Former East Marion resident Richard A. “Dick” Cowan, Sr. passed away Nov. 1, 2014, at Westchester Medical Center in Mt. Kisco. He had been a resident of Mahopac, N.Y. for many years. 

Dick was born March 26, 1937, in Hackensack, N.J. to Frank B. Cowan Jr. and Margaret Rouse Cowan. He grew up in East Marion, was a 1954 Graduate of Greenport High School and graduated from Syracuse University in 1960. He was a teacher for over 30 years in Patchogue, Central Islip and Chappaqua.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ellis of Mahopac; his sons Richard A. (Joanne) Cowan Jr. of Cassadaga, N.Y., and Dr. Robert B. (Lela Nargi) Cowan of Brooklyn; his daughter, Janet E. (Mark Haber) Cowan of San Francisco, Calif.; his stepchildren Ross D. (Bebhinn) Alvordof of Brewster, N.Y., William M. Fleming of London, England, and Katherine E. Fleming of Brooklyn; his sister Alice M. (Taylor) of Greenport; his nephew, Steven T. (Tamee) Jester of Mattituck and seven grandchildren.

Wakes were held in Pleasantville on Nov. 5-6. Cremation was private.

This is a paid notice. 

Former longtime Riverhead and Mattituck resident Ann Melosh died Nov. 20 in Goodyear, Ariz. She was 92. 

Ms. Melosh was born Feb. 14, 1922, in Brooklyn to Vingenza and Anthony Greco. She attended Fashion Institute of Design High School in Brooklyn. She married Arthur Melosh in 1970.

For 53 years, she owned Beiers Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant in Floral Park, where she received a “Confectioner of the Year” award.

Ms. Melosh was a member of the St. John’s University Ladies Auxiliary, the Italian-American Club, and was a former Columbiette with Cutchogue Knights of Columbus.

Family members said she enjoyed playing bocce, cards, baking and gardening.

Predeceased by her husband in 2004, Ms. Melosh is survived by her children, Phyllis Kovach, Philip Ferrara and Vivian Harris; seven grandchildren; and five grandchildren.

A service will take place Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead, Father Larry Duncklee officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Jake and Samantha Lazazzaro, samandjake.org.

Longtime Greenport resident Dorothy I. Gillman died at her home Dec.15. She was 87. 

Ms. Gillman was born June 16, 1927, in Flushing to Benjamin F. and Dorothy (Hirschmann) Lowe and attended high school in Forest Hills. She married George W. Gillman Jr. Sept. 12, 1953, Flushing.

For over 30 years, Ms. Gillman worked as a bank teller at various locations.

Ms. Gillman was an active member of a quilting group at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport. Family members said she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sailing, baking and traveling.

She is survived by her husband George W. Gillman Jr. of Greenport; her children, Susan Kurlowicz of Bethpage, Carol Bekas of Bay Shore, George L. Gillman of Valley Stream, Grace Iadanza of Islip Terrace; her brother, Robert Lowe of Seaford; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Dec. 18, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral service will take place Friday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport. Cremation will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport.

Carolyn J. Beardsley of Cutchogue died Dec. 15. She was 79. 

Ms. Beardsley was born July 17, 1935, in Schenectady to Leone (Mattoon) and Clarence William Jones. She attended Barnard College. She married Herbert H. Beardsley on June 25, 1955, in Roslyn.

Ms. Beardsley was a homemaker and a member of Church of the Redeemer in Mattituck and Church of the Advent in Westbury.

Ms. Beardsley was predeceased by her husband, Herbert, in 2013. She is survived by her children, Nancy Lyon of North Babylon, Ruth of Bethany, Conn., James of Bethesda, Md., and Susan Easter of Charleston, S.C.; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Redeemer in Mattituck. Cremation was private.

Arrangements were handled by Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice at eeh.org or Church of the Redeemer.

A memorial service for Norma Grzesik will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport.

Ms. Grzesik died Oct. 26 at her Greenport home at the age of 88.

Harold Lester Cross of Riverhead, born March 2, 1923, was a World War II veteran who landed in Normandy and was married 71 years to his 1st Lieutenant nurse in the U.S. Army, Claire Vespucci Cross.

A wonderful, spiritual man, always in church as an elder deacon and for 65 years as a lay preacher, he preached this past year at Riverhead Church of Christ.

Harold was an inventor and engineer who worked at Grumman on the Apollo mission. He was a past governor of the Loyal Order of Moose and a member of the Riverhead American Legion chapter.
Harold is survived by his three daughters, Deborah Boschetti, Sara-Ellen Petricini, and Susie Amador; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

He was beloved by family, friends and anyone who knew him; and was known to all as a fair, just and loving man. All were welcomed into his home and took great comfort in his advice. A wonderful husband and loving father, his girls thought he was their hero. Harold has gone home to his Holy Father, whom he walked with every day.

Arrangements were entrusted to Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Virginia Suter of Cutchogue died Dec. 18 at Westhampton Care Center. She was 95.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Arrangements were handled by Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

A complete obituary will follow.

Linda J. Boken of Greenport died Dec. 18, 2014, at Stony Brook University Medical Center. She was 65.

Ms. Boken was postmistress of East Marion Post Office.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, Dec. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. The Rite of Committal will be private.

Memorial donations made to to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Long Island Chapter, 1324 Motor Parkway, Suite 102, Hauppauge, NY 11749 would be appreciated.

A complete obituary will follow.

Lifelong Greenport resident Lillian A. White died Dec. 18. She was 88.
2014.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral Mass will be held Monday Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. St. Agnes R. C.
Church. Cremation will be private.

Ms. White’s family has suggested sending memorial donations to Burton Potter American Legion Post 185, Building Fund, PO Box 125, Greenport, NY 11944.

A complete obituary will follow.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in Walnut Creek, California, Former East Marion resident, the Rev. Canon John R. Edler, went home to his Lord completing a 90 year journey filled with a life-long religious vocation, a 65 year marriage to his wife Jean (Palmer) Edler, and a family of four including three daughters Barbara, Cynthia, Deborah and a son Jack.

Father Edler’s life was one of dedication to his calling, resulting in many joys, blessings and contributions affecting all those who crossed his path in every community that he served. Born in Brooklyn, June 16, 1924, to his beloved parents, George and Frances Edler, Father Edler was pleased to find out later in life that his wife Jean was born on the same street in Brooklyn, one year later then him. He also took great pride that despite the fact he was told he would never walk again after a debilitating automobile accident as a child, he went on to complete a full and rewarding life serving family, friends and community; culminating in a dance with his wife Jean at his 90th birthday/65th wedding anniversary party in June of this year.

An only child and growing up in Brooklyn, he graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, after which he entered the religious life as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1948. Following his marriage to beloved wife Jean in 1949, Father Edler served as a dedicated priest in a number of communities including, Huntington Station; Irvington, N.J.; Oakland, N.J. and Greenport. He also served as secretary of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, N.J., secretary of the Program and Budget Committee of the U.S. Episcopal Church, and delegate to the U.S. General Convention. His compassion and intellect stand as beaming reminders of a life filled with spiritual dedication and contributions.

Father Edler’s foresight enabled him and Jean to acquire land and build a cottage on Gardiners Bay in East Marion that became their retirement home and sanctuary for many years. Father Edler’s spiritual life paralleled many other interests, including: research, reading, boating (he was chaplain of the Power Squadron in Long Island), fishing, leather crafting, and caring for family dogs while sharing many stories of a life well lived. His ability to integrate his life experiences with the spirit of his Lord’s words provided content for many memorable and moving sermons throughout his life enriching both family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Jean and children, he completes his life’s journey witnessed by Judith Pollock (wife of daughter, Barbara Edler), William Marshall (husband of daughter, Cynthia (Edler/Pilchick), all residing in the San Francisco bay area; Michael Brennan (husband of Deborah (Edler) Brennan) residing in Lancaster Pa; David Kietrys (husband of son Jack Edler residing in Philadelphia, Pa); grandson Joseph Galascione residing in Lancaster and stepgranddaughter Jessica Pilchick, Cynthia’s step-daughter with first husband William Pilchick (deceased), residing in Australia.

A private family service was held, and at a future date a graveside service will take place in Riverhead.

The Father John Edler Memorial Fund has been established to support the work of The Heart Failure Resource Center. This unique program provided invaluable assistance to Father Edler and his family, allowing him to live longer and remain comfortable at home in spite of his progressing congestive heart failure. The family requests donations be made to Heart Failure Resource Center, John Muir Health Foundation, 1400 Treat Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

As a beloved priest, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, Father Edler completes his life remembered for his spiritual strength, compassion, intellect and dedication, serving as a role model throughout his 90-year journey. May he rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon him.

This is a paid notice.

Former Mattituck resident Stella S. Radford died Dec. 18 in Florida. She was 96.

Ms. Radford is survived by a sister, a daughter, a son, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held Dec. 21 at East Marion Cemetery, officiated by Father Stanislaw Wadowski.

Arrangements were handled by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

Former Mattituck resident Charles A. Cacioppo, D.D.S. died Dec. 15, 2014. He was 70. 

Mr. Cacioppo was the beloved father of Anthony (Daniele), Carla (John) Kellachan, Joseph (Kelly), and Stephen (Jaclyn). He was the devoted grandfather of eight grandchildren. He was also loved by his former wives, Regina Cacioppo and Marilyn Cacioppo.

A funeral Mass took place Dec. 19 at St. Edward the Confessor R.C. Church in Syosset.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Beney Funeral Home in Syosset.

Thomas R. Pilles of Greenport died at his home Dec. 22, 2014.  He was 69. 

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport.  Reverend Richard Hoerning will officiate. The Rite of Committal will be private. There will be no public calling hours.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.

A complete obituary will follow.

Betty Leonard Fitzpatrick of Southold died Dec. 22. She was 99.

Funeral arrangements, which are incomplete at presstime, are in care of DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home of Southold.

A complete obituary will follow.

Alvin Jack Combs III of Mattituck died suddenly Dec. 19. He was 52.

Private viewing services will be held this week at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck for family members.

A celebration of his life will be held in the springtime.

A complete obituary will follow.

Longtime Riverhead resident Edna H. Vail passed away Dec. 15, 2014, at the age of 98.

She was born April 27, 1916 to Adelaide (Bunce) and William Louis Harrer. Edde, as she liked to be called, moved from Brooklyn to Riverhead 82 years ago, after she married.

She was a well-known musician and music teacher who traveled to all North Fork towns and gave piano, accordion and guitar lessons to hundreds of students. She also was a church organist for over 30 years.

When Otto Ninow opened Ninow’s Music Store on Railroad Avenue in Riverhead in 1957, he asked Edna to teach for him, and she soon began giving music lessons. Her son Ralph said, “She loved to teach and said she hoped to die teaching, and always told each student to ‘practice and try your best.’” In June 1967, she and Ralph purchased the business, which became a fixture in Riverhead.

Unfortunately, on Jan. 1, 2006, Edna had the first of several strokes. Ralph continued to operate the store, but in June 2013 he and his helpers decided that because of the area’s continuing decline they could no longer continue a family-oriented business on Railroad Avenue and relocated Ninow’s to 30 West Main St. in Riverhead.

Edna’s immediate family, along with several friends, gathered in April to celebrate her 98th birthday and her life. The celebration of life was held in lieu of a formal funeral service and Ralph said it was a “bittersweet memory for all.”

Edna had another son, Forrest W. Vail, who died in 1970. Forrest’s wife, Mieko, died in 2010.
In addition to her son Ralph, she is survived by Forrest and Mieko’s four children: Bill, John and Daniel, all of Riverhead, and Mindy Sullivan of Tennessee; and nine great-grandchildren. Edna, the oldest of four siblings, was predeceased by her two sisters and her brother.

There will be no funeral service. Ralph said, “She has outlived many of her family and friends, and attributes her longevity to the love she shared with everyone.”

The family asks that donations be made to the Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance or Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead.

Charles E. Witzke of Southold died at his home Dec. 18. He was 84 and had been the owner of Albertson Marine in Southold.

The family received visitors Dec. 22 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes in Southold. Funeral services were held Dec. 23 at the funeral home. The Rev. George Gaffga officiated. Interment took place at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Southold.

A complete obituary will follow.

Edward Arthur Sherrard, 40, of Cornelius NC, died peacefully on Christmas Eve at the Levine and Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, NC after a courageous eight month battle with gastroesophageal cancer. 

Ed, the son of Mary Ann and Arthur Sherrard, was born March 31, 1974, in Riverhead. For the formative years of his life, Ed lived in Cutchogue. He graduated from Mattituck High School and then attended the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island receiving a dual degree in automotive and marine technology.

It is no wonder that a boy who grew up on a narrow strip of land between L.I. Sound and Peconic Bay would choose a career that kept him close to the water. Ed started his career in the marine services industry on the North Fork, where he worked for Stirling Harbor Marina in Greenport and Strong’s Marine in Mattituck. He was also a volunteer firefighter with Cutchogue Fire Department.

In 2002, Ed moved to North Carolina and shortly thereafter founded Boat Menders, Incorporated.
Ed was an extraordinarily talented marine mechanic and could fix anything from a jet ski to a 100+ foot yacht. He primarily served clients in the Lake Norman area, but also assisted boaters in South Carolina and Florida. Ed’s passion for his work was evidenced by his 24/7 approach to running his business and by the number of clients who became his friend. Ed’s phone rang constantly and he never turned down the opportunity to help a boater or friend in need.

As an avid boater himself, Ed owned a “fleet” of power boats in various sizes. Through his recreational involvement, Ed was able to greatly enjoy the industry and his clients. Whether on the docks for business or pleasure, Ed was always a welcome addition and friend to the Lake Norman community.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Ann Sherrard of Cutchogue; his sister, Lydia Sherrard of Richmond, Va; his fianceé, Amy Norwood Holthouser and her three children, Emma, Will, and Steven Holthouser of Davidson, N.C.; his dogs Bumper and Buoy; and many other beloved family members and friends. Ed was predeceased by his father, Arthur William Sherrard.

A memorial service to celebrate Ed’s life is scheduled for Sunday, December 28, at 2 p.m. at Davidson College Presbyterian Church in Davidson, N.C.. The family will receive friends in the DCPC Congregation House immediately following the service.

For memorial donations, please consider a donation to the Town of Cornelius, N.C. Animal Shelter or the Levine and Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, N.C.

James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC is serving the Sherrard family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com.

This is a paid notice. 

Former Mattituck resident, Irene B. Kubiak of Aquebogue died Dec. 24 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 91. 

She was born April 27, 1923 in Paterson, N.J. to Phyllis and John Dybacka. Ms. Kubiak worked as an administrative assistant for Passaic County Water Authority.

She volunteered at Riverhead Senior center and sang in the choir at Sacred Heart Parish in Cutchogue and Mattituck. Family members said she enjoyed boating.

Predeceased by her husband Anthony in 2004, Ms. Kubiak is survived by her son, Dr. Richard (Susan) Kubiak of Jamesport; and her daughters Carol (Dr. Anthony Mitarotondo) Kubiak of Cutchogue and Jean (John) Cardinale of Aquebogue.

The family received visitors Dec. 27 at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue, where a funeral service took place. Interment took place Dec. 31 at at Calverton National Cemetery.

This is a paid notice. 

Elaine E. Hansen of Cutchouge died at her home Dec. 30. She was 92. 

She was born Aug. 7, 1922, in Brooklyn to Emily (Phillips) and Howard Meyer.

Ms. Hansen was an antique dealer and proprietor of The Mustard Seed in Cutchogue. Family members said in addition to antiques, she enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

Predeceased by her husband, Edward in 1997 and her son Edward Jr. in 2013, Ms. Hansen is survived by her daughters, Elaine Kaden of New York City and Joan Hansen-Van Fleet of Cutchogue; her son, John of Greenlawn; and two grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. Interment will take place Friday, Jan. 2, at 11:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Brooklyn.