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Obituary

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Robert Higgins

Robert “Bob” Higgins passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on Jan. 4, 2025. He was 89.

Higgins was born to John and Mabel Higgins on April 2, 1935. He and his eight siblings were raised in Yonkers.

He attended Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers and graduated from Fordham University in 1959. It was there he met his beloved wife, Joan, whom he was married to for 60 years. He is now reunited with her in eternal rest. He will be greatly missed by his children, Laura, Brian, and Jeanine; his grandchildren Brian and Tyler Lombardi; and his siblings Mary, Joe, and Margaret. He was predeceased by his siblings John, Catherine, Nora, and Alice.

Higgins’ 89 years were well-lived and hard-working. He spent over 30 years working for Equitable Life Insurance in New York City, as well as several years with Cigna and New York Life before retiring. He rode the Long Island Railroad every day and often spoke of the friendships he had forged with fellow commuters. He regularly met several of them for lunch long after his retirement.

He served 40 years in the United States Navy Reserve, achieving the rank of commander before retiring in 1995. In 1973, he was briefly called into active duty for Operation Homecoming, where he debriefed prisoner of war repatriates following the Vietnam War.

Following his duty, he was recommended for a promotion. He was a true patriot with a generous heart.

Higgins enjoyed traveling with his family and friends and often took cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and did research to locate relatives from his family tree in Ireland, traveling abroad to meet many of them. He applied for and was approved for Irish citizenship.

He enjoyed playing golf with his neighborhood buddies, loved a good lobster or steak dinner, and frequently asked to visit Orem’s Diner or treat his grandsons to hibachi.He never wanted anyone to worry about him, always asked if you needed any money and was sure you would hit traffic, wherever you were headed, no matter the time of day. He was a quintessential sports couch potato—if there was a game on TV, he was watching it. A die-hard Jets fan, he was a season-ticket holder for over 60 years. It was his family’s dream to see a Super Bowl win alongside him.

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Eric Botticelli

Prepared by the Botticelli family

On Dec. 17, 2024, Eric Botticelli died. He was a son, brother, friend, musician, and a brilliant mind.

Eric’s flame burned out far too soon, leaving his loved ones with hearts heavy with sorrow but also overflowing with love and gratitude for the time they shared with him. Eric was born on Sept. 22, 1984, and from the moment he entered the world, it was clear he was something special. Even as a young child, he had a sensitivity and curiosity that set him apart. He saw beauty in the smallest things. On walks through a park as a young boy, he would often stop to pick tiny flowers for his mother, a gesture that captured the depth of his kindness and thoughtfulness.

Music was a defining part of Eric’s life. Just before his third birthday, he began playing the violin at the local Suzuki School. His love for music grew alongside him as he progressed from performances in grade school concerts to joining the NYU Orchestra in 2002.

To watch Eric play the violin was to witness the purest form of expression. It wasn’t just notes on a page; it was a glimpse into his soul. Eric’s talents didn’t stop there. Academically, he was a force to be reckoned with: He excelled in mathematics and science and earned a full scholarship to New York University as a computer science major.

However, Eric was never one to be confined to a single path. He had a deep appreciation for the arts. Literature, music, and painting enriched his world just as much as equations and algorithms. Eric was a man of contrasts and harmony. He was as analytical as he was creative, as logical as he was tenderhearted. He left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him, whether through his music, his intellect, or his gentle spirit.

Today, his friends and family grieve his sudden passing but also celebrate the life he lived—a life that was vibrant, meaningful, and beautiful. His loved ones find solace in memories of Eric: his bright eyes, his music, his laughter, and the countless ways he touched their lives.

Eric is survived by his parents, Paul and Louise Botticelli; his brothers, Damon and Brian; his three nephews, Axel, Hiro, and Nathan; and his niece, Ella.

If you would like to share your memories, thoughts, feelings, or pictures of Eric on a Kudoboard, please send a request to 631-987-4817, and a link will be sent back to you. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Saturday,  Jan. 18, 2025, at 2 p.m.  at the Setauket Presbyterian Church located at 5 Caroline Ave., East Setauket.

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Audra Weiss

Prepared by the Weiss family

Audra Weiss, 57, a resident of Mill Valley, California, passed away on Dec. 31, 2024, with her husband and children by her side. The wife of Jim Weiss and mother of Ethan, 23, and Emily, 20, Audra was a quiet yet powerful force who walked through life exuding grace, strength and class.

As the matriarch and CEO of the Weiss family, Audra will be sorely missed by family, friends, neighbors and her community at large. She was a devoted “Mama Bear,” loyal friend and passionate advocate for those who suffered, especially those living with cancer.

Born and raised in Coram, New York, Audra graduated from the Whitman School at Syracuse University and forged a career in healthcare communications. She met her husband Jim through a mutual friend and found they had been living parallel lives. He also went to Syracuse and worked in the same field, but they had never met. Like When Harry Met Sally, they built a strong friendship that led to an unbreakably strong marriage of nearly 25 years.

She knew from the start that she would happily trade in her stellar professional career for a lifelong role in motherhood. She welcomed Ethan and Emily into the world and devoted herself to her calling.

Audra’s intellect and brilliance shone in the backdrop of Jim’s entrepreneurial quest to build a leading global communications firm. As an advisor and confidante, Audra made her mark on the business that would become Real Chemistry. To her, success was a vehicle to do good—giving back through the Weiss Family Office.

When she was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, she turned her journey into advocacy, crossing paths with The Dempsey Center and recently joining their board. She was a staunch ally who always demonstrated kindness, courage, integrity and care.

Even in the later stages of her disease, she prioritized others—especially those who had recently received a cancer diagnosis. In her words: “No one can do this alone.” Selfless to the end, Audra was committed to sharing her wisdom about the cancer journey and her vision for providing free holistic medical care to patients in need.

Audra will be remembered by her family, friends, colleagues and her Syracuse Color War crew as a brave warrior who believed, with every part of her being, that she could defy the odds. For two years, she did, until the burden of her disease became too great.

In addition to her husband and children, Audra is survived by her parents, Ronni and Mark Nass; her brother, Eric Nass, and his wife, Lisa; her uncle and aunt, Steve and Honey Schwartz; her brother-in-law, Harry Weiss; and sisters-in-law, Beth Weiss and Cindy Weiss. She also leaves her longtime furry companion, Kona.

Services were held at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. Donations in Audra’s memory can be made to The Dempsey Center, Family Reach, Hope Lodge and the Cancer Research Institute.

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Henry John Romanowski of South Setauket and formerly of Mattituck, passed away on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. He was 78 years old.

Henry was born on March 14, 1946 in Riverhead, NY to Rose and Henry Romanowski. After high school, he took on the family business of Romanowski Farms. From there he would eventually go to work as a farm operator for Delea Sod Farms for 37 years.

Henry is survived by his fiancé Linda McGlynn of South Setauket, NY; children Kevin Romanowski (Paige) of Mattituck, Henry Romanowski Jr. of Laurel and Stacey Matyas of Rhode Island, and grandchildren Peter and Ryan.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 11th at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held following the mass at Polish Hall in Riverhead from 12-3:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mattituck Lions Club would be appreciated.

DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck is serving the family.

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Danny Bacher

The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook has announced that one of its most beloved performers Danny Bacher passed away on December 16 following a heart attack. He was 48.

Bacher’s credentials and world-class talents make for an impressive and illustrious list. Bacher excelled as a vocalist, soprano saxophonist, dancer and composer and delivered jokes and banter effortlessly. Bacher recently published a book titled Collecting Laurel and Hardy, about his personal extensive collection of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia. At the time of his death, he was working on a Harry Nilsson recording project.

“It goes without saying that The Jazz Loft will never be the same without Danny,” said Tom Manuel, friend and founder of The Jazz Loft. “I will always have the utmost respect and admiration for Danny as a musician and an artist. Quite frankly he embodied what no artists have anymore. He was 100% in, 100% of the time— a consummate performer. He truly loved every stranger that sat in front of him. The music was always the number one priority. He appreciated the songwriter, the arranger, the history, the vision of the show, and especially the musicians that backed him up.”

Bacher was an early supporter and performer for The Jazz Loft and is credited with the first “official Jazz Loft gig,” which occurred well before the renovations were completed around 2014.

“We did a concert at what was at the time called The Ward Melville Heritage Organization Education & Cultural Center to bring awareness to the Loft project,’ recalls Manuel. “As the years progressed Danny became such an important part of the personality of our Sinatra Show, Rat Pack Show, and our Nutcracker amongst other things.”

Along with his numerous appearances at The Jazz Loft throughout the year, Bacher kept a busy touring schedule and worked at venues such as the Blue Note, Birdland, Feinstein’s 54 Below, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Town Hall. He performed several times at Carnegie Hall and most recently alongside the legendary Michael Feinstein. Bacher released two studio albums as a leader, “Swing That Music!” and “Still Happy” on the Whaling City Sound label. A recent recipient of the prestigious Margaret Whiting Award, Bacher was also nominated for best male vocalist in the 2019 National Jazz Times reader’s poll along with Harry Connick, John Pizzarelli, and Michael Buble, and in 2020 and 2021 placed in the top four in the country alongside Kurt Elling, Gregory Porter and the legendary Tony Bennett. He also received a 2023 Bistro Award for outstanding achievement as a singer/instrumentalist in the New York entertainment community. Bacher was personally selected by the 98-year-old jazz legend, Terry Gibbs, as the vocalist to record his Songbook.

When not performing, Bacher dedicated his time to arts education in his home state of New Jersey. As part of the nationally-recognized Educational Arts Team, he taught arts-integrated curricula to a variety of grade levels, as well as acting, theater improv, magic and puppetry. Along with his brother, Danny was the co-creator of the beloved after-school puppet series “The Backyard Players” (2008-2012), and has helped to run Camp Liberty, an arts-based summer program in Jersey City, for the past decade.

“Danny was a special person and real friend to me,” said Manuel. “I loved him like a brother and I’ll really miss him.”

Bacher is survived by his wife Erin Bernard-Bacher. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Ronald L. Gerry

*This article has been updated to reflect the correct dates for the service. We regret the error.

Prepared by Kara Hahn

Ronald L. Gerry of Ocoee, FL (formerly of Stony Brook) passed away peacefully on December 7. He was 81. Family, volunteer firefighting and love of home, community and country defined his life which was rich in purpose and deep in connection.

Volunteer firefighting was a core foundation of Ron’s identity. He was a Life-Member, Ex-Captain of Engine Company No. 1 and former Vice President of the Stony Brook Fire Department. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, his calling was to volunteer to protect his community as a firefighter. He joined the East Rockaway Fire Department as a teenager. When he and his wife Pam moved to Stony Brook Village in 1968, he immediately joined the Department. He quickly signed up for the Company’s Softball Team and rose in the ranks of the Department to Captain in 1978 – 1988. So committed to volunteering, that when his career brought him frequently to his company’s office in the Philadelphia suburbs, Ron rented an apartment so he could join a Fire Department there. As a result, he was a member of the West Whiteland/ Exton Fire Department in Exton, Pennsylvania from 1993-1995.  

Firefighting dominated his life both as a volunteer and as an advocate. Through founding and leading the Long Island Association of Firemen’s Benevolent Associations, as Vice President of the Central North Shore Volunteer Firemen’s Association and memberships in the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), the New York State Fire Departments’ Long Island Legislative Committee and the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Emerald Society. among others, Ron advocated for firefighters and their families.

In his professional career as an insurance broker, Ron had over 30 years of sales and management experience in the health, life and property insurance industries holding various positions from sales manager to Vice-President in the New York Life, Prudential Life, American International Group, Aetna and Mandeville Financial Services companies.  Firefighting found its way into his work as well. He learned arson investigation to be a part of the Aetna Arson Task Force and after establishing his own insurance agency, the Florian Agency, Inc., Ron carved a niche in offering life insurance products to professional firefighters in the FDNY. After the devastating terrorist attacks on 9-11-01, Ron attended dozens of funerals of his clients who had perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center and their families were forever grateful for the salesman who had convinced them to invest in coverage.

Ron was a proud Patriot, his love of Country was another pillar of his identity. The Gerry family legacy of service dates back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence where the family boasts of ancestor Elbridge Gerry, American Founding Father as signer of this document that led to the founding of the Nation. Ron followed in his father’s footsteps in the U.S. Army serving overseas in the defense of Europe from 1965-1967 as a Combat Engineer where he built bridges and other structures, studied atomic demolitions and munitions to become an explosives and demolitions specialist.

Ron in his younger years was a decorated athlete across many sports.  A star running back for the East Rockaway Rocks High School football team, Ron was Captain of the Track Team in his junior and senior years and still holds the ERHS record for the 50 yard hurdles. He won the state title in 1962 for the Long Jump, jumping 21 feet, 6.25 inches. ERHS Football teammate Mike Jacobs said, “It was often noted by spectators and other players that Ron ran and jumped like a gazelle, powerful yet graceful. He was an incredibly natural athlete who also worked diligently and dedicatedly to improve every time he hit the field.”

Ron was a well-known family-man. His love of his family was his most prominent attribute. He married his high school sweetheart, Pam Stevenson, a cheerleader who he met during his time playing football at ERHS.  Ron was a devoted father to four remarkable children and an adoring grandfather to his ten grandchildren. He was a proud and guiding presence in the lives of his children. His daughter Kara, a Suffolk County Legislator, often credited her father for inspiring her commitment to public service and her belief in the power of community. Kevin, a high school and college soccer star turned successful financial advisor, spoke often of his father’s influence in shaping his discipline and drive, values that led to his professional success not to mention his commitment to volunteer firefighting and EMT service. Kristin, a skilled CPA, carried forward Ron’s attention to detail and steadfast work ethic, building a life of accomplishment and integrity. Kurt, an attorney and high school and college lacrosse standout, reflected on his father, saying, “He built a climber on Christmas Eve in our living room so I would have a surprise on Christmas morning and then disassembled it and rebuilt it in our backyard when springtime came. I now strive to create those kinds of fun and memorable experiences for my own boys. I just sometimes wish I didn’t follow in his footsteps as a perennial heartbroken Mets fan.”

Beyond his role as a father, Ron embraced his role as a grandfather with boundless enthusiasm and pride. Whether attending sports games, school plays, or simply sharing quiet moments, his love and wisdom became the foundation of lasting memories for his grandchildren. Known for his kind smile and steady presence, Ron’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched.

Ronald was admired not only for his devotion to his family but also for his deep-rooted values. He believed in hard work and the transformative power of kindness. Friends and neighbors alike remember Ron for his quiet generosity, always offering a helping hand or thoughtful advice when needed.

“Working in the fire department with his son Kevin, who’s the same age as me, I looked up to him. Ron was legendary. He stole the other team’s playbook in terms of being an extraordinary firefighter, but he also did that in life,” said Sean Lynch, a volunteer firefighter who worked alongside Ron, as well.

Ron’s life was a testament to the enduring strength of family. He leaves behind a legacy not only in the personal and professional achievements of his children, but also in the love, guidance, and values he imparted to his grandchildren and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Though he will be deeply missed, Ronald L. Gerry’s impact will remain indelibly etched in the hearts of those who loved him. His spirit will continue to shine brightly in the lives he helped shape and the family he held so dear. Ron is pre-deceased by his father Clarance, his mother Maud and his brothers Harold and Jack and is survived by his wife Pam, daughters Kara Hahn (Christopher) and Kristin Ruffini (Mike) both of Setauket, sons Kevin (Jennifer) of Winter Garden, FL and Kurt (Casey) of New Hope, NJ as well as grandchildren Karina Gerry, Tyler and Samantha Ruffini, Hope Hahn, Kevin, Andrew, Kate, Nicholas, Carter and Eli Gerry.

Services will be held at Bryant Funeral Home, 411 Old Town Road in East Setauket on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and again on Friday, Dec. 20  from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery at 53  Hollow Road in Stony Brook.

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Harriet W. Cotroneo

Prepared by Anne Owen

Harriet W. Cotroneo, a longtime resident of Port Jefferson, died peacefully at her home in Setauket on Nov. 8, 2024. She was 103.

Born in Queens, Harriet moved to Port Jefferson as a teenager where she met her future husband Anthony “Tony” Cotroneo. The couple married in 1940 and made their home on Liberty Avenue, raising their daughter Anne and living there for many years.

In the late 1930s, Harriet began working as a telephone operator at the New York Telephone Company building on Main Street in Port Jefferson. After its closing, she became an information operator for AT&T, first in Smithtown and later in Patchogue. Following her husband’s death in 1978, Harriet continued working part time for the Comsewogue School District well into her 80s.

Harriet enjoyed reading, baking, traveling and spending time with her many friends. She especially loved luncheons, outings and holidays with her family. An animal lover, she found great joy and companionship in her dogs. Her optimism, determination and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures contributed to her long fulfilling life.

She is survived by her daughter Anne; son-in-law Michael; nephew Richard Butera; niece Concetta Butera and many friends. Interment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram.

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Carol Albano

Prepared by the Albano family

Carol Albano of Greenlawn passed away on Nov. 28 at the age of 76. She was the beloved wife of the late John Albano (1979) and the loving mother of Joanne Albano. Carol was a dear sister to Elizabeth Frisino (Patricia) and Joseph Frisino (Vicki) and a cherished cousin of Elena Muenckler, Susan Cantone and Jackie Pickle. She was also loved by her nieces and nephews, Kathy Derby, Liam Derby, Zack Frisino, Skyeler Pickle, and the late Noelle Muenckler.

Carol retired as the director of the library at Harborfields Public Library after 36 years of dedicated service.

Visitation was held on Dec. 3 at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 4 at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Centerport, followed by burial at St. Philip Neri Cemetery, East Northport.

In Carol’s memory, donations to the Friends of the Library at Harborfields Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn, 11740, would be appreciated by her family.

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Frank S. Bonura

Prepared by Theresa Jacobellis

Frank Bonura, MD, a beloved physician who touched countless lives during more than five decades of providing healthcare to Long Island women, died Oct. 31 after a brief illness. His energy was boundless, his knowledge endless and his dedication to his patients unparalleled. Maintaining his Smithtown medical practice for 55 years, Dr. Bonura was happiest when treating patients, which he did well into his eighth decade.

Born in Queens, Dr. Bonura served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, achieving the rank of captain. He earned his medical degree at the University of Rome and completed a rotating internship followed by a residency in obstetrical and gynecological pathology at The Brooklyn Hospital. Dr. Bonura also completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at The Brooklyn Cumberland Medical Center.

Shortly thereafter, he and his wife, Lenith (Leni), moved to Smithtown, where he established a solo OB-GYN practice. Over the next 35 years, he delivered close to 10,000 babies, often caring for multiple generations of women and delivering the babies of women he had previously delivered.

In 1978, Dr. Bonura joined the academic staff at the Stony Brook School of Medicine as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. In 1979, he was named chairman and director of OB-GYN at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, a position he continued to hold after the hospital became St. Catherine of Siena Hospital. He established the osteoporosis program at St. Catherine in 1998.

He stopped delivering babies in 2004 and shifted the focus of his OB-GYN practice to caring for women before and during menopause. In his typical style, he devoted himself to becoming an expert in this field by attending national meetings, reading the latest studies and eventually writing articles and a textbook chapter on menopause.

In 2018, Dr. Bonura was named director of menopausal health and osteoporosis at St. Catherine. As one of the few physicians in the region certified by the North American Menopause Society, Dr. Bonura was passionate about helping women navigate the symptoms that commonly appear at this stage of life.

When COVID-19 struck, he continued to treat patients, adding telehealth to his practice. He also began hosting monthly educational lectures on Zoom to share his vast knowledge about a range of common women’s health topics, including weight management, urinary tract infections, breast cancer, vaginal symptoms and hot flashes. More recently, he offered remote educational lectures to women through the Huntington library system.

Dr. Bonura was as committed to his own health as he was to his patients’. He regularly played tennis, lifted weights, practiced yoga and took spinning classes. He credited his wife, Leni, with keeping him in good shape by feeding him a healthy Mediterranean diet, which he often recommended to his patients.

In addition to his wife of more than 55 years, he is survived by two sons: Frank (James Pollock) Bonura and Christopher Bonura.

A visitation and funeral Mass were held at the Branch Funeral Home and St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Smithtown, respectively. Interment followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

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