OBITS: Times Herald-Record 24 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 Dalesandro, Vincent J. Vincent J. Dalesandro, a retired foreman for Bonded Film Storage in Fort Lee, N.J. and resident of the area for many years, died February 22, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 80. The son of Anthony Dalesandro and Caroline Romano Dalesandro, he was born May 18, 1924 in New York City. He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church and a veteran of WW II, US Army. Survivors include his wife, Josephine Vento Dalesandro, at home; one son, Vincent F. D'Alesandro of Alexandria, Va.; two sisters, Jeannette Bruno of Queens and Adele Faraj of Boston, Mass. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, February 24 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held today at 10:15 AM, Friday, February 25 at the funeral home followed by an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's R.C. Church in Port Jervis. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate. Prayers will be offered Thursday afternoon at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/24/2005 - 2/25/2005. Day, Scott Scott Day, of New Windsor, a mechanic at Cherry Tire in Maybrook, entered into rest on Monday, February 21, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital. He was 47. Son of Janet Day and the late George C. Day, he was born November 29, 1957 in Hackensack, N.J. A family statement reads, Scott was a devoted, loving father and an avid NASCAR racing fan who will be missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Anna Day, at home, whom he married June 15, 1985 in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; his mother, Janet Day of Easton, Pa.; two daughters, Nicole and Stephanie Day, both at home; a brother, Craig Day and his wife, Lori of Port Ewen; two sisters, Carol Shook and her husband, Joseph of Bloomingburg, N.Y. and Joyce Wilson and her husband, Ronald of Saylorsburg, Pa.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins and friends. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 24 at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 25 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Jack Hyatt officiating. Burial will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, N.J. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nicole and Stephanie's Educational Fund, 6 Koran Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/23/2005 - 2/24/2005. Grayson, Charles S. Charles S. Grayson, age 53, of Liberty, N.Y., died unexpectedly, Monday February 21, 2005, in New York City, N.Y. He was the husband of Nancy (Worden) Grayson. Mr. Grayson was born April 22, 1951 in the Bronx, N.Y., son of the late Stanley and Marie (Kunzer) Grayson. He attended school in the Bronx and lived in Brewster for many years before moving to Liberty two years ago. He was employed as an engineer with Metro North Railroad for the past 29 years. In addition to his wife Nancy, Mr. Grayson is survived by one daughter, Jenna Timpone of Kingston, N.Y.; three sons: Charles Grayson, Lance Grayson and Guy Grayson, all of Carmel, N.Y.; and one granddaughter, Jasmin Grayson of Newburgh. A funeral service will be held today, Friday, February 25 at 11:00 AM at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster, N.Y. Burial will be in Cochecton Cemetery in Cochecton, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/24/2005 - 2/25/2005. Gross, Anthony Martin Louis Anthony Martin Gross passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital, Newburgh. He was 32. The son of Martin and Janice Gross, he was born August 11, 1972 in the Bronx. He lived most of his life in Woodbury Falls, N.Y. Survivors include his wife Victoria Signorelli and his two-week old daughter, Gianna Marie Nancy Gross at home; his parents of Woodbury Falls; his five sisters, Rebecca Gross, Rachael Gross and Anna Gross of Woodbury Falls and Marilyn Murray and Melody Petershein of Pennsylvania; his four brothers, Aanen Gross of Woodbury Falls, Louis Gross of New York City, Martin Gross and his wife Anna of Newburgh and Christopher Gross and his wife Eileen of Newburgh; his nephew, Martin William Gross; his in-laws of the Bronx; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He had a big family and a big tender heart and everyone loved him. He will be missed by all of us. He was the owner of Diamond Roofing and Legends Night Club in Newburgh. His passion was riding motorcycles and racing dirt bikes. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 25 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hudson Valley Funeral Home Inc., 239 Quassaick Ave. (Rte 94), New Windsor. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor. Arrangements by Anthony Cracolici of Hudson Valley Funeral Home Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Jones Sr., Charles E. Formerly of Newburgh, N.Y. Charles E. Jones Sr., owner of C&T Blacktopping and Landscaping in Middletown, died February 22, 2005 at Harris Hospital. He was 73. The son of the late Chauncey and Edna Tompkins Jones, he was born August 15, 1931 in Newburgh. Survivors include his wife, Amy Brown Jones at home; two sons, Chauncey M. Jones at home, Charles E. Jones Jr. of Monticello; three daughters, Edna I. Turner of North Carolina, Ellen M. Badarde of Minnesota, Marie Newkirk of Glen Spey; one sister, Edna "Babe" Crabtree of Pennsylvania; two stepbrothers, Bill and James Marchie; 11 grandchildren, Thomas, Charles, Guy Stewart, Josh, Adam, Tanya Newkirk, Shannon Amy, Pacer, Shannon Leigh Jones, Ellen, Mike Badarde. Calling hours will be held Friday, February 25 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home Inc., 318 N. Montgomery St., Newburgh. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements under the care of Christian Garrison of the Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Kane, Grace E. Grace E. Kane was a 50-year resident of Wappingers Falls, NY and formerly of Bronx, NY. She was a teaching assistant for special education and English as a second language, Wappingers Central School District, retiring in 1998 after 20 years of service. Grace died February 20, 2005 at her home. The daughter of Anthony Rotante and the late Filomena Castro Rotante, she was born in Bronx, NY. She married Raymond J. Kane on November 24, 1956 in St. Helena's Church, Bronx, NY. She was a member of St. Mary's Church, Wappingers Falls; a graduate of New York City Schools and Academics; 40 year member of Riverview Homemakers; Junior Woman of YWCA; Past Neighborhood Chairperson of Wappingers Girl Scout Neighborhood and former Girl Scout Leader; past president of Wappingers Teaching Assistant Association in the Wappingers School District. She loved to travel. She was grateful for a good and happy life and the love of parents, husband, children, grandchildren and loving friends. A loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, she leaves behind her father, Anthony Rotante of Sunrise, FL; her husband Raymond J. Kane at home; her son, Kevin Kane and his wife Adrienne of Poughkeepsie, NY; her daughters: Elizabeth Kane-Leahy and her husband Dennis of Maybrook, NY, Margaret Kane of Newburgh, NY, Mary Kane-Hooker and her husband Mel of Rio Rancho, NM and her grandchildren: Kristopher Kane, Sean, Alyssa and Dylan Leahy and many loving family members and friends. Calling hours were from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Straub Funeral Home, Inc., 55 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. on Thursday (today), February 24th at St. Mary's Church, Clinton St., Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic cancer, 111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/22/2005 - 2/24/2005. Mayfield, Ronald J. Ronald J. Mayfield, 65, of Lecanto, Fla., died on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Citrus County. Mr. Mayfield was born on June 15, 1939 in Port Jervis, N.Y., the son of Harry and Mildred Mayfield. He was a US Navy veteran and served on the USS Yorktown. He retired from Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc. of New York. He moved to Lecanto in 2001 from Port Jervis. He coached Pop Warner Football in Port Jervis and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Middletown, N.Y. for 33 years. Survivors include his wife Jean Cudney-Mayfield of Lecanto, Fla.; three sons, Michael Mayfield of Huguenot, N.Y., Dennis Mayfield of New Port Richey, Fla. and William Mayfield; and six grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Mayfield will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 25 at the Heinz Funeral Home. Hospice Chaplain Jonathon Beard will preside. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. till the hour of the service. Interment will follow the funeral services at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. Donations may be given to Hospice of Citrus County, PO Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. Heinz Funeral Home and Cremation, Inverness, Fla. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Norman, C. Eleanor Formerly of Middletown, N.Y. C. Eleanor Norman, 92, of Baldwinsville, N.Y. and formerly of Middletown, N.Y., died Feb. 22, 2005. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold in 1975 and a daughter Ann in 1938. She is survived by a daughter Jane (Ron) Viau of Jamesville, N.Y.; a sister Clarice Knapp of Grasonville, MD; 3 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 nieces; and 1 nephew. Services will be 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005 at the Westvale Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2511 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13219. Spring burial will be the Wallkill Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 290 Elwood Davis Rd., Liverpool, NY 13088, or to the Westvale Seventh Day Adventist Church. Fairchild & Meech DeWitt Chapel in charge of arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Oliver, Dora Lee Gailey Formerly of Joplin, Mo. Dora Lee Gailey Oliver, 72, died peacefully on Monday, February 21, 2005 at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center, Middletown, N.Y. She was born on November 12, 1932, to Scott and Lorene Gibson Gailey in Rocky Comfort, Missouri. She lived most of her life in Joplin, Missouri. Dora retired to Grove, Oklahoma from the Jasper County Department of Social Services in 1994, after 25 years of service, where she was a social worker. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Robert C. Oliver who died June 30, 1990 and a granddaughter Christina Oliver. She is survived by four sons, Scott, Sam, Sheldon and Stanley and his wife Jacqueline of New York. She has eleven grandchildren, Christopher, Amy, Linda, Robert, Carrie-Sue, David, Zachary ,Shannon, Anna-Laurene, Spencer and Abigail: five great-grandchildren, two brothers: J.C. of Arkansas and John of Florida and lifelong friends Jennifer Oliver, Sherrie Bennett, Pamela Belamonte and Linda Clark. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Joplin, Missouri. Memorial service will be held on Friday, February 25th at the United Methodist Church, Jeffersonville, N.Y. at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions can be sent to Orange-Sullivan Hospice, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or to Park Manor Rehabilitation Center, 121 Dunning Road, Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/23/2005 - 2/24/2005. Ostrofsky, Isabel Mrs. Isabel Ostrofsky, of Cuddebackville, a 45-year resident of the area, died Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at Wingate Of St. Francis Nursing Home, Beacon, N.Y. She was 93. She was born January 3, 1912 in Hungry, the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Gizella Edelkraut Hubert. She was the widow of the late David Ostrofsky. She was a member of The Reformed Church of Cuddebackville and former president of the Ladies Aide Society of the Church; former lecturer & member of the Neversink Valley Grange No. 1530 of Huguenot. Isabel embraced life and will be remembered as an optimistic and feisty lady who had a beautiful voice, loved animals, gardening, cooking and was the matriarch of her family. Surviving are daughter: Eileen Heck & her husband, Richard of Cuddebackville; 3 sons: Stanley Ostrofsky & his wife, Joyce of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Bernard Ostrofsky & his wife, Mary Ann of Stuart, Fla., Thomas Ostrofsky & his wife, Sharon of Hyde Park, N.Y.; brother: Edward Hubert & his wife, Joan of Islip, N.Y.; daughter-in-law: Rose Ostrofsky of the state of Florida; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; also nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Leonard. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cuddebackville Fire Dept., Cuddebackville, NY 12729 or Humane Society Of Port Jervis/Deerpark, 202 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Pitt, John "Jack" Jack was born and raised in Rockland County, N.Y. He loved this state enough to die here. John was taken from us on February 17, 2005 at 1:30 a.m. He fought the good fight. Not only was he a good friend and husband, he had three children and was monumental to his grandson, his friendship immeasurable, his generosity uparalleled and his love unequaled. John spent his young career in the Army and Airforce. He was foreman and top lineman at Ma-Bell Telephone Co. As well, he drove tractor trailers OTR. Settling down he schooled as senior technician for Ford Motor Co. Resigning his accomplishments for family he complimented their needs. He worked with his sons building anything imaginable, bolstering their dreams, ambitions and security. His talents were blatantly obvious; his simple wrought forward a mechanical masterpiece. His mind, heart and hands crafted life. He understood life and was master of it. He never underestimated the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, ALL of which have changed the world! A celebration will be held Saturday, February 26 between 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home Inc., 72 W. Main St., Middletown. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott- Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/23/2005 - 2/24/2005. Steinhauer Jr., Al J. Al J. Steinhauer Jr., 36, of Fairview Ave., Kingston, and formerly of Queensbury, passed away suddenly Monday evening, February 21, 2005 at Kingston Hospital following a brief illness. Born January 8, 1969 in Nyack, New York, he was the son of Albert J. and Linda E. (Garrison) Steinhauer Sr. Being raised in the Washingtonville area, he attended and graduated from Washingtonville District School Systems. On April 25, 1998, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Browne, at St. Mary's Church in Washingtonville. Al was employed for many years at Car Essentials in Glens Falls and most recently in the Albany area as an audio specialist, performing various duties. He loved to go camping with family and friends, enjoying the quiet times, with Cape Cod being his most favorite location. He loved his wife and family, who miss him deeply, but "Buddy" his cat, will feel the void, as well. They both looked forward to each morning "treat-time" and the closeness it brought to each other. Buddy was his pride and joy. His maternal grandmother, Ida Garrison, and his maternal great-grandparents, Edgar and Matilda Polhemus, have all predeceased Al. Survivors include his loving wife of seven years, Kathleen Steinhauer of Kingston; his parents, Albert and Linda Steinhauer Sr.; maternal grandfather, William Garrison Sr. of Queensbury; one sister, Karen-Lynn Steinhauer of South Glens Falls; his father and mother-in-law, William and Frances Browne of Washingtonville; four sisters-in-law, Karen, Christine, and Kelly Browne, and Colleen Phan and her husband, Lu, and their son Nicholas; a childhood friend, Aaron Forman; aunts, uncles, cousins, and many other dear friends. Calling hours will be held Friday, February 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette Street, Queensbury. Funeral services will follow the calling hours at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Rodney Mosher, pastor of West Mountain Community Church, Queensbury, officiating. Burial will take place at Pine View Cemetery, Queensbury, at a time convenient to the family. In lieu of flowers, donations, in loving memory of Al, may be sent to a charity of one's choice. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Stewart, Margaret Margaret Stewart, a resident of New Paltz, passed away peacefully at Kingston Hospital on Sunday February 20, 2005. She was 93 years of age. Magraret was the oldest of five children and was born to the late Harry L. and Pearl Roosa Stewart in Willowemoc, NY on August 25, 1911. Her education began in a country school in the community before going to Livingston Manor High School. In this period there were no school buses. This ambitious young lady lived with Aunt Martha Terwilliger and paid five dollars a week for her bed and board. When she graduated, she was chosen to deliver the valedictory address. Margaret attended the NYS University in Albany, majoring in foreign languages. Later she did her advanced degree at Middlebury College. Her interest at that point was library science. The first few years of teaching were spent in Roscoe, NY teaching Latin. She then moved to Chappaqua, NY where she spent 36 years. Margaret retired as the high school librarian and was honored by having the library named for her. For many years Margaret lived in Bedford Hills, NY, where she was an active member in the Bedford Hills Methodist Church. A move to New Paltz was made so she could be near family. After retirement Margaret and her brother Harry kept the farm available during the summers for any relatives who wished to renew their roots in the hills and enjoy the delicious food Aunt Peggy prepared. The family all knew this special lady as Aunt Peggy. Survivors include 2 brothers, Robert Stewart of Turnwater, Washington and Harry L. Stewart Jr. of New Paltz; a sister Elizabeth Zerkel of Decatur Indiana and numerous nieces and nephews. A sister, Virginia Becker predeceased her. Friends may call on Sat. Feb. 26, 2005 at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty from 10 - 11 a.m. at which time funeral services will be held. The Rev. Bridgette LeConey will officiate. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of Mt. Kisco, 300 Main St., Mt. Kisco, NY 10549. Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc., Liberty, NY. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/24/2005. Totaan, Melvina Melvina Totaan, a homemaker and lifelong area resident, died Friday, February 18, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. She was 84. The daughter of the late Paul Jones and Lucy Cooper Jones, she was born February 14, 1921 in Central Valley. She was the widow of John B. Lenaerts and Isidro Totaan. Survivors include sons, John Lenaerts of Napanoch, Thomas Totaan of Walker Valley; brother Frank Jones of Monroe; sisters, Gladys Olin of Harriman, Marie Ayers of East Branch; four grandchildren, John M. Lenaerts, Amy Figueroa, Stacy Page, Ashley Totaan; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Robert Jones, Charles Jones, Jackie Jones and four sisters, Ruth Jones, Bertha Montgomery, Dora Jones and Ida Mattern. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, February 24 at the Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Inc. Funeral Home, 515 Route 32, Highland Mills. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, February 25 at Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity, West Point. Chaplain Major Jerry Deponai will officiate. Burial will be in Post Cemetery, West Point. Arrangements by Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Inc. Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 2/23/2005 - 2/24/2005.