Dorothy "Dottie" Cunningham – passed away from natural causes on January 18, 2024.
She was born on March 16, 1930 and raised in Mamaroneck, NY right across from Harbor Island. Daughter of Frank "Shrimp" and Elsie Cunningham, sister to Frank, Jr. Dottie remained close to her family and many cousins throughout her lifetime. She was a beloved babysitter to many generations of her family and friends. Many of us still have our treasured afghan that Dottie crocheted for us in our early teens.
A graduate of the University of the State of NY with her LPN in 1948, she started her nursing career in the Nursery Unit at United Hospital in Port Chester, NY and spent decades working as a Pediatric nurse at Rye Medical Group. For many years after she retired from nursing she worked at AI Friedman in Port Chester. Dottie lived in Harrison for most of her life as well as Port Chester and spent the last few years as a resident of Sarah Neuman -The New Jewish Home in Mamaroneck, NY. Dottie enjoyed her craft projects, quilting and baking cookies. She loved to travel, share a good story and a laugh and was happiest amongst her family and friends. She will be missed very much.
Thomas F. Siemsen, of Mamaroneck, passed away January 17, 2024, at age 59. He was born November 26, 1964, to Walter & Linda Siemsen. Thomas worked as a plumber but for many years was employed by The Village of Mamaroneck in the Parks Department. Thomas is remembered for his gentle, loving and easy-going nature. He is survived by his son, Thomas Siemsen, and siblings, John Siemsen, Laura Geiger and Cheri Bard.
Leonard J. DiMicelli Jr., of Mamaroneck, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024, after a brief yet valiant battle with brain cancer. He was 69 years old. The son of Leonard J. DiMicelli and Penelope DiMicelli, Lenny was their “Christmas baby”, born December 19, 1954. The family lived in the Bronx, then moved to Red Bank, N.J., where he grew up.
Upon receiving his MBA from Rutgers University, Lenny started working in New York City’s commercial real estate industry at the Edward S. Gordon Company which eventually became CBRE, one of the largest global commercial real estate companies. A master in financial modeling, he played an important role in many lease negotiations for some of the biggest landlords and tenants in NYC. He also enjoyed mentoring the next generation of financial analysts at CBRE.
Lenny was rarely seen without a book in hand. His love of reading was evidenced by his extensive home library which spans genres from history to biographies to fiction. He loved music of all kinds, photography, and enjoyed movies, especially film noir. He was an avid runner and would always be seen running all around Mamaroneck and Larchmont. Lenny ran almost every day for 50 years in all kinds of weather and wherever he traveled. Most recently, always with a headset listening to a podcast or an audio book.
Lenny was a real family man, a devoted husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was known for his dry wit, keeping himself and others amused, including many friends and business associates. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 36 years, Karen DiMicelli (nee Arrajj) and loving children, Diana Goad (Michael) and Andrew DiMicelli. Lenny is the dear brother of Donna Iverson (Joel), Jeanne Gordon (Ron), Tom DiMicelli (Laurie), Dan DiMicelli (Peggy) and the late Vincent DiMicelli. He is also survived by siblings-in-law, Deborah DiMicelli and Jimmy Arrajj (Nina), one niece and many nephews.
Millie (Milagros) Brandon passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the age of 85. Millie was born on January 10, 1939 in Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, to Josefa and Ignacio Rodriguez. She was the fourth of 5 children, with siblings Victor, Irma, Josie and Louie. Millie was the proud product of NYC Public Schools and attended the Industrial Arts High School, where she met her beloved husband of 64 years, Eddie (Edwin) Brandon. While raising her two children, Lisa and Russell, Millie was active as a Parent’s Association President and returned to school to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Lehman College in 1976, when CUNY was free to NYC residents. She obtained her master’s degree at night from the NYU School of Education, Health, Nursing and Arts Professions in 1980. She began her special education teaching career at Brandeis High School and eventually became a special education teacher at School 5 in Yonkers, where she helped establish a bilingual special education program and spent the rest of her career. Upon retirement, Millie continued working in a program in the Bronx for preschool autistic children, served as a Sunday School Teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck, and served on her Co-op Board. Millie is remembered by all who knew her for her playful spirit and contagious smile. She was also a fierce, no-nonsense fighter for fairness and served as a YFT Union representative for School 5 until she retired.
Most important was always her family. Throughout her life, Millie was driven by her love for children, her natural creativity and do-it-yourself spirit. Millie was a camping queen and loved her plants and animals; reading; art and music; dancing; and coffee. She showed her love in the things she made for people: delicious food, all things dolls and dollhouse, clothes for the kids, crocheted and embroidered baby things and home things.
She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Edwin Brandon; her children, Lisa Brandon-Colon and Jose Colon, and Russ Brandon; her treasured grandchildren, Alisha and Diego, Lukas and Angelina; and her beloved nieces and nephews and their children: Rick (Christina, Nicole, Destiny, and Katalena), Laura and George, Susie and Cecil, Joey, Dani and Berena (Dia and Mateo), Marie and her family and Marius, Jr.; and her granddogs and grandkitties.
The Millie Brandon Philosophy: “We all have special gifts, we just open them in different ways, different packages”; and her playful side: “Try it, it’ll put hair on your chest”.
Martin Vidales, a Mamaroneck resident, surrounded by his loving family peacefully passed away on January 12, 2024, at the age of 62. Martin was born in Jiquilpan, Michoacan, Mexico, on September 30,1961, to Ignacio Vidales and Maria Avalos. Martin had a brilliant mind and was often asked to be in a leadership position as a member of numerous boards in his community. He was Student Body President and studied mechanical engineering in Morelia, Mexico. He immigrated to the United States in his early twenties. For 40 years, Martin held the position of Buildings and Grounds Manager for Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, New York. Martin left an indelible mark on the Shenorock community, operating as the Building Superintendent during the club's reconstruction project after the December 1992 “No-Name Storm” caused over a million in damages. Shenorock was able to reopen by Memorial Day, 1993 due in part to Martin's leadership.
Martin met his forever dance partner and devoted wife Gail in 1984. They married in 1990, and welcomed their first child Alberto in 1991, followed by Erika (1995), and Isabella (2001). He took great pride in showing up for his children in every possible way, often sharing heartwarming stories about the courtship of his beloved wife, and planting roots in New York.
Beyond his professional achievements, Martin Vidales was an involved member of his community who volunteered to cook meals for the HOPE Kitchen, and organized parish picnics. Martin also held the esteemed position of Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #2247 in Mamaroneck, where he helped raise scholarship funds for high schoolers to attend college and the St. Joseph’s Seminary Program.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gail Guillermina (nee Valencia) Vidales, children Alberto Martin Vidales, Erika Maria Vidales-Allen (Michael Allen), Isabella Anne Vidales, his mother Maria Avalos, along with siblings Jose (Maria), Ignacio (Nicola), Guadalupe (Samuel), and Ma Carmen. Also mourning his loss are his cherished mother and father-in-law, Alicia and Pascual Valencia, and their children Francisco (Sandra), Veronica (Leo), and Yesenia (Jerry). As well as his numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Ignacio Vidales, his brother Manuel Vidales, and brother-in-law Arturo Valencia.
