OBITS: Times Herald-Record 18 Apr 2005; Middletown, Orange co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: Times Herald-Record http://www.recordonline.com Basilico, Harold Patrick Formerly of Cornwall, N.Y. Harold Patrick Basilico, 80, of Las Vegas Nev., a former resident of Cornwall, N.Y., passed away April 15, 2005. Born March 17, 1925 in Queens, N.Y., he served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater. After the war he worked for AT&T while using the G.I. Bill to graduate from Fairleigh Dickenson University. Harold retired from AT&T as a senior executive and moved to Las Vegas. He volunteered as a senior citizen employment trainer for A.A.R.P. and taught retirement planning to military personnel for the U.S.A.A. Educational Foundation. He was also a member of Loyal Order of Moose. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, he is survived by his wife of 20 years, Arlene; his children: Barbara Walter of Batavia, Ill., Bruce of Cornwall, N.Y., Brian of Aurora, Ill.; and step-sons Nick Dispensa of Bowler, Wis., and David Dispensa of Pahrump, Nev.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by his first wife, Rose Basilico. Harold will always be remembered for his positive attitude and belief in the human spirit. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 19 from 4-7 PM at Palm Mortuary-Cheyenne, Las Vegas, Nev. Services will be Wednesday, April 20 at 11:00 AM at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nev. For more information, please call 702-464-8480 Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005. DeGraw, Mariah Lee Mariah Lee DeGraw, our darling daughter, died unexpectedly Friday April 15, 2005 as a result of a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Thompson. She was 25. The daughter of Allan DeGraw, Sr. and Carla Oliver DeGraw, she was born September 24, 1979 in Nyack, N.Y. Mariah enjoyed life and did everything possible to brighten everyone else's life. She wanted to make the world smile. She is survived by her parents, Allan and Carla DeGraw; her daughter, Allura Lynn DeGraw; a brother, Allan DeGraw, Jr.; a sister, Alisha Lynn DeGraw; and a nephew, Gavin Donald, all at home; maternal grandfather, Frank Oliver of Woodbourne; paternal grandfather, Walter DeGraw of Cairo; paternal grandmother, Julia DeGraw VanDunk of Bloomingburg; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Molly Oliver. Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 19, 2005 from 4-7 PM at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a fund to benefit Mariah's daughter, Allura. These contributions can be addressed to Debbie Walsh, P.O. Box 457, Slate Hill, NY 10973. Arrangements are by the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional service information, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005. Farrell, Charlotte Charlotte Farrell, a resident of Westerleigh, Staten Island, formerly of Brooklyn, N.Y., died April 15, 2005, at her sister's home in Marlboro, N.Y. She was a teacher of the visually impaired at PS 102 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She was a graduate of the College of Staten Island with a Masters in Special Education from Columbia University. She was an amateur pilot, loved jogging in the park with her dog, "Czarina", enjoyed skydiving, was proficient in Braille and enjoyed traveling. She was the beloved daughter of Charlotte (nee Ciano) and Robert Farrell; cherished sister of Robert Jr., Anne Giordano, Julia Farrell-Falco, Joseph, and the late John; loving aunt of five nieces and three nephews; dear niece of Julia and John Ciano. Friends may call Sunday and Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the funeral home. Service will be in Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard at Willowbrook Rd., S.I., N.Y. on Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, S.I., N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Juvenial Diabetes Assoc. or Orange County Hospice. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 4/17/2005 - 4/18/2005. Gerke, Kathryn T. Kathryn T. Gerke, a housewife and 50 year resident of the area, died Friday April 15, 2005, at her residence. She was 77. The daughter of the late Edward Colvell and Anna Baresich Colvell, she was born September 24, 1927 in New York, N.Y. She was the widow of Allen W. Gerke. Kathryn was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Highland Falls and a past member of Hillcrest Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary in Hillcrest, N.Y. She is survived by four daughters: Kathy Ann Gonzales of Fayetteville, N.C., Barbara Gerke-Longamore of Dallas, Ga., Wendy E. Gerke of Highland Falls, and Valarie J. Gerke of Fort Montgomery, N.Y.; two sisters, Lois Morney at Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. and Arlene Sadler of Forestburgh, N.Y.; one brother, Edward J. Colvell of Dayton, Ohio; eight grandchildren: Caitlin, Danielle, Nina, Christie, Nicole, Sarah, Gabrielle and Katarina; two great-grandchildren, Michael and Courtney; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Monday April 18, 2005 at William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main St., Highland Falls, N.Y., with prayer services at 3:00 PM in the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Route 9W, Fort Montgomery, N.Y. with the Rev. Jack Arlotta officiating. Burial will be in Eagle Valley Cemetery in the Town of Highlands, N.Y. Arrangements are by William F. Hogan Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005. Gibbs, Timothy V. Timothy V. Gibbs, a lifelong area resident, died unexpectantly on Friday April 15, 2005. He was 20 years old. The son of Vaughn and Patricia MacGregor Gibbs, Timothy was born April 26, 1984 in Middletown. Timothy was a 2002 graduate of Pine Bush High School, where he was a star basketball player, and also played for C.Y.O and A.A.U. He was a self-employed contractor in Burlingham. Timothy enjoyed working on his Hondas and the Friday night car shows, but especially enjoyed spending time with his daughter. Timothy is survived by his parents, Vaughn and Patricia MacGregor Gibbs of Middletown; one sister, Emily Gibbs of Middletown; one daughter, Caitlin Gibbs of Middletown; his companion, Erica McGuiness of Middletown; maternal grandmother, Rita MacGregor of Middletown; paternal grandparents, Nona Gibbs of Summerville, S.C. and Herbert Gibbs and his wife, Louise, of Atlanta, Ga.; great grandmother, Nancy Walker of Summerville, NC; one aunt, Jane MacGregor of New Windsor; three uncles: Bill MacGregor and his wife, Cathy, of Pearl River, Bruce MacGregor and his wife, Sharon, of Bloomingburg, and Daryl Gibbs and his wife, Barbara, of Atlanta, Ga.; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Timothy was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Bill MacGregor, and one uncle, Timothy Gibbs. Family and friends may visit on Tuesday, April 19 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Ave., Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 20 at 11:00 AM in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a fund to benefit Timothy's daughter, Caitlin. Contributions can be addressed to Rita MacGregor, 455 Schutt Road Ext., Apt 605, Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. "POWERED BY HONDA!" Published in the Times Herald-Record from 4/18/2005 - 4/19/2005. Johnson Sr., Joseph A. Joseph A. Johnson Sr. of Goshen, a retired mechanic with McBride Trucking and a lifelong resident of the area, died Friday, April 15, 2005 in Orange Regional Medical Center in Goshen. He was 89. The son of the late Amos and Minnie Sloat Johnson, he was born January 27, 1916 in Goshen, N.Y. Survivors include his wife, Helen Pierpoint Johnson, at home; his son, Joseph Johnson Jr. and his wife, Dierra, of Mission Viejo, Calif.; his daughter, Nancy Hough and her husband, John, of New Hampton; his sister, Sarah Reimert of Wurtsboro; his grandchildren: Brian and Brad Magie, Donna Paccione, Cindy Kowalewski, Julie Johnson, Linda Rischer, Robin Pugh and Diane Wermager; his great-grandchildren: Amanda, Melissa, Michelle, Aimee, Brian, Jessica, Christian, Zachary, Jasmine, Rory, Brian, Kristin, Erin, Edward, Shane, Korey and Wyatt. He is also survived by one great-great-grandson and several nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be held from 7-9 PM on Monday April 18, 2005 at the Lippincott Funeral Chapel, Inc., 107 Murray Ave., Goshen, N.Y. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 19 at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Slate Hill Cemetery, Goshen, N.Y.ippincott Funeral Chapel, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 4/17/2005 - 4/18/2005. Kaus, Jane A. Jane A. Kaus, 86, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., passed away on Sunday April 17, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Jane was born in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. on October 8, 1918 to Albert Vreeland and Elsie Hart Free. She moved to Yonkers as a child and was a 1937 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Yonkers. On March 14, 1941, in Bronx, N.Y., she married Frank B. Kaus, Sr., and they moved to the Crestwood section of Yonkers, where she lived until relocating to Pleasant Valley in 1984. Jane was predeceased by Frank on April 3, 1990. Jane was a kind and loving person whose great love was her grandchildren, reading, flowers and sports, particularly the New York Yankees. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Church. She was loved by all who knew her and will deeply be missed. She is survived by a son, Frank Kaus, Jr. of Hopewell Junction; and three daughters: Linda Kaus of East Stroudsburg, Pa., Mary Elizabeth Comizio of Montgomery, N.Y., and Jane Carr of Seneca, S.C.; along with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jane is also survived by a sister, Marion Basile of Maine. She was predeceased by a brother, Albert V. Free. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday April 19, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main St., Pleasant Valley, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM at St. Stanislaus Church, Route 44, Pleasant Valley, N.Y., with Father Charles Quinn officiating. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y. If you would like to send the family a condolence, please visit www.HudsonValleyFuneralHomes.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005. Kistner, Stephen F. Stephen F. Kistner of Circleville, a retired electrical engineer and lifelong resident of the area, died Saturday April 16, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center at Horton in Middletown. He was 78. The son of Fred and Vida Fitch Kistner, he was born on October 24, 1926 in Middletown, N.Y. A veteran, Mr. Kistner served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of VFW Post 4947; the Hoffman Lodge #412 F & AM; and a member of SCORE. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Goshen and served as a former member of the Vestry. Survivors include his wife, Teresa Kistner, at home; his son, Stephen Kistner and his wife, Linda, of Middletown; and his granddaughters, Kelly and Holly. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond Kistner and his wife, Jane, of the state of Florida; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Monday April 18, 2005 at Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main St. in Middletown, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 19 at St. James Episcopal Church in Goshen, N.Y. Burial will be at the Orange County Veteran Cemetery in Goshen, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to: National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 or to the St. James Restoration Fund, 1 St. James Place, Goshen, NY 10924. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005. Martel, Catherine Alicia Catherine Alicia Martel, of Newburgh, a homemaker and longtime area resident, entered into rest on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at home. She was 92. Daughter of the late Matthew and Elizabeth Jennings, she was born February 23, 1913 in New York City. She was married to the late Theodore J. Martel on October 18, 1941. Catherine was a lifetime member of the Dan Leghorn Engine Co. Women's Auxiliary, where she was the oldest living member, and a member of the Town of Newburgh Golden Age Club. We will greatly miss her smiling blue Irish eyes that always had a sparkle in them. She loved her family and her sunsets on Orange Lake, where she made her home for almost 65 years. Her greatest joy was having her grandchildren around her, especially her two newest great-grandsons, Johnny and Antonio, both 9 months old. Our mom was a kind, lovely lady who left us the legacy that family is everything. Our Sunday family dinners will not be the same without her. Thank you, Mom, for being the best mother we could hope for. Survivors include her children: Kathleen Martel Sileno of Newburgh, Theodore Martel of Poughkeepsie, and Marilyn Riccio and her husband, Vincent Riccio, Jr., of Newburgh; her grandchildren: Michael Sileno and his wife, Misty, of Okemos, Mich., Kathleen Sileno and her husband, Angel, of Wallkill, John Sileno and his wife, Jennine, of Newburgh, Seth Martel and Laura Martel of Poughkeepsie, and Jennifer Riccio and Heather Riccio of Newburgh; and great grandchildren: Michael, Tyler and Gabriella Sileno of Michigan, and John Christopher Sileno and Antonio Sileno Rios. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her great-granddaughter, Victoria Sileno Rios; brothers: James, Matthew, William and Thomas Jennings; and sisters: Marion Lynch, Lily Kennedy, Eileen Ehlberg, Susan Jennings, and Margaret Jennings. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Monday, April 18, at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, April 19 in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh. Memorial contributions on Catherine's behalf may be sent to Dan Leghorn Engine Co. Women's Auxiliary, 104-106 S. Plank Rd., Newburgh, NY 12550. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 4/17/2005 - 4/18/2005. Menshen, Everett W. Everett W. Menshen of Middletown, a retired trucker and woodworker, and a lifelong resident of the area, died Friday April 15, 2005 in Liberty, N.Y. He was 84. The son of the late William and Mabel Parker Menshen, he was born April 10, 1921 in Middletown, N.Y. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the 101st Airborne Division and was discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant. He was highly decorated and earned many citations during his service in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Hilda Menshen, at home; his daughter, Barbara Mineo of Portsmouth, Va.; his sister, Marion Luersen of Prospect, Conn.; his grandchildren, Wayne Bringazi and Theresa Willoughby; his great-grandchildren: J.P. Odom, Tiffany Nicole Willoughby and Breena Leigh Willoughby; his nieces and nephews: Beverly Petrozak and her husband, David, of Middletown, Wayne Tiffany of New Jersey, John and Gordon Luersen, Lynn Priebe, Shirley Kinney, Beverley Garzon, all of Liberty, William Bertholf, James Bertholf, Eileen Wohltjen and Victoria Kurzrock, all of the Town of Fallsburg; and his special friends: Larry, Susan and Larissa Griffiths. He was predeceased by his sister, Jessie Tiffany. Visitation hours will be held from 4-7 PM on Tuesday April 19, 2005 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main St., Middletown, N.Y. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 11:00 AM in St. John's Lutheran Church, Mt. Hope Rd., Middletown, N.Y. Burial will be held in Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or the Sullivan County Adult Care Family Council. Arrangements were made by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 4/17/2005 - 4/18/2005. Morrison, Agnes Caddigan Agnes Caddigan Morrison, a longtime area resident, died Saturday April 16, 2005 at O.R.M.C., Horton Campus. She was 93 years old. The daughter of the late James J. and Catherine Creeden Caddigan, Agnes was born on December 28, 1911 in New York City. Agnes was a graduate of Middletown High School and Douglas College. Agnes is survived by one daughter, Catherine A. Ripley of Middletown; two sons, James W. Morrison and his wife, Mary, of Jamestown, N.C., and Michael J. Morrison and his wife, Jean, of Middletown; seven grandchildren: Susan Rivera and her husband, John, Michael Morrison and his wife, Kimberly, Patricia Johnston and her husband, Joseph, Christine Knibbs and her husband, Gary, Robert Ripley and his wife, Karen, Melissa Corn and her husband, Christopher, Dr. James Morrison and his wife, Dr. Karen Morrison; seven great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Kelcie, Andrew, Olivia, Grace, Samantha and Thomas; and one nephew, James Martin of Jackson Heights, N.Y. Agnes was predeceased by her husband, James T. Morrison, in 1988, and by one sister, Loretta Martin, in 2001. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in the family plot at St. Stephen's Cemetery, Warwick, N.Y. Donations in Agnes' name may be made to The American Heart Association or The American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005. Presto Jr., Charles "Charlie" Formerly of Matamoras, Pa. Charles "Charlie" Presto Jr., presently of Titusville, Pa. and a lifelong resident of Matamoras, Pa., a retired lineman for GTE, Port Jervis, a retired salesman for TSE Plumbing, Port Jervis and Cooper's Dairy, Port Jervis, and the Flo-Jean Restaurant, Port Jervis, died Friday April 15, 2005 at Pittsburgh V.A. Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was 69. The son of the late Charles J. Presto and Minnie Scheels Presto, he was born May 26, 1935 in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was married to Catherine "Kay" Caliciotti Presto. He was a member of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa.; a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Korean War, serving from 1954 to 1957, specializing in heating certification. He was actively involved with the Pop Warner Football League. He sang with the St. Mary's and Port Jervis Barber Shop Choir, and he also appeared on the Artist's Guild Show, singing many Italian songs. He had a love for music, especially country, enjoyed watching WWE Wrestling and cooking. His love for his children and grandchildren were never unnoticed. Survivors include his wife, Catherine "Kay" Presto, at home; seven sons: Charles Presto III and wife, Vicki, of Port Jervis, Richard Presto of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Tyrone Presto Sr. and wife, Loretta, of Plymouth, Pa., Jeff Presto and wife, Becky, of Pleasantville, Pa., Dwayne Presto of Bedford, N.J., Dana Presto Sr. and wife, Barbara, of Port Jervis, Timmy Presto Sr. of Matamoras, Pa.; and one daughter, Lisa Presto of Scranton, Pa.; 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mr Presto is also survived by two brothers, Larry Presto of Pleasantville, PA, and Joseph Presto of Sun Valley, Nevada; three sisters, Dorothy Tippens of Lancaster, Ohio, Rose Wentz of Port Jervis, NY and Connie Davenport of Port Jervis, NY. He was predeceased by his infant son, Gregory; a sister, Mildred Tampier; and a brother, Anthony "Tony" Presto. Friends may call Tuesday April 19, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. Father Antony will officiate a vigil wake service to be held at 3:00 PM. The funeral will be on Wednesday, April 20 at 10:15 AM in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM in St. Mary's Church, Port Jervis with the Rev. Antony Iqnaci officiating. Burial with military honors will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, N.Y. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans) Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send a condolence note, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 4/18/2005 - 4/19/2005. Shea, Rosemary Bowers Rosemary Bowers Shea, 68, passed away peacefully, Saturday April 16, 2005, at AO Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta. She was born February 28, 1937 in Roscoe, the daughter of Jack and Frederica (Goodrich) Bowers. Rosemary graduated Oneonta State Teachers College in 1958 and was a member of Alpha Kappa Phi Sorority. She was a certified elementary teacher and taught briefly at Charlotte Valley Central School. Rosemary was very active in Oneonta and Davenport local politics. She was an elected member of the Oneonta City School Board in 1974, and played an instrumental role in preventing the closing of Center Street School. In 1976 she was a Delegate to the Democratic Convention, and later was invited by the President of the United States and Mrs. Carter to the White House. Rosemary was also the Vice-Chair and Chair of the Otsego County Democratic Committee; she was one of the first woman county chairs in New York State. Rosemary was employed by the New York State Labor Department from 1976 to 1978. She was the Owner/Broker of Shea-Meadow Reality from 1986 to 2000. Rosemary was also the Town of Davenport Assessor for six years. Rosemary's interest and hobbies were quilting, traveling, camping, spending time at her cottage in Quebec, and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her children: Michael Shea and his wife, Julie, Brian Shea and his companion, Judy Speranzi, Daniel Shea and his wife, Christine, Patrick Shea and his wife, Rebecca, Dennis Shea and his wife, Patty Anne, Mathew Shea and his companion, Kelly MacPherson, and Mary Kate Shea and her husband, Michael Miglianti; her grandchildren, Jimmy, Megan, Leah, Mike, Jessica, Brittany, Breelin, Emily, Natalie, Delaney, Abigail, Sarah, Danny, Lila, Brian Shea, Michael and Brad Shires; three brothers: Edward, Allen, and Jon Bowers; and also by her former husband, Dennis Shea. Calling hours will be held from 6-8 PM on Monday April 18, 2005 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 19 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Oneonta. Contributions may be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute. Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 4/18/2005.