Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 28

STATE Thursday, April 13, 2006 Obituaries Obituaries are posted daily at pressconnects.com and archived into a searchable database. Billionaire in gossip scandal rips 'tabloidism' Ron Burkle says 'Post' columnist sought money Scott Fitzgerald Robert R. Mock, Sr. "Fitzie" of Binghamton of Binghamton Robert R. Mock, 94, has Scott Fitzgerald, 33, of Bing- gone home peacefully to the hamton, passed away Monday, Lord, Sunday, April 9, 2006.

April 10, 2006. He was prede- He was predeceased by his pa-ceased by his grandmother, rents, Andrew and Bessie Anne Fitzgerald and his Nana, Maude Mock; two sisters and Agnes Carey. He is survived by seven brothers. Robert is sur-his parents, Robert and Donna vived by his wife of 68 years, Fitzgerald, Binghamton; his Mildred Mock; son, Robert, Jr. brother and sisters, Michclc and Nina Mock, Vestal; daugh-Charlier and her husband, ter, Nancy and Charles Harri-Brian, Port Crane, N.Y., son, Vestal; four grandchildren, I I.

ri i 4 Matthew Anthony Flagg of Binghamton A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Church with the Rev. Mark Giroux and the Rev. Judy Kessler officiating.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wm. R. Chase Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Port Dickinson, N.Y. 13901.

Burial will take place at the convenience of the family. Donations in Malt's memory can be made to a charity of your choice. Floyd D. Hamilton of Binghamton Floyd D. Hamilton, 76, of Binghamton, passed away at 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Jean (VanMarter) Hamilton, Binghamton; two sons, Michael, and Eric, Binghamton; three grandchildren, Christopher and Jason, Ohio, Zachary, Binghamton; one great-grandson, Christopher Ohio; a brother, Arthur Hamilton, New Scotland, N.Y.; two sisters, Mary Birchard, Birchardville, and Cora Krupp, Greene, N.Y. He was a retiree of Miller's Body Shop with over 35 years of service. Memorial Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to Hospice.

Arrangements by the Hopler Funeral Home. Obits Funeral Notices Warnstorff nfRinhtnn Fnnornl slices for Alice fDav wLstortT 11 hAifSw ft rhiS sEn Fu nL 1 44 Fxenanee St" ShlmtnS Ji.h Rev Steve Xi-Sn Rurial wiH i in Ou laoa SSKii? ullt 1 nT ly consider memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 255, Binghamton. N.Y. 13905.

honored nigityV PROVIDEn m. R. Chase Son Funeral Directors 44 Exchange St, Binghamton, NY13901 724-4867 Paul S. Allen of Binghamton Paul S. Allen, 73, of Binghamton, died Tuesday afternoon, April 11, 2006, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

He was predeceased by his mother, Mary Allen; his sister, Ruth Allen; and a brother, James Allen. He is survived by a brother, Richard G. Allen, Binghamton; sister-in-law, Dorecn Allen, Binghamton; nieces, Lynn and Dale Gurney, Vestal, Deborah and Peter Larson. Binehamton. Vicki and Steven Ward, Allen- town, Nancy and James Clark, Binghamton; several great-nieces and nephews.

He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Binghamton, U.S. Navv veteran of the Kore- iviu.ua.! i iuxliuiu uuu ins wife, Janinc, Binghamton, Nan- cv Fitzgerald, Binghamton; his aunts uncles' Shirlcy and James Crow Fran anJ cia Figerald, Jack and Cathy Fitzgerald; as well as manj C0usins and close friends He was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 112, an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a bi fan of the Cow" bovs- His Sreatest lovc and Pride and however were his nephew, Ryan, and his two A Funeral Mass will be of- fered Monday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Church, corner of Robinson and Chenango Streets, Binghamton, with Rev.

Corey VanKuren, officiating, Burial will be in Calvary Ceme- tery. Friends are invited to call Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Thomas J. Shea Funeral Home, 137 Robinson Street, Binghamton. Bernard Emory Oliver Vestal, New York Bernard E.

Oliver. 62. went to be with his heavenly father Church, 6 Morris Street, Bing-Anril 12. 2006 following a cou- hamton. New York 13903.

an War and a member of Amer- David Oliver, Bethany Oliver, ican Legion Post 1645. Paul Carl Oliver; leaving behind a retired from the Endicott- loving sister, Nola McCoy; Johnson Corporation. He was brother-in-law, Edgar; brother an avid walker, enjoyed golf and hunting buddy, Richard and bowling. Oliver; grandchildren, Eliza- Funeral services will be held beth, David, Nathanael, Josiah, at the J.A. McCormack Sons Olivia, Mary Beth, Michael, Sa-Funeral Home, 141 Main muel, were his pride and joy.

Street, Binghamton, Saturday at Bernard was a self-employed 8:30 a.m. and at 9 a.m. at St. Poster mason, Vietnam Vet. He Thomas Aquinas Church, had many children that love where, due to Holy Week, the him and called him Dad, and Liturgy of the Word will be of- his wife opened their home to By ADAM GOLDMAN Associated Press NEW YORK Ron Burkle, the billionaire embroiled in a furious gossip page scandal involving the New York Post, warned Wednesday in his first comments about the case that gossip columns employing haphazard practices have the potential to sully journalism.

"Newspapers that continue to go down the road of tabloidism, that adopt the shoddy standards of gossip reporting, and that arrogantly resist correcting their mistakes, risk losing their special role in our democracy," the publicity-shy Burkle wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed in Wednesday's editions. The piece comes amid a scandal that has rocked one of the country's most famous gossip columns, the New York Post's Page Six, and provided its fierce competitor, the New York Daily News, with much front-page Burkle has accused Post gossip writer Jared Paul Stern of trying to shake him down for $220,000. The money, Burkle contends, would have ensured that Stern portrayed the California businessman in a favorable light in the well-read column. Stern denies the accusations and says he has not been contacted by federal authorities. Stern says that videotaped meetings where 'the alleged extortion attempt occurred were a set-up by Burkle.

Sterns tough-talking lawyer, Joe Tacopina, a former federal prosecutor, charges that Stern is the victim of an unrelenting tabloid war between the Post and Daily News. Whether Stern will be charged with violating the law is unclear. A law enforcement official familiar with the case said there's a "spirited discussion" taking place among investigators at the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office as to whether a crime was committed. The FBI has presented the findings of its investigation to the U.S.

Attorney's office in Manhattan, and prosecutors are analyzing the information, the official said. "The whole case may be salacious but it is at the bottom of the FBI's priority list with terrorism topping its list," the official said. "It is not like we are getting briefings every hour." Burkle became infuriated after Page Six ran repeated items about him that were erroneous and ultimately refused to take any steps to correct the problem, according to the businessman. In an interview, Stern admitted to contributing to some of the Burkle items that the newspaper published. But he said none of his Post bosses ever advised him that the Burkle rumors needed to be handled with extra care.

Burkle argues in the Wall Street Journal that newsrooms should be held accountable and operate like corporate boardrooms, "requiring care in what is said publicly." Burkle's words were intended to raise alarm bells about sloppy journalism but they were also a well-placed shot across the bow of the Post. "While the vast majority of the media maintain high levels of integrity, the resistance by some newspapers to correcting basic falsehoods is alarming," Burkle-wrote. In the op-ed piece titled "Yellow Peril," Burkle essentially called gos-sipmongers like Stern a cancer on the media industry. "As gossip journalism spreads, so do the shoddy standards that accompany it," Burkle wrote. Post spokesman Howard Ruben-stein declined to comment.

Stern. 35, described the Wall Street Journal piece as laughable i i iu said Burkle didn't have any scruples. "It was very funny," Stern said. "I think trying to take the high moral ground." Burkle, who has an estimated personal wealth of more than $2 billion and has given millions of dollars to political causes, is known for his investments in supermarkets, including Food4Less, Dominick's and Ralph's Grocery Co. Stern, on the other hand, is known for his stylish wardrobe and his new fashion line.

He remains ensconced at his home in the rustic hamlet of Oak Hill in the Catskills, fielding scores of interview requests and watching the drama unfold in the tabloids. iwujcii, in, ucvia, aim Laura; four great- grandchildren, five great-great- grandchildren. He leaves be- hind sisters-in-law, Lucy Mock, Audean Mock and Betty Owen, Robert was an active member of the Ross Memorial Presby- terian Church and served as both and cider and treasurer, he and Mildred were faithful and acliv members of the Grummon Guild. He belonged to lhe St. Mark's-Philetus Lodge 1001 Robert retiree of General Electric.

He was a family man whose hob- bies included gardening and reading. The family will receive friends at the DeMunn Funeral Home, 36 Conklin Avenue, Bingham- ton, Thursday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 14, 2006, at the DeMunn Funeral Home with the Rever end Joseph Hem officiating. Entombment will follow serv ices in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. Memorial contributions in Robert's name may be made to K.OSS Memorial rrcsb terian Walter Perih of Johnson City A memorial senire tr rele- brate Walter's life will be held on Friday, April 14, beginning at a at the Congre- gational Church, 30 Main Binghamton, N.Y.

Patrick J. Pignatelli Jr. of Endicott Patrick Picnatelli Jr 73 of EriJ J- "gn em A fnalcoI1' wfni lo wunA Hospital. He was predeceased bvhDarents patrickJ Sr and K'JeT kev) is survived by loving wite of 33 years Caro. lyn Pignatelli, Endicott; three daughters and one son-in-law, Karen Lawton, Nancy and Dave Evans, all of Apalachin, N.Y., Lisa Pignatelli, Oneonta, N.Y.; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Karoline Pignatelli, Endwell; two stepchildren and spouses, Lori and Steve Jackson, Owego, N.Y., TnHH nnH Tfrri Pant Buffalo N.Y.; eight grandchildren: one sister and brother-in-law, Phyl- lis and Anthony Tierno, Bing- hamton; one sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rev.

and Mrs. Dennis Hartman, Bedminster, one uncle, George Pignatelli, Binghamton; one aunt, Dolores Pignatelli Rogers, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a member of St. James Church, Johnson City, a retired employee of IBM Corporation with 35 years of service, a veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Marines, a former volunteer fireman for the Apalachin Fire Department. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying boating, camping, hnntintr and nlt' Pat uill he missed by his family, especially him Funeral services will be held at the J.F.

Rice Funeral Home, 150 Main Johnson City, Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at St. James Church where a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will be in Calva- ry Cemetery, Johnson City.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to St. James Church Memorial Fund, 147 Main Johnson City, N.Y. 13790, in Patrick J. Pignatelli Jr.

memory. mmmmmmm Wm.R. Chase Son Funeral Directors 737 Chenango St, Port Dickinson, NY 13901 772-0320 In Memorlam In Loving Memory Joseph M. Foody 7-23-45 to 4-13-05 Not a day goes by, dear Joe, without a thought or mention of you. I remember, still with tears, my 3 wonderful years spent with you, we were partners in love until the end.

I miss the funny things you said, stories you told, the laughter we shared. Your love, devotion and loyalty and the dreams we shared together will never be matched. At the end of each day I still feel the need to hear your voice and share the events of our day. You were always interested and your good mind and sound advice never failed me to the end. We miss you so much and could never have imagined our lives without you or the emptiness your leaving would create.

You will always be in our hearts and there is comfort in remembering you each night in our prayers. We love you, Maggie 7v In Loving Memory 01 Christopher Shawn Moyer June 4, 1970 April 13-2003 I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one, I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave when life is done-Love and miss you, Mom and Dad, Jacque, Taelor, Payton, Lisa and Tori In Loving Memory Of Edward F.

Dowdle 41326 to 121401 We celebrate with smiles on our faces, tears in our eyes, joy in our hearts, as we are thinking of you on your 80th birthday today. Love, Dorothy, Mariliz, Patty, John and Tom In Loving Memory of Our Dad, Dick Felice 1934 to 41397 Gone, but never forgotten and still missed by Mom. Love, Your Family The Obituaries, In Memonams ancf Cards Of Thanks that appear here are paid announcements. The list of deaths that appears elsewhere in this section, Is provided free of charge. Obituary Department: 798-1 104 Fax: 607-798-0261 obitspressconnects.com HOURS Monday-Friday Saturday Sunday A Holidays 'it' t' a NJ Si'" Edith L.

Gregory of Endwell Edith L. Gregory, 76, of End-well, died unexpectedly Monday, April 10, 2006, at her home: She was predeceased by her father, Leon Gregory; sisters. Hazel and Betty; brother, Richard. She is survived by her mother, Mildred Gregory; a brother, Ralph E. Gregory; a nephew and his wife, John and Jennifer Gregory; a nephew, Bob Hollopeter; a niece and her husband, Vicki and Michael Holleran.

The funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Coleman Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main St, Endicott. The Rev. Susan Davis, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Endicott, will officiate.

Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Those wishing may make contributions to Project Paw, 127 Bevier Binghamton, N.Y. 13904, in her memory.

Russell E. Cooley of Port Dickinson, N.Y. Russell E. Cooley, 91, passed away to Heaven peacefully, Monday, April 10, 2006, at Lourdes Hospital. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marion Moxley; and wife of 52 years, Helen J.

Cooley. He is survived by his son, John and his wife, Nancy Cooley, Hillcrest, and their children, Matthew, Bethanne and Scott son, Ross (Pete) and wife, Patty Cooley, Houston, and their children, Christopher, Tracy, Scott R. and Ross (Skip); nine greatgrandchildren; and cousins, Andy Perkins and his family, Johnson City, and Rodney Rouse and his family, Painted Post, N.Y.; and dear friend, Barbara Townsend, Hillcrest. He served in the US Army, WWII European Theatre as a tank commander under General Patton including the Battle of the Bulge. Russ was the owner of Cooley 's AtlanticArco Service Station in Hillcrest for 30 years.

He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 1194, Hillcrest and the Hillcrest Fire Company. He was a member of Ogden Hillcrest Methodist Church. Russ lived life to its fullest and had many friends. He was an avid boater, bowler, golfer and was an OTB regular. He was always ready with a story and a joke.

Russ will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, 11 a.m. at Wm. R. Chase Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson with Rev.

Horace King officiating. Burial will be in Chenango Valley Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 5-8 p.m. HONORED I riTi7v- PROVIDER -t 4, rageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Emory Baven and Myrtle Isabell Oliver.

He is survived by a loving and caring best fnend, wife of 38 years, Mary Elizabeth Uliver. He was the most caring Dad to his children, Paula and David Macey, Cheryl and Bill Moy, Beth Ann and Randy Ortheb, years. He loved being outdoors, weekends at his cottage, hunt- ing, F-hing, boating and water BrranwmAIltB nnA Funeral arrangements are pend- ing. Arrangements entrusted to Savage JJtecoftnjl Serv- SAVAGE A Funend Service Helen Marie Eldred of Johnson City Heln Marifi F.lrlrftH upnt t0 be Wlth Lord? Tuesday, April 1( 2006, at Lourdes Hos- pita She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Eldred; one brother, Richard Greene; one sjster-in-law, Dorothy Greene. She js survived by her daughter, joyce Harrison; two grand- daughters, Brenda and Paul Higgins, Sheri and James Ab- bott; one grandSOn, Bill and Keuj Harrison; seven great- grandchildren, Lauren Harrison, Gavin Abbott, Chloe Higgins, Gabrielle Higgins, Will Harri- son Allyson Abbott, Audrey Higgins; one sister, Thelma LeWs; one brother, George Greene.

Helen worked for many years at Krohler Mfg. in Rinwhamtnn Shp was a mem- ber of 1st Presbyterian Church tcrea. Bunai win oe in vestai Hills Memorial Park. The fami- lv will receive friends at the ScOS.SfiLS W- day from 5-7 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Paul may be made to St.

Thomas Aquinas Church, lAquina, Carol N. Sturdevant of Lisle Carol N. Sturdevant, 71, of Lisle passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2006. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul Sturdevant; five children, Ronald (Deborah) Sturdevant, William (Tina) Sturdevant, Nancy (Greg Lindebom) Rood, Dann (Wendy Harvey) Slurdevant. Thomas Sturdevant; one sister, Peg Liberati, Bing- hamton; 16 grand-children; 21 great-grandchildren; many me- ces, nephews, and cousins.

Mie was a Cub Scout Leader lor many years and a member ot the Lisle Associated Church. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 2 p.m. in the Lisle Cemetery. Diane Brower CLP will be officiating. In lieu ot flowers expressions of sympa- thy in her memory may be made to: Northern Broome MealS 1 eC Place, Whitney Point, New York 13862, or Lisle AssOCiat- ed Church, P.O.

Box 336, Lisle, New York 13797. Harry J. Revette of Windsor Harry J. Revette, 76, passed away December 13, 2005. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2006, at 2 p.m.

at the Windsor Pres- byterian Church, on the Wind- sor Village Green, with Rev. Carl Batzel, officiating. Milila- ry honors will follow presented by the members of the Hall- stead American Legion Post 357. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.

01 Johnson City and North his grandchildren, who he ador-Fenton Methodist Church. Her ed and everyone who knew tamily and tnends were the joy of her life. Helen was a sweet person who was loved by all. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 1 :00 a.m. at the Ern- est H.

Parsons Funeral Home, 71 Main Binghamton, N.Y. The Rev. Robert T. Peak will officiate. Burial will be pri- vatc at Vestal Hills Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Thursday from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribu- tions may be made to Lourdes Hospice, -169 Riverside Binghamton, N.u 13905. Wm. R. Chase Son Funeral Directors 737 Chenango St, Port DicMnson, NY 1 3901 772-0320.