Death Notice - Fortunato S. Tusaneza on November 28, 2015 at the age of 91. Loving husband of Clarita. Beloved father of 14 and grandfather to many. Reposing Tuesday 4-8 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Committal Woodlawn Cemetery.
Anna May Farrell
Death Notice - Anna May Farrell on November 27, 2015 at the age of 94. Beloved wife of Thomas for 68 years. Cherished mother of Thomas, Paul (Pamela), and Nadine. Loving grandmother of Jessica and Gabrielle. Reposing Monday 6-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 1:15 pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Interment to follow.
Florence Collins
Death Notice - Florence Collins on November 27, 2015 at the age of 84. Beloved wife of the late Denis J. Collins. Cherished mother of Theresa, Jeanne, Eileen, Michael, Maureen, Anne, Mary, William, Brian and the late Denis, Kevin and John. Adored grandmother of 19 and great grandmother of 18. Reposing Sunday 6-9 pm and Monday 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave, Bronx. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 10:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Interment St. Raymond’s Cemetery.
William Gray
Death Notice - William Gray, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2015. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Marilyn. He was a cherished father to his four daughters: Ginny (Frank), Joanne(Jerry), Jackie (Arty) and Carol (James) and a wonderful grandfather to Bill, Arty, Nicole, James, Kyle, Lauren and Dakota. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be Sunday November 29, 2015 at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home from 2-5 pm. Mass of Christian burial to be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Monday November 30, 2015 at 10 am. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne NY.
Carl Spatz
Death Notice - Carl Spatz passed away in his home at the age of 72 on November 23, 2015. Carl was a lifelong NYC resident and proud to call the Bronx his home. He was predeceased by his wife Denise and is survived by his brother Marty, sons Larry and Robert, and his beautiful grandchildren Tyler, Charlotte, Sabrina, Hannah Jo, and Duncan. Carl had a long career in the hospitality industry until his retirement. He enjoyed time with family and friends, watching the NY sports teams and his pets. Please join us in celebrating his life at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. for a Visitation. A service will be held at 11:00 am.
Catherine McLoughlin
Death Notice - Catherine McLoughlin passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. She was the beloved wife of Thomas J. McLoughlin and loving mother to Anne Lane, Joan Cooney, Thomas McLoughlin, Jr., Kathleen McLoughlin, Mary McLoughlin, Dorothy Donohue, and William McLoughlin. Catherine was blessed with grandchildren Michelle Baptiste, Daniel Lane, Paul Cooney, Maureen Amiryar, Laura Corbelli, Matthew Karlitz, Joanna Karlitz, Justin Magnus, Ashley Eliasoph, Kimberly Eliasoph, Emily Magnus, Thomas Magnus, Amanda Eliasoph, Patrick Donohue, Brendan McLoughlin, Peter Donohue, Mark Donohue, Katie McLoughlin, Jack Donohue, Mary Bridget McLoughlin, and Michael McLoughlin, as well as eight great-grandchildren.
Catherine was born in 1923 to parents Edward and Bridget Donegan and was sister to Edward Donegan. Catherine grew up in New York City, and graduated as a registered nurse from Saint Vincent’s Nursing School. During World War II, she served as a nurse in the US Navy.
On November 9, 1946 she married the love of her life at Incarnation Church in Washington Heights. Catherine’s working life paralleled her family life. She first worked at the New York Foundling Hospital, then St. Vincent’s hospital in the maternity ward, later at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers, and finally at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale. During this time, she raised her large family, welcomed many grandchildren, and cared for her mother and mother-in-law.
Catherine was a devoted Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Margaret’s Church. She was a Eucharistic minister for many years bringing comfort to many of the parish’s homebound and elderly. In 1979, while working at the Hebrew Home, Catherine’s mother, Bridget, was admitted as the first Catholic patient. Soon after, Catherine arranged for Easter mass to be celebrated and this was the beginning of a long association between the Hebrew Home and St. Margaret’s Church. While working at the Hebrew Home and even after retiring, Catherine arranged for masses to be offered at the Hebrew Home. Catherine continued to live her faith and compassion by becoming the first coordinator of the Interfaith Volunteers at St. Margaret’s, recruiting and overseeing the volunteer group as well as driving those in need to medical appointments. She later received the Interfaith Caregivers Spirit Award for her work from the President of the Borough of the Bronx in 2001.
Catherine will be remembered for her extraordinarily caring nature, her quiet acceptance of hardships, strong faith in God, and an inner peace. She will be missed greatly by her many family members and friends. The wake will be held on Friday from 3-5 and 7-9pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. The Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday at 9:45am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
John O'Donovan
Death Notice - John O'Donovan passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 83 years of age. John was born in 1932 to Daniel and Nellie(Carey) O'Donovan. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Mary McGuinness and her husband, John. He is survived by sisters, Pauline O'Donovan, Eileen Smith (Patrick) and brother, Gerald O'Donovan (Eileen), and many nieces and nephews. John served in the United States Navy. He worked as a messenger for the court system in NYC. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved picnicking with the family in Mohansic Park. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home from 2-6pm. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St Margaret of Cortona Church on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 9:45am. Burial at St Raymond's Cemetery to follow.
Victoria Ficarrotto
Death Notice - Victoria Ficarrotto passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27 at the age of 80. Beloved wife of Dominick and loving mother of Laura Arena (John) and Donna Palermo (Tony). Devoted grandmother of Samantha Arena. Vicky worked for Horace Mann High School for 34 years and was cherished by all. The family will gather Thursday, October 29 from 5 to 8 PM and Friday, October 30 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Margaret of Cortona Church at 9:45 AM on Saturday, October 31. Burial to follow at Kensico Cemetery.
Martin Kelly
Death Notice - Kelly, Martin on October 23, 2015 at the age of 84. Native of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Retired from New York Telephone Company after 36 years of service. Proud Army Veteran and member of the American Legion Post 1525 of Riverdale. Beloved husband of Mary Ellen (nee Grier). Loving father of Patrick, Mary and Eileen. Cherished grandfather to Michael & Kelly Feeney. Reposing Sunday, October 25th from 2-4 and 7-9pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial Monday 10am at St.Gabriel's Church, 3250 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, NY. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne NY.
Catherine Veronica Gilheany
Death Notice - Catherine Veronica Gilheany on October 11, 2015 at the age of 90. Dear wife of the late Patrick. Cherished mother of Tommy and Patrick and grandmother of Doyle (Elsa). Loving sister of Philomena, Bernadette, Gabriel and Brendan of Ireland. Reposing Thursday 4-8 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Leukemia Society would be greatly appreciated.
Leonore Lipka
Death Notice - Leonore Lipka passed away peacefully on September 30th, 2015, at the age of 80. She is survived by her daughter, Hilary, her husband, Michael, their daughter, Anya, her step-son, Jordan, her step-daughter, Susan, her husband, Howard, their children, Marlee and Michael, and a host of family and friends. Leonore worked at the N.Y. State Employment Service and then at the N.Y. State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. She was office manager of the Bronx Office of OVR when she retired in 1990. After retirement she kept busy with travel, going to the theatre, and dining out with friends. She will be greatly missed. There will be a memorial service celebrating Leonore’s life on October 10th at 10:00 AM at the Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Planned Parenthood, the Humane Society, or the cat welfare charity of your choice.
Joseph P. Noonan
Death Notice - Joseph P. Noonan passed away peacefully on September 24, 2015 at the age of 86. Beloved husband to the late Josephine Noonan. Loving father to Kevin Noonan, Patricia Jakimowicz, Micki Sweeney and the late Brian Noonan. Cherished grandfather to Joseph, James and Dennis Sweeney, Alexandra Jakimowicz and Marilyn and Peter Noonan. Devoted great grandfather to Joseph and Dylan Sweeney. Also a dear brother to AnnaMay Ullrich and the late Mary Defelice. Joseph served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer. He is a retired member of Continental Trailways Bus Co and MABSTOA where he worked a a Busdriver. Visiting to be held at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home on Sunday, September 27,2015, from 7-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Margaret of Cortona Church, Monday September 28,2015, at 9:45am. Burial to follow at St Raymond's Cemetery.
Vincent A. Iannucci
A Beautiful Life
Vincent A. Iannucci died at 9:01 AM, Friday September 18. Vince was a lifelong resident and prominent contributor to the community of Yonkers.
At ninety four years of age, his life was not defined by its length but by how he lived and what he accomplished. He graduated Theodore Roosevelt High School and shortly after, became a soldier in the US Army. With others of his “greatest generation,” he fought and won a war to preserve our way of life.
When he came home he married Jeanette, his beautiful bride of sixty seven years. Together they raised a large and loving family. He enrolled and graduated from New York University, started a successful accounting practice, and built his ‘retreat on the lake” in Highland Lakes New Jersey.
Vince was an officer and prominent member of the Exchange Club where he took a particular interest in programs assisting children. He was a soldier, a businessman, a community leader. Most importantly he was a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, a man who loved his family and taught each of us to love the preciousness of life itself, every day. He lived not just a full, but a meaningful life, a beautiful life, and we will strive to live by his example.
The wake will be held on Tuesday September 22, 2015 from 5-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday September 23, 2015 at 9:45am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church, 6000 Riverdale Avenue next to the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum located at 280 Secor Road in Hartsdale, Westchester County, New York.
Janet Page Kessler
Janet Page Kessler, fiber artist, photographer and designer passed away peacefully on September 13, 2015.
A true New Yorker, Janet was raised in a boarding house on 34th street, owned by her German immigrant grandparents. It was the 1930s, and many of the boarders were indigent. She grew up quickly, hearing many of their stories. It was no doubt that her love for New York City—as a place of both struggle and opportunity --began at that time.
At an early age, she became interested in needle arts and explored every aspect, from crochet to painting her own needlepoint canvases. Her first experience with fiber art was based on traditional English paper-piecing, learned from her grandmother. She studied art at Parsons. By the 1980s, her passion for fiber art became her livelihood. She began designing quilts for all the major home-sewing fabric manufacturers. In the years that followed, she designed and wrote directions for over 1,000 original quilts. These instructions were printed and distributed to home-sewers throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan.
Her own fiber art was quite different than the commercial patterns she wrote. A free, independent spirit, her early art quilts explored optical illusions created by color and space. She soon developed her own unique style, with organic shapes, layers and intricate textures created by thread and fabrics.
Her passion for art extended to sharing it with others: over the years she taught art and design classes for every level of ability from beginner to master classes. Her children and grandchildren also knew that any conversation with their Nana could quickly segue into an opportunity to discuss art, music, literature or politics.
She and Nancy Crow created the New York Art Quilts Network. An early advocate of women’s rights, many of her later art quilts explored domestic violence, rape, and verbal abuse as their themes. Her fiber art won awards at Quilt National, and many of her pieces were solicited by museums and private collectors.
Janet continued designing until the year before her passing. When she was not able to use a sewing machine, she began creating unique paper collage, and returned to her early love of drawing.
A most unusual and creative woman, Janet’s passion for learning, art and reading was reflected in her work, and passed on to her children—Cia, Adrienne and Susan—and her grandchildren—Drury, Sean Michael, Sara and Billy. She was always full of surprises. We will miss her free spirit and inquiring mind.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church, 17 Sagamore Road, Bronxville, NY on October 17 at 2 pm.
Sarah J. Benjamin
Death Notice - Sarah J. Benjamin (Virginia Preuss-Howard) died peacefully August 29, 2015. She was preceded in death by parents John Karl Preuss and Virginia Louise English-Preuss, Sister Jualianne Preuss, S.S.J., and Brother John A. Preuss. She is survived by her sisters Mary Szwerluga, (Shalimar, FL) and Emma Preuss-Thompson, (Ocala, FL). A private cremation was held and Sarah will be placed in a Niche at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY, Chapel B, mausoleum West Foyer, Niche - NGQ, Level 9. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Diane Moravec
Death Notice - Diane Moravec passed away on August 27, 2015. Loving wife of Greg. Devoted mother of Lauren, Jessica, and Greg. Cherished grandmother of Brianna and Layla. Dear sister of Mark Silverman. Reposing Monday 3 - 8pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 10 am at Our Lady of Angels Church. Committal Ferncliff Cemetery.