OBITS: Times Herald-Record 1 Aug 2005; Middletown, Orange co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** 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 Abrams, Michael J. Michael J. Abrams, a heavy equipment operator for Allied Excavating in Warwick, N.Y., and lifelong resident of the area, died Friday July 29, 2005 in Highland Mills, N.Y. He was 22. The son of Kevin J. Abrams and Loraine B. Gordon Abrams, he was born August 26, 1982 in Middletown, N.Y. A family statement reads: "Michael loved his family and friends. He was a person who had many hobbies and lived life to its fullest. He will be sadly missed by all." He is survived by his parents, Kevin J. and Loraine B. Abrams of Central Valley; brother, Matthew J. Abrams of Central Valley; paternal grandfather, Elmer A. Abrams of Central Valley; maternal grandparents, Philomena and Harry Gordon of Monroe; goddaughter, Victoria Gordon of Monroe; and aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends may call at the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe, N.Y. on Tuesday August 2, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 3 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Rd., Monroe, N.Y. with the Rev. George Pulparayil officiating. Burial will be in Cemetery of the Highlands, Highland Mills, N.Y. Memorial contributions in Michael's name may be made to Central Valley United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, Smith Clove Rd., Central Valley, NY 10917, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TX 38148. Arrangements were made by the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/1/2005 - 8/2/2005. Colandrea, Robert C. "Bob" Robert C. "Bob" Colandrea, a lifetime area resident, completed his ride through this earthly life on Saturday July 30, 2005 with his family by his side. Born October 22, 1945 in Cornwall, N.Y., Mr. Colandrea was President of Capital Area Motorcycling School, Inc., and a motorcycle safety foundation, RiderCoach; and he was past Vice President of Colandrea Trucking, Inc. He was a past Chief and EMT for the Middle Hope Fire Department; and was a past Vice Commodore for the Marlboro Yacht Club. Mr. Colandrea was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Bob was an avid motorcyclist and toured all 48 contiguous states, and all provinces of Canada. If there was a twisty road, he explored it. "Bob touched many lives with his dry wit and precise approach to life." He is survived by his wife and co-rider, Barbara; son, John and his wife, Robbin; granddaughter, Susan; soon-to-be-born grandson, Stephen; parents, Louis and Bernice Colandrea; brother, Ronald and his wife, Kathleen; mother-in-law, Elinor Johanson; a large extended family of Colandreas and Johansons; and many friends across the country. Visitation will be held on Tuesday August 2, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at The DiDonato Funeral Home, 1290 Route 9W, Marlboro, N.Y. On Wednesday, August 3, friends and family will gather at the funeral home at 9:00 AM then travel to Cedar Hill Cemetery for graveside services. Pastor Charles Gockel will officiate. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, 745 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550; or Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, 195 Hudson St., Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520. Arrangements were made by The DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc. * 2 WHEELS ARE WELCOME * Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/1/2005 - 8/2/2005. Rodriguez, Jose Reinaldo "Rei" Jose Reinaldo "Rei" Rodriguez of New Windsor, a counselor with Turning Point, St. Francis Hospital, entered into rest on Tuesday July 26, 2005 at home among the comfort of his family. He was 69. Son of the late Jose Rodriguez and Adelina Sepulveda, and the late Angela Negron, he was born June 13, 1936 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. A family statement reads: "Reinaldo was a loving and generous father who always worked hard for his family. The warmth of his smile and presence was palpable, and his family and friends basked in it. He found deep satisfaction in his work at the Turning Point, especially with his colleagues; and as a leader in the Hispanic program. He knew how to turn a tough situation around with humor and could quickly have us all smiling at life's predicaments. As his children remind us, their dad's comment set this occasion of his passing is, "The beat goes on." We acknowledge him and miss him every day." Reinaldo was a member of his local homeowner's association. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Webb Rodriguez of Monroe; his children: Afra Rodriguez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ryan Webb Rodriguez and Emily Webb Rodriguez, both of New Windsor and Monroe, and Sierra Filucci of Oakland, Calif.; a sister, Marganta Rodriguez of Ponce, Puerto Rico; two brothers, Jose Luis Rodriguez and Anibal Rodriguez of Puerto Rico; a grandchild, Lola Margarita Contreras of Oakland, Calif.; and nieces and nephews: Manuel, Luisito, Jose Antonio, Damaris, Ivis, Suehane and Yahir. He was predeceased by a brother, Jose Enrique Rodriguez. Funeral services and burial took place in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Saturday, July 30. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations on Reinaldo's behalf may be sent to the Turning Point Hispanic Program, 11 Hastings Dr., Beacon, NY 12508-2026. Arrangements under the direction of Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. www.Brooks-DiDonato.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 7/29/2005 - 8/6/2005. Sieczek, Frances M. Frances M. Sieczek of Florida, N.Y., a housewife, entered into rest on Sunday July 31, 2005 at Valley View in Goshen, N.Y. She was born October 5, 1917 in Pennsylvania. She was 87 years old. She was married to the late John Sieczek. Frances was a member of St. Joseph's Church and St. Joseph's Living Rosary Society. She is survived by one son, John Sieczek Jr. of Florida, N.Y.; one daughter, Theresa Sieczek of Florida, N.Y.; one sister, Clara Malinowski of New Hampton, N.Y.; two brothers, Walter Malinowski of New Hampton and Stanley Malinowski of Michigan; and nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday August 2, 2005 in St. Joseph's Church, Florida, N.Y. Friends may call on Monday August 1, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Florida, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Church Restoration Fund, 14 Glenmere Ave., Florida, NY 10921. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence online or for directions, please visit www.purtafuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/1/2005.