Harriet Margaret Pirich of Monticello, a homemaker and lifelong resident of the area, died peacefully Friday, March 4, 2011 with her family by her side. She was 85.
The last surviving child of the late Stephen J. Murran Sr. and Jennie Felter Murran, she was born February 25, 1926 in Monticello.
In her younger years, Harriet was an operator for New York Telephone, where she met her future husband of 65 years, Charles, who predeceased her on June 29, 2010. She attended St. Peter’s Parochial School, graduated from Monticello High School and was a member of St. Peter’s Church, Monticello. A harness racing enthusiast, Harriet was known for her sharp wit and being the bright light of her family.
She is survived by a son: Charles Pirich Jr. of Monticello; three daughters: Susan Pearl and her husband Don of Endwell, NY, Linda Hulse and her husband Terry of Monticello, and Jennifer Frederick of Wurtsboro; four grandchildren: Tara, Brian, Julie and William; five great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Harriet was predeceased by four sisters: Genevieve M. Case, Kathryn Case, Julia Voelkers and Helen “Honey” Deutsch; and three brothers: Stephen Murran Jr., John Murran and Charles Murran.
Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 8 at noon at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, Inc., 401 Broadway, Monticello.
Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com
Connie “Oma” Blackman
Retired Waitress, 82
Connie Blackman, a former waitress for the Monticello Raceway and Concord Resort Hotel, died Saturday, March 5, 2011 at her home in Monticello surrounded by her family. She was 82.
The daughter of the late Jack and Louise vandenBussche, she was born January 28, 1929 in The Netherlands.
A loving wife, mother and adoring Oma to her grandchildren, she cherished family, fun and laughter, which kept her forever young.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years: Bernie Blackman, at home; two sons: Fred Miller and his wife Nancy of West Milford, NJ, and Glenn Blackman and his wife Fern of Fishkill; four grandchildren: Amanda, Casey, Alex and Lindsey; two sisters: Mary Coort and her husband Dirk, and Roos Vos, all of The Netherlands; her in-laws: Mary vandenBussche, Shirley Kaufman and her husband Dave, Myrna Anderman and her husband Frank, Joyce Katzman and her husband David, and Marilyn Blackman; and many nieces and nephews, both here and abroad.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister Elsie; and two brothers: Harry and Joe.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello. Family and friends are also invited to gather on Sunday, March 13 from 1-5 p.m. at the home of Glenn and Fern Blackman in Fishkill.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com
Chauncey “Buddy” Newkirk
Chauncey “Buddy” Newkirk, a lifelong resident of Wurtsboro passed away quietly on Friday, March 4, 2011.
The son of the late Charlotte Beatrice LeFever and Percy Borrows Newkirk, he was born May 28, 1920 in Otisville.
At age 17, Bud was drafted into the U.S. Army and was placed in the 495 Engineers Co., unattached and unassigned. He served in Leyte-Luzon and Australia, receiving five medals including the Bronze Star. He was instrumental in the formation of the Mamakating Bicentennial Group, and the Rock Hill and Wurtsboro Fire Departments. He belonged to the Veterans Firemen’s Association of Middletown and was also a former member of the Middletown Elks, the Sons of Italy, Teamsters Local 210 and the Mamakating Historical Society.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Rose Piccino Newkirk whom he married on September 11, 1948; a sister: Justine VanBuren; and a son-in-law: Michael Dolan.
He is survived by his daughters: Toni Haley and her husband Jack, and Charlotte Dolan and her daughter Caitlin Rose; his wonderful sisters-in-law: Rita Malatesta and Elizabeth Piccino; and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much; and his faithful cat Bama.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 180 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro with Fr. Peter Madori officiating.
Interment of his ashes will be held at the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a local charity of one’s choice.
“It’s been a nice life and I enjoyed almost all of it.”
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com
Adam M. Baker
Formerly of Callicoon Center, 35
Adam M. Baker of Clanton, Alabama, formerly of Callicoon Center, entered into eternal rest this week, after complications following a successful kidney transplant, and a lifelong battle with kidney disease.
Adam was born on August 18, 1975. His beloved mother, Denise Mootz of Callicoon Center, predeceased him in 2001. Adam’s father Harvey Baker and his wife Marilyn survive in Colorado. Adam was the grandson of the late Alice (Wagner) and Gerald Mootz, of Callicoon Center, and the great-grandson of the late Adolph C. Wagner and Wilma (Poley) Wagner of North Branch and Lillian (Hahn) and Fred Mootz of Callicoon Center.
Adam is survived by his siblings and their families: Harvey and Joy Baker, Jennifer (Ross) Kik, Andy Lee Ross, Ben Kautz and Kristy Baker. Adam loved being an uncle to all of his siblings’ children.
Adam is also survived by his aunts and uncles and their families: Susan and Daniel Naughton of Callicoon Center, Jack Mootz of Callicoon Center and Cindy, and Gerald “Skip” and Pat Mootz of Poughkeepsie; his grand-aunt and grand-uncle Joy (Wagner) and John Klemm of Bogota, NJ; and many cousins and friends in New York and Alabama, and a church family at Glad Tidings Church in Clanton, Ala. Adam will be greatly missed by his very special dog, Isaac.
Adam will be remembered by all who knew him as a very giving person, who loved the Lord, his family and his friends. Adam was a big Mets fan who never stopped believing in his team. Adam never let his health problems stop him from having fun and helping others. He spent most of his time working with his church, coaching kids, and helping battered women.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made to the Amazin’ Adam Memorial Fund, c/o 72 Victor Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The fund will strive to keep Adam’s memory alive for years to come, by supporting the causes he cared about, especially Glad Tidings Church, battered women, youth sports, and cancer research.
Memorial services will take place in Alabama.
