U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Dr. Robert Keller
Dr. Robert Keller of Riverhead, 54, died unexpectedly on June 13, 2004 in Hanover, N.H., where he and his wife were attending the graduation of their nephew from Dartmouth College.
A lifelong resident of Riverhead, he graduated from Riverhead High School in 1968, did undergraduate studies at Ohio State University and earned a degree in dentistry at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. After graduating, Dr. Keller returned to Riverhead and bought the practice of his family's dentist, Francis "Doc" Menendez.
Bob Keller was an avid fan of all sports, but was especially devoted to his Ohio State Buckeyes. Locally he was known as one of the best tennis players around. In high school he was a county doubles champion, teaming with partner Bo Goodale. Said longtime friend Rich Chizever of Aquebogue: "He always made me feel welcome. I was just a little tennis runt and he was a county champ, but he said, 'Come on, young man, I'll teach you a few things.' He's always been like that. He always did the right thing."
"A classy guy," said Jerry Duval of Riverhead, another old school friend and tennis partner. "Bobby was a rock of a guy. A great, loyal friend, devoted to his wife." On the tennis court, "he was a heck of a player. Tremendous focus. He was a winner."
Predeceased by his father, William, Dr. Keller is survived by his mother, Elizabeth, of Riverhead; his wife, Donna, of Riverhead; two brothers, William, of Riverhead, and James, of Vancouver, B.C.; and three sisters, Kathy Moodie of Virginia, Ruth Muschamp of Aurora, N.Y., and Christine Hilliker of Mattituck.
Visitation is today (June 17) from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will be conducted there on Friday at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Sound Avenue Cemetery in Riverhead.
Memorial donations may be made to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Department of Development, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, N.H. 03756. Funds will go toward cardiac research.
Maragaret Fotia
Maragaret Fotia died June 7, 2004 at her daughter's residence in Baiting Hollow. She was 93.
Ms. Fotia was born in Tipperary, Ireland, on Oct. 16, 1910, to Michael and Mary (Maloney) O'Shea. After immigrating to America, she lived for many years in Queens Village, Mineola and, since last August, with her daughter Maryann Renz, in Baiting Hollow.
In addition to Ms. Renz, Ms. Fotia is survived by daughter Margaret Flashberg of California; a sister, Christine Daly of Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 2001.
Visitation was June 10 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. The Rev. Thomas Coby officiated at a Mass of Christian Burial June 11 at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment followed at St. Charles R.C. Cemetery in Farmingdale.
Irma G. Murphy
Local diner proprietor Irma G. Murphy, 71, died at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead on June 6, 2004. Ms. Murphy owned Irma's Diner in Riverhead for 35 years.
Born April 19, 1933, to Elmore and Ida (Tuthill) Smith, Ms. Murphy was a lifelong resident of Riverhead who graduated from Riverhead High School in 1951. She was described by her sister, Clara Davis of Aquebogue, as someone who enjoyed solitude and preferred to devote her free time to her work. "She was a very hard worker," Ms. Davis said. "That's why she always got ahead." Ms. Murphy also worked as a bus driver for the handicapped.
Ms. Murphy's sister, Ms. Davis, is her sole surviving relative.
Visitation was June 9 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. Prayer services were June 10, followed by interment at Riverhead Cemetery.
Marie L. Farrell
Marie L. Farrell of Riverhead died June 7, 2004 at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead. She was 61.
Born in Kew Gardens, Queens, to Herman and Maria (Ahrem) Schukaft on April 24, 1943, "Mary-Lou" had lived for three years in her Riverhead residence.
"She liked to garden," said her husband, William, also describing her as a hard worker who was dedicated to her job as a child-support specialist. She retired in 2002.
In addition to her husband; Ms. Farrell is survived by a son, Daniel Palazzotto; two daughters, Maria Blenkensopp and Susan Sanginario; and five grandchildren.
Visitation was followed by a funeral service on June 12 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. Cremation was private.
Sophie E. Niksa
Sophie E. Niksa died June 11, 2004 at her Riverhead home. She was 91.
Born to Polish immigrants Frank and Susan Harris in Cutchogue on April 9, 1913, she married Thaddeus Niksa in July 1941. The couple moved in 1953 to Riverhead, where she lived for the remainder of her life.
For 41 years, Ms. Niksa was employed by King Kullen, where she rose to become head bookkeeper, and, according to her son, Ted, she "knew everybody in town." Proud of her heritage, she loved Polish music, to which she would frequently listen, family members recalled. She also enjoyed Riverhead's annual Polish Town fair, at which she set up a booth for many years.
Besides her son, Ms. Niksa is survived by her brothers, Stanley Harris and Wesley Harris; a sister, Louise Tomaszewski; and two grandchildren. All live in Riverhead. Her husband predeceased her in 1983.
Visitation was June 13 at F.J. McLaughlin Funeral Home in Riverhead. Funeral services were conducted June 14 at St. Isidore's R.C. Church in Riverhead, Father Nugent officiating. Interment followed at the church cemetery.
George H. Raynor
Lifelong Riverhead resident George H. Raynor, 66, died May 30, 2004 at Central Suffolk Hospital.
Born to Harvey and Ruth Raynor in Southampton on Jan. 20, 1938, Mr. Raynor graduated from Riverhead High School in 1956 and then served in the U.S. Navy until 1960.
"He was the kind of person to give you his shirt and not ask for it back, ever," said his daughter Laurie Aguilar of Riverhead. "He had a wonderful sense of humor."
Mr. Raynor was employed as a mechanic by the Riverhead School District. He also drove a school bus until his retirement in 1999. He was an active member of the Grace Episcopal Church, acting as junior warden, lay reader, youth leader and member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.
Mr. Raynor was described by family members as an avid writer, with several short stories published about his childhood experiences on Long Island waters.
In addition to his daughter Laurie, survivors include his wife of 42 years, Sharon (née Malone); daughters Ruth Baumgaidt of Phillipsburg, N.J., Barbara Good of Lebanon, Pa., and Tara Bonilla of Riverhead; a son, George Jr., of East Quogue; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation was June 2 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. Funeral services were held June 3 at the funeral home with Mother Bernadette officiating. Interment followed at Riverhead Cemetery.
Jerome Neil Donaldson
Jerome Neil Donaldson, known to friends as "Miami," died at the age of 48 on June 4, 2004 at Central Suffolk Skilled Nursing Facility in Riverhead.
A 15-year Riverhead resident, he was born to LaVonia and Clapse Donaldson on Dec. 21, 1955, in Miami. Fla. In Riverhead he worked as a laborer and handyman, picking up odd jobs.
"He liked to cook," said his mother-in-law, Catharine Miles, who said Mr. Donaldson would surprise his wife, Debra, with dinner after she returned home from work. He also enjoyed planting beds of seasonal flowers outside his apartment building, according to family members.
Besides his wife, Mr. Donaldson is survived by two children, Lotasha, of Miami, and LaVonia, of Riverhead; two stepchildren, Tameka Miles and LaSheena Harris, both of Riverhead; five grandchildren; three sisters, Eulla Carlyle and Anabelle Donaldson, both of Statesboro, Ga., and Annie Mae Woods of Jacksonville, Fla.; and seven brothers, Larry, of San Antonio, Texas; Grant Carlyle, Johnny Carlyle and Jimmy Donaldson, all of Miami; and Randolph Carlyle, Nathaniel Carlyle and Napolean Carlyle, all of Statesboro, Ga. He was predeceased by his son, Jerome Jr.
The funeral took place June 10 at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead, Pastor Roy Pennon officiating. Private cremation followed. Arrangements were by Seay Memorial Chapel of Riverhead.
