Keith F. Harris

Belmont, NY - Keith F. Harris, formerly of Belmont, died Jan. 16, 2012, in Bradenton, Florida, following a period of declining health.  He was 89. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Owen Harris and Peggy Klimek of Bradenton, Florida; Holly Harris and Charlie Dattola of Cohasset, Massachusetts; and Steve Harris and Patti Zaknich of Renton, Washington; by his two sisters and their spouses, Janet and Edward Lindsey of Bradenton, Florida; and Patricia and Max Gould of Bonita Springs, Florida; by his grandchildren, Kyle Dattola-Harris of New York City and Emily Harris of Gainesville, Florida; and by other members of his extended family. Margaret, his wife since 1948, died in 2008.

Keith grew up in Belmont and graduated from Syracuse University. After serving in the Army Air Corps in WW II, he worked with Gilfillan Brothers, Inc., on emerging radar technology and attended law school at St. Louis University. He returned to Belmont in 1952 to run the family hardware business, Harris Hardware (later Harris Home Center, Inc.), eventually serving as president of the New York State Retail Hardware Association. He retired from the hardware business in 1977 and transplanted to Florida's Sarasota-Bradenton area, where he worked as an accountant until finally mothballing his calculator in 2003. He was an avid golfer and player of poker and bridge; baseball and the stock market were his favorite spectator sports. 

Donations should be made to the donor's local hospice organization or to the American Lung Association.

Family and friends of Keith and Margaret and Owen, Holly, and Steve are invited to gather at Embser Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont, beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, 2012, for a service of remembrance starting at 4:00 p.m.

Sterling G. Armstrong

Wellsville, NY - Sterling G. Armstrong of Herman Ave. passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Highland Hospital in Rochester after a short illness. He was born on April 3, 1963 in Wellsville to Donald and Joanne Strobel Armstrong.

Sterling graduated from Scio Central High School in 1981 and from Alfred State College in 1983. He also took classes in culinary arts to pursue his passion of cooking. Sterling worked in Connecticut and moved to Georgia where he worked as a cook for various resorts including the Sea Island in the Golden Isles. Due to ill health Sterling moved back to Wellsville where he worked at Burger King, did private catering and cooked with Kato Aldrich at special events and church suppers. In later years he established many relationships around the world through virtual games via the internet. Sterling enjoyed attending his families sporting events and was known as the master griller by them. He had been involved in a support group for dialysis patients at the St. James Mercy Health Dialysis Unit where he was one their longest surviving patients. Sterling was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville.

Survivors include: His Mother Joanne of Wellsville; his Grandmother Hazel Ingalls of Wellsville; 2 brothers, Aaron (Rachel) Armstrong of Charles Town, WV. And Patrick Armstrong of Wellsville; 2 sisters, Christine (Jeffrey) Gabler of Cuba and Anita (Dale) Mattison of Richburg; 3 nephews, Jason Gabler, Nathan Gabler and Ayden Mattison; a niece, Felicity Mattison.

He was predeceased by his Father Donald in 1997.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, July 26, from 6 to 8 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville and on Friday from 10 am to 11 am at the Trinity Lutheran Church. His funeral service will follow at 11 am in the Church with Rev. Robert Morris presiding and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or Trinity Lutheran Church or to the dialysis unit at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell or to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Wallace J. "Wally" Francisco

Belmont, NY - Wallace J. "Wally" Francisco of County Route 31A passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Highland Park Health Care Center in Wellsville. He was born on September 4, 1918 in the Town of Amity to Wallace N. and Lena Windus Francisco. On June 7, 1938 in Belmont he married Jane Maxine Knapp who predeceased him on April 8, 2008.

Wally was a lifelong resident of Belmont who graduated from Belmont Central School. He was a lifelong dairy farmer who along with his brother Norman expanded the family farm by adding property and also incorporating. The Francisco Farm which started in1862 is currently being worked by the sixth and seventh generation of his family. He was a progressive farmer who was well liked and respected in his community and served on the Belmont School Board, a board member of the Production Credit Farm Loan Association in Olean, a committee member of the GLF, a member of the Cooperative Extension and a member of the Farm Bureau.

Wallace was also a lifelong member of the Belmont First United Methodist Church. He will be remembered as a hard working man who loved his family, the land, as well as his friends.

Survivors include: 2 sons, Fred Francisco of Wellsville and William (Marie) Francisco of Bath; 2 daughters, Beverly (Larry Lessard) Brooks of Scio and Edie Francisco of Freeport Maine; a sister, Edith Olmstead of Middlebury, VT; 8 grandchildren and 16 Great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by: 2 brothers, Norman and Roger Francisco; a sister, Ruth Dodge; a son in law, Art Brooks; a daughter in law, Faith Francisco.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, from 6 to 9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11 am at the Belmont First United Methodist Church with Rev. Richard Hurd presiding. Burial will take place in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont and memorials may be made to the Belmont First United Methodist Church, Belmont Free Library or to the Amity Rescue Squad. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Patricia Ann "Pat" Pickreign

Brocton, NY - Patricia Ann "Pat" Pickreign a former resident of Wellsville and Syracuse passed away on Monday, July 16 2012, at the home of her daughter in Brocton. She was born on March 12, 1949 in Syracuse to Charles and Bessie Price Lester Sr. On August 18, 1977 in Syracuse she married Edward J. "Butch" Pickreign who predeceased her on March 25, 2010.

Pat attended the Blodgett High School in Syracuse and worked as a housekeeper. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, garage sale hopping and crocheting.

Survivors include: a son Thomas (Jodi) English Jr. of Wellsville; a daughter Donna English of Brocton; 8 grandchildren, Stephen Ramirez Jr., Thomas English III, Jose Diaz, Jeramia English, Edward English, Adrionna English, Stephanie Ramirez and Jenna May English; a brother, Charles Lester Jr. of Syracuse and a sister, Vera Lynn Parsons of Lyons; 15 nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother and father and a sister Doris Ferguson

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, July19, 2012, at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville from 12 noon to 2 pm at which time her funeral service will held. Pastor Dick Helms will preside with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Ruby L. Kemp

Belmont, NY - Ruby L. Kemp formerly of Norton Street passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2012, at the Highland Park Health Care Center in Wellsville. She was born on November 26, 1917 in Bolivar to Fred and Mary Pire Van Curen. On April 18, 1936 in Bolivar she married Jay Kemp who predeceased her on March 20, 2005.

Ruby was a long time resident of Belmont and worked various jobs and most recently for the Southern Tier Home Health Care. She liked to crochet, knit and make quilts and was a member of the First Baptist church of Belmont.

Survivors include: 4 sons, Richard (Mary Lou) Kemp of Belvidere, Wayne (Sandra) Kemp of Brunswick, GA., Dale Kemp of Belmont and Rev. Carl (Linda) Kemp of Scio; 3 daughters, Beverly (Curtis) Burnell of Belmont, Lois Eck of Angelica and Rosalie (Raymond) Taylor of Angelica; She will be greatly missed by 31 grandchildren, over 70 great grandchildren and over 50 great great grandchildren; a sister, Clara McGee of North Carolina; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by: a daughter, Barbara Kemp; 4 grandsons, Terry Eck, Curtis and Wilford Burnell and Vic Kemp; 2 great grandchildren, 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

Friends are invited to call on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 am in the Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Forest Hills Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Amity Rescue Squad or to the First Baptist Church of Belmont. To leave online condolences please visit wwwembserfuneralhome.com.