OBITS: Staten Island Advance 16 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/ Benevento, Anthony Anthony Benevento of Westerleigh on November 14, 2005. Loving brother of Rose D'Elia, Mary Salzano, Nicolena Bonomo and Virginia Panico and the late John, Peter and Vincent. Devoted uncle of Barry, Lois, John and Paulette and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Thursday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Family R.C. Church 9:45 A.M. Committal Rosehill Crematory. Friends may call Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 11/16/2005. Hansen, Lorraine Lorraine Hansen on November 14, 2005. Beloved wife of Michael. Loving mother of Melanie Thompson and Michael Hansen. Dear grandmother of Justin and Courtney Thompson and Madison Hansen. Loving mother-in-law of Eric Thompson. Beloved daughter of Marie Maione and the late Larry. Fond sister of Joseph Maione. Reposing at A. Azzara Funeral Home Inc., 183 Sand Lane, South Beach, S.I. Funeral Mass Holy Rosary Church Friday 9:30 A..M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Visiting Wednesday and Thursday 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 11/16/2005 - 11/17/2005. Harris, Evelyn L. Evelyn L. Harris of Cape Coral, Florida, formerly of New Brighton, on November 13, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Francis X. Harris. Loving mother of William J. and Robert J. Harris and Gwendolyn (Lynn) Mackey. Devoted grandmother of thirteen and stepgrandmother of three. Great-grandmother of eighteen. Funeral from the Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road, at Midland Ave., on Friday 9:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Mary's R.C. Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday and 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 from 11/16/2005 - 11/17/2005. Iemolo, Gilda (Tapachino) Gilda Iemolo (nee Tapachino) on November 13, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of Joanne (Sammy) and Salvatore (Helene). Adored grandmother of Joseph, Alexandra, Angelica and Michael. Reposing at A. Azzara Funeral Home Inc., 183 Sand Lane, South Beach, S.I. Funeral Mass at Holy Rosary Church Thursday at 10:30 A.M. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting 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 11/15/2005 - 11/16/2005. Lomangino, Beatrice P. Beatrice P. Lomangino of New Dorp on November 13, 2005. Beloved wife of Louis. Also survived and loved by nieces, a grandniece and grandnephews. Funeral from the Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane, Thursday 9:30 A.M. Service at funeral home 10:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. Hanley Funeral Home, Inc Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/14/2005 - 11/16/2005. Trimmer, Harry C. Harry C. Trimmer of Eltingville on November 14, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Catherine (nee Brennan). Devoted father of Thomas, Richard, and John Trimmer and Judy Kubik. Dear brother of Richard Masser. Loving grandfather of seven grandchildren, Katie, Kevin, Matthew, Billy, Jack, Bruce and Brianna. Funeral from Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave., Great Kills, on Friday. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Child Church at 9:45 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday 7-9 P.M., Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 11/16/2005 - 11/17/2005. MARGARET CONOCCHIOLI, 80 Visited nursing homes during the holiday season Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Lifelong Staten Islander Margaret Conocchioli of Randall Manor, an active volunteer and retired bookkeeper, died Oct. 27 in the Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, after a long illness. She was 80. Born Margaret Marzullo in Mariners Harbor, she graduated from Port Richmond High School. She settled in Randall Manor about 45 years ago. Mrs. Conocchioli worked as a bookkeeper and administrator for her husband's home-based business -- Kellie Bros. Beer Distributors -- for many years, before retiring during the 1980s. An avid gardener, she was a member of the Castle Manor Garden Club. Mrs. Conocchioli was also an active community service volunteer, often visiting nursing homes during the holiday season. She was a caring person, liked by neighbors and the community, said her husband of 55 years, Carmine. Mrs. Conocchioli was a parishioner of St. Paul's R.C. Church, New Brighton. In addition to her husband, Carmine, surviving are her two sons, Mark and Francis, and two grandchildren. Arrangements, including a private service and burial in St. Peter's Cemetery in West Brighton, were handled by the Harmon Funeral Home, West Brighton. LORRAINE HANSEN, 59 Taught ceramics in South Beach home for 30 years Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Lorraine Hansen, 59, of South Beach, a homemaker and retired ceramics teacher, died of cancer Monday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Lorraine Maione in Manhattan, she settled in South Beach in 1959. Mrs. Hansen taught ceramics for 30 years in her home 1995 studio to thousands of students. According to her family, she had acquired several certificates over the years to teach the art, specializing in attention to detail. Mrs. Hansen was still teaching classes until her cancer forced a halt about six months ago. A graduate of New Dorp High School, she later studied hairstyle before becoming a ceramics teacher. According to her family, Mrs. Hansen enjoyed using her skills in cutting and styling family members' hair. She delighted in making ceramic items for relatives and friends. Mrs. Hansen also liked to give away items to senior citizens in nursing homes, in addition to selling items to people interested in her work. She was a very kind, helpful and understanding woman, said her husband of 33 years, Michael. A parishioner of Holy Rosary R.C. Church in South Beach, Mrs. Hansen was actively involved in the school while her children attended -- often running cake sales and donating ceramic items to the school to help raise money. The tradition was one she continued when her grandchildren attended -- she often dropped by to help students make ceramic items for the holidays. Mrs. Hansen also loved growing flowers in her garden and often had flowers throughout her home. In addition to her husband, Michael, surviving are her son, Michael; her daughter, Melanie Thompson; her mother, Marie Maione; a brother, Joseph, and three grandchildren. The funeral will be Friday from the A. Azzara Funeral Home, South Beach, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. HELEN MURATORE, 88 Sportswear company owner enjoyed food, sewing Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Helen Muratore, 88, of Muttontown, L.I., a retired business owner and former Staten Islander, died yesterday in the Hospice Inn, Huntington, L.I., where she had been a patient for five days. Born Helen Mosca in New Haven, Conn., she moved to Brooklyn with her family as a girl. She became a seamstress at the age of 15, helping to get her family through the lean years of the Depression. In 1939, she married Amerigo Muratore. The couple met in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, where they spent the evening talking on a bench. He first told her his name was Eddie, but when she met his real brother Eddie, he was forced to confess his given name, which owed to his being the first American-born child in his family. After working as a seamstress in Brooklyn for 12 years, Mrs. Muratore founded a sewing factory in Manhattan called Redlock Sportswear in 1951. Her husband helped her run the business. Then, in the late 1960s, she formed a new business partnership and opened a factory in Brooklyn. She and her partner called it Barbara Sportswear -- each had a daughter by that name. In 1979, Mrs. Muratore retired. That same year, she and her husband relocated to Staten Island, first to New Springville and then to Rossville. Mr. Muratore died in 1996 after 57 years of marriage. Four years later, Mrs. Muratore moved to Long Island with her daughter, Lorraine Padilla. Few days passed that Mrs. Muratore, an unabashed news junkie, didn't devour at least one newspaper. Beyond keeping abreast of the news, Mrs. Muratore also loved to keep up with the latest trends in movies, books and television shows, said Mrs. Padilla. She adored food, both cooking it and eating it, and she remained a prolific sewer. Describing her mother as a strong, hardworking woman whose intelligence and wit earned her immense respect, Mrs. Padilla said, She always gave advice. She told everyone what to do, right till the end. Mrs. Muratore was also extremely caring and generous, and crazy about her grandchildren, added her daughter. She was never down, never cried, never depressed. In addition to her daughter, Lorraine, surviving are her daughter, Barbara Franz, and three grandchildren. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. Entombment will follow. Arrangements are being handled by the Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, Garden City, L.I. HARRY TRIMMER, 72 'Had unbelievable respect of people on the field' Wednesday, November 16, 2005 As a celebrated baseball umpire, Harry C. Trimmer's reputation for fairness commanded great respect, both on and off the field. On Monday, the 72-year-old died at his Eltingville home. Mr. Trimmer's love of sports began early on -- when he played baseball, softball and basketball. In 1958, he traded his glove and sneakers for an umpire's garb, and began his long and noteworthy career as one of the Island's most admired sporting officials. A 2002 inductee into the Amateur Softball Association's Southern New York/Metro Region Hall of Fame, Mr. Trimmer was known for his extensive knowledge of the rules of the game, and his fair application of them. Michael Reardon, a friend of 30 years, remembered Mr. Trimmer's straightforward, honest demeanor and how he commanded respect from players and coaches alike. "His integrity was outstanding," he said. Mr. Reardon, who ran the Manny Lopes Memorial Police Softball League, worked with Mr. Trimmer from 1975 until 1995, when he was the league's head umpire. "Harry was like the guru of Staten Island umpires, not only for softball but baseball," said Ken Ritzer, a friend since 1975. "He had a terrific way of talking to coaches and players and controlling the game. He was a great guy and a terrific umpire." "He had an ability to disarm people who were upset about a call or a play without people getting angry," said Peter Rapp, athletic director emeritus at Staten Island Academy, and a friend for about 30 years. "He had unbelievable respect of people on the field." KEPT THE PEACE Mr. Rapp said that Mr. Trimmer had a "really good charm about him," and a gift for keeping the peace among players, coaches and officials, and keeping the game moving. Mr. Trimmer himself always kept moving, feeding his deep passion for the game by taking his family along on summer vacations to unusual destinations -- including Tennessee, Michigan and Canada, so he could umpire at games across the continent. In 1978, the family traveled with Mr. Trimmer to the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1979, he traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to umpire for the Pan American Games. Mr. Trimmer also was chosen as an umpire for the Little League World Series in the 1970s, but he wasn't able to go. Mr. Trimmer had a shining moment in 1981, when he worked an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and their top farm team. The family has a photo of him behind home plate at Yankee Stadium with Reggie Jackson at bat. Mr. Ritzer said that Mr. Trimmer was constantly educating himself and studying the latest rules of the games he would umpire. He was also instrumental in training and working with new umpires. "He was a great resource and a terrific player in his own right," said Bob Pertsas, the baseball commissioner for the Public School Athletic League and a friend of Mr. Trimmer's for the past 15 years. FAMOUS SAYING Mr. Ritzer remembered a famous saying of Mr. Trimmer's: "Anybody can call balls and strikes, but not everybody can umpire." Mr. Trimmer was a past president of the College Baseball Umpires' Association and the Scholastic Umpires' Association. He served as director of the Great Kills Little League while his three sons played. Mr. Trimmer also coached and refereed for the Staten Island Pee Wee Football League. "He was really a good person," said Bob Fisher, a friend for 25 years. "He loved what he did and he was good at it." "He was just a fantastic guy to know," Mr. Rapp said. "It's a loss for softball. It's a loss for Staten Island." "Growing up, I always looked up to him as a larger-than-life person, and I still feel that way," said his son, Thomas. "I never knew anyone else who could change a room when he walked into it. He was a special man." PROUD TO BE TRAILBLAZER In recent years, Mr. Trimmer enjoyed playing pick-up softball games with other old-timers every Wednesday morning at Willowbrook Park. He was a graduate of Erasmus Hall High School, in his native Brooklyn. Mr. Trimmer's family said he was proud to be a trailblazer, as he made the now-common emigration from Brooklyn to Staten Island in 1963, a year before the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was opened. He settled in Eltingville. A member of the New York and New Jersey Photo Engravers and Lithographers Union, Mr. Trimmer worked as a photo engraver for The New York Times, the Daily News and the New York Post for 30 years. The job, which entailed converting film into metal plates for a printing press, was the critical middle step of preparing photos for publication in newspapers. Working the night shift in the hectic pressrooms at the papers allowed him time during the day for baseball. He retired in 1985. Mr. Trimmer was a parishioner of Holy Child R.C. Church, Eltingville. His wife of 46 years, the former Catherine Brennan, died last year. In addition to his son, Thomas, surviving are two more sons, Richard and John; his daughter, Judy Kubik; a brother, Richard Masser, and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be Friday from the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Holy Child Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. EVELYN HARRIS, 93 Parks Department clerk liked to play the piano, sing Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Former Staten Islander Evelyn L. Harris, 93, of Cape Coral, Fla., a retired clerk, died Sunday in Hope Hospice, Cape Coral. Born Evelyn L. Conte in Manhattan, she was brought as a child to New Brighton. She worked at the former New York Telephone Co. for four years. In 1963, she became a clerk with the city Parks Department, working on Staten Island. Mrs. Harris retired 18 years later. While living on the Island, she was part of the Goodhue Mothers Club and the North Shore Democratic Club, and she volunteered at the Board of Elections for 15 years. She was also a parishioner of St. Paul's R.C. Church, New Brighton. Mrs. Harris moved to Hollywood, Fla., in 1986 and eventually settled in Cape Coral. With a talent for playing the piano, she also loved to sing -- her favorite tunes were "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" and "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone." "She was a party girl well up until her 80s," said her son, William J. "My wife and I couldn't keep up with her." Mrs. Harris' husband of 45 years, Francis X., died in 1979. In addition to her son, William, surviving are her son, Robert J.; her daughter, Gwendolyn Mackey; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Friday from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Margaret Mary's R.C. Church, Midland Beach. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. EDITH HACKER, 91 Wall Street records keeper with keen sense of humor Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Edith T. Hacker, a longtime Staten Islander and retired Wall Street records keeper, died Saturday at her home in the Woodlands, Texas. She was 91. Born in Manhattan, the former Edith T. Magnani was brought to Stapleton as a child, and graduated from Curtis High School. On Targee Street, she lived a few houses down from her future husband, Philip Hacker, whom she married in the early 1940s. Mr. Hacker died in 1991. Along with their two daughters, the Hackers lived in Dongan Hills, Great Kills and Eltingville before they moved to Gladstone, N.J., in 1973. In 1992, Mrs. Hacker moved to the Woodlands, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Thomas McLaughlin Sr. While living on Staten Island, Mrs. Hacker was a saleswoman at the former Tompkins Department store in West Brighton. She worked in the records department of Chase Bank, Manhattan, before she began a 25-year career correcting stock quotes for the American Stock Exchange on Wall Street. She retired in 1974. While her daughters were young, she was a member of the Mothers' Club of the Academy of St. Dorothy in Grasmere. She had been a parishioner of St. Simon and St. Jude R.C. Church, the Woodlands, and was formerly a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church in Dongan Hills and St. Clare's R.C. Church in Great Kills. Mrs. Hacker had enjoyed traveling with her late brother-in-law, Joseph Noonan, and her sister, Olga Noonan, who died in 1998. Together, they drove to Peddler's Village and the Amish country in Pennsylvania, to Maine, Virginia, Florida and Niagara Falls. Joined by a friend, George Tusi, they also took a cross-country road trip that brought them to Yellowstone National Park, Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, and the Grand Canyon in 1975. Mrs. Hacker also enjoyed reading and playing pinochle. The meals she cooked for her family included crepes and pastas, pork, potato pancakes and apple fritters, all prepared from scratch. Her grandchildren, Thomas Jr. and Lori McLaughlin, and her infant great-grandson, Thomas McLaughlin III, were "the apple of her eye," Mrs. McLaughlin said, adding that her mother reminded her of the title character in "I Love Lucy." "She was always laughing. She invited everyone in her home to pull up a chair--there was always room, and she was loved by everybody," her daughter said. In addition to her daughter, Marilyn, her grandchildren and her great-grandson, surviving are one more daughter, Doris Palmer, and a brother, Alfred Patane. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. CLAIRE FLEMING, 84 Goldman Sachs secretary played concert piano Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Claire Fleming, 84, a retired secretary, died yesterday at her Grant City home. Born Claire Cottone in Bayonne, N.J., where she graduated from high school, she moved to California in 1945 and to Queens around 1952. Mrs. Fleming settled in Grant City in 1967. For 14 years, she was an executive secretary at Goldman Sachs in Manhattan. Mrs. Fleming retired in 1983. She was a supporter of the Staten Island Chamber Music Players and the Staten Island Botanical Garden's Chinese Scholar's Garden at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Livingston. Mrs. Fleming enjoyed gardening, especially in her backyard, which was complete with evergreens, perennials and a goldfish pond. She also enjoyed playing the concert piano and drawing with charcoals. Mrs. Fleming's husband of 48 years, Jerome, died in 1993. Surviving are her two sons, Jerome Jr. and Geoffrey, and her daughter, Martha Casella. Cremation is being handled by the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City. CHARLES KLEIN, 78 NYPD officer was amateur chef and coin collector Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Native Staten Islander Charles (Charlie) James Klein Jr., 78, of Tampa, Fla., a retired police officer and U.S. Army veteran, died Monday at his home after an 11-month battle with cancer. Born in Egbertville, Mr. Klein lived in New Dorp Beach and Bay Terrace before moving to Venice, Fla., in 1978. He relocated to Tampa in June 2003. A 20-year veteran of the NYPD, he worked out of the 10th Precinct in Manhattan before retiring in 1978. Mr. Klein graduated from New Dorp High School in 1946 and attended Wagner College, Grymes Hill. He was a member of the LaTourette Men's Club on Staten Island; the Englewood Golf and Country Club in Venice; an American Legion Post in Venice, and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. Mr. Klein enjoyed spending time with his family and spoiling his two granddaughters. An avid collector of coins and miniature cars, he also loved to golf and was an amateur chef -- his favorite dish being paella. From 1946 to 1947, Mr. Klein served as a medical corpsman in the Army. He was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., as well as several other hospitals. While living on Staten Island, Mr. Klein was a parishioner of St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Maureen O'Brien; his three daughters, Noreen Klein Worsham, Maura Klein and Tara Klein Loveitt, and two granddaughters. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Tampa. Burial will be Friday in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. ARTHUR ROBINSON, 67 Parking garage supervisor was extra in a Western Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Arthur Earl Robinson, 67, a retired parking garage supervisor, died yesterday at his Stapleton home. Born in Carol County, Miss., he lived there until the age of 7, when he moved to West Brighton. A graduate of McKee High School, he ran track and played baseball and basketball there, once competing in a citywide tournament held in Madison Square Garden. From 1958 to 1961, Mr. Robinson served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Connecticut. He moved to Mariners Harbor in the 1960s, and settled in Stapleton in 1981. An employee of the former Nassau Smelting and Refining Co. in Richmond Valley, Mr. Robinson then took a job as a daytime supervisor of a Mutual Parking garage on Manhattan's East Side. He worked there for 35 years before retiring in 2003. Mr. Robinson then took a part-time position as a limousine driver, a position he still held at the time of his death. A fan of Westerns, Mr. Robinson's family said he was an extra on the 1974 movie "The Gambler," starring James Caan. He also once met singer/songwriter Paul Anka. In his leisure time, Mr. Robinson enjoyed studying karate and watching cartoons. From 1968 to 1998, he and his wife helped rear 20 foster children. He was a member of the First Church of God in Christ, West Brighton, where he gave many years of service, serving as a deacon and chairman of the trustee board. He also was president of the church's youth choir. "He was a child of God," said his daughter, Deirdre Miller. "His mission in life was to care for people he came in contact with." In addition to his daughter, surviving Mr. Robinson are his wife of 43 years, the former Bernice McPhail, three sons, Gary Robinson, Lattef James and Clarence Hicks; two more daughters, Michelle Myers and Ava Robinson; his mother, Grace Robinson; a brother, Steven; two sisters, Natherine and Kawanna Robinson, and eight grandchildren. The funeral will be Friday from the Stradford Funeral Home, Tompkinsville, with a service at 7:30 a.m. in the First Church of God in Christ. Arrangements include cremation at Rosemount Memorial Park, Elizabeth, N.J. ANTHONY BENEVENTO, 89 World War II Army veteran was custodian at PS 44 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Anthony Benevento, 89, of Westerleigh, a lifelong Staten Islander and retired school custodian, died Monday at his home. Born in West Brighton, he settled in Westerleigh during the 1950s. Mr. Benevento was a custodian at PS 44 in Mariners Harbor for 25 years. He retired in 1981. Before working for the former Board of Education, he was an employee of a family-owned roofing business. \ A World War II veteran, Mr. Benevento served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Europe. A history buff, he especially liked reading books about World War II and watching the History Channel. Mr. Benevento looked forward to daily walks through Clove Lakes Park and kept his mind sharp by completing crossword puzzles. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Of his many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, Mr. Benevento was especially close to his nephews, Barry and John Benevento, and nieces, Paulette Benevento and Lois Pecoraro. He was a good man. He lived a good life and he'll be missed, said his niece, Paulette Benevento. Surviving are four sisters, Rose D'Elia, Mary Salzano, Nicolena Bonomo and Virginia Panico. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh. Arrangements include cremation.