Archive for April, 2019

Donald F. Rodgers

October 1, 1926 – April 21, 2019

Donald F. Rodgers, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Easter morning, April 21, 2019.

Donald was born on October 1, 1926, to John (Matt) Rodgers and Anastasia (Anna) Rodgers, nee McKenna, in the cradle of modern American civilization, The Bronx, New York.  He was the youngest of six children.

Donald graduated from Mount St. Michael Academy in December 1944, completing senior year early in order to join the war effort.  It will come as no surprise to those that knew him that he was voted most influential by his classmates.  He enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic training. He was assigned to the mechanized infantry and departed the West Coast in August 1945 and arrived in the Philippines in September where he served for seven months.  He was discharged from active duty in October 1946.  He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until 1956.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Donald availed himself of the GI Bill and enrolled in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University.  He graduated in 1952 and returned to New York City to work for Local 15 of the International Union of Operating Engineers as a business agent.

In 1952, Donald began dating Maureen Riesz, a student at St. Vincent’s nursing school in New York City.  They were married in November, 1953 and remained devoted to one another for more than 65 years.  Donald and Maureen were blessed with a family of five loving children, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

After his service as a labor representative for Local 15, Donald moved to serve as Executive Director of the Board of Urban Affairs of N.Y. Building & Construction Industry. In 1970 he aided Peter Brennan, President of the N.Y. Building Trades Council, in establishing a group known as Hardhats. They were a core group of what became to be known as the “Silent Majority”.

In 1972 he joined the White House staff of President Nixon as Special Consultant to the President for Labor and served concurrently as Counselor to the Secretary of Labor.

Returning to the private sector in 1974, he headed an expanded department of Government Relations at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In 1980 he joined the election campaign of Ronald Reagan as Labor Advisor, served on the White House staff, and then on to the Synthetic Fuels Corp. He ended government service as Assistant Director of The Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service in 1993.

Other activities in politics included Labor Advisor in the election campaigns of U.S. Senator James Buckley of New York and Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York.

After retiring, Donald and Maureen enjoyed 20 years of seaside living in Bethany Beach, Delaware, where they formed many friendships and hosted countless beach weeks with their children and grandchildren.  Although he was not a fan of sun and sand and rarely stepped foot on the beach himself, Donald was an integral part of the grandchildren’s visits, dispensing his wisdom over donuts at breakfast, teaching them how to remove all traces of sand before entering the house, and encouraging them always to continue to learn, ask questions, and to be true to their family.

Donald was an avid reader and student of history who often referenced the great lessons of the past as they applied to contemporary events.  He was a patriot throughout his entire life and often said that being born an American was one of the greatest gifts bestowed by the Almighty.

Donald is survived by Maureen and their children:  Donna and her husband David Hazzard and their children Christopher, Caitlin and her husband Austin Barton and their children Monroe and McKella; Janice; Nancy and her husband Michael Willis and their children Brendan and his wife Alexandra, Daniel, and Colleen; Mark and his wife Sharon and their children Kathryn, Kevin, and Connor; and Maureen and her husband Paul Amuso and their children Patrick, Bradley, and Mary Clare, as well as devoted nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements will be private.

MARGARET T. WOLF (Age 91)

On Friday, April 26, 2019, of Rockville, MD. Passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family. Beloved wife of the late Joseph S. Wolf, Sr; mother of Joseph (Caroline) S. Wolf, Jr, Anne Marie (Michael) Holder and Lisa Ann Wolf; grandmother of Emily (Drew) Brethwaite, William Bassing, Jr., and Michael (Laura) Holder, Jr.; sister of John Thompson, Ann Kury and  the late Louise Mazza, Andrea Horner and Marie Thompson. Also survived by many loving family and friends. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), on Thursday, May 2, from 7 to 9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Shrine of St. Jude, 12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD, on Friday, May 3, at 11 am.

Marilyn M. Philbin (Age 69)

On Friday, April 26, 2019, of Rockville, MD.  Beloved wife of Michael Joseph Philbin; mother of Eileen Francesca Tokunaga, grandmother of Tyler and Luke Tokunaga;  sister of Darlene Basile, Frank D’Anton, and Theresa D’Anton; daughter of the late Justin T. and Frances Elizabeth D’Anton.  Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 10 to 11 am where a memorial service will follow at 11 am.  Interment at later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to World Wildlife Fund  or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

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MARGUERITE FRANCES HUNT (Age 97)

On Friday, April 26, 2019, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late William Hunt, Sr., mother of Emilie W. (Jerry) Shipman, William Hunt (Diane), Jr., Maureen C. (David) Hunt, Sean E. (Nancy) Hunt, M.D., and the late Matthew P. Hunt; grandmother of Patrick K. Hunt, Kristin A. Hunt, Sean Patrick Hunt, and Michael J. Burdette. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), on Monday, April 29, from 7 to 9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial at Church of the Resurrection, 3315 Greencastle Road, Burtonsville, on Tuesday, April 30, at 10 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

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Claudia  Gregory (Age 96)

On Friday, April 19, 2019, of College Park, MD.  Beloved wife of the late Luis E. Gregory; mother of Victoria (Juan)  Bartolomei, Oscar (Lydia) Gregory, Anabelle (David) Pollock,  and Luis (Meivel) Gregory;  aunt of Angie (Frank) Ervin and numerous other nieces and nephews; sister of Oscar Echandi, Paulina (“Pini) Echandi Rodriguez, Hilda Pepita (“Pepi”) Echandi;  Also survived by 16 grandchildren and 21 great – grandchildren.  Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, 20901 (Valet Parking), Sunday, April 28, from 2 to 4 pm. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring, MD, 20903 on Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Society of St. Vincent de Paul (by website or, if you prefer to send a donation by mail:  Society of St. Vincent de Paul, National Council of the United States, 58 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3706).

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Claudia Gregory’s Obituary

Claudia Echandi Gregory was born in 1923 in San Jose, Costa Rica to Oscar Echandi Valverde and Claudia Echandi.  The Echandis, a prominent Costa Rican family, provided Costa Rica with a painter, Enrique Echandi (1866 – 1959), and a president, Mario Echandi elected in 1958. Claudia’s brother, Oscar Echandi served a as Vice Minister of Agriculture. Claudia’s sister, Pepi, was on the Board of Directors for the Central Bank of Costa Rica. Claudia is survived by her brother Oscar, age 101, Paulina (“Pini”), age 94 and Hilda Pepita (“Pepi”), age 84.

As a young girl, Claudia loved to visit a family farm, Juan Vinas, which she described as a paradise. There she could go anywhere she wanted. She climbed trees, went swimming & fishing and even rode a small horse named Coco, bareback.

At age 11, Claudia’s family moved to Alajuela. From age 12 to 18, she attended a Convent boarding school run by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion where classes were only conducted in French. She studied Catholicism deeply, attended Mass daily and planned to become a nun until she “discovered boys”.

At age 25 Claudia witnessed the Costa Rican revolution of 1948, precipitated by the Costa Rican Legislature’s annulment of opposition candidate Otilio Ulates election earlier in the year. Jose Figueres led a rebel army to victory over President Teodoro Picado. Figueres established a provisional government and oversaw the election of a Constitutional Assembly which then established a new 1949 Constitution. He then stepped down and handed power back to Otilio Ulates. Claudia was in favor of the rebels but refused to sew a rebel uniform for one of her cousins. She remembers a general strike in support of the rebels and then a great celebration in the streets when the government finally fell.

While working at the Inter American Institute, Claudia met Luis Enrique Gregory, born in Puerto Rico, a scientist from the USDA working on a project examining the uses of rubber.  They fell in love and were married in 1953.  They lived in Los Angeles, California with Claudia’s eldest daughter, Victoria.  Luis attended UCLA to complete a PhD in Plant Physiology.

In Los Angeles, Claudia worked a several jobs with Mexicans, including a job wiring TVs and a job sewing handbags. She discovered that Spanish speakers were so widespread that she had no need to learn English.

When the family moved to Baltimore, Claudia was now forced to learn English. She took 2 courses, read crime magazines, comic books and spoke English to as many people as possible. She remembers that her first English words were: “Kiss me again” and “ham and eggs, please”. She also attended Secretarial School where she learned bookkeeping, short hand and typing.

The family moved to the Washington DC area, where Oscar and Anabelle were born.

Luis and his young family were transferred to the USDA station in Puerto Rico in 1958 where the youngest son, Luis Roberto, was born. They stayed there for nearly 10 years. Claudia described the USDA station as “a paradise” to live in. She did not have to work and met people from all over North & South America. She started and was president of the Inter-America Club. She remembers tea parties in the mornings, dancing on the beach in the evenings and house parties on the weekend.

In 1959, during a flight from Miami to Puerto Rico, Claudia had a brief but memorable brush with the Cuban Revolution. During a stopover in Havana, armed soldiers stormed the plane and ordered everyone off. Despite her husband’s pleading, Claudia refused to leave, claiming that she could not wake a sick infant asleep in her arms. Somehow, the soldiers allowed only Claudia to stay on the airplane unharmed, while they ransacked through all the luggage.

In 1967 the family moved to College Park, MD where, in addition to raising 4 children, Claudia was the Manager and Bookeeper for Crescent Nursery & Summer Camp for 30 years. During that time, she managed to bring the accounts “from being in the red to black”.

Around 1973 Claudia began working actively with her beloved St. Camillus Parish. She worked with Meals on Wheels, made hospital visits, was both a Hospitality Minister & Eucharistic Minister at Mass, collected donations, worked with abused women and taught adult religious education. Claudia completed a pastoral ministry certification program, Education for Parish Service (EPS), a two year program at Trinity College of studies in theology, scripture, liturgy and other church-related disciplines. She also attended daily mass for 30 years.

Claudia was an inspiration and constant helpful motivator to several generations of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who have fond memories of visiting and learning from “Nanny” over the decades.

Claudia Echandi Gregory, died on Good Friday at age 96. She was hospitalized four weeks ago due to difficulty in breathing, first at Holy Cross, then at Hill Haven Rehab Hospital. Despite every effort to help, including an oxygen mask, lung treatments, etc, for 4 weeks, every breath was a hard, muscular effort, an oxygen hunger that cannot be medicated away. Her mind remained conscious and clear but at the end, all her life’s energy was focused on fighting bravely for one breath after another until she suddenly stopped breathing and her heart stopped at 8:14 in the evening.

In her last weeks of life, Claudia told the family and her priest that she was at peace and felt that God had spoiled her with many blessings throughout her life.  May she rest in sacred peace with all those she loved and served.

Andrea Denise Masucci (Age 57)

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, of Chevy Chase, MD. Beloved daughter of Adrienne and the late Dr. Elmo Masucci. Loving sister of Raymond (Vickie) Masucci and Elizabeth (Joel) Appelbaum. Loving aunt of Alex, Eric and Carly Appelbaum and Olivia and Savannah Masucci. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd West Silver Spring, MD (Valet Parking) Tuesday April 30, from 7 to 9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Redeemer Church, 9705 Summit Ave, Kensington, MD, on Wednesday, May 1, at 11AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Redeemer Church.

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James Patrick Mulhern (age 70)

James Patrick Mulhern, aged 70 passed away at home. He was born in June 1948 in Kingston PA, to Ed and Peg Mulhern.

JP, as he was known to all of his friends and family loved three things most in the world, his wife, his children/grandchildren and being a Mulhern. JP didn’t ever meet a stranger, only people who he had not had the opportunity to make his friends yet. He loved to tell a story and preferred to embellish whenever he could get away with it. If you had the pleasure to know him, you were a happier person for it. He always made those around him smile and laugh. And if you ever mentioned a project, he would show up at your door the next morning with his tool belt. There was never a swim meet that he didn’t enjoy and he never failed to give you directions if he thought you could use a hand.

JP was a master salesman with a work ethic like no other. It was the perfect job for him. It suited him to talk with people all day long, swap stories, tell jokes and brag about his family as well as his nine brothers and sisters. JP Mulhern believed in the old fashion way of business,  he made friends quickly,  he trusted a hand shake and he loved a great story. When he left work he could be found proudly wearing his extra large boy scout uniform, never forgetting the red neckerchief and socks with tassels. On weekends he lived to run a swim meet, it gave him a chance to wear both tube socks and a whistle at the same time.

One of the greatest things about JP is that he was a kid at heart. When he sang, he sang at the top of the his lungs, although he rarely knew the words. When he danced he made up moves rarely seen outside one’s kitchen. When he dove into a pool, he aimed for the biggest belly flop he could muster. And when he golfed he dipped low, wiggled his rear end and conveniently forgot how to add.

JP left behind his adored wife Jane after 48 years of marriage. He is survived by his four children, The “J” Team, Jessica (Dan) Heard, Julie (Wynn) Rasmuson, Jamie Mulhern and Jon (Jen) Mulhern.  He will be terribly missed by his brothers and sisters, Mary Margaret (Dave), Eddie (Becky), Marty (Pam), Pat (Karen), Joe (Lucy), Tom (Katie), John (Kim), Mike (Alison) and Kathy (Mike) and his countless nieces and nephews. He was loved dearly by his grandchildren Will, Brian, Paige, Colin and Shea. He loved them “Big as the World” and told them so every time he said goodbye.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday April 29th from 2-4 pm and from 7-9 pm at Collins Funeral Home, (Valet Parking) 500 University Blvd Silver Spring, MD 20901. Funeral services and Mass will be held on Tuesday April 30th at 11 am at St. Catherine Laboure, 11801 Claridge Rd., Wheaton, MD 20902.

PAUL D. TARANT (Age72)

Of Silver Spring, MD departed this life on Sunday, April 21, 2019. Born February 28, 1947 in Washington, DC, to the late William and Margaret (Monaco) Tarant. He was the beloved father of Stephanie Tarant and brother of Barbara Stanley of Culpepper, VA, Robert Tarant and wife Lila of Washington State, Lee Ann Tarant of Fairfield, PA, and the late Laura, William, Elsie, and George Tarant. Paul was a very successful small business owner, avid hunter, gourmet chef, and life-long friend to all those who knew and loved him. He was a strong man with many talents, who had a tremendous sense of humor, loved to tell stories, and sing a little. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, Saturday, April 27, from 10 to 11 a.m., where the Funeral Service will follow at 11 a.m. Procession to follow for interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD.

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ANNA D. GALLO (Age 95)

On Sunday, April 21, 2019, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late Julius Gallo; mother of Rita, John, and the late Rick Gallo; mother-in-law of Kathy and Kelly; grandmother of Michael, John Michael, and Lina. Anna was also loved by many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. Anna made friends everywhere and found no greater joy than finding a simple but perfect gift for all of them. Her entire life was built on giving and she never asked for or wanted anything for herself. All are invited to call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, 20901 (Valet Parking), Sunday, April 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Andrew Apostle Church, Kemp Mill Road and Arcola Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 20902 on Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association.

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RITA MARIE CLARKE (Age 93)

On Saturday, April 20, 2019, of Brookeville, MD. Beloved wife of the late John Freas Clarke; loving mother of Edward A. (Doris) Clarke, Thomas F. (Joan) Clarke and James. R. (Laura) Clarke. Grandmother of Edward A. Clarke, Jr., Stacey M. Clarke, Justin T. Clarke, Kristin J. Clarke, Catie B. Clarke, Katherine E. Clarke, Bridgette K. Clarke, Caroline F. Clarke and Julia D. Clarke. Great-grandmother of Brody J. Finamore. Sister of Robert (Patricia) Leapley. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Thursday, April 25, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Grace, 15661 Norbeck Blvd., Silver Spring, MD, on Friday, April 26 at 11 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marian Assisted Living, 19109 Georgia Avenue, Brookeville, MD 20833.

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