By Andrew Coen
He was stricken with a heart attack while playing golf at Lawrence Village Country Club and was taken to St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, where he was pronounced dead, family members said.
He was well-loved, active in the community, a concerned family man, a good friend and he helped keep the family together, said his wife of 41 years, Paula.
Mr. Chason served as a Lawrence village trustee from 1980 to 1985 and served on the the village's Zoning Board of Appeals from 1986 until his death. He was also an attorney in Lynbrook.
In addition, Mr. Chason was chairman of Lawrence's Cable TV Advisory Committee from 1980 to 1985, chairman of the Tax and Limousine Committee from 1984 to 1986 and served on the Citizens Advisory Board in 1978.
There are very few people in this village that have given so much of their time to the service of their fellow residents, said Lawrence Mayor Dr. Jack Levenbrown. My heartfelt condolences go to his dear wife, Paula, his daughter, Leslie, and to the entire family.
Lawrence Village Administrator Peter Overs added, He was a great asset to the village. He brought a great deal of experience. He will be sorely missed.
Mr. Chason worked as an attorney in a private practice in Lynbrook for 20 years. He was also a member of Temple Beth El of Cedarhurst and of the Lawrence Country Club.
He was a very confident, fair-minded lawyer. He was really concerned with the Village of Lawrence and was a great public servant, said Ron Goldman, the village attorney.
Mr. Chason was born in Queens and lived in Lawrence for about 40 years. He graduated with a business degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1959, and received his law degree from New York University Law School in 1962.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 20, at Boulevard Riverside Chapels in Hewlett. Burial followed at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Chason is survived by his daughter, Leslie; his mother, Celia; two brothers, Stephen and Jan; and five nephews and one niece.
Catherine Arata
At 74
Catherine Kay Arata, resident of Florida and former resident of Inwood died Saturday, July 5. She was 74.
Mrs. Arata was employed by Independent Coach Corporation as a school bus matron for 25 years.
She is survived by her husband, Andrew L. Arata; a daughter, Patricia Meyer of Florida; two sons, Andrew Arata of Inwood and Michael Arata of Inwood; two daughters-in-law, Linda and Beverly; a son-in-law, Andrew Meyer; six grandchildren; three great-children; and a sister, Carol Dorn of Florida. Mrs. Arata was predeceased by a brother, Ralph Gelato.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Inwood. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton.
Nancy Ruggieri
Inwood resident
Services were held for Nancy Ruggieri, a lifelong Inwood resident, who passed away on Wednesday, July 2. She was 84.
A homemaker, Mrs. Ruggieri is survived by a daughter, Nancy Ruggieri of Inwood; two sons, Vincent Ruggieri of Oceanside and Alfred Ruggieri of Inwood; a daughter-in-law, Terry; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty DePalma of Inwood and a brother, Henry Greco of Hewlett. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent M. Ruggieri.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Inwood on Saturday, July 5. Interment followed at Holy Rood R.C. Cemetery in Westbury.
Christopher Thall
At 42
Christopher A. Thall, resident of Florida and former resident of Lawrence, died Saturday, June 7, at the Jupiter Medical Center in Florida. He was 42.
He was the owner of Crystal Print Shop in Lake Park, Fla.
Mr. Thall is survived by his wife, Jodi; two sons, Jack and Charlie; two daughters, Caitlyn and Maxine; a brother, Jeffrey Thall; his parents, Martin and Denise Thall and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lois and Joe Cestari of Florida.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Aycock Funeral Home in Jupiter, Fla.
