OBITS: Times Herald-Record 10 Nov 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 Anania, Joseph Joseph Anania, a longtime area resident, died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 6, 2005 in Yorktown, Va. He was born to Giacomo and Anna Zarola Anania on May 2, 1930 in Curinga Catanzaro, Italy. On August 20, 1960, he married his beloved wife Catherine Denisi whom he had met in their hometown of Curinga. She predeceased him on March 27, 1982. Joseph was a Carabinieri, the equivalent of the Italian State Police until he moved to the U.S. in 1960. After moving, he was employed by Dubet Manufacturing, Luna Bakery and Joe's Pizza for many years. Also, he was an usher and active parishioner of St. Francis Church in Newburgh. The family statement reads, "Joe was well-known for his walks to the Newburgh Mall and for his social nature, Singing and Whistling. He loved to talk and adored all children. We would joke that he was so popular, he could be elected mayor. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him but, especially by his children and grandchildren. We take comfort in knowing he is reunited with his wife whom he has missed so much over the years." He is survived by sons, James Anania and his wife Eileen of Cooperstown, N.Y. and their children, Catherine, Victoria, James and Isabella, Vincent Anania and his wife Marie and daughter Emily all of Yorktown, Va; one bother, Vinanzo; two sisters, Giovanna and Maria; his in-laws, John and Vickie Miller, Dominick and Karen Denisi, Vincent and Pamela Denisi and Sebastian and Sue Denisi. Also many nephews and nieces in Newburgh and Italy. He was predeceased by a brother Antonio and a sister Elonara both of Italy. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 10 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Church in Newburgh. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in New Windsor. The family will be present to receive friends on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 4-7 p.m. and Wed. Nov. 9 from 4-8 p.m. at Coloni Funeral Home, 3001 Rt 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe's memory can be made to the Baby V. Fund, 19 Grandview Terr., Wallkill, NY 12589. (Baby V. is for Vincenza, Joe's 1-year-old great-niece who was recently diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma. All monies will go toward research in her name). For a family guestbook & directions please visit colonifuneralhomes.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/8/2005 - 11/10/2005. Arnold, Joan A. Joan A. Arnold, a longtime area resident, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2005 at Albany Medical Center. She was 60. The daughter of Clarence and Anna King Olsen, she was born on December 8, 1944 in Brooklyn. Joan was a legal secretary for Gerstman, Ledina & Kelson Law Office in Monticello. A family statement reads, "Joan was a woman with much determination. She was ill most of her adult life, but always pushed herself to do the best she could. She did her best not to let things get her down. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her ability to smile and joke in the most dire of circumstances was a quality endearing to all who surrounded her." Survivors include her mother, Anna King Olsen of Binghamton; her husband of 38 years, Joseph W. Arnold at home; two sons, Michael Arnold of Nantucket, Mass. and Timothy Arnold of Daytona Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Denise Fuchs and her husband Scott and Theresa Kirst and her husband Alfred, all of Plano, Texas; one sister, Ruth Bonsick and her husband Robert of Liberty; seven grandchildren, Mandara, Devi and Malakai Arnold of Providence, R.I., Daniel and Jessica Fuchs, Nicholas and Breanna DeFelice and Justin Kirst, all of Plano, Texas; two nephews, Daniel Bonsick of Binghamton and David Bonsick of Liberty; and one aunt, Ruth. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Society, 149 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc., Monticello. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/10/2005. Arrante, Lillian V. "Nana Lil" Lillian V. "Nana Lil" Arrante, a housewife, of Central Valley, N.Y. and a 30-year resident of the area, died Sunday, November 6, 2005 at home. She was 89. The daughter of the late Samuel Reres and Catherine Ciaravino Reres, she was born on January 16, 1916 in New York City. She was the widow of James Arrante. She was a member of Monroe Jolly Senior Citizens in Monroe. Survivors include two sons: Peter Arrante of Middle Village, N.Y. and James S. Arrante of Central Valley; a daughter: Jeannie Gelardi of Monroe, N.Y.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Friday, November 11, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe. Prayer Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, November 11, 2005 at 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Road, Monroe with the Rev. Carl D. Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. Anastasia Cemetery, Harriman, N.Y. Funeral Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, Monroe. Contributions may be made to Woodbury Community Ambulance Corps., P.O. Box 561, Central Valley, NY 10917. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/10/2005 - 11/11/2005. Couey, Randall L. (Bud) Randall L. (BUD) Couey (Mar. 27, 1943 - Nov. 8, 2005) went home to be with our Lord Tuesday morning. A native of Berea, Ohio, Bud graduated from Berea High School and soon after entered the USAF in 1963. While stationed at Wurtsmith SAC. AFB, he was trained in cryogenics and later cross-trained as a fuels specialist. He spent time in Newfoundland and then Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas. A Buckeye by birth, but a 'Texan' by choice. While living in Texas, he married and had two children Alan and Michael. Bud spent over 30 years driving eighteen-wheelers nation wide until retiring, early 2003, in Walden. When Alan and Michael were growing up, Bud enjoyed golfing, bowling, photography, motorcycle riding, camping and trips to Brant Lake, N.Y. Bud was preceded in death by his father Randall Lee Couey; grandparents Arch and Pauline Carroll; grandparents Leroy and Ruth Couey; many aunts, uncles and cousins. Bud is survived by his mother Wilma (Carroll) Couey-McPeek of Walden; sons Alan and Candy Couey of OKC, Okla., Michael and Louise Couey of Montgomery; sister Kathryn Holt of Palm Coast, Fla.; grandchildren Lindsey, John, Melanie, Zachary, Emily-Ann, Josh, Jordy, Jerimy; nephew Jay and Sharon Holt; nieces Amy and Dan McCabe, Amanda Holt; great-nieces and nephew Nick, Maggie, Emma, Cassie, Anna. Visitation will be Friday, November 11 from 5-8 p.m. at the Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden. Funeral Services will Saturday, November 12 at 10 a.m. at the Funeral Home. The Rev. James VanHouten officiating. Burial will be in the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen. Arrangements by Millspaugh Funeral Directors, Walden. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/10/2005. Ledoux Jr., Dr. Cyril Joseph Formerly of Ellenville, N.Y. Dr. Cyril Joseph Ledoux, Jr. of Riverview, Fla., formerly of Ellenville, a retired dentist, died November 6, 2005 at his home in Florida. He was 69. The son of the late Cyril Joseph and Anne Rose Mattes Ledoux, Sr., he was born June 14, 1936 in Lockport, N.Y. He served in the United States Air Force as a captain during Vietnam. He moved to the Ellenville area in 1973 and was a Communicant of the Church of St. Mary and St. Andrew, Ellenville, and St. Joseph's Church, Wurtsboro, a life member of Scoresby Hose, Hook and Ladder, Ellenville and a member of the Tri-State Dental Association. "He was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him." Survivors include his wife, Deborah Kocis Ledoux, at home; a son, Jean Pierre Ledoux and his wife Laurel of Apollo Beach, Fla.; a sister, Anne Marie Erwin and her husband, Gregory, of Rochester, N.Y.; a brother Dr. Thomas Ledoux and his wife Germaine of Chalfont, Pa.; a granddaughter, Cenna Ledoux; and several nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Wurtsboro. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Wurtsboro. Arrangements by Loucks Funeral Home, Inc., 79 N. Main Street, Ellenville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, 4901 Main Street, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64112-2634. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/10/2005 - 11/11/2005. McMahon, Susan Lillian Scott Susan Lillian Scott McMahon, of Sebastian, Fla., formerly of Salisbury Mills, passed into the hands of Lord Jesus Christ, Monday, November 6, 2005. She was 45. Daughter of Patricia Scott and the late Robert Scott Sr., she was born on July 8, 1960 in Newburgh. Susan was a graduate of Washingtonville High School, a member of the Salisbury Mills Fire Dept. Women's Auxiliary and a parishioner of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Sebastian, Fla. She was also an advocate for the rights of animals. She is survived by her daughters, Meghan McMahon and Kaitlyn McMahon; her mother Patricia Scott; sister Eileen Spindler and her husband Philip; brother Robert Scott Jr.; and niece Andrea Scott. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, November 11 at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 12 at Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Susan's name may be made to the Kidney Foundation of America, 1250 Broadway, Suite 2001, New York, NY, 10001; Crohns Foundation of America, 386 Park Ave. South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016; or the ASPCA, 110 5th Ave., New York, NY 10011 Attn: Donations. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/10/2005. Norton, John J. John J. Norton, son of the late John J. Norton Sr., Anna V. Wojciehowski Norton, and widower of Shirley E. Goodsell Norton, passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2005, at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh. He was 85. Born in Kingston, NY, on March 25, 1920, he graduated from Kingston High School, Class of 1938; and Moran Business School in 1940. A family statement reads, "John was a loving and devoted husband who cared for his wife Shirley for 15 years during her illness." John was inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces on January 7, 1942. He served 4 years and 4 months in the U.S. Army Air Corp, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Upon discharge he was employed at Hobbs Army Air Field in New Mexico, and later at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at Los Alamos, New Mexico. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at Albuquerque, New Mexico in March 1948, and completed 23 years of service, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He worked for I.B.M., East Fishkill for 16 and a half years, retiring as a Documentation Specialist in August 1982. He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1973. John was a member of the Town of Newburgh American Legion Post 1420 and the Town of Newburgh Golden Age Club. He was also an avid sports fan. Survivors include his daughter, Patricianne "Lily" Norton of Newburgh; son, Roger C. Norton of Bloomingburg; 4 granddaughters, Holly C. Roe of Chester, Heidi E. Stromberg of Campbell Hall, Amy C. Norton of New York City and Amanda M. Nowlin of Fort Knox, KY; 3 great- granddaughters, Abigail S. and Rebecca A. Roe, both of Chester and Piper C. Nowlin of Ft. Knox, Ky.; his brother, Vincent F. Norton of Ocala, FL; his sister, Florence T. Norton of Kingston; and brother-in-law Roger W. Goodsell and his wife Gloria of Tyler, TX. He was predeceased by his brother, William J. Norton. A memorial gathering will be held from 1-2 p.m., on Saturday, November 12 at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m., followed by military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of the Hudson Valley, 11 Marshall Rd., Suite 1H, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/10/2005 - 11/11/2005. Picarello Jr., Albert F. "Biff" Albert "Biff" F. Picarello, of San Diego, Calif., died October 31, 2005 at his home in San Diego. He was 54. He is survived by Suzanne, his wife of 33 years, at home; his daughter, Angela Volk and husband Neil of San Diego; two grandchildren, Natalya and Reid Volk; parents, Albert and Alice Verlini Picarello of Monticello; one brother, John A. Picarello also of Monticello; and several aunts, uncles and cousins in Sullivan, Orange and Rockland counties. In accord with his wishes, his remains were donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society for Research followed by cremation by the American Cremation Service of San Diego. There will be a scattering of the ashes along Sunrise Highway, San Diego County on November 13, 2005. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Forestburgh, N.Y. Date, as yet, undetermined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/10/2005. Rifflard-Pitt, Bernice A. Formerly of Otisville, N.Y. Bernice A. Rifflard-Pitt, a former resident of Otisville, died Monday, November 7, 2005 at Central Florida Regional Hospital, Sanford, Fla. She was 57 years old. The daughter of the late Robert Rifflard, Sr. and Bernice Gaffney Rifflard, she was born on July 14, 1948 in Patterson, N.J. She married Norman J. Pitt on December 18, 1988 in Otisville. Bernice was an avid collector of M&M memorabilia, you name it, she had it. And to relax, she enjoyed the craft of knitting. Bernice is survived by her loving husband of 17 years, Norman J. Pitt at home; two stepdaughters, Rene Liseski of Otisville and Donna Hyatt of East Stroudsburg, Pa.; three stepsons, Norman J. Pitt Jr. of Gilbertsville, Pa., Anthony Pitt of Goshen, and Michael Pitt of Middletown; three brothers, Robert Rifflard of Washingtonville, Jesse Rifflard of Newburgh and Bruce Rifflard of Stony Point; 12 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown. A Funeral Service of Remembrance will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Father Peter Tran Van Phat will officiate. Burial will follow in the family plot in The Cemetery of the Highlands, Highland Mills. Memorial Donations in Bernice's name may be made to: St. Jude's Children Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/10/2005. Shorell, Roberta A. Roberta A. Shorell passed away November 8, 2005 in Boynton Beach where she made her home for past 10 years. Formerly of Far Rockaway, N.Y., she was beloved mother of Jerrold A. (Alicia) Shorell of Newburgh, N.Y. and Estelle (Edward) Lewis of Tampa; cherished grandmother of Rachelle, Shaina, Jocelyn and Allison; and dear sister of Frayda (Bill) Sinnreich. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005 at King Solomon Cemetery in Clifton, N.J. Shiva observed at the home of Jerrold and Alicia Shorell, 127 Dogwood Lane, Newburgh, N.Y. Contributions in her memory may made to either the Regency Center Hospice of Delray Medical Center or to the Delray Medical Center Coronary Care Unit. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Smith, Thomas James Thomas James Smith, a four-year resident of Newburgh, formerly of Carmel, died Saturday, November 5, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus, Newburgh. He was 59. The son of Mildred Rogers and the late Albert Smith, he was born November 17, 1945 in Cherryville, N.C. He was employed in retail sales at Caldor Stores, Bedford Hills, N.Y. and a member of St. Peter's Baptist Church, Grover, N.C. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Ava Smith at home; loving mother, Mildred Rogers Smith of Kings Mountain, N.C.; three sons: Michael J. Smith of Iowa, Kenneth James of Grover, N.C. and Tony N. Smith of Newburgh; one daughter, Kimberly T. Smith at home; three brothers: Fred Smith and wife, Carrie, and Robert Smith and wife, Carol, all of Grover, N.C. and Gene Smith of Bridgeport, Conn.; nine sisters: Dorothy Smith, Wanda Wilson and husband, Alonzo, all of Grover, N.C., Joan Green of Lexington, S.C., Gertrude Mitchem of Shelby, N.C., Betty S. Martin of Mt. Holly, N.C., Sarah Foreman and husband, Carl, of Stone Mountain, Ga.; Linda McClain of Charlotte, N.C., Mahasin El-Amin and husband, Safullah of Statesville, N.C., and Peggy Wilson and husband, James, of Bessemer City, N.C.; grandchildren: Kenya, Jamesha and Kayland; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was predeceased by brother, Moses Smith. Services were held Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at Rhodes Funeral Homes, 259 Walsh Avenue, New Windsor. Cremation will be at the convenience of the family. Please visit our website at www.rhodesfuneralhomes.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/8/2005 - 11/12/2005. Starita, James James Starita, a retired farmer and longtime area resident, died Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at Wingate at Ulster. He was 93. The son of the late Frank and Carmella Colandrea Starita, he was born February 12, 1912 in Italy. He is survived by cousins, Mary Ann Dayton of Milton and Vincent Colandrea of Ohio. He was predeceased by his brothers, Salvatore and Frederick. Visitation will be Friday, November 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 N. Plank Rd. (Rt 32), town of Newburgh. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 12 at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Father John Jaume will officiate. Entombment will follow in Cedar Hill Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 419 East Main St. Suite 307B, Middletown, NY 10940. Funeral arrangements under direction of White & Venuto Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Watts, Michael Linn Michael Linn Watts of Cuddebackville, N.Y., a salesman for Caps Plus in Goshen and a seven-year area resident, died November 7, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 42. Born August 2, 1963 in Lewisburg, Pa., he was the son of the late Linn Watts and Judith Woodruff Watts, who survives. Michael was a member of Moose Lodge #2036 in Mamakating, N.Y. A family statement reads: "He loved to shoot pool. He had many friends across the country due to his love of computers and the Internet. He was a humongous Penn State fan." Survivors include his wife, Mary Freeman Watts, at home; his mother, Judith Woodruff Watts, of Milton, Pa.; one son, Jeremy Watts, at home; two daughters: Miranda Villamar and her husband, Tobias, of Cuddebackville, N.Y. and Jennifer Watts of Milton, Pa.; one sister, Michelle Watts of Milton, Pa.; his grandfather, Robert Woodruff of Milton, Pa.; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Villamar of Cuddebackville, N.Y.; and a niece, Nicole Watts of Milton, Pa. The funeral will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will be private, at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 949, 255 Greenwich Ave., Goshen, NY 10924. Funeral arrangements made by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/10/2005.