Below is the newspaper article about the death of Edward Hayes, Son of Johanna and Patrick Hayes, my great great grandparents. I have not found any of his descendants yet, but the search goes on. He served at the First Ward Alderman for Erie, PA for 15 years.
This last couple of weeks has been very exciting for us. First, I found an obituary for 101 year old Angela Beattie Hughes who died on December 29, 2001. Angela is the daughter of John Beattie, who is the son of my Great Great grandfather. The obituary gave the names of her daughters and the names of four of her grand-children. Armed with the names and the fact that the funeral took place in Garden City, NY, I was quickly able to google some potential addresses for at least a few of the people named.
Published: December 31, 2001
HUGHES-Angela Beattie. 101, on December 29, 2001, of Garden City. Beloved wife of the late William A. Hughes. Dear mother of Angela Dolores Hughes and Regina Hughes Haffey and her husband Joseph. Devoted grandmother of Patricia Clemency, Regina O’Connell, Anne Haffey, Joseph Haffey Jr. and Robert Haffey. Great-grandmother of ten and great-great-grandmother of one. Reposing at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 1201 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY, Wednesday, January 2, 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial, Thursday, January 3, at St. Anne’s Church, Dartmouth St., Garden City, NY, at 10 AM. Her family suggests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her memory either to the Carmelite System, c/o Sr. Philip Ann, 42-41 201 St, Bayside, NY, 11361, or to the School Sisters of Notre Dame, c/o Sr. Grace D’Amico, 354 Belden Hill Rd, Wilton, CT 06897.
Tonight, while doing some random research on the web, I came across the most incredible story about the William Yerks, brother to James Leroy Yerks I and Ralph Yerks. James L Yerks I did not serve in World War I, but William and Ralph did. Ralph Yerks was killed in action in France on 13 Sep 1918 and is buried over there. That makes this story even more incredible.
Take a look in the upper left had corner of the newspaper. Look for the article entitled “HER SON, THOUGHT DEAD, IS ALIVE IN A FRENCH HOSPITAL”. The newspaper does incorrectly identify Williams mother as Mrs. James Yerks. It should have read Mrs George Yerks.
Lloyd W. Lewis (b. 1928 d. 2000) was my very special and wise Uncle. We shared the same birthday and my middle name was given to me in honor of him. I, in turn, have passed my full name on to my first born in honor of him. I regret not spending more time with him in my younger years, but he did leave an ever-lasting impression on me and many others. This video demonstrates the impact Lloyd had on some of those people.
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