Obituary - Joel S. Lawson Jr. - Great Grandson Of Richard (Bull) Smith

Joel S. Lawson Jr., 91, Senior Scientist with the US Navy

Joel S. LawsonJoel S. Lawson Jr., one of the top scientists for the US Navy between 1965 and 1984, passed away on August 31, 2015 at the Kahala Nui Retirement Community in Honolulu, Hawaii.

As a result of his many contributions in areas such as C3I (Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence) and Electronic Warfare, the Navy awarded Dr. Lawson both the Meritorious Service Award and, in 1967, the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest award that the Secretary of the Navy can confer on a civilian employee.

Dr. Lawson was born July 3, 1924 and grew up in the Smithtown area of Long Island, where his family’s roots go back to the 1640s. He was the 6th Great Grandson of Smithtown’s founder Richard (Bull) Smith. He left college in 1943 to join the US Navy as a pilot during the Second World War.  After completing training, Dr. Lawson was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station.

He was honorably discharged in 1945 and married the former Grace C. Rumbough on January 6, 1946 in New York City.  They were married for over 44 years.  After Mrs. Lawson died in 1990, Dr. Lawson married Ann Libby, who died in 2013 after 21 years of marriage.

Dr. Lawson lived in Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1946 and 1947 while he completed his undergraduate degree in Physics from Williams College.  Dr. Lawson then earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois in 1953 and continued at the University until 1958, teaching and working on Defense Department related projects in the University’s Control Systems Laboratory, including working with the University’s Betatron electron particle accelerator.

“I remember asking Dad why he decided on Illinois”, said his son, Joel Lawson III. “His reply was exactly the impish one I would have expected from him – he said ‘I wanted to go where I would get to make lots of really tiny things go really, really fast.’”

In 1958, he moved to Belmont, Massachusetts to join Scientific Engineering Institute, where he focused on radar technology and some of the earliest defense applications of computer technology.

In 1965, Dr. Lawson moved to the Washington, D.C. area to join the Navy Department as Special Assistant (Electronics) to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for R&D.  At the request of the Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Command, in 1967 Dr. Lawson moved to Hawaii for one year to serve as Chief Scientific Advisor to the Admiral.

In 1968, back in Washington, Dr. Lawson became Director of Naval Laboratories, and later, Technical Director of the Navy Electronics Systems Command.  He retired in 1984 and moved to Hawaii.

In addition to receiving the Meritorious Service Award and the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Dr. Lawson was elected both a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an Active Member of the New York Academy of Sciences.

He was a long time member of the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., and the Pacific Club and Outrigger Canoe Club in Honolulu.

Dr. Lawson is survived by his four children, Joel S. Lawson III, Grace L. Hutchinson, William H. Lawson, and David R. Lawson, plus 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Dr. Lawson’s burial service will be on Friday, October 2 at the St. James Episcopal Church.

Obituary - Captain Robert A. Moore

Captain Robert A. Moore - March 16, 1948 - August 15, 2015 Resident of St. George, Staten Island and Winter Springs, FL. Born in Brooklyn, NY. Grew up in North Merrick, NY. Calhoun HS Class of 1965. Long Time (35 years) Resident of Smithtown (Hauppauge), NY. Passed peacefully at home surrounded by his adoring family

Devoted husband to his high school sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Cheryl; proud and beloved father of Kerry (Moore-Kelly), Thomas and their spouses Paul and Debbie; cherished brother to Bella (Jerome) Sadowski; Betty (Ray) Clark; Frank (Patty) Moore; forever loving Poppy to his 3 granddaughters (‘beauties’) Anna, Alexa & Vanessa; and loving son to his parents Frank and Guillermina Moore who welcomed him through heaven’s gate with open arms.

Captain Moore worked within the Port of NY/NJ for 48 years.  He was well-respected by his peers for his talent, skills and knowledge in piloting ships and appreciated by all for his wit and wisdom.  Captain Moore was described as a beloved, legendary presence within the working waterfront community.  He was regarded as an unparalleled shiphandler and an absolute gentleman by his coworkers and by ship captains calling on the Port of New York/New Jersey from around the world.  He was also a true New Yorker who loved the city, and whose knowledge of its harbor and history was likely unmatched. When informed of Captain Moore’s passing, his employer McAllister Towing Company lowered its vessels’ flags to half staff in his honor; his colleagues were deeply saddened when informed of his passing.

When Captain Moore wasn’t moving some of the world’s largest vessels within the Port of NY/NJ, he enjoyed life’s simple pleasures such as an early morning walk at Sunken Meadow park with his love Cheryl; a delicious meal and a glass of wine (or two) at his favorite restaurant with family and friends; spirited conversations about politics, history and topics his knowledge of which never failed to amaze; riding his ‘Indian’ motorcycle along Ocean Parkway; or watching one of his favorite movies like ‘On the Waterfront’.  Captain Moore’s most treasured way to spend his free time was with his beloved granddaughters. He was their adored ‘Poppy’ and time spent playing make-believe together and chatting about life was always the best part of their days.  On the day of his passing, Captain Moore was to have set sail with his beauties on a Disney cruise; but, instead he set sail on his own.

His loss is a profound one to all that knew him and loved him. We love you Poppy, forever and more. Please join us for Captain Moore’s memorial on Wednesday, September 16^th from 4pm – 8pm. St. James Funeral Home 829 Middle Country Road (Route 25), St. James, NY 11780 -

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a foundation close to Captain Moore’s heart: St. Baldrick’s Foundation (www.stbaldricks.org) or Ronald McDonald House (www.rmh-newyork.org).

Death Notice - Adam Soulopulos

SOULOPULOS - Adam age 92 of Nesconset, NY passed away on August 28, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Harriet. Cherished father of Irene Fiore and Christine (Anthony) Djinis. Loving Grandfather of Nikki, William, Michael and Christina and Great Grandfather of Christopher & Sophia. Adored brother of Anna Karras, Betty Turner and William Soulopulos. He is survived by many other family members and friends. Religious Service was celebrated at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption,Port Jefferson, NY. Interment followed at Northport Rural Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the professional care of Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown and Vigliante family.Online guest book at www.branchfh.com

In Memory Of Tina Marie Schomber

Tina  Marie Schomber

On Saturday, Aug. 29th  the Schomber family buried their beloved daughter, sister, mother and aunt, who perished as a result of a devastating house fire that completely destroyed her family’s home on Marquette Drive in Smithtown.

This was the home where Tina Schomber grew up with her brothers Sal and Mike, her devoted father, Don and their mom, Angela who lost her life over a decade ago. Tina still lived there with her family,  until the early Sunday morning hours of August 9th when smoke and fire blocked her escape as she attempted to save her cherished pets.

For over two weeks, Tina suffered unimaginable pain in the ICU at Stony Brook University Hospital; while family and friends held onto the hope that she would recover to rejoin them in a search for a new home. But it wasn’t meant to be. One tragedy led to another when Tina lost her courageous battle on August 25th. Now a grieving family is left with nothing but memories of that happy home reduced to a mound of charred debris .

A few heart breaking pictures of Tina as a child, one  in her Holy Communion dress, were lifted from the ashes. Other photos, show a house full of love with celebrations of all the wonderful milestones of family life. This was a home where all the children’s friends, neighbors  and family were always welcome. A place of nurturing and friendship - all  gone ,except for those memories that nothing can erase. Tina’s smiling face gives testimony to the love she gave as well as received in the short time she lived here on earth. She will be remembered for her delightful sense of humor, her kindness and her love for all creatures.

Despite the sorrow these tragedies have brought ,the outpouring of unconditional love and support from the community brings enormous consolation to her family. May Tina Marie Schomber rest in  peace in the arms of the angels.

Death Notice - Dennis A. Garrone

GARRONE - Dennis A. age 54 of East Hampton, NY passed away on August 24, 2015. Beloved son of Edward and the late Doris. Cherished brother of Edward (Pat), Michael (Connie), Richard (Maryetta) and Robert (Laura). He will be missed many nieces & nephews and many other family members and friends. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church. Interment followed at Mt. Saint Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the professional care of Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home of Smithtown. Online guest book at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com