George Battle

George Edward "Spoon" Battle Jr. of Pine Bush, retired employee of the MTA and a longtime resident of the area, died on Tuesday May 1, 2012 in Ellenville Hospital. He was 72. The son of the late George and Pauline Lavacarri, he was born on January 7, 1940 in New York, N.Y. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force He was an avid bowler and bowled in leagues in Ulster, Sullivan and Orange Counties. He was a USBC member and a member of the Middletown Bowling Hall of Fame. He was a diehard Mets fan and coached Little League in Brooklyn where he coached future Met pitcher John Franco. Besides his family he was a father and friend to all. Survivors include his wife Sheldon Battle at home. His children Dawn Battle; George E. Battle III; Arthur Battle; Anthony Battle; Jamal Battle and Izak Battle. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Angelo; 17 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and two nephews. Visitation hours will be held on Thursday May 3, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main St. Middletown, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday May 4, 2012 at 11 A.M. in St. Joseph R.C. Church 149 Cottage St. Middletown, N.Y. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 343-6023 or www.ocfuneralhomes.com.