Obituaries – June 28, 2013

Julia Oliverio Halvorsen

February 16, 1918-June 20, 2013

Julia Oliverio Halvorsen,  age 95, of Cornwall, the center and love of our family has left us for other worlds. We send her spirit to the light-year stars but also ask that she continue to guide us on this earth. She died gently, peacefully and swiftly attended by her family on June 20, at home. Julia leaves a legacy of caring, good works and love.

Julia was born in Astoria, Queens, on Feb. 16, 1918, to Julius Oliverio and Gisella Pieber Oliverio. She had one brother, Paul Oliverio. She married Leif Halvorsen on May 22, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, while Leif was in the Army-Air Corps. She has mourned his loss, for the past 22 years, and now goes to join him.

Julia was passionate about gardening, wildlife, cooking, sewing, art and her family. She was a volunteer at Cornwall Hospital for many years. She was born and raised in the Catholic Church and attended various local Presbyterian churches, especially Bethlehem Presbyterian.

Julia is survived by her son, Erik David Halvorsen (Sue) of Cornwall; and daughter, Christine Hannah Halvorsen Baldwin (David) of St. Paul, Minn.; two grandsons Jason David Halvorsen and Kyle Thomas Halvorsen; nephews: Richard (Alice) and John Halvorsen, Paul Oliverio and niece, Nancy Oliverio Johannesen, and their extended families. She also leaves extended family, Brian and Kim Watkins and their sons, Nicholas, Matthew and Keith Watkins, and so many friends.

Visitation was held on June 24 at White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 North Plank  Rd., (Rte.32) Newburgh, NY. A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 25 at the funeral home. Burial was in the Bethlehem Cemetery.

Please make donations in Julia’s memory to a charity of your choice.

John Kakerbeck Jr.

October 16, 1920-June 23, 2013

Jack Kakerbeck, Jr., 92, of Washingtonville, formerly of Cornwall, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 23.

The son of the late John and Elizabeth Lawson Kakerbeck he was born on Oct. 16, 1920 in New York City.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife Margaret, at home; son Robert; daughters-in-law Kyoko and Anne; granddaughters Akika and Maya; and great-granddaughter Sydney. He was predeceased by his son Jim.

Jack served as a surgical technician in World War II, was an aviation enthusiast who built and flew his own ultralight, was an architect for 34 years and was a man who needs no further fanfare!

The family will gather on Saturday, June 29 from 2-3 p.m. at James F. Lulves Funeral Home, 9 Avenue A, Cornwall-on-Hudson.  Interment will follow in Willow Dell Cemetery.

Robert Kane Johnson Sr.

January 27, 1934-June 23, 2013

Robert Kane Johnson Sr., 79, of Kissimmee, Fla. passed away on June 23. He was born in Cornwall-on-Hudson on Jan. 27, 1934 to Victor and Stella Johnson. Robert was married to his loving wife, Hildegard, on March 20, 1960 and together they had 3 children. Robert was an Air Force Master Sergeant. and retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0138, an avid reader, and played Senior Softball.

Robert was preceded in his death by his parents; five brothers; and one sister.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Hildegard; daughters Susan (Kenny) Shocklee and Shirley Colon Escobar; son Robert Johnson, Jr.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and his brothers Eddie Mac Johnson and Stephen Johnson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Steven Lovell

June 19, 2013

Steven Lovell, 49, died on Wednesday, June 19, following his courageous battle with cancer.  He leaves behind a loving wife, Brenda, and cherished son, Kegan.  His generous and laughter-filled soul will be missed by all.

Steven was born in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., to Raymond and Amelia Lovell of Cornwall-on-Hudson, the youngest of five children.  He precedes his parents in death and is survived by siblings:  Paul (Diane) Lovell of Manchester, Vt.; Mike (Lori) Lovell of Somers, N.Y.; Chris (Elaine) Lovell of Weare, N.H.; and Patrice (Gary) DeSmith of Rochester, N.H.  Steven was uncle to 12 nieces and nephews, as well.  He leaves behind numerous friends from around the world, whose lives he touched throughout his journey.

Steven was an active member of Christ the King Church and founder of its St. Peregrine’s Cancer ministry.  He also served as a Patient and Family Advisor at Moffitt Cancer Center.  Previously, he was a certified meeting planner in the association and hospitality industries.

Steven’s smile and sense of humor were contagious.  He loved to travel the world, was a dedicated “foodie,” loved baseball, beer, Jimmy Buffett, and James Taylor.  You seldom saw Steven without a Tommy Bahama shirt and a huge smile!

Donations can be made in Steven’s honor to:  St. Vincent de Paul Society, 12310 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33612 or Moffitt Foundation for Head and Neck Cancer Research, 12902 Magnolia Drive, UTC-Foundation, Tampa, FL 33612.

A memorial celebration of Steven’s life was held on Monday, June 24 at Christ the King Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL.  We will miss him but celebrate his joyous spirit.  Visit the online guestbook at www.BlountCurryMacDill.com

Mary E. “Mae” Robinson

May 6, 1925-June 14, 2013

Mary E. “Mae” Robinson of New Windsor entered into rest peacefully on June 14 at her home.  She was 88 years old.

The daughter of the late Bessie (McCullough) and John Pike, Mae was born on May 6, 1925 in Cornwall, and lived most of her life in the Hudson Valley.  She graduated from Cornwall High School in 1942 and was married to the late Beauregard J. Robinson, Sr., a Veteran of World War II, for 56 years.  As a member of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, Mae was active in the Catholic Daughters of America.  She also served the Town of Cornwall for 18 years as a Clerk of the Court.  She was particularly fond of the ocean and enjoyed many vacations with her family at the beach in Milford, Conn.

Mae will be deeply missed by her children: Beauregard Robinson, Jr. of Brooklyn, NY,  John (Connie) Robinson of Algonquin, Ill., Beth (Tom) Steinkellner of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Robert (Tracy) Robinson of Cornwall.  She also held dear her 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews as well as a host of long-time friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 340 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY  12550.

Anthony J. Zanin

August 27, 1923-June 21, 2013

Anthony J. Zanin passed away on June 21 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. He was 89 years old and a long-time resident of Cornwall.

The son of Biagio and Margherita Coronet Zanin, he was born in Vintondale, Penn. on Aug. 27, 1923. He was married to Virginia E. Duffy Zanin, who passed away on July 20, 2008.

Mr. Zanin served overseas with the Army Air Corps in World War II and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of first lieutenant. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 and became a licensed land surveyor and a chief civil engineer for John Arborio Inc. in Poughkeepsie.

He belonged to Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Syracuse University, the 384th Bomb Group (H) Inc 8th Air Force, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9256 Fort Montgomery. He was a member of St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church, and he and his wife delivered Meals on Wheels in the Cornwall area.

Survivors include his sister Frances V. Kent of Fort Myers, Fla.; his son John M. Zanin and wife Sharon of Cornwall-on-Hudson; his daughters Regina Zanin of Greensboro, N.C.; his grandchildren Melissa Flanagan, Justin Nahow, Anthony J. Zanin and John Michael Zanin and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife and his sister Elida P. Muro.

The family received visitors on Monday, June 24 at Quigley Brothers Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on June 25 at St, Thomas of Canterbury Church, and was followed by burial with full military honors at St. Thomas Cemetery in Cornwall.