Howard Crofoot, of Locust Valley and East Hampton, known for years as the Clock Doctor, died on Feb. 7, 2008 at the age of 85. Howard was born and grew up in Springfield, MA. He studied mechanical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston and, as a young pilot, served as flight instructor in the Air Force during WWII. After the war, he became an air traffic controller, working for the FAA until 1972 at Kennedy, LaGuardia and MacArthur Airports.

While working as a controller, Howard became interested in how clocks work and studied to become a certified watch and clock maker. What began as a hobby became a professional calling when Howard retired from the FAA. He repaired clocks for almost 30 years, serving clients throughout Long Island and New York City, including Gosman's Dock in Montauk, the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, Madame Chiang Kai-shek in Locust Valley and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. His work was featured in the New York Times and the East Hampton Star.

A civic minded man, Howard volunteered for the Doubleday Babcock Center in Oyster Bay and the American Legion Hall in Locust Valley. He was active for many years in the Reformed churches in Locust Valley and Brookville, where he was a member of the consistory and the choir.

Howard is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Gerry McKey; by his daughter Dorothy Nollman and his stepdaughter Carol Harrington (David); by his grandchildren, Jacqueline Nollman and Natalie, Hayley and Samuel Harrington; and by a great-grandchild Anthony Nollman.

A memorial service will be held on March 8 at the Reformed Church, Ryefield Rd., Locust Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Doubleday Babcock Center, 45 E. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 or the American Legion, Howard Van Wagner Post #962, 280 Forest Ave., Locust Valley, NY 11560.

Mary Louise Surowiec, 74, of Syosset, died on Feb. 22, 2008. Mother of Mary Alice (Marissa) Morrow and Victoria Surowiec. Sister of Michael D. Schramm (Corinda). Also survived by nieces and cousins. Private cremation and memorial service was held at the Oyster Bay Funeral Home. A Mass in Mary Lou's memory will be held at St. Hyacinth RC Church, 319 Cedar Swamp Rd., Glen Head, on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. Donations in Mary Lou's name may be made to the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050. Carole Lauraine Singleton Dearing (nee Collins), of Lattingtown, died on Feb. 22, 2008 at age 57. She was a retired fashion model for Ford Modeling Agency and volunteer photographer for Nassau County museums. Mother of William Joseph Singleton, Victoria Carole Dearing, Chandler Patrick Dearing and Charlotte Evelyn Camille Dearing. Daughter of Bernice and the late Harold Collins. Sister of Thomas Patrick Collins, Brian Scott Collins and the late Timothy J. Collins. Former wife of Gerald Dearing. Reposed at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas, Glen Cove. Service at St. John's of Lattingtown on March 8 at 1 p.m. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA. Dolores Vann died on Feb. 26, 2008 at age 66. Mother of Doreen Seaman and the late Tina Seaman. Sister of Gerldine Perkius, Lorraine Seaman, Jerry Seaman, and the late Dennis, Ernest, Alfred and Roberta Seaman. Grandmother of seven. Great-grandmother of three. Reposed at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas, Glen Cove. Service Calvary AME Church. Interment Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Jean DeBenedictis, of Bayville, died on March 2, 2008 at age 81. Wife of Vito. Mother of Nancy Bigley (Frank), Teresa Reilly (Peter) and Thomas (Linda). Sister of Rose, Leo, Lucy, Frank, the late Carmela and Nicholas. Grandmother of David (Mollie), Sarah, Peter, Brianna, and Christopher. Visiting at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas, Glen Cove. Mass at St. Gertrude RC Church Thursday 10 a.m. Interment Locust Valley Cemetery. Donations may be made to Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Blvd., Plainview, NY 11803.

Billy F. James, 68, of Little River, SC, formerly of Hillsborough, NC, and Glen Cove, died on Feb. 28, 2008 at his home. Born on Dec. 25, 1939 in Hillsborough, he was the son of the late Charlie S. and Irene Dixon James. Mr. James is survived by his wife of 45 years, Alice Pempel James of Little River; two sons, William "Ronald" James of Myrtle Beach, Billy F. James Jr. (Colleen) of E. Northport; three sisters, Peggy Albert (Richard) of Hillsborough, Carolyn Doxey (Frank) of Muttontown and Sandra James of Efland, NC; two grandsons, Dylan and Christopher, whom he loved dearly; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were made by the Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/N. Myrtle Beach. Funeral Mass celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Hospice, PO Box 200, Supply, NC 28462.