OBITS: Times Herald-Record 12 Mar 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 Babcock, Mary Helen (Babe) Mary Helen (Babe) Babcock of Stony Point, N.Y., passed away suddenly on Wednesday March 9, 2005. Mary was the daughter of the late Louis and Catherine (Bereza) Wolanski, born in Nyack on May 14, 1929. Mary was an outstanding bowler and a member of the WIBC. She was secretary for ICWU 143, retiring from Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y. after 50 years of dedicated service. Mary and all of her family participated for many years with the Shamrock Drum and Bugle Corp. She came to be known as "Mom" to all the children in the band. In recent years, one of her greatest pleasures was to play Bingo every Saturday night. Mary was an avid reader and donated her books to many organizations, including doctor's offices and libraries. Mary is survived by two sons, James Babcock, Jr. and his wife, Kathee, of Greenwood Lake, and Gary Babcock and his wife, Susan, of Goshen; two daughters, Gina Babcock and her husband, Butch, of Goshen and Holly Franchino and her husband, Robert, Sr., of Stony Point; eight grandchildren: Sheri Teghtmeyer Varkey and her husband, Bijo, of Long Island, N.Y., Charles Babcock of Goshen, Robert, Jr., Heather and Vincent Franchino of Stony Point, Brittany and David Babcock of Goshen and Jesse Babcock of Greenwood Lake; three great-granddaughters: Jessica, Jaymi and Jeni Varkey of Long Island, N.Y.; and her loving companion, "Scooternut". Mary was predeceased by her husband, James Babcock, Sr., and her loving brother, Michael Wolanski. Visitation will be today from 7-9 PM and Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Higgins Funeral Home, 73 N. Liberty Dr., Stony Point, N.Y., with a service on Sunday at 10:00 AM in the funeral home. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were made by Higgins Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 3/11/2005 - 3/12/2005. Fitzgerald, Florence M. Florence M. Fitzgerald, formerly of Newburgh, N.Y. and Brooklyn, N.Y., died Thursday March 10, 2005 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. She was 85. The daughter of the late William F. and Helen Isenberg, she was born on January 19, 1920 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs. Fitzgerald lived in her Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope for 76 years. She worked for Bankers Trust in Manhattan for 35 of those years. In 1997 she moved to Cerone Place in Newburgh, then to the John's Home, and finally to the Eden Park Health Care Center in Poughkeepsie. Survivors include her children, Thomas and his wife, Maryann, of Newburgh, and Dennis and his wife, Jean, of Mercerville, N.J.; her grandchildren: Jeffrey, Courtney, Christopher, Scott and Allison; her great-grandchildren: Sydney, Kaden, Ethan and Savanna; her brother, Harold and her sister, Margaret Mary; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, William and Thomas, and her sister, Dorothy. Visitiation hours will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2005 from 2-5 and 7-9 PM at M.J. Smith Funeral Home, 248 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Name Church, directly across the street from the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Monday, March 14. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Free, Lisa M. Lisa M. Free of Walden, a customer service representative for various companies and a 32 year area resident, died Thursday March 10, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital, Newburgh. She was 40. The daughter of the late Robert Free and Elissa Zitterbart Free, she was born March 16, 1964 in Queens, N.Y. She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Walden, where she was one of the first female acolytes. She was an avid fisherman and an avid Mickey Mouse collector, for all those who love her know that Mickey rules. She will be missed by her family, friends and her many pets. Survivors include her longtime companion and spouse, Agnes Healey, of Walden; her mother, Elissa "Liz" Free of Walden; one son, the love of her life, Rudy Free, at home; one sister, Andrea Free-Kwiatkowski of Raleigh, N.C.; nieces and nephews and her godchild, Hope Elizabeth Dean. Visitation will be on Sunday March 13, 2005 from 2-4 PM at Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, 39 Orchard St., Walden, N.Y. Memorial services will be Sunday, March 13 at 4:00 PM at the funeral home. Cremation will be in Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or to the family to be used at their discretion. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Gormley, Loretta V. Loretta V. Gormley of Monroe, a retired loan officer, died March 10, 2005 at Schervier Pavilion, Warwick, N.Y. She was 86. The daughter of John Ryan and Laura Kahl, she was born October 1, 1918 in Bronx, N.Y. She was the widow of Henry F. Gormley. Survivors include her daughter, Maryann T. Bortnowsky of Monroe; her brother, Donald Ryan; her sister, Patricia Rayburn; two grandchildren, Erica and John; and one niece, Rosemary Rayburn. Visitation will be on Monday March 14, 2005 from 8:30-10:00 AM at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North St., Washingtonville, N.Y. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 14, at 10:30 AM in St. Mary's Chapel, Washingtonville, N.Y. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, N.Y. For further information and to sign the guest register book, please visit www.davidtfergusonfh.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Hosek, Anna Anna Hosek, of Glen Spey, a retired machinist for Red Devil, Inc., in Union, N.J., and twelve year area resident, died March 10, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. She was 83. The daughter of John and Mary Bomala, she was born July 1, 1921 in Romania. She was married to the late Martin Hosek. She was a member of St. Leo's R.C. Church in Irvington, N.J. Survivors include four daughters: Rose Hosek of Glen Spey, Lotka Hosek of Marlboro, N.J., Kathy Jarmas and her husband, Thomas, of Massachusetts, and Anna Thiele of Glen Spey; one son, Petro Hosek of Seneca, S.C.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mara Burke. Friends may call Sunday, March 14 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. The funeral will be held on Monday, March 14, at 10:15 AM in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, N.Y. with the Rev. Anthony Iqnaci officiating. A vigil wake service will be held Sunday evening at the funeral home. Entombment will take place at Gethsemane Gardens Mausoleum, Hollywood Memorial Park, Union, N.J. For information, directions or to send a condolence note, please visit, Knight-Auchmoody.com Arrangements were made by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 3/12/2005 - 3/13/2005. Olenjniczak, Bernice I. Bernice I. Olejniczak of Florida, N.Y., a hairdresser for C&C Unisex in Middletown, entered into rest on Friday March 11, 2005, at home. She was 68. The daughter of Adley and Frances Goddard Fairweather, she was born March 10, 1937 in Millsburgh, N.Y. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Florida, N.Y. Survivors include husband, Ted Olejniczak, at home; her mother, Frances Fairweather of Kentucky; one son, Steven John Boyea of Middletown; two daughters, Michele Anne Schroeder of Pennsylvania, and Heather Marie Plocharczyk of Florida, N.Y.; ten grandchildren: Cortnie, Connor, Stephanie, Niki, Brooke, Kelsi, Cody, Steven Jr., David and Amber; one great-grandson, Nicholas; two sisters, three brothers, several nieces, nephews and cousins, and her many devoted and loving friends. She is predeceased by one son, Mark Boyea; her father and one brother. Friends may call on Sunday March 13, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-8:30 PM at T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 8:30, Sunday evening at the funeral home. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Florida Fire and Rescue Squad, Box 600, Florida, NY 19021. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.purtafuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Roberts, Jean A. (McMinn) Mrs. Roberts was born 1926 in Butler, N.J., the daughter of Thomas and Agnes McMinn. She was predeceased by her husband, Franklyn. An active member of St. Anthony's of Padua Church, Butler, N.J., and its Rosary Altar Society, she joined St. Anthony's Columbiettes, Butler, N.J. in April of 1960. She served the organization at all levels, from president of the local auxiliary, then rising to the directorship of the Supreme Council. She was the N.J. State Council Columbiette President from 1982-1984. Mrs. Roberts resided in West Milford, N.J. She died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Chilton Memorial Hospital, Pompton Plains, N.J., after a short illness. She was 79 years old. Mrs. Roberts is survived by her brothers, Robert of Wayne, N.J., and Gerald of Pompton Lakes, N.J.; her children: Frederick and his wife, Isabel, of Sandyston, N.J., Thomas, at home, James and his wife, Donalyn, of Cranston, R.I., Donald and his wife, Kathleen, of Washingtonville, N.Y., William and his wife, Lisa, of Butler, N.J., and John and his wife, Ingrid, of Vernon, N.J., and her daughter, Lynn Luehrs, of Astoria, N.Y. She is survived by eight grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 9:30 AM in St. Anthony's R.C. Church. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visiting will be on Saturday from 7-9 PM and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Morrison Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave., Butler. In lieu of flowers, donation are requested to be made to the New Jersey State Council Columbiette Memorial Fund, 8 Joanne Court, Sayreville, NJ 08872. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Smyth, Catherine Catherine Smyth of Pine Bush, a homemaker and resident of the area since 1987, died Thursday March 10, 2005, at Orange County Residential Health Care Facility, Goshen, N.Y. She was 93. The daughter of Patrick Nolan and Hannah Supple Nolan, she was born March 28, 1911 in Ireland. She was a member of the Church of the Infant Saviour in Pine Bush, N.Y. She was the widow of John J. Smyth. Survivors include her beloved daughter, Eileen Drabik and her husband, Bob Drabik, of Pine Bush; three loving grandchildren: Eileen Hans, Linda Drabik and Suzanne Drabik; two beloved great grandchildren, Julia Hans and Andrew Hans; and also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, John Patrick Smyth. Visitation will be on Sunday March 13, 2005 from 2-5 PM at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, N.Y. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 14 at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Infant Saviour, Pine Bush, N.Y., with Father William Damroth officiating. Burial will be in New Prospect Cemetery, Pine Bush, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to Educational Foundation of Orange County Community College in Memory of Catherine Smyth. For directions, please visit www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com Arrangements were made by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Taggart, Royal S. Royal S. Taggart, a longtime area resident and a retired supervisor for gas distribution at P.S.E. & G. in Hackensack, N.J., having retired in 1975, died Thursday, March 10, 2005 at his home in Glen Spey. Son of the late Earle and Martha Welbrock Taggart, he was born September 7, 1910 in Cheyenne, Wyo. He was married first to the late Lillian Manwaring Taggart and then to the late Evelyne Cwazka Taggart. Mr. Taggart held various titles with several organizations: member and past Master of Pioneer Lodge #70 F & AM, Hackensack, N.J.; member of the Bergen Chapter, Royal Arch Masons #40, Hackensack, N.J.; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of North Jersey; Shlaam Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., Livingston, N.J.; member of Wilson Lodge #300, Ridgefield Park, N.J.; The Square Club of Maywood, N.J.; The Sunset Square Club of Tom's River, N.J.; Court House Square Club of Bergen County, Hackensack, N.J.; Bergen County Shrine Club, Teaneck, N.J.; North Jersey Past Masters Association, Paterson, N.J. and the Order of DeMolay, Legion of Honor, New Jersey. Survivors include two daughters, Judy Vertucci and her husband, Kenneth, of Glen Spey, N.Y., and Marilyn Persico of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; one stepson, Joseph Cwazka of Saddle Brook, N.J.; one stepdaughter, Joan Traina and her husband, Frank, of Sparta, N.J.; nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Monday, March 14 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 15 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home with the Rev. Stephen Huston officiating. Port Jervis Lodge of Mason will conduct services at 7:30 PM, Monday evening. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital, Boston, MA 02100. For information, directions or to send a condolence note, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com Arrangements were made by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005. Weeks, Irving "Chet" Irving "Chet" Weeks of Cornwall, a retired production manager for Star Expansion Co., Cornwall and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital, Newburgh. He was 88. The son of the late Ralph and Harriett Lathrope Weeks, he was born September 21, 1916 in Newburgh and was the husband of the late Helen Lahey Weeks. He was a member of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church; the Cornwall Lions Club; the Cornwall Republican Club; a Cornwall Republican Committee member; and a retired Town of Cornwall Councilman, having served 25 years. Survivors include three daughters: Nancy Specht and her husband, Henry, of New Windsor, Margaret Jagusch of New Windsor, and Helen Whitman and her husband, Roger, of Poughkeepsie; one son, Raymond Weeks and his wife, Chun, of Newburgh; seven grandchildren: Henry Specht, Jr. and his wife, Stacey, Brenda Specht, Michael Jagusch, Eileen Mitchell, Christine Ricci and her husband, Robert, Ann Arrison and her husband, Michael, and Robert Jagusch, Jr.; seven great-grandchildren: Jacklyn, Thomas, Nicky, Ashley, Albert, Michael, Jr., and Rianna Jo; several nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Winifred Swenson. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 13 from 2-6 PM at the James F. Lulves Funeral Home, Inc., 9 Ave. A, Cornwall-On-Hudson, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 14 at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, Hudson St., Cornwall-On-Hudson, N.Y. with the Rev. Bernard Heter officiating. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Cornwall, N.Y. Donations may be made to the Cornwall Lions Club. Funeral arrangements by the James F. Lulves Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 3/12/2005.