Beacon Obituaries

John Galloway Sr. (1970-2024)

John Eric Galloway Sr., 53, a lifelong Beacon resident, died May 3 suddenly at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. 

He was born May 27, 1970, in Beacon, the son of Joan Galloway. John graduated from the Beacon High School in 1987 and worked as a custodian for the Wappingers Central School District, including at Wappingers Junior High School, before his retirement.

On April 20, 2007, in Beacon, he married Christina Lynn Buchman.

John enjoyed many things: photography, listening to music, Marvel comics and plants. He was a sports fan and loved the Knicks and Dallas Cowboys.

Along with his wife of 17 years, John is survived by his children: Tomas Buchman, John Galloway Jr., Lyric Galloway, Jemond Galloway and Demetrius Galloway; his grandchildren: Daniella, Mylah, Kaia and Rhiza; his brother, Steven Galloway (Rashedah); his aunt, Sylvia Jones; his father-in-law, John Deese; his sister-in-law, Amanda Jackson; and his close friends Chris D., Johnny and Chris Q. His brother, Edward Galloway, died earlier. 

A remembrance service was held May 9 at Libby Funeral Home in Beacon. 

Steve Garrison (1962-2024)

Steve Garrison, 62, died on May 6 at his home, surrounded by family members and friends. 

He was born in Beacon on March 29, 1962, the son of Randall and Margaret (Ebeling) Garrison. Steve worked for the Beacon sewer and highway departments until his retirement.

On June 14, 2014, in Beacon, he married Melanie Babcock. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed carpentry. 

In addition to his wife, Steve is survived by his son, Steve Garrison; his stepchildren, Lauren (James) and Dylan; his grandchildren, Zachary, Julianna, Grayson and Eloise; his sisters, Kathy Miccio (Paul) and Linda Alexis (William); his brother, Larry Garrison (Rose); and his nieces and nephews, George, Devon, Larissa, Justin and Andrea.

Steve is also survived by his lifelong friends, Dick Malouf and Sean Detoro, and by his infamous Band of Brothers and their families: Jimmy Antonatos, Mark Thomas, Frank Maneri, Dave Way and Brendan Barry. John Koolian and Gary Maneri died earlier.

Family and friends gathered May 10 at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey in Beacon, followed by a reception at St. Rocco’s Hall.

Phillip Knight (1954-2024)

Phillip Lamar Knight, 70, died on May 6. 

He was born Jan. 5, 1954, in Fort Pierce, Florida, the third of eight children of Johnnie and Lennie Knight, and raised in Glenham, along with his siblings: 

He left a legacy of strength, wisdom and wit, his family said. Phillip’s unwavering coolness in the face of adversity, coupled with his sharp intellect and truth-filled sarcasm, endeared him to many. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of guidance, his familiy said.

Along with his mother and siblings (Wanda, Kagal, Jaliek, Alan, Brian and Wayne), he is survived by his daughters, Rachelle and Chavonne; his fiancee, Maria Alford; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and his former wife, Cynthia Powell. His brother, Earl, died earlier.

Family and friends will gather on May 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, 2 Beekman St., in Beacon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on May 13 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 Willow St., in Beacon, followed by interment at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Lorraine Koverda (1933-2024)

Marguerite Lorraine Koverda, 91, a longtime resident of Beacon, died May 4.

She was born March 24, 1933, in Peekskill, the daughter of the Francis and Susan (Kelly) Hughes. She graduated from Peekskill schools and the University of Albany with a degree in education. On May 5, 1957, at the Church of the Assumption in Peekskill, she married Frederick Koverda. He died in 2020.

Lorraine was a teacher at Beacon High School before her retirement.

Lorraine is survived by her sister, Maureen Turner, and her sister-in-law, Joan Hughes. Her siblings — Patrick Hughes, Francis Hughes, Thomas Hughes and wife Margaret Ann, Nancy Conrad and husband Lowel, Sue Tudor and husband Derek, and infant brother, Peter Hughes, died earlier, along with her brother-in-law, Sherman Turner.

A graveside service was held May 7 at Assumption Cemetery in Cortlandt. Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross (redcross.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).