Death Notice - Carol A. Higgins

Higgins, Carol A., age 84 of Smithtown, NY passed away on October 17, 2017. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert. Cherished mother of Thomas, William, Kenneth, Michelle and Patricia. Loving Grandmother of Kelley, Thomas Jr. (Brianna), Brian, Stephanie & Michael. Adored sister of Barbara (Robert) and Herbert (Patricia). She is survived by many other family members and friends. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, Smithtown, NY. Interment followed at 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 - Paul H. Kelly

Paul H. Kelly - July 20, 1943 - October 19, 2017

Paul H. Kelly passed away peacefully at his home in Merritt Island, Florida on October 19, 2017 at the age of 74.  A native of Kings Park, Paul also resided in Palm Coast, FL and Orange County, NY.

He is survived by his loving and devoted family:  Wife Maureen (McEvoy), daughters Sharron (Gregory) Jones, Lauren (Thomas) Mayfield, son Jonathan (Brigid) Kelly, and Step-Sons Adam (Corinne) Atri and Abel Atri. He leaves four grandsons, Charles and Thomas Triolo, James Mayfield, Sidd Atri, and an expected Mayfield grandson in 2018.  He also leaves three brothers, James (Patricia), Francis (Marie), and Lawrence (Diane) Kelly, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will mourn his loss.

Paul retired from the New York State Office of Mental Health in 1996, where his last position was Director of the NYS Out-Patient Mental Health Clinic in Peekskill, NY.  He started his career in 1961 at Kings Park State Hospital, with 1962 to 1965 away for service in the United States Army, 3^rd Infantry Division, in West Germany.

In 1971 Paul graduated with a Diploma in Nursing from KPSH, and became an RN psychiatric nurse.  He subsequently earned a BSN from SUNY Stony Brook, a Masters in Counseling from Long Island University, and a Masters of Health Care Administration from The New School for Social Research.  He served in a number of professional, teaching, and administrative posts in the NYS Office of Mental Health on Long Island, NYC, and Upstate New York.

Paul was an avid history buff, who over the course of his life amassed a substantial personal library.  He shared his love of history and learning with his children and his wife Maureen, with whom he retired to Florida in 2004.  He was also a talented drummer, playing with several informal jazz and rock bands on Long Island and Germany; the Suffolk County PD Pipe and Drum Band in the 1970s-1980s, and the Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes and Drums.

No one who knew Paul will ever forget his loving kindness, compassion, humor, and wit.  He was a mentor, leader, father, and friend.  He will be sorely missed.  

A Life Celebration will be held in Smithtown, NY on November 11, 2017 for local family and friends.  Please contact Lawrence Kelly for details:  HYPERLINK “mailto:lwkelly113@gmail.com” lwkelly113@gmail.com.  Memorial donations may be made to a cancer research organization of your choice.

Obituary -Biagio (Bill) Alba

Biagio (Bill) Alba, 87 of Lake Grove, NY on October 12, 2017. Born in Brooklyn NY to Joseph and Josephine Alba. Bill married, the love of his life, the late Grace Caruana in 1956. They were married for 57 years. He was a 20-year member of the New York City Fire Department starting in 1960. In 1963 he moved his family to Smithtown, NY and remained there his entire life. He was a fighter, charming and funny as well. He lived a long life in spite of his challenges. He was an avid skier, tennis player, scuba diver and loved his adventures at sea on the ValleJoe and the Windchantress.

Bill was someone who was willing to try new things and always bounced back with each and every challenge that came his way. He was steady, funny and full of love. He let Gracie take center stage, but was always in control as the strong and quiet variety. We will miss him terribly, but we are so grateful for the wonderful years full of family, friends, memories and love. He is survived by his 3 children: Valerie Lindeman, Lisa Procter and Joseph Alba and his 6 grandchildren who he adored: Kimberly Allen, Hillary, Natalie Lindeman, Emily, Addy and Sam Procter.

Religious Service was celebrated at the funeral home. Proud Veteran United States Army Korean War.Interment with Military Honors followed at Calverton National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the professional care Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown. Online guest book

Obituary - Reverend Hugh D.Cannon

SCPD Mourns Loss of Police Chaplain

Reverend Hugh D. CannonThe Suffolk County Police Department is mourning the loss of the Reverend Hugh D. Cannon, a Suffolk County Police Inspector Chaplain, who died yesterday at the age of 78.

Fr. Cannon became a chaplain for the Suffolk County Police Department on May 1, 2013. He also served as Chaplain of the Suffolk County Police Holy Name Society, a fraternal organization for Catholic law enforcement officers.

Fr. Cannon was prepared for the priesthood and received a Master of Divinity degree at the St. Louis De Monfort Seminary in Litchfield, Connecticut.  He was ordained to the priesthood on March 5, 1966.

From 1968 through 1972, Fr. Cannon served as an Associate Pastor at Infant Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Port Jefferson. He was next assigned to St. Ignatius Loyola in Hicksville for four years as an Associate Pastor, and then served at St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church in Bohemia from 1977 to 1984. In March of 1978, he was incardinated by Bishop John McGann as a diocesan priest for Diocese of Rockville Centre.

In 1984, Fr. Cannon was assigned by Bishop McGann as an Associate Pastor at Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church in Bellport and ministered there for five years. He was named pastor of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Plainview in 1989 and served there until his retirement at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in East Islip.

“Fr. Cannon provided an invaluable service to the men and women of the Suffolk County Police Department by offering support, guidance and comfort to our officers and their families in times of need,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini said. “Fr. Cannon touched the lives of many Suffolk County residents while serving parishes and communities across Long Island and he was truly a blessing to the police department. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

“Words cannot express the sadness I felt upon hearing first of Fr. Hugh Cannon’s passing. I have known Fr. Cannon for well over 30 years as we met at many of the meetings of the Islip Town Clergy Association. It was in 2013 when he was appointed Chaplain to the Suffolk County Police Department that the two of us became friends. Fr. Cannon was a very sweet and gentle man. The well-being of his own parish community and the police community held a very special place in his heart. I was always grateful to him, for when I needed a chaplain for a service or an invocation, he was always available and ready. I pray that he rest in peace and that his family and community find comfort to know that he served God with distinction,” Rabbi Steven Moss, Chief Chaplain of the Suffolk County Police Department, said.

Memorial Service For Reine A. Stocky Main Street Smithtown Business Woman

Reine A. Stocky, a long-time resident of Smithtown, passed away at the age of 97 on August 17, 2017 in Tarpon Springs, FL.  Reine immigrated to the United States with her husband after WWII and moved to Smithtown from New York City opening Charlie’s Barber Shop and Reine’s Beauty Salon on Main Street behind the train station.  She is survived by sons Claude and Eric, and three grandsons Charles, Luke, and Jakob. A service will be held 11:00 on October 21^st at Smithtown United Methodist Church,  230 E Main St, Smithtown, NY 11787.  Following the service will be a brief reception.