OBITS: Staten Island Advance 30 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/ Baridon, Evelyn H. Evelyn H. Baridon of Grant City on October 27, 2005. Beloved cousin of Ernest A. Masi and Florence Molinari. Services at the Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road at Midland Ave, on Monday 10:30 A.M. Private cremation Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J. Friends will be received Sunday 2-4 and 7-9:30 P.M. Richmond Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/30/2005. Brunett, Frank J. Frank J. Brunett of Annadale on October 26, 2005. Beloved husband of Louise (nee Tusa). Devoted father of Frank L. Brunett. Dear brother of Robert and Reggie Brunett. Nephew of Frances Frierson. Brother-in-law of Lenny Tusa. Uncle of Christine Wasserman and Leonard P. Tusa. Funeral from Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills, on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare's Church at 12:30 P.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimers Foundation of S.I. would be appreciated. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/29/2005 - 10/30/2005. Colamarino, John John Colamarino of Westerleigh formerly of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn on October 27, 2005. Beloved son of Ada Cardinale. Loving father of Janine, John, Daniel, Joseph, Louis, Frank Colamarino and Thomas Piluso. Fond brother of Guido Colamarino. Cherished grandfather of nine grandchildren. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Monday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Family Church 10 A.M. Interment private. Friends will be received Saturday and Sunday 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 10/28/2005 - 10/30/2005. Corbo, Diane C. Diane C. Corbo on October 28, 2005. Beloved companion of Lucille. Cherished daughter of the late Paschal and Lucia Corbo. Loving sister of Paschal Corbo, Lucia Taylor, Stephan Corbo and Katherine Gallo. Also survived and loved by nine neices and nephews Funeral from Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane, Monday 8:30 A.M. Mass Our Lady Queen Of Peace Church 9:30 A.M. Interment to follow at Moravian Cemetery. Visiting 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Diabetes Associattion, would be greatly appreciated. Hanley Funeral Home, Inc Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/29/2005 - 10/30/2005. Esposito, Carmela Carmela Esposito of St. Cloud, Florida, formerly of Dongan Hills, on October 27, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Bennett. Loving mother of Barbara Gordon and John Esposito. Dear sister of Netti Cacciatore, Angie Migelori and Stella Corona. Also survived by thirteen grandchildren and two great-grand- children. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Monday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Sacred Heart Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Sunday 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 10/28/2005 - 10/30/2005. Glancy, Elizabeth A. Elizabeth A. Glancy of Travis on October 29, 2005. Beloved wife of John. Loving mother of Shawn and Christopher and mother-in-law of Michelle. Dear sister of Joseph and Harry Alexander. Devoted grandmother of Mackenzie. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Tuesday 8:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Benedicta Church 9:00 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday 7-9 P.M. and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Pax Christi Hospice would be appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/30/2005 - 10/31/2005. Kambakakis, Joanne (Lucchese) Joanne Kambakakis (nee Lucchese). Devoted wife of John. Beloved mother of Maria Wilkinson and Kristina. Loving grandmother of John. Caring sister of Ralph J. Lucchese, Lucille Sozio, Rose Marie Catrama, Katherine Petillo, Flora Lucchese and the late John R. and Richard T. Lucchese. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Reposing at Virginia Funeral Home, 1707 Hylan Blvd., Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Ann's R.C. Church. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/30/2005 - 10/31/2005. Mancini, Louis "Blackie" MANCINI Louis "Blackie" (Columbia Street Tobacco) Mancini. Beloved brother of Anna Campos, Dominick, Tessie Gaeta, John and Mary Michele. Fond uncle. IN REPOSE RACCUGLIA & SON 321-323 Court Street 718-855-7737 www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 10/30/2005. O'Connor, Aida (Palladino) Aida O'Connor (nee Palladino) of Sunset Hill on October 28, 2005. Beloved wife of the late James. Loving mother of David. Dear mother-in-law of Gloria. Adored grandmother of two grandsons David Sean and Jimmy. Funeral Service from Casey Funeral Home 350 Slosson Ave., Castleton Corners, Wednesday. Mass of Christian Burial Sacred Heart Church at 11 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday 7-9 P.M. and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/30/2005 - 10/31/2005. Philbin, Muriel (Mooney) Muriel Philbin (nee Mooney) of Westerleigh on October 29, 2005. Beloved wife of the late William. Loving mother of Stephen Philbin, Margaret Roberts and John Philbin. Dear sister of Josephine McLoughlin, Thomas, Johnny, Billy and the late Bobby Mooney. Adored grandmother of Faith, Aidan and Ryan. Funeral from Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Ave, Castleton Corners on Wednesday. Mass of Christian Burial Blessed Sacrament Church 9:45 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, dontations to Pax Christi Hospice would be greatly appreciated. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/30/2005 - 11/1/2005. Ricker, Muriel (Petersen) Muriel Ricker (nee Petersen) of Castleton Corners on October 29, 2005. Beloved wife of the late George H. Ricker. Loving mother of Susan, George D. and Douglas E. Ricker. Dear sister of Erland J. Petersen. Cherished grandmother of Taryn Siedenburg, George D. Ricker Jr. (NYPD), Christopher Ricker, Elizabeth Ricker and William Rios and great-grandmother of Nicholas Richard Siedenburg. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Tuesday 9:15 A,M. Requiem Mass Church of the Ascension 10 A.M. Committal private. Friends will be received Sunday 7-9 P.M. 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 10/30/2005 - 10/31/2005. Steffen, Jennie Jennie Steffen of Eltingville on October 28, 2005. Beloved mother of Charles and Peter. Dear mother-in-law of Marion and Ann. Cherished grandmother of ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Funeral from the JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), Monday 8 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare Church, 8:45 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery A gathering of family and friends will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 2-5 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/29/2005 - 10/30/2005. Thiemer, Nettie Nettie Thiemer of Oakwood on October 28, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Anthony. Devoted mother of Patricia Indelicato and Rosemarie Zuliani, Cherished grandmother of Anthony, Theresa, Gina, and the late Frank Gerard. Funeral from Colonial Funeral Home, 2819 Hylan Blvd., corner of Tysens Lane. Viewing hours are Sunday and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 9:15 A.M. St,. Charles Church. Interment Moravian Cemetery www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/30/2005 - 10/31/2005. Wicenski, Evelyn Evelyn Wicenski of Travis on October 27, 2005. Wife of the late John. Loving mother of John and the late Tommy Wicenski. Cherished grandmother of Dr. Brian Wicenski, Kathleen Stepnowski, and Dr. Scott Wicenski. Also survived by five great-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 St. Anthony Padua Church 9:30 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/29/2005 - 10/30/2005. Woods, Virginia Virginia Woods of Princes Bay on October 27, 2005. She is survived by her beloved felines Patsy, Momma, Baby, Amy and Nix. Her dearest friends, Lisa Rooney and Dr. Paul Kinnear, her nieces Lynn Burkley, Frances Milarta, her nephew David Kettyle and several grand-nieces and nephews. Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Road, on Monday, October 31, at 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends may visit Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Pluto Rescue (Pet Lovers United Together As One) of Richmond County, P.O. Box 140889, S.I., N.Y. 10314 would be appreciated. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated since 1841 www.SiLive.com/obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 10/28/2005 - 10/30/2005. NANCY PRESTIA, 58 Rosebank native was devoted to her family Sunday, October 30, 2005 By JOHN ANNESE ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Nancy Prestia, the 58-year-old toll booth worker and Rosebank native struck by a car at the Goethals Bridge toll plaza Thursday afternoon, died of her injuries yesterday at St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Ms. Prestia was looking forward to her retirement in two or three years, so she could take care of her elderly 2004 mother and spend more time with her own children, family members said last night. "She'd give you the shirt off her back," said her son, Vincent Trani, who called her death a "shock to the system" for her entire family. Born in Rosebank, Ms. Prestia resided there all her life, graduating from New Dorp High School. She worked as a Port Authority toll both worker for more than 15 years. "She was dedicated to work," her son said. "She needed to provide for us. Her life was us." Ms. Prestia was struck by a Nissan Sentra on Thursday. The car, which was driven by an elderly man with a female passenger, was going east, from New Jersey, when it hit Ms. Prestia. A Port Authority spokesman said last night that his agency is still investigating the incident. Trani last spoke to Ms. Prestia Wednesday night -- she told him that she was going to put some Thanksgiving food in his refrigerator, and they discussed his sister Christine's upcoming wedding. "All the holidays are traditions for my mother," he said, explaining that she loved to cook and bake whenever she could. Ms. Prestia used to play shortstop in a softball league with the other mothers in her neighborhood, for a team called the Bad News Broads. "She was a good hitter," her son said. A diabetic, Ms. Prestia would regularly donate to the Diabetes Foundation. She was a parishioner at Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. In addition to her son, Vincent Trani, and her daughter, Christine Trani, surviving are another son, Michael Trani; her mother, Margie Prestia; and a sister, Maryann Loughran. The funeral will be from A. Azzara Funeral Home, South Beach, with a mass Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. Arrangements include cremation. MURIEL RICKER, 81 Homemaker was active in many organizations Sunday, October 30, 2005 Longtime Castleton Corners resident Muriel Ricker, 81, a homemaker, died yesterday in her home. Born Muriel Petersen in Stapleton, Mrs. Ricker spent 2004 her childhood in Manhattan and moved to the Bronx in 1942. After her marriage in 1949, she settled in Castleton Corners. For a few years prior to her marriage, she worked at the National Biscuit Co. in Manhattan. Mrs. Ricker stopped working to raise her family. She served as a den mother for Boy Scout Troop 50 when her sons were younger. Mrs. Ricker was also a member of the North Shore AARP and was a legislative chairwoman there for many years. She also belonged to the St. Martha's Guild of the Ascension Episcopal Church, West Brighton, where she was a member. An avid reader, Mrs. Ricker enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and collecting teddy bears. She was also very proud to be a great-grandmother, said her family. Her husband, George H., died in 1998. Surviving Mrs. Ricker are two sons, George D. and Douglas E.; a daughter, Susan Ricker; a brother, Erland J. Petersen; five grandchildren, and one great-grandson. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. in the Ascension Episcopal Church. Arrangements include cremation. MURIEL PHILBIN, 60 DMV worker enjoyed computer games Sunday, October 30, 2005 Muriel Philbin, 60, of Westerleigh, a retired worker for the Department of Motor Vehicles and devoted grandmother, died yesterday at home after a short illness. Born Muriel Mooney in Manhattan, she grew up in 2005 Brooklyn, where she graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Health High School. She moved to Westerleigh in 1973. Mrs. Philbin was a clerical worker for the DMV for 15 years before retiring in June. She loved being with her children and grandchildren and liked playing computer games. "She was a very loving and caring person," said her daughter, Margaret Roberts. "She was the kind of person anyone could go to with problems." She was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton. Her husband of 34 years, William, died last year. In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Roberts is survived by sons, Stephen and John Philbin; three brothers, Thomas, Billy and Johnny Mooney; one sister, Josephine McLoughlin, and three grandchildren. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 9:45 a.m., in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. JOANNE KAMBAKAKIS, 59 Secretary was devoted to her faith Sunday, October 30, 2005 Lifelong Staten Islander Joanne Lucchese Kambakakis, 59, of Dongan Hills, a former secretary and devout Catholic, died Friday at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Joanne Lucchese in Dongan Hills, she remained in that neighborhood for her entire life. She belonged to the 2003 first class of St. Ann's School and graduated from the former St. Louis Academy in Pleasant Plains. After high school, Mrs. Kambakakis worked for 10 years as a secretary for Nordstrom Freighting. She later entered data and did secretarial work for the naval base formerly located at Fort Wadsworth, for about five years. A religious woman with a forgiving nature, she was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, and regularly attended mass. When a relative got their driver's license for the first time, she would immediately give them a sacred heart, said Ann Marie Polizzi, her niece. "She was an all around beautiful person," Ms. Polizzi said. "She was the backbone of her family." Mrs. Kambakakis enjoyed having coffee and cake with her three sisters and many friends. "She used to sing oldies songs with me and my sister," said one of her daughters, Maria Wilkinson. As her 4-year-old grandson, Johnny, grew up, she enjoyed teaching him how to count and recite the alphabet. "She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt," Ms. Polizzi said. "Her door was always open anytime, day or night." Her sister-in-law, Flora Lucchese, was like another sister to her. Mrs. Kambakakis belonged to the Blind Society on Staten Island and Lighthouse Inc., in Manhattan. She enjoyed watching television shows, including "Three's Company" and "All in the Family," and liked watching New York Yankees' games. In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Kambakakis is survived by her husband of 29 years, John; another daughter, Kristina Kambakakis; three sisters, Rose Marie Catrama, Lucille Sozio, and Kathy Petillo; one brother, Ralph J. Lucchese, and one grandson. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Virginia Funeral Home, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Burial will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. LUCIANO MANCUSO, 77 Enjoyed family trips Sunday, October 30, 2005 Luciano (John) Mancuso, a retired city Transit Authority worker, died Oct. 23 in Hope Hospice, Fort Myers, Fla. He was 77. Born in Brooklyn, the same borough where he graduated from high school, he relocated to Castleton Corners in 1949 upon his marriage to the former Vivian LaRosa. The couple also lived in Great Kills, Annadale and Richmond before settling in Fort Myers two years ago. Mr. Mancuso worked for the city Transit Authority for 27 years. He was a bus dispatcher, safety instructor and express bus route coordinator at the Castleton Depot in West Brighton before retiring in 1978. After leaving the Transit Authority, Mr. Mancuso went back to work in the transportation business for several private companies. From 1979 to 1983, he was a supervisor with the White Bus Co. in East Orange, N.J., and he then became the transportation coordinator for the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, N.J. In 1986, Mr. Mancuso took a job as the terminal manager for Enterprise Transit in Passaic, N.J. After leaving that position in 1988, he worked as the operations manager for Muller Tours in Brooklyn. While working for Muller, Mr. Mancuso coordinated a fleet of charter tour buses that drove up and down the East Coast. He retired, again, in 1991. Mr. Mancuso was a former member of the Transit Authority's Columbian Association, where he enjoyed planning weekend getaways and other social functions for members. Not only did he plan get-togethers for the Columbian Association, but he did the same for his family as well. Mr. Mancuso would plan and hold family gatherings for every occasion, according to his wife. Mr. Mancuso was an avid traveler. His wife of 56 years recalls that in 1994 they drove across the country to visit their son in Las Vegas. The trip lasted about 10 weeks -- they spent a total of six weeks in Las Vegas and another four weeks driving to and from their destinations. It was one of their most favorite memories together. He also liked visiting Atlantic City and hunting in the Catskills. According to his wife, Mr. Mancuso always said, "I love life," and his actions prove that he lived up to his saying. In addition to his wife, Vivian, surviving Mr. Mancuso are his daughter, Karen Pollina; his two sons, John and Eddie; a sister, Jo DelBalso; six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in the Phil Kiser Funeral Home, Fort Myers. A private burial is scheduled for Tuesday. EVELYN WICENSKI, 87 Homemaker had worked at former Willowbrook State School Sunday, October 30, 2005 Longtime Travis resident Evelyn Wicenski, 87, a homemaker, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Evelyn Hasiuk in Bayonne, she settled in Travis in 1940. For more than 10 years, she was employed in the kitchen at the former Willowbrook State School. A homemaker, she enjoyed gardening -- particularly planting flowers. Mrs. Wicenski was a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, Travis. Her husband, John, died in 1989. Her son, Tommy, died in 1961. Surviving Mrs. Wicenski are her son, John; three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. ELIZABETH GLANCY, 58 Baked breads, cakes at Waldbaum's Sunday, October 30, 2005 Elizabeth A. Glancy, a longtime Staten Islander who baked breads and cakes for Waldbaum's, died of cancer yesterday at her home in Travis. She was 58. Born Elizabeth Hepworth in Manhattan, she was brought to New Brighton as 2001 an infant. As a child, she was brought to Port Richmond, where she spent most of her life. She attended Port Richmond High School. At 30, a friend introduced her to her husband-to-be, John. The couple wed 27 years ago, and settled in Travis in 2003. While raising her two sons, she devoted her time to caring for her home and family. She began a career at the Manor Road Waldbaum's 10 years ago, working first at the deli and later as a baker for the grocery store. She stopped working eight months ago. A bowling enthusiast with a 170 average, she bowled on Monday mornings with a women's league at Rab's Country Lanes, Dongan Hills. She enjoyed shopping and spending time at home with her family, her cat, Tabatha, and her cockatiel, Spike. Twice a year, she traveled to Port Richey, Fla., to see a friend. And "she loved every minute of being a grandmother," her husband said. Her granddaughter, Mackenzie Glancy, was born 18 months ago. "She was a loving person who was a friend to everybody she met," said Mr. Glancy. "She was also close to her daughter-in-law, Michelle." In addition to her husband, John, surviving are her two sons, Shawn and Christopher, and two brothers, Joseph and Harry Alexander. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta R.C. Church, West Brighton. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, also West Brighton. Arrangements made for shooting victim Funeral mass for Rachel Rivas, 24, who was gunned down Thursday, is scheduled for Tuesday Sunday, October 30, 2005 Funeral arrangements have been set for Rachel Rivas, the 24-year-old mother who was shot dead Thursday by an ex-boyfriend enraged over child support payments for their son, her family announced yesterday. Family members remembered Ms. Rivas as an energetic soul with the bright demeanor of a teen-ager, and a devoted mother. "She was my baby," said her mother, Lillian Rodriguez. Ms. Rivas was killed by Rashaun Mack, a 25-year-old auto mechanic from West Brighton, who shot her once in the head in the Pep Boys parking lot in Mariners Harbor, as she left work Thursday. Their 2-year-old son was with her at the time of the shooting, police said. Mack was found shot to death by his own hand the next morning, according to police. Born in Brooklyn, Ms. Rivas moved to the Markham Gardens Houses in West Brighton with her family as a child. She moved to her Grymes Hill apartment on Arlo Road, about two years ago. "She was young, full of life. She was taking care of her boys, trying to get her life together," said her aunt, Diana Maisonet. Ms. Rivas attended PS 18 and Prall Intermediate School in West Brighton with her identical twin sister, Rebeccah, and then took the Staten Island Ferry to classes at Manhattan's Humanities High School. Though she didn't graduate, she was working towards her general equivalency diploma (GED), her mother said, and had planned to take college classes when her sons, Michael, 4, and Demani, 2, got old enough to attend school. Ms. Rivas worked for Pep Boys for two years, and had planned to take a second job at Home Depot to support her family. She loved many types of music, especially Spanish tunes, reggae and hip hop, and loved to go out with her friends, according to family. "Her best friend was her twin sister. They were inseparable," her aunt said. In addition to her mother, Lillian Rodriguez, her twin sister, Rebeccah, and her sons, Michael and Demani, surviving are a step-father, Robert Rodriguez, and a brother, Jose Rivas. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Scamardella Funeral Home, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta R.C. Church, West Brighton. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. AIDA O'CONNOR, 94 A home baker known for her cream puffs Sunday, October 30, 2005 By TEVAH PLATT ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Aida O'Connor of West Brighton, a retired hospital bookkeeper whose baked-at-home treats were famed among family and friends, died Friday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. She was 94. Born Aida Palladino in New Brighton, she assumed a clerical position at Kraft Foods Co., in Manhattan, after graduating from high school. There, she met her future husband, the late James O'Connor, who was her co-worker. The couple moved to Pomona, Calif., upon their marriage in 1947. When her husband died in 1953, Mrs. O'Connor returned to Staten Island with her son, David, who was then 4 years old. After residing in Randall Manor for a year, she spent a decade in St. George and 20 years in Fort Wadsworth. Mrs. O'Connor worked in the billing departments of the former Staten Island Hospital in Tompkinsville and the former Doctors' Hospital in Concord, each for about 12 years. As a bookkeeper, she completed the billing for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. A patient woman who was good with numbers, she excelled in her work and enjoyed it, according to her daughter-in-law, Gloria (Sis) O'Connor. When she retired in 1981, she moved to West Brighton to reside with her son and his wife. Mrs. O'Connor baked pound cakes, pastries and cookies and gave them out in tins to her family and friends. But she was most famed for her cream puffs. As she never drove a car, she took long walks to get around well into her 80s. She often went to shop in Manhattan and occasionally took trips to Atlantic City. Mrs. O'Connor also enjoyed rooting for the New York Yankees, and watched every televised game. A ballroom dancer who mastered the quick, gliding steps of the Peabody, she always got up to dance at parties. She also enjoyed eating dessert every evening with her grandsons, David Sean and Jimmy. "She was outgoing, caring and friendly," said her daughter-in-law. "She always cared for others more than herself, and was generous, especially to her grandsons. She was also a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews." Mrs. O'Connor was a parishioner of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, West Brighton. While living in Fort Wadsworth, she was a parishioner of St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Rosebank. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.