COURTeSY PHOTO | Martha Granskog

Martha Granskog, who lived on Shelter Island from 1997 to 2011, passed away February 26 at the age of 102 at San Simeon Nursing Home, where she resided for almost three years.

Mrs. Granskog (nee Bränn) was born April 3, 1911 in the Swedish-speaking part of Finland, where she attended Swedish schools and maintained Swedish customs. She married Karl August Granskog in 1935, who built a small farmhouse in Norrnäs, where they later settled with their two children, Susie and John. With no job opportunities at home, Mr. Granskog came to the United States to find work in 1939, and was not able to return to Finland because of the onset of World War II. During the short summers and long harsh winters in Finland, Mrs. Granskog faced many challenges running the family farm and caring for her children.

In bitterly cold temperatures, she shoveled paths to the barn and outhouse through six-foot snowdrifts. She fed and milked the cows every day, delivered their calves and cleaned the barn. She sheared the sheep, spun and dyed the wool and made sweaters, socks and hats for her family. She wove countless rugs, curtains and blankets, tended the vegetable garden, and canned blueberry, strawberry and lingonberry preserves. She continually stoked the fire in the wood stove to cook, bake and heat the house.

After the war, Mrs. Granskog was eager to join her husband in the United States but felt she could not leave her mother behind.

With the money Mr. Granskog made as a carpenter and heavy construction worker in New York City, he sent cigarettes and coffee to Finland, where both were in high demand. Mrs. Granskog was delighted to treat her family and friends to coffee in her home, but sold most of it and the cigarettes at a lucrative price on the black market.

Upon her mother’s death and after not seeing her husband for 13 years, she sailed for America with her children in 1952. Mr. and Mrs. Granskog resided in Manhattan until 1969. From there they moved to Stratford, Connecticut where they took great pride in their cul de sac home and large garden. In 1992, they moved to Ramsey, New Jersey to be near their daughter and then followed her to Shelter Island in 1997.

After the death of her husband in 2004, she moved into her daughter’s home in Silver Beach. In her later years, Mrs. Granskog received Meals-on-Wheels, and was always happy and grateful to see the smiling faces of Tippi and Al Bevan, Marshall Numark, Jennifer Bouissey and other delivery volunteers. Nicknamed Santa Martha by her son-in-law Alexander Lange, she was always cheerful, had a hearty laugh and never complained about anything.

In addition to her husband of 69 years, she was predeceased by her four younger siblings, who remained in Sweden and Finland. She is survived by daughter Susie Lange of Shelter Island; son John Granskog (Marit Granskog) of Naples, Florida; granddaughter Kristina Lange of Shelter Island; grandson Robert Lange (Beverly Lange) of Oakland, New Jersey; and grandson Glen Granskog (Karla Granskog) of Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Christopher Lange, Kal Lewis, and Lauren, Tyler, and Caden Granskog; and her cat Merlin.

Donations can be made in Martha Granskog’s memory to the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church.

COURTESY PHOTO | Bronson O’Reilly

Bronson O’Reilly died on November 23, 2013 with his wife and children at his side. He was 93. Although slowing down in recent years, he was still exercising, keeping up with events and storytelling until the final 10 days of his life, his family said.

Bronson was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on April 1, 1920. In 1923, the family moved to Shelter Island when his father was hired as caretaker at Sylvester Manor. His mother Mary (Meehan) and father Luke were Irish immigrants and he had two brothers, Luke and Gil.

Bronson graduated from Shelter Island High School in 1937 and after much frustration looking for work in New York City, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1938 and trained as a meteorologist. On December 7, 1941, he was stationed at the Kaneohe Naval Air Station in Oahu when the Japanese attacked this air base first and eight minutes later, the ships at Pearl Harbor. During the attack, he and two of his mates, using Springfield rifles, shot down the only Japanese plane lost in the attack on Kaneohe.

During the war, he went on many flights over the Pacific into enemy territory to study approaching weather  patterns and typhoons. As a result of these flights, he was awarded the Naval Air Medal and a commendation by President Truman. As the war went on, he made a commitment to himself that, if he survived, he would do all he could to promote a world without war.

He had an unwavering moral compass, his family wrote, that guided him and impressed people he touched through his business, political and personal life.

After the war, he studied political science at Colgate University, graduating in 1948. Soon after, he met Lillian Scheideler while she was vacationing on Shelter Island and they wed in 1949.

As a Democrat representing Suffolk County, Bronson made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Congress in 1956. A strong advocate of education, he ran on the issue of the U.S. falling behind the Soviet Union in educating engineers and scientists.

Bronson and Lillian and their growing family moved to Washington State for seven years, before settling with their eight children in Santa Barbara, California in 1964.

Starting in the early 1950s, Bronson was a sales representative and later an executive and entrepreneur, importing and inventing typewriters and business machines. He was a regular traveler to Japan and ended his career developing the Sierra typewriter and marketing it in the U.S., selling the patent in 1985 to JUKI and retiring as president of JUKI USA.

He had a soft spot for fellow travelers. He brought home hitchhikers, some new friends he may have met at a café, or a heavily laden cyclist with a foreign flag on his pack. There were so many visitors, his family said, including 20 graduating high school students from Oregon, a Cuban theatre company, four young French engineers, Peace Walkers, Australian walkers and even the first lady of Nicaragua.

He loved to share stories, especially about his childhood on Shelter Island where he caddied for 85 cents a game, trapped muskrats and sold the skins to Sears Roebuck for $1 each and worked at the Chequit Inn to help support the family after his father’s death when Bronson was 14 years old.

Over the years he felt very connected to the Island and his many friends. He put together his class’s 50th high school reunion even though he was living on the West Coast. After retirement he made many trips to the Island. It was like he had never left, always welcomed with open arms, his family said.

Bronson is survived by his wife Lillian, his children Kevin (Jean), Maureen (Murray), Colleen, Shannon (Ninoska), Rory (Laura), Tara, Siobhan and Cathlin (Peter); 20 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held at the Santa Barbara Mission on November 27. A celebration in memory of Bronson’s life was held on New Year’s Eve 2013 at the family’s home.

Cassie Bliss
Cassie Bliss died on May 18, 2014 at her home in Manhattan. She was 28 years old. 

COURTESY PHOTO | Cassie Bliss

Ms. Bliss spent summers on Shelter Island from the time she was an infant. She learned to swim on the Island, and it was a place of joy for her. She worked for many summers at Coecles Harbor Marina.

Her family remembers Ms. Bliss as warm, happy, loving and loyal, beloved by all who knew her. A a graduate of Hunter College, Ms. Bliss was a loving and caring teacher at the International Preschools.

She was the daughter of Alicia and Richard Bliss. Predeceased by her father, she is survived by her mother and siblings Jackie, Rick, Steve, Laura, Alyssa and Sara, and nieces and nephews Clara, Tucker, Charlie, Sam, Ella, Julia, Ana, Elliott and Liv.
Her family said she will be missed more than words can possibly express.

Louise M. Green
Louise M. Green, 95, of Waterville, New York passed away Monday, May 5, 2014 at her home.

COURTESY PHOTO | Louise M. Green

She was born April 6, 1919 in West Winfield, New York, a daughter of Lewis and Florence Jones Bellamy, and was educated in Waterville schools.

On March 20, 1937, Louise married Jason Green in Waterville. He predeceased her on May 1, 1985.

Louise was a homemaker who devoted her life to caring for her family.

Surviving are her children, Henry Green of Waterville; Jason and Louise Green of Shelter Island; Eleanor and Robert Holmes of Bridgewater, New York; Harvey Green of Waterville; Alice Williams of Yakima, Washington; Fred Green of New Hartford, New York; Rosemary Green of Schenectady, New York; and Ruth Green of Shelter Island; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Elwyn, Robert and Lloyd Bellamy; two daughters, Leola Hymes and Louise Williams; daughters-in-law, Donna Green, Linda Green and Esther Green; grandsons, Daniel Green and Brian Holmes; and granddaughters, Elmira and Clarissa Hymes, and Taraja Borawski.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Southgate Ministries Church in Waterville, followed by interment in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Clinton, New York.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, New York 13413

To send a condolence and sign the “Book of Memories” online go to burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.

Remembering Peter
Gerry McLoughlin would like to invite friends and neighbors to the scattering of ashes of Peter Meister, on Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. at the landing at the south end of Menantic Road. Mr. McLoughlin said, “I know that Peter was a very well-loved man and friend to many on the Island and I want all to have an opportunity to show him a good send off.”

Roy Weickert of Shelter Island, 96, passed away on May 28, 2014. Mr. Weickert was a World War II veteran.

Born April 3, 1918 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Mr. Weickert married Anna Julia Hensel on August 27, 1939. After they retired to Shelter Island over 39 years ago, he became involved in many facets of the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church’s organizations and social functions.

Mr. Weickert worked at Mercks Pharmaceutical Company as a pipe fitter until he retired at age 62. He loved to fish, play cards and enjoyed wood working and work in his garden and yard.

He was predeceased by his wife; his parents, Frederick and Louisa Weickert; his sister, Clara Rogers; both his brothers, Frederick and George Weickert; and his youngest son, Alan Weickert. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Roy and Sharon Weickert and Gary and Rose Weickert; daughter-in-law Carolyn Weickert; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held on Saturday, May 31 at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, followed by a funeral service there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Roy Weickert to the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 612, Shelter Island, NY 11964, or Shelter Island Ambulance Fund, Box 547, Shelter Island, New York 11964.

COURTESY PHOTO | Audrey Ward Smithers

Audrey Ward Smithers passed away this past May.

Known to all as “Audi,” sometimes “Naughty Audi,” she was the woman with the twinkling ice blue eyes and quick sense of humor, a friend said. She was a recognizable force driving around the Island in her big, old Cadillac, which also happened to be the exact color of her eyes — she never wanted to be missed!

Audi was a friend who loved fiercely. She passionately enjoyed Dixieland jazz, dancing, sharing stories and laughing with the people she loved. Audi was a volunteer driver for the Island’s Meals on Wheels program and by far one of the most generous people you’d ever meet, a friend wrote.

After selling their  home on Peconic Avenue and moving to Naples, Florida a few years ago, she would often say during a phone conversation, “The sky is Shelter Island blue today.” You could take the girl out of the Island, but you couldn’t take the Island out of the girl.

A large part of Audi’s heart was filled with Shelter Island memories — from early childhood Sunday teas with her mother at the Manhanset House to lunches at the counter in the pharmacy. To the day she and the love of her life, her husband Phil, moved away, Audi always held the Island dear.

She will be sorely missed by her many Shelter Island friends. We are all blessed for having known her.

CAROL LOPER

Carol Loper
After a two-year battle with cancer, Carol Elizabeth Towl Cayatte Loper passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 2, 2014.

Born October 4, 1940 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Florence Sayre Towl and Burr Ackley Towl, Carol grew up in Westfield, New Jersey and summered in the family summer home in Dering Harbor. Carol was a 1961 graduate of Cedar Crest College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

She moved to Shelter Island in 1975 when she remarried and remained an Islander until her passing. In 1975, she went to work for George’s IGA until her retirement in 2010.

Upon arriving on the Island, she became a member of the Shelter Island Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary and was an active member for 39 years. Carol was also an active member of the Mitchell Post 281 American Legion Auxiliary.

Along with her love of reading and crossword puzzles, she developed a love of golf and after becoming a member of the Shelter Island Country Club, she would constantly be seen on the course or at local tournaments with her sister Barbara and their friends.

Carol is survived by her two daughters, Christine Cayatte Brown of Shelter Island and Dr. Suzanne Cayatte of Clearwater, Florida; a sister Patricia Jones of Newton, New Jersey; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two nieces and a nephew.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 20 at 1 p.m. at the Shelter Island Fire Department, followed by a celebration of  her life. All are welcome.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978; Shelter Island Fire Department, P.O. Box 500, Shelter Island 11964; or American Legion Mitchell Post 281, P.O. Box 2021, Shelter Island 11964.

Albertus ‘Toots’ Clark, Jr.
Albertus Clark, Jr., known to everyone as “Toots,” died peacefully July 6, 2014 at home.
There will be a full obituary in next week’s Reporter.

COURTESY PHOTO | Dr. Milton L. Levine

Dr. Milton L. Levine

Dr. Milton L. Levine, 84, of Elmont, New York and Shelter Island, passed away on July 10, 2014.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Eileen; adored sons Dr. Benjamin (Mindy), Dr. Daniel (Myrna) and Arthur Levine Ferrante (Anthony); and eight cherished grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Florence Goodman.

Born in Brooklyn to Samuel and Lillian Levine, Milton attended Tilden High School, received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Columbia University in 1950, and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1954. He interned in surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital and then served two years as the medical officer and adviser to the Jewish Chapel Squad at West Point.

Returning to New York City, Milton completed his training in medicine at New York University and a fellowship in gastroenterology on the Cornell Service at Bellevue Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering.

He was in the first class of applicants to obtain board certification in the then-new subspecialty of gastroenterology. Milton was a passionate physician who truly loved his work. He practiced internal medicine and gastroenterology on Long Island for nearly 50 years, including many years as chief of gastroenterology at Franklin General Hospital. He developed an endoscopic technique to treat achalasia that is still popular today and published several articles on the subject.

Milton served on the faculty of Long Island Jewish Hospital and was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and a past president of the Long Island Gastroenterology Society.

He was an enthusiastic singer from his undergraduate days as a member of the Columbia Kingsmen, an a cappella group, to his many years as a member of the Franklin Trio. No family gathering was complete without a performance of show tunes by Milton. He loved a good joke and a bad pun, his family said. He was also an avid tennis player and outdoorsman, enjoying windsurfing, sailing, swimming and running in the annual 10K on his beloved Shelter Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the Perlman Music Program, or a charity of your choice. A chapel service was held on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 12 noon at Jewish Memorial Chapel of Long Island at 46 Greenwich Sreet, Hempstead, NY.

Albertus “Toots” Clark Jr

Albertus ‘Toots’ Clark Jr.

Albertus “Toots” Clark Jr., at the great age of 99, passed away peacefully at his home on Smith Street the evening of July 6, 2014.

Toots was born on February 9, 1915 in Centerport, New York, the second oldest son of Isabelle Nichols Clark and Albertus (Bert) Clark Sr. At the age of nine he and his two brothers and two sisters moved from Northport to Shelter Island with their parents when Bert Clark began his job as caretaker for financier Otto Kahn at Kahn’s Mashomack estate. Toots attended and graduated from school on Shelter Island. He worked at the Greenport Shipyard building PT boats and served in the Navy during World War II as chief boatswain mate.

An avid bayman with a great love for the water, Toots was familiar with every creek, harbor and tide of Shelter Island and surrounding waters. His knowledge of boats and boat engines was amazing. He was a licensed boat captain and worked for L.W. Hench for 30 years and is well-remembered for his service on the Firefly.

Toots was a member of the Shelter Island Town Planning Board for 10 years and a member of the Conservation Advisory Committee for 15 years. He is well-remembered for his devotion and support for the Mitchell Post 281 American Legion. He was instrumental in the building of the bowling alleys there, which continue to provide winter recreation for Shelter Island for more than 50 years. He set up headquarters for the Shelter Island Democratic Club in the early 1960s during the John F. Kennedy presidential campaign.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of more than 65 years, Elizabeth Yvonne (Latimer) Clark. Upon retirement he and his wife “EY” traveled extensively, including a trip around the world to China, Mongolia and a train ride across Asia on the Trans-Siberian Railway nearly 30 years ago.

He was a devoted husband and father, supporting and teaching the ways of the waters to his children. He is survived by his son Dennis Clark and his wife Ellen; his daughter Penny Kerr and her husband John; grandchildren Greg Clark and his wife Ana, Becky Clark, Amanda Clark Nissen and her husband Greg, Jacob Kerr and Micah Kerr and his wife Sarah; great-grandchildren Julia, Sophia, Isabella and Christopher; and a long list of nephews and nieces.

Toots was predeceased by his parents, Bert and Belle Clark, brothers Ed and Bucky Clark of Shelter Island, and sisters Helen Worm and Alice Ketcham of Florida. He was the last remaining member of that generation of Clarks.

A glance at the local phone directory gives an idea of how large an extended family the Clark family is. A family tradition for the Clarks’ clambake was to have the oldest living relative taste the first clam when the bake was opened. Toots was honored with tasting that clam for many years and will be missed by generations of his family. He always had a story to tell, always had a warm welcome and a smile.

As a fitting tribute to his early life growing up at Bass Creek, surrounded by Mashomack’s plentiful wildlife and bountiful waters, there will be a special Memorial Remembrance at the Mashomack Manor House on Monday, August 4, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m. Interment was private.

The family suggests that any contributions be made to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978; Mitchell Post 281 American Legion, P.O. Box 2021, Shelter Island 11964; or the Nature Conservancy/Mashomack Preserve, P.O. Box 850, Shelter Island 11964.

MARY LAURA JOHNSTON

Mary Laura Johnston passed away on June 27, 2014  in Reseda, California after a short illness. She was 87.

Mary was born in Greenport. She was married twice and had four children.

Mary was an L.P.N. who worked at Eastern Long Island Hospital for many years while residing on Thomas Street on Shelter Island. Then she moved to California where she worked and retired from Cedars Hospital in Los Angeles.

She was predeceased by her son, Robert W. Jones, and is survived by her three children, Walter G. Jones of Warren, Ohio; Daniel L. Jones of Southold; and Christine Johnston-Utley of Canoga Park, California.

She also is survived by her brother, William Edgar of Gilford, New Hampshire. She leaves behind nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Saint Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in West Hollywood, California on July 26. Her final resting place will be on the Island in the Saint Joseph Garden of  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.  A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at 1 p.m.

Mary Louise Yoder Hicks

Mary Hicks

Mary Louise Yoder Hicks, 90, died August 4, 2014 in Newton, Massachusetts, where she resided at an assisted living community.

From 1987 to 2013, Mary Louise lived in Williamsburg, Virginia with her husband of 50 years, Harry L. Hicks Jr., who predeceased her in 2013. They lived in Kingsmill and at the Williamsburg Landing.

Prior to that, Mary Lou and Harry lived on Shelter Island and in Manhasset.

Born November 14, 1923 in Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania, to Lesse Blosser and Joseph D. Yoder, Mary Lou had an Amish and Mennonite heritage. Her family moved to Larchmont, New York where she attended Mamaroneck High School. She majored in piano performance at Syracuse University, graduating in 1945.

In 1949, she earned a master’s degree in music from the Yale School of Music.

Before she married in 1961, Mary Louise taught piano at the Moravian Seminary for Women in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and at Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Missouri. She lived in New York City during the 1950s where she worked for the Congregational Church, Good Housekeeping, Columbia Artists Management and Tiffany & Co. During that time, she also spent a year living in Florence, Italy, and traveling in Europe and then South Africa.

Mary Louise was known as a talented pianist and piano teacher. She taught both children and adults in Manhasset and on Shelter Island. She shared her love of music with friends and family, who often enjoyed impromptu performances in her home. Mary Lou organized and led the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church’s first hand-bell choir. With others, she co-founded the Shelter Island Friends of Music, which continues to bring classical musicians to the Island. She enjoyed singing with the Williamsburg Women’s Chorus and playing with the Sanctuary Ringers of the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, where she was a member. She was a board member of the Williamsburg Chamber Music Society, as well as a frequent accompanist at church and community events.

Wherever she lived, Mary Louise was an active volunteer and community member. She served as Deacon and on various church committees on Shelter Island and in Williamsburg. She was a literacy tutor for many years and a regular volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels.

With her family, Mary Lou enjoyed golf, boating and travel. In 1976, she and Harry took their children across the country in a motor home. They later navigated the inland waterway from New York to Florida in their boat, Gulliver, and traveled to Africa, Europe, Antarctica and China. For her grandchildren, Mary Lou planned family reunions at the Outer Banks, North Carolina, where everyone could enjoy time together by the ocean.

Mary Louise was devoted to her immediate and extended family. She is survived by three children and their spouses: Lisa Hicks and Elliot Swan of Wellesley, Massachusetts; Tom Hicks and his wife Susan of Port Washington, New York; Jon Hicks and his wife Julie of Chicago; and by step-daughter Andrea Sato and her husband Thomas of Wilton, Connecticut. She had nine grandchildren: Eli and Peilin Swan, Benjamin, Phoebe, Harrison, Ian and Medjenski Hicks, and Lucia and Alex Sato. Mary Louise was pre-deceased by her parents and her brothers Joseph D. Yoder Jr. and John B. Yoder.

A memorial service celebrating Mary Lou’s life will be held on September 13, 2014 on the Island. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Shelter Island Friends of Music, P.O. Box 193, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

Lorraine Hopler

Lorraine Ann Sheehan Hopler passed away on July 27, 2014 at home, with her daughters by her side.
Lorraine was born September 10, 1930 in College Point, Queens, to Mabel Familton Sheehan and James W. Sheehan. She was the youngest of three children. At the age of 17, Lorraine graduated with honors from Flushing High School and began her first job in New York City for Equitable Life Insurance Company.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1949, she married Raymond Hopler of Rockaway, New Jersey. They lived there for a short time, then purchased their first home in Levittownin 1952, and moved there with their daughter, Amy.

For much of her life Lorraine was a homemaker and avid volunteer. She worked tirelessly at her parish of St. Bernard’s in Levittown. She developed and managed a busing system that picked up hundreds of children for weekly religious education classes. She was a member of the Rosary Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America and a counselor for Jr. Catholic Daughters.

In 1956, Ray and Lorraine, who had spent part of their honeymoon at Peconic Lodge, bought their summer home on Shelter Island. Lorraine enjoyed summer afternoons spent on Louis Beach with many other moms who became lifelong friends while their children attended Red Cross swimming lessons.

Having wanted more children, Lorraine felt extremely blessed when their second daughter, Carrie, was born in 1970.

In 1987 they sold their Levittown home, closed Ray’s business and retired to their beloved Island.

Lorraine worked for several years as a member of the retreat team at St. Gabriel’s Spiritual Center for Youth, affectionately called “Grandma” by hundreds of young people whom she counseled there. She also volunteered for events at St. Gabriel’s and was privileged to serve her parish of Our Lady of the Isle as a Eucharistic Minister, religious education teacher, reader, server and in many other roles, until the end of her life.

Lorraine is remembered for her warm smile. She was an avid reader and gardener. She and Ray loved traveling with family, first in their station wagon and then in an RV, camping at historic sites and parks and visiting their way across the U.S. They enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota, Florida for more than 20 years and frequented Disney World as often as she could convince a group of family and friends to make the trip. In recent years, she enjoyed the fellowship and food at the Dinner Bell program for seniors.

And most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; brother James Sheehan and sister Ruth Langdon; and her loving husband Raymond (Rusty) of 59 years. She is survived by her daughters, Amy Martin and partner Ian of Greenport; Carrie Wood and husband Craig of Shelter Island; grandchildren Greg Martin, Samantha Martin Idle and husband Charles, Audrey and Owen Wood; and great-grandchildren Jessica, Cody and Joshua Idle, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at our Lady of the Isle on Friday, August 1, 2014, with Father Peter DeSanctis officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Isle Parish Outreach, P.O. Box 3027, Shelter Island Heights 11965 or the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation, P.O. Box 547, Shelter Island 11964.

Carol Stroll Larsen

Carol Stroll Larsen passed away quietly at home in Manhasset on July 30, 2014 after a brief illness.

She was 78.

She is survived by her husband, Leslie H. Larsen Jr. of Manhasset; her daughter, Kari Larsen Pedone; grandchildren, Maddie and Ellie; and her aunt, Gloria Hegeman of Vero Beach, Florida. She was the daughter of the late Dr. George and Helen Stroll of Shelter Island.

Carol Larsen graduated from St. Mary’s in Garden City in 1954 and RolRollins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1958. She was director of publicity for Peck & Peck and served as president of Les Paniers (The Baskets). She was a member of the Nassau Country Club and listed in the 1968-69 edition of “Who’s Who of American Women.”

A service was held at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church on August 4, 2014 with interment in the Emily French Memorial Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Rollins College Fund, Winter Park, Florida.

Frances J. McBrian

Frances J. McBrian of Meredith, New Hampshire passed away at the age of 93 on July 20, 2014.
Frances was born in Washington, D.C. in 1920.

She was predeceased by her husband John E. McBrian in February 2000. John was the son of Ingrid McBrian and a previous resident of Montclair Colony and Silver Beach.

Frances is survived by her son Wayne McBrian and his wife Susan of Meredith; her daughter Donna Landi and her husband Vincent of Wyckoff, New Jersey; and her niece Dale MacCutcheon of Boca Raton, Florida.

Frances was a proud grandmother of four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Frances will be buried in Shelter Island Cemetery with her husband and other McBrian family members on September 20, 2014.

Linda W. Strahm of Shelter Island died at home on September 16, 2014. She was 70 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic church by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery.

A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of the Reporter

COURTESY PHOTO
Linda Strahm

On the morning of September 16, 2014, Linda Strahm passed away in her home on Silver Beach surrounded by her daughters and husband, Edward Strahm. She was 70 years old.

She was born Linda S. Williams on April 8, 1944 in Manhassett to Norman R. Williams and long-time Silver Beach resident Constance ‘Toady’ Richardson Williams. Her grandparents, Stewart and Grace Richardson, had also lived in Silver Beach. Linda was raised and schooled in Port Washington.

She would concentrate the better part of her life to raising her three beloved daughters, Virginia Garofalo, Constance Pedone and Margaret Iannucci.

In 2003 Linda and Edward fulfilled their dream of retiring to Silver Beach, building a house next door to her only brother, Michael Williams. Linda enjoyed the local community life, her family said, where even a visit to the hardware store or a “dump run” can be a social event.

Her family remembers her as a “diabolical” card player and a master of “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune.” But her true passion was baseball. During her years in Port Washington, she avidly pursued not just the game, but many of its players, considering certain celebrated Mets her friends.

She brought that same passion to the Island and bestowed it upon “her” Bucks, becoming, for a time, their first official scorekeeper if not their Number One Fan.

Linda leaves her devoted husband, Edward; her brother Michael; her daughters and their families, Virginia and Joe Garofalo with Taylor; Constance Pedone with Michael and Megan; and Margaret and Vincent Iannucci with Melissa, Ashley and Tiffany.

A funeral mass was held at Our Lady of the Isle on Saturday, September 20. A second memorial will be held in Port Washington in the future. Linda’s remains will be interred in the Richardson family plot atOur Lady of the Isle Cemetery.

REPORTER FILE PHOTO| Bridge Street in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

When it comes to the prospect of a hurricane striking Shelter Island, some people resort to crossed fingers and/or prayer.

Police Chief James Read, however, has a plan.

The odds seem to be in Shelter Island’s favor that a hurricane will be a nonevent for the autumn of 2014.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s data indicates there’s a 70 percent chance of a “below normal” Atlantic hurricane season this year. But that also means there’s a 30 percent chance Mother Nature visits the Island in an extremely ugly mood.

As emergency management coordinator for the Island, Chief Read gave a report to the Town Board Tuesday on preparedness for a hurricane or other potential natural or man made disasters.

He also had a new idea. Citing reliable and rapid communication as one of the essential tools to save lives and property during an emergency, Chief Read proposed adopting a system called “CodeRed,” run by a Florida based company, Emergency Communications Network.

CodeRed is a web-based emergency notification service that contacts residents with important information and directions through multiple platforms, including voicemail, texts, email, social media and a mobile alert app.

All residents within the 911 area could be reached via phone, or could contact the Police Department requesting other ways of getting information through CodeRed. Chief Read noted that this not only would benefit those on the Island when a dangerous situation arises, but second homeowners, for example, could receive information before coming to the Island. This would mean less people here and on the roads for first responders to deal with in managing the situation.

CodeRed can also be used for any emergency management situation, including chemical spills, terrorist threats, drinking water contamination, power outages and police work, such as a missing child or hostage situations.

The cost is $2,000 annually, and Chief Read said he would be including that figure in his budget to present to the Town Board for 2015 funding.

In February the town hosted a course on shelter operations and management for town and school staffs as well as Fire Department and Emergency medical Service personnel.

Emergency operations will be run out of police headquarters, but the basement of Justice Hall has been designated as an alternative center. Chief Read said that plans to make the space operational were about 85 percent completed.

The process is almost complete, the chief said, to receive government grants for new generators at Town Hall, police headquarters, Justice Hall and the American Legion Hall, where the old Police Department generator will be installed.

AGNES ALBINSON

Agnes Albinson
Agnes Abrahamsen Albinson of Tinton Falls, New Jersey died on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at home after a short illness. She was 90 years old.

Mrs. Albinson grew up in Tea­neck, New Jersey and was married when she was a freshman in college to John Robert Albinson, then an ensign in the Naval Air Corp. After the war and three children, she returned to earn her degree from William Paterson University where she was elected to the Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi. All her children attended the graduation. She taught handicapped children and remedial reading and had two more children.

As a full-time Island resident, Agnes became active in the Women’s Community Club and the Garden Club of Shelter Island. She was an avid duplicate bridge player and a member of the Red Hat Ladies’ Society.

Agnes was predeceased by her husband, John R. Albinson, and her daughter, Mary Dunlap. Surviving are her four children, R. David Albinson of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Diane Keeler of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey; Laura Loomis of Taos, New Mexico; and John R. Albinson Jr. of Port Jefferson; and 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Thursday, October 23 at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch, New Jersey. Burial was private at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Cemetery on Shelter Island.

Letters of condolence can be sent through damianofuneralhome.com.

DAVID A. ROBERTS

David A. Roberts
On October 17, 2014, David A. Roberts, age 47, of West Hartford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.

At his side were his wife, Ada Rodriguez, whom he proclaimed was the “love of his life” and his two adoring sons, Nicholas, 12, and Christopher, 8.

He was born on June 28, 1967 in New York City, the beloved son of Alfred and Henrietta Roberts and the adored brother of Jane Roberts and Gina Kraus, all of Shelter Island. His greatest pride and joy was his family, whom he loved deeply.

Over the past two years, David endured a valiant journey with brain cancer with great dignity and courage. His journey was no different than the way he lived his life. He accepted his prognosis and decided to learn more about the fragility, spirituality and meaning of life, or “truths” as he would call them. “Sempre Avanti … keep moving forward” was his motto, which gave strength to all who surrounded him with love and support.

Known affectionately as “Uncle D,” David was unique in so many ways. His friends and family agree he was delightfully and slightly off-the-wall in the best way possible and was wildly himself in a world that tries to be everything but itself. He loved music, knew how to rap any beat, and would break into song and dance at the most unpredictable moments. He made people laugh loudly with his impersonations and accents, lighting up any room he entered with his creative energy. He was an awesome guy in the most unassuming of ways, his family said.

David graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Fordham University and spent most of his career in advertising. He worked at WDRC in Hartford, Connecticut and ventured into his own advertising business, MAZ MEDIA, in 2010. He used his humor and artistic eye to create many advertisements for local businesses.

He is survived by his mother-in- law, Geraldine Rodriguez of El Salvador; his brother-in law, Ken Kraus; and his nephews and nieces, Evan Kraus, Eric Kraus, Thomas Spotteck, Nina Speece and great-niece, Mackenzie Speece. He is also survived by his best man and best friend, Steven Kraus. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 21 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford. A Funeral Mass and Christian burial was held at Our Lady of the Isle Church on Saturday, October 25.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for his family at davidrobertsfamilyfund.com.

KEITH SURERUS

Keith Surerus
Keith Surerus passed away October 16, 2014 on Shelter island. He was 37 years old.

Keith is survived by his mother Cecilia, his father Paul, stepmother Noelle, brother Brett, nephew Jackson and sister-in-law Kelly, and step-siblings Matthew Kast and Michelle McBride.

Keith grew up on Shelter Island and worked here as an adult. He worked many places on the Island but was most passionate about his art. In his typically generous spirit, he gave most of his art to those he loved. His paintings and drawings can be found in many homes around Shelter Island, which made him extremely proud. He was a fierce friend, brother and son.

The family invited the community to celebrate his life on Saturday, October 25 at the Lynch-Hyatt home.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation, P.O. Box 547, Shelter Island, N.Y. 11964.

Katerine Nicklin

Katherine Nicklin (née Aronson), social worker, inspirational leader of Quaker organizations and loving mother, aunt and grandmother to three generations of Nicklins and Berners, died peacefully on August 19, 2014, at her beloved home on Shelter Island, where her extended family had gathered to care for her and each other.

Born July 17, 1924, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of successful milliner and entrepreneur Emma Rudolphi Aronson and her husband, Sam Aronson. Always a brilliant student and dutiful daughter, Kate went to work full-time around her school schedule to support her mother and young sister, Ruth, during the Depression, when her father abandoned the family and her mother lost her business.

Kate graduated from high school at age 16 and attended Brooklyn College, while continuing to support her family. When her fiancé, Joel Abelson, was killed in action in World War II, she abandoned her dream of pursuing a Ph.D. in English literature and determined to use her life and skills to serve others as a social worker.

After graduating from Brooklyn College, Kate earned her master’s in social work from Western Reserve in Cleveland, and then returned to New York City to work for Travelers Aid, assisting displaced persons and refugees from Europe as they were resettled in New York.

She met her future husband, Dr. George L. Nicklin, on a bicycle trip with friends to Martha’s Vineyard in 1949 and, according to family legend, they were already planning the number of children they would have on the returning ferry.

George and Kate were married under the care of 15th Street Friends Meeting in 1950, and they worked together throughout their lives as a team, parenting, grandparenting and mentoring others professionally and as leaders in the Quaker community. As members of Westbury Friends Meeting on Long Island, the Nicklins were instrumental in founding the Westbury Friends School, which their four young children then attended.

Kate returned full time to her career in 1965, serving the Westbury public schools and the families of students until her retirement in 1989. At the same time, Kate’s special gifts for spiritual leadership and clear vision were recognized in the community of Friends (Quakers), and she was tapped to serve first as Clerk of Westbury Meeting and numerous committees in New York Yearly Meeting, and later as Clerk of New York Yearly Meeting as a whole, from 1974 to 77.

Kate also provided valuable leadership for many years to the American Friends Service Committee, during two terms as the Clerk of the New York Regional Office, as a member of the Board from 1979 to 2001, and as the treasurer of AFSC from 1994 to 2000.

Next to her devotion to her family and children, her commitment to Friends, and especially to AFSC, was central to her life’s work and allowed her talents to bloom and inspire many others. She was extraordinarily gifted as a clerk who could find the sense of a meeting and lead a group of Friends through contentious waters to a shared vision.

The Nicklins fell in love with Shelter Island on their first family vacation here in 1957, when they rented one of the farm area buildings in Shorewood. They built a cottage on Heron Lane in 1963, where they spent happy summers and wintry weekends with their children and grandchildren for 50 years. Intrigued by the significant links to Quakers in Shelter Island history, George started a Friends Meeting here, to which they both belonged for many years. In 2004, the Nicklins joined Kate’s sister, Ruth Berner, and her husband, Jerry, in retirement on the Island.

When their health became more fragile, they moved to the Quaker retirement community, Medford Leas, in Medford, New Jersey, spending time at Shelter Island whenever possible. George passed away in 2007, at the age of 81, while Kate courageously continued as the soul and rock of her large family, caring deeply and with tender kindness and wisdom for each one.

We were especially blessed to have her presence at the recent weddings of two of her grandchildren and her own joyful 90th birthday celebration last summer.  Her loss is keenly felt by her dearly loved children, Emily Nicklin, David Nicklin (Amy Kietzman), Jane Nicklin Olsen (Bob Olsen) and Sarah Nicklin (Jim Moreno); her cherished grandchildren, Max Schleusener (Meg Hammond), Luke and Anna Schleusener, Kate, Megan and Sarafina Kietzman-Nicklin, Emma and Elizabeth Olsen, Molly Olsen Lewen (Mike Lewen) and Graham, Clara and Olivia Moreno; her dear brother-in-law, Jerry Berner; and beloved nieces and nephew, Julie Berner Getlan (Rob Getlan), Susan Berner Gigli (Massimo Gigli) and Danny Berner (Lenore DiLeo Berner); and great niece Hannah Berner, and great nephews Nick DiChiaro, Simon and Jonah Gigli and Daniel Berner. Mom, thank you for the indefatigable caring, the deep listening and the profound wisdom you gave us every day of our lives.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, at Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting, Rutherford Place, New York and at 1 p.m. at 9 Heron Lane, Shelter Island, on November 28. In lieu of flowers, the family would gratefully accept donations to one of the following:

The George and Kate Nicklin Medical Research Fellowship Fund at the University of Chicago. (Make checks payable to the University of Chicago with Nicklin Fellowship on the memo line.) Attention: Paul Seeley, Executive Director, Regional Major Gifts, University of Chicago, 7th Floor, 5235 South Harper Court, Chicago, Illinois, or American Friends Service Committee, AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102.

Chrystyna Merva Skovira

Chrystyna Merva Skovira, 90, of Owego, New York passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Robert Packer Hospital.

She was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Mary Merva; her husband, Joseph Francis Skovira; brothers, Michael, William, Raymond, Edward and Joseph; sisters, Mary, Cecilia, Elizabeth and Polly; and grandson, 1st Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert, United States Army.

Chrystyna is survived by her children, Chrystyna (Frank) Kestler of Mattituck, Joseph (Cecilia) Skovira of Owego and John (Rachel) Skovira of Park Ridge, New Jersey; grandchildren, William and James Theinert, Vincent and Elizabeth Skovira, and Gabrielle, John, Isabella and Rebecca Skovira, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Chrys was born in Mocanaqua, Pennsylvania and graduated from Shickshinny High School in 1941. After studying at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she became a registered nurse, completing her training at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. She continued her nursing career at New York Hospital in New York City and Nassau Hospital in Mineola. Chrys left Nassau Hospital to concentrate on raising her children in Hempstead.

She restarted her nursing career at Hofstra University and Nassau Community College as an on-campus nurse. After retiring from these positions, Chrys moved to Shelter Island. She eventually settled in Owego where she enjoyed shopping, tending to her extensive flower garden, decorating her home for every holiday on the calendar and cruising in her Cadillac. The family would like to thank the Tioga County Department of Aging and Caregivers of America, including long-time companions, Carmel, Carol, April and Virginia, for enabling Chrys to continue to enjoy her beloved home.

The family wrote: “For providing joy and happiness through the years, we would also like to thank George Clooney, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Bea Wain, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, the staffs of the New York Post and the Daily News, George Harter and Harold Arlen, because, ‘It’s a Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be; but it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me!’ See you over the rainbow some day, Mom and, of course, I’ll heat up your coffee!”

At her request, a memorial service is being planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may go to the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1650, Mattituck, NY 11952. Condolences may be sent to the family at emfaheyFuneralHome.com.

Samuel T. Suratt

Samuel T. Suratt of Shelter Island and New York City, died October 27, 2014 of pancreatic cancer. He was 81.

In his 23 years as archivist for CBS News, Sam transformed CBS’s collection of film, still and written materials — then tracked on paper index cards and stored in myriad file cabinets — into a world standard-setting computer resource. Under Sam’s leadership, CBS’s Reference Library, Film and Videotape Library, Audio Archive, Documentary Film Library and Broadcast Research Department became expertly indexed resources available to researchers, historians, documentary filmmakers and others searching for ways to illuminate and animate their subject matters, be it the Vietnam War, civil rights marches, inaugurations, assassinations, interviews with the world’s most powerful leaders or Central Park “Love-ins” and the Woodstock music festival.

In 1977, while at CBS, Sam also helped found the International Federation of Television Archivists, now a global association with some 250 members.

After earning his B.A. in history cum laude at Princeton in 1958 and an M.A. in 1959 and completing all the course work for a Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley, Sam taught there and at Ohio State University where he lectured on the history of American science and technology. He became an archivist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington in 1965, coordinating archival programs in science, art and history with other institutions and agencies. He joined CBS News in 1969.

He and his wife, Judy Hole, a producer on various CBS News broadcasts, bought their Silver Beach house from Ed Barr in 1977. It became their refuge from demanding New York City careers — a favorite place for switching gears, strolling Silver Beach, sharing fish meals with friends at Bob’s or lobster bakes at home with houseguests.

On weekends and holidays, they often sailed their vintage Rhodes 19, the Grizabella, in West Neck Bay.

Occasionally, on favorable winds, they circumnavigated all of Shelter Island. On Sunday afternoons, Sam also sailed in the fiercely competitive Menantic Yacht Club Sunfish races. At least once a summer, he and Judy hosted the post-race party.

Neighbors Bud and Natalie Fox became close friends, as did Charlie and Lynn Weiner. Through them, Sam and Judy became active participants in “The Corinthians,” a sailing association that extends from Maine to Virginia. Many times they served as crew and Race Committee members on Corinthian cruises.

When the Shelter Island Yacht Club hosted Corinthian races and Bud volunteered his boat for the Race Committee, Sam took on the role of cannoneer, which is to say he stood on the bow of Bud’s boat and fired the canon to signal the start of the race, then performed the same function to let the fleet know the first racer had crossed the finish line. Sam also developed a computer program to more accurately determine the times of competing vessels.

Sam is survived by Judy; his sons from his first marriage, Benjamin of Essex, Vermont and Daniel of Brooklyn; three grandsons and one granddaughter; and a brother, William, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A memorial gathering celebrating Sam’s intelligence, wit, literacy and spirit will take place at 11 a.m. on December 13 at Manhattan’s Church of the Transfiguration, 1 East 29th Street, better known as the Little Church Around the Corner.

It’s the church where Sam and Judy were married almost exactly 35 years ago.

Margaret Louise Walsh

Margaret (Marge) Louise Walsh, died at her home in Maplewood, New Jersey on November 9, 2014. She was 69 years old.

Margaret was born on March 21, 1945 to George Sr. and Louise Walsh and raised on Shelter Island. She graduated from Shelter Island High School, where she played in the school band. For several years during high school and college, she worked as a lifeguard and manager at the Shelter Island Heights Beach Club.

Margaret went on to earn an associate degree from the Fashion Institute and then attended Hunter College. Her professional career as a forensic scientist included working in textile technology for Better Fabrics in New York City and for U.S. Testing in Hoboken, New Jersey.

She also worked in quality assurance for Frederick’s Wholesale in New York and as a textile analyst for U.S Customs Services, also in Manhattan. She was a lifetime member and past president of the New York Microscopical Society.

Marge was a member of Marble Collegiate Church in New York. She enjoyed knitting, swimming and spending time in Fort Myers, Florida, where she had wintered since 2005. “She was a very caring person,” her brother George said.

She is survived by her partner of more than 30 years, Martin Youngberg, and her brothers, George Walsh of Shelter Island and Howard Walsh of Chandler, Arizona.

Funeral services will be private. Donations may be made to Marble Collegiate Church, 1 West 29th Street, New York City 10001.

Kenneth Havens Payne

Kenneth Havens Payne III of Shelter Island and Canaseraga, New York, passed away on November 12, 2014. He was 58 years old and an 11th generation Shelter Islander.

Kenneth is survived by his son, Beau (Alexandra); daughters, Sarah and Ashley; and sisters, Penelope and Patricia. He is also survived by two grandchildren and his beloved canine companion, Jake.

Cremation arrangements were by the Shelter Island Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made in Kenneth’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Richard Douglas Carlson

Richard Douglas Carlson

Naval architect Richard Douglas Carlson died on November 24, 2014. He was 90.

As a 10-year-old boy, Dick designed and built his first boat, which he sailed around Shelter Island, often with the family dog at the bow. Though his design skills were mostly self-taught, Dick studied engineering in college and worked for yacht designers Philip L. Rhodes and M. Rosenblatt & Sons in New York, before opening a one-man design firm and moving it to Shelter Island in 1960. He loved beautiful racers of all kinds, especially horses and boats.

He was born in Montclair, New Jersey to Oscar Ludwig and Dicie Enita Carlson.

After summering on Shelter Island, the family eventually moved here permanently.

After completing his naval service in the Pacific during World War II, Dick embraced his longtime love of thoroughbred horses and ultimately became a trainer, winning his first race with a $117 mutual. After three years of training horses, he returned to designing boats.

His best-known and most controversial design was the Cutlass — a 23-foot, 7-inch masthead sloop with a unique reverse shear and transom that enabled him to guarantee his work, telling his clients that if they didn’t win at least half of their races, he would buy the boat back from them. There were no takers and many of his clients became lifelong friends.

All but three of his designs were for cruising sailboats under 45 feet, suitable for ocean racing. “Instead of finding clients, I would design a boat that I liked and the boat would find the client,” Dick said. “I discovered that Americans don’t really like true sailboats, so my market was in England, Australia, New Zealand and South America.”

For many years, he was the only practicing naval architect on Eastern Long Island. He also served as measurer for many yacht-racing organizations and surveyed hundreds of boats, which he would often deliver to their new owners. His yearly Christmas card drawings were highly prized by sailors and were frequently displayed year-round in marina offices.

He was a founder of the Midget Ocean Racing Club. An extremely successful racer, he sailed his boats without a motor until local racing rules demanded that he install one.

His first marriage to Mary Jane Zugelder ended in divorce. In 1971, he met Joan Tyor Martines of New York City at the Storm Trysail races on Block Island and they married and moved to Sag Harbor. He leaves a daughter, Dicie Tyor Carlson, of New York City. Stepdaughter Catherine Perry Martines predeceased him as did his brother, Robert Carlson, of Shelter Island.

There will be a memorial gathering of friends and relatives on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Carlson residence, 140 Division Street in Sag Harbor.

‘Bob’ Kenneth Frank

Captain “Bob” Kenneth Frank, 79, of Shelter Island died on August 2, 2014, at the Long Island Veterans Home at Stony Brook.

He was born on July 31, 1935, in Brooklyn, to the late Charles F. Frank and Anna H. (Batterman) Frank and was husband of the late Sandra P. (Case) Frank who died on June 1, 2013.

Bob graduated in 1953 from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York. After serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve Air Development Squadron from 1955 to 1957, he studied at Hofstra University and Farmingdale State College.

In 1962, Bob soloed at Zahn’s Airport in Amityville and then served as mechanic with Eastern Airlines. In 1964, he flew with Empire State Airlines and later as a corporate pilot with Mohawk Airlines. From 1965 until 1991, Bob flew with Pan American Airlines where he was promoted to Boeing 747 Captain. During his career, he was awarded the Civilian Desert Shield and Desert Storm Medal for outstanding achievement by the Air Force.

Bob married Sandy on Valentine’s Day, 1970. In 1978 they moved to Shelter Island to raise their children.

Bob enjoyed boating, building and flying model airplanes and working outdoors. He was a member of ALPA, the Pan Am Historical Foundation, the Long Island Early Fliers Club, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

He is survived by his children, Jennifer, Stephanie, Laura and Charlie; his grandchildren Tyler, Caitlynn, Colin, Lauren, Johnny and Kenny; his brother, Charles E. Frank, his niece and nephew Barbara and Robby, as well as several friends and neighbors.

A Funeral Mass for Bob was held on August 8, 2014 at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church. Interment followed at Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Pan Am Historical Foundation, 1275 Fairfax Avenue, Suite 747, San Francisco, California 94124-1759 or to Our Lady of the Isle, P.O. Box 3027, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965.

Regina A. Romanchuk

Regina A. Romanchuk of Shelter Island passed away on December 3, 2014. A mass will be held Saturday, December 13 at Our Lady of the Isle Church at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment of ashes. Friends and family are welcome to gather at her home after the cemetery service at 19 Petticoat Lane. A complete obituary will appear in a future issue of the Reporter.

Malcolm Gregory Pierson Jr., known as Greg, passed away at Eastern Long Island Hospital on November 23, 2014.

He was born on July 5, 1935 in South Orange, New Jersey. Greg is survived by his sister, Florence; his daughter, Marni, and her husband, Matthew Baum; and his three grandsons, William, Pierson and Matthew Jr.

As a child Greg and his family spent their summers on Shelter Island. Greg returned to the Island in 1990 and opened “The Wok.” He was an avid animal lover and turned his passion into a business, caring for Island pets.

A memorial service will be held in the spring on Shelter Island.

MARGARET MELANSON

Margaret Melanson
Margaret Anne “Peg” McDermott Melanson, 97, a resident of Kirby Pines Nursing Home in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2014.

Peg was preceded in death by her husband Frederick B. Melanson, sons William F. and Ronald P. Melanson, parents William F. and Anna M. McDermott, sister and brother-in-law Katherine T. and Thomas F. Brennan, nephews Thomas Brennan Jr. and Terrance Brennan and son-in-law LCDR Donald H. Huber.

Peg was born July 27, 1917 in Brooklyn and grew up on Shelter Island. She was the salutatorian of the Class of 1935 at Shelter Island High School and continued her education at Browne’s Business College. Most of her working career was in accounting and as an executive assistant and office manager. She was a talented ceramicist and for many years family and friends were the recipients of her artistic creations.

She is survived by her sister Lauretta M. King (Vincent) of Shelter Island; daughter Barbara Huber Connolly (Leo) of Memphis, Tennessee; daughter-in-law Mary P. Melanson of Blaine, Washington; grandchildren Patricia Melanson O’Brien of Southold, David L. Huber (Michelle) of Fairfax, Virginia, LCDR Donna L. Huber of Norfolk, Virginia, Deborah L. Huber of Norfolk, Virginia, Michelle Melanson Dunham (Keith) of Blaine, Washington, Danielle Melanson Reynolds (Steve) of Stanwood, Washington and Jodie Melanson Hallman (John) of Shelter Island; step-grandsons Matthew Connolly (Jolanda) of Ithaca, New York, Daniel Connolly of Memphis, Tennessee and Michael Connolly of Seattle, Washington; great-grandchildren Samantha and Alan Michael O’Brien, Andrew Poynor, Michael, John and Mark Huber, Malachi Dunham, Brandon, Blake and Brynn Reynolds, Brianna and Madison Hallman; great-great grandson Ethan O’Brien; nephew and nieces Wayne King (Donna) of Shelter Island, Patricia King Labrozzi of Herkimer, New York, Diane King Anderson (William) of Shelter Island and Kathleen Brennan Smith (Andrew) of Atlanta, Georgia.

Shelter Island was always “home” to Peg. Her father, Bill McDermott, operated a Mobil Oil Gas and Service Station in the Center at Route 114 and Jaspa Road. Peg has recalled helping to pump gas for customers when it cost 15 cents a gallon and riding in the fuel truck with her father as he delivered kerosene to his many Island customers. As a teenager, when she was not at Louie’s Beach, she and her sister Kay waitressed at the Ram’s Head Inn. She met her husband Fred on Shelter Island when he was a chauffeur for the Becker family who summered on the Island.

They were married in Our Lady of the Isle Church and lived on the Island for a few years, then moved off-Island after Fred returned from service during World War II. They built a summer cottage on Jaspa Road and many years later, made it their permanent residence.

After Fred passed away in 1971, Peg enjoyed traveling, with trips to Europe, cruises to the Caribbean and many trips around the U.S. and Canada visiting friends and family. She eventually moved to Leesburg, Florida where she resided for over 30 years. When she could no longer drive, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Leo Connolly.

Peg was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Memphis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Peter DeSanctis at Our Lady of the Isle on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment of cremains in Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery.

Philip K. O’Neill
Philip K. O’Neill passed away on December 4, 2014 after a brief illness.

A resident of Shelter Island for the past 20 years, he enjoyed the Thursday afternoon poker games at the Senior Center as well as the Monday and Friday luncheons in the Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall.

A proud member of the American Legion, he also enjoyed marching in the Memorial Day Parade.

Mass was offered at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on December 9, 2014. He is survived by his wife Rose; four children, Marie O’Neill, Julia Krug, Theresa Gonsalves and Philip M. O’Neill; and seven grandchildren.

He will be missed.

JACK COMER

Jack Comer
Jack Comer passed away on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2015.

Jack was born on September 1, 1944, was raised in Queens and settled down on Shelter Island, a quiet community he loved very much. He cherished his time between the Island and the Heritage Palm Golf & Country Club in Ft. Myers, Florida.

His career spanned 34 years with LILCO, as a lineman, supervisor and manager. Jack’s life was shortened by cancer after a valiant 17-month fight.

In his retirement years he was the starter of Gardiner’s Bay Country Club where his presence could always be found in the gazebo on the course, the putting green or on the driving range, giving tips to improve your game.

His family wrote he was the devoted husband of Evelyn, proud father of John and father-in-law of Corinne, beloved son of Helen and the late Jack Jr., loving grandfather of Kiersten and Makayla, dear brother of Michael, Danny and Larry and a special friend to many.

Jack will be missed by all whose lives were blessed by knowing him. May he rest in peace.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church. Jack’s invaluable friend, Father Peter DeSantics, will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to Fighting Chance, P.O. Box 1358, Sag Harbor, New York 11963.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Shelter Island Funeral Home.