Julie Varca, a longtime Mamaroneck resident, passed away April 22, 2023, at age 86. She was born September 15, 1936, to Louis & Anna Pagnucco of New York. Julie was an ever-loving homemaker and caregiver for her family. In earlier years she worked in event management and registration at major events at the Jacob Javitz Center. She volunteered her time and talent with many organizations including the Mamaroneck Garden Club, St. Vito’s and Most Holy Trinity, and she would knit hats for those in need with Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Julie is reunited with her beloved husband, Bart Varca along with her son, Thomas, in Heaven. Julie is the cherished mother of Nadine Bilotta (James), Robert Varca, Laura Longo and Annie Varca, the loving grandmother of Emily Filangieri (Tim), Julia Bilotta (Ryan Crawford), Peter Longo (Amanda), Kelsey, Michael and Alyssa Longo and Sam & Sophie Zerega and great grandmother of Mac & Liam Filangieri. She is a dear sister to Caroline Meskers, Angela Cinguina (Michael) and the late Robert Pagnucco and sister-in-law of Judy Pagnucco. Memorial donations can be sent to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, www.mda.org.
James A. Jackson passed away on April 20, 2023 after a brief illness. Born on June 23, 1925 in New York City, Jim grew up on Wagner Avenue in Mamaroneck, attending the Mamaroneck Methodist Church and rising to the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts. He graduated from Bellows High School in 1943, then served in the US Army, from which he was honorably discharged in May 1946 as a corporal. On June 5, 1950 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA.
Jim met his future wife at a college dance; he and Jane R. Sheppard were married on October 16, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Wilmington, DE, and took up residence in Westchester County. In 1966 they settled in Rye, where his maternal grandfather had run a smithy in the early years of the 20th century.
Aside from his family, Jim’s great joys were his business, the J. A. Jackson Corporation, which began in an upstairs bedroom of the Jacksons’ house in 1955 and still operates in Mamaroneck, and his summer home on Lake George in the Adirondacks. For decades he was an active member of the Rye Rotary, which he served as President and where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, the Rye Presbyterian Church, where he served variously as Deacon, Trustee and Session member, and the Rye Historical Society, where he was a board member.
Predeceased by his beloved parents James and Harriet (Walker) Jackson, Jim is survived by his wife of 68 and 1/2 years Jane R. Jackson, his children J. David Jackson of Mamaroneck, Sarah J. Tobin and her husband John Tobin of Rye, Robert F. Jackson of Newtown, CT, grandchildren Katie Tobin (John Chavies), Amanda Tobin Ripley (Ben Ripley), Jack Tobin, Chris Tobin, Daniel Jackson and James Jackson, and great granddaughters Victoria and Sonya Tobin-Chavies. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Rye Rotary Club in his memory.
Louis Muraca, of Mamaroneck, passed away April 19, 2023, at age 90. He was born September 2, 1932, to Fortunato & Phyllis Muraca. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and worked for many years as an Operating Engineer with Local 137. Lou loved to play golf and loved animals. What he most enjoyed was to be surrounded by family and friends and making others laugh. Lou is the beloved husband of Eleanor Muraca, the cherished father of Louis Muraca, Frederick Muraca and the late, Ralph Muraca. Memorial donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org
James Joseph McCue of Mamaroneck, NY passed away on April 19, 2023. He was 80 years old. Jim was born on July 24, 1942, in Washington Heights, NY and was the son of James Charles McCue and Magaret Rita Maguire. He grew up in Washington Heights and the Bronx along with his sister Rita Van Fluke. On April 20th, 1968, Jim married Joanne Dorothy O'Connor and together they had four children Jennifer McCue Robertson, James F. McCue, Matthew J. McCue, and Alexandra McCue. A graduate of Manhattan College and later receiving his MBA from Fordham Business School, Jim had a long and successful career in finance, first working for the St. Regis Paper Company and AIG before moving into academia where he was the Vice President of Farleigh Dickinson University and then Hofstra University where he was Vice President of Finance and Treasurer and was instrumental in shaping the school, shifting it from a regional college to a nationally recognized place of higher education. After retirement from Hofstra, he continued to consult at schools throughout the area including SUNY Purchase, Manhattanville, and Mercy College. In his spare time, Jim was an avid golfer, an avid reader, and spent his summers on Long Beach Island, NJ with family and friends.
Jim is survived by his wife Joanne, his children Jennifer McCue Robertson (Neil), James F. McCue (Molly Tucker), Matthew J. McCue, Alexandra McCue (Peter DiFolco), his sister Rita Van Fluke (Robert), and 8 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in his name -- his tribute page is listed under James J. McCue.
Allen “Hubby” J. Hubschman, of Port Chester, passed away on April 13, 2023 at age 90. He was born January 29, 1933 to Milton and Frances Hubschman in Newark, New Jersey. Allen proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. He worked for the Board of Education at Wayne Public Schools for 9 years and as an athletic director at Rye Neck high school for 29 years. He achieved many accomplishments throughout his life including receiving The Charles Gronberg Award for community service and contributing to 54 league titles, 21 sectional titles, 3 regional titles, and 3 state championships during his tenure at Rye Neck. 47 of his students were selected for the Con Edison Scholar Athlete Award, which Allen delivered himself. He raised funds for the Rye Neck athletic budget under the Booster Club Fundraiser and made sure money went towards the female athletic programs, as he was a staunch advocate for women’s rights. Allen is survived by his loving brother Sanford, his dear nieces Ann Marie, Michele, and Deborah (Daniel) and seven great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his dear sister Sally, sister-in-law Bernadine, niece Carolyn, and his nephews Robert and Alan.
Heather McSpedon, of Mamaroneck and Ft Myers Beach, passed away peacefully, Thursday April 13, with her family by her side. She was 87. Born, May 30, 1935, in New York City to James and Mollie Crawford, Heather had a career as a recreational therapist at Sarah Neuman Nursing Home, in Mamaroneck and later the United Hebrew Home in New Rochelle. Her kind and energetic spirit suited her work with the elderly, and she retired at 74 years young. While raising a family, she served as a Girl Scout leader and reading volunteer at St Francie of Rome. Heather loved to spend time with family, go boating, and travel the world with her beloved husband Howard. She also enjoyed tending to her garden. She is predeceased by her husband Howard of 61 years and is survived by her loving daughter Mary Leitner and her son-in-law John; and her six cherished grandchildren. She is also predeceased by her dear son Peter and brother Ian. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate.
Jeannette A. Landa of Mamaroneck passed away on April 12, 2023.
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