Obituary: Moritz Velleman

Moritz Velleman, 50-year resident of Port Washington, died on April 28, 2013, in Greenport, New York, at the age of 96. Moritz was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Antwerp. On May 12, 1940, he and most of his family fled from the German invasion of Belgium, eventually making their way to the United States. After basic training in the U.S. Army, Moritz served in the Office of Strategic Services as head of intelligence for Belgium. It was while working in Washington, D.C., during the war that he met his future wife, Ruth, to whom he was married for 68 years, until her death in 2012. Moritz is survived by sons Paul,  J. David, and Dan J.; grandsons Daniel B., David J., Evan, and Zev; daughters-in-law Sue Michlovitz, Kitty Bridges, and Shelley Velleman; granddaughters-in-law Caitlin Stuff, Katharine Velleman, and Alexandra Graves; and great-grandson Elias Henry Graves Velleman.

Obituary: Victor P Kawiecki

Victor P., Kawiecki Sr., Korean War medic and retired electrician Manhasset School District, age 83, of Port Washington, on January 30, 2013.  Beloved husband of Eileen.  

Loving father of Kathleen Lewis (William), Alice Feldt (David), Victor Jr.(Graciela), Elaine, Patricia Weber (Matthew), Eileen Orpheus (Edward), and Nora.  Adored grand- father of William Jr, Victor and Catherine Lewis, Crystal, Andrew and David Jr Feldt, Shannon Kawiecki, Joanna and Monica Weber as well as one great-grandchild, Sean Feldt.  Dear brother of Wanda Simoroski.

Obituary: Douglas Dreghorn

Douglas J. “Doug” Dreghorn, age 72, a longtime resident of Naperville, IL, formerly of Port Washington and Buffalo, NY died Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Edward Hospital  in Naperville. He was born January 3, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY.

Beloved husband of Susan Lea (nee Vosseller) Dreghorn, whom he married August 8, 1964, loving father of Kathryn D. “Katie” (William Jr.) Linden of Bronxville, NY and David (Liza Melecio) Dreghorn of Chicago, adored grandfather of Finn Andrew Dreghorn, devoted son of the late James E. and Marion F. (nee Lawson) Dreghorn, dear brother of Patricia M. (the late Stephen) Walter of Topsail Beach, NC, loving brother-in-law of Geoffrey (Jane) Vosseller of East Aurora, NY, fond uncle of many.

Obituary: Ann Marie Karo

Ann Marie Karo of Port Washington passed away on April 15. Beloved wife of the late Clifford. Loving mother of Jean Karo and Daniel(Krista) Karo.  Cherished grandmother of Joseph, Olivia and Roman. Devoted sister of Kathryn Bookspan and the late Peter and Jeffrey Schmidt. Visitation was held on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week at Fairchild Funeral Chapel,1570 Northern Blvd.,Manhasset. Funeral Mass was held at St Peter of Alcantara Church, Port Washington with interment following at Nassau Knolls Cemetery.

Obituary: John T. Murray

John T. “Murph” Murray, age 84, of St. Peter, MN, formerly of Port Washington, NY, died Saturday, April 13, 2013 in St. Peter, MN. Born December 12, 1928 to Thomas and Mary (Wetko) Murray, John resided in Port Washington for 81 years before moving to St. Peter, MN to live with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. He was a proud 62 year member of the Port Washington Fire Department, Flower Hill Hose Co. #1. John enjoyed golfing and watching the NY Mets. He was predeceased by his wife, Peggy in 1991. John is survived by his daughter, Sharon, son-in-law, Bob Grygo, and granddaughter, Shawn Grygo. Funeral arrangements were handled by Austin F. Knowles, Inc. Funeral Home. Visitation took place Thursday, April 18, 2013 at The Flower Hill Hose Co. #1, with a Firemen’s service at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Peter of Alcantara RC Church on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. The interment followed at Holy Rood Cemetery. Donations in his memory to The Port Washington Fire Department, 423 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, NY 11050 or The Benedictine Living Community, 1907 Klein St., St. Peter, MN 56082 will be greatly appreciated.

Obituary: Maureen V. Hanley

Teacher at St. Peter’s School, Dies

Maureen V. Hanley (nee O’Flaherty) passed away March 21st after courageously facing several years of illness. She was 79 years old.

She was the devoted wife of Thomas (deceased), loving mother of Dorothy McGovern (Lawrence), Maureen Reedy (John), Ellen Whiteman (Brian), Thomas, Jr., and John (Jennifer). Enthusiastic grandmother to 15 and wonderful sister to Patricia Brennan and John O’Flaherty.

Obituary: Robert B. Peelle

Robert Beatty Peelle, 93, died peacefully in his sleep March 16, 2013 with his youngest daughter by his side. He was born May 26, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY, a "birth-right" Quaker, the oldest of the four children of Henry Edmund Peelle and Inez Beatty Peelle.

Bob was raised in Forest Hills, NY, and attended public elementary school there. Secondary school education was at Friends’ Academy of Locust Valley, NY. At age 16, he was admitted to Swarthmore College, PA, and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1939. He earned an MME from NYU in 1941 and an MBA from Columbia University in 1979 at age 60.

Obituary: Denis J. Dermody

Denis J. Dermody passed away March 2, 2013. He was 68 years old. He is remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and great friend to many. Born in Queens, New York to Gerard and Francesca Dermody. He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Maureen, his brother Gerard (Ann), Kevin (Barbara) and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Maureen and brother-in-law Frank Testagrossa. Denis spent his childhood in Port Washington, New York where he developed his passion for fishing. Denis, a highly decorated Marine served in Vietnam 1967-1968. Among the many awards, he earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart. Denis embraced a career as a firefighter, initially joining Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company. He later became a founding member of The Port Washington Fire Medic Company Number 1, to which he was honored by having a plaque placed on one of their ambulances. He worked in the printing industry for over 30 years as a Pre-Press Department Supervisor. He was a bon vivant who loved cooking and sharing meals with family and friends. An avid sports fan, Denis also enjoyed golfing. He had an infectious laugh and a gift for storytelling. He will be missed greatly by the many whose lives he touched. Memorial services were held at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix On March 11th. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Port Washington Fire Medic Company Number 1, 65 Harbor Road, Port Washington, NY 11050.

Obituary: Jeanne Whitcomb

Jeanne Whitcomb, 85, of Brookfield, CT, died on Monday, March 4 at Pope John Paul Health and Rehabilitation. She was born August 13, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of the late Clarence and Josephine (Martin) Emmerson. Jeanne will be sadly missed by her family especially her grandchildren.

Jeanne is survived by her children, Peter Whitcomb and his wife Maria of Port Washington, Jeffrey Whitcomb and his wife Sally of Vermont, Judy Arena of Georgia and Joanne Stascavage and her husband Kevin of Brookfield; her 12 grandchildren, Peter, Melissa, Jeffrey, Tara, Christopher, Deborah, Dana, Kristin, Kevin, Christopher, Connor and Kayla as well as 18 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

Obituary: Phillip Lawrence Cross

Phillip Lawrence Cross died peacefully under Hospice care in Richmond, Virginia on Monday, Feb. 18, at the age of 75. He was the proud grandfather of seven, father of four, husband of 49 years, and retired lieutenant of the Port Washington Police Department. Phil was a caring soul who loved his family, enjoyed sharing his knowledge of history and trivia with others, and had a great sense of humor. He loved to make his family laugh.

Born in Westbury, New York, in 1937 to Catherine and Francis Cross, Phil graduated from Westbury High School and later Nassau Community College. Married in 1964 to Jaqueline Wells, Phil and Jackie raised their family in Westbury.