U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentJoy M. Spencer
Joy M. Spencer, age 64, of Buffalo, died Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital after a long illness. Born October 19, 1939, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Charles W. Spencer and Mabel Croad.
She was the beloved companion of James A. Schwab; mother of Dawn (Joseph) Cmor and Brian E. Nitkowski; grandmother of Jessica Cmor and Christeen (Brandon) James; daughter of Mabel Hilton and the late Charles (Dolores) Spencer; and sister of Diana L. Spencer, Charles R. Spencer, and the late James F. Spencer. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 3-5 PM Thursday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam & Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Friday at St. Timothy R.C. Church on East Park and Ensminger Roads in the Town of Tonawanda. Friends invited.
Helen J. Morath
Member of St. Francis of Assisi
Helen (nee Zauner) Morath, age 83, of Tonawanda, died Saturday, July 17, 2004, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital after a brief illness. Born November 4, 1920, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna (nee Jacobs) Zauner and was a resident of Tonawanda for more than 40 years. A member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tonawanda, she was the wife of the late Peter J. Morath, Sr., who died December 26, 2000. She was the sister of the late Katherine Becker, Carl Zauner and Rose Knapp.
She is survived by a daughter, Kristine (James) Pieper; a son, Peter (Cynthia) Morath, Jr.; four grandchildren, Jennifer and Michaela Morath, and Lindsay and Brett Pieper; four brothers, Joseph (Ann) Zauner, John (Ruth) Zauner, Raymond (Rita) Zauner, and Ralph (Peg) Zauner; and five sisters, Ann Moorhouse, Betty Boehinger, Alice (John) Dill, Mary Jane McMurray, and Irene (Charles) Manuel. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 4-8 PM Monday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Tuesday at St. Francis Chapel on Adam Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda.
Raymond Smith
Retired from Airco Speers
Raymond Smith, age 85, of Tonawanda, died Sunday, July 18, 2004 at Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga, after a long illness. Born March 28, 1919, in Buffalo, he was the son of the late Andrew and Laura (nee Laskowska) Smith. An Army Veteran of WWII, he was employed as a mill wright at Airco Speers in Niagara Falls before retiring. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (nee Full) Smith, who died May 10, 1991.
He is survived by two sons, Gary (M. Diane) Smith and Douglas (Barbara) Smith; his grandchildren, Geoffrey R. Smith, Brandon J. Smith, Pamela Fronckowiak, and Jason Nowak; and a great-granddaughter, Autumn Janean.
The family will receive friends after 6 PM Wednesday evening at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda, where a memorial service will follow at 7 PM. Friends invited. If desired, memorials to a charity of your choice are preferred by the family.
John J. Beckett
Longtime Boy Scout Leader
John J. Beckett, age 63, of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at his residence after a long illness. Born April 6, 1941 in Buffalo, he was the son of the late George and Dolores (nee Doebler) Beckett and was a resident of Tonawanda for more than 25 years. Mr. Beckett had worked at the International Paper Mill in Tonawanda, and then at the General Motors Engine Plant for more than 24 years before retiring due to illness. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the Knights of Columbus, Twin City Council No. 413, and the Tonawanda Sportsmen’s Club, and had been active in the Boy Scouts in the Tonawandas for more than 20 years. He was the father of the late Michelle “Micki” Schultz, and brother of the late David Beckett and Judy Henderson.
He is survived by his wife, LaVerne (nee Partsch) Beckett; eight children, Steven Beckett, Michael (Donna) Clifton, Nathan (Destini) Clifton, John (Jan) Beckett, Robert Beckett, Douglas (Janine) Beckett, Sandy (Randy) Lehman, and Penny Durow; four sisters, Patricia (Richard) Barth, Mary Beckett, Kathy (Gary) Brenon, and Carol (Greg) Galdon; and two brothers, George (Sandy) Beckett and James (Joan) Beckett. Also surviving are 25 grandchildren, 2 great-granddaughters and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-9 PM Friday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Broad Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. If desired, memorials to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd, Cheektowaga, NY 14227-1480, are preferred by the family.
Lindsay R. MacIver
2001 Graduate of Tonawanda High School
Lindsay R. MacIver, age 21, of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at her home after a 2½ year battle with cancer. Born February 20, 1983 in Amherst, she was a resident of Tonawanda for most of her life and graduated from Tonawanda High School in 2001. Before becoming ill, in an effort to save for college, she had worked in the shoe department at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Amherst. Inspired by the care and devotion of all the doctors and nurses at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Essential Care, Lindsay had hoped to one day become a nurse practitioner.
There was a benefit held for Lindsay at the American Legion Post No. 264 in Tonawanda on November 30, 2002. It was called “Lindsay’s Fight” and over 700 people attended. She received a trip to Las Vegas in November 2003, courtesy of the “Former Troopers / Helping Hands Organization”, and was able to meet her favorite singer, Celine Dion. Through the organization Carly’s Club, she had the opportunity to meet and become friends with several of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, including Brian Moorman, Coy Wire, Josh Stamer, and Brian Campbell.
She is survived by her parents, Bonnie (Frank) MacIver-Mariani of the City of Tonawanda, and Steven (Holly Dugan) MacIver of Niagara Falls; two sisters, Tara and Janelle MacIver of the City of Tonawanda; a step-sister, Deanna Mariani of Lockport; two half-brothers, Ethan and Noah MacIver of Ohio; grandparents, Alice Champlin of Medina, Carmena Mariani of the City of Tonawanda, and Kenneth and Lois MacIver of Sanborn; and aunts and uncles, Cathy (Ron) Ricotta of Florida, Jim (Becky) Champlin of Pennsylvania, Ken Champlin of Florida, Phil Mariani of the City of Tonawanda, Al (Pauline) Mariani of Wheatfield, Kevin (Ruth) MacIver of the City of Tonawanda, and Brian MacIver of South Carolina. Also surviving are many cousins and countless friends.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Saturday and Sunday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Broad Street in Tonawanda; the Rev. Michael Uebler officiating. Friends invited. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in the Town of Tonawanda. In lieu of flowers, memorials to any one of several organizations found on Lindsay’s website www.caringbridge.org/ny/lindsaym are preferred by the family.
Henry R. Carbonneau
Operated Pine Products
Henry R. “Bob” Carbonneau, age 69, of the Town of Tonawnada, died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at his residence after a long battle with cancer. Born September 22, 1934, in Upton, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Henry J. and Ethel (nee Garland) Carbonneau and was a lifelong resident of the Tonawandas. Mr. Carbonneau was known for his craftsmanship in woodworking, and had been the proprietor of Pine Products in Buffalo before becoming ill. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, where he was the first governor of Lodge 2163 in Tonawanda, and served many additional terms as governor. He also belonged to Legion Progress #62. He was the father of the late Colleen Carbonneau and brother of the late Francis Carbonneau.
He is survived by his beloved companion, Virginia Granville of the Town of Tonawanda; twelve children, Robert (Sherry) Carbonneau of Niagara Falls, Bonnie Carbonneau of North Tonawanda, Donald Carbonneau of North Tonawanda, Cheryl Schmahl of Niagara Falls, Tamie (Robert) Wildey of North Tonawanda, Amy (Samuel) Carozzolo of North Tonawanda, Daniel (Jeannette) Granville of Commerce City, Colorado, Sheila Cederman of the Town of Tonawanda, Marcia (Michael) Michaels of Niagara Falls, Kim Tipton of Niagara Falls, Audy (Michele) Tipton of North Tonawanda, and Rodney Tipton of Sturgis, Michigan; and a brother, Lawrence E. Carbonneau of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Monday and Tuesday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda, where prayer services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday; the Rev. Msgr. John Ducette of St. Timothy R.C. Church officiating. Friends invited. Interment at Acacia Park Cemetery in the Town of Pendleton.
Vera L. Gohlike
Member of Tonawanda Seniors
Vera (nee Hartel) Gohlike, age 80, of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at DeGraff Memorial Hospital, after a brief illness. Born February 11, 1924, in Tonawanda, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Lydia (nee Essenburg) Hartel and was a lifelong resident of Tonawanda. Mrs. Gohlike was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and the Tonawanda Senior Citizens. She was the wife of the late Thomas D. Gohlike, who died June 10, 1994, and sister of the late Arlene Hughes, Helen Adams and Evelyn Brawn.
She is survived by her brother, Kenneth (Dorothy) Hartel, Sr.; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Friday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Saturday at St. Francis Chapel on Adam Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment will be cared for privately at White Chapel Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 73 Adam Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150, are preferred by the family.
