Hometown Oneonta - The Otesgo-Delaware Dispatch: IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

Friday, March 5, 2010

Anthony Roda, 70;
SUNY Philosophy Professor

ONEONTA – Anthony Roda, professor of philosophy at SUNY Oneonta, passed away at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, N.Y. on Thursday, March 4, 2010. He was 70.
Dr. Roda was born in Fossato Jonico (Reggio Calabria), Italy. He is the son of Domenico Roda and Caterina Messineo. He moved to Jersey City, NJ in 1949 and was salutatorian at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ in 1959. He received his B.S. in Mathematics at Saint Peter’s College in 1962, his M.A. in Philosophy at Washington University in 1964, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy at Southern Illinois University in 1968.
He began teaching at SUNY Oneonta in 1967. During his tenure as professor of philosophy, he was involved in numerous organizations, received a variety of awards and had multiple publications.
Dr. Roda enjoyed the intellectual engagement with both students and faculty that teaching provided. He was fluent in Italian (writing, reading, and speaking) and possessed a deep knowledge of southern Italian culture and philosophy.
When he passed away, Dr. Roda was serving as Editor of the academic journal, Educational Change, a role he had performed for more than a decade.
He cared about the local community and involved himself in the Oneonta Italian American Club, serving as its president for several years.
Dr. Roda was a member of the American Philosophical Association, the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy, the Dante Society of America, the Institute for Vico Studies, and New York State Foundation of Education Association.
He is survived by his son, Michael Roda, of Albany, NY; his daughter, Mariah Roda, of New York, NY; and his sister, Teodora Salvemini, of Franklin Lakes, NJ.
He was predeceased by his son, Dominick Roda.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, in St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta. Interment will be in the spring in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Dr. Roda’s memory can be made to the College at Oneonta Foundation Scholarships, and mailed to the College at Oneonta Foundation, 308 Netzer Administration Building, SUNY College at Oneonta, Oneonta NY 13820.

Emily Harrington, 55; Worked At A.O. Fox,
Astrocom Electronics, Daddy Al’s

SCHENEVUS – Emily Harrington, 55, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, Friday, March 5, 2010, after a three year battle with breast cancer.
She was born April 30, 1954, in Oneonta, the daughter of Ivan and Shirley (Palmer) Risley.
Emily was employed by A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Astrocom Electronics and Daddy Al’s. She enjoyed playing bingo, going to casinos, cooking and baking. Emily cared for everyone and was always doing for others.
She is survived by her sons, Gilbert Pidgeon of Oneonta and Donald and Angela Pidgeon of Davenport Center; two brothers, Larry and Pam Risley of Texas and Charles and Priscilla Risley of Virginia; her companion and love of her life, Charlie Bodden, of Schenevus; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; and her beloved cat, Karen.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Paul Pidgeon, and Stanley Harrington.
The funeral was at 8 p.m. on March 10 with the Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, officiating.
Interment in the Glenwood Cemetery will take place at later date.
Donations may be made to Breast Cancer Awareness at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.

George VanCuren, 86;
Received Purple Heart

ONEONTA – George VanCuren, 86, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
He was born Oct. 1, 1923, in Middleville, the son of Charles and Mabel (Skillen) VanCuren. George married Eleanor Scorzafava on June 29, 1945, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta. He was a United States Army Air Corps veteran. During World War II, his plane was shot down and George became a Prisoner of War for 11 months. He received a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and a POW Medal World War II.
George worked for the D&H Railroad and the United States Postal Service. He was a member of the Oneonta American Legion Post 259, the Oneonta VFW Post 1206 and the BPOE Elks Club No. 1312.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor VanCuren; two daughters, Linda Mercadante of Red Bank, N.J., and Denise Kane and Jeff Ouimet of Oneonta; grandchildren, James E. Kane III, Heather and Nels Anderson and Joel and Meredith Mercadante; sister, Dorothy Beams of Schenevus; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, William; sister, Edith Gaughan; brothers, Lawrence, Maurice and William VanCuren; a son-in-law, Eugene Mercadante.
The funeral service was at 1 p.m. on March 10 with the Rev. Keith VanDewerker, retired, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.

Labels: 03-12-10, Obituaries

posted by The Freeman's Journal @ 12:00 AM

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