OBITS: Staten Island Advance 27 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/ Battista, Carmela M. (Ippolito) Carmela M. Battista (nee Ippolito) of Dongan Hills on September 24, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Anthony. Loving mother of Anthony, Joseph, and Stephen Battista, and Jody Fitzpatrick. Dear sister of Mary Keeney. Fond grandmother of eight grandchildren. Funeral from Richmond Funeral Home, 2052 Richmond Road at Midland Ave, on Wednesday at 9:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann's R.C. Church at 10 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to NY District Foundation Kamp Kiwanis c / o Lindy Marrazo, 1265 Richmond Ave, SI, NY 10314, in her memory would be appreciated. Richmond Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. Carbone, Vito CARBONE Members, Honor Guard, Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion of H & S Cichon Post #1578 will meet at Matthew Funeral Home 2508 Victory Blvd., at 8:00 P.M. to pay our last respects and farewell to our departed comrade Vito Carbone. Respectfully Submitted, Frank Speranza Published in the Staten Island Advance on 9/27/2005. Carbone, Vito J. Vito J. Carbone of Willowbrook, formerly of West Brighton, on September 24, 2005. Beloved husband of Rosina. Loving father of Robert Carbone, Elena Marell and Dan Carbone. Dear brother of Rose Forlenza, Carol Fratoni and Albert Carbone. Cherished grandfather of Sabrina. Funeral from MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK ROAD, on Wednesday 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta Church 10 A.M. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. DeFilippis, Angelina Angelina DeFilippis of Great Kills on September 25, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Paul. Loving mother of Anthony, Michael, Paul, Donna Corrao and the late Alfonso. Also survived by her eleven grandchildren and her two great-grandchildren. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), on Thursday 9:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare's Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. www.SiLive.com / Obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/27/2005 - 9/28/2005. Demetrio, Bellina Bellina Demetrio on September 25, 2005. Devoted wife of the late Vincenzo. Beloved mother of Nino, Rosa Renna and mother-in-law of Camille and Nick Renna. Loving sister of Ninetta De Negris, Maria Giustino and Leonardo Giampietro. Cherished grandmother of Donna and Anthony Crispino, Fran and Andrew Gonchar, Suzanne Demetrio, Leonardo and Donna Renna, Vincent Demetrio and great-grandmother of Alexandrea, Danielle, Nicholas, Dianne Marie, Toni Ann, Vanessa, Ariana, Matthew, Michael, Jessica and Nicholas. Friends and family will be received at Martin Hughes Funeral Home, 530 Narrows Road South, Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Thomas R.C. Church Thursday 11 A.M. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. DeStefano Sr., Robert A. Robert A. DeStefano Sr. of Grasmere on September 25, 2005. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Betty) (nee Clark). Loving father of Robert Jr., Christine DeStefano-McCormack and Elizabeth Villamagna and father-in-law of Michael McCormack and Domenick Villamagna. Devoted son of Phyllis. Dear brother of Louis. Funeral from Dongan Hills Virginia Funeral Chapel, 1707 Hylan Blvd., on Thursday 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Ann's Church 10 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Visiting hours Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/27/2005 - 9/28/2005. Gattullo, Sarah Sarah Gattullo of Randall Manor on September 26, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Mario. Loving mother of Mario Jr. Dear grandmother of Betsy Kalfa and Tony Gattullo. Adored great-grandmother of Nicholas Kalfa. Funeral from Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Avenue, Castleton Corners on Wednesday. Mass of Christian Burial, Blessed Sacrament Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Tuesday 2-4, 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 9/27/2005. Guercio, Evelyn M. (Mahlmann) Evelyn M Guercio (nee Mahlmann) of West Brighton on September 25, 2005. Beloved wife of the late Salvatore J. Guercio. Dear mother of Arlene Egan, Joseph (Jerry) Guerci and the late Lynne Marie Guercio. Fond sister of the late Albert and James Mahlmann. Adored grandmother of Arlene Egan Granton, Lori Kruesi, Cynthia Irlinger, Alicia Jazeyeri, Raymond Egan and Noelle Hallared. Also survived by seven great- grandchildren. Funeral from the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Ave, P.R., on Wednesday at 9:45 A.M. Service at Trinity Lutheran Church 10:30 A.M. Interment Ocean View Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday 7-9 P.M. and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home Family Owned www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/27/2005. Melito, Larry R. Larry R. Melito of Linden, N.J., formerly of West Brighton, on September 25, 2005. Beloved husband of Mariela. Loving father of Larry Jr., John, Raymond, Kimberly, Scott, Michael and Natalie. Devoted son of Alice and the late John. Dear brother of John and the late Frank. Also survived by seven grandchildren. Funeral service MATTHEW FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 2508 VICTORY BLVD. AT WILLOWBROOK RD., on Thursday 11 A.M. Interment Moravian Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. www.SiLive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/27/2005 - 9/28/2005. Montalbano, Joseph Joseph Montalbano on September 25, 2005, Beloved husband of the late Mary (nee Lombardo). Loving father of Charles, Louis, and Joseph Jr. Dear grandfather of eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fond brother of Rose D'Anna and the late Charles Montalbano. Reposing at A. Azzara Funeral Home Inc., 183 Sand Lane, South Beach, S.I. Funeral Mass at Holy Rosary Church Thursday 9:30 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visiting Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. A. Azzara Funeral Home., Inc. Family Owned & Operated since 1900 www.SILive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/26/2005 - 9/28/2005. Rodrigo, Michael Michael Rodrigo of Tottenville on September 24, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Antonia. Loving mother of Dennis and the late Michael. Cherished grandfather of grandchildren Lori, Dennis Jr. and Brian. Fond mother-in-law of Karen and Mary. Funeral from JOHN VINCENT SCALIA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 28 ELTINGVILLE BLVD. (AT ELTINGVILLE STATION), on Wednesday 9:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial St. Clare Church 9:45 A.M. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Monday and Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-10 P.M. www.SiLive.com / Obits Published in the Staten Island Advance from 9/25/2005 - 9/27/2005. Vislocky, Nick Nick Vislocky on September 25, 2005. Beloved husband of Marie. Devoted father of Lisa and Nicholas. Cherished uncle of Margaret Ann, nephews William, Vincent, John Michael, Thomas and Michael. Family and friends may call Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Colonial Funeral, 2819 Hylan Blvd, S.I., Funeral liturgy Wednesday 10 A.M. at St. Nicholas Church, East 10th St. and Avenue A in Manhattan. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. www.silive.com / obits Published in the Staten Island Advance on 9/27/2005. THOMAS HEANEY, 45 Volunteer chief, union member Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Native Staten Islander Thomas G. Heaney Jr. died Thursday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, after a short illness. He was 45. Born in West Brighton, Mr. Heaney lived there until he was 14 years old, when his family moved to Beachwood, N.J. A graduate of Toms River High School North, Mr. Heaney enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Casey in Korea, where he worked in the motor pool for four years. Mr. Heaney worked for J.R. Kiely Construction in Brick, N.J., for 18 years. He was a member of a labor union. He recently had retired as the maintenance director at Brandywine Senior Care Center of New Jersey in Brick, where he worked for the past two years. Over the last 24 years, Mr. Heaney was a volunteer with the Manitou Park Fire Company in Ocean County, N.J., where he most recently served as chief for four years. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Ocean County. His family said his children, as well as his nieces and nephews, were his whole life. Mr. Heaney was a parishioner of St. Barnabas R.C. Church, Bayville, N.J. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Catherine Kessler Heaney; a son, Thomas Michael; a daughter, Jennifer Lynn Heaney; his parents, Barbara Nash and Thomas G. Heaney Sr., and three brothers, Henry C., Richard and Steven. The funeral was scheduled for today from the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, Toms River, N.J., with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Barnabas Church. Burial was to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, also Toms River. SARAH GATTULLO, 86 Home health-care worker enjoyed sewing Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Sarah J. Gattullo, 86, of West Brighton, a retired seamstress and home health-care worker, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital, West Brighton. Born Sarah Brown in Lowell, Mass., she came to Staten Island as a child and graduated from Curtis High School. Mrs. Gattullo lived in various areas, including New Brighton, before settling in West Brighton 16 years ago. She entered Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, five months ago. During World War II, Mrs. Gattullo was a Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVE), working as a dental hygienist for the U.S. Navy. She served as a petty officer for one year at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. For about 25 years, Mrs. Gattullo worked as a seamstress for the former Rea Shop, across from St. Vincent's Hospital in West Brighton, which sold nurses' uniforms. At the same time, she worked as a private home health-care worker, retiring in 1989. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting. While living at home, Mrs. Gattullo attended a day-care program at Carmel Richmond Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. The program had inspired her to begin crocheting again, and she began to make hats for people at the center, according to family. She also would crochet baby items, such as Raggedy Ann dolls for her nieces and daughter-in-law when they were expecting. She also crocheted ponchos for them. "Her love was unconditional to all she gave it to," said her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Gattullo, on behalf of her family. "She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and aunt." Mrs. Gattullo also liked to cook and would host family dinner every Sunday. She was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton. Mrs. Gattullo's husband of 52 years, Mario Sr., died in April. She is survived by her son, Mario Jr.; two grandchildren, and one great-grandson. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood. ROBERT DeSTEFANO, 65 Hospital security guard enjoyed swimming Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Longtime Staten Islander Robert A. DeStefano, 65, of Grasmere, a security officer for Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, died Sunday at New York University Medical Center, where he had been a patient since early August. The sports fan and family-oriented man was born in Brooklyn and moved to Dongan Hills in 1973; he then relocated to Grasmere in 1982. He served in the U.S. Army between 1960 and 1962, stationed in Germany. Mr. DeStefano began working as a security officer for Staten Island University Hospital in 1983, greeting families and ensuring the grounds were safe. He was still employed at the time of his death. In the 14 years prior to his work as a security officer, Mr. DeStefano and his brother co-owned the Cartolith Color Corp., a company that produced lithographs, based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Before starting the company, he worked in the warehouse of Monarch Wine, also in Brooklyn. Mr. DeStefano enjoyed swimming and was a member of the Great Kills Swim Club. He was also a dedicated New York Yankees and New York Jets Fan, enjoyed horse racing and taking trips to Atlantic City with his wife of 39 years, the former Elizabeth (Betty) Clark. "He loved his children very much and would do anything for the family," said his wife. "He was very easygoing." Mr. DeStefano was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. In addition to his wife, surviving are a son, Robert Jr.; daughters Christine DeStefano-McCormick and Elizabeth Villamagna; his mother, Phyllis DeStefano, and a brother, Louis. The funeral is Thursday 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. MARY ELLEN LEE, 85 Longtime Kmart employee Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Former Staten Islander Mary Ellen Lee, 85, of Somerville, N.J., a homemaker and longtime Kmart employee, died Saturday at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. Born in Manhattan, Mrs. Lee worked on a Westinghouse factory assembly line in the Bronx putting together airplane instruments during World War II. On July 22, 1945, she married Concord resident Herbert Lee after a six-week courtship. The couple resided in several Staten Island communities before settling in Tottenville, where they lived for 20 years. Upon her husband's death in 1988, Mrs. Lee moved to Willowbrook before relocating to Somerville in 1998. A homemaker and mother of four, Mrs. Lee began working at Kmart in New Springville around 1973 after her children were grown. She worked the grill in the store's restaurant for 25 years, retiring in 1998. My mother and two other ladies cooked, prepared and served the food. ... They did everything, said her daughter, Ellen Baxter. Throughout my life, whenever someone asked me about my mother, they would inevitably follow with some derivation of: 'She was always so nice to everyone. I never heard your mother say a cross word,' said her son, Douglas. Mrs. Lee enjoyed spending time with her family and vacationing on the Jersey Shore. She always saw the good in people and faithfully believed that everything happens for the best, said her son. While on Staten Island, Mrs. Lee was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville. In Somerville, Mrs. Lee was a member of the Branchburg Township Senior Citizens Club. In addition to her son, Douglas, and daughter, Ellen, Mrs. Lee is survived by another son, Herbert; another daughter, Veronica Campbell; three brothers, Richard, Matthew and Lawrence; a sister, Marguerite McDonald; 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the Bruce C. Van Arsdale Funeral Home in Somerville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Bridgewater, N.J. Arrangements include private cremation. 'Papa Joe' worked at family's New Springville pool store Known for recounting lively stories about his life Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Joseph Montalbano Sr., 95, of South Beach, a retired truck driver and devoted father, died Sunday at Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville, after a short stay. Born in the Little Italy section of Manhattan, Mr. Montalbano moved to New Dorp as a young adult. It was on Staten Island that he met his wife-to-be, Mary Lombardo. Joseph and Mary, both born on Christmas Eve, began their 67-year marriage in 1933 and settled in South Beach, where they were active parishioners of Holy Rosary R.C. Church. Mr. Montalbano worked as a driver for Dan's Express Trucking Co., in West Brighton, until retiring in 1971. He then worked part-time at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School for several years. In 1973, his three sons opened Montalbano's Pool & Patio in New Springville, and employed their father to do repairs on filters and motors. Around the store, Mr. Montalbano was affectionately known as Papa Joe, and delighted in mingling and bantering with customers and employees. He worked at his sons' store for 28 years, until 2002. Aside from being at the store, he enjoyed telling stories about his life to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all of his extended family and friends. His wife died in 2000. Mr. Montalbano is survived by his sons, Charles, Louis and Joseph Jr.; a sister, Rose D'Anna; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the A. Azzara Funeral Home, South Beach, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains. LARRY MELITO, 59 Van driver was avid sports fan Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Former Staten Islander Larry R. Melito of Linden, N.J., a retired van driver and former Marine sergeant, died Sunday in his home. He was 59. Mr. Melito was born in West Brighton and graduated from McKee High School. He lived most of his life in West Brighton before settling in Linden in 1999. After high school, Mr. Melito joined the U.S. Marine Corps and, for the nine years following, he was stationed in Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan, among other places. He finished his career in 1981 as a sergeant out of Quantico in Virginia. Upon his return, he became a driver for Regency Vans on Staten Island, where he worked for 15 years. He retired in 2002. According to his family, he was a big sports fan who enjoyed watching football and wrestling on television. He was also a history buff. He was happy-go-lucky, said his mother, Alice Melito. He was a very nice person. He was very sociable. In addition to his mother, surviving are his wife of six years, the former Mariela Alzate; five sons, Larry Jr., John, Raymond, Scott and Michael; a daughter, Kimberly Melito; a stepdaughter, Natalie Moriel; a brother, John, and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. DOMINICK MACCARELLI, 63 Machinist enjoyed watching horse racing Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Maccarelli moved to Annadale in 1991 and settled in Rockaway in 1992. In 1963, Mr. Maccarelli served in the U.S. Army with the military police for three years. He was stationed in Korea. Mr. Maccarelli was a machinist and a tool and dye maker for American Machine and Foundry in Brooklyn, where he worked for 20 years. He retired in 1991. Mr. Maccarelli enjoyed visiting parks, watching horse racing and fishing. Surviving are his wife of 10 years, Maria Maccarelli; his son, Francesco; daughter, Lisa Imbasciani; brother, John Maccarelli, and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook. A private cremation was held at Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J. ANTHONY BATTAGLIA, 65 Sanitation worker, jewelry store owner Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Anthony Battaglia, 65, of Annadale, a former Sanitation worker and jewelry store owner, died Friday at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where he had been a patient on and off for the past year. Born in Manhattan, Mr. Battaglia moved to South Beach in 1957. After marrying Queens native Flora Calise in 1962 and rearing three daughters, the couple relocated to Sunnyside in 1972. They moved to Las Vegas in 1994 before returning to Annadale in 1998. I guess he just needed a change, said his daughter, Yvonne Hickman, who accompanied her parents on the move. But I think my parents missed the family too much and came back. Mr. Battaglia started out as a freelance construction worker before being employed for 10 years by the Sanitation Department in the 1960s. He then established Marc's Jewelers, a store in the Woodrow Plaza in Woodrow, and was owner of the business before retiring in 1989. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas, and playing cards. But he most valued time spent with family. He was really funny. He loved making people laugh, said Mrs. Hickman. That's what he was known for. In addition to his daughter, Mr. Battaglia is survived by his wife of 43 years, Flora; his mother, Jean Battaglia; two other daughters, Lisa Jimenez and Susan Gioia; his brother, Thomas; his sister, Carol Daly, and six grandchildren. The funeral was to be today from the Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Clare's R.C. Church, both Great Kills. Arrangements include cremation. ANGELINA DeFILIPPIS, 82 Known for her passion for cooking Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Angelina DeFilippis, 82, of Great Kills, a homemaker who will be remembered for her excellent cooking, died Sunday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. Born Angelina Iannone in Brooklyn, she spent most of her life there before settling in Great Kills in 1995. A homemaker, Mrs. DeFilippis was a devout Catholic who prayed to St. Anthony daily. According to her family, Mrs. DeFilippis loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "She adored them, she adored the babies," said her daughter-in-law, Gina DeFilippis. According to family, Mrs. DeFilippis was a renowned cook who made a variety of dishes that were consistently delicious. "She was a fantastic cook and an unbelievable baker," said Gina DeFilippis. "Whatever she touched -- delicious. She made a killer lasagna. You could never say she ever ruined a dinner, never. Her food was delicious." Mrs. DeFilippis also loved to play lottery scratch-offs. Mrs. DeFilippis was a member of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills. She was a former member of Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church in Brooklyn, where she had been active in the Mother's Club and the St. Anthony's group. "She was a tough lady, but she was a wonderful person, and a lot of fun," added her daughter-in-law. Her husband of 54 years, Paul, died in May. Her son, Alfonso, died in 2002. Surviving are three sons, Anthony, Michael and Paul Jr.; a daughter, Donna Corrao; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.