OBITS: Times Herald-Record 15 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 Connelly, Mark J. Mark J. Connelly, a retired Greyhound bus driver, and more recently a service representative for Laboratory Corporation of America, died at home on Saturday August 13, 2005. Son of the late Martin and Claire Connelly, nee: Bamburger, he was born in Boston, Mass. on October 18, 1940. He was 64 years old. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a dad, he was involved in the Warwick Valley Little League, Peewee Football, and the Boy Scouts of America Troop #177 in Warwick, N.Y. A family statement reads: "Mark was completely devoted to his family and was an inspiration to all who knew him." Mark is survived by his wife and friend, Margaret "Peggy" Connelly; their children: Joseph C. Connelly and wife, Jenny, of North Creek, N.Y., Mark P. Connelly and wife, Kimberly, of Pine Island, N.Y., and David M. Connelly and wife, Katie, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two brothers: Eugene Connelly of Cocoanut Grove, Fla., and Charles Connelly and wife, Mary Anne, of Williamsburg, Va.; two sisters: Claire Beirne and husband, Michael, of Batavia, Ill., Marie Garces and husband, George, of Plano, Texas; brother-in-law, John McKenna and wife, Jacqueline, of Dumont, N.J.; cherished grandchildren: Chelsea, Shea, Aidan and Liam; and nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and friends. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday August 18, 2005 in St. Stephen's Church, 75 Sanfordville Rd., Warwick, N.Y. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Wednesday August 17, 2005 at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery in Warwick, N.Y. 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 8/15/2005. Distefano Sr., James J. James J. Distefano Sr., the retired president of Real Glass Company in Newburgh, and longtime resident of the area, died Friday August 12, 2005 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 87. The son of the late George and Maria Alissandra Distefano, he was born December 26, 1917 in Italy. He was a former member of UNICO and The Optimist Club. The husband of the late Carmella Tarallo Distefano, he is survived by two sons, George Distefano and his wife, Maria of Somers, and James J. Distefano of Newburgh; his companion, Marguerite "Peg" Deming of West Palm Beach; two sisters, Mary DiPietro of New Windsor and Margaret Wallach of Syracuse, N.Y.; four grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Salvatore "Sam" Distefano. Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 17, 2005 from 3-8 PM at the White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 North Plank Rd. (Route 32), Town of Newburgh, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 18 at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick's Church, Grand St., Newburgh, N.Y. Entombment will follow in Cedar Hill Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Westchester-Hudson Valley Chapter, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 330. White Plains, NY 10605. Arrangements are by the White & Venuto Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/14/2005 - 8/15/2005. Gray, Finnegan John Finnegan John Gray of New Hampton, born Friday August 12, 2005, passed away on Saturday August 13, 2005 at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. He was one day old. He is survived by his parents, Michael J. Gray and Alison Senkerik Gray, at home; maternal grandmother, Marcia Senkerik of Campbell Hall; paternal grandparents, Michael and Nora Gray of Jensen Beach, Fla.; aunts and uncles: Rebecca and Cristy Senkerik, Mary Gray, Laura Gray, and Helen and Kenny Lynch; and cousins, Joshua and Nora Lynch. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, John Senkerik. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 16, 2005 at 10:00 AM in the Holy Cross R.C. Church, South Centerville, N.Y. Interment will be in St. Anastasia Cemetery in Harriman, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Finn's name to The Ronald McDonald House, Attn: Development Office, One Kroc Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523, or visit www.rmhc.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/15/2005. Lorenz, Margaret "Peggy" Peggy Lorenz of Chester, entered into eternal rest on August 12, 2005 at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, N.Y. after a year-long illness. Peggy was a 26-year resident of Orange County and had worked for more than 20 years as a bookkeeper for commercial farms in the area. She was 55 years young. Born in Queens, N.Y. on July 6, 1950, Peggy was the daughter of Nelson J. Nutter and Margaret Wagner. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Middletown, N.Y., where she taught Sunday School for 23 years; was a member and past president of the Altar Guild, and was active in church affairs. A faithful Christian who devoted little time to her own pleasures, her love of God and her generous gifts of her time and love to others will keep her forever in our memories. Beloved wife and mother, Peggy is survived by her husband, Joe, of Chester; daughter, Cynthia Woerdeman and her husband, Steve; and granddaughter, Samantha Taylor Woerdeman of Cookeville, Tenn.; her parents, Nelson and Margaret Nutter of North Babylon, N.Y.; five siblings, to whom she was a devoted "big sister": Nelson Nutter of North Salem, N.H., Billy, Cathy and Tom Nutter of Long Island, N.Y., and Virginia Capitini of Bayside, N.Y.; her sister-in-law, Susan Lorenz; mother-in-law, Ruth Lorenz; nieces and nephews: Sara, Debbie, Nelson, Gerard, Christina, Christopher, Brian, Steven, Melinda, Rachel and Alexis; and relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Visitation will be at the Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, 3 Hudson St., Chester, N.Y. on Tuesday, August 16 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and at St. John's Lutheran Church, Mount Hope Rd., Middletown, N.Y. on Wednesday, August 17 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, with funeral services at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Peter Rustico will officiate. Cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church Building Fund, Mount Hope Rd., Middletown, NY 10940. Funeral and cremation services have been entrusted to Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers. Thomas F. Flynn, L.F.D. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/15/2005. McManus, Margaret M. Margaret M. McManus of Warwick, a longtime area resident, died peacefully at her home on Saturday August 13, 2005. The daughter of the late Francis X. and Margaret M. Cassidy, she was born December 25, 1932 in New York City, N.Y. Mrs. McManus was a Registered Nurse and a graduate of Adelphi University, having obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was a member of St. Stephen's Church in Warwick, N.Y. She is survived by her husband, Robert G. McManus, M.D.; her son, Robert F. McManus and his wife, Frances, of Sugar Loaf; two daughters, Margaret M. Nelson and her husband, John, of Lake Forest, Ill., and Kathleen P. Fenniman and her husband, Douglas, of Bronxville, N.Y.; six grandchildren: Robert A. McManus, Cassidy F. McManus, John K. Nelson, Christopher O. Nelson, Andrew J. Nelson, and Margaret A. Fenniman. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Tuesday August 16, 2005 at the Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 17 at St. Stephen's Church. Burial will be in the Warwick Cemetery, Warwick, N.Y. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Stephen's Church, Sandfordville Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. Arrangements are under the direction of Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/15/2005 - 8/16/2005. Meehan, Michael J. Michael J. Meehan, native of County Donegal, Ireland, died August 12, 2005. Son of the late Christopher and Catherine Meehan, he was the beloved husband of Margaret Meehan; devoted father to: Shaun, Michael Jr., Eugene, Kathleen, Kevin, Christopher, Paul, Damian (R.I.P.) and Janine; loving father-in-law to Janice, Donna, Marty, Maureen, Joann and Sean, and adored Grandpa and Pop to 20 grandchildren: Ashley, Courtney, Jamie, Jenny, Michael, Tara, Bryan, Paul, Joseph, Michael III, Lauren, Micayla, Dillon, Eugene Jr., Shannon, Tiffany, Kevin, Daniel, Damian, Jr. and Madison Margaret; loving brother to Kathleen Meehan, Anne Kelly, Patsy Meehan and the late Grainne Ward, Hugh Meehan, Betty O'Keeffe, Mary Campbell, Eugene Meehan, and Christopher Meehan; cherished uncle to so many, and friend to countless numbers. He was admired, respected and will be deeply missed by all. An incredible man who loved life, he inspired all who knew him. For the Meehan family, there was NO GREATER LOVE. Visitation will be held on Sunday and Monday from 2-5 and 7-9 PM at the Williams Funeral Home, 5628 Broadway, Bronx, N.Y. 718-548-1100. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at Good Shepherd Church, Inwood, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Damian P. Meehan Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 1333, Monroe, NY 10949. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/14/2005 - 8/15/2005. Palmento, Angela C. Angela C. Palmento, a 40 year resident of Newburgh, entered into rest Saturday, August 13, 2005 in St. Luke's Hospital, Newburgh. She was 90. Daughter of the late Thomas and Rosalie Morace Nemia, she was born September 21, 1914 in Brooklyn. She was married to the late Anthony R. Palmento. Angela was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Chapel, Newburgh. Survivors include her three daughters: Margaret M. Palmento of Newburgh, Marie B. Hauk and her husband, William R., of Newburgh, and Rose Ann Morris and her husband, Gregory, of Mt. Sinai, Long Island, N.Y.; her brother, John Nemia and his wife Mona of Kissimee, Fla.; her sisters, Jeanette Borzumato of Fort Lee, N.J. and Frances Nemia of Brooklyn; her grandchildren: Marie J. Hauk, William G. Hauk and his wife, Megan Marino, and Laura J. Pappert and her husband, Ryan; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Angela was predeceased by her sisters, Sr. Fede Nemia, MSC, and Sr. Angela Marie Nemia, M.S.B.T. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Tuesday, August 16 at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 17 in Our Lady of the Lake Chapel, Newburgh. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/15/2005 - 8/16/2005. Parks, Clifford Clifford Parks of Cuddebackville, a 40-year employee having retired from the facilities department of the Middletown Psychiatric Center, and longtime resident of the area, died Saturday August 13, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 83. The son of the late Edward and Clarece McCall Parks, he was born May 26, 1922 in Waldwick, N.J. He was the widower of Ada Feringa Parks. A veteran, Mr. Parks served in the United States Army during World War II. He, along with his late wife, was active with the Orange County A.H.R.C. Survivors include his children: Brenda McNamara of Rockland County, N.Y., Wayne Parks of Florida, N.Y., and Dawn Parks of Orange County, N.Y. He is also survived by his brother, Walter Parks of Waldwick, N.J.; and his sisters, June Williams of the state of Florida and Virginia Nelson of Westchester County, N.Y.; as well as his four grandchildren: Donna, Joy, Shawn and Scott; four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Tuesday August 16, 2005 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 W. Main St., Middletown, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 17 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Middletown, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to A.H.R.C. Arrangements were made by the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/15/2005. Power, Mary Mary Power of Washingtonville, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday August 13, 2005. She was 69. Born July 15, 1936 in Bronx, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Charles and Anne Goodrich Bohan. Mary was a 1956 graduate of Mary Mount College earning her B.A., and went on to Fairfield University to earn her M.A. She was a retired school teacher for C.S. 102 in the Bronx, retiring in 1991. After her retirement, Mary went on to Westchester Community College and became a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked at Osbourne and Cabrini Nursing Homes. Survivors include her loving children: Patricia and her husband, Braulio Santiago, of Maybrook, Daniel and his wife, Linda Power, of Newburgh, Mary and her husband, Brian Chapman, of Dracut, Mass., Robert Power of Washingtonville, Brian and his wife, Emily Power, of Yonkers, Kevin and his wife, Sheila Power, of Monroe, Maureen and her husband, Larry Gaffney, of Highland Mills, and Kathleen and her husband, Al Thompson, of Walden. She is also survived by one dear sister, Dolores Barile of Montauk; cherished grandchildren: Daniel, Noelle, Amanda, Ryan, Lauren, Aidan, Colleen, Shannon, and Maeve. She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel Matthew Power in 1979; a brother, Charles Bohan, and a sister, Ann Mulligan. The family will be present to receive friends on Tuesday August 16, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North St., Washingtonville, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 17 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church in Washingtonville. Interment will follow in the family plot at St. Raymond's Cemetery, Bronx, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements were made by the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home. www.davidtfergusonfh.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/15/2005 - 8/16/2005. Smith Sr., Robert Raymond Formerly of Ocean View, N.J. & New Windsor, N.Y. Robert Raymond Smith, Sr., 64, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of Ocean View, N.J. and New Windsor, passed away on Friday August 12, 2005 at Sarasota Hospice House. He was born May 1, 1941 in Newburgh, N.Y. to George J. and Katherine M. Smith. Robert was an IBM East Fishkill retiree and past Chief of the Vails Gate Fire Department, where he served his community for 35 years. He also served with the National Guard and was a former member of the New Windsor Auxiliary Police Department. Robert was well-known at Newburgh Free Academy for his outstanding baseball skills in both pitching and first base. He was scouted by the New York Yankees while he was in his senior year of high school. Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Margueritte V. (Doogan) Smith; and his four loving children: Karen E. Klempner of Milford, Pa., Susan M. Rowland of Highland, Debra J. Smith of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Robert Smith, Jr. of New Windsor; 11 grandchildren; one brother, John A. Smith; one niece and several nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest brother, George, Jr. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Monday August 15, 2005 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W. Charlotte Ave., Punta Gorda, Fla. A Mass of the Resurrection will follow, celebrated by the Rev. Jerry Kaywell. Donations may be made in Robert's memory to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by the Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Cremation Services and Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Punta Gorda, Fla. 941-639-1171 Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/15/2005. Stepski, Leo Joseph Leo Joseph Stepski, 60, who died August 11, 2005, was also survived by one brother-in-law, Harold Smith of Newburgh. Calling hours will be today, Monday August 15, 2005 from 7-9 PM at the Hynes Funeral Home in Margaretville, N.Y. 845-586-3475. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the funeral home with the Rev. Joon Woo Lee officiating. Smith Sr., Robert Raymond, 64, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of New Windsor, died August 12, 2005 in Sarasota Hospice House. Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Punta Gorda, Fla. 941-639-1171 Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/15/2005. Wilson, Richard Lee Mr. Richard Lee Wilson, age 60, of Middletown, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 12, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus. Born in Warwick, N.Y. on February 8, 1945, he was the son of the late Charles Emmett and Myrtle Louise Conklin Wilson. He was a retired factory worker at Kieley & Mueller Company in Middletown. He was a former member of Western Orange Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Middletown Police Auxiliary. He is survived by three daughters: Carol Shanahan and her husband, Rodney, of Mountain Home, Idaho, Myrtle Wilson and Kellie Wilson of Middletown; his brother, Charles Wilson and his wife, Sandi, of Salina, Okla.; his sister, Dorothy Salcito and her husband, Joseph, of Barre, Mass.; grandson, Tyler Shanahan; twin granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Mikayla Shanahan; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Tuesday, August 16 at the Morse Funeral Home, Inc., 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown. Funeral services will be at the funeral home at 8:00 PM Tuesday, followed by cremation at Oxford Hills Crematory in Chester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to help defray expenses. Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/15/2005 - 8/16/2005. Wright, William F. William F. Wright, 89, of Milford, Pa., died August 13, 2005 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. He was a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper stationed in Dunmore and Milford, Pa.; and a retired carpenter for Picatinny Arsenal. He attended Milford Methodist Church in Milford, Pa. The son of William and Alice Mary (Terry) Wright, he was born March 7, 1916 in Cement City, Pa. He was married to Olive Wyckoff Wright. Survivors include his wife; his son, William F. Wright, Jr. of Milford, Pa.; his daughter, Babette Smith of Milford, Pa.; seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Stroyan Funeral Home, Inc., 405 W. Harford St., Milford, Pa. on Wednesday August 17, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 18 at 10:00 AM with the Rev. David Repenning officiating. Burial will take place at Milford Cemetery in Dingman Township, Pa. Arrangements were made by the Stroyan Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/15/2005.