Published 3/11/02

TEWKSBURY, Mass. — Brother Patrick R. O’Neill, O.M.I., 82, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 9, 2002, at the Oblate Residence in Tewksbury. He would have celebrated his 65th anniversary of religious vows on March 19.

He was a native of northern New York state, born in AuSable Forks, the son of the late Hugh and Helen (Conway) O’Neill. He attended local schools, and at the age of 16 entered the Oblate Brothers novitiate at nearby Essex on the shores of Lake Champlain. He pronounced his first vows there on March 19, 1937.

During his years of service to the Oblate congregation, Brother o’Neill was assigned to the seminary communities of Essex and Newburgh, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. He served the parish in Ashland, Va., for eight years in the 1940s, was assistant treasurer at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo, N.Y., for five years, and in 1939 and 1956-60 was stationed at the Immaculate Conception parish in Lowell, Mass.

In 1973 Brother O’Neill returned to Newburgh and became a stalwart of the community which gathered at Our Lady of Hope Center. He visited the sick, organized bus trips and took charge of the gift shop. Through his efforts, devotion to Our Lady of Hope flourished, as he arranged for statues and medals to be made available to those who attended services at the center.

In 1991, he moved to Tewksbury, where he assisted with the driving of the infirm priests and brothers to doctors and other appointments. As his health worsened, he received this service himself. He was an avid reader and continued to enjoy this hobby until his death.

He is survived by three nephews, Rodney and George Davey of New York state, and George Bickell of Michigan, and many friends from his various assignments.

Brother O’Neill will lie in state at the Oblate residence, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A vespers service will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Residence Chapel. Burial will be in the Oblate cemetery. Contributions may be made in Brother O’Neill’s memory to the Oblate Retirement Fund, P.O Box 419, Tewksbury, MA 01876.

PERU — Mr. Wallace "Wally" Viley, 51, of Bear Swamp Road, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in Moberly, Mo., on June 19, 1950, son of William E. and Ethel Mae (Price) Viley.

Wally attended high school and college in Moberly. He joined the United States Air Force in 1970, serving for 22 years, retiring as a master sergeant in 1992. Wally had tours of duty in Korea, Germany, England, New Mexico, Ohio, California and Plattsburgh Air Force Base. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post in Plattsburgh, the North Country Vietnam Veterans Association, Post #1, and Plattsburgh Men’s Bowling Association, where he was vice president and a member of the Casino Bowling League. Wally was an avid reader, bowler and a Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Wally is survived by his wife of 31 years, the former Vivian Robinson of Peru; his three children and a son-in-law, Belinda and Charles Blaise of Plattsburgh, Angelia Viley of Hyattsville, Md., and Amanda Viley of Plattsburgh; his mother, Ethel Mae Viley of Moberly; two grandchildren, Tyler James and Brianna; two brothers, five sisters, one step-brother, and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., March 12, from Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Members of American Legion Post #20 and the North Country Vietnam Veterans Association will meet Tuesday evening at 7:30 for services. A vigil prayer service led by the Rev. Jerry Bleaux will be held at 8:30.

A funeral service with military honors will be held in Moberly under the direction of Million-Taylor-Patton Funeral Home with burial in Cater Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to Fitzpatrick Cancer Center at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

KEENE — Leonard W. Evans, 76, of Spruce Hill, died Saturday, March 9, 2002, at his home with his family members at his side.

He was born Sept. 12, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Albert and Elizabeth (Winfield) Evans. Following the death of his mother at a young age, Laura Henderson continued raising Leonard and became a loving and nurturing influence to him until her death in 1969.

A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, and served as a Navy corpsman, landing on Sword Beach during the invasion of Normandy. Immediately after serving in the European Theater, Leonard was assigned to the Marine Corp 4th division where on Feb. 19, 1945, he landed on Iwo Jima. Three weeks into the battle, he was wounded in action and later received the Purple Heart.

After the war, Leonard returned to Brooklyn where he married June Madison on May 30, 1948. Together they had three children and moved to Franklin Square, Long Island, where they lived until moving to their beloved home in Keene in 1991. Leonard graduated from Long Island University and worked in the pharmaceutical industry with William H. Rover, and Syntex, until his retirement in 1991.

Leonard was active in the Free and Accepted Masons and was the district deputy grand master of the Essex district. He was a member of the Adirondack Lodge, Valley Stream Lodge, and an honorary member of the Lake Placid Masonic Lodge, Whiteface Mountain Lodge, and patron of the Eastern Star.

Leonard loved family, friends, music, particularly opera, good movies, and his mountain home in Keene. He made friends everywhere he went and never allowed a language barrier to stop him. He had an amazing ability to communicate in any language and cherished making people smile.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, June Evans; two sons, Jeff of Wilsonville, Ore., and Larry of Marcellus, N.Y.; one daughter, Karen of Hopewel Junction, N.Y.; eight grandchildren, Gregory, Jocelyn, Matthew, Kierstin, Max, Kiera, Addie, and Jessie; and one brother, George of Arizona.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, March 12, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at W.M. Marvins Sons funeral home in Elizabethtown. A Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m. and an Eastern Star service will follow. A graveside military service will be held Wednesday, March 13 at 11 a.m. in Norton Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to High Peaks Hospice in Mineville, NY 12956.

PLATTSBURGH — Mr. James R. Farrell, 77, of Cogan Avenue, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2002, at his home.

He was born in Quirigua, Guatemala on May 10, 1924, son of James E. and Marie Louise (Kerrinckx) Farrell.

Jim moved to Plattsburgh when he was 8 years old. He graduated in 1943 from St. John’s Academy. He served in the United States Army during World War II. In 1948 he graduated from the Associate Colleges of upper New York, Champlain College. Jim had been employed by Key Bank for 38 years, retiring as regional vice president, North Country region.

He served with many community charitable and civic organizations. In his retirement Jim enjoyed spending time with his family at his camp on Chazy Lake, volunteering at CVPH Medical Center and playing golf at Bluff Point where he was a member for more than 40 years. Jim had a lifelong love for the game of golf. Jim was a born-again Christian and knew the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior and is now with his Lord for eternity.

Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Ann Reynolds of Plattsburgh; six children and their spouses, Stephen and JoAnn Farrell of Plattsburgh, Betsy and David Sheats of Cliff Haven, Katherine and Edward Kline of Arvada, Colo., Michael and Anne-Marie Farrell of Plattsburgh, Sara and Ronald Giambruno of Plattsburgh, and Devin Farrell of Plattsburgh; fourteen grandchildren, Ashley, Ryan and Joseph Kirkpatrick, Levi, Livingston and Bailey Sheats, Kolin, Audrey, Candace and Keenan Kline, James R. II and Chelsey Farrell, and Bryan and Kayleigh Allen; a brother and sister-in-law, William E. and Carol Farrell of Stuart, Fla.; two nephews, Major Kevin Farrell of Kansas and William Farrell of Florida; and one niece, Jean Rodriques of Maryland.

Jim was predeceased by a son, James Edward Farrell II, and a daughter, Mary Margaret Farrell.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, March 13, 2002, at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church at the former New Base Chapel. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Burial will be later in the year in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Saranac — Elonora M. Thornton, 84, died Saturday, March 9, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in New York City on Feb. 6, 1918, the daughter of Julius and Ella Boehm.

She was employed as a parking meter attendant for the Village of Dannemora for many years.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Merle and Star Thornton of Saranac; a brother and sister-in-law, Francis and Marietta Boehm of Acadia, Fla.; three grandchildren, Davyd and Esther Smith of San Antonio, Texas, Merlin Smith of Kingston and Sarah Thornton of Saratoga Springs; two great-grandchildren, Brett and Hayley Keech of Saratoga Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Merlin Thornton, a daughter, Marjorie Smith and a sister, Dorothy Schultz, all died earlier.

There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ocklawaha United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 507, Ocklawaha, FL 32183.

The O’Neill - Redden - Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh is in charge of arrangements.

For directions and guest book, please visit www.legacy.com

CROWN POINT — Donald H. "Chubby" Phaneuf, 69, of Gage Road, went home to be with his heavenly father on Friday, March 8, 2002, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Elizabethtown, with his family at his side.

He was born in Plattburgh on Dec. 11, 1933, the son of Maurice and Bertha (Trudeau) Phaneuf.

Donald was a roofer and was employed for several years by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. He later became a firefighter for the City of Plattsburgh, from which he retired.

He was a member of the Crown Point Bible Church.

He was a beloved husband, father, son and brother, whose presence will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his mother, Bertha; three sisters, Lucille Phaneuf, Rita Michler and Sandra Bibeau; one brother, Bernard Phaneuf; his wife of 42 years, Eileen Phaneuf; four sons, James of Plattsburgh, William of St. Angelo, Texas, Shawn and his wife, Tina, of Memphis, Tenn., and Donny and his wife, Kim, of Plattsburgh; one daughter, Brenda and Todd DuShane of Crown Point; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Maurice; three brothers, Albert, George and Andrew Phaneuf; and a sister, Anne Marie Addams.

A memorial service will be held at the Crown Point Bible Church, Creek Road, Crown Point, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 12.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kidney Dialysis Unit at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Elizabethtown, NY 12932.

URGEL R. CARPENTIER, 91, of 3 Bailey Ave., died Saturday, March 9, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Lacolle, Quebec on May 31, 1910, the son of Joseph and Georgianna (Lanciault) Carpentier.

The R.W. Walker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements, which are incomplete.

GERTRUDE D. STARK, 82, of State Route 37 in Westville, died Sunday morning, March 10, 2002, at the Alice Hyde Nursing Home in Malone.

She was born in Burke on Aug. 4, 1919, the daughter of the late Merton and Florence Bellows Deuel. She married the late Kenneth W. Stark on April 18, 1942.

Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 12 at 11 a.m. in the Constable United Methodist Church in Constable, with the Rev. Thomas Davis, pastor, and Donald Yeddo, lay minister, officiating. Burial will be in Briggs Street Cemetery in Westville.

Memorials may be made to the Westville Fire and Rescue Squad.