OBITS: Times Herald-Record 3 Oct 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 Berman, Philip B. Native of Monticello, N.Y. Philip B. Berman, an independent business consultant and 10-year Cornwall resident, died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, October 1, 2005. He was 49. The son of the late Pip and Arlene Berman, he was born in Monticello on April 22, 1956. Philip graduated Monticello High School in 1974 and earned a Bachelor's Degree from University of Miami (Fla) in 1978. Most recently he earned a Masters Degree from Manhattanville College in Project Management. Throughout his life Philip was affiliated with many professional and service organizations as well as volunteering his time to many charitable functions and events. Philip had the opportunity to experience several career endeavors. Some included being a Police Officer in Dallas Texas, Insurance Company Underwriter, Senior Executive for Empire Resorts and most recently owned his own consulting business in Cornwall, N.Y. Philip will mostly be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and strong mental discipline. An avid long time softball player, Philip had an unflappable loyalty for his friends and family. He will be terribly missed by so many people. Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Pam Runge Berman; one son Logan and a daughter Jordan, all at home. He was predeceased by a daughter Lauren. He is also survived by his brother Robert Berman of Monticello and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held Monday, October 3, 2005, 11 a.m. at the Landfield Avenue Synagogue, Landfield Avenue, Monticello. Rabbi Ben-Zion Chanowitz will officiate. Internment will follow in the Landfield Avenue Synagogue Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 96116, Washington, DC 20090-6116. Services under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 386 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701. For additional information or to leave a condolence message, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Campanelli, Joseph A. Joseph A. Campanelli, 56, died on October 1, 2005. Longtime resident of Kingston, N.Y. Graduate of Pope Pius Seminary High School, Uniondale, N.Y. Vietnam Veteran, US Marine Corps. Graduated from NYIT with a Bachelor's Degree; Rehab specialist for 12 years with the city of Port Jervis Community Development Agency. Beloved son of the late Catherine and Dominick; caring husband and best friend of Kathleen; loving brother of Marie Campanelli and Ann Siciliano; best friend to Montana; also survived by many friends. Reposing Perry Funeral Home, 118 Union Ave., Lynbrook, NY 11563 516-593-1111 on Tuesday October 4 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass on Wednesday, October 5 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Hewlett, L.I., N.Y. Interment Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, L.I., N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Costa, Blaise William "Bill" Blaise William "Bill" Costa of New Paltz, former resident of Grand Avenue, Balmville, died Saturday, October 1, 2005 at home with his family. He was born December 10, 1915 in Newburgh, the son of Anthony D. Costa and Josephine Cannistrace. He was a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy. He married Catherine Chrystal on September 7, 1936 and they had celebrated 67 years of marriage when Catherine died in May of 2003. Mr. Costa is survived by three sons: Anthony Costa and his wife, Andrea, Philip Costa and his wife, Margaret, and Kevin Costa; and a daughter, Sheila Mariello and her husband, Anthony. All are from New Paltz. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Costa of Newburgh; two sisters, Joan Costa of Warwick and Theresa Hubbard of Fishkill; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, David; two brothers, Louis Costa and Angelo Costa; and two sisters, Annunciata Costa and Marie Fern. Mr. Costa was founder and co-owner with his brothers of Costa Beverages, a local soft-drink manufacturing company. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church; the Powelton Club, and former president of the New York State Soft Drink Association. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 from 4-8 p.m. at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. A Memorial Mass in celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, October 6 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, Newburgh. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Ulster County, 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. Arrangements were made by the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc. www.Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Farkus, James E. James E. Farkus of Middletown, Department Manager at Redner's Supermarket, passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at Horton Medical Center. He was 59. The son of Andrew and Ruth Farkus, he was born January 27, 1946 in Cornwall, N.Y. Jim was a volunteer fireman with the Middletown Fire Department, Eagle Engine #2. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a member of the Black Brooks Rod & Gun Club in Forestburgh, N.Y. He was a parishioner of Mt. Carmel Church. A family statement reads: "Jim was a quiet, strong man who worked hard and loved his family." He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Andrea; three daughters: Christine Squitieri and her husband, Alfonso, of Greenville, Michele Farkus-Snell of Middletown, and Jessica Lopez and her husband, Michael, of Montgomery; four grandchildren: T.J., Joseph, Andrew, and Alyssa; sister, Joyce Hughes and her husband, Kurt, of Otisville; brother, Andrew Farkus and his wife, Beverly, of Cornelia, Ga.; brothers-in-law Thomas Busse and his wife Lynn of Middletown, James Busse and his wife Pat of Liverpool and Donald Busse and his wife Diane of Ballston Spa; uncles, Butch McCann and his wife, Jackie, Bud McCann, both of Cuddebackville and Bob Maxwell of Middletown; one aunt, Arlene McCann of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main St., Middletown, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church in Middletown, N.Y. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Middletown, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the MFD, Eagle Engine #2; or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Grammas, Ronald N. Ronald N. Grammas, a longtime Middletown resident, died unexpectedly on Sunday, October 2, 2005 at O.R.M.C., Horton Campus. He was 69 years old. The son of the late Michael and Ellen Grammas, Ronald was born on April 26, 1936 in Newburgh. Ronald proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force and in 1970, moved to Middletown from Goshen. He started working for Service Liquor in Albany, N.Y. in 1971 and remained with them until his retirement in 2001. Ron was a member of the Middletown Elks BPOE #1097, where he was the Exalted Ruler in 1985. Ron was married to the former Geri Knight, who survives him at home. A family statement reads: "Ron was a great father, grandfather and a loyal Yankee fan." Besides his wife Geri at home, Ron is survived by his children and stepchildren, Dean Grammas of Middletown, Michael Grammas and his wife Leslie of Middletown, Beth Bull and her husband Sam Ladley of Rockland, Maine, Stephen Bull and his wife Caroline of Hamilton, Montana, C. Richard (Rick) Bull and his wife Leta of St. Petersburgh, Fla. and one grandson, Matthew Grammas. Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown where funeral services will be held Thursday, October 6 at 10 a.m. Cremation will be private and at the convenience of the family. Donations in Ronald's name may be made to either the Alzheimer's Assoc., 453 Route 211 E., #305, Middletown, NY 10940 or the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Hemstreet, Marjorie Marjorie Hemstreet of Bloomingburg, a former co-owner of Broadloom City in Middletown, died October 2, 2005 in the Valley View Residential Health Care Facility, Goshen, N.Y. She was 78. The daughter of Edward and Helen Glennon Broderick, she was born October 5, 1926 in The Bronx. She was the widow of Raymond M. Hemstreet, Sr. Survivors include three sons: Michael Hemstreet and his wife, Connie, of Ellenville, Raymond Hemstreet and his wife, Connie, of Middletown, and Harry Hemstreet of Middletown; two daughters, MaryAnne Russo of Valley Stream, and Edna Irizzary and her husband, Gregory, of Valrico, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Cremation will be at the convenience of the family. Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements were made by the Loucks Funeral Home, Inc., 79 N. Main St., Ellenville, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Marshall, Margaret Mary Margaret Mary Marshall, a housewife, mother and former employee of Best Company in New York, N.Y., died Saturday, October 1, 2005 at Elant at Goshen in Goshen, N.Y. She was 93. The daughter of Charles Reynolds and Kate Brennan Reynolds, she was born October 2, 1911 in New York, N.Y. Margaret was a member of St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Goshen, N.Y. She was the widow of Harry Marshall. She is survived by two sons, Harry J. Marshall and his wife, Peggy, of New York, N.Y., and Donald Marshall and his wife, Lucy, of Campbell Hall; two daughters, Joanne Romanucci and her husband, Louis, of Dix Hills, N.Y., and Kathleen Monti and her husband, Thomas, of Campbell Hall, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A family statement reads: "At the time of Margaret's passing, she was surrounded by her loving family, including the staff at Elant, who have grown to be family of their own to Margaret." Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, N.Y. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, October 5 at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, 71 Murray Ave., Goshen, N.Y. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Queens, N.Y. Arrangements were made by the Donovan Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Osczepinski, Stanley A. Stanley A. Osczepinski of Goshen and Hollywood, Fla., a retired produce farmer, entered into rest on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at home. He was 81. The son of the late Louis and Anna Bozek Osczepinski, he was born April 4, 1924 in Florida, N.Y. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Florida, N.Y., and a 57-year member of the Florida Fire Department. He is survived by his wife, Florence Pawliczek Osczepinski, at home; son, Stanley Osczepinski and Trudy of Goshen; daughter, Candy Scheiner and her husband, Stewart, of Parkland, Fla.; three granddaughters: Tammy, Alyson and Keri Osczepinski; two sisters, Irene Rogowski, and Caroline Madura, both of Goshen; sister-in-law, Agnes Osczepinski of Pine Island; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers: Joseph, Frank, Louis and Albert Osczepinski; and four sisters: Loretta Sadowski, Josephine "Jutzi" Bierstine, Theresa Sobiech, and Alexandra Labanowski. Friends may call on Monday, October 3, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Firematic services will be held Monday evening at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 20 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550; or to Florida Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 600, Florida, NY 10921. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence online, or for directions, please visit www.purtafuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Roosa, Norma Norma Roosa of Montgomery, a retired bookkeeper for Spence Engineering in Walden, and a lifetime resident of the area, died Thursday, September 29, 2005 in Montgomery, N.Y. She was 83. The daughter of Harry E. Price and Mary A. Blazsey Price, she was born June 22, 1922 in Central Valley, N.Y. She was the widow of William D. Roosa. Survivors include two nephews, Robert Wattie of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Phillip Diekman of St. Louis, Mo.; and a stepdaughter, Jacklin Roosa of Texas. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors, 22 Bank St., Walden, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Squeri, Attilio Attilio Squeri, a resident of Highland since 1954, and retired IBM employee in Poughkeepsie (1980), died October 1, 2005 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. He was 91. Son of Francesco Squeri and Maria Bertolotti, he was born October 13, 1913 in New York City, N.Y. He was a member of the American Legion Post #193 in Highland; the Mid-Hudson Senior Citizens; and St. Augustine R.C. Church in Highland. Mr. Squeri was a World War II Army veteran who served in the "Battle of the Bulge" in Normandy, France. He received the World War II Victory Medal. He married Anna Puccetti in New York City on April 19, 1941. Mrs. Squeri survives him at home in Highland. He is also survived by two daughters: Norma Gemmell and her husband, Richard, of Highland, and Elaine Hannon and her husband, Gary, of Highland; sister: Anita Cardinale of Italy; four grandchildren: Kevin Gemmell, Keith Gemmell and his wife, Michelle, Karen Peters and her husband, John, and Kirt Gemmell and his wife, Jeanine; five great-grandson: Christopher, Ricky, Brett, Tyler and Gavin; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one brother, Guido Squeri and one granddaughter, Cynthia Gemmell. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 38 Main St., Highland, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 5 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Augustine R.C. Church in Highland. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine Church, 55 Main St., Highland, NY 12528. Arrangements were made by the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. For directions, please visit our web site at www.torsonememorial.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Tribuzio, Filomena Filomena Tribuzio, a homemaker, died October 2, 2005 at Cornwall Hospital. She was 89. The daughter of Antonio Vascello and Laura Fusco, she was born April 4, 1916 in New York, N.Y. A family statement reads, "An extremely compassionate, brave and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt." She was the widow of Americo Tribuzio. Survivors include her daughter, Adele Van der Essen of Washingtonville; sister Theresa and Joseph Schiavone of Garrison; grandchildren, Laura and Joseph Van der Essen of Cornwall; great-grandchild, Nicholas; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Peter Tribuzio. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, October 4 at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North St., Washingtonville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 5 at Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in New Windsor. For further information and to sign the guest register book, please go to www.davidtfergusonfh.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005. Wontz, George W. George W. Wontz, a lifetime area resident, died October 2, 2005 at Arden Hill Hospital. He was 86. The son of Vincent Wontz and Pauline Wolak Wontz, he was born October 3, 1918 in Pine Island. He was a member and parishioner of Saint Mary's Church, Washingtonville; retired line forman for Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., Monroe; Executive Board, I.B.E.W., Local 503; Orange and Rockland's 25 Year Club; owned and operated with his wife Frances, The Country Side Inn and The Country Side Liquor Store, both on Route 94 in Salisbury Mills. He was a dairy farmer until 1948. Also owner and officer of the N.C.D. Operating Company, Inc. (the first cable TV company in Blooming Grove in the early 70s - now Time Warner Cable); member of the Village of Washingtonville's Planning Board from Jan 1986 to April 1993; one of the first police officers for the Village of Washingtonville's Police Force under the first police chief, Russell Hallock. Honorary member of the Salisbury Mills Fire Company; life-member of Monroe-Chester Sportsman Club, Inc.; co-chairman of St. Mary's Church Bazaar, Washingtonville Early Fifties; vice president of The Democratic Club, town of Blooming Grove, 1950s; member and former trustee of Monell Engine Company, Washingtonville; charter member and past president of the Holy Name Society, St. Mary's Church; usher at St. Mary's Church. He was the widower of Frances Lasser Wontz. Survivors include son, George V. Wontz and wife Carol of Salisbury Mills; daughter Pauline Scherre and husband C. Stephen of Blooming Grove; grandchildren, Jonathan G. Wontz and wife Karyn of Salisbury Mills, Stephen Scherre and wife Leslie of Blooming Grove, Denise Scherrer of Washingtonville, Marsha Morgan and husband Kevin of Blooming Grove, David Scherrer of Washingtonville; three great-grandchildren, Tabitha, Stephen and Dennis Scherrer; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Frances Lasser Wontz; brothers Peter Wontz, Jacob Wontz; and sister Mary Janiak. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, October 5 at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North St., Washingtonville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 6 at St. Mary's Church, Washingtonville. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Washingtonville. For further information and to sign the guest register book, please go to www.davidtfergusonfh.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/3/2005.