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Local News Archive - 2001

Retired pastor of Church of the Annunciation, Ilion .....

The Rev. J. Gregory Mulhall, 90, formerly of Ilion and Little Falls, retired pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, died Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001, at Our Lady of Hope residence in Latham, where he has resided for over 10 years.

He was born Jan. 4, 1911, in Ilion, the son of Joseph and Grace McLaughlin Mulhall. The family moved to Little Falls in 1916 and resided at 15 Hancock St. for many years.

Fr. Mulhall was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, class of 1929, and took his college and seminary training at St. Bonaventure University and Christ the King Seminary at Olean. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood May 22, 1937, by the late Edmund F. Gibbons, then Bishop of Albany in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany. Fr. Mulhall celebrated his first Mass on the 23rd day of May, 1937, at St. Mary's Church, Little Falls.

His first summer appointment was at St. Peter's Church, Stillwater, during the pastorate of Fr. Thomas Deignan. That fall he was assigned to St. John the Evangelist Church in Lambertville, N.J. He served there from 1937 to 1940. Upon his return to the Albany Diocese in 1940, he was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany, where he remained from 1940 to 1961. He was also a high school teacher at its Vincentian Institute for 17 years and principal of the institute for four years. He taught Moral Guidance to the senior boys and religion to the eighth grade students in the grammar school. He was in charge of the altar boys which at that time numbered 150 boys. He was placed in charge of the Rosary Society, which numbered over 1,000 members. He assisted in marriage preparation, instructions of converts to the faith and in an Inquiry Class for those interested in the Catholic faith.

On June 12, 1961, he was named pastor of Annunciation Church by William A. Scully, then Bishop of Albany. He was pastor of this church from 1961 to 1985 - 24 years - and then, at the age of 75, he retired to Our Lady of Hope in Latham. He was a member of the Ilion Sacred Heart Council Knights of Columbus 518.

Survivors include several cousins and many close and dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Joseph Jr. in 1972 and Hugh Mulhall in 1980. Reception of the body at Annunciation Church, West St., Ilion, will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. His body will lie in state from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday at Annunciation Church. The Parish Mass will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Annunciation Church.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at Annunciation Church, Ilion, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for the repose of his soul by Bishop Howard Hubbard, principal celebrant, and several concelebrants. He will be buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Herkimer, in his family's burial plot. May he rest in peace.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, or Our Lady of Hope, Latham. Donation envelopes will be available at the Applegate & Day Funeral Home, Ilion, or on Sunday or Monday during services at the Church of the Annunciation. (November 17, 2001)

Ilion Sesquicentennial Celebration Meeting.....

There will be a meeting November 4 at 7 pm in the auditorium of the Municipal building for anyone interested in helping to organize events honoring the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Ilion. The village was incorporated in October 1852. Committees will be organized. Anyone who was involved with the 100th anniversary celebration in 1952 is especially welcome, as are students, organizations and business people.

(How about a HUUUUGE, multi-class Ilion High School reunion in the Fall of 2002? How about holding the biggest REUNION, every held for the Golden Bombers? Suggested timing would be Homecoming weekend to coincide with a football game, Homecoming multi-class parade of floats, tours of the brand new school additions, Saturday dinner/dance balls booked by decade of graduation [Super Seventies Rockin Reunion] and the opportunity to return to New York State during its most colorful season?) (October 25, 2001)

Communities 2000 - Village of Ilion

The Village of Ilion and Herkimer County Community College are co-sponsoring a Communities 2000 forum, at the HCCC Hummel Business Center, on Thursday, November 1, 2001 at 7 pm. The key elements of the program are a grassroots effort among community's residents, broad based participation, and a community visioning/planning effort that is strategic in nature. The list of topics open for discussion is endless. In order to better plan for the evening, please print and fill out the survey and place it in the drop box at the Ilion Public Library. To assist in the plan for seating and refreshments at the event, please RSVP at 866-0300, ext 251. The event is being coordinated by Mr. James Garnsey. For information visit the Community Education Web site. (October 25, 2001)

Former Ilion Priest in Ireland

Father Patrick Magnan, former Assistant Pastor of Annunciation Church, is now pastor of St. Michael's Church, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. Father Magnan left Ilion in 1972 and returned to Ireland in 1973. As the United States observed a day of mourning on Friday, September 14, 2001, St. Michael's Church held a special Mass and prayer service in honor of all those who lost their lives and all the injured and bereaved. Father Magnan would love to hear from the people of the Mohawk Valley. Correspondence can be addressed to Fr. Patrick Mangan P.P.V.F., News 7 Crofton Terrace, Dun Langhaire, Ireland. (October 25, 2001)

Ilion Days Schedule of Events.....

You can find out more to do with the Ilion Days Schedule of Events. (October 25, 2001)

Ilion's Sesquicentennial Celebration!

The Village of Ilion will celebrate its 150th birthday in 2002. As part of the planning for the celebration, the village is offering 150 limited edition prints commemorating the village as it appeared at the turn of the century (1899-1900). These are limited edition prints. (June 25, 2001)

Teacher Recruitment Day - April 7, 2001

A Teacher Recruitment Daywill be hosted on Saturday, April 7 at SUNY Institute of Technology. The event is sponsored by 29 Area School Districts (including Ilion Central School Distric) and 3 BOCES Districts. Candidates may interview for current or future teaching vacancies. Teachers and May graduates are welcome! (March 21, 2001)

Scholarship Fundraiser..

The Dr. Jeffrey Seymour Scholarship Fund, St. Patrick's Day Dinner will be held on March 17, 2001, at the Ilion Knights of Columbus, from 4 to 8 pm. A Boiled ham dinner will be served. Other events include raffles and entertainment provided by DJ Ron Clive. The dinner is sponsored by Jeff's friends and family. All are welcome! Jeff was a 1983 graduate of Ilion High School. He died unexpectedly, in a car accident, on January 6, 1997. (March 11, 2001)

Dreizlers leaving Ilion

Bob and Ann Dreizler moved to Ilion from California in 1985. They bought and restored the "Richardson/Shepherd Mansion", their historic 134-year-old, 29-room home in Ilion. It is now a Bed & Breakfast Inn known as "Chesham Place" - Bed & Breakfast. Since moving here, The Dreizlers have been extensively involved in community projects. Part of the Dreizlers' effect on the community has been inspiring others to take pride in the area.

June 1998 Ilion Days Committee Efforts
Bob and Ann Dreizler digging holes for the 20+ shrubs at Great America Parking Island.

One month later - The Results!

Among many other volunteer efforts, Bob has been active on the Ilion Marina Commission, the Ilion Housing Authority board, and was also a village trustee in the mid-1990s. Both Bob and Ann were instrumental in getting Ilion Days started as well as forming Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity. The birth of Ilion's annual Doo Dah Parade can be attributed to the Dreizlers. The couple will be moving to Arizona to be closer to their children. Best Wishes Bob and Ann!!!! You'll be missed more than you know ....

Bob and Ann Dreizler will be honored for their dedication to the community at a farewell dinner on March 10, 2001 at the Frankfort-Ilion VFW Post. Tickets are $15 and include dinner and entertainment. A cash bar will open at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 7. Master of ceremonies for the evening will be WKTV Newschannel 2 anchor Bill Worden. For tickets, call Gale Hatch at 315-895-7449 or Janet Darling at 895-7711. (February 3, 2001) modified (Jan. 21, 2016)

Ilion Days Schedule 2001

The annual Ilion Days Events are now scheduled. The celebration will be held July 21st through the 29th, with the Doo-Dah parade on July 27, 2001. The Utica Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to close the festivities on July 29, 2001. (January 27, 2001)