Obituaries

A longtime Lyons pastor, civic leader, and corrections officer remembered for his faith and service has died. Reverend King Lewis Sr., of Lyons, passed away peacefully on December 14 at Rochester General Hospital, surrounded by ... more

Auburn’s restaurant scene lost a familiar face this week after beloved chef Richard “Flip” Taradejna died at 57, according to The Citizen. Known for relentless work ethic and heart, Taradejna spent decades cooking across the ... more

Ormonde “Ormie” E. King, the heart and soul of Auburn sports and storytelling, died Dec. 13. He was 87. King’s name echoed through generations — on fields, courts, news pages, and in quiet acts of ... more

Canandaigua — Karen L. Parkhurst, a longtime community advocate and former financial executive, died Dec. 4, 2025, following a brief illness. She was 82. Parkhurst is remembered for her decades of professional leadership, volunteer service ... more

Karen Hill, who helped turn Harriet Tubman’s Auburn home into a national historical park, has died at age 72, according to The Citizen. As president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, Hill pushed for ... more

A longtime sheriff who shaped generations of deputies and served Schuyler County for more than three decades has died. William E. Yessman, Jr., the county’s former sheriff, passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, according to the ... more

Tributes are pouring in following the death of former New York State Assemblymember Marty Luster, who represented the 125th District from 1989 to 2002. Assemblymember Anna Kelles shared the news in a statement Friday, calling ... more

Stephanie Vaughn, a beloved Cornell professor and acclaimed short story writer, died in Ithaca on Nov. 12 at age 81, according to the Cornell Chronicle. She taught creative writing for nearly four decades, helped lead ... more

A candlelight vigil will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11 at Al Lorenz Park in Mount Morris to honor those lost to suicide and overdose. The gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. at pavilion #3 and ... more

Terence Stamp, the iconic British actor best known for playing General Zod in the Superman films, has died at age 87. His death was confirmed by his family on Sunday, August 17. From East London ... more

Friends and family of Haley McLaughlin will gather next month to honor the young mother whose final act gave the gift of life to eight people. A public Celebration of Life will take place on ... more

Steve Riford, a former New York state legislator, dairy farmer, and Auburn-area businessman, has died at age 101, according to The Citizen. Riford, who passed away July 20 in Hawaii, served in both the state ... more

Fleming Town Supervisor Don Oltz has passed away at age 78, according to local officials. Oltz died Saturday at Upstate Community Hospital in Syracuse. He was serving his second term as town supervisor and previously ... more

George M. Ewing Jr., longtime publisher of the Daily Messenger and a respected community leader in Canandaigua, has died unexpectedly at 72, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. Known for his journalistic integrity, philanthropy, and ... more

Longtime radio reporter Greg Cotterill, a staple of local journalism in the Finger Lakes, has passed away. He was known for being a journalistic voice within the Finger Lakes Radio Group and managed stations WHWS ... more

Anne Burrell, the larger-than-life chef known for her spiky blonde hair, fiery cooking style, and hit Food Network shows, has died at the age of 55. Her family confirmed her passing in a statement released ... more

Maxine Louise Norberg, 92, passed away peacefully Wednesday (June 11, 2025) at Wayne County Nursing Home, Lyons, NY. In keeping with the family's wishes, the calling hours and service will be private. Burial will be ... more

Gloria Serling (91) passed away peacefully on June 1st. A service will be held at 1PM on Tuesday, June 10th in the Chapel at Fort Hill cemetery in Auburn, with burial to follow in the ... more

The Clifton Springs Fire Department is mourning the loss of June Darling, a cherished founding member of its Ladies Auxiliary who devoted nearly five decades to community service. Darling, affectionately known as “The Mayor of ... more