B-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL
OBITUARIES
THURSDAY, november 5, 2015
Fannie A. Navarra, 100; With Husband, Operated Beauty, Barber Shop Downtown COOPERSTOWN – Fannie A. Navarra, 100, who ran a Main Street beauty parlor and barbershop with her husband, died peacefully Friday Oct. 30, 2015. Born Aug. 14, 1915, in Brooklyn, Fannie was the fourth of four children of Salvatore and Ninfa (Dippa) Stallone, who had immigrated to America in 1905. She grew up in Brooklyn, where her father was a barber and enjoyed summers at the family cottage near Rockaway Beach. On Nov. 3, 1940, she married Charlie Navarra. They lived in Brooklyn until 1945 when, because Charlie missed Upstate (he had been born and raised until the
The Freeman’s Journal
Fannie A. Navarra at her 100th birthday in August.
Ida A. Orlando, 98; Swiss Native Raised Large Family In Upstate HARTWICK SEMINARY – Ida A. Orlando, 98, a Swiss native and mother of five whose survivors include 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Born Jan. 5, 1917, in Zurich, Switzerland, Ida was the fifth of six children born to August and Anna (Neukomm) Haegi. She grew up in the countryside and mountains of Switzerland and always had a strong affection and pride in her native land. She married Eugene Orlando on Dec. 3, 1949, and moved to this country in 1951, residing first in Hartwick, then Amsterdam (where Gene worked for G.E. ) then returning to the Hartwick and most recently Hartwick Seminary area. While Ida was first and foremost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and homemaker to her family, she also found time to join her friends as a member of the Red Hats, the Busy Bees and the Christian Women’s League. She attended the Hartwick Christian Church for many years but after her latest move became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary. In keeping with her faith Ida would want her loved ones to be strong, because a good soul never dies. She loved to knit and made many knitted items for her family. She had a special affection for her kitties, and also for the many types of Swiss chocolate. Her family will also remember her tasty and much loved Swiss apple pie. Ida was predeceased by her husband, Eugene in 1994, by her son Ralph and
by all of her siblings. She is survived by two sons, Robert E. Orlando of Hartwick Seminary and Ronald P. Orlando of Oneonta; two daughters, Ruth (George) Nebesnik of Maryland, and Heidi Quinn of Westford; and by 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Janet Haegi of Fort Hunter, Montgomery County, and by a niece and nephew. A memorial service was held Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home. Burial will be private and at a later date. For those who so desire, the family suggests donations in Ida’s memory be made to the Hartwick Fire Department Company # 2, 4877 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Arrangements are under the guidance of Tillapaugh Funeral Service.
age of 12 in Auburn), they moved to Cooperstown. Together, as a beautician and barber, they operated their businesses for decades in the village. They first purchased and ran their shops in a Main Street building adjacent to the Cooperstown Dry Cleaning block, which burned in November 1958, also destroying their building. This is the present location of the Cooperstown General Store. Charlie and Fannie subsequently purchased 160 Main St. and worked and lived there. Fannie will be remembered as unfailingly positive. She never had a negative thing to say about
anything or anyone and she never raised her voice. She loved Charlie, the village, its people, her friends and “extended family” – animals (especially her cats) – unconditionally. Indeed, after moving to the Thanksgiving Home in 2000, it was Fannie who gladly undertook the job of caring for and feeding of the Home’s therapy kitty. Fannie was also particularly proud to have been accepted as a Cooperstown Native Daughter in the 1990s. Fannie was predeceased by Charlie in 1996 and by all of her siblings. She is survived by three nieces
and two nephews, and by her goddaughter, Veronica Gil Seaver, and by the members of Veronica’s family. A graveside memorial service will be Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. at Lakewood Cemetery, where she will be buried next to her beloved Charlie. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that those who so desire make contributions in Fannie’s memory to the Capital Fund at the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, 48 Grove St., Cooperstown 13326. Arrangements are entrusted to Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.
Emma P. Rapenske, 94; Taught Business At Richfield Springs RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Emma P. Rapenske, 94, who taught business courses at Richfield Springs Central School for over three decades, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2015, at Bassett Hospital. She was born on Oct. 11, 1921, in Ballston Spa, daughter of the late Willard and Hazel Brown. Emma was raised in Ballston Spa and was a graduate of Ballston Spa High School. She furthered her education at Skidmore College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Her first teaching job was in the St Johnsville School System. In 1944, she came to teach in Richfield Springs and for 33 years taught business courses. She retired in 1977. On Aug. 22, 1948, she was united in marriage with Lincoln Rapenske in Richfield Springs.
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Mrs. Rapenske had a strong faith in God and was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker RC Church, Richfield Springs. She was also a member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association. In her leisure time she and her husband, Lincoln, made several trips to Hawaii, but their greatest joy was the time spent at their camp at Lake George. To all who knew her they
will never forget her warm, caring way and unforgettable smile. She will be truly missed. Surviving are her devoted husband of 67 years, Lincoln; brother-in- law, Harry Rapenske and his wife, Margaret; several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two half-sisters, Lucy Robinson Sieber and Margaret Malone.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, Nov. 2, in Saint Joseph the Worker RC Church, Richfield Springs, with the Rev. Bernard Osai Ampong, Pastor, officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home.