The Journal News from White Plains, New York • Page 14

B2 ROCKLAND JOURNAL-NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, lWl BURTON, B1 WHAT'S AHEAD Meetings in Rockland today Mrs. Burton died of cancer yesterday. She was 58. Born in Manhattan on Sept. 18, 1932, to Frank and and Ella Mar-kovics Kurte, Mrs.

Burton was a longtime resident of Spring Valley. She served as president of the Rockland Civil Service Employees Association unit since 1986 and worked in the finance department at Rockland Community College in Viola. Mrs. Burton is survived by her husband, Murray of Spring Valley; a daughter, Ellen Saks of Chicago; two sons, Dr. Frank Burton of Bal Harbor, and James S.

Burton of Spring Valley; and a brother, H. Nicholas Kurte of New York. Following today's service at Hellman's, 15 State Spring Valley, Mrs. Burton will be entombed at Shrine of Memories at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale in Westchester County. Memorial donations can be made to the Vicki Burton Memorial Fund, P.O.

Box 569, Monsey, N.Y., 10952. The money will be used to further the labor studies education of worthy unionists in Rockland County civil service for the benefit of county employees. COUNTY Rockland Industrial Development Agency, 7:30 p.m., legislative conference room, Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road, New City. Agency will begin considering an application from Oakbrook Shopping Center for funding. RAMAPO Speak Out Forum on Reforming State Government, 1 to 3 p.m., boards and commissions room, Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Airmont.

Assemblyman John Bonacic and the Assembly's Republican Steering Committee will discuss state government reform. Western Ramapo Summit, 3:30 p.m., boards and commissions room, Town Hall, 237 Route 59. Leaders will discuss proposed commuter lot near Hillburn. Wesley Hills Senior Center Meeting, 12:30 p.m., Senior Center, 332 Route 306, Wesley Hills. CLARKSTOWN Techical Advisory Commission, 10 a.m., Andrew Jackson Room, Town Hall, New City.

Planning Board, 7 p.m., Room 311, Town Hall, New City. Sanitation Commission, 8 p.m., Andrew Jackson Room, Town Hall New City. ery of the Hudson Valley. "It is so nice to see again normal trees and hills," he said. "We feel very warm here." The Fazisi will remain at the marina until sometime next week.

Murnikov encouraged boating enthusiasts to visit the dock and come aboard his creation. E. Tamu Bess, 39, former resident of Spring Valley, fatally shot in Los Angeles S' iWHMH 1 I I I I 3 I 1 From page but whose word "was as good as gold." "We sat at opposite ends of the table many times and we had some bitter disputes," Grant said. "I think we had a great deal of respect for each other. She fought (cancer) as hard as she fought for her membership.

We are saddened by her passing and our hearts go out to her family." Legislature Chairman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-Clarkstown, also praised Burton. "She truly was a fine and excep YACHT, From page B1 "The country was virtually closed," he said. "It was like banging the wall with your head and suddenly we realized you could make a hole in the wall and we did." Murnikov, who travels on the boat with his wife, now calls the boat his home, and his address is OBITUARIES Edward F. Berletic Haverstraw man's father Edward F. Berletic of Ardsley, a retired Westchester County police officer and father of a Haverstraw man, died of cancer at his home Monday.

He was 68. Mr. Berletic was born Nov. 13, 1922, to Frank and Mary Surin Berletic in Yonkers, where he grew up and attended school. In 1941, he graduated from Roosevelt High School.

During World War II, Mr. Berletic served as a private in the Army. On Oct. 12, 1947, Mr. Berletic married Dorothy Butler at St.

Mary's Church in Yonkers. He attended the Westchester County Police Academy and served as a patrolman with the county parkway police for 22 years, before retiring in 1971. For 33 years, Mr. Berletic also worked as a part-time plumber for Walsh Plumbing in Yonkers and later as a self-employed plumber. He worked until becoming ill last year.

After moving to Ardsley in 1951, Mr. Berletic became very active in the community's civic affairs. He was a member and commander of the American Legion Post 458 and the Elks Club. He also participated in clothing and fund drives for disabled people and needy children. Mr.

Berletic was also a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ardsley, where he served as an usher and bingo worker. His hobbies included hunting and bowling. Mr. Berletic is survived by his wife; four sons, Billy of Haverstraw, Edward of Mahopac, David of Hartsdale and Douglas of Ardsley; two daughters, Cathy Laing of Yonkers and Jeanne Scheflen of Ossin-ing; two brothers, Stephen and Frank both of Yonkers; two sisters, Mary Richards of Yonkers and Victoria McClellen of Tampa, and eight grandchildren. Two brothers, John and Joseph, died earlier.

Memorial donations can be made to the Rosary Hill Nursing Home, Linda Avenue, Hawthorne, N.Y. 10532. Yonkers Funeral Home in Yonkers is handling the arrangements. Pearl Epstein Rocklander's mother A service was held Sunday for Pearl Epstein, the mother of a Spring Valley man, who died Friday at the Universal Medical Center in Plantation, Fla. She was 84.

She was born Aug. 10, 1906, to TRAVIS Monuments Sinn 1IV9 223 Main Nyack, N.Y. 358-0567 Largest Display In County Work In All Cemeteries lar-fox Chirek ffouer-s Across from Nyack Hospital All major credit cards honored 358-6330 84 N. Highland Ave. (Rte.

9W), Nyack To Publish: Death Notices Card of Thanks In Memoriams St. Jude Lodge Notices Call: 694-5147 Before Day of Publication M-F: 7:30 am 8:45 pm 8 am 8:45 pm 3 pm 6:45 pm Obituaries Call Local Gannett-Westchester Rockland Papers Listed in Telephone Directory tional lady, a gentle yet forceful individual," Zebrowski said. "She could come out and knock your block off in the interests of her membership. But five minutes later, she would sit with you and be compassionate and understanding." Rockland legislators closed their monthly meeting last night in memory of Burton. A funeral service for Vicki Burton will be held at 1 p.m.

today at Hellman's Memorial Chapels in Spring Valley. anywhere the boat is docked. It has been a year since he stepped foot in the Soviet Union. Before beginning the tour last month, Murnikov was in Florida organizing Fazisi USA, the name of the racing syndicate that will enter the next Whitbread race. So far the only frightening mo Hyman and Sarah Provisor Heitner in New York City.

Mrs. Epstein was a homemaker and resident of Margate, Fla. She is survived by her son, David Epstein of Spring Valley; two daughters, Renee Licht of North Lauderdale, and Tina Silverstein of Somerset, N.J.; one sister, Dorothy Basch of Florida; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Max Epstein, died in 1956. A brother, Max Heitner, died two years ago.

Arrangements were handled by the Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, Tamarac, Fla. A period of mourning will be observed at the home of David Epstein today and tomorrow. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Robert Katz Rocklander's father Robert Katz, the father of a New City woman, died yesterday at the Nathan Miller Nursing Home in White Plains. He was 85.

Mr. Katz was born in Brooklyn on May 10, 1906, to Frank and Sarah Jaffe Katz. He married Edith Levine on December 12, 1934, in Brooklyn. Mr. Katz split his time between homes in White Plains, N.Y., and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Prior to his retirement in the late 1960s, he worked in construction on Long Island and in Westchester. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Joan Locker of New City and Susan Siegal of Syosset, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements, made by the Edwards Funeral Home in Dobbs Ferry, are private. Martin Saul Kronowitz market manager Martin Saul Kronowitz, a Congers resident, died yesterday at Nyack Hospital. He was 58.

Mr. Kronowitz was born in New York City on June 5, 1933, to Arthur and Bella Wandel Kronowitz. He was a manager at the A Plus Mini-Market in New City. Mr. Kronowitz is survived by his wife, Lena Pearl Kronowitz of Staten Island; his father, Arthur Kronowitz of Congers; his son, Billy Kronowitz of Staten Island; five daughters, De-bra DiTieri, Faye Smyth, and Susan Kronowitz, all of Staten Island, Rita McPartland of Brooklyn, and Joy Gentile of Yonkers; three brothers, Sheldon Kronowit of Mission Viejo, Meyer Kronowitz and Murray Kronowitz of Congers; and four grandchildren.

His mother died in 1973. Today's service will be held at 1 p.m. at Menorah Chapels, 21-45 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, N.Y. Burial will take place at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, N.J. The family will observe a period of mourning today from 4 to 9 and tomorrow from 12 to 8, at 30-33 Hyland Blvd, Staten Island, New York.

James L. Leyden retired NYC cop James L. Leyden, a former police officer and substance-abuse counselor, died of cancer Monday at his home in Valley Cottage. He was 70. Born in Manhattan on Feb.

12, 1921, to Mary McMorrow and Thom- LIST OF DEATHS PAULICK, Evelyn Of Thellls, NY, formerly of Ulster County. Arrangements to be handled by SHANK EY FUNERAL HOME, Pearl River IN MEMORIAM JONES, Silvia Petersen Mom, It hat been 3 years since we lost you. We remember and appreciate all you were to us In the love we give our families. We miss and love you always, Susan, Lorl, Lisa and K-K ment on the tour came just outside of Philadelphia when lightning struck the boat's 90-foot mast, Murnikov said. Nobody was hurt, but some of the craft's instruments were melted.

After spending time among the palm trees and flat terrain of Florida, Murnikov appreciates the scen as Leyden, Mr. Leyden was raised in the south Bronx and attended St. Luke's Catholic Church. He moved to Valley Cottage 12 years ago. Mr.

Leyden served as a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II, achieving the rank of second lieutenant. In 1965, he retired as a sergeant from the New York City Police Department after 22 years with the force. He oversaw the creation of the substance abuse program at U.S. Economics Laboratories in White Plains, where he worked for 18 years. From 1971 until 1987, he served on the board of directors of Alcoholics Anonymous in Westchester.

Mr. Leyden was also named to the President's Council on Alcoholism by Richard Nixon. His wife, Margaret McAneney, died in 1988. They had been married for 45 years. A brother, James McMurray, also died previously.

He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Woods of Pearl River and Ann Hayward of Valley Cottage; one son, James of Crestwood, N.Y.; two brothers, Thomas of New City and John of Upper St. Claire, two sisters, Catherine Custer of Randolph, N.J., and Mary Smith of Mount Vernon, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church, Pearl River.

Burial will take place at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont. Calling hours will be today and tomorrow from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Pearl River. Memorial donations can be sent to St. Luke's Church, 623 E. 138th Bronx, N.Y.

10454. Rose Marinelli lifelong Rocklander Rose Marinelli, a lifelong Suffern resident, died yesterday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. She was 87. She was born in Suffern on May 10, 1904, to Pasquale and Concetta Carrissimi Marinelli. Miss Marinelli was a retired hat maker for Milliner Manufacturing in Suffern.

She is survived by two brothers, Fidelis Marinelli of Suffern, and Vincent Marinelli of Sarasota, two sisters, Frances Marinelli and Violet Kirkpatrick, both of Suffern. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Suffern. Burial will take place in St. Luke's Cemetery in HoHoKus, N.J.

Calling hours will be today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Scarr Funeral Home, Route 202, Suffern. Anna M. Martin lifelong Rocklander Anna M. Martin, a lifelong Spring Valley resident and a food services employee, died Monday at the Dr. Robert L.

Yeager Health Center in Ramapo. She was 98. She was born in Spring Valley on Jan. 25, 1893, to Leonard and Thebe Eshultz Singer. For many years, Mrs.

Martin worked for Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River in the food services division. She also was employed as a cafeteria worker with the East Ramapo school district. She lived on South Main Street in Spring Valley and was a member of the St. Joseph's Church in the village. She also belonged to the church's Ladies Sanctuary Society.

Her husband, William, died in 1967. She is survived by one son, William of Spring Valley; a sister, Mildred Baker of Saugerties, N.Y.; six grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Boniface Church in Monsey.

Burial will be at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Nanuet. Calling hours are tomorrow from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hanne-mann Funeral Home, 88 S. Broadway, Nyack.

The family requests memorial contributions to Respect Life 114 S. Main Spring Valley 10977. Alfredo Valdez Spring Valley accountant A funeral service will be held Friday for Alfredo Valdez, a Spring Valley accountant who died of a heart attack Monday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. He was 51. Born in the Philippines on Jan.

12, 1940, to Cirillo and Maura Villon Valde, Mr. Valdez moved to Spring Valley five years ago. He was employed as an accountant for Pressman Gutnan, in Manhattan. He is survived by his wife, Dali-say Nanez Valdez of Spring Valley; one daughter, Jessica Valdez of Spring Valley; one son, Jason, of Spring Valley; three brothers, Antonio, Ernesto and Rodolfo Valde, all of the Philippines; and three sisters, Matilde Bonabon, Erlinda Valde and Celirina Valde, all of the Philippines. Friday's Mass of Christian of Burial will begin at 10 a.m., at St.

Catherine's Church in Blauvelt. Burial will take place at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Nanuet. Calling hours are today and tomorrow from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Moritz Funeral Home, 290 Route 303, Tappan.

Brenda Dawn Vogel New City resident A service will be held today for Brenda Dawn Vogel, a New City resident, who died yesterday at the Hackensack Medical Center in Hack-ensack, N.J. She was 20. Ms. Vogel was born in New City on Oct. 27, 1970, to Joel and Fredda Willner Vogel.

She graduated from Clarkstown South High School in 1988 and had completed her junior year as an Art Film major at Bard College in An-nandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. She is survived by her parents of New City; a sister, Nancy of New City; a maternal grandmother, Rose Willner of Brooklyn; and paternal grandparents, Abraham "Shakey" Vogel and Helen Vogel of New Mil-ford, Conn. Today's service will be held at 11 a.m. at the Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Spring Valley. Burial will take place at the Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, N.Y.

Memorial donations can be sent to Tomorrows Children at the Hackensack Medical Center, 90 Prospect Hackensack, N.J., 07601. Susan Zannetti homemaker Susan Zannetti, a homemaker and former resident of Suffern, died yesterday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. She was 68. She was born in Babylon, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 1922, to George and Gertrude Murphy Curling.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Zanetti of Lakehurst, N.J.; two sons, Scott of Valley Cottage and Bob of Westport, one daughter, Barbara Muir of Pomona; three sisters, Eleanor Santoianni of Sloats-burg, Ronnie Ireland of Los Angeles, and Madeline Fiore of Clinton, N.J.; and six grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated tomorrow at 10 a.m. at St. Boniface Church in Wesley Hills. Burial will take place in Ascension Cemetery in Airmont.

Calling hours will be today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wana-maker and Carlough Funeral Home, Route 59, Suffern. Memorial contributions can be made to the United Hospice of Rockland, 5 Park View Plaza, Thiells Mount Ivy Road, Pomona 10970. By David McClendon Staff Writer A funeral service will be held next week in New York City for former Spring Valley resident E. Tamu Bess, who was fatally shot last week in a robbery attempt in Los Angeles.

Bess, a television producer, was shot in front of a co-worker's home by a man trying to steal her purse. She and the coworker had just returned from a party celebrating the completion of a documentary on African-American contributions to the arts, The Los Angeles Times reported. Bess, who lived in Rockland from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s, was shot shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday as her co-worker parked her car in front of the home, Los Angeles Police Detective Dan Andrews told the Times. Bess died in surgery at Midway Hospital Medical Center, Andrews said.

The driver of the car, whose identity was not disclosed, was unharmed. "She was exuberant and enthusiastic about life," said Spring Valley resident Eleanor Charles, Bess' godmother. "It's truly a loss. She had just begun to make her mark. She had so much to give to a humane society." Merritt Dalton of Spring Valley remembered Bess from their days at St.

Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Spring Valley and from Spring Valley National Association for the Advancement of Colored People youth meetings. He said she was a "very talented and graceful African-American woman." "(Tamu) was a very striking, intelligent, articulate woman," Dalton said last night. "I never met anyone like her. She never talked down to people and she had a very deep-rooted black consciousness." Bess was shot as she and her friend returned from celebrating the completion of a "Story of a People," a two-hour television special documenting the African-Americans' contributions to the arts, said Frank Dawson, an executive at L.A.-based S.I. Communications.

As the pair pulled in front of the home, a man approached the driver's side of the car, pointed a handgun through the window and demanded the women's purses, police said. "The women were startled and didn't do anything momentarily," Andrews said. "Then (Bess) said 'Oh, and the bandit extended his gun, pointed it right at the victim and shot her." The gunman then fled, empty-handed. Bess arrived in Los Angeles from New York City last September, giving up the life of a grass-roots organizer for a chance at a job in television production, according to friends. In New York, she had done public relations, free-lance magazine writing and worked as special assistant to former New York Secretary of State and Deputy Mayor Basil Patterson.

She had been active in African-American political circles in New York. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, and journalist E. Tamu Bess in a 1969 photo Charlayne Hunter-Gault were among those who expressed sadness over the killing. "Everybody is the wrong person to be dead, to be killed," said Hunter-Gault.

"But someone with so much life and so much promise and such a gift of commitment and spirit it's a waste." "It sounded like a terrible, unfortunate, senseless shooting," said Waters. "She was slowly adjusting to life in Los Angeles," said Nduga Chancier, Bess' roommate. "It was difficult for her, being a stone New Yorker." Co-workers at S.I. Communications remembered her as a hard-working professional, dedicated to her work but always willing to share a bit of kindness. "She's one of those special, unique people who touched the lives of many people," said Dawson.

"Tamu was a wonderful person." Born Evna Denise Ellington in New York City on Aug. 30, 1951, Tamu Bess was the daughter of Emory Arthur and Dorothy Pearson Ellington. She and her family moved to Spring Valley in 1954. She graduated from Spring Valley High School in the late 1960s. She attended Fisk University in Nashville, majoring in political science and communications.

Until she moved to Los Angeles last year, she was a community activist in New York City. She was a member of St. Paul's Africa Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Spring Valley. Her father died in 1975. A service is scheduled for Tuesday at the Cathedral of St.

John the Divine, 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, New York City. Viewing will be from 2 to 3 p.m. The funeral and memorial service is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Cremation will be private. She will be buried with her grandmother, Hattie Pearson, at the White Plains Rural Cemetery.

She is survived by her mother, Dorothy P. Ellington Ashley of Washington, D.C., and a brother, E. David of Los Angeles, Calif. Arrangements are by the Benta Funeral Home in New York City..