OBITS: Times Herald-Record 23 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 Benedict Jr., J. Efford J. Efford Benedict, Jr., of Warwick, died November 21, 2005 at St. Anthony's Community Hospital. He was 87 years old. Born on April 13, 1918 in the Town of Warwick, he was the son of John Efford Benedict and Agnes Kane Benedict. He was married to the late Marcella Norman. Mr. Benedict was a member of Excelsior Hose Company of the Warwick Fire Department for 60 years. He was a parishioner of St. Stephen's R.C. Church. He is survived by his daughter, Margaret Bogdanski of Warwick; three granddaughters: Christine Heim, Mary Kate Bogdanski and Amy Bogdanski; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 25 at St. Stephen's R.C. Church. Interment will follow in St. Stephen's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Warwick Community Ambulance, P.O. Box 315, Warwick, NY 10990 or Schervier Pavilion, 22 Van Duzer Place, Warwick, NY 10990. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, Warwick, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/23/2005. Corbacio, Antoinette "Toni" Antoinette Corbacio "Toni" of Middletown, passed peacefully with her family at her side at Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation on November 21, 2005. She was 85. Antoinette was born November 12, 1920 in Middletown, to Salvatore and Anna Papparelli Scardigno. Mrs. Corbacio worked for Avon Products in Middletown. A family statement reads, "Mom was a beautiful, loving, generous and spirited woman. She was a devoted wife to her husband Frank for 58 years. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, mom taught us generosity, compassion, loyalty and love of family. Her energy will live on in the essence of Christopher, the musicianship of Erik, the artistry of Matthew and the beauty of Michelle. Our mother's love will continue to guide us for the rest of our lives. We give thanks for the years we had with her. Mom, we give you our love and we bless the memories with our hearts." She is survived by her beloved husband Frank of Middletown; loving daughters Mary Ann Ronkese and her husband Joseph S. of Grahamsville, Frances Wittman and her husband Robin of Middletown; beloved grandchildren Christopher and his wife Andrea Ronkese of Springfield, Mass., Matthew Ronkese of Chicopee Mass., Erik Wittman of Washington, D.C., Michelle Wittman of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Theresa and her husband Joseph Stellato. Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday, November 25 at Morse Funeral Home Inc., 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown. A Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 26 at Webb Horton Memorial Presbyterian Church, Middletown. Interment will be at Wallkill Valley Cemetery, Middletown. Donations to be made to Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation, PO Box 59 Glenmere Cove Road, Goshen, NY 10924. Arrangements are under the supervision of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/23/2005 - 11/24/2005. Decker, Patricia Ann Formerly of Port Jervis, N.Y. Mrs. Patricia Ann Decker of Fountain Hills, Ariz. and formerly of Port Jervis died Sunday, November 20, 2005 at home. She was 59. She was born May 12, 1946 in Port Jervis, N.Y., the daughter of the late Howard Alfred and the late Helen Irene Williams Decker. She was a homemaker and cosmetologist for many years, working for Park Avenue Hair Company in Arizona. Surviving are her husband of 40 years, Harold Decker at home; son, Darrell Decker of Mesa, Ariz.; two daughters, Killeen Quick of Folktown, Ga. and Shannon Decker and her husband, Terry Knealing, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one brother, Howard Decker and his wife, Robin, of Port Jervis; two grandsons, JohnThomas, and Conner Patrick Quick, and their father, Rodney Quick of Port Jervis; and also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Carol Russell. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association Of Hudson Valley, 35 Orchard St., White Plains, NY 10603-9924 or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/23/2005. Dyan, Dr. Claude Dr. Claude Dyan, 71, a long-time resident of Tuxedo Park, died November 21, 2005 from complications of cancer. Dr. Dyan was born in Tunis, Tunisia and attended college and medical school at the University of Paris. He practiced internal medicine in Tuxedo and Monroe for many years. Dr. Dyan, husband of the late Margaret (Kelleher) Dyan, is survived by his four daughters, Michele Dyan McMichael, Melissa Dyan Smith, Meghan Dyan, and Mary Dyan McGilligan, three sons-in-law and six grandchildren as well as by his brother Alain of Paris, France and his sister Cecile of New York. The family will be present to receive friends and relatives on Friday, November 25, 2005 from 7-9 p.m. at the Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Rt. 59, Suffern, N.Y. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at the Church of The Presentation at 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Anastasia Cemetery, Monroe, N.Y. Donations in memory of Claude Dyan may be made to the Valley Foundation, 233 N. Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/23/2005 - 11/24/2005. Gill Jr., Richard L. Richard L. Gill Jr., a longtime area resident, died Sunday, November 20, 2005 at O.R.M.C., Arden Hill Campus. He was 60 years old. The son of the late Richard L. and Louise Aspedia Gill Sr., Richie was born February 23, 1945 in the Bronx, N.Y. On September 28, 1991, Richie and Wendy Wilson-White were joined in matrimony at the Spruce Lodge by the Reverend Stuart Stiles. A United States Army veteran, First Calvary, Richie was enlisted from 1962-1965 having served in Korea. For over 15 years, he served as a coach, umpire and vice president of the Washingtonville Little League, and also on the Washingtonville Recreation Committee. After retiring from the New York City Transit Authority, he went to work under the Transit Security Administration for Stewart International Airport. Richie was all about friendship. He was well-loved by everyone who knew him, and he spread joy and humor everywhere that he went. An avid baseball fan, he not only loved the New York Yankees, but he also enjoyed playing. He was a genuine animal lover. Of all that life has to offer, the best part for Richie was his grandchildren. He will be forever loved and missed. Richie is survived by his beloved wife, Wendy; four loving children: Richard A. Gill and his wife, Michele, Keith White, Jeanine Gregory and her husband, BillyJohn, and Kristi Lockwood; five grandchildren: Rhianna, John, Alexa, Michael and Amanda; three sisters: Maryann Salvaggio and her husband, Jed, Barbara Chiocchi and her husband, Benny, and Arlene Roff; sister-in-law, Lynn Scheuerle and her husband, Fred; brother-in-law, Bill Wilson and his wife, Marilyn; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many close and treasured friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home Inc., 130 Highland Ave., Middletown. A Funeral Service will take place today, Wednesday, November 23 at 11 a.m. at The United Church of Christ, 254 Spruce Road, New Vernon. The Rev. Stuart Stiles will officiate. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Richard's name may be made to The HHT Foundation c/o Dr. Robert I. White Jr., MD, 333 Cedar Street, Room 5039 LMP P.O. Box 208042, New Haven, CT 06520 or online at www.HHT.org. Arrangements under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/22/2005 - 11/23/2005. Gosch, MaryAnn MaryAnn Gosch of Walker Lake, Shohola, Pa., a retired legal secretary for Jerome Cohen, Attorney at Law of Port Jervis, N.Y. and a life-long area resident, died Monday, November 21, 2005 at Morristown General Hospital, Morristown, N.J. She was 66. The daughter of the late Thomas McCann and Agnes Kohl McCann, she was born December 9, 1938 in Port Jervis, N.Y. MaryAnn was a member of the Milford Valley Quilters Guild, Walker Lake Ladies Club, Red Hat Society, D & H Square Dancers, Dingman's Dancers and a member of "Our Crowd." She was also a member of the Busy Bees, the Silver Needles and the Golden Age Club, Milford, Pa. Survivors include her husband, Paul W. Gosch at home, a son, Daniel Gosch and his wife, Krista of Matamoras, Pa.; three daughters: Debra Palmisano and her husband, Daniel of Tobyhanna, Pa., Heidi Estok and her husband, Erik, of Port Jervis, and Jennifer Brooks of Layton, N.J.; a sister, Helen Kline of Port Jervis; two brothers: Robert McCann of Elkton, Va. and William McCann of Broadway, Va.; seven grandchildren: Steven, Anthony, Melissa, Nina, Joshua, Jenna and Mason; two step-grandchildren: Tyler and Danielle; two great-grandchildren: Bobby and Collin and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services to be held at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y., will be announced at a later date, with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating. Interment will be private. Funeral Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/23/2005. Maguire, Kenneth Joseph Kenneth Joseph Maguire, a retired Electrical Engineer for Con Edison in New York City, and 31-year resident of Washingtonville, died Monday, November 21, 2005 at Kingston Hospital. He was 71. The son of Francis Maguire and Hannah Graham Maguire, he was born March 7, 1934 in the Bronx, N.Y. A family statement reads: "Kenneth was a loving husband, good father and grandfather, and will be missed by all." He is survived by his loving wife, Rose Anne McKenna Maguire, at home; son, Kenneth J. Maguire Jr. and wife, Sandra Lynn, of Wappingers Falls; two daughters, Rosemary Anne Maguire of Washingtonville, and Nancy Jean and husband, Martin Coakley, of Wappingers Falls; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his beloved cat, Hemingway, and greyhound dog, Aggie. He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis and William Maguire; and sister-in-law, Ann. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2005 from 3-6 p.m. at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North St., Washingtonville, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 28, 2005 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Washingtonville. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Washingtonville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, One St. Jude Place, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148. Arrangements were made by the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home. www.davidtfergusonfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/23/2005 - 11/24/2005. Marks, Betty J. Betty J. Marks, a lifelong resident of Gardiner, died Monday, November 21, 2005 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She was 83. The daughter of the late William Reynolds and Lulu Sweet, she was born January 25, 1922 in Walden, N.Y. A graduate from Walden High School, Betty was a college bookstore clerk at SUNY College at New Paltz and later worked at the Gardiner Superette. She was a past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Highland, and was a very active member and Sunday School Teacher for many years at the Shawangunk Reformed Church. On August 30, 1940 in the Gardiner Reformed Church, she married Harold Marks, who survives at home. She is also survived by four sons: Paul Marks and his wife, Carol, of Hicksville, Robert Marks and his wife, Gina, of Marton, Ill., Jerry Marks and his wife, Mary, of Irvington, N.Y., and William Marks of Arkansas; two daughters, Norma Hausmann of Gardiner and Cindy Kleis and her husband, John, of Gardiner; one brother, Norman Reynolds of Corigan, Texas; grandchildren: Sharon Czaplicki and husband, Doug, Kimberly Hausmann, Erica Kleis, Mark Kleis, David Marks and wife, Paulette, Jared Marks, Sarah Marks, Matthew Marks, Lauren Marks, Kim Marks and Cherice Marks; and great-grandchildren: Daniel and Andrew Czaplicki and Angelica Marks. She was predeceased by one sister, Wilma Guestefelt. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2005 from 4-7 p.m. at the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 S. Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, N.Y. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 11 a.m. in the Shawangunk Reformed Church. Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh, N.Y. Memorial donations may be made to Gardiner Rescue, P.O. Box 271, Gardiner, NY 12525, or Shawangunk Reformed Church, 1166 Hoagerburgh Rd., Wallkill, NY 12589. Arrangements were made by the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/23/2005. McNamara, Arthur "Art" Art McNamara, 52, of Brooklyn and Mountain Dale, N.Y., passed away on Friday, October 21, 2005 from cancer. Born in Little Neck, Queens on November 16, 1952, he was the son of Thomas F. and Gertrude Michaelman McNamara. Art's passions included gardening, reading, bird watching, and most of all laughing with others. Art was the beloved husband and best friend of Beth Knowlton; well-loved brother of Clare Majorrossy, Eleanor, George, Thomas McNamara, and the late Ann Nelson. He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews. Per his request, a private memorial service will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The American Cancer Society or the National or Sullivan County Audubon Society would be gratefully received. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information, please visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or 845-434-7363. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/16/2005 - 11/23/2005. Van Dyke, Eleanor Eleanor Van Dyke "beloved mother" of Middletown, a homemaker and lifelong resident of the area, died Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at Middletown Park Manor. She was 73. The daughter of the late William and Flora Belle Stevens Brown Hunter, she was born on May 1, 1932 in Middletown. She was the widow of Gerald Van Dyke. Survivors include her children, Denise Cooper and her companion, Jeff, Aaron Van Dyke and his wife Carol, Angela Watson and her husband, James, Margaret Ann Van Dyke, Yolanda Van Dyke, Geraldine Van Dyke, Rose Charles, Phyllis Van Dyke, Alan Van Dyke, Gerald Van Dyke Jr., Wayne Perry Hunter, Barry Van Dyke and his wife, Brenda, Eric Van Dyke and Tommy Van Dyke and his wife Michele; her sister Joann King and her stepsisters, Rhonda Jermal, Florence Martin and Gail Van Dunk; as well as 40 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her sister-in-law Helen Van Dyke. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Latoya; her sisters Rosalyn Young, Isabel Weaver, Irene Reed and Helen Brown; and her brother, William Hunter. Visitation hours will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, November 25 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main Street in Middletown. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., Middletown. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/23/2005. Wheeler, Edward M. Formerly of Ossining, N.Y. Edward M. Wheeler, a lifelong resident of Ossining, N.Y., died Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at his residence in New Windsor. He was 72. Ed was born in Ossining on April 15, 1933 and was the son of Matthew and Mildred (Doyle) Wheeler. Ed was a graduate of St. Augustine's School and Ossining High School class of 1950. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Security Services as a Staff Sergeant from December 1951 until November 1957. He was stationed at Chicksands AFB in Bedfordshire, England, where he met his wife, Valerie. They married in Hitchen, Hearts England on June 2, 1956. Ed was a former employee of the Village of Ossining Engineering Dept. He was also the former co-owner of Wheeler Brothers Stationary with his brother, Dick. He retired as the Marketing Manager at Edward Ehrbar, Inc. in Pelham. Ed served as a Village of Ossining Trustee from January 1, 1971 until December 31, 1974; he was then elected mayor and served from December 1, 1975 until December 31, 1982. He also served as a Town of Ossining Councilman from January 1, 1988 until December 31, 1995. Ed was a life member of the American Legion Post #506; life member and past Foreman of Washington Hook & Ladder Co.; an associate member of Holla Hose Co. of the Ossining Fire Department; and a former member of the Rotary Club of Ossining. He was a former Boy Scouts Assistant Scout Master for Troop #49 in Ossining, and was a communicant of St. Augustine's Church in Ossining. Ed is survived by his wife, Valerie; his sons, Lawrence P. (Karla), and Wayne E. (Margaret); daughter Lisa (William) Chiero; son, John M. (Ellyn); his brother, Richard (Mary Lou); and his ten grandchildren: Seann, Brett, Charles, Patrick, David, Matthew and Lauren Wheeler and Zachary, Elizabeth and Colin Chiero. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Dorsey Funeral Home, Inc., 14 Emwilton Pl., Ossining, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Augustine's Church. Interment will follow at St. Augustine's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Augustine's School, Eagle Park, Ossining, NY 10562. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/23/2005.