Robert J. Pronk, of Williston Park, died on Feb. 14, 2003. He was a retired NYPD detective and a member of Williston Park American Legion Post #144, VFW Post #1688 and the Honor Legion of the NYPD. Husband of Patricia. Father of Catherine Winnie, Dianne Esposito, Frank and Robert J. Jr. Father-in-law of Butch and Frank. Grandfather of Melissa, Kristina, Joey, Kaitlin and Jaime. Brother of Edna Karchera and Richard J. Pronk. Arrangements were made by the Weigand Bros. Funeral Home, Williston Park. Funeral Mass at St. Aidan's RC Church. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery. Marion Carr, formerly of Williston Park, died on Feb. 16, 2003. She was predeceased by her husbands, Eugene J. McGuire and Frank W. Carr. Mother of Jim, Terry, Kate Murphy, Tommy, John, Maureen Simpson and the late Patrick McGuire. Stepmother of Frank Carr and Debbie Henderson. Grandmother of 21. Sister of Joseph and J. Myles Hart. Arrangements were made by the Clayton Funeral Home, Kings Park. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's RC Church. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. Catherine J. Phair, of Mineola, died on Feb. 20, 2003. She was retired from the NY Telephone Company and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Aunt of Mary Cassata, Brian, Gerard and Thomas Phair. Friend of Dorothy Awe. Arrangements were made by the Cassidy Funeral Home, Mineola. Funeral Mass at Corpus Christi RC Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery.

Robert Stewart De Groat, 81, of Standfordville, NY, since 1985, and previously of Mineola, died on Feb. 23, 2003 at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT. He was the former owner and operator of Smith and De Groat Insurance and Real Estate Brokers Inc. in Mineola. He retired in 1948. He was past president of the Mineola Lions Club form 1960-1961 and past member of the Mineola Fire Dept. He was a lieutenant with the US Navy during WWII.

Mr. De Groat was born on May 11, 1921 in Gladstone, MI, son of the late Foster H. and Margaret (Stewart) De Groat. On Sept. 17, 1944 in Jamaica, he married Betty (Green) De Groat. His wife survives at home. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by four sons, Jeffrey F. De Groat of New Port Richey, FL, James L. De Groat of Clinton Hollow, NY, John R. De Groat of Manhattan, and Jay S. De Groat of Pleasant Valley, NY; brother, Richard M. De Groat of Oviedo, FL; grandchildren, Kimberly, Joseph, Maren, Kyle, Caitlin De Groat, Shawn Farrell and a grandson to be born very soon.

A memorial service will be held March 8 at 11 a.m. at the Peck & Peck Funeral Home, South Main St., Pine Plains. Burial will be in Freedom Plains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are requested to the Stanford Rescue Squad, Stanfordville, NY 12581 or Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church, PO Box 400, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.