Monroe High School in Rochester in 1940. On Dec. 6, 1941 in Rochester, he married the former Mary L. Woolcot. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 during World War II. He worked as a machinist for Gleason Works in Rochester before and for a short time after the war. In 1946 they moved to Barrington to own and operate their own dairy and hog farm; retiring in 1984. Mr. Campbell was a former member of the Crystal Valley Grange, served on the Barrington Town Board, and was a former Barrington Town Justice in his younger years.
A loving husband, father and grandfather who dearly loved his family, he will be forever missed by his wife of 67 years, Mary W. Campbell at home; a son, John M. (Wendy) Campbell of Penn Yan, two daughters, Judy A. (Harry) Naylor of Cato, Anne M. (Armand) D'Abbracci of Binghamton, two grandchildren, Brett (Melissa) Naylor, A. J. D'Abbracci; a great granddaughter Jessica L. Naylor; sister-in-law Alice M. Kingsbury of California and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents he was pre-deceased by a son, James E. Campbell, on Nov. 11, 2000, and a grandson, Chris A. D'Abbraci on May 13, 2004.
Arrangements are by the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee.
WILBUR R. COMSTOCK
PENN YAN — Wilbur R. Comstock, 84, of 2752 County House Road, Penn Yan, died Thursday March 26 at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester.
Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Penn Yan United Methodist Church, Main St., Penn Yan with the Rev. K. Wayne Butler, officiating. Interment will be at Yatesville Cemtery.
Memorials may be made in his memory to the Penn Yan United Methodist Church, PO Box 242, Penn Yan, New York 14527.
He was born in Penn Yan on June 18, 1924, son of Leon E. and Janet E. Richards Comstock.
He was the class salutatorian of Penn Yan Academy in 1942 and a graduate of Cornell University 1945. Upon college graduation he served in the U.S. Navy two years. In 1948 he started work as an electrical engineer for the General Electric Co. in Pittsfield, Mass.. He returned to PennYan in 1952 to manage the family farm and continue his electrical engineering in Clyde. His engineering work lead to the filing of several patents early in his career. In 1985 he retired from General Electric in Auburn.
He was an Eagle Scout and later served as a Cub Scout leader and troop committee member in Penn Yan. He was a member of the Penn Yan United Methodist Church and El-D Van class. He loved to travel and photography was one of his passions. He was active in many camera clubs, and won awards for his amateur photography. His various interests included golf, sailing, woodcarving, birdwatching, fishing, flying kites, bee-keeping, camping and playing the clarinet in the church band.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years Margaret L. Dunning Comstock; one son, Richard L. Comstock (Helen) of Schenectady; daughters, Carol E. (Robert) Bussell of Indianapolis, Ind..; Nancy L. (Steve) Stoddard of Silver Springs and nine grandchildren, David and Elizabeth Comstock, Katie, Margaret and Rachael Bussell, Julie, Thomas, Paul and Alison Stoddard.
Wilbur was pre-deceased by his brother Metz Kay Comstock.
Friends and family may sign the guestbook at www.townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com
ROBERT J. LEAVY JR.
DUNDEE/BARRINGTON — Robert J. Leavy Jr., 79, of Dundee, died Sunday, March 29, 2009 at The Homestead in Penn Yan.
Honoring his wishes there were no prior calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Union Street, Dundee with Father Bob Ring officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to charity of the donor´s choice.
Robert was born Oct. 8, 1929 in Corning, the son of Robert J. and Catherine Miller Leavy, Sr. He graduated from Corning Free Academy in 1949 and went on to attend Alfred State University. He served in the Army National Guard 27th Division from 1948-1952. On Dec. 4, 1954 in St. Marys Roman Catholic Church in Corning, he married the former Margaret S. Chamberlin. They have lived in Barrington since 1978, previously of Corning, where he was employed as a Production Manager by Steuben Glass, a Division of Corning Glass; retiring in 1984.
Mr. Leavy was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Community; and was a former member of N.S.S.A. North South Skirmish Assoc. from 1959-1964. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, and fisherman. His greatest passion was studying military history, and going to antique shops and flea markets.
A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Margaret S. Leavy at home; two sons, Michael R. (Kelly) Leavy with whom he made his home and Stephen H. Leavy of Bradenton, Fla.; three grandchildren, Shannon M. Leavy at home and Patrick and Catherine Leavy, both of Bradenton, Fla. and several nieces and nephews.
He was pre-deceased by a sister, Mary Rhodes of Big Flats.
Arrangements are by the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee.
LUELLA M. WIXSON MATWIEJOW MATHEWS
WAYNE/DUNDEE — Luella M. Wixson Matwiejow Mathews, 98, a long time resident of Elmira and Wayne-Dundee, died Sunday morning, March 29, 2009.
Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water St., Dundee; where a memorial service for Luella will follow at 4 p.m., with Pastor Raymond Champion officiating.
Luella was born on October 31, 1910 in Reading Center to Hazekesh and Henrietta (Davis) Wixson, and was married to Walter Matwiejow. Luella held a strong faith and love for our Lord and Savior. She not only committed her life to her family, she also committed her life to caring for others.
Surviving is her loving family who cherish her memory, sons, Alex Matwiejow of Las Vegas, Nev., Walter (Louie) Matwiejow of Watkins Glen, and Stanley Matwiejow of Ore.; daughter, Helen (Richard) Dixon of Dundee; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends. Luella was predeceased by her husband, Walter Matwiejow, daughters, Josephine Maxwell and Alleen (Sweetie) Ross.I
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
HENRY L. STRAUB
PENN YAN — Henry L. Straub, 80, of Penn Yan, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 23, 2009.
Henry’s service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hamilton St. in Penn Yan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, Penn Yan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Henry’s honor can be made to the Keuka Comfort Home in Penn Yan.
He was born in Northport on Feb. 7, 1929. After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII and receiving his Masters in Education, Henry began his teaching career at Penfield High School teaching Industrial Arts and retired from there after 35 dedicated years. After his retirement, he went on to work as a general contractor in the Penn Yan area until the day he died.
Henry is survived by his wife, Clarinda “Rindy” Straub; son, Loren (Ellen) Straub; daughter, Julie (John) Callaghan; grandchildren, Andrew and Alex Callaghan; sisters, Georgiana and Lillian and his nephews. He always held the memory of his children who went before him, Norman Straub and Emily Decker, close to his heart.
Friends and family are encouraged to sign Henry’s guestbook at townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com.
