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Obituaries

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Gene and Edna Gerrard are surrounded by their grown children — from left, Christine, Pam, Ann, Patricia and Paul — on their 50th wedding anniversary. Photo from Kerri Ellis

Edna Gerrard, a longtime resident with a knack for community service and a mind for business, died on May 16 at age 86.

A 57-year resident of Brookhaven Town and the wife of former town councilman Gene Gerrard, she died of complications related to esophageal cancer, her daughter Pam Ruschak said in an interview on Tuesday.

Edna Gerrard had lived in Mount Sinai, Port Jefferson and Middle Island with her husband, to whom she was married for 65 years. The couple raised five children together.

Gene and Edna Gerard were married for 65 years. Photo from Kerri Ellis
Gene and Edna Gerrard were married for 65 years. Photo from Kerri Ellis

The pair’s surname was perhaps most well-known through the printing shop they owned in Port Jefferson Station, St. Gerard Printing, where Edna worked until last year, when the Gerrard family sold the local business.

But “her big love was community service,” Ruschak said.

Gerrard had worked with many organizations throughout the area over the years. She was a past president of the Port Jefferson Station and Terryville chamber of commerce; a founding member and past president of the networking group Decision Women in Commerce and Professions; a former vice president of the Mount Sinai Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary; and a former Long Island Power Authority trustee.

Former LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel called Gerrard a “valuable asset to the board.”

“Soft-spoken but challenging, cared greatly for ratepayers and the environment,” Kessel said. “She’ll be missed.”

Ruschak said her mother found a way to raise a family and still be involved in her community, something that makes her proud.

“She was just a beautiful, dynamic, classy, graceful woman,” the daughter said.

In addition to husband Gene, daughter Pam and Pam’s husband, Richard Ruschak, Edna Gerrard is survived by her son, Paul Gerrard, and his wife, Pam; her daughter, Patricia Leffke, and husband Gary; her daughter, Ann Dunn, and husband John; her son-in-law, Edward McKenna; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Her daughter, Christine McKenna, preceded her in death.

Moloney’s Port Jefferson Station Funeral Home handled arrangements and a Mass was held at St. Frances Cabrini R.C. Church in Coram on Wednesday.

“There will be tough shoes to fill,” Pam Ruschak said. “There will be a real void in this community.”

This version corrects the spelling of the Gerrard family name.

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James E. Dailey, 77, of Hauppauge, died on March 2. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.

James was the beloved husband of Clare; loving father of Donna (John) DeMaio and Richard Dailey; and adored grandfather of Michael, Danielle, Richard Jr. and Andrew.

Arrangements were entrusted to Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas More R.C. Church in Hauppauge. Interment followed in Calverton National Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.branchfh.com.

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Robert D. Grancio, 70, of Ridge, formerly of Brooklyn, passed peacefully on Feb. 19. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Vietnam War.

Robert was the beloved husband of Rita; loving father of Gina (Greg) Soden; cherished grandfather of Emma and Will; and dear brother of Peter (Donna).

Arrangements were entrusted to Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mark’s R.C. Church in Shoreham. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.branchfh.com.

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Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Louis Dionisi, 93, of Mountain Home, Ark., died on Feb. 28. His life was filled with love — for God, music, teaching, his country, his church and his growing family, whom he inspired through strength, integrity and Christian conviction.

Joe was born on Dec. 23, 1921, in Great Neck, to Andrew and Maria Dionisi. He joined the U.S. Air Force during World War II and served in communications, guiding military airplanes across the Atlantic Ocean. After leaving active duty, he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for many years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

After the war, Joe married Dorothy “Jane” Williamson and graduated from New York University with both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, and began a long career in music education. Joe and Jane lived in Stony Brook, where they raised four children and were devoted members of Stony Brook Community Church. He taught in the Port Jefferson school district for 30 years as director of music, band director and coordinator of musical festivals.

In 1978, Joe and Jane retired to Hendersonville, N.C., where he was active at Etowah United Methodist Church as lay speaker, editor of the local and district newsletters, president of the men’s group and director of a brass ensemble and chorale. They moved to Midway, Ark., 12 years ago and joined First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, where he continued his love of learning through Bible studies.

Joe was preceded in death by Jane, his wife of 60 years, and his brother, Charles. He is survived by two sons, Joseph (Debbie) and Michael (Devon); two daughters, Donna Smith and Patti (Bob) Budolfson; 10 grandchildren, Leah, Meg, Kerri, Brendan, Matthew, Manny, Christian, Brad, Brett and Brent; and five great-grandchildren, Cooper, Sophia, Isabelle, Mason and Cameron.

Arrangements were entrusted to Roller Funeral Home. A memorial service was held at the First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home. Interment was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the music program or the building fund at First United Methodist Church, 605 West 6th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653.

An online guest book is available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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Gloria H. Lauber, 67, of Smithtown, died on March 18.

She was a member of the Smithtown Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

She was the wife of the late Charles Jr.; beloved mother of Charles III, Sherry Lauber-Pannulla and Jeffrey; and the loving grandmother of two.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home in Smithtown, where a funeral service was held. Entombment followed in Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale.

Her family requests donations in her name to Calvary Lutheran Church, 860 Townline Rd., Hauppauge, NY 11788 or the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center Fund Inc., P.O. Box 765, Smithtown, NY 11787. An online guest book is available at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com.

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Karl R. Svanberg, 71, of Wainscott, formerly of Smithtown, died on Feb. 10. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Karl was the beloved father of Karl Jr. and Eric; loving brother of Lars; and dear grandfather of three.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home in Smithtown, where a funeral service was held. Interment with full military honors followed in Calverton National Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com.

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Beatrice A. Foray, 97, longtime resident of Smithtown, died on March 8.

She was the wife of the late Paul; beloved mother of Joan Svanberg and Eileen Foray; grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of four.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home in Smithtown, where a funeral service was held. Interment followed in Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai.

An online guest book is available at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com.

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Barbara Ann Koziuk, 57, of Lake Ronkonkoma, died on March 4. She was born on Dec. 30, 1957, in Rockville Centre, the daughter of John and Elsie Doyle.

Barbara was a bridal consultant at Bridal Suite. She enjoyed dancing, cooking and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Christina (Steven) Erland, Nicole (Kevin) Winn, and Martin Koziuk Jr.; granddaughter, Ava Winn; brother, Michael (Phyllis) Doyle; and many other family members and friends.

Services were held at St. Joseph R.C. Church in Ronkonkoma and interment followed in Lake Ronkonkoma Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. An online guest book is available at www.bryantfh.com.

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Donald K. Turer, 48, of Port Jefferson Station, died Feb. 9. He was born June 7, 1966, in Port Jefferson, the son of Donald and Christine Turer.

He is survived by his mother, his brother, Peter, and many other family and friends.

Services were held at Bryant Funeral Home on Feb. 17. Interment followed at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Port Jefferson.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Please visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guestbook.

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Fay Lobianco, 82, of Port Jefferson Station, died on March 5. She was born on Aug. 14, 1932, in the Bronx, daughter of Anthony and Angie Martone.

Fay was a retired secretary at Einstein hospital in the Bronx. She enjoyed cooking — her specialties were rice balls and eggplant parmigiana.

She is survived by her daughters, Elaine (John) Fulfree and Michele, three grandchildren and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony, and sister, Anna.

Arrangements were entrusted to Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket, where services were held. Committal services were private.

Her family requests contributions in her name to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

An online guest book is available at www.bryantfh.com.

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