Helen Link (1931-2016)
Helen Link, 85, of Beacon, died Nov. 27, 2016.
She was born Aug. 10, 1931, in Bayonne, New Jersey, the daughter of the Samuel and Jemima Henry. After graduating from Beacon High School in 1949, she worked at Texaco and IBM but her greatest joy was the many years she spent working throughout the Beacon School District, including the Beacon High “Doghouse” where she made many cherished and lifelong friends.
Helen is survived by her husband of 63 years, Edward Thomas Link; her sons, David H. Link, Gregg A. Link (Judy Agunzo); son-in-law, Michael Dougherty; grandchildren Sara Dougherty (Ray Stalter), Mary Sourdiff (James), Eric Link, Emily Link and Cassidy Gerhardt (Matthew); great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Nicholas, Matthew and Bradley Sourdiff and Eli Gerhardt; and nephews Willard A. and Michael B. “Eagile” Masker.
Her sister Charlotte Masker; brother Samuel Henry; daughter Debra Dougherty and son Edward Thomas “Tucker” Link Jr. died before her.
Funeral services were private. Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), 54 Simmons Lane, Beacon, New York 12508 (arfbeacon.org).
John J. Vitek Jr. (1930-2016)
John J. Vitek, Jr., 86, a lifelong resident of Beacon, died Nov. 28, 2016, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie with his family by his side.
John was born Sept. 3, 1930, the son of John and Elizabeth Vitek. He attended St. Joachim Elementary School in Beacon and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Newburgh in 1948. John was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. After arriving home, he worked for Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation for 39 years.
On April 18, 1954, at St. Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls, he married Barbara Mullen of New Hamburg, who survives at home.
John also is survived by his two sons, Dennis Vitek (Yolanda) of Hopewell Junction and John Vitek (Marcella) of Wallkill; four grandchildren (Ryan and Brittany Vitek and Michele and Jennifer D’Agostino) and five great-grandchildren (Averie, Katelyn, Ryder, Hayden and Ethan). He is also survived by a brother, Joseph Vitek (Linda) of Wilmington, North Carolina.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 2 at St. Joachim Church, with burial with military honors at St. Joachim Cemetery.
