OBITS: Staten Island Advance 11 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/ Combs, Elizabeth S. Elizabeth S. Combs of Virginia Beach, Virginia, (formerly of Huguenot) on October 26, 2005. Beloved wife of Charles ""Jack'' Combs. Loving mother of Margurite Jensen, Charles Combs, Barbara Putnam, and Suzanne Freund. Dear sister of Frank Sarnes. Cherished grandmother of seven grandchildren. Memorial services at the JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), Saturday 8 P.M. A Memorial gathering of family and friends will take place on Saturday from 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. Donations in Elizabeth's memory to the American Cancer Society will be greatly appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/11/2005. Curtis, Chantel Brookins Chantel Brookins Curtis on October 25, 2005. Loving mother of Naseem and Ramiyah. Daughter of Patricia Curtis and Harold Brookins. Funeral Service from Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane, Saturday 10 A.M. Interment to follow Silver Mount Cemetery. Visiting 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Friday. Hanley Funeral Home, Inc Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/11/2005. Demmon, Ruth Ruth Demmon of Randall Manor on November 5, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Charles. Loving mother of Barbara Soffel and Letitia Lombardo and the late Carla Demmon. Cherished grandmother of Suzanne, Michael, Wendy and Gregory. Great-grandmother to Marc, Nicole and Sarah. Roman Catholic Servcice at Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Saturday evening 8 P.M. Interment Private. Friends will be received Saturday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Best Friend Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah. 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 on 11/11/2005. Hill Sr., Herman H. Herman H. Hill Sr. (Retired Detective NYPD) of Sunnyside on November 11, 2005. Beloved husband of Eunice Hill. Loving father of Carol, Deborah, Herman H Jr., Michael and James Hill. Dear stepfather of Eunice Dietz, Robert Mattu and Susan Luciano. Also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Tuesday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Good Counsel Church 10 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to 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 11/11/2005 - 11/13/2005. Hughes, Lawrence F. Lawrence F. Hughes of Tottenville on November 10, 2005. Beloved husband of Adrienne. Loving father of Christopher Hughes and Lucille Perfetto and father-in-law of Nicole and Dennis. Dear brother of Ralph Puglia and brother-in-law of Jessica. Cherished poppy of Amanda, Dennis and Nicholas. Devoted son-in-law of Andrew and Theresa D'Amico and brother-in-law of Charles and Linda Fundaro. Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd. on Saturday, November 12 at 11:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church 12 Noon. Friends may visit Friday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated since 1841 www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/11/2005. 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. 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. Mann, Walter Walter Mann of Tottenville on November 9, 2005. Beloved husband of Virginia. Loving father of Virginia Cusick and Linda Eagle and father-in-law of Frank and Kenny. Dear brother of Margie Pressler, Elsie Shearer, George Mann, William DiMola, Jane King and Kathy LoPresti. Also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grand-daughter. Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd., on Saturday, November 12, at 10:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church 11 A.M. Cremation to follow at Rosehill Crematory. Friends may visit Friday 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 11/10/2005 - 11/11/2005. Marino, Maria Maria Marino on November 8, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Sal. Loving mother of Joseph, Frank and Anthony. Dearest grandmother of five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Reposing at A. Azzara Funeral Home Inc, 183 Sand Lane, South Beach, S.I. Mass Holy Rosary Church Saturday 9:30 A.M. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting Thursday 7-9 P.M., and Friday 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 11/10/2005 - 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. Meagher Jr., John J. John J. Meagher Jr. (Johnny) of Midland Beach on October 25, 2005. Beloved son of the late John and Teresa Meagher. Fond brother of Peggy Okun, Maureen Cappucci and Terry McLeod. Also survived and loved by twelve nieces and nephews, eight great-nieces and nephews and Little Girl. Memorial Mass Saturday, November 12, 2005 at St. Margaret Mary's Church 10:30 A.M. Arrangements including a private cremation handled by the Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane. Hanley Funeral Home, Inc Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/11/2005. Pantaleo, Angelina (Fazio) PANTALEO Angelina (nee Fazio) on November 10, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Carlo. Devoted mother of the late Columbia (Bena), Frank and Angelo. Cherished grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother of many. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd, corner of Tysens Lane. Visiting hours Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 10:15 A.M. at St. Patrick's Church, Brooklyn. Interment St. John's Cemetery. www.SiLive com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/11/2005. Piccirillo, Marie J. Marie J. Piccirillo, age 81 years, of Grant City on November 9, 2005. Beloved sister of Joseph Piccirillo. Devoted aunt of three. Also survived by many loving neighbors and friends. Funeral from Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road at Midland Ave, on Saturday 9:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celbrated at St. Christopher's Church 10 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Friday 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 11/11/2005. Repaci, Jennie (Chiappa) Jennie Repaci (nee Chiappa) on November 10, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Same Repaci. Dear mother of Andrew Rapaci, Grace Castelli and Robert J. Repaci Sr. Dear mother-in-law of RoseAnn Repaci and Robert Castelli. Fond sister of Rita Ferrari and the late George, Charles, John, Margaret and Frances Chiappa. Also survived by five grandchidren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral from Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Ave, P.R., on Tuesday at 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Teresa's R.C. Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/11/2005 - 11/14/2005. ROSE BRUNO, 80 Bank of New York officer Friday, November 11, 2005 Rose A. Bruno, 80, of Brick, N.J., a former Staten Island resident and retired bank officer, died Monday in Ocean Medical Center, Brick. Born Rose A. Casertano in New Brighton, she graduated from Curtis High School. She moved to Castleton Corners in 1963 and relocated to Brick in 2000. Mrs. Bruno worked for 24 years as a bank officer for the Bank of New York in Manhattan. She retired in 1987. Her husband of 49 years, Frank, died in 1998. Surviving Mrs. Bruno are her two sons, Richard and Robert; two sisters, Annette Argust and Lucille Giano, and a grandson. The arrangements are being handled by the Johnson-McGinley Funeral Home, Wall Township, N.J. Native Islander and son, 4, killed in Florida car crash Laurinda Vajdik volunteered as a veterinary assistant, Jaret Vajdik was in preschool Friday, November 11, 2005 Native Staten Islander Laurinda (Laurie) Elizabeth Vajdik, 39, and her 4-year-old son, Jaret Michael Vajdik, were killed Tuesday in a car accident several miles from their home in Bradenton, Fla. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Mrs. Vajdik was driving east on State Road 64 , her son in the back seat, when she lost control of her green 2004 Ford Explorer, ran off the road and struck a tree. Both mother and son were wearing seat belts; still, according to police, Mrs. Vajdik was ejected from the vehicle. Mrs. Vajdik's family believes she and her son may have been returning from a late-night trip to McDonald's. According to the family, the car's engine was cold when police arrived at the scene after a passerby reported the accident around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, and it remains unclear when or how the accident happened. Born Laurinda Clements in Port Richmond, she lived there until she was in her late teens. She also lived in New Springville, Graniteville, West Brighton, Port Richmond Center and Westerleigh before a sojourn in Hoboken, N.J., where her son was born. The family moved to Bradenton three and a half years ago. While living on Staten Island, Mrs. Vajdik was a Brownie Girl Scout and played softball with the West Shore Little League. She was a member of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island, New Brighton. A 1984 graduate of Port Richmond High School, Mrs. Vajdik enjoyed performing in school plays and the annual SING event. She attended the College of Staten Island and Pace University, and earned a stockbroker's license. "We were always so proud of her for that," said her sister, Irina Clements. Before moving to Florida, Mrs. Vajdik worked for 11 years as an equity research analyst for Deutsche Bank, Manhattan. After moving to Bradenton, she focused on rearing her son, a preschooler, and being a full-time caretaker for her ill mother. And her caring nature didn't extend only to people. An animal lover, Mrs. Vajdik volunteered as a veterinary assistant in Bradenton. Her family said she was always rescuing cats, and she was particularly fond of her own three -- Buddy, Penny and Frisky. "She was a very generous, thoughtful, beautiful person who leaves a great hole," her sister said. Mrs. Vajdik also enjoyed traveling, including cruises to the Caribbean islands of Bermuda, the Bahamas and St. John. But most of all, she loved spending time with her husband and son. "She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and daughter," said her sister. Her son, Jaret, was "a bundle of energy," Mrs. Clements said. "He was sweet, dynamic and energetic -- all boy." "She was so devoted to him," she added. A neighbor described Mrs. Vajdik as a "role-model mother," and her son as "a handsome boy." The family took several trips to visit Jaret's paternal grandparents, Richard and Valerie Vajdik, in Fairfield Glade, Tenn., and Catherine Vajdik in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to her sister, Irina, surviving are her husband of six and a half years, Jeffrey; her mother, Laurinda C. Clements, and her sisters, Nancy Collins and Roberta Clements. The funeral will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Jennings Funeral Home, Sarasota, Fla. The arrangements include cremation. MARIE PICCIRILLO, 81 Enjoyed gardening Friday, November 11, 2005 Lifelong Staten Islander Marie J. Piccirillo, a homemaker, died Wednesday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. She was 81. Born and reared in Grant City, Miss Piccirillo lived there until five months ago, when she entered Staten Island Care Center, New Brighton. Her friends said she devoted her life to caring for three of her brothers, now deceased, as well as a nephew, who died recently. Miss Piccirillo enjoyed gardening. She was a parishioner of St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City. Miss Piccirillo is survived by her brother, Joseph Piccirillo, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Christopher's Church. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. LAWRENCE HUGHES, 52 Was devoted to family Friday, November 11, 2005 Lawrence F. Hughes, 52, of Tottenville, a seafood importer-exporter, died yesterday at his home. Born in Brooklyn, he graduated from Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in that borough. Mr. Hughes met his future wife, the former Adrienne D'Amico, when he was 15 years old and she 14, and they became high school sweethearts. The couple celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary the night before Mr. Hughes died. They moved to Staten Island in 1980, living in Graniteville and Rossville before settling in Tottenville in 1998. For about 25 years, Mr. Hughes imported and exported seafood to and from many places, including Pakistan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Sri Lanka, the Bahamas, South Africa, Italy, Malta, Nigeria, India and Singapore. He traveled the world doing his job and was working at the time of his death. Mr. Hughes was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren and in-laws, his family said. His three grandchildren -- Amanda, Dennis and Nicholas Perfetto -- were very attached to their grandfather and spent a lot of time with him. Mr. Hughes also taught them, his children and his nieces and nephews to swim. "He was so caring and giving and thought of everyone before himself -- always," said his daughter, Lucille Perfetto, on behalf of the family. Mr. Hughes loved the water and enjoyed fishing. He was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville. In addition to his wife, Adrienne; his daughter, Lucille, and his three grandchildren, surviving are his son, Christopher, and a brother, Ralph Puglia. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at noon in Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Cremation is being handled by the Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J. BERTHA FOLEY, 79 Traveled around U.S. Friday, November 11, 2005 Native Staten Islander Bertha (Betty) E. Foley, 79, a former secretary who loved reading and going to the beach, died Wednesday at her home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Born Bertha E. Randolph in Port Richmond, she graduated from Port Richmond High School and attended St. John's University, Grymes Hill. Beginning in 1952, Mrs. Foley traveled around the country with her husband while he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1972, the Foleys settled in Honolulu. For about eight years, Mrs. Foley worked for Graybar, a former electric company in Manhattan. Mrs. Foley loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She loved to travel, and especially enjoyed visits to Asia and Europe. An avid reader of novels, she also was fond of going to the beach and sewing. Surviving are her husband of 56 years, Col. Kenneth; her two sons, Kenneth S. and Robert R.; her three daughters, Linda Robb, Diane Medeiros and Nancy Ishimoto; eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. The funeral arrangements are being handled by the Ultimate Cremation Services of Hawaii, Honolulu. Burial will be in Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also Honolulu.