Barbara Layfield

Rochester, NY / Wellsville, NY - Barbara Layfield, age76, of the Stannards Road passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Highland Hospital in Rochester. Barb was born on February 27, 1940 in Wellsville to Nelson A. and Gladys Harder Bierman.

Barb was a longtime resident of the Wellsville Area who moved to Webster to live with her sister. She graduated from Wellsville High as the Salutatorian of her class. Barb graduated from both Alfred State College and Empire State College with honors. She worked for the former First Trust Bank in Wellsville, for a time in Olean, prepared business tax returns and retired from Allegany ARC in 2011. Barb enjoyed researching ancestry, sewing clothing, reading and word search puzzles. She was a member and past treasurer of the DAR of this area and the First United Methodist Church of Wellsville.

Barb is survived by her beloved dog, “Honey”, her sister Carol (Ken) Prautzsch of Webster and many cousins throughout the country.

Barb was predeceased by her parents, Nelson and Gladys.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, July 1, 2016, from 10 to 11 am at the First United Methodist Church on Maple Avenue in Wellsville where her funeral service will take place at 11 am. Reverend Greg DeSalvator will preside and burial will take place in York’s Corners Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider donations the either the First United Methodist Church or to the Allegany County SPCA. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneral home.com.

Lawrence Richard Vossler

Wellsville, NY - Lawrence Richard Vossler, 86, of 76 Hills Street was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, June 25, 2016 with his family at his side. He was born November 30, 1929 in Wellsville, the son of the late Karl B. and Bertha (Brandes) Vossler. On August 30, 1958 in Amherst, he married Margery Louise Brand who survives.

Larry was a 1946 graduate of Wellsville High School and graduated from SUNY Alfred in 1981 with an AAS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was first employed on the family dairy farm, in partnership with his father and brother Don. He later worked for Dresser-Rand in Wellsville from 1968 until he retired in 1993. He was a lifelong member of First Trinity Lutheran Church where he was an active member of the Couples Club, Choir, Board of Elders, and Men’s Club. He served as a Councilman on the Wellsville Town Board from 1973 to 1989, he was a member the Allegany County Fair Board and served as a Director from 1995 to 2009, a member of the Belmont and Wellsville Rotary Clubs, and was a merit badge counselor and troop committee member while his boys were members of the Boy Scout Troop 705.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 57 years are three children, Rev. Dr. L. Richard Vossler Jr. and his wife Coralyn of Livingston, NJ, Terry E. Vossler and wife Janet of Butler, PA and Karl S. Vossler and his wife Lori of Purcellville, VA, nine grandchildren, Christopher and Amy Vossler, Benjamin Vossler, Sara Vossler, Christopher and Shannon Schroeder, Heather and Maxwell Muska, Matthew and Sarah Schroeder, Katrina Vossler, Michael Vossler, and Elizabeth Vossler, three great grandchildren, Juliette Schroeder, Zachariah Schroeder, and Harper Muska. One sister, Marilyn V. Palmer and her husband Jack of Avon Park, FL, a brother-in-law, Peter T. Brand of Hamburg, as well as several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter K. and Florence Vossler and Donald W. and Janice Vossler, along with a sister-in-law, Dorothy Brand.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 from 10:00 am till noon at the First Trinity Lutheran Church, 470 North Main Street in Wellsville. A memorial service with follow the visitation at 12:00 noon. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, the Hart Comfort House, or the American Diabetes Association. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

John Joseph Cosgrove Jr. (“Jack”, J.J.)

Wellsville, NY - At 11:00 pm on Friday, June 24th, 2016, John Joseph Cosgrove Jr. (“Jack”, J.J.) succumbed to a long and arduous battle with both malignant melanoma and kidney cancer.  He was surrounded by family in the comfort of his daughter’s home in Buffalo N.Y, where he has been a resident for the past three months.

John was born on December 4th, 1943 in Buffalo, N.Y. to John J. Cosgrove Sr. and Mary G. R. Ayers.  He graduated from Bishop Timon High School in 1962 and then was an active member of in the U. S. Navy from 1962-1966.  He also attended The University of Buffalo and Alfred State College.  John graduated from the N.Y.S. Police Academy in 1967 and after serving 31 years as a N.Y.S. Trooper, he retired in 1998.  During his career, he mentored many new troopers.

On August 23rd, 1969, John married Carol E. Potter of Wellsville, N.Y. at St. Bonaventure University Chapel, in Olean, NY.

In addition to being a police officer, John also worked at the Wellsville Post Office, as a transport operator for Scio Central School and Randolph Academy, and he also worked as staff at Randolph Academy and On-Site Technical Services.  John was an active volunteer in the community.  He volunteered at the Immaculate Conception School/Church where he was a devout parishioner, he assisted at the Hart Bros. and Sons Memorials, he was a supporter of Wellsville High School Athletics and the Wellsville Women’s Slo-Pitch League. John and Carol were also the foster parents of 18 children in the community over the years.  They also had many “Rent-A-Kids.”

His hobbies included reading, building military model airplanes, and spending as much time with his family and grandchildren as possible.  He was a member of A.A.S.T., The American Legion, The Loyal Order of the Moose, the N.R.A., The V.F.W., and the Wellsville Rod and Gun Club.

He was predeceased by nephew Patrick A. Stanton, parents Mary and John Cosgrove Sr., and father-in-law Richard B. Potter.

John is survived by wife Carol, daughters Christine (Don) Marchese, Renee (Matthew) Menegay, Mary B. Cosgrove, Angela Cosgrove (Lonny Leffler), Molly (Arthur) Reed, son John R. Cosgrove, and 7 grandchildren, Jordin C. E. Stein, Trevor J. Marchese, Ian J. Reed, Christian D. Reed, Brendan C. Menegay, Gabriella C. Reed, and Anna E. Reed, also by siblings, Carol (Bob) Connors, Eleanor (John) Stanton, Colleen (David) Braun, and Dr. William (Dorothy) Cosgrove, mother-in-law Gladys D. Potter, sister-in-law Lisa Lewis, brother’s-in-law Richard (Sonny) Potter, Duane Potter, and Harvey Potter and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, June 29th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons F.H. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Thursday in the Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of John to the scholarship program of A.A.S.T. (American Association of State Troopers web address: www.statetroopers.org), The Hart Comfort House, The David A. Howe Public Library or any charity of your choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Floyd Mallory

Wellsville, NY - Floyd Mallory, age 95, of Florida Avenue passed away on Wednesday June 22, 2016 at the Bath V. A. Center in Bath, New York. He was born on January 18, 1921 in Mellenville to Roy and Mary Robbins Mallory. On November 23, 1946 in Wellsville he married Doris Swarthout who survives him.

Floyd was a longtime resident of Wellsville who joined the United States Marine Corps in 1940. He proudly served with the First Marine Division in the Pacific Theater participating in the landings on Tuagi, Guadal Canal, Cape Gloucaster and Peleliu. He was awarded the Purple Heart and when he left the service he had earned the rank of Sargent. Floyd worked for the former Wellsville Burial Case and later worked for Air Preheater as a machinist from where he retired in 1987 after 37 years. In his earlier years Floyd enjoyed riding motorcycles and later took up flying his own air planes from the Wellsville Air Port. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, carpentry, helping his family and being with them. He was a member of the Morrison Hayes American Legion Post 702 and the First Trinity Lutheran Church both of Wellsville.

Surviving besides his wife Doris are 2 sons, Glenn [Debra] Mallory of Grand Junction, CO., Roger [Pat George] Mallory of Wellsville; 2 daughters, Peggy Stallworth of Mumford and Mary [Kelly] Monroe of Wellsville; 4 grandchildren.

Floyd was predeceased by his parents and his 2 sisters, Dorothy and Alice.

There will be no prior visitation with a memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Memorials in Floyd’s name may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Robert L. Chaffee

Wellsville, NY - Robert L. Chaffee, 78, of 263 South Main Street, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Jones Memorial Hospital with his family at his side. He was born October 30, 1937 in Olean, the son of the late DeForest and Rose Anne (Jones) Chaffee. On June 21, 1958 in Olean he Married Lorraine Lindamer who survives.

Bob was raised in Portville and was a 1955 graduate of Portville High School. He graduated from Alfred State College in 1957. He received a bachelor’s degree from Alfred University in 1975 and became a licensed Professional Engineer. He was employed at Clark Brothers in Olean from 1957 to 1964 and C. E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville from 1974 to 1979. In 1979 he founded Chaffee Engineering and operated his company until 1989, when he accepted the position of Director of Public Works for the Village of Wellsville. He retired in 2003. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and a life member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder Company # 3. He was the founder of the Wellsville Whittlers Club, a member of the Southwestern Carving Club and was a member of the Allegany Artisans from its inception. He was a member of the Village of Wellsville Planning Board, the Zoning Review Board and was instrumental in the Village of Wellsville receiving the Tree City USA designation. He was a former Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball coach.

Surviving in addition to his wife are five children, Jolene (George) Cretekos of Farmington, Mark (Bonnie) Chaffee of Ferrisburgh, VT, Steve Chaffee of Wellsville, Ann Davidson of Mendon, and Michael (Tammy) Chaffee of Wellsville, a daughter-in-law, Shelley Chaffee, 11 grandchildren, James Cretekos, Terry Cretekos, Kelsey Chaffee, Ashley (Adam) Harriger, Laura Chaffee, Jordan Davidson, Madison Davidson, Jack Davidson, Dakota Chaffee, Mikala Chaffee and Noah Chaffee, one great granddaughter, Amelia Harriger, four step grandchildren, Mandy York, Hilary (Senesac) Becker, Hayden Senesac and Harrison Senesac, a brother, Donald (Linda) Chaffee of Newington, CT, a sister, Janet (Jerry) Emerson of Rew, PA, as well as several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, William Chaffee.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 16th at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort House. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Anna C. Babcock

Wellsville, NY - Anna C. Babcock, 101, formerly of 15 Hamilton Street passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016 at Highland Park Healthcare Center following a brief illness. She was born February 12, 1915 in Silver Springs, NY the daughter of Michael Kovka and Anna (Kicza) Cook. On January 8, 1938 in Portageville she married William Babcock who predeceased her on September 4, 1984.

Anna was a 1935 graduate of Geneseo Normal School. She moved to Wellsville in 1946 where she and Bill owned and operated the Wellsville Dry Cleaners for many years. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, traveling with the senior citizens. She has resided at Manor Hills for the past four years.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Gail Moynihan and her husband Michael, Sally Faugh and her husband Ronald, J. Michael Cook and his wife Gail, Brian Cook, Kathy Cook and her husband Mark, Alan Cook and Craig Cook, 10 great nieces and nephews, one great-great niece and a sister-in-law, Lois Nunweiler. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, a sister, Mary Goff, two brothers, Frank and Michael Cook and a niece.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery in Portageville. Please consider memorial donation to the Emerald Hook & Ladder Company # 3 or the Immaculate Conception School. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfunerlahome.com.

Raymond L. Keenan Jr.

Belmont, NY - Raymond L. Keenan Jr. passed away this spring, 2016, at the age of 77 years. 

Ray was born in Warsaw, N.Y., raised in Belmont, N.Y. and graduated from what was then Belmont Central High School in 1955. He received his B.A. in history from St Bonaventure University where he graduated with honors and was also in ROTC.  Following graduation, Ray served a four year tour of duty in the Army while stationed in Korea and Germany. Following his discharge and a year of travel in Europe and Asia he returned to New York and taught Junior High School for a year and a half in Scio N.Y. Ray then moved to California to spend two summer sessions at Stanford studying the Chinese language. He next transferred to San Francisco State University where he used his natural interest in linguistics and word origins to earn an M.A. Degree with a major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).  Ray's adventures in teaching abroad began in 1972 when he flew to Tokyo, Japan, to work at an English Language Specialty School.  He also became a part time English instructor at Waseda University.  Ray went on to teach for 37 years, retiring from the English Specialty School in 2004 and Waseda University in 2007.  Following a five year retirement period in Tokyo, Ray returned to California due to poor health and was cared for by his brother, Francis "Skip" Keenan, for a two and one half year period before his death due to cancer this spring.  

Ray was a scholar with a special interest in history and classical music.  He traveled throughout the world, but especially in Asia.  Ray was regarded as a true Renaissance man by all who knew him.

Ray is survived by his brothers, Francis "Skip" Keenan of Tehachapi, California, and Richard Keenan of Valencia, California, sister, Linda McCann of Rochester, NY, and various nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Raymond and Alice Keenan of Belmont, NY. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Church (formerly St. Mary's) in Belmont, NY. Interment with military honors, will follow at St Mary's Cemetery. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Wilbur M. Button

Olean, NY - Wilbur M. Button, age 63, of 429 9th Street passed away on June 5, 2016 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born on September 8, 1952 to Wilbur and Thelma Rice Button Sr. On March 12, 1993 in Bolivar he married Susan Kelly who survives.

Wilbur was a lifelong resident of the area who had moved to Olean in 2015 and had attended the Gospel Fellowship Church in Belmont. He enjoyed watching cowboy movies, playing the guitar and listening to country music including Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

Survivors include his wife of Olean and her children and grandchildren; 3 brothers, Robert Button of Wellsboro, PA., Leon David (Pat) Button of Bolivar and Stanley (Sue) Button of Richburg; 5 sisters, Bertha Button of Galton, PA., Susan (George) Benson of Almond, Judy (Chuck) Heap of Tennessee, Marie (Larry) Green of Fulton and Janet (Greg) Jackson of Shinglehouse, PA.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Wilbur was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Eugene Button.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 10 am to 11 am at the Gospel Fellowship Church at 4996 Hood Road in Belmont. His funeral service will be held at 11 am with Pastor Patrick Lyons presiding. Burial will take place in Knights Creek Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Arlene M. Palmer

Wellsville, NY - Arlene M. Palmer, age 56, of Second Street passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. She was born on February 26, 1960 in Lusk, Wyoming to Robert and Sammie Bayne Scott.

Arlene grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska where she graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1978. In 1990 she move to Belmont and began working for Tractor Supply in Wellsville where she eventually became the Manager. Arlene enjoyed cooking, baking, being outside and spending time with her loved ones.

Arlene is survived by a son Timothy Scott (Roxanne Clark) Brunner of Lincoln, Nebraska;  a daughter Arieanna Palmer of Rochester; two brothers, Robert (Linda) Scott of Windsor, Colorado and Shane Scott of Casper, Wyoming; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arlene was predeceased by her parents; a brother Kevin Scott and a sister Kelly Scott Rose.

A family service will be held June 26, 2016 at 11am at the Scott Family Ranch in Lusk, Wyoming. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Leonard A. (“Lenny”) Lewis

Wellsville, NY - Leonard A. (“Lenny”) Lewis, 90, of 4200 Fassett Lane,passed away unexpectedly on June 1, 2016 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.  Lenny was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather; a loyal friend to many; a proud World War II Navy veteran; a talented carpenter, and an avid motorcycle, electronics, and gadgets enthusiast. He was also an active and giving member of his community all of his life, honored just two days before his passing as the Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade in Wellsville.

The son of Leonard Leroy Lewis and Lucy Mae (Johnston) Lewis, Lenny was born on October 4, 1925, in Nunda, NY. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a teen during WWII, Lenny was trained at Sampson Naval Base on Seneca Lake in N.Y., then was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, and served as a ship signalman aboard the seaplane tender, U.S.S. Albemarle, from 1942 to 1945. Lenny spent most of his service at sea – his tours of duty taking him to places such as Reykjavik, Iceland; Trinidad; across the Equator; and through the Panama Canal. After his service, Lenny was a carpenter by trade and attended college. He worked for over 33 years as an Industrial Engineer at Dresser-Rand in Wellsville, retiring in 1987.

On December 5, 1944 at the Immaculate Conception Church Rectory in Wellsville, Lenny married the true love of his life, Mary Arlene Burns, whom he met at the Funland Roller Skating Rink when they were teens. The couple settled in Wellsville. They had two children, both born in Wellsville – a son, Thomas James Lewis, who predeceased them on July 25, 1991, and a daughter, Connie Ann Lewis. After celebrating 65 years of marriage, Mary predeceased her husband on August 25, 2010. A testament to their love is that Lenny visited his wife’s grave and kept a candle lit there every day in her memory from the day of her death until his own death 6 years later.

Surviving family members are: sister, Jean Hibbard (Robert) of Whitney Point, NY; daughter, Connie Ann (Lewis) Kirk (Kenneth) of Corning, NY; daughter-in-law, Connie A. (Russell) Lewis of Scio, NY; grandchildren: Benjamin Lewis Kirk (Emily Nester); Johnathan Patrick Kirk; Andrew Scott Lewis; Christopher Todd Lewis; and Sarah Elizabeth Wyre; great-grandchildren: Hunter Lewis and Jaxson Wyre; niece, Marcella Sweet; and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Throughout his long life, Lenny was a leader and active member of several civic, professional, and veteran organizations. These included but are not limited to: Post 702 of the American Legion; former Chaplain of the American Legion Riders Club in Wellsville; VFW; the Patriot Guard; Society of Manufacturing Engineers; Officer of Kiwanis Club; volunteer firefighter with the McEwen Fire Department; 32nd Degree of Freemasonry; and a participant in various bowling and golfing leagues. Lenny, who volunteered many times to visit veterans in hospitals and in other related projects, was honored by the local American Legion post when he was asked to place a wreath in their name at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. in 2013.

In his later years, Lenny was known for his sole caretaking of his wife who was ill for 6 years; his continued devotion to her after her passing; his vitality and clear enjoyment of riding his motorcycle around town and the countryside on into his 90s; his warm, friendly, and welcoming spirit to everyone he met; and the deep enjoyment, pride, and love he had for his family.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 8, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville followed by an Honor Guard and burial service at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wellsville and a luncheon at the American Legion. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Lenny’s name are welcome to give to the American Legion Riders, Post 702, 23 Jefferson Street, Wellsville, NY, 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Raymond E. Dennis

Greece/ Rochester, NY - Raymond E. Dennis, age 73, a former resident of Wellsville passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at the Aurora House in Spencerport surrounded by his family. He was born on October 2, 1942 in Olean to Robert H. and Helen Moser Dennis. On August 25, 1960 in Gaffney, North Carolina he married Kay Lippman who survives.

Ray was employed as a welder for Eastman Kodak in Rochester of 30 years. He was an instructor for the welding apprentice program and a proud member of the American Welding Society where he held an inspectors license. Ray enjoyed the out of doors, he was an Eagle Scout who enjoyed boating on the Great Lakes and the Finger Lakes. He enjoyed hunting, golfing with friends and especially watching his grandchildren play sports. Ray had been a member of the Masonic Lodge on Lake Avenue in Rochester.

Ray is survived by his wife Kay; a son Kevin E. (Dianna) Dennis of Rochester; a daughter Kelly (Ken) Kozlowski of Rochester; his brother, Walter (Phyllis) Dennis of Brockport; grandchildren, Robert (Tara) Visca, Jill Visca, Trevor and Celia Dennis; several cousins and nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held with a burial in Woodlawn Cemetery of Wellsville. Memorials in Ray’s name may be made to the Aurora House at 2495 South Union Street, Spencerport, NY. 14559. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Richard H. “Dick” Parker

Wellsville, NY - Richard H. “Dick” Parker, age 86, of Center Drive passed away at home on Tuesday, May 31,2016. He was born on October 21, 1929 in Albany to Mason G. and Elizabeth O’Hara Parker.

On August 27, 1955 in Albany he married Shirley Guiry who survives him.

Dick was a veteran of the US Navy serving from 1951 until 1955. He graduated from Cornell University in 1959 and later became the Director of Personnel at Dresser Rand from 1973 until 1991. Dick volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity for several years, was involved in mentoring local students, coached youth sports, and created the Parker Academic Scholarship at Wellsville High School. Dick was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, an avid reader, and a dedicated family man who enjoyed racket sports and golf. His greatest pleasures were spending time with his family and friends and mentoring young people.

Survivors include his wife Shirley; his children, Patrick (Cyndi) Parker, Paul (Janet) Parker, Dean (Lorri) Parker and his son in law Mark Raeside all of Rochester; his grandchildren, Joseph Parker, Zachary Parker, Aaron Parker, Allison Raeside, Emma Raeside, Mason Parker and Jackson Parker all of Rochester; His sisters, Alice Begley of Albany and Marjorie Van Deusen of Castleton on the Hudson; several nieces and nephews.

Dick was predeceased by his parents; his sister Elizabeth Wiest; his daughter Kathleen Raeside and his grandson Michael Parker.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, June 3, from 5 pm until 8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. On Saturday a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 am in the Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville. Memorials in Dick’s name may be made to either the David A. Howe Library of Wellsville or to the American Cancer Society. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfunereralhome.com.