Our Obituaries

Betty J. Flood age 86 of Port Jervis, NY passed away at her home on January 25, 2020. She was born on November 22, 1933 in Wurtsboro, NY and is the daughter of the late Harvey Potter, Sr. and Ada Danes Potter. Betty worked as assembler for Kolmar Labs, Inc. in Port Jervis. She is survived by her daughter Candace Flood of Port Jervis; four sons: William Flood, Jr. and wife Linda of Huguenot, NY, Brad Flood and wife Michelle of Eldred, NY, Brian Flood and wife Nicole of Glen Spey, NY, Keith Flood and wife Mandy of Port Jervis, NY; several grand and great-grandchildren; two brothers: Harvey Potter of Town of Greenville, NY and George Potter of Pennsylvania; three sisters: Marion Baker of Shohola, PA, Gladys Snyder of Sparrowbush, NY and Phyllis Conklin of Sussex, NJ. Betty was predeceased by her two sisters Ada Flood & Anna Kays as well as her one brother Emmet Potter. Cremation took place privately at the convenience of the family. 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

Michael W. “The Commish” McCarthy age 85 of Port Jervis, NY passed away January 24, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Place, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on May 7, 1934 in Port Jervis, NY the son of William and Dororthy Lane McCarthy. After graduation from the Port Jervis High School Mike attended Cortland State College. Michael proudly served our country from1957 to1959 with the US Army. He was a faithful member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis and a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #471, and a member and Vice President of Our Lady of Mt.Carmel Society, Port Jervis. Michael served the City of Port Jervis as a First Ward Councilman for 22 years and Councilman at Large. He was a member of the Port Jervis Recreation Board, a board member of the Port Jervis Industrial Development Agency, a member of the Port Jervis Zoning Board of Appeals and a past active member of the New York Conference of Mayors and elected officials. Mike also served on the Advisory Board of the Port Jervis Salvation Army and as a volunteer at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. In his earlier years Mike worked at Skydyne, Inc. in Port Jervis. He also worked as a International Service Manager for Sparkomatic, Inc. in Milford, PA. He worked for the William F. Carroll Insurance Agency in Port Jervis and held his New York State Insurance Broker's License for 32 years. He worked as a school bus monitor for the Port Jervis School District until his retirement. One of Mike’s favorite places to be was serving as a “P.R.” at his nephew Skyler’s Wantage HillsTree Farm in Wantage, New Jersey. Michael’s athletic endeavors were as complete as his civic and political involvement. He was all Duso during his high school years. Mike served for 12 years as a Hudson Valley High School Football Official, he served as a coach for 19 years for the Giants Team, Port Jervis Pop Warner Football, a director official and past league president of the Pop Warner Football, a coach and director for ten years of the Port Jervis Little League. Mike also served as a CYO Basketball coach for two years and as a coach for the Montague Little League for two years. Michael married Mary Ann Sarno McCarthy who survives at home. He is also survived by his son Michael P. McCarthy and his wife Lori of Newark, Texas, his beloved grandchildren, Zachary and Aidan, his sister Patricia Engelhardt and her husband Kenneth of Whitesboro, NY, his brother-in-law Charles Sarno and his wife Chris of Wantage, New Jersey, , his brother-in-law Louis Sarno of Tucson, Arizona, his sister-in-law Regina Castle and her husband Charles of Kingston, NY, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Michael was pre-deceased by his daughter Luann M. McCarthy on September 13, 2015 and his brother-in-law Lawrence Sarno. Visitation will be held 2-7 PM Thursday, January 30 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Knights of Columbus will conduct services 6 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Prayers will be offered 9:15 AM, Friday, January 31 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10 AM 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, with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Luann McCarthy Tennis Scholarship Fund, c/o Port Jervis School District, 9 Thompson St., 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.

Michael W. “The Commish" McCarthy age 85 of Port Jervis, NY died Jan. 24, 2020 in Port Jervis. Visitation: 2-7 PM, Thurs. Jan. 30 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Services: Prayers will be offered 9:15 AM, Friday, Jan. 31 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Resurrection 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, Port Jervis, NY. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. knight-auchmoody.com

Roger R. "Bubba" Roa, Sr. age 76 of Westfall Township, Pennsylvania passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. Roger was born on August 15, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York the son of the late Armand Roa and Winifred Burcham Roa who survives. Roger retired as a welder from Kolmar Labs, Inc in Port Jervis. He was married to Judy Prey Roa who survives at home. Roger is also survived by his mother Winifred Roa of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, his three sons, Roger Roa and his wife Cindy of Shohola, Donald Roa and his wife Bettina of Shohola, Jim Ellison, Jr. and his wife Robin of Matamoras, his three daughters, Joann Gillen and her husband Jon of Fair Oaks, New York, Jeri Lamb and her husband Tommy of Fort Mills, South Carolina, Joanie Comfort and her husband Miles of Matamoras, his two brothers, Richie Roa and his wife Karen of Westfall Township, Armand Roa and his wife Kathy of Brooksville, Florida, his beloved grandchildren; Ryan, Darren, Stephanie, Samantha, Caitlin, Justin, Amber, Thomas, Douglas, Adrianna, Matthew and Brandon, his great grandchildren Harlan and Cooper, several nieces and nephews. The Roa family will receive friends from 12 noon to 1 PM, Monday, February 17th, 2020 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Pike County Humane Society, PO 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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Geraldine Winschuh age 76 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY. She was born on September 6, 1943 In Paterson, NJ and is the daughter of the late Charles J. and Helen Christensen Erlewein. Geraldine married Herman Winschuh who survives at home. She is also survived by her three daughters; Donna Stager and husband Michael of Milford, PA, Michele Martini of Bluffton, SC, Deborah Wussler and husband Bill of Oak Bridge, NJ; her son Kenneth Winschuh and wife Cheryl of Suffolk, VA; five grandchildren: Jessica, Michael, Tyler, Christopher, and Chuck; nine great-grandchildren: Ariana, Joseph, Scarlett, Jacob, Greyson, Aurora, Gavin, Miles, and Noah. Geraldine was predeceased by her two brothers Ronald and Charles Erlewein. Funeral services took place privately at the conveinece of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. 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

Russell W. MacKechnie, Sr., 95, of Highland Lake, NY, went to his rest, peacefully, on January 17, 2020. In death, Russell was reunited with his wife of seventy years, Margaret L. “Peggy” MacKechnie, who predeceased him in November of 2018. Russell was born in Pond Eddy, NY, the younger of two children, born to Edith (Swanerbury) and Russell MacKechnie. His parents and sister, Mabel Mackey Fox, preceded him in death. Russell was a graduate of Eldred Central School, and was one of the first classes to graduate from the “big school.” He honorably served his country in the United States Army, where he was a member of Patton’s Army in World War II and was awarded both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He participated in the Honor Flight program and was a proud member of the Tusten-Highland-Lumberland VFW Post 6427. Russ returned to Highland Lake after his military service, and worked as a barkeep in various local watering holes including the Hollywood in Port Jervis and Bertram’s in Highland Lake, where he met and fell in love with Peggy. He wooed the Brooklynite by investing his tip money in the jukebox, playing "Peg O’ My Heart" when she arrived. They were married for seventy years and were blessed with five children, ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. They were the definition of true love and partnership. Russ retired from Ready Reference in NYC, to his Yellow House in Highland Lake. He spent the winters with Peggy first in Scottsdale, AZ then New Port Richey, FL, and summers, teaching his children and grandchildren to love the lake: swimming, boating, fishing, weather watching, barbequing, ice cream sandwich eating, camping, blue truck driving, and general annoyance with jet skis. Poppy/Gramps loved that the Yellow House was a gathering place for his family and their families. He and Peggy were parishioners of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Yulan, NY. Russ lived a full, long, dignified and well-loved life. He and Peggy traveled the world and all fifty states, but he was always most at home in “the country.” He leaves behind to cherish his memory his five children and their spouses, Rusty and Rox MacKechnie, Sheila Murtha, Keith and Dawn MacKechnie, Mell and Jimmy Carney, and Martin and Debbie MacKechnie; his grandchildren Erin, James (Mak), Kaitlin (Jeffrey Haas), Mary Ellen, Bernard (Alyssa Marks), Michael (Justine), Jeremy (David Byrnes), Sarah (Johnny Salka), and Collin; his great-grandchildren Harrison, Benjamin, Talulah, Amaia, Callan, and Baby Girl MacKechnie; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his dear friends Edward Mellan and Stanley Ernenwein. Russ’s beloved grandson, Kyle Russell MacKechnie, and son-in-law, James G. Murtha, preceded him in death. The family appreciates the love and care provided by Juliet Lord, who will always have a special place in their hearts - and in their family. Visitation will be be held 2-5 PM Monday, January 20 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main. St., Port Jervis, NY. A Mass of Resurrection will be held 11 AM, Tuesday, January 21 at St. Anthony of Padua RC. Church, 25 Beaver Brook Rd., Yulan, NY. Rev. Jocelyn Berkmans will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Eldred, NY with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Yulan fire Dept., PO Box 127, Yulan, NY 12792, the Sylvan-Liebla American Legion, 17 Collins Rd., Eldred, NY 12732 or to the Tusten-Highland-Lumberland VFW Post #6427, 58 Old Minisink ford Rd., Barryville, NY 12719. 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.

John “Uncle Johnny” O’Brien went to be with the Lord on January 13, 2020. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. John was born on October 14, 1932 in Manhattan, NY the son of Thomas and Anna McLaughlin O’Brien. He retired as a doorman for the Barbizon Plaza Hotel in Manhattan after many years of dedicated service. John graduated from Iona College earning his BA in marketing. After moving to Port Jervis from Manhattan he became a communicant of St.Mary’s R.C.Church. A family statement read “ Those who knew John, knew him as “Uncle Johnny” and knew he lived a simple life. A good day for Uncle Johnny was one spent going shopping at Walmart and being able to stop in to see his friends at the Salvation Army, “SALLYS”. Uncle Johnny lived strongly by the motto that “It’s nice to be nice”. He is survived by his loving nieces and nephews, Thomas “TJ” O’Brien and his wife Cathy of Sparrowbush, NY, Rosemary Conklin and her husband John of Sparrowbush, Denise O’Brien of Matamoras, PA, and John Iurilli of Middletown, NY. John was pre-deceased by his brothers William and Martin O’Brien and his sister Anna Iurilli Rhinesmith. A Mass of Resurrection will be held 10 AM Thursday, January 16, at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Gate Of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. John’s family would like to thank those who treated John by his motto and especially to the Salvation Army of Port Jervis and the Hospice West Team of Orange County and Hospice Volunteers, Greg and Chris. Memorial contributions may be made the Port Jervis Salvation Army, 99 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. 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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Peggy Lou James age 80 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Middletown Park Manor in Middletown, NY. She was born on March 7, 1939 in Jacksonville, Alabama, the daughter of Roy and Nellie Spakes McCollum. Peggy worked as Registered Nurse for Southern Maryland Hospital in Brandywine, Maryland and as a assistant administrator for the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home in Mechanicsville, Maryland. Peggy was faithful to her Lord and could often be found reading her prayer book. She was friend to all and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her son Robert Murray and his wife Paula Ashley of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, her beloved grandchildren; Robert Crawford, Sakathia Murray and Mya Tazko, several nieces and nephews. Peggy is also survived by her very close friends, Christina Green of Maryland and Sherry Cramer of Port Jervis. She was pre-deceased by her son Curtis McCollum. Services will be private. Cremation will take place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information or to send condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Robert R.Case age 82 of Sparrowbush, NY died December 8, 2019. Memorial services with military honors will be held 11 AM, Friday, January 24, 2020 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst will officiate. Memorial contributions may be to the Alzheimers Assoc. , Hudson Valley/Rockland Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4060. Arrangements are by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, NY.

Joan H. Plotsky age 83 of Poughkeepsie, NY and formerly a long time resident of Redhook, and Kingston, NY passed away Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in Newburgh, NY. Joan was born on November 20, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of Nathan and Helen Zelazne Wolf. She graduated from The James Madison High School in Brooklyn, NY and continued her education at Brooklyn College earning her BA in Education. Joan taught school for the New York City Board of Education and the Red Hook Central School District. Joan was a faithful member of Congregation Emanuel of the Hudson Valley in Kingston, NY. She was a former president and board member of Temple Emanuel. Joan was also an active member of the Sisterhood of the Temple and a member of the Jewish Federation. She married George A. Plotsky who pre-deceased her in 1987. Joan is survived by her son, Glen A. Plotsky, Esq. and his wife Myrna of Montague, New Jersey, her two daughters, Ellen S. Plotsky, RN and Beth A. Plotsky, M.Ed both of Poughkeepsie. She is also survived by her brother Paul Wolf and his wife Harriet of Coral Springs, Florida, her beloved grandsons; Kristofer E. Diaz, David I Diaz, Gage A. Plotsky and Gavin W. Plotsky, her nieces and nephews; David and Carol Blumenthal, Richard and Nancy Blumenthal, Martha Blumenthal, Abby Wolf, Julie Wolf-Wagner, Craig Drucker, Amy Jalal, Scott and Jennifer Drucker, Michael Drucker, Robert and Gilka Drucker and her brother-in-law Stanley Drucker, and several great nieces and nephews. Joan was pre-deceased by her sister Cynthia Blumenthal, her brother-in-law Lawrence Blumenthal and her sister-in-law Harriett Drucker. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Temple Emanuel, 243 Albany Ave., Kingston, NY. Rabbi Yael Romer will officiate. Interment will follow at Cedar Park-Beth El Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey. Shiva will take place Tuesday, Jan. 14, 5-8:30 PM at Beth and Ellen’s home, 61 Mandalay Drive, Poughkeepsie with a minyan held at 7:30 PM. Shiva will also take place Wednesday 6-9 PM, at Glen’s home 79 Deckertown Tpk., Montague, New Jersey with a minyan at 7:30 PM. Shiva on Thursday, January 16, 5-7:30 PM at Temple Emanuel with a minyan at 6 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, New York 12550. 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 knight-auchmoody.com.

David K. Fisher age 64 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away on January 1, 2020 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, NY. He was born on May 3, 1955 in Port Jervis, NY and is the son of the late Albert Fisher and Pearl Spears Fisher who survives. David proudly served our country with the United States Marines from 1973 until his retirement. He was a member of the Sparrowbush Fire Department and helped build the Veterans Memorial at the Firemans Park. David married Denise Thorton Fisher who pre-deceased him. David is survived by his two sons; Kevin and Brian Fisher of Sparrowbush, NY; his daughter Erin Amato of Sparrowbush, NY; four sisters; Carolyn West, Beverley Calben, Joan Decker, and Peggy Holmes; three grandchildren; Ema and Logan Amato, and Hannah Fisher. David was pre-deceased by his granddaughter Beatrice Amato and his grandson Alex Fisher. Memorial services will be held at 11am, Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the Sparrowbush Fire Department in Sparrowbush, NY. Rev. Amy Garrett will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush Fire Department, PO Box 530, Sparrowbush, NY 12780 or to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675. 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