Charles H. Petersen Jr.

Charles H. Petersen Jr., 58, of East Quogue passed away with his family at his side. Charlie went to be with the Lord on Aug. 9, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Charlie was born July 11, 1957, to Charles H. Petersen Sr. and Frances Petersen. He lived every day of his life to the fullest and treated each day as a gift from God. He was a 1975 graduate of Riverhead High School and continued on to receive an associate’s degree from Suffolk County Community College.

Charlie loved his family and friends, fishing, watching the sun rise and set, riding on the beach and sitting by the water. Throughout his life, he had many adventures as an oysterman, City of Wauchula employee and, most recently, grounds foreman of Bideawee Pet Cemetery, during his retirement.

Charlie was a man of faith and loved his Eastport Bible Church family. He was very involved in the church as an usher, greeter and Sunday School teacher, the prayer ministry, two mens’ Bible studies, mens’ retreats and evangelism. He also led an epilepsy support group in Riverhead for several years.

Charlie was a devoted father and husband. He is survived by his wife; Toni Marino Petersen; his daughters, Angela Petersen and Christina Salas; and his son-in-law, Rocky Salas. He also left behind his stepchildren, Roy Ferry and Bethany and Christopher Hallman; and his step-grandson, Christopher (CJ) Hallman. Charlie is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Tina and Ted Barwick; and his niece, Carisa Barwick.

A wake will be held Friday, Aug. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Follet & Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Eastport Bible Church. After the service, the life of this loving, humorous and inspirational man will be celebrated with a barbecue/luncheon as per his wishes.

Please consider a memorial donation to the Epilepsy Foundation or Eastport Bible Church.

This is a paid notice. 

Paul Francis Gotimer was born Jan. 22, 1935, in Lynn, Mass., the son of Grayce (Williams) and Joseph Francis Gotimer. Paul was a proud older brother to his sisters Jean, Joan and Jane. He always looked out for them and was the rock that held the family together. 

After high school Paul joined the U.S. Navy and took many excursions around the world. His souvenirs from these trips were tattoos that he proudly displayed on his arms for all to see. After he left the service he worked at the Riverhead County Jail for over 20 years as the lead maintenance. Paul enjoyed this job immensely because he loved working with his hands to fix and create things.

In his early 20s, he met a woman who would become the love of his life, Grace Edwards. They were married Nov. 22, 1957. Paul moved into his wife’s family home on Edwards Avenue where they raised four children. Scott, James, Drew and Pamela looked up to their father for his wisdom, wit, humor and mischievous side.

Paul retired from the jail and jumped into some hobbies that he treasured. He was known for traveling the country with his wife in their 5th-wheel truck and trailer. He took pride in keeping his truck beautiful and clean. Paul also took good care of the house and always found projects to work on or he would tinker with his model trains that took up a special room in his house.

He shared his love of traveling with his eight grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel, Patrick, Ashley, Chris, Matt, Angela, and Nicole. Every summer Paul took two grandkids out for a week to share in the adventures of camping and seeing the country. He was notorious for being an instigator when his grandchildren were around and often shared tricks to having fun without getting into trouble by their parents (most of the time). Paul’s adventures and stories will be shared with his great-granddaughter, Mia.

Paul also leaves behind two nephews and five nieces who looked up to him, admired and respected him for his devotion to his family. He was the light of the party when he walked into a room or shared a beer at the family reunion. He will be remembered for his laughter, humor and desire to make everyone feel loved and special.

A memorial service was held Aug. 17 at Morello Funeral Home in Easton, Pa. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to American Cancer Society, Lehigh Valley Unit, 3893 Adler Place, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com.

This is a paid notice. 

John Scott Thompson of Riverside died at his home Aug. 13. He was 60. 

He was born Oct. 1, 1954, in Riverhead to Sally (Phillips) and Arthur Thompson Sr.

Mr. Thompson was self-employed and had his own Coca-Cola route.

He is survived by his son, John Scott Thompson JR. of Riverside and his brother, Arthur Thompson Jr.

The family received visitors Aug. 17 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. Interment took place at Riverhead Cemetery.

Albert Levasseur of Riverhead died Aug. 16 at Riverhead Care Center. He was 87. 

He was born Dec. 20, 1927, in Canada to Andre and Maria Levasseur.

Mr. Levasseur was a carpenter with Levasseur Carpentry. Family members said he enjoyed landscaping at his home.

Predeceased by his son Robert in 2012, Mr. Levasseur is survived by his wife, Jeanette (née Boucher); his sons Richard, Patrick and Peter; his daughter, Lisa Schlecht; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Cremation was private.

John F. Niecko of Riverhead died Aug. 19. He was 77. 

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Aug. 20, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral mass will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

Johnny Niecko, who for more than 30 years serenaded listeners across the East End with authentic Polish polka as host of WRIV’s “Sunday Polka Time,” died Wednesday. He was 77.

Mr. Niecko had suffered from health problems in recent years which forced him to retire from radio in 2013 after 37 years on the job, his daughter Pat Raynor said.

During that time, Mr. Niecko became a well-known personality in the polka music scene; his radio show’s theme song was performed by a professional polka group and includes lyrics welcoming Mr. Niecko and his Riverhead listeners.

“Oh, he loved doing this polka program,” Ms. Raynor said. “He was very upset that he had to give it up.”

Mr. Niecko was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan and Korea and settled down in Riverhead.

His radio career started as a dare from his Polish barber, Mr. Niecko told the News Review in a 2013 feature story.

“He said, ‘You know your Polish and you got guts,’ ” Mr. Niecko said. “He dared me. I couldn’t refuse.”

Mr. Niecko got his start with WLNG, but settled at Riverhead’s local station WRIV in 1982.

“He was good at what he did,” said WRIV radio host Bruce Tria. “He was just a terribly nice guy. He always walked in with his buttered roll and his container of coffee.”

Mr. Tria said that with Mr. Niecko, what you heard was was you got.

“Nothing ruffled his feathers,” he said. “The same exact guy you heard on the air was the one off-the-air.”

For decades, Mr. Niecko walked up the three-and-a-half flights of stairs to the WRIV office on Sundays to play his polka. Sometimes, Ms. Raynor said, his children and wife would tag along to answer phone calls and take down requests from listeners.

Mr. Niecko’s fans extended into neighboring states, Ms. Raynor said.

“He and Mom used to go to different places, all these different polka festivals,” she said. “They used to have a following when they would go to these.”

Polish Town Civic Association chair Kay Davis said Mr. Niecko wasn’t directly involved with her organization, but he played a large indirect role by sharing Polish culture and keeping tradition alive.

His death comes days after longtime volunteer and “larger-than-life” teacher Feliska Sawicka died at age 93, marking another blow to the Polish community.

“Those were two big people [around here],” Ms. Davis said.

When he wasn’t working at the radio station, Mr. Niecko worked for Riverhead Town and plowed snow in the winters. Ms. Raynor said her father would be out for days at a time during snowstorms clearing streets and would return home for a quick nap before his next shift.

“I don’t know how he did it,” she said.

During his off hours, the family used to go fishing and clamming in the nearby bays. It was all part of the work ethic Ms. Raynor said says her father taught: work hard, play hard.

In the 2013 interview, Mr. Niecko said he considered quitting the show after having a heart attack. He carried on for another nine years and “threw in the towel” when the trip up and down the stairs finally became too much.

Mr. Niecko signed off for the final time Nov. 31, 2013 with his signature farewell: “God bless America, and may the good Lord bless and keep you.”

Visiting hours for Mr. Niecko will be held from Thursday, Aug. 20,  from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral mass will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

psquire@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Johnny Neicko in a 2013 photo taken just after he retired from radio. (Credit: Cyndi Murray, file)

Florence Orlowski of Riverhead died Aug. 21 at her home. She was 102. 

She was born Feb. 12, 1913, in Calverton to Stephanie (Rutkowski) and Marcel Pelis.

Family members said she was a homemaker that enjoyed gardening.

Predeceased by her husband, John, in 1985 and her daughter Cynthia Bozuhoski, Ms. Orlowski is survived by her daughters Joanne Smith of Eastport and Cecile Carpenter of Mastic; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Monday, Aug. 24, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment will take place at the church cemetery.

Beatrice G. Levie of Laurel, formerly of Jamesport, died Aug. 24. She was 89. 

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Aug., 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

Beatrice G. Levie of Laurel died at Peconic Landing in Greenport Aug. 24, 2015. She was 89. 

The daughter of Jean (Agapitos) and George Gigiras; she was born in New York City Oct. 19, 1925. She married Edward H. Levie in New York on Sept. 29, 1946.

Family members said she was a devoted homemaker, who previously lived in Jamesport

Predeceased by Edward H. Levie April 18, 2004, she is survived by a daughter, Laura Gunder of Laurel; a son, Edward, of Whitestone, N.Y.; a sister, Evie Scapetis; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Religious services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 at the funeral home, officiated by Father Joe D’Angelo. Interment will take place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Marinell T. Smith of Riverhead died Aug. 24, 2015. The former longtime Westhampton resident was 89. 

She was born Sept. 21, 1925, in Clovis, N.M. to Pearl Nellie (Jackson) and John W. Thompson.

Mrs. Smith was the widow of retired Major Joe H. Smith, Jr. of the U.S. Air Force, who died Aug. 11, 2008; grandmother of CandaceJoe Jacobs of Mattituck and KimberlyJoe Jones of Virginia; great-grandmother of Jonathan and Megan Jacobs and mother-in-law of Robert Reilly of East Moriches. She was predeceased by her daughter, MariJoe Reilly Aug. 6, 2005.

Interment services will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at Calverton National Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

This is a paid notice. 

Stephanie J. (Mendrala) Whalen was born Nov. 17, 1921, and passed to God’s glory Aug. 19, 2015, in Oneonta, N.Y.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband John. Surviving are her sons John (Audrey), Edward (Jeannie), Stephen and Robert (Patricia). She was the loving grandmother of Heather Piscatelli, Bert Whalen, and Sean Whalen and great-grandmother to Nicholas Whalen, Alexandra Piscatelli and Cassandra Whalen and a dear aunt to many nieces and nephews, for whom she made many chocolate shakes.

Visiting hours were held Aug. 21 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, where Deacon Jeff Sykes conducted prayer services. Interment took place Aug. 22 at Pinelawn Memorial Park where services were officiated by Deacon Thomas Hennessy.

John F. Niecko of Riverhead died Aug. 19. He was 77.

He was born Aug. 30, 1937, in Naliboki, Poland to Mary (Stasieukiewicz) and Edward Niecko and attended Riverhead High School.

Mr. Niecko seved in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Riverhead.

Mr. Niecko was a member of Riverhead Polish Independence Club and Polish Town Civic Association. For 36 years, he was the host of WRIV’s “Polka Time,” playing Polish music Sunday mornings.

Predeceased by his wife, Helen in 2002, Mr. Niecko is survived by his daughters, Patricia Raynor of Riverhead and Annette Madzellan of Tuscon, Az; his siblings Bernard, of Laurel, Stacia Grabowski of Riverhead and Ann Howell of Florida; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his brother Anthony in 2003.

The family received visitors Aug. 20 at McLaughin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service was held Aug. 21 at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment took place at the church cemetery.

John Walter Toepfert of Jamesport died  Aug. 25 at his home. He was 82 years old and a retired firefighter with the Fire Department of New York. 

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Aug. 27,  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, Aug. 28, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment, with U.S. Army honors, will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

Christine Moore of Riverhead died Aug. 24 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 71.

Born Sept. 28, 1943, in North Carolina, she was the daughter of Jessie  Borden and Ada Lee White.

Ms. Moore was a member of the CB Club, played bingo and was involved in her church and community.

She is survived by her children Cynthia White, Vanessa Larocca, Reginald Moore, Erica Moore and Jason Moore; 39 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Joseph Minter and Everett Moore, as well as two grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Friendship Baptist Church in Riverhead. A funeral service will follow. Cremation will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.

Judith M. Hernandez of Wading River died at home Aug. 26. She was 75.

The family will receive visitors Friday, Aug. 28, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at St. Isidore Church in Riverhead. Cremation will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice.

A complete obituary will follow.

Lifelong Riverhead resident Peter Noel Carter died Aug. 24 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 81. 

He was bon Nov. 1, 1933 in Riverhead to Ida (Howell) and Allen Carter.

Mr. Carter worked for the Riverhead Cemetery Association. Family members said he loved animals.

He is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive visitors Monday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead, where a funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Interment will take place at Riverhead Cemetery.

Brother Cletus Burke, a former dean of students and assistant principal at Bishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High School who drew the admiration of students even in a role of disciplinarian, died Thursday morning. He was 69.

It was in his personality, according to his longtime colleague Mike Clauberg, that allowed Brother Cletus to connect to the students. Brother Cletus was always warm and loving, even when he had to act tough.

Brother Cletus was “the epitome of love,” Mr. Clauberg said.

“He had this natural love for the young people of the church, and he just accepted everybody for who they were,” Mr. Clauberg said. “He taught me so much about loving the student, about loving the person no matter who they are.”

Brother Cletus died in hospice care after a battle with cancer. He worked at Mercy from about 2000 to 2007 before transitioning to a position at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington Station.

“He was an unbelievable person,” Mr. Clauberg said. “Everyone from the Mercy community is broken-hearted over the situation.”

Brother Cletus first worked at St. Anthony’s High School from 1972 to 1985. In a 13-year span, he worked as a social studies teacher, chair of the social studies department and as an assistant principal.

He returned to St. Anthony’s in 2007 as an honors U.S. history teacher and as the moderator of girl’s soccer and lacrosse.

“Brother Cletus was the most passionate, entertaining and captivating educator that I’ve ever met in my entire life,” said Lew Cordina, chairman of St. Anthony’s social studies department. “He made everything interesting to students, and he had a way of bonding with them that was truly special.”

Around 2000, Brother Cletus was hired as an assistant principal at Mercy. He also served as dean of students during his entire tenure.

Sister Elaine Hanson was the principal when Brother Cletus was hired, and she was immediately struck by his passion and expertise.

“We were delighted to have him because he was just an educator from tip to toe,” she said. “If you ask, ‘What kind of person do you want as an administrator?’ Brother Cletus would be top of that list.”

As an assistant principal and dean of students, he got to know all the students well and would manage to learn every student’s name. Many of them he assigned an affectionate nickname.

“He felt that the hope of the future was in the hands of today’s young people,” Sister Elaine said. “The ones who got in trouble loved him just the same as those who never got in trouble.”

Brother Cletus often employed more unorthodox methods of maintaining order.

“He’d catch kids smoking by popping out of trees,” Mr. Clauberg recalled. “One time, there was a problem on a bus at Mercy, so he waited behind a seat and then popped out once the bus started going.”

He always maintained a sense of humor.

Emily Jennerich, a 2005 Mercy graduate, recalled the time she tore her anterior cruciate ligament during basketball practice. Brother Cletus offered her encouragement with this line: “If you were a horse, they would have shot you by now.”

At a time when she was feeling her worst, Brother Cletus made her smile, she said.

“No matter what mood you were in, he would put a smile on your face when you were done talking to him,” Ms. Jennerich said. “He was an amazing person. He will be missed greatly by all us Mercy students.”

Mr. Clauberg, who is switching jobs this fall to work at St. Anthony’s, said he will adorn his office with a picture of he and Brother Cletus in his mentor’s honor.

“He said he would be with me in the fall,” he said. “I’m going to continue to ask for his guidance through prayer. As far as I’m concerned, he’s still going to be with me.”

A wake will be held at St. Anthony’s on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. He will receive a Christian burial on Monday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in East Northport.

Photo caption: Brother Cletus in an undated yearbook photo for St. Anthony’s High School. (Courtesy photo)

clisinski@timesreview.com

Ruth M. Lessard of Mattituck died at the Riverhead Care Center Aug. 29, 2015. She was 87.

She was born in Greenport Jan. 18, 1933, to Andrew G. and Mary W.(Olmsted) MacNish and was a graduate of Mattituck High School.

On October 31, 1948, she married Victor G. Lessard at Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Cutchogue. He predeceased her on April 14, 1999.

Ruth was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and the Mattituck Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. During World War II, she was a civilian member of the American Civil Defense Group.

She is survived by four children, James Lessard of Mattituck, Timothy Lessard of Riverhead, Michael Lessard of Cutchogue and Corinne Garcia of Mattituck; seven grandchildren, Christopher, Rebekah, Amanda, Renee, Andrew, Kimberly and Michael Jr. and six great-grandchildren, Christian, Chance, Kaitlyn, Cassandra, Madelynn and Zadie.

The family will receive friends Monday, August 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck where Deacon Jeff Sykes will conduct prayer services. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck by Monsignor Joseph W. Staudt. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

This is a paid notice.

Dorothy A. Roache of Laurel died Aug. 29 at Peconic Bay Medical Center Skilled Nursing Facility. She was 70. 

She was born June 21, 1945, in Riverhead to John and Jennie (Gatz) Bokinz and graduated from Riverhead High School in 1963.

Ms. Roache was a homemaker who loved antique car shows, shopping and spending time with her grandsons. She was a member of the Mattituck Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Predeceased by her husband, Peter, in 2007, Ms. Roache is survived by her daughter, Wendy Griffiths of Jamesport, and two grandsons. She was also predeceased by her brother, John Bokinz.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment will take place at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.