Obituaries 10-05-2017

Paul Robert ‘Zang’ Natale

March 9, 1926 – September 24, 2017

Paul Robert Natale of Hilton Head, S.C. passed away on Sunday, September 24. He was 91 years old.

Born and raised in Winthrop, Paul descended from a long line of mariners. He loved the sea and sailed from a very early age. Paul competed successfully in many regattas, captaining his own sloop and was in demand to crew for others.

Paul was a patriot who served his country in the US Navy during World War II and took pride in being descended from people who helped found this country in the name of religious freedom. His ancestors fought steadfastly in the American Revolution, at sea and on Bunker Hill and alongside George Washington at the Battle of Princeton. His ancestor, Major Samuel Moore, was among the first to fight in the American Revolution as a Minuteman at the Battle of Lexington in 1775.

Known as “Zang” in his hometown, Paul played hockey from the time he was a boy, an early indication of the active lifestyle he would pursue. He continued his athletic career, taking his own turn as a Minuteman, as a varsity ice hockey player for the University of Massachusetts, earning a letter sweater that is still treasured by the family today.

Paul loved the outdoors and, as a forester, managed National Forests for multiple uses that would benefit all. This included overseeing important recreational areas in New Hampshire, such as the Waterville Valley and Loon Mountain Ski Resorts. In addition to holding an advanced degree in forestry, he was also a qualified engineer.

He put both those talents to use when he designed and built a section of the Appalachian Trail. Continuing his love of the active life, he and his wife Jo took up cross country skiing while living in New Hampshire.

Paul was an avid duplicate bridge player, eventually acceding to the title of Bronze Life Master. He achieved this result after retiring to Hilton Head nine years ago. Prior to Hilton Head, he employed his skills as a forester during a longtime residence in Warren, P.A.​

Son of the late William and Marguerite Natale, brother of the late Claire, Marguerite and William; he is survived by his loving wife, Josephine Natale; his daughters and their spouses: Lisa Drakeman (Donald), Sherry Natale, Cynthia Natale and Valerie Natale (Matthias Spycher); his grandchildren John Swierk (Lindsey), Cynthia Drakeman, Amy Drakeman (Josh Martin) and Olivia, Henry and Zach Spycher and his great-grandchildren Clara and Paul Swierk.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 28 at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, N.J. Interment followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamilton, N.J.

Memorial donations can be made to the Hurricane Relief Fund of Greater Houston,           https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief/.

To leave a condolence for the family, please visit   www.poulsonvanhise.com.

Jeanne Pye Sandford

Graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 1953

Jeanne Pye Sandford departed this world on Monday, Sept. 25 at the age of 81 with family by her side.

Jeanne was born in Winthrop on Dec. 15, 1935, the second daughter of Frank and Ruth (Broderick) Pye. She graduated from Winthrop High School in 1953, attended Genesee State Teacher’s College in New York state, married and raised five children in New York and later relocated with the family to Ohio. Jeanne was a Bostonian through and through, loved her Celtics, later adopted the Cincinnati Reds as “her team”, and became a full-fledged member of the Buckeye Nation, watching an OSU game in the last week of her life.

After moving to Florida in 1983, she found her “dream job” in hotel management on Clearwater Beach.

Retiring from the Sea Wake Inn, Jeanne then moved to Ala., to be closer to some of her grandchildren. She started a second career as a pharmacy technician for CVS/Pharmacy, where she loved assisting her customers and patients.

Upon her full retirement, Jeanne found fulfillment knitting prayer shawls with the women of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Trussville, Alabama to minister to the sick or suffering of the parish.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Frank and Ruth Pye and her sister, Arlene Pye Proctor. Surviving Jeanne is her sister, Bette Pye Wing of Bergen, N.Y.; her daughter, Jackie (spouse John), son Tom, son Jim and his children, Clay and Mollie, all of Columbus, Ohio; son Tim and his son, Timothy of Orlando, Florida and son Jeff (spouse Debra) and children; Cole, Cameron and Annabelle of Birmingham, Ala., along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service was held in her honor at Holy Cross Episcopal Church – 90 Parkway Dr. – Trussville, Alabama 35173 on Oct. 1, followed by a reception. Burial will be at a later date in Winthrop. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Children Ministries or to the American Cancer Society.

Judith ‘Judy’ Clauss

Immensely loved Winthrop, her town by the sea

It is with great sadness that the family of Judith “Judy” Clauss announces her passing after an extended illness, on September 26, at the age of 77.

Born in Boston in 1940 to Claire and Horatio Nelson, Judy soon moved to Winthrop with her family, her town by the sea that she loved immensely.  A champion swimmer, boater, beach-goer and lover of all things salt water, she graduated in 1958 from Winthrop High School after which she pursued a career in the airline industry, working for several carriers over the years while actively working at her preferred and eventual full-time career position as “Mom.”

In 1957 she met the love of her life, Paul Clauss, a “local guy” who became her beloved husband of over 57 years.  Together they built a home, created a family, traveled extensively, learned to ski, sailed and baked – making certain that her children knew how to bake, too.  A member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club, she was in the ladies bowling league and admitted that it was not particularly her best sport. She volunteered at Holy Rosary Church and always showed remarkable empathy for those in need and in pain even as her own health suffered.

In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by her son, Paul and his wife, Kim of Middletown, NJ, son, Kevin of Winthrop, daughter. Diane of Centreville, VA and sister, Sandra Scanlon.  She was predeceased by brothers, Horatio, Reuben and Bruce Nelson.  Nana Judy was the devoted and doting grandmother of Paul and Hillary Clauss and David Kresslein, as well as the aunt who “kept connected” her many nieces and nephews across the country.

The funeral was conducted from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Saturday, September 30. Interment followed in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery. In lieu flowers, memorial donations can be made to Holy Rosary Church, 993 Shirley Street, Winthrop, MA 02152. To sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

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