In Memoriam

August 28, 1963 – January 15, 2025

James (Jamie) Allen Booth

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of James Allen Booth (Jamie), 61, of Canisteo, NY. Jamie passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on January 15th, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with health complications.

Jamie was born on August 28th, 1963 in Ashland, KY to James and Cynthia (Allen) Booth. He attended college in Rockford, Illinois, before moving to Florida to pursue a career in electrical work. His self-taught passion for technology led him to become a founding partner of Webkor International, where he played a key role in developing and managing the company's success.

A true craftsman, Jamie took pride in working with his hands, always building, fixing, and creating. His efforts were especially meaningful in helping shape two cherished family lake houses, where countless memories were made and continue to be shared. Some of his best times at those lake houses were spent with his father on the water, boating and fishing.

Jamie was a true patriot and avid reader. He loved Rock 'n' Roll, a good sports game, and collecting memorabilia. His deep love for family was unwavering, with a special bond shared with his "Shorty" (Mom). Jamie's compassion for animals, evident from childhood, remained a constant throughout his life. In recent years, he found great joy working at Stern & Stern EWS, taking immense pride in his contributions there.

Jamie was an intelligent, self-taught man who had a way of making his presence known. He enjoyed stimulating conversations, with politics often a favorite topic. He had a quest for knowledge driven by a natural curiosity and a deep love of science. Memories of Jamie include him pausing to appreciate the beauty of his surroundings and finding wonder in nature's simple splendor. Unapologetically himself, he was kind, nonjudgmental, and deeply compassionate, leaving a lasting impact on those around him.

February 5, 1942 – March 9, 2020

James E. Booth

James E. Booth, 78, of Yankee Lane, passed away Monday (March 9, 2020) at St. James Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in North Hornell, the son of Claude and Ruth Lockwood Booth, he had resided in Canisteo during his early life. He was a graduate of Canisteo Central School, Class of 1960, and attended Parkville College in Missouri.

Jim was a beloved, and cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather — as well as a friend to everyone he met. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Cindy, and was a devoted husband for nearly 60 years. He fought a selfless, heroic battle against Parkinson disease and diabetes with his wife and family by his side. Jim inspired many, even through his hardest days, and was always a joy to those around him.

Jim cultivated a professional career spanning 40 years as a well-respected executive within the paint industry. However, he made it his life work to hold family and his faith as the highest priority. Jim and Cindy were active members in their church, wherever life took them. Jim was a civic-minded community leader within organizations across the country including the JayCees, Kiwanis Club, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, and Board of Education. While in Kentucky, he was chosen by the Governor to be an "Honorary Kentucky Colonel." Some of his favorite hobbies included fishing, poetry, song writing, games with the family, telling stories, and making people laugh. He leaves behind an amazing legacy, especially his love of Vermont, which he adored and passed down to many generations.

January 22, 1999 – May 20, 2018

Sarah Cynthia Koury

Sarah Cynthia Koury, 19, of Trumbull, went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2018 as a result of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. She was born as a triplet on January 22, 1999, in New Haven, CT. Sarah never failed to make her family and friends smile, with a smile that would melt your heart.

Sarah graduated with Honors with Distinction from Trumbull High School, and was inducted into the Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. Sarah was a World Scholar at the University of Delaware and studied in Madrid, Spain in the fall of her freshman year, where she was studying International Business.

Sarah was a member of the Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority and Nichols United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school. She loved to travel and had visited many countries, including Spain, Australia, New Zealand, England, France, Greece, Italy, Amsterdam, and Morocco. Every place she traveled was her new favorite place.

Sarah had a great passion for ethnic food and cupcakes. She loved every genre of music and played it out loud so everyone knew when she entered a room. She lived each day to the fullest, dancing while she did. She often said, "We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls."

September 10, 1938 – August 4, 2017

William Claude Booth

William C. "Bill" Booth, 78, of Stow, passed away peacefully Friday August 4, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of forty-five years to Isobel G. Booth. Born in Hornell, New York, he was the son of the late Claude William and Ruth Booth. Bill graduated from Canisteo High School in 1956 and received his Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1960 and 1966 respectively. He received his Masters of Business Administration from Bentley University in 1987.

Bill got his start as an Electrical Engineer working from home repairing televisions. After college his career advanced to work with the Martin Marietta Aerospace Division in Baltimore, MD, where he participated in many aerospace development programs including the Apollo and Lunar Lander spacecraft programs. From there he went on to work for the Link Group in Binghamton, NY; Singer Simulation Products Division in Silver Spring, MD; and became Vice President of marketing for Signal Processing Systems in Fairfield, CT. He was last employed by TeraRecon in Acton, MA.

Of all his accomplishments, family is what Bill was most proud of. He loved spending time and planning trips with his children and grandchildren. He cherished the yearly trips to Lake Ninevah in Vermont and any time he could get together with all of his family. During his life he enjoyed skiing, water skiing, white water rafting and hiking. He loved the outdoors and traveling around the country. Bill was an avid reader, enjoying history books and Sherlock Holmes stories. He had a passion for classical music and liked to attend the Theater. Model Trains, Astronomy and Volcanology all captured his attention. Bill was an inventor and tinkerer who loved creating new gadgets and repairing broken things.

December 28, 1919 – September 19, 2013

Ruth L. Booth

Ruth L. Booth, 93, widow of Claude Booth, of Canisteo, New York, passed away Thursday (September 19, 2013) at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 28, 1919, in Hornellsville, the daughter of Lyman and Nina Margeson Lockwood, she had resided in the Canisteo area all her married life. She was married to Claude W. Booth on January 22, 1938, and was married nearly 67 years before Claude's death in 2004.

Ruth worked for St. James Mercy Hospital as a teenager and often slipped into the nursery at the end of her shift to rock the new babies. She was a spot welder at Westinghouse in Bath, NY and a bookkeeper for various companies. With her husband Claude, she was a drapery and window treatment consultant for both Sherwin Williams and FA Décor Center.

Ruth was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, Neighborhood Chairman for the Girl Scouts, and a member of the Home Bureau. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Canisteo for 75 years, actively serving as a Sunday School teacher, elder, and a member of the Christian Education Committee. She was vice president of the Canisteo Central School PTA and often hosted Rotary exchange students. Ruth opened her home to any child in need.

January 20, 1943 – April 5, 2010

Stephen A. Venter

Stephen A. Venter, 67, of 54 Russell Street, passed away Monday (April 5, 2010) at Wesley Gardens in Rochester. Born in Freeport, Long Island, the son of Frank J. and Georgina Andrews Venter, he had resided in Canisteo since 1978.

He had been employed by G.E., Morrison Knudsen, and most recently Alstom. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Canisteo, had been active in Boy Scouts, and coached little league in Montoursville, PA. Steve was a coach and organizer of the Church League Basketball in Canisteo, and Vice President of the International Machinist Association.

December 25, 1917 – December 13, 2004

Claude W. Booth

Claude W. Booth, 86, of 18 West Academy Street, passed away Monday (December 13, 2004) at McAuley Manor in North Hornell surrounded by his loving family. Born in LeRoy on December 25, 1917, the son of William L. and Ida M. Totten Booth, he moved to Canisteo at the age of 5 and resided all his life there. Claude was a graduate of the former Canisteo Academy, Class of 1937.

He was employed at Empire Foods for 10 years, and later was store manager at the former Décor Center North in Hornell for 10 years prior to his retirement. He was a 75-year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Canisteo and had served as trustee and chairman of Building and Grounds. He was active for several years as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader in the Steuben Area Council. He served as President of the Canisteo Rotary Club, and during his presidency was instrumental in building the pavilion at Rotary Park on State Route 36 in Canisteo. He had also been a member of the Buds 'N Blossoms Square Dancing Club.