From Us To You
Toy Drive with Santa
Guests will be treated to a warm, festive atmosphere complete with complimentary refreshments. The event will feature fun activities for all ages, including children’s crafts, raffles, and a special appearance by **Santa Claus**, who will be available for photos.
How You Can Help: Donation Information**
The primary purpose of this event is to collect toys for children in our community who are in need. Your generous contribution can make a significant difference.
**Donation Guidelines:**
To ensure the safety and dignity of the recipients, we request that all donated toys be **new and unwrapped**.
While all new toys are welcome, we have a particular need for gifts suitable for older children and teenagers (ages 10-17), who are often overlooked.
Gift suggestions include:** Books, board games, science kits, art supplies, sports equipment, gift cards, headphones, and journals.
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Please note:** For safety reasons, we cannot accept realistic-looking toy weapons or items containing food.
George A. Laird, III
b. 28 Feb 1934; d. 23 Oct 2025;Raised 14 Apr 2008, Liverpool Syracuse Lodge No. 501
George A. Laird, lll, 91, of Cicero, passed away comfortably on Thursday, October 23, 2025. George was born in Albany, New York. His family then moved to Western New York where George graduated from Kenmore High School in 1952. During his school years, he became interested in the military, and in 1953 he joined the Air National Guard at Niagara Falls. In all, he served 25 years ending his career in the Air Force Reserves as a flight instructor and examiner on the C-199G and C-130A transport aircraft. In 1983, he retired from Niagara Mohawk where he worked for many years then moved to Cicero, New York. He joined Liverpool Syracuse Lodge No. 501 and became a Master Mason. He later joined the Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite, and after achieving his 32nd Degree became the Most Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix.
His interest in Fraternal Orders included The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, The Military Society of the War of 1812, and the Veteran Corp of the Artillery. He was for a long-time active member of the American Legion.
George pursued his love for hunting and fishing, and spent many a day in and around Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario. He was also a Past President of the Syracuse Pistol Club and served on the Board of Directors for more than 20 years.
He is survived by a son, Richard of North Palm Beach, FL, daughters, Marlene of North Tonawanda, NY and Katie of Georgia, grandson and granddaughter, Ian and Lia Laird, brother, David of Smithville, TN, and cousins; Eugene Oneil of Texas, Charlie Oneil of Rensselaer, NY, and Andy and Sue Miller of Fayetteville, NY.
A calling hour will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at the Maurer Funeral Home, Inc., 300 Second St., Liverpool, 13088. A Masonic Service to be held at 1:30 pm and military honors.
William J. Beall
b. 30 Apr 1932; d. 22 Sep 2025; Raised 7 Apr 1964 Seneca River Lodge 160; Merged Liverpool Syracuse Lodge 11 Jan 2023
William J. Beall of Baldwinsville, a community leader who had a long career as a mechanical engineer with Morris Machine Works and later Goulds Pumps. He died on September 22nd at the age of 93.
Mr. Beall was president and charter member of the student section of the American Rocket Society, served as president of Pi Tau Sigma and was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Mechanical Engineering Association and the National Society of Professional Engineers.
He was a 1954 graduate of Hobart College and earned a mechanical engineering degree cum laude from Syracuse University in 1960. He was part of a team from Morris Machine Works in Baldwinsville that designed and built the pumps in Clay that brought the water in from Lake Ontario. He served with the U. S. Army in Japan from 1954-56.
Boating was a lifelong passion, nurtured by his late parents, Dr. Francis and Ellen Manning Beall of Syracuse, as they traveled the Erie Barge Canal, Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn waterways in Canada. He and his wife lived on the Seneca River in Baldwinsville for 64 years. One of his most memorable trips by boat was to the Statue of Liberty celebration in 1986.
Mr. Beall served as commander of the Syracuse Power and Sail Squadron, was a life member of the United States Power Squadron, was a member of Onondaga Yacht Club and president and long-term membership chairman of the Richardson Boat Owners Association.
He was president of the Baldwinsville Jaycees and Baldwinsville Community Council. He was a member of Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church. He served as chair of its Administrative Council and Finance Committee and was involved in fund raising for the 1996 addition. He also served on the district finance committee. He was a 60 year member of Seneca River Lodge No. 160 and Liverpool Syracuse Lodge No. 501, F&AM.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Janet; daughter Barbara (Christopher Frielinghaus) of Glens Falls; son Robert (Susan Voda) of Rhode Island. Grandchildren William Frielinghaus (Kate Phoonwit), Gunther, Maren, Calvin Beall, Samantha (A.J. Demichele) and Madeline Voda.
Bill’s body has been donated to Upstate Medical University anatomical gift program.
This has been done in keeping with Janet and Bill’s belief in service.
A memorial service will be October 11th at 11 a.m., at the Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends at a luncheon immediately following the service. A private burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Contributions may be made in his name to First Methodist Church of Baldwinsville, 17 W. Genesee St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Hospice of CNY, 990 7th North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088, or Francis House 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY, 13208.
Richard Ward Obituary
Richard “Ace” J. Ward, 91, a native and life-long resident of the Village of Liverpool, peacefully passed away at home this past Saturday morning. The son of the late Carl and Flora (Bennett) Ward, Ace was raised and educated in Liverpool, NY. He served in the Army National Guard with the Armored Engineer Battalion during the Korean War. Ace was an Agent with American Airlines and also worked as a sales representative for several area trucking companies. For over 50 years, Ace helped many people preparing income tax returns. He retired as the Supervisor for the Town of Salina. Ace was the Past Master of the Liverpool Syracuse Lodge 501 Free & Accepted Masons and a past board member of the Public Employees Association. He is predeceased by his wife, Marlene J. (Black) Ward in 2017; his son, Richard “Rick” Ward II and daughter-in-law, Barbara Ward.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Margaret “Margie” Ward, three grandchildren, David and Christopher Ward and Rachel Nave (Lily), several loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Maurer Funeral Home, Inc. 300 Second St. Liverpool. A Masonic service will take place at 6:00 pm with funeral services to follow. Burial will be private in Liverpool Village Cemetery.
Contributions in Ace’s memory can be made to Food Bank of CNY, 7066 Interstate Island Road, Syracuse, NY 13209 or Humane CNY, 4915 W. Taft Road, Liverpool, NY 13088