Obituaries

Lifelong Brewster Man, who Received Purple Heart, Dies at 90

Beecher Funeral Home provided the following obituary.

John J. Santorelli, 90, a lifelong resident of Brewster, died Sunday at his home in Brewster.

John was born Oct. 18, 1922 in Brewster, to the late Ralph and Levia (Mortola) Santorelli. He was a graduate of Brewster High School in 1942. John served on the LST 327 in the US Coast Guard during WWII. John received the Purple Heart while serving his country.

John married Lena (Lee) Zerbato on Sept. 22, 1946 in Mahopac. 

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John was a general foreman for Metro North Railroad in Brewster for 30 years before retiring in 1985.

John was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 672 in Brewster, the D.A.V. Chapter 137 in Peekskill and the National LST Association.

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In addition to his loving wife, John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Richard J. and Ronnie Santorelli of Warren, CT; his three grandchildren: Rebecca, Matthew and Rachel; his brother Joseph of Sidney; his nephew John Pelaccio, his niece Linda Vivian, and numerous other nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his brothers, Anthony and Ralph. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church (on Prospect Street in Brewster). Interment following at St. Lawrence O’Toole Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the

John Larkin Seeley, age 58, of Brewster, entered eternal life Monday.

He was predeceased by his beloved parents Regina Larkin Seeley and William Massey Seeley and dear sister Deborah Anne. He is survived by Priscilla Casey, his cherished companion of 23 years; her three children and four grandchildren; his aunts, Ruth Lewis of Danbury, CT and Joan Larkin of Brewster; and several first, second and third cousins.

John was a graduate of St. Lawrence O’Toole Parochial School, Brewster High School  and the University of Hartford with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was employed for many years at James Staley Co. in Carmel.

John was a member of the Hudson Valley Regional Early Ford Club of America. He enjoyed gardening, music, reading, NASCAR and spending time with his family and friends and his much loved dog, Mandy.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church (on Prospect Street in Brewster). Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Beecher Funeral Home (located on Putnam Avenue in Brewster).

In lieu of flowers, John requested that donations be made to the adult and children’s art program at:

Ann’s Place, the Home of I Can Cancer Support Services

80 Saw Mill Road

Danbury, CT 06810

www.annsplace.org.

John attended this art therapy program and cancer supports ervices at Ann’s Place, which held a special place in his heart.

 (located on Putnam Avenue in Brewster, 845-279-3615).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to:

Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam Inc. (www.vnahv.org/donation)

540 White Plains Road

Tarrytown, NY 10591

Editor's note: The headline initially misstated Santorelli's age. The error has been corrected.


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