Our Obituaries

Ann M. Ziffino, age 88, of Port Jervis, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis.She was born on January 3, 1920 at Highland Falls, NY, the daughter of the late Natale and Edna Mae Crisci Piccolo.Ann was a retired Manager of the retail store for H&M Knitting Mill, Port Jervis, and later a retired clerk for Kolmar Labs, Inc. Credit Dept. She was a longtime member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis.Ann married Tony J. Ziffino, who survives at home. She is also survived by her son, Anthony J. Ziffino of Port Jervis; her daughter, Marianne Petitti and her companion, Fred Piper of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; her sister, Mary Billman of Port Jervis; a sister-in-law, Julie Allen of Matamoras, PA; her son-in-law, Carlyle Petitti of Port Jervis; three grandchildren: Michael and his wife, Elizabeth, Joseph and his wife, Chrissy and her granddaughter, Teresa, and four great grandchildren: Brittany, Tyler, Aiden and Alyssa and several nieces and nephews.Ann was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph Piccolo and wife, Carmela and Alfred Piccolo and wife, Frances; step-father, Walter Ruff, Sr.; step-brother, Walter "Tommy" Ruff, Jr.; one sister, Josephine Tunney and husband, Joseph.Friends may call Thursday, October 23, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Raj officiating. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis. A memorial mass will be held at a later date.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Braulio "Rudy" Rodriguez, age 46, of Cuddebackvile, NY, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.He was born on September 22, 1962 in Los Angeles, CA, the son of the late Manuel Rodriguez and Connie Astrain Olivarez, who survives and resides in Stockton, CA. He is also survived by his son, Emanuel Rodriguez of Modesto, CA; his two daughters, Isabela Rodriguez of Modesto, CA and Reina Rodriguez-Wright of Stockton, CA; two brothers, Manuel Rodriguez and his wife, Amy of Port Jervis, NY, and Adrian Rodriguez of Stockton, CA; four sisters: Jennie Pokorny and her husband, Lou of Cuddebackville, NY, Idolina Cumberledge and her husband, Terik, Connie Rodriguez and Angie Ojeda and her husband, Tony, all of Stockton, CA; two grandchildren, Andrew and Annebelli Wright, and several nieces and nephews.Private services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

William F. McLaughlin, age 65, late of Matamoras, PA, passed away Sunday, October 12, 2008 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis.He was born on March 7, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Gordon and Mary Schuchman McLaughlin.Bill was a retired construction worker with Local 445, Newburgh, NY. He attended the Hope Free Church, Matamoras, PA.He married Joyce Johnson McLaughlin, who survives. He is also survived by his two sons, Bill McLaughlin and his wife, Laura of Florida, NY and Chris McLaughlin of Port Jervis, NY; four daughters: Margaret Strucic and her husband, Bruno of Mineola, NY, Carol Mclaughlin-Nivens and her husband, John of Port Jervis, Beth Lagomarsino and her husband, Mike of Westbrookville, NY and Melissa Mclaughlin of Port Jervis; two step-sons, Douglas and Chris Harford; his sister, Marilyn Albanese-Conklin of St. Petersburg, FL; 18 grandchildren: Ryan, Alyssa, Jenna, Nicholas, Matthew, Kristopher, Donna, Lauren, Johnny, Tyler, Trevor, Mary, Thomas, Billy, Tim, Ashley, Nicholas and Adriana; two great grandchildren, Christian and Brianna, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia.A family statement reads: "Bill was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."Friends may call Wednesday, October 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.Memorial services will be held Friday, October 17, at 1 p.m. at the Hope Free Church, Matamoras, PA with Clifford Jones officiating. Interment will take place at The Milford Cemetery, Milford, PA.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Richard D. Basham, 79, of Matamoras, PA, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at Milford Senior Care, Westfall Twp., PA.He was born on July 29, 1929 at Binghamton, NY, the son of the late William J. Basham and Minnie Zakevicius Basham.Richard worked for the C.I.A. in Washington, DC and then for Pike County, PA, from which he retired. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, while stationed in Austria. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Matamoras and served as a Lay Leader, Choir member, Sunday School Teacher and Custodian of the church. He was a long time member of the Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161, Port Jervis.He married Shirley Shay Basham, who survives. He is further survived by his son, John Basham of Matamoras, PA; his daughter, Vicki Basham of Greeley, PA; his grandson, Darren Basham; his granddaughter, Leanne Landman; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his four brothers, Gerald, John, William and Donald Basham.Funeral Services will be held today, Monday, October 13, at 11 a.m. in the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, PA, with the Rev. Russell Lockwood and the Rev. Lora Villinger officiating. Interment will be private.Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, 209 Ave. H, Matamoras, PA 18336 or to the Alzheimer's Assoc.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send condolences, please visit knight-auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Mary E. Holley, 81, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Monday, October 6, 2008 at her home.She was born on June 3, 1927 in Port Jervis, NY the daughter of the late Thomas R. Scales and Mary Hubbard Scales. She is a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY, a member and Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the James C. Bilz American Legion Post, Port Jervis, NY. She was also a former Girl Scout Leader of the Sarah Wells Council, Port Jervis.Survivors include the loving daughter of Mary and Henry Holley, Marsha Holley McCreery and her husband, Bill of Port Jervis, NY. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and several cousins. Mary was predeceased by her three brothers: Richard C. Scales, Thomas R. "Bud" Scales, and Frank A. Scales.Friends may call Thursday, October 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. The vigil wake service will be held Thursday evening, at the funeral home.Prayers will be offered Friday, October 10, at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY, with the Rev. George Hafemann officiating. Private internment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com or 845-856-3312.

Marion Keshian Anooshian, age 81, late of Port Jervis, NY, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.She was born in Matamoras, PA, the daughter of the late Archie and Clara Baynian Keshian. Marion married Ara Anooshian, who survives.In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, John S. Anooshian and his wife, Cynthia of Haddonfield, NJ, and her brother, Edward Keshian of Port Jervis, NY. She was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Keshian.Marion was a retired attorney who practiced with the firm of Anooshian & Anooshian, a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in New York City, NY; the New York Bar Association; a former member of the Port Jervis Business and Professional Women (B.P.W.), and the Minisink Historical Society, Port Jervis, NY.She graduated as valedictorian Class of 1944 from the Port Jervis High School. Marion furthered her education at N.Y.U. in New York City graduating with her B.A. in Liberal Arts, and was member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She continued her education at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, where she earned her Master's degree in Library Science. Marion was among the first group of Librarians to be licensed by the State of New York in Library Science.As a result of her own self-study, Marion became a member of the Bar by passing the New York State Bar Examination, never having attended Law School.Friends may call on Tuesday, October 7, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY from 7-9 p.m.Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 8, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert E. Foster officiating. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.Memorial donations may be made to the Armenian National Committee of America, 1711 N. St., NW, Washington, DC 20036-2801 (anca.org) or to a charity of one's choice.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information,directions or to send condolences, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Donald S. Mohan Jr., age 57, late of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Friday, October 3, 2008, at Kindred Hospital, Dover, NJ.He was born September 16, 1951 in Ridgewood, NJ, the son of Donald S. Mohan Sr. and Elizabeth Jane Belinsky Mohan.Don was the retired owner of Don Mohan Locksmith in Port Jervis and a member of Drew United Methodist Church.In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Sherry L. Smith Mohan, at home; son, SrA John Scott Mohan, USAF, of Albuquerque, NM; daughter, Elizabeth K. Fields and her husband, Travis of Hinesville, GA, and his brother, Gary Mohan of Gettysburg, PA.Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, October 8, at 7 p.m. at the Drew United Methodist Church in Port Jervis. The Rev. Robert Cassidy will officiate. Interment will be private.Memorial contributions may be made to Ministry of Kindness, c/o Drew United Methodist Church, Sussex St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send condolences, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Joseph Munoz, age 78, late of Matamoras, PA, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.He was born on October 20, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Avelino and Teresa Cuijo Munoz.Joseph was a retired paint sprayer for Skydyne, Inc., Port Jervis, NY. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Army and was member of the Combat Infantrymens Group. He was an active member with The Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis, NY. As an artist, Joe painted beautiful background scenery for many popular TV shows, including the Jackie Gleason Show.A family statement reads: "Joe enjoyed fishing, walking, biking, traveling to Spain and cooking, especially his famous Spanish Paella. He loved his two cats, Lucy and Linus and many wonderful friends."He is survived by his wife, Jean Clark Munoz at home; his brother, Jack Munoz and his wife, Mary of Port Jervis, NY; his brother-in-law, Francis "Butch" Lemon and his wife, Kay of Matamoras, PA and his sister-in-law, Peggy Grennille and her husband, Bill of Montague, NJ. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many cousins in Spain. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Pat Emery.Memorial services will be held Friday, October 3 at 2 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY with Rev. David Lee Carlsen officiating. Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 will conduct military honor services at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Funeral Home.Memorial donations may be made to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ 07860.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Jesus C. Montes, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, age 72, late of the Town of Greenville, passed away Monday, September 29, 2008 at his home.He was born on December 16, 1935 in Jalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, the son of the late Miguel Montes and Eugenia Covarrubias Montes, who survives.Jesus was a retired underground miner with The United Mine Workers, Local #147, New York City, NY. He was a participant in the Adoration Society at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY.He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Joslin Montes at home; his mother, Eugenia Montes of Pomona, CA; two daughters, Rebecca Montes at home and Dyana Montes and her companion, Harry Jackson of Wurtsboro, NY. Jesus is also survived by his two sisters, Elisa Verduzco and her husband, Jorge of Lindsay, CA and Emma Montes of Pomona, CA; seven grandchildren: Alexis, Hayley, John Jesse, Danielle, Lucas, Willow, Keelan and two special children, Torrie and Brooke; several nieces and nephews, including Elisa Cook. He was predeceased by his brother, Guillermo Montes; his sister, Guadalupe Miyashiro and his niece, Corrina Zepeda.Friends may call Thursday, October 2 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Prayers will be offered at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross R.C. Church, South Centerville, NY with Rev. Robert Porpora as celebrant. Interment will be private in Wisconsin.Memorial contributions may be made to the
American Cancer Society, 419 E. Main St. Suite 307 B, Middletown, NY 10940.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Clareta M. Sergeant of Riverside, NJ, formerly of Eldred, NY and Woodhaven, NY, passed away on September 27, 2008 at Cinnaminson Center Nursing Home, Cinnaminson, NJ.She was born on November 2, 1917 in Shohola, PA to Edward and Kathryn Livingston Kuen.She was married to the late Charles Sergeant, on September 27, 1937, at the Eldred Congregational Church. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Dorothy Smith, Helen Sergeant and Hazel Anastasio; her brother, Arthur Kuen and her daughter, Linda Houlihan.Survivors include one sister, Arlene Kuen of the State of Florida; one son, Charles Sergeant of Riverside, NJ; two daughters, Mauna Krumm and her husband, Ronald of Cinnaminson, NJ and Jean Marino and her husband, Dominick of Forestburgh, NY. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.A family statement reads: "Clareta was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her."Friends may call Wednesday, October 1 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 1 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Mayer officiating. Interment will take place at Montoza Cemetery, Eldred, NY.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.