Angela Chao Dies Unexpectedly; Was Mitch’s CCP Connected SIL

Angela Chao Dies Unexpectedly; Was Mitch’s CCP Connected SIL — The unexpected death of Angela Chao at a private ranch in Texas was reported Feb. 12.

She was 50 years old.

It reportedly occurred when she backed a Tesla into a pond.

Ms. Chao was the sister of former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and sister-in-law of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky).

Ms. Chao was the founder and CEO of the Foremost Group, a shipping company based in New York.

She was also — or had been — members of the a board member of the China State Shipbuilding Corp., Harvard Business School and Bank of China.

One has to be pretty tight with the Chinese Communist Party to be on the board of the Bank of China, and the China State Shipbuilding Corp. which is one of the PRC’s major defense suppliers.

Must have made for some interesting talks with Elaine and Mitch.

Officialdom is keeping mum about things, by the way.

Angela Chao Dies Unexpectedly; Was Mitch's CCP Connected SIL

Angela Chao Dies Unexpectedly; Was Mitch’s CCP Connected SIL

Remembering Pauline Braccio, A Fighter For Dignity

Remembering Pauline Braccio, A Fighter For Dignity — A memorial service, today, Dec. 10, for Pauline Braccio packed the Golden Boar restaurant with those seeking to pay tribute to Montgomery County’s defender of underdogs.

Pauline died unexpectedly last month. The event was organized by WWDB hosts Stan Cascio, Andy Teitelman and Don Beishl. Many of the guests were New Yorkers involved in the city’s freedom movement.

Yes, believe it or not, The Big Apple has a freedom movement.

About two dozen of them traveled two hours on this rainy day to remember Pauline. Many took to the mic to share memories and stories of her. They had gotten to know her from her daughter Olivia’s photo essays and stories of New York events.

And they got to love her as many of us did.

Olivia’s work, by the way, is becoming well regarded in influential circles.

We’d also like to plug the Golden Boar which was generous with its time and service. It’s a Ukrainian restaurant and we can attest that its food is authentic and delicious. You can find it at 2158 County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. 19006.

Remembering Pauline Braccio, A Fighter For Dignity

Remembering Pauline Braccio at the Golden Boar

Phil Bancroft, A Legendary Figure

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

Phil Bancroft, A Legendary Figure
Phil is back right. His father, Phil Sr, is next to him and he is holding his mother, Helen. His wife, Denise, is to the left of Helen.

Pauline Braccio, A Remarkable Soul

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.

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.

Cathy Martin, Editor, R.I.P.

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.

Dr Robert Sklaroff, Patriot R.I.P.

Dr Robert Sklaroff, Patriot R.I.P. — We just learned that Dr. Bob passed away. He was born in 1951. He had metastatic prostate cancer.

His obituary was published by Joseph Levine & Sons, on Aug. 14.

For a man of his accomplishments, the passing of Robert Sklaroff went far too little marked.

His numerous professional citations on the web continue to describe him in the present tense.

Dr Robert Sklaroff, Patriot R.I.P.
Dr Robert Sklaroff

He was an oncologist/hematologist affiliated with several local hospitals, notably Nazareth. He was retained as an expert witness over 500 and testified as such 60 times.

He was a contributor here with his last column coming on Aug. 4, just before he death.

The last time we saw him was at the Phyllis Schlafly Eagles Event in April. He did not let on he was in ill health.

Dr. Bob was a patriot who loved this country. He carried with him a copy of the U.S. Constitution.  He was a strong supporter of election integrity and Donald Trump. He was active in Jewish causes in Montgomery County, and an opponent of big tobacco. He wrote for The Times of Israel.

He helped institute safer designed needles for nurses, fought medical insurance monopolization, and was instrumental in passing the Pennsylvania Holocaust education bill.

He is survived by his brother Harvey, and son, Michael.

R.I.P., Dr. Bob. You are missed.

John Joseph Damiano, 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.

John Joseph Damiano, R.I.P.

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

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.

Sid Mark R.I.P
Frankie and Sid

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

James Smart R.I.P.

James Smart, maybe the best columnist in the history of the legendary Philadelphia Evening and Sunday Bulletin, died April 15. He was 92.

He is survived by Stephen J. Smart (Alene) and Leslie Zavodnick (Steven); grandchildren Elizabeth Sherstad (Andrew), Jillian Zavodnick (Nicholas Gutowski), and Matthew Smart (Eilise Blessington); and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth Wiren (the late Raymond) and nieces, nephews, and grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews. 

His wife, Barbara, died in 2019. They had been married 41 years.

R.I.P. Mr. Smart.

James Smart R.I.P.

William Lawrence 1929-2021

William Lawrence 1929-2021 — My father died yesterday. It was at his home of 60 years in Springfield, Pa. He was 92. He went gently, sitting in his recliner listening to waltzes.

William W. Lawrence was born May 3, 1929 in Roebling, N.J. and raised by a single mom with two sisters. In his early teens, they moved to Philadelphia where he attended Jules E. Mastbaum High School.

William Lawrence 1929-2021
Dad with one of his favorite people

He was a good athlete. He played Pop Warner football and high school basketball. He was the school’s center, actually. Dad was 5-6. They never won a game, he says.

Dad’s other high school boast was that he was the only one among his friends who never stole a car.

He planned to be a carpenter but just before his 18th birthday he joined the Army. His goal was to become a paratrooper. A skill test, though, changed things. While waiting in a line he heard a whisper.

“Hey, kid. You wanna be a spy?”

And so rather than jumping from planes he ended up in the Army Security Agency. He learned Morse Code and spent the next several years in Western Europe monitoring the Soviet bloc. He talked about the time his unit was sent to West Berlin to chase a real spy. He talked about the time he intercepted the names of the entire Yugoslavian Army, when it broadcast its payroll over the air due to a postal strike. He talked about his dog Dit.

William Lawrence 1929-2021
Dad with some of his other favorite people

He returned to civilian life in 1954. He went to Temple University on the GI Bill and that’s when he chose journalism as his new career. He took a job with the Philadelphia Daily News where his talents were nurtured by editors like Bill Blitman and J. Ray Hunt.

He met my mom, Margaret Lozinak, a nurse at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital, and they were married in 1959. I came along a year later followed by Robert (1961) and Chris (1962).

In the early 1960s, The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin — then the largest evening paper in the country — hired him away. There he covered crime and politics and numerous national stories. He edited the Mr. Fixit consumer affairs column, and was a leader in the Delaware Valley Kidney Fund which would morph into a movement to make dialysis affordable for all who needed it nationwide.

When the Bulletin closed in 1982, he was hired by Rich and Reese Crowe to edit the brand new County Press, a weekly covering Marple and Newtown townships in Delaware County, Pa. He created the Omnibit and Legendary Recipe features for the Press.

Dad would soon get part-ownership and start new Presses in Haverford, the Media area, Garnet Valley area, and Aston and Brookhaven.

The papers were sold to the Journal Register Co. in 2003. Dad would work part-time for them until 2008.

After Mom died in 2016, his last years were spent cooking, listening to music, and watching birds. He had seven bird feeders around the house including two for humming birds. His greatest enjoyment in the last few years was his cat Misty given him by Cindy and Katie, two friends from the County Press.

He is survived by his three sons; granddaughters Miranda, Skyler and Kyley; and grandson Anthony.

I’d like to thank Nurse Practitioner Kelly Barringer, Dr. Eric Ojerholm and a host of others at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the caring treatment he received.

A service will be held at 11 a.m., Oct. 7 at Holy Myrrh Bearers Church, 900 Fairview Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081 with visitation starting at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are being handled by Logan-Videon Funeral Home.

William Lawrence 1929-2021
Dad with his most favorite person.
William Lawrence 1929-2021