OBITS: Staten Island Advance 17 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/ Cavero, Gesualda "Jennie" Gesualda "Jennie" Cavero fo New Springville on October 16, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of Greta Morano and Frances Cavero. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK ROAD, on Wednesday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church 9:30 A.M. Interment St. John's Cemetery, Middle Village, N.Y. Friends may call Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/17/2005 - 10/18/2005. Conte, Georgette A. Georgette A. Conte of Port Richmond on October 14, 2005. Beloved daughter of Irene Kehahuna and the late Robert Conte. Dear mother of Joseph Conte. Fond sister of Richard, Robin Conte and Jeanne Forte and the late Robert and Paul Conte. A blessing will be conducted at the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Ave, P.R., on Tuesday 10:30 A.M. Private cremation to follow. 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 10/16/2005 - 10/17/2005. Culotta, Salvatore Salvatore Culotta of Richmondtown on October 15, 2005. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Zappacosta). Devoted son of Frances and the late Rosario. Loving father of Roy and Francine Kettyle and father-in-law of Andrea and Stephen. Dear brother of Anna Biondo, Michelle and Lucille. Adored grandfather of Deanna, Patrick, Nicholas and Christopher. Funeral from Dongan Hills Virginia Funeral Chapel, 1707 Hylan Blvd., on Wednesday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Christopher's Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Visiting Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/17/2005 - 10/18/2005. Dieter, Walter W. Walter (Bill) W. Dieter of West Brigh ton on October 14, 2005. Cherished son of Kathleen Bell (nee Herbert) and stepson of the late Thedore Bell. Loving father of Diedra, Danielle. Adored grand-father of Rayanne, Nicole, Allison, Rebecca, and Caleb. Fond brother of the late Barbara Bell. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Wednesday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Sacred Heart Church 10:00 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Project Hospitality in Walter's name would be greatly 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 10/16/2005 - 10/18/2005. Ellam, Phyllis J. Phyllis J. Ellam of West Brighton on October 16, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Charles. Loving mother of Patricia Rannie and the late Charlene Ellam. Fond sister of Theodore Spicer. Cherished grandmother of Dawn Rannie-White and great-grandmother of Jaden Rannie. Also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Wednesday. Religious Service at Harmon Funeral Home 10:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Tuesday 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 10/17/2005 - 10/18/2005. Hart, Eleanor A. Eleanor A. Hart of Brandon, Florida, formerly of Dongan Hills on October 13, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Elmer. Loving mother of David and mother-in-law of Linda. Dear sister of Margaret Goller. Cherished aunt of Michelle and Scott Buono. Cousin of Ed Donaghy. A Funeral service will be held at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd., Tuesday 10 A.M. Interment at Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may visit Sunday 7-9 P.M. and Monday 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 10/15/2005 - 10/17/2005. Mancuso, James P. James P. Mancuso of Great Kills on October 15, 2005. Beloved husband of Grace (nee Fasullo). Dear brother of Frankie, Johnny and Michael Mancuso and the late Danny Mancuso. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Funeral service from Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Patrick's Church at 10 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends will be received Sunday and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The John J. Bruno Scholarship Fund or St. Francis Center For Spirituality, would be appreciated. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/16/2005 - 10/17/2005. Merlino, Robert R. Robert R. Merlino of Richmondtown on October 14, 2005. Beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Decker). Dear brother of Gino Merlino, Dr. John Merlino, Ida Merlino, Elisa Iannacone, Rose Briganti, Dr. Lina Merlino, Viola Houston and Dr. Ann Merlino. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Tuesday 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Anthony of Padua Church 10 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday 7-9 and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to S.I. Alzheimer's Foundation Building Fund or St. Anthony of Padua Church would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/16/2005 - 10/17/2005. Naglich, Marion Marion Naglich of Hillsborough, NJ (formerly of SI) on October 14, 2005. Beloved wife of the late William. Loving mother of Carol Cialone, Cindy Brennan and Claudia Malik. Fond mother-in-law of Fernando, Thomas and Stephen. Dear sister of Frances Christensen and the late August and Henry. Also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral from THE GUNDRUM SERVICE HOME FOR FUNERALS INC., 237 Bordentown Avenue, South Amboy. Tuesday 8:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Sacred Heart Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Monday from 2-4; 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/16/2005 - 10/17/2005. Vulpis, Joseph Joseph Vulpis of Rossville on October 15, 2005. Beloved husband of Ann. Devoted father of Alexander. Dear brother of Salvatore and Antonia Rossiello. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), Tuesday 8:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Star Of The Sea Church 9:45 A.M. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Sunday from 7-10 P.M. and Monday from 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/16/2005 - 10/17/2005. WALTER DIETER, 59 Retired construction worker, counselor Monday, October 17, 2005 Walter W. Dieter, 59, a former construction worker and substance abuse counselor, died Friday at home of a heart attack. Born in Stapleton, Mr. Dieter graduated from Curtis High School. He began working for Hunt Construction Group as a welder in the late 1970s and was later promoted to welding inspector. While working for the company, he lived in various parts of the country, including Connecticut, Wisconsin, Arizona and Colorado. He retired in 2002 and moved to West Brighton three years ago. After his retirement, he attended a school in Brooklyn and became a substance abuse counselor. He was currently employed by Strathmore Treatment Associates, South Amboy, N.J., where he was recently named employee of the month. Mr. Dieter enjoyed mountain biking and kayaking while living in Colorado. He also loved to fish and cook. Although his specialty was Italian food, "he could cook everything," said his mother, Cathleen Herbert-Bell, noting that he was an excellent cook. In addition to his mother, surviving Mr. Dieter are his two daughters, Deidra Enos and Danielle Dieter, and five grandchildren. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart R.C. Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. SALVATORE CULOTTA, 72 Retired postal clerk enjoyed cooking and traveling Monday, October 17, 2005 Salvatore Culotta, 72, a Korean War veteran and retired postal clerk, died Saturday in Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Dongan Hills. Born and raised in Manhattan, he also lived in Brooklyn before moving to Richmond in 1995. He served in the Army during the Korean War from 1955 to 1961, stationed in Italy and France. He then worked as an elevator operator in Manhattan and later for the U.S. Postal Service for 29 years as a postal clerk at the air mail facility at the Kennedy Airport. He retired in 1992. Mr. Culotta was a parishioner of St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City. He enjoyed watching cooking shows and then making the recipes. He also enjoyed taking walks along the South Beach boardwalk, trips to Atlantic City and spending time with family members, especially his grandchildren. "I will always love and think of him," said his wife of 43 years, the former Elizabeth Zappacosta. In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, surviving Mr. Culotta are a son, Roy; a daughter, Francine Kettyle; three sisters, Anna Biondo, Michelle and Lucille Culotta; his mother, Frances, and four grandchildren. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Christopher's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. PHYLLIS ELLAM, 85 Nursing attendant at Willowbrook State School Monday, October 17, 2005 Phyllis Jean Ellam, 85, of West Brighton, a retired nursing attendant at the former Willowbrook State School, died yesterday in the Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners. Born Phyllis Jean Spicer in Stapleton, Mrs. Ellam attended PS 14, Stapleton, and Curtis High School. She enjoyed playing all kinds of sports. As a youth, she was an original member of the Brown Bomberette, the women's chapter of the Brown Bombers Social and Athletic Club. She moved to Stapleton in 1938 and to Tompkinsville in the 1950s. She settled in the West Brighton home of her daughter, Charlene, following the death of her husband, Charles in 1992. For 30 years, she worked as a nursing attendant at the former Willowbrook State School, retiring in 1983. Mrs. Ellman enjoyed attending family gatherings, barbecues, watching television, gardening and reading. According to her family, Mrs. Ellam's greatest joy was the birth of her only great-grandson, Jaden, in 2002. She also enjoyed spending her time with her granddaughter, Dawn Rannie-White, and her many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ellam's daughter, Charlene Ellam, died in 2004. In addition to her great-grandson and her granddaughter, surviving are a daughter, Patricia Rannie, and a brother, Theodore Spicer. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. MARION NAGLICH, 77 Former Islander worked for brokerage firm Monday, October 17, 2005 Marion Naglich, 77, of Hillsborough, N.J., a homemaker and former brokerage firm worker, died Friday in Somerset Memorial Hospital, Somerville, N.J. Born Marion Pate in Stapleton, she was raised in Mariners Harbor and graduated from Port Richmond High School. She moved to Hillsborough in 1948. Mrs. Naglich was an office worker for Doremus & DeCopper, a former brokerage firm in Manhattan, before her marriage in 1948. Every Christmas she would literally make thousands of old-fashioned Christmas cookies which she gave to family and friends, according to her sister, Frances Christensen. Mrs. Naglich also enjoyed crocheting afghans. Her husband, William, died in 1974. In addition to her sister, Frances, surviving Mrs. Naglich are three daughters, Carol Cialone, Cindy Brennan and Claudia Malik; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Grundrum Service Home for Funerals, South Amboy, N.J. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Parlin, N.J. MARGARET HIGGINS, 76 Retired nurse's aide enjoyed baking, sewing Monday, October 17, 2005 Margaret R. Higgins, 76, of Carteret, N.J., a former Staten Islander and retired nurse's aide, died Thursday at home. Born Margaret R. Bradley in West New York, N.J., she lived in West Brighton for 20 years before settling in Carteret 48 years ago. A graduate of Curtis High School, Mrs. Higgins was a nurse's aide for 30 years at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy. She retired in 1993. She enjoyed baking and sewing, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Higgins was a parishioner of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Carteret. Her husband of 49 years, Eugene Higgins, died in 1989. Surviving are three sons, Gene, William and Todd; three daughters, Deborah Abatemarco, Theresa Kovacs and Regina Higgins; two brothers, James and Anthony Bradley; nine grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. Her infant daughter, Marion, died in 1954. The funeral will be this morning from the Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home, Perth Amboy, with a mass at 9 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Burial will be in St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia, N.J. GESUALDA CAVERO, 95 New Springville homemaker Monday, October 17, 2005 Gesualda (Jennie) Cavero, 95, of New Springville, a homemaker, died yesterday at home. Born Gesualda Giallombardo in Manhattan, she was raised in Buffalo, N.Y. Mrs. Cavero moved to Brooklyn as a young woman and settled in New Springville in 1969. She was a member of the seniors group at St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Richmond. She was also a member of the Staten Island chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. Mrs. Cavero was a parishioner of Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church, Bulls Head. Her husband of 44 years, Joseph, died in 1976. Mrs. Cavero is survived by two daughters, Greta Morano and Frances Cavero. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Pity Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Queens. FILOMENA DEPRIMA, 76 Retired receptionist enjoyed music and dancing Monday, October 17, 2005 Filomena DePrima, 76, of New Brighton, a retired receptionist, died yesterday in the Verrazano Nursing Home, Tompkinsville, where she had been a resident for the past year. Born Filomena Mignone in Italy, she was brought to Brooklyn as a child. She moved to New Brighton in 2000. Mrs. DePrima was a member of the Arrochar Friendship Club and the Stapleton Senior Club. She enjoyed music and dancing, and spending time with friends. Her husband, Alphonso, died in 1982. Surviving are her two daughters, Mary and Dolores DePrima; a brother, Angelo Mignone; a sister, Anne Mignone, and one grandson. The funeral will be Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners. Burial will be in Cairo (N.Y.) Cemetery. ELVIRA FLORIDIA, 89 Former Islander was a retired seamstress Monday, October 17, 2005 Elvira Floridia, 89, of Freehold, N.J., a former Huguenot resident and retired seamstress, died yesterday in CentraState Medical Center, Freehold. Born Elvira Bevilacqua in Newark, she was raised in Brooklyn. Mrs. Floridia moved to Huguenot in 1973 and settled in Freehold in 1979. A seamstress, Mrs. Floridia helped the war effort by making sailor uniforms at Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, during World War II. She later sewed for the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, Brooklyn. She retired in 1978. Described by her family as a fantastic cook, she specialized in potato croquettes, stuffed artichokes and lasagna. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. "Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apple of her eye," said her son, Frank. "She was the mom of all moms." Mrs. Floridia was a devout Catholic who was a parishioner of St. Robert Bellarmine R.C. Church, Freehold. She prayed the Rosary every day. Her husband of more than 40 years, Paul, died in 1990. In addition to her son, Frank, surviving are two daughters, Joann Lefande and Paula Desch; two sisters, Clara Fasulo and Mildred Pellegrini; seven grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Burial will follow in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold. ELEANOR HART, 80 Supervisor at former Willowbrook State School Monday, October 17, 2005 Eleanor A. Hart, 80, a retired supervisor at the former Willowbrook State School, died Thursday in Brandon (Fla.) Regional Hospital. Born Eleanor A. Donaghy in Philadelphia, she was brought to Staten Island as a child and attended McKee High School. She also lived in Tottenville, Travis, Pleasant Plains and Dongan Hills before moving to Brandon in 1975. She worked as a ticket agent for the Staten Island Railway for two years during the 1940s. She then worked as a supervisor of civil service employees at the former Willowbrook State School for 21 years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Tottenville, for 53 years. Mrs. Hart enjoyed watching television and working in her yard. She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the employee team at the former Willowbrook State School. After her husband of 47 years, Elmer, died of cancer in 1989, she occasionally asked family and friends to reach into their pockets to donate money to the American Cancer Society, her son David recalled. In addition to her son, David, surviving Mrs. Hart is her sister, Margaret Goller. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, Great Kills. Burial will follow in Rosedale Memorial Park, Linden, NJ.