Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Ithaca, NY
Herbert I. White
Jan 7, 2026
Herbert I White (87) of Newfield New York passed away peacefully in his sleep January 7,2026. Born November 8, 1938 in Fort Fairfield, Maine.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda his daughters, Ellen, (Walter) Stiering Lisa (Jason) June his grandchildren Paige, Devon, Keith, Leah, Maddie and Nick. He was predeceased by his parents Mungo and Eva (Hill) White siblings,...
James A. Johnson
Jan 6, 2026
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, James Allen Johnson, 81, of 311 Tupper Rd, W Danby, NY, passed peacefully at home with his beloved partner and wife, Susan Sarabasha, at his side. He was born in St Paul, MN, on December 26, 1944, to Neva and Eugene Johnson.
Jim had many interests, skills and talents. In his late teens, he was a...
Cheryl L. Ward
Jan 6, 2026
Cheryl L. Ward, 61, of West Danby passed away on January 6, 2026, born on February 24, 1964 to John and Catherine (Turbeville) Bargher.
Cheryl is pre-deceased by her husband Rodger F. Ward whom she married on May 20th 1989 and had their only son in 1993. Cheryl is survived by her son: Ryan Ward (Courtney McNamara); siblings: Michelle Knickerbocker, and...
Jon R. King
Jan 3, 2026
Jon Robert King, age 70, of Newfield, NY, passed away on Saturday January 3rd, 2026, at 12:45 pm. Jon was born in Cortland NY on Oct 4th, 1955, to Warren and Pearl King. Jon graduated from Marathon Central School in 1973 and graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny Iowa in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral...
Craig O. Wells
Jan 1, 2026
Craig O. Wells passed away on January 1, 2026, surrounded by the love and memories of those who knew him best. Craig will be remembered for his deep passion for vintage cars, a love that reflected his appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and the simple joy of a finely tuned engine. Whether admiring classic designs or sharing stories with fellow enthusiasts,...
Sandra "Sandy" K. Waterman
Jan 1, 2026
Sandra "Sandy" K Waterman, 77 of Ithaca, passed away January 1, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. Born May 1, 1948, she was the daughter of late Quentin and Martha Marcy.
Sandy will be remembered for her love of animals, and her enjoyment of sunshine and warm weather. Sandy was known for having a heart as big as heaven, and always looking...
Marie Linda Roberts
Dec 31, 2025
Marie L Roberts 68 of Marathon, NY passed away unexpectedly on December 31, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina.
Born July 7, 1957 in Malone, NY she was the daughter of John and Patricia Peno. Marie was a long time employee of Cornell University and had recently retired.
Marie is survived by her husband, Richard Roberts; daughter, Brandy Lynn Roberts; son, Bryan Andrew...
Philip Rodger Rumsey
Dec 28, 2025
Philip R. Rumsey
85 of Ithaca NY
Went home to be with the Lord on December 28, 2025. Philip was born in Montour Falls, NY on
September 30, 1940. Philip is survived by his wife of Fifty-Nine years Kathryn Bowen Rumsey
his two daughters Starleen Landon and Dyan (Kevin) Manley. His brother Roger C. (Donna)
Rumsey and his sister-in-Law Betty Rumsey. Eight Grandchildren and four...
Rosemarie Bullivant
Dec 24, 2025
Rosemarie Bullivant, 56, of Ithaca, passed away of December 24, 2025. Rosemarie was born on March 2, 1969 in Ithaca.
Rosemarie was predeceased by her parents Wayne Bullivant Jr. and Margert (Ricci) Bullivant. She is survived by her boyfriend/ companion Charles Thorpe.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 1-3PM at Bangs Funeral Home.
Terry L. Ecker
Dec 22, 2025
Terry L. Ecker, 70, passed away Monday, December 22 at Cayuga Medical Center. Terry was born on November 30, 1955 in Ithaca, to John and Jeannette (Shraiy-Mahool) Ecker.
Terry attended Immaculate Conception School through 8th Grade, and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1974.
Joined the United States Marine Corps in 1974 before receiving an honorable discharge. Terry was an extremely hard...
Leonard Robert Leonardo
Dec 20, 2025
Leonard “Lenny” Leonardo April 30, 1961 – December 20, 2025 Leonard “Lenny” Leonardo—lifelong Ithacan, Fort Myers retiree, professional instigator of fun, and the undeniable life of every party he ever walked into—passed away peacefully at his Florida home on December 20, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born on April 30, 1961, in Ithaca, New York, Lenny lived life...
Dr. Soon Hon Cheong
Dec 20, 2025
Dr. Soon Hon Cheong, DVM, PhD, DACVT
Dr. Soon Hon Cheong was a distinguished veterinarian, scientist, and educator whose life’s work advanced reproductive medicine across species and disciplines. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from University Putra Malaysia and completed advanced clinical training and a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University. In 2012, he joined the faculty...
June Michele Haynor
Dec 19, 2025
June Michele Haynor passed away peacefully on December 19th, 2025, holding hands with her beloved daughter and granddaughter. A lifelong resident of Ithaca, NY, she was born on May 11, 1943, and was the daughter of the late Charles and Carmen (Sis) Solomon. June graduated from Ithaca High School and attended Cascadilla Business School. After dedicating 32 years of service...
Elaina Marie Rogers
Dec 16, 2025
Elaina Marie Rogers 12/10/1966 - 12/16/2025
Treasured daughter of Peter Jr. (Elline), pre-deceased by her mother, Donna (Newhart), cherished sister to Peter III, David (Melanie), Paul (Jean) & Melissa (Joel), crazy aunt to beloved nephews Derrick (pre-deceased), Jeffrey, Thomas & Hunter, and cat mom to little Monkey & Lonnie. Elaina was a fiercely loyal and amazing friend, who spiritually touched everyone...
Doris "Bunnie" Amici
Dec 16, 2025
Doris “Bunnie” Amici passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 2:00 a.m., surrounded by her loved ones. She was simply the best — the best mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister, and friend. The absolute best. A kind, gentle, loving soul whose presence made people feel safe, seen, and deeply cared for.
Born in Ithaca, New York, Doris spent her life...
Albert H. Capista, Jr.
Dec 14, 2025
Albert H. Capista, Jr. of Ithaca, NY, died on December 14, 2025 at the age of 77, just days shy of his 78 th birthday. Born in Alton, Illinois to Eleanor Graziano Capista and Albert H. Capista, Sr., Albert’s family later relocated to Waterford, CT, and eventually settled in Little Silver, NJ, where Albert graduated from Red Bank Regional High...
Susan B. Williams
Dec 14, 2025
Susan B. Williams (née Browne) passed away on December 14th, 2025 at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY. Born in Crown Point, NY to Robert Browne and Alice Browne, Susan grew up in Ithaca with her older brothers David and Richard.
Upon graduating from Ithaca High School, she took courses in journalism at Syracuse University. She then settled into a long,...
Margherita Nassar
Dec 14, 2025
Margherita Biefeni-Olevano Nassar, 83, of Ithaca and Queens Village, NY, died on December 14th 2025 at the Bridgewater Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Binghamton, N.Y.
As the youngest of four children to Epifanio Biefeni-Olevano and Marina Dandini, she was born June 15th 1942 in Anagni, Italy, in the province of Frosinone, after the family fled Rome during the bombings of WWII...
Eric Jon Humerez
Dec 13, 2025
Eric Jon Humerez, 68, passed away on December 13, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. Born on December 12, 1957, in Ithaca, New York, Eric lived a life rich with creativity, curiosity, and compassion.
Eric’s early years were spent in Ithaca, where he attended East Hill and Belle Sherman Elementary Schools before continuing his education at Dewitt Junior High and Ithaca High School....
Cecilia Cece Hedrick
Dec 13, 2025
Cecilia Grace Hedrick (Cece), 58, beloved daughter of the late Peter Jay Hedrick, and Elizabeth Quarrier Hedrick (Libby), died at home in her sleep Friday night, December13th.
Cece was born on January 24, 1967. She attended Ithaca’s Alternative Community School, and she got her nursing degree at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. Her first job was at Children’s National Medical Center...


