OBITS: Times Herald-Record 18 Sep 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 Culver, Susan Ella LaForge Susan Culver of Middletown, a longtime resident of the area having retired from Avon Products, died Saturday, September 17, 2005 at Middletown Park Manor. She was 77. The daughter of the late Herman and Susan LaForge, she was born December 3, 1927 in Warwick, N.Y. She was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church in Middletown. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Beers of Middletown; her son, Ralph Culver and his wife, Nancy, of Slate Hill; and her grandchildren: Tara LaPierre and her husband, John, of Port Ewen, Bill Beers of Tampa, Fla., Alison Culver-Espinoza and her husband, Raul, of San Diego, Calif., and Ashley Culver of State College, Pa. She is also survived by her brothers: Edward LaForge and his wife, Barbara, of Middletown, Lawrence LaForge of Middletown, and Donald LaForge and his wife, Dorothy, of Arizona; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson, Todd Culver and her brother, Herman LaForge. Visitation hours will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2005 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main St., Middletown, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 in the funeral home. Burial will be at Scotchtown Cemetery in Scotchtown, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Distasio, Anna Marie Anna Marie Distasio, a resident of New Paltz for many years, died Saturday, September 17, 2005 at Hudson Valley Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center. She was 89. Daughter of the late John Domucz and Alexandra Labacz, she was born April 8, 1916 in Mount Carmel, Pa. She owned Ann's Nuthouse in the Bronx for 15 years. She then worked at JC Penney in East Meadow, N.Y. as a Stockroom Manager, before she retired. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church in New Paltz, N.Y. She married Silvio Distasio on June 15, 1943. He predeceased her in November, 1972. She is survived by two daughters, Margaret Emerson and her husband, Dennis, of New Paltz, and Madeline Misuraca and her husband, Bobby, of Elmsford, N.Y.; one sister, Edna Kuse of Virginia Beach, Va.; granddaughter, Jessica Emerson; two grandsons, Robert and Peter Misuraca; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers and one sister. Calling hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 S. Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, N.Y. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 21 at St. Joseph's Church, 34 South Chestnut St., New Paltz, N.Y. Burial will be in St. Raymond Cemetery in the Bronx. Arrangements are made by the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Doolittle, Roger Allen Roger Allen Doolittle of Bloomingburg, a paver with Cooper Paving and lifelong resident of the area, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. He was 38. The son of the late Paul "Duke" and Joan Ann Decker Doolittle Sr., he was born September 19, 1966 in Middletown, N.Y. Survivors include his son, Justin Matthew Doolittle of Sparrowbush; and his brothers and sisters: Bonnie Zoll and her husband, Russell, of Bloomingburg, Tim Doolittle and his wife, Cindy, of Cuddebackville, Tammy Mapes and her husband, Robert, of Middletown, Timothy Doolittle and his wife, Cherie, of Middletown, Paul Doolittle and his wife, Sandy, of Middletown, Richard Doolittle and his wife, Connie, of Bullville, Andrew Doolittle and his wife, Rebecca, of Bullville, Andrea Mann and her husband, Lucas, of Bloomingburg, and Donald Doolittle and his wife, Megan, of Bloomingburg. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main St., Middletown, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Wallkill Cemetery in Phillipsburg, N.Y. Arrangements are by the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Hoffmann, Walter W. Walter W. Hoffmann, owner of Hoffmann Deli in New Paltz, N.Y., and area resident for 22 years, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He was 46. Son of Lieselotte (Gauer) Hoffmann and the late Bruno Hoffmann, he was born March 8, 1959 in Schleswig, Germany. He is survived by his wife, Sharon A. Aroosian Hoffmann, at home; two sons, Steven Aroosian of Kissimmee, Fla., and Chris Aroosian of New Paltz; daughter, Jaclyn Hoffmann of Garnerville; mother, Lieselotte Hoffmann of Rock Tavern; brother, Andy Hoffmann of Rock Tavern; two sisters, Birgitt Culver of Haverstraw, N.Y., and Monika Greene of Rock Tavern; four grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe, N.Y. today, Sunday, September 18, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Monday, September 19 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Dwayne H. Mau officiating. Burial will be in Washingtonville Cemetery, Washingtonville, N.Y. Arrangements were made by the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Howard, Romie Cleveland Romie Cleveland Howard, a 47-year resident of Newburgh, died Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in Goshen, N.Y. He was 68. The son of the late Romie Howard and Willie Lee Hargrove Howard, he was born November 14, 1936 in Clinton, N.C. He was a laborer with Local 17 International Laborers Union in Newburgh, N.Y., and was a member of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He is survived by his three daughters: Jacqueline McAllister and husband, Wesley, of Rochester, N.Y., Jennifer Howard of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Stephanie Howard Morrison and husband, Ronald, of Newburgh; two brothers, Harold Howard and wife, Renez, and Daniel Howard, all of Clinton, N.C.; four sisters: Earnestine Jackson of Clinton, N.C., Mavis Burton and husband, Anthony, of Newburgh, Pearl Best of Clinton, N.C., and Maxine Faison of Durham, N.C.; five grandchildren: Omari, Kamilah, and Bakari McAllister, Khadija Howard and Destini Morrison; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was predeceased by a brother, Nelson Howard, and two sisters, Janie Holland and Roseanna McPhail. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 76 First St., Newburgh, N.Y. Services begin at 11 a.m. in the church with the Rev. George H. Smith officiating. Interment will be at Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Goshen, N.Y. Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor has been entrusted with professional arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Kaczmar, Stanley Stanley Kaczmar of New Hampton, a retired machine mechanic for Alcatel in Chester, N.Y., entered into rest on Friday, September 16, 2005 at O.R.M.C. in Middletown. He was 66. The son of John and Catherine Frankowski Kaczmar, he was born June 19, 1939 in Goshen, N.Y. He was an honorary member of Goodwill Hook and Ladder in Warwick, N.Y., and was a member of I.B.E.W. Local 1430. Survivors include his wife, Joy Coates Kaczmar, at home; two sons, Stanley Kaczmar Jr. and his wife, Jonnie-Sue, and Dennis Kaczmar and his wife, Betsy, both of Middletown; one daughter, Jodee Mastria and her husband, Rosario, of New Hampton; eight grandchildren: Amanda and Alison Kaczmar, Antonio and Cassandra Mastria, Richard and Jennifer Jones, Melanie Kearney, and Jeremy Jones; two great-grandchilden, Jaycob and Camren; six brothers: John and Steven Kaczmar of the state of Florida, Frank Kaczmar of Middletown, Robert Kaczmar of New Hamton, Daniel and Joseph Kaczmar Sr. of Goshen; three sisters: Stella Paul of Moonachie, N.J., Helen Kaczmar of Florida, and Eleanor Quall of the state of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Anna Kirzow, and Sophie Johnson; and two brothers, Leo Kaczmar Sr. and Henry Kaczmar. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2005 at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 20 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Friends May Call on Sunday, September 18, 2005 From 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the T.S. Purta Funeral home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. Burial will be in Warwick Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Orange Co. Unit, Wisner Professional Building, 419 East Main St., Middletown, NY 10940. 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 from 9/17/2005 - 9/18/2005. Organ, Christopher T. Formerly of New Windsor, N.Y. Christopher T. Organ of the Bronx, formerly of New Windsor, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2005 in New York City. He was 33. Son of Margaret (Peggy) Murphy Ciarimbolli and the late Thomas Organ, he was born September 15, 1972 in New York City. Christopher was an Accountant with TVT Records in New York City. He was also a lover of music. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Frank Ciarimbolli, of New Windsor; his brothers, Kevin Organ of Brooklyn and Patrick Organ, at home; and his paternal grandmother, Kathleen Organ of the Bronx. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, September 18 the at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 19 in Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 9/17/2005 - 9/18/2005. Perez, Connie "Mommie" Connie "Mommie" Perez, a homemaker and resident of Newburgh, died Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus. She was 73. She was born February 2, 1932 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Connie was a missionary and member of Penuel Pentecostal Tabernacle of Newburgh, N.Y. Left to cherish her memories are her children: Norma Mejias of New Windsor, Rafael Perez of Puerto Rico, Paul Irizarry of Far Rockaway, and Anna Bowles of the Bronx; 23 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends. She was predeceased by her daughter, Luz Nilda Lopez-DeVictoria of New York City, N.Y. Visitation will be on Monday, September 19, 2005 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Penuel Pentecostal Tabernacle Church, 12 Winona Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. with the pastor, the Bishop Antonio R. Hibbert, Sr., officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor, N.Y. Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor, has been entrusted with professional arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Rosner, Marion Marion Rosner, 86, formerly of Deborah Court, died September 14, 2005 in Suffolk, Va. A native of Poland, she was the widow of William Rosner. Mrs. Rosner was a retired self-employed beautician and a member of Gomley Chesed Synagogue. Survivors include two sons, Jeffry Rosner and wife, Margaret, of Carrollton, Va., and Ira Rosner and wife, Judy, of Warwick, N.Y.; and four grandchildren: Stephen Rosner, Benjamin Rosner, Sarah Rosner and Arielle Rosner. A graveside service was held on Friday, September 16, 2005 in Gomley Chesed Cemetery, Portsmouth, Va. Shiva services will be held at the Ira Rosner residence on Monday, September 19, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Donations may be made to Warwick Valley Community Center or Jewish Family Services of Orange County. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 9/18/2005 - 9/19/2005. Smith Sr., Eugene M. "Gene" Eugene M. "Gene" Smith, Sr., 67, of Newburgh, died Friday, September 16, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus. The son of Eugene Smith and Mary Martin, he was born September 30, 1937 in Cornwall, N.Y. Gene retired in 1997 from Central Hudson Gas & Electric in Fishkill after more than 40 years of service. He is survived by one son, Eugene M. Smith, Jr. of Ridgefield, Conn.; two daughters, Tamara Baker of Middletown and Jonnie Foley of New City, N.Y.; three grandchildren: Michaela Foley, Owen Smith and Karley Smith. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Moore Smith, in April, 2005. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at the Quigley Bros. Funeral Home, Inc., 337 Hudson St., Cornwall-On-Hudson, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, Cornwall-On-Hudson, N.Y., with Father Bernard P. Heter officiating. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Cornwall, N.Y. Arrangements are under the direction of Kevin Quigley of Quigley Bros. Funeral Home, Inc. www.quigleybros.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 9/18/2005 - 9/19/2005. Tormey, Mary Helen Seager Mary Helen Seager Tormey, a retired Registered Nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., and 28-year area resident, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 in Hudson Valley Hospital Center, Cortlandt Manor. She was 95. Daughter of the late Dan German Seager, Sr., and Ione (Bail) Seager, she was born December 8, 1909 in Thebes, Ill. Mary Helen worked at the Hudson River State Hospital in Poughkeepsie until 1942 when she went in to active duty in the Navy during World War II. She was stationed in Guam and was honorable discharged in 1945 at the rank of Lieutenant, and then received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Education in 1948 from the University of Vermont. She worked for the V.A. in North Hampton, Mass, and then the V.A. Hospital in Brooklyn, where she retired in 1974. She was the widow of Thomas Tormey. She is survived by her nephew, Glenn M. Seager and family, of Stoddard, Wis. She was predeceased by a brother, Dan German Seager, Jr. and his wife. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Cremation will be at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope, N.Y. Inurnment will be in the family plot at Pine Hill Cemetery in Brandon, Vt. Arrangements were made by the William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main St., Highland Falls, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Truglia, Maria Maria Truglia, a 27-year area resident and homemaker, died Friday, September 16, 2005 at her daughter's residence in Westerly, R.I. She was 75. Daughter of the late Louis De Venuto and Maria Abbantantuono De Venuto, she was born December 1, 1929 in Bari, Italy. She was the widow of Gaetano J. Truglia. Survivors include two daughters, Virginia M. Panzarella of Monroe, and Maria A. Rosa and her husband, Vincent Falco, of Westerly, R.I.; a son, Joseph A. Truglia and his wife, Karrie, of Highland Mills; sister, Franca Ragolia and her husband, Tony, of Copiague, N.Y.; brother, Gino De Venuto and his wife, Nicolette, of West Babylon, N.Y.; six grandchildren: Paula Rosa, Gregory Panzarella, Krista Burndt, Dana Rosa, Louis Rosa and Brianna Falco; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe, N.Y. A Prayer Service will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening in the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 21 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Rd., Monroe, N.Y. with the Rev. Carl D. Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. Anastasia Cemetery in Harriman, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 60 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10165. Arrangements were made by the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 9/18/2005 - 9/19/2005. Wicker, Dorothy Bronson Formerly of Greenwich Village, N.Y. Dorothy Bronson Wicker, artist, writer, teacher, and historian, a resident of Harriman Heights since the early 1940's, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2005. She was 81. The daughter of the late Dorothy Wicker Goodnow and Cecil V. Wicker, she was born November 2, 1923 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Dorothy attended City and Country Day School, Friends Seminary, Washington Irving H.S. and Parsons School of Design in New York City on a scholarship. She received a B.S. and M.S. from NYS University of New Paltz in Art Education. She studied with John Gould and did an Independent Study in Painting and Sculpture at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, where her father had taught English. She was a co-founder of the Schunnemunk Art Guild with Don Selchow. She and friend, Pat Castaldo, worked with County Historian, Ted Sly, and created the One Room School House Project. They located (in Mildred Parker Sease's Atlas) a large number of the schools and proceeded to photograph and paint many of the one room school houses of Orange County. She exhibited locally and in private collections. She leaves a wealth of paintings as a legacy. She taught art in Grades 1-12 at Chester Union Free School, Chester, N.Y., and Art, English and History at The Barnard School for Girls, N.Y.C. She was Cartoon Editor for Saturday Review and worked in the Historical Research Department of the Seafarer's International Union in Brooklyn and Maryland. She studied archivism at the National Archives, Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Orange County Historical Society, The Middletown Area Retired Teachers Association, the National Maritime Historical Society and The Society of American Archivists. She was listed in the Who's Who of American University Women and founded The Bronson Alcott Society. She is survived by her daughter and her husband, Alessandria (Sandy) and Edward Leonard of Monroe; two grandsons and two great-granddaughters: Christopher Leonard and his wife, Christine and their two daughters, Madeline and Sarah, of Highland Mills, and Daniel Leonard of San Ramon, Calif. She was predeceased by her former husband, Gerard F. R‚, a stock broker. Together, they were owners of The White King Turkey Farm. Friends are invited to call on the family at home, 48 Post Road, Monroe, N.Y. on Saturday, September 24, 2005 from 1 to 5 p.m. Burial will be at The Quaker Cemetery in Bass River, Mass. with her beloved mother and stepfather, at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Ceremony will be held at home in the spring at her request. Donations in her memory are requested to the Community Foundation of Orange County, 23 White Oaks Dr., Sugar Loaf, NY 10981, for art scholarship. Arrangements are by the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005. Wilkerson Jr., Elbert Mr. Elbert Wilkerson, Jr. of Port Jervis, a resident of the area since 1956, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at his home with his family at his side. He was 58. He was born January 24, 1947 in Jamaica, N.Y., the son of the late Cheesie Vassar Wilkerson and the late Elbert Wilkerson, Sr. Elbert was a retired Youth Officer for the New York State Division For Youth in Goshen. A former Port Jervis High School football running back, he coached Pop Warner Football and Little League baseball for many years. He is survived by his wife, Karen Granger Wilkerson, at home; three sons: Elbert Wilkerson, III and his wife, Rhonda, of Jacksonville, Fla., Charles Allen Wilkerson and his wife, Danielle, of Port Jervis, and Raymond Gadson of Port Jervis; two daughters, Stephanie Baker of New York City, N.Y., and Alicia Rae Wilkerson of Port Jervis; two brothers, Abdul Wali Shabazz of Jamaica, N.Y., and James Wilkerson of Laurelton, N.Y.; five sisters: Hazel Evans of Laurelton, N.Y., Vivian Stuart of Rosedale, Jo Ann Hassan of Jamaica, N.Y., Diane Wilkerson of Jackson Heights, N.Y., and Dorene Myers of Fresh Meadows, N.Y.; sisters-in-law: Mary Ruth Wilkerson, Barbara Wilkerson, Shelley Granger, Stacey Anchel, Wendy Hollowell, and Dolores Granger; brothers-in-law: Hugh Myers, Jeffrey Granger, David Anchel, and David Hollowell; ten grandchildren; and also several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 East Main Street, Port Jervis on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 21 at 11 a.m. at Wickham Methodist Church, Bruce St., Port Jervis. Burial will be at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, N.Y. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/18/2005.