In Memoriam

Kathryn M. DiComo

Bertram Levi

Bertram Levi (1924-2008) a resident of Garden City since 1949, passed away on April 4th at the age of 83. The cause of death was kidney cancer. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his brother, Herb, his children, Charlie and Lorraine, his son-in-law Ric, and his granddaughter Kiki.

The son of Abraham and Rose Levi, Bert was born in Floral Park, N.Y. He graduated from Sewanakha High School and then served in the Army. Not long after leaving the military, he began working at Handy Andy, his father's hardware store in Stewart Manor. This would turn into a lifelong career. He originally worked there alongside his parents, but ended up running the business with his brother for many years. After Herb moved on to other interests, Bert ran the store himself until his retirement in 1987. By then he had become a familiar fixture in the Covert Avenue community.

In 1947 Bert married Dorothy Witkin, whom he'd known since high school. They lived in Garden City, at the same address, their entire married life.

He was devoted to his wife throughout their happy marriage and, especially following his retirement, they enjoyed many vacations abroad. They also made the most of a second home in upstate New York for over a decade. His devotion to Dorothy was never greater than when she began to suffer from Alzheimer's in the early 1990s and he became her caretaker. His courage, love and endurance in the face of this dis-ease was inspiring to all who witnessed it.

It was from the experience of caring for Dorothy that Bert became a state-appointed ombudsman, serving as a liaison between patients and administrators at the Glen Cove Nursing Home. He quickly became a trusted friend to staff and residents alike.

As a teenager he cultivated a love for jazz and he often visited clubs in Harlem and throughout Manhattan to hear music. This interest was re-kindled in recent years as he joined up with some old acquaintances and became an active member of the Sidney Bechet Society. It gave him great pleasure to share his love of jazz with like-minded friends.

Bert was a longstanding member of a neighborhood bridge game, which met weekly for the better part of thirty years, even as all the players aged.

It is probably Bert's great sense of humor, fast wit, and love of conversation that will best be remembered by his friends. His children remember him as a devoted and generous father who showed them a way to live that was loving, honest and filled with kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bert's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Kathryn M. DiComo

Kathryn (Kay) DiComo died peacefully at home on March 26, 2008 at the age of 93, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was predeceased in 1988 by Joseph, her husband of 47 years. Kay is survived by her three daughters, four grandchildren and 2-1/2 great-grandchildren. Her daughters and their families are Pat DiComo, Marcia and Peter Carmichael, and Ronnie DiComo; Laura and Vince Lehmann and children Andrew, Katie and Sophia (on the way); Julie Carmichael and Thomas Moringiello; P.J. Carmichael and Richard Jacobs; Brendan Carmichael and Dominika Crabtree.

Kay is also survived by her brother Bob Mazur (who lived with Kay); her sister Joan and husband Dick Strnad; brother Paul and wife Gloria Rutecki; and brother Jim and wife Carol Rutecki. Kay was predeceased by her sister Lydia and brother Frank Mazur. Kay's nieces and nephews are Cheryl, Karen, and Kim; Amanda, Alison, and Missy; Dean and Shari; Dana and Dawn. Kay's sister-in-law, MaryAlice Mazur from California, was able to join the family for the funeral along with Joan, Karen and Amanda from Ohio.

Kay was the oldest of seven children; she grew up on a farm in Ohio and attended a one-room school house. She and Joe met in Cleveland and were married in 1941. They lived in Flushing until moving to Garden City in 1951. Kay was a well-known and beloved member of the Garden City and St. Anne's communities for 57 years. She was an assistant teacher at the Garden City Nursery School, Girl Scout leader, and a wonderful homemaker. She also worked for 15 years as a legal secretary.

After retiring, Kay belonged to the Homemaker's Club, Women's Club, Catholic Daughters of America, Widow & Widower's Club, and Literacy Volunteers. Kay's sense of adventure led her on trips to Nova Scotia, Ireland and Italy and also to visit family and friends across the United States and Canada.

Kay loved people and her passion for helping others spanned her 93 years. She was a well-respected bridge player and mentor in the bridge community, thoroughly enjoying this social time with her husband and friends. Kay also loved gardening. Over the years, many people enjoyed bouquets and cuttings from her beautiful gardens, as well as tips on using kitchen scraps for compost.

Kay will always be missed. Donations in her name to The Smile Train (1-877-543-7645); or Garden City Trojan Fund, (P.O. Box 127, Garden City, NY 11530; memo: for care of Thomas Moringiello) are greatly appreciated.