Obituary: Ruth Leonard

Ruth Leonard, 87, died on Feb. 10, 2012, two days short of her 88th birthday. Beloved wife of the late Louis. Devoted mother of the late Joan Leonard. Cherished grandmother of Jason Scaramucci and Nicole Leonard. Ruth was one of the first women to own and operate her own successful real estate brokerage firm and did so for over 40 years. During that time, she was known as one of the premier brokers in the Sands Point area. Arrangements were made by Riverside-Nassau North Chapels, Great Neck. Services were held at The Community Synagogue. Interment Beth Moses Cemetery, Pinelawn.

Obituary: Wesley G. Olsen

4-10-56 to 1-28-12

Wesley G. Olsen, retired custodian at Guggenheim Elementary School and a proud member of Manhasset Bay Sportsman Club. He is survived by his wife Deborah, mother Elizabeth and brother Robert. Predeceased by his father Robert and brother Peter Sabaidee.

Obituary: Margaret Edwards Keller

Margaret Edwards Keller, a 15-year resident of Easton, MD, died peacefully on Jan. 18, 2012, following a brief illness at Memorial Hospital in Easton.

Beloved daughter of Lillian D. and Howard A. Meyers, Margaret was born in New York City in 1939. Blessed with the gift for making friends easily, which came from her deep Irish roots, she has left a host of family and friends to mourn her loss and celebrate her exuding beauty, grace, laughter and charm wherever she went.

Obituary: Freda E. Sacco

Freda E. Sacco (nee Schuler) died on Jan. 23, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. She was 83 years old. A former resident of Port Washington for many years, she is survived by her daughter Maria M. Sacco of Bethlehem, CT, a son Charles Sacco of Gainsville, FL, seven grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and great- grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Sacco in 1982. She was a former employee of Publishers Clearing House and Malden Mills. Upon her retirement, Freda moved to Florida and then to Atlanta, GA, where she lived with her beloved niece Claire Schueler. At her request, no services will be held. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that a donation be made to the Community Chest of Port Washington for scholarships for deserving Paul D. Schreiber High School students (382 Main St, Port Washington, NY 11050).

Obituary: Nick Bellomo

Nick Bellomo, age 85, of Port Washington, died on Jan. 26, 2012. He is survived by his wife Marianna, his children, Lillian Bianco (Thomas) and Frank, his grandchildren, Paul, Nicole and Jacqueline, and his sister Anna. Nick is also survived by nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were handled by Austin F. Knowles Funeral Home, Port Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church. He was entombed at Nassau Knolls Cemetery.

Obituary: Gertrude Doyle Salerno

Gertrude Doyle Salerno, known as “Geret”, formerly of New Canaan, died peacefully at home at The Greens in Wilton, CT, on Jan. 5, 2012. She was 88 years of age.

She was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA, to Marie Lawler Doyle and John Thomas Doyle. She attended Little Flower High School in Philadelphia and worked for the Army Quartermaster Corp in Philadelphia before moving to New York to become a buyer for Helena Rubenstein Cosmetics. She met her husband at a church bazaar in Port Washington and they were married for almost 55 years before he passed away in 2010. After her marriage, she first lived in Louisville, KY, while her husband attended law school and then settled in Port Washington.

Obituary: Selma Scherer

Selma Scherer a longtime resident of Port Washington, passed away on Dec. 4, 2011. Selma and her late husband, Saul, moved to Port in the late 1930s. After raising her two children, Selma and her sister-in-law founded the Port Telephone Answering Service which they successfully ran until it was sold in the mid 1970s. Active in her community, she and her husband were among the founders of the Community Synagogue. Selma Scherer is survived by her daughter Nancy Heller and Nancy’s daughters, Caroline Sberlati and her husband Richard and their son Jake, and Katherine Saltoun and her husband Andrew and Selma’s son Charles, his wife Micki and their daughter Elizabeth.

Obituary: James Edward Burke

Former Port Washington resident, Jim Burke, 52, died Dec. 13, 2011 at Brookhaven Hospital. At his request, no service will be held. Jimmy was born March 11, 1959 on Long Island to Mimi and Joe Burke. At the age of 17 he convinced his parents that he could make a go of running and owning the Port Delicatessen. Knowing Jim as they did, they enthusiastically agreed. On a snowy December day Jim Burke literally became “the new kid on the block” and was the envy of all the seasoned store owners. He was an ambitious and successful entrepreneur at 17 years old. After many years of long hours in the Port Deli he decided to pursue other interests. He moved to Mastic Beach. Mr. Burke is survived by his parents, Mimi and Joe Burke; brothers, Tab and Alan; sister Robin; and his two children, Ashlee and Jim.

Obituary: Glenn H. Brink

Glenn H. Brink, 94, a pioneer of commercial air transportation and an avid sailor, died peacefully Christmas morning 2011, at his daughter’s home in Southbury, CT. Prior to moving to Southbury, he lived for more than 50 years in Manhasset, NY. He was a sweet and loving husband, father and friend; and a gentleman, always. Born in Buffalo, OK, April 8, 1917, to Hazel Blanche Brownrigg and Earl Barrett Brink, he lived a full and accomplished life. A 1939 graduate of the University of Michigan College of (Aeronautical) Engineering, where he was president of The Flying Club and treasurer of the National Intercollegiate Flying Club, he spent the next 38 years at American Airlines. He was director of aircraft development/flight engineering, chief test pilot and the youngest commercial airline captain in the country at the age of 25, earning the “Million Miler Award” at age 33. He retired in 1977 and continued work as an aviation consultant.

Obituary: William Edmund Blatz

William Edmund Blatz, formerly of Port Washington and a 35-year resident of Old Brookville passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, age 92. Bill was the beloved husband of the late Jeanne, devoted father of Linda of New York City, Susan of Old Brookville and Edward (Anne Marie) of Garden City; adored grandfather of Elizabeth, Jessica and Edward Jr., loving brother of Ethel and the late Robert. Bill retired as executive vice president of Babaco Alarm Systems. He was very active in the local community serving as president of the Visiting Nurse Association of Oyster Bay and board member of the Oyster Bay Historical Society. Bill was a long time member of Nassau Country Club and the Brookville Reformed Church. He served in the Army in WWII under General Patton. A graduate of Adelphi University, Bill received his master’s degree from Hofstra University where he served as an adjunct professor.