OBITS: Staten Island Advance 22 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/ Battaglia, Theresa Theresa Battaglia of Rossville on October 20, 2005 Beloved wife of the late Accursio Battaglia. Loving mother of Anna Daggett and Frank Battaglia. Dear sister of Peter Landano. Also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton Monday 8:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Peter's Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River, NJ. Friends will be received Sunday 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 10/21/2005 - 10/23/2005. Leigh, Deirdre A. (Zeitler) Deirdre A. Leigh (nee Zeitler) of West Brighton on October 20, 2005. Beloved wife of David J. Leigh. Loving mother of Christopher D. Leigh. Dear sister of Jeanne Marie Dugan, Christine DeAngelis and Robert Zeitler. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Avenue, West Brighton, Monday 10:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Sacred Heart Church 11 A.M. Committal private. Friends will be received Saturday and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers contributions to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, NY, NY 10016, 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 10/21/2005 - 10/23/2005. Roberts Jr., Jackson C. Jackson C. Roberts Jr. PhD of New Springville on October 19, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Ermine Roberts. Loving father of Jacqueline A. Roberts. Dear brother of Oretha Roberts Edwards, Monzella Roberts Bryant and Georgia Roberts Coleman. Cherished grandfather of Carolina Estevez. Funeral Service Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Avenue, West Brighton, Monday 11 A.M. Entombment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday morning 10-11 A.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 10/21/2005 - 10/22/2005. Smith, Rose Anne Rose Anne Smith of Rosebank on October 20, 2005. Beloved wife of Wayne. Devoted mother of Ashley and Cody. Cherished daughter of Rose and the late Frank DeFina. Loving sister of Virginia. Reposing at Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Friends may call Saturday and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial Monday 10:30 A.M. Holy Rosary Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/22/2005 - 10/23/2005. SALVATORE PROFETA, 84 Was known to break into arias wherever he went Saturday, October 22, 2005 Longtime Dongan Hills resident Salvatore Profeta, 84, a retired meat cutter, died 1992 Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. After graduating from New Utrecht High School in his native Brooklyn, Mr. Profeta served with the National Guard during World War II. Following his tour of duty, he settled in Dongan Hills. Mr. Profeta was a meat cutter at the former St. Moritz Meat Co. in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, for 40 years. He retired during the 1980s. An opera lover whose father sang at the Metropolitan Opera House, Mr. Profeta was known to break into arias wherever he went, according to his granddaughter, Karen Lantieri. "He was always singing and joking around," she said. Mr. Profeta enjoyed buying and selling items at various Staten Island flea markets on weekends, and he liked to play the slots in Atlantic City. He was formerly a member of a Brooklyn chapter of the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his granddaughter, Mr. Profeta is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Katherine Guerriero; his son, Richard; his daughter, Carol Fiduccio; a brother, Paul Profeta; a sister, Julie Perri; three more grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. MARTIN BRANN, 77 New Brighton native was a World War II veteran Saturday, October 22, 2005 Martin S. Brann, 77, a native Staten Islander and retired manufacturer's representative, died Wednesday in Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center, Winter Haven, Fla., where he had resided for five years. Born in New Brighton, Mr. Brann lived there until relocating to Washington, D.C., in 1998. He moved to Winter Haven in 1999. A graduate of Staten Island Academy, Mr. Brann earned his bachelor's degree in business from Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. For 20 years, he was self-employed as a manufacturer's representative in the gift and stationery business. He retired in 1995. Mr. Brann served in the military and was part of the occupation forces in Japan after World War II before being discharged. "He will be missed by his family," said his sister, Barbara Landowne. Mr. Brann is also survived by his sister, Carole Siegel. There will be a graveside service Sunday at 2 p.m. in Baron Hirsch Cemetery, Graniteville. The arrangements are being handled by the Menorah Chapels, New Springville. JACKSON ROBERTS, 80 IRS officer was always reading to educate himself Saturday, October 22, 2005 Jackson C. Roberts Jr. of New Springville, a former tax 1997 appeals officer, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay, after a short illness. He was 80. Born in Waycross, Ga., Mr. Roberts served in the U.S Marines during World War II and was stationed in the Pacific. After a long hospital stay following the war, he lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn before settling in New Springville in 1979. Mr. Roberts earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University; a master's degree in business administration from Pace University, Manhattan; a master's degree in taxation from New York University, Manhattan, and a Ph.D. in taxation from Walden University. "He was always pursuing further education," said his daughter, Jacqueline A. Roberts, who said her father was always reading to educate himself. Mr. Roberts worked as an appeals officer for the Internal Revenue Service in Manhattan for about 40 years, retiring in the late 1980s. His wife of 50 years, the former Ermine Limehouse, died last year. In addition to his daughter, Jacqueline, Mr. Roberts is survived by three sisters, Oretha Roberts Edwards, Monzella Roberts Bryant and Georgia Roberts Coleman, and a granddaughter. Mr. Roberts' son, Dana Allen, died in 1999. The funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Entombment will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. EDWARD LANGFORD, 77 Navy veteran, firefighter Saturday, October 22, 2005 Former Staten Islander Edward J. Langford, 77, a World War II veteran and retired city firefighter, died yesterday in Mary Immaculate Hospital, Queens, of complications from diabetes. Before his death, Mr. Langford had resided at St. Alban's Veterans Affairs Extended Care Center, Queens, for a year. A native of Pittston, Pa., he was brought to New Dorp as a child. At 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Mr. Langford attained the rank of chief machinist's mate. After about seven years of service, he returned to Staten Island, living briefly in New Brighton and later in Tottenville. He received his general equivalency diploma after his tour of duty. For the three decades that followed, Mr. Langford belonged to the Navy Reserve. A member of the Navy Rifle and Pistol Team, he was at one time among its top 100 shooters, said his former wife, Lorraine Langford. Mr. Langford was a city firefighter for 20 years, most of them with Engine Co. 154 in Tompkinsville, and later Travis. He retired as a lieutenant 26 years ago. "He was dedicated to the Navy and the Fire Department -- he loved his work," Ms. Langford said. Upon his retirement, Mr. Langford moved to Virginia Beach, Va., where he studied fire science at a local college. He later taught courses in fire science to Navy sailors for months at a time aboard a ship in Italy. About 16 years ago, he relocated to Rockport, Texas, and seven years ago moved to Bandera, Texas. He entered the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, in 2003. Mr. Langford enjoyed rifle shooting as a young man and had been a member of bowling leagues in Tottenville and Virginia Beach. He also loved to read Tom Clancy novels and solve crossword puzzles. In addition to his former wife, Lorraine, surviving are his son, Scott; his two daughters, Patricia Aguirre and Kim Langford; a sister, Catherine Gysel; a granddaughter, and a great-granddaughter. The arrangements, including private cremation, are being handled by the Hanley Funeral Home, New Dorp. DEIRDRE LEIGH, 54 Began working at St. Vincent's Hospital at age 16 Saturday, October 22, 2005 By DEBORAH YOUNG ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Longtime West Brighton resident Deirdre A. Leigh, 54, a retired financial manager at St. Vincent's Hospital in West Brighton, died Thursday in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where she had been a patient for two weeks. The athletic, spunky and sociable woman was born Deirdre A. Zeitler in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and moved to West Brighton with her family as a 5-year-old. She remained in the community for the rest of her life. Mrs. Leigh graduated from St. Peter's Girls High School, New Brighton, in 1969. At the school, she was a star forward on the varsity basketball team. Even as a teen-ager, Mrs. Leigh had a vibrancy and maturity that belied her years, said Joan Gumb, a basketball coach at the school for more than 30 years who remained close with Mrs. Leigh. "She had an exuberance for life that was unbelievable," said Mrs. Gumb. "She had a beautiful smile and beautiful eyes, and her warmth came right through her eyes. She worked very hard in basketball and in life." After graduating from high school, Mrs. Leigh earned her associate's degree from the former Richmond College. When she was in her early 20s, she met her future husband, David J. Leigh, at a wedding. The couple celebrated their 30th anniversary on Oct. 4. When she was 16, Mrs. Leigh began working as a floor clerk at St. Vincent's Hospital. During the 35 years she was employed by the hospital, she worked her way up to financial screening manager. She retired in 2001. At her job, Mrs. Leigh made many lasting friendships, and would always reciprocate the respect she received from others, her family said. In 1992, when her co-worker, Grace Motola, retired after 21 years of service, Mrs. Leigh organized a party to celebrate her friend, telling the Advance at the time: "Her loyalty, intelligence and dedication were admired by many." Throwing parties was one of Mrs. Leigh's biggest joys, earning her the knickname, "The Queen of Hor D'eouvres" from her wide circle of friends. She would have up to 75 people at her house for parties, practically every weekend. "She had parties at her house for every occasion under the sun," said her sister, Christine DeAngelis. "She was the best hostess ever." The civic-minded Mrs. Leigh was also concerned about the well-being of the community. In 1996, after being put through the wringer at car dealerships, she wrote a letter to the Advance in hopes of sparing others the same ordeal. "Why does the consumer have to haggle to get a fair price?" she asked in the missive, which detailed the research on the practice she did with the Consumer Reports and AAA. "Just as car dealers are entitled to make a fair profit, buyers are entitled to pay a fair price." Mrs. Leigh used to take long walks and enjoyed jogging. She played racquetball and relished the time she spent on the Jersey Shore. She was a parishioner of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, West Brighton. In addition to her husband, David, and sister, Christine, surviving are her son, Christopher D.; her brother, Robert Zeitler, and her sister, Jeanne Marie Dugan. The funeral will be Monday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. The arrangements include cremation. ANNA GALANTE, 71 Secretary was active in her Dongan Hills community Saturday, October 22, 2005 Lifelong Dongan Hills resident Anna Marie Galante, a retired executive secretary, died Thursday in Brunswick 2005 Community Hospital in Supply, N.C., while on vacation with a friend she had known since grammar school. She was 71. A graduate of New Dorp High School, the former Anna Marie Neglia worked as an executive secretary at Lewco Securities Corp. in Manhattan and Jersey City, N.J., for 20 years. She retired in 2000. Ms. Galante was a football enthusiast who liked to work-out three times a week at Curves gym, her family said. She was described as an extremely dedicated friend and a doting grandmother to her three grandchildren. "She was the best friend anybody could ever have. She still remains friends with people she knew 60 years ago," said her daughter, Mary Ann Armine. "She was such a funny person. She's just going to be so missed." Ms. Galante was a member of the Dongan Hills Civic Association. She was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, where she was a member of the Mothers Guild. In addition to her daughter, Mary Ann, and three grandchildren, surviving are her son, Michael Jr., and her sister, Trudy DiTommaso. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. ANGELO GIGLIO, 82 Native of Italy Saturday, October 22, 2005 Angelo Giglio, 82, a retired roofer, died Thursday in Staten Island Care Center, New Brighton. A native of Italy, he moved to Brooklyn in 1966 and settled in Eltingville in 1985. Mr. Giglio worked as a roofer in the New York area for many years, retiring in 1978. "He was a great father who always helped me when he could," said his son, Sal. Mr. Giglio's wife of 50 years, the former Anna Elvira, died in 1999. In addition to his son, Sal, surviving are three grandchildren. The arrangements for a private funeral service and cremation are being handled by the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville.