Malatino remembered as fair-minded and a gentleman
Former Cortlandt town planner dies at 74

by Rick Pezzullo
Gerald Malatino, a longtime Cortlandt resident who oversaw a lot of the development in town during his 15 years on the Planning Board, died May 22 at his Devonshire Court home.
He was 74.
A moment of silence will be held in Malatino's memory at next Tuesday's Town Board meeting.
"He was truly interested in the community. He was always willing to work with anyone," said Gustave Allmacher, who served with Malatino for several years on the Planning Board.
"He was one of the true gentlemen of the political era that I grew up in," added Allmacher from his St. Croix home. "He was a good man who was willing to straddle the fence."
Malatino served as a planner from September 1981 to December 1996. He was chairman of the board throughout 1996.
"Gerry was an important and frank voice on the board. He had a no-nonsense approach to every application and gave a perspective that I'm not sure exists on the current board," said current Planning Board Chairman Steven Kessler, who served with Malatino for seven years.
"He was a very strong advocate for the applicant, which isn't a bad thing," Kessler said. "He adapted very well to some very significant changes on the board."
Even after leaving the Planning Board, Malatino kept abreast of town affairs and often visited Town Hall, according to Deputy Planning Director Ken Verschoor.
"I think he was a great chairman and a terrific member of the Planning Board who for many years carefully considered the public's concerns and the applicant," Verschoor said. "He considered all sides of the issues. He was very fair minded and he'll be very much missed."
Malatino was born October 4, 1931, in Hackensack, New Jersey, to Carmen and Helen Acquavella Malatino. He graduated from Hackensack High School in 1950.
After a year at Horace Mann Prep School, he attended New York University in 1952, then transferred to Penn State, where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in liberal arts. At Penn State, he played football under coach Joe Paterno.
He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957 and was inducted into the Hackensack Sports Hall of Fame.
Malatino worked for 31 years as a human resources specialist for International Paper before retiring in 1996.
Another passion of Malatino was the Hendrick Hudson Lions Club, which he was a member for more than 25 years, serving at times as president and secretary.
He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the Knights of Columbus.
Malatino is survived by his wife, Judith; one daughter, Cathleen Ann Malatino Alex; one son, Thomas James Malatino; one brother, Frank Malatino; one sister, Lucille Bora; and four grandchildren, Julie, Caitlin and James Alex, and Valerie Malatino.
He was predeceased by one son, Gerald Malatino Jr., two daughters, Christine and Carol, three brothers, Joseph, Guy and Frank Malatino, and three sisters, Nancy Vaccaro, Anna Manzo and Rose Malatino.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Christopher's Church. Burial followed at Assumption Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hendrick Hudson Lions Club, earmarked for the VCB Fund, PO Box 45, Montrose, NY 10548.

Mary Capicotto: lifelong Verplanck resident

Mary Capicotto, a lifelong resident of Verplanck, died June 3.
She was 85.
Mrs. Capicotto was born December 13, 1920, in Verplanck, to Dominick and Concetta LaGotta Letteri.
On September 29, 1938, she married Eugenio Capicotto at St. Patrick's Church in Verplanck.
Mrs. Capicotto was a homemaker and a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Mount Carmel Society in Verplanck.
She was an adored grandmother and great-grandmother who taught her grandchildren love and kindness and shared with them her precious values on life.
She is survived by her three children, Anthony Capicotti, Eugene Capicotto and Laura Capicotto, all of Verplanck; one sister, Theresa Pagliaro, of Verplanck; six grandchildren, David DiBari, Michelle Bonnes, Nichole Kelly, Anthony Capicotti, Michael Capicotti and Gina Capicotti, and nine great-children.
She was predeceased by her husband, Eugenio.
A Funeral Mass was held at St. Patrick's Church in Verplanck. Interment followed at St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Patricia Rice: Peekskill resident

Patricia J. Rice, a lifelong Peekskill resident, died May 31.
She was 79.
She was born January 13, 1927, in Peekskill to Samuel and Jennie Seymour Duncombe.
She worked as a telephone operator in Peekskill and throughout Westchester County, retiring in 1989. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Pleasantside Chapter # 241.
Mrs. Rice is survived by her children, Timothy, Charles and Patricia (Tom Cullen) Rice; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, in 1967, and brothers Clemen and Jack Duncombe.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Church of the Assumption in Peekskill, followed by interment at Hillside Cemetery.

Robert "Corkey" Hoyt: Ossining resident

Robert A. Hoyt, a resident of Ossining, died June 1.
He was 73.
He was born in Ossining June 19, 1932, to Edward and Anne Hoyt.
Mr. Hoyt worked for the Briarcliff School District and as a self-employed painter. He was a sergeant in the Marines Corps and served during the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by his son, Robert; daughter, Mary Ann; brothers Steve and Donald; and sisters Margie O'Toole, Edith DeSilva, Barbara Hoyt and Debra White.

Theresa Carey: Yorktown resident

Theresa Carey, a resident of Yorktown, died June 2.
She was 79.
She was a founding member of the Helvetian Acres Women's Club, as well as a member of St. Patrick's Mothers Guild, Yorktown Elks Auxiliary, Yorktown Seniors Club, and many other organizations.
Mrs. Carey was born November 16, 1926, to Rose and Daniel Coleman. She had nine brothers and sisters, all of whom predeceased her.
On June 15, 1946, she married Joseph Carey.
Mrs. Carey lived in Yorktown for the past 50 years, the last 15 years at Jefferson Village, where she had many friends.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph; her children, Patricia of Verplanck, Thomas (Jessie) of Sidney, New York, Scott (Kathy) of Shrub Oak, and daughter-in-law Susan of Beacon, as well as a number of foster children she took care of. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Old St. Patrick's Church in Yorktown. Burial followed at Amawalk Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.

Ann Rygel: Cortlandt resident

Ann B. Rygel, a 20-year resident of Cortlandt, died June 5 at Hudson Valley Hospital.
She was 92.
She was born June 13, 1913, in the Bronx to George and Mary (Legert) Bergstrom.
She was a member of the Cortlandt Senior Citizen Club and a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.
She is survived by her children, Joseph (Juliet) Rygel of Levittown, Patricia (Bert) Richter of Miami, Florida, and Laura (John) Ponzio, of Trumbull, Connecticut; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in December 1983.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at the Church for the Assumption in Peekskill, followed by burial at St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx

Charles Absenger: former Buchanan resident

Charles W. "Charlie" Absenger, a former longtime Buchanan resident, died May 3 at home with his family in Nokomis, Florida.
He was 89.
He was born July 30, 1916, in New York City to Carl and Cecilia (Spanner) Absenger.
He married Mary Kollmeier of Buchanan, on October 26, 1947, and resided in Buchanan before moving to Florida in 1986.
Mr. Absenger served in the Air Force during World War ll in the South Pacific as a fighter pilot, and also in the Korean War. He proudly served his country and retired a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force Reserve. He was a member of American Legion Post 159 in Venice, Florida. He worked for Westchester County as deputy director of Civil Defense/Emergency Services until retiring in 1977.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; one daughter, Eileen of Buchanan; and one grandson, Michael Adams of Buchanan.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Tide Well Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238, or the charity of your choice.

Anna Tramaglini: Croton resident

Anna Tramaglini, a longtime Croton resident, died June 5.
She was 89.
She was the widow of Damiano Tramaglini, who died in 1991.
She was born April 11, 1917, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
She is survived by one son, Lawrence, of Port Ewen, New York; one sister, Margaret Sutolovic, of Croton; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Good Shepard Chapel in Croton, with burial following at Bethel Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 400 King Street, Chappaqua, NY 12514.

John McHale: Montrose resident

John J. "Whitey" McHale, a resident of Montrose, passed away peacefully to God at the age of 79.
He retired from Seafarers International Union after more than 40 years at sea.
He is survived by a loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Theresa (nee Delaney); two children, Laura (Bill) Davin and John J. McHale, Jr. (Marie); and two grandchildren, Jared and Carol Davin.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Christopher's Church. Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery

Memorial Mass for Rudolph Machacek to be held Saturday

A Memorial Mass for Rudolph F. Machacek will be held Saturday, June 10, at noon at St. Patrick's New Church on Moseman Avenue and Hanover Street in Yorktown.