Obituary of Menzo David Case II

SENECA FALLS - Our beloved Dad, Menzo David Case, II, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 13, 2023. Menzo began his life of service to God, family, and community on November 1, 1963, in Gloversville, NY. A lifelong patriot and supporter of veterans, Menzo served in the Marines from 1981 to 1986, achieving the rank of Sargeant and stationed in both Korea and Japan. He then went on to earn an accounting degree from SUNY Albany and became a certified public accountant. Menzo began his decorated professional career at KPMG, where he was soon promoted to Supervising Senior before moving on to Gloversville Federal Savings and Loan as an Executive Vice President. In 1999, he began working at the Seneca Falls Savings Bank, today known as Generations Bank, serving first as the bank's CFO and eventually becoming the bank's President and CEO in 2008. He poured his passion and abilities into running and growing Generations Bank, and under his leadership, Generations grew from a single location in Seneca Falls to ten locations spanning four counties. Throughout his career, Menzo demonstrated an unfaltering work ethic and profound loyalty to those he worked with. Menzo is renowned for his tireless work in the community of Seneca Falls and the Finger Lakes Region. He believed Seneca Falls was a very special place and wanted to share this special community with others by supporting its unique heritage as the birthplace of the Women's Suffrage Movement and its proud status as the real Bedford Falls, the setting of the Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life. Several well-wishers have referred to Dad as a real-life George Bailey, the spirit of which is captured by his most recent endeavor, the Bailey Park Housing Development, which is intended to bring high quality, multigenerational housing to the community, and by coauthoring the first downtown revitalization grant, which provided Seneca Falls with $10 million in funds. As yet another extension of his generous spirit, he devoted time and counsel to local business owners and to anyone else who may have needed advice or a helpful hand to get back on their feet. He further shared his talents and expertise by serving on 25+ boards, such as the Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council with The Federal Reserve Bank New York, National Women's Hall of Fame, Northeast College of Health Sciences, Finger Lakes Health, and REV Theater Company. He also spearheaded the efforts to establish many community businesses and promote initiatives, including Café 19, transitional housing for women, the Purple Heart Trail, the Women's Right to Run 19K, the Honor House, the Generations Bell Park, and the Women's Walk of Fame, to name just a few. His commitment to honoring veterans led him to serve on a committee that successfully campaigned to name Sampson Veteran's Memorial Cemetery the first NYS Veteran's Cemetery. Menzo was especially devoted to Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County, which was driven by his deep empathy and persistent desire to help those in need. He and our mom were both on the Board of Directors for 20 years, but Menzo preferred to get his hands dirty and lead by example. He could be found on site 2-3 times a week and helped build over 30 Habitat Houses, including their first transitional home for families waiting for a house. We're so proud of our dad and his servant's heart that taught us to volunteer not for recognition but "because it's the right thing to do". Our Dad believed in not only serving in the community but also in the church. He served as an Elder at Finger Lakes Christian Fellowship for over 18 years. He strove to help others apply biblical principles in their lives and did so by starting a Sunday School program with our mom and offering counseling to married couples and young adults. His church family were his dear brothers and sisters in Christ, and he relished the opportunity to fellowship, worship, and serve God alongside them. Please know just how important you all were to him. Menzo is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 40 years Susan Steiger Case, and his four children: Jacqueline Sluk (Nate Sluk), Dezarée Kier (Christopher Kier), Racquel Martin (Michael Martin), and Zachary Case. Our family is consoled by the knowledge of our father's endless love and devotion to us. His wife, Susan, was the apple of his eye, his dearly beloved, his best friend, his everything. He would move heaven and earth to help her, protect her, and show her just how important she was to him. He made each of us children feel so cherished. He invested so much of his time and efforts into each of us and was our absolute rock and support. We are beyond heartbroken to have to say goodbye so soon. We will never forget his generosity, creativity, and humor. We will forever cherish the memories of competitive family game nights, family vacations that never lasted quite long enough, and dad making us laugh to the point of tears, both ours and his. Our dad had recently started a new chapter in his life as "Topo Gigio" and "Pop", the titles he greatly preferred to just being called grandpa. He had three grandsons, Peter, Joshua, and baby Henry. Peter and Joshua were blessed to have the opportunity to know our dad, and he was utterly overjoyed to be able to know them. Menzo was loved by so many other relatives as well. He is predeceased by his mother, Virginia Szabo, whom he missed and adored and always spoke about with a glimmer in his eye. He's also predeceased by his son Edward Case, who we know he's holding in his arms, and his father-in-law, Henry Steiger, who he admired for his humble, hardworking, and grateful nature. We're so happy to know he's reunited with them all. He is survived by his siblings Timothy Case, Nancy Harden, Ginger Countryman (Michael), and Luke Szabo (Chasity) whom he enjoyed laughing and sharing stories with, father and golfing buddy Dan Szabo (Ann), mother-in-law, Elizabeth Steiger, who he would certainly say looks beautiful today, and his siblings-in-law, Elizabeth Korona (Michael), Larry Steiger (Carol), and Jeffrey Steiger (Christine), with each of whom he shared a special bond. He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews whom he would want to know how much he cherished them. Our Dad's deep faith in God taught us to put God first in all things. In these most difficult of times, we take enormous comfort in knowing that he has now entered into eternal rest and is at the side of the Savior that he loved so much because He first loved him. He has now undoubtedly heard Him say, "well done, my good and faithful servant." In lieu of flowers, we know our dad would prefer donations to be made to Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County. Even better, volunteer your time at a Habitat House. To donate in his memory, please mail to 20 East Bayard Street, Seneca Falls, NY or visit their website at HabitatSeneca.org. Calling hours will be from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Friday, October 20th at Coe-Genung Funeral Home located at 46 West Main Street, Waterloo, NY 13165. His funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 21st in the Delevan Theater of the Northeast College of Health Sciences located at 2360 NY-89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148. Immediately following the funeral, a Celebration of Life reception will be held in the dining hall at the same location. During the Celebration of Life reception, we invite the community to share stories and memories of our dad. Our family would also like to invite members of the community to a dedicated church service at 10:00 AM on Sunday, October 22nd at Finger Lakes Christian Fellowship located at 83 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148. Condolences and remembrances may be sent to www.coegenungfuneralhome.com.