OBITS: Times Herald-Record 29 Jan 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 Cannon, Leon G. "Lee" Formerly of Otisville, N.Y. Leon G. "Lee" Cannon, 83, of Elmira, N.Y. and formerly of Otisville, N.Y., passed away on Sunday November 28, 2004. Mr. Cannon was born November 14, 1921 in Colon, Panama, the son of the late G. Leighton and Lillian Breakell Cannon. He married his wife, Mary Ellen Golden Cannon, who predeceased him on February 17, 1986. Lee was also predeceased by his sons, Timothy Cannon and Patrick Francis Cannon; brother, Alfred Cannon; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou Cannon Vaughn and Leon Vaughn; as well as his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Thomas and Betty Golden. Mr. Cannon is survived by his loving children: William L. and Cindy Cannon, Mary Lee Cannon, Trina Milloway, Michael J. and Joelle Cannon, Kathie A. and Richard Hardy, James Leon Cannon, Teresa and Clyde Button and Elizabeth Marie and Thomas Cannon-Bailey; his longtime loving and devoted companion, Bernice Pabis Mechalke; Bernice's family, Judy and Charles Quatrrochi and Jeanne and Jerry Waters; 28 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law: Jack and Helen Cannon and Ginny (Mrs. Alfred) Cannon; sisters and brothers-in-law: Arlene and Jack Greenberg and Ann and John Maas; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Rev. Edward Golden, David P. Golden and Regina Wright; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of caring friends. Calling Hours and a Prayer Service were held in the Lynch Funeral Home, 318 W. Broad St., Horseheads, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 1, 2004 in St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads, N.Y. Mr. Cannon was buried in St. Peter and Paul's Cemetery in Elmira, N.Y., where full military honors were accorded him by the Chemung County Color Guard and Firing Squad. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/29/2005. Carlton, Shirley A. Mrs. Shirley A. Carlton of Matamoras, Pa., a retired insurance broker and 12 year resident of the area, died Wednesday January 19, 2005, at Milford Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center in Milford, Pa. She was 82. She was born November 3, 1922 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of the late Lester and the late Pearl Thompson Anderson. Surviving her is her son, Edmund E. Carlton and his wife, Heidi, of Shohola, Pa.; one daughter, Janice Juvrud, of Pompton Lakes, N.J.; seven grandchildren: Danielle, Kristen, Vanessa, Gwendolyn, Edmund J., Monica and John; and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one daughter, Lynette Carlton Matouk. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Cremation will be in H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. Funeral arrangements are by Gray-Parker Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send an condolence note please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/22/2005 - 1/29/2005. Conklin, Agnes Agnes Conklin, formerly of New Windsor, N.Y., entered into rest Thursday January 27, 2005, at Elant Nursing Home in Goshen, N.Y. Daughter of the late Nellie and George Maxwell, she was born August 5, 1916 in Greenoch, Scotland. She was married to the late Joseph H. Conklin. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Joseph Conklin and his wife, Vicki, of Austin, Texas, Nessie Ellish and her husband, Alan, of Pine Bush, Mary Hanmore and her husband, Rick, of Newburgh, and Bill Conklin and his wife, Eileen, of Raleigh, N.C.; five grandchildren: Laura and Max Conklin, of Austin, Texas, Matthew Ellish of Newburgh, N.Y., Katie Crane and her husband, Jesse Crane, of Rochester, N.Y. and Scott Conklin of Raleigh, N.C.; and one great-grandson, Owen Crane of Rochester, N.Y. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Eager. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange County. Arrangements by Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/29/2005 - 1/31/2005. Didden, Muriel A. Muriel A. Didden, of the Hamlet of Wallkill, a housewife and a 48-year resident of the area, died Thursday, January 27, 2005 in Newburgh. She was 83. The daughter of the late Gustav and Julia Laux Klein, she was born January 2, 1922 in Jersey City, N.J. She was the widow of Michael J. Didden. Survivors include her son, Douglas M. Didden of Sanford, N.C.; nieces, nephews and friends including dear friends, Anne and Greg Thompson of the Hamlet of Wallkill, Mary and Neil Battinelli of Walden, Denise and Andy Strauser of Lords Valley, Pa.; beloved pet cat "Shadow". She was predeceased by her son, Robert Didden. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, January 30 at the Wallkill Funeral Home, 12 Bonaventura Ave. (Rte 208), Wallkill. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 31 at the funeral home with the Rev. Toni Macon officiating. Cremation will be at Cedar Hill Crematory in Newburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Walden Humane Society. Arrangements were made by Wallkill Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/29/2005. Fitzpatrick, Thomas F. Formerly of the Bronx, N.Y. Thomas F. Fitzpatrick, a retired New York City Police Officer, 44 PCT and US Army WW II Veteran of the Rainbow Division, died Wednesday, January 26, 2005 in Middletown. He was 81. The son of Arthur and Mary (Mae) Fitzpatrick, he was born January 14, 1924 in New York City. He was predeceased by his loving and cherished wife, Gertrude Drewes Fitzpatrick. He was a proud father who selflessly dedicated his entire life to raising his nine children. His legacy will always be embodied in the heart and soul of all the children he leaves behind: Thomas Fitzpatrick and Eileen of Peral River, N.Y. and their sons, Thomas, Robert, Brendan and Dennis; Carol Ann DeMaio and husband Bob of Montgomery and their daughter, Andrea; Kevin and wife Ali of Tampa, Fla. and their children Kevin Jr., Katie, Joshua and Jessica; Brian Fitzpatrick and wife Charlene of Montgomery and their daughter Alison; Daniel and wife Ruth of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Neal Fitzpatrick and his wife Pam of Montgomery and their children Danielle, Shannon and Andrew; Brendan Fitzpatrick formerly of Tampa, now residing in Montgomery; Ted and his wife Dina of Odessa, Fla.; and Patrick Fitzpatrick and wife Ellen of Ballston Lake and their daughters Jen and Brianna. Also one great-granddaughter Maddy Lee of Tampa, Fla. At the request of the family, a private funeral service and burial will be held on Monday, January 31. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Thomas Fitzpatrick to: FDNY, John Bellew Children's Trust, Citibank Attn: Thomas Moran, 460 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022. To sign a guestbook register, please go to www.davidtfergusonfh.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/29/2005. Marley, Lucille V. Chandler, Ariz. Lucille V. Marley, a homemaker and longtime Middletown resident died Monday, January 24, 2005 at Hospice of The Valley in Chandler, AZ. She was 83 years old. The daughter of the late Peter and Helen Fumagalli Gielen, Lucille was born on October 5, 1921 in Paterson, N.J. Lucille moved to Middletown in the 60s from Lodi, N.J. Lucille is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Wolfe and her husband Robin of Queen Creek, AZ and Barbara Uglean and her fianc‚ Ray Jurgens of Denver, CO; one sister, Emily Guarriello of Santa Ana, CA and three grandchildren, Laura Uglean, Darrell Uglean and Shawn Heitman and his wife Tania, all of Colorado. Lucille was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, James Marley who died on Sept. 9, 2004 and her son Jimmy in 1993. Family and friends may visit on Sunday, January 30, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 31, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown. Burial will follow in the family plot in Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburgh. Donations in Lucilles name maybe made to: Hospice of the Valley, 1188 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, AZ, 85224-4004. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/29/2005. McCarthy, Sonya Barbara Sonya Barbara McCarthy, a 42-year resident of Cornwall and Cornwall-On-Hudson and a retired Medical Records Technician for the Cornwall Hospital, died Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at Wingate/St. Francis Nursing Facility, Beacon. She was 76. The daughter of the late William and Harriet Morris Peterson, she was born December 27, 1928 in Washington, D.C. She was a member of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church and a former member of the Church Choir for many years. She was an avid reader, which landed her on two quiz shows in the early 1990s "Jeopardy" and "Who, What & Where." She was innocent but not naive and had an open heart and open door. She had an incredible sense of humor. She loved to travel and was fascinated with British History. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Edward J. McCarthy of Lake City, Fla.; two loving daughters, Lynn Davis of Newburgh and Kathleen Eastwood of Cornwall-on-Hudson; a brother, Richard Peterson and his wife Margo and their daughter, and Sonya's niece, Sandra of Big Bear, Calif. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, January 30 at James F. Lulves Funeral Home, 9 Ave. A, Cornwall-On-Hudson. A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Caplice officiating. Burial will be private. Funeral arrangements by the James F. Lulves Funeral Home Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/28/2005 - 1/29/2005. Neely, Irene M. Formerly of Middletown, N.Y. Irene M. Neely, former owner and founder of Tel-Rad Message Center in Middletown, entered into rest on Tuesday January 25, 2005 in Venice, Fla. She was 94. The daughter of the late William J. and Anna Kallberg McGuigan, Irene was born on June 24, 1910 in New York City. The second oldest of six siblings, she moved to Sackett Lake with her family when she was seven. At 14, Irene began working as a telephone operator for New York Telephone Co., in Monticello, and by 19 was both a supervisor and instructor. She married William E. Neely on January 14, 1932 in St. Peter's Rectory in Monticello. They made their home in Middletown where she started working for Orange County Telephone Company. In 1952, after 20 years of service, she left the phone company to open a doctors telephone exchange known as "Neely's Answering Bureau Service". Despite her youngest child's bout with polio, subscribers were quickly added and in 1955 she took a partner in the business. That same year she received a grant from the FCC to operate a mobile radio station, transforming the business into Tel-Rad Message Center. When Tel-Rad was sold in 1975, Irene retired to Venice, Fla. She learned how to fire ceramics, improve her side stroke, played more bridge, supplied the family with macrame everything, cooked her famous pot roast, finally took golf lessons and taught everyone where to find the best sharks teeth. After little more than a year of retirement though, she was ready to dust off her headset and accept a position at G&H Answering Service to "operate the board", which she did until age 88, when that business was sold. For the past five years, Irene has called Park Place Retirement Community her home. She recently reminisced, "Not many people can say that they loved their work, but there wasn't a day that I went to the board that I didn't love what I did." While in Middletown, Irene belonged to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and also the Mt. Carmel Confraternity of the Brown Scapular. In Venice, she was a communicant of Epiphany Cathedral and was a member of the Epiphany Guild. A family statement reads: "In her unwavering faith, strength and determination, mom was an example to all who loved her. She was quick to credit devotion to "her guys"...St. Anthony and St. Jude and their intercession on her behalf as the source of her endurance." "Gram" has always been there for her family. She assures us that she still will be. Irene is survived by two loving daughters, MaryAnn LaFera and her husband, Lenny, of Marietta, Ga., Patricia Neely-Formisano and her husband, Michael, of Middletown; one brother, Joseph McGuigan, of Fort Pierce, Fla.; one sister, Mary Motl, of Stratford, Conn.; seven grandchildren: Justin Neely and his wife, Hiroko, of NYC, Andrea LaFera-Bianco and her husband, Salvatore, of Athens, Ga., Dina LaFera-Smith and her husband, Ricky of Marietta, Ga., Rachel LaFera-Jackson and her husband, Bruce, of Jacksonville, Fla., Seth LaFera of Parma, Italy, Nathaniel LaFera and his wife, Heather, of Woodstock, Ga., and Stephanie LaFera of NYC; her foster grandchild, Chrissy Smith and her husband, Lloyd, and children, all of Kennesaw, Ga.; three great-grandchildren: Gabrielle, Sascha and Dominic; her dear friend and husband's niece, Mrs. Evelyn Prochazka, of Goshen; as well as many devoted nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her husband, William E. Neely in April, 1957; her beloved son, "Young Bill", who died mysteriously in April 1955, while serving in the U.S. Navy; her first grandson, Benjamin LaFera, who unexpectedly returned to the Lord in January, 1973 at the age of three; her brothers, Sebastian McGuigan and William McGuigan; and her sister Madeline Leffer. Family and friends may call on Monday January 31, 2005 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 Tuesday, February 1 at 11:00 AM in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown. Burial will follow in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Donations in Irene's name may be made to: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carmelite Drive, Middletown, N.Y. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/29/2005 - 1/30/2005. Randzin, Rachel Rachel Randzin, retired president of Randzin Electronics in Newburgh and longtime resident of the area, died Friday, January 28, 2005 at Vassar Hospital. She was 83. The daughter of the late Thomas and Rachel Delmonico Casaburo, she was born June 3, 1921 in Milton, N.Y. She was the widow of Louis Randzin. Survivors include her son, Albert Randzin and his wife Robyn of Wallkill; grandson, Adam Randzin of Newport, Calif.; brothers, James and Charles Casaburo both of Highland; sisters, Jean Fino of Milton and Julia Dirago of Poughkeepsie; and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, January 30 at White and Venuto Funeral Home, 188 North Plank Rd., Town of Newburgh. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Father William Scafidi will officiate. Private burial services will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Mid-Hudson Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Ste. 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4027 or the Tsunami Relief Red Cross International Response Fund, PO BOX 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Arrangements were made by White and Venuto Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/29/2005 - 1/30/2005. Syperda, Ruth V. Ruth V. Syperda, of Greenwood Lake, a 40-year resident of the area, formerly of Wantagh, N.J., died Monday, January 24, 2005 at home. She was 68. The daughter of George and Elsie Kent Groover, she was born January 25, 1936 in Wantagh Township, Sussex, N.J. She was the widow of Gerlof Syperda, who predeceased her in 1983. Survivors include her daughter, Suzanne Baker and her husband Joseph; her grandchildren, Joseph, Christopher and Jacob; her brother and sisters, Kenneth Kent, Marion South and Dorothy Yarashes; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers and sister, George Groover, William Groover, Alfred Groover, John Groover and Janet Babcock. Visitation hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, January 27 at the Strong-Basile Funeral Home, 4 Oak Street, Greenwood Lake. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenwood Lake Cemetery in Greenwood Lake. Arrangements by Strong-Basile Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/26/2005 - 2/2/2005. Torkildsen, Berndt Berndt Torkildsen, 70, of Milford, Pa., died on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was a bus driver for the Pike County Developmental Center, volunteered for the Area P Special Olympics and was devoted to developmentally challenged adults. Born in Lista, Norway on December 30, 1934, he was the son of Tarald and Ella (Bernsten) Torkildsen. He was married to Norene (Knobloch) Torkildsen. Survivors include his wife; his children, Katherine Gnagey and her husband Robert of Andover, N.J., Brian Torkildsen of Andover, N.J., Linda Shannon and her husband Michael of Sparta, N.J., Steven Torkildsen and his wife Sonja of Shohola, Pa., Michael Torkildsen of San Francisco, Calif., Elizabeth Cotton and her husband Joseph of Fedon, N.J.; one brother, John Torkildsen and his wife Evelyn of New City, N.Y.; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 31 at 10 a.m. at Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 W. Harford St., Milford, Pa. The Rev. Benjamin Willis will officiate. Friends may call at Stroyan Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, January 30. Burial will take place in Milford Cemetery, Dingman Township, Pa. Memorials may be made to the Pike County Development Center, 107 W. Ann St., Milford, PA 18337. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/29/2005. Young, Fay Marlene Fay Marlene Young, of Livingston Manor, a former member of Falls Poultry and life-long area resident, died Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at the Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, N.Y. She was 65. The daughter of the late Judson M. and Helen F. Malloch Brush, she was born September 22, 1939 in Hancock, N.Y. She is survived by her four daughters, Marlene Rivera and her companion Dan Turissini of Allentown, Pa., Sharon Swartz and her companion John Turner of Telford, Pa., Susan Perry and her companion Ray Klein of Roscoe and Marsha Young of Livingston Manor; three sons, Robert Young of Livingston Manor, William Young and his wife Lisa of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Nelson Young and his wife Irene Alexander of Livingston Manor; three brothers, John Brush of Fishes Eddy, N.Y., Judd Brush of Charlotte, N.C. and Leo Brush of Maine; one sister, Bonnie Maier of Orlando, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, January 30 at Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, January 31 at the funeral home. The Rev. Gerald Wondra will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/29/2005.