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Obituaries
Gaelic Football Player, NYPD Officer From Rockland Dies Suddenly, 28 Gaelic Football Player, NYPD Officer From Rockland Dies Suddenly, 28 Gaelic Football Player, NYPD Officer From Rockland Dies Suddenly, 28
Gaelic Football Player, Nypd Officer From Rockland Dies Suddenly, 28 A young NYPD officer from Rockland County whose dedication to policing and Gaelic football earned him admiration from colleagues and teammates has died unexpectedly. Ryan Thomas McDonald, of Orangeburg, died on Saturday, July 18, at age 28, according to his obituary on the Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home website. The NYPD Gaelic Football Club announced McDonald's death in a Facebook post: "Ryan was a member of our club with a promising future as both a Police Officer and Gaelic football player." McDonald began his career with the NYPD in January 2025 and served in Manhattan's 34th Precinct (whic…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Dedicated Teacher Who Worked With Disabled Students In Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 38 Dedicated Teacher Who Worked With Disabled Students In Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 38 Dedicated Teacher Who Worked With Disabled Students In Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 38
Dedicated Teacher Who Worked With Disabled Students In Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 38 Students and their families are mourning the sudden loss of a hardworking special education teacher in Rockland County who dedicated herself to changing young lives for two decades.  Amanda Christine Lydon died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 16, at the age of 38, according to her obituary.  Lydon spent more than 20 years with Rockland BOCES, where she began working at just 18 years old before building a career serving students with disabilities.  Her obituary described her as someone with a quick wit who always showed up for people when they needed her — and often made them …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Longtime Midnight Shift Police Dispatcher From Hudson Valley Dies: 'Steady Voice In The Dark' Longtime Midnight Shift Police Dispatcher From Hudson Valley Dies: 'Steady Voice In The Dark' Longtime Midnight Shift Police Dispatcher From Hudson Valley Dies: 'Steady Voice In The Dark'
Longtime Midnight Shift Police Dispatcher From Hudson Valley Dies: 'Steady Voice In The Dark' A police department in Orange County is mourning the loss of a dispatcher who served during the midnight shift for decades, providing a voice of calm when it was most needed for years.  Kathleen "Kate" Kummer, who served the City of Middletown Police Department for more than 30 years, died on Sunday, July 5, at the age of 72, according to her obituary. She died in Lake Katrine after what her family described as a courageous seven-month battle with a sudden illness. The Middletown Police Department announced her death on Thursday, July 9, remembering Kummer as the agency's "matriarch" …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Longtime Firefighter From Hudson Valley Who Served On 9/11 Dies: 'He Cared' Longtime Firefighter From Hudson Valley Who Served On 9/11 Dies: 'He Cared' Longtime Firefighter From Hudson Valley Who Served On 9/11 Dies: 'He Cared'
Longtime Firefighter From Hudson Valley Who Served On 9/11 Dies: 'He Cared' A longtime Orange County volunteer firefighter and retired FDNY firefighter who responded to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, has died following a battle with cancer.  John A. Braunagel Jr., a life member of the Monroe-Lakeside Fire & Rescue Company, died on Monday, July 6, according to the department.  Firefighters said Braunagel joined Monroe-Lakeside on Oct. 2, 1987, at the age of 18. Sponsored for membership by his father, the late John Braunagel Sr., he went on to build a decades-long career in the fire service, later joining the FDNY.  When terrorists attac…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Man Killed After Cliff Diving In NY Leaves Behind Unborn Child, Loved Adventure (UPDATE) Man Killed After Cliff Diving In NY Leaves Behind Unborn Child, Loved Adventure (UPDATE) Man Killed After Cliff Diving In NY Leaves Behind Unborn Child, Loved Adventure (UPDATE)
Man Killed After Cliff Diving In NY Leaves Behind Unborn Child, Loved Adventure (Update) An Orange County man who died in a cliff jumping incident in Dutchess County last month is being remembered as someone who embraced adventure and difficult challenges.  Vincent "Wavey" Javinett, 34, of Newburgh died on Thursday, June 25, after jumping from a cliff into Fishkill Creek in Beacon.  As Daily Voice previously reported, the incident happened at around 7:34 p.m. near 508 Fishkill Ave. in Beacon. Witnesses told police Javinett jumped from a cliff into the creek but never resurfaced.  Beacon firefighters entered the water in an attempt to find him before a …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Man Who Owned Iconic Saloon For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 76 Man Who Owned Iconic Saloon For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 76 Man Who Owned Iconic Saloon For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 76
Man Who Owned Iconic Saloon For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 76 A man who owned a well-known neighborhood bar in Rockland County for decades has died.  Vincent James "Jimmy" Travaglini, the longtime owner of the Last Chance Saloon in Congers, died on Tuesday, June 30, at the age of 75 after a life spent serving customers and building businesses, according to his obituary.  A lifelong Rockland County resident, Travaglini was born on Sept. 30, 1949, to Joseph and Kathryn Travaglini. He became the proud owner of the Last Chance Saloon, the iconic Congers establishment that first opened in 1964 and remained a favorite gathering place for generatio…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Hudson Valley Man Fatally Struck By Train Was Successful Engineer, 'Science Geek' (UPDATE) Hudson Valley Man Fatally Struck By Train Was Successful Engineer, 'Science Geek' (UPDATE) Hudson Valley Man Fatally Struck By Train Was Successful Engineer, 'Science Geek' (UPDATE)
Hudson Valley Man Fatally Struck By Train Was Successful Engineer, 'Science Geek' (Update) A man who was fatally struck by a Metro-North train in Dutchess County is being remembered as a devoted father and brilliant scientist who held over two dozen patents and whose passion for learning inspired everyone around him.  Fishkill resident Matthew J. Sendelbach, 56, died on Wednesday, July 1, after he was struck by a Metro-North train north of the Bank Street crossing in Wappingers Falls, between the Beacon and New Hamburg stations.  As previously reported by Daily Voice, the incident happened a little before 9 p.m., when Metro-North train No. 875 struck Sendelbac…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
NY Organ Transplant Recipient Who Spent Life Advocating To Help Others Dies At 26 NY Organ Transplant Recipient Who Spent Life Advocating To Help Others Dies At 26 NY Organ Transplant Recipient Who Spent Life Advocating To Help Others Dies At 26
NY Organ Transplant Recipient Who Spent Life Advocating To Help Others Dies At 26 A Rockland County woman who made it her life mission to advocate for organ donations after both a heart and kidney transplant saved her life — and even helped get a state law passed — has died at 26.  Stony Point resident Lauren Shields died on Thursday, June 25, at the age of 26, according to her obituary.  Shields became one of New York's best-known advocates for organ donation after receiving a heart transplant as a child and a kidney transplant from her mother in 2020. She used this second chance at life to help make sure others received it as well, encouraging many to re…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Man, 28, Killed In Skid Steer Incident In Hudson Valley Remembered Man, 28, Killed In Skid Steer Incident In Hudson Valley Remembered Man, 28, Killed In Skid Steer Incident In Hudson Valley Remembered
Man, 28, Killed In Skid Steer Incident In Hudson Valley Remembered A 28-year-old father known for his immense work ethic and love for music is being remembered after his death in a farm machinery accident in Putnam County.  Patterson resident Tyler Robert Pfister died on Sunday, June 14, after suffering severe injuries in an accident involving farm machinery, as previously reported by Daily Voice.  Emergency responders were called to Tri State Hay on Cornwall Hill Road in Patterson at around 6:20 p.m. after a skid steer fell on top of Pfister. He was pronounced dead at the scene.  Authorities later said the incident appears to have bee…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
American Airlines Pilot From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind Daughter, Grandson American Airlines Pilot From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind Daughter, Grandson American Airlines Pilot From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind Daughter, Grandson
American Airlines Pilot From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind Daughter, Grandson Family and friends are mourning the sudden death of a Hudson Valley pilot who spent his career in the skies and now leaves behind a daughter and an infant grandson. Joel Marquez, an American Airlines captain from the Warwick area, died unexpectedly on Monday, June 8.  Marquez worked as a captain flying Boeing 737 aircraft for American Airlines and was remembered by loved ones as a devoted father, son, brother, and friend.  "Joel was an amazing father, brother, son, and friend," wrote Andrew Hardman on a GoFundMe page established to support the family.  According to the fund…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Former Police Chief Who Protected Public For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 79 Former Police Chief Who Protected Public For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 79 Former Police Chief Who Protected Public For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 79
Former Police Chief Who Protected Public For Decades In Hudson Valley Dies At 79 A longtime Orange County law enforcement leader who spent more than three decades serving the public has died. Charles “Charlie” Kehoe, the former chief of the Town of Newburgh Police Department, died on Saturday, June 6, at the age of 79, surrounded by family, according to his obituary. Kehoe dedicated 32 years of service to the Town of Newburgh community. He began his law enforcement career with the department in 1977 and retired in 2009 after rising through the ranks to become chief.  His obituary said the lifelong Newburgh resident graduated from Newburgh Free Academy before servi…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
'Extraordinary' Pastor, Former Westchester Correction Officer Dies At 61 'Extraordinary' Pastor, Former Westchester Correction Officer Dies At 61 'Extraordinary' Pastor, Former Westchester Correction Officer Dies At 61
'Extraordinary' Pastor, Former Westchester Correction Officer Dies At 61 The Dutchess County community is mourning the loss of a longtime pastor and former correction officer who was known for his comforting presence and wisdom.  Michael Hargraves, of Poughkeepsie, died on Thursday, May 21, just days after his 61st birthday, according to his obituary.  Born in Yonkers on May 18, 1965, Hargraves devoted much of his life to public service and ministry. According to his obituary, he spent many years working as a correction officer in Westchester County before retiring and continuing his work as a pastor.  He was known as a comforting and familiar pr…

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by Ben Crnic