Lionel Henry Gokey

Lionel "Lin" Gokey Lionel H. Gokey of 2 York Street Cortland, NY passed away on Monday September 12, 2011 at University Hospital at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, NY at the age of 88. Lionel was born December 22, 1922 in Dickenson Center, NY to George Henry Gokey and Odena Stacy Gokey. He grew up on the family farm not far from the Canadian border and graduated from St. Regis Falls High School. During World War II he served in the Air Force and was training in flight school when the war ended. After the war, he returned to the family farm which he continued to operate for several years. In 1946 he married Eula Denno. After leaving the farm, he enjoyed many careers including being a master mechanic, as well as, President and Business Manager of the Operating Engineers Local 545 in Syracuse, NY. In 1975 he was elected Cortland County Legislator representing the 4th Ward. He resigned from this position in 1983 when he was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Labor for NY State by Governor Mario Cuomo. He enjoyed serving in this position for 16 years until he retired in 1999 at the age of 77. He was an avid hunter, golfer, outdoorsman and reader of history. He was a member of the American Legion and served as Commander of the St. Regis Falls Post #322. He enjoyed spending his leisure time in the wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains, at his cabin on Sandy Pond and on golf courses everywhere most frequently in New York and Florida. Lionel is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eula Denno Gokey, daughters: Linda(James)Monaco of Denton, TX; Laura(Kennith) Woodruff of Paradise, TX; Lana Gokey of Keene Valley, NY; Lynne(Dominick) Puzo of DeWitt, NY; Louise(Michael) McAllister of Houston, TX; Lorraine (Daniel) Tracy of Cortland, NY; Lisa Lissberger of Cortland, NY; son: Lee Gokey of Pulaski, NY. He is also survived by 10 grand children, 6 great-grand children, and several nieces and nephews. Lionel was predeceased in death by his parents; his infant son Lionel Jr.; his sister, Edna Barnes and his brother Glenford Gokey. Calling hours will be Saturday September 17, 2011 from 9am -10am at Hammill Funeral Home 146 County Road 5 in St. Regis Falls, NY. A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 am at St. Ann's Church in St. Regis Falls, followed by Burial with Military Honors to follow at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Legion Post #322 Attention: Commander Don Keen, PO Box 22 St. Regis Falls, NY 12980