Valentine's DayIlion High School - Married High School Faculty and StaffFebruary 2023There is no better month, than February, to celebrate these loving marriages of these Ilion faculty and staff members. Not only were they married but they went to work together, day after day, at Ilion High School. Below are photographs of ten high-school couples. Further down is information on one other faculty couple and others who were married to spouses working in the school district. The most touching tale is that of the Moylans who died within a month of each other. One wonders if Patrick Moylan didn't die of a broken heart.
We begin with Robert Turley IHS 1967 and his Herkimer bride, Rory (Anderson) Turley. Bob was the 1967 Ilion High School senior recipient of the The Lever Cup. While in college, he participated in both football and wrestling. He graduated in 1971 and then joined the faculty of his high school alma mater. His coaching career spanned 29 year. He coached both football and wrestling. The Golden Bombers won almost 75 percent of their matches during the 22 years that Bob was their head wrestling coach. He led Ilion to one Class B championship, 12 league titles, and had two wrestlers achieve 100 wins in their career (Tim Hyer in 1978 and Jeffrey Noll in 1988). Seven Golden Bombers reached the Section III finals under his direction. Tim Hyer captured back-to-back Section III Championships. Mr. Turley finished with 208 career wins. Section III Wrestling inducted Bob Turley into its Hall of Fame. in 2001. Bob retired at the end of 2006. In 2007, the new athletic facilities were dedicated to Bob Turley, our long time teacher, coach and Athletic Director. Bob has touched so many Ilion graduates in such a positive way. Rory (Anderson) Turley was hired to replace Miss Jo Anne Eddy, as a Spanish Teacher, in 1970. By 1973, Bob and Rory were married. Over the years, Rory served as the Class Advisor for many classes and as Student Council advisor. She retired in 2004 after 34 years teaching Spanish at Ilion High. She took her students to visit Mexico and to tour Europe more than a dozen times. Bob and Rory Turley are the parents of Tricia Turley IHS 1995 and Michael Turley IHS 2000. Rory is enjoying retirement with Bob in Florida.
Mr. Canipe graduated from SUNY at Oneonta. He began teaching Social Sutdies 7, at Ilion High, in 1970. He was also Student Council Advisory. In 1985, he began serving the Village of Ilion as Village Justice after he won the election running on the Independent ticket. Steve Canipe is a registered Republican. He also served as Village Trustee, Mayor in 1993 and again as Village Justice. In 2016, he resigned as as acting village justice for the Herkimer village court. He no longer is Village Justice and is enjoying his retirement, with his wife in Ilion. Eileen Canipe was employed as an aide in the office and in the Ilion High Library for many years. She retired at the end of 2003. Eileen and Steve are the parents of Lisa (Canipe) Alexander IHS 1989, who is also an Ilion High School teacher, Kyle Canipe IHS 1998, Wade Canipe IHS 1992, and Ryan IHS 1994.
Michael F. Skinner was born April 14, 1941, in Utica, the son of the late Francis and Helen Lafferty Skinner. He received his education at St. Mary's Academy in Little Falls, graduating in 1959. He then attended and graduated from Lemoyne College and SUNY - Brockport. On April 14, 1978, he married the former Juliann E. Piccione, at St. Ann's Church, in Whitesboro. Mike was a history teacher at Ilion High School, starting in 1966, for 30 years. He coached in the sports program until retiring from teaching in 1997. Mike served with the U.S. Army from 1963 until 1966. He taught high school in New Castle, Australia, for a year. Mike was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Mohawk, and devoted a great deal of time and effort to the youth of Ilion. He member of the board of directors of Ilion Little League for over 10 years, a coach for Ilion High School, helped start the Ilion youth basketball program, and he was also a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge 1444 BPOE. After his retirement, he was employed with the American Automobile Association in Utica. Mike Skinner passed passed away Thursday, May 30, 2002, after a long illness. He was 61 years old and survived by his wife, Mike passed , and sons, Christopher and Matthew, both at home. Juliann 'Julie' Skinner began teaching English, as Miss Piccione, in the Ilion Junior High School in 1974. She married Mike in 1978 and thereafter appeared in the yearbooks as Mrs. Skinner. She retired in 2010 and the 2011 Mirror was dedicated to her. She resides in Ilion near her sons, Chris IHS 1999 and Matt Skinner IHS 2002.
Mr. William 'Bill' Teeter attended Cornell University, Muhlenberg College and Columbia University with the Navy V-12 officers program. He resumed his education, after World War II. He received his bachelor's and Master's degrees from Alfred University in 1946. He was awarded a National Science Foundation Scholarship for graduate school in 1955-56. Prior to his retirement in 1980, Mr. Teeter was a faculty member in the Mathematics Department, at Ilion High School. He was active as a student council adviser and was chairman of the mathematics department for many years. Mr. Teeter passed away at the age of 73, on December 10, 1998, in West Melbourne, Florida. He was survived by his wife, Barbara, one son and daughter-in-law, Timothy IHS 1978 and Deborah Teeter of Ilion, one daughter and son-in-law, Anne IHS 1975 and James Beehner of East Syracuse, four grandchildren, and many friends and relatives in Florida and New York. Barbara R. Teeter was a graduate of Oneida High School, received her BA from Georgian Court College, Master's Degree from Syracuse University and attended the University of Mexico for Doctorate studies. On August 25, 1956, she was untied in marriage to William F. "Bill" Teeter at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Rome, which was a blessed union of 43 years until Bill's passing on December 10, 1998. Barb was a dedicated educator, teaching Social Studies, Economics and Latin American Studies since 1948. She was employed by the Ilion Central School District for 22 years retiring in 1982. At one time, she coached Softball and Basketball. Prior to that, she was employed by the Addison, VVS and Chittenango School Districts. She was past President of the NY State Social Studies Council. Barb was a member of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Frankfort, Ilion Little Theater Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Barbara Teeter, a long time Ilion resident passed away at the age of 78, on Saturday, August 2, 2003 following a brief illness.
Leo Sammon was a three-sport student and played baseball, basketball and football. He was the substitute first baseman on the high school baseball team. He graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1943. During World War II, he served as an officer in the Army Air Force. Leo Sammon graduated from Syracuse University win 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Master of Arts degree, from SU, in secondary education, in 1952. He took additional graduate work at Utica College. Mr. Sammon began his career, in education, as a member of the staff at Hudson High School. He served on their staff from 1953 to 1956. He transferred to Herkimer High School in 1956. Mr. Sammon came to Ilion High School in 1957. At Ilion, he began as a citizenship education teacher and football line coach. From 1959 until August 1960, he was Ilion's vice-principal. He was named acting principal of Ilion High School in August 1960. He succeeded Robert H. Hall whose resignation became effective September 15, 1960. Mr. Sammon was later permanently appointed principal. Leo J. Sammon Jr., age 49, of 5 Hall St., principal at Ilion High School, died Sunday, August 4, 1974, in Mohawk Valley General Hospital. He died after being stricken at the high school track while jogging with his son. He was survived by his wife, Audrey, a daughter, Deborah and a son, Leo J. III, both at home. Audrey (Harsh) Sammon graduated from Northport High School in Northport, L.I., in 1947, and from Plattsburgh State Teacher's College in 1951. Audrey (Harsh) Sammon married Leo Sammon Jr. on December 19, 1953. She was the daughter of Lynn and Irene (Pounder) Harsh. They wed at St. Paul's Methodist Church, in Northport, Long Island. Reverend Robert F. Ramm officiated at the wedding. She taught home economics in various school districts, including Hudson, Frankfort, Mohawk and Ilion districts, retiring due to illness. She moved to the Lowville area in 1992. Audrey died on April 8, 2002, at the age of 72, at the Lewis County General Hospital, after a long battle with emphysema. She was survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Leo J. Sammon III IHS 1985 and Theresa of Lowville and her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah IHS 1976 and John Alexanderowicz of Vernon, Conn..
Arthur Earl Coons was a 1933 graduate of Delanson. He was a graduate of Springfield College, where he was twice the New England Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. His 40 year coaching career began in 1937 at Copenhagen High School. Arthur came to Ilion Central in 1939 and was responsible for establishing the wrestling program there in 1951. His first winning season came only three years later and his first individual Sectional Champion followed shortly thereafter. Ilion's best season under Arthur was 1958, when they finished fourth in the Section III Finals. Arthur retired in 1977. He died April 19, 1995 at the age of 80. He was predeceased by his wife, Lillian, who died in died in 1991 and his daughter, Helen (Coons) Durrett IHS 1965, in December 1981. He was survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Coons) Borton IHS 1961 of Tarzana, Calif.; two sons. David Arthur Coons, IHS 1967 and William Worth Coons, IHS 1971. Lillian Elizabeth Hines Coons was born in 1918, in Poland, NY. She attended the State College for Teachers from 1935-1940 where she was a member of Phi Delta. She completed a BA in English and Social Studies and a BS in Library Science. She married Earl Coons of Delanson, NY in 1941. She worked as a librarian in Ilion High School in Ilion, NY (1940-1942), then as a Typist in Camp Stewart, GA (1943) before returning to Ilion Elementary School (1961-1962) and as a Librarian in Poland Central School (1962-1967) and Ilion High School (1967-1982). She died of colon cancer in 1991. Five of Lillian's college day scrapbooks are available on-line. Visit Lillian Coons's College and Graduate School Scrapbooks.
The Moylans were so devoted to each other that they passed away within a month of each other. Patrick Moylan earned a master's degree at Colgate University. He taught history at Ilion High School, where he and Margaret met and where she taught English. They are both remembered fondly by former students. He retired to care for his wife after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but they both remained active and were advocates for promoting treatment and research of Parkinson's. He had a wonderful memory and could recite the names and terms of service of all United States presidents, often while shaking a niece or nephew's hand in what they relished as an "Uncle Pat handshake." He and his wife were active in local theater, where he directed and acted. They created and performed shows explaining what living with Parkinson's was like. He was devoted to Margie's care and they were a wonderful team. Mr. Moylan passed away at the age of 82, at home, Tuesday on April 13th, 2021. Margaret (Fulmer) Moylan attended St. Bonaventure University and Colgate University. In 1966, she began teaching English in Ilion NY and was beloved by her students, with many considering her the best English teacher they had. She retired after 20 years due to Parkinson's disease. She and her husband were very active in local theater, and she performed even after her diagnosis. She loved music and singing and performed for three summers with the Saratoga-Potsdam chorus in Saratoga, with the Philadelphia orchestra. She was a prolific writer, with her poetry highlighting the ups and downs of living with Parkinson's. Marge Moylan, age 76, passed away on March 12th, 2021.
William S. "Stan" McMillan was the son of the late William and Florence Smith McMillan. He was a first generation American citizen, born to Canadian parents, who sailed to America in 1923. Stan grew up in Rochester and following graduation, while working at Eastman Kodak Company, WWII began. Stan enlisted in the United States Navy and served until his honorable discharge in 1945. During that time, he was stationed on the USS Bull and the USS Bates. He was a sonarman on a destroyer escort, where he made 14 trips across the Atlantic Ocean. His ship was also part of the D Day invasion. Following the Battle at Okinawa, where the USS Bates sunk, Stan was then assigned to Key West, FL, where he taught Sonar. After the war, he earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Education and taught instrumental music in Canajoharie and Ilion Central Schools, where he was the Music Department Chairman. On August 18, 1956, he was united in marriage to Judith Higgins. Together for over 60 years, they had a wonderful life together built on faith, love and music. That union ended with her passing on April 10, 2018. Mr. McMillian, formerly of 17 Highland Place, Canajoharie, died peacefully, at the age of 96, on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at the Palatine Nursing Home. Judith (Higgins) McMillan was born in Hinsdale, NH she was the daughter of the late Rex and Eda Higgins. On August 18, 1956 she was united in marriage to William 'Stan' McMillan. They were married for over 60 years. they had a wonderful life together built on faith, love and music. Judy was employed for the Ilion School District and the Canajoharie School District as a music teacher until her retirement. She served as the Director of the Orchestra and Strings as well as Director of the Performing Arts. She was also an active member and past president of the Canajoharie Library Board of Directors. Judith McMillan, age 83, of Canajoharie, NY died peacefully on April 10, 2018 at St. Mary's Hopsital.
Alfred H. Williams taught Industrial Arts at Ilion High School until his retirement in 1978. He was listed as Albert in the 1950 yearbook. He married Alma Hughes on June 29, 1950, at her parents' home, and then moved to S. Fourth Avenue in Ilion, where they remained for the duration of their lives. He and his wife, Alma, resided in Ilion since 1950. He served as President of the Ilion Teachers union. He was also a Driver Education instructor and Golf coach. He retired by 1978. He died in 1991. Alma H. Williams was born on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1925, in Amsterdam, NY, to Samuel and Ethel Van Wie Hughes. She graduated from Amsterdam High School, and then attended the State University of New York in Albany, majoring in business education. Upon graduation, she moved to West Winfield, NY, to teach school, and met her husband, Alfred H. Williams. Alma later taught in both the Ilion and Herkimer School Districts. She was very active in the Ilion First Baptist Church and its oldest living member, a 50+ year member of the Order of Eastern Star, and a member of the Herkimer County Historical Society. She died on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at the Masonic Care Community at the age of 95. Alma was survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Jeanne IHS 1968 and Bruce Bennett; Megan IHS 1972 and Thomas Maher; and her granddaughter Bethan and her husband, Tony Hruby.
Although not married, Bernie Murray and Linda Knight, were a couple for many, many years. Bernard C. Murray was born on May 21, 1924 in Ilion, the son of the late Frank and Julia (O'Hara) Murray. He was raised in North Ilion and was a 1942 graduate of Ilion High School. Mr. Murray was married to the former Eloise Ford. During WW II, Mr. Murray was a member of the Army Air Corps and served as a Staff Sgt., with the 434 Bomber Squadron, in the BCI Theater. After returning from the war, he went to Utica College where he earned his teaching degree. Bernard was employed as a teacher in the Ilion School System, retiring in 1979. Mr. Murray was also a former mayor and trustee of the Village of Ilion and a former town councilman for German Flatts. Bernard Murray passed away at the age of 79 on December 7, 2003 at his home. Bernard was survived by his longtime companion, Linda Knight; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Brian IHS 1972 and Deb Murray of Ilion, and Fran Murray IHS 1967 of West Winfield; two daughters, Pam Murray IHS 1965 and her fiance Sam Noti of Ilion, and Mary IHS 1969 and Art Collis of Harleysville, PA; Linda Knight began working at Ilion High School in 1968 in the physical education department. For over thirty years she made girls gym classes fun, and exciting. She retired in 1996. For many years she was the companion to Bernard Murray. She still resides in the area.
Mr. Bernard Anderson, IHS English Teacher, age 71, formerly of Ilion and Mohawk, a resident Bluffton, S.C., passed away Saturday, June 21, 2008, at home. He was born July 28, 1936, in Mohawk, the son of the late Frank and Margaret Lee Anderson. His family moved to Florida where he received his degree in education and taught in the Clermont High School from 1963 to 1967. He then moved to Ilion where he taught English in the Ilion High School until his retirement in 1997. On Dec. 26, 1977, he married the former Edwina Kleese. He was past president of the Ilion Teachers Association, past president of the Herkimer County Retired Teachers, a member of the Ilion Little Theater Club, Ilion Elks Lodge 1444, the New York State Teachers Association, and New York State Retired Teachers Association. Bernie was survived by his wife Edwina, three daughters and a son-in-law, Kathryn and James Barickman of Vermont, Mary Anderson of Rochester and Bernadette Postato and companion Charles Clottin of Rochester, a son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence IHS 1999 and Kristin Anderson of Bluffton Edwina 'Eddie' (Kleese ) Anderson, IHS English Teacher, age 75, formerly of Ilion and Mohawk, a resident of Bluffton, S.C., passed away January 7, 2022, at home. Edwina was born in Queens, NY in 1946 to the late Edward and Helen Kleese and grew up in Islip, Long Island. Edwina earned a Master's degree in Elementary Education from SUNY-Oneonta and went on to teach elementary education for 33 years at Barringer Road Elementary School in Ilion, NY. She was extremely involved in the New York State United Teachers Association, and it was there she met the love of her life, Bernard Anderson. They married in 1977 and continued to build their circle of family and friends in the Mohawk Valley. They were both very active in the Ilion Little Theater, both onstage and off. Together they retired to Sun City in Bluffton, SC in 2005, enjoying life and activities with family and friends, old and new.
Mr. Francis Cunningham, IHS Faculty, of Ilion, passed away on June 19, 2011. Francis William Cunningham was born on November 22, 1926 in Mohawk, N.Y., the son of John and Clara Furner Cunningham. A graduate of Mohawk High School and Utica College of Syracuse, Fran did his graduate studies at Oneonta and Colgate. On July 7, 1956, Fran married Marie Ballos of Garden City and Camden, N.Y. They shared a devoted union of forty-five years. Marie passed away on September 15, 2001. Employed by the Oneida Historical Society at Utica from 1951 to 1963, Fran then joined the faculty of Ilion High School as a Social Studies teacher, retiring in 1988. At various times, Fran was a part-time instructor at Utica College, a lecturer on Mohawk Valley history at Mohawk Valley Community College, a consultant for the New York State Council on the Arts and, for several years, was Town of German Flatts Historian. Fran served in the army in the Pacific in World War II and was a member of Crowley-Barnum American Legion Post 25 in Mohawk. He was survived by three daughters, Mary Kathleen Cunningham IHS 1975 and Patricia Anne Cunningham IHS 1977, both of Sherwood, Oregon, Elizabeth Marie IHS 1982 (Philip) Welch of Pittsford, N.Y., and sons, Thomas Francis IHS 1978 (Ann) Cunningham IHS 1975 and Michael Joseph IHS 1980 (Jan) Cunningham IHS 1975 of Webster, N.Y. Marie Cunningham, Ilion Elementary Faculty, age 73, Second St, Ilion, passed away Saturday, September 15, 2001, in Faxton hospital after a long battle with cancer. She was born October 14, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY. She was a graduate of Camden High and SUNY Oswego in 1950. On July 7, 1956, she married Francis Cunningham, in Williamstown, NY. She was employed as an elementary school teacher in Williamson, NY and in Ilion's North Street School. She was survived by her husband and her five children.
Joseph Vail Ilion High History Teacher, age 65 of Higgens Bay, Piseco, passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2007. Survivors included his wife, Helen Penrose Vail, and two sons, Joseph and Michael. Helen (Penrose) Vail taught at Ilion's Barringer Road Elementary School. She resides at Higgins Bay, Piseco, NY.
John L. Monohan Sr., IHS '44, age 88, of Hamilton Place, passed away Monday, July 8, 2013, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. He was born October 3, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of Christopher and Blanche Getman Monohan, and grew up in Ilion and attended Ilion schools. John served in the US Army in the South Pacific during World War II. On August 19, 1950, he was united in marriage to Helen 'Lolly' Sanders. John was a graduate of Ilion High School and received his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in 1950. He received his post-graduate work at University of Rochester, Albany State and Cornell University. John retired from Ilion Central School where he taught science. John also coached the Ilion tennis team for many years. He was an avid golfer and member of Maple Crest Golf Course, member of NYS Retired Teachers' Association and was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Utica Council 189 and its 4th Degree Assembly, and was a member of St. Mary's Church, Clinton. He was survived by his wife, Helen; four daughters, two sons and their spouses, Christine IHS 1969 and Dr. John Menard of Clinton, Kathleen IHS 1970 and Matthew Romano of Moreau, Mary Ellen IHS 1971 and Thomas Buccafurno of Rochester, Susan IHS 1973 and Joseph Crua of Schoharie, John L. Monohan, Jr. IHS 1974, of Clinton and James IHS 1975 and Nola Monohan of Clinton Helen M. 'Lollie' (Sanders) Monohan, Barringer Road Elementary School Library Aide, 85, of Hamilton Place, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Siegenthaler Center with her family by her side. She was born September 7, 1928, in Frankfort, the daughter of Frank and Jennie (Valent) Sanders. She was a graduate of Frankfort High School Class of 1945 and the Utica School of Commerce. On August 19, 1950, she was united in marriage to John L. Monohan, a blessed union of 62 years, until his passing on July 8 of this year. The couple resided in Ilion for 50 years before moving to Clinton. Helen was a library aide at Barringer Road Elementary School for many years and worked at the Ilion Public Library, where she was the past president of the board. She was also past president of the Ilion Garden Club and Historical Club of Ilion.
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