Obituaries

Continued from Page 57 southwest part of the island. Fianarantsoa was captured on Oct. 29. It is located in the south-central part of the island and today has a population of 145,000. On Nov. 6, 1942, Governor-General Annet surrendered near the town of Ihosy, in the southern part of the island. Today the town has a population of 17,000. The French had suffered 1,200 casualties, of which half were locals. Since Sept. 10, British casualties were 30 killed and 90 wounded.

Governor-General Annet had achieved his primary objective — extend the struggle for more than six months. This he did by one day. Under French law the defenders were entitled to higher pay and awards if they were involved in combat for more than six months.

Gen. Paul Louis Le Gentilhomme was made governor-general on Dec, 14. At the outbreak of the war, he had been commander-in-chief of the French military in French Somaliland — now Djubuti. He had condemned the armistice between the German Reich and France and declared his intention to continue fighting with the British.

Not everyone in French Somaliland agreed with his position, so, on Aug. 2, 1940, he left for England and joined the “Free” French forces under Gen. de Gaulle. He returned to East Africa and participated in the campaign against the Italians, as commander of the “Free” French forces. He later commanded “Free” French forces in the British invasion of Syria. In the meantime, he was tried, and convicted, in absentia, for treason, by the French government in Vichy.

Governor-General Annet ended the war as a convicted war criminal. He died in Paris on April 25, 1973.

Next week: Stier v. Hopkins

Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be con-

DENISE ANN VALLE Newport News

Called home to be with her Lord, Denise Ann Valle, of Newport News, Virginia, died suddenly on Sept. 6, 2022 after struggling with a long illness. Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania in 1960, she was the daughter of the late Charles Joseph Cockrell and Edith Fredia (Kersten) Cockrell. She is survived by her children, Nathaniel Valle (Lauren) of Rustburg, Virginia, and Hannah Valle (Jacob) of Newport News, Virginia; and two grandchildren, Lucy and Peter Valle, who knew her as “Didi.”

She is also survived by two brothers, Joseph (Sally) Cockrell and Terry (Sheree) Cockrell, and preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Lee Cockrell.

She attended Connellsville Senior High School and Pittsburgh Technical Institute, and she completed an Associate Degree from Westmoreland County Community College.

In 1984, she moved to Ocean City, Maryland, and lived there for over 30 years.

Ocean City became her true home, and it was where she discovered her love for the beach and grew in the faith of her childhood.

She was deeply involved in her church communities, and she extended that love of people and friendship through her work as a Certified Natural Health Professional.

Her greatest passions were raising her children, cooking and gardening, Italian food, shopping, and rooting for her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

Above all else, she loved Jesus and told anyone within distance about His grace.

She never doubted the Lord’s goodness in her life; in the history of God’s work, her testimony is that of a true and steadfast faith.

A memorial service will be held in Ocean City, Maryland, with details and date to be determined. RICHARD PATRICK BRADY Salisbury

April 25, 1927 – Sept. 7, 2022

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey on April 25, 1927, Richard Patrick Brady was the son of the late Martin J. Brady and Mary Rikeman Brady.

Preceding Mr. Brady in death was his loving wife of 53 years, Eleanor Tylick Brady, along with his brothers, Martin, Francis, William and Robert, and sisters, Mary Brady, Agnes O’Sullivan and Grace Lahiff.

He is survived by his children, sons, Richard and his wife, Linda, and Kevin and his wife, Carrie Coots; his daughters, Janet Reed and husband, Howard, Elaine Brady, Eleanor Pascale and husband, Jon, Carol Ginan and husband, Kevin, and Cathleen Brady. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Richard and Jason Braun, Kris Mandley, Anthony and Katie Cane, Kathy and Michele Brady, and Camden and Karsen Brady, along with 12 great-grandchildren, Dylan Mandle, Austin, Cameron and Julie Braun, Penelope and Molly Cane, Dexter Brady, Logan, Harley, Abagail, and Oliver Davis, and Freya Gue.

Mr. Brady graduated from St. Peters Prep and Seton Hall University and was an executive in the textile business for 40 years, residing in Silver Spring, Maryland, before retiring to the Eastern Shore in 1991.

Mr. Brady served in World War II,

aboard the battleship USS South Dakota, and the Korean War on the carrier, USS Mission Bay. He was an avid golfer in Ocean Pines and active in community affairs, having served on the Ocean Pines Board of Directors for six years, as president for three years, along with serving as a member of the Worcester County Water and Waste Water Authority. After the loss of his wife, Eleanor, he moved to Salisbury and became active with Salisbury University, along with volunteering at Hospice and Tidal Denise Valle Health Hospital. He was also a member and director of IRP at Salisbury University and ALL Lifelong Learning at Salisbury University.

Richard Brady

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Continued from Page 61 CAROL FRANCES WILSON Berlin/Timonium

Carol Frances Wilson, age 81, died on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, at Stella Maris Nursing Home in Timonium, Maryland.

Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Kathryn (Cvach) Tassi.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wilson; and a son, Kenneth Quaster.

Surviving, are her children, Frederick W. Quaster and fiancé, Judy Rosiak, and Jeffrey S. Quaster and his wife, Terri.

There are three grandchildren, Lauren and Lindsey Quaster, and Kenneth Quaster,

Mrs. Wilson had been an administrative assistant at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Cremation followed her death. No formal services are planned at this time.

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

HERSHEL LENNON ROSE Berlin

Hershel Lennon Rose, US Army Retired, age 90, passed away at home on Sept. 8, 2022.

He was born on Nov. 4, 1931, in New Bern, North Carolina, the son of the late Furney B. Rose and Nancy Christine (Austin) Rose.

Hershel enlisted in the US Army on May 23, 1950, and did basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

After basic training he was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division (“First Team”) 8th Calvary Regiment E Company. They entered Korea on July 18, 1950, under the flag of the United Nations.

He was wounded on June 19, 1951 and was awarded the Purple Heart. After a short stint state-side he returned to fight once again in the Korean War until Hershel Rose the Armistice signed July 27, 1953.

He received, among other medals, the Korean Service Medal for participation in all seven campaigns from July 18, 1950 ending with the Third Korean Winter and Korean summer fall, 1953 campaign.

After service during the Korean Conflict, he served in numerous postings abroad and state-side.

He heroically served four tours during the Vietnam War as an advisor.

He served as an advisor with the Popular Forces, June 1965 to June 1966, in Nghia Hanh and received the Vietnamese Army Medal of Valor for saving the life of a Popular Forces soldier.

He next served as an advisor with the 3rd Platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. While on patrol on Nov. 9, 1966, he observed an enemy soldier about to shoot a member of his squad in the back. His quick action saved the life of his fellow soldier and he was seriously wounded.

For this act of heroism, he received the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device.

Jury convicts man of arson in 2021 WOC structure fire

(Sept. 16, 2022) After a three-day trial in Worcester County Circuit Court Wednesday, a jury convicted a Berlin man of arson and other charges for intentionally setting a fire last June on Harbor Road in West Ocean City.

According to a news release from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office, John Edward Cropper, 56, whose address was listed on Stephen Decatur Highway in Berlin, intentionally set a fire on June 22, 2021, near a commercial harbor. The blaze destroyed a home, a boathouse, damaged three other residences, and sent two firefighters to the hospital.

The release said a Worcester County Grand Jury indicted Cropper on two counts of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson, three counts of malicious destruction of property, and two counts of reckless endangerment.

Members of the jury spent about an hour deliberating before determining Cropper was “guilty on all counts.”

Worcester County Fire Marshal Matthew Owens thanked the tireless efforts of the team of internal and allied investigators that spent hundreds of hours bringing this case to trial.

The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office K9 Division, Ocean City Police Department Forensic Investigation Unit, and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office all significantly helped solve the case.

The release said Cropper has a long history of arson in the Ocean City area dating back to 1986. A pre-trial sentencing investigation and psychological evaluation will be performed before determining the amount of time he will spend incarcerated.

His third tour he lived with and was advisor to the Mountain Yard people in An Ka. He was wounded during this tour and recovered at Camp Zoma Japan.

He returned to An Ka in 1968 before the TET Offensive.

His fourth tour he served from July 1968 to July 1969 in An Tuc District, Binh Dinh Province where he received The Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

He was seriously wounded for the third time in 1970 and medevacked to Womack Army Medical Center.

He retired from active duty on Sept. 1, 1971.

During his service in the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Gallantry Cross May 21, 1965, The Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) May 13, 1966 and The Bronze Star Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) on Febr. 6, 1971.

He received two certificates (written in Vietnamese) with accompanying medals.

Hershel married Carol Parker on May 29, 1975, and with son, Chris, built their first home on Bonita Drive in West Ocean City.

He began his employment with the Town of Ocean City as a water department supervisor and he retired after 20 years of service.

In 1983 the family moved to South Point, with their property being a part of “Genezer” and enjoyed 16 years living on the Sinepuxent Bay.

They moved to their new home in Berlin in 2001 and he truly loved all the wonderful neighbors and children of the neighborhood.

He was a man of faith and with a steadfast and abiding love for his country. The way he lived his life was defined by being a child during the great depression and his military career.

Rose truly was a wonderful husband, father, uncle, brother and friend. He was so proud of his son, Chris and loved him with all his heart.

He celebrated all the accomplishments of his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In later years, Facetime with the great nieces and nephews always ended with a kiss to the phone screen. He looked forward to his grand-dog Lincoln’s annual Easter stay.

He took great pride and enjoyment in having an impeccable yard. He would work outside all day among his flower beds and fruit trees.

Mr. Hershel, as he was known to youngsters, was a great favorite of all the neighborhood children. Through the years, a variety of recliners have held him with a child on his lap. Continued on Page 63

Continued from Page 62

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Parker Rose; son and daughterin-law, Christopher J. Shepherd and Melanie (Keane) Shepherd, of Ocean View, Delaware; brother, John L. Rose of New Bern, North Carolina; brotherin-law and sister-in-law, Michael G. and Debbie H. Parker of Berlin, Maryland; nieces, Dana Rose Zarnich and husband, Nick, and their sons, Nicholas (Jacquelin), Ryan (Kim) and Daryl (Rachel) of Rochester, Pennsylvania, Ashley Parker Gibbs and her husband, Jeff, and daughters, Addison and Ava, of Berlin, Maryland; nephews, John Eury of Concord, North Carolina, Mickey Eury and wife, Rose, of New Bern, North Carolina, Sean Parker and wife, Keemia, and son, Kameron of Olney, Maryland; and one great-great niece, Madison Zarnich and three greatgreat nephews, Bentley, Theo and Oscar Zarnich of Pennsylvania; and his cousin, Denise Reardon and her husband, John, of Cape May Court House, New Jersey.

He is also survived by his dear friend, Carlton Showell of Laurel, Delaware.

He was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his siblings, Furney Rose, Jr., Cecilia Rose Aldridge, Durwood Gray Rose, Darrell V. Rose, Richard Rose, Patrice Rose and Agatha Rose Eury.

The family will be forever grateful for the care, kindness and compassion of Dr. Diane Ceruzzi and the entire Atlantic General Hospital Wound Center Team, Dr. Tammy Donaway, Dr. Christopher Galuardi, Dr. Greg Stamnas, Hershel’s Amedisys Team - Leslie (his Sunshine), Emily, Penny, Gary, Erin, Jill and Taylor, the nurses and techs at Atlantic General Hospital who so lovingly cared for him during his last stay, and his “Guardian Angel” Betty who cared for him at home.

There are not enough words of thanks to give the team from Coastal Hospice for their guidance to the family caring for him, and compassion during his last week.

Lastly, the family wishes to thank Reverend Mark Piedmonte for his visits, prayers and hugs through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Worcester County Veterans Memorial of Ocean Pines Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1576, Ocean Pines, Maryland, 21811; Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland, 21802; Buckingham Presbyterian Church Deacons Fund, 20 South Main Street, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

A Celebration of Life Service with Military Honors will be held Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 South Main Street, Berlin, Maryland 21811, with Reverend Mark Piedmonte officiating. The family will receive friends and neighbors at the church from 1-2:00 p.m.

Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home. DR. FRANCIS A. RUFFO SR. Ocean Pines

Dr. Francis A. (Frank) Ruffo Sr., Age 90 formerly of Ocean Pines, Maryland, passed away on Sept. 9, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida.

Frank was born Nov. 18, 1931 in Frostburg, Maryland, to the late Samuel J. and Mary Ruffo. He was the eldest of three children, a brother, Ronald Ruffo of Crownsville, Maryland, and a sister, Janet Bittner of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ruffo graduated from La Salle High School in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1949 and Frostburg State Teachers College in 1953.

He earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Personnel (1958) and a Ph.D. in Administration and Supervision (1974) from the University of Maryland, College Park.

On June 26, 1954 Frank married his college sweetheart, Dotty, daughter of the late Patrick and Ruth Shertzer, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cumberland, Maryland.

The couple was blessed with three loving children: Francis A., Jr. “Tony” (Christine) of Salisbury, Carrie RuffoMiller (Andrew) of Annapolis and Melissa “Missi” Thompson (Robert) of Ocean Pines.

He was dearly loved by his 10 awesome grandchildren: Jake, Joe (Liz), and Jenna Ruffo; Mary Kate, Meghan, Kellie and Kevin Miller; Rachel Mason (Dan), Bobby and Nicholas Thompson as well as his two great-granddaughters, Bridgette and Caroline.

Dr. Ruffo was appointed superintendent of Schools for Worcester County on July 1, 1978 and held that position until his retirement in 1990.

During his tenure as superintendent, Worcester County Public Schools were recognized state wide for excellence in education.

Frank was presented the Outstanding Educator Award by the Maryland Association of Elementary School Administrators in 1989 and the Frostburg State University Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award in 1986.

Prior to his appointment as Worcester’s School superintendent Ruffo began a distinguished professional career in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties serving as a teacher, counselor, pupil personnel worker, assistant principal, principal, director of Secondary Education, and assistant superintendent of schools.

Before beginning his career in public education, Frank served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1955 as a gunnery and deck officer aboard the USS Witek, EDD848.

Dr. Ruffo was a member and/or officer of numerous state and local commissions and organizations.

He served on the Board of Directors

of the Choptank Electric Cooperative, the Ocean Pines Association, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, and Atlantic General Hospital. He also served on several Worcester County commissions including Economic Development, Mental Health and Addictions, and the Commission on Aging. His service at the state level included president of the Public School Superintendents Association, president of Phi Delta Kappa (National Honorary Society for Educators), and life member of the Maryland Congress of Parents and Francis Ruffo Sr. Teachers. He was also a member and past president of the Berlin/Ocean City Optimists, the Knights of Columbus, and the Sinepuxent American Legion Post #166 in Ocean City, Maryland. Frank was a true family man and devoted to his wife of 68 years. In retirement, he spent many active and wonderful years with the love of his life in their beloved Venice, Florida home. He enjoyed golfing, reading, spending time with family and socializing with their tight knit group of friends in Venice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the “Dr. Francis A. Ruffo Memorial Scholarship Fund” at CFES.org/donate or mailed to Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Ave. Ste. 401, Salisbury, Maryland 21801. For service information, please see www.burbagefuneralhome.com.