Karen Klepser Bylewski RIP

Clarence alumna ('70) Karen Klepser Bylewski passed away December 3, 2016 after a battle with cancer. Her son wrote a beautiful post on Facebook:

"As many of you know, mom was diagnosed with cancer for the second time this February. She chose quality of life over chemo and radiation this time around. And boy did we have a great year! Filled with high's & low's, we laughed, we cried, we shared stories, we shared memories, and most of all...we shared all the love in our hearts. She expressed to me that she had zero regrets and that she claims to have the greatest friends anyone could ask for. I happen to agree wholeheartedly. I have personally seen some of the most sincere, caring, and loving people in the world support my mother throughout her life and on this most recent journey."

I didn't meet Karen until later in life when we discovered that we had in common people, places, and things that we enjoyed. A wonderful, beautiful person, she will be missed.

 BYLEWSKI - Karen (nee Klepser) December 3, 2016, of Varysburg, NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by family; wife of the late James Bylewski; mother of Jeremy and Ashley Rydza; grandmother of Liana and Nico; dearest daughter of Richard Klepser (Diane) and the late Phyllis Klepser; loving sister of Laurie Syms (Charles), Ric Klepser and David Klepser (Rebecca); also survived by nieces and nephews. The family will be present from 10-11 AM with service to follow on Saturday, December 10 at First Spiritualist Temple of E. Aurora. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Home Care & Hospice of Wyoming County, 1225 West State St., Olean, NY 14760 and/or Quaker Settlement Cemetery Association, 4899 Brown Rd., Leicester, NY 14481, Attn: Paul Griffen. Please share your thoughts and memories with Karen's family at www.tomaszewskifh.com The family of Karen L. Bylewski was cared for by the michael s. Tomaszewski funeral & cremation chapel, llc, Batavia, NY.

(fb is the source of the photo also)

Francesca Rosa RIP

Clarence alumna Francesca Rosa (Class '72) passed away October 3, 2016 from pancreatic cancer.

Francesca (as she preferred to be called after high school) was an accomplished writer, and so much more. She designed the cover of our yearbook, and from there went on in different creative and activist fields in her chosen home of San Francisco.

A friend of hers wrote a nice remembrance piece about her, and included a link (within the link) to an interesting interview that she conducted with her in 2009.
http://xpoetics.blogspot.com/2016/10/remembering-francesca-rosa.html

"Rest in peace" just doesn't seem to be the way that Francesca will go about things if she has any say about it in the afterlife :)

Bruce Bennett RIP

Clarence alumni Bruce Bennett (Class '69) passed away suddenly on August 21, 2016. May he rest in peace.

(borrowed from a Facebook wall)

Donna Maul-Wilber RIP

Clarence alumna ('72) Donna Maul-Wilber passed away June 30, 2016. She loved Christmas and owls, but most of, she loved her family. Rest in Peace.

From the Lockport Union-Sun:

Donna M. Wilber passed away on June 30, 2016 in Niagara Hospice House. Born on June 3, 1954 in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Robert and Florence (Moore) Maul.

Donna worked for Tim Hortons Coffee & Bake Shop where she was a manager.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Wilber, Sr. of Lockport; mother of Robert (Krystal) Wilber, Jr. of Akron and Tammie Wilber of Lockport; grandmother of Anthony Zummo and Brianna Wilber; sister of Robert (Pam) Maul, John (Nancy) Maul, both of Florida and the late Thomas Maul; also several close friends, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, July 5th from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 6th at 10 AM in St. John the Baptist RC Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport. Visit pruddenandkandt.com.

Russell Kent Frey RIP

Clarence alumnus ('78) Russell Kent Frey passed away suddenly May 26, 2016. He was an accomplished equestrian, and many tributes and photos are available online. Rest in peace, and condolences to the family. From the Buffalo News:

FREY - Russell Kent August 2, 1960 - May 26, 2016, beloved father of Lydia Frey; dear son of Harold and Beth (nee Honsberger); loving brother of James and Susan (nee Berry), Steven and Barbara (nee Louisos), Paul and Sharol (nee Frey) Martell, Harold Jr. "Skip" and Kimberly (nee Benny); devoted uncle to many and a loving friend.

Russell was a lifelong and successful equestrian and had just completed a successful Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. Frey finished the season earning the top honors in the USHJA $50,000 International Hunter Derby aboard Nina Moore's Kodachrome.

Russell graduated from Clarence High School in Clarence, NY in 1978.

The family will be present to receive family and friends on Tuesday, May 31 from 9:30 AM-12 PM at the Clarence Church of Christ, 5375 Old Goodrich Rd., Clarence where a Memorial Service will follow at 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the Clarence Church of Christ or the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. Please share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com

(photo by Emily Riden, Phelps Sports; article here)

Kyle "Barney" Gaskill RIP

Clarence alumnus ('71) Kyle "Barney" Gaskill has passed away. He and I had gone to the same church back in the day, as well as high school. I don't recall where the nickname "Barney" came from, but he embraced it!

From the Buffalo News:

GASKILL - Kyle J. "Barney" Of Clarence, NY, May 11, 2016, beloved husband of Mary S. (nee Moore); dearest father of Michael and Kimberly (Ralphfeale) Johnson; grandfather of Jayden Johnson; son of Lucille (nee Herbst) and the late Norman Hoffmeister; brother of Laurie Rosebrock; also survived by nephews.

The family will be present on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at THE URBAN BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME INC., 6685 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY (south of County and North French Rds.), where prayers will be offered Monday morning at 11:15 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (Harris Hill) at 12 noon.

Mr. Gaskill was a life member of the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company, a retiree of the Clarence Highway Dept., and a veteran of the U.S. Army. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.

Kevin Waldorf RIP

Clarence alumnus ('73) Kevin Waldorf has passed away. From the Buffalo News:


WALDORF - Kevin J. Suddenly on April 4, 2016, age 61. Beloved husband of Susan (nee Martin) Waldorf; loving father of Melissa A. (Todd Verdi) and Erich S. Waldorf; dear son of Melvin G. and the late Bettylou (nee Latzer) Waldorf; caring brother of Lou Ann (late Eugene) Farrell; also survived by nieces and nephews. The family will be present on Wednesday from 7-9 PM and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the (Harris Hill Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 8440 Main Street, Clarence. Funeral Services will be held on Friday from Zion Lutheran Church, 9535 Clarence Center, Clarence Center at 11 AM. Family and friends are asked to please assemble at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Kevin's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com. or here.

Margaret "Peggi" Grogan Friedman RIP

Clarence alumna ('74) Peggi Grogan Friedman has passed. From the funeral home site:

 Batavia ~ Margaret "Peggi" Grogan Friedman, age 59, of Bank Street, passed away Friday evening (March 25, 2016) at Rochester General Hospital with her loving family at her side.

 She was born September 11, 1956 in Buffalo, NY, a daughter of the late Joseph William and Martha Bliss Grogan. She was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia, an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast and had a deep love and appreciation for animals, especially song birds.

 Peggi is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Friedman and Suzanna Friedman; her significant other, Lynn Baker; her siblings, Patti Grogan, Maggi (Doug) Royle, Suzi (Brian) deBruijn, Kati (Bob) Baker and Kelli Grogan Brown, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia, 300 E. Main Street, where a reception will immediately follow for a time of sharing memories with Peggi's family.

Memorials are suggested to either the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia or to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Michael Compton RIP

Clarence alumni ('72) Mike Compton has passed away. From the Buffalo News:

COMPTON - Michael D. February 19, 2016, of the Town of Tonawanda, NY, beloved husband of Elizabeth (Mc Phail-Frears); dear father of Aubrey (Anthony) Putnam; loving grandfather of Summer, Paige and Anthony; step-grandpa of 29; stepfather of John (Kelly), Jamie (Adrian), Jennifer (Wes), Daniele (Anthony), James (Lisa), Leonard (Mindi), Beverly (Clay), Bonnie Jean (Allan), Carolyn (Fred), Elizabeth (Steve), Robert (Julie), Dennis (Amy) and the late Michael Frears; brother of the late George, Gail and Linda; also survived by three nieces. Friends may call Tuesday 3-8 PM at the LESTER H. WEDEKINDT, INC. FUNERAL HOME, 3290 Delaware Ave.

Guestbook

Kathi Stewart Carnahan RIP

Clarence alumna ('71) Kathi Stewart Carnahan passed away recently after a short illness. Even though I had not seen her since high school, we kept in touch via Facebook.  Strength and comfort sent for her family and friends. A service will be held on January 16, 2016. From site of the funeral home:

Kathleen M. "Kathi" (Stewart) Carnahan, age 62, of Tionesta, PA, died on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at UPMC-Northwest, Seneca, PA. She was born July 8, 1953 in Buffalo, NY, daughter of Phyllis (Yocum) Stewart who survives in NY, and the late Charles Stewart.

On September 9, 1995 in south Wales, NY she married Robert E. Carnahan, who survives. Kathi enjoyed spending time with her family and pets, relaxing outside on the back porch, playing board games and going on adventures and having heart to heart conversations with her daughter Kaylin.

Surviving are in addition to her is her daughter and best friend, Kaylin K. Carnahan and her significant other Archie Loughrey, both of Tionesta. Two step-daughters, Katie Arsenault and her husband Jacob of Florida; Nicole Wolins also of Florida. Six step-grandchildren. Special friend of the family, Chrischelle Wagner and her husband Bret, Nautica, Alanah and Kiarra …three special girls who she loved having sleep overs with.

In addition to her father she was preceded in death by a step-son, Timothy Carnahan.

There will be no public visitation. A celebration of Kathi’s life will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the Tionesta Alliance Church 1734 Colonel Drake Highway, Tionesta at 2pm with Pastor James Evilsizor, officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to assist with funeral expenses c/o Robert Carnahan 107 Highland St. Tionesta, PA 16353. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta. Sign the online guestbook at www.wimerfuneralhome.com