Howard Bowe, 79, owned Island insurance firm
Thursday June 21, 2001
Howard F. Bowe, 79, of Dingmans Ferry, Pa., a native Staten Islander and an insurance agency owner, died Tuesday at home. Born in Rosebank, he moved to Westerleigh when he was 25 years old. He settled in Dingmans Ferry in 1988. He spent winters in Flagler Beach, Fla. A World War II-era veteran, Mr. Bowe served as a technical sergeant in the Army Signal Corps. He was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. While an Islander, he was a member of the Labetti Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and an American Legion post. He was the owner of the Howard F. Bowe Insurance Agency for 36 years, retiring in 1986. Originally located in Randall Manor, the company later moved to West Brighton. It is now owned by his son, William. Mr. Bowe was the former president of the Independent Insurance Agency Association of Richmond County, a business club that meets periodically throughout the year. A graduate of Curtis High School, he received his associate's degree from Paul Smith's College, Paul Smiths, N.Y. Mr. Bowe was a former president of the South Shore Kiwanis Club, and was involved in numerous Staten Island organizations, including the Manor Road Civic Association, Tompkins Masonic Lodge, Richmond County Country Club and Richmond County Yacht Club. He was also a member of the Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, Fla., and the Port Jervis (N.Y.) Country Club. While on Staten Island he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Stapleton. Mr. Bowe enjoyed boating and was an avid golfer. He also took delight in competition associated with business and sports. "He was a good man and will be missed by his friends and family," said his son, William. In addition to his son, surviving are his wife, the former Mary Metz; one more son, Howard; his daughter, Eileen Bowe, and two grandchildren. Mr. Bowe's first wife, the former Elizabeth McCloskey, died in 1987. The funeral service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners. The Rev. Richard Michael, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Pasquale Ambrosio, 61, retired school fireman
Friday June 22, 2001
Pasquale Ambrosio, 61, of Annadale, a retired school fireman, died Saturday while vacationing in Italy. Born in Naples, Italy, Mr. Ambrosio came to America when he was 22 years old. He resided in Brooklyn for approximately 14 years before settling in Annadale. For 36 years, Mr. Ambrosio worked at PS 32 in Great Kills as a school fireman, doing electrical and custodial work. Before moving to Staten Island, he commuted to the school from Brooklyn. He retired 12 years ago. An avid walker, he often circled Tottenville High School with a group of his friends for exercise. One of nine children, including six boys and three girls, Mr. Ambrosio was extremely close with his family. "He was always the life of the party," said his daughter, Rose Ann Ambrosio. "He was a well-loved person, and will be very, very missed." He attended Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot. In addition to his daughter, Rose Ann, surviving are his wife, Nancy Padula; another daughter, Maria Tartamella; four brothers, Antonio, Ralph, Nando and Frank; three sisters, Clorinda Ambrosio, Cleopatra Ambrosio and Rosaria D'Alpino, and three grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 10:15 a.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Joseph Bennett, 94, was stationary engineer
Friday June 22, 2001
Joseph S. Bennett, 94, of Midland Beach, a stationary engineer, died Wednesday in Doctors' Hospital, Concord. Born in Manchester, England, he moved to Midland Beach in 1951. Mr. Bennett worked for 20 years as a stationary engineer with the S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Co. at its former Prince's Bay location, retiring in 1971. Mr. Bennett was a volunteer service member for Great Britain's Civil Defense during World War II. "He was a great example of what a father should be," said his son, Ralph. He enjoyed reading and was an avid Mets fan. His wife, the former Mary Kehoe, died in January. In addition to his son, Ralph, surviving are two other sons, Paul and Carl, and eight grandchildren. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere.

Edward Fornal, 91, chief petty officer for the Navy
Friday June 22, 2001
Edward J. Fornal, 91, of Grymes Hill, a retired chief petty officer for the Navy, died Wednesday in St. Vincent's Medical Center, West Brighton. Born in Manhattan, he moved to Newburgh, N.Y., at age 4. While living there, he graduated from the New Windsor School, and later coached a Newburgh semi-professional football team. Chief Fornal joined the Navy in 1942 to help with the World War II war effort. A graduate of the Navy Instructor Training School and the Navy Atomic Energy School, he was part of a submarine net that protected New York City's harbor from possible foreign attack. From 1945 to 1951, he served as Navy instructor at the former Tompkinsville Armory. He moved to Grymes Hill after marrying the former Catherine Elflein in 1950. During the Korean War, Chief Fornal was stationed in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS Columbus. He was a recruitment officer on Staten Island during the Vietnam War. He earned the nickname "Mr. Navy" from the Tompkinsville Armory in 1962, and retired from the Navy seven years later. After retiring, Chief Fornal worked as an armory superintendent for the State Militia Division of Naval and Military Affairs, serving the armories of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Yonkers, N.Y., and the Whitestone section of Queens. He retired in 1977. Chief Fornal's long career in the Navy allowed him to gain local popularity, since he recruited at many high schools. "Wherever he went, his former recruits all honored and recognized him as 'Mr. Navy,'" said Mrs. Fornal. He was a member of a Knights of Columbus council in Newburgh, the Fleet Reserve Association and the New York State Naval Militia. A plank owner, Chief Fornal took pride in being an original contributor to the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. Before getting married and devoting his life to military service, Chief Fornal used to test his endurance by swimming the Hudson River. He also enjoyed fishing and playing football. He was a parishioner of St. Sylvester's R.C. Church, Concord. In addition to his wife of 51 years, Catherine, surviving is his daughter, Catherine Castell. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sylvester's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Allan Heath, 64, retired therapy assistant
Friday June 22, 2001
Allan C. Heath, 64, a Stapleton resident and retired mental health therapist assistant, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Medical Center, West Brighton. Born in Jamaica, West Indies, he came to the United States in 1953, living in Manhattan until 1964. He then moved to Staten Island and lived in West Brighton for about five years before settling in Stapleton. He worked as a mental health therapist assistant for the former Staten Island Developmental Center, Willowbrook, from 1966 to 1996, when he retired. Mr. Heath enjoyed bowling, fishing and playing dominoes, and he loved horses. "He was known by many and loved by all," said his wife of 44 years, the former Maria Burgos. In addition to his wife, surviving are his two daughters, Shirley Gumb and Patsy Gomez; his mother, Leila Heath; two brothers, Errol and Maurice; a sister, Nora Sloley, and four grandchildren. The funeral service will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the Stapleton Village Chapels, Stapleton. The Rev. Mark Thompson, from the Church of Christ, Port Richmond, will preside. Burial will follow in Silver Mount Cemetery, Silver Lake.

Rose Genovese, 93, a Grant City homemaker
April 30, 1999
Rose L. Genovese, 93, of Grant City, a homemaker, died Wednesday in Sisters of Charity Medical Center, St. Vincent's Campus. Born Rose Gandolfo in Manhattan, she lived in Brooklyn before moving to Grant City 30 years ago. Mrs. Genovese enjoyed playing cards with her family. She was a parishioner of St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City. Her husband, Michael, died in 1966. Surviving are a son, Frank; a daughter, Rose Marie Perani; a brother, Salvatore Gandolfo; two sisters, Josephine Ingolia and Frances Jensen; two grandchildren and two great-grandsons. The funeral will be tomorrow with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Christopher's Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Queens.

Roger Dantoni, 87, was a retired barber
April 30, 1999
Roger Dantoni, 87, of Annadale, a retired barber, died yesterday in the New Vanderbilt Nursing Home, Clifton, where he had been a resident for the past eight months. Born in Baltimore, Mr. Dantoni was taken to Sicily, Italy, as a child. In 1928, he moved to Port Richmond and in 1979, to Schenectady, N.Y. He settled in Annadale in 1988. For more than 40 years, Mr. Dantoni worked as a barber at the former Square Barbershop in Port Richmond. He retired in 1972. He was an avid baseball fan and a longtime parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, Travis. His wife, the former Antoinette Vigliotti, died in 1981. Surviving are three sons, Donald, Nino and Roger; two brothers, Emanuel and Fred; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Louis Spittle, 77, foreman, security guard
April 30, 1999
Louis Spittle, 77, of Dongan Hills, a retired foreman, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born in Virginia, Mr. Spittle moved to South Beach in 1945 and to Dongan Hills in 1969. He worked for 20 years as a foreman at the former U.S. Gypsum Co., New Brighton. He then worked for 10 years as a security guard at Wagner College before retiring in 1980. Mr. Spittle enjoyed gardening and watching sports. He served in the medical division of the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant from 1940 to 1945. He served in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. His wife, the former Maria Griese, did in 1981. Mr. Spittle is survived by two sons, John and Michael, and five brothers, William, John, Ernest, Elmer and Joseph. The funeral will be tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Joseph Suprinowicz, 81, retired Army sergeant
April 30, 1999
Joseph B. Suprinowicz, 81, of Mariners Harbor, a retired hospital aide, died Monday in Sisters of Charity Medical Center, St. Vincent's Campus. Born in Manhattan, Mr. Suprinowicz also lived on Governor's Island before settling in Mariners Harbor in 1965. He served in the Army during World War II, and was stationed in Germany. He continued to serve in the Army as a sergeant, remaining in Germany for 22 years. Mr. Suprinowicz worked as a hospital aide for the former U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, Clifton, for 15 years, retiring in 1983. Mr. Suprinowicz was a member of the Mariners Harbor Senior Citizens Club and the Staten Island Elks Lodge, Greenridge. He enjoyed going to Atlantic City and fishing. He was a parishioner of St. Michael's R.C. Church, Mariners Harbor. His wife, the former Elsa Zurawski, died in January. The funeral is being handled by Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, Port Richmond. Cremation will be in Rosehill Crematory, Linden, NJ and the ashes will be buried in Germany alongside his wife.

Carlton Barnes Sr., 72, retired supervisor
April 30, 1999
Carlton Barnes Sr., 72, a native Staten Islander and retired supervisor, died yesterday in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness. Born in Stapleton, he moved to New Brighton in 1953 and settled in St. George in 1970. Mr. Barnes worked for the former Richmond Cleaning Co., Stapleton, for 20 years before retiring as a supervisor in 1987. Previously he worked as letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Stapleton for nine years. He was a graduate of McKee High School. Mr. Barnes was a member and past commander of the Granito-Smith Post of the American Legion, New Brighton. He enjoyed watching Yankee baseball games and collecting memorabilia about the team. Mr. Barnes served as a private and an X-ray technician in the Army Medical Corps from 1946 until 1947. He was a parishioner of St. Peter's R.C. Church, New Brighton. "My father worked very hard for his family and fought a long battle with his illness," said his son, Carlton Barnes Jr. His wife, the former Marion Keller, died in 1996. In addition to his son, Carlton, Mr. Barnes is survived by another son, Frank Schrecker; two brothers, Benjamin and Joseph Heineman; two sisters, Rose Messina and Edith Maher; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.

Felice Parisi, 88, retired school worker
April 30, 1999
Felice Parisi, 88, of Grant City, a retired school worker, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born in the town of Palomonte in Italy, Mr. Parisi immigrated to New Brighton in 1954 and settled in Grant City in 1972. He worked for 10 years at the former Willowbrook State School before retiring in 1968, his family said. Mr. Parisi was a World War II veteran, serving in the Italian Army. He belonged to St. Margaret Mary's R.C. Church, Midland Beach. Mr. Parisi enjoyed gardening and wood-working. Surviving are his wife, the former Iolanda Conte; seven sons, Dominic, Frank, Anthony, Mario, Joseph, Jerry and Ralph; three sisters who reside in Italy; 17 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Margaret Mary's R.C. Church, Midland Beach. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Angelo Cucuzza, 61, owned small business
April 30, 1999
Angelo Cucuzza, 61, of Huguenot, a retired plumbing and heating firm owner, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born in Palermo, Italy, he moved to Brooklyn in 1962. Mr. Cucuzza relocated to New Dorp in 1971 and settled in Huguenot in 1994. Mr. Cucuzza owned and operated Reliable Plumbing and Heating in New Dorp, for 30 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the Staten Island Elks Lodge and Carinesi Club, Brooklyn. Mr. Cucuzza enjoyed hunting, traveling and gardening. He was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, New Dorp. His wife, the former JoAnn Guttadauro, died in 1996. Surviving are two sons, Vincent and Robert; a daughter, Maria Zappulla; a brother, Frank; a sister, Serafina Bombassi, and two grandsons. The funeral will be Monday from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Entombment will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Robert Ryan, 63, was retired carpenter
May 1, 1999
Robert W. Ryan, 63, a lifelong Staten Islander and retired carpenter, died yesterday in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy. Born in Prince's Bay, Mr. Ryan moved to Tottenville in 1962. He worked as a carpenter with the New York District Council of Carpenters, Local 1536, from 1962 to 1972 and then went on to become a carpenter for the New York City Department of Social Services, until 1986. He worked for the city Board of Education as a carpenter foreman until 1998, when he retired. Earlier in his career he had worked for Mobile Oil. A former student of St. Peter's High School, he attended the New York District Council Labor College, in Manhattan from 1967 to 1970. A member of the National Rifle Association, Mr. Ryan enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid sportsman. He was also an Irish and Civil War history buff. Mr. Ryan served as a corporal in the Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956. He also served in the Merchant Marine from 1956 to 1962. He was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville. His wife, the former Carole Sullivan, died in 1995. Mr. Ryan is survived by a son, Robert S.; three daughters, Colleen T. Ryan, Bridget Ryan and Deirdre Pase, and a brother, James. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help Christians Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Mary Gardella, 84, retired store owner
May 1, 1999
Mary Gardella, 84, of Prince's Bay, a retired store owner, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Mary Gardella in Carlstadt, N.J., she moved to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in 1945 and to Prince's Bay in 1996. She owned and operated a grocery store in Brooklyn with her husband for 35 years. She was a parishioner of St. Cecilia's R.C. Church in Brooklyn. Her husband, Louis, died in 1991. Surviving is her sister, Lillian Carra. The funeral will be Monday from the Colonial Funeral Home, New Dorp, with a mass at 9:15 a.m. in St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, N.J.

Josephine Carmellengo, 67, retired secretary
May 1, 1999
Josephine E. Carmellengo, 67, of Westerleigh, a retired secretary, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Ms. Carmellengo was born in Mariners Harbor and had lived in Westerleigh for 46 years. She worked as a secretary for the former Anaconda Copper Co. in Manhattan for 25 years. Ms. Carmellengo then worked for the Exxon Corp. in Floram Park, N.J., for 15 years, retiring in 1997. Ms. Carmellengo was a graduate of Port Richmond High School. She enjoyed gardening and sowing." "She was well-like and an intellectual," said her sister, Rose C. Carmellengo. Ms. Carmellengo was a parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh. In addition to her sister, Rose, surviving are her mother, Anna Carmellengo, and three other sisters, Ann Sullivan, Frances Minardi-Schifano and Joan Rowan. The funeral will be Monday from the Meislohn-Silvie Funeral Home, Port Richmond, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.

Mary Anne Walstrom, 60, retired Realtor
May 2, 1999
Mary Anne Walstrom, 60, a lifelong Staten Island resident and a retired partner in a real estate company, died yesterday in Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, Dongan Hills, where she had been a resident for the past eight years. Born Mary Anne Criso in Tompkinsville, she moved to Silver Lake in 1960, and settled in Dongan Hills in 1990. Mrs. Walstrom was a partner in the former Herrmann & Walstrom real estate agency, for 15 years, retiring in 1990. She was a graduate of St. Peter's Girls' High School, New Brighton. Mrs. Walstrom was a member of the Staten Island Board of Realtors and the Multiple Listing Service, both New Dorp, and the Richmond Choral Society. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville. Surviving are two sons, John and Douglas; three daughters, Susan Harding, Carolyn Bavaro and Meredith Finn; three brothers, Anthony, John and Robert; a sister, Mildred Egbert, and four grandchildren. The funeral will be Tuesday from Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Council Church. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.

John Gargiulo, 93, owned produce store
May 2, 1999
John R. Gargiulo, 93, a former Richmond resident and retired produce store owner, died Wednesday in Vista Care-Bryans Center, Phoenix. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Gargiulo moved to Richmond in 1980 and then to Phoenix in 1988. Mr. Gargiulo was the owner and operator of a produce store in Brooklyn for 30 years, retiring in 1964. He was a charter member of the Tioga Social Club, Brooklyn. Mr. Gargiulo enjoyed listening to music, singing and dancing. He was a parishioner of St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Richmond. "Dad was a loving father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He lived his life according to the old-world values of honesty and hard work. He was truly a gentleman," said his daughter, Ann Coppola. His wife, the former Mary Polito, died in 1978. In addition to his daughter, Ann, surviving are two more daughters, Connie Guarascio and Louise Battaglia, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Queens.

Walter Mann, 74, retired police sergeant
May 3, 1999
Walter James Mann, 74, of Georgetown, Me., a retired city police sergeant and a former Staten Island resident, died at home yesterday following a brief illness. Born in Manhattan, Mr. Mann was brought to West Brighton as an infant and settled in Westerleigh in 1960. He moved to Georgetown in 1983. Mr. Mann began his 20-year career with the city Police Department in 1948 as a patrolman in Manhattan's 1st Precinct. In 1959, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the 14th Precinct, Manhattan. A year later, he was transferred to the 6th Precinct, also Manhattan, from which he retired in 1968. While a police officer, Mr. Mann camped with his family at Camp Sequin Campground in Georgetown. In 1964, he purchased the family campground and ran it until 1988, when he retired from his second career. "He was also looking to retrace some of his roots," said his son, Lawrence W., referring to Mr. Mann's family in the Bath, Me., area. Mr. Mann was a member of the Sergeants' Benevolent Association and the Police Department's Holy Name Society. He was a graduate of Curtis High School. Mr. Mann served in the Navy for five years, during World War II and the Korean War. In the 1960s, he was a member of the Coast Guard Power Squadron, where he learned boating. Mr. Mann enjoyed sailing, reading and surfing the Internet. He was a former parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh. His wife, the former Ruth Walsh, died in 1990. In addition to his son, Lawrence W., surviving are four grandsons. The funeral will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Mayo, Curtis & Hill Funeral Home, Bath. Burial with military honors will be in Mountainside Cemetery, Georgetown.

Peter Maluk, 76, retired firefighter
May 3, 1999
Peter Maluk, 76, of Dongan Hills, a retired city firefighter and a World War II veteran, died yesterday at home after a long illness. Born in Manhattan, he moved to Dongan Hills in 1956. Mr. Maluk's 25-year career with the city Fire Department included assignments to Engine Co. 36 in Harlem and Engine 153/Ladder 77 in Stapleton. He retired in 1976. Mr. Maluk served in the Navy during World War II and fought in the battle of Okinawa. In his retirement, Mr. Maluk took an interest in politics, landscaping and carpentry. "He was really magnificent in his carpentry efforts," said his son, Stephen. Mr. Maluk built items such as tables, desks and bookcases for his children and grandchildren. In addition to his son, Stephen, surviving are his wife of 55 years, the former Matilda Koch; a daughter, Kathy Weir; another son, Thomas; a brother, Stephen; and six grandchildren. The funeral will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Hanley Funeral Home, New Dorp. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Queens.

Paul J. Henry, 72, a lawyer who worked to promote Island
May 3, 1999
Paul J. Henry, 72, of Grasmere, a retired attorney, a Koch administration appointee to the Health and Hospitals Corporation and a gentlemanly and scholarly presence on the Staten Island secession charter commission, died Saturday at home. Mr. Henry was born in Topeka, Kan. He moved to Grasmere in 1957. Mr. Henry earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Washburn University, Topeka, in 1949. He earned his juris doctorate from Washburn in 1952 and a master's degree in tax law from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., in 1953. He worked as a trial lawyer for the U.S. Treasury Department in Boston until 1957, when he moved to Staten Island. He then worked as a tax attorney with the Manhattan firm of Breed, Abbot and Morgan, where he specialized in tax law and not-for-profit organizations. "He was a very good man," said his wife of 50 years, the former Frances Haggiag. "He gave so much of his time. He really gave his time pro bono for so many organizations." Mr. Henry began campaigning for then-Manhattan congressman Edward Koch when he was asked to host a reception for the politician in his Grasmere home. Mr. Henry was impressed by Koch's appearances before the Staten Island Democratic Club and, in February 1977, he attended a meeting in Koch's Greenwich Village apartment and made a commitment to him. Mr. Henry served as one of Koch's borough coordinators during the successful 1977 mayoral campaign. In 1979, he was named a member of the board of the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) -- the nation's largest municipal medical delivery system -- after his nomination sailed through a City Council committee hearing. In 1986, Koch named Mr. Henry the chairman of the board of directors of the HHC. As chairman, Mr. Henry also held the title of health services administrator for the city. Koch called Mr. Henry "superbly qualified" to assume the top post at HHC. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Henry was endorsed by Koch for a seat on the City Planning Commission. Mr. Henry withdrew his name from consideration, claiming city ethics code provisions relating to the post would have made it impossible for him to practice law. During his tenure as HHC chairman, Mr. Henry was instrumental in the development and adoption of the Corporate Strategic Plan, which allowed HHC facilities in all five boroughs to focus on a community-based health care system which stressed prevention and early detection of illnesses. He also was an avid supporter of the HHC's equal employment opportunity/affirmative action plan, which was implemented to assure proper representation of minorities in staff and management in each facility. Mr. Henry also established the quality assurance committee of the board. He continued practicing law while serving as chairman of HHC, but was prohibited from taking part in decisions affecting clients of his firm. Mr. Henry resigned from HHC in 1990 and returned to practicing law full-time with Breed, Abbot and Morgan. Mr. Henry was named to the board of Koch's National Service Corporation for New York City in 1984. Councilman Jerome X. O'Donovan (D-North Shore), who looked to Mr. Henry as an adviser, described him as knowledgeable about Staten Island issues. "He was a gentleman, a real, true gentleman," said O'Donovan. "He was always a calm and collected individual. That was his demeanor and he'll be remembered for that and his intelligence when it comes to politics or business or his legal counsel." "He was a charming, delightful person, very dedicated to his clients and his community," said Louis N. DeStefano, an accountant who shared offices in Dongan Hills with Mr. Henry for five years. "He was very, very knowledgeable, articulate and bright." In 1991, Mr. Henry was named to the board of trustees of what is now the Sisters of Charity Medical Center, Bayley Seton Campus. He also was a board member of Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Livingston. In 1991, Mr. Henry was appointed by Assemblyman Eric Vitaliano (D-Mid-Island) to serve on the Secession charter commission. Vitaliano chose him in part because he served on the city's Charter Revision Commission in 1982 and 1983, where he gained valuable charter-writing experience. Gov. Mario Cuomo created the commission with an 11th-hour bill in 1989. The commission had 13 members and a yearly budget of $500,000. Commissioners had the mission of fine-tuning a charter to create a city of Staten Island. Mr. Henry served in the Navy during World War II. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph' s R.C. Church, Rosebank, where he served as a lector. Mr. Henry also served on the board of directors of the Staten Island branch of the New York Urban League and received its Mills G. Skinner Award. His final act of public service involved serving as president of the board of directors of the College of Staten Island Foundation. Illness forced him to give up the presidency several months ago, but he remained a member of the board. Mr. Henry was a member of the Knights of Malta. He also served as a member of the Catholic Interracial Council of Staten Island and was a member of the Staten Island Vicarite Council of the New York Archdiocese. Mr. Henry was vice chairman of the Staten Island Revitalization and Growth of Commerce Industry and Government Services. He was a member of Koch's Committee for Israel and a board member of the Kidney Foundation. He was also an active member of the national board of directors of the Volunteers of America and the Volunteers of America Health Services in Minneapolis. In 1995, Mr. Henry received the United Hospital Fund Distinguished Trustee Award. He enjoyed reading. "He was a fine gentleman," said former Democratic Borough President Ralph Lamberti. "He was 'Mr. Integrity.' He was very helpful to the community and was always willing to volunteer his legal services pro-bono for a good cause." James A. Smith, former Democratic County Chairman who served briefly as a city councilman, called Mr. Henry a "good man." "He lived a good life," he said. "He helped people and was always of the attitude of asking 'What can I do for you.' " In addition to his wife, surviving are Mr. Henry's a son, Michael J.; two daughters, Margaret C. Cozzolino and Pamela Henry, and two grandchildren. The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Irene Iacovelli, 79, was teletype supervisor
May 3, 1999
Irene (Dottie) Iacovelli, 79, of Grasmere, a retired teletype supervisor, died Saturday at home. Born Irene Costine in Bayonne, she was brought to West Brighton as an infant in 1921. She moved to Rosebank in the 1940s and to Grasmere five years ago. Mrs. Iacovelli was teletype supervisor for M. Lowenstein Textiles in Manhattan for 40 years. She retired in 1985. She was a member of the Labetti Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Rosebank, the Grandmothers Club and the Deborah Heart and Lung Association. She enjoyed bowling, playing bingo and trips to Atlantic City. Mrs. Iacovelli was a parishioner of Holy Rosary R. C. Church, South Beach. Mrs. Iacovelli's husband, James, died in 1983. Surviving are two stepsons, Matthew and James; a daughter, Ellen Loglia; a sister, Veronica Greene; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Margaret Petrizzo, 75, was a homemaker
May 3, 1999
Lifelong Staten Islander Margaret Petrizzo, 75, of Castleton Corners, a homemaker who enjoyed ballroom dancing, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Born Margaret Geraghty in West Brighton, she moved to Castleton Corners as a child. Mrs. Petrizzo was a graduate of Port Richmond High School. She was a member of the Staten Island Ballroom Dancers. Mrs. Petrizzo's husband, Frank, died in 1993. Surviving are two brothers Joseph and James, and five sisters, Doris Codd, Rita Piatt, Ethel Leanza, Gladys Bell and Betty Hoffman. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Council R.C. Church, Tompkinsville. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Mary Ayuso, 89, retired statistical clerk
May 3, 1999
Mary E. Ayuso, 89, of New Dorp, a lifelong Staten Island resident and a retired statistical clerk, died yesterday in Sisters of Charity Medical Center, St. Vincent's Campus. Born Mary E. Burchie in Elm Park, she moved to West Brighton in 1942 and to New Dorp in 1955. She was a statistical clerk and comptometer operator for the Great American Insurance Co. for 43 years, retiring in 1970. Mrs. Ayuso was a graduate of McKee High School. She was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, New Dorp, where she was a member of the Rosarian Society. Mrs. Ayuso was a volunteer for the former Richmond Memorial Hospital since 1973. She also volunteered at the Berry Homes in Dongan Hills and was a member of the Berry Homes Senior Citizens Center. Mrs. Ayuso was a member of the Oakwood chapter of the AARP. "She was a very caring person and took an interest in her family and friends," said her nephew, John Naiman. "I know she really liked volunteering. She did it for so many years." Her husband, Henry O., died in 1973. Surviving are three sisters, Anastacia Mastro, Rose Naiman and Catherine O'Rourke. The funeral will be Wednesday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.