Gustave P. Raspitha





Dr. Gustave P. Raspitha, PhD, of Brewster, NY, died Monday, May 11, 2009 in Danbury, CT, at the age of 77.

Dr. Raspitha was born April 25, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY, son of the late Louis and Agnes (Mietzelfeld) Raspitha. He graduated from St. Francis Prep and St. Francis College in Brooklyn and received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame, Feb. 1, 1970. On Nov. 27, 1974 he married Ellen Power in Cambria Heights, NY. They moved to Patterson from Atlantic Beach in 1981. Dr. Raspitha retired from the Ardsley School District in 1998. From 1950 to 1974, Dr. Raspitha was a Franciscan Brother, known as Brother DePorres, OSF, and the Academic Dean at St. Francis College, 1971-74. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Putnam Lake where he served as a Eucharistic minister for over 20 years.

Besides his wife, Ellen of Brewster, he is survived by two children: Elena Hughes of Bruckberg, Germany, P. Leonidas Raspitha of Brooklyn, NY, a brother, John Raspitha of Henderson, NV, and a granddaughter, Ava Hughes of Germany. He was predeceased by his son, Peter Mark Raspitha, in 1976 and his brother, Donald Raspitha. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sat., May 16, 2009, at noon at Sacred Heart Church, Patterson. Interment will be private. Calling hours are on Fri. May 15, from 4-8 pm at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to MDA/ALS, 7 Skyline Dr., Hawthorne, NY 10532 or Hospice Care of NY, 540 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, NY 10591 or Regional Hospice, 505 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.


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