All Obituaries

Olean- Jacquelyn A. Gattuso, a lifetime resident of Olean, passed away peacefully Thursday (February 2, 2023) at the Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olean. Born October 23, 1928, in Olean, she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Hollander Schnell. On February 22, 1947, in Olean, she married Bruno (Bernie) Gattuso, who predeceased her on July 12, 1995. Jackie was a graduate of Olean High School, Class of 1946. In her younger years, she worked for Clark Brothers in Olean,...

Allegany- Larry P. Johnson, Jr., “L.P” of Wing Hollow Road, Allegany, passed away unexpectedly on Friday (January 27, 2023) after a brief illness. Born July 22, 1976, in Olean, he was the son of Larry and Sari Church Johnson, Sr. While attending Bowling Green State University in Ohio, he met the love of his life, Stacey Salupo. They were married on August 15, 1998, in Parma, Ohio. L.P. was a retired Lieutenant colonel (LTC) with the United States Army.  During his service,...

Olean- Charles F. Jurenko, of 917 Irving Street, Olean, passed away Monday (January 23, 2023) at the Olean General Hospital. Born June 4, 1939, in Olean, he was the son of the late Edward and Mary Sorochin Jurenko.  On June 30, 1962, at St. John's Church in Olean, he married Susan Evelyn Brougham, who survives. Charlie worked for Dresser Rand in Olean for 41 years, retiring in 2004. He was a longtime member of the Local 4601 United Steelworkers and the Olean Rod and Gun...

Portville-Lynford O. “Wimpy” Swetland, of 1869 Route 305, passed away Friday (January 20, 2023) peacefully at home.   Born November 10, 1934, in Olean, he was the second of three children born to Edward and Doris Todd Swetland.  In 1959, he married Shirley Mitchell-Shurer, they had three children together.  In 1980, he married Esther Williams, who survives. Wimpy was a lifelong resident of Portville and a proud member of the Portville Central School Class of...

Portville- Pamela Jean Howard, 72, of Portville, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday (January 13, 2023). Born on June 1, 1950, in Olean, she was the daughter of James Eastman and Mary Hart. On July 9, 1988, in Eldred, PA, she married Darrell W. Howard, who survives. Pamela was a graduate of Otto- Eldred High School, class of 1968. She was a longtime member of the First Church of God in Eldred, PA and will be remembered for being an amazing cook and baker. She is survived by; her...

Olean- Charles Perry Smith, husband of Marcella May Douglas-Rakocy Smith, passed away at Olean General Hospital on January 9, 2023. Although Chuck and Marcella were only married 23 years, they enjoyed their life together with their families.  Chuck was born Sept 30, 1935, at Franklin, PA, the son of Charles P. and Helen (Kristyak) Smith. Surviving are two sisters, LouAnn Fowler of Loveland, CO and Wanda Paxton of Valrico, FL. His oldest sister, Helen, predeceased...

Olean- Neil T. Rees of Olean N.Y. passed away on Thursday January 5th from heart complications at the age of 75.   He was born in 1947 at the Olean General Hospital and graduated from Hinsdale High School. After High School, Neil was drafted into the United States Army and fought in the conflict in Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division from 1967-1968, receiving several medals for honorable service. After the Army, Neil met the love of his life Eleanore Hall and married her on...

Portville- Joyce L. Stuckey, a longtime Portville resident, passed away Thursday (January 5, 2023) at home, after a brief illness. Born January 30, 1934, in Great Valley, she was the daughter of Lee B. Eddy and E. Genevieve Spaulding. On March 13, 1954, at the Bolivar Methodist Church, Joyce married Herman E. Stuckey, together, they shared 51 ½ years of marriage, before his passing in 2005. Joyce was a graduate of Bolivar Central School, class of 1952, where she majored in music....

It is with great sadness in writing of the sudden passing of our brother Mike, (Michael Brian Panton) on January 2nd, 2023, at Olean General Hospital from a very short illness. Mike was born February 25, 1955 in New York and resided in Andover for most of his life, and attending Andover Central School.  He was an avid outdoorsman with great knowledge of all wildlife.  He was most known for his love of hunting with gun and bow, as well as fishing.  Mike was a sports...

Olean- James R. Hopkins of 625 Route 16 S. passed away Friday (December 30, 2022) at his home. Born June 12, 1948, in Olean, he was the son of the late Wallace and Fern Safford Hopkins. On June 14, 1980, he married Carol Ganoung, who survives. Jim was a veteran of the United States Army from 1968-1971.  He later worked for the former Dal Tile Plant for 40 years. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, Town of Olean Volunteer Fire Department, and a lifetime member and past President...