Cardinal Dolan Announces The Passing Of Cardinal Egan

Cardinal Egan - photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of New YorkEdward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop-Emeritus , 12th bishop and 9th archbishop and 7th Cardinal of the See of New York, died today.  

Cardinal Dolan’s Statement on the Passing of Cardinal Egan, Archbishop-Emeritus

My dear people,

I am saddened to tell you that our beloved Cardinal Edward Egan, the Archbishop of New York from 2000-2009, has gone home to the Lord.

Thank God he had a peaceful death, passing away right after lunch today, with the prayers and  sacraments of his loyal priest secretary, Father Douglas Crawford, in his residence at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.  He was rushed to NYU Langone Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:20 pm this afternoon.

Join me, please, in thanking God for his life, especially his generous and faithful priesthood.

Pray as well that the powerful mercy of Jesus, in which our Cardinal had such trust, has ushered him into heaven.

My sympathy to his natural family, who will grieve for their uncle, and to you, his spiritual family here in the Archdiocese of New York.

I’ll keep in touch as our arrangements are made.

May he rest in peace.

The cardinal was pronounced dead at NYU Langone Medical Center at 2:20 pm, cause of death was cardiac arrest. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Cardinal Egan was born on April 2, 1932, in Oak Park, Illinois. His Eminence was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on December 15, 1957. read Cardinal Egan’s full biography

Cardinal Egan was consecrated a bishop in 1985. From 1985 – 1988, Cardinal Egan served as Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar for Education of the Archdiocese of New York. In 1988 he was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport by Pope John Paul II. In the year 2000, he was appointed Archbishop of New York and made a cardinal in 2001. 

In May of 2009, at the age of seventy-seven, Cardinal Egan was retired as Archbishop of New York. He maintained and assisted in the works of the Archdiocese, while serving on a number of offices of the Vatican.

Death Notice - Sonja Kramer

KRAMER - Sonja, of Nesconset, NY, on February 25, 2015. Beloved wife of Ira Kramer. Loving mother of Christopher Kramer and his wife Kara, and Harold Kramer. Cherished grandmother of Taylor and Courtney Kramer, and Lisa Aronowitz. Dear sister of Yvonne Douthitt.  She is survived by many other family members and friends. Religious Service was celebrated at the funeral home. Interment Calverton National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the professional care of Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown and Vigliante family. Online guest book at www.branchfh.com

Obituary - Filomena Mastroianni

MASTROIANNI - Filomena, on February 16, 2015. Beloved mother of Michele (John) DeFalco, Deborah (Keith) Tompkins & Elisa (William) Pogue. Cherished grandmother of nine. She is survived by many other family members and friends.  Reposing at Branch Funeral Home 190 E. Main St. Smithtown, NY 11787.  Visitation Monday February 23, from  2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 PM. Funeral Service 11:00 AM Tuesday at funeral home. Interment to follow at Pinelawn. Arrangements entrusted to the professional care of Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown and Vigliante family. Online guest book at www.branchfh.com

Obituary - Rita G. Dunton

DUNTON - Rita G. -85 of St. James, L.I. (formerly of Farmingdale) on February 10, 2015. Dedicated Math Teacher for Three Village School District; President of the Junior League of Farmingdale; The Women’s Club of New York State. Loving wife of Harlow. Cherished Mother of Kenneth (Susan), Keith (Kathy), Allison Dunton, Ted (Linda) & John (Cathy). Devoted Grandma of 12. Dear Sister of Benjamin Gaylo, Mary Marquart, Joan Sebastiano and the late Joseph Gaylo, and the late Martin Gaylo. Friends may call the St. James Funeral Home, Inc. 829 Middle Country Road, Route 25, St. James on Monday 2-4pm & 7-9pm. Funeral Mass Tuesday at 11:15am at Sts. Philip & James Church, St. James.  Interment to follow at St. James Episcopal Cemetery, St. James. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington Street; Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (718)237-3800

Mrs. Dunton’s funeral arrangements were professionally supervised while the Dunton’s Families were lovingly cared for during their bereavement by Kenneth, Kerry and Ken Jr., the Maher Family of the St. James Funeral Home, in St. James.

Obituary - Veronica Mattes

Veronica E. Mattes, a longtime resident of Happauge, Long Island, N.Y., died January 3, 2015.  She was 95.  Beloved aunt of Patricia Zaccardo Muise, Kathleen Zaccardo (Dennis) Watson, Gregory (Joy) Zaccardo; devoted great aunt of Matthew Zaccardo, Fiona Watson, and Natalie Zaccardo, Veronica was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Marie Mattes Zaccardo.

Born and raised in New York, N.Y., she developed an early love of the history and culture that New York City had to offer, and lovingly devoted her life to imparting that appreciation to her nieces and nephew by frequently taking them to the various historical sites, architectural landmarks, museums, and cultural events throughout the City.  Her interest in early American history also lead her to take her young charges on “field trips” to such places as Old Sturbridge Village, Mass.; Mount Vernon, Va.; and Washington, D.C.

She was especially interested in her Irish background and, when she was 12 years of age, moved with her widowed mother and her sister to Ireland, her mother’s place of origin, where they lived among her Irish aunts, uncles, and cousins.   After spending a year in Ireland, she relocated with her mother and sister back to New York City.  Nevertheless, her year in Ireland made a lasting impression on her—she loved everything about the people and the country—and hence, as an adult, she looked forward to almost annual trips to Ireland to visit her beloved Irish relatives and friends.

She relished her status as the family historian, genealogist, and archivist, and, after researching the family crest, provided each family member with their very own copy.  From time to time, she regaled the family with her recollections of stories from the past of their Irish heritage—some of which dated back hundreds of years—that had been passed down to her from her mother and her Irish uncles.

Determined to obtain a college education, she worked her way through New York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1947.  Having begun her career at a small advertising firm in NYC, she spent the majority of her career—over 35 years—as the Comptroller of the Continental Envelope Company in New York, NY.  After her retirement in 1991, she enjoyed travelling and gardening at her home in Hauppauge for many years before entering Carillon Nursing Home, Huntington, NY in 2013, where she lived until her passing.

Arrangements entrusted to the professional care of The Branch Funeral Home Smithtown and Vigliante family.

Online guest book at www.branchfh.com