2020 Somber Events

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2020 Somber Events

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Fred Snowman served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He passed away on October 5, and McHoul's Funeral Home asked Commander Reynolds if our post could render honors since the family was unable to provide Fred's DD-214, so the Navy would not provide the honors. However, his service was verified, and the Navy came through, so our honor guard was not necessary. Nevertheless, several members of the post attended the service to bid "Farewell Comrade" to Mr. Snowman. Attending were, Don Burns, Bill Kriebel, Bill Meyer, Commander Jim Reynolds and Bob Spinillo.

Martin Thomas Nolan, a local resident for 41 years, died on August 29, 2020 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. He was 86. Martin previously resided in Old Bridge, NJ, Staten Island, and Ireland.

Born in Dublin, Ireland on January 3, 1934, Martin was the son of the late Martin and Bridget (McLoughlin) Nolan. He started work at 14 in the Saxon shoe store on O’Connell Street in Dublin where he saved up every halfpenny to buy a one way transit on the maiden voyage of the Olympia ship to New York. After arriving, he proudly served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was sworn in as a US Citizen in 1955 wearing his uniform. After completing his service, Martin was employed as a Human Resources Functional Manager for field engineering for IBM for over 30 years until his retirement. He came out of retirement when an opportunity arose to work at West Point as a liaison for civilian personnel. He retired for the final time in 2003 to help take care of his first grandchild, a position he was truly suited for.

He was a longtime member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh (Old Bridge, NJ), Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, American Legion Manny Bacon Post 1758 (Hopewell Junction), the Kevin Barry Irish Club (Poughkeepsie), and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore where he was honored in 2009 with the Order of Saint Brendan Award, given to only the best Irishmen. He was known for putting everyone at ease with a ‘Hi, love’, charming people with his brogue, and never getting his hair wet while swimming. His love for animals was unparalleled, and there was always at least one cat or dog in the house.

Always known for his persistence, he proposed to Agnes Shay six times before she accepted (she says it was three, but who’s counting). On October 31, 1964 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Staten Island, he married Agnes (Shay) Nolan who survives at home.

He is also survived by his daughters and their spouses, Erin Nolan Killmer and Jeffrey Killmer of San Rafael, CA, Kerry Nolan and Frederick Baker of Brooklyn, and Tara and Charles Sperrazza of Putnam Valley; his grandchildren, Parker and Hudson Sperrazza and Fiona and Griffin Killmer; his brother, Thomas Nolan and his wife Vinnie of Pelion, SC; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives & friends. The family cat, Finn McCool, also survives at home.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2 at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 3 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Entombment will follow in the Community Mausoleum at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks will be required and capacity may be limited. All attendees should be prepared for potential extended waiting periods.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 (www.alz.org); St. Mary Mother of the Church, P.O. Box 780, Fishkill, NY 12524; or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).

At 7:00 p.m. on September 2, Manny Bacon Post members performed a memorial ceremony at McHoul's Funeral Home for Marty. Post members taking part were Jeff Boes, Don Burns, John Call, Len Hart, Bill Kriebel, John Lyons, Bill Meyer, Dan Oberhauser, John Polasko, Commander Jim Reynolds and Bob Spinillo.

On Monday, August 10th, members of Hopewell American Legion Post 1758, the Marine Corps League, The Patriot Guard, Rolling Thunder and state senator Sue Serino gathered at McHoul's Funeral Home in Hopewell Junction to honor Vietnam Veteran Kevin Walsh. Kevin was an East Fishkill resident who had no living relatives. He served with the Marine Corp in Vietnam and little else is known about him. Members of the Marine Corp League served as Pall Bearers. The East Fishkill Police Department, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Department and New York State Police were on hand to escort Kevin to his final resting place at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island. Our new Dutchess County Veterans Affairs Director Adam Roche was also on hand.

Post members in attendance were John Call, Don Burns, Dan Oberhauser, Bill Kriebel, John Lyons, Lance Ashworth, Bill Myer, Len Hart, John Polasko, Commander Jim Reynolds and Doug McHoul.

Thomas J. Dolan, 76, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kingston.

Born October 24, 1943 in Flushing, Queens, Tom was the loving son of Helen (née Hannigan) and Joseph Dolan. Much of his life was spent cultivating a love of the outdoors, first with his father, and later with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Tom’s family spent many summers in their family cabin at Lake Walton, lifeguarding and enjoying shenanigans with those who would become lifelong friends. He was introduced to the love of his life, Barbara (née Nuesell) Dolan, and they enjoyed 50 years of a fantastic love story together beginning April 6, 1968.

Thomas strongly valued education. He earned his undergraduate degree at Fordham University, and earned his juris doctorate at St. John’s Law School.
Thomas had a strong desire to serve his country. He joined the Army in 1965, earning the rank of Captain while serving as Judge Advocate General. He earned several awards and commendations during his service, including two Bronze Stars in Vietnam.

In 1973, Thomas was honorably discharged, and moved back to Dutchess County, where service to his community continued. He accepted a position in the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney and later, Bureau Chief. His tireless efforts were part of a wonderful team of men and women devoted to advocating for victims and their families.

Thomas was elected to the Dutchess County Court in November 1992, where he served a short time in family court, and then as both County Court Judge and Acting State Supreme Court Justice. His Court handled a number of high profile cases, where he meted out justice in a fair but firm fashion, earning him the affectionate moniker of “The Hanging Judge” by those with whom he served until his retirement in 2010.

While Thomas was a strong, loyal Republican in his beliefs, he worked well with, and respected and was respected by members of other parties and belief systems. Once asked how he could pass judgement on others, he merely replied he wasn’t the One qualified to pass judgment on people, only on the behavior that brought them to his courtroom. His strong faith made him humble, kind, and loyal.

The loving husband, father, and grandfather is survived by his daughters, Claire Morgan and Claudia Dolan-Heckert, grandchildren Conor and James Morgan and Kevin, Sean, and Emma Heckert. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, in 2019.

Calling hours will be held from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday, August 1 at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A service and military honors will begin at 5 pm, and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.

PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks will be required and capacity may be limited. All attendees should be prepared for potential extended waiting times.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project or the Disabled American Veterans, both causes dear to Thomas’s heart. Please visit Tom’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

Source: https://www.mchoulfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/4287848/Dolan-Thomas/index.php

At the Saturday service, Lance Ashworth, John Call, Norm Dauerer, Bill Kriebel, John Lyons, Caroline Pogge, and Commander Jim Reynolds performed a Legion Farewell Ceremony for our departed comrade. Don Burns also attended.

John Pizzuti departed this world on June 13, 2020 leaving behind his wife of 49 years, Marge Pizzuti; his two daughters, Christine Hansen and Deanna Goetz; two quasi-daughters, Lisa Pantaleo and Kendra Heady; and his four grandchildren, Lorelei and John, Laila and Trey. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Melissa; and his son-in-law Anthony Goetz. He also leaves behind 4 siblings, Gail, Ethel, Phillip and Pamela; his Aunt Goldie; 4 nieces and numerous cousins.Born in Mt. Vernon, NY on Christmas Eve in 1943, he spent the last 43 years happily living in beautiful Dutchess County and thoroughly enjoying his retirement from Verizon since 2002. However, being a die-hard Disney fan, his dream was to win the Mega so his whole family could live in Disney World year-round.

As a teenager, he spent his summers helping out on his uncle’s dairy farm in Delhi, NY and developed lasting friendships with some local residents with whom he continued celebrating reunions every November for over 50 years.

Back in the day, he was very active with the East Fishkill Girls Softball League during which time they won several championships. While he was the captain of a local APA Pool team, he led them to 2 first-place wins. He was a lifetime member of the Whortlekill Rod and Gun Club serving for many years as a Ranger Officer. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy and the Manny Bacon American Legion Post.

He was very proud of his service in the Armed Forces. During the Viet Nam era, he was stationed in Panama protecting the Americas from any possible missile attack.

(Source: McHoul's Funeral Home)

A visitation was held on Thursday, June 18 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Post members John Call, Bill Meyer, Norm Dauerer, and Jim Reynolds represented the post at the viewing and performed a Legion memorial service honoring John.

Michael Joseph TOMKOVITCH, age 72, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on Saturday May 16, 2020. Michael was born May 13, 1948 in Passaic, NJ.

Mike was a long time member of Post 1758 and maintained his membership even after retiring and moving to Las Vegas a few years ago. Mike also helped our post when we were having some of the restrictions removed on the deeds to our land. He was also an East Fishkill Judge for many years.

Carlo Joseph Cantarella, 93 of Wappingers Falls, NY went peacefully to be with the love of his life on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

The oldest of seven children, Carlo was born November 21,1926 in the Bronx, NY to Anthony and Marion Cantarella. Growing up through the Great Depression he went on to proudly serve as a gunner in the US Navy during WWII.

A private service was held for Carlo on May 4 in Wappingers Falls. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the public, including veterans, were excluded, but in order to honor his military service, Legion and other veterans organizations participated in a roadside salute as his remains were transported to the cemetery.

Post 1758 members participating were Commander Jim Reynolds, John Call, Caroline Pogge, Bill Meyer, Tom Masch and Bill Kriebel.

Photos by John Call and Bill Kriebel: