Our Obituaries

Dennis R. James age 57, late of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away November 18, 2008 at his home in Albuquerque. He was born on October 18, 1951 in Honesdale, Penna., the son of the late Gifford James and Claire Rimlinger James Muench, who survives. Dennis was an automobile salesman, and proudly served our country with the United States Navy from 1970-1972.
In addition to his mother Claire Muench of Matamoras, Pa. his is also survived by his brother, Neil James of Harpursville, NY, 2 step-sisters, Janice Mons of Naugatuck, Conn. and Beth Pergola of Orangeburg, NY and 4 nephews. He was pre-deceased by his step-father John Muench, his paternal grandparents the late Florence and Lafayette James and his maternal grandparents the late Caroline and Bernard Rimlinger.

Friends may call Monday December from 12:30 to 1:30 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral Services will be held Monday Dec. 15 at 1:30 pm at the Knight -Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY with Rev. August Ricciardi officiating. Private interment will take place at St. John's Cemetery, Honesdale, Pa. The family requests no flowers. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. MainSt., Port Jervis, NY for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

David M. Basham age 54, of Matamoras, Pa. passed away Thursday December 11, at his home. He was born on April 7, 1954 at Alexandria, Virginia, the son of the late William Basham and Phyllis DeAngelo Basham, who survives. David was a Tree Trimmer for New York State Dept. of Transportation at Maybrook, NY. He was a member and Trustee of the First Baptist Church, Port Jervis, NY. In addition to his mother Phyllis Basham of Matamoras, Pa. he is also survived by his brother Jay Basham of Springfield, Virginia, a niece Julie and a nephew Dennis, 3 aunts, Joan Balch, Kathleen DeAngelo, and Shirley Basham, a Great Aunt Antoinette Salva of Matamoras, Pa.
Friends may call Sunday December 14, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral Services will be held Monday December 15, 2008 a the First Baptist Church, 34 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY with Rev. James Brosius officiating. Spring interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to The First Baptist Church, 34 E. Main St.,Port Jervis, NY 12771 or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Tony J. Ziffino, age 84, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY.He was born on August 25, 1924 at Port Jervis, NY the son of the late Frank and Josephine Amato Ziffino. Tony was a retired truck driver for Rupp Southern Tier Trucking Co, Middletown, NY and a member of the Teamsters #445, Newburgh, NY. He married Antoinette M. Piccolo on May 25, 1947 and celebrated 61 years of marriage, she predeceased him on October 21, 2008. He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY, and Fowler Rescue and Salvage Co. #3, Port Jervis Fire Dept. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during WW II.Tony is survived by his son, Anthony J. Ziffino of Port Jervis; his daughter, Marianne Petitti and her companion, Fred Piper of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; his sister, Julie Allen of Matamoras, PA; sister-in-law, Mary Billman of Port Jervis; son-in-law, Carlyle Petitti of Port Jervis. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Michael Petitti and his wife, Elizabeth, Joseph Petitti and his wife, Chrissy and a granddaughter Teresa; four great-grandchildren: Brittany, Tyler, Aiden, Alyssa and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Theresa Cambareri and her husband, Charles, Madeline Ziffino, Katherine Kutzler and her husband, Jere, Carmella Grafje and her husband, Gus, Rose Mudrick and her husband, Theodore, and MaryAnn Ziffino; his brother, Joseph Ziffino and his wife, Clara; his brother-in-law, Joseph Piccolo and his wife, Carmela and Alfred Piccolo and his wife, Frances; brother-in-law, Harold Allen; sister-in-law, Josephine Tunney and her husband, Joseph; step-brother-in-law, Tommy Ruff, his mother and father-in-law, Walter and Edna Ruff.Friends may call Thursday, December 11, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. The vigil wake service will be held Thursday afternoon at the Funeral Home.Prayers will be offered Friday, December 12, at 9:15 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10 am at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY with Rev Sahayaraj Arokiasamy as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, 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 or 845-856-3312.

Joyce L. Cortright, age 78, late of Montague, New Jersey, passed away Monday, December 8, 2008 at The Atria Assisted Living Center in South Setauket, Long Island.She was born on May 22, 1930 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Robert and Florence Winfield Norris. She married Richard D. Cortright, who predeceased her.Joyce was a Sales Representative for Avon for many years. She is a member of the Minisink Reformed Church, Montague, New Jersey.She is survived by her daughter, Nanci Rice and her husband, Kenneth of Setauket, Long Island; two grandchildren, Ryan and Kyle and her niece, Robin. She was predeceased by her daughter, Susan Cortright.Graveside services will be held Friday, December 12, at 2 p.m. at the Minisink Cemetery, Montague, New Jersey with Rev. Robert E. Foster officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to the Minisink Cemetery Assoc., P.O. Box 1401, Montague, NJ 07827.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Joyce A. McLaughlin age 65, of Matamoras PA, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2008 at her home. Joyce was retired from the Delaware Valley School District as a cafeteria worker.She was born on August 18, 1943 at Port Jervis, NY the daughter of the late Warren and Catherine Tinsman Johnson. Joyce was married to William McLaughlin for 36 years and predeceased her on October 12, 2008. She was a member of the Hope Evangelical Free Church, Matamoras, PA.A family statement read "Joyce was a very strong person, coping with her own illness and the recent loss of her husband Bill, she continued her strong love for her family and her uplifting spirit."Joyce is survived by four daughters, Beth Lagomarsino and her husband, Mike of Westbrookville, NY, Melissa McLaughlin of Port Jervis, NY, Carol Nivens and her husband, John of Port Jervis, NY, and Margaret Strucic and her husband, Bruno of Mineola, NY; four sons, Douglas Harford and his wife, Kristine of Mississippi, Chris Harford of Matamoras, PA, Bill McLaughlin and his wife, Laura of Florida, NY and Chris McLaughlin of Port Jervis; her brother, Robert Johnson and his wife, Maryann of Matamoras, PA; 18 grandchildren: Tyler, Trevor, Mary, Tommy, Billy, Tim, Ashley, Nicholas, Adriana, Ryan, Alyssa, Jenna, Nicholas, Matthew, Kristopher, Donna, Lauren and Johnny; three great-grandchildren: Christian, Brianna and Abigail; two nieces, Danielle and Sara, and one nephew, Matthew.Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Hope Evangelical Free Church, Matamoras, PA, with Clifford Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA.Memorial contributions may be made to The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, New Jersey 07860.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY, 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Marion A. Ayers, age 83, late of Matamoras, PA and formerly of Montague, NJ, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the Milford Senior Care Facility, Milford, PA.She was born on October 20, 1925 in Englewood, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Paul and Lucy Mai.She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis, NY. Marion married Christopher M. Ayers, who predeceased her.She is survived by two daughters, Marty Aeberli and her husband, Roger of Montague, NJ and Debbie Coda and her husband, Bill of Milford, PA; four sons: Paul Ayers and his wife, Patricia of Montague, NJ, Christopher Ayers and his wife, Joanne of Akron, Ohio, Thomas Ayers and his wife, Luana of Matamoras, PA and Joseph Ayers and his wife, Lauren of Montague, NJ; one brother, Paul Mai of New Hampshire, 14 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Mai.Friends may call today, December 5, from 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 6, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Patt Kauffman officiating. Interment will take place at Minisink Cemetery, Montague, NJ.Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 31 W. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send acondolence note the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Robert Carson Grieve, age 76, of Matamoras, PA and Waldwick, NJ, went home to be with His Lord on Thursday, December 4, 2008.He is survived by his wife, Edith (nee Hughes); his daughter, Betty; son, Rob and wife, Carol and two grandchildren, Gabriella and Gregory, and daughter, Sharon and her husband, Joe Corris; his sisters, Marion Norton and Eleanor Thompson, both of London, Ontario, Canada and his brother, James of Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. He was predeceased by his father, Harold; his mother, Hazel; his brothers, William and Donald, and his sister, Kathleen.Mr. Grieve was a "tentmaker" pastor who graduated from the Central Baptist Seminary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1953. He served as Pastor of the Scarlett Road Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario and the Hope Evangelical Free Church in Matamoras, PA. Over the years he served as interim Pastor of the Broadway Baptist Church in Paterson, NJ; Grace Evangelical Free Church in Glenbrook, CT; the Norwalk/Westport Evangelical Christian Fellowship in Westport, CT; the Church of Radburn in Fairlawn, NJ; the Elmwood Park Bible Church in Elmwood Park, NJ; the First Baptist Church of Passaic, NJ, and the Hope Evangelical Free Church in Matamoras, PA. He also served as Associate Pastor for the Van Riper-Ellis Memorial Broadway Baptist Church in Fairlawn, NJ.Known for his rich Baritone voice, he sang in many venues over the years. His signature song was "The King is Coming" by Bill and Gloria Gaither.Mr. Grieve also served on the American Sending Council of the Africa Evangelical Fellowship (now a part of SIM Intl, Charlotte, NC); on the Executive Board of the Christian Businessmen's Committee of Bergen County, NJ, and on the Advisory Board of Touch The World Ministries of Allendale, NJ. Together with his wife, Edith, he was a member of the Waldwick Ambulance Corps and the Emergency Room Volunteer Program at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.Mr. Grieve began his commercial career in the decorative fabrics and wallpaper industry in Toronto, Ontario and New York City, NY. He later switched to automotive accounting and worked for several dealerships in NY and NJ, most recent being Ken Smith Lincoln Mercury in Ridgewood, NJ from which he retired in September 2008.The family will be pleased to meet with their friends on Saturday, December 6, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Hope Evangelical Free Church, 300 First St., Matamoras, PA.Funeral services will be held at Hope Evangelical Free Church, Matamoras, PA on Sunday, December 7,, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Arthur Harshman and Clifford Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial services will be held on Monday, December 8, at 7:30 p.m. at The Cornerstone Christian Church, 495 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hope Evangelical Free Church, 300 First St, Matamoras, PA 18336 or the Cornerstone Christian Church, 495 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY. For directions, information or to send a condolence note, please visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Marilyn Decker, a lifelong resident of the area, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at Bon Secours Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.She was the daughter of the late Donald and Helen Dwyer Decker. She was born May 5, 1936 in Port Jervis, NY.She was a life member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Marilyn was employed by General Telephone Company of Upstate New York for 16 years. She then owned and operated ABC Travel Service and ABZ Real Estate. She retired in 1982. In 1985, she joined Mercy Community Hospital retiring in 1999. Marilyn was elected to the Port Jervis Free Library Board in 1981, serving for 23 years. Five of those years, she served as board president, she was the longest serving member of the board. She was a member of The Orange County Historical Society, American Association of Retired Persons, The Daughters of The American Revolution, The Minisink Valley Historical Society, The Sullivan County Historical Society, The Literacy Volunteer of America, The Irish Historical Society, Orange County Community College Alumni, The Women's Club of Lauderdale West. She was a Port Jervis High School graduate and furthered her education at Orange County Community College where she obtained her associate degree in business.Marilyn had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed helping others. She was a born optimist. She loved doing her genealogy, reading, traveling, and getting together with family and friends.Survivors include her sister, Denise Decker Shay and her husband, Carlton of Aston, PA; her brother, William Decker and his wife, Lois of Montague, NJ; three nieces: Joellen Decker Leeper, Susan Shay Gibilante, and Jill Parris Shay; four nephews: Brian Shay, Randy Leeper, James Gibilante, and David Decker; several grand nieces and grand nephews.Private burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY with Rev. George Hafemann officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange County Genealogical Society, 101 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 or the Port Jervis Free Library, 138 Pike Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY. For directions, information or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Charles H. Hallock, Sr., age 71, of Highland Lake, NY, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2008, in the deep woods in the Town of Highland.He was born May 3, 1937 in Forestburg, NY, the son of the late Wilbur and Margaret Weber Hallock.Charlie retired after 31 years from Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., Grahamsville, NY, as a Hydroelectric Plant operator. He then worked in the same capacity for Mirant, Inc. in Grahamsville until his retirement.He married Barbara VanEtten Hallock, who survives at home. He is also survived by four sons: Charles Hallock Jr. and his wife, Betty of Hillside, NY, Bob Hallock Sr. and his wife, Angie of Highland Lake, NY, Tim Hallock Sr. and his wife, Linda of Highland Lake, NY, and Scott Hallock and his wife, June of Highland Lake, NY; his sister, Roberta Jessup and her husband, Carlton of Hillside, NY; his grandchildren: Kelly, Keith, Christie Besimer and her husband, Damon, Bobby Jr., Tim Jr., Kimberly and Heather, Rebecca Ryman and her husband, Christopher, Buck (Scott) Jr. and Caitlin; his two great-grandchildren, Dillon and Kylin; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers and one sister.Charlie was an active member of St. Anthony's R.C. Church in Yulan, NY, a Lector, altar server and caretaker of St. Anthony's, as well as a member of the Parish Council. He was a 3rd Degree Knight with the Cardinal John O'Connor Council, Knights of Columbus, Yulan. He was a Cub Master for Pack #93, Cub Scouts for 10 yrs at Yulan; a Little League Baseball Coach in Yulan and a basketball coach in Wurtsboro.A family statement reads: "Charlie was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved hunting, fishing with his sons and grandsons and working around St. Anthony's Church. He was all about his family."Friends may call Tuesday, December 2, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. The vigil wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with Fr. Anthony Moore officiating.Prayers will be offered Wednesday, December 3, at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony's R.C. Church, Yulan, with The Rev. Anthony Moore as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Anthony's Cemetery, Eldred, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's R.C. Church, 25 Beaverbrook Rd., Yulan, NY 12792.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send condolences, please visit knight-auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.