Funeral Director, Past Fire Commissioner From NY Dies At 53: Leaves Behind 3 Kids Funeral Director, Past Fire Commissioner From NY Dies At 53: Leaves Behind 3 Kids
Funeral Director, Past Fire Commissioner From NY Dies At 53: Leaves Behind 3 Kids A Northern Westchester community is mourning a devoted father, firefighter, Navy veteran, and funeral director who died at the age of 53.  Shawn O’Mara of Verplanck died on Saturday, Sept. 13, according to his obituary.  Born in Peekskill in 1971, O’Mara dedicated his life to service in many forms. He joined the Navy after high school in 1991 and served as a medic during Desert Storm before being honorably discharged in 1994.  Back home, he trained at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service and became a licensed funeral director, eventually run…
Husband, Dad Killed In Meat Processing Facility Accident In Hudson Valley Was 'Friend To All' Husband, Dad Killed In Meat Processing Facility Accident In Hudson Valley Was 'Friend To All'
Husband, Dad Killed In Meat Processing Facility Accident In Hudson Valley Was 'Friend To All' A Hudson Valley community is grieving the loss of a beloved husband, father, and kitchen worker who died after a tragic workplace accident earlier this month. Salomon “Salo” Pop Chub, of Saugerties, died Monday, Sept. 15, after spending a week in critical condition following an accident at a meat processing facility. He lost a significant amount of blood and went into cardiac arrest multiple times, according to a GoFundMe campaign. “Salo was a cornerstone of our kitchen family and a beloved friend to all of us,” wrote organizer Ally Merritt, owner of Gracie’s Luncheonette in Leeds. Salo jo…
‘My First Love’: Girlfriend Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To NY Motorcyclist Killed In DWI Crash ‘My First Love’: Girlfriend Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To NY Motorcyclist Killed In DWI Crash
‘My First Love’: Girlfriend Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To NY Motorcyclist Killed In DWI Crash A Long Island family is mourning the loss of a 24-year-old man whose life was cut short by an alleged drunk driver while riding his motorcycle. Jerry Diaz Jr., of Nesconset, was riding on Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook when he was struck by a pickup truck near New Moriches Road around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, as Daily Voice reported. He died at the scene. Suffolk County Police arrested the pickup driver, 25-year-old Mark Anthony Giordano of St. James, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. In the days since, loved ones have flooded Diaz’ family with tributes and donations f…
'Soul Who Brought Light': Father, 32, Killed In NY Crash, Help Now Coming To Family 'Soul Who Brought Light': Father, 32, Killed In NY Crash, Help Now Coming To Family
'Soul Who Brought Light': Father, 32, Killed In NY Crash, Help Now Coming To Family As the family of a 32-year-old Sullivan County man who died in a tragic car crash last month in Orange County grapples with his loss, community members are coming together to help them pick up the pieces.  Ryan Dennis Tucker, a resident of Burlingham in Sullivan County, was killed on Friday, Aug. 15 after crashing his 2016 Honda on Route 416 in Montgomery, as Daily Voice previously reported.  Investigators said Tucker had been traveling west at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a turn at a yield sign onto Union Avenue. The car struck several trees off the road’s sho…
NY Firefighter, Actor Remembered As ‘Selfless, Kind’ After Fatal Crash At 27 NY Firefighter, Actor Remembered As ‘Selfless, Kind’ After Fatal Crash At 27
NY Firefighter, Actor Remembered As ‘Selfless, Kind’ After Fatal Crash At 27 A 27-year-old firefighter from Long Island is being remembered for his generosity, service, and larger-than-life spirit after he was killed in an ATV crash upstate over Labor Day weekend. Mason Kraese, of Huntington Station, died Saturday night, Aug. 30, when the ATV he was riding crashed into a tree in the town of Summit in Schoharie County, according to the sheriff’s office. Kraese, a proud member of the Huntington Manor Fire Department and the Steamfitters Local Union #638, came from a family with a long tradition of fire service.  His father, Phil, shared on Facebook that Mason ha…
'Unforgettable Human': Former Mayor, Town Supervisor Of NY Municipality Dies 'Unforgettable Human': Former Mayor, Town Supervisor Of NY Municipality Dies
'Unforgettable Human': Former Mayor, Town Supervisor Of NY Municipality Dies A much-loved former mayor and longtime civic leader in Putnam County has died. John Dunford, the former mayor of Brewster and Southeast Town Supervisor, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Danbury, Connecticut at the age of 80, according to his obituary. Dunford, a lifelong Brewster resident, was known for his decades of public service. He served as mayor of the Village of Brewster from 1977 to 1979 and later as Town of Southeast Supervisor from 2003 to 2007. He also held seats on the Southeast Town Board and worked as Commissioner of the Putnam County Board of Elections.  In reco…
Past Fire Chief From NY Dies Suddenly At 47: Remembered As 'Friend To Many' Past Fire Chief From NY Dies Suddenly At 47: Remembered As 'Friend To Many'
Past Fire Chief From NY Dies Suddenly At 47: Remembered As 'Friend To Many' The Orange County firefighting community is mourning the sudden loss of a past fire chief and longtime responder whose life was tragically cut short.  Joseph John Mazza Sr., 47, of Orange County, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Aug. 23, the Pocatello Fire Department announced.  Mazza was a past chief and commissioner of the Pocatello Fire District in Middletown and a member of both the Orange County HAZMAT team and the Orange County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, according to the department. "Joe was known and loved everywhere he went," the department wrote in a tribute…
Young NY Man Who Saved 8 Lives Through Organ Donation Remembered After Sudden Death Young NY Man Who Saved 8 Lives Through Organ Donation Remembered After Sudden Death
Young NY Man Who Saved 8 Lives Through Organ Donation Remembered After Sudden Death Community members are coming together to help the family of a young Orange County man whose sudden death earlier this month has left his family devastated — while his gift of organ donation saved the lives of eight people.  Brian T. Carey died on Tuesday, Aug. 19, according to his family. More information about the circumstances behind his death was not made public. In a GoFundMe page started by his sister-in-law, Carrie Massari-Carey, she wrote he was a man whose “laughter, kindness, and vibrant spirit touched everyone who knew him.”  "Brian was a bright light in our lives, and …
Services Set For Putnam County Sheriff After Death At 68 Services Set For Putnam County Sheriff After Death At 68
Services Set For Putnam County Sheriff After Death At 68 Service dates have been set to honor the life of Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville, who died last week at the age of 68. McConville died peacefully at home on Friday, Aug. 22, with his family by his side, as Daily Voice previously reported.  According to his obituary, friends and family will gather on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Clinton Funeral Home, located at 21 Parrott St. in Cold Spring. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following day, Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Loretto Church at 24 Fair St. in Cold Spring, with interment to foll…
Dutchess Man, 25, Dies In Unexpected Accident: Friends Now Seeking Help Sending Him Home Dutchess Man, 25, Dies In Unexpected Accident: Friends Now Seeking Help Sending Him Home
Dutchess Man, 25, Dies In Unexpected Accident: Friends Now Seeking Help Sending Him Home Following the unexpected death of a 25-year-old soccer player who resided in Dutchess County, his friends are now coming together to send his body back to his home country to be with his family. The effort has come in the form of a GoFundMe page started to raise funds to send the man, identified only as Alexander, back to his home country of Guatemala following his death on Monday, Aug. 18.  According to the page's organizer, Alex Serroukas, Alexander was a "great human being" who played soccer in Beacon and also worked at the Double O Grill in Wappingers Falls.  "With his hard work and da…
‘Lost a Great One’: NY Restaurateur Remembered For Heart, Community Spirit After Cancer Death ‘Lost a Great One’: NY Restaurateur Remembered For Heart, Community Spirit After Cancer Death
‘Lost a Great One’: NY Restaurateur Remembered For Heart, Community Spirit After Cancer Death Longtime patrons and relatives are mourning the loss of a beloved Ulster County restaurateur following her death from cancer. Julie Martin Swarthout, the steady heart behind The Anchorage Restaurant and Marina in Eddyville, died this week following a battle with a rare and aggressive cancer, her daughter Julianne shared on Facebook Thursday, Aug. 21. “Today, my heart is broken as I share that we’ve lost an incredible soul,” she wrote. “She was loved by everyone who knew her because she had the biggest heart and always put others before herself.” Julianne attributed her care for others, and…
Man Killed In Construction Accident In Hudson Valley; Support Swells For Partner, Young Son Man Killed In Construction Accident In Hudson Valley; Support Swells For Partner, Young Son
Man Killed In Construction Accident In Hudson Valley; Support Swells For Partner, Young Son Total strangers are coming to the aid of the grieving partner and young son of a man killed in a Hudson Valley construction accident. John Lust, 63, of Glen Spey, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, in a jobsite mishap in Sullivan County, according to a GoFundMe campaign. Details about the accident have not been released. “John was a devoted life partner to Lisa and a loving father to her young son, Lucas," organizers Doug Militzer and Amy Miller wrote. "His sudden passing has left an unbearable void in our hearts — and a financial burden for his family." The campaign, which had collected over $37…