OBITS: Staten Island Advance 9 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/ Abbruzzese, Geraldine Geraldine Abbruzzese of Castleton Corners on November 8, 2005. Beloved wife of Anthony. Loving mother of Anthony Jr. and Michael and mother-in-law of Rita and Dena. Dear sister of Patricia Fiore and sister-in-law of Randa Anest. Devoted grandmother of Anthony III, Melanie and Cole. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Friday 10:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Rita R.C. Church 11 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Geraldine's name to Monsignor Farrell High School would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Espinosa, Herman Herman Espinosa of Bulls Head on November 7, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Ramira. Loving father of Jean Rivera, Iris Andino and Elizabeth Colon. Dear brother of Fannie Castrello and the late Julia Carrillo, Christopher and Juan Espinosa. Also survived by six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Funeral from Matthew Funeral Home Inc. 2508 Victory Boulevard at Willowbrook Road on Friday, 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - St. Benedicta Church 10:00 A.M. Interment Forest Green Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday 7-9 and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Everett, Frances G. Frances G. Everett of Travis on November 8, 2005. Beloved wife of George. Loving mother of Jeanette Kaszubski and George Everett Jr. Dear sister of Ralph, Zelia Vancore and Elizabeth Griffin. Devoted grandmother of Frances Wisniewski and great-grandmother of Rebecca and Devin. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Friday 9 A.M. Service Immanuel Lutheran Church 9:30 A.M. Entombment Woodbridge Memorial Gardens, Woodbridge, NJ. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2018 Richmond Ave, SI, NY 10314 would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Fitzgibbons, Joan Joan Fitzgibbons of Princes Bay on November 7, 2005. Beloved wife of Robert Sr. Loving mother of Robert Jr., Barbara Favale, Elizabeth Gilby, Michael, Patricia Meehan, Scott, Jacqueline Eckert, John and Timothy. Dear sister of William and Kenneth Backes, Barbara Huntzinger and Elizabeth Venditti. Also survived by twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd. on Thursday, November 10 at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church 11 A.M. Cremation private. Friends may visit Wednesday 2-4, and 7-9 P.M. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated since 1841 www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/8/2005 - 11/9/2005. Gallo, Alphonse Alphonse Gallo of Rosebank on November 9, 2005. Beloved husband of Jacqueline. (nee Abstender). Loving father of Patricia Calamela, Robert Gallo and Stephanie Gallo and Odogu Ben Benson. Cherished grandfather of Marisa, Anthony Jr., and Nicholas. Fond brother of Mildred Yandolo. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton Friday. Religious service 11 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday 2-4, 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 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Gilmartin, Thomas P. Thomas P. Gilmartin of Great Kills on November 7, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Virginia (nee Calzati). Devoted father of Virginia, Thomas, and Gregory Gilmartin. Dear brother of James, Patricia and Marie Gilmartin, Theresa Dicks, Sr. Cathleen and Loretta Gilmartin. Funeral from Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills, on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare's Church 9:45 A.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/8/2005 - 11/9/2005. Haughwout, Melvin Melvin Haughwout on September 27, 2005 of New Brighton. Beloved brother of Ruth Louise Sprague-Jaeger and Leslie Clark. Also survived by several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. A graveside service will be conducted on Thursday 12 Noon at Fairview Cemetery, Meiers Corners. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Summerfield United Methodist Church, Harbor Rd, SI NY 10303 would be appreciated. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/8/2005 - 11/9/2005. Kenney, Robert D. Robert D. Kenney of Tottenville on November 7, 2005. Beloved husband of Theresa (nee Avino). Loving father of Robert, Lisa and Irma. Dear brother of Peter and Nicholas. Also survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grand-sons. Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd. on Saturday, November 12, at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church 10 A.M. Interment Cemetery of the Resurrection. Friends may visit Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated since 1841 www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/9/2005 - 11/11/2005. Madrazo, Muriel Muriel Madrazo of Rosebank on November 6, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Felix. Cherished mother of Thomas, Barbara, Joseph and Richard. Cherished grandmother of seven. Loving great-grandmother of nine. Funeral from Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Mass Saturday 9:30 A.M. St. Joseph's R.C. Church. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 7-9 P.M., Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/9/2005 - 11/10/2005. Magnotti, Josephine Josephine Magnotti of Richmondtown formerly of Westerleigh on November 8, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Alfred. Loving mother of Ralph, Joseph and Louis Magnotti. Devoted mother-in-law of Mary, Carol and Roberta. Dear sister of Mary Codispoti. Cherished grandmother of Melissa, Joseph W., Lauren, Michael, Laura and Joseph C. Magnotti. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK ROAD,on Saturday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Teresa's Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx. Friends may call Friday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or Owen O'Conner Research Fund, would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/9/2005 - 11/11/2005. Mauriello, Angelina Angelina Mauriello of Pleasant Plains formerly of Mariners Harbor on November 8, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Louis. Loving mother of Angela Kempton, Victoria Lionti, and Virginia Ledwon. Cherished sister of Lillian Seegitz, and Elizabeth Wizinsky. Adored grandmother of Duanna, Richard, Anthony Jr., Jennifer, Melissa and Christina. Also survived by seven great-grand-children. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton, Saturday 10 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Thomas Church, Pleasant Plains, 11 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday 7-9 P.M., 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 11/9/2005 - 11/11/2005. Nola, Concetta (Quattrocchi) Concetta Nola (nee Quattrocchi) of Westerleigh on November 7, 2005. Beloved wife of the late John. Loving mother of Mary Lou Sanginari and JoAnn Cashman. Fond sister of John Quattrocchi, Louise Mariconda and Gloria Fiore and the late Joseph Quattrocchi and Sylvia Dolce. Cherished grandmother of Janine, Cheryl, Lori, John, Kenneth, Pamela, and Kathleen and great-grandmother of Jessica, Clarissa, Danielle, Nicole, Neil, Gianna, Brianna, Nicholas, Chiarra, Peter, Kaitlyn and Christopher. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Thursday 9:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Michael/St. Clement Churcn, Mariners Harbor 10:30 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday 2-4, 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 11/8/2005 - 11/9/2005. O'Grady, William William O'Grady on November 5, 2005. Beloved son of the late Harry and Josephine. Cherished brother of Mary Rocque and the late Harry, Eddie, Buddy, Vincent and Catherine Hogan. Also survived and loved by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral from Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane, Thursday 10:30 A.M. Mass Our Lady Queen of Peace Church 11:30 A.M. Visiting 9-11 A.M. Thursday. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church would be appreciated. Hanley Funeral Home, Inc Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/9/2005. Sackel, James W. James W. Sackel of Sunnyside on November 7, 2005. Beloved husband of Jean. Loving father of James H. Sackel. Adored grandfather of Talia and James H. Sackel Jr. Cherished father-in-law of Rita Sackel. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Thursday. Religious service at Harmon Funeral Home 10:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery to follow. Friends will be received Tuesday 7-9 P.M., Wednesday 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 11/8/2005 - 11/9/2005. Wessolock, Teresa Teresa Wessolock of Dongan Hills on November 7, 2005. Wife of the late Robert H. Wessolock. Loving mother of Robert E. Wessolock. Dear sister of David McGrath. Fond grandmother of Catherine, Robert J, and Kevin Wessolock. Great-grandmother of Robert Jr., Daniel and Nicolas Wessolock. Funeral from Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road at Midland Ave, on Thursday at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann's RC Church 10 A.M. Interment Calvary Cemetery Friends will be received Wednesday 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 from 11/8/2005 - 11/9/2005. WALTER MANN, 80 Navy veteran was metal sorter, analyst for 35 years Thursday, November 10, 2005 Walter Mann of Tottenville, a retired metal sorter and World War II Navy veteran, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. He was 80. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Mann served in the Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1945. A seaman first class, he was stationed in various locations, including the South Pacific. He worked briefly at the former Nassau Smelting and Refining Co. in Richmond Valley upon his return from the service, then worked for nearly 35 years as a metal sorter and analyst with the former Maxnor Metals Co. in Newark, N.J. He retired in 1990. He settled in Tottenville in 1960. Mr. Mann enjoyed traveling to Atlantic City, collecting coins and reading. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, said his daughter, Linda Eagle. He always put us first, before himself. Mr. Mann was a member of the Beauvais-Hudson Post, American Legion. In addition to his daughter, Linda, surviving are his wife of 58 years, the former Virginia Leavens; his daughter, Virginia Cusick; two brothers, George Mann and William DiMola; four sisters, Margie Pressler, Elsie Shearer, Jane Jennings and Kathy LoPresti; four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. The funeral will be Saturday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville. The arrangements include cremation at Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J. MARY COHEN, 80 Liked to cook and give dinners for family, friends Thursday, November 10, 2005 Former Staten Islander Mary A. Cohen, 80, of West Palm Beach, Fla., a retired life insurance company worker, died Sunday in Columbia Palms West Hospital, Loxahatchee, Fla., of a heart attack. Born Mary A. Boyd in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, she was brought to Boston as a child. She lived there until 1947, when she married Robert Cohen and she moved to his hometown of Brooklyn. The Cohens moved to Staten Island in the late 1950s -- living in Clifton, Dongan Hills, Stapleton and Grant City. Mrs. Cohen was a homemaker until she returned to the workforce in the late 1960s. She was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., first on Staten Island and then on Park Avenue in Manhattan. Upon her retirement in 1988, Mrs. Cohen and her husband relocated to Boca Raton, Fla. Her husband of 46 years, Robert, died in 1993. Mrs. Cohen moved to the home of her youngest son, Daniel, in West Palm Beach in 2003, so he could care for her. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, traveling and watching her favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, on television. She also loved to cook and hosted many dinners for her family and friends. Mrs. Cohen's oldest granddaughter, Marissa Rautenstrauch, traveled frequently to Florida to visit her. They spent many hours playing cards together. I have so many happy memories of her, said Mrs. Cohen's daughter, Jill Rautenstrauch. I will miss her so much. I was very fortunate to have her for a mother. Mrs. Cohen was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church in Boca Raton. In addition to her son, Daniel; her daughter, Jill, and her granddaughter, Mrs. Cohen is survived by her son, Henry; three brothers, Owen, Lester and Douglas Boyd; two sisters, Margaret Brown and Flo Davis, and three more granddaughters. The arrangements, including cremation, are being handled by the Neptune Society in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MARIA MARINO, 82 Native of Belgium liked to knit sweaters for family Thursday, November 10, 2005 Maria Marino, a longtime Staten Islander and former brokerage clerk who independently brought up three sons, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. The 82-year-old had resided in New Vanderbilt Rehabilitation and Care Center, Clifton, for five years. The former Maria Luypaert graduated from high school in her native Belgium. She met her future husband, Sal Marino, while he was serving with the U.S. Army there during World War II. When she was in her mid-20s, she immigrated to South Beach to marry him. While her sons were very young, Mrs. Marino devoted herself to making a home for them. But when Mr. Marino died in 1963, she went to work as a salesclerk in the former Masters Department Store in New Dorp. In the 1970s, she began a 15-year career as a clerk at the former First Boston brokerage house, Manhattan. She retired about 15 years ago. Mrs. Marino enjoyed cooking and specialized in Italian cuisine. She also liked to knit sweaters, mostly for her family. She was easygoing and warm, said her son, Joseph. In addition to her son, Joseph, surviving are her sons, Frank and Anthony; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the A. Azzara Funeral Home, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, both South Beach. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere. JOSEPHINE MAGNOTTI, 88 Avid reader taught first grade at PS 8 in Great Kills Thursday, November 10, 2005 By MAURA YATES ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Josephine Magnotti, 88, of Richmond, a retired educator whose love of knowledge inspired her family, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. Born Josephine Codispoti to Italian immigrants in the Bronx, she didn't learn English until she was 5 years old. Despite her late mastery of the language, she excelled in school -- graduating from high school at age 16, and from Hunter College, Manhattan, at age 19, with a degree in biology. She received her master's degree in education from Wagner College, Grymes Hill. Mrs. Magnotti placed a premium on knowledge, and passed that legacy to her six grandchildren, all of whom received advanced degrees in subjects that include medicine, law, psychology and neuroscience. She moved to Westerleigh in 1956 and to Richmond in 2003. While living on Staten Island, Mrs. Magnotti taught first-graders at PS 8 in Great Kills for 15 years. She retired in 1976. She read avidly throughout her life. Mrs. Magnotti loved spending time with her family, and looked forward to family gatherings. She also was very caring and a role model to her grandchildren -- always encouraging them to strive for excellence, her famiily said. She was a member of the Hunter College Alumni Association. Mrs. Magnotti was a parishioner of St. Teresa's R.C. Church, Castleton Corners. Her husband of 61 years, Alfred, died in 2003. In addition to her six grandchildren, surviving Mrs. Magnotti are her three sons, Ralph, Joseph and Louis, and a sister, Mary Codispoti. The funeral will be Saturday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Teresa's Church. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, the Bronx. HELEN WELSH, 94 Stapleton native played 1930s songs on her piano Thursday, November 10, 2005 Helen V. Welsh, 94, a native Staten Islander and retired utility company clerk, died Tuesday at her home in Saugerties, N.Y. Born in Stapleton, Miss Welsh attended Curtis High School. In 1967, she moved to Grant City, where she resided until she moved to her niece's upstate home a year and a half ago. For 31 years, Miss Welsh worked as a clerk for the former Brooklyn Union Gas Co. in Clifton. She retired in 1976. While living on Staten Island, she was a parishioner of St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City, and was a member of the St. Christopher's Socialites. For pleasure, Miss Welsh played 1930s tunes on the piano. She enjoyed dining out and taking occasional day trips, but she spent much of her time at home. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her nieces, Donna Anderson and Maureen Fumando, her extended family and her friends. She was an honest person, said Ms. Anderson. She was kind and warmhearted. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, both Saugerties. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. ELIZABETH COMBS, 77 Hospital administrator collected Mets memorabilia Thursday, November 10, 2005 Longtime Huguenot resident Elizabeth (Elsie) S. Combs, 77, a retired hospital nursing director, died Oct. 26 at her vacation home in Virginia Beach, Va., of lung cancer. Born Elizabeth Sarnes in Charleston, S.C., she traveled around the country with her father while he was in the U.S. Army. In the 1940s she moved to Brooklyn, where she graduated from Bay Ridge High School and Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing. Mrs. Combs moved to Tottenville in 1947, where she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She settled in Huguenot in 1958. In 1951, Mrs. Combs began working as a registered nurse for the former Richmond Memorial Hospital, now Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. She became a nursing supervisor in 1984 and the administrative director of nursing for University Hospital in 1986. She retired in 1993. An avid New York Mets fan, Mrs. Combs enjoyed collecting team memorabilia and going to games, as well as watching the team on TV. She also enjoyed quilting and anything to do with Disney. She loved spending time at her vacation home in Virginia Beach, where she was a secretary for the Chesapeake Beach Women's Club. Mrs. Combs was a parishioner of St. Joseph and St. Thomas R.C. Parish, Pleasant Plains. Surviving are her husband of 49 years, Charles Jack Combs; her son, Charles C.; her three daughters, Marguerite (Margie) Jensen, Barbara Putnum and Suzanne Freund; a brother, Frank Sarnes, and seven grandchildren. The memorial service will be Saturday at 8 p.m. in the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville. The arrangements include cremation. ANGELINA MAURIELLO, 87 Prince's Bay resident enjoyed traveling and cooking Thursday, November 10, 2005 Angelina Mauriello, 87, of Prince's Bay, a retired nurse's aide and former seamstress, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. The former Angelina Battaglia was born in Lower Manhattan to Italian immigrants and her family brought her to Mariners Harbor when she was a little girl. She graduated from McKee High School. The oldest girl among eight children, she married Louis Mauriello in 1938 in St. Michael's R.C. Church in Mariners Harbor. She made her wedding gown with her mother, Josephine Battaglia. Her father, Frank Battaglia, walked her to the church, which was three doors from the family's home, on her wedding day -- an event that became a family custom. Mrs. Mauriello and her husband settled in Prince's Bay in 1967. She worked in various dress factories, including the former Uniforms by Ostwald in New Brighton, where she was a floor manager. In 1968, she left that position and was trained as a nurse's aide. She then worked for Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, until retiring at the age of 65. Throughout her working years, Mrs. Mauriello sewed at home -- making hundreds of wedding gowns, prom dresses and communion dresses for personal clients. Her favorite clients, of course, were her own daughters, nieces and grand-nieces, her family said. Mrs. Mauriello was a member of the 50-Plus Club at Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot, and the Mount Loretto Friendship Club. She was also an active member of the Assumption Council Columbiettes, performing charity work with the group for many years. An avid traveler, Mrs. Mauriello had visited destinations around the world, including Spain, England, Australia, Italy and Hawaii. She would often talk of her adventures abroad with her family and friends. Cooking and baking were her passions -- Mrs. Mauriello was always ready to share her homemade chicken soup with a sick friend and her famous dessert "rosettes" were presented at every joyful celebration. According to her family, Mrs. Mauriello enjoyed discussing politics and was a dutiful voter at every election. Often described as the "life of the party," she was always the first one on and the last one off the dance floor. Mrs. Mauriello also had a close relationship with her numerous friends of all ages, especially her coffee buddies who named themselves "The Breakfast Club" of Woodrow Diner. Most of all, though, she valued time spent with her adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Our matriarch has passed away and so has a very special lady. Anyone who knew her loved her and she remained active to the end," said her daughter, Angela Kempton. "Her words of wisdom will last forever in all our hearts." Mrs. Mauriello was a parishioner of St. Thomas and St. Joseph R.C. Parish, Pleasant Plains. Her husband, Louis, died in 1973. In addition to her daughter, Angela, surviving are her daughter, Virginia Ledwon and Victoria Lionti; two sisters, Lillian Seegitz and Elizabeth Wizinsky; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. ALPHONSE GALLO, 77 WW II veteran, comptroller liked visiting Las Vegas Thursday, November 10, 2005 Alphonse P. Gallo, 77, of Rosebank, a retired comptroller, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Gallo lived on Long Island, in Oceanside and Merrick, before moving to Rosebank in 1990. He served as a private in the U.S. Army during World War II. An accountant by trade, Mr. Gallo worked as a comptroller for Windsor Financial for 15 years, retiring from its Rockville Centre, L.I., office in 2002. In his later years, Mr. Gallo enjoyed traveling with his wife, the former Jacqueline Abstender, especially to their favorite destination, Las Vegas. They also took trips to Alaska and Paradise Island. "He was the most wonderful human being I ever met and I will miss him tremendously," said his wife. "I don't know how to approach life without him; he was my life." In addition to his wife of 17 years, Mr. Gallo is survived by his son, Robert; his two daughters, Patricia and Stephanie Gallo; a sister, Mildred Yandola, and three grandchildren. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. ALBERT CASANI, 90 Army veteran taught both his children how to fish Thursday, November 10, 2005 Former Staten Islander Albert Casani, a World War II veteran and retired service station attendant, died yesterday in Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Md. He was 90. Mr. Casani had resided with his daughter in Middle River, Md., for several years. The Manhattan native was brought to Staten Island as a child. He lived in various Island communities -- including Grant City, South Beach, New Dorp and Oakwood -- before relocating to Towson, Md., in 1992. For 25 years, Mr. Casani worked at Wil-John's service station in Midland Beach. He retired in 1980. A former member of an Island chapter of the American Legion, he served in the 326th Glider Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army's 13th Airborne division during World War II. A private, he saw combat in France. While living on Staten Island, Mr. Casani was a parishioner of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. He loved to fish for whatever would bite in Great Kills Park and South Beach on Staten Island, as well as Black Marsh, which is along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland's North Point State Park. He taught both his children to fish, and while he often enjoyed cooking his catch, he was just as content coming home without one. Mr. Casani also enjoyed trips to Atlantic City with his wife of 54 years, the former Adele Battaglini, who died in 2000. "He was a hard worker with a good sense of humor," said his son, Robert. In addition to his son, surviving are his daughter, JulieAnn Pierson, and three grandsons. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Bruzdzinski Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church, both Essex, Md. The arrangements include cremation.