U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Henry Kreutz
Henry Kreutz of Riverhead died at Central Suffolk Hospital on Feb. 6, 2002 at the age of 90.
He was born in Czechoslovakia to Frank Kreutz Sr. and Theresa Hoffman on Sept. 18, 1911. After high school, he attended a trade school and served an apprenticeship to a glassblower before coming to the U.S. in 1942 and starting Silverbrook Art Glass Works in Flanders. He never married, but according to his nephew Frank Kreutz, "he had a full life and enjoyed his profession."
Mr. Kreutz is survived by two nephews, Frank Kreutz of Easton, Conn., and Joseph Kreutz of Phoenix, Ariz.
Visitation was Feb. 9 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated the same day at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, with the Rev. William Singleton officiating. Burial followed at St. John's Cemetery in Riverhead.
Henry Barczak
Lifelong Riverhead resident Henry Barczak died at the John J. Foley Nursing Facility in Yaphank on Feb. 10, 2002 after a brief illness. He was 90.
He was born in Riverhead on Aug. 23, 1911 to Peter and Aleksandra (Mros) Barczak.
Before his retirement in 1973, he was the owner of Riverhead Nursery and Garden Center on West Main Street. According to his daughter, Caroline Bugdin of Riverhead, "to the very end he enjoyed gardening, flowers, yard work and the outdoors."
Mr. Barczak's wife of 66 years, Rose, predeceased him in 2000. He was also predeceased by two brothers, John and Joseph, and a sister, Genevieve Minardi. In addition to Ms. Bugdin, he is survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, along with a sister, Wanda Nogiewich of Holbrook, N.Y.
Visitation was Feb. 12 at the F.J. McLaughlin Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral mass was offered the following day at St. Isidore's R.C. Church in Riverhead with Msgr. John Mirecki officiating. Burial followed at St. Isidore's Cemetery.
David O.T. Campbell Sr.
David O.T. Campbell Sr. of Riverhead died at Central Suffolk Hospital of natural causes on Feb. 2, 2002. He was 71.
He was born in Farmingdale on Jan. 15, 1931, to George and Ethel Campbell, and was a worker at Dick Concrete in New York City.
Surviving are two sons, David Jr., of Calverton, and Richard, of Riverhead; and a sister, Ethel Remsen of Oceanside.
Visitation was Feb. 5 at F.J. McLaughlin Funeral Home in Riverhead and cremation was private.
Isabel A. Mathews
Isabel A. Mathews, who was 93, passed away on Jan. 24, 2002 at the Aiken Regional Medical Center in Aiken, S.C.
Ms. Mathews was the wife of the late John C. Mathews, and she is survived by daughters Ann Tessitor of Calverton and Alice Madden of Aiken, S.C., and by grandchildren Matthew Tessitor of Virginia Beach, Va.; Deborah Zilnicki of Calverton; Deirdre Boyle of Coram; Brian Madden of Warrenville, S.C.; Kathryn Madden of Aiken, S.C., and Mary Elizabeth Madden of Savannah, Ga.
A mass was held at St. Mary's Help of Christians R.C. Church on Monday, Jan. 28, the Msgr. Thomas Evatt officiating, and burial followed at Calvary Cemetery in Aiken, S.C.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Help of Christians R.C. Church, P.O. Box 438, Aiken, S.C. 29802.
Myrtle Pearl Downs
Myrtle Pearl Downs of Aquebogue died at home on May 28, 2002 at age 90.
She was born in Westhampton on July 3, 1911 to Philip and Clara (Heinrich) Haberman. Her family moved to Aquebogue when she was a child. In 1929, she married Wendell Downs, and they raised their family in Aquebogue. Mr. Downs died in 1992.
Ms. Downs worked for Riverhead Savings Bank for 25 years. She was a lifelong member of Old Steeple Church in Aquebogue and had belonged to Veritas Rebekah Lodge 167 for 56 years. She also was a member of the Riverhead Homemakers for over 50 years, and belonged to AARP and the Women's Christian Group. She volunteered hundreds of hours playing the piano at local nursing homes. She was awarded a proclamation by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2001 and was named Senior Citizen of the Year by Riverhead Town in 1995.
She is survived by three children, Wendell Jr., of Galway, N.Y., Marilyn Aldrich of East Quogue and Susan White of Aquebogue; her sister, Lettie Downs; her brother, Walter Haberman; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services were held May 31 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. The Rev. Max Surjadinata of Old Steeple Church officiated. Interment followed at Aquebogue Cemetery.
Florence D. Pugsley
Florence D. Pugsley of Riverhead died at Riverhead Nursing Home on May 22, 2002 at age 83.
She was born in Mastic on July 22, 1918, to Jack and Charlotte Drumm. For several years, she and her husband, Joseph, who predeceased her, managed the Riverhead Laundromat. She had been a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Riverhead Fire Department and belonged to the Moose Lodge. Her daughter, Lyndia Leach of Texas, reports that her mother enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles and dancing, and loved being with her grandchildren until she became ill. "She had a big heart and really cared about people; she would do anything for anybody," Ms. Leach said.
In addition to her daughter, Ms. Pugsley is survived by two sons, Joseph Jr., of Florida, and Charles, of North Carolina; two brothers, George Drumm and Bobby Drumm, both of upstate New York; 10 grandsons; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Frances Stanton.
Cremation arrangements were made by Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home of Riverhead, and a graveside service will be held this Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m. at Riverhead Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Marguerite V. Ladouceur
Former Riverhead resident Marguerite V. Ladouceur died at Oak Hollow Skilled Nursing Facility in Middle Island on May 16, 2002 after a long illness. She was 88.
She is survived by her husband, Edgar, who also resides at Oak Hollow.
Ms. Ladouceur, known as Peggy, was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on March 20, 1914. Her parents were Margaret and Ulysses Traversy. She moved with her family to Riverhead after World War II, and was executive bookkeeper for several years at Suffolk County National Bank. She also had been head bookkeeper for the Long Island Duck Cooperative Association, and moved to Florida with her husband when he retired as department manager of Sears in Riverhead.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Jeb, of Smithtown; her daughter, Bette, of Colorado; 12 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
A memorial mass was celebrated at Oak Hollow on May 20. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
