James G. Cretekos

Wellsville, NY - James G. Cretekos, age 86, died on April 27, 2014 at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester.  He was a lifelong resident of Wellsville who was born on January 6, 1928, the son of George J. and Anastasia Paraskavopoulos Cretekos. On August 22, 1954 in Wellsville he married Ann Forman who predeceased him on December 30, 2003.

Jim was an Army veteran, earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of Buffalo and his Masters Degree from St. Bonaventure University.  He was a professor of Chemistry at SUNY Alfred and active in the United University Professions for many years before his retirement.

Jim was very proud of his Greek heritage and visited the birthplace of his father in Sykia, Greece many times over the years with his family.  He was a founding organizer of the Greek Open Golf Tournament in Wellsville, later named the Hellenic Invitational Golf Tournament held in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.  He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends and a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.

His previous community contributions include election commissioner for Allegany County, Trustee of Jones Memorial Hospital, member of the Allegany County Legislature, Supervisor of the Town of Wellsville, Mayor of the Village of Wellsville, and an active member and past Exalted Ruler of the Wellsville BPOE.

Jim is survived by his five children, Stacey Cretekos , Cynthia (Doug) Young, George (Jolene) Cretekos, Greg Cretekos (Lydia Yawney), Karen Cretekos (Mark Buchalter) and ten grandchildren;  Kyla, Niko and Lily Cretekos-Gross of Congers, NY, Jimmy Young of Troy, NY, Andy (Heidi) Young of North Greece, NY, Emily Young of Saratoga Springs, NY, Jimmy Cretekos of Rochester, NY, Terry Cretekos of Chicago, IL,  Louis and Benjamin Buchalter of Seattle, WA., as well as Several nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, his wife Ann, a sister Katherine Toporas, 3 brothers, Jack Cretekos, Dr. Constantine "Gus" Cretekos and Stephen Cretekos, a son in law, Michael Gross.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, May 1, 2014, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A Greek Orthodox funeral service with Father George Zervos presiding will be held at 11:30 am on Friday at the St. John's Episcopal Church on Main Street in Wellsville. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery and donations in Jim's name can be made to a Wellsville based organization of your choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome .com.

Rose Mary (Bianchi) Wilson

Webster, NY - Rose Mary (Bianchi) Wilson, 71, of 22 Clearfield Drive passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 20, 2014 at St. John's Home in Rochester from complications after suffering a stroke on December 31, 2013.  She was born May 4, 1942 in Rochester, the daughter of the late Dominic and Rose (Follaco) Bianchi. On May 23, 1976 in Scio she married George "Jack" Wilson who predeceased her on May 2, 2005. 

Rose Mary was a 1960 graduate of Nazareth Academy. She was employed by the Pfaulder Company in Rochester and was a buyer for Jackson Welding in Rochester for 26 years, retiring in 2009.

She is survived by an aunt & uncle, Anna & Reno Padula of Rochester, many cousins and close friends. She was predeceased in addition to her parents and husband by a sister, Elaine Petote in 1965. 

Rosie will be remembered for her love of family, children, hunting and all things sparkly.

Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 10:15 am at Sacred Heart Church in Genesee, PA. A celebration of Rose Mary's life will follow at her beloved camp on the Hawks Road in Shongo, NY. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Memorial Program of St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Lloyd V. Potter

Belmont, NY - Lloyd V. Potter, 71, of 4545 State Route 19 S, died unexpectedly on Sunday, (April 20, 2014) shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. He was born on January 13, 1943 in Wellsville, the son of Virgil and Florence (Eichenberg) Potter. On May 6, 1967 in Belmont, he married Susan Jacobs who survives.

Lloyd graduated from Belmont Central School in 1961, Alfred State College in 1966 and Alfred University in 1974 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving from 1961 to 1964. He was formerly employed at Acme Electric in Cuba for 28 years, K-Mart in Wellsville for 10 years and was currently employed as deliveryman for NAPA in Wellsville. He was a member of the Western New York MG Car Club, a former member of the Belmont Presbyterian Church and attended the Belmont United Methodist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two children, Kerri Potter and Randy Potter both of Belmont, three grandchildren, Ryan Dodge, Brook Potter and Forest Beauchamp, a brother, Cid (June) Potter of Kearneysville, WV, a sister, Janet (Jim) Norris of Belmont as well as several nieces & nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Belmont. The funeral will be Thursday, (April 24, 2014) at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Rev. Richard Hurd presiding. Burial, with military honors with be in Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Belmont Free Library, 2 Willets Avenue, Belmont, NY 14813. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary Cecilia "Ceil" Murphy Newton

Wellsville, NY - Mary Cecilia "Ceil" Murphy Newton age, 92, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. She was born on January 10, 1922 in Hornell to Michael R. and Mary Elizabeth Lynch Murphy. On May 21, 1977 she married Leslie Clair "Jim" Newton who predeceased her five years to the day on April 9, 2009.

Ceil was a former resident of Friendship who moved back to Wellsville. She graduated from the Immaculate Conception School in 1938 and from Wellsville High School in 1940. In 1941 she graduated from Rochester Business School and later she took courses at Alfred State College, BOCES and D'Youville College. Ceil went to work at the Sinclair Refinery in 1941and stayed there until 1946 when she went to work for the Harris Supply Company in Wellsville. In 1973 she went to work for the New York State DOT in the Friendship Office from where she retired in 1988. Ceil was a devout Catholic who was baptized at Blessed Sacrament Church in Andover, received her first communion, was confirmed and married at the Immaculate  Conception Church in Wellsville. When Ceil moved to Friendship she became a member of the Sacred Heart Church and when it closed she moved her membership to Our Lady of Angels Church in Cuba. Presently Ceil was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and had been a member of its Alter and Rosary Society since 1940. Ceil will be remembered as a very strong and independent woman who was kind and soft spoken.

Ceil is survived by several cousins, friends as well as special friends and care givers Glenn "Bill" and Marion Clark of Friendship and Lisa Clark (John Walchli) of Wellsville.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday, April 13, 2014, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. On Monday a prayer service will be held at 10:30 am in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery and memorials in Ceils name may be made to either The Hart Comfort House or to Catholic Charities. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Susan Boyle Sanders

Wellsville, NY - Susan Boyle Sanders, 78, of 20 S. Broad Street, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born May 29, 1935 in Erie, PA the daughter of the late Dr. Hugh and Vera (Downing) Boyle. On March 20, 1958 in Erie she married Robert N. Sanders who survives.

Susan was a 1953 graduate of Strong Vincent High School in Erie and attended Hiram College and Vermont Junior College. She taught kindergarten, first and second grades in the Girard, Ohio public school system. She was certified in the Montessori teaching method at the National Center of Montessori Education. She co-founded with Sharon Washer, the Wellsville Montessori School and later taught at the Alfred Montessori School. She was a member of both the Shepherd of the Valley and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Wellsville. She enjoyed bowling and playing softball. She was a avid Bridge player, a member of the D. A. R. and was a fundraiser for the March of Dimes.

Surviving in addition to her husband is one son, Steven (Meriam) Sanders of Wellsville, one daughter, Shelly (Barry) Dunne of Wellsville, four grandchildren, Jasmine and Matthew Sanders and Meredith and James Dunne, a sister, Sally (Alfred) D'Alessandro of Export, PA, as well as nine nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Dr. H. Halsey Boyle.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Thursday, (April 10, 2014) at 11:00 am at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville, with Rev. Robert Morris and Rev. Carl Knitter presiding. The family suggests memorial donations be made to any church of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Beverly Lillian Grantier - Memorial Service

Wellsville, NY - Beverly Lillian Grantier; A memorial service for Beverly, who passed away on November 24, 2013, will be held on Saturday April 12, 2014 at 10:00 a,m, at the First United Methodist Church of Wellsville with Reverend Burt Smith presiding. A burial service will take place in the Stannards Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.