Carl E. Vance, 74, of 2 McCourt Place, Bradford, passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by family at his side.
Born April 26, 1949, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Paul E. and Margarete (Schmidt) Vance. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1967.
On February 16, 1980, at the Bolivar Drive Baptist Church he married Barbara (Carty) Vance who preceded him in death on March 16, 2006.
Carl was employed at AVX in Olean, NY and the Particle Board in Mt. Jewett, PA and retired from Kendall Refining Company, where he worked as a Lab Technician.
He was a member of the Frances Sherman Auxiliary, Post 212. He was a loving, devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with family, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, camping, fishing, and grilling.
Robert C. “Bob” Taylor, 83, of 335 Chestnut Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
He was born on December 30, 1940 in St. Marys, a Son of the late Leroy and Anna Garbic Taylor.
On June 1 1963, at Queen of the World Church, he married his bride, Lynda Fleming, who preceded him in death on November 13, 2018. Together they shared more than 55 years of love and marriage.
Bob was a member of Sacred Heart Church. He was a logger by trade, which he always said “I can cut for two skidders and skid for two cutters”. Bob loved spending time in the woods just sitting on a stump looking at the trees. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, as he was known for stretching the limits. Bob enjoyed picking berries and leeks. He could always be found in the kitchen cooking for his family and friends. Bob especially looked forward to the Fall season which he enjoyed baking, making wine and sauerkraut with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also made several trips to visit the Amish, always looking for a log cutters discount. Bob was very personable and would always give out compliments, “You look so young for as old as you are.” He gave out cloves of garlic that he kept in his vest pocket. Bob was also known for his storytelling wit. He was a friend to all and knew how to put a smile on anyone’s face in any situation.
Gary O. Rathbun, 92, of Friendship, NY, passed away on March 31, 2024 after a brief illness. Born on May 16, 1931 in the small hamlet of South Bay, New York, he was the third son of the late Clarence H. Rathbun and Lucinda B. Maranville Rathbun.
In 1945, he came to the Olean area to visit a friend who he served in the Army with. There he met Beverly M. Eaton of Olean whom he married on March 30, 1955, and who predeceased him on March 16, 2023.
Gary graduated from Fort Ann Central School in 1948 and never lost his love for the Adirondack State Park and the beautiful mountains and lakes that exist there. In 1951, he was invited by Uncle Sam to join the Army, where he spent 33 months in the Military Police. From March 1955 to October 1979, he was employed in Engineering and Sales at Acme Electric, Cuba, NY. From 1979 to 1986 he was co-owner of B-B Electric and Systems in Bradford, PA. After retiring he worked part-time for Norton Electric in Eldred, PA.
Gary and Beverly were members of the Friendship Methodist United Church since 1960. Gary served on the Friendship Village and Town Boards for six years, was Town Justice for seven years and served on the Friendship School Board for five years. He was a member of the Cuba-Friendship Lodge #306 F&AM, and during that time, he was a Past District Deputy from 1990 – 1991, and served on several Grand Lodge Committees. He was also a member of the Corning and Rochester Consistory, Damascus Shrine, Court 3 Royal Order of Jesters, Allegany County Shrine Club, New Smyrna Beach, FL Shrine Club, New York State Magistrates Association, the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 and the Friendship Rotary.
After retiring, Gary and Bev traveled extensively in the USA and Canada, and for several years spent the winters in New Smyrna Beach Florida. His hobbies were woodworking, hunting and traveling. He loved to travel around the county in his Shay replica of a 1929 Model A Roadster.
Well I trust that you all had a very nice Model T Ford ride the month of March 2024. Just enough spring to make you feel good. The month started out cold with a morning reading of 15 degrees. From then on the morning temperatures stayed in the 20’s and 30’s. It did warm up to 52 degrees on the 15th but dropped down to 14 degrees on the 22nd. Daytime readings were in the 40s and 50s with a few afternoons getting to the high 50s and mid 60’s. The March winds arrived on schedule which kept the actual temperatures feeling rather cool. We had strong damaging winds on the 10 th and 11th. The average hi for March is 43 degrees and the average low is 33 degrees.
Just a reminder that on March 11 and 12 1888 we had a historically major winter storm along the east coast. An average of 37″ of snow fell, high winds throughout New England. 400 deaths were recorded and everything was completely shut down. This all happened before climate change!!
Average monthly rainfall is 3.00″ We received 3.01″ Last year the amount was 2.5″ This was rain and melted snow. Snowfall last year was 2.5″ and this year it was 3.18″. We had a trace of snow on the ground for 6 mornings.
The total for 2023. We received 37.68″ of rain and melted snow which is 4.61″ below normal. We received 20″ of snow which is 34″ below normal April showers bring May flowers. You perhaps know that saying. Henry W. Lush, National Weather Service Observer
Easter dinner was interrupted when Box 3-2 was struck for a house fire on Keating Avenue in the borough this evening. Chief 310 (Ernst) arrived and reported a working fire in a single-story residence. Engine 3 secured their own hydrant and stretched a line to the interior for fire attack. Squad 3 laid in from a second hydrant and split their crew to stretch a backup handline, throw ladders, and complete ventilation. Crews from Roulette, Coudersport, and Ladder 14 from Emporium assisted on scene while an Engine from Smethport stood by at our station.
Christena L. Pistner, 77, of Morianna Avenue, Bradford, PA passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Olean General Hospital.
Born on November 22, 1946, in Buffalo, NY, she was a daughter of the late Lowell and Rowena Barber.
She was a 1964 graduate of Olean High School.
On February 14, 1973, in Bradford, she married Rupert C. Pistner, who survives.
Chris was very involved in Boy Scouts for many years. She was a Boy Scouts Leader, Den Mother, Pack Leader, Council Activities Chairman, Summer Camp staffer, and more. She not only helped her two sons both earn their Eagle Scout Award, but several other local boys as well. She was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1995. She volunteered at the Elk Lick Scout Reserve and worked at Calumet International Camporee from the early 1990s until the camp’s closing 2022. She loved woodcarving and fishing.
At 7:05 PM on Sunday, Port Allegany Fire Dept. has been dispatched to a residential house fire at 203 Keating Avenue. Coudersport dispatched for tower & RIT. Roulette for standby at Port Allegany. Emporium ladder truck requested. Roulette diverted to scene. Roulette Ambulance to scene.
Troy T. Coppella, 56, of West Washington Street, Bradford, PA passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at UPMC Shadyside, with his family by his side.
Born May 9, 1967, in Saint Marys, he was a son of the late Thomas L. Coppella and the late Margaret Ann Pistner.
He was a 1985 graduate of Bradford Area High School.
On October 3, 1992, he married Christa M. (Lucco) Coppella who survives.
Troy began working after graduating from high school for his father at Coppella and Associates. He continued to operate the business after his father retired, and was currently working right up until his death. In 1998 he joined the Bradford City Water Authority starting as the staff accountant and later became the billing manager/controller.
Maria E. Wolcott, 77, of Derrick City, PA passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Erie County Medical Center, in Buffalo, NY.
Born on March 12, 1947, in Santiago de Chuco, Peru, she was a daughter of the late Antonio and Angela Aguilar Escobedo.
Maeia graduated high school in Peru and later graduated in 1970 from Inca Gacilaso De La Vega University in Lima, Peru, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Education and Childcare. She worked for an organization helping orphans and children in Hauraz, Peru after a major earthquake there where she met Chris Wolcott, her future husband, who was working there in the Peace Corps. They married on July 20, 1972, in Lima, Peru.
After coming to the United States in 1973, Maria worked at the Children’s Home in housekeeping and then as a childcare worker. She later taught Spanish at Bradford Central Christian High School for many years until its closing and part-time at the University Pittsburgh at Bradford. She also taught Spanish at The Learning Center and worked at the YMCA Day Care Center until illness forced her to retire.
Mary Eileen Dubler Culp was born in Ridgway, PA on March 19, 1937. She went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 20, 2024.
Mary Eileen graduated from Johnsonburg High School, Johnsonburg, PA in 1955. Mary Eileen graduated from St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in Albany, New York as a Child Nurse. Mary Eileen worked as a Child Nurse at St. Margaret’s after graduation. She also worked for the Ridgway Hospital in Ridgway, PA in the operating room, at the Philipsburg Hospital in Philipsburg, PA, and at Warren County Christian School in Youngsville, PA.
She was married to Ralph Culp on Sept. 19, 1964. After getting married and moving to Maryland, she was employed in the Gandy Goose Day Care Nursery until her son Todd was born in 1968. That is where she met Faye Wolfgang, her longtime friend and godmother to her son Todd. Faye’s husband John Wolfgang was Todd’s godfather.
