Published 07/26/02

Keeseville — James R. Vassar Sr., 88, of Basket Avenue, Keeseville, died Thursday, July 25, 2002, at the Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh with his loving wife of 61 years by his side.

He was born in AuSable Forks, Nov. 25, 1913, the son of William and Celinda (Betters) Vassar.

He married his wife Ardell, July 26, 1941.

Mr. Vassar worked at Prescott’s Mill in Keeseville for a time, Keeseville High School and J.J. Rogers in AuSable Forks.

He enjoyed poker, gardening, fishing, working around his house and being with his children, grandchildren and great - grandchildren.

Survivors include four sons and two daughters-in-law, Richard "Beetle" and Dawn Vassar, Clifford Sr. and Carol Vassar, and Jerry Vassar, all of Keeseville, and George Vassar of Phoenix, Ariz.; one daughter and son-in-law, Pauline and Fred Colegrove, Jr. of Keeseville; one brother, John Vassar Sr. formerly of Peru; 16 grandchildren; 17 great - grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one son, James Vassar Jr. June 2, 1973; a granddaughter, Carie Vassar, Nov. 4, 1991; sister, Nora Vassar Spooner; and seven brothers, Benjamin, Edward, Wilfred, Raymond, Joseph, Clifford, Harry and Walter Vassar.

Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Church in Keeseville, with Rev. J Lee Snow, retired, celebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Association.

Lyon Mountain — Hugh Jackson Barlow, 80, of Marvin Street, Lyon Mountain, died Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at his home.

He was born in Dickinson Center, N.Y., on July 17, 1922, the son of Ivan and Florence (Jackson) Barlow.

Mr. Barlow is survived by a close friend, Geraldine Kwetcian of Lyon Mountain, N.Y.; a brother and sister-in-law, Roland and Helen Barlow of Detroit, Mich.; a sister, Nancy Barlow of Malone, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Sib Barlow of Allentown, Pa.; and five stepchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Douglas and Keith Barlow; and a sister, Ruth Barlow.

Mr. Barlow joined the U.S. Army on June 17, 1943, and served in the infantry. He was a veteran of World War II and served at the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 6, 1945.

He owned and operated Barlow’s Liquor Store in Merrill for 26 years.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday July 27, 2002, in Lyon Mountain Protestant Cemetery, with Rev. Eleanor Bellows officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Lyon Mountain American Legion.

Donations in his memory may be made to Lyon Mountain Fire Department, Lyon Mountain American Legion or Hospice of the North Country.

Arrangements are with the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

Elizabethtown — John H. Fenimore, 49, of Orlando, Fla., formerly of Elizabethtown, died Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at the Fletcher Allen Health Center in Burlington, Vt.

He was born in Elizabethtown on April 29, 1953.

John graduated from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was vice-president of field sales for Hedstrom Corp. of Orlando, Fla.

John was a loving husband, father, brother and uncle, devoted to, and a great influence on, his several nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was an accomplished musician who enjoyed his music and a round of golf.

He is survived by his wife, Judith (Kaleita) Fenimore; a son, Bradley; and a daughter, Elizabeth, all of Orlando; two brothers and their wives, Ken and Marsha Fenimore of Elizabethtown and Bob and Kathy Fenimore of Walkersville, Md.; several nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

His mother, Dorothy (Lung) Fenimore; and a brother, Wayne Fenimore died earlier.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 29, 2002, at 11 a.m. at the Lewis Congregational Church in Lewis, N.Y.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fletcher Alien Health Center c/o Stroke Program, Neurology Dept., 1 So. Prospect St., Burlington, Vt. 05401.

W.M. Marvin’s Funeral Home of Elizabethtown, N.Y. is in charge of arrangements.

PORT HENRY, N.Y. —Alexander Gajewski, 85, of Third Lane, Port Henry, died Tuesday, July 23, 2002, at his home.

He was born at Chelsea, Mass., on May 11, 1917, the son of Alexander and Rosealia Gajewski

He was a retired employee of Republic Steel. Corp, Mineville, N.Y., U.S. Army Air Force Veteran of World War II, Member of Council 384 Knights of Columbus, Port Henry.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Josephine (Koczur) Gajewski; eight children, Patricia and Robert Comeau of Georgia, Vt., Mary and Marvin Fountain of West Chazy, N.Y., Jeanette and Peter Ricciardone of Clifton Park, N.Y., Joanne and Homer LaPier of Port Henry, N.Y., William and Karen Gajewski of Port Henry, N.Y., Joseph and Robin Gajewski of Port Henry, N.Y., Rebecca and Peter Gilbo of Port Henry, N.Y., and Sandra and Shawn Ryan of Dannemora, N.Y.; One brother and three sisters; 17 grandchildren; six great - grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Friday July 26, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home, Port Henry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, July 27, 2002, at 11 a.m. at St Patrick’s Church, Port Henry. Father Michael Toth officiating. Burial will follow in St Patrick’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Town of Moriah Ambulance, Moriah Center, NY 12961 and the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 2680 North Canton, OH 44720.

Plattsburgh — Roland C. Racette, 81, of Ferris Court, returned to the arms of God on Thursday, July 25, 2002, at his home.

He was born in Redford on Oct. 4, 1920, son of Louis and Elsie (Supernault) Racette.

Roland was employed by Montgomery Ward for 14 years, he retired from Beekmantown Central School in 1985, where he was employed at Cumberland Head School. Roland was a member of St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh.

He was a loving father, grandfather and great - grandfather and an avid gardener.

Roland is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vanessa L. (Burdo) Racette of Plattsburgh; three children, a daughter, Iris Archer of Plattsburgh, a daughter and son-in-law, Carletta and Tod Vidock of Plattsburgh and a son and daughter-in-law, Elston Brenda Racette of Plattsburgh; six grandchildren, Michael Archer Jr., Arielle Archer, James Collins, Derrick Racette, Katrina Racette and Shane Racette; five great - grandchildren, Gregory, Kiana and Alexander Archer and Skylar and Mckenzie Archer; several brothers and sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Friday evening, July 26, 2002, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, July 27, 2002, at 9 a.m. from St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s Endowment Fund.

Schenectady — Kenneth Ransom Levanway, 84, died Tuesday, July 23, 2002, at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center after a long illness.

He was born in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Mr. Levanway was an optician and owned Valley Optical in Schenectady. In 1991 he retired to the Adirondacks in Jay, N.Y. There he was a member of Whiteface Community United Methodist Church and the High Peaks Kiwanis Club and had served as president.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific Fleet.

Mr. Levanway was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Powell and is survived by his daughter, Sharon Bellamy and her husband, Bruce of Scotia and his son, Mark Levanway and his wife, Sharon of Athens, N.Y.; three grandsons, Greg and Brian Bellamy of Scotia and Keith Levanway of Seneca Falls; five great - grandchildren, Ryon, Kelsey, Karri, Maya and Zachery; two brothers, Russell of Brandon, Mich., and Otis of Troy; and many nieces and nephews also survive him.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Center Glenville United Methodist Church, Route 147 and Bolt Road in Glenville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. The family will receive family and friends at church, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, it has been kindly requested that memorials in Kenneth’s name be made to Whiteface Community United Methodist Church, Wilmington, NY 12997.

Arrangements entrusted to the White Funeral Home, Scotia.

Virginia A. Wormood, 85, formerly of McMartin Street, died Thursday, July 25, 2002, at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home.

She was born in Beekmantown, N.Y., on Dec. 21, 1916, the daughter of Fred and Lina (Rea) Wormood.

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