Oak Hill Cemetery

Oak Hill Cemetery, Varick, New York

Oak Hill Cemetery, with a recorded history dating back to 1797,

lies within the Town of Varick in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Oak Hill Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Seneca County. It is located in the town of Varick, settlement of McDuffie Town, Lot 76. Oak Hill Cemetery dates back to 1797 when the body of a man named Bowman was carried two miles until the bearers discovered the beautiful wooded tract of land on the slope of a ravine that was selected as his last resting place.

In 1806 a family named McDuffie immigrated to what is now the town of Varick. In a few years it was named McDuffie Town. The First Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the higher level of the oak wooded ravine. The body of Bowman rested in the shadow of the church edifice. The original log structure has been replaced twice with more modern buildings.

We Remember
James "Jimmy" Allan Hicks

March 27, 1935 - January 11, 2024

Jimmy volunteered decades of his expertise and services to the Oak Hill Cemetery. He was instrumental in rescuing the cemetery from its once dilapidated state, and serving as both Treasurer and President for the Oak Hill Cemetery Association. His dedication to the cemetery is evidenced by its current beautiful and tranquil state. He is missed.

James "Jimmy" Hicks Obituary

James Allan "Jimmy" Hicks, age 88, of Willard passed away at home on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Jimmy was born in Varick on March 27, 1935, a son of the late Allan and Clara Belle (nee Gable) Hicks. He graduated from Romulus High School in 1954, remaining close with his graduating classmates throughout his entire life. Jimmy joined the United States Army serving from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957. A talented carpenter, he was employed by the Local Carpenters Union 187 in Geneva, retiring as a Supervising Foreman in 1994.

An avid rabbit hunter, Jimmy owned several beagles and a German shorthaired pointer that he proudly trained. He was a lifetime member of the South Seneca Sportsmen’s Club and collected duck decoys. While at home, Jimmy enjoyed taking care of the wild animals around his property feeding the birds, deer, and turkeys. He was a vital part of the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, serving as treasurer for many years before becoming President of the Association. Jimmy always put others before himself and was an amazing husband, father, and friend. His love and friendship will be deeply missed.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara Hicks; three daughters, Dionne (Steve) Carey, Kelly (Rick) Zona, and Grace (Dan Rapini) Jensen; four grandchildren, Dionne (Travis) Bortz, Kyle (Lora) Carey, Gregory (Sarah) Carey, and Laurena Jensen; three great grandchildren, Landyn Carey, Wyatt Armando Freelove, and Emerson Leigh Bortz; sister Alice “Corky” Howard; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by a brother, William Hicks; and a sister, Virginia LaBour.

Information about individuals buried in this cemetery can be found under Oak Hill Cemetery, McDuffie Town, Seneca County, NY on the Find a Grave website at https://www.findagrave.com. Note, Find a Grave lists the location of the cemetery as McDuffie Town, a former name for the community now known as the Town of Varick. Further, mapping programs identify the location of the cemetery as Romulus because the Town of Varick falls under the Romulus zip code.

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