Our Obituaries

Peter Bunza, age 76 of Port Jervis, NY and formerly of Queens, NY, passed away on March 24, 2018 at his home. He was born on July 18, 1941 in Czech Republic and is the son of the late Bohumir Bunza and Ruzena Bunza who survives. Peter worked as a Project Engineer at IDE in Sugar Loaf, NY. He is survived by his wife Greta Bunza; daughter Katrin, two grandchildren: Julia and Erik; and his sister Helen. Visitation will be held on Friday March 30, 2018 from 12:00-1:00, followed by memorial services at 1:00 with Deacon Richard Marino officiating. Interment will take place privately at the convenience of the family at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salisbury, CT. In memory of Peter Bunza, donations can be made to the Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc. or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, at https://giving.mskcc.org/ways-to-give. 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

Robert Ellery Ashworth age 82 of Westbrookville, NY passed way Saturday, March 24, 2017 at Liberty, NY. He was born on July 25, 1935 in Westbrookville, NY the son of Harold and Rhea Fellows Ashworth. Bob retired as a laborer from the Town of Mamakating after many years of dedicated service. Bob married Gail Caskey Ashworth who pre-deceased him, he then married Edith Vandemark Ashworth who also pre-deceased him. He is survived by his son Thomas Ashworth and his wife Michelle of Milford, PA, his daughter Maureen Ross of Smallwood, NY, his brothers, Harold Ashworth of Westbrookville, Richard Ashworth and his wife Barbara of Westbrookville, David Ashworth and his wife Anne of Little Mountain, South Carolina, Walter Ashworth of Union, Maine, his sister Janet McCarthy of Poughkeepsie, NY, his grandchildren; Lauren, Keaton and Ian, several step-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Private services and interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to (NYDEC) Camp DeBruce, 307 Mongaup Road, Livingston Manor, NY 12758. 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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Grayce H. Ricciardi of Matamoras, PA passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 20, 2018 at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, New York. She was 94. She was born on November 7, 1923 in Meriden, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Frederick E. Hardwick and the late Miriam Brown Hardwick. On March 16, 1941 she married Joseph W. Ricciardi, who for 31 years was the mayor of Matamoras. Together, they were parents to seven children. During World War II, Grayce worked at Crescent Silver Company making incendiary bombs and volunteered at a hospital making bandages for injured soldiers. She also worked for a number of years in the cafeteria at Delaware Valley High School. Grayce and Joe owned and operated the Mayor’s Corner on Pennsylvania Avenue in Matamoras, a popular “Mom and Pop” store. Grayce also is a past member of the Thursday Night Bowling League at Port Jervis Bowl and a charter member of the Matamoras Keystone Community Club. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Matamoras and St. Joseph’s Altar and Rosary Society. Surviving are daughters, Sandra Galang and husband Dr. Loy of The Villages, Fl.; Sue Ricciardi of Arnold, MD; Sherry Suter and husband Jim of Stevensville, MD; Pam McKean and husband Kim of Shohola, PA; Michele Bensley and husband Neal of Matamoras, PA; son William Ricciardi and wife Valerie of Matamoras, PA; niece Faye Dudek and husband Bernie of Wallingford, CT; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband and a son, Joseph W. Ricciardi, Jr. Visitation will be held 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 23, at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 24, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, 309 Avenue F, Matamoras, PA. Rev. Alfred Vito will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s R.C. Church or Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory, 931 Isabella St., Newport, KY 41071. 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.

Josephine E. Siwarski age 86 passed away March 19, 2018 at Middletown, NY. She was born on March 13, 1932 in Ozone Park, Long Island, NY the daughter of Walter and Genevieve Mohr Ballou. She married Edwin J. Siwarski who pre-deceased her on February 1, 2016. Josephine was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church in Port Jervis and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She is survived by her daughter Nadine Keener and her husband Charles, her three sons; Walter Siwarski, Edwin J. Siwarski, Jr. and his wife Susan, Stanley Siwarski and his wife Linda , her former daughter-in-law Colleen Siwarski, her beloved five grandchildren, her extended family and a host of special friends. She was pre-deceased by her grandson Kyle. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held 12 noon Friday, March 23 at the Grace Episcopal Church, 84 Seward Ave., Port Jervis, NY. The Rev. Cannon David Lee Carlson will be the celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to: “Fed By Grace” c/o Grace Episcopal Church, 84 Seward Ave., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or to the Shriners Hospitals For Children, Office of the Development, 2900 Rocky Pt. Dr., Tampa, Fl. 33607. 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.

Matthew C. “Matt” Schoch age 39 of Port Jervis, NY passed away March 17, 2018 in Port Jervis, NY. He was born in Port Jervis, NY on June 22, 1978. Matt worked as a chef at Homer’s Coffee Shop and The Jack Champion Steak House at the Port Jervis Country Club in Port Jervis. He attended Men’s Group at the First Assembly of God Church in Port Jervis and enjoyed playing Chess with his friends at Empowering Port Jervis. He had a passion for cooking and a strong love of music. He is survived by his mother, Terri A. Schoch at home, his maternal grandmother Helen Schoch of Port Jervis, his uncles Charles “Chuck” Schoch and his wife Cindy of Rio, Jeffrey Schoch and his wife Sherie of Rio, his aunt Patti Martell and her husband Chad of Glen Spey, his uncle Paul Schoch of Barryville and his fiancé Audrey of Port Jervis, several cousins, his very special friends Kevin Schmick and Damian Cleary and a host of many other friends. Matt’s family will receive friends 1-2 PM Saturday, March 24th at the Goodwill Church of Port Jervis, 170 West Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Memorial services & celebration of Matt's life will follow at 2 PM at Goodwill Church. Rev. Jose Rodriguez, Rev. Carl Wisher and Rev. V. Jean McBryde will officiate. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Celebrate Recovery, c/o Goodwill Church, 170 West Main Street, Port Jervis, New York, Alcoholics Anonymous, General Service Office, Box 459, Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163 or to Empowering Port Jervis, 11 Fowler St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements are 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-achmoody.com.

Carl G. DeGroat, Jr., age 68 of Montague, NJ passed away at his home on Thursday, March 1, 2018. He was born on March 23, 1949 in Sussex, NJ and is the son of the late Carl G., Sr. and Marjorie Snook DeGroat who survives. Carl worked as a heavy construction operator for Brookside Construction in Montague, NJ. He was a a proud member of the National Rife Association. Carl is survived by his three sons; Justin DeGroat of Montague, NJ, Jason DeGroat and his wife Adrienne of Buffalo, NY, and Joshua DeGroat of Philadelphia, PA; two granddaughters, Addisyn and Dylan DeGroat, four sisters; Kay Dalrymple and her husband Douglas of Montague, NJ, Carol Wilson of Port Jervis, NY, Mary Petrolewicz of Montague, NJ, and Elaine Cooper of Montague, NJ; several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Services will take place privately at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation-Donation Processing, PO Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.knight-auchmoody.com

William A. Wagner, Sr. age 93 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Friday, March 2, 2018 at his home, with his children at his side. He was born on December 5, 1924 in Dunmore, Pennsylvania the son of William P. and Elizabeth Jones Wagner. Bill was taught to play the trumpet by his father, a gifted musician, at an early age. When he was six he performed at the Strand Theater in Port Jervis. He had many opportunities to display his musical ability, playing on WGNY Radio, at Rotary Club luncheons, church socials and various local clubs. Later he was a member of a band that played at the Alexander Hotel. He continued playing his entire life and was very proud of playing with the Port Jervis City Band and the Middletown Marching Band. After graduating high school Bill joined the US Navy and proudly served our country during WW II aboard the USS-L.S.M. #150 as a motor machinist mate. He was a member of the Tri-State Naval Ship VFW Post # 7241, Port Jervis. After his honorable discharge from the US Navy Bill worked as a signalman for the Erie R.R. in Port Jervis. He then worked as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Port Jervis retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement from the US Postal Service Bill worked as a school bus driver for many years with the Port Jervis School District. He attended the Hope Evangelical Free Church in Matamoras. Bill married Patricia Hoar Wagner, celebrating 67 years of marriage, who survives at home. He is also survived by his son William A. Wagner Jr. and his fiancé Carol O’Byrne of Port Jervis, his daughter Donna Leary of North Plainfield, New Jersey, his beloved grandchildren; Dr. Jeffrey Leary and his wife Kim, Jennifer Gelatt and her husband Miles, Jeremy Leary and his wife Betsy and Jessica Leary, his eight great grandchildren; Haley, Dana, Callen, Taylor, Jason, Christian, Huxley and Piper. He was pre-deceased by his son-in-law Bruce Leary and his daughter-in-law Gale Lateer-Wagner. Visitation will be held 2-5 PM Tuesday, March 6, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday, March 8, at the Hope Evangelical Free Church, Matamoras, PA. Rev. Leonard “Butch” Gilpin will officiate. Interment will follow with military honors at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville,NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Evangelical Free Church, 300 First St.,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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Ellen D. Huslinger age 67 of the Town of Greenville, NY passed away February 28, 2018 at her home. She was born on February 12, 1951 in Bronx, New York the daughter of the late Joseph F. Marshall, III and Dorothy Dean Marshall. Ellen worked as legal secretary for Winston & Winston Attorneys At Law, New York City, NY. Ellen married Stephen J. Huslinger who survives at home. She is also survived by her daughter Shoix Mallon and her husband Terrence of Granger, Indiana, her two sons, Bryan Huslinger and his companion Audrey of Saylorsburg, PA, Stephen Huslinger and his wife Misty of Carriere, Mississippi, her daughter Janet Deverso and her husband Jason of Port Jervis, N.Y., her beloved seven grandchildren; Brady, Alana, Kearsten, Gavin, Kaitlyn,Kaleb, and Savannah, her sister Kathleen Lent of Monroe, NY, her brother Joseph Marshall and his wife Kathy of Greenwood Lake, NY, her sister Barbara Truex and her husband Skip of Greenville, N.Y., her best friend Cathy Rogers of Florida, several nieces and nephews. Her good friends George and Carol Lataurette and Bud and Deb Hall. Ellen was pre-deceased by her sister Dorothy Siegel. Memorial services will be held 1 PM Friday, March 9th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main Street., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Michael Cedro will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange,Sullivan & Rockland, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY. 12550 or to the Greenville V.F.W. Post #3175, 1316 US Hwy 6, 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 knight-auchmoody.com.