Joseph F. Gryga, Jr., 94, of Syracuse, NY, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025. Born on July 13, 1930, in Syracuse to Joseph and Petronella (Karczewski) Gryga, Joe attended Sacred Heart School, was a graduate of St. Patrick’s High School and attended SU’s University College. Joe served in the Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He was a proud member and past president of the (Solvay) Geddes Rotary Club.
If you ever met Joe, you know that he was one of the most positive people you could ever meet. Joe truly believed that a person’s attitude was the most important part of their life that they could control. He would often remind us that it was important to adjust your attitude and keep moving during the stressful times of life. With this attitude he was able to open his own business and become the owner and principal of Gryga, Lewis, and Associates, not retiring until he was in his late 80s. He truly loved helping people through his work. Joe could get into conversations with anyone, and wanted to hear and then share the stories he’d hear. He loved learning about history, politics, the world – you name it – and he tried to find the humor in even difficult situations. Joe also enjoyed reading, spending time with his grandchildren (especially driving them around in his big van in any kind of weather), listening to classical and country music, and going out to lunch with his friends.

Harold C. “Hal” Brown, Jr., 90, of Camillus died November 2, 2022. He was born on February 10, 1932, in Syracuse, the son of Harold C. Brown Sr. and Gladys (Boyle) Brown. A life-long resident of Onondaga County, he graduated from Syracuse Central High School in 1949 where he was an avid tennis and baseball player. He received a BS in Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1953. From 1955-1957, he served in the United States Army in Reykjavik, Iceland. Hal owned his own business, Brown’s Office Supply and Equipment in Syracuse, which he sold to Spectrum Office Products. The company was ultimately bought out by Staples for whom Brown served as a consultant. Hal entered politics and was elected to the Onondaga County Legislature in 1979, serving nine years and chairing the Ways & Means Committee. He was subsequently elected to the New York State Assembly in 1988 and represented the 121st District, serving on the Ways & Means and Health and Public Safety committees. During his 14 years in the Assembly, Hal chaired the Republican Assembly Conference and helped secure passage of Jenna’s Law which restricts parole for violent felons. Brown served on a variety of important community boards, including Elmcrest Children’s Center, CNY SPCA, Rape Crisis Center, Kidney Foundation, Onondaga Community College Foundation, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Planned Parenthood. Hal was involved with AccessCNY for many years and was instrumental in the development of Onondaga County’s door-to-door transportation system for disabled individuals. He also actively participated in the Boy Scouts of America, receiving several of scouting’s highest honors-Eagle Scout and the Silver Beaver Award. Hal was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite, as well as a Rotarian for over 50 years, serving as past president of DeWitt Rotary and member of Camillus Rotary.

James V. Connell Sr., 93, of Camillus, passed away on January 24, 2022. Jim was born in Newark, NJ, son of the late Vincent and Elizabeth Connell.  After marrying his wife, Patricia Meehan, in 1954, Jim and Pat moved to Syracuse where he went to work for Sylvania. In addition to his position at Sylvania, Jim also owned and operated a popular Mister Softee franchise. In 1961, he began his long career in financial services and moved into business for himself, offering his clients an endless list of companies for their personal insurance coverages and investments. Jim was one of the founding members of the Camillus Rotary Club, helped fund raise to build Holy Family School and worked on the capital campaigns for Holy Family Church. He and Pat were involved with many groups at Holy Family Church as they hosted Bible studies, mentored engaged couples and were Eucharistic Ministers just to name a few.

Joseph “Denis” Huppmann, 82, passed away on January 8, 2021, at home in Ponte Vedra, FL, due to a long-fought battle with cancer surrounded by his loving family. Denis was born on April 12, 1938, in Baltimore, MD to John and Louise Huppmann. After moving to Syracuse, NY in 1955, Denis attended and graduated from LeMoyne College, having obtained a degree in Sociology, Class of 1960. Around the same time, he went on to serve our country in the United States Marine Corp Reserves from 1956 to 1962, receiving an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Corporal. During Denis’s life in CNY, he served on the Board of The Make A Wish Foundation, Board of ACGM Credit Union, Auxiliary Board Community Hospital, 36 Year member of Solvay Geddes Rotary Club as VP and President, and was the recipient of the Paul Harris Award for “Service Above Self”.

Cornelius “Neal” Quigley, 83, of Camillus, passed away on May 13, 2020 at Bishop Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Born in Utica, he lived most of his life in the Syracuse area. Neal was a graduate of Most Holy Rosary and earned his associate degree from Mohawk Valley Community College. He was employed with Thru-Way Autoglass for 35 years before retiring in 2003.

Donald L. Osler, 85, of Syracuse, passed away on February 24, 2018 at home. Born in Mill Run, MD, he moved to CNY in the early 60s. He was a Navy veteran, serving as a sonar man aboard the USS Isherwood. Don was employed for 35 years with MDS Express. He was a longtime Rotarian and was past president of the Camillus Rotary Club. He enjoyed playing cards and reading, but was known best as a story-teller. Above all else, Don loved spending time with his family.

Patrick J. Smyth, 80, of Camillus, passed away on December 12, 2015 at Upstate University Hospital at Community General. After graduating from CBA and serving in the U.S. Air Force, he graduated from Le Moyne College and San Diego State where he received a Master’s degree. Patrick worked as an urban planner in many cities and counties in Upstate New York. His greatest achievement was his work over the last 10 years with Helping Hands Missions and the Clean Water Project in Guatemala. He was also a communicant of Holy Family Church for more than 50 years.