Obituary: Gennaro F. Parrella

Gennaro Faustino Parrella (known as Gene) died on Nov. 4, 2009 at the age of 86 following a long illness. He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on Sept. 27, 1923 to Faustino and Consiglia Parrella. He married Florence E. Lechleider on Nov. 11, 1961, and had been a resident of Manhasset since 1966.

Obituary: Allen Gardner Weise

Allen Gardner Weise died on Oct. 17, 2009 in Glen Cove Hospital of respiratory failure. He was 86. Allen was born on April 2, 1923 in Washington, DC. He lived there until after WWII.

Allen enlisted in the Navy and served as a lieutenant j.g. in the Pacific on mine sweepers for three years. After discharge from the Navy in 1946 he returned to George Washington University, where he was a chemistry major, to complete his BS degree. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

On Sept. 17, 1948, he married Anne Law. They shared 61 years as best friends.

While working at the Office of Naval Intelligence, he attended George Washington University Law School at night.

In 1954, the family moved to Manhasset where Allen was a patent attorney, later a partner, at Brumbaugh, Free, Graves and Donohue in New York City.

He was active in the Community Reformed Church in Manhasset where he was a member of consistory and a member of the Port Washington Yacht Club where he played tennis as often as possible. Form 1962-1966 he was a trustee and acting mayor of Plandome Heights.After 45 years in Manhasset the family moved to Glen Cove.

Allen is survived by his wife Anne; a son Glen; a daughter Susan; and two grandchildren, Jessica and Glen Weise.

Allen was cremated. The service was private.

Obituary: Donald E. Axinn

Long Island Author, Businessman Donald E. Axinn Dies at Age 80

Donald Everett Axinn, a resident of Sands Point, died on Tuesday, Oct. 13 following a brave battle with cancer. He was 80 years old.

Obituary: Gretchen Travers Dominge

March 3, 1913 – October 12, 2009

Gretchen was a prominent real estate broker – realtor in Manhasset and ahead of her time as a working woman professional, a resident of Munsey Park since 1945 and the senior most member of North Hempstead Country Club. She was very active with bringing the Girl Scouts to Manhasset. Gretchen was well read, traveled the world and was loved by many.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 25 years, Edward L. Dominge Jr. and Frederick Frank Travers.

She is mother of Barbara Wellbeloved, Gretchen Ann Travers and Richard Myers Travers. Grandmother of Robert (Melanie) Wellbeloved, Tremain (Ambra) Wellbeloved, and Blair (Nicole) Wellbeloved, Brad and Theodore Travers, as well as great-grandmother to nine children.

Memorial gifts in celebration of Gretchen’s life may be made to the Emma Willard School, 285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. Gifts should read alumni: “In Memory of Gretchen Travers Dominge.”

Obituary: Frank J. Pastor

Frank J. Pastor passed away on Aug. 30, 2009 after a long illness. He was born July 12, 1943 in Queens, NY.

Frank graduated from Manhasset High School in 1961. He completed his bachelors of architecture at the University of Notre Dame in 1966.

A longtime resident of Manhasset, Frank worked as an architect in New York City. He worked for several firms starting with the Eggers Group, where he was senior vice president, with the most recent firm being STV Incorporated. He was a company man who gave it his all for 40 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Alice and their three children, James, Frank and Christopher; daughters-in-law Patricia, Cheryl and Cyndi and seven grandchildren: Taylor, Brendan, Angelica, Alex, Max, Emma and Gus and his brother John of Florida.

Friends and family paid their respects at Fairchild Funeral Home. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church. Frank was laid to rest at Nassau Knolls Cemetery.

In our minds and hearts, we know his faith sustained him. He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Donations can be made in Frank’s memory to St. Francis Hospital Foundation – Pastoral Care Fund, 100 Port Washington, Blvd., Roslyn, NY 11576.

Obituary: M. Michael Cerick

After a lengthy illness, M. Michael Cerick of Manhasset died peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved family on Aug. 1, 2009.

Michael was born on September 17, 1921, in Bozava, Croatia, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 7. He enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 18, and served in the South Pacific in World War II. After an honorable discharge, he joined the New York City Police Department and attended Columbia University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Longtime resident of Manhasset, Michael worked at several publishing firms starting as an account executive at The Wall Street Journal and ending as publications manager of Industrial Equipment News at Thomas Publishing Company.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Alma and their six children, Kathy, Michael, Richard, Kenneth, Lisa, John; daughter-in-law Gail, sons-in-law Michael and Charles and 14 grandchildren: Kate, Liane, Michael, Ryan, Matthew, Julie, Mark, Scott, Nicole, Andrew, Michael, Lauren, Caroline and Jack.

Obituary: Robert A. Martin

Robert A. Martin, 82, of Manhasset, died peacefully on Sept. 8, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana on Oct. 20, 1926.

He was the beloved husband of Alvina and cherished father of Robert, Jamie, Christopher and Timothy, the loving and proud grandfather of Robert, Jeffrey, Andrew, Gregory, Michael, Ryan, Blake and Casey, and the loving great grandfather of Andrew, Addison, Cullen, Robert and Emma. Martin was a proud veteran of WWII. Well respected and truly loved by all who knew him, he will be dearly missed and remain in our hearts forever.

There was a private family gathering and celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050 or the American Stroke Assoc., 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.

Obituary: Edward M. Devlin

Edward M. Devlin of Manhasset passed away on Aug. 30, 2009. He was born in Flushing, New York to Rosemary Carlin Devlin and Albert J. Devlin on March 11, 1934. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Ann Pecht Devlin, daughters Louise M. Devlin of New York City, and Lauren A. Boylan and his granddaughters Julia and Caroline of Manhasset, and brothers Albert J. of Florida and Robert M. of Manhasset. He was predeceased by his son-in-law John Boylan in 2008.

Ed graduated from New York Military Academy, attended Pace College in New York City and served in the United States Army stationed in Germany from 1957-1959. He went on to become a licensed funeral director at the family-owned business, Walter B. Cooke Funeral Homes.

Ed and Ann moved to Strathmore Vanderbilt in Manhasset with their daughters in 1965 where he became an active member of the Country Club and served as president in 1976, followed by many years on the Board of Governors.

Ed was an avid golfer and boater and enjoyed the many years he spent with his family in Southold, Long Island. He was a member of a Monday Night Football group who met regularly for at least 25 years and was always ready to defend “His N.Y. Giants!” He began his real estate career in 1975 by starting EM Devlin Realty in Manhasset as a licensed broker and could readily be seen on Plandome Road with a cheerful hello for all!

Friends and visitors paid their respects at Fairchild Funeral Home in Manhasset on Wednesday, Sept. 2. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mary’s Church in Manhasset on Sept. 3, followed by interment at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington. Donations in Ed’s name may be made to The Nursing Staff on 2 Cohen at North Shore Hospital, NSLIJ Health System Foundation, 125 Community Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021, www.northshorelij.com/foundation, 465-2550 or to the SQ Foundation, providing nourishment and education to those in need. 330 Park Avenue, Suite 1700, NYC 10022 www.sq-foundation.org, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Obituary: Dr. Joseph R. Valinoti Jr.

Dr. Joseph R. Valinoti Jr., of Manhasset and Port Washington, passed away from sudden illness on Aug. 10, 2009 in his daughter’s Westhampton residence at the age of 85. He died peacefully while under the care of his immediate family. Dr. Valinoti was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Virginia Valinoti, in June 2000.

Joseph R. Valinoti Jr. was born to Katherine and Joseph R. Valinoti Sr. on May 22, 1924 in Brooklyn. He was home schooled by his physician father through his elementary grades and entered Brooklyn Preparatory High School two years ahead of schedule. He graduated from Brooklyn Prep in 1940 and entered the Fordham University pre-med curriculum at the age of 16. Because of the war time need for physicians and dentists, he entered an accelerated program at Fordham and then Columbia University College of Dentistry, and obtained a DDS and dental license in 1946 at the age of 22. He practiced in Manhasset while matriculating at the Columbia School of Orthodontics. He maintained an active private practice on Park Avenue in Manhasset until his retirement in 1999.

Dr. Valinoti was very active in the Northeastern Society of Orthodontics and the Nassau County Dental Society and published numerous professional papers. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and was invited by the Italian Orthodontic Society (SIDO) to teach orthodontics to Italian orthodontists in various locations in Italy in the early 1970s. He continued to share his orthodontic and life knowledge while teaching for many years at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and at the NYU Dental School in Manhattan. Dr. Valinoti brightened the lives of hundreds of students and patients who were under his care as a practicing orthodontist and professor in the USA and abroad. One of Joe’s primary pleasures was to meet a childhood patient in later life, and to have patients bring their children to him for the same talented, fine and warm care. Dr. Valinoti always wanted us to smile so he could admire our teeth.

Joe’s passion and enthusiasm for his profession was balanced by a very happy family life. Travel, boating and photography were some of his many enduring passions, and he shared them with his family at every opportunity. Joe and Ginny shared their love of life with their children and grandchildren during many years of travel. The family travels took them to scores of countries on several continents with Joe happily snapping pictures the whole time. Joe’s love for Long Island’s waterfront was reflected as he planted roots in Brooklyn, Manhasset, Port Washington and Westhampton.

Joe is survived by his brother Michael of Hiawassee, GA; his four children, Joseph R. Valinoti III of Phoenix, AZ, Ginger Oates, Richard Valinoti and Jean Stern; and five loving grandchildren – Richard, Katie, Colleen and Daniel Oates, and Madison Stern.

The acute leukemia diagnosis was gracefully accepted and medically explored by Joe. His active role in his hospice care was a beacon of his clear cognitive abilities up until his death.

Arrangements were made by Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, Manhasset. Funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Port Washington. Donations may be made in Dr. Valinoti’s name to Operation Smile to help benefit children with facial deformities.

Obituary: Thomas J. Connors

Thomas J. Connors of Manhasset, NY, died on July 29, 2009. Thomas was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 29, 1924. After graduating from St. Francis Prep he attended The College of the Holy Cross. His tenure was interrupted by his service to his country as a lieutenant on the USS Sirona. Tom graduated from The College of the Holy Cross in 1947. He then attended Fordham Law School and upon graduation began his 37-year career at Pfizer Inc. He began as an attorney and rose to general counsel, retiring as executive vice president. During his retirement Tom continued to serve on the board of directors of Pfizer, Porta Systems, Irish-American Business Council and was a member of the President’s Council of The College of the Holy Cross. He will be dearly missed by his wife Helen and his children: Doreen Barry (Jack), Gail Stevenson (Lee), Thomas (Karen), Nancy Carey (Kevin), Ronald (Sue), Lisa Roche (William), Keith (Mary-Kay). He was also blessed with 22 grandchildren; Jay and Melissa Barry, Lauren and Megan Stevenson, Thomas, Brendan, and Kevin Connors, Caitlin, Jaclyn, and Connor Carey, Michael, Brian, Laura, and Sean Connors, Kristen, Kelsey, Caroline and Kendall Roche, Erin, Katie, Courtney, and Ryan Connors. Arrangements were made by Fairchild and Son Funeral Home, 1570 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY. The Funeral Mass was held at St. Mary’s Church, Manhasset, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Testaverde Foundation/Michael Caddigan Fund, 3445 Edgerton Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793.