Dr. James L. Carvelas
James Louis Carvelas, M.D., a founder of Scarsdale Medical Group, passed away June 24 in Park City, Utah. He was 90.
Born June 7, 1923 in Youngstown, Ohio, to Louis and Johanna Carvelas, he graduated from the Rayen School in 1941, Wittenberg University in 1945, and the College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati in 1948. He trained for three years at Ohio State University Hospital and two years at Lahey Clinic in Boston in internal medicine. He served as a private in the infantry in World War II and as a Captain in the Medical Corps from 1953 to 1955.
He met his future wife, Thelma (Terry) Latchis of Brattleboro, Vermont, at a family christening in New Rochelle. “I was a student at Wheaton College at the time,” she recalled. “He proposed after our third date.”
The couple married in 1952 and raised five children. In 1961, they moved to Rye, where they lived for 37 years.
The same year, Dr. Carvelas helped start Scarsdale Medical Group, where he practiced internal medicine until his retirement in 1994. He was also on the staff and a member of the Board of Governors of White Plains Hospital. For almost forty years, he also served on the staff of St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains.
“My husband’s forte was as a diagnostician. He would delve into a medical problem until he found an answer. He saved lives,” said Mrs. Carvelas.
Dr. Carvelas and his wife were founders of the Greek Orthodox Church of our Saviour in Harrison in 1957, and served on a variety of committees.
A lover of music, he also played the violin. He was an avid photographer and enjoyed capturing the Western landscape, particularly its national parks, and his family over the years. One of his photos was awarded a prize by the Utah Historical Society.
He played golf and tennis at Westchester Country Club, skied in Park City, and was very active until the last few years of his life.
In addition to his wife, Terry, Dr. Carvelas is survived by a daughter, Ann Fullerton and her husband John, and four sons: Louis, Paul, Philip and Donald.
Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Robert L. Chittenden III
Robert Chittenden III, who served as Chief of the Rye City Police Marine Unit for twenty years, passed away on August 23 in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he lived the last 13 years of his life.
Born on September 12, 1935 in Mt. Vernon, he was the son of Dorothea P. and Robert L. Chittenden II. After graduating from Edison High School in Mt. Vernon, Class of 1954, he went on to join the United States Auxiliary Coast Guard.
During his career, he served as director of security at the United Nations for thirty years, and Chief of the Rye City Auxiliary Police Department, as well as the Marine Unit. In his later years, while living in Virginia, Mr. Chittenden served as Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff of Fluvanna County.
Mr. Chittenden received many awards for community service, and lifesaving and heroic duties beyond the call of duty in his distinguished career.
He met his future wife, Joyce Gazzigli, at Playland. There were married on January 19, 1957 at Summerfield Church in Port Chester. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Rye, where they raised their four children. The Chittendens were married for 53 years.
“Big Bob,” as Mr. Chittenden was known, enjoyed long walks with his wife on the Playland Boardwalk, chatting with his buddies at the firehouse, and boating.
His family said, “Our father was a gentle giant who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and serving the community.”
Mr. Chittenden was predeceased by his wife, who passed away on May 27, 2010, and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his sons: Robert L. IV and his wife Sandra, Timothy and his wife Lucille, and Tod and his wife Megan; and a daughter, Amy Helfrich and her husband William. He is also survived by his sister, Dolly Farish; and eleven grandchildren: Christina, TJ, Hayley, Ali Helfrich, Chelsea, Jillian, Jenna, Amanda Helfrich, Sloan, Maryann, and Axandria.
A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection on August 27.
Donations in Mr. Chittenden’s memory may be made to Legacy Hospice, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 180, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Shirley Mahoney
Estelle Shirley-Ann Mahoney of Jupiter, Florida, a former longtime resident of Rye, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on September 3. She was 96.
Born on August 2, 1917, she was the daughter of Joseph A. and Dorothy A. Velsor of Huntington. Shirley, as she was known, grew up in Brooklyn, and received her education at the Flatbush School, the Packer Collegiate Institute, Katherine Gibbs School, and the New York School of Interior Design.
She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Walter J. Mahoney, who died in 1992.
Always active in community affairs, she held leadership positions in many organizations. She was an active member of the NY Foundling Hospital, St. Monica’s Mothers’ Club, St. Elizabeth Guild, the Ladies of Charity, and the St. Vincent’s Auxiliary.
She was also a founder of the 22nd Twig of United Hospital Medical Center. She was honored by the Catholic Church as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Mrs. Mahoney had a lifelong passion for her garden. She loved listening to opera and classical music and attending Broadway shows. She was an avid reader and an accomplished crossword puzzle solver. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her kindness to others, and for her elegance. Her family will forever cherish the memory of her beauty, spirit, strength, and endless devotion to her loved ones.
She was the devoted mother of Walter Jr. (Binx); Jay (Gail); Daniel (Susan); and Kerry Brown (Tom); mother-in-law of Barbara Mahoney; loving grandmother of twelve grandchildren (she pre-deceased by a grandson, Ryan Mahoney); and proud great-grandmother of fourteen. She is also survived by her dear friend and caretaker of over eight years, Anna Mano.
A memorial mass to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye.
Florence Weinstein
Longtime Rye resident Florence Weinstein passed away on August 25, shortly before her 91st birthday.
Born in New York City on September 9, 1922, she was the daughter of Frank and Minnie Fluch.
After finishing school, “Micki,” as she was known, worked as a model and as a salesperson at Ben Kahn Furriers in Manhattan.
“Our mother was a very attractive and very social woman, the kind of person everyone enjoyed spending time with,” said her children. Mrs. Weinstein was also a dedicated volunteer at Greenwich Hospital.
She and her husband, Martin, who predeceased her, together raised three children, all of whom survive their parents: Leon Weinstein of Dallas, Lori Rickoff, also of Dallas, and B. Lynn Paulvin of Somers, N.Y.
Mrs. Weinstein was devoted to her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held August 28 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Hawthorne.
Donations may be made in Mrs. Weinstein’s memory to the American Heart Association.