Member News

Sad News

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Ellsworth Welch, former principal of Ocean Avenue School and R-UTN member, passed away on September 20. Ells, as he was always known, is survived by his wife Jacquie, ten children and step-children, twenty-one grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Ells was a longtime resident of Northport and will be missed by all who knew him. Visiting Sunday, September 13, 1- 5 p.m. at the Brueggemann Funeral Home, 522 Larkfield Road, East Northport, NY 11731. Funeral Service Monday, September 14, 10:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 189 Burr Road, East Northport. Interment to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Fran LaDuca – Memorial Service

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A graveside remembrance is set for Monday, August 31, 3:30 pm at St. Philip Neri Cemetery, East Northport, Laurel Road near Hospice House. The grave and gathering are located at the Southeast corner of the cemetery. All are welcome, but please wear masks and observe social distancing. Please do not park on the cemetery grounds.

Sad News

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It is with great shock and sadness that the R-UTN Executive Board announces the untimely death of our beloved R-UTN President, Frances La Duca. Fran was the epitome of all you could ask of anyone who served in this highly respected position as R-UTN President. She worked tirelessly to assist all our members and our community. We were not ready to say goodbye – she left a hole in our hearts and in the spirit of the Retired – United Teachers of Northport .

Fran is survived by her Sister, Antoinette Colletti and her husband Anthony; her niece Elizabeth Colletti-Knowles and nephew Ted Colleti and their children Madison, Lexington and Gilmore.

Fran retired from the Northport – East Northport School district after thirty-three years as High School Library Media Specialist. She made a difference in the lives of many students, both at Northport High School and at C.W. Post University where she taught as an adjunct for twelve years.

Services are currently pending and will be announced when finalized.

Condolences may be sent to:
Antoinette Colletti
449 Hays Drive
Hardwick, VT 05843

Her family requests donations in Fran’s name to Big Brothers – Big Sisters of Long Island (bbbsli.org).

An obituary and tributes can be found on the Member Memorials page of this website.

Sad News

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John Conroy, husband of Maureen Conroy, former nurse at Dickinson Ave Elementary School and father of Ocean Avenue first grade teacher, Maggie Conroy, passed away on July 9th.

Condolences may be sent to Maureen at 83 Lakeland Ave., Babylon NY 11702.

Sad News …

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Retired Bellerose Avenue teacher Lois Cronin passed away on Monday, July 13, after a long illness. Lois, 84, was predeceased by her husband Drew and is survived by her son Drew Cronin, Jr., three grandchildren, a brother and three sisters. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Lois was born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire, and in 2013 she and husband left Long Island to back to New Hampshire. Always an avid reader, in retirement she was a member of the Baker Free Library Book Club and active member of the Concord High School Class of 1953 Scholarship Committee. She was also a volunteer at the Pierce Manse, the historic home of Franklin Pierce, 14th President of the United States.

A graveside services were held at Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord on Saturday, July 18. Donations in Lois’s memory may be made to the Baker Free Library in Bow or to the Pierce Brigade to support the upkeep of the Pierce Manse. To Plant Memorial Trees in her memory, please visit  Waters Funeral Home Sympathy Store.