OBITS: Staten Island Advance 3 Nov 2005; Staten Island, Richmond 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: Staten Island Advance Death Notices http://www.statenislandadvance.com/ Adams, Alfred J. Alfred J. Adams of Meiers Corners on November 2, 2005. Beloved husband of Muriel (nee Ziegler). Loving father of Susan Adams Dougherty and George Adams Dougherty and Patricia and Len Rosenthal. Funeral from Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Ave, Castleton Corners, on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Teresa's Church 10:30 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Visiting Nurse Association of S.I., 400 Lake Ave, S.I. 10303, would be greatly appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/3/2005 - 11/6/2005. Clarke, James C. James C. Clarke of Castleton Corners on November 2, 2005. Beloved husband of Sharon (nee McCabe). Loving father of Susan Mears and James Patrick Clarke (US Navy). Dear brother of Valerie Beebe and Michael Clarke. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Saturday 8:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Teresa's Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Friday 2-5 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions. to the S.I. Meals on Wheels, 304 Port Richmond Avenue, S.I., N.Y. 10302, would be appreciated. K. Terrance McGinley, Director, Harmon Home for Funerals Locally Family Owned and Operated Staten Island's only member of the International Order of the www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/3/2005 - 11/4/2005. Cosares, Johnny The Greek Johnny The Greek Cosares of Oakwood on November 1, 2005. Beloved husband of Rosemarie and the late Frances. Devoted father of John, Joseph, Lawrence, Augusta and Nicholas. Cherished grandfather of fourteen. Loving great-grandfather of Justin. Fond brother of Thomas Cosares and Katherine Coppola. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial Friday 9:15 A.M. St Charles Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/2/2005 - 11/3/2005. Czarnomski, John W. John W. Czarnomski of Lakewood, N.J., formerly of West Brighton, on November 3, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Dorothy. Loving father of John E., Thomas and Peter Czarnomski. Dear brother of Irene Wheatley and Theodore Czarnomski. Cherished grandfather of Sarah, Anna, Thomas, Kelly, Kayla and Karissa Czarnomski and the late Adam Thomas Czarnomski. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton, Monday 10:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Sacred Heart Church 11 A.M. Committal private. Friends will be received Saturday 7-9 P.M., Sunday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimer's Foundation would be appreciated. K. Terrance McGinley, Director, Harmon Home for Funerals Locally Family Owned and Operated Staten Island's only member of the International Order of the www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/3/2005 - 11/6/2005. De Luca, Carmine N. LUCA Carmine N. De Luca on October 30, 2005. Beloved husband of Angela. Devoted father of Michael. Cherished cousin. Funeral from the John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd (at Eltingville Station), on Friday. Mass of Christian Burial 10:45 A.M. Holy Child R.C. Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/2/2005 - 11/3/2005. DiStefano, Frances R. (Simonetti) Frances R. DiStefano (nee Simonetti) of Port Richmond on November 2, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Tuddy. Loving mother of Rosemarie Whyte, Bernadette Bevan and Frances M. Vitagliano. Dear mother-in-law of Stanley Bevan and Robert Vitagliano. Fond sister of Anna Guercio and the late Mary Vece, Loretta Cardona, Peter, Carmella, Anthony, John and Joseph Simonetti. Also survived by nine grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Funeral from Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Avenue, P.R., on Saturday at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Roch's R.C. Church 10 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Roch's R.C. Church would be appre-ciated. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/2/2005 - 11/4/2005. Fabozzi, Joan M. (Wise) Joan M. Fabozzi (nee Wise) of West Brighton on November 1, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Salvatore Fabozzi. Loving mother of Eileen Fabozzi Tucker, Marianne Fabozzi Wien, Joseph and Michael Fabozzi (Det. NYPD). Dear sister of Betty Fraser, Georgia Wydrinski, Thomas, Kenneth and Robert Wise and the late Virginia (Honey) Moreno. Fond mother-in-law of Diane Fabozzi, Bill Wien and Michael Tucker. Also survived by eleven grandchildren and the late Jack Joseph Fabozzi. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton. Saturday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Peter's Church 9:45 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The National Alopecia Areata Foundation, 14 Mitchell Blvd., San Rafael, CA, 94903 or the Pax Christi Hospice Program would be appreciated. K. Terrance McGinley, Director, Harmon Home for Funerals Locally Family Owned and Operated Staten Island's only member of the International Order of the www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/2/2005 - 11/4/2005. Hansen, Helen (Quinlan) Helen Hansen (nee Quinlan) of Sunnyside on October 31, 2005. Wife of the late Victor. Loving sister of Dorothy Trzaska, Anna Zagejeski and the late Joseph Quinlan and Margaret Beshears. Dear sister-in-law of Margaret Quinlan. Also survived by sixteen nieces and nephews. Funeral from Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Ave., Castleton Corners, on Friday. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Good Counsel Church 10 A.M. Entombment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday 7-9 P.M. Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to our Lady of Good Counsel Church would be greatly appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/1/2005 - 11/3/2005. Kruger, Rosemarie Rosemarie Kruger of Dongan Hills on November 2, 2005. Beloved wife of William. Loving mother of William Kruger Jr., Mary Ann Christofely and the late Karen Kruger. Dear sister of Jeanette Curtis and John Borrillo. Fond grandmother of Andrea and Peter Christofely. Funeral from the Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road at Midland Ave., on Friday at 10 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary R.C. Church at 10:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday 2-4 and 7-9:30 P.M. Richmond Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/3/2005. LaComb, Donald W. Donald W. LaComb of Freehold, NJ formerly of Dongan Hills on November 2, 2005. Former husband of Kathleen (nee McCarthy). Devoted father of Susan Zawacki and the late Linda Elia. Father-in-law of Warren Zawacki. Loving grandfather of five grandchildren, Frank, Jeniffer and Joseph Elia and Jessica and Lauren Zawacki and two great-grandchildren Makayla and Peter. Funeral from the Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills, on Saturday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare's Church 11 A.M. Cremation private. Friends will be received Friday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/3/2005 - 11/4/2005. Skeete, Cyril H. Cyril H. Skeete of Jacksonville Fla,, formerly of Staten Island, on October 29, 2005. Beloved husband of Lena (nee Taylor). Loving father of Robert Taylor. Dear brother of Florence Wilson and uncle of Elizabeth Rigby. Also survived by eighteen other nieces and nephews. Funeral Service Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Avenue, West Brighton, Saturday 10:30 A.M. Interment Fairview Cemetery. Friends will be received Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. K. Terrance McGinley, Director, Harmon Home for Funerals Locally Family Owned and Operated Staten Island's only member of the International Order of the www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/3/2005 - 11/4/2005. Torres, Rafel "Ralph" Rafel (Ralph) Torres of St. George on November 1, 2005. Beloved husband of Annette Torres. Loving father of Celia Moore and Emanuel Bonilla. Also s survived by three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, on Saturday A.M. Funeral Service from Greenwood Baptist Church, Brooklyn. Friends will be received Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following would be appreciated Greenwood Baptist Church, 461 6th St. Bklyn, NY., Brighton Heights Reformed Church, 320 St. Marks Place, SI, NY 10301, Dr. James Humphries, Mission Evangelism, 316 Lakeview Dr., Lyndale, Texas 75771. K. Terrance McGinley, Director, Harmon Home for Funerals Locally Family Owned and Operated Staten Island's only member of the International Order of the www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/2/2005 - 11/4/2005. ROSEMARIE KRUGER, 75 Dongan Hills resident enjoyed making handcrafts Thursday, November 03, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Rosemarie Kruger, 75, of Dongan Hills, a homemaker and avid crafter, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. A Manhattan native, the former Rosemarie Borillo met her future husband through a mutual friend. After an initially tentative courtship, they were married 47 years ago. She said, 'I'll take a chance on you,' recalled her husband, William Kruger. She was wonderful. The couple moved from Manhattan to South Beach in 1965 and settled in Dongan Hills 30 years ago. Mrs. Kruger delighted in making crafts. She decorated her home with her own crocheted blankets, needlepoint, scrapbooks and clay sculptures. Every corner was covered, said her husband. I used to buy her drills, brushes, everything. Mrs. Kruger was a parishioner of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. In addition to her husband, William, surviving are her son, William Jr.; her daughter, Mary Ann Christofely; a brother, John Borillo; a sister, Jeanette Curtis; a grandson, and a granddaughter. Her daughter, Karen Kruger, died in 1990. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. REGINE McNAMARA, 68 Hungerford School counselor loved to read, travel Thursday, November 03, 2005 Regine J. McNamara, a retired guidance counselor and New Dorp resident, died Oct. 24 at her vacation home in Hollywood, Fla. The 68-year-old had battled cancer for 10 months. Born Regine J. Geortz in Dresden, Germany, she survived World War II as a child. She moved to Vienna, Austria, in 1958, where she met an American, John J. McNamara II. The couple were married for 10 years. In 1961, Mrs. McNamara came to America, first living in New Jersey. Eager to get an education, she moved to St. George in 1973 to study at the College of Staten Island -- where she earned a bachelor's degree and received her master's degree in social work. She settled in New Dorp in 1993. A member of the United Federation of Teachers, Mrs. McNamara worked as a guidance counselor at the Hungerford School, Clifton. She retired earlier this year. An avid reader, she also enjoyed travel and had journeyed to Alaska, Switzerland, South America and Italy, where she took photography classes. Mrs. McNamara enjoyed visiting museums and her favorite was the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. Surviving are her partner of 11 years, Joseph Lucido; her son, John J. McNamara III; her daughter, Caroline Shepard; a sister, Ute Gysler; a granddaughter, and her ex-husband, John. The funeral arrangements were handled by the Panciera Memorial Home, Hollywood. Burial was in Lauderdale Memorial Park, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. RAPHAEL TORRES, 97 Barber served as Greenwood Baptist Church deacon Thursday, November 03, 2005 A top professional barber for 36 years at Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Raphael (Ralph) Torres of St. George sheared the locks of some of the hotel's most famous residents, including late President John F. Kennedy. On Tuesday, the 97-year-old died in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he came to the United States in 1921, moving to Brooklyn at the age of 13 with his parents. He settled in St. George in 1979. Mr. Torres worked for 36 years as one of the top barbers in Manhattan's famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. During that time, he cut the hair of many notable figures, including President Kennedy and Frank Sinatra, along with others who often stayed at, or took up residence in, the hotel, his family said. Mr. Torres' most illustrious customer was five-star U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur. "He took care of him personally in the barbershop of the hotel or at Gen. MacArthur's personal residence in the hotel," said his stepson, Emmanuel Bonilla. Mr. Torres retired in 1980. A devout Christian, he spent 40 years as a deacon at Greenwood Baptist Church in Brooklyn, where his service included visiting ill parishioners and helping with other pastoral duties. Mr. Torres also enjoyed playing the flute. "He was very devoted to his family, very loving, very caring, always showed his Christian faith by how he lived. It was a joy and a pleasure to be in his presence," said his stepson. "He will be greatly missed." Mr. Torres' first wife, Celia, died in the early 1960s. In addition to his stepson, Emmanuel, surviving are his wife of 36 years, the former Annette Auditore Bonilla; his daughter, Celia Moore; a brother, Manny Torres; three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a service at 10 a.m. in Greenwood Baptist Church. Burial will be in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, L.I. NICHOLAS COSARES, 71 Enjoyed cooking for and spending time with family Thursday, November 03, 2005 Nicholas John (Johnny the Greek) Cosares, 71, of Oakwood, a retired bridge painter and contractor, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born in Manhattan, he moved to Brooklyn in the mid-1950s and to Oakwood in 1996. Mr. Cosares worked as a bridge painter for about 25 years. He painted various bridges around the city and also worked on spans in many states, including Florida and South Carolina. Around 1980, he started his own home-contracting business. One of his companies was All Bridge Construction, which was based in Brooklyn. He retired in 1996. Mr. Cosares enjoyed cooking for his family, especially on holidays, spending time with them and socializing. "He loved good food. He loved to go out and party," said his wife of 17 years, the former Rosemarie Covais. "He was very family-oriented." Mr. Cosares' first wife, the former Frances Guardino, died in 1987. In addition to his wife, Rosemarie, surviving are his four sons, John, Joseph, Lawrence and Nicholas; his daughter, Augusta (Gussie) Croce; a brother, Thomas; a sister, Katherine Coppola; 13 grandchildren and a great-grandson. Mr. Cosares' grandson, Joseph Croce, died in 1987. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 9:15 a.m. in St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. NANCY GIANINO, 85 Enjoyed entertaining, dancing, cooking for everyone Thursday, November 03, 2005 Nancy Gianino, 85, of Brooklyn, a homemaker and former seamstress, died Tuesday in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where she had resided for a year and a half. Born Nancy Zappulla in Brooklyn, she resided in that borough's Bensonhurst section with her daughter and family for most of her life, prior to entering Clove Lakes. Mrs. Gianino was a seamstress "for as long as I can remember," said her daughter, Angela D'Angelo, noting that her mother worked for many years in Brooklyn and in Manhattan. "She even told me a story once that she sewed parachutes during World War II," Mrs. D'Angelo said. The young woman met her future husband, Anthony Gianino, a native of Augusta, Sicily, Italy, on a blind date in Brooklyn during the early 1950s. "They met in front of the Loews 46th Street theater," said Mrs. D'Angelo. "The only thing my father knew about her was that she'd be wearing a red coat." After marrying in 1953 and starting her family -- which included her daughter and her son, Carl -- Mrs. Gianino became a member of the "Bay 35th Street Jolly Housewives." "They were the wives and mothers on the block who got together. They had a lot of fun," said her daughter. "They kept it going for a long time." Mrs. Gianino's house was "always open to everyone. She loved to entertain, and she loved to cook," said her daughter. "She made the best meatballs. And on St. Joseph's Day, she made a special kind of macaroni, about 10 pounds of it, that she gave to everyone in the neighborhood." Mrs. Gianino also enjoyed listening to music, especially the kind she could dance to. "She was a happy-go-lucky person," said Mrs. D'Angelo. "She was a great wife, mother and grandmother...and was known as 'Aunt Nini' to her many nieces and nephews. She was loved by everyone." Mrs. Gianino's husband of 46 years, Anthony, died in 1999. In addition to her son, Carl, and her daughter, Angela, surviving are five grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Scarpaci Funeral Home, with a mass at 9:20 a.m. in St. Mary Mother of Jesus R.C. Church, both Brooklyn. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. JOHN McANDREWS, 78 FDNY captain was in Navy for WW II, Korean War Thursday, November 03, 2005 John W. (Mac) McAndrews Sr., 78, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., a retired city Fire Department captain and a passionate football fan, died Tuesday in St. Lucie Medical Center, Port St. Lucie after an eight-year struggle with his health. Born in Manhattan, he was brought to Stapleton as a 2-year-old, and lived there for most of his life. He met his wife-to-be, the former Alice McKeon, in 1950, at a friend's house. The couple married seven months later and settled in Stapleton. They later moved to Dongan Hills, where they lived for 17 years. After briefly living in Florida, the couple returned to New Dorp for six years before relocating to Port St. Lucie in 2000. Mr. McAndrews served as a cook in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and served the country again during the Korean War, from 1948 to 1951. When he returned to Staten Island, he joined the city Fire Department, assigned to firehouses in Brooklyn and Manhattan. He rose through the ranks and retired as a captain at the age of 64, after a 21-year career. A passionate football fan who loved the New York Giants, Mr. McAndrews was a member of the Staten Island Peewee Football League and later, the borough's board of governors, for roughly 40 years. He also belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Staten Island and the Elks Club in Port St. Lucie. Mr. McAndrews loved growing vegetables, especially tomatoes, and was a man who took charge, his wife said. Everybody really cared about him, she said. We were very close. Mr. McAndrews was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton R.C. Church, Port St. Lucie. In addition to his wife of 54 years, Alice, surviving are his son, John W. Jr.; his two daughters, Deborah Sardone and Elish Mancuso; two brothers, Donald and Jay; a sister, Ann Marie Mattera; nine grandchildren, and a great-grandson. The funeral service is scheduled for today at 7 p.m. in the Byrd, Young & Prill Port St. Lucie Funeral Home. The arrangements include cremation. JOAN FABOZZI, 73 Greatest joy was caring for children, grandchildren Thursday, November 03, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Joan M. Fabozzi, 73, a former administrative assistant to the president of RCA, died Tuesday at her West Brighton home. Mrs. Fabozzi had been an administrative assistant at RCA's telecommunications division in Manhattan for four years, retiring in 1987. She previously worked for 10 years as the secretary to the principal at St. Peter's Boys High School in New Brighton. Active with the Mothers Club at St. Peter's R.C. Church, Mrs. Fabozzi also performed as an actress in faculty shows at the high school and danced in church plays. She also did secretarial work for a company in Manhattan's garment district for two years. Even with her extensive work history, Mrs. Fabozzi's family said she was most proud of being a homemaker. Born Joan M. Wise in New London, Conn., she moved to Tompkinsville with her family when she was a teen-ager. She then lived in St. George for 40 years and moved to West Brighton last year. She graduated from Curtis High School in 1950. In her leisure time, she enjoyed crocheting, reading novels and visiting Atlantic City. Her family said Mrs. Fabozzi's greatest joy was taking care of her children and grandchildren. Her husband of 42 years, Salvatore, died in 1997. Surviving are her two sons, Joseph and Michael; her two daughters, Eileen Fabozzi Tucker and Marianne Fabozzi Wien; three brothers, Thomas, Robert and Kenneth Wise; two sisters, Betty Fraser and Georgia Wydrinski, and 11 grandchildren. Her grandson, Jack Joseph Fabozzi, died in 1995 The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Peter's Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. JAMES CLARKE, 67 Spent summers with family in New Hampshire cabin Lifelong Staten Islander James Christopher Clarke Jr., 67, of Castleton Corners, a retired electrical mechanic, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Castleton Corners, he graduated from Curtis High School. Mr. Clarke then joined the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of specialist fourth class. He was stationed on a U.S. Air Force Base in Wurtsboro, Germany, where he received his electrical background training. Upon Mr. Clarke's discharge, he was recruited for a job in electrical maintenance at Cape Canaveral, Fla. After a short stay, he returned to Castleton Corners to be with his family and began working for Consolidated Edison. He retired in 1995, after a 28-year career. According to his co-workers, Mr. Clarke was "the guy you could always count on," his family said. One of Mr. Clarke's favorite experiences was being an extra in the movie, "For Love of the Game," starring Kevin Costner. His son, James Patrick Clarke, sent a picture of him to the movie's producers for the spot. According to his family, Mr. Clarke wore a T-shirt in the movie because it was supposed to be springtime, although filming took place in early winter when the temperature was just above freezing. In spite of the cold, Mr. Clarke was just excited about being in the presence of Costner and the weather didn't really matter to him. From the age of 7, Mr. Clarke spent every summer at Camp Notre Dame in New Hampshire, eventually becoming a counselor. He also spent much of his life with his friend of more than 60 years, Robert Judd. Mr. Clarke and his father bought a cabin in Harrisville, N.H., 35 years ago while on a father-son getaway. According to his family, Mr. Clarke's love of the country and the mountains was something he wanted to pass on to his children and he was able to do so because of the cabin. Staples of the family's summer vacations included canoeing, sailing, mountain climbing and blueberry-picking. Mr. Clarke also enjoyed working on cars, gardening -- especially at his New Hampshire house -- attending concerts and partaking in the arts. His family said he will especially be missed around St. Patrick's Day, when he used to make more than 20 loaves of Irish soda bread -- starting only the day before so it would be fresh -- for his friends and family. Described as a selfless person, Mr. Clarke was a volunteer for the Island Meals on Wheels program for many years. He also volunteered for his clients if they needed help gardening, fixing a lawnmower or going to the store for cat food. "He always had the time to help someone, even if he wasn't feeling great, as he was happiest while giving someone a hand," said his wife, the former Sharon McCabe. "No task was either too big or too small for him and there was nothing he couldn't do or fix." In addition to his son, James Patrick, and his wife of 37 years, Sharon, Mr. Clarke is survived by his daughter, Susan Mears; a sister, Valerie Beebe, and a brother, Michael. The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Teresa's R.C. Church, Castleton Corners. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. FRANCES DiSTEFANO, 95 Patriotic Islander loved daily walks to Pathmark Thursday, November 03, 2005 Lifelong Port Richmond resident Frances R. DiStefano, 95, a homemaker, died yesterday at home after a long illness. Mrs. DiStefano was very patriotic, and her family said she once won an award from the American Legion for flying the American flag outside her home every day. For her 90th birthday, she received a flag that flew atop the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., a gift arranged by Rep. Vito Fossella. The former Frances Simonetti helped her late husband of 45 years, Tuddy, operate his butcher shop, the former Teddy's Meat Market in Port Richmond, during World War II. A parishioner of St. Roch's R.C. Church in Port Richmond, Mrs. DiStefano was a member of its St. Ann's Society and prayer group. She also belonged to Ciao, an Italian group, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mrs. DiStefano volunteered for 25 years with the Board of Elections. While raising her daughters, she served as past president of several PTAs, including PS 21 in Elm Park, Markham Intermediate School in Graniteville, Port Richmond High School and McKee High School. According to her family, Mrs. DiStefano's favorite activity was her daily walk to Pathmark -- she'd push her shopping cart to the supermarket every single day and enjoyed shopping around. She also loved checkers and word games, especially jumbles and crosswords. Mrs. DiStefano's husband, Tuddy, died in 1975. Surviving are her three daughters, Rosemarie Whyte, Bernadette Bevan and Frances Vitagliano; a sister, Anna Guercio; nine grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, Port Richmond, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Roch's Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. ELEANOR PASCALE, 90 Her needlework won Richmond County Fair ribbons Thursday, November 03, 2005 Eleanor Pascale, 90, of Bulls Head, a retired seamstress, died Monday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, following a short illness. Born Eleanor Ostimchuk in Woodbridge, N.J., she also lived in Perth Amboy, N.J.; Manhattan; New Brunswick, N.J., and Brooklyn before moving to Eltingville in 1963. She settled in Bulls Head in 1979. Mrs. Pascale was a seamstress for several firms on Staten Island, in Manhattan and in New Brunswick before retiring in the early 1970s. At home she enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting and sewing and she tended a small garden. Her needlework won many blue ribbons at the Richmond County Fair, her family said. A parishioner of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Clifton, she was also active in the women's group. Later in her life, Mrs. Pascale attended St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Richmond. She was a member of the Deborah Hospital Foundation and a local chapter of the AARP. Mrs. Pascale's husband of 24 years, Vincent, died in 1965. Surviving are her son, Charles; her daughter, Patricia Hartstein; a brother, Stephen Zach, and two granddaughters. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at noon in St. Andrew's Church. The arrangements, including burial in the church cemetery, are being handled by the Hanley Funeral Home, New Dorp. DONALD LaCOMB, 72 Car salesman liked the outdoors and playing cards Thursday, November 03, 2005 Donald W. LaComb, 72, of Freehold, N.J., a former Staten Islander and retired sales associate, died yesterday in John L. Montgomery Care Center, Freehold, where he had resided for eight years. Born in Brushton, N.Y., he moved to Annadale as a young man and to Dongan Hills 25 years later. He relocated to Freehold eight years ago. Mr. LaComb worked as a sales associate for various Island auto dealerships for many years. He retired eight years ago. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also looked forward to card games with friends. Mr. LaComb served as a private first class in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean War era, stationed at Fort Wadsworth. Surviving are his ex-wife, the former Kathleen McCarthy; his daughter, Susan Zawacki; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Mr. LaComb's daughter, Linda Elia, died in 1999. The funeral will be Saturday from the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Clare's R.C. Church, both Great Kills. The arrangements include cremation. DIANE WINDOM-JEFFERSON, 54 Volunteered time with various civic organizations Thursday, November 03, 2005 Diane Windom-Jefferson, a retired mental health aide, died Friday at her home in Castleton Corners. She was 54. Born Diane Windom in Brooklyn, she moved to West Brighton when she was 26 and to Castleton Corners two months ago. Mrs. Jefferson was a graduate of Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn and worked as a mental health aide for five years at the former Willowbrook State School before retiring in the early 1980s. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends, as well as participating in community service through various civic organizations. Mrs. Jefferson was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Fellowship Baptist Church, Mariners Harbor. Surviving are her husband of 10 years, Leroy Jefferson; her son, Jervie Windom; three brothers, Joseph, Eddie and David Windom; two sisters, Ernestine Scott and Delores Mingo, and three grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Stradford Funeral Home, Tompkinsville, with a service at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Silver Mount Cemetery, Silver Lake. CYRIL SKEETE, 85 Housekeeper at Clove Lakes center loved to cook Thursday, November 03, 2005 Former Staten Islander Cyril H. Skeete, 85, of Jacksonville, Fla., a retired housekeeper, died Saturday in Shands Hospital, Gainesville, Fla. He was good in every single way. He was kind and gentle and he'll be greatly missed by everyone, said his wife of 27 years, the former Lena Taylor. As a young man in his native Georgetown, Guyana, Mr. Skeete worked as a tanner -- making and selling leather to shoemakers. In 1976, he immigrated to the United States, moving to Port Richmond. Upon his arrival here, Mr. Skeete became a housekeeper for Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners. In 2002, he relocated to Jacksonville with his wife to enjoy his retirement years. Mr. Skeete enjoyed dancing, gardening, and watching movies. He loved to cook many types of food but his specialty was West Indian cooking. In addition to his wife, Lena, surviving are his stepson, Robert Taylor, and his sister, Florence Wilson. The funeral service will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Castleton Corners.