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In Memoriam
Robert A Jones
May 12, 1924 - May 15, 2023

Robert A Jones, a long time, valued and faithful member of the Saint David’s Society of Utica passed away just three days after his 99th birthday. Bob was very proud of his Welsh heritage and was an asset to the Society in so many ways! His ready smile, sense of humor, sharing of memories, and his dedication to all things Welsh endeared him to so many!

Bob was a past President of the St David’s Society of Utica and, for a brief time, also served on the Board of Trustees of the National Society. He believed it was important to preserve Welsh history and heritage and helped do that for many years as our local society’s Historian. Bob also devoted years to the restoration of the old Welsh Church in Remsen, NY. He conducted many a Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh hymn festival) throughout Central New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

The Welsh are known for their wonderful singing voices and Bob was no exception. He had a beautiful tenor voice that he shared on many occasions, singing as a soloist at weddings, in local productions and was a member of the choir at New Hartford Presbyterian Church for 60 years. When he wasn’t conducting at a Gymanfa Ganu you could hear his wonderful voice coming from the congregation leading the tenor part.

Bob’s love of music led him to form our local St David’s Welsh Choir, Cor Dewi Sant, which he directed for many years with his wife, Jeanne, by his side accompanying the choir on the piano. When the choir sang in Welsh Bob was the one to teach those not fluent in Welsh (almost everyone!) how to pronounce the words.

Bob and Jeanne made a good team, both in music and in life, celebrating their 76th wedding anniversary in 2021. They were high school sweethearts and married in 1945. His family quoted him as saying “Best $2 investment I ever made”. Jeanne predeceased him in 2022.

Bob worked tirelessly to preserve Welsh traditions in our area, and beyond. He was an integral part of our St David’s Society of Utica, its Board, and the Welsh community. He can never be replaced and will forever be missed.

Gorffyws mewn heddwch, Bob.  (Rest in Peace)


Read the latest (February, 2024) Newsletter HERE.

Newsletter Archive:

September, 2023 April, 2023 September, 2022 June, 2021
September, 2019 April, 2019 September, 2018 April, 2018
September, 2017 April, 2017 September, 2016 April, 2016
September, 2015January, 2015 September, 2014 April, 2009

 


Scholarship Winners for 2023-24

(see related article)


For the 2023/2024 college year, six (6) $500 scholarships were awarded to students related to members of St. David's Society of Utica, according to current Scholarship Chairman, Leonard Pugh. He noted that they all were outstanding candidates. Mr. Pugh congratulated the winners and noted that the Society wishes them the best in their educational endeavors. The understanding, promotion and perpetuation of the Welsh-American culture is a primary mission of the St. David's Society. Awarding scholarships to those who appreciate their Welsh heritage is a means for accomplishing this goal.



Kylie L. Cleary, a graduate of Whitesboro Central School, is the daughter of Wayne and Karen Rounds-Cleary and granddaughter of Janet Washburn. She is currently in her first year of Physician Assistant School at LeMoyne College. She finished her undergraduate studies there in three years obtaining her Degree in Biology. She was an RA for freshman during her undergraduate years and was on the Dean’s List all three years.
Calvin Rhoades is the son of Laura and Bill Rhoades and grandson of Cindy and Jon Gilbert. He graduated with highest honors from New Hartford Central School in 2023. He was a member of the New Hartford Central School Marching Spartans Band for six years and a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is a freshman at SUNY Geneseo, majoring in biology..
Emma Ruganis is the daughter of Lorraine and Scott Ruganis and granddaughter of Stew and Esther Williams. She graduated with highest honors from New Hartford Central School in 2023. She is now a freshman at the University of Rochester, majoring in chemistry.
Colin Stanton is the son of Kristen Stanton and nephew of Katherine Lewis of Cicero and formerly of New Hartford. Colin is a 2023 graduate of Cicero North Syracuse High School. He is a freshman at Binghamton University, majoring in biochemistry.
Rachael Williams is the daughter of Ken and Teresa Williams and granddaughter of Stew and Esther
Williams. She is a senior at SUNY Geneseo with a dual major of biology and sustainability.
She will graduate this spring and is currently applying to graduate schools to pursue an
advanced degree in Environmental Science.
David G. Wynne David is the son of Douglas and Jill Wynne of Holland Patent and is a 2020 graduate of Holland Patent Central School. He is currently a senior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, majoring in economics with a minor in math and entrepreneurship and will graduate this spring. Following an internship at the Hartford Insurance Company David was offered, and has accepted, a job with the company following his graduation..

According to St. David’s Society Scholarship Chair Leonard Pugh, donations to the scholarship fund may be sent to

St. David’s Society Trust Fund
C/O Treasurer Cindy Gilbert
3 Woodstock Court
New Hartford, NY 13413.


 

 

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