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Doris Merritt, 80

Doris Merritt, 80

Aug. 21, 1936 - June 15, 2017
By
Star Staff

Doris Merritt, a founding member and pillar of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett, died last Thursday at home in Amagansett at the age of 80.  She had been diagnosed in April with lung cancer.

As a child, Mrs. Merritt spent many summers with her family at Lazy Point in Amagansett, and on Oct. 12, 1958, after she and Samuel Merritt were married in Lynbrook, they held their wedding reception there, at Merrill’s Irish Mist.

A Long Islander all her life, Mrs. Merritt was born on Aug. 21, 1936, in  Oceanside, the daughter of John Imbusch and the former Dorothea Schlaefer. She grew up in Lynbrook, graduating from high school there in 1954 and from Hofstra University in 1956.

The Merritts moved to Amagansett in 1972, where, said her family, she enjoyed the water, scalloping with her husband, and picking beach plums to make jelly. Except for time off when her son was born and later when her daughter was in school, Mrs. Merritt had a 24-year career as a telephone company representative, first with AT&T in Long Beach, then in Southampton and Riverhead with Verizon, from which she retired in 1991.  She worked tirelessly for St. Michael’s after helping to found it in 2003. She also helped take the Census for several years.

Her husband died some years ago. Both of her children, Philip Merritt and Susan Dayton, live in Amagansett. She is also survived by two grandchildren and a sister, Joan Faas of Anchorage,  Alaska.

Visiting hours were held at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on Friday, with burial the next day at Oak Grove Cemetery, Amagansett, next to her husband.  The family has suggested memorial donations to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 486 Montauk Highway, Amagansett 11930, or East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978.

Kathleen Danielson, 28

Kathleen Danielson, 28

April 25, 1989 - June 19, 2017
By
Star Staff

Kathleen Nancy Danielson died at home on June 19 of an apparently unintentional heroin overdose after a 10-year battle with addiction. A 2007 East Hampton High School graduate, she was 28.

In an effort to overcome addiction, Ms. Danielson had belonged to the Sunday Night Fight Club, sponsored by the Riverhead chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous, and also attended a Heroin Anonymous support group known as Spiritually Protected.

She was born in Riverhead on April 25, 1989, to Nancy and Kenneth Danielson and was living with her father in Hampton Bays at the time of her death. He had been a charter boat fisherman, and friends said she inherited his love of the outdoors, especially enjoying surfing, fishing, hiking, and skiing.

She also was a good cook and baker as well as a writer of poetry and a painter. She loved the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. She and her boyfriend of many years, Jerzy Bialik, had recently become engaged.

Her father and a sister, Laura Danielson-Kreilling of Norwich, Conn., survive. Her mother died of cancer in 2014.

Memorial donations to help with final expenses have been suggested. They can be sent to Kenneth Danielson, 36 Wakeman Road, Hampton Bays 11946. Friends have been asked to check Ms. Danielson’s Facebook page for information about the dispersal of her ashes.

Ian Diner, 28, Research Scientist

Ian Diner, 28, Research Scientist

May 5, 1989 - May 21, 2017
By
Star Staff

Ian Diner “was a true intellectual,” his family wrote. “He excelled at everything he developed an interest in from argon welding to advanced carpentry, teaching sailing, and exquisite cooking.”

He was an expert skier and was gifted in advanced chemistry and the study of neurodegenerative diseases. “All of these endeavors were food for his soul,” the family said.

Mr. Diner, who was 28, died on May 21 in Atlanta. The cause was accidental, possibly related to complications of a subdural hematoma discovered after his death, according to the family.

A 2007 graduate of Pierson High School, where he was a semifinalist in the prestigious National Intel Science Talent Search, Mr. Diner went on to study at the University of Virginia and then at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned a B.S. in chemistry and neurophysiology.

Most recently, he was the lead research specialist at the Seyfried Lab, part of the Emory Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. In this position, he conceived and developed a new approach to rapid and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, and is listed as an inventor on the patent for this new technology. He published four papers, including one in the highly regarded Journal of Biological Chemistry, where he is listed as the paper’s first author.

Mr. Diner was in the final publication stages of another first-author paper that is soon to be published, also related to the detection of Alzheimer’s. In the coming weeks, Emory was set to film a short documentary on him and the work he was doing on the disease. Not only will that work “have a long-lasting impact in biochemistry and the field of neurodegenerative diseases, but also his professional achievements will give hope and peace to the many lives and families of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, now and in the future,” his family wrote.

Mr. Diner had a “fervent curiosity and an insatiable desire for knowledge,” they said. “He yearned to explore, experiment, and extract all there was to learn from life.” As a teenager, he found what he was looking for when he stepped into Robert Schumacher’s high school chemistry class at Pierson. Dr. Schumacher became a mentor and friend. Under his teacher’s tutelage, “and driven by his own work ethic and enthusiasm,” Mr. Diner submitted his work to the National Intel Science Talent Search and became a semifinalist. “Ian was born to be a research scientist,” his family said. “To Ian, chemistry was magic made real.”

“While some of his peers were absorbed in their smartphones, Ian was using his to devour whatever information on science or world culture that he could.” The family considered him their own “walking, talking Wikipedia, remembering every fact he gleaned.”

Mr. Diner was born on May 5, 1989, in Redwood City, Calif., the first child of Martin Diner and the former Nicki Lona Page. The family moved to Sag Harbor when he was 8.

He had “a gentle soul and an inquisitive mind,” his parents wrote, and was “kind and intelligent beyond measure.”

“For many, the sum of Ian’s achievements would represent a full and accomplished life’s work; and yet he had just begun.”

In addition to his parents, Mr. Diner is survived by a sister, Paige Diner, an aunt and uncle, and his girlfriend, Alicia Brockway.

A memorial service is scheduled for Sept. 3 at the Breakwater Yacht Club in Sag Harbor, at a time to be announced.

For Chris Holden

For Chris Holden

By
Star Staff

A celebration of the life of Chris Holden of Montauk, who died of a heart attack in May at the age of 52, will take place shortly after Labor Day. An announcement closer to the actual date will appear in a future issue.

Ronald B. King, Landscaper, Collector

Ronald B. King, Landscaper, Collector

Feb. 20, 1950 - June 04, 2017
By
Star Staff

Ronald B. King, a self-employed landscaper and lifelong resident of East Hampton, died on June 4 at Southampton Hospital. He was 67 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May.

For 40 years Mr. King was a member of Dig It, a national metal detecting club, and “was well known in the community for reuniting people with their lost items,” his wife, the former Lillian Cook Rade, said. He had accumulated quite a large collection of arrowheads, she said, but in 1990, when the couple were out in a potato field, she was the one who made a valuable discovery, a rare 340-year-old New England sixpence. According to a New York Times article on Aug. 15, 1999, the coin fetched $35,200 at auction, enough for a down payment on the couple’s house. It was resold in the last few years for more than $400,000.

Mr. King was a surfcaster and clammer who also enjoyed building birdhouses and repairing old bicycles, some of which he found at yard sales, which he went to habitually, “looking for antiques and treasures,” his wife said. Over the years, he had found a Rolex watch, many rings, and hundreds of very old silver coins and buttons, not only from Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders encampment in Montauk but also from the Civil War.

He was born at Southampton Hospital on Feb. 20, 1950, one of four children of the former Dolores Rangel and Arnold B. King. He graduated from East Hampton High School in 1969 and went to work as a landscaper for others, going out on his own 20 years ago. In last week’s issue, a note about his funeral service said in error that Mr. King had been a haulseiner.

Mr. King’s parents and a sister, Jocelyn King Angel of El Cajon, Calif., died before him. He and his wife were married in 1983. Surviving are their son, Christopher King of Hampton Bays, a stepson, Richard Rade of Montauk, and a stepdaughter, Susan Rade Gervais of Vermont. Mr. King’s brothers, Kevin King and Ricky King of East Hampton, and three step-grandchildren also survive.

The family received visitors at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton last Thursday evening, followed on Friday by a graveside service at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton, with the Rev. Steven Howarth of the Amagansett Presbyterian Church officiating.

Erik S. Haugedal

Erik S. Haugedal

Dec. 14, 1974 - June 01, 2017
By
Star Staff

Eric Scott Haugedal, a chef who had worked most recently at the 1770 House in East Hampton, died last Thursday at home in Montauk. The cause was suicide, his family said. He was 42.

Mr. Haugedal was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 14, 1974, to Ludvig Haugedal and the former Laraine Wagner. He grew up on Staten Island and graduated from the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire in 1992.

Mr. Haugedal enjoyed watching the New York Rangers play, and loved to cook for family and friends. His passion led him from the home kitchen to the restaurant kitchen. In addition to the 1770 House, he had worked at East Hampton Point, the Surfside Inn in Montauk, and the Dock, among other places.

“Eric has been a part of the 1770 family since 2010 and we are deeply saddened and heartbroken,” said Carol Covell, the manager of the 1770 House.

In addition to his mother, Laraine Creegan of Montauk, Mr. Haugedal is survived by his father, who lives in Brooklyn, and his stepfather, Thomas Creegan. He also leaves aunts, an uncle, and two cousins. Visiting hours were held on Tuesday at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton, with a service yesterday at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk.

His family has suggested contributions to the Tyler Project, P.O. Box 2546, Montauk 11954, or to the Montauk Community Church, P.O. Box 698, Montauk.

Wayne F. Galbraith

Wayne F. Galbraith

April 6, 1955 - May 21, 2017
By
Star Staff

Wayne Galbraith, a master carpenter, died of cancer on May 21 at home in East Hampton. He was 62.

A graduate of Sag Harbor’s Pierson High School, Mr. Galbraith worked for many years with Brian Mannix of Mannix Custom Builders, and enjoyed using his woodworking skills away from work as well.

He was born in Ridgewood, N.J., on April 6, 1955, to the former Ruth Virginia Cole and Clayton Stuart Galbraith, neither of whom survives. With Deborah L. King of Sag Harbor, he had two daughters, Ivory King and Kelly King, both of East Hampton. Ms. King and their daughters survive, as do two brothers, Stephen Galbraith of Canton, Ohio, and Douglas Galbraith of East Setauket, and one granddaughter.

Mr. Galbraith was a keen gardener, trail walker, and camper. He very much enjoyed training his dogs, Ms. King said. Weekends, she said, “were always set aside for fishing with his friend Ron Remkus of Sag Harbor.”

The family received visitors on the evening of May 24 at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. Mr. Galbraith was cremated, and his ashes will be buried at Oakland Cemetery in Sag Harbor.

Memorial donations have been suggested to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978.

For Kevin Young

For Kevin Young

By
Star Staff

Kevin Young, who attended schools in East Hampton and was known as Kip, died on June 2. He was 55.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the West Falmouth Baptist Church in Falmouth, Me. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

An obituary will appear in a future edition of The Star.

Olivia Beahm, 90

Olivia Beahm, 90

Aug. 16, 1926 - June 04, 2017
By
Star Staff

Olivia Beahm, who had taught grade school in Amityville and Bethlehem, Pa., and who had spent time in Montauk on and off since the 1970s, died at the Southampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing on June 4. She was 90.

She was born on Aug. 16, 1926, in Pennsylvania to Hurst Shipe and the former Olivia Krietzberg. She graduated from Beaver College in Philadelphia.

She was married first to Don Bieler, who was in the Navy, and they lived in the places where he was stationed — Amityville, San Diego, and Hawaii. Mr. Bieler died while they were living in Hawaii, and she moved back to the mainland, settling in Port St. Lucie, Fla. She eventually married Francis H. Beahm of Bethlehem, who died in 2005.

Mrs. Beahm was a great cook, and loved boats, fishing, and walking on the beach, her granddaughter, Vanessa Bieler of Montauk and Hawaii, said. She had a “wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh,” she said.

In addition to Ms. Bieler, she is survived by a son, Lee D. Bieler of Montauk and Kauai, Hawaii.

A family service is to be held in Bethlehem.

Daniel H. Boerem, 102

Daniel H. Boerem, 102

Dec. 15, 1914 - June 09, 2017
By
Star Staff

Daniel Hewitt Boerem died at home in Montauk on Friday. He was 102 and had been in excellent health until about a year and a half ago.

Mr. Boerem was an electrician for the Lily-Tulip Cup corporation for 28 years until its College Point, Queens, location was closed in 1965. Two years later he moved to Montauk and opened his own electrical contracting business, having been encouraged to do so by his brother-in-law, Edward Golden Sr., who owned Montauk’s Oceanside Motel. In his leisure time Mr. Boerem enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating.

He was born in Whitestone, Queens, on Dec. 15, 1914, to the former Anna Hewitt and Daniel H. Boerem. He grew up in Whitestone. He served as a sergeant in the military police from 1942 to 1945, during World War II, in North Africa and Italy. On June 7, 1941, in Queens, he and the former Gloria Jean Weiss married. She died in 2009.

A son, Daniel R. Boerem of Montauk, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren survive Mr. Boerem. He did not want a funeral and his ashes are to be dispersed at sea, as his wife’s were. The family has suggested memorial donations to the Montauk Fire Department, 12 Flamingo Avenue, Montauk 11954.