School Bus Aide, Devoted Dog Shelter Volunteer From Westchester Dies At 56 School Bus Aide, Devoted Dog Shelter Volunteer From Westchester Dies At 56
School Bus Aide, Devoted Dog Shelter Volunteer From Westchester Dies At 56 A woman from Westchester County remembered for her deep compassion, love for animals, and gentle presence with children died following a battle with cancer.  Jodi Ann Spear, who grew up in Mount Vernon and later lived in Yonkers and New Rochelle, died on Monday, Nov. 24, at the age of 56, according to her obituary.  Spear spent her life caring for others—whether through her work in the City School District of New Rochelle or her dedication to dog rescue organizations, her obituary said. Born on Jan. 2, 1969, to Joseph and Peggy Spear, she grew up with her younger brother, Philip,…
Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations
Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations Greenwich is mourning the loss of its beloved "Farmer John." John Augustin of Augustine’s Farm died after a fall the day before Thanksgiving, the farm said in a Monday, Dec. 1, Facebook post. He was 81.  John Augustin and his wife, Kathy, had run the Greenwich farm since taking it over from John's parents in 1952. The couple grew pumpkins, corn, and Christmas trees and tended to their chickens and the wild animals that could always find a good meal at the King Street farm.  The couple's seasonal farm stand was a major draw for people across the region, both for the produce and…
Well-Known Hudson Valley Farming Icon Dies: 'Friend To Many' Well-Known Hudson Valley Farming Icon Dies: 'Friend To Many'
Well-Known Hudson Valley Farming Icon Dies: 'Friend To Many' The Hudson Valley farming community is mourning the loss of a longtime farm owner who spent his life doing what he loved.  Carl “Rick” Vreeland, the longtime owner of Freedom Hill Farm in Otisville, died on Friday, Nov. 28, at the age of 72, according to his obituary.  The announcement was made by the farm, located at 115 Grange Rd., which said it was heartbroken to share the news and expressed condolences to his family.  Vreeland, 72, was a lifelong Orange County resident and a well-known figure in local agriculture. According to his obituary, he was born in Middletown…
Westchester Dad, 35, Dies Suddenly; Community Rallies Around Widow, 2 Kids Westchester Dad, 35, Dies Suddenly; Community Rallies Around Widow, 2 Kids
Westchester Dad, 35, Dies Suddenly; Community Rallies Around Widow, 2 Kids Support is pouring in for the heartbroken widow and two children of a Hudson Valley man who died unexpectedly. Westchester's Hernan Kenny, of Pelham Manor, died Monday, Nov. 10, at Jacobi Hospital at the age of 35, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Santiago, Chile, Kenny was a longtime Westchester resident who leaves behind a wife and two young sons “who were the center of his world,” his memorial said. He graduated from Pelham Memorial High School, where he played football and lacrosse. He later earned a finance degree from Fordham University’s Gabelli Sch…
Sister Pleads For Justice After Brother's Murder On Quiet NY Street: 'Showed Up For Anyone' Sister Pleads For Justice After Brother's Murder On Quiet NY Street: 'Showed Up For Anyone'
Sister Pleads For Justice After Brother's Murder On Quiet NY Street: 'Showed Up For Anyone' Grief is turning to anger for a Long Island family in the wake of a man’s murder on a quiet Stony Brook street. Christopher Millwater, 52, of Selden, was found fatally injured along Shore Road, near the Stony Brook Yacht Club, around 3:40 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Suffolk County Police said. UPDATE: A suspect has been arrested. Click here for our updated article.  He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, as Daily Voice reported. His death was quickly ruled a homicide. No suspects had been arrested as of Wednesday, Nov. 12, and investigators did not sp…
'Living Landmark': Esteemed NYS Supreme Court Judge, Hudson Valley Trailblazer Dies At 76 'Living Landmark': Esteemed NYS Supreme Court Judge, Hudson Valley Trailblazer Dies At 76
'Living Landmark': Esteemed NYS Supreme Court Judge, Hudson Valley Trailblazer Dies At 76 A pioneering judge whose career spanned nearly five decades and whose integrity and intellect earned him the title of a “Living Landmark of Putnam County,” died peacefully at his home, his family announced.  The Honorable John W. Sweeny Jr., a longtime judge who served on the New York State Supreme Court, died on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the age of 76, according to his obituary.  Known for his sharp intellect, deep integrity, and quiet strength, he was regarded by colleagues as a consummate gentleman who led by example both in and out of the courtroom. A Notre Dame graduate wit…
Retired NYSP Sergeant Dies From 9/11-Related Illness At 65 Retired NYSP Sergeant Dies From 9/11-Related Illness At 65
Retired Nysp Sergeant Dies From 9/11-Related Illness At 65 A retired New York State Police sergeant who served at the World Trade Center site after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has died from a related illness, the agency announced.  Retired Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene, 65, died on Friday, Oct. 24, from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, New York State Police said on Monday, Oct. 27. Greene retired from the State Police on July 17, 2002, after more than 20 years of service, most recently assigned to Troop B, Zone 2 in Canton.  In a statement, Superintendent Steven Ja…
‘May Her Memory Be Eternal’: Orthodox Church Community Honors Woman Killed In NY Crash ‘May Her Memory Be Eternal’: Orthodox Church Community Honors Woman Killed In NY Crash
‘May Her Memory Be Eternal’: Orthodox Church Community Honors Woman Killed In NY Crash Members of the Orthodox Christian community are coming together to honor the life of Eleana Silk, a 74-year-old woman who was killed in a head-on crash in Putnam County earlier this week.  Silk was killed on Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, when her Honda CR-V crossed into the opposite lane on Route 312 in Southeast and collided head-on with a Freightliner truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene, as Daily Voice previously reported.  The truck driver was not injured, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.  In the days since the tragic crash, the Orthodox Ch…
NY Native, Singer Grace VanderWaal Mourns Death Of Her Mother: 'Can't Yet Find Words' NY Native, Singer Grace VanderWaal Mourns Death Of Her Mother: 'Can't Yet Find Words'
NY Native, Singer Grace VanderWaal Mourns Death Of Her Mother: 'Can't Yet Find Words' New York native and singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal is mourning the death of her mother following a 17-month battle with cancer, her family announced. VanderWaal, 21, shared an emotional tribute to her mother, Tina, on Instagram Tuesday, Oct. 21, writing, "Can’t yet find the words. I love you mommy. So much."  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grace VanderWaal (@gracevanderwaal) According to VanderWaal's father, Dave, Tina died on Monday, Oct. 20. After her death, he posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, re…
'Always Wore A Smile': Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Boy Killed In NY Shooting 'Always Wore A Smile': Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Boy Killed In NY Shooting
'Always Wore A Smile': Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Boy Killed In NY Shooting The family of an 11-year-old boy who was tragically shot and killed inside an Orange County home last week is seeking help with expenses as they mourn a family member who they say was always smiling and respectful.  Matthew DeGroat, who was identified by his family, died following an incident in Newburgh on Thursday, Oct. 9, as previously reported by Daily Voice.  A day later, on Friday, Oct. 10, City of Newburgh Police arrested a 13-year-old boy and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting, which occurred around 8:17 a.m. on Thursday at 184 North…
'Light In So Many Lives': Support Swells For NY Family Of Man Hit, Killed On Birthday 'Light In So Many Lives': Support Swells For NY Family Of Man Hit, Killed On Birthday
'Light In So Many Lives': Support Swells For NY Family Of Man Hit, Killed On Birthday A Long Island family is grieving the death of a man who was struck and killed by a car just hours after celebrating his birthday. Ray Truocchio was walking outside a marked crosswalk when he was hit by a sedan on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas around 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, according to police. He was pronounced dead a short time later. The 50-year-old driver remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment, police said. Loved ones said the tragedy came just six hours after Truocchio turned 43. "What should have been a day of celebration turned into one of unimaginable loss a…
Husband, Wife Killed In Hudson Valley Crash Were 'Foundation Of Our Lives,' Daughter Says Husband, Wife Killed In Hudson Valley Crash Were 'Foundation Of Our Lives,' Daughter Says
Husband, Wife Killed In Hudson Valley Crash Were 'Foundation Of Our Lives,' Daughter Says A family is mourning the sudden loss of a Connecticut husband and wife who were killed in a car crash in New York’s Hudson Valley. Radjindre Soekha, 65, and his wife Poernawatie Badal-Soekha, 61, both of Waterbury, Connecticut, were killed early Thursday, Oct. 9, when their Toyota Corolla collided head-on with a Ford F-150 on Kings Highway in Saugerties, as Daily Voice reported. The crash happened around 5:30 a.m. when the Toyota, driven by Radjindre, crossed into the northbound lane near Sinsapaugh Lane and struck the pickup truck. Both Radjindre and Poernawatie were pronounced dead at t…