Last Updated: January 5, 2011

Obituaries

BARNETT, Edgar J. Jr. of Oyster Bay on December 25. Beloved husband of Judy. Loving father of Bruce, Craig (Lynn), James (Elizabeth), Edward, and Frederick. Cherished grandfather of nine. Dear brother of Albert (Marilyn), and the late Charles (Audrey). He was a past president of the Kiwanis of Syosset, and a longtime committeeman for the Syosset Republican Club. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus Council # 1206, and a 3rd degree Knight. Funeral Mass St. Dominic’s R.C.Chapel. Interment to follow Pinelawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Catholic Daughters of America Court Sacred Heart of St. Dominic’s Church. For more information visit ww.fpdevinefuneralhome.com.

BUIE, Ollie Mae of Glen Cove, on January 1, age 76. Mother of Brenda Johnson. Sister of David Johnson & Beverly Johnson. Aunt of Michael Johnson and many other nieces and nephews. Service under the direction of Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home.

Comstock, Walter S., passed away on December 29 , born January 3, 1929 in Mineola; resident of Vero Beach, FL, former resident of Oyster Bay, East Hampton, and St. Croix, USVI. Walter retired as a funeral director and was respected by his colleagues.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara; daughter, Pamela J. Swenson, and her husband, Jeff, of Eugene, OR; grandson, Brian M. Southey, and granddaughter, Lauren J. Morton, both of Junction City, OR.; brother, Alex of Lake Wales, FL. He is also survived by his St. Croix family, Fanny, Rocky and Shelly, their mother, Clytie, sisters and brother.
Walter was a member of Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, and the Theodore Roosevelt Association. He was past president of the Syosset Lions Club; former member of Oyster Bay Fire Company No. 1, and a former Trustee of Youngs Memorial Cemetery, Oyster Bay Cove; he also served on the Vestry of Christ Church, Oyster Bay.
Visitation at the Oyster Bay Funeral Home there will be a Masonic Service and Firematic Service. Religious Service at the Chapel of Memorial Cemetery of St. John’s Church, Rt. 25A, Laurel Hollow. Interment immediately following.
Memorial contributions to Matinecock Lodge #806 (Rebuilding Fund), 14 W. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771; or, Habitat for Humanity (Haitian Project), 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 3l709. www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com.

CONN, Daphne R. of Locust Valley, on December 26. Best friend of Eric Morrow. Sister of Mervyn Conn (Ann), Derrick Conn (Margaret), Winston Conn (Norah), Doreen Irwin (Bryson) and the late David Conn (Hazel). Survived by many nieces and nephews. Visiting at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head, www.whitting.com. Interment Locust Valley Cemetery, Locust Valley. Contributions may be made to Hospice of New York, 45-18 Court Square, Suite 500, Long Island City, NY 11101.
GOLDEN, Adelaide (nee Schiebl) of Glenwood Landing, suddenly on December 31. Mother of Bruce V. (Carol) & Joy G. Berry (Richard). Grandmother of Dayann McManus (Shawn) & Daniel Berry (Nicole). Great grandmother of Kayla, Emily, Taylor, Madison & Kaedan. Sister of the late George Schiebl Jr., the late June Roper, William E. Schiebl and Gail Hynes. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Memorial Service at Glenwood Landing Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the church. www.DodgeThomas.com.

LIGHT, Jeannine T. (Willett) RN, age 50, of East Greenwich, passed away from a respiratory illness on December 24, surrounded by her husband and children at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She was the founder and director of the Roger Williams Hospital Home Care Program and recently worked as a substitute school nurse for the East Greenwich School System. She was an active member of the Citizens Who Care community organization in East Greenwich and the Ross Elkhay Foundation and was a fundraiser for the Tomorrow Fund. As an avid athlete, she participated in many fundraising road races. A vibrant member of the East Greenwich community, she is best remembered as a loving mother and devoted wife. She leaves behind husband Dr. Gary D. Light D.M.D., son Jason (16), daughters Marissa (14), and Shannon (12), parents Roger and Therese (Bernier) Willett, brothers Michael Willett, Anthony Willett (Leah), sisters Lorraine Willett and Therese Herrero (Michael), and nieces Ashley and Grace. Uncles Marcel Bernier (Tessa), and Gordon Willett (Eileen), along with many cousins. A memorial mass will be held at St. Gertrude’s Roman Catholic Church Saturday, January 8, at 11am. Donations in her memory may be made to the ARDS Foundation, 3300 Dundee Road, Suite C4, Northbrook, Il 60062 or online at www.ardsusa.org

NELSEN, Howard G., Lifelong resident of Glen Cove, on January 1, age 87. WWII Army Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart. Member of V.A. Big Red One Division. Mr. Nelsen was blinded by a sniper during battle. Husband of the late Bessie B. Father of the late Barry W. Grandfather of Bryan J. Brother of Bjorg Bjerkhagen. Also survived by nieces, nephews and other relations in Norway. Organizations that he belonged to were VFW James Donahue Post, American Legion Howard Van Wagner Post, Glen Cove Masons, Glen Cove Senior Citizen Center, Active member of Carpenter Memorial United Methodist Church, he was the oldest member of the Church joining in 1946. Also served on the church board of trustees, the Church Council, and various other boards and committees over the years. Also participated in many Glen Cove parades. Service at Carpenter Memorial United Methodist Church 9 Mountain Ave. Bayville NY 11709. Arrangements by Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. Interment Calverton VA Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Church. www.DodgeThomas.com

PETERKIN, John Gilbert, age 82, a resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL passed away December 16. He was born on March 27, 1928. His family has been traced back to the Long Island area nearly 300 years. He moved to Ponte Vedra Beach over 50 years ago.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October of 1946. Four months later was involved in a battle with North China. Five months after that battle, the C CO., 1st Bat., 5th Marines, 1st Division was attacked at midnight by 600 People’s Republic soldiers, killing five Marines and wounding fifteen others. John was the last American to be wounded in China which disabled him for the rest of his life. John received numerous medals including citations from the Nationalist Republic and The Purple Heart.
John graduated from Syracuse University Business School and worked for Proctor, Gamble, Owens–Illinois Glass Co., and then on Wall Street.
John founded the Long Island’s Cedar Swamp Historical Society in 1976 and had a membership of 400 in the 1990s. He was a New York conservation and environmental appointee for Long Island, a former police commissioner for Old Brookville and was once asked by Democrats to run for state senate.
John was predeceased by his siblings: Dewitt Peterkin, Mrs. John K. Gurney (Jane Peterkin) and Donald Scott Peterkin. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.

Pollitt, Lt. Col. Donald F., U.S. Army Retired. A long time resident of Upper Brookville died on December 26, 93 years old.
After graduating from Friends Academy he pursued a degree in Landscape Design at Columbia University.
He was a direct descendant of the Tappan family, early settlers who participated actively in wars and politics since the French and Indian War. Harry Tappan was supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay from 1932 to 1951.
He was a co-founder of the Brookville Park Foundation and past trustee of the Cedar Swamp Historical Society and a board member of the Brookville Taxpayers Association. Some of his past affiliations include President of the Long Island Nurseryman’s Association, President of the New York State Nurseryman’s Association, Chairman of the Architectural Awards Committee of the Long Island Association of Commerce and Industry. Board Member of the Landscape Division of New York State College at Farmingdale, Associate Member of American Association of Landscape Architects, Board Member of Cooperative Extension Association of Nassau County, and many other organizations.
Donald F. Pollitt served in the Army in WW II and rose in rank from Buck Private to Lt. Col. He received 12 ribbons and medals including 2 Bronze Stars and the Croix de Guerre.
He was the beloved husband of Christel Pollitt, father of Mark Pollitt and Ernest Schmatolla, stepfather of Christel’s 5 children and 6 grandchildren and brother of Alice Jane Lockwood.
Visiting at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head, www.whitting.com. Funeral Service at Brookville Reformed Church, Brookville. Interment East Hillside Cemetery, Old Brookville. Contributions may be made to Nassau County Chapter of American Red Cross, 195 Willis Ave., Mineola, NY 11501-2623

SAUTKULIS, Andrew on December 23. Lifelong resident of Oyster Bay. Proud WW II veteran. Beloved husband of the late Rose. Loving father of Andrew (Rene), and Sandra (Ronald) Sach. Cherished grandfather of Cara, Lauren, Michael, and Gregory. Dear brother of Edward, and Peter Zukas. Visiting and funeral has been postponed until family from out of state can arrive. For further information please visit www.fpdevinefuneralhome.com.

VONKNSKY, Helen L., 50-year resident of Glen Cove on December 27, age 80. Wife of the late Joseph. Mother of Richard R. and Bradley. Sister of Natalie and Frank. Grandmother of 2. Reposed at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. Services were private.

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