Obituary of Bernice "Gail" A. Fingar

On Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, our Mother, our teacher, our shining light, Bernice Gail Andersen Fingar, age 87, of Penn Yan, NY passed away at the Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home after a brief illness. Gail was born on February 9th, 1936 in Penn Yan to Lester and Mildred (Kennerson) Andersen of Benton Center, NY. Gail attended country school in Benton Center for grades 1 through 5, then went on to grades 6 through 12 in the Penn Yan school system. She graduated from Penn Yan Academy third in her class, and as a four-year member of the National Honor Society in 1953. Gail married the love of her life, Burt Fingar, on November 20th, 1954. Between periods as a stay-at-home Mother to raise and nurture her children, Gail worked as a secretary and receptionist for New York State Electric and Gas, local attorneys (Paul R. Taylor/Justin Corcoran; Anthony Geraci; Frederick Dugan/Weston Palmer), and in the Yates County Court System, retiring as County Family Court Clerk, and Deputy Surrogates Court Clerk in 1995. As a youth, Gail was a member of the Benton United Methodist Church. As an adult, she was a member of the Benevolent Patriotic Order of Does, the Women of the Moose, and volunteered for many years at the Moose Lodge. Gail was involved with youth as an elementary school room mother, a Cub Scout den mother, a Brownie Scout leader, with the Penn Yan Little League Auxiliary, and with the Yates Day Care Center as a board member and officer. Gail was also a volunteer (Guardian) with the Yates County ARC, and with the Yates County Office of the Aging. Gail enjoyed bowling (as a member in various leagues), doing crossword puzzles and other word games, playing cards, and entertaining family and friends. She especially enjoyed giving gifts and treats to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gail was pre-deceased by her husband Burton E. Fingar in 2013, her father Lester Andersen, her mother Mildred Kennerson Andersen Covell, her step-father Ernest Covell, and her sister Joyce (Andersen) and brother-in-law Joe Buckley. Gail is survived by her brother David Covell; her sons Jeffrey (Carla) Fingar, and Barry (Karen) Fingar; her daughters Kimberly (Ric) Soares, and Tammy Fingar. Gail is also survived by her grandchildren Haley (Bill) Barrar, Troy, and Megan Fingar; Aaron (Amy), and Adam Fingar; and Brittany (Nick) DeBack, Taylor, and Paige Boulter; and great grandchildren Gwendolen and Isla Barrar, and Gavin Fingar, as well as several cousins, and nieces and nephews. Per Gail's wishes, there will be no calling hours, or funeral service. Instead, a celebration of her life will be held at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in Penn Yan on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 1pm. Gail's family would like to thank the staff and nurses at the Penn Yan Manor for the excellent care and attention that our Mother received while a resident there. Memorial donations may be made in Gail Fingar's Memory to Penn Yan Manor c/o Jessica Fish, 655 N Liberty Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Memories of Gail may be shared with her family and friends at townsendwoodzinger.com.