Our Obituaries

Alvah “Alvie” Smith went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 29, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was 88 years old, born September 11, 1929 in Port Jervis, NY. He was the son of the late John Nelson Smith, Sr. and the late Helen Decker Smith. He was the bother of Kathleen Oathout and husband Russell of St. Petersburg, FL and the late Iola May Smith, Helen Smith Masanotti, Flora Smith & Ella Smith Millspaugh and his brother John Smith Jr. Alvie was a graduate of Port Jervis High School class of 1949 where he was known for his athletic achievements, particularly football. Upon graduation, he went to the University of Miami to continue to play football. Alvie then enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict, where he served his country as an aerial photographer aboard the USS Princeton. He was married 66 years to Ruth M Lawrence, and had five children, Roxanne, Amanda, Kyle, and predeceased by Bonna and Blake. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as an elder for many years. Alvie generously served his church and his community throughout his life. He worked for the Prudential Insurance Company for more than 35 years, receiving numerous awards for his exemplary work and efforts. He also was a part-time school bus driver for the Delaware Valley school system. Upon retirement, Alvie and Ruth owned and operated Alvie’s Emporium located on Jersey Avenue. He then enjoyed working for Laurel Grove Florists as a delivery person. He was also a passionate volunteer for the Port Jervis area Pop Warner Football program where he refereed the games for over 40 years, as well as refereeing JV and Varsity high school football games. Alvie is survived by his wife Ruth, daughter Roxanne Luhrs and husband Thomas of Milford, PA, daughter Amanda Smith of Matamoras, PA and son, Kyle Smith and wife, Virginia of Westwood, NJ. Survivors also include: seven grandchildren: Marissa, Dustin, Whitney and Connor Luhrs. Kiera Smith and Kaitlin Smith Diaz and Joshua Smith. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Hudson and Kennedy Diaz. The family appreciates all the support from family members James and Mary Millspaugh, and family friends, The Bernard Barnett family and the Paul Gillette family. A memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis, NY at 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 4 located at 60 Sussex Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Rev. Ann Akers will officiate. The family would like to thank the Pocono Medical Center and especially the CV Tele Unit for the exceptional care they provided Alvah. The family requests donations be made to the “Bonna Dee Smith Art Scholarship”, Wells Fargo Bank, Matamoras, PA 18336. Arrangements are made by 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. The memorial service may be accessed through the First Presbyterian Church Face Book page.

John C. Ritzel, Jr. age 81 of Sumerton, South Carolina and formerly a life long resident of Port Jervis, NY passed away October 29, 2017 at Myrtle Bech, South Carolina. He was born on April 14, 1936 in Port Jervis, NY the son of John C. Ritizel, Sr. and Martha Gunderman Ritzel. John retired as medical equipment repairman at Keller Army Hospital, West Point, NY. He married Mary Osowick Ritzel who survives at home. He is also survived by his daughter Kathleen Luquis and her husband Diego of Myrtle Beach, SC., his beloved granddaughters; Jasmine Myers and her fiancé Matt Burke, Jessica Casey and her husband Shane, Natasha Pepper and Sarah Luquis, nine great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter, his brother Donald Ritzel and his wife Elizabeth of Sumerton, several nieces and nephews. John was a faithful member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM Thursday, November 2 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis. 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.

Anita Schoonmaker, age 48 of Glen Spey, NY died Oct. 25, 2017 at Newburgh, NY. Visitation: Sat. 10-11AM Oct. 27 at First A.G. Church, 13 Rt. 6, Port Jervis,NY Services: to follow 11:00am. Rev. Thomas Zahradnik officiating. Graveside services: 11 AM Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. knight-auchmoody.com.

Eileen “Helen” Corey Latini went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 24, 2017 surrounded by her loving family at her home. She was 95 years old, born October 12th 1922 in Pond Eddy, NY, the only child of Albert E. Corey and Ellen O’Noonan Corey. Helen was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Port Jervis, and the Port Jervis High School class of 1941. She was a lifelong resident of this fair city, a faithful member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, a fifty-three year member and past regent of the Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Court Madonna #114, Port Jervis and a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society of Port Jervis. Helen generously served her church and her community throughout her life. She taught a seventh grade confraternity class at St. Mary’s for more than forty years, receiving an achievement award from then Cardinal Terrance Cook for her exemplary work and efforts. She was also a volunteer for many years with the Meals on Wheels food delivery Program in the Port Jervis area, and also served with the women from St. Mary’s that visited the State Hospital in Middletown on a weekly basis, bringing home-baked items, and singing and reading to the patients while visiting with them. She also faithfully worked at the local polling station in the first ward during the city’s primary’s and general election for many years. Helen took great pride not only in her personal appearance but her housekeeping and yard work as well. She throughly enjoyed decorating inside and outside. The holidays were particularly a time of enjoyment, always making Christmas something extra special for everyone in the family, especially her grandchildren. Although surrounded on all sides within a predominantly Italian neighborhood, she was steadfast in her pride of her Irish heritage. Of a gentle humor yet with poignant insight, when once among a crowd of people she was asked, “What would you be if you were not Irish? She simply replied, “I’d be ashamed”. A family statement read, Mom was always there for us, dearly and deeply loved by her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Michael in 2002, her son Richard “Dick” in 2012 and her great granddaughters, Madison Cook in 2005 and Crystal Rose in 2011. Helen is survived by her two sons: Michael B. Latini, Jr. and his wife Anna of Port Jervis, Jack Latini and his wife Theresa also of Port Jervis, and daughter-in-law, Frances Latini of Melbourne, Fl. Survivors also include: thirteen grandchildren: Theresa, John, Lesley, Matthew, Eileen, Lauren, Andrew, Vincent, Joseph, Edward, Lauren, Kathleen and Maria. She is also survived by 26 great grandchildren, ten nieces and nephews: Gloria (flower girl in her wedding), Georgianna, Larry, Frances, Georgina, Joseph, Anthony, James, Louis and Marianne. Visitation will be held 4-8 PM Friday, October 27 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Catholic Daughters will conduct services at 5 PM. Prayers will be offered 9:15 AM Saturday, October 28 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis. The family would like to thank the Willcare Program and the Hospice Program of Orange County, and especially Brenda Jennings for the exceptional care she provided during Mom’s last several months. The family requests donations be made to St. Mary's R.C. Church of Port Jervis, 46 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 B’way, 14th Floor, NY, NY. 10004. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or tot send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Donna M.Day age 58 of Port Jervis, NY passed away August 6, 2017 at her home. She was born on October 18, 1958 in Bangor, Maine the daughter of Diego and Rose Monahan Luquis. Donna worked at Charter One Bank in Port Jervis and Pennstar Bank in Milford, PA. She married David M. Day, Jr. who pre-deceased her. Donna is survived by her two daughters Tonia Day and her fiancé Terry Ayers of Port Jervis, Elizabeth Day and her fiancé John Springstead of Port Jervis, her two sons, David and Christopher Day both of Port Jervis, her mother Rose Monahan of Port Jervis, her beloved six grandchildren; Brandon, Trevon, Alexia, Ashley, Ayden and Aubree, her sister Debra of Bridgeport, Conn, her brother Diego Luquis, Jr. of South Carolina, several nieces and nephews. Services and interment will be private. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information or to send a condolence note to the family visit knightauchmoody.com.

Austin H. DeLaney age 90 of Port Jervis, NY passed away October 20, 2017 at the New York State Veterans Home at Oxford, NY. He was born on April 1, 1927 in Port Jervis the son of the late Austin and Edna Hayes DeLaney. Austin proudly served our country with the US Navy from 1944-1964. He married Madeline Amato DeLaney who pre-deceased him July 2, 1999. He is survived by his son Michael DeLaney and his wife Olivia of Knoxville, Tenn., his two daughters Kathleen Cardillo and her husband Michael of Utica, NY, Josie Fairbrother and her husband Paul of Melbourne, Florida , his beloved grandchildren, who knew him as “Poppy Meatball”, Theresa West and her husband Eddie, Michelle Maier and her husband Chris, Laura Fairbrother and her fiancé Jared, and Kelly Fairbrother, his great granddaughter Annabelle, his sister-in-law Josephine King, his brothers-in-law Michael Amato and his wife Henrietta, Joseph Amato, several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his son Patrick DeLaney, his sister Lenore Foster, his nephews Regis Foster and Thomas King. Austin retired from the US Navy after 20 years of dedicated service. He had a strong work ethic, usually working two different jobs at the same time. He continued working full time for the New York State Division of Youth at the Otisville State Correctional Facility. He was also employed as a school bus driver for the Port Jervis School District. He will always be remembered as a very kind and giving man. Austin was a member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis. He was a member of the Tri-Sate Naval Ship #7241, Port Jervis, a member of the Naval Helicopters Veterans Assoc., a member of Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis, a member of the Marsch-Kellogg American Legion Post 139, Milford, PA and a member of the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks, #645 B.P.O.E. Visitation will be held 4-7 PM Wednesday, October 25 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Elks memorial services will be held at 6 PM. Prayers will be offered 9:15 AM Thursday, October 26 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. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow with military honors at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas. 66675-8517. 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.

Mable Mackey Fox age 104 years passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Milford, PA. She was born in Glen Spey, NY on September 12, 1913 the daughter of Russell and Edith Swanerbury Mackechnie. In her earlier years Mabel and her late husband Joseph Mackey owned and operated the Hollywood Grill in Port Jervis. They decided to build a new Bar and Restaurant which was named Time Out in Sparrowbush which they continued to operate for many years. Mable retired as a house mother from the Otisville State Training Correctional Facility. Mable enjoyed spending her winters in Florida with Joe Fox and her many friends. She loved traveling and seeing the sights of the world. She could always be seen with her many dogs which she adored. Cooking, watching the NY Yankees, attending Jimmy Sturr concerts, anything purple, and spending time with her family and friends were her favorites. At four o”clock she had her daily glass of Carlo Rossi Blush and always said it was what kept her alive for so many years. She was an inspiration to many and will be missed. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the Carlucci Home, Milford Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center, and Dr. Alam for their excellent care of Mable through the years. She was married first to the late Joseph Mackey and second to the late Joseph Fox. Mable is survived by her daughter-in-law Jackilyn A. Mackey of Port Jervis, her brother Russell Mackechnie and his wife Peggy of Highland Lake, NY, her beloved grandchildren; Melissa Muller and her husband Michael, Joseph Mackey, Jeffrey Mackey and his wife Kim, Peter Hoefele and his wife Kelly, her great grandchildren; Chad Mackey, Michael and Amanda Muller, several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her neighborhood and close friend Camrin Northrop who Mable looked upon as a “grandson”. Mable was pre-deceased by her two sons, Joseph W. Mackey and Robert E. Mackey, and her great nephew Kyle Mackechnie. Graveside services will be held 1 PM Saturday, October 21 at the Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, NY. Kaitlin Carney Haas will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody FunerL Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Anthony Nivens age 63 of Port Jervis, NY passed away October 13, 2017 at his home. He was born in New York City, NY on July 1, 1954 the son of the late Hayward and Lillian Torres Nivens. He proudly served our country from 1975-1978 with the United States Army. He is survived by his two brothers James Nivens and his wife Maryann of Woodridge, NY, John Nivens and his fiancé Jasmin Del Rosario of West Haven, Conn., his sisters; Cynthia Watkins, Laura Lane Quick and husband Steve, Dawn Nivens all of Port Jervis, and Mona Bram of Chandler, Texas, several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Geraldine (“Geri”) Nivens Osborne. Although Tony was baptized Catholic he attended the Wickham Methodist Church and found great comfort with the church family. A family statement read “ Tony was always concerned about disappointing his family but we just wanted him to reach his full potential. He had so much to offer, intelligence, charm, and a strong work ethic. Due to his life style he left us far too soon. He is loved and will be missed.” Burial will take place at sea. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY. 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

Phyllis C. Knapp age 81 of Glen Spey, NY passed away October 9, 2017 at Milford, PA. She was born on June 15, 1936 in Montour Falls, NY the daughter of Clyde and Lucille Alger Caslin. She retired as a Tax Collector for the Town of Lumberland, at Glen Spey, NY. Phyllis married Allen W. Knapp, Sr. who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her daughters Tammy Worzel and her husband Donald of Shohola, PA, Jill Barnes and her husband Daryl of Highland Lake, NY, Kim Kampka of Norfolk, Virginia, her son Allen W. Knapp, Jr. of Pond Eddy, NY, her beloved grandchildren; Melissa, Diana, Morgan, Taylor, Robert, Kelly, Stephanie,Tyler and Hannah, her beloved great grandchildren; William, Gabriel, Samantha and Skylar, her sister Sandra Brown of Burbank, California, several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her grandson Donald H. Worzel, Jr., and her brother Larry Caslin. Phyllis was faithful member of the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women of the Church, the Lumberland Seniors and was Lumberland Senior of the Year 2000, a member and treasurer of the Lumberland Republican Club. Memorial services will be held 12 o'clock noon Saturday, October 14, at the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, 122 Berm & Church Rd., Pond Eddy, NY. Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, 122 Berm & Church Rd., Pond Eddy, NY 12770 or to the Lumberland Fire Dept. PO Box 91, Glen Spey, NY 12737 Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, or to send a condolence note to the family visit knightauchmoody.com.

Marie (Bernadette) Hopko age 68 of Middletown, NY passed away October 8, 2017 at Middletown, NY. She was born on May 21, 1949 in West Haverstraw, NY the daughter of the late Joseph P. Hopko and Marie Conklin Hook who survives. Marie is survived by her son Robert Miller and his fiancé Suellen Spangenberg of Port Jervis, her mother Marie Hopko of Sparrowbush, her beloved grandchildren; Kristie Miller and her companion Derrick Lewis, Kayla Miller and her companion Adam Masters, Kelli Gulla and her husband Ben, five great grandchildren; Troy, Erika, Darryel, Sophia, and Mia, her brother Joseph P. Hopko , Jr. and his wife Patricia of Sparrowbush, her sisters Jean Healey of Huguenot, Agnes VanStrander and her husband Terry of Port Jervis, Genevieve Groenestynt-Umphlett of Virginia, Lisa Watson and her husband Stephen of the Town of Greenville, her aunt Patricia Vogelsang several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brother-in-law John Healey. Services will be private. 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 or to send a condolence note to the family visit knightauchmoody.com.