Frederic R. Coudert died on Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Francis Hospital after a valiant year and a half fight for health, at the age of 76. His wife Marge said during the good moments he continued with his interests and took great joy from them. He is survived by his wife Marge; sister Paula Rand; daughters Cynthia and Sandra as well as his grandchildren Hailey, Bennett and Caroline Coudert-Morris. Fritz, a former partner of Coudert Brothers, was the president of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club. He devoted his later years to many organizations in his beloved community of Oyster Bay, including the WaterFront Center, the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center; the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center; the Oyster Bay Historical Society, the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Rotary.

Wake visiting was at Beney Funeral Home, on Sunday and Monday. A Memorial Mass was held on Dec. 11 at St. Dominic R.C. Church. The Interment was at St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx or the WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay.

Jamie T. Deming, vice president of The WaterFront Center said, "For 21 years Marge and Fritz Coudert have hosted an outing for the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club at their house. Six or seven years ago the papers reported an exchange that I'll never forget:

"In front of the large crowd, a child from Kips Bay asked, 'Are you rich?'

"Fritz responded, 'You are not rich if you don't have what you need. You are rich if you can give away what you don't need.'

"This is how I knew Fritz. He loved Oyster Bay as well as the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx. In our community he invested in many organizations to benefit the families here and the natural environment we are lucky to enjoy: Friends of the Bay, the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary, Rotary, the Boys and Girls Club of Oyster Bay/East Norwich, Doubleday Babcock Senior Center, and the WaterFront Center. How fortunate we all are to have received Fritz's generosity.

"As Fritz's vice president of the Board of the WaterFront Center, I am particularly grateful for his leadership. Our organization was founded by him when, in the late 1990's, he made a significant gift to begin a fund for a marine education building on the Western Waterfront of Oyster Bay in accordance with the public's vision. Subsequently, he founded the Center for Marine Education and Recreation at Oyster Bay, known as the WaterFront Center, and served as its president until the day he died.

"Fritz was passionate about preserving the Oyster Bay estuary. He understood that to have access to its beauty and bounty and to learn about its fragility was essential to its preservation. Now, eight years after its inception, after merging with the Oyster Bay Sailing School and the historic oyster sloop Christeen, the WaterFront Center serves over 10,000 people annually and employs about 45 people seasonally and year-round. Fritz leaves behind an important legacy that I'm hopeful we can all perpetuate," said Ms. Deming.

Kips Bay Boys & Girl Club Executive Director Dan Quintero said, "I've known Fritz even before here, from when I was working at the national level of the club in 1993. I worked closely with him the last 12 years at Kips Bay: the first four years he was the executive vice president, and the last eight years the president.

"I've attended Fritz Day for the Kips Bay kids for 12 years - it precedes me. Fritz was a good friend, a mentor and a leader, and will be sorely missed." The Kips Bay Club will have a great reminder of Fritz as they work on their new building in honor of Marge and Fritz Coudert. Mr. Quintero said, "Our president, Frederic R. Coudert, has served the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club for over 40 years. As an organization we will always be grateful to Mr. Coudert for his enormous spirit and his generous heart. His impact has been felt for the last four decades and many more to come. To[AN1][AN2][AN3][AN4]day the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club stands on the shoulders of Frederic R. Coudert."

Mr. Coudert brought that interest for the lives of children to the Boys & Girls Club to the Oyster Bay Club too. "Mr. Coudert will be remembered for his efforts to support many of the nonprofit organizations throughout the Oyster Bay community and for his staunch advocacy of youth. He shall be missed," said Roger Bahnik, co-president and founder of the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich. [AN5]

Gail Speranza, Doubleday Babcock Senior Center executive director told her board, staff and guests about the passing of Mr. Coudert as their Winter Wassail took place in the ballroom of Frinny Storrs-home on Dec. 5. "I feel terrible," said Ms. Speranza. "Fritz called me in October and said he wanted to get back to taking part in activities. He wanted to host the Wassail this year again. I was very touched by his offer. I saw him at the Oyster Festival, and he was so happy to be at this event in the community that he loved so much. He had a vision for this community and during his residency here, he coordinated many wonderful programs that will live on for many, many years."

Ms. Speranza added, "He called on Oct. 28, before the last board meeting. He wanted me to be his 'voice' at the meetings. He was thinking of programs to do. He wanted to let the board know he was still a part of Doubleday and he still wanted to have an active role even though he wasn't at the board meetings in person.

"He never took a break. His brain was always ticking. I did admire that. He was quite a character - Fritz."

Mr. Coudert had said when he gave money it was to organizations that he could be active in himself. That was true of his activities at DBSC. The year 2006 was exceptional as he organized a series of jazz programs. He had written the introduction to the performances, in words and music that he performed before the concerts with great verve, energy and talent.

When he retired to his Cove Neck home, through a family retainer he became involved with the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center, at first as a donor and then as an active and involved board member. He and Marge Coudert donated a concert grand piano to the center which was the centerpiece of the jazz concerts held there, but Mr. Coudert also played the piano for the seniors, something they truly enjoyed. "He was really happy to do that. I used to say when are you going to come back to play, and he would laugh. I really loved his piano playing," said Ms. Speranza.

"Oyster Bay has lost a very unique and generous person," said Ms. Speranza. "I got all choked up when I had to tell the guests at the Wassail about his passing. Until Fritz fell ill, I saw him all the time. But of course he was most active with Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and the WaterFront Center," she added.

The Rev. Peter Casparian of Christ Church, the original host of DBSC and a DBSC board member said of Mr. Coudert: "What an amazing longevity and energy he had. The chutzpah he demonstrated was witness to his community spirit," he said.

"He never believed he was going to die and had no plans for his funeral," said Gaye Verdi, the WaterFront Center executive director who called this newspaper to tell of the sad news. Ms. Verdi said, "As his wife Marge would say, 'People either "get" him or they don't.' I like to count myself as one of those who 'got' him. Fritz Coudert was above all else a giving man. He devoted his retirement years to enhancing the lives of others. He was smart, incredibly quick, witty, hard working, and born to a life of great privilege. And still, Fritz felt a kind of inadequacy which drove him to give to, and do more for others. He most enjoyed supporting programs that provided life-enriching experiences and through this he touched the lives of thousands of people. I feel so fortunate to be one of those lives!"

For 21 years, the Couderts invited kids from the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club to their home for the young people's end of the summer camp outing. The Frank M. Flower & Sons, Inc. were always there with their oyster boats for the kids to see. Dave Relyea said, "Fritz was a good friend of the oyster company and we will miss him. We've always appreciated his commitment to the community and the environment."

Clint Smith, former Oyster Bay Dock Master and president of the Christeen Preservation Corporation was also a regular attendee at the Kips Bay kids events. When Mr. Smith was asked what made Mr. Coudert and the event so special, he said Fritz was unique in that he shared his home with the children. Fritz took great pleasure in seeing 300, 400 and 500 youngsters enjoying the waterfront activities kids in the Bronx don't often see. He also used the activities at the WaterFront Center as a way to enrich their experiences including having them participate in the Bay Day fun and the Wacky Boat Race and arranging for groups of them to take part in sailing on the tall ships.

And there is more. Fritz (and Marge Coudert) was one of the first to receive the Legacy of Preservation Award. Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center executive director Aaron Virgin said, "We are all saddened to hear about the passing of Fritz Coudert. I will miss his sage advice, brutal honesty, and kind praise. We have lost a true champion of our environment and strong advocate for children and education."

Another group Mr. Coudert was strongly committed to was Friends of the Bay where he served on the board for many years. Beth Dalton Costello, president of Friends of the Bay said, "Friends of the Bay mourns the loss of Fritz Coudert. He was a man who was deeply dedicated to Oyster Bay and was tireless in his efforts to ensure that the natural beauty of the harbor be maintained for generations to come. Fritz's passion for the marine environment and devotion to the enjoyment and preservation of that environment was an inspiration to us all. We will miss his expertise and friendship."

In fact, it was Friends of the Bay that spawned the WaterFront Center, which then encapsulated both the Oyster Bay Sailing School and the Christeen into their group. Bay Day was created by FOB and was inherited by the WaterFront Center that now sponsors the June event.

Rotarian Tom Reardon knew Fritz in many of his endeavors, "As a Rotarian he was one of the people responsible for bringing the statue of Theodore Roosevelt to Oyster Bay. He was a great friend of the Oyster Festival. He was on the festival committee since Rotary took it over. He sponsored many of the tall ships that came into the Western Waterfront pier," he said.

Mr. Reardon, also a board member of DBSC said of Fritz' contributions there, "He was always trying to expand the horizons of DBSC. Beneath the exterior, he was a kind and gentle man. He was a nice guy and we will remember him."

Rotarian Donna Lee said, "Fritz was a man with grand ideas. He was just a terrific community person. He came on board as a Rotarian and took it to heart. He was one of the main factors in having the Theodore Roosevelt statue in Oyster Bay [which was a Rotary 100th year celebration project]. He was the first donor of $100,000 that got other people on board with the statue project. Now the final draft has been okayed and the TR Statue Foundation is the owner of the statue.

"Fritz brought the WaterFront center to us and we still have hopes of a grand marine education center there because of him. And he was always there for the Oyster Festival. A number of times he sponsored the tall ships for the WaterFront Center. He was just a great Rotarian," said Ms. Lee, a former Rotary president.

Another group Mr. Coudert was involved with was the Oyster Bay Historical Society. OBHS Director Tom Kuehhas said, "The officers, trustees, and staff of the Oyster Bay Historical Society were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague, Fritz Coudert on Friday, December 5, 2008.

"Fritz was an integral member of the Board for the past 10 years, who gave generously of his time, talents, and resources in furthering the goals of the Oyster Bay Historical Society."

Director Kuehhas, added, "Fritz was a rare individual...a creative person who had the wherewithal to make his vision a reality. I first worked with him on a video history of the local oystering industry, which he entitled The Oyster in Oyster Bay. As executive producer of the project, he put together a whole team, from writers, to photographers to post-production, and he had input in each step of the process. He almost singlehandedly brought the Society into the 21st century with new Mac computers, digital cameras, and software, and he was the lead donor for the Oyster Bay Historical Society's Building Fund, named after his great friend, Angela Koenig. In fact it was Angela who got Fritz involved in the Society in the first place, and Fritz was fond of saying that only Angela could have convinced him to do so!"

"Like a perfect oyster, Fritz Coudert was as close to a flawless colleague and human being as I've ever been privileged to know. The highlight of my tenure as president of the society was when Fritz joined the board. It afforded me the opportunity to get to know him and to learn from him on all sorts of levels; about the law, electronic communications, philanthropy, and life. Every encounter I have had with Fritz Coudert made my life better, which is something that he was also able to do through the strength of his personality and character for so many others, on so many levels, and in so many places" noted Edward B. (Woody) Ryder, past president of the Oyster Bay Historical Society.

Mr. Ryder continued: "I remain indebted to Angela Koenig, Frances Roosevelt and Lorraine Whittlesey for having introduced me to such a great guy; and, of course, I remain indebted to Marge Coudert for her having shared this wonderful person with us all at the Oyster Bay Historical Society. Requiescat in Pace."

"Our condolences go out to Fritz's family, including his wife, Marge, and daughters Cynthia and Sandra," he said for all of Oyster Bay.

Dominic DeLuca, DeLuca, of Locust Valley, died on Nov. 16, 2008 at age 82. Husband of Brenda. Father of Blanche Angelo, the late David and step-father of Frederick Lanuza. Brother of Helen Spinello, Mickey, the late Jeanette Fasano, Anthony, Moe, Ozzie Montello and Edie Dzakonski. Grandfather of Cathleen and Jennifer. Dominic was a retired employee of Grumman Aerospace for over 25 years. Visitation at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas, Glen Cove. Mass at the Church of St. Rocco. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. Joseph D. Giardina, MD, of Brookville, died suddenly on Nov. 18, 2008 at age 64. He was a practicing physician in Oyster Bay for over 25 years. Husband of Lucille Taverna, MD. Father of Dan and Adam. Son of Phyllis and Salvatore "Teddy." Brother of Salvatore "Butch" and Marie Anne Giardina-Beckett (Tom). Also survived by nieces and nephews. Visitation at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas, Glen Cove. Mass at St. Paul The Apostle RC Church. Interment private. In lieu of flowers donations made to Mentoring Partnership of LI, 150 Motor Pky., Suite 90, Hauppauge, NY 11788 or Chaminade High School, Office of Development, 340 Jackson Ave., Mineola, NY 11501.

Nancy Edwards Slanetz, of Locust Valley, died peacefully at her home on Nov. 23, 2008 at the age of 80. Born on June 4, 1928 in Brooklyn, to Frances J. Edwards and Alfred C. Edwards of Sayville, she graduated valedictorian of Sayville High School and was the lead clarinet player in the school band. Subsequently, she graduated from Vassar College in 1950 with a major in political science and went on to earn a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University in 1955. She taught political science at Bucknell University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hunter College and Barnard College prior to her marriage to Dr. Charles A. Slanetz Jr. She then dedicated herself to being a full-time mother and had four children: Alfred Edwards in 1962, Priscilla Jennings in 1964, Carolyn Abigail in 1967 and Phoebe Gillette in 1973. She was always there for her children's skating performances, school plays and athletic competitions and supported their varied career paths. Nancy served as president of the Portledge School Parents' Council and was actively involved in all aspects of Portledge School during the 1970s and 1980s, eventually becoming a member of the board of trustees in the 1980s.

In addition to being a wonderful mother, Nancy was a talented artisan. She designed and made countless knitted, needlepoint, hooked and sewn rugs, wall hangings, clothing items and dolls houses. She had a wonderful ability to blend colors and capture real scenes into works of art. She won numerous awards in local craft shows. Nancy loved to travel and visited many international destinations with her late husband and family. Annual visits to Sanibel Island, FL, were a delight for her.

Nancy was also actively involved in the local community, serving as president of Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, from 1996 to 1999. She was clerk to the vestry of Christ Church in Oyster Bay until 2006. She was always available to volunteer her time for friends and organizations in need. Her caring demeanor and inner strength allowed all others to be secure so that they could reach their potential. Even throughout her extended battle with cancer, she was worried about friends and family and never complained or bemoaned her condition. Nancy will be missed by many friends and family. Her passing is the loss of a great woman who was the glue for so many.

Visitation was held at Dodge Thomas Funeral Home, Glen Cove. A service to celebrate her life was held at Christ Church in Oyster Bay on Nov. 29. Following a brief reception at the Parish Hall, the interment will be at Union Cemetery in Sayville. She will rest peacefully next to her husband, Dr. Charles A. Slanetz Jr. who died in 2006. She is survived by her four children and 10 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, send donations to Christ Church, 61 East Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771, Raynham Hall Museum 20 West Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771, Sayville Historical Society, The Edwards Homestead, 39 Edwards St., Sayville, NY 11782 or The Slanetz Science Foundation, 107 Ayers Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11560.

Daniel P. Mooney, of Locust Valley, died on Nov. 25, 2008 at 41 years of age. Son of Harry A. and the late Angela C. Brother of Eileen (Caril) Strange, Kathleen, Michael (Elise), Patricia, Kevin (Avril) and Maureen. Uncleof Katie, Laura, Emm and Tara. Also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements were made by the McLaughlin Kramer Megiel Funeral Home, Glen Cove. Funeral Mass at the Church of St. Patrick. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Sisters of Life, St. Paul the Apostle Convent, 586 McLean Ave., Yonkers, NY 10705 or Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, Convent of San Damiano, 1661 Haight Ave., Bronx, NY 10461. Salvatore R. Stellacio, tragically passed away November 26, 2008, at the age of 56. Husband of Stephanie Stellaccio. Son of Yolanda M. Stellaccio and the late Francis J. Stellaccio. Step-Father of Ian Koster. Brother of Francis Stellaccio, Connie Mahl (John), and Irene Franklin (Frederick). Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Arrangements were made by Oyster Bay Funeral Home. Funeral Mass St. Dominic RC Chapel. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. Madeline Perrone, passed away November 27, 2008, at the age of 96, of Corona, NY. Wife of the late Anthony. Mother of Rosario and Salvatore (Vera). Grandmother of Anthony, James, Lisa O'Blenes (Stephen), and Melissa Henry (Bill). Great grandmother of Sydney and A.J. Arrangements were made by Oyster Bay Funeral Home. Funeral Mass St. Gertrude RC Church. Interment Mt. St. Mary's Cemetery, Flushing.