Lewis Rhoades

Lewis Rhoades

Highland - Lewis O. Rhoades of Highland passed away peacefully on February 20, 2013 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was 58.

He was born on August 22, 1954 in the Bronx to the late Constantino and Catherine Rhoades.

A 1972 graduate of Marlboro High School, he was best known for his athleticism in football, basketball and especially baseball, loving the catcher position. After high school, he was almost drafted to the NY Mets. Later, his love of sports drew him to the Marlboro Booster Club as well as coaching positions with Marlboro Youth Baseball and Basketball. He also played softball in the Newburgh men's softball league. Lew loved fishing and hunting, belonged to the Manchester Hunt Club and was a life member of the NRA.

Always there to lend a helping hand, Lew's love of community and athletics led him to a role on the Marlboro Central School District School Board as well as a project especially close to his heart -- in the fields of his alma mater, Marlboro High School, he personally built the baseball dugouts.

Heaven on Earth was in the Adirondacks for Lew, where he and his wife Jeri enjoyed their little piece of paradise with their Adirondack family, always pontooning all over Schroon Lake.

Lew's survivors include his devoted wife, Jeri Carofano Rhoades; his loving children, Nick Rhoades and Stephanie Daddona, Jana and Anthony Calabrese, Lewie Rhoades and Lisa Kirk, Jessica Ruckdeschel and Gregg Marinelli, Katie Rhoades and Nick Wiley; his grandson, whose jokes he so loved, Louis Rhoades; his grandpuppies, Bella and Cooper; his siblings, Jeannette Rhoades, Cathy Rumble and husband Al, Joe Rhoades and wife Denise, Nick Rhoades and wife Amy; his loving nieces and nephews, Jim Rhoades and Elise Walsh, Nick Rhoades and Caroline Kent , Kyra Rhoades, Sophia Rhoades, Joseph Rhoades, Gloria and Katie Rumble; his mother-in-law, Lena Carofano; and his lifelong best friends, George Salinovich and Bill Nolen . He was predeceased by his father-in-law Rocky Carofano and niece Grace Rumble. Always by his side, he is also survived by his beloved dogs Chloe and Missy.

Friends may call on Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 2-6 p.m. at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 55 Main Street, Highland, New York, with Father Thomas Lutz officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lattintown Road, Marlboro, New York.

Lew's family would like to thank the fourth floor nursing and ICU staff at Vassar Brothers Hospital for the care they provided to Lew and the compassion they showed to his family at the end of his illness. Jeri sincerely appreciates Senator Larkin's unwavering understanding over the last two years; the peace of mind he provided in allowing Jeri to always put family first is indescribable.

For Lew's guestbook or to send the family a sympathy card please visit: www.hudsonvalleyfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Lew's memory to the Lew Rhoades Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 905, Marlboro, NY 12542.