Published 1/16/02

Altona — The Honorable R. John Wolcott, 62, of the Military Turnpike, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Plattsburgh on April 22, 1939, the son of Ralph and Esther (Gonyea) Wolcott.

John attended Dannemora High School and in 1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served until honorably discharged in 1961.

In 1963, he began a 28 year career with the New York State Department of Corrections. After working in Mac Gregor, Great Meadow, Sing Sing, and Fishkill, he retired as a lieutenant from the Clinton Correctional Facility in March of 1991.

John was a town justice in Altona, a position in which he enjoyed serving until the time of his death.

On May 2, 1980, John married Gail (Dunn) Anstett in Christ Methodist Church in Beacon, N.Y.

John was an active community member and a supporter of the youth. He worked on the Altona’s Youth Commission and Zoning Board. For many years, he served as a trustee for Holy Angel’s Church in Altona, judge advocate for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1418, and vice president for Clinton County Magistrate's Association. He was also a staunch supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, where he served as a cub scout leader, assistant scout leader, and committee member. John even spent a summer working at Camp Bedford Boy Scout Summer Camp.

John had a wonderful summer in his new camper. In it, he and his wife vacationed and traveled to visit their grandchildren. John also loved collecting and repairing model trains, becoming quite adept on ebay.

Survivors include his wife, Gail; his children, Christopher Wolcott of Altona, Jackie Wolcott Elder and her husband, Ryan, of South Glens Falls, Colleen Anstett of Plattsburgh, Richard Anstett of White Plains and Michael Anstett of Tarrytown; his grandchildren, Emily and Jeremy Elder of South Glens Falls. He is also survived by sisters, Joan Coulon and her husband, Donald of Dannemora, Donna Solum and her husband, James of Dannemora and Eleanor Loffler and her husband, Ross of Moreau; his brother, Jim Wolcott and his wife, Anne-Marie of Queensbury; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents; John is predeceased by his sister, Jean Lavarnway.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A wake service will be held at 3:15 p.m. at the funeral home, the Clinton County Magistrate are asked to meet at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church. Burial will be at a later date in Saratoga National Cemetery in Schylerville, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s memory for a fund being created to send underprivileged boys to the Camp Bedford Boy Scout Camp, checks made payable to the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 37.

Plattsburgh — Grace E. Martin, 82, of Washington Place, died Monday Jan. 14, 2002, at the Cedar Hedge Nursing Facility in Rouses Point.

She was born in Keene Valley, Jan. 16, 1919, the daughter of Frederick and Lena (Benway) Besaw.

Mrs. Martin was a homemaker who enjoyed embroidery and puzzle books.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Barbara Martin of Plattsburgh, David and Monica Martin of Keeseville and Timothy and Tammy Martin of Plattsburgh; four stepbrothers, Robert Besaw of Plattsburgh, Clarence Besaw of Malone and Ronnie Besaw and Gary Besaw both of Keeseville; one step-sister, Sandra Hendrick of Minnesota; five grandchildren; five great - grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Donald. A. Martin; two sisters, Virginia Wray and Kathleen Honey; and a niece, Joann Wray.

There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru, with Rev. Vicente Jazmines, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be in the Spring in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Cedar Hedge Nursing Facility Patient Activities.

Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

Plattsburgh — Bjorg "BJ" Dahle, 68, of Hardy Road in Plattsburgh, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002, at her home after a year long battle with cancer.

She was born in Odda, Norway, on July 19, 1933, the daughter of Torjus and Helene Haara.

Bjorg is survived by her husband, Raymond Dahle; her daughter, Anne Helen and husband, Donald Batchelder of Charlotte, Vt.; a sister, Ingrid and husband, Sigmund Aamaas of Odda, Norway; a daughter-in- law, EllaJay Parfitt of Abingdon, Md.; and several aunts and cousins in South Dakota, California and Norway.

A son, Udmund Curtis predeceased her.

Bjorg was a military wife who accompanied her husband on assignments in France, Germany and Japan over many years.

She was an expert knitter.

She loved to spend summers with her husband and friends boating on Lake Champlain.

There will be no calling hours. Following cremation, her remains will be interred in Norway at the convenience of the family

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Arrangements are with the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

West Chazy — Mrs. Donna M. Provost, 45, of the Stratton Hill Road, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, at her home.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Sept. 13, 1956, the daughter of Benjamin and Lorraine (Senecal) Szablewski.

She had worked at Grand Union for many years.

Donna enjoyed bingo, gardening and spending time with her family.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in West Chazy.

Donna is survived by her husband of 13 years, Mark A. Provost of West Chazy; a son, Nicholas Provost and a daughter, Carleen Provost at home; a brother and a sister-in-law, Clifford "Chuck" and Abbe Szablewski of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; her father and mother-in- law, Arnold "Petty" and Pauline Provost of West Chazy; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews also survive her.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Church in West Chazy. Interment will follow at Whispering Maples Mausoleum on the Tom Miller Road.

Friends wishing may make donations to Hospice of the North Country or to St. Joseph’s Church in her memory.

Morrisonville — Ephraim R. Defayette, 82, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at the Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Redford on Sept. 1, 1919, the son of Wilfred and Rose (Lafountain) Defayette.

He was employed by the Town of Plattsburgh Highway Department for over 12 years and was a member of St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville and the Knights of Columbus Council 255 in Plattsburgh.

He is survived by his wife, the former Carmela Rose Santori whom he married on Aug. 16, 1949; one sister-in-law, Helen Santori of Plattsburgh; as well as several nieces, nephews, great - nieces and great - nephews.

His sister, Julia Renadette died before him.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the O’Neill - Redden - Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Members of the Plattsburgh Knights of Columbus Council 255 are asked to meet at 7 p.m. at the funeral home for services. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday from St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville. Interment will be in the parish cemetery in the Spring

Mooers — Albert C. Boulerice, 79, of Gilbert Road, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at the Cedar Hedge Nursing Home in Rouses Point.

He was born in Mooers on Aug. 14, 1922, the son of Jesse Sr. and Lena (Manor) Boulerice.

Mr. Boulerice attended both Woodfalls Country School and Mooers Central School.

He enjoyed trapping, fishing, hunting and livestock and chicken farming.

Albert is survived by four sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Supernaw) Boulerice of Rome, Margaret (Lamere) King of Lyon Mountain, Bertha (Lamere) Bushey of lrona and Gladys (Lamere) Boulerice of Mooers; Also, a dear friend and companion, Helen LeVigne of Madrid; and Elizabeth (Boulerice) Ashline and Frank ( a niece and nephew, who were his caregivers for several years prior to his living at Cedar Hedge Nursing Home). He is also survived by several other nephews and nieces, and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Verda (Lamere) Boulerice of whom he married on Oct. 18, 1947, at Holy Angels Church in Altona by Rev. Alfred J. Boulerice; father and mother-in-law, Benjamin and Ruth (Coryea) Lamere of Altona; four brothers and their wives, Felix and Eva (Perry) Bulriss of Mooers, Jesse Jr. and Alice (LaBier) Boulerice of Mooers, Maurice and Mary (O’Halloran) Bulriss of Saranac Lake and Leo Boulerice of Rome; four sisters and their husbands, Leona (Boulerice) Smart and Fred of Schenectady, Bertha (Boulerice) LaVarnway and Gilbert of Dannemora, Mildred (Boulerice) Goodman and Dolph of Altona and Leah (Boulerice) Roberts and Sam of Schenectady. He -was also, predeceased by a sister and brothers - in - law, Yvonne (Lamere) Yelle and Horace of Northhampton, Mass., John King from Lyon Mountain, Vivien (Lamere) Ashline and Peter of Champlain, Amos Bushey of Irona and Francis Boulerice of Mooers.

Donations in the form of masses are welcome and appreciated.
The E-F. Drown Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

There are no calling hours, Burial will be in the Spring at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Mooers Forks. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on June 22, 2002, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks.

Ticonderoga — Valeska Bates (Norcross) Wright, 93, of Champlain Avenue, passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at the Moses-Ludington Hospital of Ticonderoga,

She was born in Whitehall, N.Y., Feb. 11, 1908, the daughter of the late Frank and Maude (Bates) Norcross

Mrs. Wright was a graduate of Plattsburgh Nursing School where she earned her certifications as a licensed practical nurse in 1941.

She was employed by the Moses-Ludington Hospital of Ticonderoga for over 45 years where she worked primarily in the maternity ward and the emergency room. She was also employed by the Essex County Department of Social Services for several years.

In 1978, she received the Heart Fund Citation award, and in 1992, after retirement, she received the Moses-Ludington Hospital Auxiliary Citation award in recognition and appreciation of voluntary services, serving over 1500 hours.

Her favorite hobby was knitting sweaters for her family and friends.

She married her husband, Walter W. Wright on Nov. 10, 1932, in Little Falls, N.Y. He predeceased her on May 4, 1998.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Richard F. and Nancy B. Wright of Newburyport, Mass.; two grandchildren, Richard W. Wright of Hickory, N.C., and Pamela T. Wright of Newburyport, Mass.; three nieces, Evelyn Gravelle, Betty Ann Arthur and Nancy Patnode all of Ticonderoga; and one nephew, Harry W. Wright of Lewiston, N.Y.

Relatives and friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. A Requiem Eucharist Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Cross of Ticonderoga. The Rev. Marjorie J. Floor, rector, will officiate. Interment will take place in the Spring at the family plot of the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Ticonderoga.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 12 Avis Drive, Latham, New York 12110 or High Peaks Hospice, P.O. Box 195, Mineville, New York 12956.

Elsie Bain Granger, 86, of Putnam Station, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, at the Glens Falls Hospital.

She was born Sept. 26, 1915, in Smith Basin, N.Y.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, Ticonderoga. A funeral service will take place Thursday at noon at the Log Chapel of Putnam Station. The Rev. Floyd Freed will officiate. Interment will take place at the family plot of the South Cemetery of Putnam Station.

Jess W. Courtright, 85, formerly of Bea’s Way in Plattsburgh passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at the Horace Nye Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.

He was born in Columbia, N.J., on March 18, 1916, the son of John S. and Edith (Kitchen) Courtright.

There will be no calling hours. Following cremation, interment will be at a later date at the convenience of the family in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ticonderoga.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

AGATHA SUE BEACH, 62, of Mt. Morris, Pa., died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va.

"Aggie" was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Nov. 28, 1939, the daughter of Myra Wilcox and Lawrence LaBombard.

Arrangements are with the Woskovich Funeral Home in Carmicheal, Pa.

EDWARD A. MARTIN, 76, of Lake Street in Tupper Lake, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

He was born in Tupper Lake on April 11, 1925, the son of Henry Hermas and Marie Bernadette LaBrecque Martin.

Calling hours for Mr. Martin will be held at the Richer Funeral Home in Tupper Lake on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, at 11 a.m., with Father Donald Kramberg officiating. An honor guard service will follow at the funeral home.