Ilion Faculty using the Web.....

Visit www.schoolnotes.com, enter the Ilion zip code of 13357 and see which District teachers are using the internet to communicate with students and parents. (Jan 17, 2005)

Condolences.....

Joseph R. Nicolette, mathematics teacher/coach at Ilion High School, age 66, formerly of Frankfort and Oneonta, passed away March 11, 2005, at Scottsdale Health Center, Scottsdale, Ariz., after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Those he loved were by his side. He and his wife, Sandra, resided at 1226 E. Harbor View Drive, Tempe, Ariz. Joseph was born April 26, 1938, in Frankfort, the son of the late Joseph and Rose (Fragale) Nicolette. He was a graduate of Frankfort High School, the class of 1955, where he was senior class president and salutatorian of the class. While in high school he excelled in football, basketball and baseball and will always be remembered for his leadership qualities. He attended Hamilton College, graduating with the class of 1959. While in attendance he earned a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. Joseph was also a starting member of the Hamilton College football and baseball teams. He then earned a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Colgate University, and his doctorate of Higher Education Administration from the State University in Albany. Mr. Nicolette taught mathematics at Ilion High School, along with serving as head coach for the baseball team and as assistant coach for the football team. He is fondly remembered as not only a teacher and coach, but as a special friend and adviser. Joseph married Sandra J. Card on June 27, 1964, a blessed union they held until his death over 40 years later. Sandra was her husband's constant support during his battle over cancer. In 1966, Mr. Nicolette began his career at the State University of Oneonta, where he held several administrative positions including vice president of academic affairs. He retired in 1994 as acting provost of the college. In Oneonta he advised, mentored and befriended many, many students. Following his retirement, Joe and Sandra relocated to Arizona, where he kept up with his passion for golfing and working out. Joseph came to make many new friends who came to admire and respect him for his courage and strength. The measure of a man is not by the years he lives, but by the legacy he leaves behind. He lived life to the fullest and savored every day. He always showed courage and determination. He had an indomitable spirit and strength which never wavered, even when illness took its toll on his body. Joe was a shining example for all those who crossed his path. He had a great devotion to his faith, even in his darkest hours. He had deep-rooted family values. He was the strength for his family. Even in the face of his illness he never let his family down. He was always proud of his children's accomplishments, and also instilled in them love, devotion to family, good values and dedication to the well-being and happiness of others. He shared a loving and protective relationship with his sisters, Doris and Joanne. He was always ready and willing to help or advise anyone, especially family, friends or students. He was a confidant, friend and mentor to his nieces and nephews, who loved and respected their "Uncle Joe." All of those who knew and loved him recognized that he was special and their lives were more full and better for having had him in it. He was deeply admired for his courage and strength during his illness. He continued to encourage all those around him to be strong, even as his life was coming to a close. He was a truly loved man. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. JoDean Nicolette and Dr. Ben Fritz of Santa Rosa, Calif.; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Diane (Ritola) Nicolette of Fort Myers, Fla. He is also survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris and Charlie Amento and Joanne and Don Oyer, both of Frankfort, who will love him and miss him forever; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bonnie (Card) and Don Polsin of Syracuse; a brother-in-law, Joseph Tamburro of Frankfort; an aunt and godmother, Fanny Nicolette of Frankfort; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whose lives were enriched by him. He was predeceased by his parents, his mother-in-law, Jean Card, and a sister-in-law, Donna Tamburro. There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held May 7 at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church on Frankfort Street in Frankfort, with Father Anthony Chiaramonte, friend of the family, officiating. No matter where life's path took him, Joe's roots were always in Frankfort. He will be brought home to be buried with his parents in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Following the interment, respects may be paid to the family at the American Legion Post 845 on Litchfield Street in Frankfort from 2-5 p.m. A memorial gathering will be held at that time to celebrate Joe's life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations for sarcoma research in Joe's memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 72210-4486. Make the check payable to "MD Anderson" and write Joseph Nicolette's name on the check. Donations may also be made in Joe's memory to Wine Country Greyhound Adoption Fund, P.O. Box 6266, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95406. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home Inc., Frankfort. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Joe's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com. (May 28, 2005)



1975

Martin C. (Monk) Manion, 75, of 27 Richfield St., Ilion, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at Valley Health Services, Herkimer. He was born July 19, 1929, in Ilion, the son of the late Martin H. and Genevieve Knapp Manion. Monk was a graduate of Herkimer High School, Utica College and completed his graduate work at Oneonta State Teachers College. He served with the U.S. Army 11th Airborne during the Korean conflict, and on Aug. 21, 1954, he married Ann Brooks. She passed away Dec. 29, 1986.

Mr. Manion was employed as a history teacher with the Ilion School System for 38 years, retiring in 1998. Monk was a member of the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, the Ilion Knights of Columbus, the Ilion Elks Lodge 1444, was an original member of the Herkimer County Legislature, serving from 1968 until 1995, and a former member of the American Legion Post 920, Ilion. Monk excelled in football and track during his high school years, and continued his love for the sport as he coached football at Ilion High School for 43 years. Monk is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Lt. Col. Robert and Nancy Manion of Ilion; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lyn and Lt. Col. John Cipriano of Herkimer, Sarah and Ted Schoff of Little Falls and Amy and Vince Ponder of Thomasville, Ga.; a brother and sister-in-law, Frank and June Manion of Ilion; his grandchildren, Kathleen and Tom Manion, Michelle and Erica Cipriano, Ann, Susan, Genevieve and Theodore Schoff and Ellen Ponder, a great-grandson, Alex Dihrberg, also several nieces, nephews and close friends. He was predeceased by two brothers, Jack and James Manion and two sisters, Genevieve Winchester and Marie Currie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m. from the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, with Father Anthony Barratt officiating. Interment will be in the Armory Hill Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, April 29, 2005, from 4-8 p.m. at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St., Ilion. Friends are asked to consider memorials to the Ann and Martin Manion Scholarship at the Ilion High School. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff at Valley Health Services for their tenderness and compassion. Also a thank you to Dr. Fisher at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. (April 29, 2005)

Margaret March, elementary teacher, age 95, of 624 Shoemaker Hill, Mohawk, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at home. She was born July 14, 1909, in Cold Springs, N.Y., the daughter of the late William and Louise Riggs Lahey. Margaret was a graduate of Mohawk schools and Oneonta Normal School. On Feb. 1, 1933, she married Lester March in Fort Plain. Mr. March passed away Dec. 23, 1969. Mrs. March was anelementary teacher in the Ilion School District for 35 years, retiring 35 years ago. Mrs. March was a member of the Mohawk Dutch Reformed Church, the Mohawk American Legion Auxiliary, the New York State Retired Teachers Association and a former member of the Mohawk Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.Mrs. March is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Lela March of Alden, N.Y.; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and John Ammermann of Mohawk; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Rosemary Wood of Fort Myers, Fla., and Mary and Doug Dievendorf of Framington, Mich.; her grandchildren, Rhonda and Bruce Johnston, James and Ellen March, Stephen Ammermann and his friend Patty, John and Maureen Ammermann, Jennifer and John Nelson and Peggy and James Hyde; 17 great-grandchildren, a special niece and her husband, Maryann and Jim Stekyl of Mohawk, also several other nieces, nephews and cousins.Margaret was predeceased by a grandson, Keith, her sister, Lillian Yager and five brothers, James, William, George, Samuel and Herbert. In keeping with Margaret's wishes, there will be no calling hours, and a graveside service will be conducted at the Mohawk Cemetery at a time to be announced. Friends are asked to consider memorials to MOVAC in memory of Margaret. Arrangements are with the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St., Ilion. (Jan 8, 2005)

Leo R. "Bob" Bechard Jr., IHS Faculty, 80, a longtime resident of 91 North Fourth Ave., Ilion, passed away Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, following a long illness. Bob was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Utica, son of Leo R. Sr. and Mary (Jorgenson) Bechard. He attended West Winfield schools. Bob was united in marriage to Patricia "Pat" Willoughby on Oct. 8, 1949, at the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion. They shared a blessed and devoted union of 55 years. Bob was employed by Chicago Pneumatic in Utica, retiring in 1988 as supervisor with 37 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement, Bob was employed by the Ilion School District for four years as a teaching assistant in the Technical Education Department. He also worked part-time at the Ilion Tru-Value Hardware Store. He was a life member of the Ilion Elks Lodge 1444, at one time the Ilion Moose Lodge 1010, a longtime member of the Ilion Volunteer Fire Department and the 25 year club at Chicago Pneumatic. Bob was an aviation enthusiast, attending air shows and at one time taking flying lessons. In his early years, Bob enjoyed riding his 1947 Indian "Chief" motorcycle. He and Pat enjoyed riding and traveling on his motorcycle. An avid fan of "The Duke," Bob amassed a collection of John Wayne films. He and Pat enjoyed winters in Myrtle Beach for many years. His life was centered around his beloved family and their home on North Fourth Avenue. Survivors include his loving wife, Pat, at home; five beloved children, Cynthia "Cindy" Speranza and her husband Anthony of Ilion, Gail Mount of Oklahoma, Brad Bechard of Ilion, Dean Bechard and his wife Carol of Ilion, Brooke Redmond and her husband Steven of Lee Center; his cherished grandchildren, Anthony Speranza, Amy (Mount) Bobo and her husband Brad, Aaron and Sean Mount, Eric, Rob and Jessica Bechard, Steven, Elizabeth, Daniel and Dylan Redmond, and Michelle Santillo; four great-grandchildren, Ryann Bobo, Kianna, Isiah and Adrianna Santillo; his brother and sister-in-law, John "Jack" and Martha Bechard of Ilion; sisters, Ann Davis of Rome and Julia Soules of Ilion; and his brother-in-law, Lewis "Jay" Goodman of Ilion and his sister-in-law, Shirley Willoughby. Bob also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins and friends, including a special cousin, Ann Seymour. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Goodman and his brothers-in-law, Reginald Davis and Paul Soules. Family and friends are invited to visitation on Tuesday, Jan. 4, from 4-7 p.m. at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road (between Ilion and Frankfort). Bob's funeral service will be held Tuesday commencing at 7 p.m. following visitation at the Enea Family Funeral Home with Pastor Jack Cogar officiating. Interment will take place in Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion. Members of the Ilion Elks Lodge 1444 will conduct their memorial service Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The Bechard family wishes to thank the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, especially the third floor staff, for the care and compassion shown to Bob during his stay. Memorial contributions in Bob's name may be considered to the Ilion Ambulance Fund. Donation envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Those wishing to do so may add to Bob's online memorial by going to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. All arrangements have been entrusted to John Day of Applegate and Day Funeral Home, Ilion. (Jan 8, 005)