Pasquale E. “Pat” Salimeno, 1st Sgt. USMC Ret., of Masten Lake, NY, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, surrounded by the loving care of his devoted wife Joyce and treasured friends Lurline, Burieigh, Lori and the amazing staff of SNU at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, NY. He was 81.
He was born May 18,1928 in Westerly, Rhode Island to the late Anthony and Julia Kemmer Salimeno and was raised with two younger brothers, Ronald and Kenneth, both deceased.
Pat served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948 until retirement in 1970. Tours of duty included Viet Nam and Korea and he was awarded the Purple Heart for combat injuries in Korea on August 12, 1950. Other military awards included Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation and Expert Badge in Rifle. He was selected by the Headquarters Marine Corps to be the first military advisor to the Seabees in Davisville, Rhode Island in 1961 and served in that capacity for 4 1/2 years. The Seabees then bestowed the unusual honor of awarding the title of Honorary Seabee. Following military service, he began a 22-year career with the State of New York, originally with the NYS Alcohol & Drug Control Commission and, once that program ended, with the NYS Correction Department, retiring in 1992.
Pat was Past President of the Masten Lake Sports Association, a member of the Calabrese Society of Westerly, Rhode Island, Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, Fleet Reserve Association, VFW Wurtsboro Post and the Purple Heart Hall of Fame.
He loved the home and life he and Joyce shared for 32 years, and was well-known for his gardening expertise along with fishing and collecting lures, flies and tackle along with the incredible stories of his experiences during his much loved military career.
Survivors include his beloved wife Joyce Lowe Salimeno at home, and their cherished pet, Nikki; his sister-in-law, Martha Salimeno; son David; daughter Carol; and three grandchildren; a niece, Marcy; and nephew, Craig; and cousins, Marge, George and Virginia. Pat and Joyce were blessed with many devoted friends and the outpouring of love, kindness and caring during Pat’s illness became a gift beyond measure and will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway, Monticello, NY, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., followed by services with the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard and the NYS Honor Guard, beginning at 2 p.m. Close friend, the Rev. Paul Case, will officiate. Cremation will be private. Private interment of the cremains will be made in the North Branch Heavenly Rest Cemetery, North Branch, NY, with Pat’s in-laws, Helen and Kenneth Lowe.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Pat to the CRMC Foundation, Salimeno SNU Special Fund, P.O. Box 800, Harris, NY 12742.

Harold B. Bjorklund
Ret. Director, SC Dept. Weights & Measures, 87

Harold B. Bjorklund of Pinellas Park, Fla., formerly of Long Eddy, Callicoon, and Mileses, died on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Gracewood Nursing Home. He was 87.
The son of Charl and Ida Hinder Bjorklund, he was born in Long Eddy, NY, on October 7, 1921.
Mr. Bjorklund graduated from Long Eddy High School in 1939, where he played football and baseball, and ran track with the Callicoon High School. He graduated first in his class from the State of New York Maritime College in Fort Schuyler in 1942, and was awarded an inscribed watch. As an Ensign Officer-in-Charge, he delivered the tug U.S.S. Squanto via the inland waterway to Cuba. He continued to serve the Navy as Lt. Navigator, Damage Control Officer, on the U.S.S. Ancon (AGC-4) and U.S.S. Panamint (AGC-13), communication command ships in the invasions of North Africa, Scoglitti, Sicily, Salerno, Italy and on the latter ship, Okinawa. After the Japanese signed the surrender on a neighboring ship, he returned home and purchased a farm.
He was the retired director of the Sullivan County Dept. of Weights and Measures. He was supervisor of the Town of Fremont from 1954-55, director of Callicoon Cooperative Insurance, and a member of the Delaware Valley School Board and the Cornell Cooperative Extension. He was a member of the Kiwanis, a member and treasurer of the Callicoon Volunteer Fire Dept., and a member of the United Methodist Church of Fremont Center. His favorite role was as caretaker and treasurer of the Long Eddy Cemetery Association, where his funeral service and burial will be.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pearl Bjorklund; a daughter, Lois Lukas of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a son, Dr. Robert Bjorklund and his wife Anna and their three children, of Sweden; and two nephews, Timothy Esolen of N.C. and Thomas Esolen of Liberty, NY. He was predeceased by a son, Richard; a sister, Helen Esolen; a niece, Michele Karadontes; and a nephew, Charles Esolen.
Before leaving the area, he donated the land for the ballfield to the Town of Fremont, now named Bjorklund Field in the family’s honor.

Raymond J. Herrmann
Ret. Heavy Equip. Oper., 78

Raymond J. Herrmann of Callicoon, NY, a retired heavy equipment operator with Local #825, Newburgh, NY and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, NY. He was 78.
The son of the late Richard and Katherine Yurachek Herrmann, he was born March 11, 1931 in the Town of Fremont, NY.
In his early life, Ray worked the family farm in Roscoe with his beloved brothers and sisters. He continued working the farm until the passing of his mother in 1970. He was also involved as a heavy equipment operator in the construction of many major highways and buildings. His leisure time was devoted to hunting and outdoor activities that he loved so much.
He was a graduate of Roscoe High School, a life member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of the Liberty Elks Lodge #1545.
Survivors include one brother, Richard J. Herrmann and his wife Jeanne of Delmar, NY; one sister, Sylvia Sheridan of Tamarac, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Rudolph J., Robert J., and Ronald J. Herrmann; and one sister, Adela Kalankiewicz.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe, NY.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Frances Waite will officiate.
Burial will be made in the Fremont Center Cemetery, Fremont Center, NY.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Fremont Center Community Church, c/o Elizabeth Peters, Peters Rd., Callicoon, NY 12723.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Roscoe, NY. 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200, www.Harris-FH.com