U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentMarjorie Smallwood
Ret. Businesswoman, 64
Marjorie Eason Smallwood of Hot Springs Village, Ark., an interior designer and former owner of Etc., Etc., Decorating in Fort Worth, Texas, died Sunday, May 1, 2005, at her home. She was 64 years of age.
The daughter of the late Earnest and Lois Eason, she was born February 17, 1941, in England, Ark.
She and her husband were married at the Western Hotel in Callicoon on August 5, 1995. They lived in the Beechwoods for several years and then moved to Duck Harbor, Pa., before moving to Arkansas.
Mrs. Smallwood was a talented interior designer, consulting and designing several areas on the set of the TV show, “Dallas.” She had a green thumb and could make a garden of flowers bloom by her touch. She was the prior owner of Southpaw shops in Fort Worth and Little Rock, the previous co-owner of Norman Property Management in Texas and included an active participation in the Dallas and Fort Worth Apartment Association.
She was a member of the Fort Worth Social Directory and the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth. An artist, she contributed several paintings to the Arkansas Symphony fundraising auction.
In a family statement, it was said, “Margie was known for her generosity, friendliness and spirit of life. She was an avid reader and loved the Bible. . . Margie was a ball of fire who will be missed by all!”
She is survived by her husband, Steve Smallwood of Hot Springs Village; four children, Larry A. Mayhan Jr. of Hurst, Tex., Cheryl “DeDe” and her husband, Gus Galindo of Fort Worth, Tex., James E. and his wife, Stacy Norman of Denton, Tex., and Jennifer Norman Haecker and her husband, Andrew, of Fort Worth, Tex.; 10 grandchildren, Larry III and Brent Mayhan, Kristina, Desiree, Sam and Robert Galindo, Jake and Parker Norman, and Mable and Molly Haecker; seven sisters, May Hicks of Lonoke, Ark., Edith Burleson of Little Rock, Ark., Katherine Burleson of Pine Buff, Ark., Virginia Harness of Bigelow, Ark., Juanita Busbice of Grapevine, Tex., Anna Turner of Little Rock, Ark., and Dorothy Myers of Scott, Ark.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Earnest “Sonny” and James Eason.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Mt. Zion Methodist Church followed by burial in the Hicks Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held in Texas on Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Hospice
James M. Furey
Ret. Foreman, 72
James M. Furey, a 12-year resident of Wanaksink Lake in Rock Hill, a retired installation and repair foreman for the New York Telephone Company with 35 years service, died Tuesday, May 2, 2005, in New City, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 72 years of age.
The son of the late Thomas E. and Jane P. Conboy Furey, he was born in Nyack Hospital.
He attended St. Ann’s Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Nyack High School in 1950. He served on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950 to 1952, during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Corporal.. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1959.
A former resident of New City, he started as a splicer’s helper for the telephone company in 1954 and retired in 1989. Upon his retirement from the telephone company, Mr. Furey founded Reliance Telephone Company, Inc., providing communications installation, repair and maintenance services to the Rockland County Government and SUNY Rockland Community College, which he personally ran until 1999 and continued working for until shortly before his illness in 2005.
He served as director of the Wanaksink Lake Board of Directors and as Lake President from 1996 to 1998, and continued as director until the time of his death. He was also a member of the Telephone Company Pioneers and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In a family statement, it was said, “Jim was an avid boater and sailor and enjoyed fishing on the lake with his grandchildren.”
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Furey, at home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Deanna Furey of New City and Thomas and Karen Furey of Bellbrook, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Dominique, Frank,, James, Michael and Marianne of New City and Nicholas, Megan and Liam of Bellbrook, Ohio; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Sara Furey of Rock Hill; an aunt, Marge Furey of Nyack; five cousins; nine nieces and nephews; 13 grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and numerous other relatives and many, many friends.
A Funeral mass will be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Nyack.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Hospice of Rockland, Inc., 11 Stokum Lane, New City, N.Y. 10956.
Marion DeGraw
Former Secretary, 67
Marion DeGraw of Bloomingburg, a lifelong area resident and a former secretary with Stern & Stern in Blauvelt, died Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at her home. She was 67 yeast of age.
The daughter of the late Henry Louis and Beatrice Conklin DeGraw, she was born April 4, 1927, in Spring Valley.
She is survived by three brothers, Richard DeGraw of Bloomingburg, Robert DeGraw and his wife, Carolyn, of Spring Valley, and Walter DeGraw of Cairo, N.Y.; two sisters, Helen Mann of Cairo and Louise Rathbun of New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters and three brothers.
Friends may call at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday with Pastor Robert B. Hewitt officiating.
Cremation will be made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Albert O’Brien
Ret. Florist, 75
Albert W. O’Brien of Wurtsboro, the retired owner of Spring Street Florist in Middletown, died Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. He was 75 years of age.
The son of the late Albert W. and Vivian Dorothy Van Curen O’Brien, he was born January 14, 1930, in Middletown.
Mr. O’Brien also worked witth Alder’s Wholesale Florist in Goshen and was a shop steward with Keiley Mueller Industries in Middletown. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #544 and a 50-year plus member of Eagle Engine Co. #2 in Middletown.
In a family statement, it was said, “Dad will always be lovingly remembered as the biggest sports fan ever. Though his beloved Mets disappointed more often than not, he remained a loyal fan to the end. He often bragged that he never missed a televised game since the team’s inception in 1961. To the chagrin of our mother, he could have probably made the same claim concerning the Nets, Knicks and Giants. Yes, it is for sure that loyalty was Dad’s long suit. Each and everyone of us in his family knew that. His loyalty as a husband, father and grandfather was without limit and beyond doubt. In January of this year he and Mom celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together, they raised and loved their family, operated their florist business, and through all of the years, spent hardly a day apart. A devoted and loving father, Dad has been there for his children and grandchildren, always. Not only did we have the security of his love and presence as children, he was unwavering to the end in his devotion and support of his family. We looked to him always, no matter how many years passed, as a pillar of strength and the leader of our family. His death has been sudden and came all too soon. It is impossible for any of us to imagine our lives or a world without him in it. With all of the love we can summon, and all of the tears we can cry, he must now let him go. Wherever the journey takes him next, we hope and pray that he will be waiting there to guide us in that world as he did so well in this”
He is survived by his wife, Susan A. Peters O’Brien, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Neil A. and Amy O’Brien of Beacon; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna L. and Frank Squicciarini of Wurtsboro; four grandchildren, Raymond E. Knapp and his wife, Michele of Cuddebackville, Neil A. O’Brien, Shawn O’ Brien, Helen O’Brien; a daughter-in-law, Susan B. O’Brien-Prosychak, wife of Robert Prosychak, all of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews.
Following cremation at the Oxford Hills Crematory in Chester, graveside services and burial will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Westbrookville Cemetery.
Dominick Giglio
MR Inspector, 78
Dominick Atilio Giglio of Maybrook, an inspector in the paddock at Monticello Raceway and a retired employee of the New Haven Railroad System, died Tueday, May 3, 2005, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. He was 78 years of age.
The son of the late Joseph C. and Adeline Capparella Giglio, he was born in Maybrook.
Mr. Giglio was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific on a battleship. He was a member of the of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, The Church of the Assumption, a 50-year member of Maybrook Engine No. 1 and a member of the Golden Links Senior Citizens Group, all in Maybrook.
He is survived by his wife, Katheryn Gable Giglio, at home; a son, Joseph James Giglio and his companion, Liz Maher, of Walden; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Lenny Aguele of West Windfield; a granddaughter, Marie Elizabeth; two brothers, Frank Giglio of Walden and John Giglio of Maybrook; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption in Maybrook.
Burial will be made at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Montgomery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Maybrook Fire Company, Maybrook, N.Y. 12543.
Ida Matri
Ret. Businesswoman, 81
Ida “Eda” R. Biagi Matri, a longtime resident of Lake Anawanda, Callicoon Center, and formerly of Upper Saddle River, N.J., a retired businesswoman who assisted her husband in his business, died Sunday, May 8, 2005, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 81 years of age.
The daughter of the late Giulio and Virginia Triglia Biagi, she was born June 20, 1923, in Westchester.
Mrs. Matri attended Hunter College and worked as a secretary for Colliers Publishing Company in New York City prior to her marriage in 1943. During World War II she worked as a secretary for the Submarine Signal Company in New York City. After her marriage, she assisted her husband in his engineering and contracting business.
She was a member of St. Francis of Rome and Our Lady of Grace Church in New York City, the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, N.J., and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Obernburg. Mrs. Matri was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion.
In a family statement, it was said, “She treasured every moment she had with her family. She was especially devoted to her grandchildren as they were the center of her life, along with her husband, Mario. She was the true and loving matriarch of the Matri family and will be sadly missed and forever loved. She will be forever remembered for her generous spirit, infectious laugh, never endng supply of love, and being the #1 fan of the New York Yankees. Our memories of her and her love will see us through this difficlt tume.”
Mrs. Matri is survived by her husband of 62 years, Mario Matri, at home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Hank and Marie Matri of Upper Saddle River, N.J., Stephen and Anne Matri of Mahwah, N.J., and Richard and Karen Matri of Upper Saddle River, N.J.; two daughters, Marilyn Matri Verderame and her husband, Lance, of Livingston Manor, and Carolyn Matri Aiello and her fiance, Michael Fruchter of Lake Anawanda, Callicoon Center; 13 grandchldren, Dawn Sykes, Michael, Amy, Mark, Stephen Jr., Jessica, Paul and Charlotte Matri, Matthew and Kimberly Verderame, Alexandra, Raymond and Michael Aiello; a great-grandson, Jack Sykes; and a sister-like-cousin, Faye Petramale. She was predeceased by a sister, Julia Biagi Monastero, a nephew, Andrew Monastero, and a brother, Dolph Biagi.
A Funeral Mass was offered on Thursday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Obernburg with Father John Richardson officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Church, Obernburg, N.Y. 12767.
Patrick Fitzgerald Sr.
Truck Driver, 45
Patrick J. Fitzgerald Sr. of Bloomingburg, a truck driver for P&G Distributors in Bloomingburg, died Sunday, May 8, 2005, at the Horton campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 45 years of age.
The son of Patrick and Joan Castiner Fitzgerald, he was born December 7, 1959, in New York City.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Offenheiser Fitzgerald, two sons, Patrick J. Jr. and Bryan Fitzgerald and two daughters, JoAnne Fitzgerald and Christine Fitzgerald, all at home; his parents of Daytona Beach, Fla.; two brothers, Robert Fitzgerald of Mount Morris and William Fitzgerald and his wife, Mary Anne, of Port Jervis; two sisters, Deborah Kagle of DeLeon Springs, Fla., and Tabitha Fitzgerald of Daytona Beach, Fla.
Friends may call at the Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe, on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 8:30 p.m. with Deacon John Frohbose officiating.
A Eucharistic Liturgy will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Paul’s Catholic Chruch, Bullville, with Decon John Frohbose officiating.
Cremation will be made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Marion Mangan
Ret. Court Steno, 93
Marion Gerow Mangan of Liberty, a retired Supreme Court stenographer for Sullivan County Courts in Monticello, died Sunday, May 8, 2005, at the Loudoun Nursing and Rehab Center in Leesburg, Va. She was 93 years of age.
The daughter of the late Benjamin R. and Angeline Wheeler Gerow, she was born December 17, 1911, in Liberty. She was the widow of Thomas Mangan who died in 1979.
Mrs. Gerow worked later in her life as an LPN at the Walnut Mt. Nursing Home in Liberty,
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gerow “Muggs” and Michelena Mangan of Liberty; a daughter, Mary Ann Bradley of Leesburg, Va.; three brothers, William Gerow of Tenessee, Henry Gerow and his wife, Louise, of Winter Park, Fla., and Robert Gerow and his wife, Anne, of Liberty; a sister, Elsie Norris of South Carolina; three grandchildren, Kyle Mangan, Melanie Bendy and Chelsea Ann Bradley; a great-grandson, Andrew Bendy; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by six brothers, Ralph, Benjamin, Irving, Herbert, Louis and Arthur Gerow; five sisters, Anna Allen, Ella Ball, Helen Bradford, Harriet Wright and Frances Gerow; a step-son, Thomas Mangan, Commander U.S. Army; and a grandson, Gary.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main Street, Liberty, with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey officiating.
Burial will be made in the Liberty Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tia Hernlen College Fund, c/o Hank Gerow, 128 Benmore Dr., Winter Park, Fla. 32792-4101 or to the Loudoun Nursing & Rehab Center, Resident Activities, Attn: Resident Activities Dept. 235 Old Waterford Rd., N.W. Leesburg, Va. 20176.
