MALCOLM ANDROSS

BARRYVILLE — Malcolm Andross of Barryville, a retired crane operator for Queens Structure Corp. in Queens and a 35-year area resident died Thursday, May 31, 2001 in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Staten Island. He was 99.

Son of the late William and Annie McConnity Andross, he was born July 31, 1902 in Ontario, Canada. He was the widower of Alice Schinkowki Andross.

Survivors include a grandson, John Goodman of Staten Island; and four grandchildren, John, Jennifer and Thomas Goodman and Erika Rotbart.

Services were held at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis. The Rev. Gerald Lewis officiated. Burial was in Montoza Cemetery in Barryville.

CHARLES C. BEVIS, JR.

WESTBROOK, CT — Charles C. Bevis, Jr. of Westbrook, CT, a retired 23-year manager of several radio and television stations and producer-reporter of NBC news/special events, died Tuesday, May 22, 2001 in Middlesex Hospital. He was 84.

Son of the late Charles C. and Edna Finchot Bevis, Sr., he was born December 13, 1916 in Brooklyn.

While attending New York University he worked as a cub reporter for NBC covering the beginning of World War II in Europe.

After graduation he became a Navy carrier pilot flying in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters where he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. He then returned to NBC and worked as a liaison between Congress and 126 television broadcasting stations. In retirement he worked with WMMM Westport radio broadcasting and also had his own advertising company. He was a past commander of the Saugatuck River Power and Sail Squadron; a member of the Saybrook Squadron; Essex Rotary Club and Masonic Lodges in Denver and Westport.

Survivors include his wife, Constance McDonald Bevis; two daughters, Judith Schneider of San Luis Obispo, CA and Barbara Bevis of Glen Spey; a brother, Robert E. of Lutherville, MD; two grandchildren, Meredith Schneider and Lt. Kenneth Schneider, who followed his grandfather as a navy pilot.

He was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine Bevins in 1985.

Memorial services were held at Madison Lutheran Church in Madison, CT. Burial was private.

Contributions may be made to Westbrook VNA, Box 281, Westbrook, CT 06498.

JOSEPH J. BOEHM

GREELEY — Joseph J. Boehm of Greeley, former owner of the J.J. Boehm Construction in Greeley, died Thursday, May 24, 2001 at home. He was 84.

Son of the late Joseph and Caroline Goetty Boehm, he was born and raised in Lackawaxen.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason and belonged to the Scranton Lodge. He was a life member of the Greeley Fire Department and was a lifetime member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Greeley.

Survivors include a son, John and wife Bonnie of Greeley; a daughter, Kathleen Wieboldt and husband Gerald of Westfall; two grandsons, Michael John and wife Alice of Selinsgrove and Brian David of Dixon City.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greeley Fire Department, PO Box 99, Greeley, PA 18425.

SENATOR CHARLES COOK

DELHI — Former State Senator Charles Cook of Delhi, whose senatorial district encompassed Sullivan County, died Wednesday, May 23, 2001 in Delhi. He was 66.

He attended a one-room school in Rock Royal, graduated in 1952 from Hancock Central School and in 1956 from Hartwick College in Oneonta.

He was editor of the Bainbridge News for a year before entering the U.S. Army. Following his tour of duty he was editor of the Deposit Courier until 1965,

He became Delaware County Social Services Commissioner in 1971 and in 1972 was elected to the New York State Assembly and was then elected to the New York State Senate in 1978 for 20 years before retiring in 1998.

He served on many committees during his public service including chairman of Education, Local Government, Transportation and Agriculture. He was the first chairman of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, which became known nationally for its innovative programs to address the needs of rural residents. He was secretary of the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices; a member of the Council on Health Care Financing and was a presidential appointee to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health.

During the confrontation with New York City over the watershed regulations, meetings and hearings throughout the district led to the formation of the Coalition of Watershed Towns and obtained state funding to support the coalition in their court battles with the city, ultimately bringing the city to the table and resulting in the historic four-way agreement.

He was instrumental in maintaining a $1,000,000 annual budgetary appropriation to support rural hospitals in diversifying and expanding outpatient services and founded the program of state grants to assist rural health care providers in extending and maintaining services in rural communities. Senator Cook also authored the original “early intervention” legislation, which provides for early identification, diagnosis and treatment of development disabilities in children.

Senator Cook served as a trustee at Hartwick College and was a member of the Government Law Center Advisory Board at Albany Law School of Union University. He was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Hartwick College in 1989. He was also a trustee of O’Connor Hospital and chaired its annual fundraiser. He was a member of Friends of Bassett Hospital and served on the board of directors of Koinonia, the campus ministry in Oneonta and was an honorary director of Delaware-Otsego Planned Parenthood. After retirement he continued to serve as a member of the NYS Rural Health Council and the NYS Partnership Trust.

A part-time adjunct lecturer, teaching state government courses at SUNY New Paltz and Hartwick College, and United States History at Delhi College, he also served the congregation of the United Ministry as a lay speaker, pastoral care provider and true spiritual leader.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Behrens Cook, at home; a daughter Linda Fillius and husband Michael of Dale City, VA; two sons, John and wife Valerie of Springfield, VA and Jeffery of San Francisco, CA; two sisters, Ethel Damonkos of Fairfield, CT and Mary Kelsey of Manheim, PA; a brother Edward and wife Blanche of Walton; three grandchildren; and two step-sisters, Audrey Dabulewicz of Otsego and Helen Zandt of Walton.

He was predeceased by two step-fathers, Robert Seymour and William Schriver; several step-sisters and stepbrothers; and two infant sons, David and Edward.

According to his wishes his body was donated to the Albany Medical Center for organ donation and medical research.

A memorial service was held at the United Ministry Church in Delhi.

Memorial contributions may be made to United Ministry of Delhi Memorial Fund, PO Box 111, Delhi, NY 13753; Hartwick College Scholarship Fund in Senator Cook’s name at Hartwick College, Office of Institutional Advancement, West St., Oneonta, NY 13820; or to the American Heart Association.

EUGENIA R. BENNETT GUMBLE

PAUPACK — Eugenia R. Bennett Gumble of Paupack, a former tax collector, Palmyra Township, Pike County, and a longtime area resident, died Sunday, June 3, 2001 in Paupack. She was 77.

Daughter of the late George Bennett and Stella Brudzinski Bennett, she was born in Scranton. She was the widow of Lawrence V. Gumble.

She was a Roman Catholic. She graduated from Lackawanna Business College in Scranton and was a Justice of the Peace in Palmyra Township.

Survivors include two daughters, Lynn A. Morrow of Hawley and Donna Spexarth of Fairport, NY; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at Teeters’ East Chapel in Hawley. The Rev. Martin L. Cox, Jr. pastor of the Hawley United Methodist Church, officiated. Cremation took place at the H.G. Smith Crematory in Stroudsburg. Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery in Paupack.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Pike Unit, 204E. Harford St., Milford, PA 18337.

GILLIAN CAMPBELL JAFFER

SOUTH CANAAN — Gillian Campbell Jaffer of South Canaan, a waitress at Totony’s Restaurant in Honesdale, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 26, 2001 at home. She was 25.

Daughter of Dr. Joseph H. Jaffer and Susan Luckstone Jaffer, she was born December 26, 1975 in Kingston.

She was a graduate of Western Wayne High School and was performance music major at Marywood University. She was a member of the American Morgan Horse Association, and was a champion English hunt seat equestrienne and taught horseback riding. She gave many concerts and recitals at Mary wood and played clarinet and sang with a local band. She was talented in many areas including writing and poetry, the visual arts, songwriting and beadwork. She had worked with animals at the Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic, as a cook at The Settlers Inn and as a waitress at Jack Trainor’s and Joey C’s in Honesdale and Kay’s Italian Restaurant in Lake Ariel. Despite suffering at times in her life, she was always smiling, always ready to connect with people and animals. She loved living in the country, close to nature, and hoped to do something significant to ease the plight of animals in this world.

Survivors include her parents of South Canaan; a sister, Suzanne of Hamlin; a brother, Joe of Hamlin; a niece, Elizabeth McManus of Hamlin; and many friends.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dessin Animal Shelter, RR#5 Box 115, Honesdale, PA 18431.

CHEE C. LEE

MONTICELLO — Chee C. Lee of Monticello, owner of the Canton Restaurant died Sunday, May 27, 2001.

Survivors include is wife, Ivy Loshusan Lee; three sons, Thomas, Douglas and Timothy; two daughters, Shirley and Patricia; and nine grandchildren.

Burial was at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

CONRAD C. MASON

FORESTBURGH — Conrad C. Mason of Forestburgh, formerly of Matamoras, PA, a 29-year employee at Orange and Rockland Utilities retiring as Supervisor of Transportation of the Eastern Division, a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, May 26, 2001. He was 76.

Son of John B. and Freda Schlock Mason, he was born March 19, 1925 in Sparrowbush.

He was a Marine veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific Theatre where he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the American Theatre Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a charter member and past chief of the Westfall Township Fire Department; a life member of the Matamoras Fire Department; a member and former trustee and house committee member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #645; a former member of the Matamoras Water Department; a life member of the 4th Marine Division Association, the Marsh-Kellogg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post; and vice president of the Forestburgh Senior Citizens Club.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Dresscher Mason; a son, Steven K. of Matamoras; a daughter, Juanita M. Wilsey of Saugerties; four grandchildren; brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and cousins.

A funeral service was held at the convenience of the family. Burial was in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush.

JOSE RIVERA, SR.

JEFFERSONVILLE — Jose Rivera, Sr. of Jeffersonville, a carpenter and longtime area resident, died Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at Community General Hospital in Harris. He was 78.

Son of Raphaela E. and Alexandria Arroyo Rivera, he was born August 11, 1922 in Puerto Rico. He was the widower of Antonia Ortiz Rivera.

Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Rivera Harris of Wallington, NJ; two sons, Enrico of Midland, TX and Jose, Jr. of Callicoon; a sister, Noemi Mora of Puerto Rico; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Cremation too place at Twin Tiers Crematory in Endicott.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Dialysis Society, Monticello, NY 12701.

NAIDA WIEST SCHREFFLER

PAUPACK — Naida Wiest Schreffler of Paupack, a retired secretary and bookkeeper for The News Eagle in Hawley, died Thursday, May 24, 2001 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 73.

Daughter of the late Carlton and Elsie Reading Wiest, she was born in Pottsville. She was the widow of James J. Schreffler, Sr.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Pottsville.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Stearns of Paupack; two sons, Lynn Updegrove of Greentown and Brian Schock of Camden, NJ; nine grandchildren; a brother, Carlton Wiest, Jr. of Seltzer City, PA; and a niece, Dawn Wiest.

A memorial service will take place at a time to be announced. Cremation took place at H. G. Smith Crematory in Stroudsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tafton Fire & Rescue, Tafton, PA 18464.

GEORGE L. SLATER, SR.

KENOZA LAKE — George L. Slater, Sr. of Kenoza Lake, a retired dairy farmer and lifelong area resident, died Friday, May 25, 2001 in Community General Hospital in Harris. He was 79.

Son of the late David and Margaret Shuman Slater, he was born January 10, 1922 in Jeffersonville.

He was a 39-year member of the Kenoza Lake Fire Department, serving as president, chief for 10 years, commissioner for 25 years and chairman of commissioners for four years; a member of the Eastern Milk Producers Corp; a delegate to the Eastern Breeders Association and to the Dairyman’s League; a committeeman for Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District; and a member of the Hortonville Grange and Bear Tree Hunting Club.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys Gabel Slater, at home; two sons, George, Jr. and wife Melissa of Kenoza Lake and David of Jeffersonville; a daughter, Margaret and Roland Besimer of Bethel; two grandchildren; two sisters, Beatrice Koberlein and husband Arthur of Beach Lake, PA and Martha Terwilliger of Cochecton.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Richard and Egbert; and a sister, Inez Gabriel.

Services were held at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home. The Rev. William Hagerty officiated. Burial was in Bauernfeind Cemetery in Callicoon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenoza Lake Methodist Church, Kenoza Lake, NY 12750; Kenoza Lake Fire Department, PO Box 51, Kenoza Lake, NY 12750; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mid-Hudson Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4027.