Obituaries

Carleton E. Murray ('40), 89, died at his daughter's home surrounded by his family on August 11, 2010 in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. He was the son of Fred A. Murray and Bessie Bell Bettinger Murray. He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth H. Murray, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Born on June 26, 1921, in Syracuse, he lived in Syracuse and Fayetteville for 54 years before moving to Cape Cod with his wife in 1984. A graduate of Nottingham High School, he served three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps, retiring as a captain in 1946. During his period of service, he attended the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command at Yale University. Upon discharge from service, he worked with his father and brothers in the family business, Fred A. Murray Trucking. He and his brothers, Fred and Robert, eventually acquired Carleton G. Whitaker Inc., which grew to be the largest transporter of cultured dairy products in New York State, with additional services in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Carleton was the corporate treasurer. He also served as president of the New York State Trucking Association. After retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively, visited 49 out of the 50 states, with visits to friends across the country. He enjoyed carpentry and woodworking, and spent much time refurbishing old houses and helping friends and neighbors. Carleton is survived by his three children, Ann Ganung and her husband, James of North Kingstown, RI, Lynn C. Murrray and Karen Murray Cady, both of Salem, MA; three grandchildren, Susan Tremblay and her husband, David of Providence, RI, Emily Darby and her husband, Benjamin of Middletown, DE, Carleton Ware Cady of Salem, MA and four great-grandsons, Henry, Jack, Marcus and Nicholas. He is also survived by his siblings, Robert E. Murray ('48) of Sun Lakes AZ, Betty M. Scheding and Donna M. Trowbridge, both of Syracuse, NY.

Patricia Marshall Coolican, 86, of DeWitt, passed away September 30, 2009 after a brief illness. Born in Galion, LA, she was a longtime Syracuse resident. She graduated from Nottingham High School and Syracuse University. Pat was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and was an avid golfer until her recent illness. Predeceased by her husband James J. "Bud Coolican Jr. and her son, James J. Coolican III. Survived by her three daughters, Diane (Thomas) Gaggin, Susan C. (Douglas) Scheller, Shauna M. Coolican; seven grandchildren, Kelly and Thomas III Gaggin, Dodger, Chapman and Saylor Scheller, Anastasia and Jane Sallen.

 

Jane Matthews ('40), 87, of Fayetteville, passed away Wednesday morning, December 30, 2009. Jane was born in 1922 in Syracuse. She graduated from Nottingham High School in 1940 and Powelson Business Institute in 1942. She was an executive secretary at Syracuse Supply for several years and later returned to work as office manager at Syracuse Gauge Co. until her retirement in 1978. She was married to Elliott Matthews for 53 years, until his passing in 2000. Jane enjoyed golf in and around Syracuse, traveling to Florida for winters, volunteering for various church and hospital activities and spending time with family. She was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Eastwood and later Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville. She is survived by her three children, JoAnne Barbetta (Tony) of Manlius, Susan Bauer (Gregg) of Medfield, MA, and James Matthews (Patti) of Fayetteville; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert Besdin (’40), 86, died September 29, 2008, in Syracuse. He graduated from Syracuse University and attended Colgate University and Columbia University while training for the US Navy. He served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He was associated with the former Besdin Furniture Stores and the Metro Mattress stores. He served as director of the Syracuse Jewish Community Center, president of the Jewish Home of Central New York, and president of Lafayette Country Club. he is survived by his wife, Ivy, a daughter, two grandsons, and his sister Elaine Shiffner (’44).


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Updated: August 22, 2010