Obituaries – February 12, 2016

Kathleen Fanning

May 11, 1927-February 5, 2016

Kathleen Fanning of Cornwall entered into rest on Friday, Feb. 5. She was 88.

The daughter of the late Leo A. and Anna Miller Fanning, she was born on May 11, 1927 in Cornwall-on-Hudson.

As a child, Kathleen attended St. Thomas Elementary and graduated from Cornwall High School.  She was awarded her master’s degree in education from SUNY New Paltz.  She retired from the Ellenville Central School District.  In the late 1950’s and 1960’s she taught in Japan and Germany at the United States Military bases.

She was a woman of strong religious faith, proud of her Irish heritage. She loved to read, listen to music, play the bones and collect teddy bears.  She was always ready for a good laugh with her friends.

Survivors include: her sister, Dorothy Kane of Cornwall-on-Hudson; nieces: Mary Louise Conklin and husband Donald; Kathleen Decker and husband William; Roberta Wieboldt and husband David; many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Rev. Leo M. Fanning, her brother-in-law LeRoy Kane, and by her longtime friend and companion, Mary Hatala.

Her family received visitors on Feb. 10 at James F. Lulves Funeral Home in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 11 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 340 Hudson St. in Cornwall-on-Hudson. Interment is private.

Donations in Kathleen’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or to the Alzheimers Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

John F. Grant

March 14, 1927- February 3, 2016

John F. Grant, of New Windsor entered into eternal rest on Feb. 3 at home. He was 88.

The son of Peter Aloysius Grant and Jennie Imelda (Coffey) Grant, Jack was born on March 14, 1927 in New Windsor.

Hek was a Mason with Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 5 in Newburgh. After retiring, he remained active with the union and became a “life member” after attaining fifty years of membership in 2000.

He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1944, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He honorably served during World War II, as a Seaman First Class.

Jack was a skilled athlete, with a passion for baseball. After the war he attended spring training for the New York Giants. He continued to play for fast pitch softball teams until 1964. Jack was inducted into the City of Newburgh Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in 2001. He was also a member of the American Bowling Congress, playing for many years in their Harmony League. Jack enjoyed hiking and biking in the warm weather; and skiing and skating in the cold.

Jack possessed exceptional construction skills, and developed two properties for his family. On both homes, he did all of the brick work himself.

Jack is survived by his wife, Louise C. (Bolash) Grant, at home; his sons: Brian P. Grant and his wife Kathy of Newburgh, and Andrew D. Grant of New Windsor; and his granddaughters: Lucy I. Grant and Alice S. Grant, both of Ascot, England.

He was predeceased by  his brothers Peter A. Grant (as an infant) and Edward T. Grant.

There will be no visitation.  Cremation took place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor, at the convenience of the family.

Elizabeth “Betty” Henkel

Elizabeth “Betty” Henkel died at Kaplan Hospice in Newburgh on Jan. 30, a few weeks short of her “21st birthday”; as a Leap Day baby, she would have turned 84 on Feb. 29.

Born and raised in Camden, NJ, Betty was predeceased by her parents, Ralph Henkel and Anna (Carey) Henkel, and by her brothers, Ralph and Thomas. She is survived by loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty spent many years as part of the Quinn family, including Marie and her children Bob, Larry and Louise; she was a special friend to Karen and the third and special grandmother to Susan, Lauren, Christina, and Larry.  As the years went by, she was also loved by Dave, Thomas, and Peter Nolan of Sea Girt, NJ; Michael, Quinn, Luke, and Brendan Griffin of New York City; Kevin, Danny, Marty, and Madeleine Motz of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; and Paula, Rosie and Caroline Quinn of Chicago.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Betty’s life at a funeral mass at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 543 Union Ave, New Windsor, NY on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.; a time of fellowship will follow.  Memorial gifts may be designated for Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, or King of Kings Lutheran Church.

Gary E. Smith

Born October 5, 1943

Gary E. Smith, of Cape Coral, Fla. (formerly of Cornwall) passed away quietly after a long illness at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Gary was born on Oct. 5, 1943, the son of the late Martin and Josephine Smith. He graduated from Cornwall Central High School, and then joined the Navy and served his Country proudly from 1961 to 1964.

Gary was a self-employed businessman who owned and operated the Oasis Bar & Grill for many years. He enjoyed boating and was a former member of the Cornwall Yacht Club.  After retiring, Gary moved to Florida where he continued to enjoy his love of boating, fishing and gardening.

He was known for his quiet and kind demeanor.  He had a particular love for children and animals, and a special fondness for his niece, Jennifer Grant.  Gary was a gentle soul and will be deeply missed and remembered.

Gary is survived by his wife, Kathy (Dunphy) Smith; his three sons, Gary and his wife Dina, Jason and Anthony; two grandsons, Alex and Nicholas all of Florida; siblings Martin Smith (MaryAnn) of New Windsor, Owen Smith (Charlene) of Canastota, N.Y., Joanne Grant of Cornwall, long-time companion of Douglas Smith, Casey; several loved in-laws, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Gary was predeceased by his parents, his brother Douglas Smith; brother-in-laws, Martin Grant and Peter Marino.

His family received visitors on Feb. 9 at Quigley Bros. Funeral Home in Cornwall-on-Hudson.  A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated. on Feb. 10 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Cornwall-on-Hudson, and was followed by burial at St. Thomas Cemetery in Cornwall.

The family would appreciate memorial contributions in Gary’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.