Colette Carmeris
Colette Carmeris, 85, living in New York City, passed away on
September 28, 2023 from heart failure.
Colette was born on February 20th, 1938, to Charles and Catherine
(Agrafiotis) Carmeris in Belmont, Massachusetts. After graduating from Belmont High School in 1955, she went on to study at Lasell Junior College.
After graduating with a degree in Medical Administration, she began
her first job as a medical secretary to Dr. Robert N. Ganz, a longtime
Boston pediatrician, kickstarting a 50-year career. Colette moved to
New York City within a few years and soon got back into the field of Medical Administration where she had a long and distinguished career; first at The Hospital for Special Surgery and then at Weill Cornell Medical Center. In addition to managing a large
medical office on a day-to-day basis, she would often organize medical conferences in cities
throughout the world. Colette was also a mentor to several young people that she met throughout the years who went on to distinguish themselves and remain grateful to Colette for her guidance.
After retirement Colette spent her time frequently travelling to Cinque Terre in Italy during the winter months where she would enjoy reading by the seashore and conversing with the locals. She was an avid reader, loved to spend time with her niece and nephew and later with their
children. Colette was also an enthusiastic knitter; her holiday creations were a joy to everyone.
Colette is survived by her brother Dean (Susan); her niece Carolyn Carmeris Conover (Sean) and nephew Charles Carmeris (Megan); and their loving children.
Colette was known as ‘Auntie Coco’ to multiple generations of children. Not only to her actual niece and nephew, but to their children, children of cousins and many unrelated children who benefitted from her love, generosity and creativity.
Colette’s burial will be held at the Belmont Cemetery, in Belmont Massachusetts on October 25th, 2023 where her ashes will be interred with her parents.
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Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”
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CECILE OTTE PERNICA, 90, died peacefully on October 27, 2025. Born in Iowa, she lived much of her life in Wisconsin, graduating from Lawrence University in Appleton in 1957. Cecile had careers in public relations and marketing research upon moving to New York City in 1964. She was married to Joseph Pernica of Czechoslovakia who passed away in 2011. Together they conducted international and other marketing research for 10 years. She is survived by her brother David Otte plus many nieces and nephews in Massachusetts and Czech Republic. Services will be held at John Krtil Funeral Home on Monday, November 3, 5 PM - 8PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church at 411 E68th St New York, NY 10065 on Tuesday, November 4, 10AM with a Private Burial.
John S. Bracken (82), of Eltingville, Staten Island passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 surrounded by love from his immediate family. John, more affectionately known as Jack, was born on November 28, 1942 on Staten Island to John and Evelyn Bracken. John grew up on Staten Island but spent most of his adult life in Manhattan and The Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. While John was born a city man, he always heard the call of the wild deep in his heart. After spending many years in the city, he left for the peacefulness of the Upstate New York Catskill Mountain Range. There he spent his final years in harmony and total freedom, something he valued beyond words. As a young man, John served as a Paratrooper in the United States Army which was followed by a career in the FDNY during which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Throughout his life, John was a business owner, real estate investor, and restaurateur. One of his many ventures included being the proprietor of The Cathedral Cafe, a well established bar/restaurant on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, featured in both television and film. John married his loving wife, Maureen Elizabeth Murphy Bracken, on July 18, 1981 in New York City and together they shared 44 years of love and companionship. He is survived by his wife (Maureen Elizabeth Bracken, née Murphy), his daughter (Casey Elizabeth Ryan), his son-in-law (James Raymond Ryan III), and his grandson (James Raymond Ryan IV (JR)), his niece (Donna Bracken Albanese) and her husband (Jody Albanese), nephews (Richard Bracken JR. and Brian Bracken), great nephew (Richard Bracken III), and great nieces (Kristy and Jennifer Albanese).
Mary M. Terillo October 6th, 2025 Visitation Thursday, October 9th & Friday, October 10th 3:00pm-7:30pm Mass of Christian Burial Church of Saint John Nepomucene East 66th Street & First Avenue Saturday, October 11th 10:00am Burial Saint Charles Cemetery Farmingdale, NY Saturday, October 11th 12:30pm In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations in Mary Terillo's name. Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers P.O. Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545 (888) 627-9566 and/or Saint Francis Inn 2441 Kensington Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125 (215) 423-5845
Kelvin LaVerne (1937-2025) Kelvin LaVerne, 88, of New York, New York, died peacefully at home surrounded by family, on September 24, 2025. He was born in Bronx, New York in 1937 to Philip and Claire LaVerne. Kelvin often recounted his days playing stoopball, stickball, and other street games of the era. He lived blocks from Yankee Stadium and became an avid fan of the great teams of the 1940s and 1950s, sometimes watching the games and cheering with friends from a nearby rooftop. Born into a line of artists, Kelvin found his calling early on. His grandfather was a muralist, and his father, Philip, a talented, largely self-taught artist, who found success working and innovating in various materials, including glass, wood, and metal. As a teenager, Kelvin joined his father at the company Philip founded, producing works of both fine and functional art, including sculptured tables, mirrors, and wall-hangings. While busy working alongside his father, Kelvin also studied at the Art Students League and the Parsons School of Design, where he was influenced by the sculptor Seymour Lipton. By the 1960s, father and son had together built a successful business and were signing their works “Philip and Kelvin LaVerne,” which they sold in galleries and showrooms around the country. Letters of thanks and appreciation from clients filled the walls of their New York showroom, first on 57th Street, and then on Greene Street in SoHo. Seymour, Kelvin’s younger and only sibling, worked with the company in sales until he died tragically in 1967, far too young. After his father Philip died in 1987, Kelvin ran the business for another two decades. During this period, he produced mostly abstract, sculptural works. He cared lovingly and selflessly for his mother, Claire, who died in 2010 at the age of 94. Kelvin was a stalwart of the SoHo community for decades. In the 1960s, he and his father purchased a building on Wooster Street, where Kelvin worked for more than 40 years. He loved chatting with other artists and businesspeople in the area, eating in the local restaurants, and visiting the galleries. In 1967, Kelvin met Agatha, the love of his love, and wife of more than 50 years. They had three children and soon moved to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. They purchased a home in the community of Seaview, Fire Island, where they spent summers with their kids for many years. Kelvin loved the arts, movies, good food, photography, interesting people, and cats. As a younger man, he traveled widely. Full of insight into many areas of life, he was creative and creating until the end. Most of all, he loved his family – his wife, children (Sean, Darren, and Simone), their spouses (Vanessa and Cathy) and three grandchildren (Samuel, Teddy, and Nathaniel), all of whom survive him. Kelvin’s spirit and legacy will continue to inspire them, and all who had the opportunity to meet him in his long life. There will be a private service for family at King Solomon Memorial Park in Clifton, New Jersey. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Kelvin’s name to either of the following: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Donate | The Metropolitan Museum of Art Urban Cat League Donate – Urban Cat League – New York City ~ Dedicated to improving the lives of street cats everywhere