Bernard Gordon, 88
February 8, 1923-February 9, 2011
Bernard “Bernie” Gordon, 88, of Mongaup Valley died Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Catskill Regional Medical Center.
The son of the late Harry Gordon and the late Mollie Bold-Gordon, he was born February 8, 1923 in Brooklyn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Ferber-Gordon.
Bernie was a volunteer member of the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department, and a member of Cornell Cooperative Extension for over 35 years. Bernie graduated Boys High School in 1940. In 1941 he studied engineering at Pratt Institute. From 1942 to 1943 he worked for the U.S. government in aircraft fabrication. Bernie enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, where he served as an Aviation Metalsmith. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946, at which point he co-founded, with his father Harry and brother Marvin, BHM Metal Products Company, a tool and die metal stamping plant in Brooklyn. In the family business, Bernie worked as a tool and die engineer, an inventor, and an entrepreneur. In 1956, Bernie relocated the plant to Mongaup Valley, where he and his family successfully and continuously manufactured metal products that can be found in spacecrafts, aircrafts, rockets, medical equipment, laboratory equipment, ships, and many other technologies. Those metal products were manufactured for the United States Department of Defense directly, as well as for prime and sub contractors like General Electric Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, and Quickway Metal Fabricators. During the last few years of Bernie’s life, he worked with his family to continue and expand the family legacy for the fourth generation.
He was predeceased by his sole daughter, Claudia Gordon, and two nephews, Stephen Gordon and Randy Gordon.
He is survived by two brothers, Samuel “Sam” (Adele) Gordon and Marvin “Mo” (Shirley) Gordon; a brother-in-law, Norman (the late Joan) Ferber; three sons, Robert David Gordon, William Henry (Sally) Gordon and James “Jim” Scott (Star) Gordon; three grandsons, Jonathan Harry Gordon, James “Jamie” Charles Gordon and Jacob Harrison Gordon; five nieces, Sharon (Ze’ev) Keisch, Barbara (Berry) Cohen, Lori Gordon, Jayne (Rob) Wall and Elise (Rick) Roseman; one nephew, Gary Ferber; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 13 at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 388 Broadway, Monticello, NY.
Burial with military honors followed, at Temple Beth-El Cemetery in Bethel.
Funeral arrangements are under direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home. www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com
Murray Cohen, 85
June 21, 1925-February 13, 2011
Murray Cohen, 85, of Destin, Fla., a lifelong resident of Monticello, passed on Sunday morning, February 13, 2011, in Destin. The son of Israel and Anna Cohen, he was born June 21, 1925 in Kovel, Poland.
Murray lived in Monticello for 65 years and devoted his life to serving others while holding many leadership positions in various Sullivan County organizations. His service to the country began when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Murray attained the rank of Corporal, flew as a radioman/gunner on the Douglass Dauntless SBD (dive bomber) as he battled in the skies over the Pacific in WWII. It was this type of aircraft that sank four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway and turned the tide of battle in the Pacific theatre. As part of the Second Marine Division, he fought in the battles of Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. Upon his return to Sullivan County, he married the former Shirley Newberg, sister of Judge Benjamin Newberg, in Congregation Ezrath Israel Synagogue, Ellenville. He served on the Fallsburg police department, and later became a steamfitter with the UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in Newburgh, where he spent the bulk of his professional career.
He helped build many industrial sites around America. As a Master Steamfitter, he was responsible for overseeing the construction of many buildings in the Hudson River Valley, including those at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Stewart Army Air Field, and the Indian Point Nuclear Reactor. In Sullivan County, he was currently serving as the Jewish War Veterans Mountain District Council President and was also a past commander of Jesse Brams Post #206 in Monticello. He was also a Past President of the Monticello Masonic Lodge, and an active member of the Shriner’s and Elks.
He was a big supporter of the Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, and a leader in Sullivan County politics as a Republican Committeeman for the Town of Thompson, helping to elect many local and state candidates.
He enjoyed spending time in Destin, Fla., his winter home, and with his children and grandchildren.
Murray is survived by his wife Shirley of 57 years; his daughters, Janice and Shari; and son Michael; sons-in-law David and David, and daughter-in-law Shirley. He was ever so proud of his six grandchildren, Alan, Carla, Matthew, Shellie, Danielle, and Mackenzie. He was predeceased by his brother Victor and sister Doris.
Funeral services will take place at noon on Wednesday, February 16, at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 388 Broadway in Monticello. He will be laid to rest at the Anshe Hurleyville Cemetery, Creamery Road in Hurleyville.
Donations in Murray’s honor may be made to the Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. For additional service details or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com
Robert E. Morlang Jr., 50
Robert E. Morlang Jr. of Stony Point serenely passed away from a heart attack that occurred while on a winter camping trip he was participating in as a troop leader for his treasured Boy Scouts. It was as if he stepped from his snowshoes and walked on through the gates of glory. He was 50 years old.
During the entirety of his life, Robert served others through his work with the Masons, the Eastern Stars, the Boy Scouts of America, the Big Brothers organization and various other charitable and volunteer groups too numerous to mention. Lending assistance to anyone in need was the hallmark of Robert’s life, whether stranger or cherished friend, and he will be sorely missed by those fortunate to have known this outstanding human being.
Bob was also a 29-year member of the Delaware Hunting Club in Westbrookville, becoming a third generation member in 1982. He was Master of the Delaware Lodge #561 F&AM in Callicoon.
He is survived by his loving parents, Robert and Dolores; his sister Beverly (of Memphis); “little brother” Carl Jaigobind (of Washington, DC); and dear friend Vickey Mara (of Poughkeepsie). Other beloved family members include Judy Post, John Dick, Steve Rendle, Linda Gale Yell, and Greg and Jessica Yell. Some comfort may be found in the knowledge that Robert passed away in beautiful, pristine surroundings, doing something he loved to do. He was without pain and friends surrounded him at the end.
Visitation will be held at the Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home in Stony Point, NY, on Wednesday, February 16 from 7-9 p.m. and Thursday, February 17 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 18 at the Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 73 North Liberty Drive, Stony Point, NY 10980 (845) 786-3500.
Larry Edward Orcutt
Retired Shop Teacher, DVCS, Callicoon, 65
Larry Edward Orcutt of Callicoon, a longtime area resident and a retired shop teacher for Delaware Valley Central School in Callicoon, died Sunday, February 13, 2011 after a long illness. He was 65.
The son of Elizabeth Hinegardner Orcutt and the late Charles Bernard Orcutt, he was born April 11, 1945 in Ithaca, NY.
He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Hinegardner Orcutt of Florida; his loving wife of 45 years, Jane Gurley Orcutt; two sons, Steve and his wife Sherry of Fairport and Doug and his wife Laura of Virginia; four grandchildren, Matthew, Connor, Dylan, and James Orcutt; a brother, William Orcutt and his wife Nancy and a sister, Beverly Barnes and her husband Robert, all of Florida; several nieces and nephews; and his mother-in-law, Beth Gurley.
There will be no visitation.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, Hortonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, PO Box 15, Hortonville, NY 12745 or to Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 695, Harris, NY 12742.
