Joseph A. Ristuccia

Joseph A. Ristuccia, a long time resident of Southold and devoted husband to Ann (Deister) passed away peacefully May 8, 2016. He was 84 years old. 

Joe was born in Brooklyn, May 31, 1931. The son of Lorenzina (Beninati) and Vincent Ristuccia, he was raised in Baldwin and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He graduated from Hofstra University earning both a Bachelor of Science in 1953 and a Masters of Business Administration 1964. He played football for the Flying Dutchman as an undergraduate. He also attended Cornell University Graduate School for Industrial and Labor Relations.

Joe spent his entire 30+ year career with The New York Telephone Company/NYNEX, now known as Verizon. He held many management positions throughout New York City and on Long Island. He ended his career as the district operations manager installation/repair for Eastern Long Island. If you lived east of Patchogue in the 1980s, Joe was responsible for ensuring your phone worked. A highlight of his telephone career was upgrading telecommunications on the East End to support the 1986 US Open Golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills.

Joe and his wife Ann lived for many years in Wantagh until they moved to Southold in 1986.

After retirement in 1989, Joe became involved in anything that would benefit the Southold community and his fellow retirees. Literally, within days of retiring, Joe was active in the 1989 Southold Library expansion. His volunteerism was wide and varied and his commitment to any cause he championed was unwavering.

Joe, always interested in ensuring organizations ran responsibly, became Southold Town TaxPac president alongside Ed Siegmann as vice president. His involvement with TaxPac led to Joe becoming a Southold school board member for nine years. During his tenure he was involved with the renovation of Southold High School and construction of Southold Elementary School.

Always interested in retiree issues, Joe became a founder of the Association of BellTel Retirees and worked as vice president of government Relations. Joe was also a founder of National Retirees Legislative Network (NRLN). His work for these groups included many trips to Washington D.C. to the Pension Rights Center and Capitol Hill to meet with congressmen and senators. He worked tirelessly to get a bill, authored by Congressman John Tierney of Massachusetts, through Congress. The bill’s purpose was to ensure that retirees who were receiving healthcare from their former employers would not lose the promised benefit.

Closer to home, Joe became a member of the North Fork Planning Conference.
He was also a member of The Southold Stewardship Task Force for which he and his fellow members received the Suffolk Times Civic leader of the Year Award. In August 1996, Supervisor Jean Cochran, concerned about the vandalism and graffiti at the Goose Creek Bridge and beach, reached out to the community and Joe became a member of the Anti-Vandalism Task Force. He also served as an adjunct professor of telecommunications at New York Institute of Technology.

Joe spent many happy hours aboard Kona, his beloved Ericson 39ft sailboat. A lifelong sailor Joe was a member of the Eastern Long Island Sailing Association and Off Soundings Club. An avid traveler, Joe made many trips to visit family in Italy, Australia and San Diego. A doting grandfather he loved spending time with his two grandsons, Matthew and John. Joe was a member of St. Patrick R.C. Church in Southold. He was also a member of the Amici Club.

Surviving are his wife Ann; his son James and  two grandsons Matthew and John of Encinitas, Calif.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, May 11, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, May 12 , 2016 at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Southold.

Memorial donations may be made to the Southold Fire Department Rescue, North Fork Parish Outreach, Hofstra University or any organization of your choice.

This is a paid notice. 

Anne Cecilia Hurley

Anne Cecilia Hurley of Cutchogue, known to her friends and family as Nancy, passed away at her home April 28, 2016 with her family by her side. 

Nancy was born Nov. 22, 1933, to Mary Walker and John Rogers. She was one of six children. Nancy grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Catherine McAuley High School and soon began working at the New York City Foundling Hospital helping to care for orphan newborns and young children. She loved children so very much and her plan to become a pediatric nurse changed when she married soon thereafter and had 10 children of her own.

Nancy is predeceased by her sisters Maybeth Rogers and Joan Woods and her brother John Rogers. Her surviving family includes her husband Richard V. Hurley; her children, Timothy, Jean, Christopher, Margaret, Patricia, Richard, Rosemary, Anne, Roberta and John; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The following words will not properly convey the essence of this woman, but might give you a glimpse of the kindest, sweetest, most giving soul anyone can imagine. Nancy was universally loved because she exuded only love. She lived by her faith which gave her the strength to raise her family.

Nancy was a very creative soul. She loved to paint; especially with oils. She was especially gifted at painting portraits. She also liked reading biographical and mystery novels as well as keeping a journal. Nancy was very close to nature. She enjoyed all kinds of animals; especially the birds on Nassau Point. She loved wind chimes, jingle shells, flowers and lighthouses.

Nancy was a devoted army bride. With kids in tow she moved with her husband from army camp to army camp throughout the United States. Several of her children were born at the camps. She would say her greatest accomplishment was her children and spent as much time as possible with them. In this respect, she was truly blessed to experience many wonderful milestones with her loved ones over her lifetime.

She enjoyed swimming and summers at the beach with her family and friends.  Nancy was happiest at family celebrations singing songs and enjoying each other’s company. She touched everyone she met, always welcoming others and giving them a hand. She was the epitome of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, and lived by this golden rule, passing this light of truth onto her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She will be sorely missed, but the memory of her will remain as a lighthouse of peace and joy in all of us, forever.

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

This is a paid notice. 

Former Greenport resident Ella Henrietta Walker died peacefully May 6, 2016, at her home in Ludlow, Vt., surrounded by family. She was 93. 

She was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Warrenville, N.J. to Oliver and Ella (Spencer) Kline. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Richard Walker, in 1994.

Ella was a compassionate, wonderful caregiver for many years to North Fork residents. In her later years, she enjoyed observing wildlife at her home in Vermont, reading, and spending time with family, especially her great-grandchildren.

Ella is survived by her daughter, Nancy and son-in-law, Paul Grattan, of Ludlow; her son Richard, of Southold; five grandchildren, Richard, Warren, Paul, Kelly, and Lindsay; and three great-grandchildren, Liana, Emma, and Grayson.

Graveside services were held May 9 at the East Marion Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Tom MacLeod.

Arrangements were entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

This is a paid notice. 

A graveside service for Gertrude F. Bowden of New Suffolk will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Ms. Bowden died Feb. 22 at the age of 84.

Arrangements are in the care of DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home of Mattituck.

Memorial services Ethel-Jean Mirchel of Southold will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at 11:30 A.M. at Advent Lutheran Church in Mattituck. Pastor George Summers of Advent Lutheran Church and the Rev. Dr. Charles Vogeley of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Port Washington will officiate.

Ms. Mirchel died March 12 at the age of 91.

Arrangements are in the care of DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home of Southold.

Alice Louise (Reed) Addy, 89, of Afton, Va., passed away May 13, 2016, at the Hospice House in Charlottesville, Va.

She was born in New York on April 6, 1927, a daughter of the late Frank and Katherine Reed.

Alice was a loving and devoted wife and homemaker. She greatly enjoyed taking care of her family, baking, collecting dolls and attending to her rose garden.

Alice was an avid animal lover, especially cats and birds. She was a member of Mattituck Presbyterian Church and sang in the church choir. Once her children were raised, Alice became the church treasurer and worked as a bookkeeper for Mattituck Free Library. She will be remembered for her sweet and friendly personality.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Norman Dale Addy, and her siblings. Survivors include her daughters, Sherry Hunt and her husband, Michael, and Holly Butler and her husband, Dale; her grandchildren, Melissa Walker and her husband, Brent, Michelle Johnson and her husband, Michael, Jason Butler, and Jessica Rebert and her husband, John; and eight great-grandchildren.

Following Alice’s wish to be cremated, she will be interred beside her husband in Cutchogue.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Hospice of the Piedmont and the Hospice House for all the loving care of Alice and her family.

Memorial donations may be made in Alice’s memory to the Hospice of the Piedmont, Attn: Development Office, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.

This is a paid notice. 

On May 12, Catherine “Kate” White McVicar died peacefully at home in Frederick, Md., with family around her. She was 87.

Kate is survived by John, her husband of 60 years; two daughters, Cathy Chafin and Amy Chase, and two sons, Bill and Dan; their spouses, Carlos, Bill, Kathleen and Lee Anne; and nine grandchildren.

Kate earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Johns Hopkins University and raised her family in Southold, retiring with John to Virginia and St. Augustine, Fla., in her later years. She and John recently relocated to Frederick to be nearer to family.

An active volunteer, Kate worked as a hospital volunteer, pediatric hospice volunteer, Sunday school teacher and deacon. She enjoyed square dancing, playing bridge, oil painting, nature and walking (and talking) with friends.

We are grateful that at the end of her life she received thoughtful and tender care from Carroll County Hospice, who supported her wish to die with the same dignity with which she lived. We will miss her strong moral compass, empathy for those less fortunate, and the enduring love she shared with her family.

Kate suggested to those wishing to make a donation in her memory that they support the American Cancer Society or any youth or children’s charity of their choice.

A formal burial and service are not planned, but an informal remembrance will be scheduled at United Church of Christ in St. Augustine, Fla., for family and friends.

This is a paid notice. 

Barbara T. Starzee of Mattituck died May 16, 2016 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 73. 

She was born April 24, 1943, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to Sigmund and Jenenna-Mae (née Dlukokecki) Wasilewski and was a graduate of St. Stanislaus Kostka High School.

On Feb. 20, 1965, she married Frank Starzee at St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church in Greenpoint and together they made their home in Greenpoint before moving to the North Fork 47 years ago. The Starzees were communicants of Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue.

Barbara was a homemaker and a “lunch lady” at Mattituck High School.

Barbara is survived by her husband Frank; two sons Donald (Allison) Starzee of Cutchogue and Jeffrey (Helen) Starzee of Shelter Island; three siblings Virginia, Patricia and James Wasilewski, all of Charlotte, N.C. and seven grandchildren, Callie Mae, Zachary, Hunter, Paige, Phoebe, Joshua and Sarah.

Services will be private. Arrangements were entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

Memorial donations to the Mattituck Fire Department Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice. 

Florence N. Taylor of Nesconset, formerly of Cutchogue and Southold died May 15. She was 100. 

She was born Nov. 14, 1915, in Brooklyn.

Ms. Taylor worked as a registered nurse for Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport. She was a member of Cutchogue Homemakers.

Family members said she enjoyed knitting, reading and going for walks.

She is survived by her son, Robert, of Amenia, N.Y.

A funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue. Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made to New Horizons Resources.

Arrangements were in the care of Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Barbara D. Lucht of Greenport died May 16 at her home. She was 94. 

The family will receive visitors Friday, May 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport, Pastor Garret Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at East Marion Cemetery.

Memorial donations to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 242, Greenport, NY 11944, would be appreciated.

A complete obituary will follow.

George C. “Jed” Hoffner of Southold died May 15  at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Quiogue. He was 78. 

Arrangements are in the care of  DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home.

A complete obituary will follow.

Helen T. Gajeski of Laurel died May 21, 2016, at Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Quiogue. She was 88 years old.

She was born in Southampton July 13, 1927, to William and Olga (née Kazel) Dull and later married Felix Gajeski. They were married for 56 years until his passing on April 29, 2006.

Together they made their home in Laurel where she assisted her husband in farming. Family members said she could clean shallots faster than anyone.

Helen was a communicant of Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue where she faithfully attended the 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening mass and was described as a very prayerful woman.

She also enjoyed cooking – especially pierogis and turkey stuffing. Above all was her love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons Felix “Babe” Gajeski, Jr. (Gwen) of Northville and Bill of Laurel; three grandsons Brian (Deborah), Gary (Sarah) and Keith (Kerri) and six great-grandchildren Autumn, Brooke, Emberly, Abigail, Allanah and Gavin.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated May 24, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchgoue, officiated by Father Mariusz Gorazd. Interment followed at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978, would be appreciated.

DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home is assisting the family.

This is a paid notice. 

Beatrice Richman Lipman, a former resident of Southampton for nearly 40 years and of Greenport for 20 years, died May 13 in her home in Silver Spring, Md. at the age of 91. 

With her husband, the late Jerome Lipman, she operated a women’s clothing store, The Style Shop, and later, Harry Frank Men’s Shop on Main Street in Southampton. She also worked in Lady Billing’s and in Billing’s Lingerie for two decades and was a substitute teacher in Southampton High School as well as in Greenport High School.

Mrs. Lipman was a 1945 graduate of New York University where she studied retailing and became one of the first female assistant buyers at Abraham & Straus (A&S) in their flagship department store in downtown Brooklyn. She married Jerome Lipman in 1948 and lived in Greenport before moving to Southampton in 1969. Mrs. Lipman was active in Rogers Memorial Library, the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, and Parrish Art Museum, among other organizations.

She was buried in Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Queens, next to her husband. She is survived by her children, Daniel (Jacquey) of Pittsburgh and Barbara of Washington, DC and three grandchildren, Benjamin, Joshua and Elena.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton or to a favorite charity.

This is a paid notice. 

Leonard Pavlakis of Riverhead died May 20, 2016, at the Riverhead Care Center. He was 89. 

He was born in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn April 25, 1926, to John and Julia (née Zervakos) Pavlakis.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he became a police officer with the Riverhead Town Police Department and was also an employee of Northville Dock.

Leonard was a member of the Suffolk County Police Association, Suffolk County Police Conference and the Riverhead P.B.A.

Leisure time was spent playing tennis and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

He is survived by his wife Ann Regina (née Robinson); children, Jon Pavlakis (Elizabeth) and Patricia Brown (Arthur) all of West Palm Beach, Fla.; his sister, Catherine Meyer of South Palm Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Constantine Pavlakis of Poughkeepsie.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, May 24, from 3 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the funeral home, officiated by Father Jerasimos Ballas. Interment, with U.S. Navy honors, will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.

Aaron Jackson

Longtime Greenport resident Aaron Jackson died May 22 at Stony Brook University Hospital. He was 53. 

The son of Mammie Watson and Aaron Jackson, he was born April 2, 1963, in Plainfield, N.J., and attended Plainfield High School.

He married Joanne “JoJo” (née Shelby) April 8, 1988, at the Elmwood Garden Projects in Plainfield.

Mr. Jackson was a retired chef, who family members said enjoyed boxing, cooking, writing poetry, singing and studying the word of God.

Predeceased by his stepfather, Maurice Joseph, and his stepmother, Margret Jackson, Mr. Jackson is survived by his wife; his sons, William and Carl Cosby and Christian and Michael Davis; his parents; his brothers, Wade and Dwayne Jackson and Tyssin Hamlett; his sister, April Redfern; and five grandchildren.

A funeral service will take place at noon Friday, May 27, at Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church in Greenport, the Rev. Nathaniel Heyward officiating. A repass will follow at the Pringle residence, 617 Second St. in Greenport.

Arrangements were in the care of Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.

Grace Dorothy Greet

Grace Dorothy Greet of Southold died at her home May 20. She was 106. 

The daughter of Grace (Brazec) and August Henry Struve, she was born April 27, 1910, in Brooklyn.

On Feb. 14, 1935, she married William Greet at Church of the Nativity in Brooklyn.

Ms. Greet worked as a secretary at the Woodhull School in Hollis, N.Y. She was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greenport.

She was predeceased by her husband, William, in 1993.

A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greenport, officiated by the Rev. John Walker. Interment will take place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 768 Main St., Greenport, NY 11944.

Arrangements were in the care of Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.

Grace Dorothy Greet

Vincent Louis Tirelli of Southold died peacefully at his home with his loving family surrounding him May 23, 2016. He was 84 years old.

He was born on Oct. 25, 1931, in Bronx, N.Y., to Michael and Irene (Garzilli) Tirelli. He married his beloved wife of 63 years, Louise (LaFalcia), on April 11, 1953.

Vincent served as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Buckner from 1951 to 1955. Upon his discharge, he returned to New York and worked as a Union Marble setter, helping put the marble facades on many buildings in and around Manhattan. He joined the Fire Department of New York in 1962, serving with Engine 88 and as an inspector in District Office 7, both in the Bronx, until his retirement.

After his retirement in 1976, Vinny and his family moved to Southold, where he began a 30-year career as owner/operator of Vincent Tirelli Marble and Tile Company. He was an active member of the Southold Kiwanis, rising to the role of president. He was a lifelong New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.

In addition to his wife, Vinny is survived by his sister, Marie Bernasconi (Bruce) of West Nyack; two daughters, Laura Witek (Tony) of Ridgefield, Conn., and Valerie Tirelli Hallock of Southold; two sons, Vincent (Kristin) of Mattituck and Robert (Sherry) of Middleton, Mass. Also surviving are his nine beloved grandchildren, Katelyn Ettenger (Will), Evan Witek (Maggie), Vincent M. Tirelli (Sara), Sarah, Matthew and Brian Hallock, Olivia and Samantha Tirelli and Nicole Seay; and four great-grandchildren, Sean and Hanna Tirelli, Sydney Ettenger and Jordan Poole; as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States, Italy and Belgium. In addition to his parents, Michael and Irene, he was predeceased by two brothers, Anthony and Angelo.

He was much loved by many and will be remembered for his engaging nature, zest for life, witty repartee and the endless love and devotion he had for his family.

The family will be receiving visitors Thursday, May 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. A Mass of Christian Burial with military and fire department honors will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Southold, with interment to follow at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice or Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad.

This is a paid notice. 

Santa M. Bua of Mattituck died May 22. She was 95. 

The family will receive visitors Thursday, May 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, at the funeral home, officiated by Father Richard Hoerning. Burial will take place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Center, 2448 East 81st St. Suite 3000, Tulsa, OK 74137-4250.

A complete obituary will follow.

Joseph B. Moisa of Mattituck died Saturday, May 28, at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. He was 91 years old. 

He was born in East Marion, Feb. 3, 1925, to John and Apolonia Moisa and attended Mattituck High School.

Joe later served in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, he enjoyed a long career as the owner of Hansen’s Garage in Mattituck.

He was a past member of the Mattituck Fire Department and Mattituck Lions Club.

In his spare time, he enjoyed racing, working on the race car owned by Ernie Wilsberg of Mattituck.

Surviving is his wife Constance (née Hansen); a son Joseph B. Moisa, Jr. (Catherine) of Mattituck; two sisters Helen Filla and Sophie Tyte of Riverhead; four grandchildren Heather, Casey, David (Katelynn) and Joseph Moisa, III and four great-grandchildren Chloe Brown, twins Jacob and Tyler Malkash and Jackson Moisa.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, May 31, from 3 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck, officiated by Monsignor Joseph W. Staudt. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

This is a paid notice. 

Nellie Truskolaski of Aquebogue died at her home May 24, 2016, at the age of 83.

She was born Nov. 9, 1932, and was raised by her grandparents in Aquebogue.

Nellie later married Edward Truskolaski at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue. For 27 years, she was a school bus driver for the Riverhead Central School District.

She attended St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead and was a member of the RPIC Ladies Auxiliary. In her free time she enjoyed crocheting.

Predeceased by her husband Edward Truskolaski, she is survived by her son Edward (Irene) Truskolaski of Westhampton.

Friends may call Tuesday, May 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church, officiated by Father Mariusz Gorazd.

This is a paid notice.