|
 Community
bids farewell to Peter Raneri, Sr.
Longest-serving board member dies at the age of 94
after 44 years of service to area school districts
Peter Raneri, Sr. was remembered by his colleagues on the
HFM BOCES Board of Education as a jolly gentleman, the
ambassador of education in the region, and a deeply
thoughtful person who always put the needs of students
first.
“Peter would listen carefully, think things over and then
make a decision,” said HFM board member Joseph Sullivan. “We
will miss his stability. No matter what decision had to be
made, Peter always brought us back to the basics, that we
are doing this for the students.”
 Five
board members present for a Jan. 29 special board meeting
echoed Mr. Sullivan’s sentiments.
“He was a gentleman through and through,” said board member
Josephine Watts. “I met Peter when I was just a little kid,”
she added, noting that both her father and Mr. Raneri worked
in the local leather industry.
HFM BOCES board members are also active members of the New
York State School Boards Association. “We went to NYSSBA
meetings together every year,” recalled HFM board member
David Edwards. “With Peter, you went to every session. There
was no free time. We were there to work.”
Harold Walker joined the HFM BOCES board in the early 1990s,
but he worked with Mr. Raneri prior to that when he served
on the Canajoharie board of education while Mr. Raneri
served on the Johnstown board. “We always sat next to each
other,” said Mr. Walker of their time serving on the HFM
board. “I am going to miss having him right next to me.”
 HFM
board president Robert Townsend said that when he joined the
HFM board in the mid 1990s, Mr. Raneri was serving as
president. “My first impression of him at the time was that
he was the ‘ambassador for education’ representing what was
best for kids. He did the same when he was at Johnstown,
too.”
Mr. Raneri was first elected to the Johnstown Board of
Education in 1964, where he served for 15 years before his
election to the HFM BOCES Board of Education in 1979. He
continued to serve on the HFM board until his death on
Friday, Jan. 25.
 In
2002, Mr. Raneri received the HFM BOCES Service Award.
Recipients of this annual award are chosen for their
contributions in helping BOCES meet its mission: To enhance
education through leadership, services and programs enabling
individuals, school districts and the community to achieve
their standards of excellence. It is the highest honor
conferred by the BOCES, and it is generated through
nominations by the staff.
Although his health had been declining of late, Mr. Raneri
continued to be a presence at HFM, attending board meetings
and BOCES functions when his health allowed.
 His
dedication to area students caught the attention of New York
State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills a year ago
when he presented Mr. Raneri with a framed citation honoring
him for serving as the longest-tenured board member in New
York State.
In May, the New York State School Boards Association
presented Mr. Raneri with a certificate of appreciation and
a pin for his 40+ years of service to area students.
Mr. Raneri was president of the HFM BOCES Board of Education
when the decision was made in 1996 to hire Dr. Geoffrey H.
Davis as district superintendent of HFM.
 “I
truly appreciate all that Peter has done for the students of
our area, and all the leadership he brought to both the
Johnstown school district and to HFM BOCES,” said Dr. Davis.
“To the end, he was committed to serving on our board and
contributing what he could. Our kindest thoughts rest with
Peter's memory and legacy, and we wish his family peace in
their loss.”
Mr. Raneri’s family, in turn, has expressed their
appreciation for the many ways that the HFM BOCES community
has honored Mr. Raneri’s contributions, and for the many
kindnesses and remembrances they have received.
Family, friends, colleagues to pay their respects
A viewing has been scheduled for 3-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1
at Barter and Donnan Funeral Home, 1 North Melcher Street,
Johnstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11
a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at St. Anthony’s Church, Nicholas
Street, Johnstown. A celebration of life will follow at the
Immaculate Conception social center on Cayadutta Street,
Johnstown at about 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Raneri’s family has established a
scholarship fund in memory of Peter and Rose Raneri. Checks
should be forwarded to Citizen’s Bank, 17 S. Market Street,
Johnstown NY 12095 and made out to Peter G. Raneri. |
