OBITS: Staten Island Advance 20 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/ Burmeister, Philip Philip Burmeister of Dongan Hills on October 17, 2005. Beloved husband of Rose (nee Santanello). Loving father of Phyllis Ward and William Burmeister and father-in-law of Nina Burmeister. Adored grandfather of Joseph Jr., Steven, Lisa, Kelly and Alison. Funeral from Dongan Hills Virginia Funeral Chapel, 1707 Hylan Blvd., Saturday 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Ann's Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2005. Cali, Grace M. (Assenza) Grace M. Cali (nee Assenza) of Dongan Hills on October 18, 2005. Beloved wife of Dewey. Loving mother of JoAnn. Dear sister of Rose Uberti, Stella DiMartino, Michelena Dezio and Salvatore Assenza. Funeral from Dongan Hills Virginia Funeral Chapel, 1707 Hylan Blvd., on Saturday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Rosary Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nutritional and Educational Foundation, Inc. 36 East 36th St. Suite 204, New York, New York 10016. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2005. Geelan, Linda Kay Linda Kay Geelan (Pettersen) of Beach Lake, Pa., formerly of Great Kills, on October 18, 2005. Beloved wife of Gil Geelan. Loving mother of Danielle A. Magnus and Nichole E. Frustaci. Dear sister of Carolyn Tillstrand, Richard and Harold Pettersen. Devoted daughter-in-law of Rose Geelan. Fond mother-in-law of Kenneth Magnus and Nicholas Frustaci. Also survived by three grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton Saturday 8:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Teresa's Church 9:30 A.M. Committal private. Friends will be received Thursday 7-9 P.M., Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. K. Terrance McGinley, Director, Harmon Home for Funerals Locally Family Owned and Operated Staten Island's only member of the International Order of the www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/19/2005 - 10/21/2005. Gregorio, Celia (Menichella) Celia Gregorio (nee Menichella) of Richmondtown on October 17, 2005. Beloved wife of Anthony. Devoted mother of the late infant Linda. Cherished sister of Michael. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial Friday 10 A.M. St. Patrick's Church. Entombment Moravian Cemetery. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/18/2005 - 10/20/2005. Jackson, Judith Judith Jackson of West Brighton on October 15, 2005. Wife of the late Wilson Jackson. Mother of William, Adrienne, Mary, James, Leslit, Wilson Jr. and Kimberly Jackson. Sister of Diane Schaming. Also survived by eighteen grandchildren and five great-grand children. Funeral Service at Scamardella Funeral Home, 322 Broadway, West Brighton, Friday 9:39 A.M. Interment Silver Mount Cemetery. Visiting Thursday 6-9 P.M. only. Joann Scamardella Licensed Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/19/2005 - 10/20/2005. LaFiura, Mary M. Mary M. LaFiura of Meiers Corners on October 18, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Philip. Loving mother of Philip and Michael LaFiura, Roseann Heycock, Mary Ann Mallon and Joseph LaFiura. Dear sister of Tony Radicella and Rita Neill. Also survived by twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Friday 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Rita's Church 10 A.M. Entombment Woodbridge Memorial Gardens, Woodbridge, NJ. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/19/2005 - 10/20/2005. Leddy, Francis Herbert Francis Herbert Leddy on October 9, 2005. Beloved son of the late Joseph R. and Margaret G. Leddy. Dear brother of Joseph W. and Grace Joan Leddy. Funeral from Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Ave, P.R., on Friday 12 noon. Interment to follow at Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Friday morning 10am - 12 noon. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/19/2005 - 10/20/2005. Mattei, John John Mattei of Westerleigh on October 18, 2005. Beloved husband of Mary (nee Darcy). Loving father of Lorraine Ihnken and Edmund J. Mattei. Dear brother of Edina Pillarella, Alba Chironna, Anita Macaro, William and Servio Mattei. Cherished grandfather of Linda Tully and Lawrence Prehn. Also survived by three great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Olivet Presbyterian Church 97 Myrtle Ave, West Brighton on Friday, October 21st from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Funeral Service October 22nd at 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Olivet Presbyterian Church, 97 Myrtle Ave., S.I., N.Y. 10310 would be appreciated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2005. McKinney, Mildred J. (O'Brien) Mildred J. McKinney (nee O'Brien) of West Brighton on October 19, 2005. Beloved wife of the late John J. McKinney. Loving mother of Jeanne Palladino and Sr. Kathleen McKinney, C.S.J and John J. McKinney Jr. Also survived by seven grandchildren and six great-grand-children. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton Saturday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Blessed Sacrament Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn N.Y. Friends will be received Thursday 7-9 P.M., Friday 2-5, 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 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2005. Pedernales, Benita Benita Pedernales of Mariners Harbor on October 18, 2005. Beloved wife of Joseph Pedernales Sr. Loving mother of Joseph Pedernales Jr., Emili DiMauro, Benita Dini and Elvira Simon. Dear sister of Emilia Rivera, Maria Alahandro and Michael Cortazar. Also survived by ten grandchildren. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton Saturday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clement's Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Friday 2-4, 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 10/19/2005 - 10/21/2005. Vetter, Charles L. Charles L. Vetter of Tottenville on October 19, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Catherine. Loving father of Alice Emperor and Josephine Winters and the late Charles. Also survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd. on Saturday, October 22, 2005 at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church 10 A.M. Interment Cemetery of the Resurrection. Friends may visit Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated since 1841 www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2005. Vigliotti, Louise Louise Vigliotti of Port Richmond Center on October 19, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Michael A. Loving mother of Marianne Casella, John and Anthony Vigliotti and Joan Carroll. Also survived by thirteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter Anaya. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK ROAD, on Saturday 9:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Blessed Sacrament Church 10:30 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call Friday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2005. Zeena, William William Zeena of Latourette on October 18, 2005. Beloved husband of Carolyn. Cherished father of Jane and Matthew Casella, William Zeena Jr., Ann Marie and Louis Biondo and Carolyn Crapanzano. Cherished grandfather of Robert, Michael and Nikki Ann. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Friends may call Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 9:15 A.M. St. Charles Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/19/2005 - 10/21/2005. Zinicola Jr., George J. George J. Zinicola Jr. of Port Richmond on October 16, 2005. Beloved husband of Doris (nee Davis). Loving father of Beverly and Diane Zinicola and Joan Collia. Dear brother of Rachel Riccardelli and the late Mariano and Anthony Zinicola and Rose Scro. Cherished grandfather of Franco, Daniella and Victoria Collia. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., Friday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Roch's Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/18/2005 - 10/20/2005. WILLIAM ZEENA, 76 Owned various gas and service stations on Island Thursday, October 20, 2005 Entrepreneur William Zeena of New Springville died Tuesday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. He was 76. Born in Brooklyn, he moved to Meiers Corners in 1966 and to Bulls Head in 1971. Two years later, he moved to Eltingville, where he lived until moving to New Springville 15 years ago. After graduating from Brooklyn's Automotive High School, Mr. Zeena opened his first gas station in his native borough. He went on to own various gas and service stations on Staten Island, including the most recent, Bill Zeena Servicecenter in Port Richmond. He retired three years ago. In the mid-1970s, Mr. Zeena was featured on the front page of the Advance in an article about gasohol, a combination of gasoline and alcohol, according to his family. An avid bowler who belonged to various leagues on the Island, Mr. Zeena also enjoyed taking trips to Atlantic City. Surviving are his wife of 27 years, Carolyn Whitaker Zeena; his son, Bill Jr.; his three daughters, Jane Zeena Casella, Ann Marie Biondo and Carolyn Crapanzano; three grandchildren, and his former wife, Ann Zeena. The funeral will be Saturday from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp with a mass at 9:15 a.m. in St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. SALVATORE SCIMONE, 79 Bulls Head resident liked flying kites, boat watching Thursday, October 20, 2005 Salvatore J. Scimone, 79, of Bulls Head, a retired insurance company section supervisor, died yesterday in New Vanderbilt Rehabilitation and Care Center, Clifton, where he had resided for 13 months. Born in Manhattan, he settled in Bulls Head in 1978. He entered the care center in September 2004. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier High School in Brooklyn, Mr. Scimone served as a private in the U.S. Army for a year during World War II, from 1944 to 1945. For more than 30 years, he was a section supervisor for MetLife in Manhattan. He retired in 1984. During the 1980s, he was a deacon at Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church, Bulls Head, where he was a parishioner. Mr. Scimone enjoyed woodworking, flying kites, cooking, baking and watching boats. But the light of his life was his granddaughter, Wendy Keegan Sherwood. They were very close, said his daughter, Barbara Keegan. She enjoyed picking his brain about all different things. When she was younger, she would call him with science questions. In addition to his daughter, Barbara, and his granddaughter, Mr. Scimone is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Marie J. LaPera. The funeral will be Saturday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Pity Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. MILDRED McKINNEY, 93 School secretary loved watching news and reading Thursday, October 20, 2005 Mildred McKinney, 93, of West Brighton, a homemaker and former school secretary, died yesterday in Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Dongan Hills. The former Mildred O'Brien was born in Brooklyn, 2000 where she graduated from Bishop McDonald High School. She moved to West Brighton in 1978 and, due to illness, entered Carmel Richmond in March 2004. Mrs. McKinney worked for 11 years as a secretary at Holy Innocents School, Brooklyn, before leaving the workforce to rear her family. An avid reader, she also loved to work crossword puzzles and stay abreast of current events -- often watching the news and reading newspapers. According to her family, before she became ill, Mrs. McKinney enjoyed writing poetry well into her 80s She used to write poems for everyone's birthday in the family, said her daughter, Jeanne Palladino. Mrs. McKinney loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was devoted to her family and loved her family and was very proud of them. She especially loved the holidays, when everyone was together, added her daughter. A parishioner of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton, Mrs. McKinney was a former parishioner of Holy Innocents R.C. Church, Brooklyn, where she was an active member of the Altar Rosary Society. Her husband of 59 years, John J., died in 1993. In addition to her daughter, Jeanne, surviving are her son, John J. Jr.; her daughter, Sister Kathleen McKinney; seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn. MILDRED GREENE, 77 Loved to travel, cook and dress up for Halloween Thursday, October 20, 2005 Mildred L. Greene, 77, of Westerleigh, a retired city Department of Social Services employee, died Tuesday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton, of heart failure. The former Mildred L. Jones was born in East St.Louis, Ill., where she graduated from Lincoln High School. She continued her studies at Harriet Beecher Stowe Teachers College in St. Louis, Mo. In 1971, Mrs. Greene moved to Westerleigh with her longtime companion, William Steiniger. For more than 20 years, she worked for the city Department of Social Services, retiring in 1994. Mrs. Greene's family said she had a yen for travel, and her favorite destinations were Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and Florida. An excellent cook, she enjoyed preparing dishes for family gatherings and holidays. Mrs. Greene especially liked Halloween because she would dress up and playfully scare the neighborhood children. In addition to her companion, William, surviving are her daughter, Eather M. Henry; her son, Robert O. Greene Jr.; three grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. There will be a graveside ceremony Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Castleton Corners. The arrangements are being handled by the Scamardella Funeral Home, West Brighton. LINDA GEELAN, 59 Liked to boat with husband, play with grandchildren Thursday, October 20, 2005 Native Staten Islander Linda Kay Geelan, 59, of Beach Lake, Pa., a retired account representative, died Tuesday at home. Born Linda Kay Pettersen in New Brighton, she moved to Great Kills in 1970, to Castleton Corners in 1971, then returned to Great Kills around 1980. She relocated to Beach Lake in 2003. Mrs. Geelan worked for 11 years as an account representative for Neuroscience Associates of New York, a medical facility in Concord, before retiring in 1999. "Her passions were her garden, her daughters and playing 'pretend' with her grandchildren," said her daughter, Danielle A. Magnus. Mrs. Geelan also enjoyed boating and fishing with her husband of 35 years, Gilbert, on lakes near their home. She was a graduate of Curtis High School and St. Paul's School, New Brighton. In addition to her husband, Gilbert, and her daughter, Danielle, Mrs. Geelan is survived by her daughter, Nichole E. Frustaci; two brothers, Richard and Harold Pettersen; a sister, Carolyn Tillistrand, and three grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Teresa's R.C. Church, Castleton Corners. The arrangements include cremation. JOHN MATTEI, 87 Jigsaw puzzle aficionado was skilled at needlepoint Thursday, October 20, 2005 John Mattei, 87, of Westerleigh, a retired truck driver and mechanic, died Tuesday in Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan. Born in Bernardsville, N.J., he was brought to New Brighton in 1919. He moved to Mariners Harbor in 1948 and settled in Westerleigh in 1955. Mr. Mattei, who attended Curtis High School, worked as a truck driver for 30 years for the former Frank Murphy Trucking, New Brighton. He then worked as a mechanic, his true passion, at various jobs until his retirement in 1973. A sports fan, Mr. Mattei followed his beloved New York Yankees from the days of Babe Ruth. He was present for Lou Gehrig's famous 1939 "Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth" farewell speech. He was also a skilled bowler, and a member of several leagues. Described as a church and family man, Mr. Mattei was an active member of Olivet Presbyterian Church, West Brighton, where he was an elder. Mr. Mattei met his wife of 67 years, the former Mary Darcy, when she accidentally pelted him with a snowball outside the old Miami Club in New Brighton. She had been aiming for her girl friend, but it seems that particular snowball came from Cupid's quiver. Together, the couple enjoyed traveling the world -- including two trips to Italy, and jaunts to Ireland, England, all over the United States and cruises in the Caribbean. When he was at home, Mr. Mattei enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, which he would glue together and mount when he was finished and give as gifts. Despite what his son, Edmund J., described as his enormous, sledgehammer-like hands, Mr. Mattei was particularly deft at the delicate art of needlepoint. He would donate his crafts to holiday fairs at his church. His son recalled a story his father told about a chance meeting with heavyweight champion Joe Louis in the airport in Las Vegas, while returning home from a vacation in the 1970s. Mr. Mattei introduced himself to the fighter, who, family lore has it, told him as they shook hands, "I finally met someone with a larger hand than mine." Mr. Mattei was known as a very generous person whose home was always open to friends and family. He especially enjoyed entertaining during the holidays and hosting barbecues. "He led a long and interesting life and we'll all miss him," his son said. A World War II veteran, Mr. Mattei served as a private first class in the U.S. Army from 1945 until 1946 in Tehran, Iran. His company was awaiting transport to Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped. In addition to his wife, Mary, and his son, Edmund, surviving are his daughter, Lorraine Ihnken; two brothers, William and Servio; three sisters, Edina Pillarella, Alba Chironna and Anita Macaro; two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a service at 10 a.m. in Olivet Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. GRAYCE CALI, 74 Longtime Dongan Hills resident liked to read Bible Thursday, October 20, 2005 Grayce M. Cali, 74, a homemaker, died Tuesday at her Dongan Hills home, of pancreatic cancer. Born Grayce Assenza in Manhattan, she settled in Dongan Hills in 1932. Mrs. Cali was a graduate of McKee High School. She loved to read the Bible and spend time with her family and friends. "She was the most selfless, caring and inspirational person I know that I will ever meet," said Mrs. Cali's daughter, JoAnn Cali. "She had the spirit of Elijah, the faith of Abraham and the perseverance of Job. I am honored that God chose her to be my mother and I am grateful to God for giving her 74 years on this Earth." Mrs. Cali traveled the East Coast with her family to midget car races -- her husband, Dewey, built and owned the vehicles as a hobby. She also loved to visit Atlantic City, bowl, play the piano and play cards. In addition to her husband of 52 years, Dewey, and her daughter JoAnn, Mrs. Cali is survived by a brother, Salvatore Assenza, and three sisters, Rose Uberti, Stella DiMartino and Michelena Dezio. The funeral will be Saturday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. ELIZABETH STEVENSON, 97 Bronx hospital clerk liked solving crossword puzzles Thursday, October 20, 2005 Elizabeth Stevenson of Dongan Hills, a former U.S. Postal Service worker and hospital clerk, died Sunday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. She was 97. Born in Manhattan, the former Elizabeth Maddox spent most of her life in the Bronx, where she graduated from Morris High School. For more than 10 years, Mrs. Stevenson worked as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in Manhattan and then as a ward clerk at Morrisania Hospital in the Bronx. She moved to New Brighton last year and entered Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Dongan Hills two weeks ago. Mrs. Stevenson enjoyed working crossword puzzles, reading and watching television, her family said. She was a real quiet person, said her daughter, Lolita Boyd. All the children loved her because she was such a nice person. Mrs. Stevenson's ex-husband of 18 years, James, died in 1993. In addition to her daughter, Lolita, surviving are her daughter, Edna Dickens; 13 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Cremation will be in Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J. EDWINA GROGAN, 72 Enjoyed walking, shopping and going to the theater Thursday, October 20, 2005 Edwina Grogan, 72, of Castleton Corners, a retired accounts payable clerk, died Wednesday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Born in Baltimore, Md., she was brought to Brooklyn as a child. Ms. Grogan moved to Manhattan in the 1950s and settled in Castleton Corners in the 1980s. She worked as an accounts payable clerk in the billing department of Consolidated Edison in Manhattan. She retired in the 1980s. An avid walker, Ms. Grogan also enjoyed shopping and attending the theater. Surviving is her daughter, Cheryl McLeod. The funeral arrangements were handled by the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. CHARLES VETTER, 86 Jack-of-all-trades enjoyed painting and carpentry Thursday, October 20, 2005 Charles L. Vetter, 86, a World War II veteran and retired ship setter, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Vetter worked as a cabinetmaker for a short while. He taught himself carpentry skills but picked up some tips from his father, who was an inventor. From 1943 until 1946, he served in the U.S. Army's 412th Battalion as an armorer and then as a machine gunner with the 29th Cavalry. He was stationed in Central Europe. Upon Mr. Vetter's return to Brooklyn in 1946, he married the former Catherine Foley. For more than 30 years, he worked as a ship setter for Bushies Shipyard in Brooklyn. During that time, he helped build and repair marine vessels. He retired in the 1980s. In the early 1970s, Mr. Vetter moved to New Brighton. He also lived in New Springville, Rosebank and Tottenville over the years. He entered New Vanderbilt Rehabilitation and Care Center, Clifton, four years ago. He was a member of the 20th Division Liberators, an Army group based out of Alexandria, Va. As a jack-of-all-trades, Mr. Vetter had many different pursuits. Throughout his life, he painted pictures of lighthouses and sailboats, portraits of senior citizens and, more recently, an Irish cottage. Mr. Vetter always gave his works to family members. He loved animals and was especially fond of dogs. He enjoyed feeding squirrels in his backyard. The squirrels would come right up to him and take peanuts off his lap, said his daughter, Alice Emperor. Her father was a master carpenter, she said, and made all kinds of household items, from cabinets to breadboxes. He was a character and always made everyone laugh, she said. Everybody loved him because he was a special man with a very strong will. Mr. Vetter's wife of 34 years, Catherine, died in 1980. In addition to his daughter, Alice, surviving are his daughter, Josephine Winters; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Vetter's son, Charles, died in the 1980s. The funeral will be Saturday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. BENITA PEDERNALES, 77 Native of Spain brought heritage to Staten Island Thursday, October 20, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Benita Pedernales, 77, of Mariners Harbor, a homemaker, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Benita Cortazar, she grew up in the city of Bermeo, in the Basque region of Spain. After her marriage to Joseph Pedernales, the couple moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In 1971, they settled in Mariners Harbor with their four children. Mrs. Pedernales never lost her connection to her native country. She was a member of the Basque Club of New York, based in Brooklyn, and every year would take trips to visit her extended family across the Atlantic. Her Basque heritage also found expression in the kitchen -- Mrs. Pedernales would cook paella and the healthy fish dishes famous in the region, even driving to New Jersey to shop, to ensure that her ingredients were fresh. "She was a great cook," said her son, Joseph Jr. "She was always caring about others before herself." Mrs. Pedernales also enjoyed shopping for clothes and spending time with friends. She was a parishioner of St. Clement's R.C. Church, Mariners Harbor. In addition to her husband, Joseph, and her son, Joseph Jr., Mrs. Pedernales is survived by her three daughters, Emili DiMauro, Benita Dini and Elvira Simon; a brother, Michael Cortazar; two sisters, Emilia Rivera and Maria Alajandro, and 10 grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Clement's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.