Published 3/24/02

Port Henry — Richard W. Gonyeau, of Bridge Street, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died Friday, March 22, 2002, following a brief illness.

Dick's greatest joy in life was his wife Bern and their children. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Dick married Bernice Cooper on Sept. 6, 1943, and they shared 58 wonderful years together.

Dick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He retired from New York Telephone Company in 1987 after 37 years of service.

He served as trustee in the Village of Port Henry for 21 years and was the village mayor for 13 years. He was also a member of the Parish Council of St. Patrick's Church of Port Henry, as well as the Town of Moriah Library Board and the Town of Moriah Historical Society. He volunteered for RSVP, delivering Meals on Wheels.

His many interests included membership in the Town of Moriah Country Club, the Mineville Bowling League and the Crown Point Flyer's airplane club, all of which he thoroughly enjoyed. Early summer mornings would find Dick and his friends on the golf course. In the fall, he would be at Fish Creek camping. Likewise, wherever the Moriah Vikings were playing, he would be there.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his eight children, Richard, Sharyn, Shelia, Lawrence, Marsha, Sue, Lisa and Todd; 20 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister Barbara and her husband Richard Coventry of Killingworth, Conn.; one brother-in-law, Bev Cooper and his wife Angie of Ticonderoga, N.Y.; and two nephews and one niece. He is predeceased by his parents, Ethel and Joe Gonyeau.

Calling hours will be held at Harland's Funeral Home in Port Henry, N.Y., on Sunday, March 24, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick's Church on Monday, March 25, 2002, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Town of Moriah Ambulance, Town of Moriah Historical Society or St. Patrick's Church.

North Creek — Milton A. Montena, 91, of Peaceful Valley Road, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 22, 2002, at his home.

He was born in Thendara on Nov. 6, 1910, the son of the late Jefferson and Nana (Bannon) Montena.

Milton was a lifelong resident of the area and married Sophronia Dunkley on Sept. 29, 1930, in Speculator.

The couple resided in North Creek during their marriage. His wife of 65 years passed away June 5, 1996.

Milton was a 30-year member of the operating engineers local 106 as a heavy equipment operator. Even following his retirement, Milton continued to pay his union dues until the present time. He was an avid reader and Atlanta Braves baseball fan.

Besides his wife, three sisters, Lula Goodspeed, Meda Davis and Rhea Richards and one brother, Thomas Montena, have all predeceased him.

Survivors include his three children, Patricia Sawyer of Crown Point, Milton D. "Bud" Montena and his wife Theresa of Wevertown and Myrna Sawyer and her husband John of Vernon, Conn.; four grandsons and six granddaughters; 20 great- grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call on the family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Alexander Funeral Home, Inc., 4479 State Rt. 28, North River. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home, with Rev. Ronald Allen, pastor of the Sodom Community Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Bates Cemetery in Johnsburg.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Adirondack Tri-County Health Care Center or the Johnsburg Emergency Squad, North Creek, NY 12853.

Saranac Lake — Catherine Ellen Roberts, 79, of Saranac Village at Will Rogers, Saranac Lake, a former long-time resident of Loon Lake, died Thursday, March 21, 2002, at her home.

Born Catherine Ellen Dunne on Jan. 16, 1923, she was one of 13 children in the James and Eda (Nolan) Dunne family of Boston, Mass.

As part of the World War II home front efforts, she left high school to be a "Rosie the Riveter" in the Boston shipyards. She worked on many battleships, including the one that hosted the Japanese surrender formalities.

The late 1940's brought her to the Loon Lake House as a chambermaid with her sisters Pat and Charlotte. She married Harold O. Farrell of Redford, N.Y., and raised a family of four boys and one girl. Widowed in 1965, she remarried in 1967 to Francis L. Roberts of Loon Lake and had one son. Mr Roberts predeceased her in 1994.

Catherine was a devout Roman Catholic and member of the Franciscan Order. She loved the Adirondack Mountains. She loved fine music, sweet perfume, her friends and family, the Church and as many sweets as she could "cheat" with. Her strong Bostonian accent never faded. According to her son Richard, she was "known and loved by so many people, it was like she was one of the celebrities that I work with here in Los Angeles. Every time I came home, she was involved in some kind of social event. She loved life more than anyone I've ever known or will know. The same can be said about her kind nature. She actually prayed the rosary three times a day. She never had a cross word or thought for anyone and was the most optimistic and kind hearted person I've known. I am and always will be captivated by her wisdom and good nature."

She is survived by five sons, Dan Farrell of Seattle, Wash., John Farrell of Burlington, Vt., Tom Farrell and family of Lakeland, Fla., Harold E. Farrell of New Mexico and Richard J. Roberts of Los Angeles, Calif.; one daughter, Kathleen Tabolt and family of Onchiota, N.Y.; 19 grandchildren; 14 great - grandchildren; two sisters, Patricia Boyde of Boston, Mass., and Laura O’Brien of Plymouth, Mass.; one brother, Fredrick Dunne and family of Boston, Mass.; many nieces and nephews and her many friends that span the North Country that she loved so dearly.

Visitation will be at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. A Bible vigil will be held Sunday at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Bloomingdale, with Father Patrick O'Reilly officiating and Reverend Mr. Frederick Mader, deacon, assisting. Burial will be at St. Rose Cemetery in Alder Brook in May.

Friends wishing to remember Mrs. Roberts may make memorial contributions to Our Lady of the Adirondacks, 7270 Star Rt. 190, Ellenburg, NY 12934.

GERARD W. NOBLE, 58, of North Main Street in Port Henry, died Thursday, March 21, 2002, at his home.

He was born in York, Pa., on Feb. 8, 1944, the son of Walter E. Sr. and Louise (Clogston) Noble.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be conducted at a time and place to be announced.

Harland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charles R. Strouse, 64, died at his home on Auger Lake on Saturday, March 23, 2002, under the care of his family and High Peaks Hospice.

Arrangements are incomplete with the Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. of Keeseville, N.Y.