Obituary: Helen Bickell

Helen Bickell, of Manhasset, died on June 19, 2011. She was the beloved wife of the late William, and loving mother of Cheryl, John and Leigh.

Interment was at Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Port Washington. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Obituary: William G. Martin

William G. (Bill) Martin passed away peacefully Sunday, June 19, 2011.

Bill was born March 8, 1921. He graduated from NYU and joined the service. During World War II he was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery for saving his platoon.

Obituary: Salvator Cannavo

Salvator Cannavo, a resident of Manhasset for 42 years, died of cancer on May 25, 2011. He was 89 years old. Sal was born in the small Sicilian town of Castiglione in 1921. The oldest of three children, he emigrated from Italy at age 2 with his parents Francesca, a seamstress, and Joseph, a tailor. The family lived first in Manhattan’s Little Italy and then in Brooklyn. As a child, Sal helped his family financially during the Great Depression, working at age 12 in a leather factory, playing guitar in his teens at the Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, New York, and working on building battleships at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Obituary: Jeanne Elizabeth Higgins Duffy

Mrs. Jeanne Elizabeth Higgins Duffy, 87, formerly of New York and more recently of Homewood at Crumland Farms, Frederick, MD, died Thursday, June 16, 2011 surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Dr. Robert W. Duffy, who died in 2003.

Obituary: Edith Dorothy Wedeking

Edith Dorothy Wedeking died June 11, 2011 in Columbia, South Carolina.

A Celebration of her life was held June 15 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Columbia. Burial will be June 17 at Woodlawn Cemetery in New York.

She was born Jan. 27, 1922 in New York City to James and Maud Hazzard. She was a graduate of Manhasset High School 1940, Green Mountain College 1942 and Syracuse University in 1944 with a degree in home economics. Her career ranged from teaching cooking to managing the test kitchens for a major supermarket company. Married in 1947 to Hans (John) Wedeking, they raised two sons, John (Jay) and Richard. She was very active with the church, community groups and her schools. In 1993 Edith was awarded the honor of Distinguished Alumni from Green Mountain College. Edith and Hans moved to Columbia in 1996 where they were active at St. David’s Episcopal Church and in their neighborhood groups in Woodlake.

Obituary: Fred R. Hallett

Fred R. Hallett, Sr. died peacefully on the morning of June 2, 2011, after a long and courageous battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Fred was born July 15, 1936 in Ludlowville, NY, a son of the late Ulysses S. Grant and Katie L. (Garnsey) Hallett, and at a young age his family moved to Lodi, NY. Upon graduation from South Seneca High School at the age of 16, he took advantage of the opportunity to study at New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance while working full time in the insurance industry. After obtaining his business degree in accounting, Class of ’57, Fred served proudly in the United States Marine Corps and in the Lebanon Crisis of 1958. In 1970 he became president of D.J. Colby Co., Inc. Under his leadership, the company grew into one of the premier insurance underwriting agencies in the nation. He loved the business and continued working until shortly before his passing. The family lived in Plandome Manor from 1977 to 1992, where Fred was very involved in the track and field program.

Obituary: Susan M. Perovich

Susan M. Perovich, beloved wife of Thomas J. Perovich for 57 years, died Sunday, May 15, 2011 at her home in Flower Hill, Manhasset. With her family by her side, Susan lost her five-year battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her three sisters: Helen Capone and her husband Raymond; Linda Carey and her husband Robert; and Valerie Pettinelli.

Susan was born in Brooklyn, NY, Feb. 2, 1934, to Nicola and Mamie Pettinelli. She grew up in Astoria, and in 1953 married Tom, her high school sweetheart. In 1960 they moved with their growing family to Flushing, Queens. In 1972, upon moving to Manhasset, Susan became active in the Women’s Club of Flower Hill, worked at St. Francis Hospital for about 30 years in various capacities including the office of patient relations, and was an avid golfer and longtime member of Plandome Country Club. Susan also loved playing bridge both online and with her friends in the community.

Obituary: Richard (Dick) Furlong

Richard Furlong, 82, of Spring Hill, Florida and Becket, Massachusetts, formerly of Manhasset, passed away on April 15, 2011, at home and in peace with his loving wife of 53 years, Elissa, by his side. A memorial service in his memory will be celebrated at St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Manhasset on Saturday, May 21, at 1 p.m.

Dick was born in Rockville Centre and lived with his wife, Elissa, in Manhasset for more than 40 years. He was a Korean War era veteran, serving as a second lieutenant in Japan. In 1956, Dick began a legal career, which spanned more than 35 years and included an appointment as a judge of the Nassau County District Court in the mid 1970s.

Obituary: Rosalie T. Losito

Rosalie T. Losito, of Manhasset, passed away on April 20, 2011.

Beloved wife of Dr. Francis Losito. Loving mother of Vincent, Daniel and Marissa. Devoted sister of Marie Casella and Conrad Casella. Cherished grandmother of Matthew, Michael, Melissa, Christopher, Andrew and Mitchell. Sister-in-law of Frank and JoAnn Lawlor and aunt of Bryan and Kevin Lawlor.

Visitation was April 25 and 26 at the Fairchild Funeral Chapel, 1570 Northern Blvd., Manhasset. Funeral Mass was Wednesday, April 27, at St. Peter of Alcantara Church, Port Washington, with interment following at Nassau Knolls Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 245 Old Country Rd., Melville, NY 11747; St. Francis Hospital, 100 Port Washington Blvd., Roslyn, NY 11576; or The Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714.

Obituary: James Gahan

James Gahan, 77, formerly of Manhasset, died on May 7, 2011.

Beloved husband of the late Peggy; loving father of Patricia (Martin),Thomas (Dolores), Michael (Marni) and William (Cynthia). He was cherished grandfather “Poppy” to Patrick, Quinn, Molly, Regan, James, Casey, Haley, Augusta, Bridie, Mairead, Mackenzie, Declan, Owen, Reed and Elena.

He was a loyal friend and mentor to many. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Family received friends May 9 at the Fairchild Funeral Chapel, 1570 Northern Blvd., Manhasset. The funeral Mass was May 10 at 10 a.m., at St. Peter of Alcantara Church, Port Washington.

In lieu of flowers, donations to North Shore LIJ Hospital are greatly appreciated.