But when I die, they say theyre going to make a museum out of it. But I had all that money! Ill tell you the good stuff! [laughs] And that was it. If you want to come in a business with me, John, lets make into a beautiful restaurant. So he said, Okay, Ive never owned a restaurant, but Id be willing to try it, George. So I said, Well, John, youre gonna have to put a lot of money in it because you have all the money, as being who you are. Q: So about this house, I wanted to ask about the Friends of the Seguine Mansion. But the only thing was it was too small. They didnt have it six months and they went under. Daller: And he formed the board in order to support the house. He enjoyed hockey, football, and the beach, but most important to him was family and friends. And she couldntthey couldnt keep up with it anymore. And so people saidthey took all the horses and they moved to New Jersey. That was Mrs., what was her name? And we had our barracks, of course, and having your barracks, the only thing you had was a big trunk where you kept all your clothes in. So when I got it, of course, the old kitchen was inI had knocked it down because it was all falling apart. So a lot of the things that you acquired to furnish the house were in poor condition, and then you have them reupholstered and restored. Thats what I was. If it wasnt for Mrs. Mackey across the street telling me about the funeral, I would have never known. Then she got to the point where she couldnt keep it anymore. We were doing other parties at the time, the only thing we still maintain is the White Party. Burke: It was. So it just became a moot point. I fixed it up. And the White Party we do in order to take care of doing cleanup on the lawn, doing any kind of plantings, or anything, because he did it all the years. But that was the cistern for doing all the laundry and everything in the basement. The woodwork, the moldings, the parquet floors. It was under your bunk. And then one of my brothers had just gotten out of the military. Dont look at me. That whole salon set there was a Victorian salon setand the couch is a camelback. Daller: You werent here. Daller: Mm-hmm. What a gorgeous home that was. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Burke: So I dont know if that was a ghost. It wasnt fair to him to keep paying for it. Daller: And that house was beautiful. Burke: Right across the creek. We all got coupons. And there were two windows, like this. They tore down those two nice little cottages that were there. Find your ancestry info and recent death notices for relatives and friends. And people were selling anything out of their house to support themselves and live. Its empty. Born on August 26, 1949, in Pottsville, he was a son of the late William C. Laudeman, Sr. and the late Josephine B. Burke: Oh, when I bought the house, everybody told me, Oh, what are you buying that old crap for? Well, I didnt say I bought it because I got it practically for nothing because they couldnt get rid of it. Daller: Yes, well, thats what we just said, yes. You cant ride anywhere but in a circle arena. Parks appraised the grounds and house and divided the value half and half. He was 77. Q: And will the board continue and play a role in in that? The whole family kind ofand the ladies got too old, and they decided they were going to move and go live inI think Georgia or Virginia, I forgot. FDNY firefighter Timmy Burke. Burke: So I did that [sold the Tidewater Inn]. And it did all the dental workany kind of dental work and everything was manufactured there. And also about the history of Staten Island, or the style that the house is decorated in, the Victorian style, your collection. Daller: Its life estate that he has. Daller: And when he wasnt doing that, he was horseback riding because he loved to ride and thats kind of segued himself to the Seguine House and to Bess. And I looked in the thing, I said, Holy shit. And then when they decided thatthey owned a beautiful house on one of the Keys in Florida. And after he died the family still lived like we had my fathers money involved. Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow. And I went in and I noticed my big box was gone. Yes. I could make another funeral parlor out of that. And I said, No, lets not make a funeral parlor. Yes, and I had bought the house, but I couldnt have the house and move in until she died. Of course, over therewhen I was over thereEngland was just getting out of the bad part of the War [World War II], and they had nothing over there. Because look how long the war went, and England had nothing. I had no idea that that was it, when I bought the house or anything. Its going to hell. Loving brother of Stephen Burke of Florida, Joan Burke of Plymouth, and Timothy Burke of Plymouth. Hes the man that built the house. Q: Right. So because it was done like the French did, I never had to pay tax, or only tax on a two-story house, instead of a three-story. So I said, The hell with this. So, unfortunately, there arent many people that care that way anymore. So thats my uncles hope for it as well. I traveled all over the world, traveled to Alaska, all over, with the military. But when he was in Europe, he rode. He previously was pastor of St. Clement-St. Michael, Staten Island, 1977-1988, and of Annunciation . Well, the paintings and the small stuff like thatthat like that mirror and those paintings and all that stuffthat was all the little stuff. They were gorgeous. Yes, she died and she was in the front parlor in the coffin, wasnt she? So I go downstairs. Im no bulldozer!. Because you never finish, youre always finding something to do. You could imagine what the mansion looked like. So thats how that all came about. Most of them were like china and vases, such like that. Daller: And he uses every room, he doesnt sit in one room. STATEN ISLAND . And that was only one of them. Burke: And its great when you have friends come, you have extra bedrooms, you can put them all up. My mother and his wife never got along too well. Daller: A lot of the paintings came from Europe, though. Q: Okay, all of that. Well, do you know what your preferences are? She was great because she would know. Its a part of the history that should remain. I put the post on it up under the floor where the newer posts in the staircase was upstairs, and then, when I took the jack away, it sat on the post. So tell me about when you went to Europe. Yes. Right across the creek. Q: So what was it like when you had the house finished and furnished? But Id go off with Murphy and wed go to these estate sales and most of the stuff thats in here was, I bought and shipped it all back. From what youve described, the different places that have been demolished over the years were extremely different from each other. Loving brother of Stephen Burke of Florida, Joan Burke of Plymouth, and Timothy Burke of Plymouth. He was the top interior designer in New York. And everyone became extremely close. And I know everythingId love to go out to Staten Island. So he said, Good. Isnt that a huge house theyre building, you told me? The beloved husband of Rosanna (Ialuna) Burke, he was the devoted father of Matthew I. Burke, Jason L. Burke, and Georgina P. Burke, all of Hull. He also discusses the donation of the Seguine Mansion to the Historic House Trust, and his vision for the ongoing maintenance of the home and property. So I picked up this one building that had a little old bar next to it. And this is Sarah Dziedzic. I dont know if it ever took off. Q: Can you tell me about the ghost in that house? And I was the assistant to the general who was the surgeon for the European Command. Burke: Yes. So she finally died. But I forgot what the other two things were. Troy-Virginia (Eugenia) Mileon Muscatello Feiden, passed away on January 28, 2023 surrounded by her loving family who adored her. And you can ask[gesturing to Daller], Daller: Everybody got something. You cant ride on the street. You dont have to worry about, sleeping on your couches and all that kind of stuff, and, you know, pulling out fake beds, and that kind of stuff. They cant build houses on it. What the hell is this? All of a sudden, she went, Youre in my house, and get out! Holy Christ. And one day. I bet I left the cellar door open under the stairwell, from the basement, and I bet thats the soap Ive got in the washing machine that smells like that. Burke: He did almost all the upholstery in the house. Eventually she decided she wanted to give it up and approached me with a cry of "George save my house" and I did.What was it like at that time?It was in terrible shape. Because she begged me. I hope it isnt that the people who have access come in and empty it because Ive had people say, Oh, when youre not here, Im taking that painting, and Im taking that painting, and I want that couch, you know. Daller: At least the property itself, because when you stood outside, I mean, you couldnt see anything. Utica. They just went and just vandalized it to hell until there was nothing but a shell left. Burke: Yes. Yun Fang Ma, age 75, of Staten Island, New York passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Oh, we were crabbing. Would you sell me the acres in the front? One of the doors was shot, so I took this door off, and when I did, the brick wall, on the side, started falling out. Burke: Oh, and then the house, when I bought it, everybodythe real estate lady, she wouldnt come in. Unlived in, they've been designated museums and have been visited by numerous tourists. Burke: So that should pretty well cover it, I think. And my other sisternow, of course shes passed awaybut now her daughter took it, and the daughter gave it to her daughter. I restored that, and that was an old mansionan old pillar-fronted mansionlooked like the house, similar. Q: How did you establish a relationship with the Parks Department and the Historic House Trust? Burke: Yes. And there was a big flight of stairs that went across the big porch across the front of the house, posts. I would have saved it. And I always used to say, Wonder who lives there! and so forth and so on. And my nephewwhat the hell was he? And the house across the street from it, the Old [Sir Walter] Tyrrell House. I went around and I got it and shipped it all back home. Pearl Minsky | For the Staten Island Advance. So I went up with Father Tom and I had to take care of all those Eskimos, if any of them got sick or hurt this or that. But that was biga big, two-bedroom condo. A lot of the windows were broken out of it. Yes. That was a bigits still there. I had all the walls done. So Id go over there and, of course, Bess Seguine was always over there. And he did the big sofa in there, didnt he? So I got this on the front porch somewhere, nailed to the house, butdoesnt matter. Then I went looking for the big pieces. Oh, God, it was gorgeous. And I studied architecture and the history of design and everything, I know all that. Q: Yes, you can tell me about your early life and the memories you have of growing up here. Burke: Oh, I loved her. Theyre deciding they want to build, so they tear down and build. He had come into my room when I was not there, stole everything. Like there was old Greek, like the Parthenon, the Greek templesoh, it was beautiful. Daller: No, I dont. Tell us about when you were born? And the last time I went there, there was all houses built in it. And I saved quite a bit of money. And thats where she was. She said, You saw her in your dream. I said, Holy shit, I said, you think that was her? She said, It could have been her. I said, Then she went like that and chased me out of her house. She said, That was her. Do you remember that? He did the White House and everything. I dont need The Death of Cleopatra hanging above my fireplace. And it was actually three stories high. Come here, Marge. I said, What? They said, Sell this goddamn place. Pre-Planning Services; . Luis was great. And I miss all those horses. Q: I wanted to ask, also, theres a painting of you in the house, right? McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Homes 781-383-0200. Im only a salesman in a department store. I said, and its going to take a lot of money to put that house back together. She said, Well, Im going to help you all I can. And I said, But why would I fix a house I didnt own? And she said, Well, why dont we talk about that. She said, If youre interested in buying it, I will make the arrangements that you can own it. You made enough money. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. But unfortunately, all the stuff up there was cured by urine. Mom, you own the house, you own at least part of it, or half of it. Burke: And he was one of the top portrait painters in Madrid. And she used to drink all the whiskey like crazy. So as long as I own it, I own it, theyll pay for it. And then I decided Id get involved again with things that are going on. And she was laying like this. I dont think anythings missing? And he was so good. Yes. And I took that room and made it into the dining room. (718) 761-5544 | matthewfh@matthewfuneralhome.com | 2508 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314. And Im looking at looking at it and I said, You know, thats the last house. Its still there in Port Richmond. Eulogies and Obituaries; Pre-Arrangement. And I went to Hammersmith College. Or was that brother Ed? Also survived by many in-laws, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. So I figured, oh, shit. Father James E. Burke, who served for 15 years as pastor of Sacred Heart parish on Staten Island, died Oct. 4. I was maybe nineteen, twentysomething like that. The house is haunted, she said, if youre interested in it, George, heres the key to the front door, you go. And as I said, there was a big flight of stairs that went up and a big porch across the whole front of the house. Daller: Because you might remember, he was away for so many years. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor George may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306. And think about it. Q: Andif this is something that you cant discuss, let me knowbut, for example, if you decide to repaint, like you did in this room, is that something that the board fundraises for? Where all the servants lived. Q: So part of why it closed was because. Well, on theon the fireplace there, those two big candelabras, theyre Meissen. She left things there. And he dealed in antique rugs, and regular rugs and everything. That was a great house. Thats the only thing people could bring. I mean, one year, the oil bill here was $11,000. Because, now, they cant tear it down. I saved it years and years ago. She said, Now you can save it., And I said, Well, I can save it. Then upstairs, was all the bedrooms. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. Thanks to him, a piece of Staten Island history has been saved for future generations. Unfortunately, you got to find environmentalists, theyve got to look for things and theyve got to point things out. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Situated all over the world are beautiful old homes with familiar names that have gained fame. They didnt even have soap. Burke: I went and I was stationed in England, and I loved being in England. It was so overgrown in the front yard and everything. (Staten Island Advance) Now: A vacant wooded lot The Tidewater Inn (formerly known as the Cole Mansion), which stood at 11. And he kept up with him, up until the time Mario passed away. I slept in it, lived in it, ate in it. George proudly served his country from 1977 through 1982. And one day I got a call from Mrs. Seguine. Theyre going out for the garbage. I said, No, no, no, Im trying to take them. So I took them and I had them all redone and reupholstered, and here they are. These are those Persian carpets. If you dont want to come dont show up. And he said since hes been here, he has nobody here. And I decided, well, Im going to pick up some nice buildings. Burke: Well, look at the mansion! Burke: Mario Buatta got me into all of that. Did quite well. So I moved into the front parlor room, there. Daller: He did the sofa upstairs as well. A brooch that I gave Bess? It feels like home, because thats what its been. Good God! And I would just would go around and Id just pick stuff up. Q: So this is going to part of an online archive. I dreamed, I saw it. I went to boot camp, I loved it. And he was studying art and he painted my portrait that shell show you, thats upstairs. While stationed in England, he studied interior design and architectural history and began to collect antiques through estate sales and flea markets, focusing on ceramics, paintings, light fixtures, and many other decorative items from the Victorian era. So itll be part of Staten Island that people, maybe fifty years from now when theres not a spot left, theyll all come out and theyll look and say, Wow, this is what it used to be.. Stole all that carved stuff, stole all that stuff, that whole box of stuff. And the porch, I dont thinkone end of it, you wouldnt dare walk on because the whole thing would have collapsed. Oh god, that was a gorgeous mansion. I worked for Saks Fifth Avenue in several departments assisting in design decoration. What will I do? And I had two or three other girls that were there. Daller: Well, you got involved with Burkes Landing with Scalia. I'll never tire of the house. I said, Gee, look at these chairs. And they said, Yes, look at them. Burke: About the candle? Burke: After I had the house, then I got the big pieces of furniture. And that makes more sense to people when they see something. Unbelievable. Q: And so when you were deciding what to collect, were you thinking about. But Ive got to bring that portrait down and put it above that fireplace and get rid of that painting thats there. Then I was down in Florida for a while and Im wondering, Well, what in the hell am I going to do in Florida? What was I? Burke: Ed. 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