There will be a celebration of life for Helga Michel, Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Southold.

Ms. Michel died March 13 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Former Riverhead resident Hattie Louvenia Russell died April 15, 2014. She was 81. 

Ms. Russell was born in Burlington, N.C., June 4, 1932, and attended Burlington public schools. She married Claude T. Russell, Sept. 20, 1949, and after relocating from North Carolina to Westchester, N.Y., the Russells moved to Long Island.

Faith and worship were very important to Ms. Russell. She attended various ministries, including First Apostle Church of God in Christ in Riverhead, where she received the ministerial license under the leadership of Bishop James Addison.

Family members said Ms. Russell was the “backbone for her family” and a “mother of the community.” She loved spending time with family and friends, crocheting, collecting figurines and knick-knacks, shopping and cooking. According to family, her house was a place to “get a meal, a place to stay, a word of correction (if needed), a smile and a hug.”

Ms. Russell was predeceased by her husband, Claude T; four children and three siblings. She is survived by 11 children; one brother; 47 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and other family and friends.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead, with a funeral service taking place at noon. Funeral arrangements were handled by Robertaccio Funeral Home in Patchogue. Interment will take place at Riverhead Cemetery.

Longtime Riverhead resident Phyllis Hawkins died April 14.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert and is survived by her seven children; her 22 grandchildren; her 13 great-grandchildren and a sister.

A graveside memorial service will take place at a later date.

Nancy H. Dillingham, a lifelong resident of Aquebogue, died at home with family by her side after a nine-year battle against ovarian cancer. She was 65.

She was born in Greenport’s Eastern Long Island Hospital July 2, 1948, to Marion (Wells) and Robert Dillingham. She graduated from Riverhead High School in 1966 and SUNY/Oneonta in 1970 with a master’s degree. Nancy returned to Aquebogue and taught at Hiawatha Elementary School in the Sachem School District for over 10 years. In 1981, she bought the Aquebogue Machine and Repair shop from her father and continued to manufacture electrophoresis apparatus equipment used in DNA testing until October 2013, when the business was closed.

Through the years, Nancy was active in the local Suffolk chapter of National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, serving in many capacities, including regent. She also held DAR offices at the New York State and national levels and was deeply committed to the support of the Tamassee DAR School in South Carolina.

Old Steeple Community Church has been the recipient of years of support and services from Nancy’s working hands and contributions. She held many leadership roles at the church and loved the members as though they were family. She also served on the board of Aquebogue Cemetery Association, maintaining its records.

While growing up, she was able to see almost all 50 states as her parents belonged to the Airstream Travel Trailer Club. She enjoyed visiting and learning about historic sights all over America.

Nancy appreciated women’s sports and developed a love of women’s basketball. She was a season ticket holder for the Women’s National Basketball Association New York Liberty team. She also attended many National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four competitions and supported her beloved University of Connecticut Huskies.

The plight of abandoned and feral cats was one of Nancy’s great concerns. She loved all animals, but cats held a special place in her heart. Personally she trapped, spayed/neutered and released many feral cats near her home in Aquebogue. Several stayed close by as she continued to feed them. She supported the North Fork Animal Welfare League and Kent Animal Shelter.

In addition to her loving spouse, Janet Wright, Nancy is survived by Janet’s daughter, Heather Barrett and her family of Pine Bush, N.Y.; daughter Helen Figueroa and her family of Chenango Forks, N.Y.; and son Henry B. Cook III and his family of Binghamton. Nancy is also survived by her father, Robert Dillingham; her brother, Bruce, and his wife, Anna, of Atlanta; her nieces, Coleen Lowe of Stirling, Mass., Cheryl Abrahamian of Atlanta, Jill Fitzsimmons of Granby, Conn., and her nephew, Ryan Dillingham, stationed in the United States Air Force in Turkey, and their families. She was predeceased by her mother, Marion.

The family will receive visitors April 24 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place Friday, April 25, at noon at Old Steeple Community Church in Aquebogue, officiated by the Rev. Arlen Vernava. Interment will follow at Aquebogue Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Old Steeple Community Church, P.O. Box 154, Aquebogue, NY 11931; North Fork Animal Welfare League in Southold; or East End Hospice in Westhampton.

This is a paid notice. 

Longtime Riverhead resident Donald W. Highland, formerly of Bay Shore, died April 21, 2014 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 82.

He was born Nov. 17, 1931, in Jamaica, Queens to Albert and Edith Highland. Mr. Highland owned Don Highland Floor Waxing in Bay Shore and was a former school crossing guard for Pulaski Street School. He was also a senior active member of Bay Shore Fire Department.

Mr. Highland is survived by his wife, Geraldyne (née Vidal) of Riverhead; his daughters, Deborah (Richard) of Setauket and Donna of Middletown, N.Y.; his grandsons, Chris, Matt (Laurie) and Kyle; and his brother, Richard of Bay Shore.

The family will receive visitors, Thursday, April 24, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Cremation was private.

Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Foundation.

This is a paid notice. 

Barbara J. Thomas of Riverhead died at her home April 24. She was 66.

She was born May 5, 1947, in Glen Cove to Dorothy (Black) and George W. Thomas and worked for Suffolk County in Riverhead as an office administrator.

Ms. Thomas is survived by her sister, Bette J. Dick and her brother, George W. (known as Bill) Thomas.

The family will receive visitors Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead, with a funeral service taking place at 2 p.m.  Interment will take place at Riverhead Cemetery. Cremation was private.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, PO Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.

Esther C. Pilles, 66, a life long resident of Southold, beloved mother, well-known educator and 27 year breast cancer survivor died April 17, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Leukemia.

Essie, as she was known to her friends, was the daughter of Richard F. Mullen, Sr. and Esther C. Mullen. Born in Greenport, March 25, 1948, Essie’s passion for learning and education began at a young age and continued throughout her life. A graduate of Southold High School she went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from C.W. Post. Her love of academia as a student later translated into a love for her chosen vocation: teaching. Essie was a speech pathologist at Oysterponds Elementary School for over twenty years prior to retiring in 2005. She was a devoted educator and former president of the Oysterponds Faculty Association.

Essie will be remembered for her sense of humor, keen wit, generosity, intelligence and especially for the exceptional grace and courage she displayed in the face of adversity during her battles with cancer. Essie was an avid reader who enjoyed the theater, boating and dinner with friends. Her true joy was spending time with her children and her dogs.

Essie is survived by her two children, Amy Pilles of Rocky Point and Kristopher Pilles of Cutchogue; her sister, Muriel Mothersele of Berlin, Conn.; her brother, Richard F. Mullen of Southold; as well as extended family members and her dear friends.
The family received visitors April 22 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated April 23 at St. Patrick R.C. Church. Interment took place at the church cemetery.
Please consider donating platelets and joining the bone marrow registry in her honor. Be the Match Foundation (www.bethematch.org).

This is a paid notice.

Lifelong Mattituck resident Elsie M. Jones died April 23, 2014 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. She was 87.

Ms. Jones was born in Mattituck, Oct. 6, 1926, to Joseph and Helen Miska and was a graduate of Mattituck High School

On October 19, 1948, she married Ernest F. (Toppy) Jones in Mattituck, where together they made their home.

She is survived by her husband; two children, James Jones of Westhampton and Cindy Kronenberg of Riverhead; a sister, Linda Single of Riverhead and three grandchildren; Douglas Kronenberg, Jackie Kronenberg and Nicole Jones.

The family received visitors April 25 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Bishop Emil Wcela celebrated the Liturgy of Christian Burial April 26 at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck, where Elsie was a life-long communicant. Interment took place at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made to Mattituck Fire Department Rescue Squad.

This is a paid notice. 

Scotch R. McBurnie of Riverhead died April 26 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 78.

He was born July 8, 1935, to Helen (Korleski) and James C. McBurnie and was a superintendent with New York City schools.

Mr. McBurnie is survived by his brothers, James, of Riverhead and Mark, of Jamesport.

The family received visitors April 30 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will be held today, Thursday, May 1, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead, officiated by Father Robert Kuznik. Interment will take place at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Cemetery in Riverhead.

Joseph Mims of Riverhead died April 23 at Riverhead Care Center. He was 71.

Mr. Mims was born Dec. 26, 1942, in South Carolina to George and Williemae Mims. He worked as a grave digger for Southampton Cemetery.

He is survived by his son, Darius and daughter, Joann Langhorne, both of Riverhead; his sisters, Shirley Long, Betty Robinson, Patricia Ann and Renell Goethie; his brother, Nathaniel; and five grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, April 30, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead, with a graveside service following at 10:30 a.m. at Southampton Cemetery.

Former Calverton resident Jean “Jennie” Doroski died April 1 at her home in St. Petersburg, Fla. She was 97.

She was born to John and Adela Kuelsa of Calverton. Family members said she enjoyed spending time farming – tying cauliflower, picking potatoes, milking cows and feeding livestock.

While living on Long Island, Ms. Doroski worked as  an insurance agent, helped her husband, Theodore, on the farm and later owned a retail store in New York city. Family members that she and her husband enjoyed bowling and participated in many tournaments.

In 1972, Mr. Doroski retired from farming and Ms. Doroski closed her retail business. They moved to Florida, where family said Ms. Doroski enjoyed playing bingo and  along with her husband, spent time golfing and visiting family and friends.

Ms. Doroski was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her daughter, Roberta; her granddaughter; and her great-grandson.

Memorial services will be held April 30 at 10 a.m. at Blessed Trinity R.C. Church in St. Petersburg. Ms. Doroski will be buried next to her husband at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Cemetery in Riverhead.

Lifelong Riverhead resident Judge Thomas M. Stark, died on April 27 of complications from cancer surgery. He was 89.

Mr. Stark was a long-serving New York State judge who presided over such notable Long Island trials as the 1974 DeFeo family murders in Amityville and the 1996 Lilco property tax challenge. 

After being appointed to the county court of Suffolk County by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1963, Mr. Stark served six years on that bench before winning election to the state Supreme Court, where he served for 29 years until his retirement in 1998. From 1978 to 1992, he was supervising judge of the Superior Criminal Courts of Suffolk County. From 1985 to 1998, he served as an associate justice of the Appellate Term, Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts. As vice chairman of the Criminal Jury Instructions committee of the New York State Office of Court Administration from 1972 to 1992, he helped draft uniform jury instructions for the state; he remained a member until his death. In 1984, he was named Judge of the Year by the Suffolk County Criminal Bar Association.

A graduate of Riverhead High School and the College of Holy of Cross, Mr. Stark served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Slated to be part of the invasion of Japan, he was en route to his ship when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in August of 1945. After the war, he attended Harvard Law School as part of the GI bill, receiving his degree in 1949. Upon graduation, he returned to his hometown of Riverhead  and joined a private law practice.

Mr. Stark was a former Riverhead Town Attorney and Justice of the Peace and a member of the Riverhead Board of Education. For many years he was a member of the No Doubt World Famous Monday Night Band and the frequent master of ceremonies for the popular Lions Club shows. Mr. Stark had a long history with the Suffolk County Council of Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

In his retirement, he wrote the local history Riverhead: The Halcyon Years 1861 to 1919 and the forthcoming “Horrific Homicides”, a recounting of four of his most notable criminal trials.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Crabtree Stark, his daughters Elizabeth Stark Dugan of Chevy Chase, Md., and Ellen Gaynor Stark of New York City; his brother William Stark of Hampton Bays; and two grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, May 1, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral mass will be held Friday, May 2, at 10: 30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead.

Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Suffolk County Historical Society, 300 West Main St., Riverhead, NY 11901, or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

James A. Clinton of Riverhead died April 8 at his home after a long illness. He was 69. 

Mr. Clinton was born Aug. 25, 1944, in Aurora, N.C., to Winifred (Ernell) and Napoleon Clinton. He attended public school in North Carolina, and later went to school in Riverhead. He completed his education by obtaining his GED certificate.

Family members said Mr. Clinton joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country. He went to Vietnam on two separate tours: from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1967 to 1968. He later worked for Calverton National Cemetery.

According to family members, Mr. Clinton was “liked by everyone who knew him.” He enjoyed walking and spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Clinton was predeceased by his brothers Willie and David and by his sister, Everlyn Houpe. He is survived by his companion of 31 years, Anna Ayers; five children, Lawanda, James Jr., Charlene, Jermaine and Winifred Clinton, all of Sanford, Fla.; his brothers Joe and Johnnie of Riverhead, Hurlie of Wildwood, N.Y., and Alonzo of Flanders; as well as many other relatives.

The family received visitors April 17 at Galilee Church of God in Christ, where Pastor Roy Pennon Sr. led a funeral service.

Interment was at Calverton National Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.

Longtime Riverhead resident Esther Sykes Allen died April 17. She was 102.

She was born Feb. 22, 1912, in Jackson, N.C., to Ben and Emma Sykes and married William Allen Feb. 20, 1930. The Allens moved to Riverhead in 1946.

Family members said that Ms. Allen was “an independent, intelligent, hard-working woman” who loved family, music, knitting and gardening. They spoke of her “beautiful spirit and contagious laughter” that will be missed by all who knew her.

Ms. Allen was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Riverhead. Her family described her as a “God-fearing woman who loved the Lord.”

Predeceased by her husband and her children Mamie, Benjamin and Chester, she is survived by her son, William; her sisters, Marjorie Hargrove of Suitland, Md., and Lila Bates of Riverhead; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and other relatives.

The family received visitors April 23 at First Baptist Church of Riverhead, where a funeral service officiated by Pastor Charles Coverdale took place. Interment was at Riverhead Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were handle by Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.

Longtime Riverhead resident Mabel C. Washington died March 28. She was 92.

She was born Sept. 23, 1921, on Shelter Island to Benjamin and Laura Chase and graduated from Shelter Island High School. She worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years.

After retiring from the post office, Ms. Washington served as a secretary, Sunday school teacher and youth leader for Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt. Family members said she loved helping young people.

Ms. Washington moved to Riverhead in 1998 and became an active member of First Baptist Church.

Predeceased by her husband, Jacob C. Washington, in 1975 and her sister, Naomi Ware, in 2008, she is survived by her daughters, Patricia Reaves of Greensboro, N.C., and Karen Morgan-Wood of Seattle, Wash.; her sons, Lawrence Morgan of Broad Brook, Conn., Kenneth Morgan of Great Neck, and Jacob C. Washington III of Manassas, Va.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service was held April 3 at First Baptist Church of Riverhead. Cremation was private.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.

A memorial service for Walker “Sonny” Turner will be held Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Riverhead Fire Department. An Emergency Medical Service walk-through will take place at 2 p.m.

Mr. Turner was a 30-year member of Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance  Corps. He died April 3 after a long illness.

Former Riverhead resident Anthony F. Gadzinski, Sr. of East Hamtpon, died April 25. He was 94.

Mr. Gadzinski was postmaster for United States Post Office branch in Riverhead, as well as a former Riverhead Town Clerk.

Funeral arrangements incomplete at presstime are in the care of DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes in Mattituck.

 A complete obituary will follow.

A memorial service for John Urevich will take place Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at Flanders Mens Club.

Mr. Urevich died April 11, at the age of 48. He was a member of Riverhead Fire Department Everready Engine Company #3.

For more information, contact McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.

Former Wading River resident Florence E. (Shwonik) Burgess died April 24. She was  85.

She was the beloved wife of the late Valentine “Moe” Kobylenski and Russell A. Burgess; devoted mother of Debbi (Kevin) Mischler and stepmother of Jack and Rusty Burgess; dear sister of Katherine Lucas, Elizabeth Brace, Marion O’Connor, Donald Shwonik and the late Claude Shwonik; loving grandmother of John Burgess, Deborah (Steve) Petrucci, Lisa (Steve) Lagnina, Kevin Burgess, Lynn (Dale) Bogard, Kristine (Ronnie) Barr, and Amy Mischler; and great-grandmother of Katherine Brown, Anna and Peter Lagnina, Jackson Burgess, Andrew and Alex Bogard, and Mackenzie Barr.

Service time is pending. To send a condolence, visit Muellerfunerals.com

This is a paid notice. 

Geore W. Rundlett

George W. Rundlett, formerly of Rockland, Maine, passed away April 25, 2014, after complications from surgery and a long illness.

At the time of his death he was a resident of Wading River, where he was retired from Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he worked for 19 years as a nuclear safety instructor.

George was born in Rockland, Maine, Aug. 15, 1940, and attended public schools in Standish, Rockland, and Portland. While in Rockland in the early ‘50s he attended both Rockland middle school and high school. George’s grandmother on his maternal side, Emily Stevens, was employed by the Burpee Funeral Home. His other Rockland connection was the fact that his mother was at one time married to Stanley Boynton whose picture is on the wall of fame in Rockland City Hall, recognized for his cross-country flying records in the 1940s.

Following high school George enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany as a medical technician before returning to the United States and settling in Orono, Maine, where he graduated from the University of Maine, receiving a master’s degree in adult education. After graduation from college he served as a science teacher for the Bangor school system.

During George’s teaching career in Maine he also went to officer candidate school, achieved the rank of captain and was a commander for a National Guard engineering unit in Newport. George attended Embry Riddle School of Flight, earning his wings, and became a proficient helicopter pilot which resulted in receiving commendation for performing so called ‘missions of mercy’ for the medical evacuation of injured people throughout Maine. He later became a member of the prestigious group known as the Quiet Birdmen and was also a past Commander of American Legion Aviators’ Post 743.

George was an avid sports car enthusiast and won numerous awards driving in rally competitions throughout New England.  In 1964 he was chairman of the Penobscot Citizens Safety Council and during that year took a team of drivers, including his brother Derry, to Montreal, Canada for an international sports car driving competition, which was recognized on local television and also by Governor John Read.

Fondly known as “Buzz” to his friends, family, and fellow pilots and National Guardsmen, he was known for both his musical and artistic talents. In Wading River, he painted a mural for his local congregational church and served as a trustee, lay minister, and pianist for his church with his wife Linda.  They also co-taught the confirmation class for 10 years. George’s hobbies were many, among them painting, music, travel, and maintaining family connections. He was an ambassador of his extended family and was responsible for connecting the many generations of his family heritage all over the United States. George also held a deep love for the beauty of nature and respect for animals.  His wit and story-telling abilities were recognized by all he encountered. He was an excellent public speaker and teacher.

He was predeceased by his father, Ellsworth T. Rundlett II, in 1958, his mother Esther Nickerson Stevens Rundlett, in 1981, his sister Barbara Boynton Gerrish, in 2010, and his twin brother, Lawrence Stevens Rundlett in October 2013. George is survived by his beloved wife Linda Rundlett of Wading River; his three children: twin daughters, Katherine Rundlett and Christine O’Rourke of Brewer, Maine, and Elizabeth Elowitch of Portland, Maine and Boca Raton, Fla., two brothers, Ellsworth “Derry” T. Rundlett III of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and John Boynton of Houston, Texas; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were held May 3 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home in Portland, Maine, followed by interment and a Color Guard ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, with a reception gathering of family and friends immediately thereafter.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 1 p.m., at Wading River Congregational Church, 2057 No. Country Rd. with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.