Bruce Leroy Burr

Wellsville, NY - Bruce Leroy Burr of Wellsville, NY, died on October 25, 2017 at the age of 85. He was born on April 13, 1932 in the family farmhouse located by the dam at Rushford Lake in the town of Caneadea, NY. He was the 6th of 10 children of the late Alanson Andrew Jackson Burr (born on June 25, 1897 in Burrville, NY) and Lucy Belle Patterson (born on April 4, 1902 in Caneadea, NY).

Bruce aka "Dreamy" graduated from Belfast High School Class of 1950, after graduation he served our country in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1954.  

For many years Bruce and his family owned and operated the Wellsville Bake Shop. Anyone who has ever enjoyed Salt Rising Bread can tip their hat to Bruce as he maintained the tradition through the 1960s and 70s before sharing the recipe with those who bake it now. His children fondly remember working in the bakery and the nightly ritual of "setting the salt".

Bruce loved all sports - the Yankees, Bills and Bonnie's, not necessarily in that order. Golfing with his brothers was one of his favorite pastimes.  Every August before the Burr Reunion a golf outing was held with his children and grandchildren at the Vanderview. He spent more time looking for wayward balls than Columbus did searching for the new world. There was never a lost ball, just one he had not found yet.

He loved to hunt and fish, in particular the time he spent in the woods with middle daughter Jewel, as well as his hunt for ginseng with oldest son Bruce. Jewel's pond at her Addison home hosted many family fishing derbies, stocked by her Dad with his catches from Allegany County.  His catches were handed off to Jewel in Greenwood (their meeting spot), about as smooth an exchange as any Pony Express rider ever made. The fish kept alive by an aerator powered off his car engine. Making due was one of his greatest talents.

He was a life long gardener, a tradition passed on from his early childhood. A visitor during the summer months never left without some of the fruits of his labor. Swiss Chard, tomatoes and of course his homemade jam. All his children have jars of his jams and preserves on their pantry shelves. It will be hard for them if and when they open the last jar.

No world traveler, he still managed to rack up the miles on his trusty VW, the majority of those coming from his many trips to the OTB in Hornell. Anyone who ever accompanied him on that ride can testify to his driving skills. Mario Andretti would have been proud. 

Preceding Bruce in death were brothers Alanson Andrew Jackson and Burton Jewette; sister Elizabeth Lillian; son Daniel Brian, second wife Shirley and granddaughter Naomi Emily.

Bruce lived a simple life, and did not want for much. Visits from friends and family were always tops on his list. As long as there was wood for the stove and the cable worked he was a happy man. So 85 years, more than many get, most of them good with a few hiccups in between. An ordinary life lived by an extraordinary man who will now be sorely missed and fondly remembered by many friends, neighbors, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Bruce's surviving siblings, Crystal Michel of Niagara Falls, NY, Myrtle Koleszar of Caneadea, NY, Grover Stewart of Caneadea, NY, Mary Mountain of Belfast, NY, Donald of Wellsville, NY and baby sister Judy Mills of Wiscoy, NY. They all shared a special bond through music, laughter and family stories. To quote Stew "we had a ball".

His children Kathy, Jewel, Bruce, Brenda and Rod send a tremendous heartfelt thanks to the nurses and doctors at Guthrie Troy Community Hospital in Troy, PA. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Burr Cemetery in Burrville, NY at a future date.

To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Robert W. “Dobro Bob” Norton

Whitesville, NY - Robert W. “Dobro Bob” Norton, 85, of 2062 Route 248A, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at home. He was born February 13, 1932 in Jasper, NY, the son of the late Chester and Katherine (Mattison) Norton. On November 27, 1954 in Whitesville, he married Lucy Ray who predeceased him on December 26, 2000.

Dobro was a 1950 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was initially employed at General Motors Corporation in Tonawanda and later for the Town of Willing. In 1966, he joined Dresser-Rand Corporation, where he was employed until his retirement in 1994. He was a lifelong member of the Southern Tier Bluegrass Association, and was well known for his Dobro and yodeling skills. He and his wife Lucy, hosted the infamous “Norton Leek Dinner” every spring for 50 years. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a caring, hardworking man who loved life, his family, and an occasional beer.

He is survived by four children, Kitty Pratt and her husband Richard of Whitesville, Chester “Chet” Norton and his wife Susan of Whitesville, Michele Norton and her husband Steven Weisman of Williamstown, New Jersey and Lewis “Louie” Norton and his wife Karen of Whitesville, five beloved grandchildren, Xandria, Lily, Ian, Grace and Chloe Norton, three step-grandchildren, Jason and Matthew Burns and Richard Pratt III, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his parents, by a brother, Hoyt Norton and two sisters, Lena Madison and Lila Johnston.   

Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11:00 am, at Sacred Heart Church in Genesee, PA, with Rev. Joseph Dougherty as celebrant. Please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville, the Genesee Emergency Squad in Genesee, PA or the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, 62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103, or visit info@battleshipnewjersey.org. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Loretta M. Herrington

Scio, NY - Loretta M. Herrington, age 86, of Charles Street passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at the Highland Health Care Center. She was born on August 6, 1931 in the Town of Willing to Charles and Julia Mae Gillitte Ost. On September 13, 1958 in Wellsville she married Robert Herrington who predeceased her on January 19, 2008.

Loretta graduated from Wellsville Central High School. She began working at the former American Novelty Company in Wellsville, later moving to Bath to work for Westinghouse where she met her future husband. She retired from Bath Central Schools in 1993 they moved to Scio. Loretta and Robert were inseparable and enjoyed traveling the United States in their retirement. Loretta enjoyed collecting Snow Babies and going out for dinner with friends and family. She will be remembered as a very organized and meticulous woman. 

Loretta is survived by 4 nephews, Jim, Doug, Tim Ost and Lewis Ackerman; 2 nieces, Dena Granger, and Kathryn Rockwood.

She was predeceased by 2 brothers, Richard and Charles Ost and a nephew Kenneth Ost.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, October 28, from 11 am to 12 noon at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. The funeral service will be held at 12 noon with Reverend David Brown presiding followed by burial in Stannards Cemetery. Memorials in Loretta’s name may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mortimer A. “Mort” Grisewood, Jr.

Belmont, NY - Mortimer A. “Mort” Grisewood, Jr., age 86, of Maple Street passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017, at Olean General Hospital. He was born on July 20, 1931 in Belmont to Mortimer and Marion Rulison Grisewood. On January 28, 1956 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church he married Margaret “Jo” Hosley who predeceased him on January 17, 1994.

Mort was a lifelong resident of Belmont who graduated from Belmont Central High School. In 1950 he joined the US Navy serving, during the Korean Conflict, until 1954. Returning to Belmont after his service, Mort began working at the former Friendship Foundry until starting his career as a machinist at Worthington Corporation. He retired from Dresser Rand in 1993 after 38 years of service. Mort was a member of the Holy Family Church of Belmont, Moose Lodge # 601 of Wellsville, I.A.M. local 1580 of Wellsville, life member of the Belmont Fire Department, the former Belmont Conservation Club, the 40 and 8, and Life Member of the American Legion Post#808 of Belmont, where he was a Past Commander. Mort enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, euchre, current events, reading two newspapers a day, and watching the wildlife around his home, especially the birds. Mort will be remembered as an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables who enjoyed being with his family and sharing a meal.

Survivors include his 3 daughters, Mary Janet (David) Robbins of Caty, TX., Frances (Kevin) Young of Belmont, and Kathleen Grisewood of Belmont; 3 sons, John (Rebecca) Grisewood of Olean, Daniel Grisewood of Olean, and Anthony Grisewood of Wellsville; 14 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren; a brother in law (Donald (Marilyn) Hosley of Adams; several nieces and nephews.

Mort was predeceased by his 4 younger siblings: his brothers, Robert, Thomas, and Donald Grisewood; his sister, Virginia Flippen.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 19, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. On Friday there will be a prayer service at 10:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Family Catholic Church of Belmont. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery and memorial wishes may be made to the Amity Rescue Squad, or to the American Cancer Society, or to the Kidney Foundation. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mortimer A. Grisewood Jr. - Notice

Belmont, NY - Mortimer A. Grisewood Jr., age 86, of Maple Street passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017, at the Olean General Hospital. Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 19, 2017, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. A Mass of Christian will be celebrated on Friday at 11 am in the Holy Family Catholic Church of Belmont. A complete obituary will be posted on Thursday.

Deborah Ann Hunt

Belmont, NY - Deborah Ann Hunt, 61, a longtime resident of Belmont, died Friday, October 13, 2017 in her home after a long terminal illness. Deborah was born May 24, 1956, the oldest daughter of the late Leo “Don” and Sandra (Grastorf) Hunt. Deborah graduated with honors from Belmont Central School in 1974.

Deborah furthered her education, receiving an Associate’s Degree from Bryant & Stratton, where she was on the Dean’s list for excellence. She was a longtime member of the Amity Rescue Squad which led her to her second career as a paramedic in Buffalo NY. She returned to Allegany County and enrolled in RN program at SUNY Alfred and went on to achieve her BSN from Brockport University in nursing. Deborah was always on the Dean’s list for excellence while she attended college. She was an emergency room nurse at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Olean General Hospital, and Jones Memorial Hospital. Often, she worked two different jobs at the same time because she loved being a nurse and helping people in need. She ended her nursing career working for the Allegany County Health Department as a Public Health Nurse.

Deborah volunteered for the American Red Cross, Belmont Fire Company, Amity Rescue Squad, where she served on the Board of Directors. She was a member of the Belmont American Legion Auxiliary, and was a member of Saint Mary’s Church in Belmont where she was baptized and received her first holy communion.

Surviving Deborah is her daughter, Dr. Shaunna Szabo of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, siblings; Donald “Mike” (Cheryl) Hunt of Friendship NY, Daniel (Joy) Hunt, Denise Hart, Douglas “Pat” Hunt, Darrel “Joe” Hunt and Dennis (Billy Jo) Hunt all of Belmont, as well as several nieces and nephews, a great nephew and a great niece. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by a brother, David Leo Hunt and a niece, Paige Hunt.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, October 20, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. A time of remembrance will follow with Deacon Frank Pasquale presiding. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Belmont. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Amity Rescue Squad in Belmont or to The American Red Cross. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Charles Howard “Chuck” Gardner

Wellsville, NY - Charles Howard “Chuck” Gardner, age 75, of 143 West State Street, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017, at home. He was born on June 12, 1942 in Wellsville to Howard and Geraldine Daley Gardner. On September 21, 1994 in Scio he married Alysia Haxton who survives.

Chuck worked for Allegany ARC in many capacities including the janitor at the Madison Street Complex. He was an active member of the Knights Creek Evangelical Methodist Church, serving as a trustee, an usher, and assisted with Vacation Bible School. Chuck was a big sports fan that especially liked the New York Yankees and watching NASCAR. He will be remembered as a devoted caretaker for his mother and as a devoted companion and husband to Alysia.

Survivors include; his wife, Alysia of Wellsville; several sisters including Sheron Gardner (Bill Simmons) of Rochester and Patricia (Steven Shultz) Gardner of Hilton; his mother in law, Ella Mae Haxton of Wellsville; several nieces and nephews.

Chuck was predeceased by his parents Howard and Geraldine.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 19, 2017, from 12 noon to 2 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A funeral service will be held following the calling hours at 2pm in the funeral home with Reverend Carl Kemp presiding. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Belmont. Memorials in Chuck’s name may be made to the Knights Creek Evangelical Methodist Church, 2987 County Road 9, Scio, NY  14880. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.