Obituary of Wendell W. Hoone

Wendell W. Hoone died Saturday March 30, 2013 in New Port Richey, FL. Born in Greensburg, PA. Aug. 30, 1931, he attended Mercersburg Academy, PA and was awarded a full tuition scholarship to Syracuse University in Track and Field were he set records in pole vault, high hurdles, and high jump. A member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity he graduated with a degree in architecture from SU in 1956. After two years as an Army Ranger, with the rank of First Lt., he returned to Syracuse to begin what would become a life long career as a practicing architect. He was a partner in King and King Architects and worked on several prominent buildings in Central New York and around the country. His preferred role was that of project architect and his favorite buildings included the Bird Library at Syracuse University and Newhouse 1 also at SU where he served as project architect for I.M. Pei the designer of the building. Hoone relocated to Florida in the early 1980s where he worked at Bitterli and Associates Architects, Inc. in St. Petersburg. He continued to work on large-scale commercial and educational projects where his skill as a problem solver on the job site was admired and respected by both clients and contractors. He was a kind and humble man quick to acknowledge the accomplishments of family and friends, and generous with his time and resources. In Florida he was very active in his church, the Calvary Chapel Worship Center, and along with his wife Gayle Hoone he also ran several recovery homes through Life Ministries, in New Port Richey. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Hoone, his brother Ralph and his son Christopher Daniel. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Gayle Hoone; a brother, Joseph Hoone, Indianapolis, IN; his children, Sharon H. Higgins (Daniel), Fairport, NY; Jeffrey J. Hoone (Carrie Mae Weems), Syracuse, NY; Maureen Kay Hoone, Syracuse, NY; Timothy J. Hoone (Jodi), Crescent City, CA.; the mother of his children, Kathleen O'Mara Ellis, Syracuse, NY; his grandchildren, Zachary, Michael, and Maureen Higgins, and Anna M. Hoone; a step child, Lynn Paul, Dunedin, FL; and a step granddaughter Jessica Kaufman. Services: A memorial service will be held on April 13 at 3 PM at the Calvary Chapel Worship Center in New Port Richey, FL. A burial service at St. Mary's Cemetery in Skaneateles, NY will be private. A memorial service in Syracuse will be held at a later date. Contributions: may be made in Wendell's memory to St. Charles Church Food Pantry, 417 S. Orchard Rd. Syracuse, NY 13219 or the S.P.C.A. 5878 E Molloy Rd. Syracuse, NY13211.