OBITS: Times Herald-Record 3 Feb 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 Amedeo, Pasquale J. "Pat" Pasquale J. "Pat" Amedeo, a retired machinist for IBM in Poughkeepsie, retiring Feb. 2, 1983, and longtime area resident, died Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at home after a long illness. He was 84. The son of the late John P. and Mary Paskal Amedeo, he was born November 10, 1920 in Rochester. Pasquale attended Nativity School in Poughkeepsie. He served in the Philippines during WW II, U.S. Army Private 1st Class 106th Engineers Combat Battalion, from September 16, 1942 to January 12, 1946. He was a member of Quarter Century Club of IBM and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Poughkeepsie. Pasquale married Rose V. Vecchio on May 5, 1946 in Mt. Carmel Church, Poughkeepsie. Survivors include his wife at home; two daughters, Theresa M. Kennedy of Wappingers Falls and Catherine A. Drennan of Newburgh; three sons, John P. Amedeo of Poughkeepsie, Michael J. Amedeo and his wife Cheryl of Chandler, Ariz. and Patrick Amedeo and his wife Olga of Poughkeepsie; grandchildren, Bobby, Donny, Jennifer and Michael Kennedy, Christopher Drennan, Hope, Nicole, Anthony and Pasquale Amedeo; and nine great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday, February 3 at Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 218 Mill St., Poughkeepsie. Handicapped entrance in the rear of the funeral home on Vassar Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Friday, February 4 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Poughkeepsie. Father Peter Kihm will officiate. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. For directions, Torsonememorial.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/3/2005 - 2/4/2005. Baez, Sira C. Sira C. Baez, of Brooklyn, a seamstress for 30 years and a 45-year resident of the area, died January 24, 2005 at Wyckoff Heights Hospital. She was 64 years of age. The daughter of the Rosa Baez and Francisco Olivencia, she was born on September 21, 1940 in San German, Puerto Rico. Sira was a member of St. Cecilia R.C. Church and the I.L.G.W.U. A family statement reads, "Thoughts of you will remains in our hearts forever." Survivors include her children Sarita & her husband Jose Cuevas and Norine Ortiz. Her grandchildren Jose and Nicholas Cuevas and Andreau Bennett also survive Sira. There will be no visitation. A Memorial service will be offered on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, N.Y. Memorial contributions to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, 1000 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225 would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, 139 Stage Road, Monroe, NY 10950. Thomas F. Flynn, Director www.flynnfh.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Balzano, Joan C. Joan C. Balzano, a homemaker and resident of the area since 1990, died on Tuesday February 1, 2005 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 68. The daughter of Edward J. and Marie Tormey McVeety, she was born on May 23, 1938 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church of Monticello. Survivors include 2 sons, James Balzano and his wife Darlene of Long Island and Joseph Balzano and his wife Theresa of Harris; a sister, Laurie Hawkins and her husband John of Idaho; 5 grandchildren, Joseph, Jordan, Stephanie, Aleah and Kassey. A grandson Justin Balzano predeceased her. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter's Church, Monticello on Saturday February 5, 2005 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Ginel will officiating. Cremation took place at Cedar Hill Crematory, Middle Hope, N.Y. Funeral arrangements by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc., Monticello, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Elskoe, Kailynn Alexis Kailynn Alexis Elskoe died Saturday, January 29, 2005 at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla. She was 4 days old. The daughter of Glenn A. Elskoe Jr. and Jennifer E. Airth, she was born Tuesday, January 25, 2005 in Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla. Survivors include her mother, Jennifer E. Airth of Middletown; father, Glenn A. Elskoe of Middletown; maternal grandmother, Linda K. Airth of Goshen; paternal grandmother, Michelle A. Cartier-Barnes and her husband Marlo J. Barnes of Middletown; paternal grandfather, Glenn A. Elskoe Sr. of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas; three great-grandparents; one great-great-grandmother; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services and burial will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, February 4 at Wallkill Cemetery in Middletown. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 405 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021 or a charity of one's choice. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Donovan Funeral Home, Goshen. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Farrell, James Raymond James R. Farrell, 78, of Livingston Manor, NY, died, Monday, January 31 at home. He was recently retired from Farrell Insurance and Sullivan County Realty. The son of the late Charles J. and Marie O'Hern Farrell, James was born in Syracuse, NY on August 22, 1926. In 1944, he graduated from Manlius Academy where he was a star athlete. During World War II, he served in the US Army as part of the Japan occupation force. After the war, he attended Cornell University where he was captain of the baseball team and two-way starter for the nationally-ranked, undefeated 1948 football team. He was a 1950 graduate of Cornell where he met his wife Vera Johnston Farrell. They were married that same year. James was active in many civic organizations, including serving as a founder of the Livingston Manor Little League. In 2004, he was honored by the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club for his many years of contributing to the growth and business development of the hamlet. Most of all, James was a great husband, father and friend who was known for his sense of humor and his zest for life. He invested his energy in his family and took pride in their accomplishments while never taking credit for the sacrifices he made to help those he loved. In addition to his wife, James is survived by his five children: Ann Farrell Diemer and her husband Dennis of Lafayette, CA; Mary H.J. Farrell of Sleepy Hollow, NY; James J. Farrell and his wife Catherine of Orinda, CA; Thomas C. Farrell and his wife Kristy of Newport Beach, CA and Jack Farrell and his wife, Kari, of Calabasas, CA. Surviving also are 11 grandchildren. A Funeral Mass and reception will be held at 11 AM on Friday at St. Aloysius Church, Church Street, Livingston Manor, with Father William Collins officiating. There are no calling hours and burial will be private. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Livingston Manor Free Library, 92 Main St., Livingston Manor, NY 12758. Arrangements are under the direction of Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, www. colonialbryantfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Gamma, Michael Michael Gamma, a retired furniture mover, died February 1, 2005 at Montrose V.A. Home. He was 81. The son of Steven and Mary Shumack Gamma, he was born June 11, 1923 in Newburgh. Survivors include one sister, Mary Smith of New Windsor; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, February 3 at Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home Inc., 318 N. Montgomery St., Newburgh. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Father John Vondras will officiate. Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 4 at St. Francis Cemetery in New Windsor. Arrangements by Christian Garrison of the Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Gesner, Christine A. Christine A. Gesner, of Nanuet, N.Y., died Tuesday, February 2, 2005 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, N.Y. She was 52. Ms. Gesner worked as a payroll manager for Scalamandre Construction in Freeport, L.I. Ms. Gesner was born October 14, 1952 in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Thomas and Therese Corcoran Crusie. She was educated in Orangeburg, N.Y. and graduated from Rosary Academy in 1970. Ms. Gesner lived in Nanuet for the past 7 years and before that she lived in Washingtonville, N.Y. from 1978-1998. She is survived by her daughters, Samantha Leigh and Michelle Ann and future grandchild; sister, Kathleen Shafer and husband Thomas; niece, Lisa Pizzarelli; aunt, Sr. Nancy Goult; grandnieces, Sarah and Hannah and nieces and nephews, Thomas, Martin, Cherie and Thomas and children. She was predeceased by her mother and father. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, February 5 at St. Anthony's R.C. Church, Nanuet. Cremation is private. Visiting is Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home Inc., 100 Franklin Ave., Pearl River, N.Y. Friends may send donations in her memory to Good Samaritan Hospital, Bobbi Lewis Foundation, Rt 59, Suffern, NY 10901. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/3/2005 - 2/4/2005. Gill, Leonard E. Leonard E. Gill, a 46-year resident of Pearl River, N.Y., died Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at Pascack Valley Hospital, Westwood, N.J. He was 85. Mr. Gill was the owner of Frank P. Foley Refrigeration Business in the Bronx for many years before retiring 15 years ago. Mr. Gill was born August 23, 1919 in Manhattan to Julian and Myrtle Brace Gill. On August 11, 1945, he married Elsie Fields at St. James Episcopal Church in Bronx, N.Y. Locally, he was a member of the Pearl River Senior Citizen Club B and also a member of the Scarsdale Elks. Mr. Leonard will be remembered for being a loving, caring, kind-hearted, gentle man, loved by all. He was a devoted husband who enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Elsie; two daughters, Denise Palmieri and her husband Michael and Laraine Flood and her husband John; four grandchildren, Michael and Lisa Palmieri and Jennifer and Marlene Flood of Middletown; brother, Walter Gill and his wife Rose of Pearl River; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, George and Ivan Gill and sister, Vivian Hanninen. Visiting is Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home Inc., 100 Franklin Ave., Pearl River, N.Y. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, February 5 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery, Hastings on Hudson, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Helt, Hazel M. Formerly of Warwick, N.Y. Hazel M. Helt, of Sarasota, Fla., a lifelong resident of Warwick, died Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, Fla. She was 98. The daughter of the late Harry and Esther Finger, she was born on January 29, 1907 in Jersey City, N.J. A family statement reads, "She was a loving, thoughtful and kind person." Survivors include her daughter, Joan Utter; her grandchildren, Larry, Debbie and Wayne; her great-grandchildren, Kristy, Aaron, Larry Jr. and Matthew; as well as one great-great-grandson, Jake. Visitation hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 6 at the Strong-Basile Funeral Home, 75 Main St., Warwick. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, February 7 at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Warwick Cemetery in Warwick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Hazel's honor to the Kidney Foundation or the Warwick United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Strong-Basile Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Hindley Jr., Kenneth D. Kenneth D. Hindley Jr., of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Mahopac, N.Y., died on January 30, 2005. He was 41. Ken was born in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. and raised in Mahopac where he graduated high school in 1983. He attended Delhi University and went on to work for 10 years in his family business, Hindley Chevrolet, Inc. in Fort Montgomery, N.Y. He moved to Vero Beach in 1998 where he continued to work in the auto industry. He was most recently employed by ARS Service Express. He was predeceased by his mother, Gertrude O'Connor Hindley and is survived by his son, Tyler; his father, Kenneth D. Sr.; stepmother, Judith; his two sisters and their spouses, Joanne and Jack Salch, Trudy and John McGinty; and his three nephews, Connor McGinty, Brian McGinty and Dylan Salch. Ken will be remember most for his big smile, his generous heart and his love of life. He will live in our hearts forever. Visitation will begin on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc., 418 Rt 6, Mahopac, NY 845-628-5655. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday at 9:45 a.m. at St. John's The Evangelist Church. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Jaeger Jr., John F. John F. Jaeger Jr., 69 years old, of New Windsor, a retired truck driver for Porco Gas for 20 years, died February 1, 2005 at Vassar Bros. Hospital, Poughkeepsie. The son of John F. Jaeger & Elizabeth Coan Jaeger, he was born September 25, 1935 in Goshen. He was a charter member of Mountainville Eng Co #3; and a US Army Veteran 1954-58. Survivors include two sons: Michael John Jaeger & Brian Keith Jaeger both of New Windsor; two brothers: Jerry J. Jaeger & wife Fran of Mountainville, Bob Jaeger & wife Ruth of Mobile, AL; one sister: Kathy Witherel & husband Preston of Gardiner; and several nieces & nephews. Friends and relatives may call at the Funeral Home from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Thursday, February 3. Mountainvill Eng. Co. # 3 will meet at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 4 at the Funeral Home with Fr. Bernard P. Heter officiating. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Chester. Contributions may be made to Mountainville Eng. Co. #3, POB 11, Mountainville, NY 10953. Funeral arrangements by Kevin Quigley of Quigley Bros. Funeral Home, 337 Hudson St., Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520, 845.534.9424 www.QuigleyBros.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/2/2005 - 2/3/2005. Paris, John Charles John Charles Paris, of Houston, Texas, passed away on January 26, 2005. He was the son of the late Captain John H. Paris Jr. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Walczak Earle and stepfather, Richard G. Earle Jr.; one son, Dustin John of Texas; stepsister, Debra Wright of Virginia Beach, Va.; stepbrother, Richard G. Earle III of Pensacola, Fla.; aunt and uncle, Charles and Peggy Walczak of Hilton Head, S.C. Burial services will be private with interment at Calvary Cemetery in Newburgh. "He will be greatly missed--We Love You, John." Funeral arrangements under the direction of Coloni Funeral Home, 3001 Route 9W, New Windsor. For guest book, please visit www.colonifuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Rhodes, Jerica Kyrei Jerica Kyrei Rhodes, a seven-year resident of Highland Falls and first-grade student at Sacred Heart School of Jesus School in Highland Falls, died Thursday, January 27, 2005 in Highland Falls. She was seven years old. The daughter of Christopher Rhodes and Lisa Mason, she was born December 10, 1997 in Bridgeport, Conn. She was a member of St. John AME Zion Church in Highland Falls. Survivors include her loving parents, father, Christopher Rhodes of Highland Falls and mother, Lisa Mason of Utica, N.Y.; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Rhodes Jr. of Highland Falls; maternal grandparents, India Mason of Utica and Roosevelt and Shirley Kee of Newburgh; paternal great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Baker of Montgomery, Ala.; maternal great-grandparents, Sylvia Cozart of Newburgh and Mr. and Mrs. Chano Torres of Kissimmee, Fla.; three sisters, Chasity Rhodes of Highland Falls, India Mason and Bry'anna Colon both of Utica; two brothers, Kore'i Briggs of Newburgh and Israel Mason of Utica; five uncles, Keith, Everett, Trevor Rhodes and Daryl Rowan all of Highland Falls and Mandell Rhodes of Upper Marlboro, Md.; one auntie, Terry Rowan of Highland Falls; and a host of relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 3 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at St. John AME Zion Church, 7 Muller Ave., Highland Falls. Services will be held at 12 noon Friday, February 4 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 76 First Street, Newburgh. The Rev. Moses Carter Sr. will officiate. Interment will be in Eagle Valley Cemetery, Town of Highlands. Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor, entrusted with professional arrangements. Please visit our website at www.rhodesfuneralhomes.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/2/2005 - 2/3/2005. Rydell, Harold M. Harold M. Rydell, of Warwick, a conductor having retired from New Jersey Transit, died Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center at Horton. He was 77. The son of the late Maurice and Laurel Tice Rydell, he was born on June 21, 1927 in Brooklyn, N.Y. A veteran, Mr. Rydell served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member and past president of the Lehigh and Hudson Rail Road Veteran Association. A member of the Masonic Lodge #544, Harold served as Master in 1957. Harold was an avid drummer having played with several bands in Orange and Sullivan Counties. He coached Warwick Little League and was cofounder of the Warwick Girls Softball League. He was a member of the Orange County Amateur Radio Club. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Ames Rydell at home; his son, Harold W. Rydell of Warwick and his daughter, Colleen Rydell of Boston, Mass. He is also survived by his brother, William Rydell of Goshen; his sisters-in-law, Nellie Ames of Sylmar, Calif. and Nora Kuroski of Poughkeepsie; and his nieces, Donna Kuroski of Granada Hills, Calif. and Deborah Kuroski of Poughkeepsie. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 4 at the Strong-Basile Funeral Home, 75 Main St., Warwick. Masonic services will be held during visitation hours on Friday. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 5 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Warwick Cemetery, Warwick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Harold's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, Mid Hudson Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Arrangements by Strong-Basile Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Sarfatti, Joseph Joseph Sarfatti, longtime Port Jervis businessman, resident and civic leader, died Saturday in Del Ray, Fla., where he had retired in 1987. He was 84. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Faye, of Del Ray, Fla.; daughters, Barbara Minzer of Cedar Knolls, N.J. and Lauren Kelfer of Ft. Worth, Texas; and son Steven Sarfatti of Cabin John, Md. Mr. Sarfatti is also survived by six grandchildren. Mr. Sarfatti was born in New York City on May 24, 1920. The youngest of 7 children of Emanual and Bertha Sarfatti. Mr. Sarfatti relocated to Port Jervis in 1947 to join his late brother Samuel in founding and operating Regal Lingerie Company, a manufacturer of garments and textile products. Mr. Sarfatti continued to operate the company, principally located at 150 Pike St., after it was acquired by the Movie Star Corporation in the 1970s. After his retirement in 1987, Mr. Sarfatti converted the Pike St. factory facility to its current warehouse and office use. In addition to his business activities, Mr. Sarfatti was active in various local civic organizations, serving as the first Director of the Port Jervis Housing Authority, and as President of Temple Beth El. He also was a member of the Port Jervis Chapter of the Lions International. In retirement, Mr. Sarfatti served as a volunteer at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palm Beach, Fla., where he was known as a raconteur and entertainer for fellow World War II veterans and the elderly and infirm. Veteran Affairs were a central part of Mr. Sarfatti's adult life. During World War II, Mr. Sarfatti was trained as a mortar man in England before the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France in June 1944. His unit, which was among the first to be launched for Omaha Beach, struck an offshore sand bar during darkness and sustained nearly total casualties. During his adult years, Mr. Sarfatti remained active in veterans affairs and he was instrumental in bringing a Veterans Clinic to Port Jervis. He also was known for having read nearly every published account of the D-Day Invasion. Friends who knew Mr. Sarfatti and his humble beginnings often commented that, "He never aspired to be a great man. His goals were more lofty. He was quite satisfied with being a good man and his greatness was in treating every human encounter as an opportunity to be decent, straight and good." The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and local hospice care organizations. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Seidell, June C. June C. Seidell, a housewife and 26-year area resident, died February 2, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall. She was 74. The daughter of the late Alfred Valentine and Cora Ward Valentine, she was born April 11, 1930 in Mahwah, N.J. Survivors include her husband, James J. Seidell of New Windsor; sons, Steven Seidell and his wife Carolyn of Camden, Maine, Daniel Seidell and his wife Pamela of Walden; brother, Roland Valentine and his wife June of Newark, Del.; sister-in-law, Evelyn Valentine of Mahwah, N.J.; four grandchildren, Kristopher, Kerri, Cory and Makayla June; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, February 5 at the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush Inc. Funeral Home, 515 Route 32, Highland Mills. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, at 8:30 p.m. with the Rev. Kirtland M. Watkins officiating. Cremation will be in Cedar Hill Crematory, Middle Hope with interment of cremains at a later date in Cemetery of the Highlands, Highland Mills. Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, One St. Jude Place Building, PO Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148 or Special Olympics Maine, Attn: Linda Fredericks, 125 John Roberts Road, #19, South Portland, ME 04106. Arrangments by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush Inc. Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Weinmann, Adele D. Adele D. Weinmann, of Bullville, N.Y., passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at Baksh Healthcare, Crawford. She was 95. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on July 4, 1909, she was the daughter of Joseph and Sophie Zawada Trizinski. She was the widow of Charles J. Weinmann. She is survived by three daughters Charlene VanBeuren of Bullville, Arlene Clancy and her husband Frank of Westbury, Patricia Gildea of Las Vegas, NV; her son Charles Weinmann and his wife Ellen of North Hampton, MA.; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to call Sunday February 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Morse Funeral Home Inc., 33 Railroad Ave, Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Paul's Catholic Church, Bullville at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 7th, with Father Patrick McQuigan officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Ste 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4027. Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/3/2005. Woltz, John R. John R. Woltz, a Systems Quality Engineer for IBM, Kingston until his retirement, died Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall. He was 72. The son of the late George and Violet Woltz, he was born January 3, 1933 in Buffalo. He married Katherine E. (Ervin) Woltz, who died Jan. 5, 2002. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor's Degree and graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Master's Degree. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served during the Korean War. John was a very active member of the Fair Street Reformed Church; a member of the Great Consistory and was Chief Deacon and had also been Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was the senior advisor of the Youth Group at church and was music chairman. Survivors include one daughter, Margie L. Staley of Newburgh; grandson, Timothy Staley; granddaughter, Amy Beth Staley. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Fair Street Reformed Church, Kingston with the Rev. Louis LaFazia officiating. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, with full military honors. Friends may call at Keyser and Hamilton Funeral Service, 326 Albany and Manor Ave., Kingston on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Orange County Cancer Society Relay for Life, 407 East Main St., Middletown, NY 10940 or the Fair Street Reformed Church Memorial Fund, 209 Fair St., Kingston, NY 12401 in his memory. Arrangments by Keyser and Hamilton Funeral Service. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/3/2005 - 2/4/2005.