We Remember: A Tribute to Some of Those Lost to the COVID Pandemic

These are just some of the names, faces and memories of those lost to COVID-19 over the past three years on the East End, as remembered by their loved ones. They will never be forgotten.

Ed and Joan Porco, 89 and 90

Greenport, formerly of Montauk

Died March 24 and March 28, 2020

Staunch advocates for Montauk environmental issues. Ed served as a two-term president of the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society and was a longtime board member and past president of Concerned Citizens of Montauk. Joan was a member of the community relations committee of CCOM and authored “Holding Back the Tide: The Thirty-Five Year Struggle to Save Montauk.” Their home in Montauk was named Gaudeamus, which translates from Latin to “let us rejoice.”

Edward F. Doty, 65

Hampton Bays

Died March 26, 2020

A retired assistant chief from Yonkers Fire Department who lived his life to the fullest doing everything he loved.

Paula Cora Monte

Died April 8, 2020

Known for her wit, style, Italian cooking and DIY interior design. While shopping at her favorite stores, she was often asked for her autograph by people who thought she was Sophia Loren.

Kathleen Monaghan Tiska, 72

Southampton

Died April 8, 2020

A civil servant at the Southampton Town and Suffolk County assessors’ offices, a volunteer with the Lioness Club and Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce, and a traveler. She particularly loved San Francisco and Newport, where she spent many happy days.

Richard D. Diem, 73

Eastport

Died April 22, 2020

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend of many. Served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Diachenko in WestPac/Vietnam and eventually retired from the U.S. Department of Energy as the radiological assistance program coordinator for Region 1. He volunteered with the Eastport Fire Department for 47 years, serving as chief from 1983 to 1985.

John H. Downs Sr., 76

Hampton Bays

Died April 23, 2020

One of 19 children, he was a self-employed bayman, contractor and avid outdoorsman who loved being on the water. He lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures.

Cyril Fitzsimons, 76

Former owner of Cyril’s Fish House, Napeague

Died April 24, 2020

Gregarious, welcoming, generous and feisty champion of fun and revelry. An Irish barkeep and fastidious businessman who ran a tight ship at the many bars and restaurants he owned over the years. Sharper than a whip.

Philip Gouldstone, 75

Eastport

Died April 26, 2020

A brilliant critical thinker, mechanically gifted and a good-hearted man who would help anyone. He worked in the record, cassette tape, VHS and compact disc manufacturing business for years, and his last employment position was as a Southampton Town building inspector. A nature lover, photography buff, birdwatcher and animal lover. His last dog, Ollie, was his best friend and died six months after he did.

Marilyn Ann Fordham Acquino, 88

Southampton

Died May 1, 2020

Lover of the ocean, frequenter of yard sales and avid attender of First Presbyterian Church of Southampton. She was artistically inclined and could paint, draw, do any kind of knitting/needlepoint/macramé, and even made a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich look just right. She made hundreds of friends over the years and was passionate about her mob of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charlotte Joan Mitchell, 78

Sag Harbor

Died May 23, 2020

A caring and kind person, she enjoyed reading, sewing and spending time with her family. She is loved and missed every day.

Melba Terrell Epsman, 86

Birmingham, Alabama

Died July 19, 2020

A pioneer woman and a loved one of relatives in Sagaponack. She retired as chief operator at AT&T and worked with her husband at their business, New York Pawn Shop. She was a leader in Birmingham’s Jewish community and loved her family, traveling, and Alabama football. She threw legendary Super Bowl parties.

Martin White, 84

Southampton

Died August 10, 2020

Artist, mentor, world traveler and owner-manager of the Village Latch Inn Hotel for over 40 years. Larger than life, kind, generous, witty and creative. He was always ready for a new adventure.

Louis F. Perez, 90

Formerly of Westhampton

Died October 30, 2020

Westhampton was his “Shangri-La.” A regular at Eckart’s Luncheonette and at the firehouse around the corner, a public school teacher and proud member of the Westhampton Beach Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He most enjoyed playing tennis, reading and listening to opera.

George C. Payne, 90

North Carolina

Died December 8, 2020

A very special, caring, loving man. Everyone who met him didn’t forget him.

Gilbert R. Foster, 80

Formerly of Southampton

Died December 14, 2020

An avid licensed hot air balloon pilot who took his passion for flying to Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and across the United States. A U.S. Air Force veteran, founder and owner of the Mystic River Balloon Adventure. In the 1980s, he became the Balloonmeister of the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Gert Murphy, 82

Montauk

Died December 16, 2020

Teacher, friend, aunt, writer and painter whose canvas went to others for shelter, sails, wings.

Robert Hand Sr., 77

Sag Harbor

Died January 11, 2021

Renowned decoy carver, colorful, bold, straightforward and loved a good prank. His demeanor was stern yet approachable, and he didn’t have a pretentious bone in his body. Above all else, he was a “character,” in the purest sense of the word.

Robert F. Schepps, 66

Southampton

Died January 17, 2021

Founder of Hamptons Bagels and deeply devoted to his family, friends, neighbors, business associates and community. He served as Southampton Chamber of Commerce president for nine years and was an active member of Southampton Lions Club and Southampton Business Alliance. “Bobby Bagels” was quick with a joke, whether it was funny or not, and will be missed for his smile and humor.

Joseph Andrew Fagereng, 35

Hampton Bays

Died January 20, 2021

A messenger of love, courier of kindness, beacon of light and spreader of joy. He had a sunny disposition and gentle demeanor, and he could quote a movie or drop a one-liner faster than any comedian. His laugh was adorable, his smile infectious, and he had a special song for everyone in his life.

George White Baird Jr., 91

Formerly of Southampton and Bridgehampton

Died January 20, 2021

A husband, father and U.S. Army veteran known and loved for his singing, quick wit, positive spirit, generosity, and being a kind gentleman.

Jill Berger Roth, 66

Center Moriches

Died February 16, 2021

An expert dog groomer, artist, baker and avid bird rescuer; her brood included peacocks, cockatiels and canaries. She showed and bred English springer spaniels for years, and won countless awards as a fine breeder and handler.

Christopher F. Seger, 51

Hampton Bays

Died February 23, 2021

A lover of travel, reading, the arts, museums, Broadway, music, photography, fine dining and hot dogs alike. He absorbed as much knowledge as he could. He enjoyed window shopping with family, deep conversations about politics, sitting on the beach, and sailing on Long Island. To know him was to love him.

Thomas H. Mendenhall, 76

East Quogue

Died August 23, 2021

A proud and honest man who loved God, his family and his country. He served as a medic in the Vietnam War and, upon returning to his hometown, began his life goal of making every day count. He was a member of the East Quogue Fire Department for more than 50 years and a member of the Westhampton Beach VFW Post 5350.

Serena Vegessi Schick, 42

Montauk

Died November 24, 2021

A woman whose heart never left Montauk. She worked alongside her father on their family fishing boat, the Lazybones, before earning her U.S. Coast Guard license and operating the charter boat Ladybones. She is remembered for her laughter, beautiful smile and tight hugs.

Brent Newsom, 84

Wainscott and East Hampton

Died December 27, 2021

Renowned chef, caterer, co-owner of the gay nightclub The Swamp, a beloved local figure for over four decades on the East End, and a kind, loyal, gentle friend. He welcomed dying men into his homes during the height of the AIDS epidemic, giving them the care they were denied.

Robert J. Spinna, 92

Southampton

January 25, 2022

Engineer, teacher, advisor and family man who was fiercely independent and extraordinarily competent in a wide range of areas. He loved hosting, planting in his vegetable garden and cooking for his grandchildren. Tomato sauce made with homegrown tomatoes was a year-round feature of Spinna cuisine.

Steve Haweeli, 68

East Hampton

Died August 23, 2022

Devoted father, loyal friend, dedicated businessman, passionate artist, world traveler, consummate wordsmith, deeply spiritual and a lover of life.

Mario Dominic Mangieri, 91

Quogue

Died October 19, 2022

Among the first radiologists on Eastern Long Island and one of the very few to receive specialties in radiology, nuclear medicine, computer tomography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. His dedication to bringing new technology to the area was unflagging during his more than four decades serving the East End. He founded Peconic Bay School of Radiologic Technology to address the shortage of radiologic technicians on the East End, which still operates today out of Peconic Bay Medical Center.