Elaine “Laney” Sperling
Elaine “Laney” Sperling, 80, a resident of North Massapequa for over 50 years, died of leukemia. She was predeceased by two weeks by her daughter Linda of Lexington, MA., who died of colon cancer. Laney was active for many years in Farmingdale Girl Scout activities. She leaves behind her husband, Ed, daughter Vicki, son Michael, four wonderful grandsons and her many Mah Jong friends.
Robert E. Wilson
Robert E. Wilson, 94, a longtime resident of Massapequa for over 40 years, died on April 5. Wilson graduated from Patchogue High School in 1938 and then attended RCA Radio School, where and an early love of radio led to a job with the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in 1940. His career spanned 43 years, entirely at CBS and included key positions in field operations and facilities management. Wilson’s career highlights included on-site supervision of political conventions, presidential inaugurations, NASA space launches and ground-breaking news events like Nixon’s trip to Moscow.
During WWII, Wilson was part of a select team called ABL 15 (American British Laboratories, a joint venture with Great Britain that included CBS and Harvard University) that was focused in counter-radar measures in Europe.
His love of the water and boating brought him to Southold in 1983, upon his retirement and rekindled his old love for radio as a member of the Peconic Amateur Radio Club.
Wilson was married to his beloved wife, Camille, for 67 years until her death in 2011. He is survived by his sons and daughter, Brian Wilson of Naples, FL, Pamela Wilson of Saratoga Springs, NY, Kevin Wilson of Haydenville, MA and Peter Wilson of Tenafly, NJ, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
