Roderick ‘Red’ Onyan, 91, of Sherrill

MAY 1, 1922 - NOV. 15, 2013

SHERRILL >> Roderick “Red” Onyan, age 91, of Stone Street passed away early Friday morning Nov. 15, 2013 at his home with his loving family at his side.

He was born on May 1, 1922 in Rome, N.Y., son of the late Lester and Blanche (Rice) and attended Earlville Schools.

On Oct.12, 1942 Red entered the U.S. Army where he served with the 15th Cavalry Reconnoissance Squadron during World War II in Central Europe, Normandy, North France and Rhineland. He was honorably discharged on April 29, 1946.

On Sept. 6, 1952, Red was united in marriage with Alberta “Boots” Reames in the Plymouth Alliance Church of Sherrill and shared a loving union until her death on May 14, 1998.

Red had many jobs during his long and productive working career. Starting in 1946 he was employed with the Oneida Madison Co-Op as a truck driver and was a part-time police officer for the City of Sherrill. He then went on to work for the Town of Vernon Highway Department. He worked a part-time job at Oneida Savings Bank where he was part of the custodian crew and was the ‘coffee maker’ as Red said. After retirement from those employments, Red went on to work during the summer months for the City of Sherrill mowing grass driving the “Big Red Tractor.” He also was the official “Mayor” of City Hall No. 2 where he enjoyed Saturday mornings with his many friends. Finally, at the age of 90, Red retired.

He was a member of the Sherrill Legion Post 230.

Surviving are his six children and their spouses, Gary (Becky) Onyan of Vernon, Nancy Hoeltzel and Bob Wagner of Guilderland, Debra Spadafora of Oneida, Christine (Michael) Inserra of Vernon, Patty Scanlon of Sherrill and Kathy Bristol of Camden; 12 grandchildren, Ryan, Christopher, Shane, Kevin, Joshua, Trevor, Courtney, John, Nicholas, Morgan, Matthew and Michael; and one great-grandson, Austin. Also surviving is his brother Hobert Onyan of Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Juanita Onyan of Vernon and Ernestine Gardner of W. Eaton; and several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to all his devoted friends.

Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 2 to 4p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home Inc., 464 Sherrill Road, Sherrill, N.Y. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, W. Seneca Street, Vernon with the Rev. Kevin Bailey officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Valley View Cemetery, Oneida, N.Y. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY, 13413.