Leech, Arthur G. 1927-2002 South New Berlin NY Obituary

Arthur G. Leech
SOUTH NEW BERLIN — Arthur G. Leech, 75, of South New Berlin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2002, after an extended illness.
Born March 7, 1927, in the Town of Butternut, he was the son of Arthur and Georginez (Camp) Leech.
Arthur attended school in Mount Upton and Johnson City. Before completing his schooling, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 22, 1944. He received his five weeks' recruit training at Sampon, N.Y. He was a gunner's mate on the USS Nantahala and the USS Rehoboth, serving his country during World War II. He received the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal Six star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon-Single star and a Victory Medal. The entire crew he shipped with refused the Purple Heart. Arthur was honorably discharged from the Navy, separating from Lido Beach, Long Island, N.Y., on May 26, 1946. Arthur was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2782. Upon completing his stay in the military, Arthur held many jobs before he found his true passion. He worked for Gorton Construction and numerous other construction companies, where he developed and fine-tuned his carpentry skills. He went into the business of furniture making and refinishing. Arthur could take any old piece of wood and turn it into a work of art.
Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. A favorite pastime was going for rides in the country, where he would always have an eye open for a new fishing hole. He found a lot of pleasure in helping his sons operate their businesses, "The Barn," an antique and collectibles shop, and "Art's Auto Refinishing and Wise Guy's Towing."
Arthur is survived by his companion and friend, Shirley Haynes, of South New Berlin; his daughters, Barbara Gerken and her husband, Paul ,of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Diane Parker and her husband, Christopher, of Norwich; and his sons, James Sanborn (Leech) of Morristown, N.J., Arthur Leech of Norwich and Curtis Leech and his wife, Darlene, of Guilford. He is also survived by his sister, Juanita Nichols of South New Berlin; three brothers, James Leech of Garrattsville, Edward Leech of Mount Upton and William Leech of South New Berlin; 11 grandchildren, Rachel Molino, Jolene Sanborn, Edward Boyer, Jon Gerken, Geoffrey and Jennifer Parker, Derrick Balcom, and Melissa, Kyle, Katy and Kayla Leech; and three great-grandchildren, Kayla Molino and Tyler and Christopher Gerken. Arthur also leaves behind Linda Mills, whom he raised from the time she was a small child, as well as his beloved birds Wally and Jake; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Robert, Donald and Alan Leech, and his sisters, Alma Bresee and Marian Berube.
Graveside funeral services for Arthur will be held at the Butternut Valley Cemetery in Mount Upton, at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 1, with the Rev. Romeyn Kipp, pastor of the Holmesville Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial with full military rites will follow.
The family has requested no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich.

Published in The Daily Star on June 29, 2002.

Tracy, Richard L. 1926-2002 Morris NY Obituary

Richard Tracy
MORRIS — Richard Leon Tracy of Morris, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, at his home in Morris.
He was born Jan. 24, 1926, in Norwich, the son of the late Edgar L. Tracy and Hazel Melvin Tracy.
He married Marian Edwards on Dec. 13, 1947, in Halstead, Pa. Marian predeceased him May 16, 1997.
He is survived by four sons, Edward Tracy and his wife, Dara, of Garrattsville, Leon Tracy and his wife, Joy, of New Berlin, Dan Tracy and his wife, Bonnie, of Morris, and Michael Tracy and his wife, Eileen, of Morris; one daughter, Kathy Whitmore, and her husband, Stanley, of Otego; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
At the age of 17, Richard served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He received the American Campaign Ribbon; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with One Bronze Star; and World War II Victory Ribbon. His highest rank held was as petty officer third class (P.A.D. No. 3).
Richard was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Mr. Tracy owned many businesses throughout his life including Tracy-O'Neil Construction Co., Darian, Conn.; Tracy's Used Cars, Oneonta, (West Laurens,) and Norwich; Tracy's Gas Station, Oneonta; Tracy-Jenson Produce, Oneonta; and West & Tracy Construction Co., Norwich.
Mr. Tracy was a construction superintendent for many years, supervising the construction of many area buildings including the large addition of Bassett Hospital, buildings on the Hartwick College and State University College at Oneonta campuses, New York State Electric and Gas Corp., I-88 bridges and various buildings throughout the state during his career. He worked for Perlstein Construction Co. of New York City during the last 12 years before his retirement.
An avid sports participant and fan, Richard founded, owned and managed a semi-pro baseball team in Morris (Morris Athletic Club) and managed a semi-pro baseball team in Norwich (Norwich Merchants). He was a constant supporter of sports programs in Morris for more than 40 years with affiliation in Norwich and Oxford in his early years. Mr. Tracy attended countless youth and MCS games involving his children and grandchildren throughout his lifetime.
Richard, also an outdoor sportsman, enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends.
Richard retired in 1982, and he and his wife, Marian, spent winters in Florida.
At Mr. Tracy's request, he was cremated and a memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002, at Johnston Funeral Home, Morris, with the Rev. Joseph Fiske officiating.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Morris Emergency Squad or to the Morris Booster Club, P.O. Box 426, Morris, NY 13808.
Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.

Published in The Daily Star on Jan. 22, 2002. 


Richard L. Tracy
MORRIS — Committal services for Mr. Richard Leon Tracy, who died Jan. 20, 2002, will be held in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

Published in The Daily Star on May 16, 2002.

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Johnston Sr., William 1915-2001 Morris NY Obituary

William Johnston Sr.
MORRIS — William T. Johnston Sr., 86, of Morris and formerly of Edmeston, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2001, at the Oneonta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oneonta.
He was born Jan. 29, 1915, in Danville, Pa., the son of Samual and Hattie Mae (Davis) Johnston.
He was married to Wanda K. Sobey in 1936, in Jamaica, N.Y. They would have been married 65 years in June.
He served his country during World War II as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy.
Bill and his wife, Wanda, owned and operated the Johnston Funeral Home in Brookfield and then the Houk-Johnston Funeral Home in Edmeston, until their retirement in 1990.
While in Brookfield, he was a member of the Brookfield Fire Department and served as scoutmaster of the Brookfield Boy Scout Troop. He was also a member of the Brookfield Board of Education during the '50s.
During his life in Edmeston, he was a member of the Edmeston Fire Department and was one of the organizers and a charter member of the Edmeston Emergency Squad. He was also a former member of the Edmeston and Morris Rotary Clubs, the American Legion Post of Edmeston, and the Farmers Lodge F.&A.M. of Edmeston. He had also served as supervisor for the town of Brookfield and town of Edmeston.
He was a member and past state director of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, serving the ninth district. Bill was recently recognized by the New York State Funeral Directors Association for 62 years as an active licensed funeral director.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Johnston, of Morris; his daughter, Diane (Binky) Ford, and her husband, Bernie, of Sidney; and his son, William T. (Ted) Johnston Jr., and his wife, Nanette, of Morris. His grandchildren include Jay Phelps, Jason Berger, Ronald Johnston and his wife, Michelle, Megan Allen and her husband, Ron, JoAnn Berger and her fiancee, Brian Krywy, Katy Johnston and one great-granddaughter, Ashley Johnston.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Feb. 4, 2001, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris from 6 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be private on Monday with the Rev. Mildred Williams officiating.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the Resident Council (Cocktail Hour) Fund, c/o Oneonta Nursing Home, 330 Chestnut St., Oneonta, N.Y., or the Edmeston Fire Department in his memory.
Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.

Published in The Daily Star on Feb. 3, 2001.


Find A Grave memorial for William T. Johnston 1915-2001