Longtime Riverhead resident Arnold W. Stelzel, 77, died Friday, Sept. 6. following a long battle with COPD.

He was a loving father and a friend to many. Mr. Stelzel is survived by his lifelong companion, Kathleen McKasson; his daughters, Tracey Stelzel-Pothier, Deanna Stelzel, his stepdaughter, Rebekah Wooten and her husband, James Wooten; his sons, Eric and Adam Stelzel; his granddaughters, Taryn Zubizaretta and Alivia Wooten, and a grandson, Eric Jr.

Mr. Stelzel was an electrical engineer who worked, and eventually retired from Hazeltine Corporation. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran and loved the water and fishing.

He was hobbyist, who, in his early years, built model RC cars and belonged to a club where he raced them on Sundays, winning him numerous awards and trophies.

Mr. Stetzel’s true love and passion however, was trains and building models of them. He was an avid collector and custom built all different size scales of models. Mr. Stelzel once had a dream to display and run them on a grand scale for all to come see.

Services were held at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead, with private cremation.

This is a paid notice. 

Richard J. Dunn of Laurel died at home Sept. 19, 2016. He was 84.
“Tom,” as he was also known, was born Jan. 22, 1932, in Manhattan to Mary (Brady) and Arthur M. Dunn Sr. He married Susan Reeves in Manhattan March 9, 1974.

Mr. Dunn had been a fire dispatcher with the FDNY. Formerly of Northport, he moved to the North Fork in 2000.

Predeceased by his wife, Susan, on Aug. 18, 2013, he is survived by two nephews, Richard Dunn of Rhode Island and Thomas Dunn of Huntington.

The family received visitors Sept. 24 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

Joseph Pettiford of Riverhead died Sept. 29 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 70. 

The son of Joseph and Jessie Mae Pettiford, he was born Nov. 20, 1945, in Darlington, S.C. He attended Mayo High School in South Carolina.

Mr. Pettiford worked as a bus driver for the Riverhead Central School District and as security supervisor at PBMC. He retired from both jobs in 2006.

Surviving are his wife, Cynthia (née Woodson); his son, Bernard, of Georgia; his stepchildren, Gearry Sookbirsingh of Poland, Jason Sookbirsingh of Pennsylvania, Darryl Sookbirsingh of Riverhead, Breannah Coffey of Riverhead and Courtney Riddick of Riverhead; his mother, Jessie Mae, of South Carolina; his brother, Raymond, of South Carolina and five grandchildren.

A viewing hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral service at Riverhead Cemetery.

Clara V. Cross of Laurel died Sept. 30 at the Acadia Care Center in Riverhead. She was 95. 

The daughter of Guisseppe and Angela (Viverito) Vespucci, she was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Hoboken, N.J.

Ms. Cross attended the Rhode Island School of Nursing and from 1943 to 1945, during World War II, served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army as a nurse. She worked for Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre.

Ms. Cross was a member of the Riverhead American Legion and Riverhead Women of the Moose.

Family members said she enjoyed stamp collecting, music, reading, traveling and learning about different cultures.

She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Harold, in 2014 and is survived by her daughters, Deborah Boschetti of Laurel, Sara Petricini and Susie Amador, also of Laurel; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Cremation was private. A funeral service will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements were in the care of Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made to Riverhead American Legion.

Charlotte E. Hannabury, a lifelong resident of Shelter Island, died at Stony Brook University Hospital Sept. 27, 2016, at the age of 86.

She was born June 19, 1930, at home (73 West Neck Road, Shelter Island) to William and Olive Congdon and was a graduate of Shelter Island High School.

On Nov. 25, 1950, Charlotte married Edward “Pete” Hannabury at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church and together they made their home on Shelter Island.

In the community, she was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Shelter Island Garden Club and a devoted member of Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and was a member of the United Presbyterian Women.

Predeceased in July of 2002 by her daughter, Cheryl Rae Hannabury, and by her husband, Pete Hannabury on New Year’s Day 2003, Charlotte is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, William and Casey Hannabury of Shelter Island; and two grandsons, Caleb Hannabury and his fiancée, Ali Hartz, and Shane Hannabury.

The family welcomed friends Sept. 30 at the Shelter Island Funeral Home. Religious services were conducted Oct. 1. at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Stephen M. Fearing. Interment took place at Shelter Island Cemetery.

Memorials to the Island Gift of Life Foundation would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice. 

Charles Anthony “Tony” Smith was born to Florence Elizabeth Swann-Smith at Eastern Long Island Hospital Feb. 6, 1956. He entered into his eternal rest at the Good Shepherd Hospice Center Sept. 27, 2016.

“Late in the midnight hour, God turned it around.”

At Tony’s tender age of 2, his mother, Florence, met and married Russell Lee Smith Sr. From their union, an undeniable, loving, father-son bond between Russell and Tony was born. Tony attended and graduated from Greenport School in 1974, where he played basketball and ran track. After graduation, he briefly attended Long Island University in Southampton before entering the workforce.

Charismatic, charming, loving, caring, generous, optimistic, humorous, dedicated and hardworking are only a few words that define the man that Tony was. He loved his family and although he was a very private person, Tony made sure he knew all about everyone.

Tony faithfully worked as a “master filet man” for several prominent seafood companies in Greenport, Cutchogue and Hampton Bays. After obtaining his CDL, Tony worked as a truck driver for several nurseries on the East End before settling into his “home” at Sunrise Coach Lines. Tony loved being behind the wheel of the bus and his desire was not only to get back to his love, but to get back behind the wheel of his bus.

Tony gave his life to the Lord at an early age, but he renewed his relationship with God over 10 years ago and had not looked back. Tony loved his church and would attend even if he had to show up in his work clothes.

Over nine years ago, “Charlie” met a woman that he would love until his last breath: Jannia Guillen. Charlie’s love for Jannia renewed a light in him that shined as bright as the stars above. Jannia’s love for Charlie helped him to endure all the pains that life brought his way, and for that we will be forever grateful.

Tony leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Russell Lee Smith Sr. and Florence Smith of Greenport; his daughter, Rachel Castillo-Valdez of Southampton; his brother, Russell Lee Smith Jr. of Mattituck; his sisters, Alethia (Kevin) Ford of Laurel and Diona Smith of Bowie, Md.; his nephew, Jadyn; his grandchildren, Kumat, Mehquantash and Henry; his fiancée, Jannia Guillen; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The family received visitors Oct. 2 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. Homegoing services were held Oct. 3 at Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Greenport, officiated by the Rev. Natalie R. Wimberly. Interment took place at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Southold.

Bobby G. Joplin of Riverhead died Oct. 5 at the Westhampton Care Center. He was 86. 

The son of James and Mary Jane (Rife) Joplin, he was born April 4, 1930, in Texas.

Mr. Joplin served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He worked as a mechanic in Texas.

Family members said he enjoyed automobiles and bowling.

He is survived by his four children, James, of Southampton, Jerry, of California, Terry, of Riverhead and Belinda Nesmith of Texas; his brother, Wallace, of Texas; his sisters, Emma Rutherford of Colorado, Louise Rhodes of Arizona and Joanne Smith of Texas; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Interment will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Calverton National Cemetery.

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

Edward Tomaszewski of Riverhead died Oct. 9 at the Kanas Center for Hospice in Quiogue. He was 92. 

The son of Stanley and Stella Tomaszewski, he was born July 29, 1924, in Cutchogue.

Mr. Tomaszewski was a farmer. Family members said he enjoyed yard work and took great pride in his garden. His love of outdoor work began with his early farming years.

In addition to farming, Mr. Tomaszewski worked for Riverhead Central School District at Riley Avenue School. He was a past president of the Riverhead Polish Hall.

Predeceased by his wife, Louise, in 2006, Mr. Tomaszewski is survived by his children, Tom, of Laurel and Kathy Vlacci of Riverhead; his brother, Lewis, of Jamesport; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the St. Isidore R.C. Church Cemetery in Riverhead.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice.

Shirley L. Warner passed away at home Oct. 7, 2016, at the age of 88.

Shirley was born in Baiting Hollow Feb. 25, 1928, and was the daughter of Dewey and Elizabeth (Conklin) Lewin.

She graduated from Riverhead High School, and then from Katherine Gibbs School in Boston.

Shirley married John Warner Oct. 8, 1949, in Baiting Hollow, and together they made their home in Riverhead.

Shirley was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Veritas Rebekahs. She was a volunteer caregiver with East End Hospice and was one of the original founders of the Bread and More soup kitchen.

Shirley was an avid knitter and faithful to her daily walks. She was active in the life of the First Congregational Church of Riverhead. Shirley retired in the late 1980s from her position as the principle clerk at SCPD Central Headquarters in Yaphank.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, John in 1989; her son Douglas in 1990 and her son-in-law Tom Kulesa in 2004. She is survived by her children Jane Kulesa, Hollis Warner (Paula) and Marie Boulier (Phil); seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; her brothers Ernest Lewin and Deane Lewin and sisters Faye Reynolds and Bette Lederle.

There will be a memorial service honoring Shirley at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the First Congregational Church of Riverhead.

Memorial donations to East End Hospice, Bread & More INN, First Congregational Church of Riverhead, or Baiting Hollow Congregational Church would be appreciated.

Arrangements were entrusted to Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead.

This is a paid notice. 

Former Greenport resident Richie F. D’Ambrosio of Aquebogue died Oct. 5.

The family received visitors Oct. 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral Mass followed at St. Agnes R. C. Church in Greenport. Interment took place at the church cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

Harold DeRonde Mellas

Longtime Southold resident Harold DeRonde Mellas died at his home Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, at the age of 84.

He was born Aug. 29, 1932, at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport to Caroline (DeRonde) and George William Mellas and was a graduate of Gettysburg High School in Pennsylvania.

On May 10, 1953, he married Cynthia Knight and together they made their home in Southold and had four children.

Harold worked for Long Island Lighting Company for 42 years as a lineman and substation operator. In the community, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Southold and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Harold is survived by his wife of 63 years Cynthia; sons, Mark, Richard and Alan and daughter, Cindy, all of Southold, five grandchildren, Clinton Mellas, Matthew Mellas, Brooke Malo, Glenn Malo and Bradley Mellas, twin brother James, of Orient and brother Paul, of Greenport. He was predeceased by brothers William and George and sisters, Helen Halliwell, Grace Swanson and Doris “Toot” Flatley.

The family will receive visitors Saturday, Oct. 8, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at First Presbyterian Church in Southold, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Peter Kelley. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations to First Presbyterian Church of Southold or St. Jude Children’s Hospital would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice. 

James R. Foster of Greenport died Oct. 2 at his home. He was 62.

He was born in Greenport March 30, 1954, to George and Kathleen Foster and was a graduate of Southold schools.

He is survived by his wife Dianne (née Van Etten) whom he married in Greenport in 1983 and two sons, Joel Foster and Jon Foster, all of Greenport; two brothers George Foster of England and Peter Foster of Loris, S.C.; four grandchildren Noah, Holden, Trevor and Mariah; Tricia Graffagnino (Joel’s girlfriend and the mother of Noah and Holden) and Katherine Thilberg (Jon’s girlfriend and the mother of Trevor and Mariah).

The family will receive visitors  Saturday, Oct. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.

Memorial donations to North Fork Animal Welfare League would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

This is a paid notice.

Vincent J. Krupski

Vincent John Krupski of Cutchogue died Oct. 15, 2016, at Stony Brook University Hospital after a three-month illness.

He was born in Mattituck Aug. 15, 1925, to Anna (Burkiewicz) and Andrew Krupski and was a graduate of Mattituck High School Class of 1943.

On Nov. 14, 1948, he married the former Helen P. Wojewocki at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead and together they made their home in Cutchogue.

For more than 40 years, he was a farmer with his family’s business, Krupski Farms.

He was a communicant of Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Helen; four children, Jean Krupski of Baiting Hollow, Vincent J. Krupski Jr. of Orlando, Fla., Richard H. Krupski of Rehoboth, Mass. and David Krupski of Clifton Park, N.Y.; his brother, Walter Krupski; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Helen Krupski in 1956; his brothers, Joseph, John and Stanley Krupski; his sister, Sophie Stype and by a great-grandson, Jack Stepnowsky in 2005.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue by Monsignor Joseph W. Staudt. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations to Cutchogue Fire Department Rescue Squad or Stony Brook University Hospital would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice. 

Dorothy W. Needham

Dorothy W. Needham, 70, of Sebastian, Fla., and formerly of Riverhead, passed away Sept. 22, 2016.
Born in Utica, N.Y., her family relocated to Riverhead, where she was raised and spent most of her adult life. She retired to Sebastian, Fla. in 2006.

A licensed dance instructor, Dottie loved to teach country line dancing with her husband, Bob, by her side. From golf, tennis, zip-lining, boating and waterskiing to gardening, crafting, photography, mahjong, or shopping, Dottie was always on the move and full of energy. Dottie and Bob had a passion for travel and visited many beautiful and exciting places. They also enjoyed cruising with family and friends.

Dottie was an active member in a number of organizations, including the Moose Lodge, American Legion and the Veritas Rebekah Lodge. With a positive attitude, she never spoke ill of anyone and maintained a very large circle of close friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Aaron Needham and his wife, Nancy; Denise Needham-Dean and her husband, Christopher; grandchildren, Joshua and Rebecca; and her brothers, Roderick, Marvin and Wayne Warner.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert O. Needham, in 2013, Dorothy will be laid to rest with him at Calverton National Cemetery, with a memorial service at Old Steeple Community Church in Aquebogue at 10 a.m. Nov. 14. A memorial service will be celebrated at Sebastian United Methodist at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, with a reception immediately following the service in the church’s fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dorothy’s memory to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.

This is a paid notice. 

Lifelong Southold resident Kenneth Lee “Soup” Dickerson died at his home on Oct. 15, 2016. He was 88.

He was born Aug. 25, 1928, in Southold to Kenneth Orneau and Rhoda Jeanette (Foster) Dickerson.

During the Korean Conflict, “Soup” served for three years in the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged as a private first class

“Soup” was the owner/operator of K.L. Dickerson Excavating for 40 years and enjoyed membership in the Mattituck Gun Club, Southold American Legion Post 803 and Southold Fire Department. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Southold.

Predeceased by his wife Shirley Elizabeth (née Worthington), he is survived by his children: Kenneth Lee Dickerson Jr. (Janet Doherty Dickerson) of Cutchogue, Susan Elizabeth Dickerson of Fredericksburg, Va. and Thomas Mark Dickerson of Southold and two grandchildren, Julie and Samuel Dickerson. He was also predeceased by his brother: Earl Orneau Dickerson.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. American Legion services will be held at 5:15, Southold Fire Department services at 6:45 and religious services at 7 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Peter J. Kelley. Interment will be private at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations to Southold Fire Department or Southold American Legion Scholarship Fund would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice. 

Jan Gzella of Riverhead, formerly of Barcin, Poland, died Oct. 16 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 65. 

The son of Stanislaw and Stanislawa Gzella, he was born June 14, 1951, in Drzycim, Poland.

Mr. Gzella worked as a house manager in Westhampton. Family members said he enjoyed gardening and spending time with family.

Surviving are his wife, Renata (née Madej), of Riverhead; his daughter, Agniszka Blaszczyk of Poland; his son, Adam, of England; one brother; four sisters and two grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Lifelong South Jamesport resident Chester S. Friszolowski  died Oct. 16 at Acadia Care Center in Riverhead. He was 95. 

The son of Czeslaw and Martha (Haupt) Friszolowski, he was born Nov. 16, 1920, in Greenport and graduated from Riverhead High School. In May 1956, he married Marie Ward.

Mr. Friszolowski served in the U.S Navy from 1941 to 1946, from the six months prior to Pearl Harbor to the end of World War II and had been stationed in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

He was a 23-year member of the Riverhead Police Department and during his tenure, never took a sick day. He was a member of the Riverhead PBA and had the distinction of being the oldest retired Riverhead police officer. He also worked security for Riverhead High School.

In the community, Mr. Friszolowski was a lifetime member of the St. Isidore parish, a past member of the Jamesport Fire Department, past president of the Great Meadows Property Owners Association and a member of the Bella Vista Civic Association.

Mr. Friszolowski was an avid bayman and a member of  the Beachcomber community in St. Pete Beach, Fla.

In addition to his wife Marie, of South Jamesport, he is survived by his sons, John (Sue) of South Jamesport, Mark (Patti), of North Carolina, Ward (Amber) of Florida and Chester Jr.”Chet” of South Jamesport; grandsons, Jack, Ward and Mark; granddaughter, Alexa and many nieces and nephews.

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

Memorial donations may be made to St. Isidore R.C. Church, Jamesport Fire Department or Riverhead PBA.

This is a paid notice. 

Virginia O’Leary of Riverhead died Oct. 17 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead.

She was born April 4, 1926, in Queens.

Ms. O’Leary worked as an x-ray technician in Florida. She enjoyed bowling.

She is survived by her close friends Dr. Richard Rubenstein and Jeanne Raffel.

A memorial Mass will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Cremation will be private.

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