Elsie Kupper Read, 85, who resided in Port Washington from 1954 to 1968, passed away July 9, 2004, in Lakeland, FL. Mrs. Read was born on Sept. 2, 1918 in Rockaway Beach. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hunter College and received her master's degree from Columbia University. She and her deceased husband, Allison G. Read, were active in the Port Washington community.

Mrs. Read is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Betsy) Martin of Lakeland, Margaret (Peggy) Simos of Charlemont, MA, Thomas Read of Palm Harbor, FL; brother Thomas J. Kupper of Whispering Pines, NC; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland.

John Dioguardi, 78, of Port Washington, died on July 21, 2004. John retired from Brookhaven National Laboratories, Physics Dept., in 2001, where he worked as a mechanical engineer. Since his retirement he had been active in the HHAM Model Airplane Club, where he enjoyed instruction of novice flyers. He also volunteered as a consultant engineer at the Carle Place High School Robotics Club. John is survived by his wife, Nina; his children, Dr. Anthony Dioguardi (Darlene) of Guilford, CT, and Cy. G. Dioguardi; and his grandchild, Derek Charles. Arrangements were made by the Austin F. Knowles Funeral Home, Port Washington. Religious services at St. Peter of Alcantara Church.

John J. Nunziata, a longtime Port Washington resident, died at the age of 84 on Aug. 2, 2004 at North Shore University Hospital after a short illness. He was the beloved husband of Lee (Scobbo), his wife of 62 years. John is also survived by his children, John (Christine) of Ramsey, NJ, Thomas (Gail) of Brattleboro, VT, Sandra of Sea Cliff, Peter (Sara) of Natick, MA, and Paul (Karen) of Matthews, NC. He had 10 grandchildren, John-Michael (Bridget), Kate Ruebenacker (Erik), Tim, Ben (Laura), Mark, Catherine, Christopher, Ann-Marie, Nicholas and Matthew; and one great-grandchild, Michael.

He proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII. As a member of General George Patton's Third Army in Europe he saw action in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the Ardennes. He was the founder and owner of Port Floor Covering for more than four decades. He served the community through many years of involvement in local organizations. He was active in the Port Washington Lions Club, a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital, a charter member of Elks BPOE Lodge #1543, Manhasset Bay Sportsmen Club, Sons of Italy John Michael Marino Lodge, American Legion Post 509, Little League coach, Knights of Columbus Council 1227, Boy Scout Troop 229 and more. His contributions have been recognized with many awards over the years, most notably the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from the Lions Foundation. For almost seven decades John was an active member of St. Peter of Alcantara Church. He will be remembered for his steady presence as an usher at 9:30 Mass every Sunday morning.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Peter's on Aug. 5. During the Mass, John was honored as a man of peace, compassion and humility. Services were handled by the Austin F. Knowles Funeral Home with interment at Nassau Knolls Memorial Park.