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A10 Thursday, June 15, 2017 Livingston County News

Seniorama 2017

Photographs by Joe Granita/For The Livingston County News

Salute to seniors. Livingston County seniors who were the recipient of a Senior Citizen of the Year Award as last months Seniorama celebration are shown in the auditoirum of York Central School.

Countys greatest generation honored

Senior volunteers are backbone of their communities, Livingston County
BY SALLY SANTORA
For The LCN
Journalist Tom Brokaw called
Americans who grew up during the
Great Depression and later fought
in World War II, Americas great-
est generation.
Livingston County has its own
greatest generation, and each May
they are recognized at the Seniora-
ma a celebration of a lifetime of
community service and good citi-
zenship - presented by the Livings-
ton County Office for the Aging.
The 37th annual Seniorama took
place May 20 in Hilfiker Audito-
rium at York Central School. One
honoree or in the case of couples,
two honorees were selected from
each of the 17 Livingston County
towns and escorted by their respec-
tive town supervisor to receive their
award. The Livingston County Cen-
ter for Nursing and Rehabilitation
also named an honoree.
Seniorama is one of the most
anticipated events of the year in
Livingston County and reading the
biographies of the honorees, its
easy to see why that is.
Livingston County Office for
the Aging Director Sue Davin wel-
comed the honorees, their families
and friends and honored special
guests to the program.
She said the honorees have donat-
ed hundreds of hours of service and
are the backbone of their communi-
ties and Livingston County.
Seniorama recognizes the honor-
ees for the community service and
good citizenshipwe honor these
individuals for the many things they
do as senior citizens to make our
communities better places to live,
Davin said.
She thanked Livingston County
and the Board of Supervisors for
their support of the Office of the
Aging and the numerous services
it provides for the countys older
citizens.
Special guests representing Liv-
ingston County included County
Administrator Ian Coyle, Sheriff
Thomas J. Dougherty and Board
of Supervisors Chairman Eric
Gott, who is also the Livonia town
supervisor. Representing the Fos-
ter Grandparent program was Deb
Gage.
Assemblyman Joseph Errigo,
R-Conesus, and representatives of
state Sen. Catharine Young, R-Ole-
an, and Congressman Chris Collins,
R-Clarence, also attended.
The Rev. David Hotchkiss, who
is retiring as pastor at Conesus
United Church and Scottsburg
United Methodist Church, has
been an integral part of the annual
Seniorama for 25 years.
Davin said the program would
not be the same without Rev.
Hotchkiss attending to deliver the
invocation and benediction.
The Rev. Hotchkiss said for him,
spring arrives when its time for
Seniorama.
Before he led everyone in a
prayer of thanksgiving for the hon-
orees, he quoted American writer
Anne Herbert who said: Practice
random acts of kindness and sense-
less acts of beauty.
Hotchkiss said the honorees have
been doing just that for their entire
lives.
David Parish, president of
TRIAD, a collaborative organiza-
tion of senior citizens and lawmen,
presented the annual TRIAD Award
to the Livingston County Coali-
tion of Churches for its 45 years
of social services to residents from
all walks of life. The LCCC helped
establish the Office of the Aging;
Teresa House, a comfort care
home for the terminally ill; nursing
home visitation service; local food
pantries; Chances and Changes, a
domestic violence program and safe
shelter; Meals on Wheels, and a
prison ministry program.
The Director of Long Term Care
at the Livingston County Center
for Nursing and Rehabilitation
announced that the 2017 honoree,
Joyce Gleason, passed away a cou-
ple of months before the ceremony
but that she had dedicated her
entire life to service. Her daughter
accepted the award in memory of
her mother.
Coyle, the county administrator,
read the impressive biographies of
each honoree, and Gott presented
the awards.
A reception for the honorees and
their families took place following
the program.

CNR honoree lived every day LCCP an enduring presence

with positive outlook, big smile
Joyce Gleason was named
Senior Citizen of the Year
for the Livingston County
Center for Nursing and Reha-
bilitation.
Joyce came to reside at the
Livingston County Center for
Nursing and Rehabilitation in
September 2016. She passed
away in April 2017.
Joyce and her husband
Eugene raised their three
daughters, Susan, Pamela,
and Carrie in Avon. Joyce
had such a positive impact on
the Avon community and
despite her relatively short
tenure at the Center had a
similar affect on fellow resi-
dents.
She greeted every day with
a positive outlook and a big
smile, according to CNR rep-
resentatives.
Her positive influence
could be seen so clearly at
the Center in the many visits
from her friends and fam-
ily, and even in the way she
brightened the days of staff
and residents.
Joyce was very active in
the Avon Wesleyan Church,
where she was a member for
53 years. She taught Sunday
school to adults and children
of all ages for more than 20
years spreading the word and
love of God. She served as a
member of the church board
and served as president of the
Posthumous honor. The Senior Citizen of the Year for the
Livingston County Center for Nursing And Rehabilitation is Joyce
Gleason. Joyce passed away prior to the Seniorama event. The
award was accepted by her family.
churchs Missionary Society
for four years. Her influence
lives on in that organization
and its good works.
Joyce truly dedicated her
life to service.
Prior to starting a family,
Joyce worked as a secretary
for six years assisting various
professors at the University
of Rochester.
Life had not always been
easy for Joyce. She was diag-
nosed with rheumatoid arthri-
tis soon after the birth of
her third daughter. Through
years of struggle with vari-
ous medications and tests,
Joyce maintained a love and
dedication to her faith and
inspired others to do the
same.
Joyce had such a beauti-
ful soul, CNR staff said, and
when asked about her per-
sistent positive attitude, she
responded, When I stop and
think about what anger does
to you, its not worth it.
Joyces daughters, Susan
and Carrie, accepted the
award on the familys behalf.
Livingston County TRIAD
recognized the Livingston
County Coalition of Church-
es as its 2017 Community
Service Award recipient
during this years Seniorama
event.
The Coalition had its
beginnings in the fall of
1971 and has continued as an
enduring ecumenical pres-
ence serving the most vulner-
able in Livingston County for
more than 45 years.
The Coalition brought
into existence the following
missions: the Office for the
Aging, which was later taken
over by Livingston County; Serving all. Livingston County Coalition of Churches co-presi-
Teresa House, the loving dents Tim McMahon, second from left, and the Rev. Neil Frood Jr.,
comfort care home in Gen- third from left, accepted Livingston County TRIADs award for Com-
eseo that provides a place to munity Service during the Seniorama event last month.
stay for those who are termi-
nally ill; the Genesee Valley The Livingston County Coalition of Churches
Rural Preservation Council,
began in 1971 and has been an enduring
which helps with afford-
able housing; and Chances ecumenical presence serving the countys
and Changes, the shelter for most vulnerable for more than 45 years.
victims of domestic violence
and abuse.
land and Livingston correc- behind a legacy that will last
The Coalition developed an
tional facilities. for years to come.
extensive food pantry system
in the county, which now More recently, the Coali- TRIAD honors and thanks
features 13 sites, and worked tion has provided a visitation the Livingston County Coali-
with Catholic Charities to ministry at the Avon and tion of Churches for its many
create its Faith in Action Pro- Conesus nursing homes, and contributions to Livingston
gram, an invaluable service for a period, a visitation min- County, serving its most vul-
that helps people live inde- istry at the County Skilled nerable residents.
pendently in their homes for Nursing Facility. Accepting the award on
as long as possible. The Livingston County behalf of the Livingston
The Coalition has also Coalition of Churches has County Coalition of Church-
had a jail ministry for many made the difficult decision to es were the organizations
years, both at the Livingston cease operating in June 2017, co-presidents, the Rev. Neil
County Jail, and at Grove- but the organization leaves Frood Jr. and Tim McMahon.

Livingston County News
Seniorama 2017
Frances Kiehle Fleming
Avon
Frances Kiehle Fleming grew
up in Livonia. She and her
husband, Gil Fleming, were
married in 1965. Fran and Gil
have three sons, two step-
grandchildren and four step-
great-grandchildren. She had
been active in the local Scout-
ing program.
In 2005, the Flemings moved
from Chili to Avon and
became members of the
Lakeville United Church of
Christ. Fran continued to work
with children and adults on
Christian Education projects.
Fran and Gil joined the Avon
senior citizens group, the XYZ
Club.
In 2016, Fran wrote a historical
booklet for her home church,
the South Livonia United
Church of Christ, for its 200th
anniversary. Fran is a member
of the Livingston County His-
torical Society and is a docent
at its museum in Geneseo.
Thea Bodenstaff
Lima
Thea Bodenstaff was born in
1927 in the Netherlands, the
only girl of five children. In
the spring of 1940, Germany
invaded the Netherlands and
Theas father was called
to defend his country. She
watched her father and broth-
ers risk their lives to work for
the underground Dutch Resis-
tance and the sacrifices her
mother made to put food on
the table.
In 1944, Thea met the love
of her life, Herman. They
were married and sailed for
America where they raised
three daughters in the Roch-
ester area. As Thea slowly
taught herself English, she
became involved in the PTA
at her daughters school and
became a Girl Scout leader.
For nearly 40 years, she vol-
unteered in the Cancer Center
at Rochester General Hospi-
tal. She is a board member of
the Lima Senior Club.
Tom and Midge Howe
Portage
Tom and Midge Howe cele-
brate 50 years of marriage in
June. They have three children
and eight grandchildren.
Tom is a Vietnam veteran, a
lifetime member of the Dis-
abled American Veterans, and
a member of VFW Post 8961.
Midge has been an election
inspector. One of her hobbies
has been quilt-making and
she donates to Quilts for Kids
and for dialysis patients.
Tom and Midge are supporters
and volunteers for Camp Cher-
ith of WNY in Hunt. They are
active at Hunt Baptist Church.
Tom has led congregational
music and served as deacon.
Midge has taught Vacation
Bible School, led music, and
sang in the choir for years.
In retirement, they enjoy watch-
ing two granddaughters play
sports and traveling to Illinois
and Tennessee.
Marjorie Carpenter
Caledonia
Marjorie Carpenter, the widow
of Donald E. Carpenter Sr.,
graduated from Caledonia-
Mumford Central School in
1951. Marjorie has three chil-
dren, three grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren.
As a longtime member of the
Second Baptist Church of
Mumford, Marjorie is part of
the Womens Ministries. For
10 years she volunteered
at the Big Springs Museum
during Black History month,
presenting her family history
to children. She has volunteer
edwith Caledonia Recreation
and the Special Olympics.
She met Robert and Ethel Ken-
nedy, Bill and Hillary Clinton
and poet Maya Angelou. She
and her husband attended the
first night game of baseballs
World Series. She traveled to
Italy with her sisters and had
an audience with Pope John
Paul.
Cynthia L. Strasburg
Livonia
Cynthia Mama Cindy Stras-
burg of Hemlock graduated
from Livonia High School, has
three children and six grand-
children. In 1987, she opened
a business on Main Street
in Livonia that carried craft
supplies. She created gifts
to sell, and did sewing and
alterations.
Mama Cindy started her Sol-
dier Program 12 years ago.
It began with shipping care
packages to troops overseas.
Her programs benefit veter-
ans, seniors and people in
need. Her latest project is
Bags of Hope for homeless
people. She matches dona-
tions of funds and items from
groups, individuals, business-
es, and civic organizations to
meet needs in the community.
She is Livingston Countys
2017 New York State Office
for the Aging Older New
Yorker.
John Len and Ann Davis
Sparta
John Len and Ann Davis
returned to Sparta in 2001.
Ann graduated from Brockport
with a degree in teaching. Len
graduated from the Air Force
Academy with a major in civil
engineering and was commis-
sioned a 2nd Lieutenant in
the Air Force. During the Viet-
nam conflict, Len flew AC-130
gunships for a year and was
awarded four Distinguished
Flying Crosses and nine Air
Medals. During their career in
the Air Force, they moved 10
times and adopted their two
children. Len retired from the
Air Force at the rank of colo-
nel and received the Legion
of Merit.
Ann was involved in 4-H, co-
leader for the Scottsburg
Highlanders, and started the
4-H Alumni program. Len
volunteered with Habitat for
Humanity, and was a town
board member.
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Debbie and Keith Tucker
Conesus
Keith and Debbie Tucker are
high school sweethearts who
have been married 53 years.
They have three children,
seven grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
Keith retired from the U.S.
Postal Service. Debbie retired
from Strong Memorial Hos-
pital. In retirement, they put
years of veggie, berry and
flower-growing experience to
work developing Olde Silo
Farm. Through the farm, they
donate fresh produce to the
food pantry in Livonia. The
You Pick Bouquet flower
program has donated $1,600
to Livonia High School Musi-
cal program. The farm pro-
vides work experiences and
community service for teens
and young adults.
They are choir members at
Conesus United Methodist
Church and lead the Youth
Group.
David E. and
Jessie Hollingshead
Mount Morris
David E. and Jessie Hollings-
head have been married a
soon-to-be 56 years. They
settled in Mount Morris in
1964 when Dave finished
four years in the U.S. Marine
Corps. Dave took a job with
Eastman Kodak and later Jes-
sie began working at SUNY
Geneseo; both are retired.
They have two sons and four
grandchildren.
Jessie has chaired many
school, church, and communi-
ty functions. She volunteered
at the Council on the Arts and
Livingston County Campus.
Dave has held almost all
offices in Seymour Chemical
Company of the Mount Morris
Fire Department, and is in his
53rd year. In 1998, he was
Livingston Countys Fireman
of the Year. He was one of
the original members of the
new Mount Morris Ambulance
Service and was an EMT.
Patricia Willsea
Springwater
Patricia Willsea and her late
husband Philip moved to
Springwater 48 years ago.
They purchased a 150-acre
farm on the West Hill. The
first year on the farm, they
purchased two White-Faced
Polled Hereford cows and
began a business. They
adopted three children.
They became members of
the Volunteer Ambulance of
Springwater.
Philip died in 1991. Pat con-
tinued running the farm (now
with the help of her fiance Bill
Morgan) and took a job as
town assessor.
She is on the Springwater
Town Board. She joined the
Springwater/Webster Cross-
ing Historical Society shortly
after it formed; is a trustee
on the Wayland Free Library
Board; and is president of the
Springwater American Legion
Auxiliary.
Dr. Thomas E. and
Elizabeth F. Matthews
Geneseo
Dr. Thomas E. and Elizabeth
F. Betsy Matthews married
50 years ago and have two
sons and three grandchildren.
They moved to Geneseo in
1967, when Tom became
Director of Student Activi-
ties at SUNY Geneseo. He is
associate dean of leadership
and service and director of
the GOLD Leadership Pro-
gram.
Tom helped create the Leisure
Learning School, Elderhos-
tel, the Geneseo Summer
Festival, and summer arts
programs for high school stu-
dents. Tom spearheaded the
creation of and continues to
chair Livingston CARES.
Betsy worked at Campus Aux-
iliary Services and then was
deputy village clerk of Gen-
eseo. She is now a coordina-
tor of the Geneseo-Groveland
Food Pantry. Theyre active in
Central Presbyterian Church.
Richard Gillard
North Dansville
Richard Gillard and Joanne, his
wife of 56 years, have three
children, three grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren.
Richard was a teacher for 25
years, first at Dansville teach-
ing industrial arts and driver
education and then at Mount
Morris teaching industrial arts
and history. He belongs to
numerous professional asso-
ciations related to education.
Richard, an Army veteran, has
served in a myriad of vol-
unteer and civic capacities
including Lions Club; Lions
Club Minstrel Show End Man;
the Protective Fire Company
and Dansville Fire Depart-
ment; and Dansville Board
of Education. He has been
a part of all but one of the
Rotary musical shows, served
on the Bicentennial Commit-
tee; served on the Village and
Town Zoning Boards; and was
chairman of the Safe Driving
Rodeo for the Jaycees.
Marjoire Cansdale
West Sparta
Marjorie Cansdale has lived
in West Sparta all of her life
and has been married to her
husband Larry for 36 years.
They have six children, 20
grandchildren and 12 great-
grandchildren.
Marjorie was town clerk for
four years and supervisor for
12 years. To the best of her
knowledge, she was the first
elected woman supervisor for
the Town of West Sparta and
the second woman supervi-
sor serving on the County
Board of Supervisors. Marjorie
served on the committee that
created the first Comprehen-
sive Plan for the town. She is
a trustee and officer for the
West Sparta Historical Soci-
ety, and chairman of the Old-
Fashioned Day Committee.
She is a past member of the
West Sparta Fire Department
and helps out wherever she
can for the West Sparta Meth-
odist Church.
William Billy Carman
Groveland
William Billy Carman is a
lifelong resident of Groveland.
He has been married to his
wife Julie for 22 years. They
have two grown children. Billy
is a lifetime member of the
Groveland Fire Department
and donates his services and
materials for electrical, plumb-
ing and heating jobs. He also
donates services and materi-
als to the Federated Parish in
Groveland.
Billys first involvement in town
politics started with the Grove-
land Zoning Board, where he
served for 17 years. In 2002,
he won a seat on the town
council. He remained a town
councilman until 2012, when
he was appointed as the dep-
uty supervisor. In 2014, he
became town supervisor.
The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming
Foundation recently honored
Billy with its Foundation Com-
munity Hero Award.
Thomas S. Cook
Nunda
Thomas S. Cook moved to
Nunda in 1975. He had been
a social studies teacher at
Keshequa Central School for
33 years. Tom and his wife
Ann have two sons and a
granddaughter.
Tom was a charter member of
the Nunda Historical Society
and served as town historian
in the 1980s. His interest
in history developed into his
authorship of five local history
books. He presents about a
dozen historical talks a year.
In 2006, Tom joined the Oak-
wood Cemetery Association.
He produced a video highlight-
ing the history of the cemetery
and researched the ancestors
of actor Tony Goldwyn for a
program aired nationally. Tom
is a member of several orga-
nizations including Friends
of Letchworth Park, Sons of
the American Revolution and
Sons of Union Veterans.
Elaine and Joe Bucci
York
Elaine and Joe Bucci gradu-
ated from SUNY Geneseo. Joe
with a returned to his roots
at York Central School from
where he graduated in 1962
to teach. Elaine taught at the
Greece School system, and
Caledonia, until she began
her career at York Central in
1970.
When Joe left teaching, he
opened Bucci Real Estate in
Wadsworth. He was instru-
mental in opening the Ameri-
can Rock Salt mine.
Elaine works with Catholic
Charities of Livingston County.
She is on the boards of Wilm-
ot Cancer Center and Stroll-
in for the Colon. Joe serves
or has served on a multitude
of boards, including the Bank
of Castile. He also belongs to
the Livingston County Cham-
ber of Commerce.
The Buccis have two children
and five grandchildren.
Thursday, June 15, 2017 A11
Joe Lenter
Leicester
Joe Lentner and his wife,
Jean, have been married for
48 years and have lived in
Leicester since 1971. They
have one son. Joe retired
from York Central School Dis-
trict in 2004 after 34 years of
teaching social studies.
He is a past mayor of the Vil-
lage of Leicester; former
commissioner of the Gen-
esee Council Boy Scouts of
America; and past coach for
American Legion baseball.
He founded a history club at
York Central that led to the
restoration of an old cemetery
and several students choos-
ing museum careers.
Joe is a trustee, lector, and
Eucharistic minister of St.
Thomas Aquinas Church. He
is a volunteer at the Interna-
tional Bonsai Arboretum, and
a board member and librar-
ian of the Bonsai Society of
Upstate New York.
Donald Perkins
Ossian
Donald Perkins, a lifelong resi-
dent of Ossian, planted his
roots in 1954, when Leonard
Colegrove gave him 1.9 acres
of land in exchange for car-
ing for his horses. In 1974,
Don married Dorothy Carney
Perkins, they have two chil-
dren and five grandchildren. In
1976, Don built the first octa-
gon house in Ossian.
Don worked for the Foster
Wheeler Corporation for 23
years, where he learned to
weld and fabricate metal. In
1986 he purchased excavat-
ing equipment and became
self-employed. He retired in
1997.
In 2000, Don was hired by
the Town of Ossian to be the
code enforcement officer. He
takes pride in the fact that he
cited, and had removed, 70
unregistered and junk vehicles
from the Township during his
four-year venture.
List of honorees
Residents named 2017
Senior Citizens of the Year
in Livingston County are:
Avon - Frances K. Fleming
Caledonia - Marjorie Car-
penter
Conesus - Keith and Deb-
bie Tucker
Geneseo - Dr. Thomas E.
and Elizabeth F. Matthews
Groveland - Billy Carman
Leicester - Joe Lentner
Lima - Thea Bodenstaff
Livonia - Cynthia L. Stras-
burg
Mount Morris - David E.
and Jessie Hollingshead
North Dansville - Richard
Gillard
Nunda - Thomas S. Cook
Ossian - Donald Perkins
Portage - Tom and Midge
Howe
Sparta - Len and Ann
Davis
Springwater - Patricia
Willsea
West Sparta - Marjorie
Cansdale
York - Joseph and Elaine
Bucci
TRIAD Community
Service Award - Livings-
ton County Coalition of
Churches
Livingston County Cen-
ter for Nursing and Reha-
bilitation Senior Citizen of
the Year - Joyce Gleason