Thomas Johnston
Thomas Johnston (1958-2017)
Thomas E. Johnston, 58, of Beacon, died May 9, 2017, at Putnam Hospital Center.
Born in Poughkeepsie on Nov. 8, 1958, he was the son of Robert J. and Mary T. (DeForest) Johnston. Tom was a deputy director for the New York City Housing Authority since 1994.
Tom enjoyed spending time in his garden and tinkering around his house. Most of all, he loved helping those around him.
On April 14, 2003, in Beacon, Tom married Gerri “Gigi” (Wood) Johnston, who survives at home. He is also survived by his children, Veronica Rose Johnston of Putnam, Kacee Paige (Christopher) of Ledyard, Connecticut, and Catherine Johnston of Beacon; his grandson Joseph Thomas Rocco; his brothers Robert J. Johnston, Jr. of LaGrangeville, Sëan Johnston of Poughquag and Damian Johnston (Stephanie) of Coxsackie; his sisters Mary Fox (John) of Fort Ann, Jeanmarie Savoury of Torrington, Connecticut, Margaret Eldred of Mishawaka, Indiana and Susan Farioli of Lakeland, Florida.
A funeral service was held May 12 at McHoul Funeral Home in Fishkill. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Shanna Milligan
Shanna Milligan
Shanna Lenay Milligan, 47, died May 11, 2017, at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by her family.
Shanna was born in Beacon on August 14, 1969, to Barbara Ann Milligan. She attended Beacon City School District and received her diploma in 1989.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her daughter, Shakena P. Mitchell; five grandchildren: James, Nazyr, Iannah, Zion and Alahni Segarra; two sisters, Chrisann Monroe and Angela Milligan; and her boyfriend, Titus Stewart.
A gathering will be held at 10 a.m. on May 15 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 17 South Ave., in Beacon, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the church.
George Rapalje
George Rapalje (1939-2017)
George J. Rapalje, 77, a longtime resident of Beacon, died May 8, 2017, at home.
George was born May 28, 1939, in Cold Spring, the son of James and Susan (Scoba) Rapalje. He graduated from Haldane High School in 1957 as a three-season athlete and received a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Clarkson University in 1961.
On August 22, 1964, at Our Lady of Loretto in Cold Spring, George married his high school sweetheart, Carole Levine, who survives at home. George retired from IBM after 45 years. He was a parishioner of St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon.
In addition to his wife, George is survived by his children, Carole McElduff (John) of Newton, Massachusetts, Christine Petroni (Keith) of Decatur, Georgia, George Rapalje (Lisa) of Scituate, Massachusetts, and Anne Rapalje of Beacon. He also is survived by his grandchildren Jack, Claire, Colleen and Erin McElduff, Hope Elizabeth and unborn baby Rapalje; his step-grandsons, Nick and Joe Petroni; his brothers, John Rapalje (Carolyn) of Garrison, Michael Rapalje and Charles Rapalje, both of Cold Spring, and Peter Rapalje (Tanya) of Miami; his aunt, Margaret Gianchinta of Virginia; his uncle, Michael McCullough of Beacon; and his brother-in-law, John Levine (Kay).
George was a humble, patient man of deep character. He was guided by his religious faith and his devotion to family. Happiness was a Giants game and a good burger.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held May 13 at St. John the Evangelist Church in, with burial at St. Joachim Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church, 2 Oak St., Beacon, NY 12508.
