Martha E. Austin
Born In Rockaway

Martha E. Austin (nee Gerhardt) died on September 12, 2000 after an illness.

She was a clerk for the NY Telephone Co., working, as a wire chief’s clerk for over 30 years. She was a resident of the Norristown Pennsylvania area for a number of years and was a former member of St. Paul’s RC Church East Norriton Township.

She is survived by her two sons, Millard E. Austin jr. and Donald J. Austin; one sister Emily Kerrigan; 13 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Interment under the direction of Caramenico Funeral Home was held at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale.

Michael F. Bayler

Formerly Of Rockaway

Michael F. Bayler, formerly of Rockaway died early Monday, September 11, 2000 in Huron Healthcare Center after a brief illness.

He was born in Portland, Oregon and worked many years in construction and as a maintenance supervisor for NBC television studios in New York. He also served two years in the US Air Force.

He is survived by one son, Jessie Michael Bayler; his parents, Robert and Darlene (Hood) Bayler of Virginia Beach, VA; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell F. Hood of Portland; two sisters, Jennifer Bayler and her husband John McKay and Heather Bayler and her husband Charles Greenberg; three brothers, Stephen Lindberg of Sandusky and his wife Sharon, Greg Bayler of Virginia Beach, and Jeff Mongelli of Virginia Beach and his wife Carol Ann; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Private services were held under the direction of Groff Funeral Home in Sandusky, Ohio.

 

Sadie McKenzie Butler

Loved By Many

Sadie McKenzie Butler died at her home on Tuesday, August 29, 2000.

She was educated in Calhoun County Schools and was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of St. Mathhews, SC.

She is survived by her four daughters, Sally Slade of Rego Park, Janell Farmer of Hempstead, Celia Mitchell of Jamaica, and Joe Ann Felder of Far Rockaway; three sons, James C. Harden of Denver, George Butler of Yonkers, and Eddie L. Butler of St. Albans; two sons-in-law, Eddie Farmer of Hempstead, and Dickson Mitchell of Jamaica; 18 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; six nieces; three nephews; and a host of relatives and friends in Far Rockaway.

Interment under the direction of Chatmon and Benson Funeral Home, Inwood was held at Amityville Cemetery in Amityville, Long Island.

John Joseph Cashin

Breezy Point Resident

Mass of Christian Burial for John Joseph Cashin was celebrated on Wednesday, September 13 at St. Thomas More Church in Breezy Point.

John Cashin’s life spanned ninety-one fulfilling years. His parents, Delia and Richard came to America in the late 1800’s. Delia McPartland came over through Ellis Island with her two sisters. They found jobs as maids in wealthy homes in Brooklyn. Richard Cashin came over alone and as he had grown up on a farm raising horses, he immediately found a job as a blacksmith in Brooklyn. He also led horses and carriages around Prospect Park and was a groom. In those days funeral corteges were led by a horse and carriage. One of John’s early memories is of his father picking him up after a funeral and allowing him to take hold of the reigns and drive the beautiful horse and carriage back to the stable.

It was in Brooklyn, New York that Delia and Richard met and married. John was born on August 11, 1909. Together with his mom and dad and two sisters, Mary and Sally, John enjoyed the adventures and challenges their Brooklyn neighborhood provided. On November 1, 1938, John was appointed to the New York City Fire Department and was assigned to Engine 25 located at 1 avenue and 5 street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the men and the unity of effort when they worked together.

One evening while riding home on the trolley, John met two former neighbors, Ellen and Marie Phillips. This meeting was a turning point in John’s life and Marie’s as well. On June 6, 1942, Marie and John were married in Our Lady of Angels Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The years that followed were filled with joy and responsibilities that seven children would bring. Thanks to the work benches and tools that John used in the firehouse, the growing family had its share of cribs, bunkbeds and highchairs, including a twin highchair made from John'’ own plan. At the same time, John spent time studying for promotion in the Fire Department and progressed from firefighter to lieutenant to captain and then to battalion chief. His recollections of the fine spirited companies in which he served made wonderful stories over the years.

John was a member of the Fire Department’s Anchor Club, serving also serving as its president. Their efforts brought joy and happiness into the lives of orphaned children, cancer patients and the aged. We still marvel at the story of the three crosses, which illumined the Manhattan skyline on several Good Fridays in the early 1960’s. This was a special project of the Anchor Club. The Cities Service Tower, First National City Bank and Chase Manhattan Bank, three skyscrapers located in the financial district, were the setting for three-foot crosses which glowed from 6 p.m. to midnight on Good Friday. This involved considerable planning and coordination so that office lights could be adjusted for the formation of the crosses. These symbols were visible from most bridges and parkways in the general area.

John was gifted in mind, heart and hands. In 1952, he and four other firefighters began to build summer homes in Breezy Point. Our home was completed in 1953. In those early days, Bayside walk was called "Firemen’s Row." With an extension added for the winter months, it has been the happy gathering place for our growing family and friends for many years.

In 1968, after 30 years of service, John retired from the Fire Department he so truly loved. While in the Fire Department, he was elected and re-elected to the Executive Board of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA). He served for nine years and for six of those years he was Treasurer of the union. After his retirement, he accepted a position as Administrator of the UFOA Family Protection Plan, a health benefit plan. In 1969, John assumed the additional duties of administrator of the UFOA Annuity Fund, a supplemental pension fund. In 1974, he retired from both positions.

When John retired from the Pension Plan office, his eldest son, Tom joined the department and is now a deputy chief. Soon afterwards, Terry, presently a lieutenant, and Jim and firefighter, followed in the path that John so truly loved.

John loved Breezy Point and was active in his parish, St. Thomas More, serving that community as a lector and an Eucharistic minister and as a member of the Holy Name Society and the Catholic Club. He was elected as a director of the Breezy Point Cooperative in 1974. John served on the board for six years and was chairman of the Board of Directors for four years. While on the board, he chaired the Fire Committee and was a member of several committees including field operations, Employee relations, community relations and medical services. When John resigned from the board in 1980, Chairman Harold Madden’s words of appreciation included the following: "John Cashin has the unique ability to balance the needs of the individual stockholder with the requirements of the overall community. He will be missed."

John and Marie began spending winters in Stuart, Florida at Leisuer Village in 1979. They immediately became part of the community there, enjoying the many activities and involvements that the village offered. The friendships formed there remain an anchor in their lives today. In the winter of 2000, John was named the Volunteer of the Month in the Village newsletter. His contributions included serving on the Nominating Committee for the Board, editing their Leisure Village Newsletter, organizing evenings of "readings" and founding the Glee Club, which brought joy on many occasions. The award read in part as follows: "Above all John has always been the consummate gentleman, courteous on the road whenever you met him. His religion is not discussed, but lived for all to see."

John’s family, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are indeed grateful for the legacy that is ours. His words and example will ever remain a part of our living and loving.

Interment held under the direction of Denis S. O’Connor’s Funeral Home Inc., Rockaway Beach was held at St. Charles Cemetery.

William Lee Finn

Known As "Willie"

William Lee Finn was born to the late Thomas and Madgelene Finn in Salisbury, NC on March 4, 1943.

Willie moved to Rockaway at an early age. Here he attended school and worked.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Finn; devoted companion, Ms. Clara Favor; four children, David, Billy, Melvin and Renee; eight grandchildren; one brother, Jose Finn sr.; one sister-in-law, Vanessa Finn; one nephew, Jose Finn jr.; and a host of stepchildren and friends.

Interment under the direction of Jeremiah C. Gaffney’s Funeral Home, Inc., Inwood was held at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington.

Ivy Green

Far Rockaway Resident

Ivy Green was born in Jamaica, West Indies on December 7, 1921. She was educated in the Jamaica school system. In the summer of 1963 she married Issac Green and they relocated to Far Rockaway in 1976.

She is survived by three daughters, Elise, Maureen, and Juliet; one son, Joseph; five grandchildren; two brothers; one sister; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Interment under the direction of Jeremiah C. Gaffney’s Funeral Home, Inc., Inwood was held at St. Ann’s Bay Cemetery in St. Ann’s Jamaica, WI.

Marie M. Hawthorne

Loved By Many

Marie M. Hawthorne died on Sunday, September 8, 2000 at Peninsula Hospital at the age of 96.

Marie was married to the late Marion John Hawthorne. She was a member at Bethel A.M.E. church for over 50 years where she served on the Steward Board. She was also a member of the Daughters of Rockaway Elk Lodge.

She is survived by two sister-in-laws, Flossie H. Marshall of Cheraw, SC and Myrtle Marshall of Chicago, IL; one niece, Yvonne Pickett of Camden, SC; two grand nieces, Cassandra Poe-Johnson and Julie Soone; three grand nephews, Elmer L. Pickett, Dr. Charlton J. Pickett, and Charles D. Carter; three great grand nephews; one great grand niece; several cousins; a devoted caretaker, Mr. James Alexander Hughes; and an adopted nephew, Mr. Walter F. Godfrey.

She was predeceased by her four siblings, Clarence, Henry, Eulan and Jerome.

Interment under the direction of Chatmon and Benson Funeral Homes Inc. was held at L.I. National Cemetery in Pawnlawn, Long Island.

Eliska La Trell Jenkins

Missed By Many

Eliska LaTrell Jenkins was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on January 18, 1979 to Janice McCuthen Hardwick and Edward Jenkins.

She moved to New York to live with her stepfather and stepmother. She attended Beach Channel High School in Rockaway. After high school, she had a short career in modeling and worked in Footlocker as a saleswoman.

She is survived by her son, Jah’myne Kquamelle Jenkins; one aunt, Sandy; one sister-in-law, Melissa; two brothers-in-law, Aloysius Emega and Shawn; three nieces, Chantoya, Ke’shuntis, and Shaniqua; two nephews, Deshun and Shaquam; tons of family and a world of friends; one special aunt, Sandra Trammell and uncle, Emanual Trammel.

She was predeceased by her mother, Janice McCuthen Hardwick; grandma, Nellie Hardwick Andrews; aunts, Jeanette and Joyce; uncles, Albert McCuthen Hardwick, Johnnie McCuthen Hardwick, Maurice Andrews and Nathaniel Andrews; and niece, Daiquia.

Interment under the direction of Jeremiah C. Gaffney’s Funeral Home, Inc., Inwood was held at Plain Lawn Cemetery in Hicksville.

Joseph J. Nocerino

Known As "Joe No"

Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph J. Nocerino was celebrated on Monday, September 11 at St. Virgilius church, Broad Channel.

Joseph was a resident of Rockaway Beach for 27 years and a resident of Broad Channel for 25 years. He was a member of the North Channel Yacht Club and an inactive member of the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department. He loved to cook and to go crabbing and fishing.

He worked as an oil burner mechanic for Security and Bonded, subsidiary of NJ.

He is survived by his daughter, Jodi; his son, Joseph (Skip); one sister, Dotty Ann (Sist) Vennera; one brother-in-law, Ferdie Vennera; one brother, Joseph; three nieces, Ann Marie Russinello and her husband Glenn, Gina Vennera and her husband Joe, and Shannon Martin; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Nocerino and father, Samuel Nocerino.

Interment under the direction of Hillebrand Funeral Homes, Broad Channel was held at St. John’s Cemetery in Middle Village.