Category: Obit

Jane Herring, R.I.P.

Jane (Tomlin) Herring, 99, of Pottstown, PA; formerly of Springfield Twp., PA went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Manatawny Manor.

Jane was the loving wife of the late Arthur Herring, Jr. for 67 years. She was born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Joseph Lybrant Tomlin and the late Estella (Hunter) Brittingham.

Jane graduated from Germantown High School. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Jane was a faithful attendee of Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Oreland, PA. She also attended Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harleysville, PA.

Jane volunteered at the Bird In Hand Consignment Shop in Philadelphia, PA. She was formerly active with the Philadelphia Navy League. She loved spending time with her family and friends.

Jane exemplified the “fruits of the spirit” – love, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, and forbearance. She loved doing the simplest things for others which brought her joy. She was content with what God gave her.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Jill Scott Herring of Collegeville, PA and her son, Arthur Herring III of Souderton, PA. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Lybrant Tomlin, Jr.

A graveside service was hedl, July 9, at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 1201 Easton Road., Philadelphia, PA 19150.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Warrior Dog Foundation, 5930 Royal Lane Suite E #355, Dallas, TX 75230 or donate online at https://warriordogfoundation.org/donation/.

Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 E. Broad St., Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com.

My Aunt Elsie Palinko died, Tuesday, at a hospital in Connecticut near her home in West Haven.

She was 96.

With her was her son, Ricky, who along with his brother Tommy and sister Karen cared for her and never let her be lonely.

Aunt Elsie was the last of my mom’s 10 brothers and sisters.

They grew up in the coal patch of Eckley, Pa. the children of Michael, a miner, and Catherine Kushner Lozinak.

The town has become a museum.

The museum describes a hard life but the only childhood stories we heard were happy ones.

The family stayed close. Elsie married Timmy who preceded her in death. My mom, until her death in 2016, called Elsie weekly. The conversations lasted hours. She would get my dad involved.

Dad would work her and Timmy into the Legendary Recipe columns he wrote at the County Press or just use recipes she sent him. There was Studenina Palinko Style and Lucky Elsie’s Hodge Podge and Elsie’s Favorite Noodle Kugel and many others.

Her funeral is Monday in Freeland, Pa. where she will be buried with her beloved Timmy.

I just learned that my cousin, Phil Bancroft of Bucks County, has died. He was 64. He died in his sleep and it was unexpected.

Phil was born in California and we didn’t see much of his family — his mom, Helen, was my dad’s sister — until they moved back to Philly when he was about 14. We’d go up to Mayfair for Thanksgiving and they’d come down to Delco for Christmas.

The highlight would be a touch football game with my brothers.

He graduated from Lincoln High School, and then Temple with an accounting degree.

He married a beautiful wife, Denise, and had three great kids, Phillip III, Danielle and Kristen.

He ended up as chief financial officer and executive vice president at Chubb Limited.

This online tribute describes him as a “legendary figure” in the world’s financial sector.

We are going to miss you Phil.

Services are 10 a.m. -noon, Nov. 7, at Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown Richboro Road, Richboro, Pa. 18954

Pauline Braccio, A Remarkable Soul — We just heard the sad news that our dear friend Pauline Braccio has died. It was unexpected and it appears she passed away in her sleep.

She was one of the most courageous women in the state.

Keep her daughter Olivia in your prayers.

Stan Cascio read this tribute to her on his Don’t Back Down Show on WWDB

I would like to take a moment today to remember and honor a remarkable soul, Pauline Braccio, whose untimely passing has left a void in our hearts. Pauline was not just a big supporter of the “Don’t Back Down Show,” but a true advocate for the underdog. She was a passionate believer in the values that underpin our society – fairness, justice, and the right to be heard.

Pauline understood that politics was not just about ideology, but about ensuring that the government served the best interests of its people. She was tireless in her efforts to hold politicians accountable, especially those who seemed more interested in their own gain than the safety of our streets. Pauline was a voice for those who were treated unjustly and fought for the right to question and speak freely, not bound by the constraints of a mere two minutes.

Pauline Braccio was a one-of-a-kind individual, a shining beacon in our community. Her determination to make a difference set her apart, and her loyalty knew no bounds. She gave her all to support her beloved daughter, Olivia, and the people she held dear.

As we mourn the loss of Pauline, we are comforted by the knowledge that her American spirit and her love for her daughter Olivia her family and her friends will continue to envelop us. Pauline’s legacy will live on in the values she championed and the lives she touched.

In Pauline’s memory, let us commit to carrying forward the torch of justice, fairness, and the unwavering belief in the power of one individual to make a difference. Pauline’s legacy will be our inspiration to keep fighting for a world where everyone is treated fairly, where voices are heard, and where the underdogs find champions.

Rest in peace, dear Pauline Braccio. Your spirit will forever be with us, guiding us towards a better, more just world. Stan Casacio

Cathy Martin, Editor, R.I.P. — Catherine Ann Martin died in her sleep, Jan. 4, at her home in South Kingstown, R.I. She was 71.

Cathy was the managing editor of the County Press and associated newspapers in Delaware County, Pa. from the mid-1990s until 2010.

She started at the Press as a reporter. Her main beat was Haverford Township, where she lived, which she covered like a blanket. She took photos and did layout. She rode the crest of the computer revolution in the business going from X-Acto knives to on-screen pagination and from film cameras to digital.

She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Sutton of Framingham, Ma.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph P, a retired engineering professor at Drexel University, whom she married in 1975; son Robert J. of Kittery, Me; daughter Kelly; granddaughter Evelyn C. Kelly; brother James D. Sutton of Rocky Mount, N.C.; and sisters Mary l. Blue of Framingham, Ma., and Patricia V. Porcello of Peabody, Ma.

Before moving to Pennsylvania, the couple lived in Colorado. After the move to Haverford, Cathy served as a church cantor, Girl Scout leader, an election official, and a volunteer at the Grange Estate mansion.

Viewing will be 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8 Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, RI 02879. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m., Monday at St Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High St., Wakefield, RI 02879

R.I.P., Cathy

Cathy Martin, Editor, R.I.P.

John Joseph Damiano died Nov. 6. He was 94 and was a long-time Springfield, Pa. resident before moving to Newtown Square.

He graduated Southern High School in Philadelphia, studied at Drexel University and Penn State to earn a Bachelors degree in chemistry and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war.

He would later continue with a career in chemistry and appeared in the Merck index for inventing a herbicide.

He enjoyed baking (and eating) sweets, Penn State football, science programs among other things, but above all loved his family.

He is predeceased by his wife, Eleanor.

He is survived by his son John; daughter-in-law Debbie; daughter Joyce; son-in-law Wayne; grandchildren Brittany and Connor; sister Mildred Lieberman; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will beheld starting 9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 14 at Saint Kevin Church, 200 W. Sproul Road, Springfield, Pa. 19064, followed by a Funderal Mass at 11 a.m.

Burial will be at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetary, 1600 S. Sproul Road, Springfield.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in his memory visit the Tribute Store at D’Anjolell Memorial Home.

R.I.P. Mr. Damiano.

John Joseph Damiano, R.I.P.

Sid Mark R.I.P

By Bob Small

Whether or not you believe Frank Sinatra was one of the greatest singers of the last century — I don’t know why you wouldn’t — only he had a devoted radio presence for 65 years in the persona of one Sid Mark.  

Most recently, Sid Mark of Bryn Mawr presented his Sunday with Sinatra on 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on WPHT 1210 AM –the same station as Dom Giordan.

Sid Mark Fliegelman died on April 18 at the age of 88.  He began airing Fridays with Frank, in 1957 over WHAT am and fm and continued airing his shows over various stations and/on various days until  April 17  of this year.

There is plenty more information over these websites.

Sid Mark, Disc Jockey Devoted to Sinatra for Six Decades, Dies at 88

Sid Mark, Radio’s Authoritative Source On Frank Sinatra, Has died

Personally, he was one of the two weekly shows that I had to listen to.  Sid Mark had a wealth of knowledge and information about the whole Sinatra clan and, more importantly, about the recordings, bands, record labels, etc.  To keep this in context, as a soloist,  he released 59 albums and 297 singles, not counting what he did with Tommy Dorsey’s big band and The Pied Pipers, etc.  (Note; there is some dispute over how many actual songs he did release, whether you count remakes of previous songs, etc.)  The citation for this post is Wikipedia.  The most unusual album he ever did was Watertown, a “concept album”.

Sid’s show, at it’s zenith,was carried over 100 stations. Now there are other shows, on both broadcast and Sirius, that focus on Sinatra or Sinatra and friends, but this was the original. 

In the meantime, another Delaware Valley personage, who has been broadcasting the same format for almost the same time is one Jerry Blavat.  He started in 1958  broadcasting what we call either “doo-wop” or“accapella”.  He has been on numerous stations and he knows many of the acts, both old and new, and much of the history, especially the local history (Cameo-Parkway records, Chubby Checker, Bob Horn of Bob Horn’s bandstand, later taken over by a young kid named Dick Clark, etc.)

Currently, Jerry Blavat has a Saturday evening show (6 to 7 p.m.) on WXPN and a daily Monday to Friday show (5 to 7 p.m.) on 92.1 WVLT  He’s only 81 as of this writing.

Sid Mark, R.I.P