Obituaries

Paige K. Levesque-Lueddeke
Wallkill, NY
February 19, 2010

Paige K. Levesque-Lueddeke 39 of Wallkill NY entered into eternal rest on February 19, 2010 after a long valiant battle with cancer. Paige was born in Houlton Maine. Her family eventually settled in Poughkeepsie NY where she was a graduate of Spackenkill High School , Class of ’88.

She was an office manager for R.S.P.B construction a family owned business.

Mrs. Lueddeke was also a congregant of Faith Assembly of God Church of Poughkeepsie. Paige, an avid Yankee fan, was happiest when the team was beating up on the Red Sox. She had an entire room dedicated to team memorabilia, which featured her favorite player, Derek Jeter.

She is survived by her loving & devoted husband Albert. Her parents Ronald & Susan Levesque of Fishkill NY.

Her brother Bond Levesque and his wife Coleen and their children Cleo and Lily of Plattekill. Also by her grandmother Cleo “Ma” Boutilier Joslyn. Two great Aunts Jean and Luella and several aunts, uncles, and cousins all from Northern Maine.

Paige had a tremendous amount of friends who were instrumental in caring for and supporting her during the most difficult times. They include Sue, Colleen, Elaine, Stacy & Patti among many dear others, but especially Joanne, whose unwavering dedication to her care inspired everyone. Finally, last but not least her two dogs, Blue & L.T (Giant fans) whom, like everyone else will surly miss our beloved Peach.

Calling Hours will be on Monday February 22, 2010 from 4-8pm and on Tuesday February 23, 2010 from 10-12pm at Parmele-Auchmoody Funeral Home 110 Fulton Ave, Poughkeepsie. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday at 12:45pm at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel South Road, Poughkeepsie. Entombment t0 follow in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. For Paige’s Guest book or directions please visit www.hudsonvalleyfuneralhomes.com .

Dr. Jules Flax DDS
Jeffersonville, NY
February 17, 2010

Dr. Jules Flax, a legendary one-of-a-kind man who served as the dentist in Jeffersonville for 63 years, died on Wednesday February 17, 2010 in Florida. He was 92.

Few people leave as unforgettable a legacy to their communities as Dr. Flax. “Doc” as he was known to legions of people throughout Sullivan County, dedicated his professional career to the people of Jeffersonville and its surrounding communities. A gentle man with a keen intellect, Doc was a positive force, who loved life, had an enormous sense of humor, and found only the good in the folks he served. Always spontaneous and lighthearted, Dr. Flax and his dental staff could even make a trip to the dentist an enjoyable event.

Born in Astoria, Queens on October 18, 1917 to immigrant parents, Fanny and Harry Flax, Jules faced daunting obstacles during his formative years. Doc lost his father at the age of 3 and was orphaned at 12. Yet, at a time when his own light dimmed, Doc’s spirit was rekindled by a spark from his older sister Ella. Ten years his senior, Ella adopted the role of mother to tend and care for her younger brother.

Always on the move, Jules traveled the fast track of achievement as a young man, graduating from the Townsend Harris High School, a school for elite learners in Manhattan, at age 16. One of Doc’s classmates was Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine in 1955. He attended the City College of New York for three years, earning a BS degree at age 19.

It was the call of dentistry that guided Flax’s next educational move. Flax admired the work of an uncle, a dentist on Long Island with a thriving practice, who worked until the age of 93. That example directed Flax to Ann Arbor in 1936 to begin his studies in dentistry at the University of Michigan. At Michigan, Flax cemented two great loves that would sustain him throughout his life, the first for the great University where he studied and the second for dentistry. Flax earned is DDS by the age of 23 and returned to the Metropolitan area where he became an intern at the Jersey City Medical Center.

A newspaper advertisement spiraled Doc’s life in a new direction. Answering an ad placed in a NYC newspaper by Dr. Bernard Kove, Flax agreed to serve as a “temporary” dentist in Jeffersonville while Kove completed a term of service in the US Army. Eventually, Flax bought the practice from Kove, then continued to work until he was 87. Doc loved his work, was a lifetime member of the American Dental Assn. and missed only one day of work in nearly 64 years.

Once in Jeffersonville, Doc met and fell in love with Jenny Brownstein in 1941. The couple married on October 18, 1942, beginning a 54 yearlong marriage that ended when Jenny passed in 1996. The letter “J” was prominent in Doc’s life. Jules married Jenny and their family grew to include three daughters, Judy, Janet and Jo.

The sixth “J” was also important in Flax’s life - Jeffersonville. Flax forged a budding friendship with “the greatest man I ever knew in my life”, his brother-in-law, Frank Berner. Berner ran a sporting goods store in Liberty and introduced Flax to the wonders of the outside world of the Catskills. Under Berner’s tutelage, Flax cultivated a life-long attachment for the outdoors and became an avid sportsman who specialized in fly-fishing and duck hunting.

Flax supported his beloved Jeffersonville as a community leader in many ways. He was one of a small group of men who put up money to purchase and clear space across from Ted’s Restaurant so a grocery store could be built in the community. In 1947, he became a charter member of the Jeffersonville Lion’s club, helping raise money for a variety of worthy causes. Thirty-five years later, Doc was honored by the club as their only continually active charter member. Flax also was an original member of Jeffersonville’s Ambulance Corps, the town’s emergency medical service that began in 1965.

Yet, it was Doc’s embrace of his fellow man, his humanity, his interest in the lives of others and his reservoir of good will that made him a favorite son of Jeffersonville. Doc was famous for a wide repertoire of jokes that he shared with anyone who would listen. He celebrated each day as a new opportunity and was an inspiration to many around him. If a man’s legacy is measured by the memories he leaves and the imprint he makes on people he knows, this humble man was a giant among men.

Doctor Flax is survived by three daughters, Judith Pearl of San Antonio, TX, Janet Egan of Virginia and Jo Bernhardt of Margaretville; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Grandson Ray Pearl and his wife Torreh have three children, Julia, Ethan and Brady. Grandson Stephen Egan and his wife Michelle have twin sons, Sean and Matthew. Other grandchildren include Vicki Pearl Bigger, Brian Egan, and Jenna, Jordan and Jesse Bernhardt. He is also survived by a beloved companion, Gloria Gobell.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 11 AM at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St. Liberty, NY.

Burial will take place immediately following the services at the Jeffersonville Hebrew Cemetery in Youngsville, NY.

Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Liberty, NY.

William K. Knapp
Jefferson, GA formerly of Mongaup Valley, NY
February 7, 2010

William K. Knapp of Jefferson GA passed away on Sunday February 7, 2010 at his home after a long illness surrounded by his loving family. He was 59 years of age.

The son of the late Arthur Theodore Knapp Jr. and Ruth Kinne Knapp, he was born on January 15, 1951 in Monticello, NY.

He was a carpenter with Charles Black Construction, retiring after 35 years. He was a retired Veteran of the US Army. William was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Sons of Thunder Motorcycle Ministry. He had a strong faith in the Lord and enjoyed reaching out and ministering to others.

Survivors include his mother Ruth Knapp of Mongaup Valley; his wife, Jean Taylor Knapp of Jefferson, Ga; two brothers, Arthur Knapp and his wife Mary Ann of Monticello and Kenneth Knapp of Lake Huntington, NY; three sisters, Cathy Carnesi of Poughkeepsie, NY, Ruth Salomon and her husband Carl of Monticello and Alice Witherel and her husband Carl of Ferndale and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Saturday February 13, 2010 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 3534 State Rt 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 11:30 AM. Rev. David Coon will officiate.

Burial will be in the family plot at Evergreen Cemetery, Rt 17B, Bethel immediately after the services.

Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Kauneonga Lake, NY.

William M. Kearney
Monticello, NY
February 4, 2010

William M. Kearney, of Monticello, passed away on Thursday February 4, 2010 at his home. He was 74 years of age.

Born on May 9, 1935 in Monticello, he was the son of the late William and Julia Murns Kearney.

He was a lifelong resident of Monticello and was self-employed as an automobile mechanic. He was a US Army Veteran serving from 1961 to 1962.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Smith Kearney at home; a son Randy Kearney of Newburgh; two daughters, Debbie Pless and husband Robert of Virginia Beach, VA and Diana Coney of Monticello; two stepsons, Fred Kross and wife Eileen of Georgia and Joseph Kross of Arizona; three brothers, Floyd “Buddie” Kearney and wife Gail of Florida, John Kearney and wife Reathea of Florida and Richard Kearney and wife Joan of Glen Spey, NY; a sister, Bridget Kearney and husband Ben of Florida; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a sister and three brothers.

Friends may call at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 55 St. John St. Monticello on Sunday February 14, 2010 from 7-9 PM.

Graveside funeral services with Military Honors will be held on Monday Feb. 15 at 11 AM at Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery, Sunset Lake Rd. Liberty, NY. Fr. Ivan Csete will officiate.

Funeral arrangements by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Monticello, NY.

Harold R. Gerow
White Lake, NY
February 13, 2010

Harold R. Gerow, 79, of White Lake died on Feb. 7, 2010 at Harris, NY. FUNERAL SERVICE: Funeral services will be on Saturday Feb. 13 at 2 PM at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 3534 State Rt 55. A Full obituary will be in Thursday’s paper.

ARRANGEMENTS: Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Kauneonga Lake, NY 845-583-5445.

Stanley Della Gatta
Middletown, NY
February 8, 2010

Stanley Della Gatta, of Middletown died Monday, February 8th, 2010 at Orange Regional Medical Center at Horton, Middletown He was 71.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 8, 1938, the son of the late Felice and Christine Addonizio Della Gatta.

He retired as a Machinist at Clemson Brothers Middletown, New York. and was a a communicant of St Mary s Catholic Church Montgomery, N .

He is survived by his wife Dawn Baldwin DellaGatta at home, 3 daughters Kristine and her husband Charles Thorn of Newburgh, Regina and her husband Jeff Abramowitz of Middletown, Phyllis and her husband Stephen Dumond of Westtown, his brother Anthony Della Gatta of Brooklyn, 6 grandchildren James Shuback, Stanley Shuback, Marie Abramowitz, Aidan Thorn,
Nicholas Thorn, Caitlin Thorn, his Aunt Yippi Orientale of Brooklyn, his dedicated cousin Anthony Manco of Middletown. He is also survived by severeal nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends
He was predeceased by his brother Ralph Della Gatta.

Friends are invited to call on Friday February 12, from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM. at Morse Funeral Home Inc. 33 Railroad Ave, Middletown, NY.

Funeral services will be Saturday at Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown, NY, at 10 AM on with Father John Budwick officiating.

Interment will follow at Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburg, NY.

Arrangemenst are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc, Middletown, NY 845 343 6918.

James Edward Stewart
Middletown, NY
February 7, 2010

James Edward Stewart, of Middletown died Sunday, February 7th, 2010 peacefully after a long illness at Orange Regional Medical Center at Horton, Middletown, NY. He was 51.

James was born in Middletown, NY on December 10, 1958, the son of the late Elroy and Elizabeth Miller Stewart. He was the widower of Lauren Hamilton Stewart who predeceased him February 23, 2004.

He was a retired truck driver with Teamsters Local 445, Newburgh,and a member of the Middletown Elks Lodge 1097.

He is survived by his brother Jerry Stewart and his wife Lynn of Middletown.; several nieces , nephews,great nieces and nephews, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and many friends.

He was predeceased by his brother John "Jack" Stewart, and sister Jeanne Lee.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday February 11 from 5 - 8 PM at Morse Funeral Home Inc, 33 Railroad Ave, Middletown, NY Funeral services will be held at 7 PM with Reverend Linda Rackliffe officiating.

Interment will be with his wife Lauren at Ridgebury Cemetery Ridgebury, NY at the family's convenience.

The family request donations to Wilson's Disease Assoc. International 1802 Brookside Dr Wooster, OH 44691.

Arrangements are under the supervision of Morse Funeral Home Inc, Middletown, NY 845 343 6918.

Edwin Dayne Council
Hopewell Junction, NY
February 4, 2010

MILLBROOK – Edwin Dayne Councill, 78, died on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Ed has been a resident of Dutchess County, New York since 1956. He was born in Southampton County, Virginia near Franklin and educated in the public school system there where he was known as “Dayne” to friends and family. His parents were Robert Jordan and Ruth Jennings Councill, who predeceased him, as did a brother, Robert Jennings Councill. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Ed entered the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Tennessee in January 1953 and graduated in December 1955 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Ed was an IBM employee for 34 years and retired in 1989. During that time he worked on and managed many memory development and design programs. He was a pioneer in the development and early production of ferrite core memory products used in many IBM computer systems. He was Product Program Manager for Bipolar Semiconductor Memory at the IBM East Fishkill and Burlington facilities and, later, Executive Manager of Functional Products in East Fishkill. He was also an avid golfer and played in the IBM intramural league for many years.

He is survived by two children, John A. Councill and his wife Laurie of Walden, NY and Carolyn Councill and her husband Eugene Hastings II of Pittsburgh, PA and by the mother of his children, Ann Councill of Pittsburgh, PA.

A memorial service will be held in the spring. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. To send the family an online condolence, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

Margaret K. Delamater
Liberty, NY
February 2, 2010

Margaret K. Delamarter, 95, of Liberty died on Feb. 2, 2010 at Achieve Nursing & Rehab Facility in Liberty.

VISITATION: Feb. 16, 2010 from 10 AM to Noon at White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church.

SERVICES: Feb. 16, 2010 at Noon at White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church. BURIAL: Laurel Hill Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs, NY. A full obituary will appear at a later date.

ARRANGEMENTS: Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Liberty, NY. For further information, call 845-292-7160.

Josephine Wilson
Monticello, NY
January 27, 2010

Josephine Wilson, of Monticello, passed away on Wednesday January 27, 2010 at the Skilled Nursing Unit at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 74 years of age.

Born on June 20, 1935 in West Virginia, Josephine had worked as a housekeeper in Manhattan for many years.

She leaves behind her three sons, Brian Wilson of Fredericksburg, VA, James Wilson of Monticello and Joseph Wilson of Florida; her two daughters, Samantha Wilson of New York City and Marie Wilson of West Virginia; her sister, Phyllis Jackson of Hamilton, Ohio and her nine grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Monday February 1, 2010 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 55 St. John St. Monticello. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 1 PM.

Burial will follow at Liberty Cemetery, Cold Spring Rd. Liberty, NY.

Arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Monticello, NY 845-794-2700.