Carole Brush of Riverhead died April 17 after a long illness. She was 72. 
Born on Leap Year in 1944. Carole was the daughter of Captain Charles and Caroline Jones of South Jamesport.

Carole was a graduate of Suffolk County Community College and Dowling College with degrees in business. She retired from Cornell University.

Carole was an avid reader, traveling through history through the bounded passages in literature.

Throughout her life Carole dedicated herself to helping those in need and championing causes of injustice. Carole was active in the Riverhead Town Republican Committee and was a stalwart for advancing reform for the betterment of the local community for which it serves. She was also an editor for Blue Smoke, a local vintage car club magazine.

Carole enjoyed antiquing and visiting yard sales with her husband, Joe, not only looking for unique pieces, but also learning about the history of them as well.

Along with her many life accomplishments and achievements, being a mother and grandmother was her happiest and most rewarding.

Carole is survived by her beloved and devoted husband Joseph; her sons Anthony (Connie) of Trumbull, Conn., William of Southold and daughter Carolle of Boston, Mass.; her grandchildren Jessica, Patrick and Michael Cydylo; and grandchildren Joseph IV, Erin, Kelly Brush and Mark Vanzevenburg; brother Clifford (Eleanor) Jones of Mattituck and niece, Christine and nephew, Craig.

The family will receive visitors Friday, April 22, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead. Church services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at First Congregational Church of Riverhead. Interment will take place at Sound Avenue Cemetery in Riverhead following the church services.

This is a paid notice. 

Elizabeth A. Bentsen of Flanders died April 15 at her home. She was 59. 

The daughter of Elizabeth (Harper) and Robert Crookston, she was born May 25, 1956, in New York City and was a homemaker.

Ms. Bentsen is survived by her husband, Eric; her sons, Pat and Andrew; her daughter, Erica; one grandchild; three brothers; and one sister.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, April 19, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral Mass will take place at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead, the Rev. Lawrence Duncklee officiating. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

Elizabeth A. Pelis of Calverton died April 13 at her home. She was 52. 

The daughter of John and Ann (Cichanowicz) Pelis, she was born Aug. 30, 1963, in Riverhead. Ms. Pelis graduated from Mercy High School in 1981.

She was an office worker at Calverton Spring and Iron Works. Family members said she enjoyed movies and painting.

Predeceased by her parents and her brother John, Ms. Pelis is survived by her siblings, Jeanne and Thomas.

Cremation was private.

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

Lisa M. Bennett-Harris of Aquebogue died April 19 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 55. 

The daughter of Charles and Gladys (Reisig) Bennett, she was born March 8, 1961, in Southampton. She graduated from Southampton High School in 1979.

Ms. Bennett-Harris worked as an office manager fro Tim Burke Productions in Southampton.

Family members said she enjoyed fishing, animals, puzzles and entertaining family and friends.

Predeceased by her parents, Ms. Bennett-Harris is survived by her husband, Edward and daughter, Annie, both of Aquebogue; her stepmother, Nancy Bennett of Florida and her sister, Cheryl Curtis of Hampton Bays.

A memorial visitation will take place Thursday, April 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Cremation was private.

Memorial donations may be made to Riverhead Music Boosters.

Betty Ann “Doozie” Smith of Flanders died April 18 at her sister’s home in Riverhead. She was 66. 

The daughter of William and Anne Smith, she was born Jan. 1, 1950, in Greenport. She graduated from Riverhead High School in 1968.

Ms. Smith worked in food service for Riverhead Central School District. Family members said she enjoyed music and playing bingo and cards and that she was dedicated to her family.

Predeceased by her parents and her daughter Tameka, Ms. Smith is survived by her children Dewayne Smith and Vonda Smith-Trent, both of Riverhead, and Tammy of Florida; her sisters, Mary Robinson and Carol Williams, both of Riverhead, Shirley Lamar of New Jersey, Lenora Smith of Selden, Marlene Smith-Tolbert of Yonkers, Thelma of Florida, Joy of East Patchogue and Dora Ann and Sharon, both of Patchogue; her stepmother, Ann Greene-Smith, of East Patchogue; her brothers, Miles Greene of Middle Island, Alexander Smith of Bellport, Rayne Darrin Smith of Florida, Charles Greene of Ridge and Scott Walker of Georgia; and three grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. at the church. Cremation will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Family Community Life Center, 1018 Northville Tpke., Riverhead NY 11901.

Arthur Carl Schneider

Former Shoreham resident Arthur Carl Schneider, 83, a Cape Coral, Fla., resident for the past 13 years, passed away April 14, 2016, at home.

He was born Nov. 24, 1932, in Norwalk, Conn., to Hans and Bertha Schneider.

Arthur was an active member of First Christian Church of Cape Coral and a retired business executive from New York. He was a commercial helicopter pilot and licensed flight instructor who had been working as a funeral assistant at Mullins Memorial for about three years and found that caring for others through this most difficult time was a very rewarding second career.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Barbara Beckwith Schneider of Cape Coral; six loving children, Gail Childs (William) of Gainesville, Fla., Lori Swift (William) of Huntersville, N.C., the Rev. Jill Smith (Wayne), also of Huntersville, Thomas Schneider (Carol) of Eustis, Fla., Tracy Mueller (George) of Rocky Point and Trent Schneider (Marcella) of White Haven, Pa.; a brother, Robert Schneider (Brenda) of Vero Beach, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Arthur was predeceased by his brother, Hans Schneider.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. today, Thursday, April 21, at First Christian Church of Cape Coral in Florida, Dr. Keith Krueger officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 1 p.m.

Arthur’s desire was to continue God’s work by supporting the missionary efforts of his granddaughter and her husband, Emily and Christian Quinter, who will be training youth ministers in Africa, and his niece and goddaughter, Lilyan Beckwith, who is serving with Greater European Missions in the Syrian refugee crisis. Gifts in Arthur’s memory may be sent to this account at Mullins Memorial Funeral Home, 1056 N.E. 7th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33909.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cape Coral is entrusted with final care.

This is a paid notice. 

Former longtime Jamesport resident John J. Carey died April 18 at the age of 95. He had recently been a resident at Oasis Rehabilitation and Nursing in Center Moriches. 

Mr. Carey was the son of Robert and Marguerite (McGoey) Carey and was born Jan. 14, 1921.

Family members said he found joy in playing the piano and was very devoted to his faith.

Mr. Carey was predeceased by his brothers, Robert and Walter, and his sisters, Marguerite “Sis” Hurley, Dorothy Carey and Catherine “Babe” Bennett. He is survived by nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 25, at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead. Friends and family attending are requested to meet at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home at 8:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

A memorial service for Aquebogue resident Scott J. Wheaton will be held Saturday, April 23, from noon to 4 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.

Mr Wheaton died March 23 at the age of 65.

Antonio DeGrasse will be remembered for many things.

He was a Riverhead school administrator for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Ann, were the co-founders of the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, and he helped organize an annual 5K walk at Tanger Outlets to benefit that coalition. He was a member of the Riverhead Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow medallion in honor of his contributions to Rotary. The list goes on.

Mr. DeGrasse, a longtime Jamesport resident, died on April 14 of heart disease at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 81.

“Even after being retired for many years, Antonio’s love for the Riverhead School District and our students never stopped,” said Riverhead School Superintendent Nancy Carney. “He volunteered on numerous committees and tutored students who needed extra support. He will be greatly missed by us all.”

The son of Austin and Constance Tyson DeGrasse, he was born Feb. 21, 1935 at Kings County Hospital in Queens.

He graduated from Flushing High School, received his Bachelor of Science degree and a graduate degree from Howard University in 1981. He worked for the Riverhead Central School District for 29 years.

He worked as a biologist at Bellevue Hospital and as a social worker for New York City before joining the Riverhead School District in 1969.

At Riverhead he worked as an administrative assistant, assistant high school principal, an assistant middle school principal and a director of student services.

Mr. DeGrasse married Ann Cotten, a teacher, on June 16, 1983.

“We began the annual North Fork Breast Health Coalition 5K walk with Ann and Antonio almost 20 years ago,” said Tanger Outlets general manager Janine Nebons. “I bumped into he and Ann at the Cooperage Inn and we were looking to do an event to raise awareness for breast cancer. I said we need to talk. That was the beginning of our nearly 20-year relationship with the DeGrasses and the North Fork Breast Cancer Coalition.”

She said she was saddened to hear of his death.

“Antonio really left the world a much better place,” she said. “He brought such energy to any endeavor. There was no such thing as not being able to do something. He was determined to figure something out.

“And he was all about the kids and including them and everything that we did. We’re gonna miss him terribly.”

Mr. DeGrasse ran for Riverhead Town Board once and was briefly involved with the Riverhead Charter School. He was also a founder of a group called Riverhead African-American Historical and Cultural Society.

He had a degree in zoology and his hobbies included gardening and picture framing. He was a founder of the Peconic Rowing Club and a member of the board at the East End Arts Council.

Predeceased by his brother, Alfonse, in 1997 and his first wife, Marva, in 1979, Mr. DeGrasse is survived by his wife, Ann Cotten-DeGrasse; his son, Antonio Jr., of St. Albans, N.Y.; his daughter, Kendra Morgan of Red Lodge, Mont. and three grandchildren.

A memorial service and reception will be held Friday, May 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Riverhead.

Memorial donations may be sent to “Diamonds in the Rough,” a scholarship fund and can be mailed to P.O. Box 124, South Jamesport, N.Y. 11970.

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

Photo Caption: Antonio DeGrasse of Jamesport. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

tgannon@timesreview.com

Renee M. Danowski-Linnen of Aquebogue died April 22 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 59. 

The daughter of John and Georgiana (Berkowski) Danowski, she was born Jan. 12, 1957, in Riverhead. She graduated from Riverhead High School in 1975.

Ms. Danowski-Linnen worked as a nurse at the Riverhead Care Center. She was a member of St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead, where family members said she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and enjoyed cleaning the church and helping community members in need. She also enjoyed crocheting.

Predeceased by her father and brother, John Jr., Ms. Danowski-Linnen is survived by her husband, Mark; her sons, Brian and Christopher; her brother, Larry Danowski of Riverhead; her mother, Georgianna Danowski of Riverhead and one grandchild.

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

Veronica Harris of Calverton died April 22 at her home. She was 76. 

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, April 26, from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead, where a funeral service will take place at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A complete obituary will follow.

Barbara M. Klein of Jamesport died April 20. She was 90. 

The daughter of Margaret (Fox) and Anthony Brandel, she was born Sept. 20, 1925, in Brooklyn.

Barbara was a high school graduate and a homemaker.

Predeceased by her husband, William “Bill” Klein in 2007, Barbara is survived by her children, Kathleen Lankau and her husband, Patrick, William C. Klein Jr. and his wife, Mary, Robert C. Klein and his wife, Linda, Edward C.Klein  and his companion, Darlene Firneno, Thomas C.Klein and his wife, Lalah, Patricia, Michael C. Klein and his fiancée, Jody Burchstead; James C.Klein and his wife, Loretta; Joseph C.Klein, and Charles C.Klein and his companion, Karen Kraft; 25 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

The family received visitors April 24 at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service took place April 25 at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donors choosing.

Trudy Jean Balducci, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family April 23, 2016. She was 72.

Trudy was born Oct. 30, 1943, in Chicago to Marino and Georgina Fenili. In 1964, she graduated as a registered nurse from Silver Cross School of Nursing in Joliet, Ill. At the beginning of her 50 year nursing career, Trudy met and married the love of her life Arthur A. Balducci Oct. 23, 1965.

Trudy lived on the North Fork for the past 19 years. She was co-owner of Ivy League Flowers & Gifts in Southold, along with her husband, Art and daughter, Ginger.

She is survived by her husband of  50 years Art; five children, Tim Balducci (Jill) of Decatur, Ill., Kevin Balducci (Peg) of Eureka, Ill., Randy Balducci (Stephanie) of Greenville, Ill., Ginger Tomaszewski (Jim) of Southold and Jeff Balducci (Tara) of Fort Myers, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Kaileigh, Amanda, Jacob, Shane, Michaela, Abigail, Natalie, Maddie, Trent, Trista and seven great-grandchildren. Trudy is also survived by four siblings, Ron, Larry, Bill and Gina.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, April 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where religious services will be held at 7 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Rhonda Taylor, former Pastor of the Cutchogue United Methodist Church.

This is paid notice. 

Pearl E. Holmes of Mattituck died at her home April 14. She was 95.

Born in Port Jefferson Aug. 1, 1921, to Arthur and Clara (Mills) Holmes, she had worked as a dietary aide at San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport.

Pearl is survived by her husband Curtis Goodman; children: Ruth Perkins of Newark, N.J., Gladys Briscoe of Greenport, Thomasina Chance of Riverhead and Tamara Strickland of Greenport; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held April 23 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Interment followed at Bethany Cemetery in Mattituck.

This is a paid notice.

Lou Jean Dickerson of Cutchogue died April 18, 2016, at Stony Brook University Hospital. She was 85. 

She was born Dec. 23, 1930, in Mason, Okla., to Thomas and Lydia (Tilley) Bluford and attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan.

A resident of the North Fork for nearly 65 years, she had worked at Hazeltine in Riverhead.

She is survived by her children, Sheree Graeser (Ron) of Cutchogue, Greg D. Dickerson (Debbie) of Mattituck and Mark Dickerson of Connecticut and Laurel, and one granddaughter, Jordyn Dickerson.

The family received visitors April 23 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck, where a funeral service was officiated by the Rev. Pat Smith of Mattituck Presbyterian Church.

This is a paid notice.

Trudy Jean Balducci

Trudy Jean Balducci, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family April 23, 2016. She was 72.

Trudy was born Oct. 30, 1943, in Chicago to Marino and Georgina Fenili. In 1964, she graduated as a registered nurse from Silver Cross School of Nursing in Joliet, Ill. At the beginning of her 50 year nursing career, Trudy met and married the love of her life Arthur A. Balducci Oct. 23, 1965.

Trudy lived on the North Fork for the past 19 years. She was co-owner of Ivy League Flowers & Gifts in Southold, along with her husband, Art and daughter, Ginger.

She is survived by her husband of  50 years Art; five children, Tim Balducci (Jill) of Decatur, Ill., Kevin Balducci (Peg) of Eureka, Ill., Randy Balducci (Stephanie) of Greenville, Ill., Ginger Tomaszewski (Jim) of Southold and Jeff Balducci (Tara) of Fort Myers, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Kaileigh, Amanda, Jacob, Shane, Michaela, Abigail, Natalie, Maddie, Trent, Trista and seven great-grandchildren. Trudy is also survived by four siblings, Ron, Larry, Bill and Gina.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, April 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where religious services will be held at 7 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Rhonda Taylor, former Pastor of the Cutchogue United Methodist Church.

This is paid notice. 

Helen M. Smith of Southold died April 21, 2016 at San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport. She was 88. 

Born in Greenport, Sept. 2, 1927, to Frank and Eva Bartman Hudson, she attended Greenport High School. After her graduation in 1945, she went to Washington, D.C. and worked as a secretary to the chaplains at the Pentagon.

After World War II, she met Warren Smith and  they married in 1947. The couple made their home in Floral Park where Warren worked at the family insurance business, Harry Smith & Son. Helen and Warren moved to Southold in the late 1950s, and opened a local office of the insurance business. In later years, they were the proprietors of the Southold Liquor Store until their retirement.

Helen loved to golf and was the first woman on the Island’s End Golf Course board of directors. She was an avid reader, bridge and bingo player and did crossword puzzles daily. She was also a member of the Southold Red Hats.

Helen adored children and always had a few stuffed animals and Hot Wheels cars to give to children she ran into in town.

Predeceased by her husband and three siblings, Reginald, George and Evelyn Hudson, she is survived by her son, Glenn and grandson, Jesse,  of Colorado Springs, Colo. and her niece and caregiver, Susan Roache, of Mattituck. Several additional nieces and nephews also survive her.

Interment took place at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Southold, under the direction of DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

This is a paid notice. 

Betty Murphy

Betty Murphy of Mattituck died on the April 29, 2016, at 82 years old surrounded by her family. 

Born October 24 1933, to Elizabeth and Edward Hickey in the Bronx she was the youngest of three children. She lived a life of engagement and joy.

Betty married her childhood friend and neighbor Frank Murphy in 1957 and together they had 52 wonderful years of married life.

She was a graduate of Mt. St Vincent in the Bronx where she was educated as a teacher.A teacher who influenced the lives of literally thousands over the years, she taught in New York City public and parochial schools, Riverhead and Mattituck schools and was also a guidance counsellor. Betty Jane was thrilled to teach multiple generations of families, it gave her great joy to meet a student whose parent remembered her as a teacher. Each year she started her classes by informing her students that she had a special arrangement with the Guidance Department and that they only sent her “ladies and gentlemen”; and that should an error have been made the student should identify themselves immediately and they could be removed. Only one student ever identified himself in this category and he rethought it before arranging a change; today they remain friends.

Educated with a college degree at a time when women’s secondary education was not the norm she worked as a professional, left formal employment to raise a family of five children and multiple pets, returned to the educational workplace and had another full and rewarding career.   During the time she worked at home raising her family she also completed multiple graduate degrees. She led by doing, sometimes quietly, and was a proud example of what was then known as Womens Liberation, commonly known today as simple equality.

After her retirement, in 1995, she remained an engaged member of the community. She volunteered at the Dominican Sisters, the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, Greenport Hospital, Community Action Southold Town and Maureen’s Haven. With her husband Frank she was a generous supporter of many in the community who were in need in a variety of ways. Her influence was quiet and constructive.

Throughout her life Betty Jane gained a long and varied list of dear and close friends. Today she still counts among her friends those gained in childhood and at every step of her life. An avid bridge player she was part of a group that met for years and cemented wonderful friendships.

A highlight of the early life of her children was the celebratory luncheon upon Richard Nixon’s departure from the White House. This was the start for them of a generational passing of the political torch.

After the death of her husband Frank in 2011 she moved in with her daughter Mary and her husband Tony, and children Maisy and Charley. They shared great fun and joy together, including Bernard and Sean, her faithful canine companions.

Betty Jane is survived by six beloved grandchildren, Angela and Claire Smith, Dan and Halle Murphy and Maisy and Charley Claudio who each gave her joy and pleasure every day that she knew them. Her surviving children are Liza, of Bonn Germany, Michael and Rachel Murphy of Southold, Cathleen, of Greenport, Barbara and Tom Smith of Mattituck and Mary and Tony Claudio of Mattituck. Her sister-in-law Rita A. Murphy, a friend since age 14, also survives her along with a legion of nieces and nephews and their children. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, May 3, 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. Wednesday, May 4, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

The family would appreciate memorial donations made  to the American Cancer Society at 75 David’s Drive, Hauppauge, NY. 11788 to the attention of Claire Smith, Community Manager, Relay for Life.

Her family thanks all the many members of the community who have assisted her in the last years; especially the Mattituck Fire Department Rescue Squad, the Emergency Room and Nursing staffs at Greenport Hospital and the employees of San Simeon by the Sound. Each and every person encountered were kind, considerate and helpful.

This is a paid notice. 

William “Bill” Jackowski of Mattituck died peacefully at home with his son Michael by his bedside April 28, 2016. 

Born in Riverhead Dec. 26, 1938, to William Jackowski and Agnes (Lescenski) Jackowski. Bill has one sister, Loretta “Honey” Jones that resides in Salibury,  N.C. Bill is predeased by his wife of 55 years, Irene and their two sons Billy and Jimmy. He is survived by his only daughter, Sandi Jackowski and her partner James; his son Michael and his wife, Janet along with his only precious granddaughter, Maya Jackowski.

After graduating Bill went on to become an engineer with Hazeltine from which he eventually retired.

Bill’s ife was about the happiness he shared not only with his family but with the entire community. While growing up in Mattituck, Bill enjoyed many things such as rabbit hunting with his dad and sons. breeding and raising beagles, boating and fishing. Bill had a sense of humor that everyone enjoyed. He had some stories to tell and many friends eager to listen.

After his wife’s passing Bill took on one of his biggest dreams of all; owning a Model A and joining a local club. He won many trophies for best in show and had more pride than any one could imagine.

Bill has touched so very many lives in so many ways that his memories will live on forever.

Bill’s family will be holding a memorial service Saturday, May 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck

The family asks that memorial donations be made to  North Fork Animal Welfare League.

This is a paid notice. 

William F. “Willie” Grodski, 86, of Winter Springs, Fla., passed away at home March 19, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Born in Riverhead to Benjamin and Stephanie (Kobylenski) Grodski, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, Irene (née Waski), son, Bill (Joan), grandson, Andrew, and sister Dotsie Sousa. He was predeceased by his brothers, Stephen, Tony, Vincent, Stanley and Benjamin, and sisters Josephine, Charlotte, Helen, Alice and Florence.

Willie was best known for his athleticism, being inducted into the Riverhead High School Athletic Hall of Fame for accomplishments in football, baseball and basketball. His career continued after graduation, playing all three sports for the Riverhead Royals. He also starred at first base with the Riverhead Falcons semi-pro team, playing their home games at Riverhead Stadium.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2016, at the St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church cemetery in Riverhead.

Please consider a memorial donation in Willie’s name to hospice or your favorite charity.

Arrangements were entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home of Mattituck.

This is a paid notice.