The Cem

September 1974 I remember that first day I trudged up Oneida Street to answer an ad for a job in some cemetery. I had been working for the city of Utica but it was an on-off kinda thing with a hopeless future. And I wasn't working anyway so I had to find some kind of employment. Walking up that hill and entering that little cinder block office 27 years ago... wow and I met Don Deck, superintendant. And wouldn't ya know it, he hired me...start work Monday! It was just about the end of the summer and the part-time kids had gone back to school and there was only a couple of months work till the snow fell, and hey that Monday me and Kevin S and Bob ??? got our groovy grass trimmers and started cutting grass on Section 8! If that wasn't the cats pajamas! So I was there through November and as the winter passed and spring of '75 rolled around, I started working there again. Who could ever forget the colorful cast of characters that passed through there, starting with Mel and Ed S and Old Joe and the hardest working, most trustworthy, RELIABLE, HONEST KIND OF GUY Joe U!!! (a little humor there for those in the know!) Hey Joe! How are ya!! And later that year I remember Pete C and Steve K and Marty and Nick the Grease and even my brother! It was only a part time job though, and as winter approached each year I was laid off. No big deal cause I still worked at the peak in winter. But as 1978 rolled along, a few full time workers packed up and headed out and the position was mine for the taking. So along with John K our first winter was greeted with a chilly smile. And another 20 more would follow. I always said I could write a book about the stuff that occurred, the people that were employed(raised eyebrows) and the stories that passed down through generations, but I am not gonna. After a few years, that place was like my second home. I never looked upon it as a job, and all though there were many moments of aggravation and disappointment and there were times when the elements made work a struggle, it was overshadowed by the pride we took in our work and with our daily responsibilities and the simple joys of being outside and a part of nature.. Don Deck...geez I had known him for so long, even before the cem, as his family was a fixture at The Peak each winter. A major influence in my life as I seen him just about every day for 25 years! POOR GUY!!! hahaha But I gotta thank him for the opportunity and patience he showed in me as I developed my work skills and you will never find a better boss or a more compassionate person. It was my honor to work with him and I always felt a part of his family and still do. Isn't it funny. You see people everyday for years ,a part of your life, and then.... hmmm what can ya say. The thing I miss the most after leaving the cem was all the people we worked with and met over a quarter of a century. The GREAT friends... and it is sad not to see them any more.

Don retired in December of 1998. Musta been there decades! And what a thrill to be a part of his retirement party! Almost let the cat out of the bag a few times as we tried to conceal the surprise, but when he walked through that door at Valley View, what an emotional moment...for him and yes for me too. So Don, this page is dedicated to you. Thanks for all your help and gee, you have spent more time with me, ouside of my family, then any body else in the Gooch universe! WOW! So greetings to Shirley, Julie, Donnie, Deb, Mike, Fred and Tom.

Hey, I think we got off the track a little. Soon after Don retired, it was obvious things would never be the same again. The powers that be wanted to change everything , in the name of money, and that personal bond with the families that I enjoyed so much, was taken away. This new regime had no respect for the feelings of these families and it was business, bottom line. Definitely not my cup of tea. So it was a sad day indeed, April Fools 1999 that I had enough. Me and my brother left after 45 years of hard, HONEST and dedicated work. It was a difficult thing to do, that place was my life, but it was not worth it any longer.

We had so much fun there and there are so many yarns to spin, suffice it to say, I am gonna name everybody that left an impression in The Life and Times of Gooch. But hey....yeah like I am gonna remember every name over 25 years! Milton E, Bob???, Kevin S, Vinnie G, Marty, Steve K, Pete C, Joe B, Bill G, Greg C, Dave P, George J, Steve and Dave G, Steve and John C, Sean M, Carla, Carl S, Pete W, Darryl T, Forrest H, Joe S, Ted J, Fred S, Vince C, Pete C, Ray H, Andy C, Bill S, Al F, Ralph D, Jack M, Keith, Jim S, Doug R, Larry L, Doug R, Charlie J, Sean , Jeb, Tilbe, Ron R, Joe E, Brian E, Roger M, Kenny K, Bill D, Kenny T, Danny T, Fred A, Deb D, Lee C, Bruce W, Bill W, Dave H, Fred J, Jerry M, Ralph L, Dave R, Dave E, Don E, John A, John S, Mark B, Dave H, Terry H, Rick H, Fred H, Fred H, Tony M, Kim M, Mike L, John M, Frank S, Tom M, Chris M, Pat N, Mark K, Jack D, Sanford J, Joe T, Vinnie I, Mike F, Stan T, Bill W, Bill M, Jerry, Joe C, John B, Joe M, Pete M, Rich M, Mrs M, Richard M, and OF COURSE, Nancy, Mac, Jennifer, Charles, Carm, Dave, Dominick, Bobby, Kevin, Pete,....and there are people whom I do not remember their names!!!!! I am sorry!

1974-1999 25 years! Wow! I spent half of my life at that place! Imagine. I just sat back and tried to remember all the people and families that were so kind and considerate to me and my brother. And I want to thank as many as I can recall. Without a doubt, to be a part of me always. Mr. Abounader Mr. Viti Frank and Paul The Mezza's The Rubino's Jeff Mr. Nasbe Tommy Mitchell The Flihan's Mr. Scalise Mrs. Chanantry The Jweid's The Shanley's Mr. George The Joseph's Mr. Riley Patsy Gagliano Mrs. Domenico Mr. Mancuso Ormond Yacovella Sect 22 Sect 20 Sect 19 Mr. Falbo Mr. and Mrs. Julian Mr. and Mrs. Decola Mr. and Mrs. Costello Mr. Alexander and our good friend Vince.

25 years. I guess it is the biggest influence in my life. From the people we met and friends we made to the work we did, with pride, and yes, the fun we had. Definitely The Life and Times of Gooch.