The Journal News

On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Kevin James Toohey, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, passed away at age 77. After a long struggle with cancer, Kevin passed in his home surrounded by family and friends. Kevin was born on May 10, 1945 in the Bronx, New York to James Vincent Toohey and Muriel Mackenzie Toohey. He started his successful career in Computer Science as an IT employee on Wall Street in 1964. Over the years, as he excelled in his career, his job and family took him from New York, to New Jersey and eventually to Virginia. During that time, he received his degree in Computer Science and graduated from Princeton College. His intelligence and work ethic can be...

John Berry of Surfside Beach, SC, formally of Congers, NY, died at the age of 64 on December 21, 2022. John survived by his wife of 28 years Katherine Berry, mother Caroline Berry and sisters Joanne Brazilian, MaryEllen Denton and Kathy Koenig. John is reunited in passing with his father Charles Berry, brother Joseph Berry and sister Margaret "Peggy" Berry. John was a lifetime member and ex-chief of the Congers Fire Dept. in New York until he relocated to South Carolina, he was an avid animal lover, music enthusiast and enjoyed spending time and speaking with the many friends he made throughout his life. John will be sadly missed and never forgotten by all those whose lives he...

Two remarkable, impactful careers in sports and business came to rest with the passing of Al Pastore from Parkinson's disease on December 4, 2022. Born in Brooklyn, New York on September 4, 1947 to Albert and Rose Pastore, Al grew up in Lake Peekskill, New York and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1965. Al received his BS degree from State University of New York, College at Oneonta in 1969, followed four years later by a Masters Degree in counseling from the same institution. A second Masters in Health Education followed in 1975 from Russell Sage College. Al was appointed Assistant Dean of Students and Residence Hall Director at Oneonta State in 1969, serving 5 years while also...

Scott W. Witt Scott W. Witt, 87, died Sunday, October 2,2022 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after a period of declining health. He was born June 30,1935 in New York City, the son of Warren R. Witt and Edith (Thomas) Witt. For most of his life he lived in Congers, New York, and graduated from Congers High School. Scott was interested in journalism, radio, and T.V. work from an early age, publishing his own local newspaper, The Congers Bugle, for 5 years, beginning at age 11. He had his own radio show as a teenager, called The Rockland County News Review, on radio station WLNA, located in Peekskill, New York. Most of his adult working life was spent as News Director of WLNA and...

Angel "Angelo" L. Villa of Land o Lakes, FL passed away peacefully on Monday September 19th, 2022, with his loving family by his side. He was 82 years old. He was born on October 4, 1939, in Moca, Puerto Rico to the late Augustin and Manuela Villa. At the age of 13, after the death of his father and younger brother he moved with his mother to Brooklyn, NY. As a teen, he spent his summers volunteering as a camp counselor at Camp Wabenaki in Harriman, NY. As a young man, he began his long career at Mark Printing and Stationery Company and retired with 45 years of service. In 1978, he moved to Garnerville, NY where he raised his family with the love of his life, Iris. He was a loving son,...

Joseph Patrick Fletcher Jr. of Hilton Head Island passed peacefully on August 26, 2022, surrounded by loved ones as he made his final journey to be with his Creator and beloved wife, Frances. The son of the late Joseph Patrick and Virginia (Hardy) Fletcher, he was born December 31, 1937 in White Plains, NY. Joe was a native New Yorker, but fell in love with Hilton Head 47 years ago and became a permanent resident in 1992. Joe was a graduate of Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY where he excelled in sports, particularly basketball. He attended St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA and transferred to Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, where he graduated with a degree in History. Having...

Kathleen Therese Reddy, 74, of Surfside Beach, SC, formerly of Nanuet; passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 3, 2022. She was born on February 10, 1948 in New York, New York. Kathleen was a devoted wife and mother with a heart of gold. While in New York, she was a school board member for the Nanuet School District for over 15 years. A Celebration of Kathleen's life will be held on Monday August 8, 2022 at 11:00AM at St. Michael Catholic Church, 542 Cypress Ave. Garden City, SC 29576. The family will gather to greet friends within the church narthex from 10:00am, until the time of service. Inurnment will immediately follow, within the church columbarium. To view the full obituary,...

Catherine F. McLeod, 88, died Tuesday July 19, 2022, at her home in Titusville. Catherine was born in Spring Valley, New York, to William and Catherine Dillon. Catherine graduated from Congers High School. She was a member of the Rockland County Ladies Bowling League and Park Avenue Baptist Church in Titusville. Catherine is survived by her daughter Catherine M. McLeod, of Titusville; her brother, James Dillon, of Upper Nyack, New York; her sisters Anne Mae Blanke, of New City, New York; and Margaret Starkey, of Harriman, New York; and several nieces and nephews. Catherine was preceded by her husband Thomas McLeod.

Clinton, CT - Virginia E. Daniels, of Clinton, CT, January 4, 1942, to May 17, 2022, mother, and grandmother, and lifetime USCG Auxiliarist, passed from complications due to stroke and sarcoidosis aged 80 years. Born and raised in Mamaroneck, NY, she attended Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University graduating in 1963, BS Physical Education, and taught at Port Chester Middle School until 1972. In additional to being an owner/operator of Paramount Taxi, she was office manager for several marinas in Mamaroneck. Ginny has been one of the longest continuously serving USCG Auxiliarists in the organization's history, 54 years, serving in numerous Flotilla and...

Michael Ian Greene, age 77, died March 27, 2022, following an extended illness. Michael was born August 17, 1944, in the Bronx, NY, to the late Jack and Mona Greene. He proudly served in the US Army. He graduated from City College of New York with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Arts. He was employed by the City of New York as a graphic artist and created maps, graphics, and pictures for the mayor & city leaders. He moved to Chappaqua, NY before retiring to the Cedar Creek Community of Aiken, SC. He was a member of the Cedar Creek Community and attended Adath Yeshurun Synagogue. Survivors include his wife of twenty-eight years, Laurie Green; his brother, Stanley Greene; a...

Walter K. Ryan, 81 of Southport, NC (St. James) died January 29, 2022. Born in Bronx, NY on November 19, 1940, a son of the late Walter George Ryan and Mary Cunningham Ryan. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army 101st Signal Corps. and was a graduate of Pace University with an Accounting and Finance Degree. He worked at the Bank of New York for 15 years. He then joined the utility business for the next 25 years serving in various positions in the financial accounting area. He was a 25 year volunteer fireman in White Plains, NY. He also held the 3rd Degree in the Knights of Columbus. After retirement, he moved to St. James Plantation with his wife Kathy. He was active in various community...

Donna Marie Fessler, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, wife to John Allen Fessler, entered eternal rest on January 12, 2022, surrounded by her family. Born on December 21, 1946, in North Tarrytown (Sleepy Hollow), NY, Donna was the daughter of the late Gus Andres and Theresa LaCarrubba. Donna graduated in 1964 from Westlake High School, in Thornwood, NY. She lived in Horseheads, NY for over 40 years, before moving to South Carolina in 2013. Besides her husband of 52 years, Donna is survived by her two sons, Brian Fessler (Katie) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Kevin Fessler (Stephanie) and grandson Vincent, of Fond du Lac, WI. The family is planning a small memorial service in Sleepy Hollow, NY at a...

Holly Delohery of Roswell, GA; formerly a thirty-year resident of Greenwich, CT, passed away on Sept. 12, 2021. Holly was born on Dec. 8, 1952 in White Plains, NY to Madeline and Michael Francis Delohery III. She was a graduate of both Rye High School and Roger Williams University, RI. Holly dedicated her life to helping others; especially, children and teenagers. She was retired from a career with the Westchester County Department of Social Services and was very active in both the Junior League and the American Red Cross in Greenwich. The Red Cross sent Holly for three weeks to Louisiana in 2005 to help Hurricane Katrina victims. In Georgia; she continued service in the Junior League...

Francis (Frank) Peter Bensel passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at the age of 87 near his home in Tequesta, FL. Frank was born March 1, 1934, in New York City to Francis Scott and Nora Bensel and grew up in Riverdale in the Bronx, NY. Frank graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1955 and subsequently earned his law degree from Fordham Law School in 1958. He served in the US Air Force in Okinawa in the Judge Advocate General Program. Frank began his professional career as an attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney's office. He later joined Martin Clearwater and Bell where he became a partner in 1975 and went on to become a successful litigator. Frank was a loving husband...

SOUTHBURY, CT - Ryan Anthony Rutledge, 17, passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2021. He was the beloved son of Anthony and Valerie (Kuehn) Rutledge; and twin brother of Patrick Francis Rutledge. Ryan was a junior at Pomperaug High School achieving high honors, and enrolled in numerous AP courses. When he wasn't studying, he was quite the athlete playing every sport imaginable. At school he played lacrosse, football, golf, weight lifting, and was on the ski team. He wasn't just talented in sports though, some of his other talents included playing 3 instruments fluently by ear, watching and investing in the stock market, solving a Rubik's cube in seconds, and being a master chess...

Davina (Scottie) Cowdrick, age 99, passed away on March 25, 2021. For full obituary please visit, www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

Mary Hurlie passed away in God's grace and within the warm embrace of her family on November 22, 2020 in Southbury, Connecticut. Mary Alice (Short) Hurlie was born on July 7, 1923 in Brooklyn NY the daughter of the late Michael A. and Anna (Coyle) Short. Her family moved to Yonkers, NY when Mary was a young child and she spent virtually her whole life in Westchester County (Yonkers, Mt. Vernon, Pelham, White Plains) moving to Southbury CT in 1997 with her late husband Chet. Mary attended Our Lady of Victory grammar school and was awarded a high school scholarship to The Ursuline School in New Rochelle where she graduated with honors. On July 7, 1945 at Our Lady of Victory Church in Mt....

George F. Thorsen, 73, Gettysburg, PA and formerly of White Plains, NY passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at the Gettysburg Hospital. He was born January 5, 1947 in Queens, NY the son of the late Arthur and Josephine Roseto Thorsen. George is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia Williams Thorsen. For many years, Mr. Thorsen taught foreign language at both Iona Prep School and Eastchester Public School system in New York. He later became an IT instructor at Queensboro Community College. While in Gettysburg he served on the Lake Heritage Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors at Birds of Paradise in Ajijic, Mexico. In addition to his wife, George is also survived...

Vincent Pietropaolo of Newington, Ct., formerly of Yonkers and Somers, NY, passed away on November 13th, 2020 in Danbury, Ct at the age of 80. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Kathleen (Coughlin), his sons Vincent (Jennifer), Michael, his daughters, Karen (James) Bengiovanni, Joanne (Edward) Murach, his five grandchildren, Vincent, Samantha, Anna, Sara and Jeffrey, his brothers and sisters-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. Vincent is predeceased in death by his father, Vincent Pietropaolo, his mother Antoinette Lacaprara, his brothers, Nicholas, Julio, Albert, Alfred and his sisters, Jenny, Anna, Annette, Caroline. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to...

Margaret Mary Hutchings, age 72, died of acute myeloid leukemia on October 10, 2020 surrounded by her family, at home in The Villages, Florida. Margaret is survived by her husband, Gerald Hutchings; her children, John Hutchings (Stacie) of Middletown, DE; Gerri Ann Bock (Laszlo) of Los Altos Hills, CA; and Patrick Hutchings (Stephanie) of San Antonio, TX; and her grandchildren, Paige, Lila, Emily, Mickey, and Annabelle. She is also survived by her siblings Peter Morley (Red Bank, NJ), Diane Morley (Gary Lichter), Morganton, NC, and John Morley (East Fishkill, NY); as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, and her older brother Thomas Morley (St.Louis,...

Joseph DeGuilio Jr. passed from this life to new life on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Joe was born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island as the first son of Ellen (Sullivan) and Joseph DeGuilio Sr. on June 9, 1931. On April 11, 1953 he married Rose L. DeBellis at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mt. Vernon, New York. He was a United States Army veteran who served as a Munitions Specialist stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After his service and marriage to Rose he had a long career with the Continental Baking Company (Wonder Bread/Hostess). After an early retirement he spent another decade working for the Town of Eastchester. He and Rose bought their first home, a 1920's Sears &...