With great sadness, we announce the passing of Christopher Pendergast, R-UTN member and founder of the ALS Ride for Life, after a 28 year battle with ALS. Chris died at home, surrounded by his family and his death is mourned by the entire Northport – East Northport Schools community.

A month before his death, he wrote the following to one of his dearest friends — “Some storms are blowing in on us …. tell the whole of Northport I cherished the memories. I loved serving them. With great appreciation, Chris.”

Visitation at O.B. Davis Funeral Homes, 1001 Route 25A, Miller Place, on Sunday, October 18 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., with a Livestreamed Prayer Service at 8:30 p.m.. To join the Prayer Service Livestream, visit the O.B. Davis Obituary Page for Chris. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis De Montfort RC Church, 75 New York Ave., Sound Beach, followed by Cremation at Washington Memorial Park in Mt. Sinai.

Donations may be made in Chris’s memory to the ALS Ride for Life and the Hope House Ministries.

Chris was beloved by so many, and the R-UTN Executive Board wants to offer a platform for members to share members of Chris. Please email your memories, of no more than 100 words, to rutn@digitalqunn.com.

Ellsworth Welch was a truly dedicated and life long educator.  He served as the esteemed  Principal of Ocean Avenue Elementary School for many years.  He never ceased caring about the children, staff and families of the school community. Long  after his retirement, if you met him, he would ask about the children who had attended the school. He was truly interested in the well being of the students.

His family with, the help of Paul Fazio, has requested, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in his memory and name to the R-UTN Scholarship Fund for 2021.

Please send donations to:
Mr. David Hosie
19 Jay Court
Northport, Ny  11768
Make the checks to UTN-R and put Ells Welch on the memo line.

Personal memories of Ells, submitted by R-UTN members, can be found on the Member Memorial page.

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.

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.

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.