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George R. Kelley
George R. Kelley, 84, formerly of Highview Terrace, Bethel, devoted husband of Edith M. (Cockings) Kelley, died peacefully on Monday, October 6th at Danbury Health Care Center. He was born in Somerville, MA on June 26, 1924, son of the late Arthur and Mary (Collins) Kelley. He made his home in the Danbury area for more than 30 years. Mr. Kelley was a veteran of World War II and Korea, serving with the United States Army Air Corps and the US Air Force. He served in the military for 21 years, retiring as an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. He later worked as a foreman for the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury. He was a parishioner of St. Mary Church in Bethel. A devoted family man, he will be sadly missed by his wife of 65 years, Edith; his nine children, Richard and his wife, Janice of Massachusetts, Elaine Shults and her husband, Robert of Virginia, Danny and his wife, Patricia of Southbury, Janice Postell of Georgia, Christine Nugent and her husband, John of Poughkeepsie, Stephen and his wife, Susan of Brookfield, Patrick and his wife, Nora of Newtown, Michael and his wife, Wendy of South Carolina, James and his wife, Mel of South Carolina; his many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy "Dolly" O'Brien; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Kelley and his sisters, Alice Kelley and Sr. Mary Agnes Kelley and his son-in-law, Heyward Postell. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled Veterans of America in memory of Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant George Richard Kelley 1924-2008 or to the charity of your choice.
Donald J. McConnell
KINGSTON - Donald J. McConnell, of Old Flatbush Road, died at The Kingston Hospital, Monday, October 13, 2008. He was 84. Donald was born in Kingston, NY on March 25, 1924, the son of the late Patrick and Josephine (Killian) McConnell. A veteran of World War II, he served in The United States Army. As a sergeant, he saw action in Normandy, The Ardennes, Northern France, Rhineland, and central Europe. He was the recipient of The European African Middle Eastern Service medal with seven bronze stars. He was discharged from The United States Air Force Reserve in 1952. He was employed by IBM in Kingston and Poughkeepsie until his retirement in 1979, after twenty eight years with the company. Mr. McConnell was a member of The IBM Quarter Century Club, Life member of Joyce Schirick Post 1386 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and member of the Parish of Saint Catherine Laboure. He enjoyed boating and bowling on various teams and leagues, among them The Shamrock Team. He was a radio and emergency band hobbyist. His wife Catherine M. (Kaznowski) McConnell died in June 1999. Surviving are one daughter, Linda A. Cahill and her husband, Thomas of Highland; Two granddaughters, Christina Cahill of Selkirk, NY, and Caylena Cahill of Highland; a sister, Elaine Biernacki of Torrington, CT; brother, John McConnell of Hurley, New York. Nieces and nephews also survive. The Funeral will be held from The Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc., 27 Smith Avenue, Friday at 10:00am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father John Kearney at Saint Catherine Laboure Church, Lake Katrine, NY at 11:00am. Burial with military honors will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Town of Ulster. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Thursday, 4 to 7 pm. Flowers are welcome. Expressions of sympathy may also be made in the form of contributions to a charity of your choice.
Raymond Nastasi
FISHKILL – Raymond Nastasi, 88, a resident of Dutchess County, since 2004 and formerly of Newburgh and Monroe, died on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at the Elant in Fishkill. Born in Newark, New Jersey on October 26, 1919, he was the son of Gaspare and Giacomina Bonomo Nastasi. He served in the US Army and was employed as a clerk for Ford Motor Company, Mahwah, New Jersey for 30 years until his retirement in 1984. He attended Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh and St. Anastasia Church in Harriman and was a member of the Sons of Italy and the Italian American Club. On May 3, 1947 in the Bronx, Raymond married Olga DeLuca who predeceased him on March 30, 2008. He is survived by his son, Victor Nastasi and his wife, Linda of Hopewell Junction; his grandchildren, Kevin and Miranda Nastasi; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Gasper Nastasi, in 1971 and his brother, Joseph Nastasi. Calling hours will be private. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Interment will follow in St. Anastasia Cemetery in Harriman. Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
John L. Ross
POUGHKEEPSIE - John L. Ross, 87, of Poughkeepsie, died October 14, 2008 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. For 28 years, he was a wholesale wine and liquor salesman for Charmer Industries, Queens, NY until his retirement in 1986. He also worked for Prudential Life Insurance for four years; for the Poughkeepsie Police Department as a detective for twelve years in the identification department; and owned and operated Jonnie's Bar & Grill and a cigar & candy store in Poughkeepsie. He was also a musician with the Jonnie Ross Combo on tenor sax and vocals. A lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie, he was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Poughkeepsie, Local #2 Liquor Union in Brooklyn, life member of the Italian Center, and former member of Dutchess Golf & Country Club. He also played baseball, football, track and basketball. Mr. Ross was a US Navy veteran, having served from 1940-1945 in the South Pacific. He received four Bronze Stars and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. He was an aviation machinist 1st class and was a pilot on the USS Chenango converted aircraft carrier. Mr. Ross won the heavyweight boxing championship of the North Atlantic Fleet. He was a gunner on the Gramon Torpedo Plane. Born June 24, 1921 in Poughkeepsie, he was the son of Frank and Rose Olivo Ross. He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School, class of 1940 and Manhattan College, where he received a UN football scholarship. On July 2, 1944 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Poughkeepsie, he was married to Theresa San Felice. She predeceased him on Sept. 18, 1999. Survivors include a daughter, Cynthia Ross, Jersey City, NJ; a sister, Lorraine LaRocca and her husband, Anthony, Poughkeepsie; a brother, Edward Ross and his wife, Anita, Poughkeepsie and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a son, John Anthony Ross. Calling hours are Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 218 Mill St., Poughkeepsie. Handicap entrance is located in rear of funeral home on Vassar Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Poughkeepsie. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie with military honors.
Barbara Tsmaris
POUGHKEEPSIE - Barbara Tsmaris, 72, of Poughkeepsie, died October 11, 2008 in Kingston. A lifetime local resident, she was born April 16, 1936 in Poughkeepsie, the daughter of Fred and Viola Relyea. Survivors include daughter, Tami Tsmaris and companion, Larry VanBenschoten, Poughkeepsie; granddaughter, Concetta Gerbo, Poughkeepsie; and great grandchildren, Anna Williams and Johnna Williams, Poughkeepsie. A graveside service will take place Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 at 11:00am in New Paltz Rural Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Arrangements by Joseph J. Darrow, Sr. Funeral Home, Inc., Rt. 9, Hyde Park.
Edith M. Clarke
MILTON - Edith M. Clarke, of Highland, NY, an area resident all her life, died Friday, June 6, 2008 in the Hudson Valley Nursing Home, Highland, NY. She was 79. Born in Milton, NY on January 17, 1929, she was the daughter of the late W. Irving and the late Vera (Mickley) Clarke. She was a salesperson for Schwartz Department Store, Poughkeepsie, NY. Miss Clarke was a 50-year-member of the Milton on Hudson Grange #883. She is survived by nephew, Kevin Blom of Marlboro, NY; nephew, Jeff Blom of Marlboro, NY; niece, Sandra Blom of Newburgh, NY; and niece, Carol Page of Albany. She was predeceased by her sisters, Janet Clarke and Gloria Blom. A graveside service and burial of cremains will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 9:00am at the Friends Cemetery, Maple Avenue, Milton, NY with Pastor David Ballou officiating. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Carl J. DiDonato, Jr. and Lawrence M. Cavazza of the DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc., (845)236-4300.
James L. Staffa Jr.
POUGHKEEPSIE - James L. Staffa Jr., 41, of Poughkeepsie, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday June 16, 2008. Born on July 19, 1966, he was the beloved son of James and Linda Staffa Sr. James grew up in Poughkeepsie and attended Arlington schools. He had previously been employed with Travel Adventure Services. James enjoyed working on computers, and spending time with his family and his dog, Missy. Along with his parents, James and Linda Staffa Sr. of Pleasant Valley, additional survivors include his loving daughter, Jas Staffa and her mother, Meta Kane of Millbrook; sister, Diana Staffa and her son, Robert Lea of Pleasant Valley; brother, John Henry Taylor of Poughkeepsie; and his grandmother, Viola Robbins of Poughkeepsie, all whom are deeply sadden by their loss. May he rest in peace. There will be no calling hours. A private memorial service will be held on a later date at the convenience of his family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Allen Funeral Home, Pleasant Valley.
