— Andrew L. Herster Jr.
Easton, PA., Andy writes that after one year at Dickinson Law School, he enlisted in the Navy as an ensign. He attended Harvard to learn communications and coding as an officer. He served on the light cruiser, USS Houston. He was aboard when she was torpedoed in the Pacific and was rescued by a destroyer. Then, he and 13 other naval officers flew to Sydney, Australia, to liaison with the British Fleet. He spent one year in New Zealand with the Brits. Then he went on to become communications and coding officer on the USS Ticonderoga and later, the USS Fanshaw Bieg. At the end of WWII, he returned to law school and practiced law until 1981. He was also elected district attorney for Northampton County for four years. He built a house on Kiawah Island, S.C., spending 15 years on the beautiful island. Later, he decided to move further south and bought a condo in Bonita Springs, Fla. He and his wife now spend six months there and six in Easton.

Berlin, CT.
Robert Michael Kusek, 78, of Berlin, CT. died peacefully Monday (January 31, 2005) at his home with his family at his side. Born in Southington, the son of the late Michael and the late Mary (Kania) Kusek, he graduated from Lewis High School, proudly served in the US Navy in WWII aboard the USS Ticonderoga, and retired from Emhart Corporation where he was Chief Cost Accountant. He was a member of St. Paul Church, V.F.W. Post #10732, and American Legion Post #68. He loved sports as a fan, but first as an athlete. A gifted running back, he attended Georgetown University on a football scholarship, and played for the semi-professional Southington Gems. Later he became a UConn fan, and especially liked to follow the women’s basketball team. Along with his beloved companion of many years, Dee Huber of Berlin, he is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Kathlene and Stephen Mizerek of Durham, and Nancy Martin of Colchester, a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Sharin Kusek of Kensington, a brother, Edward Kusek of Kensington, a sister, Virginia Hill of Bristol, and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of thirty-two years, Frances J. (Konieczko) Kusek, in 1985.

CARL G. RITTER ,
Carl G. Ritter, 78, of Chambers Hill, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2003, in the Hershey Medical Center. Born in Butztown on March 15, 1925, he was the son of the late Lester and Bertha Hawk Ritter. He retired after 35 years of service as an Engineering Supervisor from the former Bell Telephone Company. He was a 1943 graduate of Bethlehem Technical High School. He was a Navy veteran having served in World War II on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was Past President of its Congregation Council and former Knights of Zion. He was a member of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga Organization, the Bell Telephone Pioneers, and the Delaware River Shad Fisherman’s Association. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and woodworker. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Irene L. Person Ritter whom he married on November 8, 1946; one son, Carl G. Ritter Jr. of Milan, Michigan; one daughter, Debra K. Weninger of Allentown; two brothers, Daniel W. Shaffer of Bethlehem and Robert Beddoe of Nazareth; and three grandchildren. Inturnment with military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Township. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 West Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036.

Frank Joseph Martinez (Geno),
Frank Joseph Martinez (Geno), age 90 of Phoenix, Arizona, died September 29, 2005 at home peacefully. He was born In Brooklyn, New York of Sicilian immigrants, Francesco and Sebastiana Martinez. He joined The United States Navy in 1943, and served on the USS Ticonderoga from January 1944 to December 1945. He was married to Margaret (nee Balog) for 47 years, she passed in 1989, and is survived by 4 sons, John, Ronald, Thomas, and Robert, and 1 daughter Patricia Ann. His eldest son frank passed away 5 years ago. Geno joined the USN at age 30, served his country proudly, and was awarded a bronze Star, which his family only received last year.
After the war, Geno worked as a longshoreman on the docks of Brooklyn, NY.He and his wife retired to Phoenix, Arizona in 1977

Harry Livermore Jr.,92
Harry Adam Livermore Jr., 92, of Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa, died Sunday, April 27, 2008, under the care of Hernando-Pasco Hospice surrounded by family and friends. He was born Oct. 22, 1915, in Fargo, N.D., to Harry Adam Sr. and Eva May (Montbriand) Livermore. He graduated from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. Mr. Livermore started in the accounting department at AT&T Long Lines in 1938 and retired as general manager of rates and methods in 1978. He was one of the top 200 executives in the former Bell System. Mr. Livermore graduated from Harvard Naval Training School for Indoctrination and Communications in 1943. He was assigned to the communications group on the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga and served three years in the Pacific. He achieved the rank of lieutenant JG. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with four Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Star, Commendation Ribbon and Victory Ribbon. He was responsible for coding and decoding messages, including the announcement of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Japan for the Ticonderoga Carrier Group staff. His memberships included: president of Hall Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers in 1967 and 1968; president of Lords Valley Country Club in Hawley Valley, Pa., from 1981 to 1985, where he also won the “A” Flight Golf Championship four times; Sugarmill Woods Country Club, Homosassa; and Suncoast Republican Club. He was a member of First Methodist Church of Homosassa. Mr. Livermore was preceded in death by Jean McFarland Livermore, his wife of 62 years; and brothers L. David Livermore and Robert M. Livermore (Monte). Survivors include his wife, Therese Smaxwell Livermore of Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa; sister, Eva Mae Wilson of Lawrenceville, N.J.; daughter, Jean Ann Waldo of Madison, Ala.; sons, James M. Livermore and Nanci of Sebastopol, Calif., and Robert H. Livermore and Judy of Milford, N.J.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Edward Paul Spinks,
Edward Spinks , died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was 80. Born in Elizabeth, the son of Robert and Myrtle Foster Spinks, he lived in Union Township before moving to Pittstown 20 years ago. He was a 1944 graduate of Clinton High School. Mr. Spinks was a Navy veteran of World War II. He earned the rank of petty officer 2nd class and served aboard the USS New York in the North Atlantic and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1946. As a combat veteran, he received many medals and commendations. He was also a member of the USS Ticonderoga Association. Mr. Spinks was a conservation officer for the state Division of Fish and Game, and later was a maintenance man at the Edna Mahan state prison in Union Township. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Spinks is survived by his wife of 55 years, Norma Kroeschel Spinks; eight sons, Edward of Hampton, Paul and Grant, both of Washington, Neil of Vail, Colo., Dale of Suffern, N.Y., Glen of Annandale, Craig of Hammonsport, N.Y., and Shawn of Oxford; 22 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Interment with full Navy honors took place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clinton.

James A. Koban,
James A. Koban, 81, of the Lester Section of Tinicum, General Electric Employee, died June 5, 2003 at home. Born in Madera, Pa., he worked for General Electric company for 27 years before retiring. He also formerly worked at Baldwin Locomotive. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the Marine Corps. He served on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga from April 1944 to May 1945 and participated in the capture and occupation of the Southern Palau Islands and assaults on the Philippine Islands. Mr. Koban was a member of Protection B.V.M. Church in Philadelphia. He was also a member of the Lester Fire Co. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved the outdoors. Mr. Koban was the son of the late Philip and Betty Koban and brother of the late Charles and Michael Koban. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Senkow Koban of Lester; sons, Stephen D. Koban of Springfield, Samuel M. Koban of Ebensburg, Pa., Walter J. Koban Sr. of Bethel; daughter, Sonya Koban-Elkin of West Chester, Pa.; brothers, Andrew Koban of Westmont, Pa., George Koban of Crystal River, Fla.; sister, Eva Vincent of New York; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Interment SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple. Memorial contributions to Protection B.V.M. Church, 6222 Dicks Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19142