Bette Ann Davis DiOrio
Bette Ann Davis DiOrio, 88, of Shelter Island, beloved mother, wife and grandmother, passed away at San Simeon by the Sound, on February 26, 2018.

Bette Ann Davis DiOrio

Her parents, Helen (Schauer) Davis and Harry Davis, her sister Eleanor DeWitt of Accord, New York, and her loving husband Anthony DiOrio of Shelter Island, predeceased her.

Bette was a public health nurse on the North and South forks, spending her last 10 years of work at the Suffolk County prenatal clinic in Southampton. She was passionate, her family said, about providing prenatal services to low income women.

Bette’s favorite pastimes were swimming at Menhaden Lane and Fresh Pond, exercising at the FIT center, feeding her birds and driving her five-speed Dodge Neon Sport.

She enjoyed participating in her community as a member of the Shelter Island Red Cross. Bette also enjoyed reading the Sunday New York Times and the Shelter Island Reporter. She was a strong woman, her family remembered, with a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile.

Born in Manhattan on July 24, 1929, Bette was raised in Kingston, New York. She earned her R.N. degree from St. Luke’s in New York. She earned her B.S. degree from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Bette met her husband Tony in the Bronx while working as a public health nurse in Westchester County. She fell in love with his dancing and singing. She knew he would be a great father to their children. Bette and her family moved from the Bronx to Shelter Island in 1972.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary DiOrio of Portland, Oregon; sons Philip (Linda) DiOrio, of Shelter Island; Harry (Peg) DiOrio of Shelter Island and New York City; grandchildren Jason DiOrio of Clearwater, Florida; Christopher DiOrio of Shelter Island; and Mia DiOrio of Shelter Island.

Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery on July 24, 2018.

George E. Walsh

George E. Walsh

George E. Walsh, 81, passed away on July 5, 2018 at Peconic Bay Medical Center after a long battle with cancer.

The son of Louise and George Walsh of Shelter Island, George is survived by his wife Eileen Walsh; stepdaughter and son-in-law Jodie and Bill Hallman; stepdaughter Trisha O’Brien; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his brother and sister-in-law Howie and Ella Walsh; nephew Jeremy and Amy Walsh; and nephews and cousins. George was preceded in death by his sister Marge Walsh in 2014.

A pillar in this community, his friends and family said, George could be found helping at Lions Club events, starting a 5K race, serving burgers at a Bucks game or simply sharing a story of his travels with someone at the post office.

George graduated from Shelter Island High School and Syracuse University, proudly wearing orange as a Syracuse season ticket holder, attending many football games with Eileen. An avid fan, his love for sports was demonstrated on the Island as he enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s games at Shelter Island High School.

After serving in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1965, George was asked to help his parents run George’s Market— where the restaurant 18 Bay currently resides. George’s father’s health was declining and his mother needed help running the store — which was the beginning of his long venture in the grocery business. In 1977, George and his mom bought Bohack and named it George’s IGA, which he proudly owned and operated for 32 years. He was a generous supporter of many Island events and causes.

George and Eileen loved to travel the world. They enjoyed taking month-long cruises and visiting new countries. Wherever George went, he always had a smile on his face and a story to share with everyone, his family said.

His family wishes to extend special thanks to the Shelter Island Senior Center, Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services, San Simeon, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Dr. Peter Kelt, Laurie Finelli and Jose Montalvo for their care and support.

The family invites the community to a celebration of George’s and Marge’s lives on August 5, 2018 at 4 p.m. at the Walsh’s home at 2 Sunshine Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests giving in George’s memory to the Senior Center. Please make checks payable to Town of Shelter Island and specify Senior Center in the lower left corner, and mail to: Town of Shelter Island, PO Box 970, Shelter Island, NY 11964, Attn: Karin Bennett.

Margaret O. Walther

Margaret O. Walther of Shelter Island died on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. She was 74 years old.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 24 from 3 to 7p.m.. at the Shelter Island Funeral Home, 23 West Neck Road, Shelter Island, New York 11964.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation or the Shelter Island Food Pantry at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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Harold G. Merkel, a former resident of Shelter Island, passed away on July 27, 2018 in Lecanto, Florida after a short illness.

Harold G. Merkel

Harold lived on Shelter Island full-time in the 1960s until he entered the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged, he worked for the U.S. Post Office in Flushing, New York and Crystal River, Florida.

Harold is survived by his wife Marie (nee Vitale), daughter Ann Marie Shephard, sisters Joanne Carr of Shelter Island and Katherine Costa of Glen Oaks, New York, nephews Thomas G. Carr, Matthew F. Carr and niece Susan Labrozzi Carr. He is also survived by grandniece Mary-Kate Labrozzi and grandnephew Gavin Carr.

A service was held at St. Scholastica’s Roman Catholic Church in Lecanto, Florida.

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Vincent P. Geraghty of New Bern, North Carolina and formerly of Shelter Island, died on Friday, August 3, 2018. He was 90 years old.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 8 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at The Shelter Island Funeral Home, 23 West Neck Road, Shelter Island, New York 11964.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning, August 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

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Gerald L. Sullivan of Shelter Island died at home on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. He was 96 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 25^th at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will take place at Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

There will be no public calling hours.

The Shelter Island Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Shelley McMillen
Shelley McMillen, 49, passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with breast cancer surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Shelley McMillen

Shelley was born September 19, 1968 in Syosset, New York and was the daughter of the late James McMillen, Jr. and the late Diana T. Weaver.

Shelley was a graduate of the Threshold Program at Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was also a graduate of the Katharine Gibbs School in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Upon graduation from college, Shelley resided in Warwick and spent her career as a medical secretary, retiring from Koch Eye Associates in 2016.

Devoted to her family and friends, they noted that Shelley was always there to offer love, friendship and kindness to everyone she touched. She loved spending time at her family home on Shelter Island and also enjoyed travelling, her many pets and she loved music and movies.

Shelley is survived by her brothers Edward and Thomas Neiley, Bryan McMillen (Caroline) and sisters Debra and Donna Weaver, Diana Weaver Hall (Gerald) and Dana Weaver Fonash (David) as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

A private family memorial service and burial will be held for Shelley on Shelter Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Threshold Program at Lesley University, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-2790.

William Springer
William Robert Springer passed away in Port St. Lucie, Florida on July 11, 2018 following a brief illness.

William Springer

William was born on June 13, 1949 to Ethel (Divine) and William Springer of Shelter Island. Better known as Billy to most, he attended Shelter Island School, graduating in 1967, and was a member of the Shelter Island Heights Fire Department.

William is survived by his cousins Clifford, Arthur and Eric Springer, Richard Oldenburg, Carol and Robert Rickmeyer and their families, his former wife Liz Corbett and many friends from Shelter Island, Texas and Florida.

A graveside memorial will be held Sunday, August 26 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery.

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Alexander J. Budd of Shelter Island died on Friday, August 31, 2018. He was 97 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, September 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

There will be no public calling hours.

The Shelter Island Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Alexander J. Budd
Alexander J. Budd of Shelter Island died on Friday, August 31, 2018. He was 97 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 4 at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment followed at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

Joanne Mary Cummings Hughes
Joanne Mary Cummings Hughes passed away in Dunedin, Florida on Friday, August 24, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Joanne was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 4, 1945 to Cecelia and Thomas Cummings. She graduated from Shelter Island High School in 1963 and from Wyckoff Heights School of Nursing in Brooklyn.

She worked 33 years as a dedicated nurse at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport where she met her future husband Gilbert Hughes. Joanne and Gil celebrated 52 years of marriage in April 2018.

In 1998, Joanne and Gil retired to Dunedin, Florida. The ultimate caregiver, Joanne worked part time, then volunteered at Palm Garden Nursing Home as long as her illness allowed.

She was known by her family and friends as a loving, caring person with a heart of gold, generous beyond words and knew no strangers. A true-blue, New York Yankee fan, Joanne will always remain as a bright light in the hearts of her loving family and her many, many friends.

She is survived by her beloved husband Gilbert, her loving children Colleen (Harry), Lori (Mike), Tommy (Tianna); cherished grandchildren Anthony Breese and Trent Hughes; caring sisters Maureen Smith (Karl) and Peg Cummings (Moe); several nieces, nephews, cousins and much-loved family pets.

A graveside service will be held at the Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, September 29 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice — for information, phone (727) 467-7423 — and cancer research.

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Caroline Anderson Hoffmann of Shelter Island, formerly of Babylon, died on Monday, August 20, 2018 at the Bristal Assisted Living in Sayville. She was 88 years old.

Caroline Anderson Hoffman

Born in West Babylon on March 9, 1930, she was the daughter of Gustav and Marion (nee Reese) Anderson.

Caroline is survived by her husband Charles J. Hoffmann; children George, Charles and Cynthia; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; siblings Wilbur Anderson, Donald Anderson, Edward Anderson and sister-in-law Ann Westerlind. She was predeceased by her brothers, Theodore Anderson, Hobart Anderson, Robert Anderson, George Anderson and sister Marie Koncelik.

Funeral services took place on August 31 at the Calverton National Cemetery officiated by the Reverend John Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation at PO Box 547, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

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Betsy Jane Gibbs
Betsy Jane Gibbs, nee Karcher, 76, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 18, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at her home on Shelter Island after a four-year battle with breast cancer.

Betsy Jane Gibbs

Betsy, known to her family as “The Ger” was born on July 3, 1942 in Greenport, the daughter of the late Henry and Hattie Karcher.

Her sister Joan Karcher Kalin predeceased Betsy. Betsy grew up in Orient, New York and graduated from Greenport High School as a member of the Class of 1960. A 1964 graduate of SUNY Oneonta, Betsy went on to graduate from Long Island University School of Education CW Post Center where she earned a Masters of Science degree.

She worked as a devoted special education teacher for students in K-12 as a member of the Shelter Island School faculty. During her tenure, Betsy served as the coordinator of special education and chairperson for the Committee on Special Education (CSE).

She retired in 2005 after teaching for 28 years. Mrs. Gibbs, as she was called by her students, was a patient, kind, and caring teacher who was willing to “go the extra mile” in the best interest of her students.

“The Ger” was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. Betsy is survived by her seven children: James E. Gibbs (Lolly); Jacob Gibbs (Karen); Deborah Brewer (Paul); Diane Brayer (William); Jeffrey Gibbs (Sharon); Jason Gibbs (Jeanne); and Jared Gibbs (Tracey); 16 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Teddy; her niece and nephew; and other extended family members.

Betsy was an active member of the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. She served the church in many roles, including as a member of session, a deacon and an elder. Betsy volunteered for many years working with the youth of both the church and community at large. As a community member Betsy was a member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and the Shelter Island Fire Department Auxiliary.

Betsy lived her life with grace and honor, her family and friends said. She was respected for her strength of character and her unwavering devotion and love.

Betsy’s family thanks everyone for their support at this difficult time.

Visitation will be held at the Shelter Island Funeral Home on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 1 p.m.

The internment of Betsy’s ashes will follow the funeral service at the Memorial Garden at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation, P.O Box 547, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

Elizabeth Ora Ruby
Elizabeth Ora Ruby of Bronxville and Shelter Island died suddenly in her sleep on October 17, 2018 at the age of 29. Elizabeth was the beloved daughter of Sarah Gavan and David Ruby and dear sister of Caroline Ruby.

Elizabeth graduated from Bronxville High School, class of 2008 and from Gettysburg College, class of 2012. Upon graduating she went to work for the New York Post.

Elizabeth was an avid sailor and an accomplished flutist, who enjoyed performing.

Gifts in memory of Elizabeth may be given to the charity of your choice.

Calling Hours at the Fred H. McGrath and Son Funeral Home, Bronxville, are on Tuesday, October 23 between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Reformed Church of Bronxville on Wednesday, October 24 at 11 a.m.

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John G. Roeckell of Huntington and Shelter Island died at home in Huntington on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. He was 87 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning, October 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York 11797 would be appreciated.

The Shelter Island Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Suzanne Sutton Boland
Suzanne Sutton Boland died October 24, 2018.

The summers of the early years of Suzanne’s life were spent on Shelter Island with her grandmother. In the 1990s Suzanne was the proprietor of the Bay Berry Bed and Breakfast on South Menantic Road.

Born March 18, 1933 in Poughkeepsie, New York, Suzanne was an IBM employee, antique dealer, real estate agent, excellent cook and baker, bird watching enthusiast and shell collector on Sanibel Island, Florida every winter for over 45 years.

Her family and friends noted she was an accomplished pianist, artist, award- winning Shelter Island Garden Club member, an avid photographer, golfer, college basketball player, exceptional wife, mother of three children and grandmother of nine.

Predeceased by her parents, George Harold Sutton and Marjorie Beebe Sutton, Suzanne is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Richard E. Boland Sr.; her children, Bonnie Lee Sohl (Mark); Richard E. Boland Jr. (Paula); Edward Sutton Boland (Mary Alison); and her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Suzanne’s family asks that donations be made to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642.

Carl P. Fisher
Carl Paul Fisher, 76, of New York City and Shelter Island died at his Manhattan home on October 13 following a long illness.

Carl P. Fisher

Mr. Fisher was an attorney with an interest in computers and was involved with the development of LexisNexis, providing computer-assisted legal and business research services in the United States.

Mr. Fisher was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Ida (Burstein) Fisher and Sidney Fisher.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Denise (Burrows) Fisher. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Berney of Miami, Florida.

Mr. Fisher attended the University of Connecticut and Georgetown Law School.

He and his wife were visiting Amagansett and riding around the South Fork when they saw a sign for South Ferry that brought them to the Island. They fell in love with the town, subsequently buying a house where they spent weekends and time during summers for 28 years.

Besides his family and his work, he loved baseball and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, his wife said. He also loved spinning and became certified to teach spinning.

A celebration of Mr. Fisher’s life is to be held in New York City on November 17.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders at 40 Rector Street, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10006 or online at the Doctors Without Borders website.

John G. Roeckell
John G. Roeckell of Huntington and Shelter Island died at home in Huntington on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. He was 87 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 29 at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment followed at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York 11797 would be appreciated.

The post Shelter Island Reporter obituaries: Boland, Fisher, Roeckell appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Jacques H. Nalbantian, 101, a retired engineer and resident of Shelter Island since 1978, beloved father of Edward and Charles Nalbantian and husband of the late Rose Nalbantian, passed away peacefully at his home in Ridgewood, New Jersey on September 19, 2018.

Jacques H. Nalbantian

Jacques, known as Jack, was born on July 17, 1917, the second son in a prosperous Armenian merchant family living in Smyrna in the then-Ottoman Empire. In 1922, when Smyrna was occupied and burned by Turkish nationalists, targeting the Greek and Armenian Christian population of the city, young Jack and his family escaped as refugees thanks to the intervention of French naval forces.

The family settled in Tunis, in the then-French colony of Tunisia, where Jack attended French schools and eventually earned an undergraduate degree in engineering at the French poly technical college.

Tragedy struck the family again in 1931 when Jack’s father died suddenly of a heart attack. This prompted a decision to emigrate to the United States and join his mother’s family, who years earlier had settled on the east coast. After immigration visas were finally obtained in 1941, Jack, together with his mother and two brothers, travelled to Lisbon in December of that year to fly from there to the United States on the Pan Am Clipper service.

But the attack on Pearl Harbor forced cancellation of their flight days before their departure and the family was stranded in Lisbon.

Eventually, in February 1942, the family found passage on a ship chartered by Quakers for fleeing Jewish refugees bound for South America, but calling in Newport News, Virginia.

After a harrowing crossing during which German U-boats stopped the ship twice, the family disembarked in Virginia and settled in Syracuse, New York, near the home of their extended family.

For the next 10 years in Syracuse, Jack’s life was finally on firm ground. He began working as an engineer at Remington Rand, assisting with the redesign of the Colt .45 pistol for use by U.S. Army combat troops in World War II.

In April 1945, he joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged the following year having earned the Good Conduct Medal. He then resumed his engineering career with the General Electric Company while also undertaking graduate studies in engineering at Syracuse University, earning a Master’s Degree in 1953.

But, most importantly while in Syracuse, Jack met Rose, his beloved wife-to-be, who was then a student at Wayne State University. They married in 1953 at the Syracuse University Chapel.

After moving to New York City the following year and then to Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1965, Jack’s professional life as an engineer continued, first with the Dumont Corporation and then, for more than 25 years, with Fairchild Camera Space & Defense Systems.

At Fairchild, he was involved in the design and implementation of optic imaging technology for the Gemini and Apollo space missions including the imaging systems that photographed the Moon during the Apollo lunar landings. Later, he was the senior engineer for the optical guidance system used in the first generation of Tomahawk cruise missiles. Jack retired as a full-time engineer in 1992, but continued working on special projects for Fairchild into his late 70s.

Even with these professional accomplishments, the priority in Jack’s life was unquestionably his family, in the broadest meaning of the word. He was a devoted and loving husband for 57 years to Rose, a special education teacher in the New York City public school system, who pre-deceased him in 2010.

They had two sons raised in Ridgewood — Edward, a corporate lawyer now based in London and Paris with his wife Valerie, and Charles, a management consultant and longstanding resident of Shelter Island with his wife Dana. Jack also took enormous pride in his three grandchildren — Theodore, Nicholas and Chloe.

With all his travels over the course of his life, Jacks’s favorite place, his family said, was without doubt Shelter Island. He enjoyed, more than anything, sharing time with his family and his grandchildren at the family home in Silver Beach. He was passionate about nature, revelling in his garden, the turtles, the ospreys and the hummingbirds that were frequent visitors, and the abundance from Peconic Bay. Until the very end, he would never pass up an opportunity to go boating on the bay, and he truly loved the sunsets in Silver Beach, summoning neighbors, family and friends to watch every evening.

Jack displayed passion for most everything he did, his family said, and he greeted everyone with his bright and welcoming smile.

This legacy together with his wisdom — uniquely combining humanity, intellect and experience from a life spanning a century — provided constant guidance and joy for all of his family, his neighbors, and to all those who shared in his life.

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Anthony J. Uhnak of Shelter Island died at home on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. He was 91 years old.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 14 from 4 to 7 P.M. at the Shelter Island Funeral Home, 23 West Neck Road.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, January 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

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Over the holidays, Tonya Larkins, a familiar face at the South Ferry office for 35 years, and sister of Tish Clark, passed away peacefully under hospice care. She was diagnosed with untreatable cancer in September.

Tonya Larkins

Tonya was born in Gallipolis, Ohio. She moved to Riverhead with her parents in 1980 when she and her parents wanted to be closer to their grandchildren, Paige and Shelli Clark. She was hired as an office worker at South Ferry in 1982 and eventually became the office manager, a position she held until last fall when she could no longer work.

Her family said Tonya will be remembered for her infectious laughter that was easily triggered; for the candy jar at the South Ferry office which she stocked daily with her own money for customers and crew to enjoy; for her quiet, thoughtful, random acts of kindness toward ferry crew, friends and family; and for her reliability, attention to detail and punctuality as a worker.

She was an active and faithful member of the Mattituck Church of Christ. She will be remembered there, her family said, for her deep Biblical knowledge, her unshakeable respect for Scripture and her beautiful singing voice.

Never married, she is survived by her sister, Tish Clark; brother-in-law, Cliff Clark; nieces Paige (Nicholas Morehead) and Shelli (Con Nicolet) and their children, Cayman and Larkin Morehead, and Landon and Jackson Nicolet.

At Tonya’s request, there will not be a formal funeral service. She will be laid to rest at a family plot on January 26th in Malaga, Ohio, where her parents and grandparents are buried.

She and her family request that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Mary Boeklen Fund. Many will recall that in July of 2016, Bill Boeklen, a captain at South Ferry, also died suddenly after a cancer diagnosis.

All donations will go directly to Mary’s house mortgage so the family can remain on Shelter Island. Checks are tax-deductible and should be made out to East End Church of Christ (with “Boeklen Mortgage” in the memo line. Mail to South Ferry, P.O. Box 2024, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

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Alexander J. Budd
Alexander J. Budd of Shelter Island died on Friday, August 31, 2018. He was 97 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 4 at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment followed at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

Joanne Mary Cummings Hughes
Joanne Mary Cummings Hughes passed away in Dunedin, Florida on Friday, August 24, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Joanne was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 4, 1945 to Cecelia and Thomas Cummings. She graduated from Shelter Island High School in 1963 and from Wyckoff Heights School of Nursing in Brooklyn.

She worked 33 years as a dedicated nurse at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport where she met her future husband Gilbert Hughes. Joanne and Gil celebrated 52 years of marriage in April 2018.

In 1998, Joanne and Gil retired to Dunedin, Florida. The ultimate caregiver, Joanne worked part time, then volunteered at Palm Garden Nursing Home as long as her illness allowed.

She was known by her family and friends as a loving, caring person with a heart of gold, generous beyond words and knew no strangers. A true-blue, New York Yankee fan, Joanne will always remain as a bright light in the hearts of her loving family and her many, many friends.

She is survived by her beloved husband Gilbert, her loving children Colleen (Harry), Lori (Mike), Tommy (Tianna); cherished grandchildren Anthony Breese and Trent Hughes; caring sisters Maureen Smith (Karl) and Peg Cummings (Moe); several nieces, nephews, cousins and much-loved family pets.

A graveside service will be held at the Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, September 29 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice — for information, phone (727) 467-7423 — and cancer research.

The post Shelter Island Reporter obituaries: Budd, Hughes appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Caroline Anderson Hoffmann of Shelter Island, formerly of Babylon, died on Monday, August 20, 2018 at the Bristal Assisted Living in Sayville. She was 88 years old.

Caroline Anderson Hoffman

Born in West Babylon on March 9, 1930, she was the daughter of Gustav and Marion (nee Reese) Anderson.

Caroline is survived by her husband Charles J. Hoffmann; children George, Charles and Cynthia; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; siblings Wilbur Anderson, Donald Anderson, Edward Anderson and sister-in-law Ann Westerlind. She was predeceased by her brothers, Theodore Anderson, Hobart Anderson, Robert Anderson, George Anderson and sister Marie Koncelik.

Funeral services took place on August 31 at the Calverton National Cemetery officiated by the Reverend John Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation at PO Box 547, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

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Betsy Jane Gibbs
Betsy Jane Gibbs, nee Karcher, 76, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 18, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at her home on Shelter Island after a four-year battle with breast cancer.

Betsy Jane Gibbs

Betsy, known to her family as “The Ger” was born on July 3, 1942 in Greenport, the daughter of the late Henry and Hattie Karcher.

Her sister Joan Karcher Kalin predeceased Betsy. Betsy grew up in Orient, New York and graduated from Greenport High School as a member of the Class of 1960. A 1964 graduate of SUNY Oneonta, Betsy went on to graduate from Long Island University School of Education CW Post Center where she earned a Masters of Science degree.

She worked as a devoted special education teacher for students in K-12 as a member of the Shelter Island School faculty. During her tenure, Betsy served as the coordinator of special education and chairperson for the Committee on Special Education (CSE).

She retired in 2005 after teaching for 28 years. Mrs. Gibbs, as she was called by her students, was a patient, kind, and caring teacher who was willing to “go the extra mile” in the best interest of her students.

“The Ger” was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. Betsy is survived by her seven children: James E. Gibbs (Lolly); Jacob Gibbs (Karen); Deborah Brewer (Paul); Diane Brayer (William); Jeffrey Gibbs (Sharon); Jason Gibbs (Jeanne); and Jared Gibbs (Tracey); 16 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Teddy; her niece and nephew; and other extended family members.

Betsy was an active member of the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. She served the church in many roles, including as a member of session, a deacon and an elder. Betsy volunteered for many years working with the youth of both the church and community at large. As a community member Betsy was a member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and the Shelter Island Fire Department Auxiliary.

Betsy lived her life with grace and honor, her family and friends said. She was respected for her strength of character and her unwavering devotion and love.

Betsy’s family thanks everyone for their support at this difficult time.

Visitation will be held at the Shelter Island Funeral Home on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 1 p.m.

The internment of Betsy’s ashes will follow the funeral service at the Memorial Garden at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation, P.O Box 547, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

Elizabeth Ora Ruby
Elizabeth Ora Ruby of Bronxville and Shelter Island died suddenly in her sleep on October 17, 2018 at the age of 29. Elizabeth was the beloved daughter of Sarah Gavan and David Ruby and dear sister of Caroline Ruby.

Elizabeth graduated from Bronxville High School, class of 2008 and from Gettysburg College, class of 2012. Upon graduating she went to work for the New York Post.

Elizabeth was an avid sailor and an accomplished flutist, who enjoyed performing.

Gifts in memory of Elizabeth may be given to the charity of your choice.

Calling Hours at the Fred H. McGrath and Son Funeral Home, Bronxville, are on Tuesday, October 23 between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Reformed Church of Bronxville on Wednesday, October 24 at 11 a.m.

The post Shelter Island Reporter obituaries: Gibbs, Ruby appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

John G. Roeckell of Huntington and Shelter Island died at home in Huntington on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. He was 87 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning, October 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York 11797 would be appreciated.

The Shelter Island Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Suzanne Sutton Boland
Suzanne Sutton Boland died October 24, 2018.

The summers of the early years of Suzanne’s life were spent on Shelter Island with her grandmother. In the 1990s Suzanne was the proprietor of the Bay Berry Bed and Breakfast on South Menantic Road.

Born March 18, 1933 in Poughkeepsie, New York, Suzanne was an IBM employee, antique dealer, real estate agent, excellent cook and baker, bird watching enthusiast and shell collector on Sanibel Island, Florida every winter for over 45 years.

Her family and friends noted she was an accomplished pianist, artist, award- winning Shelter Island Garden Club member, an avid photographer, golfer, college basketball player, exceptional wife, mother of three children and grandmother of nine.

Predeceased by her parents, George Harold Sutton and Marjorie Beebe Sutton, Suzanne is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Richard E. Boland Sr.; her children, Bonnie Lee Sohl (Mark); Richard E. Boland Jr. (Paula); Edward Sutton Boland (Mary Alison); and her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Suzanne’s family asks that donations be made to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642.

Carl P. Fisher
Carl Paul Fisher, 76, of New York City and Shelter Island died at his Manhattan home on October 13 following a long illness.

Carl P. Fisher

Mr. Fisher was an attorney with an interest in computers and was involved with the development of LexisNexis, providing computer-assisted legal and business research services in the United States.

Mr. Fisher was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Ida (Burstein) Fisher and Sidney Fisher.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Denise (Burrows) Fisher. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Berney of Miami, Florida.

Mr. Fisher attended the University of Connecticut and Georgetown Law School.

He and his wife were visiting Amagansett and riding around the South Fork when they saw a sign for South Ferry that brought them to the Island. They fell in love with the town, subsequently buying a house where they spent weekends and time during summers for 28 years.

Besides his family and his work, he loved baseball and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, his wife said. He also loved spinning and became certified to teach spinning.

A celebration of Mr. Fisher’s life is to be held in New York City on November 17.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders at 40 Rector Street, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10006 or online at the Doctors Without Borders website.

John G. Roeckell
John G. Roeckell of Huntington and Shelter Island died at home in Huntington on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. He was 87 years old.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 29 at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church on Shelter Island, officiated by Father Peter DeSanctis.

Interment followed at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York 11797 would be appreciated.

The post Shelter Island Reporter obituaries: Boland, Fisher, Roeckell appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Jacques H. Nalbantian, 101, a retired engineer and resident of Shelter Island since 1978, beloved father of Edward and Charles Nalbantian and husband of the late Rose Nalbantian, passed away peacefully at his home in Ridgewood, New Jersey on September 19, 2018.

Jacques H. Nalbantian

Jacques, known as Jack, was born on July 17, 1917, the second son in a prosperous Armenian merchant family living in Smyrna in the then-Ottoman Empire. In 1922, when Smyrna was occupied and burned by Turkish nationalists, targeting the Greek and Armenian Christian population of the city, young Jack and his family escaped as refugees thanks to the intervention of French naval forces.

The family settled in Tunis, in the then-French colony of Tunisia, where Jack attended French schools and eventually earned an undergraduate degree in engineering at the French poly technical college.

Tragedy struck the family again in 1931 when Jack’s father died suddenly of a heart attack. This prompted a decision to emigrate to the United States and join his mother’s family, who years earlier had settled on the east coast. After immigration visas were finally obtained in 1941, Jack, together with his mother and two brothers, travelled to Lisbon in December of that year to fly from there to the United States on the Pan Am Clipper service.

But the attack on Pearl Harbor forced cancellation of their flight days before their departure and the family was stranded in Lisbon.

Eventually, in February 1942, the family found passage on a ship chartered by Quakers for fleeing Jewish refugees bound for South America, but calling in Newport News, Virginia.

After a harrowing crossing during which German U-boats stopped the ship twice, the family disembarked in Virginia and settled in Syracuse, New York, near the home of their extended family.

For the next 10 years in Syracuse, Jack’s life was finally on firm ground. He began working as an engineer at Remington Rand, assisting with the redesign of the Colt .45 pistol for use by U.S. Army combat troops in World War II.

In April 1945, he joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged the following year having earned the Good Conduct Medal. He then resumed his engineering career with the General Electric Company while also undertaking graduate studies in engineering at Syracuse University, earning a Master’s Degree in 1953.

But, most importantly while in Syracuse, Jack met Rose, his beloved wife-to-be, who was then a student at Wayne State University. They married in 1953 at the Syracuse University Chapel.

After moving to New York City the following year and then to Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1965, Jack’s professional life as an engineer continued, first with the Dumont Corporation and then, for more than 25 years, with Fairchild Camera Space & Defense Systems.

At Fairchild, he was involved in the design and implementation of optic imaging technology for the Gemini and Apollo space missions including the imaging systems that photographed the Moon during the Apollo lunar landings. Later, he was the senior engineer for the optical guidance system used in the first generation of Tomahawk cruise missiles. Jack retired as a full-time engineer in 1992, but continued working on special projects for Fairchild into his late 70s.

Even with these professional accomplishments, the priority in Jack’s life was unquestionably his family, in the broadest meaning of the word. He was a devoted and loving husband for 57 years to Rose, a special education teacher in the New York City public school system, who pre-deceased him in 2010.

They had two sons raised in Ridgewood — Edward, a corporate lawyer now based in London and Paris with his wife Valerie, and Charles, a management consultant and longstanding resident of Shelter Island with his wife Dana. Jack also took enormous pride in his three grandchildren — Theodore, Nicholas and Chloe.

With all his travels over the course of his life, Jacks’s favorite place, his family said, was without doubt Shelter Island. He enjoyed, more than anything, sharing time with his family and his grandchildren at the family home in Silver Beach. He was passionate about nature, revelling in his garden, the turtles, the ospreys and the hummingbirds that were frequent visitors, and the abundance from Peconic Bay. Until the very end, he would never pass up an opportunity to go boating on the bay, and he truly loved the sunsets in Silver Beach, summoning neighbors, family and friends to watch every evening.

Jack displayed passion for most everything he did, his family said, and he greeted everyone with his bright and welcoming smile.

This legacy together with his wisdom — uniquely combining humanity, intellect and experience from a life spanning a century — provided constant guidance and joy for all of his family, his neighbors, and to all those who shared in his life.

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