Arlene Cohn (1946-2025)
Arlene Paula Cohn, 78, died May 11 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
She was born in East Harlem on Aug. 7, 1946, the daughter of Paul and Jean (Scarantino) Nocella. She and her sisters were raised by her mother after their father died when she was 5.
On July 29, 1967, Arlene married her childhood sweetheart, Harold Cohn, in East Harlem.
Arlene loved mystery novels and enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean and casino trips, especially to Atlantic City, with her husband and friends. She was an amazing cook who reveled in entertaining family and friends with her delicious Italian cooking, her family said. Visitors never left her house hungry. Arlene cherished her family, especially her seven grandchildren.
Along with her husband of 57 years, Arlene is survived by her children, Laurie Colantuono (Mario), Lisa Simmons (Jeffrey) and Paul Cohn of Beacon; and her grandchildren, Vincent and Franco Colantuono; Miranda, Dylan and Evan Simmons; and Paul and Grace Cohn. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sandra Saponaro and her daughter-in-law, Nicole Cohn. Her sisters, Rose Cappiello and Nanette Towne, and her brothers-in-law, Richie Cappiello, Bill Towne and John Saponaro, died earlier.
A funeral service was held on May 15 at McHoul Funeral Home in Fishkill, followed by interment at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
Marianne Haase (1942-2025)
Marianne C. Haase, 82, died May 7 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, with family members at her side.
She was born Dec. 11, 1942, in Peekskill, the daughter of James and Julia (DeChristopher) Pugliese. On Dec. 7, 1963, she married Rudolf Haase.
Marianne worked at several restaurants, including the I-84 Diner and Denny’s. She had a passion and love for horses and was an animal lover, especially her cats. She enjoyed doing ceramics and crocheting. She had a wonderful voice and adored Elvis Presley and watching old Westerns. She loved being able to gather her large and extended family together.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Michael Haase (Adriane), Michele Haase (Michael Arrigo), Christopher Haase (Cheryl), Caryn Haase and Sean Haase; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and her neighbor and close friend, Irma Virtuoso. Her brother, Frank Pugliese, died earlier.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org).
Bob Sylvester (1956-2025)
Robert “Bob” Sylvester, 68, died May 8 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by family members.
He was born Oct. 15, 1956, the son of Heny and Margaret (Scofield) Sylvester. Bob graduated from Beacon High School in 1976 and married his high school sweetheart, Debra “Debbie” Goldsmith, on March 18, 1978.
Bob spent his career as an accountant but found his home away from home when he became the comptroller at the Kensington Publishing Co. Bob worked at Kensington for over 20 years and made many lifelong friends. It was bittersweet when he retired in 2023 to become a full-time “Pa” to his grandkids.
Bob was always the life of the party, making jokes, telling funny stories and making friends with almost everyone he met, his family said. He was a lover of history, music, literature and horse races. He also knew tons of random knowledge, which was excellent for trivia games, where he almost always was the winner.
He was always ready to lend a helping hand, be a listener or be your cheerleader at a dance recital, sporting event or school concert, his family said. Being able to spend more time with his family after retirement were the best years of his life. He was never one to say goodbye; he would always say, “See ya later.”
Along with his wife of 47 years, Bob is survived by his children, Jeremy Sylvester (Jessica Theiss), Megan Sylvester (Chris Guglielmo), Laura Sylvester-Garrand (Gordon Garrand) and Jen Sylvester (Sean Fallon); nine grandchildren, Halley Sylvester, Nathaniel Boyle, William Sylvester, Jacob Sylvester, Katherine Sylvester, Skylar Guglielmo, Zachary Fallon, Lyla Garrand and Sawyer Garrand; his sisters, Donna Penney and Mary Ritter (Robert); and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Timothy and Sandra Ludlum.
His brother, Henry Sylvester Jr., brother-in-law Dennis Penney; and in-laws, William and Hilda (Wolff) Goldsmith, died earlier.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held May 14 at St. Joachim Church in Beacon, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org).
Janet Volz (1940-2025)
Janet C. Volz, 84, a resident of Beacon, died May 8.
She was born July 9, 1940, in Beacon, the daughter of Harry and Marie (Weiner) Devine. She attended Beacon High School, married young and raised three children, several grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, as well as many dogs and cats.
Janet’s twinkling blue eyes and ready smile, her unparalleled self-deprecating humor and her willingness to step up and lend a hand to friends, neighbors, children and animals in need are her legacy, her family said.
She is survived by her sons, Thomas Montague Sr. and Brian Volz; her grandchildren, David, Chris, Michael and Thomas Montague, Shawn Webber and Jason Buckman; her great-grandchildren (Samantha, Hunter, Aria, Ana, and Sabrina Montague); and her sister, Doris Depew.
Her husbands, John “Jack” Montague and Clarence Volz; her closest friend and cousin, Rose Marie Pavelock; and her grandson, John Montague, died earlier.
A funeral service was held on May 14 at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey in Beacon, followed by interment at St. Joachim Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Dutchess County SPCA (dcspca.org).
