Craig Schreiner RIP

Clarence alumni Craig Schreiner ('73) passed away after a battle with cancer He was preceded in death by his first wife, Clarence alumna Jane Hoppe ('73). From his obituary:

October 28, 1955 – September 12, 2023 Craig A. Schreiner, age 67, of Seattle, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 surrounded by his family. He died after a two-year battle with cancer in which he showed courage and great fortitude. 

He was preceded in death by his father Charles Schreiner and mother Marguerite Schreiner. He is survived by his wife Janet Rice and two daughters Laura Schreiner and Erika Schreiner. He is also survived by his sister Kim Kuhn, her husband Dave Kuhn, and brother Lee Schreiner and his wife Jane Schreiner. 

Craig was born on October 28, 1955, in Lackawanna, New York and raised in Clarence Center, New York. Craig arrived in Seattle with Jane Hoppe in the early 1980's seeking a place to hike, fish, and enjoy the water and green spaces of Washington. Craig and Jane married and started their family here. Jane died from cancer in 1990. Craig and Janet married in 1993.

Craig earned his architecture degree at the University of Washington, after taking courses at University of Buffalo and Syracuse University. He started his career in project management with the Benaroya Company. He later worked with Wright Runstad and Company and Dingfield and Associates before starting Kirk and Schreiner with Chris Kirk. Eventually, he formed his own business Project Management Inc. He retired in 2018. 

Craig loved retirement as he indulged his love of boating, traveling, sports and music. He and Janet sailed in the Puget Sound during the summer and fall. They spent the three months of winter every year in sunny Florida. He regularly golfed, biked and played tennis. He loved playing the sax and was always willing to perform for family and friends. 

Craig was a bright, charming, and fun person to be around. He was devoted to his family. His cheerful humor, passion for nature, and determination to live life to the fullest will forever be a gift and inspiration to all who knew him. He was well loved by his family and friends and will be sorely missed. 

Special thanks go to Eileen Quiqley of Evergreen Hospice. A celebration of life will be held in October, a time and place yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wheelchairs for Nigeria (wheelchairsfornigeria.org) or Kids Alive (kidsalive.org).

John Irvine RIP

Clarence alumnus ('72) John Irvine passed away on July 19, 2023. May he rest in peace. Comfort sent to his friends and family.

John Ray Irvine, 69, passed away on July 19, 2023. John is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Onalee, and sister-in-law Leslee. He is survived by wife and true love, Rae; son Craig (Jessica) Troskosky; grandchildren Audrey and Chloe; sister Linda (Ross) Holmes; brother Tom (Barb) Irvine; brother-in-law William "Todd" Smeltzer and sister-in-law Jill (Alan Mulberg) Smeltzer; nieces and nephews; and loving family and friends. 

During their 39-year marriage, John and Rae traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe particularly enjoying trips to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. The two shared adventures and loved visiting local restaurants, beaches, and historical sites. 

John retired from Ultralife Corporation and worked many years for Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. He was a devout Christian and a board member of the Edgewood Church. John volunteered for Elderberry Express, giving rides to seniors, and as a youth mentor and tutor with Healthy Harvest Ministries. He was a talented musician, playing banjo and the mandolin in many bands throughout his life. 

John was well-known for his compassion, friendship, and infectious sense of humor. He loved to rile up children, especially his granddaughters, and cared for his loyal "show dog" Brewster and grand dog Penny. John filled every room he entered with warmth, love, and laughter. 

Please send donations to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in John's memory. 

John's celebration of life services will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Edgewood Church, 111 East Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. As a tribute to John, musicians bring your instrument if you'd like to jam during the desserts and coffee following the services. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

George Atkinson RIP

 Clarence alumnus ('72) George Atkinson passed away June 22, 2023 while awaiting a liver transplant. While we had our differences politically throughout the years, we still managed to have civil conversations! He will be missed.

George W. Atkinson, Jr. (68) died Thursday, June 22, 2023 at VCU in anticipation of a liver transplant. He was born in Williamsport, PA to Marilyn Mitchell and George W. Atkinson, Sr., who preceded him in death. 

His early years were spent in Atlanta, Georgia and later he graduated from Clarence HS, near Buffalo, NY. He entered the Army in 1972 and served in the 214th Army Band, (FORSCOM'S Own) as a French horn instrumentalist until 1979. He then attended Georgia State University and ROTC (receiving the George C. Marshall award and winner of the military saber), then received a Regular Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. 

His military assignments included platoon leader in the 503rd Truck Company, Heidelberg Germany; Asst. S2/3 officer in the 28th Transportation Co, Mannheim, Germany; Cdr. 97th Transportation Co, Heavy Boat, Fort Eustis, VA; Cdr. 710th Transportation Provisional Boat Co, Mogadishu; Division Transportation officer for the 1st Infantry Division, Wurzburg, Germany; V Corps Transportation Officer, Heidelberg, Germany; and his final assignment as the Executive officer for two Deputy Commanders of HQ, TRADOC, Fort Monroe, VA. 

His active service was performed during war and peace with two tours in Germany, three tours in Virginia, two deployments to Saudi Arabia, a deployment to Somalia and two rotations to Kosovo in the Balkans. In l996/97 he authored FM 55-80, the Army Container Operations manual. 

In 2004, George retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel and served as a Department of the Army civilian first as a Doctrine Writer in the Deployment Process Modernization Office, Fort Eustis, VA, then as Deputy Assistant Commandant, Director of Instruction for the US Army Transportation School. He retired as Supervisor Training Specialist at Fort Lee, VA in 2013. His military awards include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, (3rd award). 

Upon retirement he enjoyed gardening, traveling, caring for dogs, and Hawaiian shirts. George met his wife, Mary Framstad, in 1974 when she was reassigned from the 14th Army Band (WAC) to the 214th Army Band (FORSCOM'S Own). After a brief courtship they were married in 1975. 

George is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary; sisters, Pamela Irons (Frank), Paula Dotson (Zechariah), and Patricia McLean (Bill); and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service for George was held at the Williamsburg Mennonite Church, 7800 Croaker Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188, on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in George's name to www.K9sforwarriors.org. 

Internment at Arlington will occur at a future date. Online condolences may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.

Glenn Hall RIP

 Clarence alumnus Glenn Hall ('72) passed away last month. May he rest in peace.

Glenn Hall, passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2023. He was born in Buffalo, NY on February 16,1951 to the late George and Doris (Clark) Hall. 

He was a Class of 1972 graduate of Clarence High School and worked most of his life in the family construction business. He loved to fish and go metal detecting. He loved collecting baseball cards, but his biggest passion was his coin collection. 

Glenn is survived by his loving children, Jacob, Mitchell, "TJ" Timothy (Angela), Matthew (Natalie) Hall and four grandchildren, Cristine and two grandchildren, Donalynn (Travis) Richardson and three grandchildren; Ex-wife Sharon Hall and longtime girlfriend Lori Stempkowski. Beloved brother of Darlene (Ronald) Schultz and David (Nancy) Hall. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers, George Jr., Gregory, Geoffrey, Gordon, Gary, Gene, Gerald; and a sister Deanna. 

Services were held on Wednesday, April 26, at 3:00 PM at Cherry Creek Central Cemetery, 683 County Touring, County Rd 62, Cherry Creek, NY 14723.