OBITS: Staten Island Advance 7 Oct 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/ Malley, Bertha S. Bertha S. Malley of Alabama, formerly of Staten Island, on October 4, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Chris A. Loving mother of Anthony C. Malley, Sophie Thompsen, Rosalee P. Hagan, Irene Malley, Margo Darzano and the late Nicholas M. Malley. Also survived by eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Saturday 9:30 A.M. Funeral Service Faith United Methodist Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends may call Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Faith United Methodist Church Memorial Fund would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/7/2005. Mangano, Angelina Angelina Mangano of New Springville on October 5, 2005. Beloved wife of Anthony J. Mangano. Loving mother of Marguerite McQueen, Anthony Mangano, Marie Santiago and Diana Mazzarelli. Dear sister of Michael, Anthony, Robert and Joseph Mignone. Also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Saturday 9 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Judes Childrens Hospital would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/6/2005 - 10/7/2005. Meluso, Lola Lola Meluso of New Springville on October 5, 2005. Beloved wife of Joseph. Loving mother of Paula Todman, Arsenio ''Larry'' Meluso and Amy Annaruma. Dear sister of Josephine Libecci. Cherished Grandmother of Ava, Amanda and A.J. Annaruma and Lola Todman. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Saturday 10 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Pity Church 10:30 A.M. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery Red Bank, NJ. Friends may call Thursday 7-9 and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers donations to the hospice of your choice would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/6/2005 - 10/7/2005. Merolo, Vincent A. Vincent A. Merolo "Buddy" of Hollywood, Fla., on October 5, 2005. Beloved husband of Patricia B. (nee Enick). Dear father of Peter J. and Elyzabeth Merolo. Fond brother of John Merolo, sister-in-law of Annette Cendrowski. Loving future father in law of Steve DeMarco. Also survived by two dear nephews and one niece. Funeral from Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Ave, P.R., on Tuesday at 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church 9:30 A.M. Entombment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday 2-4, and 7-9 P.M. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/7/2005 - 10/10/2005. Mortensen, MaryAnn MaryAnn Mortensen of Port Richey Florida, formerly of Mariners Harbor on October 4, 2005. Beloved wife of William. Loving mother of William and Michael Mortensen and Jeannette Salvo. Cherished daughter of Vincent Aliseo and the late Anna. Dear sister of Vincent, Joseph, Anthony, John, Louis, Rosemarie and Joann Aliseo. Also survived by seven grandchildren. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Monday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial, Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church 9:30 A.M. Committal Rosehill Crematory. Friends may call Saturday and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/7/2005 - 10/9/2005. Pappachan, John Cherian John Cherian Pappachan, age 71, of Larwenceville, GA, died Thursday, October 6, 2005. He is survived by his wife Chachey C. Pappachan, daughters and sons-in-law Leena and Sabu Abraham of Snellville, GA, Neena and Mathew Abraham of New York and son and daughter-in-law Aby and Sheeba Pappachan of Lawrenceville, GA.; sisters Aleyamma Alexander and Susan Kurian, both of India; brothers and sisters-in-law B.K. John and Valsamma of Staten Island, NY, Anil and Susan Jacob of Delhi, India and grandchildren Rachel, Selby, Shelly, Sherry and Serina. Mr. Pappachan resided in Staten Island, NY for 30 years before moving to Lawrenceville, GA in 2004. Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. Saturday, October 8, 2005 at Mar Thoma Church of Atlanta, with Rev. Simon Behanan officiating. Interment will follow in Eternal Hills Memory Gardens in Snellville, GA. The family will receive friends Friday 5-9 P.M. at the funeral home and Saturday 10 A.M. - 1 P.M. at the Church. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Inc. Snellville Chapel, 770-979-3200. www.wagesfuneralhome.com www,SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/7/2005. Petruzzi, Michael Michael Petruzzi of Great Kills on October 5, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Carrie (Fratarola). Loving father of the late Camille Maggio. Fond father-in-law of Patsy Maggio. Adored grandfather of Michael, Peter Maggio and Tricia Maffei. Also seven great grandchildren. Funeral Service Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills, on Saturday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare's R.C. Church at 9:45 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Friday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer would be greatly appreciated. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/7/2005. Sankewich, Emily (Pizzuto) Emily Sankewich (nee Pizzuto) of Grant City on October 5, 2005. Beloved mother of Valarie Ann Cordes and Barbara Jean Carr. Cherished grandmother of Alexander Carr and the late Crystal Ann Cordes. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Saturday 11 A.M. Entombment Resurrection 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 10/6/2005 - 10/7/2005. Shanley, Brian K. Brian K. Shanley of Westerleigh October 6, 2005. Beloved husband of Maragaret (nee Duffy). Dear son-in-law of Lois Duffy. Funeral service from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Tuesday 10:30 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received, Monday 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 10/7/2005 - 10/10/2005. Snow, Diana (Babich) Diana Snow (nee Babich) on October 5, 2005. Beloved mother of Jeffery Snow. Widow of John Snow. Also survived by two uncles, Walter Thomas and Michael Miskulin. Visiting at A. Azzara Funeral Home Inc., 183 Sand Lane, South Beach, S.I. Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Chapel Service Saturday 11 A.M. Private cremation to follow. A. Azzara Funeral Home., Inc. Family Owned & Operated since 1900 www.SILive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/7/2005. Trey, Josephine (Kudausz) Josephine Trey (nee Kudausz) of Dongan Hills Colony on October 5, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of Robert, Christine Allegro and Gary. Also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral from Dongan Hills Virginia Funeral Chapel, 1707 Hylan Blvd., on Saturday 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Ann's Church 10 A.M. Private Cremation. Visiting hours Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/7/2005. VICTOR RIVERA, 74 Golden Gloves boxer enjoyed fixing, restoring cars Friday, October 07, 2005 Victor M. Rivera, 74, of Port Richmond, a retired auto mechanic, died Wednesday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, he relocated to Manhattan in 1946. He moved to St. George in 1972 and settled in Port Richmond in 1983. Mr. Rivera worked out of his home and through word of mouth as a mechanic. His family said he often traveled all around the city to fix cars and trucks for customers. Later, he worked for eight years as a driver for United Cerebral Palsy of Staten Island. He retired in 1990. He was a good father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was always there for us, said his daughter, Livia Rivera. Mr. Rivera was a Golden Gloves boxer in his youth and maintained his love for the sport over the years. He also enjoyed restoring cars, listening to music and helping people fix their cars. In addition to his daughter, Livia, Mr. Rivera is survived by his wife of 46 years, the former Gloria Villalobos; his two sons, Victor Jr. and Eric; three brothers, Harry, Paul and Israel Rivera; a sister, Anna V. Brown; five grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Castleton Corners. RHODA MODDEL, 80 Read weekly news reports to fellow JCC members Friday, October 07, 2005 Rhoda (Rita) Moddel, 80, of Castleton Corners, a homemaker, died Sunday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, of complications of multiple myeloma. A native of Brooklyn, the former Rhoda Grossman met German native Heinz Moddel in Brooklyn on Labor Day of 1948 and the couple wed in March 1949. The Moddels welcomed the births of their two children, and moved the family to Stapleton in 1962 and to St. George in 1975. Mr. Moddel died in 1998, and Mrs. Moddel moved to the Carolina Garden Apartments in New Dorp the following year. She resided there until two years ago -- first staying for seven months in Island Shores Senior Residence, Midland Beach, before entering Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Castleton Corners. Mrs. Moddel was a keypunch operator for the former Chemical Bank in Manhattan during the early 1960s. After moving to Staten Island, she worked as a teller at Off-Track Betting branches in both Stapleton and New Springville for several years in the late 1960s, before leaving the workforce to care for her family. A member of the senior center at Aberlin/North Shore Jewish Community Center, Tompkinsville, Mrs. Moddel would read weekly news reports to fellow members. She enjoyed watching old movies, attending Broadway shows and the opera, and traveling -- including trips throughout the U.S., and to Canada, Germany and Israel. The Moddels had been snowbirds, living during the winter months at Century Village retirement community in Deerfield Beach, Fla., for 10 years. Mrs. Moddel is survived by her son, Harold; her daughter, Susan Finkelstein; a sister, Sheila Bieda, and two grandchildren. She adored her children and grandchildren, and treated her daughter-in-law, Karen, and son-in-law, Richard, as if they were her own, said her son. The funeral service was Monday in the Menorah Chapels, New Springville. Burial followed in United Hebrew Cemetery, Richmond. MICHAEL PETRUZZI, 99 St. Clare's parishioner became stockbroker in 1930s Friday, October 07, 2005 Michael (Tim) Petruzzi, 99, a Great Kills resident and former stockbroker, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. The Manhattan native moved to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, in 1934 -- when he married the former Carrie Fratarola. The couple settled in Great Kills in 1970. Mrs. Petruzzi died in 2003. A stockbroker and member of the American Stock Exchange for more than 50 years, Mr. Petruzzi graduated from Manhattan's Drake Business School and joined Reynolds & Co., Manhattan, as an order clerk in the 1930s. He later acquired a seat on the American Stock Exchange as a broker with the former Goodkind & Co., also Manhattan. He retired in 1982. Mr. Petruzzi carried his interest in the stock exchange into his retirement and watched the market keenly. A fanatic of the New York Yankees, he also enjoyed watching games or listening to them on the radio. A parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church in Great Kills, he watched televised masses every morning and recently looked forward each week to receiving communion from a parish priest who visited him at his home. Mr. Petruzzi was a Fourth-degree member of the Long Island Assembly, Knights of Columbus. "He was a good person who was very religious," said his son-in-law, Patsy Maggio, who attributed Mr. Petruzzi's longevity to his faith. Mr. Petruzzi, whose extended relatives threw him a surprise birthday party last month, also loved spending time with his family. Surviving are three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Petruzzi's daughter, Camille Maggio, died in 1993. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. MARYANN MORTENSEN, 58 Computer buff ran family-owned deli for 20 years Friday, October 07, 2005 Native Staten Islander MaryAnn Mortensen, 58, of Port Richey, Fla., who ran a family business for two decades, died Tuesday in Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey, Fla. She was born MaryAnn Aliseo in Bloomfield and lived in Mariners Harbor for 28 years before relocating to Port Richey in 2000. The 1965 Port Richmond High School graduate ran the former Cost-Less Deli, a family-owned business in Bulls Head, for 20 years. Described as a woman who lived for her family, Mrs. Mortensen was devoted to her grandchildren and went out of her way to always make sure they had a great time together. Her energetic personality was a draw for family and friends. "She was just a great woman and she lit up the room every second of the day," said her son, Michael. Mrs. Mortensen was also a computer buff and enjoyed spending time on the Internet. In addition to her son, Michael, Mrs. Mortensen is survived by her husband of 38 years, William; her son, William; her adopted daughter, Jeannette Salvo; her father, Vincent Aliseo; five brothers, Vincent, Joseph, Anthony, John and Louis Aliseo; two sisters, Rosemarie and JoAnn Aliseo, and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church, Bulls Head. The arrangements include cremation. JOSEPHINE TREY, 81 Longtime Islander Friday, October 07, 2005 Josephine Trey, 81, a homemaker, died Wednesday at her Dongan Hills home. Born Josephine Kudasz in Brooklyn, she moved to Dongan Hills in 1962. Mrs. Trey enjoyed gardening, sewing and traveling --she had visited Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico and Europe. She was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. "My mother is going to be missed terribly and deeply by the family," said her daughter, Christine Allegro. Mrs. Trey's husband of 30 years, Joseph, died in 1981. In addition to her daughter, Christine, surviving are her two sons, Robert and Gary; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. The arrangements include cremation. JASON LEWIS, 33 Worked at Pathmark, loved caring for his 4 dogs Friday, October 07, 2005 Jason Patrick Lewis, 33, an Eltingville resident who loved his four dogs so much that he fed them through his last days, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, of complications involving a lifelong illness. Even when he was dying, he was there to take care of the dogs that he loved, said Barbara Appello-Dettmann, who took in Mr. Lewis, his father and brother roughly 15 years ago. Mr. Lewis' mother, Rochelle Lewis, died 27 years ago of health complications, Ms. Appello-Dettmann said. This is a boy who never did a bad thing in his life. He never brought harm to a living person, a living animal, never passed judgment, she said. When he died, he went to heaven. Born in Manhattan, Mr. Lewis moved to Staten Island more than 25 years ago and graduated from Tottenville High School 14 years ago. He recently worked at Pathmark and enjoyed being a Mason on the Island, Ms. Appello-Dettmann said. But his dogs were his first love -- three Dachshunds named Frankie, Hughie and April, and a Scottish terrier named Douglass, Ms. Appello-Dettmann said. Mr. Lewis also enjoyed spending time with her children -- Nicole and Deborah Appello, Richard Dettmann and his wife Catherine, and their two children. He was close with his godfather, Arthur Mancuso. He loved him. He especially loved him, Ms. Appello-Dettmann added. Mr. Lewis recently converted to Catholicism through Holy Child R.C. Church in Eltingville. That was the best gift that anybody could have given this child, Ms. Appello-Dettmann said. He is survived by his father, Allen Lewis, and his brother, Eric Lewis. The funeral will be tomorrow from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Holy Child Church. The arrangements include cremation. GRACE AMELIO, 94 Family of seamstress will miss her holiday cooking Friday, October 07, 2005 Lifelong Staten Islander Grace Amelio, 94, a retired seamstress and longtime South Beach resident, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Grace Russo in Rosebank, she moved to South Beach in 1952. For many years before her retirement in the 1970s, Mrs. Amelio worked at Lady Lily Creations in South Beach. She became a member of the Golden Hands Club, a group for retired seamstresses and garment workers. Mrs. Amelio enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family. We're going to miss the honeyballs she made during the holidays, said her daughter, Theresa Bilella. And the best lasagna, she added. Mrs. Amelio was a parishioner of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. Her husband of more than 40 years, John, died in 1972. In addition to her daughter, Theresa, surviving Mrs. Amelio are her son, Thomas; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Edwin Beck, died this year. The funeral was scheduled for today from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Burial was to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere. ESTELLE McKINNEY, 74 Catholic Charities secretary liked to go bowling Friday, October 07, 2005 Former Staten Islander Estelle McKinney, 74, of Parlin, N.J., a retired secretary, died Monday in St. Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, N.J., after a long illness. Born Estelle Harris in Peninsula, Ohio, she relocated to Queens after graduating from Peninsula High School. In 1950, she and Leonard McKinney were married and the couple moved to West Brighton. They also lived in Stapleton and Mariners Harbor before settling in Parlin in 1998. Mrs. McKinney worked as an executive secretary for Catholic Charities in Brooklyn before retiring in 1998. In her leisure time, she enjoyed bowling and spending time with her family. In addition to her husband of 55 years, Leonard, Mrs. McKinney is survived by her three sons, Leonard Jr., Gregory and Christopher; a sister, Joyce Illidge; eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Sayrewood's Bible Church, Old Bridge, N.J. The arrangements include cremation. EMILY SANKEWICH, 80 Ran West Brighton's Emily's Keyboard for 22 years Friday, October 07, 2005 By HEIDI SHRAGER ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Lifelong Staten Islander Emily Sankewich, 80, of Grant City, an entrepreneur who ran a string of successful bars, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. The former Emily Pizzuto was born in West Brighton. By the time she had graduated from McKee High School, she had already begun working as a saleswoman at various businesses. In the early 1950s, while living in Elm Park, she was introduced to the world of business ownership by her then-husband, Alexander Sankewich. Within a span of less than 10 years, they opened the former Holland Tavern in Mariners Harbor and the former Sanky's Tavern in Port Richmond. Mrs. Sankewich embarked on her next venture in the late 1970s, creating the popular Keyboard Lounge in Grant City with her partner Edward Schaffer. Her next business endeavor was as co-owner of Tipperary Corners -- a bar named after the original name of Egbertville -- on Rockland Avenue. In 1982, Mrs. Sankewich opened Emily's Keyboard on Forest Avenue in West Brighton. She ran the bar until she retired 22 years later, in 2004. "She was like the mayor of Forest Avenue," said her daughters, Barbara Jean Carr and Valerie Ann Cordes. "She was known by the entire surrounding community, including the local politicians, and opened her heart to her neighbors and anyone else who may have needed a friendly face and warm smile." Mrs. Sankewich was in rare form during the holidays, when she'd cover the bar in elaborate decorations and serve her customers huge holiday feasts as if they were her own family, recalled her daughters. "For people who didn't have families, she'd always open up the Keyboard to make them feel at home," said Mrs. Carr. St. Patrick's Day was especially festive at Emily's Keyboard. "She loved serving Irish coffee and corned beef," said Mrs. Cordes of her mother. Not surprisingly, the vivacious Mrs. Sankewich was a natural entertainer and often cooked for family and friends at home. She also loved to take her daughters on Caribbean cruises, and on trips to Atlantic City. "She loved life," said Mrs. Carr. Mrs. Sankewich was almost always engaged in some sort of activity, whether it was cooking, writing letters, sewing, swimming in the pool, or collecting shells on the beach. She also adored singing and had a beautiful voice, Mrs. Cordes said. Mrs. Sankewich -- who also lived in Port Richmond before settling in Grant City in 1970 -- was a member of an Island AARP chapter, the Deborah Hospital Foundation and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. She also served on the board of directors of the Staten Island Liquor Dealers Association. "She was the greatest mom," said her daughters, noting that she was also "a friend and a mentor to many, including her beloved nieces, nephews and cousins." They added, "She touched a lot of people's hearts. She was always there. She was always laughing." Mrs. Sankewich also is survived by a grandson. Her granddaughter, Crystal Ann Cordes, died in 1996. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Entombment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. DIANA SNOW, 65 Grasmere mother was 'very lively and very outgoing' Friday, October 07, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Diana Snow, 65, a homemaker, retired bank supervisor and dietary aide, died Wednesday of heart disease at her Grasmere home. Born Diana Babich in Hoboken, N.J., she was brought to Grasmere as a child and graduated from New Dorp High School in 1957. Mrs. Snow's house has been in her family for 82 years, passed down from generation to generation. From 1957 to 1970, she worked at the Bank of New York in Manhattan, rising in the ranks to the position of supervisor. Mrs. Snow then spent 20 years caring for her family. From 1992 to 2003, she was a dietary aide at Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Dongan Hills. Her son, Jeffrey, said she was very popular with the patients. "If there was anyone who had it rough, she was very good with them," he said. "She was a very compassionate person." For several years in the 1990s, Mrs. Snow also worked as a cashier at the former Revco, now CVS, on Old Town Road in Dongan Hills. Mrs. Snow enjoyed sewing, reading and listening to music from all over the world. She knew everyone in her neighborhood and was always teasing and joking around with people, her son said. "She was very lively and very outgoing." Mrs. Snow was a parishioner of St. Sylvester's R.C. Church, Concord. Her husband of 26 years, John, died in 2001. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the A. Azzara Funeral Home, South Beach. The arrangements include cremation. BRIAN SHANLEY, 49 Spent 8 years with wife restoring their first home Friday, October 07, 2005 By MAURA YATES ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Westerleigh resident Brian Shanley, an accomplished musician, art connoisseur and longtime member of the Noble Maritime Collection's Noble Crew, died Wednesday in New York University Medical Center, Manhattan. He was 49. Born in Westerleigh on June 6, 1956, Mr. Shanley -- a self-taught drummer -- began playing drums as a child and continued to grow as a musician throughout his life. At the time of his sudden death, he was a sought-after musician and played with many Island and city-based bands. Greg Askins, a childhood friend and fellow musician, said, Brian had the unique ability to enter into any social environment and put a smile on everyone's face. He gave us memories that will continue to create a smile in all of our hearts. Mr. Shanley's basement is a museum to his passion; drums and music, said his lifelong friend, Matthew Long. He kept the beat for everyone that knew him. If you grew up on the North Shore you probably spent more than a few nights listening and dancing to Brian's music in one of the many bands he played with, including Staten Island's Jimmy Mack. When his friend Erin Urban, executive director of the Noble Maritime Collection, told Mr. Shanley that her son, Samuel, was interested in learning how to play drums, he insisted that she not buy him a drum kit. Instead, he gave the boy a set of drums from his own collection and encouraged him to begin studying with an excellent teacher, she recalled. Mr. Shanley's creativity continued beyond music into art. He was a talented sculptor who worked in materials indigenous to Staten Island, particularly serpentine stone. He also enjoyed working in stained glass and woodcuts, and was a gifted carpenter. A graduate of Susan Wagner High School, he worked for Jack Demyan at the former Demyan's Hofbrau in Stapleton, where his lifelong passion for collecting art began. Through Demyan he met artist John A. Noble, and soon began to acquire his notable collection of art, including many Noble lithographs. Mr. Shanley worked for 20 years for the city Sanitation Department, based in Manhattan and Staten Island. He retired last year. In 1986, he married the former Margaret Duffy, a Montessori-trained prekindergarten teacher at Building Blocks Montessori School in Silver Lake, where she is the Lower School coordinator. His mother-in-law, Lois B. Duffy, described the couple as inseparable, a perfect match. He was an ideal son-in-law, devoted and affectionate. The Shanleys would have celebrated their 19th year of marriage on Oct. 18. When they were first married, the couple lived in a historic home in the heart of Stapleton. The home was a natural fit for the Shanleys, who shared a passion for history and culture. They purchased their first home in Mariners Harbor in 1988, and spent the next eight years meticulously restoring and decorating it. In 1994, they settled in Mr. Shanley's childhood home in Westerleigh. In 1992, Mr. Shanley came to the first Noble Crew crew date in Livingston at Snug Harbor Cultural Center's Building D, which was desolate and virtually abandoned at the time. He claimed a particularly decrepit room where there was evidence of a ceiling mural, and he began to strip it and clear it of debris. For the next eight years, he volunteered on the Noble project alongside his friend John Santore, a firefighter killed on Sept. 11, 2001. After the death of his friend, he was described as a tower of comfort to others coping with the tragedy. I'll always have an ache in my heart, but the thought of him will always bring me a smile, said his friend, Bob Alverson. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, also West Brighton. BERTHA MALLEY, 93 Volunteered at hospitals in Alabama and on Island Friday, October 07, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Bertha S. Malley, 93, of Opelika, Ala., a retired executive secretary, died Tuesday in Northridge Assisted Living, Opelika, where she had been a resident for six years. The energetic career woman, volunteer and mother of six was born Bertha Sigalas in Santorini, Greece. She was brought by her family to New York as an infant, passing through Ellis Island, and grew up in Manhattan. Mrs. Malley met her husband of 37 years, Chris Malley, who was born on the island of Samos, Greece, at a Valentine's Day dance in Manhattan. They were married in 1935. The couple moved to Port Richmond in 1947 and to Westerleigh in the early 1950s. Mr. Malley died in 1971. Mrs. Malley lived in Opelika for four years during the 1970s. She was a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church there and volunteered with the church's Methodist women, helping with fund-raisers and charity work. She also volunteered at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. She then moved back to Staten Island, living in Castleton Corners before ultimately returning to Opelika in 1999. As a young woman, Mrs. Malley worked as a medical assistant at NYU Medical Center in Manhattan. After completing secretarial school, she became an executive secretary in advertising at Citibank in Manhattan, where she worked for 24 years. She retired in the 1970s. After retirement, Mrs. Malley volunteered at the former Staten Island Hospital and Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville. She was active at the Faith United Methodist Church, Port Richmond, where she was a member of the Women's Guild. She was ahead of her time and way ahead of the women's movement, said her daughter, Margo Darzano. All who came in contact with her as a friend, co-worker or family member felt her sincerity and love. In addition to her daughter, Margo, Mrs. Malley is survived by her son, Anthony C.; her daughters, Sophie Thompsen, Rosalee Hagan and Irene Malley; 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Mrs. Malley's son, Nicholas M., died in 1992. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a service at 10 a.m. in Faith United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. ANTHONY ALTIERI, 67 Texaco Oil Co. mechanic served in the Coast Guard Friday, October 07, 2005 Native Staten Islander Anthony J. Altieri Sr., 67, of Chiefland, Fla., a retired mechanic, died Sept. 30 in Hospice By the Sea, Boca Raton, Fla. Mr. Altieri was born in Mariners Harbor and relocated to Chiefland 14 years ago. He spent his career as a mechanic, retiring from the Texaco in Bayonne, N.J., before moving to Florida. Mr. Altieri enjoyed fishing and had served with the U.S. Coast Guard. His first wife, the former Mary Glanton, died in 1990, after 29 years of marriage. Surviving are his wife, the former Elizabeth Powell; his son, Anthony Jr.; his two daughters, Linda Altieri-Austin and Debra Altieri; two sisters, Marie LoPresti and Dolores Reiff, and two grandchildren. There will be a memorial service on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. in St. Adalbert's R.C. Church, Elm Park. Burial of ashes will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. ALDONA GODBER, 89 Singer Sewing Co. clerk was dedicated to her family Friday, October 07, 2005 Aldona Godber, 89, of Mahanoy City, Pa., a homemaker and former resident of Staten Island, died Sept. 30 in Pottsville (Pa.) Hospital and Warne Clinic. Born in Mahanoy City, Mrs. Godber moved to New Brighton in 1940 and to New Dorp in 1970. She returned to her hometown in 1978. Mrs. Godber was a clerk with the Singer Sewing Co. in Elizabeth, N.J. She left the workforce in 1978 and dedicated herself to caring for her family. While living on Staten Island, she was a member of the Staten Island Elks and the Richmond Columbiettes. Mrs. Godber was a former parishioner of St. Peter's R.C. Church, New Brighton, and St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood. Her husband of 65 years, John A., died in 1996. Surviving are her two daughters, Jeanette Heidman and Jacqueline Lein; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Louis Truskowsky Funeral Home, Mahanoy City.