Mostly Cloudy and Windy 34°
Obituaries
Beloved Police Officer From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 50 Beloved Police Officer From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 50
Beloved Police Officer From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 50 A community in Westchester is mourning the sudden loss of a police officer who died just shy of her 17-and-a-half-year anniversary with her department.  Yonkers Police Officer Laurine Williams died suddenly on Monday, Jan. 22 after a battle with medical complications, the department announced on Wednesday, Jan. 31.  Williams, who died only two weeks after her 50th birthday, was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1974. After growing up in the South, she eventually moved to New York and first became an officer with the New York City Police Department.  Years later, in 2007, …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Retired Sergeant, Former Youth Coach In Westchester Dies Retired Sergeant, Former Youth Coach In Westchester Dies
Retired Sergeant, Former Youth Coach In Westchester Dies A retired police sergeant who served a village in Westchester for close to four decades is being remembered for his lifelong dedication to the youth of his community.  The death of retired Youth Sgt. Rocco Plateroti was announced by the Port Chester Police Department on Wednesday, Jan. 17 in a post on social media.  Plateroti served the village of Port Chester for 36 years before retiring, the department said.  During this time, he became known for his willingness to help the village's youth, becoming both a mentor and a coach.  He was also often seen at Port…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
'Smile, Laugh Were Contagious': Businesswoman, Mom From Bronxville Dies At 43 'Smile, Laugh Were Contagious': Businesswoman, Mom From Bronxville Dies At 43
'Smile, Laugh Were Contagious': Businesswoman, Mom From Bronxville Dies At 43 A businesswoman and mother who was a lifelong New York resident has died at the age of 43. Kimberly A. Hallenbeck was born in Westchester, lived in Orange County, and worked on Long Island. Her death, on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, came after a two-year battle with cancer, according to her obituary. A resident of the town of Newburgh, she was the daughter of the late Francis J. Hallenbeck III and Elizabeth (Burns) Laurie, who was born on July 1, 1980 in Bronxville. She worked as a loan mortgage originator for Contour Mortgage in Garden City. She had "a smil…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Update: Funeral Details Released After Sudden Death Of Westchester Town Supervisor Update: Funeral Details Released After Sudden Death Of Westchester Town Supervisor
Update: Funeral Details Released After Sudden Death Of Westchester Town Supervisor Funeral arrangements have been announced for a beloved Northern Westchester town supervisor who died suddenly just days after being sworn in.  A visitation for Yorktown Town Supervisor Thomas Diana, who died on Friday, Jan. 5 at the age of 66, will be held on Monday, Jan. 8 between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Yorktown Funeral Home located at 945 East Main St., according to his obituary.  Earlier Report - Yorktown Supervisor Thomas Diana Dies Suddenly: 'Was Incredible Friend To So Many' To help Yorktown residents travel to the visitation service, the town will provide a sh…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Supervisor Of Westchester Town Dies Suddenly: 'Was Incredible Friend To So Many' Supervisor Of Westchester Town Dies Suddenly: 'Was Incredible Friend To So Many'
Supervisor Of Westchester Town Dies Suddenly: 'Was Incredible Friend To So Many' The beloved supervisor of a Northern Westchester town has died suddenly, officials announced. Here's a new, updated report - Update: Funeral Details Released After Sudden Death Of Yorktown Town Supervisor Thomas Diana Yorktown Town Supervisor Thomas Diana died on Friday morning, Jan. 5, Yorktown Deputy Supervisor Ed Lachterman announced.  Lachterman announced the news in a statement released on social media and the town's website.  "Tom was an incredible friend to so many. He was filled with energy, an open mind and heart, and a sense of duty and that influenced everything …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Fatal House Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley Fatal House Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley
Fatal House Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley An investigation is underway after one person was killed in a house fire in the Hudson Valley. The blaze in Rockland County broke out at around 4:50 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at 49 Laurel Rd. in Central Nyack. As responders arrived, they observed a single-family home with fire engulfing the first floor. The Central Nyack Fire Department was on the scene along with several other volunteer fire companies from throughout the county.  The firefighters conducted an interior search of the residence, which resulted in them locating an unconscious man in an upstairs bedroom. The man,…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Beloved Mother Of Mayor In Westchester, Former NY State Senator Dies: 'She Inspired Us' Beloved Mother Of Mayor In Westchester, Former NY State Senator Dies: 'She Inspired Us'
Beloved Mother Of Mayor In Westchester, Former NY State Senator Dies: 'She Inspired Us' The beloved mother of a Westchester County mayor and a former New York state senator is being remembered for her life-long dedication to her family.  Josephine Spano, the mother of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and former New York State Sen. Nicholas A. Spano, died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 6 at the age of 89, according to an announcement by Mayor Spano's office.  In a statement, Spano said that his mother helped give him and his siblings the drive to succeed.  "We all just wanted to make her so proud," Spano said, adding, "She inspired us. She educated us. She dedicated he…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Body Of Missing 22-Year-Old Man Pulled From River In Westchester Body Of Missing 22-Year-Old Man Pulled From River In Westchester
Body Of Missing 22-Year-Old Man Pulled From River In Westchester Authorities in Westchester are investigating the death of a 22-year-old man whose body was found in a river days after he had been reported missing, police said. New, updated report: West Harrison Man Pulled From River Remembered As 'Loving Son, Brother, Friend' Jan Carlos Yepes-Perafan, age 22, was found dead in the Byram River in Port Chester on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26, Port Chester Police announced.  Before his body was found, Yepes-Perafan had been reported missing by the department on Saturday, Nov. 25 after he had last been seen on Thursday, Nov. 23 around 3:45 a.m. …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved HS Student In Fairfield County Who Died At Age 15 Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved HS Student In Fairfield County Who Died At Age 15
Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved HS Student In Fairfield County Who Died At Age 15 A prayer vigil will be held to honor a 15-year-old high school student who died unexpectedly in Fairfield County. Thomas John Bergeron III, of Ridgefield, died on Monday, Oct. 30. Tommy was the beloved son of Eliana (Romero) and Thomas John Bergeron Jr., and the loving brother of Luna Bergeron, according to his obituary.  Ridgefield Public Schools officials made the announcement to the community on Monday but did not name the student. A GoFundMe started for the family by friends said "The unexpected death of a child is an unimaginable loss that no one can prepare for." The fundraiser, w…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Beloved Mom From Westchester Dies At 45: 'Heart Bigger Than The Moon' Beloved Mom From Westchester Dies At 45: 'Heart Bigger Than The Moon'
Beloved Mom From Westchester Dies At 45: 'Heart Bigger Than The Moon' A much-loved mother from Northern Westchester is being remembered as a selfless, delightful person who was always ready to spend her time helping others. Thornwood resident Christina Nassar died on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the age of 45, according to her obituary. Born in 1978, Nassar was raised in Yonkers before eventually marrying Kal Nassar in 2007 and moving with him to Thornwood. There, they welcomed their three children, Nicole, Christopher, and Joseph.  Those who knew Nassar knew that she was a deeply caring mother who always went out of her way for others, especiall…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
News
Support Swells For Family Of Beloved Westchester Man After Sudden Death: 'Still In Shock' Support Swells For Family Of Beloved Westchester Man After Sudden Death: 'Still In Shock'
Support Swells For Family Of Beloved Westchester Man After Sudden Death: 'Still In Shock' In the aftermath of a much-loved Westchester resident's sudden death, a community is pulling together to support his family in their time of need. The support has come in the form of a GoFundMe page, which was started following the untimely death of Pelham resident Darren Burton, who was known by many in the area for his cheerful attitude and helpful nature.  The fundraiser, created on Friday, Oct. 13 by New Rochelle resident Julia Mosscrop, was started in order to raise money for Burton's family as they come to terms with his loss.  "Darren was one of the most caring, …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Business Owner In Westchester Dies At Age 44 Business Owner In Westchester Dies At Age 44
Business Owner In Westchester Dies At Age 44 A business owner who was a lifelong resident of the area has died. Putnam County resident Gregory A. "J.R." Coccaro, of Mahopac, was 44 years. A Westchester County native, he was born in Sleepy Hollow on Jan. 2, 1979, the son of Gregory T. and Debra Ann (Servello) Coccaro. He was an owner of North State Custom in Bedford Hills, an auto collision repair facility that specializes in high end vehicle repair.  He prided his business on being a non-direct repair program facility, according to his obituary.  "His business integrity always had his customers at heart," the obituary say…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi