Obituaries
– Compiled by April Miller –
Edgar Cambère
Edgar Cambère, a former Rye resident, died April 20 at Stamford Hospital. He was 93.
Mr. Cambère was born April 6, 1915 in New York City. He attended the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, where he was captain of the boxing team, elected to the Friar Senior Society and was a member of Beta Theta Pi.
Upon graduation in 1935, Mr. Cambère wrote for the “Lone Ranger” radio show, was an executive at the R.H. Macy Company and later at B.B.D & O Advertising Agency.
Joining the U.S. military in 1941 as a Second Lt. Infantryman, Mr. Cambère went on to become a Major and Chief of Counter-Intelligence in Belgium, Holland, and northern France. He was honored for his work in Belgium with the Ordre de Leopold II, an honor rarely bestowed on a non-Belgian.
Upon his discharge in 1946, Mr. Cambère joined the family firm of Trifari, Krussman & Fishel, one of the country's leading manufacturers of high fashion jewelry. He retired as senior vice president in 1975.
He was a past member of Westchester Country Club, The Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Pinehurst Country Club, the National CIC organization, and the Reserve Officers Association.
In the words of his family, Mr. Cambère was "a man who passionately loved his faith and his family and was tirelessly generous to all those in need."
A strong interest in gemology led him to earn the coveted Graduate Gemologist Degree from the Gemological Institute of America. He enjoyed putting his expertise to work for his family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Margo (Krussman) Cambère, he is survived by a daughter Michele Flood and husband Robert of Rye; a son Marc Cambère and wife Michele of Lake Mahopac; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and 16 nieces and nephews.
A mass was held April 22 at Resurrection Church.
Donations in Mr. Cambère's name may be made to the charity of your choice.
Dr. Joel David Marcus
Dr. Joel D. Marcus, a pediatrician in Rye for more than 40 years, died March 14 of heart and renal failure. He was 75.
Dr. Marcus was born June 16, 1932 in Brooklyn, to Abraham Albert and Edith Simon Marcus. He grew up in Croton and graduated from Columbia University and George Washington University Medical School.
A veteran of the US Air Force, he developed a life-long passion for Inuit art while stationed in Newfoundland.
He married Bonita (Bonnie) Kristofferson in 1965. They later divorced.
Dr. Marcus cared for generations of Rye families as a pediatrician and also worked at United Hospital.
Music was one Dr. Marcus' joys; he played many instruments and devoted much of his time to singing in choruses like the Golden Chordsmen Barbershop Group. Other interests included sculpting, collecting stamps and coins, cooking and enjoying good food and wine.
An active member of Community Synagogue of Rye for many years, Dr. Marcus participated in the temple's Men's Club and Chorus.
Rabbi Robert Rothman, formerly of Community Synagogue, officiated at Dr. Marcus' funeral.
"Joel Marcus was a wonderful human being, sensitive and interested in people's lives," Rabbi Rothman said. "He was a fine pediatrician, concerned about his patients far beyond the ordinary doctor."
He was also a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Rye, and past president John Alfano remembers Dr. Marcus as "an enthusiastic Rotarian."
Dr. Marcus is survived by his ex-wife; children Sara and husband Chris Maples of Reno Nev., and Brian Marcus of Washington, D.C.; and a sister, Ruth Newman of Queens and her children David, Mark and Debbie.
A graveside service was held March 17 at Hillside Cemetery in Cortland Manor.
Donations in Dr. Marcus' memory may be made to Community Synagogue, 200 Forest Ave., Rye, NY 10580, to The Barbershop Harmony Society, 110-7th Ave. N, Nashville, TN 37203, or to the charity of your choice.
James Joseph Shay Jr.
James Joseph Shay Jr., a former Rye resident, died April 20 in Richardson, Texas. He was 84.
Mr. Shay was born August 20, 1923, in Milford, Conn. He grew up in Rye and attended Rye High School. Upon graduating in 1942, he joined the FBI as a fingerprint technician in Washington D.C.
In 1943 he took unpaid military leave to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Shay served in the South Pacific until 1946. He advanced to the rank of Sergeant and earned a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon and Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon. A letter from his commander in 1944 referred to his "excellent character", "pleasing personality", and "splendid record."
After the war Mr. Shay rejoined the FBI and went on to work out of offices in Washington, D.C., Tampa, and Dallas. He was promoted to fingerprint unit supervisor, then to research analyst and eventually special agent.
As an agent, he investigated violations of federal laws and presented results to U.S. attorneys for prosecution. He also worked on robbery cases.
He took night classes in accounting and in 1950 earned a degree from Southeastern University.
Mr. Shay resigned from the FBI in 1968 to spend more time with his children. He went on to work as an IRS information specialist.
An avid traveler, he visited 49 states, missing only Alaska. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Post 6796 in Dallas.
Mr. Shay is survived by a son and former daughter-in-law Kevin James Shay and Michelle Shay of Rockville, Md.; a daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Barton Roffee of Richardson, Texas; a son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Deneen Shay of Houston, Texas; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon Shay.
In the words of his family, Mr. Shay "spent his life serving his country and helping others. He often said the most important part of his life was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He considered himself fortunate to live into his 80s and will be remembered by many for his "Hallelujah" greeting."
A funeral will be held June 10 at Arlington National Cemetery.
