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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of Jan. 8

01/09/2018 10:45AM ● By J. Chambless

BETTY LOU HANNUM SABBI

Berry Lou Hannum Sabbi, 75, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 23 at Twin Pines Health Care Center.

Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Alfred Eshleman and the late Peggy C. Grab. She retired after 20 years of service as a machine operator at Pepperidge Farms in Downingtown. She was an outstanding wife and mother, as well as a friend and advocate to many.

She is survived by four sons, Whitney L. Hannum of Downingtown, Dennis Hannum (Tammy) of Downingtown, and Cheyenne Hannum (Carolyn) of East Fallowfield, and La Rae Hannum of Goose Creek, S.C.; three daughters, Shawnee L. Schreiber (Ric) of Parkesburg, Tuesday Palmer (John) of Denver, Pa., and September Malamon (Mike) of Reinholds, Pa.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald C. Hannum.

Her services and burial were private. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.


DANIEL P. MADONNA III

Daniel P. Madonna III, 78, of Kennett Square, died on Dec. 29 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Born in West Chester, he was a son of the late Daniel P. Madonna II and the late Ella (Dwyer) Madonna; and husband to Janice (Hostetler) Madonna, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.

Danny was a lifelong resident of Kennett Square. He and Janice owned and operated his family’s business, Madonna Custom Cleaners, then Madonna Balloons and Cakes, before retiring in 1999.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Danny volunteered in the community through his work with the Southern Chester County Rescue Association (Rescue 71), where he proudly served in the offices of Secretary, President, and Chief. Rescue 71 later merged services with the Kennett Fire Co. No. 1 and Danny was granted the honor of Lifetime Member distinction. He and the late Tony Talamonti co-chaired the Independence Day Celebration Committee and were instrumental in establishing fireworks displays for Kennett Square and the surrounding communities.

After retirement, Danny was known around town as the “Barber Shop Man.” He was a fixture at Burton’s Barber Shop, where he helped with various tasks, distributed bubblegum to kids and contributed to lively discussions. Bob Burton and Danny met at the age of 4.

As many know, Danny was the proud recipient of a heart transplant 16 ½ years ago. Known as “The Legend” at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), he participated in a trial through which he became the first patient to receive infusion treatments at home while waiting for his transplant.

In addition to his wife Janice, he is survived by sons Daniel P. Madonna IV and his wife Audrey of Exton, Stephen Madonna and his wife Jana of Toughkenamon; three daughters, Tina Katella and her husband Dan of Kutztown, Kim Dunn and her husband Steve of West Grove, and Stacy Madonna of Kennett Square; 12 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one sister, Marlene McDonough of Kennett Square; one brother, Edward J. Madonna of Philadelphia; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held Jan. 5. Interment was in St. Patrick Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House, 3940 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Attention: Kirsten King. Please note Daniel P. Madonna, III in the memo area. To view Danny’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.


JOHN W. BORK JR.

John. W. Bork Jr., 90, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 29 at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove.

He was the husband of Nancy Burdett Bork, who passed away in 2009, and with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John and Ida Wright-Bork. He was a veteran, a Mason and a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 19 for 41 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Manor Presbyterian Church in Cochranville. He enjoyed traveling and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by two sons, Gary E. Bork of Harrisburg, and Eric P. Bork of New York, N.Y.; one daughter, Leslie A. Pellini and her husband Alan of Kennett Square. He as predeceased by one son, Gregory A Bork. He also had a sister, the late Helen Miller, of Morrisville, Pa.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held Jan. 4. Burial was in Faggs Manor Cemetery in Cochranville. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecofuneralhomes.com.


MARY R. BASILIO

Mary R. “Muz” Basilio, 93, of Kennett Square, passed away on Dec. 30 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

She was the wife of Anthony N. Basilio, who passed away in 2013, and with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Giuseppe Mozzani and the late Philomena DiSanti Mozzani. She was the lunch room cashier at the Greenwood Elementary School in Kennett Square for over 25 years. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square.

She enjoyed gardening, taking bus trips, going to the casinos, cooking -- especially holiday meals -- arts and crafts, shopping with her sisters, and being with her family and friends.

Mrs. Basilio is survived by three sons, James A. Basilio and his wife Linda of Swarthmore, Anthony N. Basilio Jr. and his wife Ginny of Kennett Square, and Joseph E. Basilio and his wife Jeannie of Oxford; two daughters, Marie Phillips and her husband Roger of Alburtis, Pa., and Carol Basilio of Seville, Spain; one sister, Helen Mozzani of Downingtown; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one grandson, Evan; five sisters, Eleanor, Alerana, Eva, and Josephine; and one brother, Joseph.

A funeral was held Jan. 8. Burial was in in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Mrs. Basilio, a contribution may be made to St. Patrick Church, 205 Lafayette Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.


LAWRENCE ERNEST KIRK

Lawrence Ernest Kirk, 92, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 29 at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

He was the husband of the late Anna Lloyd Kirk, to whom he was married for 63 years. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late John and Mary Blackburn Kirk. Lawrence was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in World War II. He was a member of the Roy W. Gibson Post No. 535 American Legion in Oxford. After the war, he worked at Cee Bee’s Cafe in Oxford. In May 1969, Lawrence purchased the cafe. He also owned and operated Frank’s Steakhouse in Oxford from May 1974 until January 1982. After he sold the steakhouse, he was employed by Chester County as a courthouse security officer until his retirement on Aug. 2, 2000. He enjoyed gardening, caring for his fish pond, crabbing, and hunting. His passions were baseball and football. His favorite times of the year were vacationing at the beach with his family and Christmas.

Lawrence is survived by one son, Larry Kirk of Nottingham; one daughter, Elizabeth Nichols and her husband Robert of Harrisburg; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Cecil Kirk and John Kirk; two sisters, Helen Joyce and Mary Fischel; and daughter-in-law, Hope Kirk.

A funeral was held Jan. 3. Interment was in the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Vista Foundation, 24 Northeast Dr., Hershey, PA 17033. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


RICHARD E. KORENKIEWICZ

Richard E. Korenkiewicz, 76, of West Grove, died on Dec. 27 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

He was the husband of Lorraine M. Korenkiewicz, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Ridley Park, he was the son of the late Anthony and the late Rose (Dinski) Korenkiewicz. Je served our country in the Air Force. He worked most of his career at Scott Paper company in Chester as an adjuster. He was a diehard Notre Dame and Philadelphia Eagles fan. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Over the years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife to places near and far, including St. Martin, Las Vegas, and Myrtle Beach.

Survivors include, in addition to his wife, three sons, David of West Grove, Don and his wife Julie of Landisville, and Tom of West Grove; one sister, Ramona Gobel and her husband Vincent of West Grove; and two grandchildren.

A funeral was held Jan. 6. Contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall St., Suite 204, West Chester PA 19380. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.


HOWARD R. STANLEY

Howard R. Stanley, 83, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 31 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

He was the husband of Betty R. Hartman Stanley, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage. Born in Lansing, N.C., he was the son of the late David and Cynthia May Dennie Stanley. Howard was retired from bridge construction.

He is survived by his wife; one stepson, Paul Czerny of Bear, Del.; three stepdaughters, Gretchen D. Cortes and her husband Vicente Cortes of Oxford, Pam Dawson and her husband Benny Dawson of Nottingham, and Robin Czerny of Idaho; six step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held Jan. 4. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


RAYMOND E. KEGG

Raymond E. Kegg, 95, of Kennett Square, went home to be with his Lord on Dec. 9 at Neighborhood Hospice, surrounded by many of his family.

He was the beloved husband of Edith “Edie” W. Kegg, who predeceased him earlier this year on Jan. 2. In August 2016, they celebrated 70 years of loving marriage. Born and raised on the family farm outside of Bedford, Pa., “Ray” was the son of the late C. Franklin Kegg and Jennie Rawlings Kegg.

He graduated from Bedford High School in 1939 at the age of 16 and enrolled at Shippensburg State Teacher’s College, where he majored in mathematics and science. There he met his wife-to-be, Edie. Their first date was Dec. 6, 1941, the evening before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Ray served in the Army Signal Corps in World War II from Nov. 16, 1942, through Jan. 2, 1946, and graduated from Shippensburg in May 1946. On Aug. 17, 1946, he and Edie were married, and in September he started his lifelong career as a teacher, teaching math, science and shop at Chadds Ford Junior High School. In 1954, Ray was transferred to Unionville High School after the consolidation of the two districts. He retired from UHS in 1980 after 37 years of service and, with Edie, enjoyed spending winters in their motor home in Florida through the winter of 2007.

Ray and Edie were founding members of Willowdale Chapel, where he served in many capacities, such as Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and elder. Ray also was on the board of Southern Chester County Youth for Christ for many years, as well as being active in many other community activities.

Ray was first and foremost a faithful and devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and then a faithful, devoted and loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He enjoyed camping, playing various sports, playing the trombone, singing, woodworking, playing games, spending time with family and friends and many other activities. He was a hard worker who also knew the value of having fun and enjoying life.

Ray is survived by one sister, Irene J. Growden, of Lavale, Md.; his children, Alan L. Kegg and wife Jean of Hatfield, Joyce E. Pinkham and husband John of Middletown, N.J., Larry R. Kegg and wife Carol of Chesapeake, Va., Linda K. Vavro and her husband Jeff of Strongsville, Ohio, and Karen A. Hess and husband Ray of Kennett Square; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers C. Glenn Kegg, Chalmer C. Kegg, Ralph W. Kegg and Guy F. Kegg; and sisters Hazel H. Boettcher, Vesta V. Rosenzweig, Mabel A. Cornell and Helen M, Jones.

A service was held Jan. 6. Memorial contributions may be made to PIONEERS, Attn: account 111300, 10123 William Carey Dr., Orlando, FL 32832. Please note Account #111300 on the memo line. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


EDITH FRAGALE

Edith "Edie" Fragale, 82, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her entire family, on Dec. 31 at Twin Pines Health Care.

She was the wife of Frank J. Fragale, who passed away in 1977, and with whom she shared 21 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Wilmer Miller and the late Kathryn Aberts Miller. She was a 1953 Graduate of Kennett High School. Edie retired in 1997. She was a bookkeeper at Benge’s Service Center for 16 years, and prior to that, she worked at Mason Chevrolet for 21 years, both in Kennett Square. She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square. Edie enjoyed going out to eat, movies, trips to Lancaster, and being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Michael A. Fragale and his wife Deana of Kennett Square, and Barry F. Fragale and his wife Monica of Kennett Square; one daughter, Kathy F. D’Amico and her husband Philip of Kennett Square; and eight grandchildren. She was predeceased by one sister, Marian Barber, who passed away on Dec. 31, 2010.

A funeral was held Jan. 5. Burial was in Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.


ROBERT A. MCMILLAN

Robert A. McMillan, 86, of West Grove, passed away on Jan. 4 at Jenners Pond in West Grove.

He was the husband of the late Elizabeth “Bebe” Reece McMillan. Born in Landenberg, he was the son of the late Alva and Celeste Blackburn McMillan. After graduating from Kennett High School and Goldey-Beacom College, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for four years as an aircraft mechanic. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Robert was employed with the Landenberg Store, which was owned by his grandfather. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in Landenberg, Robert co-owned a real estate firm, McMillan, Madron and Cole West Grove. He was a member of Manor Presbyterian Church in Cochranville. He was a member and past Master of New London Lodge No. 545 Free and Accepted Masons and member and past President of the West Grove Avondale Rotary Club. He enjoyed golf and playing cards, especially gin rummy, with his friends at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club, and planting the garden.

A funeral was held Jan. 9. Interment was in Faggs Manor Cemetery in Cochranville. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2117. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.  


JOHN THOMSON

John Thomson, 93, of Oxford, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3 at Jennersville Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the devoted husband of Anna (Mann) Thomson. In August 2016, the couple celebrated 70 years of marriage. Born in Englewood, N.J., and raised in Staten Island, N.Y., John was the first born of Scottish immigrants William Thomson and Catherine (Hamilton) Thomson.

John graduated from Curtis High School in Staten Island and the New York State Maritime Academy at Fort Schuyler, N.Y., where he attained the ranks of Ensign, USNR; and Third Mate. During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marine from 1943 to 1946, seeing action in the North Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. After the war, John graduated from Wagner College in 1949 with a degree in mathematics. He also worked as a teaching assistant at Boston University while pursuing an MBA.

John spent 20 years at RCA in various computer systems roles, helping to usher in the digital age in the 1950s and 60s. He worked for nine years as Director of Management Information Systems for North American Philips in New York City and for seven years as Controller for Value Computing in Cherry Hill, N.J. The family moved several times during those years, settling in various New Jersey towns and spending two years in the San Francisco Bay area.

In college, John played varsity baseball, basketball and football. He later played for the Staten Island Yankees and was offered a tryout for the major league Yankees. An avid golfer, he twice traveled to Scotland to play at the Old Course at St. Andrews. He developed a keen interest in genealogy and spent countless hours researching his ancestry. John was a devout Christian who lived his life accordingly. He studied the Bible regularly, and read widely about faith and religion. He opened his heart and his home to friends and strangers alike, hosting exchange students, inner-city children from the Fresh Air Fund and refugees from the conflicts in Cuba and Bosnia.

John is survived by his wife, Anna M. Thomson; his sister, Agnes Piscopo of Northfield, Mass.; his brother, Clifford Thomson of Fort Lupton, Colo.; his son, J. Keith Thomson and wife Kathy of Belmont, Calif.; his daughter, Karen Cantarera of Coatesville; his three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Aiden Cantarera of Oxford.

A Life Celebration Service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at the Oxford Presbyterian Church (6 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private. Contributions in his memory may be made by mail to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 (online at www.michaeljfox.org). Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


  


ROSE MARIE MAGUIRE

Rose Marie Maguire, 75, of Avondale, passed away on Jan. 8 at Foulk Manor South in Wilmington, Del.

She was the wife of J. Patrick Maguire, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Emmett Sherry and the late Marie Ohara Sherry. Rose Marie was a homemaker, and she enjoyed gardening, social activities with her friends, traveling and being a mom. She was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrrowful Mother Church in Avondale.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, Shawn Maguire of Wilmington, Del.; one daughter, Kelly Maguire of Newark, Del.; two brothers, Pat Sherry of Ocean View, N.J., and Joe Sherry of Medford, N.J.; two sisters, Joan Hunt of Drexel Hill, and Mary Ann Snow of Havertown; and one granddaughter.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale). Her funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.