Tom Adams

Tom Adams (1949-2018)

Thomas W. Adams, 69, a lifelong local area resident, died Oct. 28, 2018, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 203 in Beacon and the Knights of Columbus 445 Council in Beacon.

Born in Poughkeepsie on Oct. 28, 1949, he was the son of Willard and Freda (Dyer) Adams. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Marist College and a graduate certificate in court management from SUNY Albany.

On April 22, 2006, at West Point, he married Loretta Yandoli, who survives at home.

Tom served in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a major in 2005 after 36 years of service. He served as chief clerk of the New York State Supreme Court in Orange County, retiring in 2010 with 27 years of service. Before that, he was administrator of the Village of New Paltz; deputy superintendent of highways for the Town of Newington, Connecticut; and also worked for the Poughkeepsie Department of Public Works. Tom was elected to the Fishkill Town Board in 2015 and remained a councilman up until his death.

He loved fishing, golfing, cars and history.

Besides his wife, Tom is survived by his children: Courtney Menzies (Chris) of England; Christine Chadwick (Troy) of Fishkill; and Jamie Cevetillo of Fishkill. He also is survived by his grandchildren: Hugo Menzies and Isla Menzies, and his former wife, Kathy Adams.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Nov. 2 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, with interment with military honors at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Dutchess County 10-13 Foundation (dc1013foundation.org).

Ken Davies

Ken Davies (1963-2018)

Kenneth William Davies, 55, of Pleasant Valley, died Oct. 28, 2018, due to injuries sustained in a car crash. He worked for many years at the Lollipop Tree in Beacon.

Born in Poughkeepsie on June 6, 1963, he was the son of Leo and Joan (Young) Davies. He attended Poughkeepsie schools.

Ken was an avid fisherman, who enjoyed spending time with a line in the water, even if the fish weren’t biting.

On May 20, 2000, in Highland, he married Janice Moore.

Besides his mother and wife, Ken is survived by his children, Tina Commerford (Michael), Teri, Kenneth and Frankie Calabrese, John Surico and Vincent DeHart Jr.. He also is survived by many grandchildren and his siblings: Keith Davies, Kristina Davies, Kelly Davies (Cathy), Leo Davies (Cherise), Greg Davies (Amanda), Teri Alejandro (AJ), Darren Davies (Amanda) and Lisa Felder (Swain).

Memorial donations may be made to the Dutchess County SPCA (dcspca.org).

Flip Phillips

Flip Phillips (1948-2018)

David G. “Flip” Phillips, 69, a longtime Beacon resident, died Nov. 1, 2018, with his family by his side at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Dave was born in Poughkeepsie on Dec. 25, 1948, the son of William and Agnes (Franklin) Phillips. In September 1972, he married Beverly Smith, who survives at home. Flip served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. He retired from IBM in East Fishkill. He was a charter member of the Marine Corps League, Carmen Ramputi Det. 861 and a member of the Arlington American Legion.

In addition to his wife, Dave is survived by his daughters, Joanie Spiconardi and Susie Phillips; his grandchildren, Linda, Gray, David, Joey, Andrew and Sophia; his sisters Linda Barrett (Jack), Patricia Marino (Anthony), and Maryann Wolfe (Bruce); and his brother, Robert Phillips.

Dave was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved to find little treasures with his metal detector. He enjoyed going to flea markets and estate sales to find a deal. He was fiercely patriotic and proud of being a Marine.

A funeral service with military honors was held Nov. 4 at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey in Beacon.

Harlie Quiñones

Harlie Jane Quiñones, aged eight days, died in the arms of her parents and family on Oct. 30, 2018, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

She was the daughter of Alana and Joel Quiñones of Beacon. She is survived by her sister, Arielle Jane Quiñones, her maternal grandparents, Debbie Defeo and Alan Mathews, her paternal grandparents, Ana and Ramon Quiñones, her uncles, Juan Quiñones and Ryan Mathews, her aunt, Janira Quiñones, and a cousin, Isabel Quiñones.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Nov. 2 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Beacon, with interment at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the March of Dimes (marchofdimes.org).

Brian Smith

Brian Smith (1951-2018)

Brian R. Smith, 67, a Beacon resident since 1987 and formerly of California, died Oct. 31, 2018, at the Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne.

He was born in San Jose on Oct. 18, 1951, the son of Wilbur “Red” and Vivian (Riggs) Smith. For 20 years, Brian worked as a computer operator for Dutchess County, retiring in 2011. He enjoyed camping with his camping trailer and cherished his 1949 Chevy pickup, which he rebuilt and restored.

On Oct. 10, 1992, he married Linda Hickman at the Fishkill United Methodist Church.

Besides his wife, Brian is survived by his son, Joshua Smith (Kelly) of Glenham; his granddaughter, Emma Sophie; and his sister, Linda Thomas of California.

Interment was private at Rombout Cemetery in Fishkill. Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Foundation (arfbeacon.org) or the Rosary Hill Home, 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532.

Russ Van Pelt

Russ Van Pelt (1945-2018)

Russell E. Van Pelt, 72, a lifelong Beacon resident, died Nov. 1, 2018, at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh.

He was born in Cold Spring on Nov. 14, 1945, the son of William Russell and Jean (Carson) Van Pelt. He graduated from Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls in 1963. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 until his discharge in 1971 as a sergeant. He served in the reserve until 1973.

On Jan. 12, 1980, he married Janis Butler at the St. Mary Bedford Chapel in Fishkill.

In addition to his military service, Russ was a longtime volunteer firefighter. He was a member of Protection Engine Company 1 (Fishkill), which he joined in 1963 at the age of 18. He later served as vice president, company trustee, 1st and 2nd lieutenant and captain. Russ became the fire inspector for the Town and Village of Fishkill in addition to being the fire and safety officer for the Office of Children & Family Services. He was also the deputy fire coordinator for the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response.

From 1971 to 1980, Russ was a police officer for the Town of Fishkill and became detective corporal in 1975. Since 2004, he worked as a school safety officer at John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction.

For 32 years, Russ worked for AT&T at their facilities in White Plains and Newburgh. He retired in 1997 as national service manager. He enjoyed spending time as a ham radio operator and was a member and vice president of the Mount Beacon Amateur Radio Club. He also belonged to the Q.S.Y. Society and the American Legion Post No. 302 in Beacon.

Besides his wife, Russ is survived by two daughters: Tara Urbanak (Scott) and Sandra Scala (Jeff), and his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Daniel, Chyenne and James. He also is survived by his sister, Roberta Theiss (Frank Coluccio); his brother, William Van Pelt (Heleen); and his former wife, Susan Morrill.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, at McHoul Funeral Home, 1089 Main St., in Fishkill. A firematic tribute will take place at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson St., in Fishkill, with interment to follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org).

Behind The Story

Type: Obituary

Obituary: Reports the death of an individual, providing an account of the person’s life including their achievements, any controversies in which they were involved, and reminiscences by people who knew them.

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