Victor Aponte

Death Notice - Victor Aponte, 38, of Valentine Lane in Yonkers, New York, entered Eternal Rest on Thursday, May 26.  He is survived by his mother, Agnes Carpenter and his sister, Rachel. Victor, who was born in the Bronx, and raised in Yonkers, was a truck driver for Ranger Plumbing Supply in Bronx, NY. To all who knew Victor, he will be remembered as a loyal friend, generous human being and a protector. His outgoing personality always drew a crowd and if he was around, you knew you were going to have a good time. He was a person you turned to when you needed help because you knew he would help you without question, without fail. He will be greatly missed by so many people.  Reposing Tuesday, May 31, 5-9pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY followed by a private committal.

Rafaela Perez Mojica

Rafaela Perez Mojica on May 22, 2016 at the age of 84.  Born on October 24, 1931 in Santurce, Puerto Rico the daughter of Cayetano Mojica and Felicita Gonzalez, the youngest of seven children.  God came calling while she laid peacefully sleeping in her bed at home, where she lived with her daughter and Lexi in Atlanta Georgia.  Rafaela was preceded in death by her sons Juan R. Perez, Robert J. Perez, John M. Perez and Ernest F. Phaire while now rejoicing in their reunion.  She will be forever remembered by her sister Maria Luisa Mojica, brother Jose Enrique Mojica, children- Paul W. Phaire, John W. Phaire, Frederick A. Phaire, Rodney H. Phaire, Analyzeyda Recupero, Edna R. Mojica, Gladymyr Perez, Miriam J. Asencio, Caridad M. Perez, eighty plus grand and great grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews and a host of life long friends. Reposing Thursday June 2nd 6-8 pm, Friday June 3rd 2-5 & 7-9 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial Saturday June 4th, 9:30 am at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, 2345 University Avenue, Bronx.  Interment Woodlawn Cemetery - Webster Avenue and East 233rd Street, Bronx, NY. 

Msgr. Donald W. Hendricks

 Msgr. Donald W. Hendricks, of the Cardinal O’Connor Residence in Riverdale, New York, entered Eternal Rest on Tuesday, May 17.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Dougherty Hendricks and Russell Hendricks, as well as his brothers, John, Thomas and Robert. 

Msgr. Hendricks, who was born and raised in the Bronx, followed his uncles, Msgr. John Dougherty and Msgr. Daniel Dougherty, and his aunt Catherine (Sister Mary Daniel) into the service of the church. He attended Saint Joseph’s Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1955. His elevation to Monsignor took place in 1995.

He received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Cathedral College, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Classics from Columbia University. While serving as Chairman of the Department of Classics in Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, he was chosen by the Archdiocese of New York to write the section on post-Vatican II Catholic thought for Leo Rosten’sReligions of America. He taught at Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Douglaston (1968-77); Cathedral College in Manhattan (1963-68); and at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx (1957-61).

Msgr. Hendricks retired as pastor and administrator of St. Christopher’s in Buchanan NY, where he served from 1993 to 2009. His previous priestly assignments were parochial vicar (1977-81) and pastor (1981-93), St. Anthony of Padua, Yonkers; parochial vicar, St. Athanasius, Harriman, (1963); St. Eugene’s, Yonkers (1957); Good Shepherd, Rhinebeck (1955-57); and St. Mary’s, Newburgh (1955).

Uncle Donald leaves behind his brother Robert’s wife June and their children, Maureen Messina (Gil) and daughters Anna and Katherine of Colts Neck, NJ; Russell and sons John and Thomas of Rumson, NJ; Robert (Lisa) and children Jake and Ruthann of Howell, NJ; Elizabeth Selsky (Mitchell) and children Michael, Rachel and Kevin of Brick, NJ; Daniel (Karianne) and daughter Aidan of Dallas, TX; and Catherine Gotta (Mark) and children Casey and Ryan of Howell, NJ; as well as brother John’s wife Doris, their daughter Irene (John Eno) and daughters Caroline and Lauren of New Canaan, CT; and brother Thomas’s son George and daughter Julia Hendricks-Mueller (John) and daughter Mary Rose.

Reposing Sunday 2-6pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial Monday 10am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

It is impossible, in a few short lines, to honor the life and work of this remarkable priest and family man. For him, those things were the same. His devotion to the Church and its work was as important as the regular phone calls to his beloved family and cherished friends. Requiescat in pace.

Cecilia Martinez

Cecilia Martinez - Sunrise: March 22, 1928 Sunset: May 17, 2016

To her family, her friends and all who experienced her sharing and kind heart, Cecilia was, is and will always be a reflection of our Lord’s existence and the power of Love.  She was born on the tropical island of Puerto Rico 88 years ago and from the very young age of 6 already was faced with the harsh realities of poverty, a terminally ill mother, an alcoholic abusive father and the responsibility of caring for a younger sister who Cecilia raised so well that to this very day that sister still calls Cecilia, “Ma”!

Cecilia was one of seven siblings- 4 brothers and 3 sisters—all born in the same storied town of Guayama, a town famous on the island of Puerto Rico for its pristine town squares, beautiful churches and also legends of mysticism and sorcery! Cecilia was the next-to-last to be born.  Her sister, Maximina, was the youngest--the baby of the family.  Being the last two to be born, meant that Cecilia and Maximina were challenged with a struggle for survival that none of the older siblings had to experience.  They were literally trapped in a situation that many people in this world never survive.  And yet Cecilia not only survived, she made sure that Maximina also made it through the storm. They paid the heavy price of not having experienced a normal childhood, but they both persevered and prevailed! No one has been able to explain how they did it—and how, in the midst of all the turmoilthat surrounded their young lives, Cecilia and Maximina somehow managed to attend grammar school long enough to learn to read and—in two languages! Some island people might say that perhaps the mystery/legends of Guayama were not all just myths—and that the magic of that town infused Cecilia and Maximina with a willpower that most human beings simply do not have or even understand.  Others will surely proclaim that this story is one of spiritual triumph and proof positive that miracles do happen! Whatever the case, it was a very special power that made it all possible—and from that precarious beginning to now, Cecilia and Maximinahave never been apart; their lives always connected, their stories always intertwined, one always there for the other.That is why it merits special mention now.

As the years went by, Cecilia and Maximina grew into beautiful young women and got married just as they were entering their 20’s.  With dreams of starting their own families and a better life, they set out on this new part of their journey, which in the late 1940’s brought them both to New York City.  By that time, Cecilia already had a son—she named him Jose--and that son was barely 2 years old when she arrived in New York with nothing but her dreams and a hope that Jose would have a better chance than she ever did.  Both sisters, Cecilia and Maximina, were determined to build a new life of hope and promise in this great center of the world we call New York City, but only one began that task with a faithful life partner by her side. Maximina had married a man who proved to be a wonderful tower of strength and reliability.  His name was Florencio Fajardo, but everyone just called him Yeyi (pronounced Gegee).  Yeyi was the father that Jose always wished for but never had, a gentle man of unassuming quiet strength and total dedication to his wife and family.  Cecilia was not so lucky.  Her new husband chose adventure over family and left her and their baby Jose within less than two years of marriage.Shortly thereafter, Cecilia set out on her own, boarding a plane in San Juan headed for the big City up North.

One can only imagine what it must have been like for Cecilia when she looked out the windows of the Pan American airliner as it entered the skies over New York City and she saw for the first time the landscape of towering steel and glass and concrete that was to be her new home,the place where she would build a new life. With her baby boy in her arms and faith in her heart Cecilia arrived in New York for a new start. She was only 21 years old and now Cecilia was facing the spectre of the unknown in the greatest City on earth!

From that point forward, Cecilia battled to build a better life no matter what challenges and hardships came her way. With an unshakable Christian faith in God’s Love and a fierce determination, she fearlessly faced the uncertain future.  She tried again to have a life partner and had a daughter with a man who said he cared, but he too was not ready to stand by her.  When her son Jose and her daughter Alice were stricken with life-threatening illness, Cecilia fought back like a guardian angel and literally saved them both!  Nothing ever distracted her from the priority of protecting the lives of her children.

 In more recent years, as age and illness took a toll on Cecilia—Jose, Betty and Alice offered that Cecilia could live with them. And after several years Cecilia agreed to join Jose and Betty in New York.  For two years, Jose and Betty took care of Cecilia, until she required the professional care of a nursing home.

Even as Cecilia struggled for a better life in New York, she also was never shy about celebrating life in general.  She loved to sing and dance and was always ready to join a party.  In fact, her joyous spirit and energy often made her the center of the party!  Cecilia, her sister Maximina and brother-in-law Yeyi danced their way through the 1950’s in the many popular New York night clubs of those times.They partied to the music of big Latin/Jazz bands that filled Manhattan nights with the sensational rhythms of Rhumba, Boleros, and Cha-Cha-Cha!  She and they enjoyed every minute of it!

Throughout the ups and downs of her life, Cecilia also always took the time to help other relatives and friends.  Her love had no bounds and she reached out to everyone with a helping hand whenever she could and as much as she could.  She made friends easily and always had many who would be drawn to her welcoming demeanor and comforting smile.  She was not afraid to approach people and said Hello to everyone who got near enough to see her smile. The touching of people spiritually and physically, conveyed her greatest strength and she demonstrated this power up until her last days when Cecilia was residing in the Hebrew Home for the Aged atRiverale.  There she would converse with co-residents and caregivers in Spanish—even when the people spoke no Spanish!  Cecilia would touch people, hug them, listen to them and try to console them—even as she was fighting the advancing symptoms of dementia within herself!  This is the incredible scale of her power and also how all her family and friends will always remember her.  Cecilia’s magic and power was simply her constant sharing of Love—and everyone who knew her will remember that nothing is more powerful!

Left to cherish and celebrate Cecilia’s life are her son Jose (wife Betty); daughter Alice Brown, granddaughter Nicole Sprung (husband Louis), great grandchildren Terra and John-Michael Sprung; sister Maximina Fajardo (husband Florencio) special nieces: Rosemary Alemany, Lorraine Fajardo, Ivette Rosa, Alicia Rosa, NildaAlvira, Nilda (“Frenchie”) Rivera, Norma (“Baby”) Velasquez (husband “Papo”); special nephews: Florencio (“Henry”) Fajardo, Jr.(wife Rachel), Robert Fajardo (partner Donna Margulies),Jose (“Junior”) Martinez; special grand nieces:Alisha (“Nana”)DeJesusRosa, Sheila, Shanita, Monica, Malisha, Jennifer, Marlene, Mariel, Lourdes; special grand nephews Omar De Jesus, Ronnie Alvira, Robert Fajardo, Jr.; special great grand nephew Noel Garcia DeJesus , and many other beloved relatives and friends in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.

We will all be forever grateful for the loving care that the Hebrew Home at Riverdale providedCecilia during her final months in our community.

Cecilia’s body is lying in repose at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home at 6110 Riverdale Avenue, (at West 261stStreet).  Visitation will take place at the funeral home Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.   On Thursday May 26, 2016 at 9:00am friends and family will be gathered at the funeral home and Cecilia will be transported to the Long Island National Cemetery where she will be interred after a gravesite funeral service.

Dorothy T. Donovan

Donovan, Dorothy T. (nee Donnelly) on May 15, 2016.  Loving wife of the late Timothy F.  Cherished mother of Joseph, Marianne Branson, Patti Anne (Kevin) Crowley and Timothy. Beloved grandmother of Andrew, Bridget, Tara, Shannon, and Kevin.  Dear sister of Thomas , Patricia and the late Anne , Mary, Margaret, John, Eleanor, Beatrice, Edna and Joseph.  Dear aunt and friend to many.  ReposingThursday 5-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx.  Mass of Christian Burial Friday 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

Guy J. Capolupo

Guy J. Capolupo on May 14, 2016 at the age of 77.  Retired detective NYPD.  Guy served in the U.S. Navy.  Loving husband of Marlene (nee Gagliano).  Beloved father of Louis (Ann), and Andrea (Brian).  Cherished grandfather of Catherine, Andrew and Matthew.  Dear brother of Joann (Sal) Nappa and uncle of Linda Place and Joseph Nappa.  Guy will be remembered by many loving cousins and dear friends.  He will be solely missed by Aunt Gloria.  Reposing Tuesday 2-5 & 7-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx.  Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday 10 am at St. Gabriel's Church.  Committal Private.   

Thomas A. Shea

Death Notice - Thomas A. Shea passed away on May 9, 2016 at the age of 94. Proud veteran of the Marine Corp. and NYPD.  Funeral arrangements by Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx NY.  Mass of Christian Burial Thursday 10:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church.  Interment Gate of Cemetery.

Joan Finn

Death Notice - Joan Finn (age 74) died peacefully on May 7, 2016. She is survived by her loving sisters, Mary Christina Fox, Margaret Grogan, Bernadette Finn-Prior; and pre-deceased by sisters Anne Sheehan and Agnes Foley. She was a loving aunt to fifteen nieces and nephews and twenty-eighty grand nieces and nephews.  Reposing Wednesday 3-8 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx NY.  Mass of Christian Burial Thursday 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church.  Interment Gate of Cemetery.

Charles Paoli

Death Notice - Charles Paoli on May 6, 2016.  Loving husband of the late Theresa for over 57 years. Cherished father of Christine, Scott, Cynthia and Marianne.  Adored grandfather of Tara, Matthew, Brian and Brandon.  Reposing Tuesday 5-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx NY.  Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church.  Committal Woodlawn Cemetery.  

Elizabeth "Betty" Fallon

Death Notice - Fallon, Elizabeth "Betty"  (October 14, 1929 - April 18, 2016). Loving Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Mother In-Law, Aunt and Friend.  Elizabeth is survived by her two Sons Edward, Jr. and Arthur, Her Daughters In-Law Kathy and Susan, her Grandchildren Mary, Kathleen, Jane Hall, Christine, Artie, Jr., Kaitlin, Colleen and Michael and her first Great-Grandson, James Edward Hall, her Sister Mary and many Nieces, Nephews and Friends.

Born in Inwood in Upper Manhattan, family was always Elizabeth’s priority and main source of happiness.  She cherished the many friends she made throughout her life, especially during her 30 year career at Manhattan College in the Bronx.  She often said, “Manhattan is my second family”.

She was a devoted and faithful Catholic and spent much of her time praying for those in need. During her later days, she spoke of reuniting with her loved ones who went before her such as her husband Edward, her parents, Julia and Arthur McAuliffe and her siblings Arthur, Dotty, Myrtle and Julie. Her loving and generous ways will never be forgotten. She was loved dearly and will be sorely missed. May she rest in eternal peace and happiness. . Reposing Monday 2-5 & 7-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave,  Bx. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday at 11 am at Manhattan College Chapel (parking in new parking garage on Manhattan College Parkway).  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Donations to The Friends of the Duxbury COA 10 Mayflower Street, Duxbury, MA 02332 (Memo Line: In Honor of Betty Fallon) would be greatly appreciated. 

William W. Hoppmann

Death Notice - Hoppmann, William W. of Riverdale died April 13, 2016 at the age of 100. Beloved husband of the late Catherine (nee Keim). Loving father of Barbara and Catherine.  Also mourned by long time companion Miriam Puccia.  Proud retired officer of the NYPD.  His daughters will be receiving family and friends on Friday, April 15th, from 4 - 9 PM at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, April 16th at 9:45 AM at St. Margaret of Cortona Church.  Interment immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation in loving memory of William W. Hoppmann to the American Heart Association.   

Santo Richard Toscano

Santo Richard Toscano on April 11, 2016 at the age of 87.  Native of Brooklyn, NY.  Beloved husband of Norma (nee Lyons).  Dear father of Donnamarie, Robert and Richard Toscano.  Cherished grandfather of Richard , Brianna and Ashley.  Retired as an Import Coordinator at General Electric.  Santo served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War.  Reposing Thursday 4-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bx.  Mass of Christian Burial Friday 11 am at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, 81 Arden Street, NYC.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  

Bridget Joyce

Death Notice - Bridget Joyce on April 9, 2016 at the age of 88.  Beloved wife of the late Patrick F. Joyce .  Loving mother of Rosemary Petrovich, Patrick, Michael, Theresa Murdock and Brenda May.  Doting grandmother of 16 and great grandmother of 2. Reposing Tues 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bx. Mass of Christian Burial Wed 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.