OBITS: Staten Island Advance 13 Sep 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/ Amaniera, Catherine R. (Riccardi) Catherine R. Amaniera (nee Riccardi) of Elm Park on September 11, 2005, Beloved wife of Leonard Amaniera. Loving mother of Joanne Amaniera Ferreras, Francine Amaniera Creutz and Joseph Amaniera. Dear sister of Rose DiPalma, Louis and Nicholas Riccardi. Cherished grandmother of Samantha Jo Ferreras and Nina Catherine Creutz. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton, Thursday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial, St. Roch's Church 10 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Tuesday and Wednesday 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 9/12/2005 - 9/14/2005. Bassford, Theresa Theresa Bassford (Venezio) on September 10, 2005 of Staten Island; formerly of Elizabeth. Beloved wife of the late Henry H. Bassford, Jr. Loving daughter of the late Robert J. Sr. and Elizabeth C. Venezio. Loving sister of Albert M. and Frank R. Venezio, Minnie E. Venezio, Pauline R. Zeleniak and Mary L. Lyman and the late Michael A, the late Robert J. Jr.; the late Ralph J. and the late Alexander (Dale) Venezio. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the funeral from August F. Schmidt Memorial Funeral Home, 139 Westfied Ave; Elizabeth on Thursday September 15 at 9:45 A.M. Funeral Mass in St. Anthony's R.C. Church, Elizabeth at 10:30 A.M. Interment St. Gertrude Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday 7-9 P.M. and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Published in the Staten Island Advance on 9/13/2005. Booth, Elfriede M. Elfriede M. Booth (Elly) on September 9, 2005. Beloved wife of the late David T. Booth. Loving mother of T. David Booth and Kenneth Booth. Cherished grandmother (oma) of Jamie, Randy, Michelle, Marissa, David, Daniel and great-grandmother of Deanna. Funeral from the Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane,Thursday 9 A.M. Memorial Service 10 A.M. Friends will be received Wednesday 7-9 P.M. Hanley Funeral Home, Inc Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/13/2005 - 9/14/2005. Ciraolo, Susan (Peccerillo) Susan Ciraolo (nee Peccerillo) of Annadale on September 10, 2005. Beloved wife of Joseph. Loving mother of Salvatore and Steven. Devoted daughter of Maria Peccerillo and the late Salvatore. Dearest sister of Michael Peccerillo and Lena Terranova. Fond sister in law of Diane Peccerillo, Michael Terranova, Theresa Gibb, Carol Weiss and Elizabeth Reagan. Cherished aunt. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), on Wednesday 8:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Child Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Monday and Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive,com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/12/2005 - 9/13/2005. Danna, Anthony J. Anthony J. Danna of Annadale on September 10, 2005. Beloved husband of Carol (nee Marcinak). Loving father of Terry, Anthony, Elizabeth, Christopher and Eric Danna. Dear brother of Patsy and Salvatore Danna, Christina Graham and the late Elizabeth Berger and Gaetano. Also survived by three grandchildren. Funeral Service MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Thursday 11:30 A.M. Committal Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J. Friends may call Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/12/2005 - 9/14/2005. DeRuvo, Michael S. Michael S. DeRuvo of Concord on September 10, 2005. Beloved husband of Natalie (nee Scardino). Loving father of Michael P. and Anthony S. DeRuvo and Angela M. Synan. Adored brother of Rose and Joseph DeRuvo and Josephine Picciurro. Also survived by eleven grandchildren. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton, Wednesday 8:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Sylvester's Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday and 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 9/11/2005 - 9/13/2005. Galloway, Marjorie E. Marjorie E. Galloway (Sholl), 85 of Old Bridge on September 11, 2005. Wife of the late James. Mother of James and Lois Galloway, Susan Barkley and Linda Eiss. Sister of Muriel Soernson and Edith Darke. Grandmother of seven; great-grandmother of six. Funeral Thursday 11:00 A.M. Spotswood Reformed Church, Spotswood, NJ. Burial Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, NY. A repast will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church prior to the funeral service. Visitation Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Brunswick Memorial Home, 454 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. For directions, please visit www.brunswick memorialhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Spotswood Reformed Church, 429 Main Street Spotswood, NJ 08884. www.SiLive.com / Obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 9/13/2005. Healey, Audrey S. Audrey S. Healey formerly of Tottenville on September 11, 2005. Beloved wife of the late James. Loving mother of Joan Fox and mother-in-law of Bill. Grandmother of Nancy and Billy. Cherished and devoted great-grandmother of Shannon, Kaeleigh, Bridget and Katheryn. A funeral service wiil be held at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd. on Thursday, September 15th at 10 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends may visit Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated since 1841 www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/12/2005 - 9/14/2005. Lodato, William William Lodato of Great Kills on September 12, 2005. Beloved husband of Barbara (nee Lynott). Loving father of William and Melissa. Dear brother of Anita Mascioli. Funeral service Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Ave, Great Kills, on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare's R.C. Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Cemetery of the Resurrection. Friends will be received Tuesday 7-9 P.M. and Wednesday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Clare's Improvement Fund or St. Anne Villa, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ 07971 would be greatly appreciated. Casey McCallum-Rice Funeral Home www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/13/2005 - 9/14/2005. Naugle, Keri Keri Naugle of Rossville on September 9, 2005. Beloved daughter of Carol Naugle and the late Harry Naugle. Loving sister of Sean, Erin and Shanna. Cherished granddaughter of Ann D'Afflitto. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), on Wednesday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Joseph's Church 10 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Monday 7-10 P.M. and Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. www.SiLive,com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/12/2005 - 9/13/2005. Palumbo, Concetta Concetta Palumbo of New Springville on September 12, 2005. Loving aunt of Anna Zagara, Joe Galleggiante, Zina Cangelosi and Nancy Gadaleta. Also survived by many loving great and great great nieces and nephews. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Wednesday 9 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady of Pity Church 9:30 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 9/13/2005. Ruggero, Matthew J. Matthew J. Ruggero of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Staten Island, on September 12, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Shirley (nee Packer). Loving father of Rosemarie and Matthew R. Ruggero. Fond brother of Salvatore Ruggiero. Adored grandfather of Lauren Guinta. Dear father in law of Charles (Chuck) Guinta. Funeral from Harmon Home for Funerals, 571 Forest Ave, West Brighton. Roman Catholic Service Friday 10:15 A.M. Interment to follow Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday 7-9 P.M., Thursday 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 9/13/2005 - 9/15/2005. Sapichino, Anthony M. Anthony M. Sapichino. Beloved husband of Lisa M. (nee Barbara). Devoted father of Anthony, Salvaltore and Teresa. Loving son of Anthony M. Jr. and Vera. Dearest brother of Rosemarie Peyton. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), on Wednesday 9:45 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Child Church 10:45 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A Gathering of family and friends will take place on Monday and Tuesday 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. www.SiLive,com / obits. Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/12/2005 - 9/13/2005. ANTHONY SAPICHINO, 43 Computer consultant, assistant scoutmaster Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Born in the Bath Beach section of Brooklyn, Mr. Sapichino graduated from Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge. He graduated from St. John's University, Grymes Hill, in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in business, then moved to Eltingville in 1990. While working as a consultant for Autoexec Computer Systems, Mr. Sapichino established computer networks in schools and businesses. He also was Staten Island field coordinator for Local 1199 of the Services Employees International Union, helping organize career-building training for members in the health industry. He was an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 222, Eltingville, and was a manager and coach with the Great Kills Little League, in which his children played ball. His wife, the former Lisa Barbera, said that he loved spending time with his nephew and with his numerous cousins, relatives and in-laws. Mr. Sapichino attended services in Holy Child R.C Church, Eltingville. In addition to his wife of 16 years, surviving are his sons, Anthony and Salvatore; a daughter, Teresa; a sister, Rosemarie Peyton, and his parents, Anthony M. Jr. and Vera Sapichino. The funeral will be tomorrow from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, with a mass at 10:45 a.m. in Holy Child Church, both Eltingville. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. AUDREY HEALEY, 88 School aide enjoyed gardening Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Audrey Healey, 88, a former longtime Tottenville resident and retired school aide, died Sunday at home in Macungie, Pa., after a long illness. Born Audrey Thayer in Midland Beach, she moved in 1919 with her family to Tottenville when she was just 2 years old. Mrs. Healey relocated to Macungie in 2002. She worked from 1946 to 1956 at the former SS White Dental Manufacturing Co. in Prince's Bay. Mrs. Healey returned to work in 1967 as a school aide for the former New York City Board of Education, retiring in 1980 from Tottenville High School. She loved to garden throughout her life. Mrs. Healey also volunteered at the former Richmond Memorial Hospital, now Staten Island University Hospital in Prince's Bay. A member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Tottenville, she also belonged to the United Methodist Women's Society, the Tottenville Friendship Club, Tottenville AARP and the South Shore Swim Club. "Mom enjoyed visits with her grandchildren and especially her great-grandchildren," recalled her daughter, Joan A. Fox. Mrs. Healey's husband of 59 years, James W. Healey, died in 1993. Surviving in addition to her daughter are two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville. Burial will be in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. CATHERINE AMANIERA, 63 Salvation Army coordinator Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Catherine Amaniera, 63, of Elm Park, a secretary and coordinator of the Salvation Army, died Sunday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, due to complications from open-heart surgery. Born Catherine Riccardi in Brooklyn, she moved to Elm Park after marrying in 1964. A graduate of St. Edmund's High School in Brooklyn, Mrs. Amaniera went on to become a secretary for the Salvation Army, as well as the coordinator of the senior citizen program. She worked for the organization for 25 years before retiring. She loved watching movies, playing bingo and reading, and would never miss a "good card game," according to family. Mrs. Amaniera enjoyed traveling to Atlantic City and spending time with her two granddaughters. She was a parishioner of St. Roch's R.C. Church, Port Richmond. According to her daughter Joanne Amaniera-Ferreras, Mrs. Amaniera was "a good person and always gave to others. She was very considerate and was a loving wife, mother and grandmother." In addition to her daughter Joanne and her granddaughters, surviving are her husband of 41 years, Leonard; her daughter Francine Amaniera-Creutz; a son, Joseph; two brothers, Louis and Nicholas Riccardi, and a sister, Rose DiPalma. The funeral will be Thursday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Roch's Church. Burial will follow in Oceanview Cemetery, Oakwood. CATHERINE SRAMEK, 77 Telephone company supervisor, volunteer Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Catherine J. Sramek, 77, of Ballston Lake, N.Y., a former Staten Island resident and retired telephone company worker, died Saturday in Saratoga (N.Y.) Hospital. Born Catherine J. Luisi in Linhurst, N.J., she moved to Manhattan in 1933. In 1944, Mrs. Sramek moved to West Brighton and to Oakwood in 1958. She relocated to Inverness, Fla., before settling in Ballston Lake in 2000. While living on Staten Island, Mrs. Sramek was a parishioner of St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood, and attended Port Richmond High School, Elm Park. She worked as an operator and supervisor for the former New York Telephone Co. in West Brighton and in Great Kills for 33 years. She retired in 1980. Mrs. Sramek was a very active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, where she worked as a fund-raising volunteer. A gardening enthusiast, she loved cooking, needlework, canning, spending time with her grandchildren and keeping in touch with friends. Mrs. Sramek was a parishioner of Corpus Christi R.C. Church, Round Lake, N.Y. Her husband of 55 years, Joseph Sramek, died in 2005. She is survived by a son, Stephen; a daughter Maria Sramek Tamlyn; brothers Anthony and Angelo Luisi; a sister, Jennie Conisha, and eight grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the Catricala Funeral Home Inc., Clifton Park, N.Y., with a mass at 9 a.m. in Corpus Christi Church. Burial will be in Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, N.Y. CONCETTA PALUMBO, 81 Family baby-sitter had penchant for ice cream Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Concetta (Zia) Palumbo, 81, a homemaker and baby-sitter to three generations of nieces and nephews, died yesterday in Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville. She had been there for seven years. Ms. Palumbo was born in Sciacca on the Island of Sicily, in Italy, and moved to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in 1969. She moved to New Springville in 1991. "Acquaintances, friends -- everyone called her 'Zia,' not just her nieces and nephews," said her great-niece, Joann Ferrara. "She was everyone's aunt." According to her family, Ms. Palumbo loved ice cream -- it was her favorite food -- and she loved spending time, especially holidays, with her family. "She was like a mother to her nieces, Anna Zagara, Zina Cangelosi and Nancy Gadaleta, and her nephew, Joe Galleggiante," said Mrs. Ferrara. "She was loved by her family." Ms. Palumbo was a former parishioner of St. Dominic's R.C. Church in Brooklyn. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 9:30 a.m.. in Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church, Bulls Head. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. Final years alone end with dignity Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Paul Hill, 86, of Stapleton died twice. The first time, two years ago, he was "killed" by an errant finger flick on a Department of Veterans Affairs computer. The second time, last month, Hill died alone in his one-story, wood-paneled home, alone except for his wife's ashes. But yesterday, instead of heading to an anonymous patch of earth, Hill departed in regal style: In a silver coffin trailed by bagpipes, fellow war veterans and the heartfelt prayers of two pastors. In his arms lay the cremated remains of his wife, Ethel, who died in the 1990s. "It's a matter of dignity," said Gary Gotlin, Richmond County's public administrator, who oversees the rites for roughly 200 Staten Islanders who die every year with no one to represent them. Any borough resident who dies with no living relatives gets buried on Staten Island, even if the only attendees are Gotlin, a funeral home director and perhaps Surrogate Court Judge John Fusco. "We find the money to bury them," Gotlin said, even if that means delaying the purchase of a new computer or lamp. Without such attention, Fusco said, "this guy would have fallen through the cracks." WORLD WAR II VET Hill, a World War II veteran with luminous blue eyes and a perpetually lit pipe, attracted people who aimed to help him, in life as in death. He lost his bona fides in September 2003, when a VA worker marked him for dead. After not getting his monthly checks for almost a year, Hill found an angel in Carol Grant, an SI Bank & Trust branch manager. She doped out the glitch and, when the VA refused to respond in timely fashion, enlisted the aid of Rep. Vito Fossella. Soon, Hill was enjoying a birthday cake and a renewed stream of checks. Hill died in the mortal sense on Aug. 18, found by the police and classified as a missing person. But as a testament to his affability, about two dozen people turned out at Fairview Cemetery, Castleton Corners, yesterday to pay their respects. "Paul reminded me of my dad," said the Rev. William Blasingame, pastor of St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Stapleton. "He said the greatest thing he ever did was serve in the Army." Hill, who earned a Purple Heart, spent considerable time with his comrades at the North Shore VFW. "He never let that pipe go out," said Ernie Russo the Westerleigh post's junior vice commander, who identified Hill at the morgue. Often, Hill seemed like a fixture at the post, sitting in the corner, smoking his pipe, reveling in the camaraderie. SUB; HIS 'SECRET POCKETS' Hill often wore a windbreaker with "secret pockets," in which he kept yellowed news clippings and a ring that belonged to his wife, fashioned with white gold and a tiny diamond. "He sometimes had newspaper articles from 40 years ago," said Ms. Grant, who befriended Hill about five years ago. A consummate gambler, Hill would travel to Las Vegas with his wife. After her death, he took monthly excursions to Atlantic City. "Paul really wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered over Las Vegas," said Father Blasingame to laughter and the constant hum of chirping insects and birds. After six years' soldiering, Hill worked as an elevator construction foreman throughout the city and in Pennsylvania. He lived in Tompkinsville before moving to Stapleton in 1950. When his wife grew ill, he took care of her. "I was with her until she breathed her last breath," Hill once told Father Blasingame. He started to cry, then said: "She would have done the same for me." Hill was buried near his daughter, Francis Kay Langford, who died of cancer in 1992. "Everyone in this world deserves a proper burial," said Chris Johns, funeral director of Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, which handled the arrangements. Librarian wrote books, Advance column on libraries WW II veteran, gifted wordsmith Tuesday, September 13, 2005 John S. Robotham, 81, a retired librarian whose love of the written word and research inspired him to write books and articles about libraries, died Friday in YA-PO-AH Terrace, Eugene, Ore., after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Mr. Robotham began a 30-year career with the New York Public Library in 1950. He worked in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, where he was a branch librarian for the Great Kills library and an adult specialist at the St. George library. He retired in 1980. From 1972 to 1974, he had a weekly column published in the Advance, called "It's Your Library." He also co-authored two books -- "Library Programs" and "Freedom of Access to Library Materials" -- and worked on a book about the history of New York Public library branches, which was never published. He also wrote poetry. Mr. Robotham worked for the New-York Historical Society for five years in the 1980s, and was a former trustee for the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences. He also fought for the preservation of the Staten Island Greenbelt in the 1960s and was a member of the organization "Staten Island Greenbelt and National Areas League." Mr. Robotham was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Richmond. Born in Concord, N.H., Mr. Robotham also lived in Rhode Island, New Jersey and Manhattan before moving to Grymes Hill in 1954. In 1959, he moved to Richmond. In recent years, he had lived in Eugene. Mr. Robotham served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, from 1943 to 1945, in the Corps' weather division. He was stationed in Brazil and was discharged at the rank of corporal. Mr. Robotham graduated from Tenafly (N.J.) High School and received a bachelor's degree in business administration from City College in Manhattan. He later earned a master's degree in library science from Columbia University. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Alice Wheeler; a daughter, Joan Robotham; a son, Thomas, and two grandchildren. The arrangements, which include cremation, are being handled by Musgrove Family Mortuary, Eugene, Ore. A private service will be held at St. Andrew's Church in October. MATTHEW RUGGERO, 89 Accomplished artist donated works Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Former Staten Islander Matthew J. Ruggero, 89, of Ocala, Fla., a retired mail handler, died yesterday at his daughter's West Brighton home. Born in Manhattan, he was one of five children of Italian immigrant parents and was grounded with strong family values, his family said. Mr. Ruggero moved to Staten Island in 1963. He worked as a mail handler for the U.S. Postal Service at its Peck Slip Station in Manhattan for 37 years. When Mr. Ruggero retired in 1977, he and his wife, Shirley, relocated to Middletown, N.Y., before settling in Ocala. During World War II, Mr. Ruggero served as a private in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines and was discharged on Christmas Day of 1945. This was a happy surprise for his family, they said, adding that family and friends were always entertained by Mr. Ruggero's spontaneous wit. According to his family, Mr. Ruggero was an accomplished artist who donated many of his paintings to numerous charitable and religious causes. Dubbed the "Van Gogh of Marion County" by a local newspaper, he was always creative, his family said, whether it was building craft projects from household items or building a Sept. 11, 2001, memorial from plaster of paris. Mr. Ruggero also made a rocking reindeer for his granddaughter, Lauren Giunta, and completed an oil painting for the parish church. He was an avid billiards player, who enjoyed baking and listening to music from the 1940s. Mr. Ruggero's wife of 50 years, the former Shirley Packer, died in 1998. In addition to his granddaughter, Mr. Ruggero is survived by his son, Matthew R; his daughter, Rosemarie Ruggero, and a brother, Salvatore. The funeral service will be Friday at 10:15 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. ROSALIE CUCCHIA,87 Active in golf, dance and canasta Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Former Staten Islander, Rosalie (Rae) Cucchia, 87, of South Windsor, Conn., a homemaker, died Sunday in Hartford (Conn.) Hospital. Born Rosalie Chiarenza in Little Italy, Manhattan, she was brought to New Dorp as a child. She married Joseph Cucchia in Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, New Dorp, in 1941. Mrs. Cucchia moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1951 and returned to the Island 10 years later to live in Grant City. She moved to Leisure Village West, a retirement community in Manchester, N.J., 23 years ago and to South Windsor one month ago. While living at Leisure Village West, Mrs. Cucchia was highly active, participating in various groups, including golf and dance. According to her family, she was a natural artist who was devoted to her family and friends. Mrs. Cucchia also enjoyed golfing and playing canasta. She was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church in South Windsor. Her husband of 51 years, Joseph, died in 1993. Mrs. Cucchia is survived by her three daughters, Frances Wright, Rosa Cucchia and JoAnn Jordan; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the Samsel and Carmon Funeral Home, South Windsor, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. WILLIAM LODATO, 58 Decorated veteran, financial trader Tuesday, September 13, 2005 William Lodato of Eltingville, a Manhattan trader who earned two Purple Hearts during the Vietnam War, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. He was 58. A native of Brooklyn, he graduated from John Adams High School in Queens, and settled in Eltingville in 1977. He joined the Army in 1966, and served for two years as a private first class in Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry. He was awarded the Purple Hearts for shrapnel wounds. For the last five years, Mr. Lodato worked as a trader at Axa Financial in Manhattan. He was still working at the time of his death. A dedicated family man who enjoyed vacationing with his wife and children, Mr. Lodato enjoyed gardening. He was also fond of tending his fish tank and outdoor pond. Mr. Lodato was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills. Surviving are his wife of 33 years, the former Barbara Lynott; his son, William; his daughter, Melissa Lodato, and his sister, Anita Mascioli. The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.