OBITS: Times Herald-Record 26 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 Battista, Carmela M. (Ippolito) Carmela M. Battista (nee Ippolito) of Dongan Hills on September 24, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Anthony. Loving mother of Anthony, Joseph, and Stephen Battista, and Jody Fitzpatrick. Dear sister of Mary Keeney. Fond grandmother of eight grandchildren. Funeral from Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road at Midland Ave, on Wednesday at 9:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann's R.C. Church at 10 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to NY District Foundation Kamp Kiwanis c / o Lindy Marrazo, 1265 Richmond Ave, SI, NY 10314, in her memory would be appreciated. Richmond Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. Carbone, Vito J. Vito J. Carbone of Willowbrook, formerly of West Brighton, on September 24, 2005. Beloved husband of Rosina. Loving father of Robert Carbone, Elena Marell and Dan Carbone. Dear brother of Rose Forlenza, Carol Fratoni and Albert Carbone. Cherished grandfather of Sabrina. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK ROAD, on Wednesday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta Church 10 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. Demetrio, Bellina Bellina Demetrio on September 25, 2005. Devoted wife of the late Vincenzo. Beloved mother of Nino, Rosa Renna and mother-in-law of Camille and Nick Renna. Loving sister of Ninetta De Negris, Maria Giustino and Leonardo Giampietro. Cherished grandmother of Donna and Anthony Crispino, Fran and Andrew Gonchar, Suzanne Demetrio, Leonardo and Donna Renna, Vincent Demetrio and great-grandmother of Alexandrea, Danielle, Nicholas, Dianne Marie, Toni Ann, Vanessa, Ariana, Matthew, Michael, Jessica and Nicholas. Friends and family will be received at Martin Hughes Funeral Home, 530 Narrows Road South, Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Thomas R.C. Church Thursday 11 A.M. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. Guercio, Evelyn M. (Mahlmann) Evelyn M Guercio (nee Mahlmann) of West Brighton on September 25, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Salvatore J. Guercio. Dear mother of Arlene Egan, Joseph (Jerry) Guerci and the late Lynne Marie Guercio. Fond sister of the late Albert and James Mahlmann. Adored grandmother of Arlene Egan Granton, Lori Kruesi, Cynthia Irlinger, Alicia Jazeyeri, Raymond Egan and Noelle Hallared. Also survived by seven great- grandchildren. Funeral from the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Ave, P.R., on Wednesday at 9:45 A.M. Service at Trinity Lutheran Church 10:30 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday 7-9 P.M. and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. Montalbano, Joseph Joseph Montalbano on September 25, 2005, Beloved husband of the late Mary (nee Lombardo). Loving father of Charles, Louis, and Joseph Jr. Dear grandfather of eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fond brother of Rose D'Anna and the late Charles Montalbano. Reposing at A. Azzara Funeral Home Inc., 183 Sand Lane, South Beach, S.I. Funeral Mass at Holy Rosary Church Thursday 9:30 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visiting Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. A. Azzara Funeral Home., Inc. Family Owned & Operated since 1900 www.SILive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/28/2005. Rodrigo, Michael Michael Rodrigo of Tottenville on September 24, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Antonia. Loving mother of Dennis and the late Michael. Cherished grandfather of grandchildren Lori, Dennis Jr. and Brian. Fond mother-in-law of Karen and Mary. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), on Wednesday 9:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Monday and Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. www.SiLive.com / Obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/25/2005 - 9/27/2005. ALICE SCHOENBUCHER, 85 Former Westerleigh resident liked traveling Monday, September 26, 2005 Alice Elizabeth Thomson Schoenbucher, 85, of Fort Worth, Tex., a former Westerleigh resident whose passion for travel took her all over the world, died Saturday in Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills, where she had been a resident for the past three years. Born Alice Elizabeth Thomson in Jersey City, N.J., she was a cousin of Bobby Thomson, the famed baseball player from the New York Giants, who hit the "shot heard 'round the world." A 1937 graduate of Port Richmond High School, Mrs. Schoenbucher completed Katherine Gibbs Business School, Manhattan, in 1939. Mrs. Schoenbucher met Albert (Bud) King Schoenbucher, the man who would become her husband, in 1938 on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Four years later, they were married in 1942. The couple was separated for almost two and a half years during World War II while Mrs. Schoenbucher worked in the executive offices of the American Optical Company in Manhattan. They were separated once more for a year while her husband was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. She vowed never to let distance come between them again, and she and her children joined her husband overseas. From there, the family followed him all over the world as he pursued his career as a military physician. Though raising her family was Mrs. Schoenbucher's primary focus, she nurtured her passion for art and began her studies at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1957. She continued her studies in Kaiserslautern, Germany from 1960 to1963 under the guidance of Herr Professor Herman Krupp, a well-known German artist. Moving to Atlanta, Ga., in the mid-1960s, she became a member of the Atlanta Arts Alliance and the Atlanta Artists Association; and was co-owner of the Golden Easel Art Gallery in Underground Atlanta from 1964 until 1978. When she decided she wanted to buy her first Mercedes Benz, she put herself through training and became a licensed real estate agent in the early 1980s, originally with Coldwell Banker in Atlanta. She retired in the early 1990s and settled in Fort Worth in 1997. Mrs. Schoenbucher and her husband shared a passionate wanderlust that took them on travels all over the globe, including Europe and all over the United States. After 60 years of marriage, her husband, Bud, died in 2002. Surviving are her son, Bruce; three daughters, Barbara Jean Wilson, Karen Schoenbucher and Ricki Barry; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Thompson Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, Fort Worth, with a service at 1 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Worth. Burial will follow in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas. BELLINA DEMETRIO, 85 Homemaker was a native of Italy Monday, September 26, 2005 Bellina Demetrio, a homemaker and native of Italy, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. She was 85. Born Bellina Giampietro in Mola DiBari, Italy, she relocated to Brooklyn with her husband, Vincenzo, in 1952. More than 30 years later, in 1985, Mrs. Demetrio moved to Eltingville and later to Prince's Bay in 2002. While living in Italy she was a seamstress. Once she moved to New York, she focused her energies on the most important thing to her -- family. "She was so happy just being home with her children," said her son, Nino. He noted that every Sunday his mother would have the entire family over for dinner. But even when the family became too big to host for dinner all at one time, Mrs. Demetrio still had her two children, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren over for some quality time each Sunday. Mrs. Demetrio enjoyed crocheting and cooking. Always worried about everyone Mrs. Demetrio would check up on her family with a daily phone call. "She was just a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother," her son said. Mrs. Demetrio was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Mrs. Demetrio's husband of 67 years, Vincenzo, died in 2002. In addition to her son, Nino, surviving are her daughter, Rosa Renna; a brother, Leonardo Giampietro; two sisters, Ninetta DeNegris and Maria Giustino; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the Martin Hughes Funeral Home, Concord, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Thomas Church. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. CARMELA BATTISTA, 71 Billing clerk enjoyed spending time with family Monday, September 26, 2005 Carmela M. Battista, 71, a lifelong resident of Dongan Hills and former billing clerk, died Saturday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, following a long illness. The former Carmela Ippolito graduated from McKee High School and married the late Anthony Battista in 1951. From 1954 to 1955, the couple lived in Germany where Mr. Battista was stationed with the Army. After her husband died in 1975, Mrs. Battista served as president of the Staten Island chapter of Parents Without Partners. In the late 1970s, she founded its Widow and Widowers group. Mrs. Battista was a medical billing clerk for a doctor's office in West Brighton for 12 years. She retired in 2001. Mrs. Battista loved the holidays. Every Christmas, she made sfinge pastries and decorated a nine-foot tree. On Sundays, she hosted dinners for her extended family. At family gatherings, she especially loved spending time with the children-- all of whom called her "Gramma Carmela." Mrs. Battista taught all of her children to cook "the Sunday sauce."She also enjoyed playing slot machines in Atlantic City. "She was outgoing, generous, witty, loving and tough," said her daughter, Jody Fitzpatrick. "She was just a fun person to be around-- happy and always full of life." Mrs. Battista was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. Her husband, Anthony, died in 1975. In addition to her daughter, Jody, surviving are her three sons, Anthony, Joseph and Stephen; a sister, Mary Keeney, and eight grandchildren. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. CHARLOTTE CRISSON, 83 Retired secretary enjoyed spending time with family Monday, September 26, 2005 Charlotte Marie Crisson, 83, of Westerleigh, a retired secretary, died Saturday at home following a long illness. Born Charlotte Marie Wohlker in Elm Park, she spent most of her childhood in West Brighton. She graduated from Curtis High School in 1940 and later worked as a secretary for various companies, including Bethlehem Steel, Elco Boat Works and U.S. Gypsum. While working at U.S. Gypsum, she met her future husband, Robert H. Crisson. The couple married in 1947 and settled in Westerleigh in 1955. She was a pianist and Sunday school teacher for her former parish, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in West Brighton, during the 1940s. A homemaker, she enjoyed volunteering and helped the Salvation Army prepare care packages for soldiers fighting in Vietnam. Mrs. Crisson and her late husband, Robert, enjoyed taking long walks in Clove Lakes Park with their dog Fluffy, an orange and white terrier, according to her daughter, Nancy Johnson. She loved and cared for many pets throughout her life, she added. Mrs. Crisson's biggest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren, helping them with their homework and completing art projects. Mrs. Crisson also enjoyed making toys for them, including large, colorful stuffed elephants and sock monkeys. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Willowbrook. Her husband, Robert, died in 2002. In addition to her daughter, Nancy, surviving are three sons, Robert, Fred and Donald; another daughters, Carol Shea; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a service at 2 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. EVELYN GUERCIO, 89 Retired saleswoman enjoyed dancing Monday, September 26, 2005 Evelyn M. Guercio, 89, of West Brighton, a former saleswoman who enjoyed dancing and traveling, died yesterday at home. Born the former Evelyn Mahlmann in Brooklyn, she was brought to Staten Island as an infant. She lived in Meiers Corners and Port Richmond before moving to West Brighton about 50 years ago. In the early 1970s, she spent a few years in New Springville, but later returned to West Brighton. Mrs. Guercio attended Port Richmond High School in the early 1930s. At the age of 16, she met her future husband, the late Salvatore J. Guercio, at a dance in Fort Green Park, Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Guercio were ballroom dancing partners and enjoyed dancing at the former Miami Club, New Brighton. They also danced the jitterbug and won Lindy hop competitions, according to their family. "They out-danced everyone at their 50th wedding anniversary," said their daughter, Arlene L. Egan. After working for 10 years as a clerk at Carlton Cleaners in West Brighton and Port Richmond, Mrs. Guercio worked for another decade in the children's department at Sears, at its former Port Richmond location and in New Springville. She retired in 1976. Mrs. Guercio was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Seniors Group, the Cassidy-Coles Senior Center, the St. Charles Senior Citizens Club and a local AARP chapter. She enjoyed traveling with the senior groups. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Stapleton. Mrs. Guercio liked to attend the annual Harvest Moon Ball dance competition in Manhattan. She also enjoyed spending the day at Midland Beach with her family, where she had worked in the 1930s and 1940s at the concession stand. Mrs. Guercio enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For more than 40 years, she cooked dinner every Wednesday night for her extended family. Her specialty was macaroni and meatballs. She also loved to travel to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania and to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., with her children and grandchildren. "She was warm, caring and sensitive to other people's needs," said Mrs. Egan. She was predeceased by her husband, Salvatore, who died in 1992, and her daughter, Lynne Marie Guercio, who died in 1960. In addition to her daughter, Arlene, surviving are her son, Joseph (Jerry); six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, Port Richmond, with a service at 10:30 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. MURIEL KARPELES, 77 Former Island resident worked as a secretary Monday, September 26, 2005 Former Staten Island resident Muriel E. Karpeles, 77, died Saturday of lung cancer at the Gateway Care Center in Eatontown, N.J., where she had been a resident for the past month. Miss Karpeles was born in Ossining, N.Y., and grew up in New Brighton. She also lived in West Brighton and Edison, N.J., before moving to Eltingville in 1985. She settled in Lincroft, N.J., last year. A graduate of Curtis High School, she was employed by Holland America in Manhattan as a secretary for 25 years. She also worked for Zim Lines in Manhattan before retiring from PathMark in Carteret, N.J., in 1995. Her brother, Franklin Karpeles, said his sister, who was a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot, was a "very religious person." She also enjoyed walking, trips to Atlantic City, crossword puzzles and traveling, said her family. Every year Miss Karpeles would organize an Easter Egg hunt for her great nieces and nephews. Miss Karpeles is survived by three brothers, Frank, Franklin and Vincent, and a sister, Frances DeMarco. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a 10:45 a.m. mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. VITO CARBONE, 79, Former antique store owner was WW II veteran Monday, September 26, 2005 Vito J. Carbone, 79, of Willowbrook, a veteran of World War II and a former antique store owner, died Saturday at home. The West Brighton native settled in Willowbrook in 1999. After graduating from McKee High School, Mr. Carbone began a 20-year Army career. During World War II, he served in England, Germany and Italy, first with the Army Air Corps and then as a camp liberator with the 4th Armored Division. Following the war, Mr. Carbone played the clarinet and was a conductor for the Army band throughout Europe. In 1952, Mr. Carbone married the former Rosina Testa, whom he had met in Italy. For eight years, Mr. Carbone owned an antique store, the Collectors Castle, Port Richmond. It closed during the mid-1990s. Mr. Carbone was a member of the Cichon American Legion Post in Port Richmond, and a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta R.C. Church, West Brighton. He was also a member of the AARP. He enjoyed antiquing, fishing, and watching classic movies-- especially those starring James Cagney. He also loved Italian food and all kinds of music. "He always made people feel comfortable," said his daughter, Elena Marell. "People loved to visit him because he made you feel welcome." In addition to his wife, Rosina, and his daughter, Elena, Mr. Carbone is survived by two sons, Robert and Dan; two sisters, Rose Forlenza and Carol Fratoni; a brother, Albert Carbone and one granddaughter. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.