Last Updated: January 4, 2012

Obituaries

Ammirata, Michael (Mickey) - 83 years old, of Palm Coast, FL passed away on November 13. His wife Bella of 59 years was at his side. Children are Rosemary and David Morgani, Michael and Larry Ammirata. Mickey and his brother Fredd owned the Centre Service Station in Syosset for 32 years. There will be a Memorial Mass on January 7th at St. Gertrude’s Church, corner Bayville Ave-nue and School Street, Bayville at 11 am.

Balding, Barbara Whitney was born on October 8, 1931 and celebrated her 80th birthday at the Meadowbrook Hunt Club this autumn, surrounded by her many friends, and family. She died at home on December 5, just 12 days after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Barbara graduated from Radcliffe College in 1953 with a degree in Fine Arts and moved to Old Brookville, with her husband, Bruce E. Balding in 1955. She so loved this area and considered it her home. Barbara took her interest in the arts from her years at Radcliffe and began working for Susie Babcock, an interior decorator, in the early 1970s. She found her real passion when she started working at Treasure Resale and then Valley House Antiques with Merrill Stenbeck. Her love of collecting grew and her knowledge and passion for finding and selling antiques blossomed. Beginning in the late 1980s she and daughter Betsey developed an antique business. They loved working together and did private show sales at Bunny Williams Inc. in New York City. Her specialty was late 19th century/early 20th century English antiques. She also maintained a permanent antique space in Connecticut at the Art and Artisan Center in Stamford, and recently in New York City, at 1stdibs. In the last few years, Barbara also worked at Andrew Maier's in Locust Valley.
Throughout all these experiences, she developed a great eye, and wonderful taste and style. She loved to read and devoured every antique and decorating book she could.
Barbara had a calm manner, grace, dignity, independence, strength, kindness, and modesty – qualities you simply do not see a lot of today. She considered her friends in the community very important and would do anything for them. She was also a fantastic listener, teacher, mentor and advisor to many.
She leaves behind, her daughter, Betsey Ruprecht, and three grandchildren, Mollie, Charlie and Barney Ruprecht, her son in law Bill, her former husband Bruce E. Balding and three siblings, Wells, Sally and Lee Whitney.
There will be a memorial service at St. John's of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, 325 Lattingtown Road, Locust Valley, Wednesday, January 11 at 11 am. Arrangements by Dodge-Thomas.

Blatz, William Edmond, formerly of Port Washington and a 35 year resident of Old Brookville passed away peacefully on November 23 at 92 years of age. Bill was the beloved husband of the late Jeanne, devoted father of Linda, New York City, Susan, Old Brookville, and Edward (Anne Marie), Garden City. Adored grandfather of Elizabeth, Jessica and Edward Jr. Loving brother of Ethel and the late Robert. Blatz retired as executive vice president of Babaco Alarm Systems. He was very active in the local community serving as president of the Visiting Nurse Association of Oyster Bay and a board member of the Oyster Bay Historical Society. He was a long time member of Nassau Country Club and the Brookville Reformed Church. He served in the Army in WWII under General Patton. A graduate of Adelphi University, he received his master’s degree from Hofstra University where he served as an adjunct professor.
Services for Mr. Blatz were private with a full military burial at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Francis Hospital Development Office, 100 Port Washington Boulevard, Roslyn, New York 11576.

BRAND, Maud on December 31 at age 99, of Oyster Bay, formerly of Manhat-tan. Beloved wife of the late Charles. Loving mother of James (Maureen), and Janice Grady (Robert). Cherished grandmother of Sarah. She was a proud WWII Veteran and recipient of the US Medal of Freedom. Private internment.
www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com.
HEDUM, Thomas L. on December 28, age 72. Mr. Hedum was a US Marine during the Korean Conflict. Former employee of LILCO for 37 years. Beloved husband of Lorraine P. Loving father of Victoria Schmitt (Dave) and Jeannette Flores (Rob). Proud grandfather of 6. Special great-grandfather of 5. Donations may be made to the Hospice Care Network. www.DodgeThomas.com

MARTIN, Darlene A. of Glen Cove on December 23, age 63. Retired Chemical Dependency Counselor at the Melillo Center in Glen Cove. Mother of Minnie. Sister of Shirley Pinckney, Jeffery, Geraldine and Clifford Jennette. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Former wife of Clifford Martin. Best Friend of Artie Kreman. Service held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. Inter-ment Rosyln Cemetery.
www.DodgeThomas.com

MELCHIONE, Patrick F. of Glen Cove on December 28, age 87. Beloved husband of the late Angelina. Loving brother of the late Elizabeth G. Dear friend of the late Nellie Trotta. Also survived by many relatives and friends. Visitation held at the Funeral Home of Dodge-Thomas Glen Cove. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. www.DodgeThomas.com

Schlotzhauer, Jr., Edwin August at age 91, passed away peacefully at home in Bay Head, NJ, on Sunday, December 25, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born on December 27, 1919 in Locust Valley and was a graduate of Friends Academy and from Tufts Uni-versity. After graduation, he began what would be a 41 year career with American Smelting and Refining Company in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and New Jersey, retiring as General Manager of their Eastern Division in 1983. Before moving to Bay Head, Ed resided in Matawan, where he was a member of the Vestry and Senior Warden at Trinity Episcopal Church. Ed enjoyed sports, traveling and being surrounded by family and friends. He was a member of the “Romeo’s” and always looked forward to a good game of bridge at the Bay Head Yacht Club.
Ed was predeceased by his first wife, Libby and his brother, Allen. He leaves behind Signe, his wife of 27 years, daughter Louisa (Vincent), sons, Edwin (Elizabeth) and Thomas (Elizabeth), step-children, Vicki (James) and Ingrid (David) as well as grandchildren, Vincent, Elizabeth, Thomas, Elizabeth Ashley, Kristen, and Kaitlyn, step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Kristin, James, Brenden, Ryan and Courtney and great-grandsons, Jack, Mason, Cooper and Lucas. Burial will take
place at a later date at the family plot in Locust Valley. Donations may be made to the Harlem Academy, 1330 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10026.

SMELAND, Joyce C. Lifelong resident of Bayville, on December 28, age 64. Beloved wife of Robert. Loving mother of Val (Donna) and Robert Jr. Monitor and Principals Assistant at Locust Valley High School for 24 years. Visitation held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. Interment Private. Donations may be made to the Don Monti Center at Glen Cove Hospital. www.DodgeThomas.com

 

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The Leader newspaper serving the North Shore communities of
Locust Valley, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, Bayville, Centre Island, Mill Neck, Lattingtown, Matinecock, The Brookvilles, and Muttontown