District Conference Memorial Service April 19th 2009
Remembering those who have passed on
during the Rotary year

We sincerely apologize for any omissions. Send addition to info@Rotary7450.org
Rotary Club of Bensalem
Robert “Bob” DiLella passed away on October 24, 2008.
Rotary Club of Cheltenham Rockledge
Robert Smyrl
Rotary Club of Chester
”Donald A. Purdy, Esq. died November 23rd, 2008. Don was admitted to the Rotary Club of Chester on February 1st, 1971. For nearly 37 years, most with perfect attendance, Don was the very epitome of our Motto, "Service Above Self."
– President Cav
Rotary Club of Levittown-Fairless Hills
James J. Dougherty
Rotary Club of NE Sunrisers
”We lost 3 babies this year, all infants. One was the son of Past President Gary Winkler, one was the grandchild of Madrugadores Past President Hernan Brzuela, and one was the grandson of Past President Stan Feldman.
No members died. In our 9 years, fortunately, that has not happened.”
– PDG Bob Lankin		 Rotary Club of Oxford
Alice Childress
Rotary Club of Swarthmore:
Malcolm Campbell and Lane Johnson
Rotary Club of Upper Darby-Lansdowne
Rev. George Hewitt
Also remember:
April 25, 2009
Past District Governor Dan Guyon [2002-03] died April 25, 2009 after a long illness.

Dan served as the President of the Rotary Club of Glenside in the 1996-97 year and served as an Assistant Governor in the first class of 1998-99 year and for two years thereafter.

He was a dedicated Rotarian, a conscientious and dedicated leader, completely and carefully fulfilling all duties he undertook. He was unfailingly polite and consistently followed the four way test. His classification was banking. For a number of years he also served as the District Finance chairperson. Dan never married and had no children.
Rotarian Mordy Gerson, Past President of the Bala Cynwyd - Narberth Rotary club passed away April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Mordy was 82.  
Phil Schaeffer passed away on May 4, 2009, age 93. He was a charter member of Newtown Square Rotary in 1949 and became the 2nd president for 1950-51.  
Long-time Springfield Rotarian Denise Padley past away Monday, June 8. Denise joined the Springfield Rotary Club in 1989 and was the first woman president of the Springfield Rotary Club. She was serving as secretary of the club, a job she held for about 18 years.
She is survived by her husband Pete, a son, Pete Jr. and a daughter, Kim, and five grandchildren.
For more information, contact Sue Davia at 610-328-6350 or suedavia@verizon.net.
  

JAMES M. BRACKEN passed away Friday, June 12, 2009, at Sunrise Assisted Living of Dresher. He was 94. Jim was a Past President of the Broomall Rotary Club, 1977-78. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and a Member of the Gundaker Foundation as well. Jim was an award winning “Wood Carver” and displayed his “bird carvings” at several of the District 7450 Conferences. Born in Farrell PA, Oct. 29, 1914, he was the son of the late John J. Bracken and Caroline (Martin) Bracken. He was the husband of Virginia S. (Brooks) Bracken, who preceded him in death in 2008 after 67 wonderful years of marriage.
He is survived by one son, Neal F. Bracken, and his wife, Hania (Langenfeld); one daughter, Virginia (Bracken) Luther and her husband, the late Michael P. Luther; 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Jim was an engineer with FMC and the U.S. Navy Dept. He was active in both the Broomall and Westtown-Goshen Rotary.

Bristol Club ~ So far this year the following have passed away:
Bill Major
Richard Snyder
Ben Menta

For more information contact Joe Hetherington:
Joseph.Hetherington@verizon.net
(H) 215-284-9811

 
Several Rotarians attended the funeral services for Ben Menta at Hope Luthern Church, Levittown, officiated by Rev. William Carney, just before our Rotary meeting. Ben was an active Bristol Rotarian involved in a lot of charitable work. Ben seemed to understand: A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its own praise, or honor, or profit, or pleasure. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done from love to God, and good-will to men.
Henry Poor - died 9/28/09 of heart failure. He had been declining since leaving the hospital a week ago to be at home where every effort was made to make him comfortable. He was a remarkable person who touched many others in his lifetime of ninety-one years. Hopefully, they were the better for it. My sisters and I again want to thank you for your many remembrances of him. They mean a lot to us. --- Top Poor

Guy Woodworth died on October 11, 2009, after serving at the PNB Pancake breakfast the morning of October 10, 2009)
Guy Woodworth had been a member of Rotary for 35 years, and had just returned from living in the UK for 11 years, where he served as the president of his Rotary there last year in Salisbury. He had been in PMB for 24 years before moving there, and returned to our area this past July [2009].
His widow, Christine, (yankwoodworth@aol.com)
PNB club president, Ranjit Daphtary, (ranjit@daphtary.com)
The loss of Guy was significant to our club, as we have few members who have been so committed to Rotary for that period of time.
Bruce Ambler Shannon, age 61, of Landenberg, PA., went home to be with the Lord on Friday November 6, 2009. He was the loving husband of Joan (nee Herron) Shannon with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.
      Bruce was the devoted father of Kevin A. Shannon and his wife Maria of Philadelphia, Colleen Stamuli and her husband Greg of Boston, Meaghan Tocco and her husband Anthony of Pittsburgh, Timothy M. Shannon of Landenberg, and Bridgid E. Shannon of West Chester, and the loving grandfather of Cailin Stamuli. He is also survived many nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law. He was pre deceased by his parents Russell and Alice Shannon (nee Scott) and one brother Russell Scott Shannon.
      Bruce was Past President of the Avon Grove Jaycees, Home and School Association of Assumption BVM parish, and West Grove-Avondale Rotary Club.
       There will be a visitation on Wednesday November 11, 2009 from 4-7PM at Assumption BVM Church 300 E. State Rd.West Grove, PA 19390. A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7pm. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Social Services 105 Prospect Ave West Grove, PA 19390 of which Bruce was a foster father for many years. Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk & Grieco Funeral home Inc. (610-869-2685) of West Grove.


DR KAREN MORANTE
KAREN STURGES MORANTE left this world on Sept. 8, 2009, age 63. She resided in Fitler Square, Philadelphia. Loving mother of Giancarlo Morante, she was also the daughter of Arliss W. Sturges of Pittsburgh; sister of Arlene Haag of Swedesboro NJ; and aunt of Nathan Haag.
     Dr. Morante was for many years a bilingual school psychologist for the School District of Philadelphia.
     Karen was instrumental in bridging the gap for English language learners in Philadelphia, opening doors for them to achieve their college dreams. She was a founder of the BUSCA [Bi-lingual Undergraduate Studies for Collegiate Advancement] program at La Salle University, where she served as Adjunct Professor of English as a Second Language.
     Her undergraduate degree, a B.S. in Zoology from Ohio University was succeeded by a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Pittsburgh with a Special Education specialization. Karen received her Ed.D. from Temple University with Special Education Teacher Training and Administration and Bilingual Special Education Issues as primary foci as well as being certified in School Psychology.
     Karen was past Secretary of the North Philadelphia Madrugadores Rotary Club. She enjoyed the community service and education promotion of the club. Her Madrugadores friends will miss her—a lot!
     If you would like to contribute to a Scholarship Fund for BUSCA at La Salle University in Karen Morante’s name, donations may be sent to Attention: University Advancement Dept., La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141.
Checks are payable to: La Salle Univ., Memorial Gift to BUSCA		  

Rev Dave Thomas Click here for article - Click here for Obit
Rev Dave Thomas died Wednesday December 16th 2009
Member of Rotary Club of Longwood
For more information contact Dave Haradon <haradon@chesco.com>

 

Rita Graf, (nee DiFlorio) age 78, on Dec. 26, 2009. Beloved wife of Arnold H. of Newtown Sq. and devoted mother of Patricia A. DiGioia (Michael), Kathleen Ebersole, William Nagle, Stephen C. DiFlorio (Kathleen). She was the loving daughter of Giovina DeFlorio and the late Nicholas DiFlorio. Also survived by her stepchildren Jenny L. Patterson (Wayne), David W. Graf (Jean), Laurie S. Harvin, Paul E. Graf, Ellen C. Hart (Jonathan) and Amy E. Resto (Edward), 22 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, her sister Lola Tacconelli (Joseph) and 6 nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass Wednesday 11A.M. in St.

Memorial gifts may be sent in her name to The Rotary Foundation, c/o Newtown Sq. Rotary Club, PO Box 191, Newtown Sq., 19073 or St. Anastasia's Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Sq. 19073. Int. SS. Peter and Paul Cem.

      H. Randolph Tillett of Malvern, known affectionately as "Pete," died on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The cause was amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis. He was 75.
      Born in Leesburg, Va., he was the son of the late Eugenia and H. Randolph Tillett Sr.; husband of the late Nancy Tillett (nee Davis); father to Susan Giampetroni (Michael) of Merion
and Margaret Burton (Michael) of Narberth; grandfather to Davis and Isabel Burton; and brother to Sally Rogers (Richard) and Nancy Waddell of Leesburg, Va.
      Pete Tillett was a graduate of Virginia Tech and remained a loyal alum.
      He served as lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
      For his first job, he relocated to Pennsylvania, where he met and married Nancy. They shared a love of travel throughout their 44-year marriage.
      He spent many years in residential real estate and was formerly the chief administrator and secretary of the board of directors of Malvern Institute, which was founded by his
father-in-law, the late Dr. C. Nelson Davis.
       A long-time member of the Berwyn Methodist Church, he was also an active member and past president of the Paoli-Malvern-Berwyn Rotary Club.
       Pete's Life Celebration Memorial Service will be at noon Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Berwyn United Methodist Church, 140 Waterloo Ave., Berwyn, PA 19312.
      Memorial contributions may be made to Paoli-Malvern-Berwyn Rotary Club, c/o Carol Robinson, P.O. Box 833, Southeastern, PA 19399; or Berwyn United Methodist Church at the
above address.
       Arrangements are by Mauger-Givnish Funeral Home, Malvern.
Carol E. Robinson
Principal, F. D. Titus Elementary School
Central Bucks School District
cerobinson@cbsd.org crobin1@verizon.net

  

Ruth McCarthy:

Charter Member and Past President (2003-04) of the Abington at Edge Hill Rotary Club Ruth McCarthy (wife of PDG Tom McCarthy) passed away peacefully on Thursday January 7, "after all the family had been with her throughout the day. There will be a viewing at the May Funeral Home in Glenside (corner of Easton Road and Keswick Avenue - 354 North Easton Road) Monday evening from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Funeral mass will be at St. Luke's Church, Easton Road and Fairhill Avenue, Glenside at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday preceded by a viewing in the church beginning at 10:00. Burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery immediately following mass. --- Tom"

Dabbs Woodfin ’62
January 17, 2010 Dabbs Woodfin passed away suddenly on Sunday.
Dabbs was born February 28, 1940 in the small town of Brinkley, Arkansas. His dad was a farmer and retailer and he has a sister Maribeth and bother Max.

Graduating from Brinkley High School in 1958, Dabbs entered Hendrix College, graduating in 1962. He then started his post graduate work at Tulane University and secured both his masters degree and doctors degree from that esteemed university in 1968. He started his teaching career at Newcomb College (Womens College of Tulane University) for two years and then moved to Davidson College in North Carolina where he taught United States and European history for another two years.

Starting in 1968, Dabbs began teaching U. S. and European history at Temple University through 1975. The next career stop was at a nonprofit Lutheran program for handicapped people before moving to Sleepy Hollow Restorations, a group of museums in the Hudson Valley area of New York. Dabbs has been the Director of the Newlin Grist Mill since 1983 and a member of the Historical Commission for a period of time. Dabbs has a daughter Anne who works for Cargill in Chicago and he and Elsa (married in 1975) have two adult children. Kristin is 23. Son Max is 21 and is currently traveling in China. A student at the College of the Atlantic, Max has been a Rotary Exchange Student in Thailand and has spoken at our club about his life experiences. Wife Elsa teaches history at Montgomery Community College and is also the Director of the Social Sciences Division. It should be noted that his father and both of his grandfathers were members of Rotary International along with his brother-in-law, Cliff Harrison. Dabbs joined Concordville Rotary in 1995 and was our Club President in 2003-2004. He is our Gundaker Foundation Director and editor-in-chief of our weekly newsletter, the MinuteMan. Dabbs constantly displays what Rotary is all about!!!
 
Richard (Dick) Jackson
Funeral services were held at St. Anastasia Church last week [1/2010] for Richard Jackson. He was an active member of the Broomall Rotary Club and served on the scholarship committee.
A navy veteran of WWII, Mr. Jackson had been the treasurer and chief administrator of the Marple Newtown School district until 1993 when her retired to Holiday, Florida.
Mr. Jackson is survived by his daughter Joyce Callaghan and his grandchildren. He was 83 years of age.
For further information contact Paul J. Quintavalla Cell: 484/343-8560

Mary Faciollo passed away 1/19/2010
Mary was the widow of Frank Faciollo who was a past president of the Broomall Rotary Club. Mr. Faciollo was a real estate developer in the area. Mary continued her friendship with the club and often
attended social functions.
For further information contact Paul J. Quintavalla Cell: 484/343-8560

WILKINSON
12 December 1932 - 22 March, 2010
Joan Ellen Wilkinson Passed pacefully at the Trenton Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 22nd, 2010.
Beloved daughter of Elsie Hogan and the late Peter Hogan of Montreal. Loved wife of Wilfrid Wilkinson. Dear mother of Wilfrid (Bill) Wilkinson and his wife Karen of London, Peter Wilkinson and his wife Anne Ng of Unionville, John Wilkinson and his wife Loretta Shannon of Stratford and Stephen Wilkinson and his wife Maureen of Barrie. Also remembered by sisters Joyce Dionne (late Albert) of Montreal, Shaaron Hogan (Ron Hickson) of Brighton and grandchildren Kate and Conor Wilkinson, Sarah Wilkinson, Alexandra, Liam and Breen Wilkinson, Emma and Matthew Wilkinson. The family will receive friends at the RUSHNELL FUNERAL CENTRE, 60 Division Street, Trenton on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Peter's Church on Saturday, March 27th, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Father Brian McNally officiating. Interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to The Rotary Foundation.

Rotary Club of Media is sorry to have Lost four members this year.

They are:
Walter Strine (Honorary), Rev. Robert Keesel & Virginia Coombs & Jay Thomas

For additional information contact Ken Delmar [ President Rotary Club of Media] jkdelmar@verizon.net

  
Missing from your obit list are as follows: Jim Kohl, RC Ardmore Bill Justice, RC Ardmore. These two guys died within one week of each other late last month.
For additional information contact Richard Trivane 610-668-8868		  

Dr. Karen Morante from the North Philadelphia Madrugadores Rotary Club.

For additional information contact
Alicia Chizick
jenee_alicia@yahoo.com
Bruce Shannon of the West Grove-Avondale Rotary Club
For additional information contact Annette Miller
annetteam@verizon.net		  
Thelma K. Reimer
Thelma K. Reimer, wife of past president of Ardmore Rotary [1971-72] John K. Reimer, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2010 in Indian River Medical Center Hospice Care, Vero Beach, Fla. She was born and raised in Telford, Pa. and attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing where she met her future husband, Dr. John K. Reimer. After graduation, she worked as Head Nurse at Nix General Hospital in San Antonio, Texas and at North Penn Hospital in Pennsylvania. Thelma served on the Board of Directors of the Main Line YMCA and Knox Home for Seniors in Ardmore, Pa. She was also active with the Red Cross Blood Mobile.
A highlight of her volunteer service was working with her husband in Haitian and Honduran medical missions. Her first love was her family, and she is remembered as the biggest supporter of all their activities. Married for 68 years, Jack and Thelma enjoyed their last 20 years together at the Moorings and the Lakes in Vero Beach. She was greatly loved and will be missed by her family, husband John Reimer, and daughters and their families, Sally Sell (Ralph), Judy Smith (Barry), Janyce Mose (Hugh), and grandson Gunter Sell. There will be a private family service at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Fla
Tom Stuart, Past President of Ardmore Rotary.
Tom championed the Meade School reading program anongst other Rotary ventures.		  
Bob Moreland, 89
On July 16, 2010 our Club lost a friend as Bob Moreland passed away following a brief illness.
The Rev. Robert L. Moreland, 89, died last Friday at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Morgantown, W.Va., he lived in Plush Mills Senior Living and before that he lived in Swarthmore since 1975.
He attended Mercersburg Academy, where he was inspired to become a minister. This inspiration led Bob to the College of Wooster where he received a bachelor’s degree. While at Wooster, he met Martha Smith and they were maried on December 18, 1943. After graduating from Wooster, Bob attended Princton Theological Seminary where he earned a master’s degree in Divinity.
Rev. Moreland was a Presbyterian minister, serving Presbyterian churches in Joplin, Missouri, Harrison, Arkansas, Emporia, Kansas, and East Lansing, Michigan. He held a variety of administration positions in the Presbyterian Church, retiring as vice president of the Presbyterian Church Board of Pension.
Rev. Moreland was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, and was a member of Rotary Club of Swarthmore for 22 years.
Bob and Martha had 66 wonderful years together. They were blessed with four children, twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Bob led a full and meaningful life. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.