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David Mills

David Mills, of Setauket, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Sept. 22, at the age of 75. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Lu; his five children, Jared (Jancie), Ethan (Maura), Johanna (Ronan), Emily (Laura) and Liza (Brett); and his eight grandchildren, Scarlett, Beckett, Helena, Adelyn, Cormac, Seamus, Piper and Calum. He leaves behind his siblings, Stephen (Christine), Carl (Barbara), Barbara (Michael) and Ellen (Nancy) and a large extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. R. Sherman Mills and Marie Magner Mills.

David was the fifth generation of the Mills family to reside in Setauket. He spent his childhood and adolescence riding horses and exploring the open waters of the Long Island Sound. He graduated from Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in 1966 and attended the University of Miami before graduating from Hofstra University in 1973.

Early in his professional career, David worked for RIF International Corporation, which allowed him the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe and the Middle East. He later started his own construction business and sustained a long career managing residential and commercial building projects throughout the Northeast. 

David was a recognizable presence in the community, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, warm heart and willingness to help anyone. He was an integral contributor to the Three Village lacrosse program as a coach, president and then a loyal supporter, where you could hear his booming voice on the sidelines of countless lacrosse games throughout the years. 

David will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, love of history and literature, passion for working with his hands and steadfast dedication to his family. 

There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Harbor View Farm, 87 Shore Road, East Setauket, from 2 to 5 p.m., with words of remembrance at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in his memory either online at www.kidney.org or to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016.

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Dom Famularo

By Michael Tessler

In the face of great loss, we often grapple with the inexplicable question of how someone so full of life could ever truly be gone. These past few days, I have wrestled with this question, trying to reconcile the vibrant spirit of Dom Famularo with the solemn reality of his passing on Sept. 27 at the age of 70.

Undoubtedly, there will be countless tributes to the legacy of this marvel of a man. I’m sharing with you just one experience on how he changed the trajectory of my life.

I first had the privilege of meeting Mr. Famularo when I was just a fourth-grader. His son and I became fast friends. His eldest son proudly declared his dad was famous. Turns out, he was telling the truth! 

Mr. Famularo was one of the greatest drummers of our time, described as the “global ambassador of drumming” who traveled the world teaching his craft. His students and admirers included famous names from nearly every genre of music and hailed from every habitable continent.

He was more than a musician. He was a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur, and a public servant. His generosity knew no bounds, touching the lives of countless individuals. 

He was a world-traveler, a man who often knew more about a place than the locals who called it home. He was a student of history, who somehow found time to be well-read on subjects that spanned all eras of history.

For years, I’ve had the good fortune to consider myself an honorary Famularo. Their cousins felt like my cousins, and we shared countless family gatherings and experiences that bound us together. 

There was a time when I moved back to New York, feeling lost in life. I had no place to live, no job, no college degree, and no clear direction. It was Dom and his incredible wife Charmaine who took me in, offering me a bed and ensuring I had something to eat.

It was Mr. Famularo who inadvertently kickstarted my film career. One morning while I was moping in their kitchen, ready to throw in the towel on a fruitless job hunt, he gave me a pep talk and suggested I peruse the Classifieds in the Port Times Record. It was there that I found my job selling advertisements that would eventually lead to my work on TBR News Media’s first feature film. 

Those were tough days, filled with long hours and a juggling act of night classes at a community college, full-time work, and a part-time job at a pawn shop on the weekends. Yet, every morning as I quietly had breakfast and sipped on coffee, Dom would come downstairs, as if ready for battle, energized and full of life, exclaiming, “MIKEY BOY! IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING!”

Living with Dom answered the question, “Is he really like this ALL the time?” The answer was an unequivocal yes. Dom’s magic lay in his ability to light up a room with his presence, to make everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. Quick-witted, smart, and full of innuendo, he had the remarkable ability to make even those who were upset with him burst into laughter and be in awe of his charm.

Despite being a famous musician with a massive international fanbase, Dom Famularo gave himself wholeheartedly to this community. He somehow found time to serve on committees, becoming an expert on matters as mundane as metered parking. Even in his final months, he found the strength to go to Village Hall and confront a bully. He was a public servant, a true advocate for his community, a relentless voice for reason, kindness, and doing what is right. 

But Dom’s secret power was not his public speaking ability, his magnificent drumming, nor his uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world. Of all the things to admire about Dom Famularo, it was his family that shone the brightest. 

Dom’s parents were remarkable, a testament to the greatest generation. He and his siblings carried forward their legacy. I’d never seen such a close-knit and special family before. His pride and joy were his three boys. Each unique, kind, brilliant, generous, and, like their father, hysterical. 

Of all his great achievements, none rivals marrying Charmaine. He would be the first to admit that she was his better half. In addition to raising three incredible boys, she managed to build Dom’s drumming empire, and has always been his secret weapon. Her strength, her heart, and her remarkable resilience never stops leaving me in awe.  

Our last conversation was at the beginning of summer. Somehow, despite a ferocious battle with cancer, he found the energy to greet me with that same familiar “MIKEY BOY!” that I had heard countless times before. I will treasure that conversation forever.

Mr. Famularo, you gave me a home when I had none. You gave me a purpose when I was lost. You believed in me before I believed in myself. You spent your life hoping to leave a mark, to make a difference, to live relentlessly — you did more than that. You’ve inspired countless others to do the same. You are magnificent, the embodiment of magic, and more than anything you are loved now and forever.

So I’ve found the answer to my question. Dom’s mantle is not one that any single individual will ever be able to carry, but between all of us who knew him and have loved him — we will ensure his light will never diminish. As we find a way to move onward, Dom moves upward. Serving now as a great North Star, reminding us just how bright we can shine…if only we’re willing to share our light.

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Josephine Eichner and Stephanie Giunta in October 2020.

By Stephanie Giunta 

There is no sound when a heart breaks. You can hear glass shatter when it falls to the floor. The crash of two cars colliding. The scream of someone in pain. But the heart can break into a million little pieces, and no one can hear. An orchestra of one; a violin with no strings. 

That is how I felt when I lost my Grandma this September. I had front row seats to a symphony of sadness.

You see, an adult relationship with a grandparent transcends all things. It is metaphorically magical in a way that you can’t quite put your finger on. Though generations apart, you are both learning from and guiding one another down different paths, writing new chapters while rereading the old. 

Josephine Eichner and Stephanie Giunta in December 1994.

Her wit and witticism preceded her. Her sharp remarks, sarcasm, and sing-song responses are the tiny characteristics of her personality that have taken up permanent real estate in my brain. 

She endured much — cancer, twice — and never once complained. I, on the other hand, will miss complaining to her and getting a stern “Stephanie” accompanied with an eye roll and a slap on the wrist. 

Grandma was not one who loved the limelight. But I saw a sparkle in her eye like no other on her 90th birthday when I accompanied her to the Rose Caraccappa Center in Mount Sinai for her Tuesday senior club meeting back in February. Her fluffy white hair and pink lipstick were perfectly complemented by the tiara she donned, and I can’t think of a moment in my lifetime where I felt prouder to be her granddaughter than that very day. 

My memories of her as a child were wonderful, but somewhere along our journey, we turned a corner in our relationship. We became more like girlfriends, and in many ways, she was my second mother. I ran to her for advice; with my worries; my happiness; my drama. She didn’t know all of the answers, but she sure knew how to listen. Sitting with her while nursing a cup of coffee at the kitchen table was nothing less than therapeutic. 

Josephine Eichner and Stephanie Giunta in October 2020.

She was there for all of my major milestones: birthdays, graduations, engagement, marriage, and the birth of my daughter, who carries her namesake. Their relationship was truly one-of-a-kind. She called her “My Baby” and each morning, promptly at or around 6:00 a.m., I would text her with a new photo or video from the day before. This became our daily ritual for almost two years without fail. 

Towards the end, I watched Grandma morph into the final version of herself. I shed many tears knowing that her days were numbered as I began asking myself how I was going to find the strength to move on without one of my best friends; my texting buddy; my chit chatter; the one who I’d split a roast beef with relish on rye with.

During one of our last conversations, I told her, “You know how much I love you, right?” to which she replied with a breathless, yet sassy and adamant, “YES!” She then asked me to brush her hair — something she did for me as a little girl. Our stories had shifted, and our roles had reversed.  

As she slept, I memorized her. I studied the curve of her face, the up and down of her chest. The silvery white of her hair that curled on the ends. The skin tag on her forehead — the exact same one that I had inherited. The fine lines on her cheeks, which were the product of a long and fruitful life. 

Still, with the platinum hoops in her ears and smiley face slippers afoot, she was Grandma. And she carried with her a cornucopia of memories and conversations, laughter and tears. I kissed her forehead, squeezed her hand, and told her how much I loved her every day until I didn’t see her again. 

Josephine Eichner and her great granddaughter in July 2023.

More than anything, I will miss the little things — like every Christmas season, hearing that my molasses cookies don’t look as good as hers; watching her cradle my child; calling her every time The Wedding Date is on television; shimmying the flower pot over on my front porch, so she could get up the steps and into my house; her telling my husband that he needed to put a sign on our basement door to distinguish it from the bathroom. 

When you lose someone this special, especially as an adult, no amount of time you spent together will ever be enough. For 33 years, I was lucky enough to have this pillar of strength by my side. Now, the only difference is that she’ll be looking down on me from above.

Rest in peace, Josephine M. Eichner

February 7, 1933 — September 26, 2023

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Peter X. Carolyn

Peter Xavier Carolan of Mendham, New Jersey, formerly of New York City and Northport, passed on Thursday, Sept. 14. He had recently celebrated his 75th birthday and 39th wedding anniversary.

Born on Aug. 23, 1948, in Brooklyn to Peter and Margaret (Pace) Carolan, the young Peter grew up in Northport and attended Northport High School, graduating in 1966. He then graduated from Niagara University in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in travel, trade and transportation. In 1975, Peter completed his master’s in business administration from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Prior to and while completing his master’s, Peter worked for American Express in the Park Avenue, New York City office. He later moved to Citibank until 1979, when he left to commit full time to his growing import-export business, Real Torino. A workaholic by nature, for 40-plus years, Peter successfully managed multiple companies importing breadsticks (grissini), pasta and other Italian food products nationwide.

In addition to his many personal accomplishments, his greatest joy was celebrating the successes of his children. In recent years, his five grandchildren always put a smile on his face. His generosity and loyalty were omnipresent, and he would do anything to help someone he considered family or a close friend.

Loving husband of 39 years to Elena (Bibini) Carolan, he was the devoted father of Peter G. (Katelyn), Monica (Brett), Sofia and Ellie and beloved grandfather and “Pop Pop” to Mia, Carter, Kirsa, Luce and Aurelia. He is survived by siblings Leonard (Christine) Carolan, Margaret (Len) Modelewski and Frances (John) Marino.

He reposed at Nolan Funeral Home, in Northport, on Sunday, Sept. 17. 

A Catholic funeral Mass was celebrated on Sept. 18, at Saint Philip Neri Church in Northport. Interment followed in the parish cemetery in East Northport.

Donations in lieu of flowers in Peter’s memory may be made to The Peck School, 247 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960.

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John Smith. Photo courtesy Larry Campbell

It’s with great sadness that the family and friends of John Smith announce his passing on Sept. 1 at the age of 79 years.

John is remembered by his son Sean Smith, niece Anne-Marie Rodriguez de Killeen, and grandnephews Fox Hudson Killeen, Brody and Theo Rodriguez, as well as a collection of the best friends ever.

He is predeceased by his nephew Matthew Rodriguez, sisters Bernadette and Isabel Smith, and parents Harry Smith from East Setauket and Kathleen (Duffy) Smith from County Mayo, Ireland.

John was an intelligent, characterful, loyal and generous man who was passionate about the great loves of his life: politics and service, East Setauket and the Three Village community in which he was born and raised, beloved dog Montana, and dearest friend (and predeceased) George Rehn, the Poncho to his Cisco.

Following retirement in 2010 from the Suffolk County Department of Labor, John joined the county Department of Health Services as an inventory manager for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness program. He was instrumental in their Point of Dispensing activities, making sure staff had the proper equipment and supplies for vaccination clinics and exercises, playing a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 7 at the Infant Jesus R.C. Church, 110 Myrtle Ave., Port Jefferson. This will be followed by a small memorial celebration at the VFW Hall in East Setauket. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate on John’s behalf to the RSVP Animal Welfare & Rescue Group: rsvpinc.org/donations/donate-now.

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Virginia Rose Sheridan. Photo from Bryant Funeral Home
Prepared By the Sheridan Family

Virginia Rose Sheridan died at her home in East Setauket on Sunday, Sept. 10, after a long illness.

She was born to Julia and Niel Johnson of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 29, 1943. She graduated from Wilkinsburg High School, where she won numerous awards playing viola in the school orchestra and clarinet in the marching band. She often reminisced about the challenges of marching up and down Pittsburgh’s steep hills and recalled once marching right out of her shoes on a muddy day.

Virginia attended West Virginia University on a full music scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1965. At WVU, she met and married the love of her life, Philip John Sheridan Jr., of Massapequa. Their daughter, Sharon Joyce, was born in 1964 at the university hospital.

After Philip completed his master’s degree and began his teaching career at Patchogue-Medford High School, the family moved to Long Island. They lived briefly in Massapequa, then in Farmingville. Their son, Philip Geoffrey, was born in 1967. In 1973, they moved to East Setauket.

Virginia was a loving wife and mother, and an active volunteer. She served as a class mother and parent chaperone in the schools, as a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader, and as a church school teacher. At Caroline Episcopal Church in Setauket, she was a longtime member of the altar guild and volunteered with her husband at the food booth at the annual church fair. She also volunteered at a local soup kitchen.

A lifelong learner, she studied everything from Spanish and Yiddish to financial planning and mahjong. She worked in a variety of jobs, including as proofreader for what was then The Village Times and as a staff member for former Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket). She also was an enthusiastic kayaker.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Caroline Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or at www.stjude.org.

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Harvey Weiss. Photo courtesy Ilona Weiss-Pepe
Prepared by Ilona Weiss-Pepe

Harvey Weiss, a longtime Port Jefferson resident, died Saturday, Sept. 9. He was 89.

Born on May 28, 1934, Weiss moved to Port Jefferson in 1968, where he resided for the remainder of his life.

Weiss was a member of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Japan during the Korean War. After completing his military service, he attended the University of Houston, where he majored in engineering.

Weiss was a man of many talents. He worked as a flight test engineer at Grumman Aerospace for 34 years, assisting with the aircraft testing and lunar construction for the first landing on the moon. 

He retired in 1992 and became a science educator at Bayside High School until his retirement in 1994. He served on the Village of Port Jefferson Planning Board for 15 years, where his knowledge of village code and ordinances was put toward meaningful public ends. He also worked as a village code inspector for years and for the board of elections for decades.

Weiss was an accomplished jazz guitarist. He could pick up any instrument by ear and play, though his passion for jazz guitar was unrivaled. He played at LANs End and other venues throughout the 1960s and ’70s. Harvey was also a member of the Port Jefferson Country Club, where he played both golf and tennis. He was a passionate patriot with an elaborate knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. His love for the police and his country was strong, and he believed passionately in the principle of justice for all. Throughout his life, Weiss personified the ideals of integrity, always doing the right thing even when no one was looking. 

Family members remember Weiss as an open, compassionate and amazing human being.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; daughters Jessica and Ilona; brother Robert; stepchildren Mark and Eric; and grandchildren Marlo, Sam, Toni and Sal.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at givemichaeljfox.org.

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James Brumm. Photo from Nolan Funeral Home

James Thomas Brumm, of Northport, died suddenly on Aug. 30. He was 57 years old. 

He was the beloved son of Fred and Patricia, dear father to Jimmy (Amber) Brumm and loving grandfather to the late Hannah Grace Brumm. He is also survived by his loving sisters and brother Dorothy (Mark) Russo, Trisha (Jerry) Hehir, Fred (Laura) Brumm Jr. and Laura (Mike) O’Donohoe. He was dearly loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Jim enjoyed flying Cessna airplanes with his instructors and spending time on boats, motorcycles and old antique cars. 

A memorial Mass was celebrated for Jim on Friday, Sept. 8, at St. Philip Neri Church in Northport. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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Frances Magnus

Frances Ella Magnus, beloved mother and grandmother, died peacefully at 3:15 a.m. on Aug. 17, at the Vincent Bove Health Center in Jefferson’s Ferry, South Setauket. She was 93 years old.

The daughter of Frank and Frances Van Etten, Frances Ella was born on Sept. 29, 1929, in the Bronx.

She pursued her passion for classical ballet at the School of American Ballet, training with Anatole Oboukhoff, Yurek Lazowski, Muriel Stuart and Pierre Vladimiroff. In 1951, under the artistic direction of George Balanchine, Frances made her professional debut along with members of the New York City Ballet company at Carnegie Hall. 

Her dance career abruptly ended when she was injured by a taxicab in midtown Manhattan. No longer able to meet the physical demands of classical ballet, she went on to have a career in the fashion industry, modeling for advertisements that appeared in The New York Times and other publications.

In 1953, Frances met her future husband, 1st Lt. Daniel Magnus, at the Warwick Hotel in Manhattan during a social event organized for Army officers on leave during the Korean War. They kept in touch after Daniel returned to Germany, where he was stationed. On Dec. 11, 1954, Frances and Daniel were married in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool, England. 

During the first year of their marriage, they lived in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, which afforded them the opportunity to travel throughout Europe. When Daniel was discharged from the military, they returned to the United States, briefly living in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and eventually settling in Huntington.

After raising three children and the untimely death in 1987 of her husband Daniel, Frances went on to study interior design at Parsons School of Design/The New School in Manhattan. In 1990, she completed her studies and received a degree of associate in applied science with honors.

Frances is survived by her daughter Susan and son-in-law Scott Newkirk, of Beacon; her son Steven and daughter-in-law Jennifer, of Northport; her son Daniel and daughter-in-law Jamie, of Greenlawn. She was the loving grandmother of William, James, Emma and Allison.

A wake was held Friday, Aug. 25, at Nolan Funeral Home, Northport. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 26, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cold Spring Harbor, followed by burial at Huntington Rural Cemetery in Huntington.

Charitable contributions may be made to Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation in memory of Frances Magnus and in honor of the clinical staff in Memory Care. For more information, email [email protected] or call 631-675-5507.

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Frank Avino

Frank C. Avino, a lifelong resident of Huntington, passed away on Aug. 19. He is survived by friend Thomas Dunn and cousins Barbara Albanos, Joe Feleppa, Richie Feleppa, Linda Puskas, Lisa Wagner and Jodi Fagan.

After graduating from Walt Whitman High School in the Class of 1961, Frank worked for the A&S Department Store and then Macy’s until his retirement. His leisure years were spent enjoying his home on Prime Avenue, where he had many friends.

A wake was held at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport on Sunday, Aug. 27, followed by a religious service there Monday, Aug. 28, and burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Huntington.

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