Sara Esperanza Velazquez of Kiamesha Lake, a homemaker and longtime resident of the area, died Sunday, December 3, 2006 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. She was 63.
The daughter of the late Pablo Fidel Herrerra Diaz and Maria Natividad Pinto Cano de Herrerra, she was born December 18, 1942 in Lima, Peru.
A family statement reads: “A beloved mother, wife and sister with over 30 years of doing God’s will. She was a devoted church member, church secretary, active member and administrator of the Women’s Ministries. With her kind, giving and patient heart, she sought to bring many children to Sunday School. Glory be to God.”
She is survived by her husband, Santiago E. Velazquez, at home; two daughters, Elizabeth Mary Velazquez of Richmond Hill, Queens, and Evelyn Maria Velazquez of Poughkeepsie; one son, Jonathan S. Velazquez of Hurleyville; three sisters, Irma Herrerra, Nidia Sadosky and Dora Alfieri; one brother, Eduardo Herrerra; and six grandchildren, Sara, Jose, Isabel, Mateo, Alyssa and Elijah.
A funeral service was held Wednesday at the Mahanaim Pentecostal Church in Monticello. Pastor Ricardo Romero officiated.
Burial was made in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mahanaim Pentecostal Church, 49 Spring Street, Monticello, NY 12701.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello.

Herman H. Herschel
Entrepreneur, 75

Herman H. Herschel of Rock Hill and Pompano Beach, Fla., a local entrepreneur and longtime area resident, died suddenly on Saturday, December 2, 2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 75.
The son of the late Herman C. and Caroline Tenewitz Herschel, he was born June 8, 1931 in Teaneck, NJ.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was the owner and founder of Blue Sky Manufactured Homes in Wurtsboro, and the past president of the Emerson, NJ Lions Club, and a member of the Elk's Lodge in Pompano Beach, Fla.
He loved life, was always happy, enjoyed people and worked hard. He lived life to the fullest and anyone who met him became his friend forever.
He is survived by his longtime soul mate, Linda Kantrowitz, at home; his children, Laurajean Niesel of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Michele Graham and her husband, Rodney, of Wurtsboro, and Joseph Herschel and his wife, Christine, of Bloomingburg; eight grandchildren, Lee Ann (Daniel) Rovetto, Christopher Niesel, Megan Niesel, twin granddaughters, Jessica Graham and Jennifer Graham, Victoria Graham, Christina Herschel and Stephen Herschel; a sister, Carolyn Meyers of Pompano Beach, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Lee Ann Herschel.
A funeral service was held Thursday at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Wurtsboro.
Burial was made in the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Assoc., P.O. Box 628, Monticello, NY 12701 or to the Mamakating Lions Club, Wurtsboro, NY 12790.

Clifton R. Brickhouse
Glazier, 58

Clifton R. "Sonny" Brickhouse, a Glazier for Sullivan County Glass in Monticello, died Monday, December 4, 2006 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus in Middletown. He was 58.
The son of the late Albert and Virginia Sheppard Brickhouse, he was born November 26, 1948 in Exmore, Virginia.
A member of the First Baptist Church of Monticello, he was also involved with the Middletown 8-Ball Pool League, and both the Independent Pool League and Tap Pool League, also in Middletown.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria J. Dunn Brickhouse, at home; one son, Clifton A. Brickhouse of Monticello; two daughters, Trina of Middletown and Tiffany of Monticello; seven brothers, James (Phyllis), Charles (Karen), John "Johnnie Boy" (Rose), Albert "PeeWee", Roy Lee (Gail), Junior, and Donnie (Lisa); four sisters, Loretta (Pete), Tina (Sam), Dorothy and Laura; his loving mother-in-law, Ann Dunn; his stepmother, Emily Jackson; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call Friday, December 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 9 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Monticello, Liberty Street in Monticello. The Rev. James Matthews will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions made to the family would be appreciated.

Catherine J. Waldron
Bookkeeper, 81

Catherine J. Waldron, a homemaker and bookkeeper, died at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown on November 29, 2006, with family at her side. She was 81.
The daughter of the late Mary and Anthony Tumminia of Brooklyn, she was born Dec. 3, 1924, in Manhattan.
Catherine graduated from parochial school in Brooklyn, where she enjoyed playing baseball. She loved to dance with her friends at the Roseland in Manhattan.
She worked on Wall Street as a bookkeeper and later in life worked at various insurance agencies.
She met her husband, Robert E. Waldron, at his parents' boarding house and farm in Fosterdale, circa 1945. They married on Jan. 5, 1946, and moved to Liberty, where they lived from 1948 to 1972. Catherine and Robert were active in St. Peter's Catholic Church, fundraising for the Knights of Columbus home and the parochial school, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other community organizations. There was never a penny social at the church that she and her husband missed.
Catherine and Robert moved to Port Jervis in 1972. After Robert's death in 1983, she moved to Oneonta, where she lived for 20 years.
She was an accomplished knitter and enjoyed ceramics and other crafts. She volunteered at St. Mary's Church in Oneonta and lived briefly at St. James' Manor in Davenport. After illness, Catherine spent her last three years at Valley Health Services in Herkimer.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Arlene of Arnold Lake, Milford, NY; a grandson, Robert of Calif.; a granddaughter, Marcie of New Hampshire; a sister, Prudy Valenti of Long Island; nieces and nephews; and her nurse and companion, Felecia Emilio of Oneonta.
A Mass of Christian burial was officiated on December 1 by Fr. John Rosson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cooperstown. She was buried December 4 beside her husband at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Emmons.

Frederick Swift
Retired Painter, 79

Frederick Swift of Westbrookville, a retired painter and 30-year resident of the area, died Sunday, December 3, 2006 at his home. He was 79.
The son of the late Adam and Katie Riley Swift, he was born November 12, 1927 in Peach Creek, W.Va.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and the founder and pastor for 30 years of Emanuel Church of God Divine Mission in Christ in the Bronx.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Duncan Swift, at home; one son, Jonathan Swift of Middletown; two daughters, Heather Swift of Middletown and Janice Jewels of Mt. Vernon; two sisters, Cleopatra Young of Goshen and Lovie Gentiles of Westbrookville; four grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 9 at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 East Main Street, Port Jervis, with the Rev. A. Robin Martineau officiating.
Cremation will be made at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa.

Florence Dalby
Homemaker, 69

Florence Dalby, a homemaker of Livingston Manor, died Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 69.
The daughter of Avery "Toot" and Florence Helms Welch Sr., she was born May 27, 1937 in Livingston Manor. She was a friendly, fun loving person, very devoted to her children, family and animals.
Survivors include her mother, Florence, of Livingston Manor; two sons, Leonard S. Dalby of Woodbourne and James Fischer of Florida; three stepchildren, Daniel Dalby, James Dalby and Theresa Argyroudis; three brothers, Avery "John" Welch of Livingston Manor, Alfred Welch and his wife, Joan, of Florida, and Richard Welch and his wife, Loraine of Livingston Manor; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edmond; her father; and two brothers, William and Leonard.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, 29 Pearl Street, Livingston Manor.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Bonnie Pinto will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Lew Beach Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Community, P.O. Box 289, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759.