Published: 09/09/02

WEST CHAZY — Garnet W. Pratt, 79, of O’Neill Road, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Mooers Forks on Sept. 29, 1922, the son of Davison and Elsie (Blair) Pratt.

Garnet married the former Leita M. Hughes in Potsdam on Feb. 14, 1944.

Starting at the age of 16, he worked as a milkman for Racquette Valley Dairy in Potsdam for 12 years. Garnet then moved back to the Plattsburgh area and worked for Bayview Dairy for 5 years. He later drove a bus for Beekmantown Central School District and for the Head Start program, until retiring in 1984.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Leita of West Chazy; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Richard Pratt of Fort Covington and Gordon "David" and Sharon Pratt of West Chazy; three daughters and sons-in-law, Rita and Richard Zwirblis of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Jane and William Bushey of Ellenburg Depot, and Shirley and Mack Minshew of Macon, Ga.; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Davison Pratt of Chazy, and Lawrence and Carol Pratt of Minerva; one sister and one brother-in-law, Madge and George Rudd of Laconia, N.Y.; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Genevieve Neil, formerly of Vermont, and one great-granddaughter, Cansas Lee Bushey, who died in December 1998.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel.

Burial will follow in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to West Chazy Wesleyan Church Memorial Fund or to Turnpike Wesleyan Church.

MERRILL — Albert Edward "Babe" Furness, 79, of Merrill and Saranac, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt.

Born in Merrill on Oct. 23, 1922, he was the son of Albert E. and Grace (Merrill) Furness.

Survivors include his wife, Linda (Ruschmeyer) Furness; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Jan Furness of Alma, Wis.; a daughter and son-in-law, Jacque and Charles Glass of Anoka, Minn.; daughters Michelle Momot of Guilderland, N.Y.; and Merrie Joe and Marcus Price of Zephyrhills, Fla.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Thelma Furness of Fort Smith, Ark.; a close first cousin, Helen Tavernier of Malone; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and a lifetime group of friends.

He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Edward in 1976, and Lambert in 1989.

Mr. Furness graduated from Lyon Mountain High School in the class of 1940 and attended Franklin Academy in Malone and Plattsburgh State Teachers College. He entered the U.S. Army on Dec. 8, 1942 and was honorably discharged on Dec. 30, 1945, as a second lieutenant. He entered the U.S. Army Reserve, serving at the rank of first lieutenant until his discharge in June of 1955. During his service time, he served in the European Theater, receiving several medals including the Combat Infantry Badge, the U.S. Silver Star, and also the Bronze Silver Star from both France and Germany.

Upon his return home, he was employed by Republic Steel Corp. of Lyon Mountain in the fabrication department; later being transferred to the Silver Bay, MN division, where he became assistant superintendent of the Mechanical Maintenance Department until his retirement in June 1979, with 34 years service.

During his lifetime, "Babe" was a private pilot and was also active in flying mercy missions (also known as "angel flights") until 1975.

He was well-known for his musical talent (was a founding member of "The Merry Mels"), and enjoyed sharing his music with people of all ages. Returning to the Chateaugay Lake area in 1982, a large part of his life continued to be music.

Mr. Furness was a member of Christ and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Champlain.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at Lyon Mountain Methodist Church, with the Rev. George Easter of Christ and St. John’s Episcopal Church officiating, assisted by the Rev. Hal Meyers of Staunton, Va. Military honors will be provided by the Lyon Mountain American Legion.

Burial will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family in Morningside Cemetery, Malone.

Those wishing to remember "Babe" may make memorial donations to the Saranac Volunteer Fire Department/EMS, P.O. Box 130, Saranac, NY 12981 or Christ and St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 240, Champlain, NY 12919.

Arrangements are with the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

LEIGHTON W. NEPHEW, formerly of River Bend Drive, Plattsburgh, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002 at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla.

Calling hours and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

LOUELLA M. TRUDEAU, 78, of Massena and formerly of Fort Covington, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002 at Massena Memorial Hospital.

Born in Fort Covington on March 8, 1924, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary LaClaire Bashaw.

Calling hours will be in the Cappiello-McKenzie and Cosgrove Funeral Home in Fort Covington from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 in St. Mary’s Church, Fort Covington, with the Rev. Kris Lauzon, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Fort Covington Fire and Rescue Squad.

DAVID BUSH, 82, of Pulp Mill Road, Chateaugay, died Saturday, Sept. 7 at his home.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Chateaugay Funeral Home.

A complete obituary will appear in Tuesday’s paper.

To contact the Press-Republican, Phone: (518) 561-2300 or send mail to:
Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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