Obituaries – October 18, 2019

Alice Fratz

January 17, 1932-October 12, 2019

New Windsor

Alice Fratz of New Windsor entered into eternal rest on Oct. 12 at Embrace Hospice Home, Myrtle Beach, S.C. She was 87.

The daughter of the late Anthony Almeida and Alzira (Albuquerque) Almeida, Alice was born on Jan. 17, 1932 in Newburgh.

Alice was retired after serving as a Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Cornwall for many years. She retired in 1998 from her civilian position as the T.O.D.O. for the Quality Assurance section for thev105th Airlift Wing, Newburgh.

“Alice was a kind and generous soul,” her family said, “who loved life and all it had to offer. She knew no strangers and always had a smile on her face. Her love of family, food and friends is what made her happiest. To say she will be missed greatly is an understatement.”

Alice was predeceased by the love of her life, Robert E. Fratz, in 1999. She is survived by her son Robert E. Fratz, Jr. and his wife Sherry of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; her daughter Kristin A. Brunni of New Windsor; her grandchildren Blair Brunni, Steven Fratz and Raymond Fratz; her sister Claire Meeker of Newburgh; and many nieces and nephews. Alice was predeceased by her brother: Joey Almeida; her sister: Mary Irving; and her granddaughter: Serena Fratz.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc. in Cornwall-on-Hudson. A graveside service was due to be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middle Hope.

Memorial contributions in Alice’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to an organization of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com

Reuben Ryder

July 18, 1946-October 6, 2019

Cornwall

Reuben Ryder passed away at age 73 on Sunday, Oct. 6 from natural causes. He is survived by those to whom he dedicated his life, loving wife Maria Di Giacomantonio and son Samuel.

Reuben was born on July 18, 1946 in Astoria, Queens; raised in Dumont, N.J.; and settled in his idyllic home containing a fireplace beside a then dirt road in Cornwall, on the edge of Black Rock Forest. He worked for 35 years as a civil servant helping misfortuned children and their families through the more difficult challenges of life for the Division of Youth and Family Services in Jersey City.

A man who could best be described as a student of life spent his available moments teaching himself design, carpentry, and building. Reuben designed several additions to his home and with the help of family and friends self-actualized through their building, including a three story hexagonal structure that from top to bottom served as master bedroom, dining room centered by an oval table of his own design and build, and finally a wine cellar to hold vintages he would collect as well as wines of his own making.

However, Reuben was most at home in the natural beauty of the outdoors. He was an avid cyclist but also loved to take his time in the forests of the Northeast from New York to the north Maine woods, foraging for mushrooms, identifying birds, and wading in quiet streams and rivers to fly fish for trout. All the while taking in the peaceful passing moments of beauty that would always make him remark, “It is being there.”

Autumn twilight. Ah!
The rain, alone, is sounding
On the dried up leaves.
– Reuben Ryder, 1980

Arrangements were entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com