U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Helen R. Cunningham
Helen Cunningham died in her sleep at her home on Shelter Island on Saturday, March 31, 2001.
She was born on September 23, 1910, in Pelham, New York, and grew up in Westchester County. Helen attended Smith College and continued to enjoy her College Club activities. She met and married "Tate" Cunningham in 1933; they moved to Shelter Island in 1969, where they were very active in the Historical Society and other Island organizations until Tate's death in 1980.
Helen was a lifetime member of the Historical Society, a regular at St. Mary's duplicate bridge group and a good neighbor to many. Helen will be remembered by all who knew her as an intelligent, kind and gracious lady, strong in both mind and heart.
Helen and Tate shared a lifelong interest in houses and antique furniture. As newlyweds, they hand-built a home in Armonk, New York, where they raised a family. But Helen always wanted to live by the sea, so upon retirement, they bought land and built a waterfront home in New Suffolk. Wanting a bigger challenge, they "adopted" the Peter Nostrum house, one of Shelter Island's grand old ladies, at that time much in need of repair.
They had a wonderful time renovating that house and surrounding it with Helen's rose gardens and Tate's orchards. After Tate's death, Helen moved to a small Heights cottage and oversaw a skillful restoration. Her little flower garden there was much admired by passersby.
Helen will be missed by her daughter, Carol Young of Little Compton, Rhode Island; her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Christina Cunningham of Shelter Island; her grandchildren, Hamilton Young, Natasha Cunningham and Thomas Cunningham and her great grandchildren Henry and Aidan Cunningham-Walsh and Owen Cunningham.
Contributions in Helen's memory can be made to the Shelter Island Library or the Historical Society. Her family invites her friends to help them celebrate her life at a reception at 2 Chase Avenue in the Heights on Saturday, April 7, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Patience L. P. Webb
Patience L'Hommedieu Prime Webb passed away at home in Amherst, New Hampshire on April 2, 2001 after a long battle with cancer.
She was the wife of Rev. Henderson Webb of Amherst, who survives her, and the daughter of the late Sylvester G. Prime of Shelter Island and the late Jacqueline Cartier Prime of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Gardiner Peet of Shelter Island and Laurette deTousard Prime of St. Thomas and numerous nieces and nephews.
Henrietta Sherman Mitchell
Henrietta Sherman Mitchell, a former Shelter Island resident, died at her home in Danville, Virginia on November 12, 2001. She was 93.
She was born Henrietta Schoolcraft Sherman on May 14, 1908, the daughter of Thomas Sherman And Elizabeth Cooper Sherman. Her paternal grandfather was James Schoolcraft Sherman, Vice President of the United States during the William Howard Taft Administration (1908-1912). Mrs. Mitchell was a direct descendent of Princess Pocohontas through the Eldridge family of Virginia. She was also a distant cousin of Diana, Princess of Wales and H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen mother, through the Washingtons of Sulgrave Manor, England. She was a descendent of John Howland, who came to America on the Mayflower, and a member of the John Howland Society. For many years Mrs. Mitchell was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution and was also eligible for membership in the Daughters of the Confederacy.
In 1929 she married Charles Mitchell Hovey, who predeceased her in 1957. They had four children, three of whom pre-deceased her: Will Whiting Hovey II, Mary Elizabeth Hovey and Ann Hovey Kuyk. Her son Charles Mitchell Hovey of Linwood, New Jersey survives. She also leaves one granddaughter, five grandsons, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. In 1959 she married Alexander Shaw Mitchell Jr. who survives her.
Mrs. Mitchell was an ardent Episcopalian and held many offices in the church. She was instrumental in reviving St. Mary's Church on Shelter Island in the early 1950s, working with several other Island women on fund-raising projects to bring St. Mary's back from a summer chapel to a year-round church. A tireless worker, "Hank," as she was known in the community, is remembered by the Reverend Dr. Steven Crowson as having "tremendous joie de vivre." In the late 1970s, Mrs. Mitchell made a gift to the church of its E. M. Skinner pipe organ. She found the organ, which had once been in a South Fork Church, in a barn on the South Fork, purchased it and donated it to St. Mary's.
"She was a tireless worker for worthy charities and devoted her life to helping others," a spokesman for her church in Virginia wrote.
A couple of years ago, when Mrs. Mitchell and her husband were planning to relocate to Virginia, St. Mary's honored her at a special service where she was presented with the Bishop's Cross for Distinguished Service.
Mrs. Mitchell was known as a keen athlete and was a leader in establishing women's curling in New York State. She was a golfer and a supporter of all sports. "She felt they built character," said the spokesman.
There will be a memorial service at St. Mary's Church on Saturday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. At 1 p.m. there will be an organ concert by George Bozeman, a noted organist, who will play on the organ that Mrs. Mitchell gave her church.
The family requests that anyone wishing to present a gift in memory of Mrs. Mitchell may designate the Hank Mitchell Memorial Organ Fund of St. Mary's Church.
John S. Possenriede
John S. Possenriede, a resident of Manhasset and Shelter Island, died on Saturday, March 30, 2002 of a heart attack. He was 57.
Mr. Possenriede was the president and proprietor of the Urban and Lloyd Funeral Homes in Woodside and Bayside, Queens, and past president of the New York State and Metropolitan Funeral Directors Associations.
He was an enthusiastic boater, sailing his boat out of Coecles Harbor Marina during the summers spent at his Hay Beach home on the Island.
Mr. Possenriede is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Emma Rose; sister Barbara Schwalb; and his niece and nephews, Heather, Craig and Robert Schwalb.
Visitation hours will be held today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lloyd Funeral Home, located at 214-43 39th Avenue in Bayside.
A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5 at Sacred Heart Church, 215-35 38th Avenue in Bayside, with interment at Flushing Cemetery.
Fred H. Dalaker
Fred H. Dalaker died at his Shelter Island home on March 14, 2003 at the age of 94.
The son of Herman and Ann (Barth) Dalaker, he was born in New York City on May 10, 1908. His family moved to Greenport in 1911 and Mr. Dalaker graduated from Greenport High School. He attended Ithaca College, earning a degree in physical education. For a few years after college, he worked for his mother's family's Barth Ice Co. on First Street in Greenport.
During World War II, Mr. Dalaker served in the Navy (1942 to 1945). In 1946 he and his wife, Norma, opened Dal's Seafood Market on Shelter Island.
One day, late in his life, Babe Ruth walked into the fish market and asked for a glass of water. "They put that glass on a rafter and kept it there forever," recalled Mr. Dalaker's sister-in-law, Zola Peckham of Honeoye Falls, New York. "He was a hard worker and a great fisherman," she said of her brother-in-law. "Fred and Norma went fishing together all the time for pleasure. They were married for 65 years and had a good time together." They retired from the fish market after 24 years.
Predeceased by his wife, Mr. Dalaker is survived by a half-brother, Irving Kittel of Florida.
A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.
Samuel M. White
Sam White, 95, of Shelter Island and Sarasota, Florida died suddenly on March 10, 2002.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 6, 1907. He and his wife Jennie lived most of their lives in Jamaica, Queens and lived on Shelter Island for more than 15 years before moving to Florida.
Mr. White was the director of maintenance and operations for the Department of Parks in New York City until he retired in 1965.
On Shelter Island he was known for delivering by bicycle freshly caught fish to friends and making wonderful chocolate chip cookies and the best scones on the Island, his family said. His grandchildren often talk about all of the clamming and fishing they had done with their grandfather.
He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Jennie, who passed away18 days ago. He is survived by his daughter, Jean Grenning of Gaithersburg, Maryland and his son, Stuart White of Sarasota, Florida. He is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His granddaughter, Laura Kneeland, and great-granddaughter, Katherine Grace Kneeland, live on Shelter Island.
A private family service was held in Sarasota, Florida.
The Reverend Virgil P. Power
The Reverend Virgil P. Power died on March 7, 2002 in his native Ireland. He was 88 years old. Father Power was a priest for more than 62 years, serving in the Diocese of Rockville Centre for 45 years and as pastor at Our Lady of the Isle Church on Shelter Island.
Father Power was one of eight children born to the late Nicholas and Hannah Quealy Power in Waterford County, Ireland. He attended high school at the seminary attached to the famous Cistercian Abbey of Mount Melleray and continued his studies at the Abbey College where he was impressed by the prayerful lives of the Trappist community. He entered the novitiate at Mount Melleray Abbey in 1933 and was ordained in 1939.
Shortly after his ordination, Father Power found himself among a dozen monks sent to Mellifont in County Louth to establish a new monastery there. Less than a year later, he was called back to Mount Melleray Abbey to fill the recently vacated chair in Classics. He would remain on the faculty for 16 years and fill other posts at the abbey, including novice master and guest master. As guest master, Father Power offered the traditional hospitality of the abbey to the likes of Cardinal Cushing of Boston, Cardinal Wright of the Curia of Rome, Sean T. O'Kelly, former president of Ireland and Eamonn de Valeria, who served as prime minister of the Irish Parliament.
Upon his doctor's advice and with the blessing of his superiors, Father Power headed to the more hospitable climate of the United Sates in November 1956, where he was welcomed by his uncle, Monsignor Peter Quealy, then pastor of what is now the Cathedral Parish of Rockville Centre. He was also greeted by two of his siblings, Sisters Eileen Marie and Angela Patrice, who had entered the Franciscan Sisters Novitiate near Philadelphia.
Father Power's first assignment was at Our Lady of the Angelus parish in Rego Park, Queens. A few months later in February 1957, he was appointed chaplain of the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, an assignment that would last 11 years. He said he would always remember the kindness of a young priest stationed there, Father John R. McGann, who would later become the second Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Center. It was Father McGann who 25 years later would visit the Island to celebrate Our Lady of the Isle's 75th anniversary.
Father Power became acquainted with the Ancient Order of Hibernians when he was in Brentwood and became a member in 1958. He served as chaplain for the Suffolk County Chapter for over 25 years. As a proud Irishman, he marched for years with the group in the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City, once serving as an aide to the grand marshall. He was also chaplain to the Saffron Kilts Pipe Band.
Father Power's career was to cross paths with his maternal uncle, Monsignor Quealy. The first time was in October 1968 when he was appointed pastor of St. Agnes Church in Greenport. His uncle had served in the same church in the same capacity from 1902 to 1905. During his time at St. Agnes, Father Power remodeled the church to conform to the new Vatican II rules and was instrumental in the founding of Division Ten of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In June, 1974, Father Power was transferred to St. John the Evangelist Church in Center Moriches where he also served as pastor. Four years later, he requested a transfer to a smaller parish because of his health and became pastor of Our Lady of the Isle Church where he would stay for seven years before retiring. It was the second time his path would intersect his uncle's. Monsignor Quealy was instrumental in the purchase of the land on Shelter Island on which the church was built.
Father Power is remembered fondly by Island parishioners. "He was a very good friend to our family," Ceil Kraus said. "We all loved him and enjoyed his company." He was a very devout man and just a very nice person" -- "he livened up any room he walked into," she said. And he is remembered for his wonderful Irish sense of humor. "He is missed," said Mrs. Kraus.
Father Power divided his retirement years between Ireland, Shelter Island and Florida, where he often helped with celebrating Mass at Our Lady of the Springs Church in Ocala and Our Lady of Grace Church in Beverly Hills.
A Vigil Mass and a Funeral Mass were held for Father Power in his hometown parish of Stradbally County, Waterford on March 9, 2002, followed by burial there. A Memorial Mass for Father Power will be scheduled and celebrated by Bishop William Murphy at a future date.
Arthur A. Payne
Arthur Payne of 13 Ginny Drive, Shelter Island, died in the early hours of the morning of March 12, 2001 at San Simeon by the Sound nursing home in Greenport after a long illness. He was two and a half months shy of his 90th birthday.
A merchant mariner and ship's engineer, he went on after retirement to work locally at the Dering Harbor Inn and later Claudio's Dock in Greenport. Mr. Payne will be remembered by his children as a voracious reader of all things historical, and by his friends, including Dr. Peter Kelt and Father Charles Dougherty, as a man with a fantastic sense of humor, always ready with a witty line and a joke.
Mr. Payne was born in Brooklyn in 1911 to parents Arthur Payne and Ana Harris Payne. In 1917, he was orphaned when his mother, baby brother Eugene and several cousins living in his grandmother's household succumbed to the flu. His father abandoned the family.
He was raised, along with his younger brother James, in St. John's Home for Boys from 1917 to 1924 or 1925, when his grandmother took the boys into her home, where their sisters Genevieve and Florence were already living.
Mr. Payne enlisted in the Army in 1941 and served in the United States and Europe until 1945.
He found work in 1948 aboard an Esso steamship as a wiper and oiler. In 1952, he purchased the Gurge house at 14 Jaspa Road. Although he generally stayed with his sister and her husband in East Meadow between voyages, he visited the Island house for short stays whenever he could.
With Esso (later Exxon), he would rise to become second assistant engineer, steam vessels of any horsepower. It was an impressive achievement, considering that he did it with an eighth-grade education. He retired in 1973 after a long and happy career with Exxon.
Mr. Payne married Irene Patricia Colvin McGuiness in 1963. After living in Brooklyn, they made Shelter Island their permanent home in 1970 and raised their three children here, Andrew, James and Jeanne.
Mr. Payne spent 14 summers as dock master at Dering Harbor Inn. He later worked at Claudio's Dock in Greenport, where he continued until he suffered a stroke at the age of 81. Among Shelter Island and Greenport locals, he made many friends who will remember him fondly.
Predeceased by his wife, his brothers and a sister, Genevieve, Mr. Payne is survived by his children Andrew of Shelter Island, James of Riverhead, Jeanne Myers of California, stepson Robert McGuiness of Ohio, and his sister Florence Bouchard of Florida.
A wake was held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 16 at the Shelter Island Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, March 17 at 10 a.m. with Father Charles Dougherty officiating.
Mary W. Urban
Mary W. Urban, a former longtime resident of Shelter Island, died at her home in Boynton Beach, Florida after a year-long illness. She was 82.
Born in Greenport on March 19, 1918, she was the daughter of Alex Wojenski and Vera Bugdin. She married Leo J. Urban in Cutchogue in 1939.
A resident for more than 40 years of Shelter Island, where Mr. Urban was highway superintendent, Mrs. Urban was a housewife and she ran Urban's Flowers and Vegetables roadside stand on Brander Parkway.
The Urbans moved to Edgewater, Florida in 1987 and Boynton Beach in 1997.
Mrs. Urban is survived by her husband; two children, Deanna Fuller of Southampton and Leo F. Urban of Delray Beach, Florida; two brothers, Peter and Benjamin Wojenski, both of Titusville, Florida; and a sister, Stella Tew of Port Orange, Florida; and eight grandchildren: Shelly Bagelmann, Linda Kline, Scott Fuller, Eric Fuller, Nicole Urban, Jared Urban, Kimberly Coe and Thomas Scribner.
Funeral arrangements were to be announced.
