Greenville Press Obits June 2005

Obituaries from the 
Greenville Press

June 2005

Transcribed by Melanie Fisher-Citty
Obituaries provided by April Saccoccio


June 2, 2005 

FRANK MILZA 

Frank G. Milza, 81, of Cairo, died Sunday, May 29 at his home after a long illness.

Born in Brooklyn August 11, 1923, he was the son of the late Louis and Jennie (Perone) Milza.

Milza had been a Cairo resident since 1972. He was a communicant of the Sacred Heart Church of Cairo and a member of the Cairo Golden Age Club, the Rip Van Winkle Senior Citizens, the Cairo Republican Club, the DVA and Catskill Elks Lodge # 1341.

He was a World War II Army veteran.

Survivors include his daughter-in-law, Karen Milza of South Hampton, Long Island; a brother, Chester Milza of Florida; a companion, JoAnn Schafer of Cairo; five grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated today, June 2, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church of Cairo by the Rev. Jeremiah Nunan, Pastor.

Burial will follow in the veterans section of the Catskill Rural Cemetery, by his wife Edith, who predeceased him on February 10, 2001. Full military honors will be observed.

Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.


June 2, 2005

BERNARD CLANCY 

Bernard “Bernie” Clancy, 72, of Surprise, died Wednesday, May 23 at St. Peter’s Hospice in Albany.

He was born in Brooklyn in 1932 and moved to Port Richmond, Staten Island, in 1939.

Clancy was an avid Frank Sinatra fan and enjoyed playing cards. For years, he played basketball and softball for various establishments, such as Ligrecis Denino’s, St. Peter’s and Port Richmond High.

During the summer months he enjoyed vacationing in Surprise and moved there permanently in 2000. 

He retired in 1998 from the International Longshoremen’s Association and Local No.1.

He also enjoyed trips to Saratoga Racetrack and golfing with long-time friend Kenny Elsbree of Surprise, and wife Nancy.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Nancy; four daughters, Kathleen Pineiro, Christine Anger and Carol and Kerry Clancy; four grandchildren; and two sons-in-laws, Jose Pineiro and Moose Anger.

Interment was in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Staten Island.

Local arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.


June 2, 2005

ROBERT SAYRES DEATRICK 

Robert S. Deatrick, 87, of Greenville, SC, died at the Richard M. Campbell VA Nursing Home in Anderson, SC, on May 9, 2005.

He was born in Columbus, OH, on August 22, 1917, the son of the late Robert S. and M. Gladys B. Deatrick.

A World War II Army captain, he served in European Campaign and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946.

He worked for more than 40 years in New York City for Fleischmann Distilling of Standard Brands Inc., serving as the company comptroller for many years. He retired in 1982.

After residing for 36 years in Dumont, NJ, the Deatricks divided their retirement years between Medusa and Florida before settling in Greenville, SC, in 2004.

Deatrick was an avid reader,, walker, bowler and crossword puzzle enthusiast until his health declined.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Margaret B. Deatrick; his children Nancy D. LaRocca and husband John of Medusa, Marilyn D. Knoblauch and husband Peter of Greenville, SC, and William C. Deatrick and wife Kathleen of Aurora, IL; his grandchildren, Michael Knoblauch and wife B.J. of Georgia, Patrick Knoblauch, Scott Knoblauch and David Knoblauch and wife Lori, all of Greenville, SC, Mark LaRocca and wife Nina, Elizabeth Whiteman and husband Robert of New York, Christine Deatrick and John Deatrick both of Chico, CA, and Meghan Deatrick of Illinois: and great-grandchildren John, Katherine and Matthew Knoblauch, Sophie and Ellie Whiteman, Kibo LaRocca and Rachel Knoblauch.

A memorial service takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville.

Memorial contributions maybe made to the Alzheimer’s Association, NENY Chapter, 85 Watervliet Avenue, Albany 12206.


June 2, 2005

JOHN CAIAZZO Jr.

John J. Caiazzo Jr., 74, of Cairo, died Tuesday, May 24 at his home after a long illness.

Born in Brooklyn December 8,1930, he was the son of the late John J. and Theresa (Fatturso) Caiazzo.

Caiazzo had been a Cairo area resident for 40 years. He served in the Army from October 1951 to September 1953.

He was the member of the Carpenters Union Local # 219 and the Cairo Chamber of Commerce. He also was a past chief of the Cairo Hose Company, past president of the Greene County Fire Chiefs Association and the Greene County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and a life member of the latter.

Survivors include his wife Frances V. “Peaches” (Droscoll) Caiazzo; two sisters, Adeline Cuoco of Long Island and Florence Baum of California; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial with full military honors was in the Cairo Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Cairo Hose co. Scholarship Fund, Cairo 12413, or to the Greene County Women’s League Cancer Patient Aid, P.O. Box 341, attention, Memorial.

Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.


June 2, 2005

RICHARD VANTASSELL

Richard C. VanTassell, 83, of Colonie, formerly of Albany and Cooksburg, died at the Ann Lee Home on Wednesday, May 18.

He was born in Cooksburg June 28, 1921, the son of the late Elmer and Ruth (Hulbert) VanTassell.

A 1939 graduate of Middleburgh Central School, VanTassell had been employed by the state Department of Transportation out of Preston Hollow.

He will be remembered for always being seen riding his bicycle all over Albany and Greene counties.

Survivors include his sister, Edith Place of Cohoes; his nieces and nephews, Kathleen Alvarez of Cincinnati, OH, William Place of Holden, MA Terrence Place of Troy, Kevin Place of Latham and Timothy Place of Alpharetta, GA and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

As to his wishes, cremation took place at the Albany Rural Cemetery. Services will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to an organization or charity of choice.

Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.


June 2, 2005

TILLIE WILLIAMS

Tillie Williams, 85, of Greenville, died at Nyack Hospital on Monday, May 30.

She was born in Nyack on December 2, 1919, the daughter of the late Herman and Anna (Jackel) Branath.

A graduate of Nyack High School, Williams was employed by the Empire National Bank in Pearl River.

She as a member of the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church and the Women’s Society, and worked at the church Thrift Shop.

Survivors include two stepsons, Scot Williams and wife Shirley of Cashiers, NC and Keith Williams and wife Becky of Cape Coral, FL; a brother Herman Branath and wife Marilyn of West Jordan, UT; two sisters, Katherine Shank and husband Donald of Little River, SC and Freda McEwah and husband Wini if Florence, SC; six step-grandchildren; four step-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first husband, James T. Keegan in 1963; a daughter Alice, who died in 1987; a brother Albert, who died in 1997; and her second husband, Harold Williams, who died in February 15, 2005.

Funeral services are at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church, Norton Hill.

Interment is in the Greenville Cemetery.

Friends may call at Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville, on Friday, June 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.


June 9, 2005    

ELEANOR TEGA

Eleanor Tega, 83, of Delmar, died on Saturday, June 4, at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany.

She was born in Lynbrook on May 29, 1922, the daughter of the late Vincent and Carmela (Motta) Grandinetti.

Tega loved the beach at Montauk and considered it her second home.

She and her husband Peer moved to Winston-Salem, NC, from Massapequa, Long Island, in 1985 when they retired.

She enjoyed bowling and golfing, and was a member of the Albany Italian-American Club, VFW Post 9010 and 7277 Auxiliaries, the Winston-Salem Booster Club, St. Leo’s Seniors Club, Vantage Marshall at the Senior Classic Golf Tournaments, Tanglewood Park, Clemmens, NC, and volunteer worker.

Survivors include her children, Tina Dombroski and husband David of Greenville, Peter V. Tega Jr. and wife Joan of Drums, PA, and Donna Soper and husband Ronald of Sprakers; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Peter V. Tega Sr., in 1999, and two brothers, Eugene and Vincent Grandinetti.

Funeral services take place Friday, June 17 at noon at the Gerald B. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. There are no calling hours prior to the service.

Local arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.


June 9, 2005

NICHOLAS MEZZANOTTI

Nicholas M. Mezzanotti, 58, of Coxsackie, died Wednesday, June 1 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.

Born in Baltimore, MD, January 28, 1947, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Marie (Novak) Mezzanotti.

Mezzanotti had been an area resident since 1981.

He served in the Navy and was a motion picture costumer.  Many of his works were with Universal Disney at California and many other companies.

Survivors include his domestic partner, Thomas Lawler of Coxsackie.

Private cremation took place at the Albany Rural Crematorium, Menands.

Arrangements were with W.C. Brady’s Sons Inc. Funeral Home, Coxsackie.


June 16, 2005            

DOLORES FINLEY

Dolores May Finley, 74, of Coxsackie, died Sunday, June 12 at Community Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany.

She was born May 9, 1931 in Coeymans, the daughter of the late Frank and Ella (Quintana) Southard.

Finely was a member of the Second Reformed Church of Coxsackie and a former member of the Coxsackie Yacht Club Auxiliary.

She enjoyed her garden and traveling.

Survivors include her husband Randall Finley, to whom she was married November 19, 1950 in Coeymans; her sons, Randy K. (Louise) Finley of Coxsackie and Leonard L. (Jo-Halleck-Finley) Finely of East Nassau; her sister, Louise Messinger of Coxsackie; for grandchildren, Jennifer (Seth) Weinstein and Erin Finley of Coxsackie and Joseph and Thomas Finely, both of East Nassau; a great-granddaughter, Sydney Weinstein; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister, June Austin.

Burial was in Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore.

Memorial donation are suggested to be sent to either the Coxsackie Rescue Squad or Community Hospice at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Arrangements were with Sopris-Murray Funeral Home, Coxsackie.


June 16, 2005

JUDITH BECKER

Judith E. Francis Becker, 59, formerly of Catskill, died Sunday, May 15 at her daughter’s home in Wetumpka, AL.

A memorial Service took place at the Redland Baptist Church on Saturday, May 21.

She was the daughter of Gladys Francis of Catskill and the late Charles R. Francis Sr.

Besides her mother, survivors include her daughter  and son-in-law, Melissa and Michael Scarbrough of Wetumpka, AL; three brothers, Charles Francis Jr. of Round Top, Louis Nash of Danbury, CT, and Gary Francis of New Baltimore; two sister, Phyllis Coons of Catskill and Joyce Bowen of Hyde Park; and two grandchildren, Amber and Crystal Scarbrough of Wetumpka, AL.


June 16, 2005

HELEN ANDERSEN

A memorial Mass of Helen D. Andersen, who died on Monday, April 18, will be celebrated Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Greenville.

All are invited.

Interment will follow in the Greenville Cemetery.


June 30, 2005                  

JAMES REIDY

James J. Reidy, 84 of Greenville, died on Sunday, June 26 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

He was born in the Bronx October 26, 1920, the son of the late James and Ellen (Enright) Reidy.

Reidy served in the Navy during World War II.  He was employed as an investigator with the state Department of labor in Brooklyn until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Reidy of Greenville; a step-son, Peter Mastrangelo of Denver, CO; and stepdaughter, Ann Mastrangelo of Long Island.

A brother, John Reidy, died before him.

A Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 9 a.m. today, June 30, at St. John the Baptist Church, Greenville.

Interment follows at 12:30 p.m. in the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.


June 30, 2005                  

RUDOLF BRESOCNIK

Rudolf Bresocnik, 76, of Earlton, died Sunday, June 26 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.

Born in Slovenia February 28, 1929, he was the son of the late Herman and Ljudmila (Vidmar) Bresocnik.

Bresocnik was a foreman for Otto’s Kitchen and Bath of Queens before retiring.

Formerly of Ridgewood, Queens, he had been a Greene County resident since 1989.  He loved the Catskill Mountains, where he could hunt and fish.

Survivors include two sons, Alois and wife Alfie Bresocnik of Old Bridge, NJ, and Otto and wife Josephine Bresocnik of Mastic Beach; two brothers, Adi Bresocnik and Karlo Bresocnik; three sisters, Josephine Bresocnik, Zlata Hamersak and Milicia Kusnik; five grandchildren, Nancy, Brian, Karen, Michelle, and Erik Bresocnik; and three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Ashley and Andrew Bresocnik.

Private cremation took place at Park view Cemetery, Schenectady.

Arrangements were with Traver and McCurry Funeral Home, Catskill.


June 30, 2005                  

LEROY MATTICE

LeRoy Mattice, 80, of West Coxsackie, died Sunday, June 26 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson, where he had been a patient since June 22.

He was born in Ravena March 29, 1925, the son of the late Addison and Mary (Pelton) Mattice.

Mattice had been an area resident since 1946.

He served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of the Coxsackie American Legion Post #116 and Coxsackie VFW Post.

He was employed by Conrail in Selkirk for 37 years.

Survivors include his wife of almost 59 years, Jean B. (Carrington) Mattice; two sons, Nelson Mattice of Cairo and Neal Mattice of Coxsackie; two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Nancy) Crewell and Mrs. Matteo (Norean) Frenza of Catskill; a brother, James Mattice of Huma, AZ; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter Nadine Mattice in 1976, as well as by six brothers and eight sisters.

Funeral Services are today, June 30, at 11 a.m. at the First Untied Methodist Church of Coxsackie, with the Rev. Wendy Steed, pastor, officiating.

Interment follows with military honors in Riverside Cemetery.

Arrangements were with W.C. Brady’s Sons Inc. Funeral Home, Coxsackie.


June 30, 2005                  

ABBEY BROWN

Abbey N. Brown, 20, of Cairo, died Monday, June 27 at her home.

She was born December 24, 1984 in Mount Kosco.

Brown was a student at the Center for the Disabled in Albany.  She loved music and had a beautiful singing voice “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was a particular favorite song.

Survivors include her mother, Susan J (Hoxsie) Brown and fiancé Joe Ottati of Cairo; her father James J. Brown of Catskill; her maternal grandparents, Donald and Sylvia Hoxsie of West Virginia; a sister, Brooke L. Brown of Cairo; two uncles and their wives, Eric and Rae Hoxsie of East Aurora and John and Ruth Drullard of Hamburg; an aunt and her husband, Sandra and Ziggy Ziolkowski of West Virginia; and many cousins.

Her paternal grandparents predeceased her.

Private cremation services took place at the Albany Rural Crematorium in Menands.

Memorial services are planned Friday, July1 at 2 p.m. at Richards Funeral Home, Bross Street, Cairo, with the Rev. David Overton, Chaplain of Community Hospice of Columbia and Greene Counties, officiating.


June 30, 2005                  

ALLAN KING

Allan E. King, 57, of Coxsackie died suddenly on Sunday, June 26 at his home.

Born in the Bronx August 10,1947, he was the son of the late Lionel and Evelyn (Carter) King.

King Served in the Army, He had been a Coxsackie are resident for two years.

He liked to build model airplanes and model cars.  He loved drag racing and playing the guitar.

King was employed by the state Transit Authority, from which he retried.

Survivors include his brothers, Larry King of Colorado Springs, Bernard King of Coxsackie and Hoard and Aaron King, both of the Bronx: his sisters, Vivian and Linda King, both of Coxsackie, Anita Kind (Jennings) of Coeymans and Eileen (King) Washington of Coxsackie; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contribution may be made to the First Reformed Church, West Coxsackie.

Arrangements were with the W.C. Brady’s Sons Inc. Funeral Home, Coxsackie.


June 30, 2005                  

ANN BONESTEEL

Ann Grace Bonesteel, 96, formerly of Cairo, died Tuesday, June 21.

Born in New York January 17,1909, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Sarah Lamar.  She married Abram V. Bonesteel in Woodstock in June 1930.

The family spent most of their lives in Cairo and moved to Palm Springs, CA, in 1976.

Survivors include her sons, William Bonesteel of Alameda, CA John Bonesteel of Murrieta, CA, and James Bonesteel of Aspen, CO; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She will be buried in the Cairo Cemetery.


June 30, 2005                  

BARBARA WHITE

Barbara A. White, 60, of Athens, died Wednesday, June 22 at Kingston Hospital.

She was born in Brooklyn September 11, 1944, the daughter of the late Kurt Walther and Joanne Mackey.

White was a laboratory technician for Lab Corp. in Jefferson Heights and Hudson.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Catskill.

Survivors include her husband Paul White of Catskill; her son Michael and Scott Myer of Catskill and Joseph Myer and fiancée Deana Thomas of Coxsackie; her sister, Jacqueline White of Catskill; granddaughter Alexis Mayer of Coxsackie; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in the New Athens Rural Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the family in care of Scot Myer, 95 Route 49, Catskill 12414.

Arrangements were with Sopris-Murray Funeral Home, West Coxsackie.


June 30, 2005                  

DOMINICK FALSO

Dominick  J. Falso, 79, of Athens, died Thursday, June 23 at home.

Born April 21, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Tony and Jennie (Romanelli) Falso.

Falso served in the Navy and Army, and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict.

He had been an Athens resident since 2002.

Survivors include tow brothers, John Ciocci of South Philadelphia and David Ciocci of Mantua, NJ; a sister, Amelia Horgan of Northeast Philadelphia; and a friend, Robert Baker of Athens.

Interment with full military honors takes place in the veterans section of the Town of Catskill Cemetery.

Arrangements were with Traver and McCurry Funeral Home, Catskill.


June 30, 2005                  

EDWARD HEFKE

Edward G. Hefke, a resident of Dominican Village in Amityville, formerly of East Durham, died at the age of 94 on Saturday, June 25.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Bert and Bernadette Hefke; grandchildren Lauren Hefke and Jennifer McSparron; and great-grandson Ryan McSparron. 

His wife, Eleanor Hefke, predeceased him.

Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of New York City, 405 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021.

Arrangements were with the Frederick J. Chapey and Sons Funeral Home Inc., West Islip.


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