James U. Brophy, 82; Retired CCS Administrator, Village Trustee

COOPERSTOWN – James U. Brophy, who retired as assistant superintendent of Cooperstown Central School in 1975 and served as a village trustee, died peacefully Tuesday morning, Nov. 24, 2009, surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in the Town of Exeter. He was 82.
Jim was born at home in Oneonta on June 15, 1927, a son of John J. and Helen Veronica (McGinnis) Brophy. In his youth, he attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and later Oneonta Junior and Senior High School, graduating in 1944.
On Sept. 4, 1949, Jim married the former Marion Grace Hancock. She passed away on May 22, 2003.
Jim attended the New York State Teachers College at Albany from 1944 1950, receiving his B.A. in secondary education, mathematics and social studies in 1949, and his master’s in guidance and administration the following year.
His studies were interrupted by World War II, and he served in the Army from August 1945 until December 1946.
Jim went on to enjoy a successful, satisfying and professional career in education. In 1950-52, he served as a secondary teacher in Hillsdale; in 1952-54, as a guidance counselor in Harpursville; in 1954-61, as BOCES guidance counselor supervisor for central schools in Richfield Springs, the Owen D. Young School in Van Hornesville, Cherry Valley, Springfield and Edmeston.
In 1961-67, he was BOCES director of pupil and personnel services and special education programs; in 1967-70, BOCES director of guidance for the Otsego Area Occupational Center in Milford and the Northern Catskills Occupational Center in Grand Gorge; and in 1970-75, he was assistant superintendent at CCS.
In 1973-77, he was a Cooperstown village trustee. In 1975-77, he worked at the Leatherstocking Golf Course, where he greeted golfers, provided carts, and did general groundskeeping. He was also a member of the Catskill Mountain Educators Corporation from 1982 until 2009, and very much enjoyed their monthly meetings.
In 1977, Jim returned to his roots and became the student relations officer at Oneonta Senior High School, serving in this position until 1982, when he became a personnel officer for Otsego County.
From 1985 until 1987, Jim was the temporary assistant to the director at The Farmers’ Museum.
Throughout the years, Jim was devoted to the Catholic faith and was a very active communicant of St. Mary’s "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church. He thoroughly enjoyed his many years as a eucharistic minister as well as his time spent volunteering at Bassett Healthcare.
Survivors include four children and their spouses, Michael D. and Cindy Brophy of Ambler, Pa., Patricia Ann and Nicholas Kelly of Burlington Flats, James M. and Jacqueline Brophy of Fly Creek, and Dennis J. and Erin Brophy of Germantown, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Sean, Ryan and Patrick Kelly, Brian and Justin Brophy, Alexandra Brophy, and Taylor & Clarisse Brophy; five great grandchildren, Joey, Hailey, Charlie and Mylee Kelly and Mya Rose Brophy; two brothers, Jack Brophy of Voorheesville and Jerry Brophy and his wife, Patricia, of Troy; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at St. Mary’s, with the Rev. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding.
Immediately following the mass, all in attendance are welcome to join with Jim’s family in the St. Mary’s Catechetical Center, located directly behind the church, for a time of refreshments, fellowship and remembrance.
A private burial will take place later in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Pathfinder Village Foundation, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston, NY 13335-2314.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.

Ruth Livermore, 92; Jacob Riis’ Great-Niece

FLY CREEK – Ruth Livermore, 92, of Fly Creek, whose three sons include a New York State Historical Association vice president, died early Wednesday morning, Nov. 18, 2009, at Bassett Hospital.
Ruth was born July 6, 1917, in Hastings-on-Hudson, and through the years had made her home in Manhattan and Blauvelt as well as Richmond Hill, Ga., before settling in Fly Creek in 1998. She enjoyed the beauty and the landscape of the Cooperstown area and would have loved seeing another year’s holiday decorations in the village.
She was a child of the Depression and did not have the opportunity to go to college. So, after graduating from Hastings High School, she entered the world of work.
She was employed by Trans-World Airlines in the era of DC-3s and Super Constellations, then by McCann-Erickson Advertising in the pre-"Mad Men" days on Madison Avenue, all before taking a break to raise a family in Rockland County. Before retiring in 1987, she was a florist at Vernon Church Flowers in Nyack, a job that combined her love of nature and art.
Her mother’s ancestors were Norwegian and Danish immigrants who built businesses, were sea captains, and had successful careers in corporate and government service. Her great-uncle was Jacob Riis, the 19th-century photographer and journalist.
On her father’s side, she descended from some of the earliest Dutch and Huguenot settlers of New York, who established homes and communities throughout the Hudson River Valley in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Survivors include three sons, Jim, of Stratford, N.H., his wife Lynne and their daughter, Alyssa; George III, of Sikeston, Mo., and his children, Francesca, Andrea, Paige, George IV (Quarter) and Holly; and Garet, of Cooperstown, NYSHA vice president for education, his wife Mary and their children, Grace and Tae, and an extended family.
Her husband, George H. Livermore, Jr., died in 1973. They were both long-time members of the Greenbush Presbyterian Church of Blauvelt.
Ruth’s family would like to thank the nurses, P-As and doctors at Bassett Healthcare, particularly the Louis Busch Hager Cancer Center, Bassett Prime Care and the Emergency Department.
A memorial service was Monday, Nov. 23, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Dr. Miriam Hathaway officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements were with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
　

Marie Starr, 85, Richfield Springs

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Marie Starr, 85, of Elm Street Extension, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Bassett Hospital, with her family by her side.
A daughter of the late Stanley and Mary Pierce Budka, she was born Aug. 7, 1924, in Schenectady, where she was raised and graduated high school.
She had resided in Richfield Springs since 1945, where she married Sidney Starr.
She was proud of her family and was always there, in good times and sad. She found peace and tranquility in writing poetry.
Many can remember her baking skills, especially the wedding cakes she would decorate.
In her younger days, snowmobiling and roller skating were among her many pastimes. She was a former member of the Richfield Springs Grange.
Surviving are three sons, Derrick Starr and his wife Carol, Mitchell Starr and his wife Bonnie, and Christopher Starr, all of Richfield Springs; six grandchildren, Jeffery, Kama Lynn, Christopher Lee, Michael Paul, Taylor Dana and Hannah Leigh Starr, two great-grandchildren, Adam and Carson Starr; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Lee Starr; a brother, George Flansburgh; and a sister,
A gathering to celebrate Marie’s life will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad.

Labels: 11-27-09, Obituaries