from the pages of the Courier Post

Almost all of the participants in the ceremony had left the cemetery area when three Purple Heart recipients stood on the curb.

Jim McNamee of Gloucester City joined the Army at age 16 and was in the fight at Utah Beach and later in France, Luxembourg, and Germany.

\”I grew up fast,\” said McNamee, 83, who worked in new home construction for 35 years and then became custodian for Gloucester City Catholic High School, where he still works.

Mike Grzybowski, also of Gloucester City, was a combat photographer with the Navy Seals during World War II and was on board the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt on his way to Japan when the United States dropped an atomic bomb, leading to a quick Japanese surrender. He worked as an electrician for 32 years, first at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and then at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

George Kuhn of Brooklawn, a Navy medic in Vietnam, now is an intensive care unit nurse at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

 

MEMORIES OF GLOUCESTER CITY–In the late 50\’s early 60\’s a group of dance students from Gertrude Porter\’s Dance Studio in Gloucester City would travel to Atlantic City to perform in Tony Grant\’s Stars of Tomorrow show located on Steel Pier.

We can only identify some of the Porterettes, if you recognize any of the missing names please email [email protected].

From left: 1. Mary (Sheldon) Dolrnte, 2, 3, 4, Faith (?), 5. Donna (Hoffman) Henefer, 6. Mary Alice (White) Birchmeire, 7. Carol (Stuebing) Colton, 8. Eleanor (Sandell) ? 9. Nancy (Hoffman) Forchic, 10. Connie (Sarlo) Cleary.

Here\’s Today\’s Joke: Why did the dog chase his tail? Because he was trying to make ends meet.

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Boredom By Allan

Dogs get bored just like adults and children. Assuming that your dog is happy to just lie around
all day or stay on it\’s own while you are at work could lead to a very unhappy animal.

While it\’s not possible or practical for most people to have contact with their dog throughout
the day, due to work and other commitments, a dog will always be a lot happier if it knows that at the end of each day it will get the opportunity to go for a walk in the park or a run along the
beach.

The stimulation that it will get from this activity and the time that it is spending with you will help it to keep a healthy mind and a happy personality.

This time together is all important for building the bond that will ensure you both get the maximum benefit from your relationship.

Quality time with your dog will reap rewards, just as they would with a child, with a more obedient dog who is happier to please you than to misbehave. And a happier dog is a healthier dog that will tend to live longer and give you more years of pleasure.

Allan
http://AboutDogs.info

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

By Hank Miller,

Hank is former resident of Gloucester City

 

The rainy season sets in around mid-June and lasts for about one month and a half in almost all regions of the Japanese archipelago. 

 

The of high cold atmospheric pressure front over the Sea of Okhotsk and warm high atmospheric pressure front over the Pacific gives rise to this phenomenon. 

 

Because it is the time when ume or Japanese plums ripen, the season is called baiu or tsuyu \”(ume-rain\”) 

 

During tsuyu, rain falls on and off for several weeks, or sometimes it continues to rain for days on end without stopping. The grey skies, together with high humidity of the season, mean that this is a very gloomy period for most people. It does not, however, necessarily follow that to have the rainy season is all bad, because at this time of the year, farmers, with all the rain it brings, plant rice, and the rice paddies need a good deal of water.

 

Tsuyu is a natural blessing to them. 

 

Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan 

MEAD, SCOTT M.
On May 26, 2007, of Bellmawr, NJ, formerly of Mt. Ephraim, NJ. Age 48 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa A. (Nee-Woodward) of Haddon Heights, NJ and two daughters, Stacy M. and Krista L. Mead. Son of the late Spence and Althea Mead. Also survived by his brother, Chris M. Mead, a niece, Dana Seay and a nephew, Frank Seay.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Thursday 6:00-7:00 PM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 250 White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ. Memorial service will follow at 7:00 PM. Interment private.

ANDALORO, ELIZABETH
(nee Petralia) of Westville Grove on May 25, 2007. Aged 95 years.
Betty was a free thinking woman. She possessed a pioneering and strong spirit; and tempered herself with good, old fashioned family values and a powerful faith in God.
Betty was born and raised in Philadelphia and has lived in Albion and Haddon Heights. For over forty years she worked as a skilled seamstress for the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, which manufactured uniforms for the military.
Betty met the love of her life, Frank on an outing at Clementon Lake Park and after marriage, settled on his family farm in Westville Grove. Many will remember her as a devoted homemaker, who enjoyed spending time with her family.
Betty and her family were devout and founding members of Most Holy Redeemer RC Church in Westville Grove. She also possessed an artistic side and enjoyed sketching and drawing.
She is the beloved wife of 67 years to the late Frank J.; devoted mother of Maryann Castor and her husband James; dear sister of Rita Miserendino and loving grandmother of Frank and James.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Fri. 8:30-10:15 AM in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Funeral Mass Fri. 11 AM in St. Patrick RC Church, Woodbury. Entombment New Saint Mary\’s Chapel Mausoleum, Bellmawr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Legion of Mary, 64 Cooper St., Woodbury, NJ 08096 or to Alzheimers Disease Foundation 325 Chestnut St., Phila., PA 19106.
Tributes & memories may be shared at: www.mcgfuneral.com.
\’The Lifetime Tribute Funeral Home\’

Dear Bill,

Just a note about today\’s services at the War Memorial monuments. I was very happy to see so many people there, of course more would have been great. The speakers were great, the Gloucester City Choir sang beautifully. The Brownie Troop (can\’t remember #) read a little poem about poppies, they are all so little, but spoke up loud and proud. All organizations showed their pride for our fallen soldiers.

Previous mayors along with the present Mayor and some council members were present. Along with other honored guests.

Unfortunately the Gloucester City High School Band could not be there, the director is very ill and couldn\’t participate. Two of the members, Gabby Spagnoplia and Stephanie Lado, represented Gloucester High, and played taps. They did an excellent job.

All in all the services went well and I thank everyone who attended. Hope to see them all again next year with some additions.

God bless the USA!

Verna Wames

more Memorial Day stories

Dear Bill,

Just a note about today\’s services at the War Memorial monuments. I was very happy to see so many people there, of course more would have been great. The speakers were great, the Gloucester City Choir sang beautifully. The Brownie Troop (can\’t remember #) read a little poem about poppies, they are all so little, but spoke up loud and proud. All organizations showed their pride for our fallen soldiers.

Previous mayors along with the present Mayor and some council members were present. Along with other honored guests.

Unfortunately the Gloucester City High School Band could not be there, the director is very ill and couldn\’t participate. Two of the members, Gabby Spagnoplia and Stephanie Lado, represented Gloucester High, and played taps. They did an excellent job.

All in all the services went well and I thank everyone who attended. Hope to see them all again next year with some additions.

God bless the USA!

Verna Wames

more Memorial Day stories

CUSTODIO, DEACON

Henry, age 87, on May 27, of Bellmawr for 40 years.
Dearly beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (nee Ridgway) for 55 years and loving father of three wonderful daughters, Tina Polito, Pauline and her husband Bob Vogelsong and Betsy Custodio. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Henry was born and raised in South Philadelphia and served in WW II. He worked for the Marine Corp. Headquarters in Phila., when he turned 55, in 1976, he retired to become a permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church.

Actively involved for over 20 years with Mary Mother of the Church, his first deaconate assignment was there and he served for 10 years. Then he was assigned to St. Agnes RC Church, where he has served for over 20 years. Other areas where people have been blessed by Henry\’s compassion and humor are Kennedy Hospital, Turnersville (24 yrs.), St. John of God, Westville (11 yrs.)., Ancora Psychiatric Hospital (17 yrs.), Cooper Hospital (14 yrs.) and Kennedy Nursing Home, Turnersville (14 yrs).

Henry was a volunteer for the Samaritan Hospice for six yrs. and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent DePaul Society, both of St. Agnes. For over thirty-five years he attended retreats in Malvern, PA, and was known as a passionate and creative spiritual writer. Henry was known for his dedication to service and his consistent good humor and he will be greatly missed by his family, his Church and his friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am, Thursday, May 31, at St. Agnes RC Church, 701 Little Gloucester Rd., Gloucester Twp. The viewing will be Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 9:00pm and after 9:30 Thursday morning at the Church.
The family requests donations be given in Deacon Henry\’s name to St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Agnes, 701 Little Gloucester Rd., Blackwood, NJ.
The services are under the direction of Addison G. Bradley, 856-228-6900.

SOURCE: Camden Courier Post, October 27, 1947

The Gloucester City service honoring war dead from that city was held at the World War II Memorial, Broadway and Monmouth Streets, at 2 p.m. It was preceded by a parade in which members of Townsend C. Young Post 3620 VFW; American Legion Post, 135, and their respective auxiliaries participated.

The parade formed in two sections at opposite ends of Broadway and converged on the memorial. The VFW section was led by the St. Mary\’s Junior Guild band, while the American legion contingent was led by the Gloucester City High School band.

SPECIAL PRAYERS OFFERED

Mayor Rea opened the service with an address of welcome. He expressed sympathy on behalf of the city to bereaved relatives of the heroes and praised those who served in the armed forces.

The invocation was asked by the Rev. Loriot D. Bozarth Jr., pastor of the First Baptist Church, The Rev. Alexander P. Kearney, pastor of First Methodist Church, offered special prayers, while the sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward. L. Lucitt, assistant pastor of St. Mary\’s Church. Rabbi Israel E. Turner, of Congregation Ahey Zadek, pronounced the benediction.

Names of the 50 heroes were called by Henry Smith, Legion Post commander, as the bells of St Mary\’s Church, 150 feet away tolled. A bugler sounded taps and the services were concluded with the massed bands playing the \”Star Spangled Banner.\”

HEROES LISTED

Names of the heroes are: Robert J. Anderson, Joseph A. Barron, Ralph E. Batezel, Daniel Booth, Samuel j. Burns, William Boddingham, Alden P. Cochran, Albert Crabtree, Thomas Costello, Edgar S. Crouthamel, Frank Dickinson, Joseph Di Santis, John G. Elliott.

Also Frederick Gehrig, David Ginsburg, Albert S. Godalla, Joseph Harrison, Albert Harvey, John J. Hegener Jr., Albert Hobbs, Harold E. Holloway, Ross C. Hunt, Joseph H. Hohnsojn, Edward Keenan, Thomas Joseph.

Also Joseph C. Kobby, Gerald Lyons, Jack B. McDermott, Paul Mailley, Frank H. Mooney, James L. Myles, Jr., Francis Newcome, Albert Parker, John Pletkin, Edward T. Rogers, Joseph A. Scheurick, Thomas M. Sheridan, Hyman Small, William J. Spencer, Frederick Spiese.

Also John Stainker, James Stinsman, Paul Springer, Walter E. Stuhl, Walter Walker, William Walker, Joseph H. Wessel, James W. Wilkie, William Williams, Walter R. Williamson.