Mary Arnetha “May” Atkins of Riverhead died Jan. 30. She was 81. 

She was born May 15, 1933, in Cumberland, Va. to Solomon and Maria Brooks. While living in Cumberland, Ms. Atkins attended local schools, was baptized in Rocky Mountain Baptist Church and met her future husband, Junius Atkins Sr. They later moved to Riverhead.

For over 20 years, Ms. Atkins worked at the Eastport Packing Plant. Family members said she enjoyed playing cards, watching television shows, especially soap operas, WWE Smack Down and Tom & Jerry cartoons. They also said she was known for her rice pudding.

Predeceased by her husband, Ms. Atkins is survived by her children, Rose Stokley, Edna, Junius, Waverly, Vincent, and Sarah, all of Riverhead; her brother, George Taylor, and many additional relatives.

Services took place Feb. 5 at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead, officiated by Pastor Dr. Roy Pennon Sr. A meal for friends and family followed at the Riverhead Elks Lodge.

Arrangements were in care of Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.

John Sampler Sr. of Riverhead died Feb. 6 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 89. 

Mr. Sampler was born in New Orleans, La. to Anna Alexander of New Orleans and John Sampler III of Gurley, La. He attended Albert Wicker High School, received his diploma and continued his education in the U.S. Air Force.

While serving in the Air Force, Mr. Sampler was a communication specialist at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif. and went on assignments in Indochina and Vietnam. He received many commendations during this time, including the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and the Desert Air Force GB-881 Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1972.

Following his Air Force career, Mr. Sampler worked for Northrop Grumman in Riverhead. He was a member of Tyre Lodge 91 in Riverhead.

He is survived by his children, Madeline, Marion, John R. Jr., Priscilla and Jessica and seven grandchildren.

A service was held Feb. 18 at First Baptist Church in Riverhead, officiated by Pastor Charles Coverdale. Interment took place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Arrangements were in care of Seay Memorial Chapel.

Longtime Aquebogue resident Jeri Lynn Schilpp died Feb. 19. She was 58. 

She was born June 26, 1956, in Lewisburg, Pa. to Gertrude (Derr) and Dick Strine. She married George Schilpp Nov. 12, 1983, in Bay Shore.

Jeri always enjoyed teaching and guiding young children. She eared a master’s degree and began her teaching career at Riverhead Co-Op Nursery School at First Baptist Church. She later worked at the director of the Riverhead After School Care Active Learning (RASCAL) program, an after-school program based at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School. She became a kindergarten teacher and later, a second-grade teacher, at Aquebogue Elementary School.

Before teaching at Aquebogue, Jeri was heavily involved with volunteering for the Aquebogue Elementary Parent Teacher Organization while her sons attended school there. After becoming a teacher, she continued to work with the PTO as a teacher-parent liaison, researching and organizing many cultural events for the school.

As a member of Old Steeple Community Church in Aquebogue, Jeri volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and enjoyed participating in fundraisers whenever she could.

She enjoyed her dogs, baking, camping, observing nature, swimming, kayaking, sailing, and most of all, helping people.

Jeri loved her family and her students. She was a very devoted wife to her husband, George, and a very devoted mother to her beloved sons, George and Daniel. She is also survived by her parents; and her sisters, Beth Stover of Pennsylvania and Traci Viklund of Manhasset; and her brother, Dick Strine of Bayport.

A memorial visitation will be held Friday, March 6, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 7, at Old Steeple Community Church at a time to be announced.

Memorial donations may be made to the L.I. branch of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

This is a paid notice. 

William C. Fedun of Calverton died Feb. 25 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 95.

He was born March 21, 1919, in Mattituck to Michael and Helen Fedun. He married Jennie (Bogdan) June 9, 1947, in Calverton.

Mr. Fedun was a farmer. For many years he served as chairman for St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church chicken barbecue.

Predeceased by his wife in 2011, Mr. Fedun is survived by his children, David of Calverton, William Jr. of Ohio, and Karen of Riverhead; his sister, Helen Joseph of Florida; and five grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, March 1, from 2 to 6 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m., Monday, March 2, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church in Riverhead. Interment will take place at St. Isidore R.C. Cemetery in Riverhead.

Longtime Aquebogue resident Helen Maryann Strebel passed away Feb. 25, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving husband, children, niece and sister. She was 86. 

She was born Aug. 8, 1928, in Aquebogue to Frank and Justina (Ruskowski) Doroski.

Helen was a homemaker who loved her family and often spoke about life growing up with 10 brothers and sisters. Helen loved her church and enjoyed traveling, flowers and going out to dinner. Family members said she will be missed by all who loved her.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, John; her four children, Maryann (Daily), Theresa, Peter (Patti) and Paul (Nicole); her nine grandchildren, Justine, Lauren, Alexandra, Eric, Sarah, David, Leo, Jillian and John.; and six of her siblings, Walter and Conrad Doroski, Hedwig Kozak, Bertha Wilcenski, Irene Zlatniski and Albena Sujecki.

The family will receive visitors Friday, Feb. 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment will take place at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice.

Former longtime Riverhead resident William “Gus” Klodaski died Feb. 24 at Halifax Regional Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. He was 80.

Mr. Klodaski is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia; his son, William Jr, and his wife and two children of Burlington, N.C.; his son, Brian, and his wife and two children of Rumson, N.J.; his daughter, MaryAnn Anderson and her husband and three children of Manorville; and his sister, Ann Mickaliger of Riverhead.

A memorial visitation will be held Monday, March 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.

Memorial donations may be made to the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Association, alsa.org.

Ralph G. Borsella of Riverhead died Feb. 25 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 69. 

The family will receive visitors Friday, Feb. 27, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Center Moriches.

A complete obituary will follow.

Longtime Riverhead resident Howard W. Darrow died Feb. 24 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 88. 

The family received visitors Feb. 27 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead, with a graveside service following at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church Cemetery in Riverhead.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice.

A complete obituary will follow.

Thomas B. Calhoun of Riverhead died Feb. 15. He was 44.

He was born Oct. 27, 1970, in Riverhead to Beatrice Shaw and graduated from Riverhead High School. He married Linda (Pollard) Aug. 21, 1999.

Mr. Calhoun worked as a security guard for many different businesses. Most recently he worked at Walmart.

Family members said Mr. Calhoun enjoyed spending time with his children and additional family members at gatherings, barbecues, cook-outs and picnics. He also loved fishing and music.

Predeceased by his mother, Mr. Calhoun is survived by his wife, Linda Calhoun; his children, Cierra Miles, Tyedejah Calhoun, Yolanda and Shawn Miles and Ryan and Shapria Anderson; his brothers, Troy and Marvin Calhoun and Larry Brown; his grandmother, Mary Evans of Maryland; four grandchildren; and many other relatives.

The family received visitors Feb. 26 at Galilee Church of God in Riverhead. Cremation was private.

Arrangements were in care of Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.

Martha I. Whyard of Calverton died Feb. 28 at her home. She was 90.

She was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Worcester, Mass., to Elizabeth (Styler) and Henry Fred Clark.

Ms. Whyard was a registered nurse and worked for Dr. Wolborsky in Riverhead. She was actively involved with the thrift shop at Baiting Hollow Congregational Church.

Family members said she enjoyed cooking, baking, doing crossword puzzles and reading.

Predeceased by her husband, Clyde, in 1992, Ms. Whyard is survived by her sons, Tim, of Rocky Point, Terry, of Southold, Tracy, of Aquebogue and Clyde III, of Colorado; her daughters, Diane, of Calverton, Penny, of Holbrook, and Dawn Harris of Riverhead; her sister, Charlotte Jacques, also of Riverhead; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, March 3, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 4, at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Stan Knavel of Baiting Hollow Congregational Church. Interment will take place at Riverhead Cemetery.

Lifelong Riverhead resident Margaret Taylor died Feb. 27 at Riverhead Care Center. She was 98.  

She was born June 24, 1916, in Mattituck to William and Maggie (Brown) Booker.

Ms. Taylor worked as a housecleaner. Family members said she loved to sing, knit and read the Bible.

Predeceased by her husband, John; her son, John Jr. and her granddaughter, Adrienne, Ms. Taylor is survived by her grandson, John III of Virginia; her sisters, Thelma Brown of Riverhead and Eva Riley of Connecticut; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors for prayers Saturday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Interment will take place at Riverhead Cemetery. Cremation was private.

This is a paid notice. 

Former Jamesport resident Lorraine B. Godsey died Feb. 18 at Flagler Beach Hospital in Flagler Beach, Fla. She was 83. 

She was born Feb. 7, 1932, in Bangor, Maine, to Alfred and Sarianne Parent.

For many years Lorraine worked as a machine operator for Photocruit in Aquebogue. She loved the beach and enjoyed many activities including playing cards, performing drama skits and making hats for premature babies.

Predeceased by her oldest son, Russell Godsey Jr.; Lorraine is survived by her children, Richard, Carol and Susan Hallock; her grandchildren, Lora Godsey, Sara Rodriguez, Brandon Godsey, Christopher Godsey and Bailey Godsey. She also leaves several great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A private viewing was held at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home. A memorial service was held Feb. 21 at Plantation Oaks officiated by Pastor Bill Elias of Community Memorial Church. All services took place in Flagler Beach.

A memorial is planned for family and friends in New York at a date and time to be announced.

This is a paid notice. 

Ronald F. Janis of Riverhead died Feb. 27 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 70. 

He was born June 5, 1944, in Greenport to William and Ruth Janis of Riverhead. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970.

Mr. Janis worked as a maintenance man for MacLeods Mobile Home Park in Riverhead. Family members said he enjoyed playing lottery, lawn care and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (née Rogers) of Riverhead; his daughter, Jennifer (John) Schultz of North Carolina; his brother, Daniel, of Florida; his sister, Joan Deslauriers of Florida; his sister-in-law, Joan Nusspickel of New Jersey; and two grandchildren, Steven and Kimberly Cramond of North Carolina.

Arrangements were in care of McLaughlin-Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Cremation was private.

Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or American Cancer Society.

This is a paid notice.

Former Riverhead resident Patricia E Hepinstall, 69, of Fort Worth, Texas, died Feb. 25 at North Hills Hospital in North Richland Hills, Texas. 

Patricia was born on April 24, 1945, to Joseph and Jessie (Mitzen) Gibbons and graduated from Riverhead High School in 1963. Patricia worked as a title searcher for many years until her retirement from Fidelity National Title in 2010. She later moved to Texas to be with her daughters.

Patricia was full of life. She enjoyed family time and gardening.

Patricia is survived by her brother Richard (Dorothy) Gibbons; and her sister Sharon Green; her two daughters, former Riverhead residents Lori Hepinstall Olsen of Denton, Texas and Tracy Hepinstall of Fort Worth, Texas; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Patricia was predeceased by her brother Jay Gibbons.

Cremation took place at Memorial Park Funeral Services in North Richland Hills followed by a private memorial service.

Memorial donations may be directed to American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or The North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050.

This is a paid notice. 

Ralph G. Borsella of Riverhead died Feb. 25 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 69. 

Mr. Borsella was born June 10, 1945, in the Bronx to Anna (Kanwetz) and Ralph V. Borsella and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in the Bronx.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972, achieving the rank of machinist’s mate third class.

Mr. Borsella worked as phone technician for New York Telephone, which eventually became Verizon Communications and was very active in the Communication Workers Assocation Union Local 1108.

Mr. Borsella’s son, Christopher , spoke of his love for fresh and salt water fishing and said that later in life, his father especially enjoyed fishing on the Peconic River.

In addition to Christopher, of Riverhead; Mr. Borsella is survived by his wife, Angela (née Scarano); and his brother, Gregory, of Chester, Mass.

The family received visitors Feb. 27 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service was held Feb. 28 at the funeral home. Interment took place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Center Moriches.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Humane Society.

Diane Frazzetta of Calverton died Feb. 19, 2015. She was 74. 

She was born in Brooklyn Sept. 19, 1940, to Louis and Anna (née Fallica) DeJoy and married Peter Frazzetta January 6, 1962, at St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park.

Diane is survived by her husband, Peter and by two children, Peter Frazzetta of Cape Coral, Fla. and Richard Frazzetta of Tampa, Fla.; and her granddaughter, Felicia Frazzetta. She was predeceased by her three brothers.

Formerly of Hauppauge, Centereach and Shirley, she has been a resident of Calverton since 2002.

The family received visitors Feb. 23, at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 24 at St. Isidore’s R.C. Church in Riverhead, officiated by the Rev. Robert Kuznik. Interment took place at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

This is a paid notice.

Edward V. Kramer Jr., age 79 of Southold, passed away March 5, 2015, when the angels opened the gates of heaven for his arrival. 

Ed was born in Greenport, the son of Benedicta and Edward Kramer Sr. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and served as an air traffic controller. Later he worked at Plum Island as a laboratory technician which he enjoyed for over 60 years. He married Alice Droskoski in 1958 and together they settled in Greenport before building their own home in Southold where they raised their family of four.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Alice; his son Edward Kramer III of Belleville, Ill.; his daughters, Kris Brown and her husband Keith of Salisbury, Md., Sharon Kramer of Southold, and Susan Vogel and her husband Doug of Wayne, N.J.

Ed was the very much loved Pop-Pop of Sabrina, Dominic, Sean, Amanda, Carley, Jacob, Noah, Emily and Faith; and the great-grandfather of Gabbi, Alex and Lucas. He is also survived by his brothers John and Philip; his sister-in-law Irene; and many nieces and nephews.

The family received visitors March 9 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated March 10 at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Southold. Interment with U.S. Air Force honors took place Sacred Heart R.C. Church Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations in the name of Edward V. Kramer, Jr. may be made to the Air Force Assistance Fund, 550 C Street West, JBSA-Randolph, TX 78150 or Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1469, Southold, NY 11971.

This is a paid notice. 

Former Riverhead resident Barbara F. Ferrero, of New Windsor, N.Y. entered into eternal rest Feb. 28, 2015 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. She was 70.

The daughter of Elizabeth and Walter Bonczyk, she was born Sept. 3, 1944, in Southampton.

Barbara was a 1962 graduate of Mercy High School in Riverhead. In addition to being a homemaker, Barbara worked for many years as a medical secretary.

Barbara was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be missed greatly.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Ferrero of New Windsor; her son Michael Ferrero of New Windsor; her son Vincent Ferrero, his wife Donna and their two daughters, Nicole and Alison of Fairport, N.Y.; and her brother Walter Bonczyk and his wife, Barbara, of Riverhead, along with many other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, at Church of St. Joseph in New Windsor, where Father Dennis Dinan will officiate. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in New Windsor.

The family requests that contributions may be made to EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210, ewtn.com.

Arrangements are by Kevin Quigley of Quigley Bros. Funeral Home in Cornwall-On-Hudson. To send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to Quigleybros.com.

This is a paid notice.

Dr. Richard L. Sawyer, a former resident of the Baiting Hollow area of Riverhead, died on March 9, 2015, in Raleigh, N.C. 

Richard Sawyer was born March 17, 1921, the second of six children of Helen York and Burtt Sawyer. He grew up on the family farm, which produced milk, vegetables, and timber. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942, and earned the rank of staff sergeant. He served his country bravely in World War II, and was wounded and captured during the Battle of the Bulge. He was held in Stalag 11B, and liberated while on a death march towards Lubeck, on the North Sea.

After the war, Richard graduated with distinction from the University of Maine, and earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1953. He was a Cornell University Professor of vegetable crops, stationed at the Long Island Vegetable Research Farm in Baiting Hollow, from 1953 to 1966. During this time he was active in the Baiting Hollow Congregational Church and many other local organizations, and served on the Riverhead School Board.

From 1966 through 1972, Richard was professor of horticulture at North Carolina State University. In 1972 he founded the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru, and continued his work with potatoes at research stations located in 25 different countries, helping to feed people all over the world.

He contributed to over 150 scientific publications, served as a consultant in agricultural production around the world, and received numerous awards and honors for his work. Of his many accomplishments, he was particularly proud of the decades-long collection of potato genetic material now safely housed in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This collection preserves thousands of species of potatoes (including one named for Richard) with different traits and resistances to be of use to future generations in case of food crisis.

In his later years, Richard enjoyed working in his garden, feeding and watching birds, singing hymns from his childhood, nightly card games with his wife, and visits from his family.

Richard is survived by his wife, Norma; and son Richard Jan; along with his first wife, Jeanne; and daughters Polly Brown, Nancy Sawyer, and Sara Smith. He will also be remembered by nine grandchildren, Sarah Stoller, Colby Brown, Lee Ann Amado, Amy Smithgall, Christine Leonard, and Christopher, Gregory, Melanie and Caroline Smith, as well as four great-grandchildren, Abe and Julia Stoller, Will Amado, and Zen Brown. He was predeceased by one brother Albert, and leaves two brothers, Arthur and Malcolm; two sisters, Angie Bolotin and Blanche Robinson; and many nieces and nephews.

Richard truly left this a better world and will be remembered and missed for his compassion, charisma and commitment to feeding the poor. His ashes will be interred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. A celebration of his life will take place with family in New Sharon, Maine this summer.

This is a paid notice. 

Robert J. Tooker, of Aquebogue died at his home March 10. He was 65.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, March 12 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, March 13, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck.

Memorial donations to the Wounded Warrior Project would be appreciated.

A complete obituary will follow.