Barbara B. Dalgoutté
April 7, 1926—February 9, 2021
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Barbara B. Dalgoutté of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, after a long illness, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 9, 2021. She was 94 years old. She lived a good and long life, one that was rich and interesting and predominantly very happy.
The daughter of the late Thomas L. Barrett and Mary (“Maisie”) C. Lynch, Barbara was born in 1926 and was brought up in the Town of Cornwall, New York. She graduated from Cornwall High School in 1943 when she was 17 and then attended Katherine Gibbs School in Manhattan. She trained to become a draftsman, and commuting from Ossining, NY worked in Manhattan as a draftsman for several years. In 1960, Barbara and her then husband Michael Dalgoutté purchased a home in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY and the couple relocated to Barbara’s hometown with their three young children. Barbara separated from her husband in 1963, and at the time of her separation became a real estate agent. A year later she attained her real estate broker’s license. From the time she separated from her husband, she supported herself and her young family solely from the income she earned selling real estate, never receiving financial support from any other source. She successfully faced and overcame this challenge with great aplomb and with remarkable determination and hard work.
Barbara’s greatest joy in life were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. During the last ten years of her life, she loved meeting friends at the Donahue Memorial Park in Cornwall-on-Hudson to sit and chat and contemplate the beauty of the Hudson River and the surrounding mountains. She deeply enjoyed the Hudson River, which she said she always found life enhancing and inspiring. Barbara was an excellent singer when she was younger, and before she developed arthritis enjoyed playing the piano as well, and was rather good at it. She continued to derive immense enjoyment from listening to music even in her last days, particularly the singing of Luciano Pavarotti. Barbara was a very devoted and loving mother, grandmother and friend. She had a warm-hearted disposition and a genuine smile that had a positive and encouraging effect on all whom she encountered on any given day. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include her daughter, Shawn Dalgoutté of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY; her son, Christopher N. Dalgoutté and his wife, Dora Dalgoutté of New Windsor, NY; her granddaughter, Lauren Hawkins-Dimon (Kris) and her great granddaughter, Lily Dimon of Phoenix, AZ; her grandson, Dylan M. D. Wendt and her great grandson, Jayden M. Wendt of Cornwall, NY, and her son-in- law, Gary Hawkins of Phoeniz, AZ. She was predeceased by her loving daughter and close friend, Michele Dalgoutté-Hawkins on May 23, 2013.
The family would like to thank the East Team of Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc. for its skillful and compassionate support. Due to Covid-19 and in accordance with Barbara’s wishes, a memorial service limited to immediate family members will be held at a later date. In lieu of funeral and memorial services and to honor Barbara’s character and spirit, we ask that all who wish to participate make a small donation to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital on April 7, 2021, Barbara’s 95th birthday.
Dr. David E. FitzGerald
April 14, 1940 —February 13, 2021
Cornwall-on-Hudson
Dr. David E. FitzGerald of Cornwall-on-Hudson died on Saturday, February 13, 2021. He was 80. A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, he was born in Newburgh, New York, to D. Edward and M. Frances (Shinners) FitzGerald on April 14, 1940. Following his mother’s death in 1943, Dr. FitzGerald grew up alongside his six sisters, father, and stepmother Helen (Spreer) FitzGerald.
Dr. FitzGerald graduated from Newburgh Free Academy, Providence College, and Pennsylvania College of Optometry, earning honors in both college and graduate school. Afterward, he served as a Captain in the United States Army.
At the time of his death, Dr. FitzGerald was retired from the faculty and Clinical Professor Emeritus at SUNY College of Optometry, where he had taught for decades. At SUNY, he co-founded the Infant’s Vision Clinic and developed a pediatric residency program. He authored countless peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
Prior to teaching full time at SUNY, Dr. FitzGerald practiced optometry in Newburgh for thirty years, jovially telling patients who sought reading glasses that they “needed their arms lengthened” and those who sat on their glasses that “hindsight is 20/20.”
His professional associations were numerous. He was a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate in Pediatric Optometry, as well as a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. In addition, he was a 50-year member of the American Optometric Association.
Beyond his professional life, Dr. FitzGerald selflessly served his church and community. A parishioner of Sacred Heart of Newburgh and St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Churches, Dr. FitzGerald coached the Sacred Heart boys’ basketball team and spearheaded fundraising for the Parish Center. Dr. FitzGerald was a life member and past president of the Newburgh Lions Club, and he served on the Cornwall Board of Education, the Cornwall Assessment Board of Review, and the Cornwall-on-Hudson Zoning Board. He was also a member of the Cornwall Historical Society and the American Legion.
Yet his most impressive accomplishments were his personal ones. In 1965, he married Marie Totonelly, the enduring love of his life, with whom he had been smitten since childhood, and together they raised three children. Dr. FitzGerald faithfully rearranged his schedule to attend his children’s numerous sporting and extracurricular events and did the same for his grandchildren in later years. He tirelessly supported their efforts, coaching Cornwall Senior and Big League baseball teams, serving as president of the Cornwall Swim Team, and minding the kitty at the Rudolph Rumble as a Dragon Lacrosse Booster.
His grandchildren referred to him as Pop Pop and through the years he was the constant in their lives. Being a morning person served him well, as he could get the grandkids to the school bus on time each morning and maintain his title as breakfast maker extraordinaire. All will remember him for his sense of humor. He loved to tell jokes, so much so that he developed the skill of making a short joke last forever.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marie; children, David P. FitzGerald (Lynn Airasian) of West Simsbury, Connecticut; Colleen Dunning of Cornwall-on-Hudson; and Suzanne FitzGerald of Bethesda, Maryland; and grandchildren, Morgan, Noah, Kendall, and Daniel FitzGerald; Zachary, Abigail, and Molly Dunning; Jack and Joshua Pfefferkorn. Other survivors include his six sisters, Ann (William) Babcock of Mount Holly, New Jersey; Kathleen Mazzarelli of New Windsor; Eileen (Alan) McQuiston of Gardiner; Mary (Cole) Kingseed of Cornwall-on-Hudson; Beth (Richard) Fiore of New Windsor; and Peggy (John) Burley of Milton. He will be sadly missed by his nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom he enjoyed many happy times. Dr. FitzGerald was predeceased by his grandson David Benjamin FitzGerald and son-in-law David Pfefferkorn.
A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, February 17th at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 340 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, at 10 am, immediately followed by a burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to: Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111; American SIDS Institute, 528 Raven Way, Naples, FL 34110; or Lions Clubs International, 832 Rensselaer Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309.
Anne (Hunt) Keegan
March 16, 1937 – February 11, 2021
Cornwall, NY
Anne (Hunt) Keegan, 83, a 55 year resident of Cornwall passed away on Thursday morning, February 11th after a short battle with cancer. Anne was born on March 16, 1937 in the Bronx, NYC, to Marcus Hunt and Anna (Kirsch) Hunt.
Annie B/Momma K. was a staple in the Cornwall community. She was a Member of the Highland Engine Co. #1, Ladies Auxiliary for over 50 years, Orange County Ladies Auxiliary, Girls Senior Softball Manager, Cornwall Town Board Member, Republican Club Committee, 4th of July Committee, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and much more.
Anne attended Walden High School and graduated from Albany Business School. She worked many years as a Secretary for Active Specialty in Newburgh, NY and later was a Parts Manager at Kurland Cadillac in Nanuet, NY. Anne touched many, many lives. She loved watching her grandsons play baseball along with watching her NY Mets each and every night. Anne was brash and beamed with confidence and was tireless with her community work. If there was a party, Annie was the first there and last to leave.
Anne was predeceased by her husband Kevin of 58 years. She is survived by her son: Mark Keegan, daughter in law: Donna (Bielli) Keegan; and her grandsons: Justin and Max Keegan, all of Williamstown, NJ.
Due to the public health concerns of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) and winter weather conditions, a brief private Service will be held. Anne will be laid to rest beside her loving husband at St. Thomas Cemetery, Cornwall, NY.
A July/August Memorial will be held at the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Mountainville, NY. Please refer back to this website for further information.
Memorial Contributions in Anne’s name may be made to the Hudson Valley SPCA, PO Box 356, Vails Gate, NY 12584.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences please go to www.Quigleybros.com
John Timothy “Tim” Komonchak
August 23, 1945—February 3, 2021
New Windsor, NY
John Timothy Komonchak (Sr) passed on Wednesday, February 3. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth (Betsey) of New Windsor, only son Tim of Hope Mills, N.C. and only Grandson Cameron of Jamison, PA. He was born on August 23, 1945 the only son to John J & Shirley Komonchak of Highland Falls, NY.
He graduated from Highland Falls High School & Cornell University. John “Tim” was as 30+year veteran of South Orangetown Central School District having served as Guidance Counselor & Director of Guidance for Tappan Zee High School. He retired in 2001. In retirement he has enjoyed traveling with his wife & family as well as pursuing his major hobby of playing piano. Being a musician was his major lifelong passion. Tim played solo piano at various restaurants in the area and in the lobby of the Montefiore St Luke’s-Cornwall Hospital. He was a member in good standing of Musician’s Union local 238-291 as well as a member of several jazz & rock oriented musical groups in the Mid-Hudson area.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Transplantation program @ https://joinus.cuimc.columbia.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=1036 or Checks can be made out to: Trustees of Columbia University with Lung Transplant Program (on the memo line) to: Trustees of Columbia University, 622 W. 113th Street, NY, NY 10025
Services will be delayed for the foreseeable future.
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home 845-782-8185 www.ssqfuneralhome.com