Frederick McKinnon, 73, pioneer in television lighting
May 6, 1999
Frederick (Red) McKinnon, 73, of Woodland Hills, Calif., a former New Brighton resident who was a pioneer in television lighting techniques, died April 21 at home. Born in New Brighton, he moved to Shore Acres during the 1970s and settled in Woodland Hills in 1978. Mr. McKinnon was a lighting designer and director of photography who got his start in television after taking a job in the mailroom of NBC in Manhattan when he was only 16 and a student at McKee High School. After graduating from McKee, Mr. McKinnon attended the RCA Institute in Manhattan and earned a lighting certificate from the Illuminating Engineering Society. Mr. McKinnon was employed as a house electrician for live radio programs and was a staff lighting director for NBC from 1950 to 1971. His television work, which included coverage of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul; Miss America pageants and the Statue of Liberty birthday celebration, earned numerous Emmy nominations. He worked with many of television's biggest names, including Milton Berle, Red Skelton and Norman Lear. From 1971 through 1983, Mr. McKinnon was employed by Imero Fiorentino Associates, Inc., Manhattan, and charged with designing lighting for television specials. From 1983 through 1997, he did similar work for Design Partners, Inc. in Los Angeles. His most recent credits included work on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and CNN's "Larry King Live." Mr. McKinnon retired in 1997 but continued to work part-time as a lighting consultant. He was "quite a baseball player" and had a reputation for hitting a long ball while playing outfield for the Frank Smith Association of New Brighton and the Gold Star Legion Post of Travis in the Twyford-Muche baseball leagues, according to his brother, Gordon McKinnon. Mr. McKinnon was a member of the Directory of Photography, Local 600; the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; the American Film Institute; and the American Society of Lighting Directors. He was an animal lover and enjoyed recreational golf. Mr. McKinnon was a technical sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He attended the Brighton Heights Reformed Church, and was later a parishioner of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Rosebank. In addition to his brother, Gordon, Mr. McKinnon is survived by his wife, the former Kathleen O'Neill; three sons, Kevin, Neal and Brian; two daughters, Karen and Peggy McKinnon; two more brothers, Alexander and Thomas; and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Lorenzen Mortuary, Reseda, Calif. Entombment was in San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, Calif.

Frank Barbaria, 47, maintenance worker
May 6, 1999
Frank Barbaria, 47, a lifelong resident of Tottenville and maintenance worker, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay, following a long illness. He was a truck driver and lift-truck operator for Nassau Smelting Refining Co., Richmond Valley, from 1968 until 1986. For the past 13 years Mr. Barbaria was employed as a maintenance worker for the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin at Mount Loretto, Pleasant Plains. Mr. Barbaria was a graduate of Tottenville High School. He enjoyed boating, water skiing and fishing. Mr. Barbaria was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville. Surviving are two sons, Frank and Douglas; a daughter, Jennifer Barbaria; his father, Joseph; three brothers, James, Thomas and Richard; two sisters, Alice McIntire and Maryann Owens; and one granddaughter. The funeral will be Saturday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Rossville. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Filomena Porzio, 89, retired manager
May 6, 1999
Filomena Porzio, 89, of Huguenot, a retired food service manager, died Tuesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. Born Filomena Vernola in Palece-Macchia on the outskirts of Bari, Italy, she moved to the United States in 1929. She lived briefly in West Brighton before settling in Huguenot in 1933. She had also maintained a second residence in Port Charlotte, Fla., since 1969. She was the food service manager at the former South Shore Golf Club from 1934 to 1954. She enjoyed sewing and reading. Mrs. Porzio was a parishioner of St. Joseph-St. Thomas R.C. Parish, Plesant Plains. Her husband of 67 years, Nicola, died in 1996. Surviving are a son, Gaetano; a daughter, Ruth O'Donnell; a sister, Carmela Angiulli; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Rossville. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, also Rossville.

Deborah Early, 44, was a bookkeeper
May 6, 1999
Deborah Early, 44, of Dongan Hills, a homemaker and bookkeeper, died Monday at home. Born Deborah Baldwin in Brooklyn, she moved to Dongan Hills in 1980. She had been a bookkeeper for Early Plumbing, a family-owned business in Midland Beach, for the past 10 years. A parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, Mrs. Early enjoyed collecting and selling the popular Beanie Baby toys. Surviving are her husband, Joseph; two sons, Michael and Joseph Jr.; a daughter, Nicole Early; her mother, Anne Marie McAllister; a brother, Ralph; and four sisters, Marie Micara, Nora Reale, Lorraine Nazi and Joan Bavaro. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Catherine Kallaitzakis, 79, struck by car
May 6, 1999
Catherine Kallaitzakis, 79, of Great Kills, died Monday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, of injuries suffered when she was struck by a car Thursday morning on Amboy Road in her community. Mrs. Kallaitzakis was hit by the car shortly before 7:30 a.m. and was taken to the hospital's emergency room. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where her condition had been listed as critical. The driver of the vehicle was not charged in the incident. Born Katerina Sifoginakis in Greece, Mrs. Kallaitzakis moved to the United States in 1947. She lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., before moving to Great Kills in 1966. Mrs. Kallaitzakis was a homemaker. "She was deeply loved by her son and daughter and grandchildren," said her daughter, Angela Patterson. "All are going to miss her. It was such a horrible way for her to die." Mrs. Kallaitzakis enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking. Her husband, George, died in 1987. In addition to her daughter, Angela, surviving are a son, Luke; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Saturday from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Nicholas-Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bulls Head. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Aldovina Wilbert, 68, was nurse's aide
May 6, 1999
Aldovina Irene Wilbert, 68, a former Staten Islander and a retired nurse's aide, died yesterday at her home in Brunswick, Ga. Born Aldovina Van Haerenborgh in Brooklyn, she was brought to Staten Island as a child. While living on the Island, Ms. Wilbert resided in New Brighton, Silver Lake and Dongan Hills. She moved to Georgia in 1997. Ms. Wilbert was a nurse's aide for Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, for about 10 years. She worked for another eight years as a nurse's aide for Doctors' Hospital, Concord, before retiring in 1993. "She was a loving and compassionate mother," said her daughter, Carolyn Thomas. "She was my best friend." Ms. Wilbert enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. In addition to her daughter, Carolyn, surviving are a brother, Louis Compagna, and two grandsons. Arrangements for a memorial service and burial, which are pending, are being handled by the Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, Brunswick.

Vincenza Dolcimascolo, 86, retired seamstress
May 7, 1999
Vincenza Dolcimascolo, 86, of Bridgewater, N.J., a retired seamstress, died yesterday in the Harborside Health Care Center, Bridgewater. Born Vincenza Zanca in Manhattan, she was brought to Dongan Hills in 1917; she moved to West Caldwell, N.J., in 1991 and recently settled in Bridgewater. Mrs. Dolcimascolo was a seamstress for a Manhattan wedding gown designer for 30 years, retiring in 1974. She was a member of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. She graduated from Curtis High School. Mrs. Dolcimascolo enjoyed gardening. She was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. Her husband, James, died in 1975. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Entombment will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Troy Moore, 48, was a carpenter
May 7, 1999
Troy A. Moore, 48, a lifelong Staten Islander and carpenter, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay. Born in Stapleton, he moved to Pleasant Plains in 1969. Mr. Moore was a carpenter and electrician for the former Viking Construction Co. on Staten Island for 15 years during the 1970s and early-1980s, and also worked for several other contractors. He attended McKee High School He enjoyed working with wood, model building, motorcycles and fishing. Mr. Moore served as a private first class in the Army for two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, from 1968 until 1972. He was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Surviving are his mother, Dolores Willensen; three brothers, Gerald Carbone and Louis and Adam Belajack; and two sisters, Deborah Wagner and Annie Larsen. The funeral will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville. Cremation will be in the Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J.

Ruth Slater, 86, retired sales clerk
May 7, 1999
Ruth Slater, 86, a lifelong resident of West Brighton and retired sales clerk, died yesterday in the Sisters of Charity Medical Center, St. Vincent's Campus. Born Ruth Moore, she attended Port Richmond High School. Mrs. Slater worked part-time for the former Willie Finnan's Confectionery Store, West Brighton, for 30 years. She retired in the mid-1970s. Mrs. Slater enjoyed taking trips to Atlantic City, sending cards and country music. "She was the most wonderful mother there was," said her daughter, Gloria R. Simmons. "She would do anything for anybody." In addition to her daughter, Gloria, surviving are her husband, William J.; a son, William D.; and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, Port Richmond. The Rev. Donald Goodson, pastor of Summerfield United Methodist Church, Mariners Harbor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Margaret Horan, 98, was a homemaker
May 7, 1999
Margaret A. Horan, 98, a homemaker, died Tuesday in the Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, Dongan Hills, where she had been a resident for two years. Born Margaret Taylor in Newburgh, N.Y., she moved to Brooklyn in the early 1930s. Mrs. Horan was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed traveling. Mrs. Horan's husband, James, died in 1994. Surviving are a son, James J., a daughter, Pat Horan Hofmann; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Hanley Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Richmond. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor, N.Y.

Leon Hess, 85, was Jets owner
May 7, 1999
Leon Hess, owner of the New York Jets, died today in a New York hospital. He was 85. Hess was hospitalized with a broken hip early last month and had been discharged. However, complications developed and he reentered Lenox Hill Hospital about four weeks ago. Cause of death was attributed to a complications from a blood disease, the Jets said Hess, who made his fortune as a forceful oil tycoonm, was in a group that bought the Jets of the American Football League in 1963, when they were the New York Titans. He eventually bought out his partners, Sonny Werblin and Phil Iselin. The Jets began play in Shea Stadium in 1964 after four seasons in the Polo Grounds, but 20 years later, Hess moved the team's home games to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Hess died without realizing his dream of seeing the Jets back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1969 when Joe Namath led them to a memorable victory over the Baltimore Colts. They came closest to fulfilling his wish last season when, with Bill Parcells as their new coach, they got into the AFC title game. Hess had been president and chief executive officer of Amerada Hess, the oil company, and was one of the richest owners in pro sports. His wealth was estimated at more than $700 million dollars.

Josephine Squicciarini, 71, was a homemaker
May 7, 1999
Josephine Squicciarini, 71, of Great Kills, a homemaker, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Josephine Basso in Brooklyn, she moved to Great Kills in 1996. She enjoyed playing bingo and sewing. Mrs. Squicciarini was a parishioner of St. John Neumann R.C. Church, Greenridge. "She was a warm and loving person who cherished every moment with her family," said her daughter, Isabelle Ahern. "She will never be forgotten." In addition to her daughter, Isabelle, surviving are her husband, Michael; one son, Frank; two more daughters, Frances Johnson and Michele Squicciarini; and four grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. John Neumann Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Hilma Campbell, 49, home care attendant
May 7, 1999
Hilma May Campbell, 49, of Mariners Harbor, a home care attendant, died Tuesday in Doctors' Hospital, Concord, of cancer. Born in Jamaica, Ms. Campbell also lived in Canada before moving to Mariners Harbor 15 years ago. She was a home care attendant who worked for 12 years for Stella Orton Home Care, New Dorp. Ms. Campbell enjoyed baking and caring for plants. She was a member of Good Hope Missionary Church, New Brighton. "She was a good mother, a good sister and a good friend," said her daughter, Latoya T. Campbell. In addition to her daughter, Latoya, Ms. Campbell is survived by a son, Clayton Brown; another daughter, Chantal Ottey; five brothers, Rupert, Aston, Clive and Owen Campbell, and Hansel Smith; six sisters, Louise Ramsey, Linnette Beech, Lurlene Campbell, Clover Davis, Marva Lennon and Marcia Jones; one grandson; and her companion, Clifford Ottey. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a service at 10 a.m. in Good Hope Missionary Church. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Castleton Corners.

Harry Singhofen, 71, retired personnel director
May 7, 1999
Harry Singhofen, 71, of Matawan, N.J., formerly of Greenridge, a retired personnel director and manager, died yesterday in Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel, N.J. Born in Manhattan, Mr. Singhofen moved to Greenridge in 1936 and to Matawan in 1965. Mr. Singhofen worked as a personnel director for the former S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Company, Prince's Bay, for 22 years. He then worked as manager of compensation and benefits for Merck and Co., Rahway, N.J., for 19 years, retiring in 1988. He received a bachelor's degree in science from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., and was a graduate of Tottenville High School. Mr. Singhofen served in the Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed playing golf. Surviving are his wife, the former Elizabeth Schmidt; a son, Peter; a daughter, Karen Kiss; a brother, Richard; and three grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the Waitt Funeral Home, Morganville, N.J. Burial will follow in Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet, N.J.

Emil Corsiglia, 100, retired sales manager
May 7, 1999
Emil Corsiglia, 100, of Hauppauge, L.I., a retired sales manager and former Staten Islander, died Thursday in St. John's Episcopal Hospital, Smithtown, L.I. Born in Genoa, Italy, Mr. Corsiglia was brought to the United States as a child. He lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn before moving to Concord in 1928. Mr. Corsiglia lived in Grant City and New Dorp in the 1950s, moved briefly to Florida and returned to Grant City in the 1960s. He moved to Florida in 1964 and settled on Long Island last year. For 22 years, Mr. Corsiglia worked at the former New Method Laundry, Stapleton, retiring as a sales manager. He also worked at the former Sears store in Port Richmond, where he sold carpeting and draperies. He earned "top salesman" status in the early-1960s and retired in 1964. He served in the Navy from 1920 to 1921 as a seaman aboard the USS North Dakota. Mr. Corsiglia enjoyed playing cards and bocce and was an avid photographer, taking movies, slides and photos for many years. In April, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, Mr. Corsiglia's photo was featured in a segment of NBC's "Today Show" with Willard Scott. Mr. Corsiglia was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, New Dorp, and St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City. His grandson, Thomas LaFauci, remembered his grandfather's disposition above all. "He always had a smile and a good word for everyone," he said. His first wife, the former Georgina Domenici, died in 1971. His second wife, the former Helen Shoff, died in 1998. In addition to his grandson, Thomas, surviving are two daughters, Gloria Traverso and Norma LaFauci-Hudak; three more grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was this morning from the Maloney's Hauppauge Funeral Home, Hauppauge, with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Thomas More R.C. Church, also Hauppauge. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere.