Jerry Antalek
Jerry Antalek (1941-2017)
Gerald “Jerry” A. Antalek Sr., 76, a lifelong resident of Beacon, died on Dec. 6, 2017, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by his family.
Jerry was born in Beacon on March 8, 1941, the son of Anthony and Mary (DeVera) Antalek. He married his high school sweetheart, Judith Thorn, on April 17, 1960. She survives at home.
Jerry attended Beacon High School and was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the DCSL championship football team in 1955 and 1956. After high school, Jerry worked for Culligan Soft Water. He was also a part-time Beacon City School District bus driver for many years.
Until his retirement in 1996, Jerry was a professional firefighter with the City of Beacon’s W.H. Mase Hook and Ladder Co., and a life member of the City of Beacon Fire Departments. He was also an honorary member of Slater Chemical Fire Company in Glenham and a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
He loved his annual fishing trips for almost 30 years to Echo Lake, crabbing on the Hudson and traveling to Atlantic City. He was an avid softball player and made many lifelong friends on the fields. Jerry was a Dallas Cowboys fan and thoroughly enjoyed the victories over the Giants. He spent many mornings “discussing” worldly matters with his brother-in-law, Gerry.
He was known by many different nicknames, most notably “Bubba,” “Tank,” “Jerry with a J,” “Big Jer” and “big guy.” His wife Judy was his constant companion and caregiver. Poppy loved his grandkids and was proud of everything they did. He also loved his granddoggies and doggy-sitting his pal, Murphy.
He always had a kind word for everyone and would have a cold one (the Silver Bullet) on ice for anybody that stopped by. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by his children, Gerald Antalek Jr. (Melinda Benedict), Michelle Stevens (Ryan) and David Antalek (Mary); his grandchildren, Jason Antalek, Emma, Eliza, Abigail and Amelia Stevens, Riley and Jack Antalek and Nicholas Antalek; his sister, Joann Gajdos (Ronald); and his sisters-in-law, Gail Antalek and Maryann Thorn.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 12 at St. Joachim Church in Beacon, with interment at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital (stjude.org) or the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (curethekids.org).
Sally Goodall
Sally Goodall (1934-2017)
Sarah “Sally” Goodall, 82, a longtime resident of Beacon, died Dec. 6, 2017, at her niece’s home in Geneseo.
Sally was born in Beacon on Dec. 11, 1934, the daughter of John and Margaret (Hagen) Goodall. She attended St. Joachim Parochial School and graduated from Beacon High School in 1952. She then went to work for 42 years at the Texaco Research Center in Glenham before her retirement.
Sally was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joachim – St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon and devoted her life to her large family. She was a very special aunt to all of her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Mary Goodall and Margaret Goodall, and her cousin Mary Collins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Dec. 11 at St. Joachim Church, with burial at the Old St. Joachim Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Joachim – St. John the Evangelist Church, 2 Oak St., Beacon, New York 12508.
Wilma Middleton
Wilma Middleton
Wilma Wright Middleton, 74, died Dec. 5, 2017, at her home in Beacon.
Born and raised in Hampton, Virginia, Wilma was a beloved mom, nanny, sister and friend. She married Ralph Middleton, who died before her.
She is survived by her son, Marc C. Turner (Trish Stephens) of Westfield, New Jersey; her grandson, Christian Turner; and two brothers and two sisters.
A remembrance service was held on Dec. 11 at the First Baptist Church in Bronxville. A wake and funeral service was held at Nickelson-Cummings Funeral Home in Hampton on Dec. 13, with burial at Hampton Memorial Gardens.
