John Scully

John Watson Scully of Vero Beach, formerly of Rye, died of prostate cancer September 7. He was 82.

 

He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 54 years, Suzanne Marechal Scully, and his children whom he referred to as his “Five Stars”: Susan Watson Scully-Cox, Katherine Scully Foote of Greenwich, John Marechal Scully of Winchester (Emily Ault), Cynthia Scully Doolan (Todd), and Christopher Palmer Scully. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren, upon whom he doted; and his loving brothers, Thomas J. Scully of Jupiter, Florida, and William P. Scully (Marlynn Doble) of Dorset, Vermont and Vero Beach.

 

Mr. Scully was a member of American Yacht Club in Rye, The Moorings Club, and Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach.

 

A celebration of his life will take place at American Yacht Club Monday, September 17 at 3 p.m. A service was held at St. Marks Anglican Church in Vero Beach on September 10.

 

Donations in Mr. Scully’s name may be made to St. Mark’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box 6994, Vero Beach, Florida, 32961, or to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in honor of Dr. Howard Scher, who was able to keep Mr. Scully alive for almost 18 years. 

Jane Culkin

Jane Mary Culkin passed away peacefully on September 6 at Calvary Hospital after a long struggle with cancer. She was 82.

 

Born to David and Dorothy Aronberg, she grew up in Manhattan, where she attended Marymount College. Her career as an art director enabled her to pioneer innovations in typography and graphic design while associated with the Book of Knowledge, Science Research Associates reading programs, and Harcourt Brace Jovanovich publishing. After living in Paris, Chicago, London, and Pound Ridge, she resided in Rye for over 34 years.

 

Her family knew her to live life on her own terms in a consistent manner. Ms. Culkin’s keen intellect and robust spirit characterized her full life.

 

Sis D’Angelo, her longtime neighbor and friend, said, “Jane was a true intellectual and so interesting to talk to. She was also a wonderful cook.”

 

She is survived by her sons: Donald of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and David of Leavenworth, Kansas. Donald, a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, serves as a captain. David, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, serves as a lieutenant colonel. Mrs. Culkin’s sons were truly her life and she was proud of their military service.

 

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection September 12.

 

Donations in her memory may be made to Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.

Ruth Greenman

 

Ruth C. Greenman died peacefully, at the age of 97, on September 11 at Greenwich Hospital after a short illness. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Sidney Greenman; her daughters Jane Hunter and Nancy Greenman; her grandchildren S. Charles Hunter, Jennifer Claire Hunter, and Dan Greenman; and her great-grandchildren Clyde and Lila Hunter.

 

“She lived a long, fulfilling life,” said her family. “We grieve our loss.”

 

Contributions in Mrs. Greenman’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

In Memoriam: John Carey Jr.

A Father’s Remembrance

We parents do not expect to outlive our children. When we do, the circumstances are bound to be heartbreaking.

 

The worst may be when a child has learned to climb into a parent’s lap, arms around the parent’s neck and kisses freely offered.

 

Or a teenager trying hard at school, respectful of peers and elders alike, developing standards of her or his own, wanting to go to college.

 

Our own loss was all of the above and more.

 

Our son John Jr. at age 18 seemed to have endless possibilities. He had done well at Rye High School, being elected head of the student body and co-captain of the 1972 football team. He had successfully managed his father’s campaign for Mayor of Rye, and was preparing to enter Yale College.

 

At Yale came his first big disappointment, being cut from the freshman football squad, no doubt because of his size, 5’6”, and weight, 150. But he did well at lacrosse and won Yale numerals.

 

In sophomore year he began having trouble concentrating and finally had to drop out. There followed years of struggle to resume his college education. He finally won his B.A. degree in philosophy at SUNY Purchase, to which he commuted daily by bicycle from Forest Avenue. Pat and I were so very proud of him.

 

His philosophy professor at SUNY thought so highly of him that she arranged graduate study programs for him at various universities around the country. One of them was the University of California. That state became his residence. He was living in San Francisco when the accident that claimed his life occurred.

 

In March of last year, Johnny choked on food in a restaurant and stopped breathing. In the ambulance he received CPR, which restored his heartbeat. But damage had been done to his brain from oxygen deprivation. He did not regain full consciousness before death came on September 12, 2011. His devoted brother Douglas made eight trips west to see him between March and September. My wife and I were with him a few days before the end.

 

Johnny’s earthly remains rest at Greenwood Union Cemetery, where his headstone is to be dedicated on September 23 at 3 p.m. RIP, beloved son.

— John Carey Sr.