Laura Keesler, 98
November 22, 1912 - June 23, 2011

Laura Hawley Keesler, formerly of Callicoon, NY, and Ponta Gorda, Fla., passed away Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the age of 98.
Born November 22, 1912 in Lookout, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Roy Hawley and Lena Rodenberg Hawley. She was married to the late Everett Keesler.
Mrs. Keesler was a member of the United Methodist Church of Callicoon, Tammany Chapter of the Eastern Star, Callicoon, and a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Grover Hermann Hospital.
She is survived by a son, Arthur E. Keesler and wife Jane of Callicoon Center; a daughter, Nancy Hankins of Binghamton; twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence Hawley Knapp Sayre of Ponta Gorda, Fla.; a brother, Roy Hawley and wife Natlie of Binghamton; and sisters-in-law, Lilly Keesler Morgan of Middletown and Joan Dauch Keesler of White Lake.
She was predeceased by a son, James Keesler of Callicoon, and a daughter, Betty Keesler Johnson and husband Robert Johnson of Elkhorn, Wisc.
Burial will be in the Galilee, Pa. cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Gertrude Peake Wright

Gertrude Peake Wright, daughter of the late Chapell and Katherine Peake, and sister of Chape, Jr. passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2011 after a short illness in Virginia. She was with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Fred Howland.
Her funeral will be in Whiting, N.J. on July 7, 2011 at Anderson Campbell Funeral Home.

Dr. Manny S. Golnick
Dentist, 66

Dr. Manny S. Golnick, a longtime resident and dentist in Monticello, passed away at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 following a short and sudden illness. He was 66 years of age.
Manny was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He first came to the Catskills to work as a waiter while still attending the University of Pittsburgh, and ultimately settled in the community and established his dental practice, which he had for four decades.
Manny will be remembered for his exceptional intelligence, inquisitiveness, great sense of humor, kindness and generosity. He was well respected in his profession and by his patients, and cared greatly about those around him. 
Manny is survived by his loving wife, Ronnie (nee Goler) of New York; his daughter, Laurie (Golnick) Guzzinati, formerly of Monticello, her husband Michele Guzzinati and two beautiful granddaughters, Giulia and Gabriella Guzzinati, of Switzerland; and his brother, Arnold Golnick of Michigan. Manny will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, June 30 at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024, tel. 212/769-4400.
Interment will follow at Mt. Ararat Cemetery, 1170 Farmingdale Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735, tel. 631/957-2277.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Manny’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of one’s choice. 

Ralph F. Sykes
Dairy Farmer, 84

Ralph F. Sykes of North Branch, a dairy farmer and lifetime area resident, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in North Branch, in the family home in which he was born. He was 84.
The son of the late John and Mildred Hust Sykes, he was born August 8, 1926 in North Branch.
He was married to Antoinette LeClere Sykes.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch, the North Branch Fire Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Farm Bureau.
Ralph met his wife Antoinette in France during World War II. They were married for 64 years. Dairy farming was his life. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, and had a lifelong love of horses.
He is survived by his wife, Antoinette LeClere Sykes; daughter Janine Coppola and her husband Carmen of Cedar Grove, N.J.; two sons, Robert Sykes and his wife Bonnie of North Branch and Timothy Sykes of Hortonville; his grandchildren, Rebecca Sykes, James Sykes, Jason Sykes, Silvana Sykes, TJ Sykes, and a step-granddaughter, Megan Meyer; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Palmer Sykes; brother-in-law Rene LeClere and his wife Ethel and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two grandsons, Ryan Coppola and Chad Sykes; and by his brothers, James and Fred Sykes; and his sisters Ethel Ingerto and Blanche Fazio.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2011 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 34 Upper Main Street, Callicoon.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2 at Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch.
Burial will be in Heavenly Rest Cemetery in North Branch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Ellsworth C. Buck
Retired Cook, 93

Ellsworth C. “Bucky” Buck of Liberty, NY, a retired cook for the Sullivan County Infirmary in Liberty and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. He was 93.
The son of the late Arthur and Elvia Darling Buck, he was born January 4, 1918 in Roscoe, NY.
Bucky was known for his poetry throughout Sullivan County. He had been an avid golfer, and he was a talented musician.
Survivors include his loving partner, Louise Marie Kirk, of Liberty; four nephews, Paul Buck of NC, Norman Buck and his wife Phyllis of NC, Vernon Buck and his wife Linda of NC, and Dick Wynkoop and his wife Elsie of Grahamsville, NY; one niece, Marion Roberts and her husband John of NC.
He was predeceased by his wife Florence Buck and several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2011 in the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty. The Rev. Frances Waite will officiate.
Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Bethel, NY.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Livingston Manor United Methodist Church, PO Box 361, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200. www.Harris-FH.com