Those Who Left Us in 2017

A number of people with Bovina connections left us in 2017:

William 'Danny' Daniel Burns died unexpectedly on January 18 at the age of 41. He was the son of Bovina native James E. Burns. Dan attended school in East Hampton, CT and Chenango Forks, NY. He was a talented and inspired carpenter, tradesman, fisherman and all-around fix-it guy. Danny was buried in Bovina in the spring next to his father.

Lou Miele

Lou Miele came to Bovina from New Jersey, where he was a successful businessman with Miele’s Greenhouses. He came to Bovina looking for a property in the 1980s where he could hunt and relax. He bought the old Paul Rabeler farm, where he developed a Belgian Blue Beef Operation. His contact in this business, Ed Weber, introduced Lou to his mother-in-law Pat Parsons. Pat and Lou were together for 30 years and married in 2002. Lou died on January 21, several years after suffering a debilitating stroke. Lou was a U.S. Army veteran.

Marg Hilson Oelsner

On February 11, Margaret L. Hilson Oelsner died in Albuquerque at age of 76. She had lived in Albuquerque for 57 years. Marg was born in Bovina Center, the daughter of Alex and Lil Hilson. She married Ronald M. Oelsner in 1958 (he died in 1999). Marg maintained her sense of humor throughout her illness. She was buried in Bovina in the spring.

Stub Hewitt

Stanley A. “Stub” Hewitt passed away on April 3 at the age of 92. The son of the late John W. and Laura (Alton) Hewitt, he grew up in Bovina and was a graduate of Andes Central School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WW II and was in Italy during the occupation of Europe. Stub married Norah Travell Hewitt in Hobart in 1947, a union that lasted 63 years, until her passing in 2010. Mr. Hewitt was employed as a truck driver with Deltown Foods of Delhi, retiring after over 42 years of service.

Mary Victoria Donato Tucker died on May 15 at the age of 89. Mary and her husband Howard Tucker lived for several years in Bovina in the 70s, raising their eight children. At her passing, Mary was survived by six of her children, 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Carol Sue Lowell passed away on May 18 as a result of a tragic motor vehicle accident. Carol's parents were Harold and Mildred A. (Hitt) Hall. She spent some of her childhood on Coulter Brook Road with her family. Carol was a much beloved caretaker of the residents at Mountainside, and enjoyed reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Edward A. Finkenberg, died peacefully on June 27 at the age of 95. Ed was a World War II veteran and a champion of human rights, an advocate for people with disabilities, an innovator, and entrepreneur. His children remember him as an elegant man and stoic father who encouraged them to follow their dreams with courage, integrity, and compassion for those in need. 

Gordon Rabeler

Gordon E. Rabeler passed away on July 16 at the age of 94. Born in Nebraska, he came to Bovina as a child. He was a World War II veteran, being involved in the European campaign. Gordon worked for over 40 years at International Paper Company in research. Gordon, along with Stub Hewitt, unveiled the restored Bovina Honor Roll of World War II soldiers in 2012.

Margaret C. “Peggy” Finch was born in Bovina, the daughter of Ralph and Mary (Thornington) Tuttle. She passed away on September 13 at the age of 79 and was buried in Bovina. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home for 24 years.

Thomas Camb

Thomas G. Camb, 87, formerly of Bovina Center, passed away on September 5. Tom was born and raised in NJ. Tom enjoyed many hobbies such as motorcycles, guns and ham radios, but loved his family most of all. Tom was liked by all and had a great sense of humor, telling jokes was his favorite past-time.  For those of you who knew Tom well, “the check is in the mail”.

Clif Pause

Clifton L. Pause, Jr. came from Adams, MA, where he grew up. He was in the US Navy in the 1960s and worked for the Delaware County Electric Cooperative for 35 years. He had become REA’s primary underground cable installer and was “difficult to replace” when he retired in 2003. He passed away in his home in Bovina on September 26.

Chris Comfort

Christine A. Comfort spent most of her life in Bovina. The daughter of Lester and Janet (Havens) Stewart, she was married to John L. Comfort in 1982. Christine worked for over 43 years at O’Connor Hospital Center. Christine could often be found behind the camera taking pictures or video and capturing memories at family gatherings.  Her greatest joy was her family, she was a caring wife, loving mother and proud grandmother.  Christine passed away October 24 and was survived by her parents, four sisters, one brother, husband, daughter and two grandsons.

Montie Hobbie

Montie R. Hobbie grew up in Bovina, the son of Glenn J. and Anna (Boggs) Hobbie. Montie lived for many years in Cambridge, NY, and was involved in the Presbyterian church there. It was from that church that a number of settlers came to Bovina and established what is now the United Presbyterian Church. Montie died on December 3 after a challenging fight with scleroderma, survived by his wife, five children, two brothers and a sister.

Remembering Two World War II Vets from Bovina

Five years ago this coming November, we unveiled the restored Bovina Roll of Honor – a roll of Bovina’s World War II vets. Two of the veterans on the roll, Stanley ‘Stub’ Hewitt and Gordon Rabeler, did the honors. Sadly, both of these gentlemen have passed away- within about 3 months of each other.

Gordon (left) and Stub (right) unveiling the Honor Roll on November 3, 2012.

Stub died on April 3, 2017, 20 days shy of his 93^rd birthday. He was born on April 23, 1924, in Margaretville, the son of John W. and Laura (Alton) Hewitt. Stub grew up in Bovina and was a graduate of Andes Central School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WW II and was in Italy during the occupation of Europe. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home.

On December 13, 1947, he married Norah Travell Hewitt in Hobart, a union that lasted 63 years, until her passing in 2010. Stub was employed as a truck driver with Deltown Foods of Delhi, retiring after over 42 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Donald W. Gleason Post 190, Delhi, and the Oneonta Eagles. He was survived by his four children, ten grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Gordon E. Rabeler died on July 16, 2017 at the age of 94. He was born on February 10, 1923 to Henry and Eunice Rabeler in Leigh, Nebraska. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY as a chemical engineer. Gordon also served in World War II and was involved in the European campaign. He worked for over 40 years at International Paper Company in research where he received many awards for his contributions in the paper making industry. Gordon was an avid skier, skiing into his early 90s.

He was survived his three children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Kathryn, of 67 years.