Published: 10/09/02

Plattsburgh — James E. Brown Sr., 85, died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Plattsburgh on Aug. 24, 1917, the son of George and Grace (Ducatte) Brown Sr.

Mr. Brown married the former Frances Darrah in Plattsburgh in 1936.

He was a communicant of St. Peter's Church, a 3rd Degree Knight in Knights of Columbus Council 255 and Past Faithful Navigator in the 4th Degree of Bishop Wadhams General Assembly.

Mr. Brown loved to play baseball, hunt, fish and camp.

He retired from Imperial Wall Coverings in 1979 after working there for 38 years.

Survivors include his wife Frances; one daughter, Mrs. Barbara Caska of Plattsburgh; one brother, Donald Brown and his wife Cora of Edgewood, Md.; one sister, Eleanor Lambert and her husband Leroy of Plattsburgh; seven grandchildren, Beverly Brown, Bryan Brown, James Brown and his wife Dawn and Julie Burnah, all of Plattsburgh, Gloria St. John and her husband William of West Chazy, Timothy Brown and his wife Hilde of Port Hueneme, Calif., and Amy Brown of South Yarmouth, Mass.; a daughter-in-law, Marcia Brown of Clearwater, Fla.; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, James W. Brown; three sisters, Loretta Dame, Marjorie Sokolowski and Elizabeth Hummel; and three brothers, Roland, George and Frederick Brown.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home.

The Knights of Columbus will meet on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home for services.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Church with entombment to follow in Whispering Maples Mausoleum.

Donations may be given to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center in his memory.

Marjorie M. Bushey

Merrill — Marjorie M. Bushey, 77, of Youngs Road, Merrill, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at CVPH Skilled Nursing Facility, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

She was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on April 3, 1925, the daughter of Ruic and Florence (Frechette) Yates.

She was married to Gerald Bushey on June 18, 1949, in St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh at a double wedding ceremony with her sister Doris and Joseph McGinnis. Mr. Bushey predeceased her on Nov. 3, 1999.

Mrs. Bushey is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Timothy McElroy of North Syracuse, N.Y., and Martine and James Gonyo of Rouses Point, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Matthew and Elizabeth Manor and Heidi and Mary McElroy; two great-grandsons, Arleigh Finlayson and Daegan Manor.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Doris McGinnis.

Mrs. Bushey graduated from St. Peter's School in Plattsburgh as the valedictorian of the Class of 1942. She then went to work at Imperial Paper in Plattsburgh. Following her marriage to Gerald, she went to work at Republic Steel in Lyon Mountain. After having her children, she stayed at home to raise her family. When her children were older, Mrs. Bushey went to work at the Department of Social Services for Essex County. Upon her return to Merrill, she worked at the Real Property Office for Clinton County, retiring in 1987 after 15 years of service as a Senior Assessment Control Examiner.

Mrs. Bushey loved to bake, crochet and knit. She also enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. She liked outdoor activities, including swimming and skiing.

Calling hours will be held at the Lyon Mountain Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, in St. Bernard's Church with Msgr. Bernard Christman officiating.

Burial will take place at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Lyon Mountain.

Donations in her memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements are with the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

Plattsburgh — Francis R. LaFountain, 74, of Plattsburgh, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh on July 1, 1928, son of Harry and Mildred (Spooner) LaFountain.

Francis had been employed by the City of Plattsburgh, retiring in 1985.

Francis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Christina "Pat" (Lambert) LaFountain of Plattsburgh; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Angela Crandall of Plattsburgh, Nancy Hood and her companion, Gary Brandmeier of Plattsburgh, Patricia and Rick LeClair of Plattsburgh and Lori and Leon Gonyo of Chazy; his mother, Mildred LaFountain of Plattsburgh; a brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Mary LaFountain of Schuyler Falls; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Genevieve and Joseph Goddeau of Morrisonville and Theresa and Robert Duell of Plattsburgh; six grandchildren, Alana, Heather, Matthew, Christopher, Rico and Lori; four great-grandchildren, Logan, Kaelyn, Haydin and Lindsey; and several nieces and nephews.

Francis was predeceased by a son, Francis B. LaFountain.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A prayer service will be held at 3 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, at 10 a.m. from Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to H.K. Freedman Renal Center at CVPH Medical Center.

Ernest F. Lawas Sr.,

Plattsburgh — Mr. Ernest F. Lawas Sr., of the Clinton County Nursing Home and formerly of Upper Jay, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, at the Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

He was born in New York City on June 15, 1930, son of the late Fausto and Mary (Onafrey) Lawas.

Ernest was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy. He attended Columbia University in New York City. He was a high-rise construction engineer in New York City. Ernest relocated to Upper Jay where he owned and operated the Ark Lodge Motel, Restaurant and Bar.

He is survived by his wife, the former Shirley McDonald, whom he married in 1955; one daughter and son-in-law, Kristine and Jack Herzberg of Ridgewood, N.J.; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Adam and Christine Lawas of Canandagua, Ethan Lawas of Greenfield and Ernest Lawas Jr. and his companion, Nancy Simm of Weatague, Conn.; four grandchildren, Eli and Zachary Lawas and Emma and Jacklyn Herzberg; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at 10 a.m. from Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Clinton County Nursing Home.

Arrangements are with the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Esther M. Roberts

Lincoln, Neb. — Esther M. Roberts, 91, of Lincoln, Neb., and formerly of Plattsburgh, N.Y., died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, in Lincoln.

She was born in West Bolton, Vt., on Aug. 4, 1911.

Esther moved to Lincoln in 1998 to be close to her daughter. She was the former chef at the Montpelier Tavern Hotel in Montpelier, Vt. She helped with the family farm and enjoyed cards and sewing.

Esther is survived by a daughter, Elsie Brumagen of Lincoln, Neb.; a daughter-in-law, Susan Roberts of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; a sister, Elsie Tadejewski of Waterbury, Vt.; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Esther was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Roberts Sr.; her son, Hugh Roberts Jr.; and a grandson, Eric Roberts.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, in Lincoln, Neb.

Calling hours will be Tuesday evening, Oct. 8, 2002, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002, at 11 a.m. from Brown Funeral Home Chapel in Plattsburgh with Pastor Tracy Golas, pastor of the Saranac United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Middlesex Center Cemetery in Middlesex Center, Vt.

Plattsburgh — Carolyn J. Strack, 62, of Freeland Way, died on Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Albion, N.Y., on July 6, 1940, daughter of Alex and Delia (Dumas) Lafountain. Carolyn was a housewife and mother.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Arthur Richard Strack of Plattsburgh; six sons and three daughters-in-law, Richard and Darlene Strack of Sherrill, N.Y., Michael Strack and his companion, Deborah Giddings of Plattsburgh, Jonathon and Cindy Strack of Keeseville, Corby Strack and his companion, Marta Muniz of Orange, Mass., Scott and Kimberly Strack of Malone, N.Y., and Craig Strack and his companion, Linda Coulombe of Rouses Point; a daughter, Theresa Strack of Plattsburgh; and several grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the estate of the deceased to assist in the arrangements.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. — Frances Lorraine White, 77, died at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. , on Oct. 7, 2002.

She was born in Elizabeth, Pa., on April 8, 1925, the daughter of Walter and Anne Hayton.

Mrs. White was a resident of Poughkeepsie for 17 years and had lived previously in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She had served as the town clerk in West Chazy, N.Y. She received her bachelor’s degree at Plattsburgh State. She belonged to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the P.V.A. Tenants Association in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Mrs. White taught Sunday School, Literacy and was a tutor at Dannemora State Prison. She was an avid artist and her hobbies included crocheting and crafts. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

She married Francis E. White in Plattsburgh, N.Y., in 1954. He predeceased her on Dec. 31, 1999.

She is survived by five daughters, Joanne DelBene of Pine Plains, N.Y., Dale Hubbard of Syracuse, N.Y., Patricia Talcott of Woodbridge, Va., Maryanne Souilliard of Miami, Fla., and Karen Quinette of West Palm Beach, Fla.; three sons, David Cross of Las Vegas, Nev., Michael Cross and Bernard White of West Palm Beach, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held at the Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 16 S. Grand Avenue, Poughkeepsie, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, with Bishop Malcarne officiating

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 6350 North Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-2130.

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