Former fire chief always lending a hand
By Scott Cornell
scornell@ncnlocal.com
A longtime Yorktown resident and ardent member of the Yorktown Heights Engine Company passed away on Sunday, Jan. 31, with his family by his side.
Seymour Samuels was the town’s fire marshal and served as fire chief in 1964 and 1965. He was 81 when he died.
Despite his age, Samuels was extremely active within the fire department community, said Chief Martin McGannon.
“He helped out at the carnivals, participated in fundraising, came down during our Santa runs and helped prepare food for guys in the morning,” McGannon said.
“From guys that have been in the fire department for many years to the younger guys, he was well-known and well-liked and a stranger to nobody.”
Samuels served as part-time fire marshal for the town. His responsibilities included the fire inspection of commercial establishments to ensure everything was compliant with state code, McGannon said.
He was a co-owner with his father of the Harsey Electric Company in Yorktown for many years and was the current president of the Engine Company Benevolent Association.
Before joining the Yorktown Fire Department in 1949, Samuels served in the United States Navy during the Korean War on the U.S.S. Bushnell as an electrician’s mate. He remained an active member of the fire department for the past 61 years.
Samuels is survived by his wife Alice, three daughters Renee, Sandra and Sheryl, two sons, Michael and Gary, and seven grandchildren who all called him “Honey.”
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Clark Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the funeral home, 2104 Saw Mill River Road, with interment to follow at Amawalk Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Putnam Humane Society, P.O. Box 297, Carmel, NY 10512; and Yorktown Heights Engine Co. #1, PO Box 13, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.
Roberta Y. Arminio
of Ossining
Roberta Y. Arminio, a lifelong resident of Ossining, passed away Feb. 1.
Her parents are Austin and Irene Yerks. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Thomas A. Arminio, son Thomas Austin Arminio of Yorktown, daughter Kathy A. Bajek of Pittsford, N.Y., son Robert J. Arminio of Briarcliff Manor, son John F. Arminio and twin brother Lt. General Robert G. Yerks. She is the loving grandmother of Thomas, Sean, Chelsea, Austin and Alexandra; and has many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Col. Austin J. Yerks and sister Virginia L. Cooney.
Roberta was a graduate of Ossining High School, Class of 1946. She was also a Regent of the Mohegan Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, Executive Director of the Ossining Historical Society Museum, Town and Village of Ossining Historian, Past President of American Legion Auxiliary, Past President of Briarcliff Nursery School, member of Sleepy Hollow Country Club, recipient of many historical and civic awards and communicant of St. Ann’s Church.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday and Thursday, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Dorsey Funeral Home, 14 Emwilton Pl., Ossining. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church. The Interment will be private, family only please, at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ossining Historical Society Museum would be appreciated.
John P. Alterio of Pleasant Valley
John P. Alterio, of Pleasant Valley, passed away on Jan. 26 at Westchester Medical Center with his loving wife and soul partner, Kimberlee, and his children, Francine, John and Melissa at his side. He was 71.
He was born on Dec. 17, 1938 in Peekskill, the son of the late John Joseph and Angela Marie (Mincio) Alterio. He was retired from New York City Transit Authority and Wackenhut Nuclear Security at Indian Point. He was associated with the East Fishkill Boy Scouts, progressing from Cub Master to Assistant Scout Master to NIMHAM Program Director. He also managed all ages of East Fishkill Little League, from 1975-1985. He was an avid golfer and loved the outdoors, including hiking, hunting and camping. He served with the United States Navy from 1957 – 1961. On Oct. 22, 2002 in Las Vegas, he married Kimberlee A. (Horton) Alterio.
In addition to his wife Kimberlee, survivors include his children: Francine Colvett and her husband Wayne; John P. Alterio Jr.; Melissa Alterio, step son, Devon Morse and his wife Mary; grandchildren Michael Colvett, Eren Colvett, Sarah Alterio, John Alterio, Kelsea Keene, and Madison Morse; and great grandchild, Jordan Carter Colvett. He is also survived by his sister, Angie Alterio; several cousins and his favorite aunt, Mary Santulli.
Funeral service was held, at the Bangall United Methodist Church, Bangall, NY with Rev. Steve Knutsen officiating. Interment will follow in the Stanford Cemetery in Stanfordville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are request to the Bangall United Methodist Church Bangall, NY 12506. Funeral arrangements were handled by Peck & Peck Funeral Home, Pine Plains. To sign the online register please access www.peckandpeck.net
Kenneth Alan
McCracken of Ossining
Kenneth Alan McCracken of Ossining passed away on Jan. 29. He was 75.
He was born in Ossining on July 6, 1934 and was the son of Dr. George K and Effie McCracken. He was a graduate of Ossining High School and played on the football team where he was known as the “The Big Red Machine.” Upon graduation, he played semi-pro football for a year. Bruno was a retired employee from Barclay Bank and B.N.Y. in Ossining. He was a 52-year member of the Ossining Fire Department (Steamer Co.) and was a former Captain.
He is survived by his wife Ronnie and his sister Jean Schweizer, eight nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass was celebrated at St. Augustine’s Church. Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The funeral arrangements were handled by Dorsey Funeral Home in Ossining.
In lieu of flowers donations to Gilda’s Club, 80 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605 would be appreciated.
Eleuterio “Eddie” Martinez of
Cortlandt Manor
Eleuterio “Eddie” Martinez, a Cortlandt Manor resident for over 20 years, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 27. He was 78.
He served in the United States Army from 1952-1960. Eddie worked for over 30 years as an electronic technician for the Techicon Corp in Tarrytown.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Mock-Yen; his three sons and daughter: Raul, Eduardo, Juan and Carmen Martinez. He also leaves behind one sister: Aurelina Arroyo, 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Of all his passions in his life, he had a love for his Bible. The family will receive friends Sunday, Jan. 31 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the E.O. Curry Funeral Home, Peekskill, where a funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 1, followed by interment in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY.
William L. Tinsley
of Peekskill
William L. Tinsley, a life-long Peekskill resident, died Jan. 28. He was 49.
He was born in Peekskill on Sept. 19, 1960, son of Carolyn Cannady and the late Wilbert Tinsley. His mother survives him at her home. He was a graduate of Peekskill High School, where he played on the school’s varsity football team and reached all county in 1970. He worked as a crane operator for the Waste Management Company in Peekskill for the past 10 years.
Along with his mother, he leaves behind to cherish his memory his three children: William Tinsley, Jr., Camille Tinsley, Brittney Tinsley; and his brother Darryl and his sister Carmelina Tinsley. His longtime companion Edwina Mack, his two grandchildren Naseer Johnson and Jae’lynn Barnes and godson Ta-Shawn Simpson, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive him. He was predeceased by two of his brothers. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and has been touched by him.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Feb. 4 from 4 – 6 p.m. at the E.O. Curry Funeral Home, 313 North James Street, Peekskill, where a funeral service will be offered for at 6 p.m.
Evelyn P. Rodak
of Verplanck
Evelyn P. Rodak, a Verplanck resident, died on Jan. 30. She was 71.
She was born in Peekskill on Feb. 19, 1938, the daughter of Peter Rodak and Gladys Ferris. She graduated from the Peekskill High School, class of 1956. In 1957 she married Anthony T. Bonavita, Jr. at the Church of the Assumption, Peekskill. The marriage ended in divorce. She was a longtime employee at Shop Rite, Peekskill, working as a cashier and a customer service manager, retiring in 2000. She was a communicant at the Assumption Church where she served as a CCD religious education teacher. She enjoyed playing bingo with her friends and flower and vegetable gardening.
She is survived by her daughter Vanessa R. (William) Jones, son Richard Bonavita, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A sister Anna Hongach and a stepfather Richard Nelson also survive. She is predeceased by her son Anthony T. Bonavita, III, brothers Peter, John and George Rodak, and a sister Janet Gallaher.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Assumption Church. The Interment followed at Assumption Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were handled by Dorsey-Carlone Funeral Home, Peekskill. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Louis J. Spost, Jr.
of Cortlandt Manor
Louis J. Spost Jr., a life-long Cortlandt Manor resident, passed away Jan. 30. He was 81.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corp. He worked for forty years as a car salesman at the Geis Auto in Cortlandt Manor. He had a love for many things, such as his trips to the Yonkers Casinos, Dunkin Donuts, and bingo with his daughters.
He is survived by his five children: Steven Spost, Louis (Leslie) Spost, Karen (Thomas) Hines, Linda (Michael) Hines, Debra (Ralph) Pasacrita; he is also survived by his brother-in-law John (Cory) Borchert, 16 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His wife Patricia and son Robert predeceased him.
Funeral arrangements and services were handled by E.O. Curry Funeral Home, Peekskill, followed by interment in Assumption Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor.
Glenn Barber
of Somers
Glenn Barber, of Somers and former longtime resident of Yorktown Heights, died on Jan. 28. He was 84.
He worked as a financial director for St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers before retiring in 1990. He was a member of the American Society of Quality Control Engineers. He was born in 1925 in Duluth, Minn. to Albert and Florence Barber. He graduated from White Plains High School in 1943 and received a Master’s in Business Administration from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. in 1947, and he and his wife, Florence, were married at Grace Church in White Plains.
Locally, he was a member of the Heritage Hills Men’s Club and was also a member of the Fairways Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. He will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, enjoying fishing, gardening and bird watching and was a gifted self-taught artist and woodworker. He was an avid golfer who was especially proud of his recent hole-in-one at Fairways Country Club in Florida. He will be most remembered as a man of his word and for his love for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Florence: his daughter Lynn Peters; his son and daughter-in-law Bruce and Jean Barber; and his granddaughter, Emily.
A celebration of Mr. Barber’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6 at noon, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 39 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations maybe made to Church of the Good Shepherd, Memorial Garden, 39 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, N.Y. 10527.
Warren E. Stahl
of Ossining
Warren E. Stahl, a former chief of police in the Village of Ossining, died Feb.1, at Phelps Memorial Hospital.
Chief Stahl was born Jan. 18, 1925 in the Bronx to Louis and Elizabeth (Frede) Stahl.
He attended city schools and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1942 at which time he enlisted in the military service. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps’ 4th Division as a combat radio operator throughout the Pacific Islands, including Iwo Jima. At war’s end, he was stationed in North China with the 6th Division for six months. Upon discharge, he was employed by the New York Telephone Co., which he left in 1959 to become a police officer. In 1949, Warren married Marion von Hasseln and resided in Ossining since. He was an avid golfer, tennis player and scuba diver.
He is survived by his wife Marion (von Hasseln) and was predeceased by his daughter Patricia Cito on July 27, 2007.
Visiting hours will be held at the Dorsey Funeral Home in Ossining on Friday, from 2-4 p.m. only. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at St. Ann’s Church at 10 a.m. The interment will follow at St. Augustine’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Hermina (Mien) B. Zaaijer, formerly of Croton-on-Hudson
Hermina (Mien) B. Zaaijer passed away on Jan. 30 at her home in Crugers after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. She was 91.
She was born in Avereest, Netherlands on Oct. 18, 1918. She arrived with her family in Croton-on-Hudson in 1961 when her husband, working for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, accepted a job transfer from Amsterdam to New York. Over the years, she developed many interests. She was active in the Girl Scouts as a troop leader, was president of the Women’s Club of Ossining, a longtime volunteer at the Montrose Veterans’ Hospital, a member of the Garden Club and chairperson of the United Fund Drive of Westchester. She was an accomplished jewelry maker, painter, knitter, an avid reader and animal lover.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years Marinus; son John Zaaijer and daughter-in-law Ann Keenan Zaaijer; daughter Elisabeth Zaaijer Power; grandson Liam John Zaaijer; and granddaughter Emma Elisabeth Zaaijer.
A memorial service will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Funeral arrangements were handled by Edward F. Carter, Montrose.
Dorothy C. Nadramia of Cortlandt Manor
Dorothy C. Nadramia, a long time Cortlandt Manor resident, died on Jan. 31. She was 81.
She was born in New York City, the daughter of Harold McEvoy and Della McGurty. She was married to George F. Nadramia, Jr. on Dec. 3, 1950 at Holy Cross Church, New York City. He predeceased her in December 2004.
Nadramia was employed as an usherette at various New York City Broadway theaters. She was a former communicant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, NYC and presently at St. Columbanus Church, Cortlandt Manor. She was an avid bingo player who enjoyed attending bingo games with her friends. She was a loving and devoted daughter to her mother Della, who she cared for in her later years. She will also be remembered for her caring love and affection for her family.
She is survived by her two daughters, Dorothy M. Iriarte and Carol A. (Gerry) Roggemann, and her son George (Peggy) Nadramia. Six grandchildren Michael, Stacey, Cristen, Caitlin, Elizabeth and Christopher; and five great grandchildren Alyssa, Anthony, Lauren, Jamie and Matthew also survive. She is predeceased by her husband and brother Harold McEvoy, Jr.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Columbanus Church Thursday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. Cremation to follow is private. Visiting at the Dorsey-Carlone Funeral Home, 1100 Cortlandt Street, Peekskill on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society and/or your local ASPCA would be appreciated.
