Family/Spouse: BRASS, Michael. Michael was born about 1838 in Luxembourg; died on 19 Oct 1898 in Boston, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 11/25/1933

BRAAS-In this city. Nov. 24. 1933. Charles
P. Braas. aged 70 years; husband of
Anna Rleger Brass; father ol Mrs. Winifred
Braas Dolan; brother of Miss Lucy
Braas. this city, Mrs. Ida Mason of Buffalo.
He Is also survived by three grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held
from the home, 1324 South avenue. Monday
at 8:30 and 9 o'clock from Sacred
Heart church. Interment In Riverdale
cemetery.

Family/Spouse: RIEGER, Anna. Anna was born about 1863 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 1928

Nicholas L, Brass, one of Niagara
Falls' best known and respected citlzens,
who for many years was engnged
in the contracting business
and has had a major part In the upbuilding
ef that city, passed away
peacefully Tuesday at his home, 923
Michigan avenue, Niagara Falls, He
had been ill for several months.
Born In Concord, N. Y., 62 years
ago, Mr. Brass went to Niagara
Falls 41 years ago and has resided
there ever since. In 1888 he and his
two brothers, Charles F. and Michael
M. Brass organised and incorporated
the firm of Brass Brothers company.
This firm came to be the oldest contracting
firm In the Cataract City
and erected a large number of the
Industrial, commercial and residence
building, as well as public edifices,
in Niagara Falls, These buildings
now stand as a memorial to Mr.
Brass.
He was a member of the Niagara
Falls Council, Knights of Columbus
and of the Exempt Firemen's association.
He was formerly a director
of the Cataract National Bank.
Mr Brass' wife died about ten
years ago. He Is survived by five
children. Charles J, Paul N„ Mary
H, Claude E., and Nicholas L.. Brass.
Surviving him also are his brother,
Charles F and two sisters. Miss
Lucy M. Brass of Niagara Falls and
Mrs. Ida E. Mason, Buffalo; also two
grandchildren, Shirley and Marilyn.
The funeral services will be held
Thursday morning at 8 o'clock at
the horns and at 9 o'clock in Sacred
Heart church, South avenue. Burial
will be in Riverdale cemetery.

Nicholas married Mary E about 1897. Mary was born in Feb 1871 in New York; died on 30 Oct 1918 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married WURTZ, Louis J about 1898. Louis was born in May 1866 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 3/27/1895

The sad announcement is made of the
death of Miss Mary J. Braas, which occurred
at her home on Whitney avenue yesterday
afternoon at 4:10 o'clock. For the
past three weeks she has been suffering
with typhoid fever, and, although she was
at the point of death for .several days, hopes
were entertained of her recovery. She had
many friends in this city and was well
known in Barton, N. Y., her former home.
Miss Braas was born at Concord, Erie
county, September 12tb, 1869, and at tbe
time of her death was in her 26th year.
She came to this city two years ago w_itb
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Braas.
Besides her father and mother she leaves
three brothers, Charles F., Nicholas L.,
and Michael M., of this city, also three
sisters, Mrs. Anna Wurtz of Barton, N.
Y., Ida E. Braas and Lncy M. Braas of
this city. Tbe remains will be taken to
ber former home in Barton tomorrow morning,
where interment will occur on Friday.
The deceased was a employe of the
Carter-Crume Company, and one who
knew and loved her has written thee
lines:
Death has visited our circle.
And our friend has passed away;
One who worked with us in union;
How we miss her day by day.
Always cheerful, always happy,
But how sad it could not last;
We'll remember her in future,
As our Mary of the post.
How we used to seek her presence
.When we had some tale to tell:
Deep within our hearts we miss her.
For we've bad our last farewell.
Bat we must remember others,
Who will miss her more than we;
And her parents left behind her,
When the vacant place they see.
Let us think that we cau see her,
Living with her God alone;
Wearing now her crown of glory,
In her everlasting home

Notes:

Buffalo NY Courier Express - 8/28/1947

MASON - Ida E. Mason. In this city. Au-
gust 27, 1947. widow of John; mother of
Mrs. William McCarthy. Edgar J , Raymond
L. George T grandmother of
Rose Marie. Raymond L. Jr.. Kirk G .
J . Ross T.. and Jura Jean McCarthy,
all of Buffalo. Deceased was a
member of the Altar Rosary Society of
St. Margaret's Church, the Immaculate
Conception Socletv of Our lady of
Lntirdes Funeral from the late rest
dence. 447 Huntington Ave. Saturday
at ISM a. m.. and 11 a. m, from St
Margaret's Church Interment In Bos
ton. N. Y. Friends Invited.

Ida married MASON, John about 1901. John was born about 1872 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MCDONNELL, Elizabeth A. Elizabeth was born about 1879 in New York; died on 24 Oct 1931 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Winirfed married DOLAN, Francis J about 1923. Francis was born about 1896 in New York; died on 30 Sep 1971 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married Mabel A about 1924. Mabel was born about 1903 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Bernice L. Bernice was born about 1910 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Regina married MCCRTHY, William Edward [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: RHONEY, D Vincent. D was born about 1899 in New York; died on 2 Nov 1951 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 10/4/1950

BRASS-Suddenly In this city, Monday.
October 1. 1950, Michael M. Brass, of
510 1/2, Fourth street, husband of
Thelma Olscamp Brass; father of Ann
Marie; brother of Mrs. Vincent Rhoney
and Miss Alice L. Brass. all ot this
city. Remains resting at the Rhoney
runrral Home, 1114 Ontario avenue,
where funeral will be held Thursday
at 1:15 sum. and In St Mary's church
at 9 a.m. Interment In Gate of
Heaven cemetery.

Michael married OLSCAMP, Thelma Marie on 6 Oct 1934 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Thelma (daughter of OLSCAMP, George and KEIGHAN, Sarah H) was born about 1906 in Canada; died before 18 Apr 2008. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MOODY, William R. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: TURNER, Charles R. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Marilyn married CARR, John D about Nov 1949 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary

MICHAEL D. RHONEY

Of Lewiston, NY, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023, at his residence, under the care of his family and Niagara Hospice.  He was born in Niagara Falls, NY on July 25, 1942, a son of the late D. Vincent and Gertrude [Braas] Rhoney.

Mr. Rhoney was a graduate of Bishop Duffy High School and the McAllister School of Mortuary Science in New York City.  He was a licensed funeral director in his family's business, the Rhoney Funeral Home in 1965 and went on to become President from 2001 until his retirement in 2011.

Mr. Rhoney was an active member of the Erie-Niagara Funeral Directors Association where he served as President and a long standing member of the board of directors.  He was also a member of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, servicing as District Governor  and Vice President of the Association.

He was an actively involved with many organizations in the Sanborn and Niagara Falls area,  a founding, charter, board member and president of many social, professional, religious and civic organizations over the years. He also served as Chairman of many programs.
He enjoyed spending his time with his family, traveling with Gadawski's annual Notre Dame trip and vacationing in Florida and will be remembered for always trying to stir things up!

Michael is survived by his wife of  52  years Cynthia (Carver) Rhoney, his sons Dennis G. (Ellen) and Kevin P. (Corey) Rhoney, a daughter in law Deanna Rhoney, grandchildren Isabella, Caroline, George, Francis, Jack and Grace, two sisters Sr. Colette Rhoney, OSF and  Mary Alice (William) Wonsiewski and was the brother in law of Patricia Rhoney, Karen (James) Diodate, Timothy Carver and Christopher (Dr. Virginia Keane) Carver, also many nieces and nephews.

He was the father of the late Matthew M. Rhoney, brother of the late James V. (Angeline) , Paul J. and Vincent (Carol) Rhoney.

His family will be present on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 901 Cayuga Street LEWISTON, NY.
Everyone is invited to attend his  Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Church, 620 Center Street, Lewiston, NY,  with Rev. Cole Webster officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined . Memorials may be made in his name to  the Francis Center or to Love Heart and Soul.  

Interment in Gate  of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.

Family/Spouse: CARVER, Cynthia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James V. Rhoney, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at his home under the care of his family and Niagara Hospice.
He was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on July 3, 1927, the son of the late D. Vincent and Gertrude [Braas] Rhoney.

Jim graduated from Sacred Heart grade school and St. Mary's High School.
He served in the US Marine Corp during World War II with the 2nd Marine Division, the first group of troops to enter Nagasaki, after the second Atomic Bomb was dropped.

After returning from the war, he attended McAllister School of Funeral Directing, graduating in 1948 and received his funeral directing license later that year. He was the President of the Rhoney Funeral Home from 1951, until his retirement in 2001. During his over 50 years in funeral service, he built the first building to be used as a funeral home and expanded the business to Sanborn with the purchase of Pike and Jones and later to Lewiston, NY.

Jim was an active member of the Niagara Falls area, being a founding, charter, board member and president of many social, professional, religious and civic organizations over the years. He also served as Chairman of many programs.

Aside from his professional life, Jim started a new career in the 1950's, as he began spending his vacation with his family traveling throughout the United States with the American Circus. As the years went by his time on the road increased. He traveled with the biggest and smaller shows in his career and worked with the biggest stars in the industry, becoming personal friends with many of them.

He and his wife Angie started working with elephants and retired in 2003 in management. He was a lay minister with the 1st Ministry for show people on the move. Jim wrote many articles for Circus Report, a magazine dedicated to the latest circus news.

Besides funeral service and his love for the circus, he was on the last successful raft ride through the rapids during the 1980's.

He is survived by his wife Angeline [DiNardo] Rhoney, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 29, 2001, one son Daniel J. Rhoney, three daughters Mary Elizabeth (Thomas) Weber, Teresa (Samuel) LaNasa and Catherine E. (Donald) Fending, nine grandchildren Jacqueline and Jeffrey LaNasa, Danielle Rhoney, Donald "Trey", Colleen and Philip Fending, Sarah, Michelle and Trudy Weber, two brothers Paul J. (Patricia) Rhoney, Michael D. (Cynthia) Rhoney, two sisters Sr. Colette Rhoney, OSF and Mary Alice (William) Wonsiewsk, one sister in law Carol Rhoney, also many nieces and nephews.
Jim was the father of the late Vincent Rhoney, brother of the late Vincent M. Rhoney and father in law of the late Traci Rhoney.

The family will be present on Monday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 901 Cayuga Street, LEWISTON, NY, where funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM, with Msgr. Thomas J. Moran officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made in his name to Heart, Love and Soul, 939 Ontario Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14305.

Interment with Military Honors in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.

James married DINARDO, Angeline on 29 Dec 1951. Angeline (daughter of DINARDO, NIcholas and DIVINCENZO, Mary) was born on 11 Feb 1926 in Hornell, Steuben County, NY; died on 27 Oct 2017 in Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary of Paul J. Rhoney
Paul J. Rhoney of Lewiston, NY, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on May 25, 2022, at Schoellkopf Health Center at the age of 93. He was born in Niagara Falls, NY on March 22, 1929, the son of the late D. Vincent and Gertrude (Braas) Rhoney. Paul’s life was full of diverse experiences. He brought honor to everything he did and offered warmth and dignity to anyone lucky enough to know him. In World War II he was a courier for the Civilian Defense Post at the former Cleveland Avenue School. During background drills he delivered messages to various wardens on his bicycle. His first job was on Old Falls Street at an ice cream store. In 1948 he entered the funeral service, assisting his father full-time in the new family business. Paul graduated from Niagara University in 1950 and concurrently from the McAllister Institute of Embalming in New York, New York.From 1951-1979 he served as Secretary-Treasury at Rhoney Funeral Home, Inc, where he and his brother James oversaw the evolution and growth of their family-run funeral home, including the expansion to Sanborn, NY through the purchase of Pike and Jones Funeral Home on Hoover Road. In the late 1950s, Paul oversaw the relocation of the Niagara University Cemetery to the Vincentian Cemetery at St. Joseph’s Preparatory College, Princeton, NY. The cemetery resided on the site of the present Power Vista and was moved during The Niagara Power Project. In the late 1970s, Paul was instrumental in enacting policy change in a dispute between cemetery lot owners and the Diocese of Buffalo to protect the historical records and grave markings of the deceased.An early advocate for grief counseling and the need for hospices, Paul served on the first Ad Hoc Committee for a Hospice in Niagara County.Paul also served on the Eastern Area Advisory Council of the American Red Cross, as Chairman of the Niagara Falls Chapter and as President of the Niagara Falls Lions Club.He loved all kinds of music, especially organ, opera, and Drum Corps. As a young man, he sang with the choir of the former Sacred Heart Church, and later with the Niagara University Glee Club. Many family vacations were taken to Drum Corps competitions. He also had a love for the circus. Paul especially enjoyed watching the magic of the show come to life—from the unloading of the trains to the pitching of the big top. As a young boy he carried water pails to circus lots and chairs inside the tent in exchange for a free seat of his own. For over 30 years, Paul and his wife Patricia enjoyed the life of snowbirds, spending over half the year in Fort Myers, Florida. Many family memories were made exploring Sanibel Island. His wondrous spirit brought him all over the world. He never tired from the joys of flight and found excitement in the many airports he passed through. No one loved the sight of an airplane taking off quite like Paul, a quiet reminder of his unwavering optimism. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Patricia and five children: Ann, Mark (Nancy), Claire Gertz (Glen), Paula Jordan and Colette Rhoney (John Sammis). In addition, Paul leaves behind four grandchildren, Lily Hoffman, Danielle Fisher (John), David Hoffman and Sean Rhoney and his great-granddaughter, Cecilia; one brother Michael D. (Cynthia) Rhoney; two sisters Sr. Colette Rhoney, OSF and Mary Alice (William) Wonsiewski; also, many nieces and nephews.Paul was predeceased by his brothers James and Vincent and his son-in-law, Michael Jordan.The family will be present at Hardison Funeral Homes Inc. 401 Ridge St. Lewiston, NY on Friday, June 3 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter’s RC Church, 600 Center St. Lewiston, NY on Saturday, June 4 at 10:00am followed by a burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Niagara Hospice, www.niagarahospice.org.

Paul married FAIX, Patricia A on 17 May 1952 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Patricia (daughter of FAIX, Aloysius and LUX, Marie) was born on 6 Oct 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 5 Oct 2023 in Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary

Sister Colette Rhoney, OSF was born in Niagara Falls, NY June 22, 1931 and died March 6, 2023 at the Stella Niagara Health Center, Stella Niagara, New York. She was the daughter of the late D. Vincent and Gertrude [Braas] Rhoney. 

Sister Colette entered the Sisters of St. Francis September 4, 1949 and was professed August 18, 1952. She received her BS in Education from Rosary Hill College (now Daemen) in 1958 and an MED from Niagara University in 1970.

Sister Colette's ministries included Education, Spiritual Direction and the Assisi Retreat Experience in Italy.  She taught school in Buffalo, New York at St. Benedict, Buffalo (1952-55), St. Ann (1955-57), St. Lawrence (1965-67); in Columbus, Ohio at Holy Rosary (1957-60); in New Monmouth, NJ at St. Mary School (1967-70) and in Rome, Italy at St.Francis International School (1960-65).  She served as a Retreat Facilitator at the Stella Niagara Center of Renewal (1975-78); Associate Vicar for Religious for the Diocese of Buffalo (1980-88); Third Age Program Director for Holy Name Province (1988-91); was Spiritual Director at the Buffalo Diocesan Counseling Center (1991-96) and with the Sisters of St. Joseph, Hamburg (1996-2001).

Also, Sister Colette served as the Interprovincial Novitiate Team Director in Redwood City, CA (1970-71).  She became the Holy Name Province Novice Director from 1971-74 and remained in charge of formation until 1975.

Sister Colette then continued her ministry as Spiritual Director until 2017 when she moved to the Stella Niagara Health Center.
Besides her parents, Sister Colette was predeceased by brothers, James V. (Angeline) , Paul J. and Vincent (Carol) and Michael D. Rhoney.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Alice (William) Wonsiewski, her beloved sister-in-laws Cynthia Rhoney and Patricia Rhoney and many nieces and nephews, and her Sisters in the Stella Niagara Community.

Wake Friday, March 10 from 3-7PM with a prayer service at 7 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sister's Chapel Saturday, March 11 at 10AM,
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara, NY 14144.

Family/Spouse: WARD, Carol A. Carol (daughter of WARD, Thomas and PANTON, Mildred) was born on 31 Mar 1935; died on 11 Jan 2018 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WONSIEWSK, William. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ellen. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Corey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Deanna. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WEBER, Thomas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: LANASA, Samuel. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: FENDING, Donald J Jr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Nancy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GERTZ, Glen. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: JORDAN, Michael. Michael and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: SAMMIS, John. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: DOWDY, Marlin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GADDIS, Mark. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Susan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]