Maternal (Wilson / Mosher)
Julie's line. This is the branch that opened up on 2026-09-28 when Uncle Alfred's obit named Laura as a predeceased sister, cracking the whole Mosher family plot at St. Peter's Oswego wide open.
Alfred Francis "Al" Mosher
Alex's maternal great-uncle (Julie's uncle, Laura's brother)
Born June 15, 1934, Oswego · Died June 11, 2008, Loretto-Heights Health & Rehab · age 73 · US Air Force veteran, 20 years
Full obituary text
OSWEGO, NY – Alfred F. "Al" Mosher, 73, a resident of 550 W. First St., and a former resident of Central Square, passed away Wednesday June 11, 2008, at Loretto-Heights Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Al was born on June 15, 1934, in Oswego, the son of the late Charles W. and Nellie (Moody) Mosher.
He was a US Air Force veteran, serving in both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He was stationed in North Dakota, California, and Japan with the 5th Division of the Air Force and retired in 1972 after 20 years of service. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Air Force Commendation medal, and other medals from both wars.
After his military service, Al returned to New York and resided in Central Square for more than 30 years. He worked for the US Post Office on Taft Road in North Syracuse, and retired after 20 years of service. He recently returned to Oswego.
He was the Post Commander of the American Legion #915 in Central Square from 1995 to 1996. He was a life member of the VFW Post # 369 in Mexico, NY, and was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Central New York Chapter. He was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
Al was an avid New York Yankees fan and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was very interested in history and loved reading. He also enjoyed listening to music, watching old movies, and spending time with his family.
He was predeceased by his parents; four sisters, Laura Wilson, Eleanor Ferguson, Nellie McKinstry, and Marion Dowie; and a brother, Charles Mosher.
He is survived by his first wife, Kay Shiota of Sacramento, Calif.; a daughter, Barbara (Kevin) Gyda of Deptford, NJ; grandchildren, Gary and Christina, of Deptford, NJ; a brother, Thomas (Anne) Mosher of Oswego; a sister, Mari Hest of Syracuse; a sister-in-law, Ursula Mosher of Oswego; his friend and former wife, Pauline Vona of Oswego; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home. Burial with military honors was in St. Peter's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Why this obit matters
This is the piece that cracked the Wilson / Mosher line. Alfred's obit named Laura as his predeceased sister, which is how the Mosher family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery Oswego surfaced. Also adds two sisters we didn't have (Eleanor Ferguson, Marion Dowie), confirms Alfred's real DOB (June 15, 1934, not the previously-noted 1934), and gives a daughter Barbara Gyda in Deptford NJ + grandchildren Gary and Christina as reachable Mosher-side kin.
Ursula M. Mosher (née Sereno)
Alex's great-aunt-by-marriage (widow of Charles "Geepa" Mosher)
Born Oswego · Died February 5, 2026, Oswego Hospital · age 97 · short illness
Full obituary text
Ursula M. Mosher, 97, of Oswego died Thursday February 5, 2026 at the Oswego Hospital after a short illness.
Mrs. Mosher was born in Oswego, the daughter of the late James and Mary (Bellardino) Sereno. She enjoyed bowling, watching horse races and playing cards with her girlfriends, where they would take turns hosting the card games. She also enjoyed going to the casino to play bingo. Mrs. Mosher was predeceased by her husband Charles Mosher, grandson Brandon Enwright, her sister Mayme Zaczek, and her brothers Sam, James, Louis, Peter, and Joseph Sereno.
Mrs. Mosher is survived by her loving daughters and their husbands Linda (Martin) Enwright of Oswego; Mary (Richard) Rebeor of Fulton; and Pamela (Arthur) Caswell of MA. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren George, Ryan, Justin, Tracy, Mindy, Kara, Marty, and her 12 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren. Mrs. Mosher also leaves behind her sisters Louise Thayer of Oswego, Rose Sereno-Woods of Oswego, Margaret Lake of Fulton, and Patricia St. John of Oswego, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Monday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, at the Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, with the funeral service following at 11:00 at the funeral home 147 W. 4th. St. Oswego.
Entombment will be in All Saints Mausoleum at St. Peter's Cemetery.
Why this obit matters
Alex actually met Ursula once via Roy. Her obit names the three living daughters (Linda Enwright, Mary Rebeor, Pamela Caswell) plus surviving siblings-in-law, giving a clean map of the current-day Oswego cousins. Also names grandson Brandon Enwright as predeceased, which lines up with the Oswego County Today "Brandon Scooter Enwright" obit hit.
Charles William "Geepa" Mosher
Alex's maternal great-uncle (Julie's uncle, Laura's brother)
Died April 29, 2005 · age 80 · husband of Ursula (Sereno) Mosher
Source · not free online
No free obit online. Alfred's 2008 obit and Thomas's 2012 obit both name Charles as a predeceased brother, and Ursula's 2026 obit names him as predeceased spouse. Cemetery is confirmed: St. Peter's, Oswego, All Saints Mausoleum, 3 St Joseph's Patio, Block 101, Lot B, Grave 2A.
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Palladium-Times, Oswego, April 30 or May 1, 2005 issue (via Newspapers.com paid trial, ~$20/mo or 7-day free trial)
- Oswego Public Library local history room, 120 E. 2nd St — request microfilm scan by email, ~$5
- Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4th St, Oswego, (315) 342-2223 — they may hold the obit on file since they handled Ursula in 2026
- St. Peter's Cemetery office — obit sometimes filed with burial paperwork
- Oswego County Historian, 384 E River Rd, (315) 349-2378 — likely has Palladium-Times obit binders
Why this obit matters
"Geepa" is a family nickname, so this obit will name spouses, kids, and siblings in Julie's own terms. Ursula died in 2026, so his 2005 obit is the earliest death-cert-era Mosher document. Should confirm parents Charles W. Sr. + Nellie (Moody) Mosher.
Laura Adeline (Mosher) Wilson
Alex's maternal grandmother (Julie's mom)
Born 1917, Oswego NY · Died around August 21, 1973 · age 55-56 · brain tumor
Source · not free online
Named as predeceased sister in Alfred's 2008 obit (as "Laura Wilson") and Thomas's 2012 obit (misspelled "Laura Williams"). No standalone obit found on any free archive. Free online paths exhausted 2026-09-28.
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Palladium-Times, Oswego, late August or early September 1973 (via Newspapers.com paid trial — this era is squarely in their pre-2005 pay tier)
- Oswego Public Library microfilm room, 120 E. 2nd St — Palladium-Times reels for 1973 are on-site; scan-by-email ~$5
- Oswego County Historian (315) 349-2378 at 384 E River Rd — Wednesday Oswego stop should resolve this in person
- NYS Historic Newspapers (nyshistoricnewspapers.org) — free but Palladium-Times coverage ends before 1973 in most cases; worth a quick check anyway
- Ancestry.com "Oswego Palladium Times" obit index — bundles some Newspapers.com content with a free trial
What we know from Julie's voice note (Sept 19, 2026)
"Mom died, Laura Adeline Wilson, her last name would have been Moser. She died in August and it was 1973. I know that because she died like three weeks after my birthday."
Julie also confirmed Laura's parents: Alfred Moser Sr. and Nellie Adeline (Moody) Moser. Laura was the oldest of the 6 children from Alfred Sr's second marriage. Cause: brain tumor / cancer.
Why this obit matters
Laura is Alex's direct grandmother on the mother side. Her cemetery is still officially unknown (she is NOT in the Catholic Cemeteries digital index that catches the other Moshers at St. Peter's). Her obit will name the cemetery and probably name Robert Alexander Wilson as her ex-husband, which is the connective tissue back to the Wilson line.
Robert Alexander Wilson
Alex's maternal grandfather (Julie's dad)
Died late 1990s (1996-1999, likely 1997-99) · lived last years in Oneida NY
Source · not free online
No free obit hits despite targeted search on Legacy.com, Oneida Daily Dispatch archive, Utica Observer-Dispatch archive, Find A Grave, and Town of Lee obit index. Free online paths exhausted 2026-09-28.
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Oneida Daily Dispatch, 1997-1999 (via Newspapers.com paid trial — Oneida Dispatch is in their catalog)
- Utica Observer-Dispatch, same window (also on Newspapers.com)
- Oneida Public Library, 220 Broad St, (315) 363-3050 — local history room holds Dispatch microfilm; scan-by-email service
- Madison County Historian, 138 N Court St, Wampsville — Wednesday's Ray-thread stop is 5 min from Oneida; ask about Wilson while there
- Order-a-lookup from Syracuse Media Group (Post-Standard/Syracuse.com archive) — ~$8 per obit lookup with a specific date window
- NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, HR archives — internal memoriam for retirees may exist for a 1990s state employee
What we know from Julie's voice note
"Dad's obituary would be from Oneida as well because he lived his last few years in Oneida. So Robert Alexander Wilson, W-I-L-S-O-N, and it would have been in the late 90s, anywhere between '97 through or '96 through '99. Maybe 2000, but I don't think so. I think it was late 90s."
Career: New York State Department of Agriculture. Before that, managed a large dairy farm in Massachusetts (where he met Laura). Middle name Alexander is the original Scottish family name; Julie's middle name Alexandra was named for him.
Why this obit matters
Robert is the other direct grandparent on the mother side. His obit is the missing piece for locating his cemetery (possibly Norwich NY, Chenango County, per Julie's separate voice note about the Wilson family plot there). Will also confirm his second wife or any children from a second marriage that Julie is fuzzy on.
Charles W. Mosher (Sr.)
Alex's maternal great-grandfather (Laura's dad)
Death date unknown · presumed St. Peter's Cemetery, Oswego
Source · not free online
Named as "the late Charles W. Mosher" in Alfred's 2008 obit and "the late Charles Mosher" in Thomas's 2012 obit. Death predates the Catholic Cemeteries digital index and predates most digital newspaper archives.
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Oswego County Historian (315) 349-2378 — will likely need to search backward from an estimated year-of-death; ask cemetery office first for burial date to narrow the window
- St. Peter's Cemetery, Oswego, office — get his burial date, then order the matching Palladium-Times issue
- Palladium-Times microfilm at Oswego Public Library — labor-intensive without a date, so DO the cemetery step first
- Ancestry.com — sometimes indexes NY state death records back to the 1950s
- FamilySearch.org (free) — NY Death Index may catch him if he died after 1957
Why this obit matters
Charles Sr. is one of two known maternal great-grandparents. His obit fixes the death year and confirms the family plot location at St. Peter's, plus should name all children (Laura, Charles Jr, Thomas, Alfred, plus the additional sisters Alfred's obit surfaced: Eleanor Ferguson, Nellie McKinstry, Marion Dowie, Mary/Mari Hest).
Nellie Adeline (Moody) Mosher
Alex's maternal great-grandmother (Laura's mom)
Died around mid-March 1988 · Oswego area · cancer
Source · not free online
Named as "the late Nellie (Moody) Mosher" in Alfred's 2008 obit and Thomas's 2012 obit. Julie pinned the death date via a specific memory anchor: died about a month before River (born April 10, 1988). No free obit found.
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Palladium-Times, Oswego, March 1988 (Newspapers.com paid trial — 1988 sits inside their Palladium-Times coverage)
- Oswego Public Library microfilm — Palladium-Times reels for March 1988; scan-by-email ~$5
- Oswego County Historian, 384 E River Rd — Wednesday stop
- St. Peter's Cemetery office — get her burial date first to confirm which day's paper to pull
What we know from Julie's voice note
"Grandma died, Nelly Moser died, and this would go, I'm going to say, January, February, March of 1988. The reason I know that is because she died about a month, no longer than a month, before River was born."
Maiden name confirmed MOODY. Strong English accent. Family from England. Married Alfred Moser Sr. when she was 16 (he had 7 children from a prior marriage, they had 6 together). Julie says the psychic/precognition trait passes down through the Moody / Moser mothers' line.
Why this obit matters
Nellie is the maternal great-grandmother, the source of the Moody surname branch, and the top of the recorded matrilineal line so far. Her obit should name Charles Sr's death year (if he predeceased her), confirm all 6 children, and possibly name her English town of origin.
Paternal biological (Galavotti)
Ray M's line. This is the branch that opened when Betty's Aug 2026 obit was pulled last night from J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, surfacing the extended family (James + Nancy, Jean Lewis, great-uncle Larry Britton) and confirming the likely half-sisters.
Betty L. (Britton) Galavotti
Alex's biological paternal grandmother (Ray Jr's wife)
Born October 11, 1930, Oneida NY · Died August 17, 2026, Oneida Healthcare · age 95 · brief illness
Full obituary text (pulled 2026-09-29 direct from J. Homer Ball)
CANASTOTA . . .
Betty L. Galavotti, 95, of Canastota, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Oneida Healthcare, following a brief illness.
She was born on October 11, 1930, in Oneida, the daughter of the late Carl and Reba (Snyder) Britton.
Betty spent her early years in Oneida, graduating from Oneida High School in 1948. She has lived in Canastota most of her life.
She was the bakery manager at Tops Friendly Market in Oneida for many years, retiring in 1996.
Betty was a member of Hope Christian Fellowship in Canastota.
She enjoyed quilting, church activities, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Betty was married to Raymond E. Galavotti, Jr., for many years. Ray passed away on June 21, 2017.
Surviving are: two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Nancy Galavotti of Hilton Head, SC, and Raymond M. and Tammy Galavotti of Canastota; one daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Michael Lewis of Virginia; three grandchildren, Rebecca and Daniel Olejer, Rosa Galavotti, and Jennifer Galavotti and Kenneth Mueller; two great grandsons, Nathaniel Olejer, and Lincoln Olejer; one brother, Larry and Sandra Britton of Munnsville; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Betty was predeceased by three brothers, Roger Britton, Richard Britton, and Thomas Edward Britton.
Calling hours will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, at the funeral home following the calling hours. The Rev. Thomas G. Burgess, of Hope Christian Fellowship, Canastota, will officiate. Burial will be in Lenox Rural Cemetery, Canastota.
In her memory, contributions may be made to Hope Christian Fellowship, PO Box 251, Canastota, NY 13032, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Why this obit matters
This is the single obit that unlocked the entire Galavotti side. Named Raymond M. as one of three children (so Alex's biological father, confirmed by name and location). Surfaced newly-discovered paternal aunt Jean Lewis. Named great-uncle Larry Britton, the safest first family call. Named Jennifer + Kenneth Mueller which cross-referenced with Spokeo to CONFIRM Jennifer as a half-sister. Every downstream Galavotti research thread flows from this document.
Raymond E. Galavotti Jr.
Alex's biological paternal grandfather
Born September 16, 1928, Canastota · Died June 21, 2017, Oneida Healthcare · age 88 · brief illness
His flat marker at Lenox Rural Cemetery, Canastota. Betty (d. Aug 2026) will share this plot; her name not yet carved ·
Find A Grave 180710978
Full obituary text (pulled 2026-09-29 from Legacy.com, published Oneida Daily Dispatch June 22-23, 2017)
CANASTOTA >> Raymond E. Galavotti Jr., 88, of 2704 Suits Ave., Blossvale, and formerly of Canastota, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Oneida Healthcare, following a brief illness.
He was born on Sept. 16, 1928, in Canastota, a son of Raymond Sr. and Rosa (Micheletti) Galavotti.
Ray lived in Canastota most of his life, attending the Canastota schools. He has lived in Blossvale for the past nine years.
He was a painter, and owned and operated Galavotti Painting in Canastota for more than 45 years, retiring in 1990.
Ray was a member of St. Agatha's Church in Canastota.
He was a retired member of the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department, the Old Time Fireman, and the Canastota Fire Police.
Ray enjoyed construction and development, developing two major subdivisions in Canastota.
Surviving are: two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Nancy Galavotti, and Raymond M. and Tammy Galavotti, all of Canastota; one daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Michael Lewis of Canastota; one brother, Joseph Galavotti of Canastota; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Lisa and Bruce Wales of Canastota, Elvira Mulpagano of Oneida, Joseph Mulpagano of Oneida, and Marie and Carmen Sicilia of Canastota; three grandchildren, Rebecca Lewis, Jennifer Galavotti, and Rosa Galavotti; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ray was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Donald and Marie Galavotti, Charles and Marion Galavotti, and Tina Galavotti.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at St. Agatha's Church, 329 N. Peterboro St., Canastota. The Rev. Stephen P. Wirkes will officiate. Burial will be in St. Agatha's Cemetery, Canastota. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 5-7 p.m. at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James St., Canastota. In his memory, contributions may be made to the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 81, Canastota, N.Y. 13032, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Why this obit matters
Confirms Ray Jr's death date and Blossvale residence (2704 Suits Ave), fixes 45-year Galavotti Painting business as his life's work. Confirms parents Ranato + Rosa (Micheletti) as expected. TWO big new discoveries from this text: (1) Rebecca is listed as "Rebecca Lewis" in 2017 and "Rebecca Olejer" in 2026 — so Rebecca is Jean Lewis's daughter, not Ray M's. Only Rosa and Jennifer are direct-Ray-M grandchildren, matching the half-sister hypothesis exactly. (2) Ray Jr had FIVE siblings not four: brother Joseph, sisters Lisa Wales, Elvira Mulpagano, Marie Sicilia, plus predeceased Donald and Charles. Find A Grave's slot list is incomplete. Note his burial says St. Agatha's Cemetery here — Lenox Rural came later per Betty's obit. Worth confirming which is correct with J. Homer Ball.
Ranato "Ray" Galavotti
Alex's biological paternal great-grandfather (Ray Jr's father)
Born August 18, 1903, Italy · Died March 18, 1986, Palm Beach County FL · age 82 · from Italy in 1920
Galavotti family mausoleum wall at Saint Agatha Cemetery, Canastota. Ranato and Rosa share the top row; below sit Donald Galavotti (1957-2002), Muriel R. Nasti, and Marion B. Willmann ·
Find A Grave 84686825
Source · Find A Grave only, no full obit online
Find A Grave memorial 84686825. Only the short line "Came from Italy in 1920, husb of Rose" appears on the memorial. Confirmed dates from mausoleum wall (Aug 18, 1903 - Mar 18, 1986). Died in Palm Beach County FL per Find A Grave, buried at Saint Agatha Cemetery Canastota.
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Syracuse Post-Standard, March 19-21, 1986 (Newspapers.com paid trial — Post-Standard 1986 is inside coverage)
- Oneida Daily Dispatch, same window (Newspapers.com)
- Palm Beach Post, March 19-21, 1986 (Newspapers.com) — since he died in FL, the FL paper may run first
- Madison County Historian, 138 N Court St, Wampsville — Wednesday's Ray-thread stop
- Saint Agatha's Church parish office, 329 N. Peterboro St., Canastota — may have funeral record with obit attached
- J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, (315) 697-2294 — if they handled Ray Jr in 2017 and Betty in 2026, they may have Ranato's file too (though 1986 is deep in their archive)
Why this obit matters
Ranato is the immigrant-generation Galavotti (there is literally a Galavotti Pl street in Canastota named after the family). His obit will name Rose (Micheletti) as widow, name all his children (Ray Jr's obit tells us: Joseph, Lisa Wales, Elvira Mulpagano, Marie Sicilia, Donald, Charles + Ray Jr = at least seven children), and possibly name siblings back in Italy. The Palm Beach County death location is a genuine surprise worth understanding.
Rose Micheletti Galavotti
Alex's biological paternal great-grandmother (Ray Jr's mother)
Born February 7, 1903 · Died April 1, 2000 · Saint Agatha Cemetery, Canastota · age 96-97
Same Galavotti mausoleum wall. Rose is the top-right slot (Feb 7, 1903 - Apr 1, 2000) ·
Find A Grave 84686862
Source · Find A Grave only, no full obit online
Find A Grave memorial 84686862. Only "Wf of Ray" and structured data. Parents on record: Cesare Micheletti (1867-1930) + Elvera Pietrini Micheletti (1870-1938). Sibling: Augusta Micheletti Guidoni (1897-1998).
Non-free paths to actually get this obit
- Oneida Daily Dispatch, April 2-5, 2000 (Newspapers.com paid trial — Dispatch 2000 in coverage)
- Syracuse Post-Standard, same window (Newspapers.com)
- Madison County Historian, Wampsville — Wednesday stop; ask for 2000 Post-Standard/Dispatch obit binder
- J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, (315) 697-2294 — 2000 is inside their retention window; likely to have on file
- Saint Agatha's Church parish office — funeral record may have obit
Why this obit matters
Rose is the maternal side of the immigrant-generation Galavotti couple. Her obit will confirm the full children list (7+ per Ray Jr's obit), name her sister Augusta Guidoni as surviving or predeceased, and likely name Cesare and Elvera Micheletti (Italy origin) as parents. This is the top of the Italian branch on this line.
Paternal raised-by (Salinsky)
Roy's line. Roy is the dad who raised Alex. Both his parents died 8 days apart in July 1987 when Roy was 29, the defining event of his life. Both buried Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay NY.
John Leo Salinsky
Alex's paternal grandfather (Roy's dad, the man who raised him)
Born June 24, 1924, Utica NY · Died July 29, 1987, Syracuse (St. Joseph's Hospital) · age 63 · stomach cancer
Source
Syracuse Post-Standard, July 30, 1987, pasted verbatim into Find A Grave
memorial 67855972.
Shared Salinsky headstone at Pine Plains, Sect 5 Lot 21G. Four family members in one plot: Uncle Joseph A. Alexander (1914-1992), Wife Bernice E. (1919-1987), Husband John L. (1924-1987), Father John P. (1895-1993). Marriage seal "June 27, 1953" centered · Photo Cheryl Parsons, 2018 ·
Find A Grave 67855972
Confirms: John P. Salinsky (Alex's paternal great-grandfather) death year is 1993, matching the Post-Standard obit note.
Full obituary text (Syracuse Post-Standard, July 30, 1987, via Find A Grave)
John L. Salinsky, 63, of 8988 Florence St., Brewerton, died Wednesday at St. Joseph's Hospital. A native of Utica, Mr. Salinsky lived in Brewerton since 1953. He was a 1950 graduate of Rochester Polytechnical Institute. Mr. Salinsky retired in 1986 after 33 years with the engineering firm of Sargeant, Webster, Crenshaw & Folley. His wife, Bernice, died July 21. Mr. Salinsky was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Cicero, and a member of its Holy Name Society. He also was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. Surviving are a son, Roy of Erieville; his father, John P. Salinsky of Clay; and a grandson. Services will be at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Home, Cicero, and 9 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, 8261 S. Main St. Contributions may be made to the Cicero Fire Department or the Brewerton Ambulance Fund.
Why this obit matters
Fixes the plot location (Sect 5 Lot 21G) that the whole Thursday morning Pine Plains stop hinges on. Updates the great-grandfather death year for John Paul Salinsky to 1993 (previously "unknown" in the 2018 family tree PDF). The 8-days-apart timing with Bernice's death is the emotional anchor Roy carries. "A son, Roy" and "a grandson" (Alex, age 2 at the time) are the only surviving descendants named.
Bernice Eleanor (Poplaski) Salinsky
Alex's paternal grandmother (Roy's mom)
Born September 19, 1919, Herkimer NY · Died July 21, 1987, Syracuse (St. Joseph's Hospital) · age 67 · high BP, diabetes, cancer
Source
Syracuse Post-Standard, July 23, 1987, pasted verbatim into Find A Grave
memorial 67856307 (verified 2026-09-29; canonical slug is `bernice-e-salinsky`, no underscore).
Same shared Salinsky headstone at Pine Plains. Bernice is listed as "Wife BERNICE E. 1919-1987", next to her husband John L. and his father John P. Marriage seal centered ·
Find A Grave 67856307
Full obituary text (Syracuse Post-Standard, July 23, 1987, via Find A Grave)
Services for Bernice Salinsky, 67, of 8988 Florence St., Brewerton, who died Tuesday at St. Joseph's Hospital, will be at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Home and 9 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, both in Cicero. Burial will be in Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, 8261 S. Main St. A native of Herkimer, Mrs. Salinsky lived in Brewerton since 1953. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church and a member of its Altar and Rosary Society. Surviving are her husband, John; a son, Roy of Erieville; and a grandson.
Additional context (2018 family tree PDF)
Parents: Roy Poplaski (b. April 1894, Poland, died Syracuse, buried Calvary Cemetery Herkimer) + Anna Alexander (b. March 18, 1900, Russia, died Syracuse of cerebral hemorrhage, buried Calvary Cemetery Herkimer).
Sibling: Stanley Poplaski (died Glens Falls NY, Alex's great-uncle). Stanley's children by his second marriage to Bertha are Richard + Michael Poplaski, Alex's cousins-once-removed.
Note: the 1987 death notice is short by design — it was Bernice's initial death notice, not a full obit. A longer version may have run later in the same week's Post-Standard editions.
Why this obit matters
Bernice's death notice confirms the shared Pine Plains plot with John Leo, the Sacred Heart Cicero church connection, and Williams Funeral Home Cicero as the arranger. She died 8 days before John Leo. The obit is unusually short (no siblings, no parents named) — she was too ill to help write it, and John was dying. The 2018 family tree PDF fills in the Herkimer / Poplaski / Anna Alexander bridge back to Calvary Cemetery grandparents (the wasp-nest cemetery per Roy's 2019 email).
