Donald B. Eckhart Jr.
Donald B. Eckhart Jr. (“Donnie”) died peacefully on the morning of Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a courageous battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and dear friends in Tampa, Florida.
Born on September 30, 1976, in Peekskill, New York, Donnie was the beloved son of Donald and Diane (Smith) Eckhart. As the only son and the vibrant middle child, he was always the life of the party. From childhood, Donnie was known for his daring spirit and adventurous antics, frequently delighting (and occasionally terrifying) his family with his daredevil escapades. He possessed an extraordinary gift for making everyone around him feel valued, always leaving them with a brighter smile. His genuine warmth and humor touched countless lives.
Don married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Valerie (Gordineer) Eckhart in Cape Cod. Together, they shared a 23-year journey filled with passion, adventure, laughter, and two beautiful daughters. Don truly believed that a home was happiest when filled with pets, embracing their companionship and occasionally even their chaos.
Above all, Don cherished his role as a devoted father, the ultimate “girl dad.” From gymnastics, rock concerts, to shopping malls, his greatest joy came from spending time with his two beloved daughters, Elizabeth and Emily, whose hearts will forever carry his legacy of love and kindness.
In both his professional and personal life, Don was renowned for his generosity, empathy, and unwavering kindness. Whether leading food drives, volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries, a cause especially close to his heart, or simply celebrating those around him, Don was always at the heart of every good deed. His compassion and love for others was a defining characteristic that enriched his community immensely.
A passionate sports enthusiast, Don found particular joy and peace on the golf course. With an easy-going charm like Daly and a drive like DeChambeau, Don’s power and humble demeanor were admired by all.
He is survived by his beloved wife Valerie and their daughters, Elizabeth and Emily Eckhart, of Tampa, FL; his mother, Diane Eckhart of Peekskill, NY; two siblings, Allison Eckhart (MaryAnn Grieco) and Kristin D’Aliso (Ralph D’Aliso); mother-in-law, Theresa Marchese (Peter Marchese); father-in-law, Kenneth Gordineer (Sonya Teixiera); brothers-in-law, Joseph, Kenneth, Danny, and TJ Gordineer; nieces, Kayla, Kristen, and Taylor; and nephew, Rocco. Cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins in Pennsylvania and New York also survive Don.
Don was predeceased by his father, Donald Eckhart Sr. of Peekskill, NY, grandparents Theodore and Virginia Smith and Paul and Mary Eckhart, and cousin, Christopher Kuzmak.
A good man, gone too soon. Don’s legacy will forever live on in the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed but always warmly remembered.
(Sourced from Curry & Giordano Funeral Home Inc.)
Denise M. Horne
Denise Horne passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on August 1, 2025. She was 63 years old.
Denise was born on April 25, 1962, to Leonard and Carol Horne of Yonkers, New York. The Horne family moved to Peekskill when Denise was 6 years old. Shortly after getting married, Denise and her family moved to New Windsor, where she spent the remainder of her life.
Denise worked for IBM for 40 years. She held many titles throughout her employment; however, the role she cherished most was being “Mom” to Mike and Nick. Denise lived her life with a smile on her face and a heart full of love and hope. She was loved by all who knew her.
Denise is predeceased by her father, Leonard Horne, and her mother, Carol Horne.
Denise is survived by her loving husband, Michael J. Russo, and their two children, Michael and Nicholas. She also leaves behind her brother Gregory Horne (Dawn), her sister Michele Horne (Stephen Gallaher), her brother Gary Horne (Jennifer), and her nieces and nephews Gregory, Emma, Addison, Taylor, David Jr., and Michael.
A memorial service will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
(Sourced from Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home)
Howard Siner
Howard W. Siner, of Manhattan, a decorated Vietnam veteran, journalist, author, and former Staten Island Advance night city editor, died on July 26 in Hudson Valley Hospital inCortlandt, New York, after decades battling combat-related illnesses.
He was 78 and had resided in the New York State Veterans Home at Montrose for the past 14 months.
Born on November 16, 1946, in Montclair, NJ, to Howard and Mildred (Rogers) Siner, he grew up in Glen Ridge and Nutley, NJ, where he attended public schools. While an English major at Rutgers University, he worked as a reporter and stringer for several New Jersey newspapers in the 1960s.
Mr. Siner served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division from 1969-70, including the Battle of Hamburger Hill. He was grievously wounded in the A Shau Valley in 1970 and awarded a Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge, among other military commendations.
His service as a soldier, that his country required of him, belied Mr. Siner’s compassionate nature and deeply held spiritual beliefs.
After Vietnam, Mr. Siner lived in Spain for a time and later Costa Rica, working as a stringer for the Associated Press (AP) and local news services.
Returning to the U.S. in the late 1970s, he worked for the AP, Manhattan, as a reporter and editor before being named, in the mid-1980s, assistant managing editor of Newspaper Enterprise Association, a national news feature service. During that time, he edited and authored two baseball books, Sports Classics and Sweet Seasons.
Returning to the AP in the 1990s, he was a news and sports editor and a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Upon his marriage in 1999 to former Advance political reporter Judy L. Randall, Mr. Siner moved to Staten Island, settling in Randall Manor and later Livingston.
From 2002 to 2016, Mr. Siner was employed by the Advance as night city editor and an editorial page writer. One of the editorials he was proudest of advocated an assault weapons ban.
In 2018, Mr. Siner and his wife relocated to Manhattan’s Midtown East Turtle Bay neighborhood to be closer to the Veterans Administration health care services he required.
In addition to being a beloved husband, Mr. Siner was a devoted father to Lily Grace Randall, loving brother to Charles P. Siner, and cherished uncle to nephew and godson Kevin Siner, nephew Christopher Siner, and niece Meredith Ennis.
He was preceded in death by his brother Peter, as well as his twin brother William, sister Margaret, and brother James, all of whom died in infancy.
Arrangements were handled by Nardone Funeral Home in Peekskill, N, with burial at Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, Long Island, NY.
(Sourced from Staten Island Advance; published July 31)
Rodell R. Roberts
Rodell passed away peacefully at the age of 68 on July 10, 2025. Rodell was born on December 6, 1956, and grew up in Sanford, Florida, where he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. After a successful career as a tanker, he became employed by the Veterans Administration, where he remained until his retirement.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor, brother P. Roberts, sister-in-law S. Roberts, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
(Sourced from Curry & Giordano Funeral Home Inc.)
