Raymond Joseph Larkin, Jr. Raymond Joseph Larkin, Jr.

Raymond Joseph Larkin Jr. passed away on August 15th after a long battle with a debilitating neurological condition. During his last moments, he was surrounded by his devoted wife, Grace, and his children and grandchildren. A beautiful funeral mass took place on the 19th at St. Joseph’s on the 25th anniversary of his son John Edwards’s death, and afterwards the tremendous gathering shared as many laughs as tears while reminiscing.

Ray loved God, and his wife, family and friends. He will be remembered as a storyteller with a quick wit who thoroughly enjoyed life. Although he was an expert in fine lace design, manufacturing and sales, he would facetiously declare himself a rag peddler and parking lot attendant. Ray attended Brooklyn Prep where his love for competition was played out on the football field or hockey rink. In 1943, he graduated from NYU’s School of Business.

Arthur Hug, Jr. As an active, 50 year-plus member of St. Joseph’s parish, he held a variety of positions: Chairman of Catholic Charities and the annual Parish Party, President of the Parish Council, initiator of the Limited Raffle, CCD teacher, member of the Nocturnal Adoration, and developer of the Original Golf Tournament entitled, “Ite ad Joseph.” He raised funds for the dioceses’ four high schools, and 35 years ago was instrumental in raising money for St Joseph organ. He was a former member of the Xavier Sodality and the Cardinal’s Committee for the Laity.

A true raconteur, he used his talents as Master of Ceremonies to raise money for a variety of other charitable endeavors such as the Men’s Guild Dinner, Mercy Hospital Auction, American Cancer Society fashion shows, as well as a myriad of golf events. He preferred to refer to these generous activities jocularly as, “fun-raising” rather than, “fund-raising.” He loved to play golf, and supported the sport as a golf administration volunteer, acting as an executive of the MGA, LI Golf Association and LI Seniors. He was a member of Seawane, Cherry Valley and Shinnecock Golf Clubs as well as Mariner Sands and Willoughby in FL.

He always felt blessed to have his family nearby, and will be missed by his loving wife, Grace. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Jo, her husband, Michael, and grandchildren, Michael Patrick, John Christopher & James Larkin Hall; his son, Raymond Joseph III, and wife Susan and grandchildren, Kelly Anne, Raymond Joseph IV & Christopher Burke Larkin; and his daughter, Theresa, her husband, Thomas, and grandchildren, John Edward, Kathryn Grace & Leigh Anna GillanShirley H. McQuilkin

Shirley H. McQuilkin, a former resident of Garden City, passed away on August 23, 2010.

She was predeceased by her husband, Don C. McQuilkin. Survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and TC Lewis, Jr.; grandsons TC III (Debra), William (Barbara) and John (Julie-Anne); great-grandchildren, TC IV, Cameron, Nicholas, Audrey, Abigail and Briston.

Service and interment will be held on Long Island. Memorials may be directed to Lifetime Care Hospice or Alzheimers Association.

Mary Rita McKenna

Mary Rita McKenna (nee Noble) passed away peacefully in her home on July 11, 2010. She was 97 years old. Her husband, James A. McKenna, a former mayor of Garden City predeceased her in 1987.

Known to all as Rita, she was born in Manhattan, grew up in Brooklyn, and graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School. In 1939 she married Jim and they moved to the country, Garden City. Rita and Jim built a home and raised their three children, Marita (Danek), Monica (Schoelle), and Maureen (McKenna). She was very active as a volunteer within the community and her parish of St. Anne’s, which she belonged for over 71 years.

Retiring from the Nassau County Health Department in 1983, she spent her time enjoying her family including her 7 grandchildren and recently her 6 great grandchildren. She also spent many happy hours gardening and playing bridge with her dear friends.

A generous, kind, fun loving, and deeply spiritual person, she will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Church, and she was laid to rest with her loving husband at Holy Rood Cemetery.

Nicholas P. Preziosi

Nicholas P. Preziosi, 86, died on Sunday, August15, at St. Francis Hospital.  For more than four decades, he was a resident of Garden City and a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Church where he served as an usher.  A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated by Monsignor John G. Gilmartin, a family friend, on August 18.

Mr. Preziosi was born on September 8, 1923, in Freeport, New York, to Anthony and Minnie Preziosi.  He graduated from Freeport High School and, at age 19, enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He served proudly on the battleship USS Massachusetts throughout World War II, and saw action in every battle in which that ship engaged in the Pacific Theater.  He was awarded medals with 8 stars for the Asiatic Pacific, 2 stars for the Philippine Liberation, and the Victory Medal. 

After the war, Nick Preziosi attended and graduated from Syracuse University.  He founded Freeport Equipment, a commercial and residential equipment business he built and led for 47 years.  He was a member of Cherry Valley Country Club.

Mr. Preziosi is survived by his wife of 53 years, Grace Dowling Preziosi; his children Nicholas Jr. (and wife Sue Guthlein), James, Mary Kate and Daniel (and wife Maureen Heneghan), all of Garden City; six grandchildren: Carolyn Jean, Courtney Grace, Nicholas, Patrick, Christine Carmel and Anthony; his sister Anna Preziosi Klien of Baldwin, NY; brothers Louis of Florida, and Vincent of Arizona; and numerous nephews and nieces.  His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

Arthur Hug, Jr.

Arthur Hug, Jr., passed away on July 12, 2010 at the age of 87.

Mr. Hug was a 45 year resident of Garden City, and Chairman and CEO of the Long Island Trust Company, the largest bank on Long Island, until his retirement in 1987. He served in WW 11 assigned to Amphibious Group Seven which participated in the invasion of Normandy. A graduate of Lynbrook High School, attended Oberlin College and graduated from Hofstra University on the GI Bill. He was an invaluable contributor to the economics, politics and social development of Long Island for over 50 years. He began his multi-faceted career as a news reporter and went on to found the Long Island Commercial Review in 1953, still in publication. His rise in the banking world was accented by his involvement in local and national politics, highlighted by his active participation in Ronald Reagan’s successful campaign for President . He was referred to by Newsday in the 1970’s as “the most powerful banker on Long Island”. From early in his career, both as a journalist and a banker, he spoke unflinchingly for principles he held dear, and against those he saw as foolish or nearsighted usually involving what he saw as unwise government regulation. He sat on many corporate, community and charitable boards, nationally honored by the Boy Scouts of America and the State University at Stony Brook among them. A member of the Garden City Golf Club, Deepdale Golf Club, Cherry Valley Club, Burning Tree Golf Club in Washington, and the Lawrence Beach Club, and a passionate pilot and sailor.

Mr. Hug is survived by three daughters, Julie Carney of Wilton, CT, Jeannette Hug Olsen of Islip, NY, and Joanne Powers of Naperville, IL, and three grandsons and a stepgrandson, JJ and Stephen Powers, Matthew Carney and Michael Olsen. His passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of all who loved and respected him.