U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Katharine Phelps Richardson
Katharine Phelps Richardson, 91, died at Eastern Long Island Hospital on Sunday, May 19, 2002.
She was born to Louis and Maude Phelps in Greenfield, Massachusetts on April 15, 1911. She married Nelson Richardson in 1937 and they celebrated 60 years of marriage shortly before his death on March 3, 1997.
During their retirement years, the Richardsons lived on Shelter Island, where she was an active member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, followed by residency in Founders Village in Southold.
Katharine was an active sportswoman, enjoying tennis, swimming, bicycling and walking -- and a good bridge game was dear to her heart.
Katharine Richardson is survived by daughter and son-in-law Sally and Philip Rein of Patchogue, New York and by daughter and son-in-law Nancy and David Chapman of Port Charlotte, Florida; three grandchildren: Cindy Matyus, Katherine Wilson and Nicole Carrasco; and great-grandchildren Gabrielle, Levi, Gwenvieve, Quay, Benjamin, Emily Kay and Ramses. She was predeceased by her great-grandchild Caleb.
Visiting hours and funeral service were at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold on Wednesday, May 22 at 12:30 p.m., followed by private cremation.
Fred Thieringer Jr.
Fred Thieringer Jr. died peacefully at his Shelter Island home on May 15, 2003 at the age of 97.
Born in a two-family house in East Orange, New Jersey on February 1, 1906, his father had a house in both East Orange and Montclair and Fred attended school in each place. He graduated from Montclair High School in 1924 after working nights, including as night manager of the local Western Union office during his senior year.
After graduation, he started as a clerk with Appleton & Cox, Inc., a New York marine underwriter. He remained there 47 years, retiring as president and chairman of the board on February 1, 1971. By that time, the firm was an affiliate of Continental Insurance Company and was called Marine Office-Appleton Cox Corp.
For a number of years after he started working in New York, he took night courses at New York University on various business topics including a post-graduate course in admiralty law.
Mr. Thieringer is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret; their four children, Jane Thieringer of Santa Cruz, California, James Scott Thieringer of Long Valley, New Jersey, David Carl Thieringer of Pine Plains, New York and Richard (Charlie) Lawrence Thieringer of Liberty Corner, New Jersey. He is also survived by his sister, Gertrude L. Dinkel of Shelter Island; eight grandchildren and numerous neices and nephews.
Two sisters predeceased him: Elizabeth B. Crossley and Madeline A. Thieringer.
A family graveside service was held at St. Mary's Cemetery on Shelter Island on Monday, May 19, 2003.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Chapel in the Grove, P.O. Box 326, Shelter Island Heights, New York 11965 in recognition of Mr. Thieringer's years of association with the Chapel Committee and as an honorary life trustee.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Shelter Island Funeral Home.
Memorial service
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church for Vernon O'Rourke, who died on January 24, 2003. It is requested that there be no flowers. Anyone wishing to remember Vernon or Jane O'Rourke is welcome to do so with a contribution to the Shelter Island Library.
Henry G. Tilden
Former Shelter Island resident Henry G. Tilden, 84, died of cancer on May 14, 2003 at The Shores, Peconic Landing, in Greenport.
Educated at Columbia College and Columbia Law School, he spent his working years in New York City, retiring as a partner at Dunnington, Batholow and Miller.
He served in the Navy during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific and remained an avid sailor and boater throughout his life. He maintained an active role in his church and community.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth B. Tilden; one daughter, Susan T. Aiken; a son, Henry G. Tilden Jr., and one grandson, Samuel Tilden Aiken.
A memorial service was held Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
A donation may be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, the Mashomack Preserve or the Shelter Island Public Library.
Lorraine Lesoon-Martino
Lorraine Lesoon-Martino of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania died on Friday, May 16, 2003 after a sudden illness. She was 64. She is survived by her daughter, Alexia Martina of Shelter Island.
Ms. Lesoon-Martino was a world traveler, committed volunteer, writer, educator and literary proofreader. She also is survived by her brother, Edward J. Lesoon Jr. She was predeceased by her sister, Esther Joan Maratta.
Friends were received on May 18 and 19 at the John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. funeral home. Burial was at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, May 20.
Daniel J. Denver
Daniel J. Denver of Shelter Island Heights died at Stony Brook Hospital on May 12, 2001. He was 83 years old.
Mr. Denver was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on December 16, 1917. He was one of six children of Thomas and Eleanor Denver. He attended Brooklyn schools, went to work as a teenager for the Edison Company, finished his high school degree at night at Erasmus Hall, and eventually went on to get a BA from the City University of New York and an MA from Washington State University.
He joined the New York City Police Department in 1940 and was a member of the elite Special Squad One for several years, working on special assignments such as guarding President Roosevelt during a visit to New York, and going undercover as a detective during the early years of World War II to find out if certain groups were carrying on illegal activities in New York City. Later he became a sergeant, then a lieutenant and head of the narcotics squad in Manhattan, and finally a captain and commander of his own precinct in the Bronx. He retired after 26 years on the job.
After retirement from the NYPD, Mr. Denver became a professor at Suffolk County Community College in Selden. He was for several years the head of the Department of Criminal Justice there. When he died, he was a professor emeritus.
Over the years, Mr. Denver lived in Brooklyn, in Katonah, New York, in various sections of New York City and finally in Shelter Island, beginning in 1966. He was married to Katherine Boland, who died in 1951; to Eileen Boland Rorke, who died in 1978; and to Mary T. Callahan, who survives him. He is also survived by his brother, Robert A., of Walnut Creek, California; by his children Eileen Denver Stephens and Daniel Denver and stepchildren Brigid Callahan and Thomas Rorke Denver; and by his grandchildren: Daniel, Molly, Tammy, Katherine, Farragh, C.J., Rorke and Nate.
The family received friends and relatives on Tuesday, May 15 at the Shelter Island Funeral Home. After a service on May 16 at Our Lady of the Isle Church, Mr. Denver was buried at Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery.
Mimi Ross
Mimi Ross of Shelter Island died on May 12 after a brief illness. She was 67.
Born on June 20, 1933, in Brooklyn, Mrs. Ross and her husband, Gerald, began visiting Shelter Island 40 years ago. A teacher in the New York City public school system for many years, she was known for her boundless energy and generous spirit. According to her son, Robert, "She lived a full and active life, both trying to help out others less fortunate and becoming involved in the community, as well as enjoying life herself. Her high spirit, compassion, energy and love will be dearly missed."
Mrs. Ross was past president of the South Shore Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. She was the founder, and for numerous years the coordinator and head tennis instructor, of the Rockville Centre Junior Tennis League. She also ran the free tennis clinic at the Martin Luther King Center in Rockville Centre. Mrs. Ross was also a member of the board of directors at Gardiner's Bay Country Club on Shelter Island, where she wrote the newsletter for many years. Most recently, she was involved in East End Hospice.
An avid sportswoman, Mrs. Ross was four-time women's golf champion and six-time runner up at at Gardiner's Bay, and was a member of its bridge club. She was a Gold Life master bridge player. According to her son, Robert, she enjoyed the ballet and the opera, and especially loved entertaining and cooking for friends and family.
"Mimi added a lot of character to our little club," said Gardiner's Bay Country Club Golf Pro Bob DeStefano. "The word used at her service by her son Glen that I thought best described her was 'passion.' I do not know anyone else that has her passion for everything in life."
Mrs. Ross is survived by her husband, Gerald; three sons, Glen, Andrew and Robert; two daughter-in-laws, Kirsten and Mary; and five grandchildren, Anthony, Sarah, Shelley, Jake and Carolyn. Services were held on Monday, May 14, at Gutterman's Funeral Home in Rockville Centre.
Charles R. Mattson
Charles R. Mattson ("Grandpa") passed away at home on Shelter Island on Wednesday, May 8, 2002, after a very long period of ill health.
Mr. Mattson was in the Army Security Agency during the Korean War. He was a 41-year veteran of the telephone company. He served the Shelter Island Red Cross as a board member and training officer and was the first EMT on Shelter Island. He was influential in bringing the ambulance up to the excellent standards it maintains today.
Mr. Mattson and his wife, Ruth, taught first aid and CPR to a number of young people, faculty and staff of the Shelter Island School.
He is survived by his wife, his daughter Karen, and grandson Charlie. He has two brothers, Raymond Mattson of Florida and Peter Mattson of New York; a sister, Alice, of Florida; and many nieces and nephews, also of Florida. His extended family resides in Sweden.
A memorial service will be held at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church on Monday, May 20 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shelter Island Chapter of the Red Cross would be greatly appreciated.
Lesley Marie Schultheis
Lesley Marie Borsack (née Schultheis) of Montegue, New Jersey, Manhasset and Shelter Island, was tragically taken from her family on May 8, 2002. She was 44.
Born on November 26, 1957 in Manhasset, Lesley grew up actively riding, skating and sailing with her family on Shelter Island. She excelled in track and field and was chosen for the Junior Olympics.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald, and her loving children, Zachary and Valyrea. Lesley was the daughter of Dr. Daniel and Anne Schultheis of Shelter Island. She is survived by her brothers George and John of Shelter Island, and sisters Hilary and Jennifer.
Lesley's family said she would never be forgotten for her warm smile and generous heart. She will be forever in the hearts of all who knew her and those she touched by her unconditional love.
Her family said she would live eternally in the hearts of her brothers George and John and sisters Hilary and Jennifer.
Frank E. Havens
Frank E. Havens, 90, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, formerly of Wethersfield, Connecticut and Shelter Island, died on May 7, 2003 at a convalescent home in the Rocky Hill area.
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, Mr. Havens was descended from the Long Island Havens family of whale ship captains and veterans of the Revolution. He was a systems analyst for Aetna Life and Casualty, directing the methods improvement program before retiring in1972.
He served in the field artillery during World War II and retired from the Army Reserve in 1972 as a lieutenant colonel.
He was a member of the Wethersfield Advisory Park and Recreation Board for 13 years, resigning as chairman in 1974. He was a fellow of the Life Management Institute; a past president of the Hartford Chapter of the Administrative Management Society; a member of the American Legion; the Retired Officers Association; the Sons of the American Revolution and the Shelter Island Historical Society.
Mr. Havens was predeceased by his wife Muriel and a son, Gregory Havens Sr. of Wethersfield. He is survived by a granddaughter and a grandson in Wethersfield and a sister-in-law in Virginia.
Funeral services were to be held on Tuesday, May 13 at 10 a.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Burial was to be in the village cemetery of Wethersfield with military honors. Donations may be made to the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield.
Edwin Langbein
Former Shelter Islander Edwin Langbein passed away on April 25, 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri. Born in 1931, Mr. Langbein was the son of Edward and Peggy Langbein. His Shelter Island relatives include the McGayheys.
He attended Shelter Island School and left the Island in 1951, going to Denver and later St. Louis. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service.
Mr. Langbein is survived by his wife, a son and a brother, Robert, of Shelter Island. He was predeceased by his brother Donald.
A memorial service was held in St. Louis.
