Obituary: Roy G. Nester

Roy G. Nester, a 53-year resident of Port Washington, died on Oct. 2, 2011 in Port Washington at the age of 90. Predeceased in 2005 by his wife of 60, Eleanor, he leaves behind his son John Nester (Marie), formerly of Glen Cove, who now resides in Lighthouse Point, FL, his daughters, Linda Cronin (Denis) of Manhasset and Carol DiConza (Peter) of Port Washington, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sister Ruth Cox (Ken), the last of 14 children born to John and Bessie Nester of West Virginia, and 65 nieces and nephews.

Obituary: Margaret Aitken

Margaret S. “Peggy” Aitken died on Sept. 12, 2011, one day after her 86th birthday. Wife of the late Robert K. Aitken, she is survived by her sons, Robert Lee Aitken, Esq., and Mark Aitken (Linda); her grandchildren, Katy and Danielle; and her sister Ruth Lee Needham (Bob). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. A lifelong resident, Mrs. Aitken was the 7th generation of her family to live in Port Washington and had many lifelong friends. Funeral arrangements were handled by Austin F. Knowles Funeral Home, Port Washington. She was interred at Nassau Knolls Cemetery after a graveside service on Sept. 16.

Obituary: Thelma Sokoloff

Thelma Sokoloff, of Sands Point, passed away on Sept. 11, 2011 after a prolonged illness. She was 86 years old and resided on Woodland Dr. for 56 years. Thelma is survived by her husband, Adrian, and their three daughters and three sons-in-law: Karen Sokoloff and Andrew Messinger of Short Hills, NJ; Claire Sokoloff and Robert Gifford of Newton, MA, and Gail Sokoloff and Howard Merkowitz of Newton, MA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Rachel, David and Eric Messinger; Benjamin, Alison, and Daniel Gifford and Alex and Lia Merkowitz.

Obituary: John O. Santelli

Devoted husband, loving father and cherished friend, John O. Santelli passed away on Sept. 8, 2011 at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife Rita and his daughter Rita Joan. His kind memory will be remembered by all who crossed his path and called him friend.

Born on June 16, 1928 in Brooklyn, John graduated Boys High in Bedford Stuyvesant and then earned a bachelor of science at Long Island University and a masters in pharmacy at Columbia University. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army, John served in the Korean War and then continued military service in the US Army Reserve and the NYS Army National Guard. He achieved the rank of colonel and retired after 27 years of active duty and reserve duty as a brigadier general. Always a soldier, his assignments included commander of the famed 69th Infantry Battalion, aka the Fighting Irish.

Obituary: Jack Graven

Jack Graven, of Glen Cove, formerly of Port Washington, died on Sept. 4, 2011 at age 79. Survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins and dear friends. Visiting at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas, Glen Cove. Interment service at All Saints Cemetery, Great Neck.

Obituary: Alphonse Campaniello

Alphonse (Al) Campaniello died peacefully at home in his 85th year after a long illness. He was born in New Haven, CT, and moved with his parents to the Bronx when he was a young child. He attended City College of NY and served in the Army Air Corps, predecessor of the present Air Force. Early in his career he worked as a commercial real estate broker with Helmsley Spear. Later he joined his boyhood friend, Mario Perillo, at Perillo Tours where he often utilized his fluency in Italian in running the day to day operations of the business. Several years before retirement he was a consultant at the firm of William D. Witter, an asset management firm in New York City. A dedicated family man, Al was a master of problem solving, an amateur naturopath and a loyal friend. He was a resident of Port Washington since 1970. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Veronica (Vicky) Campaniello, his sons, Edward of San Francisco, David of New Haven, CT, and his sister Connie Peterson of Sarasota, FL. His funeral Mass was held on Sept. 8 at St. Peter of Alcantara and he is interred at Nassau Knolls.

Obituary: TeAirra Denise Elizabeth Bunn

TeAirra Denise Elizabeth Bunn was tragically taken away from us on Sept. 2, 2011. TeAirra was born Jan. 10, 1987 in Port Washington where she lived at the time of her passing. She graduated from Uniondale High School in 2004 and went on to study nursing at Nassau Community College and New York Institute of Technology.

TeAirra was a patient care associate at Winthrop University Hospital of Mineola since 2004 and had recently re-enrolled in school to complete her degree in nursing. Always there with a smile and warm embrace TeAirra was a friend and confidante to many. Her calming persona and sense of humor suited her well in her position, but caring for her patients was her priority.

Obituary: James (Jim) Rankin

Devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and loyal friend. He was born Sept. 10, 1916 in New Rochelle to Helen Robb Rankin and James Rankin. He moved to Port Washington in 1921 where he was a lifelong resident. He attended Port Washington schools and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1935.

Jim joined the Army in September of 1940 and served for two years in the Signal Corp at France Field on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus of Panama. He returned to the states in 1942 and was assigned to 35th Reconnaissance Squad. He spent time in Mumbai (then Bombay), India, before going to Kunming (headquarters of the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers) and Zhanyi, China. He served there until June of 1945 when he was honorably discharged after five years and five days of service.

Obituary: Martin J. Heims

Martin J. Heims, 81, died on Aug. 27, 2011 at his home in Palm City, FL. He was born in Brooklyn and lived in Stuart, FL, for 11 years coming from Port Washington. He was a veteran of the US Army. He was a member of Temple Beit Hayam in Stuart. He was chairman of the Port Washington/Sands Point/Manhasset UJA-Federation Campaign for 13 years. He was the honoree of the 1985 UJA Federation Testimonial Port Washington Sands Point Division. He served as president of the Brotherhood of Community Synagogue. He belonged to Monarch Country Club, Palm City. Prior to retiring he was self employed as an all lines insurance broker.

Obituary: Michael Bellomo

On Aug. 29, 2011, Michael Bellomo, of Port Washington, lost his four-year battle against leukemia. At the time of his death Michael was surrounded by family and friends at St. Francis Hospital.

Michael was born in the city of Bari, Italy, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea on Aug. 5, 1942. Born to Trifone and Angela Bellomo, Michael was the youngest of four. He leaves behind his two older brothers, Nick and Filippo and his sister Anna.