Obituary - Elaine C. Madson

Elaine C. (“Chris”) (“Cooie”) passed into her eternal life unexpectedly but peacefully on March 4, 2011 surrounded by loving family members. She was the daughter of Muriel (nee James) and Edward Madson who preceded her in death. Left behind to deeply mourn her loss are her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Gerard McGee, her brother Edward Madson (widower of Emily) and her sister-in-law Mary Madson (widow of James Madson).

Obituary: Ralph W. Parente

Ralph W. Parente

Ralph W. Parente, 97, of Port Richey, FL, formerly of Mineola, died on March 11, 2011. He was a US Navy veteran of WWII. Husband of the late Margaret. Father of Ralph (Karen), Marilyn Garvey (William), Dennis (Mary) and Kevin (Bonnie). Grandfather of William, Chris, Laura, Elizabeth, Diane, David, Marc, Jenna, Emma and Kevin. Great-grandfather of 12. Brother of Dominic and Michael. Arrangements were made by the Cassidy Funeral Home, Mineola. Funeral Mass at St. Aidan’s Church. Entombment Pinelawn Memorial Park. Memorials to the New Port Richey Veterans Outpatient Clinic, New Port Richey, FL, appreciated.

Obituary: Jim Kearney

Jim Kearney

Jim Kearney, 88, of Summit, NY, died on March 8, 2011. Mr. Kearney was born March 4, 1923 in Scranton, PA. He was the son of James and Amelia (Dambacher) Kearney. He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. He received his masters of business administration from Adelphi University.

Obituary - Edward S. Solosky

Edward S. Solosky, of Westbury, formerly of Mineola, died suddenly on Feb. 15, 2011. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Cavallaro). Cherished father of Katherine and Lauren. Loving son of Edward and Geraldine Solosky. Dear brother of Donna Solosky (Bill) and Kenneth (Susan). Also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Kellenberg Memorial High School. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Solosky Children’s Memorial Fund, c/o Peter Cavallaro, Esq., 270 S. Service Rd., Suite 45, Melville, NY 11747. Visit www.donohue-cecere.com.

Obituary: Elizabeth Connolly

Elizabeth Connolly

Elizabeth “Bette” McPherson Connolly, 94, of Mineola, died on Feb. 3, 2011. A resident of Mineola for 50 years, she was a retired dean of Berkley College (formerly Berkley Claremont Secretarial School) and an honorary member of the board of the Holy Cross Club of Long Island. An active sailor and sailboat racing crew for many years, she has been a long-time member of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club. She was born in Beverly, MA, on Oct. 9, 1916 and graduated from Beverly High School and Simmons College. She was the youngest and last surviving of eight children of James and Margaret McPherson. She previously worked at Phillips Exeter Academy. She was predeceased in 2001 by her husband, John, who was the chairman of the Science Department at Mineola High School, and by a daughter Ellen. Mrs. Connolly is survived by her two daughters, Sheila Gentile of Kennett Square, PA, and Margaret “Peggy” May of Mineola; her two sons, John Jr. of Hicksville and Peter of Palm Desert, CA; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A wake was held at Cassidy Funeral Home and funeral services were held at Corpus Christi Church.

Obituary - Gregory M. Marchese

Gregory M. Marchese, of Atlanta, GA, formerly of Mineola, died suddenly on Jan. 1, 2011. Devoted son of Carl and the late Joanne Marchese. Beloved stepson of the late Carole. Dear brother of the late Christopher Marchese. Loving nephew of Joseph and Frank Marchese and Sr. MaryAnn Kinsella, RDC. Also survived by other aunts, uncles and cousins. He was active in Mineola High School stage productions and was the recipient of the “Thespian Award” upon graduation. Arrangements were made by the Cassidy Funeral Home, Mineola. Funeral Mass at Corpus Christi Church. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. Memorials: Corpus Christi Parish Outreach appreciated.

Obituary - Walter B. Sysak Jr.

Walter B. Sysak Jr., 54, formerly of Mineola, died on Jan. 3, 2011. He was the son of the late Walter and Hilda. Devoted father of Walter B. III. Dear brother of Maria and John Sysak. Walter was president of the Mineola Board of Education. Arrangements were made by the Cassidy Funeral Home, Mineola. Funeral Mass at St. Brigid’s RC Church. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery.

Obituary - John Gilbert Peterkin

John Gilbert Peterkin, 82, a resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, passed away Dec. 16, 2010. He was born on March 27, 1928 to the late Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt Peterkin of Garden City and Westhampton. His family has been traced back to the Long Island area going back 300 years. He moved to Ponte Vedra Beach over 50 years ago where he has been an active member of Christ Episcopal Church of Ponte Vedra. He loved to travel and learn from other cultures. He traveled to over 34 countries and made three trips to China.

Obituary - Lois DeSimone

Lois DeSimone, of Mineola, died on Dec. 21, 2010. Beloved wife of the late Claude. Devoted mother of Claude, Ellen, James and Raymond. Grandmother of Jenny, Claude, Julie, Danny and Danielle. Arrangements were made by the Cassidy Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at St. Aidan’s Church. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. Memorials to the Mineola Athletic Association appreciated.

Obituary - John Conrad Jr.

John Conrad Jr. passed away on Dec. 8, 2010 after complications from numerous health ailments. He was 69. A graduate of Mineola High School, John was a veteran (US Army) and a longtime member of Mineola’s volunteer fire department. (His nickname was “fast John”). He was interred with his wife Rose, who passed away in 1988, at Calverton National Cemetery. John is survived by his children, Michael and Donna, and his siblings, Rick, Carole and William.