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EASTER WEEK- A TIME OF LEAVING
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Easter week is that special time of year when we celebrate the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a time of meditation and a time to review again the supreme sacrifice that HE made for each of us those many years ago.
Even as it is a special season in the Christian year, in this year of 2005 we find that it is also a time when several of our noted citizens began their journey to that undiscovered country from which no traveler returns!
I would, in the few moments it will take you to read this article, to have you join me in celebrating the lives of several of those special people who for a time have been our fellow Cliftonains and who have now, sadly, have gone to their rest!
ALICE C. ROLLAND: (Teacher) She was born Alice Trautman, on the 3rd of May 1902 to Philip and Emma Trautman of Newark NY. She was a 1919 graduate of Palmyra High School and a magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University. From 1936 to 1964 she taught in three country elementary schools and then in schools in Homer, Hudson, & Phelps, New York during the years of 1936 thru 1964. At one time she received the Ontario County Farm Bureau's award as the Outstanding Farm Woman of the Year.
In 1932, she became the wife of Charles Rolland and they were inseparable until his death in 2001. "Charlie" was well known in the area for his work in the Grange and for his promotion of anything that was to the benefit of his fellow farmers. They were a close couple, working together through good times and those of struggle, always facing each new day with hope and work. They were not wealthy in worldly goods, but somehow, that was not the most important thing in their lives. It was always, FAMILY & their fellow travelers that carried them forward.
She is survived by their three sons- Roy (Kay) Rolland of Geneva, Bill (Mary Ann) Rolland of Youngstown, NY and Tom (Barbara) Rolland of Vermont, 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Wife, mother, teacher in that order, Alice's life was one of dedication to a happy home and the promise that tomorrow would bring better things. Alice passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at the Geneva Living Center North at the age of 102!
ROSALIE WALTERS RIGNEY: (Businesswoman) Rosalie was born on June 7th, 1916, the daughter of Harry & Mary VanKerkove. She married Francis Walters, better known to most of us in the community of " Bussy!' Bussy took over the Kenneth Bill Market for a time and during the years of World War II, served at the Seneca Ordinance Depot south of Geneva, NY. Later, Rosalie and he began a new venture, opening the vacant building just over the railroad tracks on Kendall Street in the village. They called it, Walter's Locker Plant.
At the time, few homes had large freezers for the keeping of foods and the "Locker Plant" answered that need. Rosalie took care of the bookkeeping and helped with the packaging of the meat products they processed. Rosalie was active at her community serving as a "Pink" lady at the hospital, managing the Lobby Shop and volunteered at the local the Episcopal Church Thrift Shop when time permitted. Bussy died in 1962 and she later married John J. Rigney, Following Mr. Ridney's death, she moved into Spa. Apts. where she remained until health problems took her to the Thompson Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua. She passed away there on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at age 88.
She is survived by her son, William F (Linda) Walters of Clifton Springs, daughter, Joan (Ted) Case Dengelmaier of Big Flats, NY and daughter, Leni Walters Richardson of Ouray, CO.
GEORGE DOHERTY(Coach): George was born in Irondiquoit, the son of Hugh & Alma (Behr) Doherty on the 11th of May 1918. One of four children, he spent his high school years at Aquinas and then was off to Purdue University. He was a member of the Army Air Force during WWII and served in the Aleutian Islands. He married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Klick, in 1943 and they had two children, Joanne (Karl) Jaynes of Newark and Gail (Bob) Bedette of Phelps, NY.
In 1946, George accepted a position of athletic director at the Clifton Springs High School. There he coached football, JV & Varsity basketball, girl's basketball, baseball, track, golf, and volleyball. During this time, his baseball & basketball teams each won sectional championships along with several league titles. After the merger of the Clifton Springs and Phelps school districts, he continued his coaching for 5 additional years until his retirement. He & Marjorie enjoyed their years together until she passed away in September of 1997. An avid golfer he spent many happy days with his friends on the greens of the Clifton Springs Country Club, loved to ice boat in the winter and was a past president of the Clifton Springs Rotary Club. Failing health in recent years confined him to the extended care unit of our local Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic. He passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at age 86. His family, students and many friends will sadly miss him.
JOHN FAHY: (Teacher, Administrator) John was born December 31, 1918, the son of the late James and Jane Fahy. During WWII he served as a captain in the U.S. Air Corp. He was a graduate of the University of Rochester and worked as a teacher of English in the East Rochester School District. In 1956 he became high school principal at Middleport, NY. I was a member of the Board of Education when we went searching for a new administrator for our school district. We were very pleased that within a short time thereafter he accepted our call and moved to Clifton Springs to become principal of the then Clifton Springs School District. When the school districts of Clifton Springs and Phelps merged in the late 1960's, he was selected to become the first superintendent of the new combined, Midlakes Central School District. John retired in 1973 and taught for a time at the Finger Lakes Community College. He was active in the local Rotary Club, the Rochester Teacher's Association and the Clifton Springs Country Club. He was also a strong supporter at St. Felix Church and in his free time, loved to play tennis, bridge and read. John's first wife, Anne, passed away in 1991 and he later married his present loving wife, Margaret. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, J. Kevin (Karen) Fahy of Geneva, and his daughters Judith (Jeffery) Crowell of California and Kerry Fahy-Harvick of Rochester.
In recent months, John has been in and out of our local hospital but with the special care of his wife, Margaret, he was able to pass away peacefully in their lovely on Webb Avenue on Friday, March 25, 2005 at age 86. John will be sadly missed by his many friends and family. He always had a ready smile and he gave our school district that special leadership that made us proud to have our children under his care.
And so, we are rightfully proud of these special people! The came into our lives, made lasting contributions and now have left on their path to that undiscovered country, which lies just over the horizon, in the land of tomorrow. Thanks, each of you, for being part of our lives!
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