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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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April 20, 2004

Marie Rosencranse
Teacher, 54

Marie T. Rosencranse of White Sulphur Springs, a teacher and a homemaker, died Sunday, April 18, 2004, in White Sulphur Springs. She was 54 years of age.
The daughter of Donald J. and Elsie H. Hogencamp Tate, she was born May 28, 1949, in Liberty. She was the widow of Loren Rosencranse Jr. who died in 1989.
A graduate of Liberty High School and East Stroudsburg State College, she had been a physical education teacher in the Jeffersonville-Youngsville School District. She later was a substitute school teacher in both the Jeff-Youngsville and Liberty School districts.
Mrs. Rosencranse was a member of the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church and had been an avid bowler.
In a family statement, it was said, "Marie was unselfish, a loving daughter and mother. She enjoyed her flowers, the outdoors and nature."
She is survived by a son, Travis Rosencranse of Schenectady; a daughter, Erin Rosencranse of Clifton Park; her parents of White Sulphur Springs; a brother, and sister-in-law, Thomas R. and Linda Tate of Liberty; her mother-in-law, Ruth Bowers of White Sulphur Springs; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, including Justin and Trevor Tate.
Friends may call at the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey officiating
Burial will be made in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 308, White Sulphur Springs, N.Y. 12787 or to Orange-Sullivan Hospice, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.

Charles L. Wilcox
Ret. Truck Driver, 81

Charles L. Wilcox of Damascus, Pa., a retired driver for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. He was 81 years of age.
The son of the late Edward and Frances Casey Wilcox, he was born May 6, 1922, in Lookout, Pa.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Mr., Wilcox was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by two brothers Walter Wilcox and his wife, Yvonne, and Harold Wilcox; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Harvey Wilcox, a sister, Hazel Reynolds, and his longtime companion, Mabel Wood.
Services were held Monday at the Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg with the Rev. George Gallandorn officiating.
Burial was made in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Galilee, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Damascus, Pa. 18415.

John C. Whittaker
Ret. Window Cleaner, 62

John C. Whittaker of Youngsville, a retired window cleaner, died Thursday, April 15, 2004, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. He was 62 years of age.
The son of the late John and Mary McGlynn Whittaker, he was born January 15, 1942, in Brooklyn.
Mr. Whittaker was a member of St. George's Church in Jeffersonville. He was a parent advocate and volunteer in the Special Education Department at the Sullivan West Central School.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa Bolino Whittaker, at home; three daughters, Jeanette Stangarone and Marie George, both of Brooklyn, and Barbara Whittaker, at home; a son, John Whittaker, at home; 10 sisters and brothers, Joseph Whittaker of Utah, Ginger Youngs of Washington, Mary Ann Dinapoli of California, George Whittaker of Brooklyn, Bruce Whittaker of Oregon, Henry Whittaker of Arizona, Jerry Whittaker of California, Gladys Petrillo of Brooklyn, Robert Whittaker of California and Thomas Whittaker of Brooklyn; three grandchildren, Luke, Samantha and William; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a twin brother Richard.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. George's Church in Jeffersonville with Father Ignatius Vu officiating.
Burial will be made in Calvary Cemetery in Youngsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John and Barbara Whittaker Education Fund, c/o Linda Brunetti, Anawanda Lake Rd., Callicoon Center, N.Y. 12724.

James Cherry II
Ret. Businessman, 86

James A. Cherry II of Webster, a former longtime resident of Bloomingburg where he owned his own sign-painting business, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at Rochester General Hospital. He was 86 years of age.
He was born September 8, 1917, in Sparrowbush.
Mr. Cherry was a life member of the Elks Lodge #1097 in Middletown.
He is survived by two sons, James Cherry III of Homer and Thomas Cherry of Macedon.
No information pertaining to services and burial was submitted.

Maria Kuzmenko
Homemaker, 85

Maria Kuzmenko of Pond Eddy, a 20-year area resident and a homemaker, died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at her home. She was 85 years of age.
She was born July 10, 1918, in Ukraine and was the widow of Konstantin Kuzmenko who died March 25, 1998.
Mrs. Kuzmenko was a member of St. Volodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Glen Spey.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Bohdan and Maria Gojnycz of Rockaway, N.J.; three grandsons, Konstantin Gojnycz and his wife, Deanne, of Washington, D.C., Andrew Gojnycz of Rockaway, N.J., and Borys Gojnycz of Duxbury, Mass.; and a great-granddaughter, Brianna Gojnycz.
A Liturgy Mass was offered Monday at St. Volodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Church with the Rev. Mark Hirniak officiating.
Burial was made in the Glen Spey Cemetery.
Memorial contributions for educating priests may be sent to St. Basil's Seminary, 195 Glen Brook Rd., Stamford, Conn. 06902.

Holly Fernandez
Homemaker, 30

Holly Ann Fernandez, a four-year resident of Ellenville and a homemaker, died Monday, April 12, 2004, at the Kingston Hospital. She was 30 years of age.
The daughter of Dolores Stolz Sullivan and the late William Stolz, she was born December 16, 1973, in the Bronx.
She is survived by her husband, Reuben Fernandez of Ellenville; her son's father, William Tobey of Kingston; three sons, Dillion Ayso of Liberty, Matto Stolz of the Bronx and William Joseph Stolz Jr. of Ellenville; three sisters, Carol Schroeder of Phillipsport, Michelle Sullivan of the Bronx and Lisa Sullivan of Ellenville; two brothers, William Sullivan and John Sullivan, both of the Bronx; her mother of Ellenville; five nieces; 13 nephews; a grand-nephew. She was predeceased by a sister, Colleen Stolz.
Services were held Saturday at the Loucks Funeral Home in Ellenville with the Rev. Jay Vogelaar officiating.
Cremation was private.

Leon L. Bennett
Ret. Businessman, 76

Leon "Lee" L. Bennett of Melbourne, Fla., a retired salesman/business owner, died April 13, 2004, at his home. He was 76 years of age.
The son of the late Harold and Helen Bellinger Bennett, he was born March 13, 1928, in Warwick.
He is survived by his wife, Cherry Bennett, at home, and her son, Walter "Chipper" Bamert of Chicago, Ill.; five children, Mark Bennett and his fiancée, Luise, of Kissimmee, Fla., Kathleen and her husband, Joseph Tivado, Wendy Bennett and her fiance, Edward Holden, Maureen and her husband, Thomas Diana, all of Middletown, and Tim and his wife, Tricia, of Wurtsboro; his children's mother, Wilma Cipriani of Wurtsboro; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon "Shari" B. Nelson.
Private memorial services will be held in Florida and New York.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7E, East Syracuse, N.Y. 13047

Timothy H. Gass
Driver, 51

Timothy H. Gass of Middletown, a driver for E.A. Morse and a lifelong area resident, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 15, 2004, at the Nyack Hospital. He was 51 years of age.
The son of the late Harry and Lillian Howard Gass, he was born November 2, 1952, in Middletown.
A graduate of Middletown High School, he attended Orange County Community College and was employed for over 20 years by E.A. Morse in Middletown. He was a member of the Middletown Elks Lodge #1097 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
In a family statement, it was said, "Tim had an incredible zest for life and spread it among many people. He was a very special person who will be dearly missed."
He is survived by two children, Christofer and Alexis Gass, both of Warwick; his longtime companion, Peggy McMickle-Gallo and her daughter, Margaret, of Middletown; a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Patricia Gass of Rock Hill; and two nephews, Travis and Patrick Gass.
Services were held Sunday at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home in Middletown with the Revs. Ken and Susan Wonderland officiating.
Burial was made on Monday at the Wallkill Cemetery in Phillipsburg.

Barbara Vanderbeek
Ret. Exec. Secy., 91

Barbara Virginia Vanderbeek of Port Washington, a retired executive secretary to the vice president of Continental Can Co. in Manhattan, died Thursday, April 15, 2004, at her home. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Blaine and Estella Frank Burgess, she was born May 20, 1912, in Grand Junction, Colo. She was the widow of Francis Vanderbeek III who died June 8, 1965.
She is survived by a sister, Gladys Zoeller of Flushing; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Monday at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis with the Rev. Stephen Huston officiating.
Burial was made in the Glen Spey Cemetery.

Frank Lanza Sr., 57
Daytop Administrator

Frank Lanza Sr. of Pleasant Valley, a 32-year administrator for Daytop Village Inc., who worked between the Millbrook, Rhinebeck, Swan Lake and Parksville facilities, died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. He was 57 years of age.
The son of the late James and Mary Pascarelli Lanza, he was born July 30, 1946, in Brooklyn.
Mr. Lanza was an avid bowler and a New York Mets fan.
He is survived by his wife, Doris McNulty Lanza, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Frank Jr. and Donna Hee-Lanza, of the Town of Kent; a daughter, Danielle Lanza, at home; a granddaughter, Annabella Lanza of the Town of Kent; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Kathie Lanza of the state of Florida, Anthony and Maria Lanza of Staten Island and Vincent and Kim Lanza of Long Island. He was predeceased by a son, Christopher Lanza, who died in 1992, and a sister, Kathy.
Friends may call at the Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main St., Pleasant Valley, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Stanislaus Church, Main St., Pleasant Valley.
Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Daytop Village Inc., 54 West 40th St., New York, N.Y. 10018 or to the American Cancer Society, 45 Reade Place, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601.

Fred Albers
Ret. Mason Contr., 96

Fred Albers of Milanville, Pa, a 34-year area resident and a retired mason contractor since 1970, died Sunday, April 18, 2004, at the Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart, Pa. He was 96 years of age.
Born April 27, 1908, in Brauel, Germany, he emmigrated to the United States in 1928 and became a U.S. citizen soon thereafter.
Mr. Albers and his wife grew up in neighboring towns in Germany but attended the same church. They married and settled in Ridgefield, N.J., where they lived for over 30 years. She passed away in October of 2003 after 67 years of marriage. Mr. Albers was active in church and civic affairs in Ridgefield and served six years on the Board of Education.
Upon retirement, the couple built a new home in Milanville and became active in local church and civic affairs. Mr. Albers served with the Damascus Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps and was a founding member of the Damascus Township Planning Commission, being instrumental in establishing the Township's first master plan.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ray and Susan Albers of Vienna, Va., and John and Judy Albers of Evergreen, Colo.; three grandsons and their wives, Andrew and Carmen Albers, Ben Albers and Sarah Butzen, and Greg and Kate Palmer Albers; a granddaughter, Katie; and a great-grandson, Gabriel.
Friends may call at the Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg on Sunday from noon to 1 p.m.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Interment will be made in the Milanville (Pa.) Cemetery.

Thomas Schick
Master GM Tech., 45

Thomas Schick of Obernburg, a master General Motors technician, employed at Roche's Garage in Callicoon for 26 years, and a lifelong area resident, died Sunday evening, April 18, 2004, as the result of injuries sustained in a vehicular accident at his home. He was 45 years of age.
He was married to the former Deborah Metzger and the father of three children, John, Heidi and Eric.
Funeral arrangements, under the direction of the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, are incomplete at presstime.

Edward Briggs
Student at C of D, 32

Edward "Scotty" Briggs of Harris, a student at the Center for Discovery in Harris, died Sunday, April 18, 2004, at the Roscoe Community Nursing Home. He was 32 years of age.
The son of Edward Jr. and Jo-Ann Schmiedel Briggs, he was born June 7, 1971, in Poughkeepsie.
In a family statement, it was said, "Scotty resided at home for 19 years and has spent the last 13 happy and wonderful years with the Center for Discovery at Wawanda House in Liberty. Scotty was loved and will be missed by everyone he touched with his smile, and in the end, Scotty, the love you received was equal to the love that you gave."
He is survived by his parents of Neversink; his maternal grandmother, Bea Cruisus of Morston, Fla., a sister, Billie-Jo Robinson of Liberty; a step-sister, Corinna "Tiny" Decker and her husband, "Butch," of Bradenton, Fla.; and two nieces, Lashay Serrano and Joanna Nixon of Liberty.
Friends may call at the Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 South Main St., Liberty, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Graveside services and burial will be held at the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery on Thursday at noon, with the Rev. Carl Caskey officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Discovery, P.O. Box 840, Benmosche Rd., Harris, N.Y. 12742.

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