LESTER J. DEVENS JR

BARRYVILLE, NY — Lester J. Devens Jr. died on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at home. He was 42.

The son of Lester J. and Barbara Haupt Devens Sr., he was born March 29, 1964 in Ridgewood, NJ.

Devens was a contractor/electrician/cabinet maker and a resident of the area.

A family statement reads: “Lester was a wonderful loving man who worked very hard to take care of his family. He will be greatly missed and remembered for his honor and his sensitivities.”

He is survived by his wife, Martha, at home; a step-daughter, Emma Klopchin, a step-son, Gary Klopchin, both at home; his parents, LesterJ. and Barbara Devens Sr. of Virginia; five sisters, Jan Woodcock of the state of Florida, Linda O’Brien of Florida, Barbara Amidon of Pennsylvania, Susan Hardesty of Washington and Bonnie Marks of Florida; two brothers, Steve Romaine of Florida and Donald Romaine of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home in Barryville.

JULIA GAILIE

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Julia Gailie of New Hampton died Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Orange Regional Medical Center. She was 79.

The daughter of the late Peter and Pauline Ruggiero, she was born on December 3, 1927 in Middletown.

Gailie was a receptionist at St. Teresa’s Nursing Home and a lifelong area resident. She was retired from the Middletown Psychiatric Center.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen Miller of New Hampton, Fran Gailie of Blacksburg, VA, Mary Case of Port Jervis, Frank Gailie of Shohola, PA and Tom Gailie of Middletown; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was held on Friday, December 9, 2006 at St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church in Middletown.

Interment is at St. Joseph Cemetery in Middletown.

HELEN HALL

WARWICK, NY — Helen Hall, of Hewlitt, NJ, died on December 1, 2006 at St. Anthony’s Community Hospital. She was 85.

The daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Sweeney, she was born on April 14, 1921 in Staten Island.

Hall was a graduate of Port Richmond High School and worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital for 35 years. Upon retiring, she and her husband moved to Toms River, NJ where they enjoyed friendship and activities with many organizations. Upon her husband’s death, she moved to West Milford, NJ, to live near her granddaughter and her family. She was proud of her Irish heritage, especially as she walked in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Forest Avenue as the aide to the Grand Marshall in 1984.

A family statement reads: “Helen was the matriarch of her family. Her example of courage and strength in the face of 10 long years of illness has been an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. Throughout her illness, her sense of humor never wavered. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.”

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Lindholm and her husband Ron of Barryville and Geraldine Hayes and her husband Ned of Warwick; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her sister, Catherine Dillon of Portsmouth, RI; her brother, Edgar Sweeney of Staten Island; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Hollis Hall.

Services were held on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Hewitt.

Interment is at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Eldred.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Community Hospital Building Fund, 15 Maple Ave., Warwick, NY 10990 or to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

TIMOTHY MCCARTHY

PORT JERVIS, NY — Timothy McCarthy, a resident of Sparrowbush, died Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital. He was 93.

The son of the late Timothy and Anna McCarthy, he was born June 7, 1913 in Carbondale, PA.

McCarthy was a retired New York City firefighter and a 33-year resident of the area.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Marsh McCarthy at home; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grand children.

He was predeceased by his son, Ronald.

Services were held on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis.

Interment is at Fairview Mausoleum in Fairview, NJ.

WILLIAM HENRY MOTZ SR

LAKE ARIEL, PA — William Henry Motz Sr. died on December 4, 2006. He was 43.

The son of Henry W. Motz and Catherine Reinhardt Motz, he was born in Flushing, NY.

Motz was a construction worker. He formerly worked as a linen clerk at Flushing Hospital. He was a basketball coach in the Wallenpaupack school district and an avid Jets fan and dart player. He was a member of Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church.

In addition to his parents, of College Point, NY, he is survived by his wife, Debra Ann Motz, at home; his sons, William H. Motz Jr., Daniel P. Motz, and Steven R, Motz; three brothers, Henry Motz of Freeport, NY, Raymond Motz and Thomas Motz , both of College Point; three sisters, Catherine Donato of Bayside, NY, Patricia Love of Lackawaxen and Susan Consigli of Elmont, NY; many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Richard.

Services were held Thursday, December 7, 2006 with the Reverend Ronald Altrui of St. Mary’s RomanCatholic Church in Ledgedale.

RUSSELL LEWIS RAKE

DAMASCUS, PA — Russell Lewis Rake, a lifelong area resident, died on Saturday, December 2, 2006. He was 77.

The son of the late Floyd and Agnes Edwards Rake, he was born on October 6, 1929.

Rake was a retired custodian for the Delaware Valley Central School.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma Kanyon Rake; a son, Allan and his wife Joan of Tyler Hill; a daughter-in-law, Darlene Rake of Long Eddy, NY; stepchildren, Florence Eldred and her husband Harold of Damascus, Joan MacPeck and her husband Charles of Damascus, William Newport and his wife Barbara of Equinunk, Patricia Conklin and her husband Butch of Honesdale; two sisters, Marjorie Eldred and Frances Nielsen; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Raymond; a step-grandson; two brothers; and two sisters.

Services were held on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon, NY with Pastor Alice Pedone officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bramen Church, c/o Heather Roloson, Equinunk, PA.

RICHARD SHERMAN VERNON

SHOHOLA, PA — Richard Sherman Vernon died at home on Saturday, December 2, 2006. He was 53.

Vernon, a bass, was a year-round resident artist with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York City since 1980. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in voice. He won the regional Metropolitan Opera auditions there in 1977, which brought him to the finals at the Met. He sang a total of 796 performances there, ending on November 28, 2006 with his performance in Tosca. He also sang with the Memphis Opera Theatre, Southern Opera Theatre and the North Carolina Opera Theatre. He also appeared with the San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington Opera, San Diego Opera, Cincinnati Opera and numerous other opera companies, as well as concert halls abroad. Vernon amassed more than 2,500 performances.

He had strong ties to the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church for over 25 years, serving as soloist and choir director. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and St. John the Evangelist in Milford, where he led the ongoing effort to acquire a concert quality pipe organ.

He is survived by his wife, Janine; his mother, Maizie; his cousin, June Fitzgerald; in-laws; and nieces and nephews.

Services were held Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis. Additionally, a Eucharist celebrating Vernon’s life will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd and St. John the Evangelist in Milford on Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Organ Fund at the Church of the Good Shepherd and St. John the Evangelist, 110 Catherine St., Milford, PA.