Our Obituaries

Harriet M. McCooey age 95 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Port Jervis, NY. She was born on June 23, 1921 in Port Jervis, NY the daughter of Levi and Mary Brown Percival. She retired as a bookkeeper for Aliton’s Pharmacy in Port Jervis. Harriet married William J. McCooey who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her three sons, William J. McCooey, Jr. and his wife Corinth, James McCooey and his wife Patricia, and Thomas McCooey all of Sparrowbush, eight grandchildren; Billy McCooey, Dawn Walsh, Jim and Michael McCooey, Amy Ross, Tommy, Kyle and Ryan McCooey, several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews including Robert Carroll and his wife Marilyn of Sparrowbush. Harriet was a member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church, a former Cub Scout Den Mother, Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Port Jervis Little League, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Sparrowbush Fire Dept., and a member of the Gray Ladies of St. Francis/Mercy Hospital, Port Jervis. Harriett’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Doctors, Nurses and staff at St. Joseph’s Place for their kind and compassionate care shown to Harriet during her stay at St. Josephs. Visitation will be held 3-5 PM Thursday, June 1st ,at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Friday, June 2, at the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church. Rev. Amy Garret will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 596, Sparrowbush, NY 12780. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knightauchmoody.com.

Frances L. Senkiew age 86 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Thursdday, May 25, 2017 at Port Jervis, NY. She was born on July 5, 1930 in Port Jervis, NY the daughter of Frank and Mary Decker Winters. She retired as a floor lady from Andmore Sportswear Inc in Port Jervis. Frances married Michael E. Senkiew who pre-deceased her in 2001. She is survived by her two sons Randall Senkiew and his wife Sharon of Port Jervis, Gary Senkiew of Port Jervis, her two daughters, Michelle VanHorn and her husband Luke of Huguenot, NY, Denise Geiger and her husband Steven of Pond Eddy, NY, her brother, Jack Winters and his wife Peggy of Matamoras, PA, her beloved grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kristin and Randy Senkiew, Beth Strauss and her husband Ryan, Kurt Senkiew, Steven Geiger, Jon Geiger and his wife Jenna, several nieces and nephews. Frances was a faithful member of St.Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, a member of the Catholic Daughters, Court Madonna #114, Port Jervis, National AARP and the Port Jervis Seniors. Visitation will be held 1-5 PM Sunday, May 28 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, May 29 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will officiate. Interment will follow at St.Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis- Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send condolence note to the family visit knightauchmoody.com.

William A. Cherry age 58 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Port Jervis, NY. He was born on September 5, 1958 in Port Jervis, NY the son of the late Earl L. Cherry and Elsie Fox Cherry who survives. He worked as machinist for Daniel Allen Mfg. Co in Branchville, New Jersey. He is survived by his mother Elsie Cherry of Port Jervis, his daughter Christina Onyan and her husband Zachary of Jasper, NY. He is also survived by his two brothers Earl Cherry, Jr of Pennsylvania, and Donald Cherry and his wife Myra of Dingmans Ferry, PA, his sister Vicki Sweeney of Port Jervis, five grandchildren; Laurel Catherine, Isabel Lynn, Gabriel Christian, Kendal Leigh and Abigail Grace, several aunts and uncles including his uncle Leslie Fox of The Villages, Florida, several nieces and nephews. Services will be private. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis- Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note tot he family visit knightauchmoody.com.

Elizabeth B. Dickinson, age 90 of Matamoras, PA, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Port Jervis, NY. She was born on March 23, 1927 in Port Jervis, the daughter of James W. and Dorothy M. Strausser Brown. Elizabeth married Robert Dickinson who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her daughter, Shelley L. Dickinson, Esq. of Enfield, Connecticut; her former son-in-law, Lawrence Frechette and his children, Jordan and Lea; and his granddaughter, Mikayla. Liz is also survived by a host of special close friends. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, May 22nd at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Aaron Baughman will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pike County Humane Society, P.O. Box 255, Milford, PA 18337. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; for information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knightauchmoody.com

Joan A. Kately age 85 of Milford, PA passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Milford Senior Care. Joan was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on August 18, 1931 the daughter of John and Angela Heffernan Koleszar. She retired from the Financial Dept. at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey. She married Francis Lloyd Kately who pre-deceased her. Joan is survived by her daughter Ellen Shatt and her husband Michael of Milford, PA, her two beloved grandchildren; Sara Shatt , Jeffrey Shatt and his wife Chelsea several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her son Kenneth Kately and her two brothers, John and Frank Koleszar. Prayers will be offered 9:15 AM Wednesday, May 17 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Sparta Cemetery, Sparta, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pike County Humane Society, Port Jervis Box 255, Milford, PA 18337. 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 knightauchmoody.com.

Philip Donovan Chase, 85, of Port Jervis, NY died Tuesday, May 9, 2017. The son of the late Alvin D Chase and Ruth Wiggin Chase, he was born July 31, 1931 in Port Jervis, NY. His father was a Port Jervis high school science teacher and renowned athletic coach, and his influence inspired Philip to win high school athletic recognition on DUSO league championship teams where he quarterbacked the football team, pitched for baseball and also lettered in basketball. He was already showing his community spirit, and represented his classmates as senior class president, graduating from Port Jervis High School in 1950. Phil continued his athletic career in college, quarterbacking and kicking for Cornell University’s Sprint football team. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell, graduating with honors in 1954, and while there met his future wife, the late Merle Root Chase. They married on June 23, 1956, subsequently enjoying forty-seven anniversaries. After several years of ROTC commissioned service for the US Army Corps of Engineering, Phil returned with his family to the Port Jervis area, starting his teaching career at Warwick, NY for two years before transitioning to the Port Jervis school district for 29 years where he chaired the science department, taught high school sciences and coached many successful athletic teams. Phil loved the Port Jervis community and was active serving it throughout his adult life. He and Merle lovingly raised five children in the area. Phil was inducted into the inaugural Port Jervis School District Alumni Hall of Fame. At Port Jervis, Phil coached many sports including football, baseball, wrestling and golf, while never experiencing a losing season. His modified wrestling team once won 63 straight matches, and provided a very successful feeder system for the high school program. His golf teams once had a streak of 35 straight wins and a 54-1 run including County and Section 9 championships. After retirement, Phil stayed active with golf, marshaling for close to 19 years of NYS Golf Association tournaments, and four US Open golf tournaments. Locally, he was the president of the Hudson River Golf Association for 13 years. He also served as the chairman of the NYS Golf Association for the Hudson Valley Boys and Juniors Qualifier, and for many years co-chaired administration of the annual PJ/DV HS Golf Alumni Tournament. Phil himself was an accomplished golfer, winning numerous tournaments, including the NY state senior championship. Phil was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed flyfishing and hunting with friends, nephews and cousins, and was an active member of many fishing and hunting organizations. He became a champion for environmental causes, particularly battling to protect the river systems of the Catskills for future generations. Starting in 1965, teaming with wife Merle’s editing and organizational skills, Phil wrote an Outdoors column for the Times Herald Record for 13 years. This served as a launching pad disseminating information for many conservation causes, including battling against Pumped Storage for Storm King Mountain which would have devastated local fish populations, and helping to successfully stop the Tocks Island Dam, allowing the Delaware River to remain free flowing. For a time, Phil worked directly with the NY State DEC and NY City’s DEP engineers to increase NYC reservoir releases, allowing healthier Catskill river flows. He developed a Water Watcher’s program that tested area water systems for pollution levels, encouraging his high school students to participate and become enthused, ultimately resulting in preservation of the health of the Neversink River and other area waterways. As an intervener with the Federal Energy Resource Commission, Phil pushed for Orange and Rockland reservoir releases which gave new life to the Mongaup River. He also served as the local Deerpark representative for the Upper Delaware Council which is in charge of 75 miles of the Delaware River, and helped council a number of organizations involved in water management of the Delaware and Neversink rivers. Over the years, he received numerous awards for his conservation efforts, and his flyfishing and river knowledge developed to such an extent that he was chosen to guide Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter during a local flyfishing trip to the Delaware. Phil’s survivors include daughter Carol Chase of Port Jervis, NY, sons Robert Chase of Hoboken, NJ, Alvin Chase and his wife Janine of Westtown, NY and Barry Chase and his wife Lori of Cranberry Township, PA, sister Laura Stewart and husband John of Kenedy TX, sister Ruth Greer and husband Robert of Kalispell, MT, sister Dorothy Decker and husband Melvin of Sparrowbush, NY, and grandchildren Alex, Sarah, Erin and Joseph Chase, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was predeceased by his son Bruce Chase. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 11, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St, Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Sparrowbush on Friday, May 12, at 1:30p.m. Rev. Amy Garrett will officiate. Burial will be at the Rural Valley Cemetery in Oakland Valley, NY. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to the Port Jervis Educational Foundation, Port Jervis wrestler college scholarship fund, the PJ/DV HS Golf Alumni Tournament scholarship fund, G.A.I.T at PO Box 69, Milford, PA 18337, or any local community organization of their choice. 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.

Allen L. Crawn age 88 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Friday, May 5, 2017 at Port Jervis. He was born on October 31, 1928 in Frankford Township, NJ, the son of Elmer and Vernie Lawson Crawn. Al retired as a carpenter from Meloi Lumber Co, Port Jervis, and as caretaker for Merriwold Club at Forestburg, NY. He also worked for Michael Hunt Construction Co. and at one time was part owner of Van Horn & Crawn Construction Co. He married Henrietta Conklin Crawn on July 9, 1950 and celebrated 66 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, Henrietta at home; his daughters: Linda Babcok and her husband, George of Godeffroy, Frances Dubois and her husband, Claude David of Port Jervis. He also survived by his brother, Richard Crawn of Governor, NY; his favorite brother-in-law, Bill Conklin and his wife, Pat of Port Jervis; his sister-in-law, Cordelia DeStafano of Port Jervis; his beloved grandchildren: Billy, Luke, Billie Jo, Carol and Carrie; his seven great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by five sisters and five brothers. Al was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed cooking. He was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis and the Tri-State Rod & Gun Club. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 9th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. Rev. Ann Rost will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. 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 knightauchmoody.com

Douglas Kolvenbach was born on February 9, 1934 in Port Jervis, NY. He was born to Herman Kolvenbach and Mabel Anna Culligan, who owned a large and popular bar in Port Jervis. Douglas’ parents blessed him with three siblings: John, Herman and Johanna Kolvenbach, who all pre-deceased him. Douglas is survived by his wife, Lucille, as well as his five children he bore through his late former wife, Margaret; his stepson he raised with Lucille, and their respective spouses and life partners. Douglas is survived by his eldest son, Douglas B. Kolvenbach, who he affectionately nicknamed “Buzz”, his wife, Victoria, and their children, Danielle and her husband, Mann, and Kristopher. Douglas is proud to be survived by his son, Brian, his wife, Julia, and their daughter, Megan. Also carrying Douglas’ legacy in stellar fashion is his son, Kevin, his fiance, Dawn, and their children, Kyler and Logan. Douglas is loved and survived by his son, Todd, his wife, Laura, and their children, Nicole, Todd Jr., Madison, and Daryl. Douglas is survived by his daughter, Kelly, who will always be his treasured little girl, her loving life partner, June, and their children, Guy and Nicole. Douglas is also survived by his stepson, Nicholas, who considers and loves him like a father and is proud to have been raised by Doug, his wife, Mika, and their daughter, Kaya. Douglas was great grandfather to several great-grandchildren, and uncle to several nieces and nephews. Douglas served a term as a United States Army infantryman during the Korean War Era. Douglas owned an old-fashioned General Store named “Kelly’s” in Accord, NY for several years, where he can be seen in photographs serving an egg cream to late former President Ronald Reagan prior to his presidency. Years later, he moved to New York City and lived in a walk-up studio with a common floor bathroom and tiny refrigerator while working as a doorman as he searched for a superintendent position. He landed a superintendent position at 66 East 79th Street in Manhattan where he worked for 17 years until retirement. Known as “Mr. Toppy”, Douglas was also a proud chimney sweep, collected chimney sweep antiquities, and owned his chimney sweep business, Top Hat Chimney, where he serviced countless high-end brownstones and Park Avenue apartments with working chimneys. While living in New York City, he was the proud “father” of two Cairn terriers, Sooty and Sparky. On any given day at breakfast, lunch, and after work, you could find Douglas at Nectar Coffee Shop a half block away with his several friends, who included famous comic writer of Dondi - Irwin Hassen, dear friends Nancy, Peter and Andre, and his nephew, Steven Kolvenbach who also worked as superintendent on East 79th Street. His son, also named Douglas, had also been a superintendent on East 79th Street in Manhattan near his father as well. Douglas Sr. had been active in the superintendent community and in the 32-BJ Union, and was friends with several superintendents, especially one whom Douglas considered to be his best friend - Luis Perez, along with Luis’ family. Douglas was a lover of quality restaurants and food, and staked out several old-fashioned New York City staples and lesser-known hidden gems, some of which have since closed, where he would frequent with family and friends. He was an old-fashioned soul, and an avid collector of antiques, coins, pipes and tools. He personified a New York spirit, and was a staple in his own right. After moving to Florida for his retirement, he missed New York dearly, and it is only fitting that he is being returned home for burial. Douglas passed away peacefully on November 22, 2016 as he drifted off to his final sleep. Douglas Kolvenbach’s graveside services with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13th at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Rev. Amy Garrett will officiate. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.knight-auchmoody.com

Lottie L. Kurtick age 89 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at home. She was born on August 10, 1927 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Frank and Josephine Witkowski Konieczny. Lottie married John Kurtick who survives at home, celebrating 55 years of marriage. She is also survived by her two daughters, Theresa Loughney and her husband Joseph of Milford, PA., and Kathryn Helms and her husband Albert of Matamoras, PA., her beloved grandchildren; Scott Gillette, Joseph Loughney III, Leland Helms, Lucas Helms, several nieces and nephews. Lottie was pre-deceased by her siblings, Celia, Frances, Blanche, Rev. Anthony and Edward. In years past, during her young adulthood, Lottie participated as a member of the choir of Holy Child R.C. Church in Nanticoke, PA. Lottie was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Matamoras, PA. Her love of children was evident as a babysitter for her grandchildren and many of the children in her neighborhood while living in Nanticoke and Sparrowbush. She will be remembered by many families as the “local babysitter”. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, May 5, 2017 at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Matamoras, PA. Rev. Alfred Vito was the celebrant. Interment will take place at Nanticoke, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s RC Church, 307 Ave F, Matamoras, PA 18336. 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 knightauchmoody.com

Jean M. Orlando age 94 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Belle Reve, Milford, PA. She was born on November 18, 1922 in Port Jervis, NY the daughter of Ralph and Viva Titsworth Quick. Jean married Fred Orlando who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her nephew, Gary Coleman and his wife Kathy of Port Jervis, her niece Gail Coleman Wachsmuth and her husband Charles of Maryland, Judy Adams of Warwick, NY, her cousin, Dolores Gore of Port Jervis, her sister-in-law Alice Orlando of Port Jervis, her great nieces and nephews; Kelly Tigue and her husband Richard, Jennifer Henkel and her husband Dwayne, Christine Johnson and her husband Jay, Thomas Coleman and his wife Monica and Michael Coleman, 11 great great nieces and nephews, her very special friends; Jerry and Kathy Ast, Bill and Kathy Hankins, Rusty and Janet Smith. She was pre-deceased by her nephew Thomas Coleman. Jean was an active member and Past officer of the Port Jervis Seniors, and a member of the National AARP. Visitation will be held 10 AM-12 Noon Thursday, May 4th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will follow at 12 noon at the funeral home with Deacon Richard Marino officiating. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. 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 knightauchmoody.com.