David’s Obituary

David John von Holtz, Sr., 77, of New Haven, passed away Saturday morning, August 2, at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse.

Born in Oswego, New York, Dave was a beloved son, brother, cousin, uncle, father, grandfather, husband, and friend. Known for his humor and outgoing spirit, he had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His warmth, generosity, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Dave proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. He completed training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, before being stationed with the 703rd Maintenance Battalion in Aschaffenburg, Germany, as part of the 3rd Infantry Division.

He was the former owner of Dave’s Bug Shop and Up Your Alley Pro Shop in Oswego, and also worked at Great Lakes Veneer and later at Emmi Farms in Baldwinsville. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s School, Oswego High School, and held an associate degree from SUNY Morrisville.

A passionate outdoorsman, Dave found joy and peace in nature through hunting, fishing, and farming. He was a longtime member of the Clay Sportsman’s Club and served for many years as a hunting instructor and outfitter. His love for the outdoors lives on in the memories of those he inspired.

Dave was also a lifelong sports and racing enthusiast and a former race car driver. He especially cherished his time at dirt tracks with his brother Jim. One of his greatest joys was supporting his grandchildren’s athletic endeavors—often traveling great distances just to cheer them on. His absence will be deeply felt at future sporting events.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Schmitt von Holtz; one daughter, Rebecca Lynch of Indianapolis, IN; two sons, David J. (Laurel Fischer) von Holtz, Jr., of New Haven, and Brian M. (Jayne Danzer) von Holtz of Scriba; two brothers, Alexander “Chuck” von Holtz of Sterling and James (Terri) von Holtz of Phoenix; six granddaughters, Katie Lynch, Annika Lynch, Reatha von Holtz, Alexa von Holtz, Paelyn von Holtz, and Presley von Holtz; one grandson, Parker von Holtz; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Frederick von Holtz, and his parents, Alexander and Helen M. Schneider von Holtz.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, August 7, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home. A private family burial will take place at New Haven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation or the First Hunt Foundation.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of David J. von Holtz, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

John retired from Verizon after nearly 38 years of service, starting in the mail room and working up to management. John was passionate about teaching others, whether it was during his years at the telephone company or simply demonstrating how to tie a fishing line knot to his son-in- law, Josh. He formed many long-lasting friendships through work and his hobbies. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved bowhunting, fishing, boating, golf, and bowling. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren, Brielle and Brooks, his pride and joy. John also treasured spending each day with his dog, Riley, his loyal sidekick. Cape Cod, MA was his “happy place” where he enjoyed spending time with his family on vacations for over 40 years. He is predeceased by his mother, Marilyn Bolles Rushford; father, John G. Chomyszak; uncles, Donald Chomyszak and Fran Bolles; his brothers, F. Brent Chomyszak and Jeffrey Chomyszak and brother-in-law, Eugene DeRycke. He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Loretta (DeRycke) Chomyszak; his daughters, Amanda Chomyszak and Callie (Joshua) Paine; along with his grandchildren, Brielle and Brooks, who affectionally called him “Papa”. John is also survived by his sisters, Pamela Chomyszak and Patricia Buckley; his brother, Andrew Rushford; sister-in-law, Tanya Chomyszak; cousins, Donna (Brendan) Gilroy and Stephen (Nancy) Chomyszak; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Earleen DeRycke; sister-in-law Colleen (Edward) Smith; brother-in-law, Vincent (Roseann) DeRycke; two aunts, Linda Chomyszak and Mary Jane Bolles; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 3494 State Route 31, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society or Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Please sign the funeral home on-line guest book for John to express your condolences to his family.

Gerald Rodoski November 7, 2022 Gerald F. “Jerry” Rodoski, 81, a longtime resident of Clay, died peacefully on Monday, Nov. 7, at St. Camillus Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness. Jerry was born April 19, 1941, in Jamestown, N.Y,, a son of John and Wanda Przybelinski Rodoski.

He was educated in Jamestown schools. He married Mary Ellen Steffen on April 20, 1963, in Bemus Point, N.Y., a loving union of almost 60 years. He spent his entire career in the baking industry, starting out at Firch’s Baking Company in Jamestown and moving on to companies in North Carolina and Georgia. He was a sanitation manager at Penny Curtiss Baking Company in Syracuse for more than 20 years before retiring in 2007. He most recently worked as a courtesy driver with Driver’s Village, a job that was a perfect fit with his outgoing and gregarious nature. Jerry knew someone everywhere he went and was always quick with a joke or two. He fiercely loved and was devoted to his family, and everything he did in life was for their benefit. He always told his children and grandchildren “watch your damn driving” -his way of saying “I love you.” Jerry was a member of the Clay Fire Department for many years, including serving as captain of the fire police. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Cicero and volunteered as an usher there. He was also a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Clay Sportsman’s Club.

Surviving are his loving wife, Mary Ellen; two daughters, Valerie (Jeff) Moore of Pennellville and Diane (John) Gibbons of Brewerton; a son, Dennis (Kelly) Rodoski of Liverpool; three grandchildren, Ashley Gibbons (Ethan Faulter), Brian Gibbons (Diana Fusco) and Madeleine Rodoski; two brothers-in-law, Patrick (Jeannie) Steffen of Ashville, N.Y. and Michael (Lisa) Steffen of Bemus Point, N.Y., and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Gene Rodoski, and a sister, Sandra Currah. Visitation will take place on Sunday November 13th from 1-4 PM at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, N. Syracuse. A funeral mass will be held Monday, November 14th at 10 AM at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.newcomersyracuse.com

http://www.claysportsmansclub.com/?tribe_events=cny-3-d-archery-league-2021-schedule

Dear Clay Sportsmans Club Members,
Due to the increase in Covid cases in the area and the new restrictions concerning the number of people allowed to gather we will not be having our December meeting. We are also canceling the Christmas Party that was scheduled for December 19th. We have also made the tough decision to not have any organized archery leagues this coming year.
None of these decisions were come to lightly and we understand there may be some frustration because of these decisions but they have been made with the best interest of the club and it’s members in mind.  Hopefully things will start to turn around soon and we can get back to our normal routine. For now, stay safe and stay healthy.

Merry Christmas and God Bless to you all!
Things will be better Spring 2021

Members,

The Board of Directors after discussion on how to provide a less difficult means to conduct club business which includes but is not limited to:

Yearly Club Elections for the Board of Directors which require the above stated quorum and Passing the Yearly Club Operating Budget which requires the above stated quorum.

The proposed change to Article M section 4 will also address all other important club business that may arise before our organization and which the Board of Directors does not have the authority to address without general membership approval. An example of this would be the need to fix a part of our building such as the roof and the cost to do so is S7,000.00. All reasonable members will agree this is a big ticket item and needs membership approval. The Board has authority to approve a transaction that does not exceed 5250.00 but this item would be a large item of importance that the membership should be advised of and vote on. With our membership numbers increasing over the past two decades, it has become more difficult to attain a quorum at general meetings as we are approaching a quorum that requires nearly 60 members and it will exceed that number in the near future with more members reaching life membership status and allowing other new members to be join the general membership which now stands at 140 members.

After discussing this issue and trying to decide what is in the best interests of our organization-the Board is presenting the following as a by-laws change to Article M section 4 of our Clay Sportsman’s Club By-laws. If approved by a quorum that is stated above, this would change to the following:

Article M sec. 4 – A quorum will consist of forty (40) total members in good standing and must be present in order to vote on any Club Business.