‘True Legend’: Longtime Fire Chief From Hudson Valley Dies After Decades Of Service ‘True Legend’: Longtime Fire Chief From Hudson Valley Dies After Decades Of Service
‘True Legend’: Longtime Fire Chief From Hudson Valley Dies After Decades Of Service A longtime Hudson Valley firefighter remembered as a “true legend” and the “backbone” of his department has died after decades of service to his community.   Robert W. Stramm Jr. died on Saturday, April 4, at the age of 81 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center with his family by his side, according to his obituary.  Born in Brooklyn on Feb. 11, 1945, Stramm graduated from Carmel School in 1964 before entering military service. He later built a career as a heavy equipment operator with Clove Excavators in Poughquag, where he earned the nickname “Cactus.”  Stramm, a Stanfordv…
PD's First Bloodhound Mourned In Westchester County After Over 6 Years Of 'Faithful Service' PD's First Bloodhound Mourned In Westchester County After Over 6 Years Of 'Faithful Service'
PD's First Bloodhound Mourned In Westchester County After Over 6 Years Of 'Faithful Service' A police department in Westchester County is mourning the loss of retired K9 Cali, a trailblazing bloodhound who served the city for more than six years. K9 Cali died on Monday, April 6, according to a statement from the Yonkers Police Department. Cali joined the Yonkers Police Department in 2016, where she worked alongside her handler, Officer Robert Ascolillo. She was the department’s first bloodhound K9 and was donated by Parson-DiSalvo Insurance Company. During her career, Cali helped find numerous missing people and was recognized multiple times for her work, police said.  She a…
Scholastic Executive, Devoted Westchester Father Who Led Youth Soccer Dies Suddenly At 60 Scholastic Executive, Devoted Westchester Father Who Led Youth Soccer Dies Suddenly At 60
Scholastic Executive, Devoted Westchester Father Who Led Youth Soccer Dies Suddenly At 60 A Westchester County father and former Scholastic executive remembered for his kindness, faith, and devotion to family has died suddenly, leaving behind a grieving community now determined to support his loved ones.   New Rochelle resident Nelson Alfonso Gómez Wharff, 60, died on Monday, March 30, according to his obituary.  Born in Medellín, Colombia, Gómez built a life centered on family, service, and community after settling in the Hudson Valley. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck, where he was known for his strong faith and commitment to …
Sudden Death Of Former NY Firefighter, Young Father Sparks Wave Of Support Sudden Death Of Former NY Firefighter, Young Father Sparks Wave Of Support
Sudden Death Of Former NY Firefighter, Young Father Sparks Wave Of Support An Orange County fire company is mourning the sudden loss of a former member remembered for his devotion to family, as the community comes together to support his loved ones.  The Monroe-Lakeside Fire and Rescue Company announced the death of James Kelly in a heartfelt social media post shared Tuesday, March 31, calling his death “early and untimely.” Kelly, who previously served with the department, had stepped away from the fire service to spend more time with his wife, Lauren, and their three young children. More information about his death was not made public.  “Jim left our …
Acclaimed Actress Mary Beth Hurt Dies: Known For 'The World According To Garp,' Broadway Shows Acclaimed Actress Mary Beth Hurt Dies: Known For 'The World According To Garp,' Broadway Shows
Acclaimed Actress Mary Beth Hurt Dies: Known For 'The World According To Garp,' Broadway Shows Actress Mary Beth Hurt, known for her distinguished work on stage and screen, has died. Hurt passed away on Saturday, March 28, at an assisted living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, following a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was 79.  Her death was confirmed by her husband, writer-director Paul Schrader, and their daughter, Molly Schrader, on social media, where they expressed comfort that she is "no longer suffering and reunited with her sisters in peace." Born Mary Beth Supinger in Marshalltown, Iowa, Hurt rose to prominence…
Westchester Homicide Victim Was School Paraprofessional, Church Member: Services Set (UPDATE) Westchester Homicide Victim Was School Paraprofessional, Church Member: Services Set (UPDATE)
Westchester Homicide Victim Was School Paraprofessional, Church Member: Services Set (Update) A woman found dead inside a Westchester County apartment is being remembered as a beloved church member and educator as new details emerge in the homicide case.  Lisa Grier, 33, was discovered unresponsive inside her home on East 4th Street on Saturday, March 21, as Daily Voice previously reported. Authorities have since ruled her death a homicide, and a suspect is in custody.  Grier worked as a paraprofessional with New York City Public Schools, according to her Facebook page, and was also an active member of her church community. In a message shared Tuesday, March 24, The Grace…
After Longtime NY Restaurateur's Death From Sudden Stroke, Community Rallies For Family After Longtime NY Restaurateur's Death From Sudden Stroke, Community Rallies For Family
After Longtime NY Restaurateur's Death From Sudden Stroke, Community Rallies For Family Community members are coming together to support the family of a New Jersey man who owned an Italian restaurant in Rockland County for decades before his death from a sudden stroke.  Bergen County resident Brett Kelly, owner of La Terrazza restaurant and catering facility in New City, died at the age of 58 on Wednesday, March 18, after suffering a stroke that led to severe bleeding on the brain.  Kelly, a resident of Saddle River, underwent emergency surgery and fought through multiple procedures before passing away 14 days later, according to those who knew him. For more than th…
Valerie Perrine Dies: Oscar-Nominated Actress Best-Known For Roles In 'Superman,' 'Lenny' Valerie Perrine Dies: Oscar-Nominated Actress Best-Known For Roles In 'Superman,' 'Lenny'
Valerie Perrine Dies: Oscar-Nominated Actress Best-Known For Roles In 'Superman,' 'Lenny' Valerie Perrine, the Oscar-nominated actress and former Las Vegas showgirl who captivated audiences with her role as Lex Luthor’s witty and charming accomplice in the "Superman" films, has died. Perrine's death at age 82 came on Monday, March 23, at her home in Beverly Hills after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. She was first diagnosed in 2015, and her courageous fight was chronicled in the 2020 documentary "Valerie." Perrine gained widespread recognition for playing Eve Teschmacher in "Superman" (1978) and "Superman II" (1980), in which her character famously saved Superman. Beyo…
Kiki Shepard Dies Suddenly: Popular TV Host, Broadway Star Kiki Shepard Dies Suddenly: Popular TV Host, Broadway Star
Kiki Shepard Dies Suddenly: Popular TV Host, Broadway Star Kiki Shepard, the legendary co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo," died suddenly at age 74 after suffering a massive heart attack in Los Angeles on Monday, March 16, her representative confirmed. Born Chiquita Renee Shepard in northeast Texas, Shepard became a cornerstone of Black entertainment and a guiding light for generations of performers.  She was best known for her 15-year run on "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987 to 2002, where she earned the nickname "Apollo Queen of Fashion" for her signature elegance and style. Shepard co-hosted alongside stars like Steve Harvey, Sinbad, and M…
Family Of NYPD Officer Who Died While Deployed In Kuwait Left With 'Deep Void': Support Growing Family Of NYPD Officer Who Died While Deployed In Kuwait Left With 'Deep Void': Support Growing
Family Of Nypd Officer Who Died While Deployed In Kuwait Left With 'Deep Void': Support Growing The family of a Rockland County native and NYPD officer who died while deployed overseas in Kuwait for Operation Epic Fury is receiving an outpouring of support from community members as they mourn the loss of a husband, father, and lifelong public servant.  Major Sorffly Davius, 46, of Clarkstown, died Monday, March 9, after suffering a medical episode while assigned to Kuwait in support of Operation Epic Fury, part of the joint US-Israeli military campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, as Daily Voice previously reported.  Davius served as a Major in the US Army Natio…
'Gentle Giant', Football Player, 28, From Westchester Dies Suddenly, Prompting Wave Of Support 'Gentle Giant', Football Player, 28, From Westchester Dies Suddenly, Prompting Wave Of Support
'Gentle Giant', Football Player, 28, From Westchester Dies Suddenly, Prompting Wave Of Support A Westchester County community is mourning the sudden loss of a 28-year-old man remembered for his warm personality and ability to bring people together.  Bryan Cabreja, a Sleepy Hollow native and graduate of Sleepy Hollow High School, died unexpectedly at the age of 28 on Monday, March 9, according to his obituary. More information about his death was not made public.  Born Oct. 21, 1997, Cabreja was a member of the Sleepy Hollow High School Class of 2015, where he also played on the school’s football team.  Friends and family described him as someone whose personality left…
Firefighter, 28, Dies Suddenly: Served For Decade In Westchester County, Was 'Mets Fanatic' Firefighter, 28, Dies Suddenly: Served For Decade In Westchester County, Was 'Mets Fanatic'
Firefighter, 28, Dies Suddenly: Served For Decade In Westchester County, Was 'Mets Fanatic' A Westchester County volunteer firefighter known for his dedication to service and love of his department is being remembered after his sudden death at the age of 28.    Frank Ritacco, of Somers, formerly of Pelham, died Tuesday, March 10, at Northern Westchester Hospital, according to his obituary.  The Somers Volunteer Fire Department announced Ritacco’s death on Wednesday, March 11, calling him a proud member of the department whose commitment to service left a lasting impression on fellow firefighters. Ritacco joined the Somers Volunteer Fire Department in 2016 and serve…