The Memorial Wall

Harold Williams Straley, Jr. TRENTON – Harold Williams Straley, Jr., age 93, died peacefully on April 07, 2014, after suffering from complications caused by Parkinson’s disease. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Rosella Riemann Jones Straley; his parents Harold Williams Straley, Sr. and Edith Johnson; and his brother, William Straley. He is survived by his former wife, Clara English Thomas; his daughters, Diana Corrington and Pamela Varone; his two step-daughters, Susan (Ray) Kelley and Eileen Jones; his grandchildren, Glenn Corrington, Pamela Khoury, Kate MacMonagle, Kenneth Davis, and their spouses; his great-grand daughters, Greta Keim and Juliet Corrington; many nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, raised in Groveville, New Jersey, a graduate of Hamilton High School, and a long time resident of Ewing, New Jersey, Harold held a machinist position with Swift and subsequently Schaeffer Machine, from which he retired almost 30 years ago. He is a World War II veteran, served in Okinawa, and received various medals including the World War II Victory Medal. Presently a member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, he was a former member of the Advent Lutheran Church where he actively participated in the church choir, the bell choir and adult bible school. 

Gillespie, Annette Annette Willcox Gillespie of Debary, 83, died Tuesday, April 1. Annette was born May 18, 1930. A graduate of Stetson University, Annette received a Master of Arts from Duke University. She was married to E. Bryan Gillespie on August 29, 1958. The family moved to DeLand in 1966, where Annette taught mathematics at Stetson for over twenty years. Annette was a long-time member of First Baptist Church and New Covenant Church in DeLand. Diagnosed in 1980 with Parkinson’s disease, she founded the DeLand Area Parkinson’s Support Group. She is survived by her husband, Bryan; daughters Susan Losher and Mary Stackhouse; son John Gillespie; grandchildren Rebecca, Ben, Rachel, Andrew, and Athan; and sister Janelle Watson. She is predeceased by her brother Herbert Willcox. 

Theresa D’Amicantonio (nee’ Luciani) 86, died on Saturday, March 22, 2014 after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Mrs. D’Amicantonio was born on August 13, 1927 in Camden, N.J. were she was raised. She was the daughter of the late John & Angelina Luciani. Mrs. D’Amicantonio attended Broadway School and graduated from Camden High School in 1945. Following graduation, she worked as a legal secretary in the Camden office of Frank M. Lario, Sr. Theresa was married at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Camden on October 2, 1948 to her beloved late husband Filomeno “Phil” D’Amicantonio. They were married for 55 years until his death on March 3, 2003. Theresa moved to Wayne following her marriage and was a homemaker who loved to cook and dedicated herself to her family, friends, and neighbors. She also enjoyed her monthly Ladies Club meetings with a group of close friends who met for over 50 years. During their retirement, Theresa & Phil took numerous cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean, and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Theresa was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Strafford, and the Ladies Auxiliary of Bateman Gallagher American Legion Post 668 of Wayne. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. D’Amicantonio was predeceased by her brother John Luciani, her in-laws Angelo & Nazzarena D’Amicantnio, and brother-in-law and sister- in-law Louis J. & Helen D’Amicantonio. Theresa is survived by her three devoted children: Marie D’Amicantonio Stemple and husband Philip of Flemington, N.J.; Louis A. D’Amicantonio and wife Brenda of Wayne; and son Robert P. D’Amicantonio of Wayne, and six cherished grandchildren: Melissa Stemple Owen and husband Christopher of Garden City, Long Island; Louis Anthony (“Tony”) D’Amicantonio and wife Ann of Paoli; Meredith Ann Stemple of Flemington, N.J.; Matthew P.A. Stemple and girlfriend Megan of Seattle, Washington; Michael E. D’Amicantonio of Wayne and Stephen P. D’Amicantonio of Wayne. Mrs. D’Amicantonio also leaves behind her sisters: Mrs. Lucy Alessandro (late Frank) of Oaklyn, N.J.; Mrs. Rita Cornaglia (Joseph) of Cherry Hill N.J.; and Mrs. Gloria Santucci (John) of Delran, N.J. and sister-in-law Mrs. Patricia Luciani of Marlton, N.J. along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family would also like to thank Theresa’s doctors and her caregivers for their concern and dedication throughout her illness.

Bill was born May 21, 1932, in Westfalen, Germany. He came to the United States in 1952, later joining the Army 6th Armored Division Battery "C" in 1954. After the Army, he worked on the DEWLine Project in the Aleutian Islands.

Gary peacefully passed from this life at his home in Northridge, Calif., where he was a resident for 41 years. He was born in Portland. Gary worked for Unocal for 40 years. He enjoyed being a doting grandfather, traveling, fishing in Alaska, golf, gardening, playing bridge, Ducks Football and family functions. He graduated from Grant High School in 1952 and the University of Oregon. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife of 59 and a half years, Margo; daughters, Cindy Lauffer and Pam Hoyt; son, Stanley O'Connell; grandchildren, Amanda and Austin Lauffer and Conner and Kyle Hoyt. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, 10400 Zelzah Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Parkinson Resource Organization.

Morris M. Berzon, 79 years old, was born in Akron, Ohio, April 1, 1934, and died January 30, 2014, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

Morrie never met a stranger or forgot a golf course he played. A lifelong Akronite, he graduated from Buchtel High School in 1951, attended Ohio State University, and graduated from Kent State in 1955.

Predeceased by his beloved daughter, Susan, on October 31, 2009. Survived by his wife, Myrna, the light of his life; son, David, and daughter-in-law Martha Berzon; adored grandchildren, Adam, Rachel and Matthew Berzon.

In passing, Morrie wanted to thank his dear friend, Bernard Leff, for his devotion and companionship. The family also wishes to thank all of his loyal caregivers, Charles Handel, Melanie (“Pinky”) Boone, Cynthia Randall, Steve Vukich and Rowland Sanders.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at the Rosehill Cemetary, in Akron (Fairlawn) Ohio — graveside service only. The family received friends at the residence of Myrna Berzon.

Resident of San Jose Long-time pharmacist Charles (Charlie) Longinotti, 95, died peacefully from complications related to Parkinson’s disease on January 10. He was born and raised on a fruit ranch in Willow Glen to Domenic Longinotti and Chiara Peirano.

Charles married his high school sweetheart Eleanor Walchar in 1941. In his youth, Charles played trumpet in a dance band at venues throughout the Valley. He always enjoyed playing and joined an intergenerational band in his seventies.

Charles attended San Jose State College and graduated from the University of California at San Francisco Pharmacy School in 1940. During World War II, he served four years in the Army Medical Corps. both stateside and in the Pacific.

He owned a series of stores in the Valley and won over customers with his helpful manner and family-friendly services. In his eighties, he worked part-time in pharmacies ranging from the San Jose State Medical Center to Walgreens and Costco. Charles gave generously of his time and medical knowledge to family, friends and customers. He served as President of the Santa Clara Valley Pharmaceutical Association, the South San Jose Kiwanis and the Seniors of St. Anthony’s Church and was a past board member of the San Jose City Health Commission.

In 1978, he married Grace Dahood, with whom he shared many happy times travelling in the U.S. and abroad.

Charles was predeceased by his dear wife Eleanor Walchar Longinotti, by his sister Marie Longinotti Ferrari and his brothers Eugene F. and John E. Longinotti. He is survived by his wife Grace Longinotti, his daughters Marilyn L. Geary, Cheryl Longinotti (Victoria), his step-children Linda Downey, Laurice Johnson (Jim), Kathy Dahood (Vince), Mitchell Dahood (Cristina), grandson Jonathan Geary and step-grandsons Chad Downey (Hollie), Steven Downey (Dana), Matthew Johnson (Sarah), Nicholas Johnson, and step-great grandsons Baylee and Brody.

Helene Coor, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully at home in Palm Springs, Calif. on November 25, 2013. Born August 25, 1933, in Los Angeles, Calif. to Robert and Haddie Fair. Helene graduated from Bell Gardens in 1951 and was school secretary from the sixth grade on. She attended Wilson Business School in Santa Monica and worked as a model.

In 1960 she married Larry Coor and they lived in Whittier. They have three children; Skip, Kelli, and Brett, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. While living in Alaska, Helene worked in the family business while raising her family.

Some years later they returned to Whittier, Calif., and then in 1989 moved to Palm Springs where Helene worked for the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational golf tournament, retiring after 15 years. Helene is preceded in death by both parents, a brother, Harold Fair, her sister Hazel and granddaughter Kacee Ryan. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Jim passed away peacefully and with dignity in his home in Westwood, CA surrounded by family after over a decade fighting Parkinson's.

He was born in St. Louis, MI and moved to Los Angeles at age ten. Jim attended Hollywood High School, served in the Navy as a Radio Technician and received his B.S. and MBA from Stanford. He later met his wife Betty in Los Angeles where they recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

He worked as a Finance Business Development Executive at Hughes/Raytheon for over 30 years managing proposal volumes. Jim's hobbies included rock hunting and lapidary, photography, travel and tracking household finances.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Betty, daughters Kathy and Ellen, and grandchildren Jeff, Coral, Sarah and Andrew. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 17th at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City at 11:00 in the morning.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Parkinson's Resource Organization, www.parkinsonsresource.org; 74090 El Paseo #104, Palm Desert, CA 92260; (760) 773-5128.

Glenn "David" Cox, 66, of Fort Thomas, passed away on November 6, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas, KY. 

He worked with the Internal Revenue Service for 20 years in Covington, KY and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ft. Thomas. 

David was born May 12, 1947 in Henderson, KY to the late Robert Cox and Jackline (nee: Walker) Cox. He is survived by his Wife, Sue Cox of Fort Thomas, KY, Sons, Jason Cox of Bellevue, KY & Jeremy Cox of St. Bernard, OH, Sister, Sharon Webb of Burlington, KY, Brother, Larry Cox of Dickson, TN. He is also survived by many nieces & nephews.