OBITS: Staten Island Advance 9 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/ Altieri Sr., Anthony J. SR. Anthony J. Altieri, Sr., died on September 30, 2005 at Hospice-By-The Sea in Boca Raton, Fl. He was born May 20, 1938 in Mariners Harbor, Staten Island. He was a retired mechanic who served honorably in the United States Coast Guard. He was married to Mary Altieri for 29 years who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Altieri, three children; Anthony Jr. of Pennsylvania, Linda Altieri-Austin of Florida and Debra of New Jersey; son-in-law Ben Austin; two grandchildren Christina Ryder and Daniel Austin; two sisters Marie LoPresti and Dolores Reiff, brother-in-law James Reiff and brother-in-law Dennis Glanton. Anthony also had a brother, Albert Altieri who has predeceased him. A memorial service will be held 10:00 A.M. on Friday October 14, 2005 at St. Adalbert's Catholic Church located at 337 Morningstar Rd., Staten Island, NY with burial services immediately following at the cemetery of the Resurrection located at 361 Sharrott Avenue, Staten Island, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to Hospice by the Sea, 1531 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486-3395. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/9/2005. Butters, Grace Christie Grace Christie Butters of New Dorp on October 6, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Robert William. Devoted mother of Jane Butters Tamang and the late William Butters. Cherished grandmother of Jennifer, Tara, Suzanne, Pennie, Elizabeth and Virginia. Great-grandmother of Fred, James and Kate. Also survived by her loving sister, Eleanor Christie, age 91. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Friends may call Monday 2-4; 7-9 P.M. Funeral Service Tuesday 11 A.M. performed by Rev. Rowe at Colonial Funeral Home. Private cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers and mass cards, donations can made to Dolmaling Nunnery or Sera Jey Monastery, South India, would be greatly appreicated for the Children's Education. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/9/2005. Cantarella, Douglas P. Douglas P. Cantarella, 61, of Egg Harbor Twp. Formerly of Belleville on Friday October 7, 2005. Beloved husband of 37 years of Judith Damberg. Loving son of Caroline Cantarella. Devoted father of Chris and his fiancee Diane Calcaterra and Beth Ryan and her husband Phil, both of Rahway. Loving grandfather of Aileen. Also surviving is the family pet Dempsey. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service Wednesday, October 12, 2005 10 A.M. at the Pettit-Davis Funeral Home 371 W. Milton Ave, Rahway. Interment Oceanview cemetery, Staten Island, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made at the funeral home to the charity of the family's preference. Visitation Monday 7-9 P.M. and Tuesday 2-4; 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/9/2005. D'Alessandro, Michael Michael D'Alessandro of Dongan Hills on October 7, 2005. Beloved husband of Elsie (nee Keisel). Loving father of Barbara Berardi and Mildred Perugini and father-in-law of Edward Sr. and Frank Sr. Dear brother of Peter. Adored grandfather of six grandchildren and great-grandfather of eleven. Funeral from Dongan Hills Virginia Funeral Chapel, 1707 Hylan Blvd., Tuesday 10:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Ann's Church 11:00 A.M. Private Cremation to follow. Visiting hours Monday 2-4; 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/9/2005 - 10/10/2005. DiMolfetta, Rose Rose DiMolfetta on October 6, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Jerry. Devoted mother of Joseph. Loving sister of Jack, Ralph, Nancy, Pepe, Mauro, and Benny Capurso. Cherished aunt and great-aunt of several nieces and nephews. Funeral from Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Mass Tuesday 10:15 A.M. St. Charles R.C. Church. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday 7-9 P.M., Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/8/2005 - 10/10/2005. Johnstone, John G. John G. Johnstone of New Springville on October 6, 2005. Beloved husband of Patricia. Loving father of Mark and Brian. Dear brother of Robert. Cherished grandfather of Elyse, Danielle, Kaitlyn and Christina. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Tuesday 10 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Pity Church 10:30 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/8/2005 - 10/9/2005. 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. Renner, John D. "Frank" John D. (Frank) Renner on October 7, 2005. Beloved husband of Caterina. Devoted father of Theresa Rollo-Bencivenga, Joanna Ligowski, Frank, Caterina Campbell and John. Cherished grandfather of fourteen. Loving brother of Emil, Johnny and Pauline Marquis. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane, Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Funeral Mass Tuesday St. Thomas Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/9/2005. Rinaldi, Dominick J. Dominick J. Rinaldi on October 7, 2005, Beloved husband of the late Mary. Devoted father of Andrew Rinaldi and Domenica Dato. Cherished grandfather of seven. Loving great-grandfather of twelve. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Friends may call Sunday 7-9 P.M. and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 9:30 A.M. Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Interment Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Childrens Hospital would be greatly appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/9/2005 - 10/10/2005. Rogers, Richard E. Richard E. Rogers of Great Kills on October 6, 2005. Beloved husband of Elizabeth. Loving father of Deborah and Karen Rogers. Dear brother of Steven Rogers, Gay and Patricia. Devoted grandfather of Demi Rogers. Funeral Service at Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills, Tuesday 11 A.M. Interment Cemetery of the Resurrection. Friends will be received Monday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/8/2005 - 10/9/2005. 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. Spinelli Sr., Frank M. Frank M. Spinelli Sr. of West Brighton on October 8, 2005. Beloved husband of Jean (nee Riccardella). Loving father of Dr. Mary Spinelli, Joanne Fealey, Dr. Jean Spinelli Smith and Frank M. Spinelli Jr. Dear father-in-law of Dr. Frank Carpinello, Dr. Thomas Fealey, Dr. Adam Smith and Jeanne Spinelli. Also survived by twelve grandchildren and one great-grandson. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Tuesday 10:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Paul's Church 11 A.M. Interment Silver Mount Cemetery. Friends will be received Sunday, 7-9 P.M. and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Paul's Church, 129 Clinton Ave, S.I., N.Y., 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 10/9/2005 - 10/10/2005. RICHARD ROGERS, 63 FDNY veteran was lifelong Great Kills resident Sunday, October 09, 2005 Richard E. Rogers, 63, a lifelong Great Kills resident and retired New York City firefighter, died Thursday at home. Mr. Rogers was a firefighter with the FDNY for 21 years, retiring in August 1990. "He was very devoted to his family and cherished his time with his granddaughter, Demi," said his wife of 41 years, the former Elizabeth Sheridan. Mr. Rogers was a graduate of Tottenville High School. His hobbies included fishing, golfing, solving crossword puzzles and watching old black-and-white movies. He also enjoyed cooking and especially loved preparing his special dish, shrimp francese. "He was the best dad and pop that a girl could ever have," said his daughter, Deborah Rogers. "We will never be the same without him. He was the best man in the whole wide world." In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Deborah, Mr. Rogers is survived by another daughter, Karen Rogers; a brother, Steven; two sisters, Gay Miller and Patricia Bessler, and one granddaughter. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills. Monsignor Joseph P. Murphy of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills, will officiate. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. MICHAEL D'ALESSANDRO, 92 Retired roofer, electrician at Long Island hospital Sunday, October 09, 2005 Michael D'Alessandro, 92, of Dongan Hills, a retired roofer and electrician, died Friday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born in Manhattan, he settled in Dongan Hills in 1996. First employed as a roofer, he later became an electrician 1985 for Long Island Jewish Hospital, New Hyde Park, L.I. A member of Local 1199, the health care workers union, Mr. D'Alessandro retired in 1980. He was a member of the Berry Homes Club and Selden Senior Club. In his spare time, Mr. D'Alessandro enjoyed playing cards and Scrabble, reading newspapers, solving crossword puzzles, telling jokes and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. Mr. D'Alessandro is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elsie Kiesel; two daughters, Barbara Berardi and Mildred Perugini; a brother, Peter, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Arrangements include cremation. JOHN RENNER, 74 School bus, truck driver enjoyed watching sports Sunday, October 09, 2005 John (Frank) Renner of Rossville, a retired school-bus and truck driver, died Oct. 7 in Silver Lake Specialized Care Center in Brighton Heights, where he had been staying for a month. He was 74. Mr. Renner was primarily a truck driver and then a school bus driver for 20 years in 2001 Brooklyn, a position that he retired from in 1996. According to his family, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and watching sports. "He was always ready for a good debate with family and friends," said his daughter, Theresa Rollo-Bencivenga. "He was loved by all who knew him." Mr. Renner was born on Long Island and moved to the St. John's Home for Boys in Brooklyn at the age of 12. He served in Fort Houston, Va., as a private in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, and he settled in Rossville in 1995. He was a member of St. Joseph and St. Thomas R.C. Parish in Pleasant Plains. In addition to his daughter, surviving are his wife of 47 years, the former Caterina (Katie) Marraccino; two other daughters, Joanna Ligowski and Caterina Campbell; two sons, Frank and John; two brothers, Emil and Johnny; a sister, Pauline Marquis, and 14 grandchildren. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, also Pleasant Plains. JOHN POMIANOWSKI, 77 Telecommunications consultant, environmentalist Sunday, October 09, 2005 Native Staten Islander John A. Pomianowski, 77, of Spring Lake, N.J., a retired telecommunications consultant, died Oct. 2 in the Neptune (N.J.) Rehabilitation and Care Center. Born in New Brighton, Mr. Pomianowski lived in New Dorp before moving to Holmdel, N.J., in 1957. He had been 2004 living in Spring Lake since 1985. A consultant with EG&G in Fort Monmouth, N.J., for five years, he had previously been a telecommunications consultant with Sun Oil Co. in Philadelphia and the former New York Telephone Co. He retired at the age of 65. Mr. Pomianowski was a member of the alumni associations of Curtis High School and Wagner College, Grymes Hill. While living in Holmdel, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, especially with Troop 92. Mr. Pomianowski was a member of more than 40 years with the Keyport (N.J.) Yacht Club and was also a member of the Shark River (N.J.) Yacht Club and competed for U.S. Master Swimming, a national swim club. He served as a member of the Spring Lake Environmental Commission -- a panel that protects the environment of the area. A parishioner of St. Catherine's-St. Margaret's R.C. Church in Spring Lake; he belonged to St. Peter's R.C. Church in New Brighton when he lived on the Island. During World War II, Mr. Pomianowski served as a fireman first class in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed aboard the USS Portsmouth and the USS Amphion. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, the former Dolores M. Borger; his three sons, John C., Mark S. and Eric N.; two sisters, Helene Gladis and Dorothy Faison, and a grandson. The funeral will be Tuesday from the O'Brien Funeral Home, Wall, N.J., with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Margaret's Church. Burial will be in St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall. JOHN CLARK, 51 Owned New Jersey mattress company Sunday, October 09, 2005 John J. Clark Jr., of Keansburg, N.J., a business owner, died Thursday in Care One in Holmdel, N.J. He was 51. Mr. Clark owned and operated Mobile Mattress Inc. in Keansburg and Manahawkin, N.J., for the past 17 years. According to his wife of 22 years, the former Donna Snyder, he dedicated all of his time to his business and his friends. Born in the Bronx, Mr. Clark moved to West Brighton as a child and attended Susan Wagner High School. In 1983, he moved to Rosebank, and in 1989 he settled in Keansburg, where he was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church . In addition to his wife, surviving are two stepsons, Sean and Timothy McLane; a daughter, Lauren Rose Snyder; his mother, Gertrude Clark, and a sister, Laura DePalma. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Scott & Kedz Home for Funerals, Belford, N.J. Interment will follow in Bayview Cemetery, Leonardo, N.J. FRANK SPINELLI, 79 Retired watch maker, owned jewelry shop Sunday, October 09, 2005 Frank Mario Spinelli, a retired watch maker who owned Spinelli Jewelers in Port Richmond for 40 years, died in his West Brighton home Friday night. He was 79. Mr. Spinelli, a New Brighton native who graduated from Curtis High School, earned a certificate from Standard Watch Makers School in 2004 Manhattan in 1947 to continue his family trade of making and repairing jewelry, his daughter, Joanne Fealey, said. Prior to that, he attended Wagner College. His handy skills extended beyond fixing jewelry, Ms. Fealey added. "My father was multi-talented. He could fix anything around the house," she said. Wherever she went on Staten Island, people would compliment her father's work, she added. "So many people would come up to me and say, 'Oh, he made my wedding ring. Oh, he fixed my watch,'" Mrs. Fealey recalled. Before he became a jeweler, Mr. Spinelli was stationed in Okinawa and Korea as a medic with the U.S. Army from 1944 through 1946, she said. He married his wife, the former Jean Riccordella, in 1952 and always referred to her affectionately as "my bride," Mrs. Fealey said. In his spare time, Mr. Spinelli enjoyed gardening, shopping, attending church and spending time with his family, she said. "He loved his sons-in-law, Dr. Frank Carpiniello, my husband, Dr. Thomas Fealey, and my sister Jean's husband, Dr. Adam Smith, and his daughter-in-law, Jeanne Spinelli," she said. "He was exceptionally close to my 13-year-old son, Christopher. There wasn't a day that went by that my father wouldn't call me and ask, 'How's Christopher?'" In addition to Mrs. Fealey and his wife, he is survived by daughters Mary and Jean Spinelli, son Frank Spinelli Jr., 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson. The funeral is being held from Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass Tuesday at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's R.C. Church, New Brighton. Burial will follow in Silver Mount Cemetery, Silver Lake. DOUGLAS CANTARELLA, 61 Investigator for New Jersey agency Sunday, October 09, 2005 Former Staten Islander Douglas P. Cantarella, 61, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., an investigator for New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs remembered for his sincere, inviting personality, died Friday in the Atlantic City Medical Center. Born in West Brighton, Mr. Cantarella grew up in Sunnyside. He attended PS 29, Castleton Corners, and graduated from Curtis High School in 1962. During the 1960s, he served in the National Guard at the Armory on Manor Road in West Brighton. Mr. Cantarella moved to Belleville, N.J., in 1967, then relocated to Egg Harbor in 2003. For the past eight years, he worked for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs as an investigator for the agency's State Real Estate Appraiser Board. Before that, he was a self-employed real estate appraiser. Mr. Cantarella joined several boards and associations over the years, taking a number of leadership posts. He was a member of the Copestone Masonic Lodge in Kearney, N.J., a past president of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, Chapter 37, and a 37-year member of the Belleville Little League, serving as a coach, manager and league president. In Belleville, he served as the chairman of the rent leveling board and the vice president of the planning board, as well as a member of the redevelopment agency, the baseball parents association and the crew parents association. Mr. Cantarella was also the president of the Belleville Middle School Home and School Association, and of the Consolidated Association of Belleville Home and School and Parent Teacher Organization. He was a member and former president of the Belleville Optimist Club, and the director of McCullough's Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor. He was an avid golfer who also had a longtime passion for baseball. He also enjoyed spending time with his dog, a boxer named Dempsey. Mr. Cantarella liked to travel, and loved spending time with his granddaughter. "He was just a genuinely charismatic, warm and embracing kind of person," said Joe Masseria, a family friend who thought of Mr. Cantarella as an uncle. "When he bid you farewell, you knew in your heart that he genuinely enjoyed his time with you, and was already looking forward to the next time you would meet him." Surviving are his wife of 37 years, the former Judith Damberg; a son, Chris; a daughter, Beth Ryan; his mother, Caroline Cantarella, and a granddaughter. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Pettit-Davis Funeral Home, Rahway, N.J., with a service at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. ANTHONY SCHEMBRI, 62 Electrician, activist for veterans' rights Sunday, October 09, 2005 Anthony Schembri, 62, of Newburgh, N.Y., an electrician and military veterans' rights activist, died Thursday in a motorcycle accident in Highland, N.Y. Born in Leicester, England, Mr. Schembri was brought to the Bronx as an infant. His family moved to Pleasant Plains when he was a boy. As a student at Brooklyn Tech High School, he was a founding team member and lineman of the legendary Plainsmen football team of Pleasant Plains. In 1963, Mr. Schembri joined the Army National Guard, and served four months of active duty in Fort Knox, Ky., over the next two years. Meanwhile, he became an electrician's apprentice, and gradually branched out on his own. He married the former Justine Boucher, a Plainsmen cheerleader, in 1964. Eager to raise a family in the country, the couple moved to Newburgh in 1970. There, Mr. Schembri became the safety engineer for IBM. His tough stance on workplace safety and willingness to shut a plant down until it was up to code earned him the nickname The Axe-Man, which later morphed into The Axe-Rider, because of his passion for motorcycles. His son, Paul Schembri, explained that IBM created the safety engineer position for his father because they saw safety as one of his strengths. "They saw that in him, that he was a very conscientious guy," said Paul Schembri. The irony of it, he added, is that his father also rode a motorcycle. "He had such respect for it. He was so safe," said Paul Schembri. Mr. Schembri retired from IBM in the late 1980s, and became an independent electrician. When his children were young, he was a Boy Scout leader and soccer coach. As they got older, he picked up a range of new pasttimes. An intensely patriotic man who loved to hunt, fish and ride his motorcycle, Mr. Schembri founded the northeast chapter of Rolling Thunder, a motorcyclists' veterans outreach group. He was instrumental in creating the Purple Heart Museum in Orange County. His son also described him as intelligent and gregarious. "He loved to talk," said Paul Schembri. "If anybody ever met him, they'd remember it. He'd talk to anybody at length about anything." Finally, Mr. Schembri loved spending time with his grandchildren. In addition to Paul Schembri, surviving are his wife Justine Schembri, son Ray Schembri, daughters Catherine and Pamela Schembri, sister Felicia Schembri, and six grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Service, in Newburgh. Arrangements include cremation.