N2NQY - Jeanne Raffaelli has become a silent key

N2NQY - Jeanne Raffaelli became an SK on April 26, 2010. Jeanne was a WECA member for well over 20 years who contributed countless volunteer hours to the club and was perhaps best known for her organization and leadership in the many "WECAfests" held until 2002. Jeanne is survived by her husband Tom / WB2NHC (our Emergency Services Director) and their two grown children who are also Amateur Radio Operators.

Jeanne's obituary was in the Journal News on Friday, April 27, 2010 as follows:

Jeanne M. Raffaelli, (nee Fyfe)

Born in Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 12, 1944
Departed on Apr. 26, 2010 and resided in Yorktown Heights, NY.

Jeanne, M. Raffaelli (Fyfe), 66,of Yorktown Heights, and Formerly of Thornwood, NY. Died April 26, 2010 at White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY. Jeanne was born to James and Alice (nee Roness) Fyfe. February 12, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY. She is survived by her Husband Thomas, one daughter, Lisa Marie Rolle, both of Yorktown Heights, NY; one son Christopher of LaGrangeville, NY; one sister Dorothy Fyfe of Brooklyn, NY, Grandmother of Michael, Ashley, Nicholas, Amanda, Deanna, and Julianna, and Aunt of many. She is predeceased by her brother, Dr. James Fyfe. Reposing Hawthorne Funeral Home on Wednesday and Thursday 4 - 8 PM. Funeral Mass Holy Rosary Church, Hawthorne, NY Friday 10 AM. Entombment Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Hawthorne, NY. HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOME, 21 Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, New York 10532, 914-769-4404.

For Mapquest directions to the Funeral Home, please click here.

K2ZVI - Nick Gallo became an SK on April 1, 2010

It is with great sadness I report that our fellow member, contester, great guy and WECA supporter Nick Gallo / K2ZVI became a Silent Key on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Nick was a long time member of WECA and many other Ham Radio clubs. He participated in Field Day, our Public Service events along with the NYC Marathon. Nick enjoyed all radio modes, but especially liked CW. He could be heard on HF through 70 cm.

Nick's obituary was in the Journal News on Friday, April 2, 2010 as follows:

Nicholas J. Gallo, Sr. a resident of Port Chester, passed away April 1, 2010 at the age of 72. He was a retired PCHS technology teacher. He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughters Phyllis, JoAnne and Tricia and their husbands, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Visitation will be 4-8PM on Friday and Saturday April 2nd and 3rd, 2010 at Craft Memorial Home, Inc. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30AM on Monday April 5, 2010 at Corpus Christi Church 136 South Regent St. Port Chester, NY. Interment to follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery Rye, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Rogosin Institute or the Dickstein Cancer Center White Plains Hospital. CRAFT MEMORIAL HOME, INC. 40 Leicester St. Port Chester, NY (914) 939-0131.

Former WECA President Paul Vydareny / WB2VUK has become a Silent Key

Paul was a long time member of WECA and President for many years in the 1970s and 80s. He was trustee for the WECA repeaters for at least 30 years. Paul was the consummate ham. Dedicated to public service and fellowship.
Tom / WB2NHC

Paul's Obituary as published in "The Journal News" on October 26, 2009:

Paul S. Vydareny, 65, life-long resident of Tarrytown, passed away on October 23, 2009. Paul was born in Tarrytown on June 1, 1944 to Paul and Julia Vydareny (nee Vavra). He was a graduate of Sleepy Hollow High School Class of 1962 and The Stevens Institute of Technology. His hobby was as a Ham Radio operator and he was a long time member of the American Radio Relay League. Through his good work and constant efforts he held an esteemed position in this organization. Paul worked for ABC in New York City as an electrical and cable technician. He was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his brother John David Vydareny.

Visitation was Tuesday, October 27, 2009 from 4 to 8 P.M. at the DWYER & VANDERBILT funeral home located at 90 North Broadway Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591, 914-631-0621.

The memorial service was on Friday, 11A.M. at The Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul's name to The American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y.

Condolence cards and notes may be sent to:

Gloria Troughton, XYL of Doug / N2RDF passed away quietly on Saturday, March 3, 2007. Many WECA members have probably heard Doug on the repeater over the past few years on Mondays or Thursdays when he travels between Allentown, PA and his home in Manville, Rhode Island.

Gloria's funeral arrangements will be at The Lincoln Funeral Home, 1501 Lonsdale Ave, Lincoln, RI 02865. The viewing will be on Friday March 9 from 5pm to 8pm with a service shortly before 8pm.

Long time member, former WECA Public Service Director, Elmer to many and friend to countless Hams for many years has become an Silent Key. Fran / N2OLU died Saturday morning, June 17, 2006.

LaSorsa, Francis (Fran, Frank)

A long time resident of Mount Vernon, Francis LaSorsa died suddenly at his home on June 17, 2006. Mr. LaSorsa was born to Giosafatte (Jerry) and Angela LaSorsa on August 28, 1947. He was 58 years old. Mr. LaSorsa attended local schools and attended Westchester Community College.

On October 16, 1981 he married Ellenjane O’Grady Mack. Mr. LaSorsa is survived by his wife Ellenjane and a stepson, Brian Mack and daughter-in-law Donna and a granddaughter Samantha Mack. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents have predeceased him.

Mr. LaSorsa worked as a computer-operating technician for Northrop Grumman but was involved with many hobbies, his favorites where candle making, woodworking and being a ham radio operator, his call sign was N2OLU out of Westchester County. He was active in the Westchester Emergency Communications Agency (WECA) holding several posts in the club. He loved working in his workshop fixing things or making furniture or toys. Frank was loved by many as a good husband; good father, good uncle, good friend and he loved being a grandfather. He will be missed.

Friends and family may Visit the Funeral Home (Yannantuono Burr Davis Sharpe funeral Home in the Fleetwood area of Mt. Vernon. The address is 584 Gramatan Avenue Mt. Vernon) on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 from 2 - 4 pm and 7 - 9pm. Mass of christina burial will be held Wednesday at St. Ursula’s Church 10am. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery following the Mass.

It is with great sadness we report that our long time friend and WECA member Sanford (Sandy) Fried / N2SF became an "silent key" (SK) this past Monday morning, September 13, 2004. Sandy was 75 years old and held an Amateur Radio license for over 55 years. He earned his Ham Radio ticket prior to joining the military, while also as a career member of the Navy and years later as a civilian holding callsigns around the world. Although the FCC database shows his most recent callsign as N2SF, he also held the callsigns of W6GLM (1949), KP4BRY (1963), GM5ABN (1965), WB2HPW (1967).

A long time member of WECA, Sandy was also for many years the Westchester County Liaison to WECA while working in the Emergency Services Office of Westchester County (EOC). He was also a VE and coordinated WECA's VEC efforts for many years.

Holding a Ham Radio license for more than 25 years, Sandy was also an active member of the QCWA. He ran and participated in many HF, 2 meter nets and public service events. Until about seven years ago, Sandy was an "Elmer to many" and also taught Ham Radio "technician" classes in New Rochelle, NY at the adult education center. Sandy also maintained a Ham Radio webpage at n2sf.com

He will be missed by many !

Please contact Stan Rothman at WA2NRV at weca.org for further details.