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Memorial service

Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies If you’ve ever hopped a train or scanned a radio in these parts, chances are good you’ve heard the velvety smooth voice of Van Ritshie. The longtime Hudson Valley radio host and voiceover artist, whose voice guided MTA commuters for decades, died Sunday, Nov. 3, at a Dutchess County hospice center in Poughkeepsie. He was 80 years old. “The Family of Van Ritshie is sad to announce that ‘The Voice of the Hudson Valley’ has passed on to be with Jesus after a brief illness surrounded by family,” reads his obituary. After earning his communications degree at Queensborough Community College in Q…
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Hudson Valley State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout 18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Hudson Valley State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Hudson Valley State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout A teenage New York State Parks and Recreation worker who died battling one of the latest in a rash of wildfires in the region will be honored at a memorial service in his hometown. The blaze broke out in Orange County at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo on Saturday, Nov. 9, and spread into parts of neighboring New Jersey. Rockland County resident Dariel Vasquez, age 18, suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Vasquez suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Par…
Memorial Planned For Beloved Real Estate Developer From Northern Westchester After Sudden Death Memorial Planned For Beloved Real Estate Developer From Northern Westchester After Sudden Death
Memorial Planned For Beloved Real Estate Developer From Northern Westchester After Sudden Death Friends and loved ones will soon gather to remember the legacy of a prolific New York real estate developer and Williams College graduate who spent years redeveloping industrial properties and transforming communities in the process. A memorial is set to be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 to celebrate the memory of Joseph Cotter, a resident of the Northern Westchester County hamlet of Purdys in North Salem, who died on Monday, Oct. 25 at the age of 66 following a heart attack. The service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Robert Halmi Sr. Academy of Film and Television, located at 463 Hawth…
23-Year-Old Army Soldier From Westchester Dies After Cancer Fight: 'Left Huge Void' 23-Year-Old Army Soldier From Westchester Dies After Cancer Fight: 'Left Huge Void'
23-Year-Old Army Soldier From Westchester Dies After Cancer Fight: 'Left Huge Void' Community members are coming together to support the family of a 23-year-old Westchester man who died following a hard-fought battle with cancer.  White Plains resident Matías Ayala died on Wednesday, Oct. 9 after courageously fighting cancer for two years, according to his obituary page.  Although he eventually lost his fight, Ayala faced multiple chemotherapy rounds, radiation, and surgery, never losing his will to fight, according to family friend Ninfa Monges, who created a GoFundMe fundraiser in the days after Ayala's death to collect donations for his fam…
17-Year-Old Killed In Crash That Injured 3 Others Remembered As 'Modern-Day Renaissance Man' 17-Year-Old Killed In Crash That Injured 3 Others Remembered As 'Modern-Day Renaissance Man'
17-Year-Old Killed In Crash That Injured 3 Others Remembered As 'Modern-Day Renaissance Man' A teen who died in a single-vehicle Hudson Valley crash is being remembered for having an "Old Soul" and being a modern-day Renaissance man. Related Story: Minisink Valley Community Rallies To Support Family Of 17-Year-Old Killed In Crash Orange County resident Jack Braun of Slate Hill, a hamlet of Wawayanda, died in Sullivan County around 1:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, on Route 17 West in Mamakating in a single-vehicle crash. According to his obituary, Braun, a student at Minisink Valley High School, was born an ‘old soul' and was passionate about history, film, and music.  His…
Support Rises For Family Of Beloved Former Bedford School District Staff Member Support Rises For Family Of Beloved Former Bedford School District Staff Member
Support Rises For Family Of Beloved Former Bedford School District Staff Member Community members are coming together to help the family of a beloved mother and former school employee in Northern Westchester as they plan to honor her memory.  The effort was prompted by the untimely death of Wendy Liburdi, a former Bedford Central School District staff member who was known by many in the community as a member of the district's Special Education Parent Teacher Organization.  Liburdi was also considered family to the Bedford Hills Fire Department, as she was mother to firefighter Joe Jr. and wife of Joseph Liburdi Sr., the department's former chief who…
Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others
Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others Newly released video shows the moment an alleged drunk driver crashed his SUV into a New York nail salon, killing four people, including a police officer, and injuring nine others. The Long Island incident happened at around 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 28, in the hamlet of Deer Park. Suffolk County Police said Steven Schwally, age 64, of Dix Hills, was speeding southbound through a Kohl’s parking lot, near Commack Road and Grand Boulevard, before he crossed Grand Boulevard and crashed through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa. Earlier Report: IDs Released Of 4 Killed, Including C…
Update: Fox Lane HS Senior Killed In Crash Had 'Infectious Enthusiasm For Life' Update: Fox Lane HS Senior Killed In Crash Had 'Infectious Enthusiasm For Life'
Update: Fox Lane HS Senior Killed In Crash Had 'Infectious Enthusiasm For Life' A high school senior from Northern Westchester who was killed in a crash only two days before graduation is being remembered for his success as a soccer player and his desire to serve his country. Fox Lane High School senior Joshua Martinez Arana, age 18, was killed following a crash in Bedford Hills on Tuesday, June 18, just two days before the school's graduation ceremony.  Earlier Report - Fox Lane High School Senior Killed In Crash Days Before Graduation On the day of the crash, a car occupied by Arana and his friend another Fox Lane High School senior, cr…
Update: Services Set For 13-Year-Old Star Athlete From Westchester Killed In 5-Story Fall Update: Services Set For 13-Year-Old Star Athlete From Westchester Killed In 5-Story Fall
Update: Services Set For 13-Year-Old Star Athlete From Westchester Killed In 5-Story Fall A visitation service will soon be held in honor of a middle school student and star athlete from Westchester whose life was cut short following a fall from the top floor of a parking garage.  Mark-Anthony Effy Giordano, a 13-year-old eighth-grade student at Harrison's Louis M. Klein Middle School, died on Sunday, June 9 after falling from the parking garage next to the Harrison Metro-North train station, according to MTA officials.  Earlier Report - Harrison Eighth-Grade Student Dies Suddenly In Fall From Parking Garage: 'Amazing Young Man' According to officials, aroun…
HS Sweethearts Killed In Out-Of-State Crash; Fundraiser Seeks To Transport Remains Back To NY HS Sweethearts Killed In Out-Of-State Crash; Fundraiser Seeks To Transport Remains Back To NY
HS Sweethearts Killed In Out-Of-State Crash; Fundraiser Seeks To Transport Remains Back To NY Sam Cullen and Suzie Kedar were planning on spending the rest of their lives together when tragedy struck. The Long Island natives and Farmingdale High School sweethearts were killed in a car crash in Washington State on Thursday, May 2. Details about the wreck were not immediately available. Their deaths came just two days after the 28-year-old Cullen, a Petty Officer in the US Navy stationed outside of Seattle on Whidbey Island, picked up an engagement ring that he planned on giving to Kedar, according to relatives. “They had plans on Friday morning to look at houses together with a real…
'Dedicated To Her Job, Community': Beloved Worker In Westchester Town Dies After Cancer Battle 'Dedicated To Her Job, Community': Beloved Worker In Westchester Town Dies After Cancer Battle
'Dedicated To Her Job, Community': Beloved Worker In Westchester Town Dies After Cancer Battle A dedicated town employee and mother to two from Westchester County died on Saturday, Oct. 8 after a brave battle with cancer.  Carol Truance of Port Chester died at the age of 77, according to her obituary.  Truance served the town of Rye as deputy tax receiver for more than 30 years, and also heavily volunteered in her community, according to a GoFundMe page set up in her name. "It was her mission to provide the best service to the people of the Town of Rye," the GoFundMe page says.  In addition to her job, Truance volunteered as President of the Westmore Twigs of Un…
Westchester Native Killed In Crash Remembered For Warmth, Smile Westchester Native Killed In Crash Remembered For Warmth, Smile
Westchester Native Killed In Crash Remembered For Warmth, Smile The Westchester native killed in a Taconic State Parkway crash in Dutchess County was remembered by friends and family for his “warmth that everyone could feel” prior to his death. Daniel Patrick O’Brien suffered severe trauma in the crash on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in East Fishkill which his vehicle was rear-ended. Original story - ID Released Of Motorist Killed In Taconic Parkway Crash The 50-year-old O’Brien, of Lagrangeville, was born in White Plains and “had a face that would light up the room, a warmth that everyone could feel,” his family said. O’Brien had been an IBEW Local 3 union …
Parking Lot Service Held For 23-Year-Old Allegedly Killed By Ex-Newtown HS Classmate Parking Lot Service Held For 23-Year-Old Allegedly Killed By Ex-Newtown HS Classmate
Parking Lot Service Held For 23-Year-Old Allegedly Killed By Ex-Newtown HS Classmate A drive-by funeral procession was held for a 23-year-old Fairfield County man who was killed during a violent recent rash of crimes that included a home invasion, homicides, and a kidnapping. Friends and family remembered 2016 Newtown High School graduate Nicholas Eisele at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 during a memorial service in the parking lot of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. It is suspected that fellow Newtown High School graduate Peter Manfredonia, 23, was responsible for Eisele’s death. Manfredonia was scheduled to appear in court in Maryland as a fugitive from justice on the same…
Longtime Westchester Resident, Ad Man, Fly Fisherman Bob Doherty, 89 Longtime Westchester Resident, Ad Man, Fly Fisherman Bob Doherty, 89
Longtime Westchester Resident, Ad Man, Fly Fisherman Bob Doherty, 89 Robert (Bob) Cunningham Doherty was born in New York City on Sept. 30, 1930, the son of Francis Joseph and Helen Utley Doherty.  He grew up in Westchester County and attended public schools there (first in Mount Vernon and then “out in the country” in Chappaqua). He was a Cub Scout for several years, took piano lessons and frequently played sandlot baseball with his older brother, Mike. At the start of World War II, his parents decided to move back to New York City and in 1939 Bob and his brother were sent to a boarding academy, the Harvey School, in Hawthorne. Bob prepped at Exeter i…
White Plains Native Audrey Harlow, Taught In Yorktown Central School District For 48 Years, 85 White Plains Native Audrey Harlow, Taught In Yorktown Central School District For 48 Years, 85
White Plains Native Audrey Harlow, Taught In Yorktown Central School District For 48 Years, 85 Audrey Rose Harlow died on Oct. 12; she was 85. She was born and raised in White Plains, the daughter of Arthur Rose of New York City and Julia Keeler Rose of South Salem. She attended White Plains schools until 1949 when the family moved to Elmsford. There, Audrey graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in June 1951. Audrey earned both her BS and MS degrees from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Her teaching career spanned 48 years for the Yorktown Central School District where she taught both primary and intermediate grades and was selected to be an Instructional Spec…
10-Year-Old Westchester Boy Dies After Courageous Battle With Brain Cancer 10-Year-Old Westchester Boy Dies After Courageous Battle With Brain Cancer
10-Year-Old Westchester Boy Dies After Courageous Battle With Brain Cancer A 10-year-old Westchester boy has died following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Raymond “Ray Ray” Sanchez of Ardsley died Sunday, Sept. 1 after fighting the disease for 16 months.  Those who knew him say that he was a true fighter who was “destined for greatness,” inspiring members of the community throughout his battle and never giving up on overcoming hardship. Ray Ray is survived by his parents, Nicole and Raymond Sanchez; his twin brother, Robert Sanchez; his grandparents, Robert and Rene Baulieu (also known as Poppy & Nanny); his grandparents, Yvonne (also known as m…
Christopher Castaldo, Popular Bartender At Beacon Hotel, Upscale NYC Restaurants, Dies At 52 Christopher Castaldo, Popular Bartender At Beacon Hotel, Upscale NYC Restaurants, Dies At 52
Christopher Castaldo, Popular Bartender At Beacon Hotel, Upscale NYC Restaurants, Dies At 52 A popular bartender at the Beacon Hotel and upscale New York City restaurants, Christopher Castaldo died Thursday, Aug. 1 at his home, at age 52. He was born July 12, 1967, in Beacon, son of John K. and the late Margaret (Peggy) Cataldo. Castaldo graduated from  Beacon High School, attended Dutchess Community College and then relocated to Manhattan to work as a bartender in upscale restaurants such as Match Uptown and L'Artisanal.  He was the long-time bartender at Sushi Samba before moving back to Beacon. In recent years he could be found entertaining from behind the bar at…
Two Killed When Jeep Crashes Off Road Into Ravine ID'd As Newtown HS Graduates Two Killed When Jeep Crashes Off Road Into Ravine ID'd As Newtown HS Graduates
Two Killed When Jeep Crashes Off Road Into Ravine ID'd As Newtown HS Graduates The two people killed during a single-vehicle crash in Newtown over the weekend have been identified as Newtown residents and graduates of Newtown High School. Elliot Gregory, 20, and Philip Zuvanich, 19, were killed when an older Jeep they in went off the roadway on Route 34 into a heavily wooded ravine near Jordan Hill Road around 2 a.m., Sunday, June 23, said Lt. Aaron Bahamonde of the Newtown Police Department. The medical examiner's office said both men died of died from blunt impact injuries. "Our hearts are heavy this morning and our prayers are with both families as they go th…
7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire Remembered As Playful Boy Who Loved Superheroes 7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire Remembered As Playful Boy Who Loved Superheroes
7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire Remembered As Playful Boy Who Loved Superheroes The 7-year-old killed in a house fire is being remembered as a playful boy who enjoyed video games and the outdoors and who loved superheroes. Sean Christian Burlingame, a lifelong area resident, died on Friday, Aug. 31 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. Related story: 7-year-old killed in house fire Emergency responders rushed to the scene of the fire in Dutchess County on Relyea Terrace in the town of Wappinger just before dawn. Upon arrival at the scene, state police troopers were told a child may still be in the residence. Troopers made entry to the house without prote…
Services Set For Star High School Athlete Killed In Crash Services Set For Star High School Athlete Killed In Crash
Services Set For Star High School Athlete Killed In Crash Memorial services have been scheduled for the 17-year-old star high school athlete who was killed in a one-car crash in the area earlier this week. John Guerra, of the Florida section of Warwick in Orange County, was killed around 10:35 p.m. Monday, July 23 when his 2005 Honda Civic, traveling south on Union Corners Road, left the roadway and rolled, coming to a stop against a tree, said Town of Warwick Lt. John Rader. A two-time all-state basketball player for S.S. Seward High School, Guerra was third-team all-state in Class D as a sophomore and made the fourth team last season in Class C,…
Popular Football/Lacrosse Coach Born In Hudson Valley Dies At 52 Popular Football/Lacrosse Coach Born In Hudson Valley Dies At 52
Popular Football/Lacrosse Coach Born In Hudson Valley Dies At 52 A popular area high school football and lacrosse coach and former Division I college standout died of a heart attack at his home Saturday afternoon. Jason Cooper, wide receivers coach at New Canaan High School, was 52. Cooper was a captain of Duke’s football team in 1987. For the past four years, Cooper served as an assistant coach for both the football and girls lacrosse programs at his alma mater, New Canaan High School. Prior to returning to his hometown, he worked in the finance field in Chicago. A tight end and defensive end, he was an All-FCIAC and All-State selection and team capta…
Friends, Classmates Honor Slain Ex-Westchester HS Soccer Star Joao Souza Friends, Classmates Honor Slain Ex-Westchester HS Soccer Star Joao Souza
Friends, Classmates Honor Slain Ex-Westchester HS Soccer Star Joao Souza Friends and classmates of the former Westchester varsity boys soccer standout and Binghamton University freshman who was fatally stabbed Sunday night have scheduled a gathering in his honor late Wednesday afternoon. The parents of slain Joao Souza, Alexandre and Renata Souza will stop by the school around 5 p.m. to meet with the Blind Brook High School community, the school's superintendent's office told Daily Voice. Joao's parents relocated to Brazil after he graduated from Blind Brook. To make sure the event is for classmates and friends, the school sent out an email to the school-wide co…
Attorney Ari Diaconis Of Armonk Dies At 33, Talented Musician Attorney Ari Diaconis Of Armonk Dies At 33, Talented Musician
Attorney Ari Diaconis Of Armonk Dies At 33, Talented Musician Attorney Ari J. Diaconis of Armonk died on Monday, Jan. 29. He was 33. He was born Oct.15, 1984 and graduated from University of Vermont, where he studied economics, philosophy and Afro-Cuban percussion. During and after college, Ari played with musical groups, such as Rubblebucket, and performed at renowned venues including Blue Note Jazz Club New York. With increasing interest in law, Ari began teaching the Law School Admission Test. This allowed him to live in diverse cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Baltimore and Missoula. Ari went on to graduate magna cum laude and Order of the…
Services Scheduled For Christopher Guida, 25, Of Pleasantville Services Scheduled For Christopher Guida, 25, Of Pleasantville
Services Scheduled For Christopher Guida, 25, Of Pleasantville Services are planned for Saturday, Jan. 6 for Christopher Guida, 25, of Pleasantville, who died on Monday, Jan. 1.  Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, at the Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Ave., Pelham. For information regarding services, call (914) 738-1060. To sign the guestbook or send condolences, click here.