Franklin Van Ginhoven
Railroad Worker, 79

Franklin Martin Van Ginhoven of Gibsonton, Fla. died March 16, 2008 at his home in Florida, after a brief illness. He was 79.
Franklin was born on April 2, 1928 in Carlstadt, N.J. and grew up in Queens. He was the third of six children of Jack and Louise (Herde) Van Ginhoven. His family moved to Acidalia in 1947 where his parents ran a dairy farm.
Franklin graduated from Newtown High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1947. He worked for the Erie, Erie-Lackawanna and Conrail railroads as a trackman, brakeman, and conductor for 41 years.
After his retirement he and his wife, Elva (Gillette) moved to Florida to live out their golden years. They were married for 50 years when Elva predeceased Franklin on December 8, 2005.
Franklin is remembered by his family and friends as being a hard working individual. He had a knack for telling stories and will always be remembered for his generosity, and wonderful sense of humor.
He is survived by his children Paul and Chris (Lynch) Van Ginhoven of Jefferson, Eileen Bernitt of Corning, Mike and Rachel Gustina of Corning, Franklin (Sam) and Sarah (Acone) Van Ginhoven of Gibsonton, Fla. and Tim and Kristin Hall also of Gibsonton, Fla.; grandchildren, Kenneth Bernitt, Jr.; his devoted caregiver and companion, Richard Van Ginhoven, Paul Van Ginhoven, Joseph Desiderio, Jennifer (Bernitt) DeLaCruz, Rebecca (Bernitt) Riznyk, Melissa (Van Ginhoven) Hyde, Lynette (Beach) Mills, Billie Jo Van Ginhoven, Sam Van Ginhoven, Megan Hall, Corey Hall and Daniel Gustina; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Franklin was predeceased by his wife, Elva Mae (Gillette) Van Ginhoven; son, Richard Van Ginhoven; son-in-law, Kenneth Bernitt Sr.; and his best friend, Dinky.
A memorial service will be held at his home at 11122 Mark Hamilton Drive, Gibsonton, FL 33534 on March 23 with a reception to follow after the service.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Resident Activity Fund, Steuben County Health Care Facility, 7002 Mt. Washington Rd., Bath, NY 14810 or the ASPCA.

Eileen Lynch, 88

Eileen Ann Lynch, 88, passed away on March 19, 2008 at her home in Smallwood, NY with her family by her side.
Born on January 29, 1920 in the Bronx, she was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah Murphy.
She graduated from St. Athanasius Grammar School and attended Hunter College High School.
On April 25, 1945 she married George S. Lynch at St. Athanasius Church in the Bronx. Her loving husband George predeceased her in 1990.
Eileen was kind, gentle and patient. She was a devout Catholic who dedicated her time to helping others. She was a past member of the Altar Rosary Society and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Among all her other activities, she loved gardening, baking and music.
Eileen is survived by her loving children; daughter Geraldine and life-partner Christine; daughter, Neelie and son Timothy; her beloved daughter-in-law Karen; her adoring grandchildren, Bridgette and husband Michael Morgan, Michael and wife Suzie Lynch, Tanya and husband Jim Byrnes, Samantha and husband Marcos Lanfernini, Erin, Veronica and Jessica Lynch. She was blessed with 5 great-grandchildren, Dominic, Alexa, Mikey, CJ and Gavin.
She also leaves behind her loving sister, Catherine McGuire of Old Bridge, NJ, and sister-in-law Lorraine Lynch of Florida; god-daughter and loving niece Mary C. and her three sons, Brian, Daniel and Kevin. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her tender-hearted son, Christopher; sister, Marion; brothers, George and Richard; sisters-in-law Kay and Lou; brothers-in-law, Jerry, Benny, Walter and Jack; and nephew Jay.
In Eileen’s own words, “Mazel-Tov – It’s a Boy.”
She was a wonderful, unforgettable and loving woman.
Calling hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Sat. March 22, 2008 at the Giove Funeral Home, 1000 Middle Country Rd, Selden, NY 11784.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday March 24, 2008.
Burial will be made in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY.

Richard Joseph Musa
“BLADERUNNER”
Trucker, 63

Richard Joseph Musa of Monticello, known to the trucking community as “Bladerunner”, went home to heaven after a long illness, on Monday, March 17, 2008. His wife, Oneida (Holyroller), was at his side. He was 63.
Richard, a native of Brooklyn, was the son of the late Joseph and Julia Hajjar Musa and was born in July 28, 1944. He was a long-time resident of Sullivan County. His early years were spent in the Boy Scouts, where he learned the work ethic and strength of character for which he was known all his life. He enlisted in the Army at age 17 and was one of the youngest men in Special Forces (Green Beret), jumping out of planes and working with demolitions. He was always proud to be an American.
After driving trucks for over 20 years, Richard opened the Bladerunner Knife Company in Montgomery. He worked alongside his first wife, Sonia, who predeceased him several years ago. His business was an outstanding success and his garrulous voice was heard on CB radios throughout the country. “Bladerunner” was considered a friend to thousands of drivers all over the USA, who benefited from his humor, wisdom and kindness. He was filled with common sense, and helped all who needed it. Many drivers have said that they knew they were “near home” once they heard his familiar voice on the CB radio.
Richard loved life, crossword puzzles, and especially the music of his hero, Bob Dylan. He could recite many of Dylan’s songs by memory and would sing them for friends and family. Richard met and married his bride of only two years, Oneida, and they lived in peace in their cottage on Sackett Lake with their little dog, Domino. Before he re-married, Richard came into full communion as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He died in the arms of Jesus.
Richard leaves behind many friends and family members. He is survived by his wife, Oneida Musa, at home in Monticello. In addition, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Veronica Musa of Neversink; and his five grandchildren, Danielle, Brendan, Skylar, Jaclyn Rose and Rebecca. He will always be remembered by his two stepdaughters, Oriana Barish and Mikaela Barish, both of Nyack, who loved him dearly.
A Memorial Mass will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Forestburgh on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 11 AM and will be followed by a gathering of friends and family at Renee’s Hot Stuff Deli at the truck stop at Montgomery.
Memorial contributions in Richard’s Memory may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church 36 Forestburgh Rd, Forestburgh, NY 12777, or live Easter plants may be sent to the family home for transplantation at a later date in a memorial garden.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral homes Inc. Monticello.

Franklyn R. Smith
Ret. Kodak Company, 47

Franklyn R. Smith of Webster and formerly of Cochecton, a retiree of Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, died Wednesday, March 19, 2008 in Rochester. He was 47.
He was the son of the late Franklyn and Marie Smith.
Survivors include his loving companion, Patricia Collins and her family, Maureen (George) Goodwin, Daniel (Carol) Collins, Michele Collins, Terrence (Lisa) Collins, Christine (Dick) Huether and Kathleen Collins; his two brothers, Andrew Smith and his wife, Linda and Matthew Smith and his wife, Dena; and several nieces and nephews, Jeremy, Douglas, Meghan, Heather, Adam and Albert.
He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Timothy Dobell.
Friends may call Monday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 5068 Rt. 52, Jeffersonville.
Services are at 1 p.m. at the home.
Burial will be made in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Narrowsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.