Published 4/27/02

Peru — Richard C. Bruce, 66, of the Laphams Mills Road, Peru, died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh, July 3, 1935.

He married the former Clara Pelkey, Nov. 24, 1956, at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru.

Richard was employed as a heavy equipment operator, and retired from the International Union of Operating Engineers, Aug. 1, 1996. He also was employed with Joseph Frank Construction and Joseph Ondrek Construction, both of Peru. He was considered by many as a master craftsman.

He was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Church in Peru. He enjoyed racing stock cars in the 50’s and 60’s and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was a member of the Adirondack Snow Drifters snowmobile club.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Clara Bruce of Peru; a son, Ricky Bruce of Peru; four brothers, Michael Pescia of Peru. Dennis Pescia of Plattsburgh, Donald "Jeff" Pescia of Plattsburgh and Dean Pescia of Florida; several aunts and uncles; several nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, "Babe", the family beagle.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a son, Brent Bruce, July 11, 1986.

Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru, with Rev. Garvin Demarais, pastor of the Catholic Community of Keeseville, celebrating and Rev. Philip Allen, pastor of the Holy Name and St. Matthew’s Churches of AuSable Forks and Black Brook, concelebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Peru Volunteer Fire Department.

In Loving Memory of Marion E. Dragoon Wife, Mother, Grandmother a cook, a baker, a helpmate to Community Groups.

In life we loved you dearly In death we love you still In our hearts you hold a special place Your spirit will live on.

A Burial Service will be held on May 2, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. at Union Cemetery in Mooers Forks.

The E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Mooers is in charge of arrangements.

Champlain — Herbert "Hoover" Deso Jr., 74, of Champlain, died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Champlain on July 7, 1927, the son of Herbert and Josephine (Murray) Deso Sr.

Mr. Deso was employed as a loader operator for R. Deso in Champlain for many years. He was also an avid hunter.

He is survived by two sons, Wayne Deso of Champlain and Tommy Deso of West Chazy; a daughter, Diane Deso of West Chazy; a brother, Joseph Deso of Champlain; two sisters, Beatrice Castine of Champlain and Minnie LeFebvre of Champlain; seven grandchildren, Matt and Chad Hebert of West Chazy, Justin and Sheldon Deso of Morrisonville, Hilary Deso of Rouses Point, Eric and Lynn Deso of West Chazy; and several nieces and nephews.

His wife, Mary P. (Duprey) Deso died on March 11, 1994. Three sisters, Maude Deso, Lillian Arruda and Rita Abare; and two brothers, Richard Deso Sr. and John Deso also died earlier.

There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. The E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Champlain is in charge of arrangements.

PORT HENRY, N.Y. — Margaret I. Popp, 86, of Port Henry died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at the Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, N.Y.

Margaret was born at Witherbee, N.Y., on Feb. 14, 1916, the daughter of George and Julia (Lenyu) Popp.

She was a graduate of Mineville High School, Mineville, N.Y.

She was a retired secretary from Republic Steel Co. Mineville, N.Y. She will be remembered for her elegance and love of beauty.

Survived by two sisters-in-law, Elaine Popp of Mineville, N.Y., and Rosemary Popp of Piseco, N.Y.; nieces and nephews, Antoinette Corkey Gloucester, Mass., Margaret Villenevie North Creek, N.Y., Anthony Popp Middlebury, Vt., George Popp Brooklyn, N.Y., Elaine Adkins Moriah Center, N.Y., Paulette Platero Witherbee, N.Y., Rebecca Baker Moriah Center, N.Y., Jeffrey Popp Crown Point, N.Y., Steven Popp Witherbee, N.Y., George Popp Clayton, N.Y., Mark Popp West Palm Beach, Fla.

Calling hours will be Saturday, April 27, 2002, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Harland Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. from St. Patrick’s Church, Port Henry. Rev. Michael. Toth officiating. Burial will be in St Patrick’s Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home, North Creek, N.Y. or High Peaks Hospice of Warren County, 286 Glen St. Glens Falls, NY 12801

LEWIS — Dorothy Wood passed away in peace on April 25, 2002.

She was a resident of Elizabethtown and Lewis for the past 30 years. Her great love for the North Country and its people began as a child, spending all her summers here and bonding friendships that would last throughout her lifetime.

Through her adult life, her constant goal was to return to this home. Her greatest joy was her involvement in the community. Her passion for animals was deep encompassing all creatures.

Dorothy was born in Richmond Hill, N.Y., on April 23, 1911, child of Hazel and George Wood.

Beloved mother of Audrey Morrow, loving grandmother of Deborah Holmberg, Kathleen Northey and Robert Lambert, great-grandmother of Lydia Holmberg, Ashley Holmberg, Michael Northey and Nicole Northey.

A memorial service is to be held at Willsboro Congregational United Church of Christ, Route 22, Willsboro, N.Y., on Saturday, June 1, 2002 (time to be announced.)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society for Animals in her name.

Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro is in charge of arrangements.

MARGARET "PEGGY" OWENS, 85, formerly of Adams Street, Whitehall, N.Y., passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2002, at the Indian River Rehabilitation Center in Granville. She was the former Margaret O’Neill of Rouses Point.

Friends may call at the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall, N.Y., on Sunday, April 28, 2002, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 29, 2002, at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Church of Whitehall, with Fr. William A. Gorman, pastor officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Rouses Point, N.Y., at 2 p.m.

CECILIA O. TROMBLEY, 93, formerly of Plattsburgh, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2002, in Pittsfield, Mass.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Oct. 5, 1908, the daughter of Louis and Josephine (Giguere) Trombley.

Calling hours will be Monday from 10 to 11:45 at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at noon at St. Peter’s Church. Interment will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery.