OBITS: Times Herald-Record 9 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 Calabrese Jr., Anthony P. "Tony" Anthony P. "Tony" Calabrese, Jr. of Washingtonville, died suddenly on Saturday, October 8, 2005 at home. He was 53. He was born December 12, 1952 in Jersey City, N.J., son of the late Anthony P. Sr. and Rose Sacco Calabrese. On November 5, 1977 Anthony married Mary Abilo in St. Benedicts Church in the Bronx. He was a member of Teamsters Local 641 and a driver for New Penn Motor Express in Newburgh. He was an avid golfer, bowler and loved the New York Giants. He will be dearly missed by his devoted wife of 28 years, Mary, of Washingtonville; loving children: Anthony J. Calabrese and his fianc‚e, Marilis Garcia, of New Windsor, and Christopher Calabrese of Washingtonville; dear sisters, Patricia Calabrese and her companion, John Pezzino, of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Jane Young and her husband, Tom, of Bayonne, N.J.; and a dear brother to Joseph Calabrese and his wife, Marcy, of Garfield, N.J. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Rose Calabrese on March 17, 2005, and his father, Anthony P. Calabrese, Sr. in 1979. The family will be present to recieve friends on Monday, October 10 from 6-9 p.m. and Tuesday, October 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Coloni Funeral Home, 3001 Route 9W, New Windsor, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Washingtonville, N.Y. Interment will follow at the family plot in St. Mary's Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Coloni Funeral Homes. www.colonifuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/9/2005 - 10/10/2005. Charles, Twyla M. Formerly of Montgomery, N.Y. Funeral services for Twyla M. Charles, age 78, of Hammond, N.Y., formerly of Montgomery, will be held on Monday, October 10, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Frary Funeral Home, Ogdensburg, N.Y. with the Rev. Walter Smith officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Hammond. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, October 9 from 6-9 p.m., with an Eastern Star service at 7 p.m. Mrs. Charles died on Thursday, October 6, 2005. She is survived by one daughter, Kathryn J. of Hammond; three sons: George W. and his wife, Marie, of Montgomery, Steven and his companion, Penny Pledger of Lafargeville, and Brian of Redwood; two grandchildren, George W. Charles Jr. and his wife, Denice, of Walden, and Tara L. Charles of Montgomery; five great-grandchildren: Caitlyn Marie Ayers, Brena Mae Charles, Liam Patrick Ayers, Lydia Snow Charles, and Meghan Lynn Rohl; one sister, Peggy O'Donnell of Tulsa, Okla.; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur Titus and Howard Titus; and two sisters, Mary Frances McCahon, and Kathryn J. Burrows. Mrs. Charles was born May 14, 1927 in Oilton, Okla., the daughter of Clyde and Marguerite (Williams) Titus. She and her brothers and sisters were orphaned at a young age and all grew up at the American Legion Home in Ponca City, Okla. She graduated from Ponca City High School in 1946. She came to New York State on New Year's Eve in 1946 to stay for two weeks to help her sister take care of her newborn baby. Upon arriving at the train station in Montgomery, N.Y., she met her future husband, George W. Charles, whom she married on April 16, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Montgomery. He predeceased her on July 12, 1994. She was a seamstress for many companies in the Montgomery and Walden area, and also worked at the Montgomery Worsted Mill in the yarn department. She and her husband purchased a propane gas business in 1974 and ran George Charles, Inc. until their retirement in 1988, when they moved to Hammond. She was a member and past matron for Temple Star Chapter, Mountainville, N.Y., and Valley of Thousand Isles Chapter, Morristown, N.Y. She was past Grand Representative to the State of Wisconsin for the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Brick Reformed Church in Montgomery; and the Chippewa Bay Homemakers. She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, crossword puzzles, gardening, horticulture and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hammond Rescue Squad; St. Lawrence County SPCA; the Spay Neuter Now Program; or Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/9/2005. Eidel, Mildred "Midge" Mildred "Midge" Eidel of Woodbourne, died Friday, October 7, 2005 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. She was 81. Midge was the daughter of Edward L. and Bernetta Petrowsky Yanchitis. Sr. She was born August 26, 1924 in Forest City, Pa. She was a retired Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Fallsburg, and a member and Communicant at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne. She was the widow of Donald J Eidel, who passed away in 2001. She is survived by her son, Michael and his wife, Sheryl, of Woodbourne, and her grandson, Dylan, also of Woodbourne. She was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah; her brother, Edward, and her sister, Eleanor. The family will receive friends today, Sunday, October 9, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2005 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Route 42, Woodbourne, with Father John Lynch officiating. Cremation will be at Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh, N.Y., with interment of ashes to be held at the convenience of the family at the family plot in Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Midge's name to Family Council c/o Sullivan County Adult Care Center, P.O. Box 671, Liberty, NY 12754. Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home. For further information, contact us at www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or 845-434-7363. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/9/2005. Gironda, Emilio "Amo" Emilio "Amo" Gironda of Newburgh, entered into rest on Friday, October 7, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus, after a long illness. He was 77. Son of the late Vito and Elizabeth Fosella Gironda, he was born July 12, 1928 in Newburgh. He married Nettie Valenti Gironda on April 29, 1956, who survives at home. A family statement reads: "Amo was a much loved father and husband, and will be missed by all." Amo was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While serving, he earned the Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star; the Combat Infantry Badge; and the 160th Infantry United Nations Service Medal. He was retired from the Mason's Union, and ran the Big 3 Deli in Newburgh with his family until his final days. In addition to his loving wife, Amo is survived by his son, Emilio Gironda Jr.; his daughter, Cindy Post and her husband, Scott; his much loved grandson, Joseph Post; his brother, Frank Gironda; his sister, Theresa DellaMarco; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Vito Gironda. Visitation was held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, October 10 at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. today, Tuesday, October 11 in Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Emilio's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 E. Main St., Middletown, NY 10940. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/9/2005 - 10/11/2005. Heidecker, Robert Joseph Robert Joseph Heidecker, a Gardiner resident for many years, died Saturday, October 8, 2005 at his residence. He was 23. The son of Gerd Heidecker and Alice Welsh Heidecker, he was born August 23, 1982 in Kingston, N.Y. Robert was a member of St. Charles Church. He is survived by his parents, Gerd and Alice Heidecker, of Gardiner; a brother, John Heidecker of Gardiner; maternal grandparents, Dr. John Welsh and Anne Welsh of LaGrangeville, N.Y.; one niece, Ella Heidecker; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister, Anne E. Heidecker on September 30, 2001. Calling hours will be held on Monday, October 10, 2005 from 5-8 p.m. at the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, N.Y. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11 in St. Charles Borromeo Church, Gardiner, N.Y. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery, Gardiner, N.Y. Memorial donations in Robert's name may be made to Helping Hands Ministry of St. Charles Borromeo Church; or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to Copeland Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/9/2005 - 10/10/2005. Lawlor, Henry J. Formerly of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Henry J. Lawlor of Tafton, Pa., formerly of Wappingers Falls, entered into eternal rest Friday, October 7, 2005 at home surrounded by his family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 64. Son of the late Harry and Florence Kelly Lawlor, he was born February 13, 1941 in New York City. He wed Frances B. Connor on April 20, 1963 at St. John's Church in the Bronx. They remained happily married for over 40 years. "Hank" was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, who was loved by everyone that knew him. He was a selfless, giving person who always put others first. Family was always the center of his life. Although Henry was taken much too soon from us, he had a life full of accomplishments and achievements to be proud of. Mr. Lawlor served our country in the U.S. Air Force. He was also a graduate of the New York Institute of Technology. He went on to join the New York City Police Department where, in 1980, he was awarded the NYPD Medal of Valor. He remained there until his retirement from the 52nd Precinct in 1981. In other professions he was the Assistant to the President of Lighting and Electronics in Wappingers Falls, a manufacturing manager for IBM in Fishkill for 15 years until his retirement in 2002, and acted as former Dutchess County Legislator for District 7 from 1990-1993. Henry was very involved in his communities acting as former Warden of New York State Council, Knights of Columbus, Past Grand Knight of Wappingers Council 1646, member of Wappingers 4th Degree Assembly, Secretary to State Deputy James A. Foy in Beacon and Paul Esposito in Watervliet and former District Deputy for two terms. Hank lived life to the fullest; he loved to travel, especially to Arizona. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and loved to play golf. Besides his loving wife, Frances, at home, Henry leaves behind his son, Michael Lawlor and his wife, Karen, of Milford, Pa.; daughters, Christine Lawlor and son-in-law, Don Tompkins of Wallkill, and Patricia Dean and her husband, John, of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lawlor; brothers, James Lawlor and his wife, Carole, and Martin Lawlor and his wife, Mary, all of Lanark Village, Fla.; sister, Patricia Lawlor of Tallahassee, Fla.; loving grandfather and Pop Pop to John Thomas Dean, Jr., Casey Lynne Lawlor, Shannon Ashley Lawlor, Madelyn Rose Lawlor, Sean Henry Dean, John Henry Lawlor II and Michaela Kelly Lawlor; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and countless friends. He was predeceased by his son, John Henry Lawlor on December 22, 2001. Family will receive friends on Monday, October 10 from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. at Straub Funeral Home, 55 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls, N.Y. The Wappingers Falls Council Knights of Columbus will hold a service at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, October 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Henry's name to the American Cancer Society; or the Dyson Center, 45 Reade Place, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 205 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017; or Hospice St. John, 1007 Oak St., Pittston Twp., PA 18640. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit www.straubfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/8/2005 - 10/9/2005. MacDonald, James A. James A. MacDonald of Newburgh, a retired bus driver with 30 years of service to Carey Transportation, died Thursday, October 6, 2005 at home. He was 74. Son of the late Fauster and Viola MacDonald, he was born January 5, 1931 in New York City, N.Y. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1949 to 1951, and was a former member of the Auxiliary Police Department for Highway 1 in New York City. He is survived by his wife, Mary MacDonald, at home; two sons, Peter Russen of Bethlehem, Pa., and Scott MacDonald of Yonkers, N.Y.; six daughters: Elizabeth McConkley of Oklahoma City, Patricia McKay of Walden, Viola Treacey of Boca Raton, Theresa Del Bene of Yonkers, Veronica MacDonald of the Town of Newburgh, and Catherine Gomez of Wallkill; one brother, William MacDonald of El Paso, Texas; one sister, Maryann McConnell of Troy; 13 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Fauster MacDonald. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 from 3-7 p.m. at the White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 N. Plank Rd. (Route 32), Town of Newburgh. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 10 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake R.C. Church, Route 52, Orange Lake, with Monsignor John Budwick officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor. Arrangements are by the White & Venuto Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/8/2005 - 10/9/2005. Pinto, Donald J. Donald J. Pinto, a resident of both Middletown and and Leesburg, Fla., went peacefully to God on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 in Leesburg, Fla., surrounded by his loving family following a strong and courageous battle with lung cancer. He was 71. The son of the late Angelo and Lillian Walsh Pinto, he was born on October 9, 1933 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He moved to the Middletown area with his wife, Gertrude, in the 1960's. Don served as a Sergeant in the U.S Marine Corps. He was a retired Captain for the N.Y.S. Police Department, and was a member of the Former Trooper Association. Donald was also an active member of the Moose Lodge in Leesburg; the Boat Club; the Park Players, a drama and comedy club; and the Computer Club, all in Mid Florida Lakes. Some of his charitable work included cooking for local churches and organizing and running fundraisers for Hospice in Florida. A family statement reads: "Don was a very special, loving father and friend. He always tried to figure out how and what he could do for others. Everything he did was done with dignity, fairness and strength and he got a lot of respect for that. Don was quite the chef, a talented fisherman and a genius at computers. He got a lot of his knowledge from reading, and he always had a book and a camera in his hand. Don was also an avid outdoorsman who loved the wilderness. In addition to all of these attributes, Don was a stamp and coin collector." He is survived by his daughter, Susan Rollings and her husband, Ronald, of Middletown; his brother-in-law, Christopher Dorney and his wife, Barbara, of Westwood, N.J.; nephews, John Dorney and his wife, Kerri, of Mahwah, N.J. and Raymond Dorney and his wife, Julie, of Westwood, N.J.; as well as several other aunts, uncles and cousins. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gertrude on August 30, 2001. Friends may call today, Monday, October 10, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 11 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Euclid Ave., Middletown. Burial with military honors will be in the family plot at Cemetery of The Ascension, Monsey, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 East Main St., Middletown, NY 10940. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/8/2005 - 10/10/2005. Sackett, Irene Irene Sackett, a retired Catholic School Teacher and resident of Callicoon since 1986, died Friday, October 7, 2005 in Callicoon, N.Y. She was 92. Daughterof the late John and Julia McKenna O'Leary, she was born October 19, 1911 in Killarney, Ireland. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Sackett. Irene was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Callicoon, N.Y. She is survived by two daughters, Michelle M. Schroeder of Callicoon, and Irene Reis and her husband, David, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; her grandchildren: Irene Salvati and her husband, Jeffrey, of South Carolina, Sheila Donovan and her husband, Michael, of New York City, Jennifer Stimpson of Wurtsboro, and Jonathon Schroeder of Callicoon; two great-grandchildren, Renee Salvati of South Carolina, and Chenananiah Vincent Stimpson of Wurtsboro; and two sisters, Pauline White of London, England, and Peggy Cronin of Killarney, Ireland. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters: Michael O'Leary, Dan Joe O'Leary, Sean O'Leary, Mae Albano, Sheila Janaway, Noreen Gallow, and Patrick O'Leary. Friends may call at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, N.Y., today, Sunday, October 9 from 5-7 p.m., and Monday, October 10 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 11 at 1:30 p.m. in Grace Baptist Church, Callicoon, N.Y., with the Rev. Lauren Hertzler officiating. Burial will be in Calkin Cemetery, Calkin, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to The Jesus Film Project, c/o Michelle Schroeder, 72 Fremont St., Callicoon, NY 12723. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 10/9/2005. Schembri, Anthony "Axerider" Anthony "Axerider" Schembri of Newburgh, a retired Safety Engineer for IBM, entered into rest on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie. He was 62. Son of the late Ray and Rose Avis Schembri, he was born May 7, 1943 in Leicester, England. He married Justine Boucher on January 18, 1964 in Staten Island, N.Y., who survives at home. Anthony proudly served in the Army National Guard and attended Brooklyn Technical School. He was a Boy Scout leader, soccer coach, a member of the Bethlehem Rod & Gun Club, and co-founder of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3. A family statement reads: "Tony, fondly known by his many friends as the "Axerider", was a unique man. His integrity was his trademark, and was exemplified by all of his passions. For the thousands of lives he has touched, directly or indirectly, his life will be celebrated. Tony was well known for his patriotism and love for his adopted country. For the past 10 years, his work in Rolling Thunder has provided outreach services to local veterans. His close work with Senator Larkin allowed his chapter to promote the Purple Heart Stamp, and Tony was the catalyst to creating the Purple Heart Museum." In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Ray Schembri and his wife, Micky, of Ohio, and Paul Schembri and his wife, Theresa, of New Paltz; his daughters, Catherine Schembri and her husband, Andrew, of Newburgh, and Pamela Schembri of Newburgh; his sister, Felicia Schembri of Lewes, Del.; his grandchildren: Colin, Jordan, Emily, Frances, Mathieu and Christian; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Deborah Schembri. Visitation will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Sunday, October 9 at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 10. Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Anthony's name may be made to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, P.O. Box 207, Vails Gate, NY 12584. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 10/8/2005 - 10/9/2005. Slesinski, Emily M. Wilk Emily M. Wilk Slesinski of Goshen, a lifetime area resident of the area, entered into rest on Saturday, October 8, 2005 in Valley View, Goshen, N.Y. She was 95. The daughter of Paul and Victoria Zuba Wilk, she was born June 21, 1910 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was married to the late Paul A. Slesinski, who died in 1970. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, Pine Island, N.Y., and St. Joseph's Living Rosary Society. Survivors include a son, Eugene Slesinski and wife, Nancy, of Stroudsburg, Pa.; one brother, Paul Wilk of Pine Island; three grandchildren: Brian Slesinski, Diane Slesinski and husband, Wayne Jahada, and Deborah Soltysiak and husband, Douglas; two great-grandchildren, Jay Slesinski and wife, Stacy, and Katherine Ansley; two step-grandchildren, Jamie and Jesse; four great-great-grandchildren: Hanna, Alyssa, Anthony and Tess Marie; and three nieces: Genevieve Marshall, Susan Wilk, and Paulette Wilk Rudy. She was predeceased by one granddaughter, Loretta Slesinski; one brother, Bruno Wilk; and one sister, Helen Farley. Friends may call on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 690 County Route 1, Pine Island, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 13 at St. Stanislaus Church, with burial to follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Pine Island, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Church, P.O. Box 248, Pine Island, NY 10969. 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 10/9/2005. Top of page Today's Times Herald-Record notices