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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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July 15, 2005

Milton Brizel
Ret. Math Professor, 89

Milton Brizel of Fallsburg, a professor at Sullivan County Community College from when it opened until he retired in 1981, and a longtime area resident, died at the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris on Monday, July 11, 2005. He was 89 years of age.
The son of the late Zigmund and Sarah Finkelstein Brizel, he was born April 14, 1916, in the Bronx.
Mr. Brizel was a lieutenant in the United State Army and served his country in both World War II and the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Penn State, his Masters degree at Columbia, and began teaching math at the Fallsburg High School.
His memberships included the NYS Retired Teacher’s Association, past member of the Board of Education of Fallsburg Central School, past member of the Board of Trustees of SCCC, the American Association University of Professors, the South Fallsburg Hebrew Association, the American Legion, B’nai B’rith and a former vice president of the Fallsburg Fire Department. He was an animal lover and a very generous man who never forgot the importance of A.D.L.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marilyn Elovitz Brizel, at home; a son, Robert Brizel of Manhattan; a sister, Rita Brizel of Manhattan; a brother-in-law, Fred Elliot of Roswell, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Ruth Brizel of Manhattan; three nephews; two nieces; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Irving Brizel.
Graveside services and burial were held Thursday at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to any animal shelter or a charity of one’s choice.

Zelakis Madi
RN, 73

Zelakis Madi of Monticello, a registered nurse who worked for the Middletown Psychiatric Hospital, the Catskill Regional Medical Center and the Monticello Central Schools, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. She was 73 years of age.
The daughter of the late Edward Norman and Bernice Foley, she was born November 12, 1931, in Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Madi was also a Doctor of Divine Medicine, working hard to serve and heal those in her community.
She is survived by a son, Selan Madi of Henderson, Nev., a daughter, Shedret Madi of Liberty; a grandson, Selan Jr.; a brother, Adib Nurudin and his wife, Dagmar, of North Carolina; a sister Shirley Madison and her husband, Eddie, of Chicago, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Thursday at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Monticello with Princess Tolakii Deylii officiating.
Burial was made in the Evergreen Cemetery in Bethel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Helion Hall Gheez Academy, 53 Rock Valley Rd., Long Eddy, N.Y. 12760.

Mary McGrath
Homemaker, 91

Mary McNulty McGrath of Liberty, a homemaker, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Elizabeth McNulty, she was born August 13, 1913, in Yonkers. She was the widow of Matthew James McGrath who died in 1959.
In a family statement, it was said, “Mom was always an unpretentious and strong woman and always had a strong religious faith. She had a great sense of humour and always knew the birthdays of all of her grandchildren.. She will always be remembered as the ‘Best Grama.’”
Mrs. McGrath is survived by four sons, Ronald Jerome McGrath and Neil McGrath, both of Livingston Manor, and Robert and Matthew McGrath, both of the state of Florida; 32 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Marilyn Murtha, and a son, Charles McGrath.
A Funeral Mass was offered Thursday at St. Peter’s Church in Liberty.
Interment was made in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Yonkers.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home in Livingston Manor.

Kami Lou Ruiz
Homemaker, 38

Kami Lou Ruiz of Monticello, a homemaker, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 12, 2005, at her home. She was 38 years of age.
The daughter of Nelson R. and Rose M. Prentice Thomas, she was born June 6, 1967, in Liberty.
She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Aurelio Ruiz; three children, Kaela and Antonio, both of Monticello and Aurelio Jr. of the state of Florida, her father and step-mother, Rita Thomas, of Livingston Manor, her mother of Livingston Manor; three sisters; a brother; two step-sisters; a step-brother; and several aunts, uncles and many cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home in Livingston Manor with the Rev. Harry Watson officiating.
Interment will be made in the Lew Beach Cemetery.

W. James Sullivan
Retired MD, 80

W. James Sullivan of Bloomingburg, a retired MD and formerly of New York City, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at his home. He was 80 years of age.
The son of the late Walter and Rose E. Durning Sullivan, he was born April 27, 1925, in New York City.
A graduate of Cornell Medical College, he was a professor of physiology at Cornell and New York University School of Medicine. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Sullivan, at home; a son, James of Circleville; two daughters, Elizabeth of Middletown and Barbara of New York City; and four grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Hydrocephalus Association, 870 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. 94102.

Ann-Marie Caggiano
Homemaker, 56

Ann-Marie Caggiano of Pine Bush, a homemaker and an area resident since 1983, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005, at her home. She was 56 years of age.
The daughter of the late Rosario and Margaret Myers Lanoce, she was born October 24, 1948, in the Bronx.
Mrs. Caggiano was a member of the Church of the Infant Saviour in Pine Bush.
She is survived by her husband, Louis A. Caggiano, at home; three daughters, Elena Sisco, at home, Debra Caggiano of Walden and Patty Caggiano, at home; two sons, Louis Caggiano Jr. and his wife, April of Bloomingburg, and Vinny Caggiano of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; four grandchildren, Sherry, Anthony, Tiffany and Destiny; a sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Walter Cooley of Pine Bush; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Annette Lanoce of New Jersey; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
A Funeral mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Church of the Infant Saviour, Route 302, Pine Bush, with Father William Damraoth officiating.
Burial will be made in new Prospect Cemetery in Pine Bush.

Robert H. Doss
Ret. Police Sergeant, 65

Robert H. Doss of Port Jervis, a retired police sergeant with the Port Jervis Police Department and a lifelong area resident, died Monday, July 11, 2005, at the Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 65 years of age.
The son of the late Harold J. and Florence Keller Doss, he was born October 31, 1939, in Port Jervis.
An active member of his community, he was a trustee and worship leader at the Drew United Methodist Church; a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge No. 645; a member and treasurer of the Lumberland Lions Club; a member of the Port Jervis Police Benevolent Association; a member of the Retired Police Association of the State of New York and the Interstate Law Enforcement Association. Mr. Doss was also a former Port Jervis Third Ward Councilman and presently served in the Orange County Water Authority. He had served as a director of both the Little League and the Port Jervis Pop Warner League and was a coach of the Giants, and later was a Pop Warner referee and Little League Umpire. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Military Police.
He is survived by his wife, Joan M. Kolvenbach Doss, at home; two sons, Scott D. Doss and his wife, Heidi, of Sparrowbush and Tracy L. Doss and his companion, Dawn, of Port Jervis; a daughter and son-in-law.Tommy L. and James Bisland of Glen Spey; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael D. and Audrey Doss of Port Jervis and John H. and Fran Doss of Spring Hill, Fla.; six grandchildren, Matthew J., Jessica M., Sara N, and Hannah K. Bisland, and Tyler and Christopher Doss; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Ashley ”Boo” Bisland who died August 10, 2004.
Funeral services were held Thursday at the Drew United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert D. Cassidy officiating.
Burial was made with military honors at the Rural Valley Cemetery in Cuddebackville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Drew United Methodist Church, 4951 Sussex St., P.O. Box 1015, Port Jervis, N.Y. 12771-1015; the American Diabetes Association, 149 Madison Ave., Gift Processing Center, New York, N.Y. 10016; or to The Parkinson Foundation Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 96268, Washington, D.C. 20090-6268.

Doug Prokosch, 58
Ret. Custodial Super

Douglas James “Doug” Prokosch of Spring Hill, Fla., a former resident of Monticello and a retired 26-year custodial supervisor for the Sullivan County Government Center, died unexpectedly on June 7, 2005, in Florida. He was 58 years of age.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Prokosch, at home; his mother Lydia Prokosch, of Monticello; two sons, Kirk Prokosch of Rock Springs, Ga., and 1st Sgt. James Pokosch, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan; a daughter, Wendy Meddaugh of Holiday, Fla.; a brother, Raymond “Skippy” Prokosch of Monticello; two sisters, Joyce Bullock of Ellenville and Jeanette Hamilton of Newfoundland, Pa; and five grandchildren, Olivia, Sara, Taylor, Rachel and Jacob.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, at the United Methodist Church in Rock Hill with the Rev. Robert Pinto and Steve Knutsen officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to CFF (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation), President’s Plaza 1, 4902 Eisenhower Blvd., Suite 115, Tampa, Fla. 33634, noting on the check that the donation is in memory of Doug Prokosch.
Interment was made on Thursday at Trinity Memorial Gardens in New Port Richey, Fla.

Alan Sussman, 69
Co-owner of Monitor Electric

Alan Sussman of Rock Hill, the co-owner and operator of Monitor Electric in Monticello and a longtime area resident, died Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at his home after an eight-year battle with cancer. He was 69 years of age.
The son of Gertrude Saperstein Sussman and the late Louis Sussman, he was born December 3, 1935, in the Bronx.
Mr. Sussman was a member of the Army Special Forces during the Korean War from 1954 to 1956.
In a family statement, it was said, “Alan was a special man, devoted to his wife, children,, mother, brothers, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, business partner and many friends, including his brothers and sisters-in-law. Alan was an avid golfer, a gourmet chef, incredible host and true lover of life. Alan lived life to the fullest in everything that he did and ‘did it his way.’ He left a mark on everyone he met and had a smile that would brighten the room. He would leave you with a joke and a smile and send you on your way. His favorite loves were his family, friends, golf and his country. He graduated from the Army’s Eta Jima Specialist School in Japan of cooking and baking, and continued cooking for family and friends throughout his life.”
Mr. Sussman is survived by his wife, Karen Rieber Sussman, at home; his mother, Gertrude Sussman; three children from his marriage to Isabelle Rawich, a daughter, Laurel Adler, and two sons, Paul Sussman and his wife, Anna, and Matthew Sussman; two brothers, Jack Sussman and his wife, Carol, and Ivan Sussman; three grandchildren, Andrew Jacob Adler, Molly Lauren Adler and Sylvie Grace Sussman; two nephews, Alex and Craig; two nieces, Emily and Kelly; the entire Rieber family who he considered his own, Bill, Laurie, Sean, Nikki, Brian, Keith, Brandon, Conor, Kevin, Jeanne, Cara, Shanna, Kristen, Kelsey, Terry, Joseph, James, Collin, Seanna, Laura, Bryan and Tristan; his business partner and “brother” of over 25 years, Dennis Diuguid; and his many loving friends and golf partners. He also leaves his two dogs, Skip and Sheena. He was predeceased by his in-laws, William Rieber Sr. and Francine Rieber, his special friend.
Funeral services, befitting his love of golf, will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Fibber’s at the Concord Monster Clubhouse, on Chalet Road off Joyland Road, in Monticello.
Burial, with military honors, will be made at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Sullivan and Orange County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550; the Robert Steinberg Memorial Scholarship at Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, N.Y. 10940; or to the Rock Hill Fire Department, Rock Hill, N.Y. 12775.

Judy M. Cassol
Homemaker, 87

Judy M. DeCesar Cassol of Narrowsburg, a homemaker and an area resident since 1953, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at the Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lancaster, Pa. She was 87 years of age.
The daughter of the late Charles and Catherine Amattie DeCesar, she was born April 27, 1918, in Brooklyn.
Mrs. Cassol was a member of St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church in Narrowsburg.
In a family statement, it was said, “She was an exceptionally loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a true friend to all who were fortunate enough to have her in their lives. With her positive attitude, wonderful sense of humor, and outgoing personality she brought much joy and happiness to everyone who came to know her. We will sorely miss the bright beacon she has been in our lives and look forward to the day God will allow us to be reunited with her. She will live forever in our hearts.”
Mrs. Cassol is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bruno Cassol, at home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Michael O’Neill of Lititz, Pa., and Carol and Pete Thomas of Fort Valley, Va.; a son, Robert “Bob” Cassol of Floyd, Va.; a brother, Charles DeCesar; a sister, Lottie Cassol and her husband Gwedo; a brother-in-law, Clyde Cassol; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Nick DeCesar, and three sisters, Marie Mulvihill, Rose Fretwell and Isabelle Horz.
Cremation was made at the Evans Eagle Crematory in Leola, Pa
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 E. Main St., 307B, Middletown, N.Y. 10940.
Funeral arrangenents were made by the Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg.

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