1953
Stephen P. Kirby (FRM) of Springfield, VA, passed away on March 7, 2018 at Greenspring Village retirement community. Loving father and cherished grandfather, Mr. Kirby was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Eleanor J. Kirby. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby met in England, where both served as Air Force officers. Upon their return to the US, Mr. Kirby enjoyed a career of 37 years in Personnel and Civil Rights with the USDA Forest Service, and several years in Human Resources with the County of Fairfax. Stephen P. Kirby was born in Hempstead, NY and was a 1953 graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, later followed by a master’s degree from George Mason University in Fairfax. He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield.
1955
Former City Forester for the City of Buffalo, Edwin S. Drabek (FOR), passed away unexpectedly on 1/22/2019 at the age of 84. During his 30 years of service with the City he was responsible for 750 miles of street trees as well as the trees in Buffalo’s Olmsted park system. He oversaw the removal of 95,000 mature diseased elm trees and the planting of over 75,000 trees during his tenure. Mr. Drabek was born on 2/18/1934 in Lackawanna, NY, and was raised on his parent’s 75 acre farm in Blasdell, where his love of nature was cultivated. The partial sale of that farm helped enable Ed to go to college since it paid for room and board. In 1955 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from the New York State College at Syracuse. During his junior and senior years at college he worked in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana with the US Forest Service as a timber management aide. While a student he was in the Reserve Officers Training Course Air Force Program. From 1957 to 1959 Edwin was a Senior Radio Repairman for the US Army in Korea. During 1959-60 he worked in Rochester as a tree specialist for the Monroe Tree Service. He was married to Carolyn A. Hess on 7/4/1960. He then worked for the Davey Tree Expert Company as a sales representative. Mr. Drabek became the Assistant City Forester for the City of Buffalo in 1962. In 1968 he was promoted to City Forester, a position he held until his retirement from the City in 1992. He continued working for the City as a Consultant until 2000. At that time he was hired as a senior forester with the Wendel Duchscherer consulting engineers, a position he held until 2007. He continued to work as a tree and landscape consultant with Micha Tree and Landscape Consultants based in Ontario, NY. Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, nature photography and gardening, and was an avid Syracuse Orange basketball fan. He was active in the International Society of Municipal Arborists (President for 1977 and 1978), the Society of American Foresters, the Men’s Garden Club of Buffalo (President), NYS Arborists Association (Director), Men’s Garden Club of Hamburg, the Town of Hamburg Conservation Advisory Board, the Village of Hamburg Environmental Commission and served as a voluntary arborist for the Village of Hamburg. Survivors include his wife Carolyn of 58 years, two sons, and five grandsons.
1957
Johannes Smid (CHE), 88, of LaFayette went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 11, with his loving family at his side. Born January 18, 1931, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Tjasse Smid and Femmigje Bult, he was one of seven children. He completed his studies in 1954 at the Free University of Amsterdam, with a master’s degree in chemistry. A Fulbright fellowship took him to Syracuse, NY where he continued his chemistry studies under Dr. Michael Szwarc at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and received his PhD degree in 1957. In 1956 he married his sweetheart Elizabeth (Elly) Schippers, also from the Netherlands, in Hendricks Chapel on the Syracuse University campus. Both returned to the Netherlands where Dr. Smid served for two years in the Dutch Army, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. They then emigrated with their first-born son Derk to the United States where Johannes joined the faculty of the chemistry department of SUNY-ESF, becoming a full professor in 1969. He taught courses in the field of polymer chemistry, while his research focused on the mechanism of polymerization processes and on the properties of polymeric materials, including polymer electrolytes for use in Li batteries, and the synthesis of radiopaque polymers for application in dentistry. The results of his research and that of his coworkers have been reported in more than 200 publications, including a variety of international journals, as well as in book chapters. They were also communicated at many scientific conferences in the USA, Europe and Asia. Sabbatical leaves were enjoyed at universities in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Israel. Dr. Smid loved his Lord and served Him in the capacity of deacon, elder, and Sunday school superintendent, first at South Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, and since 1982 at the LaFayette Alliance Church. He served for many years on the Board of International Friendship Evangelism (IFE), a ministry that reaches out to international students with the love of Christ. Over the years, he and his wife opened their home to many international students, scholars, and missionaries. Johannes was predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters. He was the proud father of four children and opa to nine grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, his children, grandchildren, a brother, and many nephews and nieces.
1969
On May 20, 2019 Clayton resident, Michael J. Geiss (FRM) passed away while exercising near his home. He was 71 years old. Mike was born on August 8, 1947, in Troy, son of the late John L. and Genevieve B. Geiss. He grew up in the Albany suburb of Colonie and graduated from Vincentian Institute in Albany in 1965. He went on to receive a B.S. from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a B.S. from Syracuse University in 1969. In his senior year, Mike served as president of Kappa Phi Delta, a social/professional forestry fraternity. Later that year, he started working for the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in the Planning Unit. He was granted an educational leave of absence and earned a M.S. from Michigan State University. Upon his return, he was promoted to the Taconic Region where he was in charge of land acquisition and municipal grants. Four years later, he was promoted back to the Planning Unit and was instrumental in compiling the Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan. In 1980 Mike moved to Clayton when he was appointed assistant regional director of the Thousand Islands Region and then became regional director in 1991. Mike retired from State Parks in 2007 after a 37-year career with the agency. During his tenure with State Parks, Mike worked on many committees, including the agency’s Human Resources Committee, Safety Committee, and Affirmative Action Committee. In 1988, he received the Special Achievement Award from the State Council of Parks for his work on the Strategic Planning and Review Committee. Also, Mike represented State parks on the relicensing working group for the N.Y. Power Authority’s FDR-St. Lawrence Power Project, securing a sizable funding allocation for the rehabilitation of Robert Moses and Coles Creek State Parks. Mike married Sandra K. McElheny on August 1, 1970, in Greece, N.Y. and they remained together for 48 years through good times and bad. In 1994, Mike suffered a spinal cord injury during a bicycle ride which made for a dynamic change in both Mike and Sandy’s lives. Before his injury, Mike was a dedicated runner, having completed 16 marathons. Undaunted by his injury, he then took up wheelchair racing. Later in his life, Mike could be seen handcycling along many roads in the Clayton area. Mike served on many volunteer organizations while living in Clayton. He was a member of the Thousand Islands Central School District Board of Education for 13 years, seven of those as president. He represented the Board as voting delegate at five NYS School Board Association Annual Conferences. He took numerous courses offered by the State School Board Association and received the designation of Master of Boardsmanship. While on the School Board he wrote weekly articles for the T. I. Sun about the football team’s games and served as a volunteer scoreboard operator for the boy’s basketball games. Other positions Mike held included: 11 year member of the Clayton Local Development Corporation, five as chairman; member of the 1000 Islands State Park Commission; lector at St. Mary’s Church; volunteer income tax preparer for the elderly and poor at the Community Action Planning Council; member and treasurer of the Northern Regional Center for Independent Living; member and chairman of the Clayton Youth Commission; volunteer youth baseball coach; member and chairman of the Clayton Planning Board; member of the Jefferson County Youth Board; member of the Seaway Council Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America; member of the St. Mary’s Pastoral Council; member of the Clayton Local Waterfront Revitalization Committee; member of the Clayton Comprehensive Plan Committee; and member of the Sackets Harbor Battlefield Alliance. Mike’s favorite activities were handcycling and traveling with family and friends. He was also a longtime fan and supporter of Syracuse University sports teams. Mike is survived by his wife, Sandy; three sons, five grandchildren, a sister, and thirteen nieces and nephews.
1971
Thomas E. Kelley (FRM), 69, of Painesville Township passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Heartland of Mentor. Tom was born November 4, 1949 in Syracuse, NY to Francis and Stella (Ostrosky) Kelley. He attended Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, NY and received his bachelor’s degree in forestry from the State University of New York in Syracuse. Tom was the owner-operator of Kelley Landscaping & Construction in Painesville. He served clients across northeast Ohio for over 40 years. He had a passion for flying, fishing, and travelling. Tom was part of the Cardinal Flyers flying club based out of Cuyahoga County Airport. He is survived two sons, three grandchildren and his former spouse.
1972
Claire Eileen (Titcomb) Ders (EFB), 68, of South Otselic, passed away on Tuesday October 23, 2018, at her residence with her loving family by her side. Born on March 1, 1950, in Tarrytown, NY, Claire was the daughter of Stanley T. and Gertrude A. (Neilan) Titcomb, and one of their nine children. Claire was the first Titcomb to be allowed to ride on a motorcycle and to obtain a motorcycle license. In high school, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and reached the rank of lieutenant, and received her pilot’s license. In 1972, Claire earned her bachelor of science degree in Forest Biology from Syracuse University and a degree in forest biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. After college, she traveled throughout the U.S. for two years with her husband, John R. Ders, who survives. Claire was absolutely thrilled to venture outdoors. She participated in winter survival training and was a part of several search and rescue activities. Claire was a member of the Bullthistle Hiking Club, led hikes on numerous Finger Lakes trails, performed trail maintenance, and twice completed the Wegman’s Hit the Trails Passport Program. She also completed the Adirondack Fire Towers Challenge and the Fulton Chain Hiking Trifecta. Claire completed numerous kayak and canoe races and even built her own wooden kayak. She rode in the Five Borough Bike tour several times, ran the half-marathon in Sleepy Hollow, NY, and ran many 5K races in the central New York area. Claire also served as the support crew for her husband for 20 years for various Adirondack races, the Yukon River Quest, the General Clinton Kayak and Canoe race, and many other outdoor events. She also raised sheep and alpaca for wool, and earned many awards for the quality of her alpaca fleece. In addition to these activities, Claire served 15 years as a Postmaster Relief in Chenango County and then ten years as Postmaster in the South Otselic Post Office. She also managed the Northwest Corners Bed & Breakfast for 13 years. In addition to her husband, John, Claire is survived by four sisters and three brothers. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother.
1974
William L. Wright (Forest Technology), age 76, of Ogdensburg, passed away with complications from lung cancer on Saturday (May 5, 2018) at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center with his wife by his side. Surviving is his wife Karen; two sons, a daughter, a brother, a mother-in-law and a brother-in-law, along with many cousins. A sister, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law predeceased him. Bill was born on March 15, 1942 in Ogdensburg NY, a son of the late Archie & Leona (Prosser) Wright. He graduated from Heuvelton Central School in 1960, and later enlisted in the US Army from 1964 to 1966 as a paratrooper medic, serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. After receiving his honorable discharge, Bill earned his RN at Canton College and worked in geriatrics at veterans’ hospitals. He also worked at United Helpers Nursing Home as a nurse for a few years. In 1973 he attended the NYS Ranger School in Wanakena NY, graduating in the Class of 1974. After working for Finch Pruyn Paper Company as a logging supervisor, he returned to Ogdensburg. He found his life’s work at Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, where he earned a degree in alcohol treatment. In 1986 he began his career at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Alcohol Treatment Center where he worked until his retirement in 1997. Bill was a member of Friends of The Ogdensburg Public Library, the Society of American Foresters, the National Rifle Association, the American Chestnut Foundation and the Planetary Society. He enjoyed being in the woods, hunting, reading, gardening and being with friends & family.
1981
Bruce W. Ball (FRM), 59, of New Woodstock, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 12, 2019. He was born in Jamestown, New York to Harold and Doris Ball and grew up in the town of Webster. Bruce was a graduate of SUNY ESF with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry. He was employed by International Wire Group’s Continental Cordage in Cazenovia for 26 years and was the Human Resources Manager and Quality Assurance Manager. Bruce was a member and Fire Commissioner of the New Woodstock Fire Department, a member and past president of CAVAC and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, where he served as a deacon, trustee and a member of their choir. Bruce enjoyed reading, trap shooting, completing puzzles, playing Trivial Pursuit and spending time with his family around the campfire. He is survived by his wife, Jennette Ball of New Woodstock, two daughters, a step-son, one granddaughter, and a brother. In addition to his parents, Bruce was predeceased by a brother.
1999
Christopher Peter Scalzo (Forest Technology), 40, of County Road 124, Town of Fayette, NY, passed away on August 15, 2018. Christopher was born in Syracuse, N.Y. on July 5, 1978 the son of Dana P. and Mary Vallone Scalzo. He was a graduate of Mynderse Academy, Seneca Falls. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Montana at Missoula, Montana. He, also, was a graduate of Ranger School in Wanakenna, N.Y. He had resided most of his life in Seneca Falls and had spent seven years living in Missoula, Montana. He had owned and operated CPS Landscaping in the Seneca Falls area. Christopher was a licensed Falconer. He loved to fish, hunt, rock and ice climb. He was very much an outdoorsman. He is survived by his parents, a brother, a niece, a nephew, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother.
2015
Kayla M. Hanczyk (ERE) died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 8, 2019 at the age of 25. She was born to Mark and Annette (Cardinali) Hanczyk in Fulton, NY on August 1, 1993. While at G. Ray Bodley High School she played soccer, lacrosse, was on the dance team and participated in many clubs. She graduated from SUNY ESF with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resource Engineering. While at ESF she played soccer and forged many lasting friendships. She worked for Northline Utilities where she found joy as a Project Manager working with a wonderful group of co-workers and friends. Kayla’s passion was to live life to the fullest and make each day an adventure. Her hobbies and talents were endless, but the things she enjoyed most were hiking, camping, rock climbing, snowboarding, biking, cooking, photography and travel. Her enthusiasm was contagious and through it she made a lasting impression on everyone she met. She had an unquenchable desire to never stop learning and to make the earth a more sustainable planet. Her family and friends were her priority and she always strived to make their world a more positive and joyful place. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her parents, Mark and Annette Hanczyk of Fulton; her brothers and a niece; her boyfriend, Matt Murray, of Albany, NY; grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents. For those wishing, contributions in memory of Kayla can be made to the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehab Center at – adirondackwildlife.net/index.html