Private Services and Cremation

Former East Rockaway Fire Chief James F. McCartney (age 73) passed away peacefully on May 8th, 2020 at home surrounded by family. James was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Robert and Jane McCartney. He attended Brooklyn Prep High School and then graduated from Fordham University with a BS in Accounting and later received his MBA. He became an Army Officer, served with the Army Engineer Corp in South Korea. James was a devoted husband for 51 years to his wife, Jean. James and Jean raised their four children in East Rockaway, where he was a member of the East Rockaway Fire Department for 38 years. As Chief, one of his legacies was overseeing the restoration of “Tootsie” the 1890’s fire pumper which was destroyed during the fire of the historic Grist Mill in 1990. He enjoyed spending time with his fire department family at Grant Avenue Hose Company No. 1. James McCartney was also a Lector at St. Raymond’s Church. James spent a majority of his career in finance, employed by Home Box Office and Mercy Medical Center. He enjoyed spending time with his children and six grandchildren. He loved to go for walks, bike rides and to laugh with his friends and family. James and his wife, Jean spent their retirement together living in Georgia with their pets. He loved his family and his friends and had countless friends on what he called “The Facebook”. James touched the lives of so many and always left them with a smile.

James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He will be missed by his children and their spouses, Karen and Brian Fays, Dennis and Maureen McCartney, Terence and Amy McCartney, Victoria and Logan McCartney-Toon. He was known fondly as Gramps, and Papa T by his grandchildren, Katie, Brian, Liam, Nathan, Seamus and Keira. James is survived by his sister, Bobbi McAneny. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

November 4, 1932 – May 5, 2020

Private Cremation Service

Merber, Fillmore Arnold ‘Fill’ on May 5, 2020 at age 93. Beloved husband of the late Mary. Loving father of Michael, Mitchell (Vicki) and Marc. Devoted grandfather of Adam , Kyle and Casey. Dear brother of the late Peggy Mitchell.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Fill Merber, who left us peacefully last night in our original family home in Woodmere. Dad was a lifelong Five Towner. Having grown up in Woodmere, he attended Lawrence Public Schools and spent most summers at the clubs in Atlantic Beach. Dad was 93 years old and still had his ponytail!

Dad married the love of his life, Mary Yannello, in 1953. They raised the three of us (Michael, Mitchell, and Marc) with love and fun and affection that we will always appreciate. We will cherish those memories of the Five Towns from back in the day. Mom passed away in 2017 and he missed her by his side every day since then. Dad also had three grandchildren (Adam, Kyle, and Casey) who were loved and adored, with overflowing photo albums to prove it.

Dad lived his life to the fullest! Fill served in the US Navy in WWII after lying about his age to enlist at 17. He played drums in a jazz trio for many years (local spots like Goldies, the Six Pence, and Peter’s Restaurant). He sold storm windows door to door before entering the life insurance business—there, he became an extraordinarily successful agent, rising to Hall of Fame status with Home Life. He also collected stamps for a time, but his favorite pastime was always tanning on the beach in his famous Speedo.

Mom and Dad spent their retirement years vacationing for months at a time at the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Oahu, Hawaii. There, they were treated like royalty by the entire resort staff. We used to say the lobby was their living room, the snack bar was their kitchen, and all the guests were just visiting Mom and Dad to see how they were doing.

While we will not be doing any sort of service anytime soon, we plan to hold a memorial at some point in the future when it becomes possible to do so. Our family thanks everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and memories at this difficult time.

Interment Tuesday May 5, 2020

Greenfield Cemetery

650 Nassau Road, Uniondale, New York

April 11, 1936 – April 28, 2020  age 84

Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, New York

October 5, 1927 – April 26, 2020  age 92

Catherine Miller of East Rockaway entered into eternal rest at age 92 on April 26, 2020. Born on October 5, 1927 she is the beloved wife of the late Robert Miller (passed February 24, 2002). The loving mother of Karen Carneglia(Ed), and Steven Miller. A devoted grandmother of Jessica, Samantha, Andrea(Roy), Jeanette, and Eddie. A dear sister of Patsy Abate(Manuela),Margaret Skartsiaris(Thomas), Rosemarie Saraceni(Rocco), and Frances Moresco(the late Andrew), the late Frank Abate and Nina Cangro(Philip). A memorial mass will be celebrated at Saint Raymond RC Church at a future date.

April 24, 1959 – April 22, 2020  age 60

Private Cremation.

Memorial mass to be celebrated at a later date.

September 23, 1924 – April 21, 2020  age 95

Greenfield Cemetery, Uniondale, New York

August 22, 1935 – April 19, 2020  age 84

Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, New York

Memorial mass to be celebrated at a later date.