Buranich Funeral Home, Inc.

Mary Jane "Jane" (Esposito) Spanfelner, 89, of Boulder, CO, passed into eternal life, surrounded by her three children, on Friday, April 12, at the Swedish Medical Center in Colorado. Born April 13, 1934, in Utica, to the late Nuncio and Genevieve Esposito, she graduated from Proctor High School. Her thirst for knowledge led her to St. Luke's Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology, where she honed her skills as a medical technologist, and Utica College of Syracuse University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Combined Sciences. As one of only two women in the postsecondary program for science at the time, Jane was recognized for her academic excellence, affiliating with...

Paul M. Straka, 90, of Union Springs, formerly of Marietta, passed away peacefully on Wednesday at Auburn Community Hospital. Born and raised in Olyphant, PA, he settled in Syracuse in 1950. A U.S. Army National Guard veteran, Paul was employed with the Dept. of Transportation as a bridge construction supervisor for over 30 years. A member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society, he was also a member of the Skaneateles Rod & Gun Club and the Cayuga Cut-Ups Square Dance Club. An avid outdoorsman, Paul had a green thumb and a love for gardening. Above all, he cherished the time spent with his family and friends. Paul was predeceased by his wife, Ruth,...

Sylvia E. (Root) Cacciotti, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday. Born on March 8, 1942, in Trumansburg, NY, she was the beloved daughter of Carl and Elsie Root. Sylvia spent her formative years in Ithaca, NY, graduating from Ithaca High School in 1960 and the Rochester Business Institute in 1961. She dedicated over three decades of her life as an office manager at Cornell Laundry, retiring in 2010. Following retirement, she relocated to Camillus to be closer to family, where she continued her professional journey as the office manager at Artistry in Wood of Syracuse until her second retirement in 2019. Sylvia was a vibrant soul who embraced a diverse range of activities, from line dancing...

Janne Elizabeth Howes, 86, of Camillus, passed away Monday at Upstate Community Hospital. Born in Geneva, she grew up in Seneca Falls, then moved to southern California for 10 years before settling back in Central New York in 1968. In CNY, Janne lived in Weedsport for two years, Camillus for 14 years, then Elbridge for 22 years, and returned to Camillus in 2006. A 1955 graduate of Mynderse Academy, she received an associate degree from Cazenovia College in 1957. While living in southern California, Janne worked at California Tech for three years. She enjoyed reading, photography, time at her family cottage, boat rides on Charleston Lake, and attending her grandchildren's musical and...

Roseanne Hoey Corrigan, 93, of Camillus, passed away on December 2, 2023, after a brief illness, with her loving family by her side. Roseanne was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Owen; parents, James and Mary Hoey; sister, Mary Elizabeth Walsh; and brother, James Hoey. Surviving are her daughters, Therese (William) Corrigan-Bastuk and Patricia (Paul) Syrocki; grandson, Garrett (Mandie Hewitt) Bastuk; granddaughters, Lola, Kenna, and Hailey; goddaughter, Maribeth Walsh; sister-in-law, Rosemary Hoey; and several nieces and nephews. As an active board member of It Could Happen to You, a non-profit dedicated to justice reform, Roseanne requested that donations be made to It Could...

Mildred E. Swick, 95, of Tempe, AZ, formerly of Fairmount, NY, passed away Tuesday in Chandler, AZ. Born in Auburn, she lived on Owasco Lake until moving to Fairmount in 1957. She moved to Tempe in 2001. Millie was a graduate of Holy Family Catholic School in Auburn. She was employed at the NYS Unemployment Office, the Addis Co., and Syracuse University. Millie was a member of the Camillus Country Club, Holy Family Church and its Novena Group, North Tempe Neighborhood Association, and the Arizona State University Welcoming Committee. She enjoyed golf, watercolor painting, walking, decorating, floral arranging, and traveling. At age 94, she completed a four-mile hike with her family in the...

Frances L. Van Dyke Smith, 82, of Syracuse, passed away Wednesday at Iroquois Skilled Nursing Community. Born in Pennsylvania, she was a graduate of Blossburg High School and settled in Syracuse in 1956. Frances worked with Dr. Robert Callahan, DDS, for over 35 years as the office manager. A member of St Luke's Episcopal Church and their Altar Guild, she enjoyed gardening, but most of all, loved spending time with her family and friends. Frances was predeceased by her first husband, James Van Dyke; second husband, Reginald Smith; parents, Lewis and Frances Davies; and brothers, Lou and John Davies. Surviving are her daughter, Lori (William) Erlenback of Elbridge; son, James (Tracey) Van...

Anna Shearer Rhinehart, 95, of Camillus, passed away Friday, September 22, at home. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she moved to Camillus in 2000. Anna was a graduate of Shippensburg Area Senior High School. She was employed by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, holding various positions there for over 20 years. An avid reader, Anna also enjoyed gardening and traveling, especially on bus tours, and was a huge fan of Syracuse University sports and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Anna was predeceased by her parents, LeRoy and Mary Shearer; and sister, Rosalyn. Surviving are her daughter, Nancy L. (Bill Bates) BriggsShearer; son, George...

Mary L. Thurston, 75, of Syracuse, passed away on Tuesday at Francis House after several months of illness. Born in Utica to Clement and Marguerite Wilsey, she graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1966 and married Gary Thurston in February 1969. Mary Lee was a mother to five sons and a beloved "Nana" to 11 grandchildren, including seven granddaughters for whom she finally had the chance to buy girls' clothing! In addition, all 11 spent their first winters wrapped in buntings that she lovingly crocheted. When Mary's youngest started kindergarten, she returned to school, enrolling in St. Joseph's Hospital Nursing School. In a move that surprised no one, she chose labor and delivery upon...

Ruth (Bogardus) Walker, 92, of Camillus, passed away Saturday at St. Josephundefineds Health Hospital. Born and raised in Auburn, she lived in Camillus for more than 60 years. She was a graduate of Auburn High School. Ruth attended First Baptist Church of Memphis and was a lifelong member of the Second Baptist Church in Auburn. She enjoyed crocheting, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Douglas, in 2004; and brother, Robert Bogardus. Surviving are her daughters, Cheryl Baratta of Camillus, Karen (Jay) Norton of Camillus and Mary Walker of Grand Rapids, MI; sons, Richard of Camillus and Edward (Leslie) of Syracuse; 11...

George T. Boss, 85, of Syracuse, passed away Thursday at Upstate Community Hospital. Born in Fort Morgan, Colorado, he was a graduate of Brush High School and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He lived in the Syracuse area since 1984. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a member of the Tin Can Sailors. George was an electrical engineer for General Electric for more than 30 years, retiring in 1993. Following retirement, he worked as a parking lot attendant at Community General Hospital. A member of the Scottish Rite, he was also a member and past master with Masonic Lodge #620. A member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church and the Ecumenical Choir, he was a volunteer usher with the Syracuse...

Patricia Clendenin, 82, of Camillus passed away at home on August 15, 2023. Surviving are her loving husband, Robert Charles Clendenin; adoring son, Alec Edward (Alison Dwyer) Hoke; four siblings; and two grandchildren. Share condolences at www.BuranichFH.com

James Gervaise Duffy, 88, of Camillus, passed away Friday at St. Joseph's Health Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Auburn, he lived his adult life in the Syracuse area. James was a graduate of Holy Family High School, received a Bachelor's Degree in English from Le Moyne College, and a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Syracuse University. He was chairman of the English department at North High School before his employment with Le Moyne College, where he served for 35 years in the counseling, career planning and placement, and institutional research departments. A communicant of St. Joseph's Church, James was an active community volunteer. Particularly...

Christine Walsh-Hickey, 50, of Memphis, NY, passed away Friday at Strong Memorial Hospital. Formally of Owasco, she was a 1990 graduate of C.W. Baker High School. Christine was formerly employed as a bar manager at the Skaneateles Country Club for several years. Known as the life of the party, she loved her family, friends, and beloved animals. Christine was an activist for women's rights, animals, and all people. As a music enthusiast, she was a big Bruce Springsteen and Foo Fighters fan. She also enjoyed crocheting, puzzles, and practical jokes. Christine was predeceased by her first husband, David Walsh; father, Donald VanTassell; stepson, Kevin Hickey; and dear friend, Linda...

Philip R. Dunham, 78, of Camillus, passed away peacefully on Thursday, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Presque Isle, ME, and moved to Arkport, NY, as a child where his family started a potato and dairy farm business. Phil was a graduate of Arkport High School where he excelled in track, basketball, and soccer, but especially baseball. He enlisted in the US Army after high school and spent several years in the Army Reserves. He then continued his education and received his associate's degree from Auburn Community College. He began his career in the farm industry with Agway where he worked for 14 years before venturing on his own to form an animal feed ingredients business, Old...

Barbara Jane (Meller) Maniaci, 87, of Camillus, passed away Friday. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Barbara was born in Amsterdam, NY, to Catherine Petterino and Anthony Edward Meller on January 25, 1937. She lived a wonderful and productive life. As a senior in high school, Barbara was named "Miss Amsterdam High School" and her nickname was "Babe." After graduation, she went on to nursing school at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, NY, and earned her degree to become a registered nurse. For over 40 years as a labor and delivery nurse, Barbara helped babies enter the world in many hospitals, including St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, NY, Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton,...

Martin A. "Dutch" Slagel, 90, of Syracuse, passed away Monday at Elderwood at Liverpool. He was born in Rome, NY, on August 31, 1932, to the late John and Mary Slagel. A graduate of Utica Free Academy High School, Martin received his bachelor's degree from Utica College and master's degree from Syracuse University. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was honorably discharged in 1956 after serving four years. Martin was employed by Utica Club Brewery before becoming the regional sales manager at Maytag Corporation for over 25 years, retiring in 1995. In his early years, he was an avid boat racer and won many titles. His interests then turned to gardening, hunting, and racquetball. Martin was a...

Mary Lou Hess, 89, of Camillus, passed away Tuesday, after a brief illness, with her family by her side. She was born in Buffalo to George and Josephine Nalbach, and built a family there with her loving husband, Bernard. They moved to Camillus in 1976 for Bernie's job with the Veterans Administration. Mary Lou was an accomplished bridge player, achieving Life Master status. She was a world traveler from Tahiti to Europe, accompanied by Bernie, and then many times by her beloved sister-in-law, Joan. Mary Lou was devoted to her family, her friends and her faith. She most loved the time spent with her granddaughters and her great grandchildren. Mary Lou was predeceased in 1997 by her husband,...

Sister Helen Dolores Hart, CSJ, died on July 30 at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Sister Helen was 77 and had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 58 years. A Syracuse native, Sister Helen was the daughter of Helen Mertz and Cornelius Hart. She was the youngest of three children, joining older brothers Neil and Bill. Sister Helen was an eighth-grade graduate of St. Brigid's School before graduating from St. Lucy's Academy, and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in September 1963, professing final vows in 1971. Her zeal and generosity were a perfect fit for the community, and she shared her gifts willingly, never looking back. Sister Helen's ministry was almost...

Lois M. McTarnaghan, 93, of Jamesville, passed away Friday, July 29 at The Nottingham. Born in Dansville, NY, she was a 1948 graduate of Geneseo State Teachers College. Lois was a resident of Webster, NY for over 50 years and was an active member of the Webster United Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, volunteering, and lifelong learning. Throughout her life, Lois was committed to nurturing her relationships with her family and friends. Lois was predeceased by her husband, Donald, in 1999; brother, James Wittig; son-in-law, Allan Drew; and sister-in-law, Dora Coates. Surviving are her daughter, Beth (Joseph Marusa) Drew of Jamesville; son, Jim (Debra Gajer) of...

Tina (Church) Olszewski, 65, of Syracuse, passed away Sunday at home. Born and raised in Auburn, she was a graduate of Auburn High School, and St. Joseph's College of Nursing. Tina moved to Syracuse in 1977 where she was a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital for six years and was previously employed at Arthritis Health Associates as a clinical director for 38 years. A communicant of Holy Family Church, she enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Tina was predeceased by her parents, Robert "Red" and Elizabeth "Betty" Church; and brothers, Gary, Richard, and Thomas Church. Surviving is her husband of 39 years, Edward P.; son, Edward R. of Syracuse; daughter,...