Syracuse Post-Standard
Saturday, November 14, 1981
Page C-2, Columns 1 thru 6
Its Owner Dead, Nicest House on Block is Boarded Up
The white-and-brick-front house at Westvale's 217 Terry Road S. was neat, and the property always well-kept, according to a next-door neighbor. Paul J. Mushala of 215 Terry Road S. said the owner of the house, Howard J. Utter, spent "hours and hours working on the place, and it was really sharp." But a fire, apparently caused by a cigarette, ripped through the residence early Friday morning, killing the 82-year-old Utter, and the house is now boarded up. Utter's death took Mushala by surprise. "We have been friends for nine years, and I never expected this to happen. It is very sad. "He always took great pride in his property. He had beautiful flowers and bushes all around the yard and would spend hours working out there. "It was the nicest place on the block. He was one of the best men in the neighborhood." Utter stopped gardening about a
year ago when his wife died, Mushala said. "He and Mary Ann were married for better than 50 years," he said, "and when she died, he seemed like a lost man. He didn't want to go out, and he never did anything. His place hasn't looked the same since." The fatal blaze was reported by another neighbor, Thomas Orlando of 221 Terry Road S. Orlando said: "I was on my way to work and saw a cloud of smoke pouring out. I wasn't suspicious at first, but then went back to check and heard the smoke alarm going. Then I called the police." Geddes Police Chief J.J. Demperio said the fire probably started when Utter fell asleep in a living room chair while smoking. "The guy was a chain-smoker, and there is no other indication of a fire starting anywhere else in the house," he said. Demperio said Utter was found unconscious on the living room floor when firefighters arrived about 5:30 a.m. He died at State University Hospital at 8:30 a.m. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of death, but no determination will be made until forensic tests have been completed, according to a spokesman for the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office. A native of Moravia, Utter resided in the Syracuse area most of his life. He retired 10 years ago after 35 years as a patternmaker with Sims Matchplate Co. Utter was a charter member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church and a former member of its council. Surviving are a son, Donald H. of Schenectady; three daughters, Corrine Fitch of Nedrow, Elaine Stauss of Jordan and Phyllis Juista; three sisters, Nina Coleman of Rochester, Lura Middleton of Elmira and Thelma Schug, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Frasier-Sbepardson Funeral Home, the Rev. Kenneth Heuermann officiating. Burial will be in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 1217 N. Salina St.
Saturday, November 14, 1981
Page C-2, Columns 1 thru 6
Its Owner Dead, Nicest House on Block is Boarded Up
The white-and-brick-front house at Westvale's 217 Terry Road S. was neat, and the property always well-kept, according to a next-door neighbor. Paul J. Mushala of 215 Terry Road S. said the owner of the house, Howard J. Utter, spent "hours and hours working on the place, and it was really sharp." But a fire, apparently caused by a cigarette, ripped through the residence early Friday morning, killing the 82-year-old Utter, and the house is now boarded up. Utter's death took Mushala by surprise. "We have been friends for nine years, and I never expected this to happen. It is very sad. "He always took great pride in his property. He had beautiful flowers and bushes all around the yard and would spend hours working out there. "It was the nicest place on the block. He was one of the best men in the neighborhood." Utter stopped gardening about a
year ago when his wife died, Mushala said. "He and Mary Ann were married for better than 50 years," he said, "and when she died, he seemed like a lost man. He didn't want to go out, and he never did anything. His place hasn't looked the same since." The fatal blaze was reported by another neighbor, Thomas Orlando of 221 Terry Road S. Orlando said: "I was on my way to work and saw a cloud of smoke pouring out. I wasn't suspicious at first, but then went back to check and heard the smoke alarm going. Then I called the police." Geddes Police Chief J.J. Demperio said the fire probably started when Utter fell asleep in a living room chair while smoking. "The guy was a chain-smoker, and there is no other indication of a fire starting anywhere else in the house," he said. Demperio said Utter was found unconscious on the living room floor when firefighters arrived about 5:30 a.m. He died at State University Hospital at 8:30 a.m. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of death, but no determination will be made until forensic tests have been completed, according to a spokesman for the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office. A native of Moravia, Utter resided in the Syracuse area most of his life. He retired 10 years ago after 35 years as a patternmaker with Sims Matchplate Co. Utter was a charter member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church and a former member of its council. Surviving are a son, Donald H. of Schenectady; three daughters, Corrine Fitch of Nedrow, Elaine Stauss of Jordan and Phyllis Juista; three sisters, Nina Coleman of Rochester, Lura Middleton of Elmira and Thelma Schug, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Frasier-Sbepardson Funeral Home, the Rev. Kenneth Heuermann officiating. Burial will be in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 1217 N. Salina St.
Syracuse Post-Standard
Saturday, November 14, 1981
Page C-2, Columns 1 thru 6
Its Owner Dead, Nicest House on Block is Boarded Up
The white-and-brick-front house at Westvale's 217 Terry Road S. was neat, and the property always well-kept, according to a next-door neighbor. Paul J. Mushala of 215 Terry Road S. said the owner of the house, Howard J. Utter, spent "hours and hours working on the place, and it was really sharp." But a fire, apparently caused by a cigarette, ripped through the residence early Friday morning, killing the 82-year-old Utter, and the house is now boarded up. Utter's death took Mushala by surprise. "We have been friends for nine years, and I never expected this to happen. It is very sad. "He always took great pride in his property. He had beautiful flowers and bushes all around the yard and would spend hours working out there. "It was the nicest place on the block. He was one of the best men in the neighborhood." Utter stopped gardening about a
year ago when his wife died, Mushala said. "He and Mary Ann were married for better than 50 years," he said, "and when she died, he seemed like a lost man. He didn't want to go out, and he never did anything. His place hasn't looked the same since." The fatal blaze was reported by another neighbor, Thomas Orlando of 221 Terry Road S. Orlando said: "I was on my way to work and saw a cloud of smoke pouring out. I wasn't suspicious at first, but then went back to check and heard the smoke alarm going. Then I called the police." Geddes Police Chief J.J. Demperio said the fire probably started when Utter fell asleep in a living room chair while smoking. "The guy was a chain-smoker, and there is no other indication of a fire starting anywhere else in the house," he said. Demperio said Utter was found unconscious on the living room floor when firefighters arrived about 5:30 a.m. He died at State University Hospital at 8:30 a.m. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of death, but no determination will be made until forensic tests have been completed, according to a spokesman for the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office. A native of Moravia, Utter resided in the Syracuse area most of his life. He retired 10 years ago after 35 years as a patternmaker with Sims Matchplate Co. Utter was a charter member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church and a former member of its council. Surviving are a son, Donald H. of Schenectady; three daughters, Corrine Fitch of Nedrow, Elaine Stauss of Jordan and Phyllis Juista; three sisters, Nina Coleman of Rochester, Lura Middleton of Elmira and Thelma Schug, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Frasier-Sbepardson Funeral Home, the Rev. Kenneth Heuermann officiating. Burial will be in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 1217 N. Salina St.
Saturday, November 14, 1981
Page C-2, Columns 1 thru 6
Its Owner Dead, Nicest House on Block is Boarded Up
The white-and-brick-front house at Westvale's 217 Terry Road S. was neat, and the property always well-kept, according to a next-door neighbor. Paul J. Mushala of 215 Terry Road S. said the owner of the house, Howard J. Utter, spent "hours and hours working on the place, and it was really sharp." But a fire, apparently caused by a cigarette, ripped through the residence early Friday morning, killing the 82-year-old Utter, and the house is now boarded up. Utter's death took Mushala by surprise. "We have been friends for nine years, and I never expected this to happen. It is very sad. "He always took great pride in his property. He had beautiful flowers and bushes all around the yard and would spend hours working out there. "It was the nicest place on the block. He was one of the best men in the neighborhood." Utter stopped gardening about a
year ago when his wife died, Mushala said. "He and Mary Ann were married for better than 50 years," he said, "and when she died, he seemed like a lost man. He didn't want to go out, and he never did anything. His place hasn't looked the same since." The fatal blaze was reported by another neighbor, Thomas Orlando of 221 Terry Road S. Orlando said: "I was on my way to work and saw a cloud of smoke pouring out. I wasn't suspicious at first, but then went back to check and heard the smoke alarm going. Then I called the police." Geddes Police Chief J.J. Demperio said the fire probably started when Utter fell asleep in a living room chair while smoking. "The guy was a chain-smoker, and there is no other indication of a fire starting anywhere else in the house," he said. Demperio said Utter was found unconscious on the living room floor when firefighters arrived about 5:30 a.m. He died at State University Hospital at 8:30 a.m. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of death, but no determination will be made until forensic tests have been completed, according to a spokesman for the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office. A native of Moravia, Utter resided in the Syracuse area most of his life. He retired 10 years ago after 35 years as a patternmaker with Sims Matchplate Co. Utter was a charter member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church and a former member of its council. Surviving are a son, Donald H. of Schenectady; three daughters, Corrine Fitch of Nedrow, Elaine Stauss of Jordan and Phyllis Juista; three sisters, Nina Coleman of Rochester, Lura Middleton of Elmira and Thelma Schug, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Frasier-Sbepardson Funeral Home, the Rev. Kenneth Heuermann officiating. Burial will be in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 1217 N. Salina St.
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