Obituaries – January 15, 2021

Arne E. Osterby

July 17, 1925 –December 31, 2020

Cornwall, NY

Arne E. Osterby died on December 31, 2020 at his home in Cornwall, NY. Mr. Osterby was born on July 17, 1925 in Halmstad Sweden, the son of John Wilhelm and Alma Osterby. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Stockholm, studied Interior Design at New York University and was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Arne came to the United States in 1948 and managed the exclusive Madison Avenue Swedish furniture and art store owned by the Bonnier Family. He used his design skills to create an environment envied by Tiffany’s and Bloomingdale’s which set a trend that earned him several awards and citations. His adept public relations’ skills resulted in friendships with individuals such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, Charles Laughton and New York City Mayor John Lindsay. His friendships included artists and designers Isamu Noguchi, Victor Vasarely, Salvador Dali, Bjorn Wiinblad, Carol Summers and Bruno Mathsson, among others.

When sculptor Isamu Noguchi came to the United States, they worked as a team to produce Noguchi’s ‘Akari’lamps and developed a lasting friendship.

Arne founded Rosenthal’s Hotel & Restaurant Division and cultivated the company into a multimillion dollar business. He served as Vice Chairman of the International Hotel/Motel Restaurant Show Exhibitor Advisory Committee and also served a three year term on Chicago’s NRA Exhibitor Advisory Board.

He was a member of Distinguished Restaurants of North America’s (DirRoNa), Hall of Fame and is listed in “Who’s Who” in the East.

In 1995, Mr. Osterby joined Gene Williamson, a former Managing Director of Rosenthal, and formed Osterby & Williamson, representatives and consultants to the foodservice industry.

Mr. Osterby is predeceased by his first wife, Maria, and brother Rune.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Eileen V. Osterby. Survivors include his stepdaughter, Jennifer Harvey, husband Shawn, and grandson, Ethan of Camp Wood, Texas, as well as many cousins residing in Sweden.
Arne will be missed by so many in the community who he touched through the years.

A Celebration of Mr. Osterby’s life will be held this coming summer with the date to be determined due to the Covid Pandemic.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan & Sullivan Counties, Inc.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas & Brendan Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc.

Walter C. Timm

January 5, 2021

Cornwall

Walter C. Timm, of Cornwall, entered eternal rest on Jan. 5 while trying to recover from recent injuries. He was 89 years old.

The son of the late Walter Timm and Geraldine (Hansford) Timm, Walt was born in Philadelphia and grew-up in Collingdale, Penn.

Walt was a Chemical Engineer, having graduated from the University of Delaware. After serving in the US Army, Walt worked for several manufacturing companies in process development, most recently at Tarkett in Vails Gate, from where he retired.

Walt (Skip) had a lifelong passion for fishing and boating. He maintained several boats for fishing in Shark River, N.J. for over 50 years. He was most proud of the IGFA world record Albacore Tuna he caught in 1961. Walt did not stop until the “Jupiter Too” was lost in Superstorm Sandy in 2012. He also enjoyed the camaraderie of the Cornwall Yacht Club.

Walt is survived by his sisters: Geraldine Barton of Hackettstown, N.J., Ethel Young of Saint Cloud, Fla., and Elaine Carmichael of Mendon, Mass., along with four nieces and four nephews.

Walter and his family are grateful for the assistance provided by Cathy Pattinson over the last years and through these difficult times.

Due to the public health concerns of the Corona Virus (Covid-19), memorial services for Walter will be held private. On behalf of the family, thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.

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

Teresa Van Seters

January 7, 2021

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

Teresa Van Seters, 96, of Frederick, PA and formerly of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY passed away on January 7, 2021 from Covid-19. She was the wife of the late Henry Van Seters who passed away in 2005. Born in Garfield, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Maria (Chmielowich) Dec.

As a child of Polish immigrants, she became English speaking after entering public kindergarten. Her parents kept her heritage alive by sending her to Polish school which she attended after public school thereby learning to read, write, and speak Polish fluently and sang in the school choir. She was proud of her heritage and maintained a lifelong interest in learning about other nationalities and languages.

When she was 17, Teresa answered a local newspaper ad for a physician’s office position. The physician, Dr. Dean A. Wry of Clifton, NJ subsequently knocked on the door of her home as she was mopping the floor, interviewed, and hired her on the spot. She worked tirelessly in his office and became a skilled assistant over the next 10 years as well as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Unbeknownst to her at the time, she gave overseas inoculations to a handsome WWII soldier serving in the Coast Guard, named Henry. Two years later he would come back and ask her out, they’d fall in love and marry.

In 1954 Teresa and Henry settled in Cornwall-on-Hudson to raise their 2 children. Henry was now employed at the USMA at West Point and Teresa was home full-time with the children.

She became a Registered Medical Assistant and Registered Medical Technician and worked part time at the Cornwall Hospital. Later she worked full time for Dr. George W. Benninger in his New Windsor NY office, retiring in 1986.

Teresa was an active member of the Cornwall-on-Hudson Presbyterian Church. She recognized leadership qualities in a young Sunday school student named David, long before he became four-star General Petraeus. For years she invited the congregation to hold him in their prayers each week.

She served as a deacon, sang in the choir and was a frequent soloist. She studied voice and was a member of the Classic Choral Society. She loved choral and pipe organ music and supported her husband’s pipe organ building & servicing business alongside his USMA Pipe Organ curator position. She sang in the Cadet Chapel performance of Handel’s Messiah for over 3 decades. She supported and encouraged professional and young musicians in their pursuit of music careers and attended countless performances in the Hudson Valley.

Skilled at handcrafts such as embroidery, sewing, tatting, knitting & crocheting she created many items still in use today. Her afghans and baby blankets are an expression of her warm hearted, generous nature and were gifted to many.

Teresa is survived by a daughter, Karen, wife of Richard Fain of East Greenville, PA; grandchildren: Karlee Fain of PA, Kaylyn (Arlando Hamilton) Fain of PA, Kelsey (Matthew Giordano) Fain of NYC; 2 great grandsons, Elijah & Julian Hamilton; several nieces, nephews. She is survived by chosen son A. Robert Chapman of Martinsville, VA with whom she and Henry shared a long, loving mentorship. Along with her parents, husband and 2 older brothers, Emil (Violet) Dec, Matthew (Helen) Dec, Teresa was predeceased by a son, Dean Van Seters, who died Oct. 24, 2020.
All are invited to a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 16th at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, 234 Paramus Rd., Paramus, NJ where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband.

Additionally, a service will be held over the next few weeks via Zoom. Please contact falkfuneralhomes.com if you would like to be notified when the day and time are finalized.

The family wishes to thank the many loyal friends who have maintained contact with Teresa over the past 7 years in PA as well as the staff and residents of Frederick Living for their exceptional care and concern.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Cornwall-on-Hudson Presbyterian Church Pipe Organ Fund or Hudson Valley Food Bank. Visit her “Book of Memories” at falkfuneralhomes.com.

William J. Wilson Sr.

January 8, 1928—January 10, 2021

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

William “Bill” was born in Brooklyn NY but lived the majority of his life in Cornwall-on-Hudson.

Bill was a communication engineer for the Department of Army at West Point until his retirement. He also worked for Cornwall Telephone and Teleprompter Cable. In his retirement years Bill became a caretaker to many of the older stately homes on Storm King Mountain. This he did right up to his 92nd year.

Bill is survived by his daughter Laurie and her husband Tony Parmerter of Port Charlotte FL, Son William “Billy” and his wife Stacey of Cornwall-on-Hudson, His son James “Jimmy” and his partner Dana of Wappinger Falls and son Robert and his wife Ellen of North Carolina.

He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Jennifer, Stephen, Hunter, Jessica, Heather, and 6 great grandchildren.

Due to Covid restrictions a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hudson Valley Funeral Home, Inc.