John F. Fitzwilliam, 86, of Bethpage, died on Dec. 6, 2003. He was a 50-year employee of Sperry Gyroscope Co. as a methods engineer. He was active in the early days of St. James RC Church in Seaford, school and church project. He was a 4th Degree Knight, Knights of Columbus Memorare Council, Seaford and a volunteer at the Farmingdale Public Library. He was responsible for getting a US commemorative postage stamp honoring "Aviation Pioneers" Lawrence and Elmer Sperry. He did research and spoke with other aviation pioneers like Gen. Jimmy Doolittle to gather their support for his stamp petition. Husband of Veronica. Father of John, Michael and Donna Alexander. Arrangements were made by the McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Farmingdale. Funeral Mass at St. James RC Church. Interment Calverton National Cemetery. Matteo A. Taormina, of Farmingdale, died on Dec. 8, 2003. Husband of Marie. Father and father-in-law of Anna Marie and Michael Lange, Vivian and John D'Amore, Betty Ann and Ronald Masciana and Thomas and Cindy. Brother of Catherine Liotta and Beatrice Guariello. Also survived by 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Arrangements were made by the McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Farmingdale. Funeral Mass at St. Kilian RC Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. Edward G. Conway, of Venice, FL, formerly of Bethpage, died on Dec. 8, 2003. Husband of Helen. Father and father-in-law of Ellen and Jim Wilcken, Gail Barke-Conway, Edward Jr., Maureen and Gary Blanchard, Michael and Gail, Kenneth and Elizabeth and Kevin and Joann. Brother of Dolores Clarke. Grandfather of 16. Great-grandfather of two. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park. Donations in Edward's memory may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. Richard C. Fioretti, Esq., of Hicksville, died on Dec. 10, 2003. Husband of Rose. Father of Andrew, Thomas, John, James, Kevin and Karin. Grandfather of Alexis, Julia, Robert, Nicole, Talia, Joseph, Ryan, Angela, Jeffrey, Andrew Jr. and Sydney. Arrangements were made by the McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Farmingdale. Funeral Mass at St. Ignatius Loyola Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. James V. Martino, of Long Beach, formerly of Farmingdale, died on Dec. 10, 2003. Husband of the late Marie. Father and father-in-law of Angela and Bill Dwyer, James and Claire Martino and Patricia and John DeGiorlamo. Brother of Evelyn and Mary. Grandfather of Kelly, Sean, Alyssa and Gianna. Arrangements were made by the McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Farmingdale. Funeral Mass at St. Kilian RC Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. Louise Simonetti (nee Denicola), of Bethpage, formerly of Plainview, died on Dec. 11, 2003. Wife of Louis. Mother of Camille, Louis and Theresa. Sister of Marie Dubinski, Jimmy Denicola and Theresa Catalano. Grandmother of Jennifer, Gregory, Nicolas and Tanya. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mercy RC Church. Interment Calverton National Cemetery. Patricia V. Evert, of Hicksville, died on Dec. 12, 2003. Wife of Edward. Mother of Edward T., Patricia Evans, Veronica and Donna. Sister of Margaret Bennet, Veronica Martin, the late William Martin and the late Fred Martin. Grandmother of three. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. Vera Murdock died on Dec. 14, 2003. She was predeceased in 1986 by her husband, Joseph. Mother of Muriel Reahl. Grandmother of Barbara, Thomas, John. Great-grandmother of Kristin, Kurt and Shannon. She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Franz. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment St. John's Cemetery.