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October - December
2005
October 14, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
Elizabeth Louise
Beach
Elizabeth L. Beach, 81, a resident of Grand Island, died
on Oct. 6, 2005, at Millard Fillmore hospital of cardiac arrest following
surgery.
Beach was the youngest of seven children born to Guy and
Anna Armstrong of Indianapolis, Ind. A life-long interest in theater
and drama was evident at an early age when her father required the older
children to remain at the dinner table to watch “Betty” perform.
Following graduation from Marian College, Beach enlisted
in the Navy and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she taught
instrument flying. There she met and married navy pilot Edward Glaze.
The couple had two daughters, Linda and Elizabeth.
After WWII, she joined the Army Reserve in Indianapolis
and received an Honorable Discharge from both the Navy and Army. While
in Indianapolis, Beach taught speech and drama at two private girls'
schools.
In 1958, Elizabeth married Robert Beach and the family
moved to Grand Island. Shortly after moving to the Island, Beach and
a small group of friends founded the Island Theater Group. She had been
active in community theater for decades, both as an actress and as a
director. She had her last leading role at age 80 in “Over The Tavern”
produced by the Regional Theater Guild with performances in the Riviera
Theater in North Tonawanda. After sons Robert Jr. and Victor started
school, Beach worked for a number of years as an executive with the
Girl Scout Council of Western New York.
In 1972, Beach and her husband founded Beach’s Motorcycle
Adventures, Ltd. Over 26 years, Robert and Elizabeth personally conducted
86 motorcycle tours of the European Alps. Robert concentrated on the
motorcycles and routes, while Elizabeth focused on cultural and aesthetic
aspects of the region. They had their “farewell tour” in 2002.
For many years Beach has been an active member of St.
Stephen's R. C. Church on Grand Island. She directed many holiday pageants,
instructed altar boys and girls on their duties, and frequently read
at Mass. She was the founder of St. Stephen's Parish Players and directed
many of their theatrical performances.
Beach is survived by husband, Robert; children Linda Richardson
of Melfa, Va.; Elizabeth Glaze of San Francisco; Robert Beach Jr. of
Grand Island; Victor Beach of Sunderland, Mass.; a sister, Alma Mocas,
of Indianapolis, Ind., and four grandchildren.
Elizabeth’s husband Robert said “I can think of no other
woman I have known who has done so much to bring joy and happiness to
so many people. We are all better people for having been touched by
her goodness.”
A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday,
Oct. 29, at St. Stephen's RC Church.
October 28, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
Thomas C. Roberts
Thomas C. Roberts, 85, died peacefully Wednesday, Oct.
19, 2005 at his home in Salida, Colo. Tom was a loving husband, father,
brother, uncle and grandfather. During his last days, he was surrounded
by his wife, children and members of his extended family. There is nothing
he cherished more than his family and friends. Until the very end, his
humor and wit shown through.
He was born on June 12, 1920, in Buffalo, to Dr. Carroll
and Marie (Pfohl) Roberts. He attended St. Mark's Grammer School and
Bennett High School, both in Buffalo.
He served in the US Army Air Corps from June 1943 to December
1945. He flew Army transport aircraft, including the C-47. He instructed
new pilots prior to entering the Air Corps. During Tom's service in
the Air Corps, he flew missions in Africa and Italy, along with other
locations in the European theatre.
On Dec. 4, 1945, Tom married Hortence (Smokey) Briesacher,
and after his discharge they came back to Buffalo.
In 1953, they moved to Grand Island where Tom subsequently
opened The Thomas C. Roberts Insurance Agency, located on Grand Island
Boulevard. He continued its operation until his retirement in 1982.
In 1988, they moved to the city of Montrose, Colo.
He was a dedicated member of the Catholic Church, both
at St. Stephen's in Grand Island and St. Mary's in Montrose. He was
a charter member of the Knights of Columbus chapter on Grand Island
and the Montrose Knights of Columbus chapter, where he obtained his
4th degree, and served as its Grand Knight. Tom was also active in Grand
Island community affairs, having been a member of the Lions' Club and
Republican Committeeman. He continued his community involvement in Montrose,
where he volunteered his services to Meals On Wheels and the Montrose
Historical Society.
Survivors include his wife Smokey, of Salida, Colo.; Thomas,
Jr. of Golden, Colo.; Stephen of Ketchikan, Alaska; Douglas of Buena
Vista, Colo.; Elizabeth (Beth) of Fairplay, Colo.; and Clark of Salida,
Colo. Also, surviving are brothers and sisters: H. Buswell of Buffalo;
Mary Jo Gardner of Cave Spring, Ga.; Harold of Buffalo; and Carol Marie
Foote of Wadsworth, Ohio. He was blessed with four grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren and an incredible number of nieces and nephews.
His brother, Dr. William T, preceded him in death.
A memorial will be held at Bongo Billy’s Salida Café,
300 W. Sackett, Salida, Colo., on Sunday at 1 p.m. Friends and family
are invited to attend.
November 4, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
Opal R. (Richards)
Guenot
Opal R. (Richards) Guenot of Grand Island passed away
on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005.
Guenot was loving wife to the late Robert F. V Guenot
Sr.; the dearest mother of Robert (Ruth) Guenot Jr., Richard W. Guenot
and Terance L. (Leah) Guenot; the loving grandmother of 12; greatgrandmother
to 14; and the sister of Louise Slayton of Cofax, La.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment
in Keewyden Cemetery in Pennsylvania.
Funeral arrangements by the Urban Brother Funeral Home.
Howard W. Juhre
Howard W. Juhre, a long-time Grand Island resident, passed
away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2005.
Juhre was a World War II veteran and a past patron of
the Betsy Ross Chapter OES 699.
He was the husband of Norma M. Juhre; the father of David
W. Juhre and Paul A. (Merrill) Juhre; the grandfather of Tanya (Joe),
Shawn (Regina), Adam, Marty, Mary and several other grandchildren; the
great-grandfather of Christianna, Leah and several other great-grandchildren;
the brother of Doris Bowery and Robert (Elaine) Juhre.
Memorial services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m., at
Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. Interment will be in Forest
Lawn Cemetery.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made
to Hospice Buffalo or ECBC Church, P.O. Box 26, Grand Island, NY, 14072.
November 11, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
Mildred F.
(Smith) Burgett
Mildred F. (Smith) Burgett, formerly of Grand Island,
passed away on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005.
Burgett was a member of New Covenant United Church of
Christ in Buffalo, the Grand Island Golden Age Club and Kibler Senior
Apartments in Tonawanda.
She was wife to the late John Burgett and Clarence Bartholomew.
She was mother of Patricia (Jeff) Laing, Pamela (Wayne) Wood and the
late John (survived by wife Jean) Bartholomew; the stepmother of Walter
Burgett Sr.; the grandmother of Steven Bartholomew, Christian and Scott
Laing and Savannah Wood; the step-grandmother of Walter Burgett Jr.,
Tracy Allen and Thomas Turner; the great-grandmother of Debra, Tarra
and Steven J. Bartholomew, Amanda and Josh Burgett; the sister-in-law
of Barbara Rennie.
Funeral services were held Monday (Nov. 7) at Kaiser Funeral
Home on Grand Island. Interment was in Elmlawn Cemetery, Tonawanda.
Barbara L.
(Layland) Kay
Barbara L. (Layland) Kay, a Grand Island resident, passed
away on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005.
She was the wife of the late Thomas Kay; the mother of
Carla (Joseph) Samodulski of Hicksville and Gregory Kay of Grand Island;
the sister of Diane (the late Gary) Brewster and James (Grace) Leyland;
aunt to several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, Nov. 6, at Kaiser
Funeral Home on Grand Island.
Elizabeth Mary
Squire
Elizabeth Mary Squire of Grand Island passed
away following a sudden illness on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, at Kenmore
Mercy Hospital in Tonawanda.
Squire was born to Roger and Patricia Devine Squire in
Buffalo on Nov. 17, 1962. She was a graduate of Grand Island High School,
and received her registered nursing degree from D’Youville College in
Buffalo.
Squire was a self-employed private duty nurse. She currently
owned and operated the Cuckoo’s Nest Exotic Bird business, and was a
former eastern star.
Survivors include her father, now of Franklinville; her
son, Robert J. Bzinak of Cheektowaga; and her brother, Leo James Squire
of Baden, Pa.
Private graveside services will be held on Saturday, Nov.
12, in Mount Prospect Cemetery in Franklinville. Memorials in her name
may be made to any local hospice.
Arrangements by Babbitt and Easton Funeral Home.
December 2, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
Veanna L. (O’Malley) Schwanebeck
Veanna L. (O’Malley) Schwanebeck, 63, of Spotsylvania,
Va., formerly of Lewistown, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 24, at her
home.
Born on March 6, 1942, in Canton, Ill., Schwanebeck was
the daughter of John and Neva (Smith) O’Malley. She married Lloyd C.
Schwanebeck on Aug. 25, 1963, in Lewistown.
Schwanebeck worked as an interior designer. She was a
member of Trinity United Methodist Church on Grand Island, and was a
member of the United Methodist Women’s Club.
A long-time member of the New York State Parent Teacher
Association, she also served as its vice president. Schwanebeck served
on the Grand Island Board of Education; she was a member of the Grand
Island Library and a volunteer for the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical
Center Women’s Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, Lloyd; two daughters, Elizabeth
(Chris) Woodruff of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Ellen Schwanebeck of Alexandria,
Va.; two grandchildren, Ryan and Shannon Woodruff; and one sister, Marcia
Lidwell of Somonauk, Ill.
Funeral services were held this week at the Lewistown
United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Bill Bunnage officiating. Burial
will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity,
121 Habitat Street, Americus, Ga., 31709, or the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 370, Dallas, Texas, 75244.
Clarification:
Veanna L. Schwanebeck of Spotsylvania, Va., formerly
vice president of the Grand Island School Board, was a former resident
of both Grand Island and of Lewistowne, Ill.
She died on Nov. 24, 2005, in her home after an illness.
James J. Malaney
James J. Malaney, a resident of Grand Island, passed away
on Friday, Nov. 25, 2005. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated
Tuesday, Nov. 29, at St. Stephen’s Church.
He was husband to Diane C. Malaney; father to Amber and
Megan Malaney; stepfather to Alex (Rachel), Krystal, Stephen and Robert
Rumsey; brother to Eileen (Rick) Vogel, Michael (Carol) Malaney and
Kevin Malaney. He was son to Jean and the late James Malaney. He is
survived by nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.
Dorothy J. Wallace
Dorothy J. Wallace, formerly of Grand Island, passed away
on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. Funeral services were held this week at the
Kaiser Funeral Home. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery, in Belfast,
N.Y.
Wallace was mother to Jean (Paul) Leiner and Larry (Ann)
Wallace; grandmother to Paul H. (Susan) Leiner and Betsy Leiner; great-grandmother
to Bethany Leiner; sister to Edith Johannes and the late Clarence, Clifford,
Leo and Mildred Johannes.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society
or the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York.
December
9, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch
Erin K. Keenan
Erin K. Keenan, 20, of Grand Island, passed away suddenly
on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005.
Keenan was born in Brooklyn on May 6, 1985. The daughter
of Kathleen F. (McGovern) and the late Thomas H. Keenan, she was a graduate
of Nardin Academy and in her second year of postsecondary education
at Canisius College, where she was studying history secondary education.
Keenan was formerly of the Town of Tonawanda, and worked
at the municipality’s YMCA for four summers. She also worked at Barnes
and Noble.
Survivors include he mother; her brothers, Tommy Keenan
of New York City and Brian Keenan of Kenmore; and her grandmother, Kathleen
McGovern of Brooklyn.
Prayers will be said today at 9 a.m., inside Amigone Funeral
Home, 1132 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. That will be followed by A Mass of
Christian Burial at St. Michael Church, 651 Washington St., Buffalo,
at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Tonawanda.
James Howard Watts
James Howard Watts, 81, of Baltimore, passed away peacefully
on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005 at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.
Watts was a Navy frogman in World War II and served during
the Korean War. He was a Shipfitter First Class on the USS Salem, and
an accomplished welder. He was a career trucker, hauling logs, coal,
autos and freight. He worked for Mushroom Transportation Company for
more than 30 years where he achieved the Million Mile Safe Driving Award.
He was a 15-year resident of Grand Island.
Born the youngest of 12 children on May 17, 1924, in Millville,
Pa., he is survived by two sisters, Helen Buhl and Mildred Taylor. Also
surviving are Betty Watts; his children Sarah J. Young (Paul), Mary
L. Doebler (Frank), James H. Watts, Jr. (Lynn), Kim Minlionica, Larry
Watts and Gary Watts;10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his
wife, Mary Watts of Baltimore; and four stepchildren.
A private family service was held in Williamsport,
Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans,
101 N. Gay St., War Memorial Building, Room B, Baltimore, Md. 21202.
December 23, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
William J. Berger
William J. Berger, a lifelong resident of Grand Island
and a member of many organizations and clubs therein, passed away on
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005.
He was the husband of Doris R. (Raymond) Berger; the father
of Eric (Susan) Berger, Dale (Lynn) Berger and Nancy (Mickey) Saxbury
– all of Grand Island; the grandfather of Tori, Jessica, Billy, Kyle
and John; and the brother of Betty (Dean) Wolcott of Mancos, Colo.
Visitation was held Thursday at the Kaiser Funeral
Home. A family memorial service will be held at a later date.
(no photo)
December 24, 2005 -
Lewiston Porter Sentinel
Rev. Thomas Casella
Rev. Thomas Casella, NU religious superior, dies
The Rev. Thomas A. Casella, C.M., religious superior of
the Vincentian Community at Niagara University and Provincial Director
of the Northeast Province of the Daughters of Charity, died Tuesday,
Dec. 20, 2005, in St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. He was 60.
Father Casella was hospitalized Sunday after suffering
an apparent stroke while visiting the Provincial House of the Daughters
of Charity in Albany.
The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara
University, said Father Casella will be missed by the university and
the local community, which he served by presiding at Sunday Masses in
area parishes. “
Tom was a wonderful Vincentian, and someone who was a
great teacher, an avid student of theology and a lover of the arts.
He was a person for all seasons, and he was loved by all who knew him,”
Father Levesque said.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Father Casella, the son of the
late Amedius and Rose Casella, entered the Vincentian Community of Priests
and Brothers after graduating from St. John’s University in 1966. He
was ordained a Vincentian priest in 1971 after studies at Mary Immaculate
Seminary in Northampton, Pa. After teaching high-school biology and
chemistry for three years, he was first assigned to Niagara University
in 1974 to teach religious studies and to work in campus ministry. After
doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America, he returned
to NU, where he again taught from 1979 to 1987 and served as dean of
student activities from 1981-85. He was then named the director of the
Vincentian Renewal Center in Princeton, N.J. Subsequently, he was involved
in seminary work at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington,
N.Y. Assigned to St. John’s University in 1997, he served as special
assistant to the president and then as director of the Staten Island
campus. He returned to the Queens campus as chaplain of the School of
Law at St. John’s University before returning to NU as religious superior
in 2002.
The Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., president of St.
John’s University, said the St. John’s community will always be indebted
to Father Casella “for his extraordinary service as co-chair of the
church building committee, where his vision and concern for liturgy
helped to shape our magnificent St. Thomas More Church.”
Father Casella is survived by two sisters, Barbara T.
Ferro of Murrieta, Calif., and Elaine J. Cain of Phoenix, Ariz.; and
several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were held at the Vincentian Residence at
St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y. A funeral Mass will be celebrated
Friday at 10:30 a.m., at St. Thomas More Church at St. John’s University.
Burial will be in the Vincentian cemetery at St. Joseph’s Seminary in
Princeton, N.J. A memorial service will be held at Niagara University
at a date to be determined.
Arrangements are being made by the Leo F. Kearns Funeral
Home, Queens.
(included photo)
Memorial Mass scheduled for Father Thomas Casella
A memorial Mass for the Rev. Thomas A. Casella, C.M.,
will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 27, at 3:30 p.m. in Alumni Chapel at
Niagara University. A reception will follow in the Heritage Room in
Clet Hall.
Father Casella, religious superior of the Vincentian Community
at Niagara University and provincial director of the Northeast Province
of the Daughters of Charity, died Dec. 20, 2005, in St. Peter’s Hospital,
Albany, two days after suffering an apparent stroke.
Funeral services were held Dec. 23 at St. John’s University,
Jamaica, N.Y., followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Princeton,
N.J.
Father Casella is survived by two sisters and several
nieces and nephews.
December 30, 2005 -
Grand Island Dispatch
Celia M. 'Sally' Sutter
Celia M. “Sally” Sutter of Grand Island passed away on
Friday, Dec. 23, 2005.
She was the wife of the late Gerald E. Sutter; the mother
of Paula Wiegand, Michael (Diane) Sutter and Timothy Sutter; the grandmother
of Joseph (Michelle) Wiegand, and Stacey, Amanda and Jessica Sutter;
the great-grandmother of Maeve Riona Wiegand; and the sister of Sonia
Williams, Walter (Leona) Slazyk and Helen Dube.
Mrs. Sutter was the daughter of the late Joseph and Stella
Slazyk.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday at St.
Stephen’s Church. Burial was in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements were made by the Kaiser Funeral Home.
(no photo)
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