Obituary: Erna M. Gerbert

Erna M. Gerbert, of West Hempstead, died on Feb. 14, 2012. Wife of the late Kurt. Mother of Lynne (Bob) D’Angelo and the late Kurt (Marjorie). Grandmother of Candace, Brad, Kurt, Lauren, Allison, and Janet. Great-grandmother of seven. Arrangements were made by the Francis P. Devine Funeral Home, Oyster Bay. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Ave., Suite 1802 NY, New York 10001 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Obituary: Paul Muscarella

Elmont native and Garden City resident, Paul J. Muscarella, a respected local attorney, died Oct. 11, 2010 of a malignant brain tumor. He was 47.

Best defined by his love of family, community and tradition, Paul is survived by his wife, Lori, and their four children, Jenna 15, Natalie 14, Matthew 12 and Diana 8.

Obituary: Joseph W. Bianca

Joseph W. Bianca, 91, of Franklin Square, passed away June 23, 2010. Husband of the late Angie. Father of Nick, Joseph, Michael and the late Carolann Schwager. Grandfather of 11 grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. He was a disabled WWII Army veteran. Arrangements were made by Arthur F. White Funeral Home. A prayer service was held at the funeral home with interment on June 26 at St. Charles Cemetery.

Obituary: Christopher M. Butehorn

Christopher M. Butehorn, age 47, raised in Bethpage, died unexpectedly June 4, 2010, while residing in Elmont. Husband of Karen. Brother of Loretta, Henry, Charlotte Gabriele, Chuck, Frank, Joe, Mickey Leanza, Rosie Grace and Matt. Uncle to his 14 nieces and nephews, and devoted to his dog, Otto. Served his country in the U.S. Army from May 1982 to October 1982 and again from March 1988 to March 1992. Arrangements were made by Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Cremation was private.

Obituary: Memorial Mass for Mary T. McCaffrey

Mary Theresa McCaffrey (nee Heffernan), of Brooksville, FL, formerly of Floral Park, died on May 15, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her husband Charles R.; children, Mary Beth Bratton (William), Kathleen Ulmer (Everett), Donna Marie (deceased), Charles R. Jr. (Linda), Celeste E. Landri (Pat), Patrice M. DeStefano, John Kevin (Trish) and Regina G. Trainor (Jeffrey); 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Also her sister Catherine Sheppard of Brooksville, FL, and brother Patrick J. Heffernan of Glen Cove.

Obituary: Mark J. Thomas Sr. N.Y.S. Racing Steward (Ret.)

Mark J. Thomas Sr. of Carle Place, originally from New Haven, CT, passed away on June 13, 2010. He was the son of Mary Carroll (Tipperary, IRL) and Mark Thomas Gagliardi; brother of Joseph and Thomas; equestrian polo pony trainer (Yale, New Haven, CT – circa 1930s), polo player, highly decorated WWII veteran (75th and 83rd Div) E.T.O. – England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Normandy, Battle of the Bulge; horse transportation pioneer, N.Y.S. Racing Inspector - New York State Racing Association (NYRA); and N.Y.S. Racing Steward - NYRA (Ret.). He was the most loved and respected father and friend of Mary Anne, Mark Jr., Regina, Frances, James, and Margaret. He was the beloved father-in-law and friend of Jimmy, Ed, and Tina. He was the gratefully blessed grandfather (pop-pop) of 36, with 14 great-grandchildren.

Obituary: Memorial Mass for Mary T. McCaffrey

Mary Theresa McCaffrey (nee Heffernan), of Brooksville, FL, formerly of Floral Park, died on May 15, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her husband Charles R.; children, Mary Beth Bratton (William), Kathleen Ulmer (Everett), Donna Marie (deceased), Charles R. Jr. (Linda), Celeste E. Landri (Pat), Patrice M. DeStefano, John Kevin (Trish) and Regina G. Trainor (Jeffrey); 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Also her sister Catherine Sheppard of Brooksville, FL, and brother Patrick J. Heffernan of Glen Cove.

Obituary: Alex Eliassof

On Jan. 28 2010, Alex Eliassof, an original founding member of A & D Offset Printers, Ltd., which opened in the early ‘80s, passed away. Coincidentally, it was on his 89th birthday. Alex was a very well-known, liked and respected man. He will be missed very dearly by family and friends and will forever remain in their hearts and minds. Alex was also a member of many clubs and organizations.

Alex was a WWII veteran in the United States Navy.

Alex is survived by his wife Nina (Sarah) Eliassof; his son Mark Eliassof; grandson Adam Eliassof; and granddaughter Tara Eliassoff.

Obituary: James J. Harnett,

James J. Harnett,
Family & Children’s Association CEO,
Dies at 63

Known as the ultimate caregiver, Mr. Harnett shepherded the care of thousands of Long Islanders in his role as president/CEO of Family & Children’s Association, a human care agency serving Long Island’s neediest population. Mr. Harnett passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 23, 2010.

In addition to his role at Family & Children’s, Mr. Harnett served as advisor to The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, member (formerly, Secretary of the Board and member of the Executive Committee); The Kimmel Housing Development Foundation, Inc., member, Board of Directors; Long Island Federally Qualified Health Center, Chair, Board of Directors; New York State Association of Family Service Agencies, Vice President and Chair of the Advocacy Committee; New York State Health Foundation, Special Opportunity Grants, Peer Review Committee; United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Consultant, Management Training; The United Way of Long Island, Vice President, Agency Executives Council; Anna and Philip Kimmel Foundation, Advisor and Community Advocates, Board member.

Prior to joining Family & Children’s in 2006, Mr. Harnett was the executive vice president, chief operating officer and secretary of Covenant House in New York City, a not-for-profit agency that provides shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth. He has also worked for Columbia University, Catholic Charities of the Brooklyn Diocese, the Catholic Guardian Society in Brooklyn and the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Atlanta. He also worked as a volunteer in Karnataka State, India, for the United States Peace Corps.

Mr. Harnett earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens, in 1968. He received a master’s degree in public administration from New York University in 1974, and completed the Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management Program in 1995.

Mr. Harnett’s devotion to his work was only surpassed by his commitment to his family. He was a loving husband and proud father. He is survived by his wife Fran, and their two children, Sarah and James, his mother, Eleanor, his sister Ellen, brother-in-law Bruce, brothers Richard and Robert, sister-in-law Smokey, and sister Joan. At the family’s request, memorial donations in Jim’s honor may be made to Family & Children’s Association, 100 E. Old Country Rd., Mineola, NY 11501 (516-746-0350) or www.familyandchildrens.org/donate.

Plans are under way to hold a formal tribute to Mr. Harnett. Details will be announced as they become available.

Obituary: Gladys C. Townsend

Gladys C. Townsend

Gladys C. Townsend, of Franklin Square and formerly of Roslyn, died on Jan. 28, 2010 at age 87. Wife of Birdsall. Mother of Carol, Wendy, Valerie, Cheryl, Todd, Kathryn, the late Birdsall Jr. and Kenneth. Sister of Jane Cooper. Grandmother of 10. Great-grandmother of 11. Visiting and service held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home, Glen Cove. Interment Nassau Knolls Cemetery.