HeroesatW rk Caring Since 1893 - MCC Celebrates Burt Jones' 100th Birthday - Masonic Care Community
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Heroes at W rk
Caring Since 1893
MCC Celebrates Burt Jones’ 100th Birthday
On February 1st, WWII veteran Burton Jones celebrated his 100th birth-
day here at the Masonic Care Community! Burt is a member of the Queens
household and has lived here since 2015. Burt was born and raised in
Whitesboro, NY, and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps on September 8, 1942.
He served in the Pacific Theater on Enewetak, Tinian, Saipan, and Iwo Jima
with the 457th Fighter Squadron and the 506th Fighter Group. After many
years in the Air Corp, Burt was honorably discharged on December 13, 1945
with the ranking of Staff Sergeant.
After returning home, Burt married his wife Margaret Foreman in 1948, and
they lived in Remsen in a house Burt built himself on land he and Margaret
received from her mother, next to their family farm. Burt worked at Griff-
iss Air Force Base from 1945-1972, first as a Heavy Mechanic and then as a
Management Analyst. Burt and Margaret had three children, Priscilla Hugh
and Wendy. Priscilla shares that her father was able to build, fix, and main-
tain anything he worked on. In addition, he was a master gardener and created and cared for beautiful gardens
and flowers all around their family home. Burt and Margaret were married for 51 years before Margaret passed
away in 1999.
In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Burt is a 32nd Degree Mason. He became a member of the
Masonic Fraternity in 1951 and was a long-standing member of both the Barneveld and Remsen Masonic Lodge
#677.
To honor Burt on his 100th birthday, his daughter Priscilla and his
family, started a “100th Birthday” card campaign. Burt received over
400 cards with good wishes from people all across the country! In
addition, the children from the MCC Child Care program created 82
cards and loved getting to help celebrate Burt on his big day.
Many people form the Utica area joined in the celebration, including
Assemblywomen Marianne Buttenschon, who delivered two dozen
donuts for Burt on his special day. Burt was also awarded credentials,
making him an Honorary Member of the Oneida County Sheriff ’s
Department by Sheriff Robert Maciol. Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri Burt and his 100+ cards!
presented Burt with a special Certificate of Recognition, and Oneida
County Executive Anthony Picente even declared February 1st as “Burton Jones Day in Oneida County.”
On February 1st, Members from various local American Legions were given special permission to conduct a
drive-by parade in honor of Burt, his service to our country, and his birthday. At MCC, we were honored to join
with Burt, his family, and the community in celebrating such a wonderful and incredible person. Happy 100th
Birthday Burt!
A Newsletter for Friends of the Masonic Care Community
Celebrating the Life of Joe Leblang
The Masonic Care Community has lost a very special member of the
MCC family – Joe Leblang.
On January 14, 1939, Joe and his brother Al came to what was then the
Masonic Home. Having lost their father, their mother Bella was having
difficulties caring for her sons on her own and decided to move Al and
Joe from New York City to Utica, New York. At the time, Joe was 11
years old and Al was ten. Bella also came to Utica and secured a job in
the community to be close to her sons and to keep the family together.
Years later, Joe married Shirley Morrison from the Utica area, served in
the Army and then settled his family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 2014, Joe and his brother Al made a homecoming trip to MCC to
attend a reunion of the Masonic Kids at Round Lake. During this trip,
they connected with an old friend and another “Home Kid” Iris Powell
living at Acacia Village. The three spent time together sharing memories
Joe Leblang as a child and the following day they all attended the reunion and reconnected with
other Masonic Home Kids. Sadly, in 2019, Al passed away.
Joe had moved and was living in Palm Beach, Florida and in
2020 he received an apron and pin honoring his 70 years of
service in Masonry. Because the Masonic Care Community
held such a special place in Joe’s heart, and because he believed
in our mission, he made annual donations to MCC. Joe be-
lieved in giving back to the organization which gave him so
much to him, and the place he called “Home”.
Joe is survived by his two daughters Debra Pickens and Lisa
Gebrosky. A service was held for Joe this past Friday in Penn-
sylvania and there will likely be a memorial service in memo-
ry of Joe, his wife and daughter in the mid to late summer in
Delmar, PA.
Our deepest condolences and thoughts go out to Debra, Lisa
and Joe’s entire family. We are extremely sorry for their loss,
and the loss of one of our Masonic Home children. From left: Al, Iris, and Joe
A Bond that Continues at MCC- Herbert & Helen Steel
Last year, Herbert and Helen Steel moved to the Masonic Care Community.
Herbert is 92 years old and is a resident of Wiley Hall, Helen is 89 and lives
in the Health Pavilion as she has some additional healthcare needs.
Herb and Helen are originally from the Long Island area. Herb was drafted
into the Army in 1950 and served two years as a military police officer in
Germany. Upon his return to the states, Herb went to his cousin’s house for
a get-together and that is where he first met Helen. People were dancing and
having fun, and though Herb did not like to dance, Helen got him up on his
feet and dancing! They were married in Jamaica, Long Island and are
celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on February 12!
Herb was employed with Grumman, and he said he loved his work there
until he retired after 33 years of service. Helen worked for 17 years in the
Amityville School District. Herb and Helen loved to travel and visited many
places including France, Germany, and Sweden. Helen said she could not
pick one place as her favorite, as she loved them all! Herb had a gift for
creating models, sculptures, and jewelry, which helped him get this job with
Grumman. Herb made numerous pieces of jewelry for Helen, and generously donated other jewelry items.
Herb is a longstanding member of the Masonic Fraternity. His fa-
ther was a Mason, and Herb joined the Fraternity on March 3, 1950.
His home lodge was the Amityville Lodge No. 977 and in 2020, he
celebrated 70 years of standing in the Masonic Fraternity. When
Helen began to have mobility issues and they were having challeng-
es with home care services, Herb’s connection with the Fraternity
brought him to the Masonic Care Community for help. He knew
that he needed to find additional care for Helen. Helen shares that
the best part of living here is how well she is treated.
Since their arrival in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
MCC team has done a great job helping Herb and Helen stay con-
nected on our campus. This has included video calls and when we
were open for outdoor window visits, scheduling and supporting
visits for Herb to come over to the Health Pavilion and see Helen. When outdoor visitation was open at MCC,
staff used our resident bikes to “peddle” Helen over to Wiley Hall so she could see Herb.
Herb and Helen speak lovingly of each other and their lives together. While they were not able to have children,
they had each other and they enjoyed their jobs, their travels, and both say that they had the most wonderful,
incredible lives and they count themselves as blessed. It is amazing and inspiring to see the bond that Herb and
Helen share and the special relationship that they have.
Please join us in wishing both Herb and Helen a very happy 65th wedding anniversary as we celebrate with them
as part of our MCC family.
“Triple E” Award Winner - Melanie Perry
Every quarter, MCC awards one staff member who has gone above and beyond,
with the “Triple E” Award. The “Triple E” Award is awarded to an employee who
excels in the performance of their duties, contributes to the overall well-being of
all our residents, quality of life and creates a positive environment to work and
live.
In order to be considered for the “Triple E” Award, an employee must demon-
strate a set of characteristics. The employee up for consideration must be com-
mitted to the MCC core values and the care of our residents, have a clear view
of their job responsibilities and work with fellow staff members in a positive
and productive matter, and be confident in their knowledge and ability to per-
form their required duties. In addition, this employee must be respectful of our
residents and their families, assist other staff members, and be considerate of the
different work and life styles of others.
A “Triple E” Award winner is enthusiastic about their job, and brings energy and
vitality to the people they serve, as well as providing encouragement, and being a
listener, mentor, and advocate for their residents.
Most recently, the “Triple E” award was given to Melanie Perry, who is a CNA at the Health Pavilion. Melanie has
been at MCC since 2008, and goes above and beyond every day in order to provide an encouraging and caring
environment for both our residents and staff. Melanie is a great example of what the “Triple E” Award embodies,
and we are extremely proud to have her as part of our MCC team!
Thank You 1893 Society Donors for 2020!
We would like to once agani thank oue 1893 Society Donors for 2020. This past year
was like no other in our history. The virus had a significate impact on our opera-
tions, our staff and our residents. Yet our 1893 donors were there to support us. In
a time of fear and apprehension, our donors showed us kindness and compassion,
and we thank you. Please consider joining this very special group of MCC support-
ers in 2021 with your gift of $500 or more today. As we hope to rebuild following
the pandemic, your support would be greatly appreciated!
Acacia Village Residents Association McQuade & Bannigan
Bank of Utica Foundation, Inc. Medford Square Club Inc.
Jeanne Bennet Warren K. & Elizabeth M. Miller
Robert C. Bills Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund
Randy Bogar Michael & Ruth Morris Charity Fund
Catherine Brennan Elizabeth Moubray
Bob Butler Mara Mulligan
Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. Warren Mundrick
Vincent & Nancy Coyne Richard Murphy
D&D Jewelry Designs New York State Department of Health
Harry Dorman Old Town Lodge #908
Elif Erim Pastmasters Sister Circle
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Virginia E. Perino
Amy Falvo Francis & Ruth Pugliese
Mary Fibiger Robert Raffle
Foundation for Long Term Care (LeadingAge NY) Reliance Lodge No. 776 F. & A.M.
German Masonic Charitable Foundation SFCS
G. Stephan Getman Paula Sheppard
Mark Glick Judith Smith
Bart & Judy Gorman Stewart’s Shops
Roger H. Hamm Catherine Szenczy
Helmer’s Fuel & Trucking, Inc. Bruce Testut
Hendrick Hudson Lodge Spiro Triantafilis
The Hendry Charitable Family Fund Vietnam Veterans Chapter 944
Jerry W. Hutton Tami Welch
Inspiration Lodge No. 109 F. & A.M. Tamara Wheeler
William Kay Jean & Kurt Whitford
Elizabeth Kearns Shu Chun Xie
Dean & Ann Kelly, JAY-K Lumber Anonymous
Walter Leong
Kevin & Rose McCormick
We are also grateful for the following legacy gifts to MCC in 2020 from the following:
Raymond Clark Gerald & Ethel White
Evelyn Stephenson Raymond Willard
Heroes at W rk
A Newsletter for Friends of the Masonic Care Community
MCC Receives Best of the Best Honors
The Best of the Best” awards are presented by the Utica Observer Dis-
patch, and are given in order to celebrate the best our community has to
offer. There are twelve overall categories, with sub-categories within those
twelve. A list of nominations is posted for each of the sub-categories, and
the community has the opportunity to vote on their favorites.
This year, the Masonic Care Community was nominated in four different
categories; Best Local Nursing Home, Best Local Home Health Care, Best
Local Child Care Center, and Best Local Assisted Living Facility.
We are honored to announce that MCC has been named the winner for
Best Local Nursing Home at the Health Pavilion, Best Local Assisted
Living Facility at Wiley Hall, and Best Local Home Health Care at Aca-
cia Home Care. In addition, the MCC Child Care program was named a
finalist in the Best Local Child Care Center category. We are proud to be
a repeat Best of the Best winner here at MCC!
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