Published:  11/04/02

PLATTSBURGH — Alice Ratner, 94, of Evergreen Valley Nursing Home and formerly of Cornelia Street, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

She was born on Aug. 21, 1908.

She was the office manager for Valcour Lodge when it was both an adult resort and a boys’ camp. Alice was also the comptroller for the New York Board of Rabbis before she retired. Alice was a member of Temple Beth Israel in Plattsburgh.

She is survived by one son and a daughter-in-law, Michael and Gayle Ratner of Plattsburgh; one brother and a sister-in-law, Max and Ros Feldman of Bayside, N.Y., on Long Island; three grandchildren, Ian and Lauren Ratner of Boston, Mass., Rebecca Ratner of Dallas, Texas, and Pamela Ratner of Plattsburgh; one great-grandchild, Ava Ratner of Boston, Mass., and a former daughter-in-law, Sharon Ratner of Plattsburgh.

A graveside service will be held at noon, Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, at the Beth Israel Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Temple Beth Israel in Plattsburgh. Arrangements are with Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

SILVER BAY — Cheryl (Ginny) A. Plass, 58, of Silver Bay, passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Columbia-Greene Medical Center of Hudson, N.Y.

Born in Burlington, Iowa, on Oct. 2, 1944, she was the daughter of Charles and Adelaide (Heinke) Young of Little Falls, N.Y.

Mrs. Plass was a 1966 graduate of the State University of New York at Brockport.

She has been a resident of Silver Bay since 1972 She was employed by the Hague and Ticonderoga School System for many years as a school teacher and was a member of the New York State Teachers Association.

Mrs. Plass was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Cross of Ticonderoga.

She was a great lover of animals.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Peter G. Plass; three sons, Jeffrey G. Plass of Queensbury, Jason C. Plass and his wife, Amy, of Bellingham, Mass., and Josh P. Plass of Silver Bay; one daughter, Joee K. Plass of Silver Bay; four sisters, Sandra Skarsaune and her husband, Ragnar, of Hartwell, Ga., Joan Clark and her husband, Kenneth, of Westfield, Mass., Patricia Stark of Warwick, R.I., and Lynne Lemche and her husband, Donald, of Cedar, Minn.; her sister-in-law, Nancy Trombini of Needham, Mass.; and one grandson, Michael Plass of Bellingham, Mass.

Relatives and friends may call 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.

A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Marjorie J. Floor, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Cross of Ticonderoga, will officiate. Interment will be at the family plot of the May Memorial Cemetery of Hague.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1 Steuben Plaza, Albany, NY 12207 or the Hague Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Hague, NY 12836.

SARANAC LAKE — Rose Johnson, 69, of 13 1/2 Winona Ave., died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

Born in Malone on Nov. 18, 1932, she was the daughter of Alfred and Edna (Gonyea) Gokey.

Mrs. Johnson had been a resident of Saranac Lake for many years and had been employed as a secretary by Ray Brook Tuberculosis Hospital, Ray Brook Drug Rehabilitation Center and at Adirondack Park Association in Ray Brook, until her retirement. Mrs. Johnson was an avid reader and enjoyed bowling and traveling.

Mrs. Johnson married Arthur R. Johnson on Aug. 5, 1956, at Notre Dame Church in Malone. He predeceased her on Feb. 21, 1996. She is survived by a son, Robert Johnson of Saranac Lake; her mother, Edna R. Gokey of Malone; a sister, Coralie Haley of Plattsburgh; two brothers, Richard "Joe" Gokey and his wife, Helen, of Malone, and Francis Gokey and his wife, Dawn, of Malone; several cousins, including Patricia White of Malone; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Gokey, and two brothers, Roy and Douglas Gokey.

Visitation will be at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, Inc. from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A Bible vigil service will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:15 a.m. Wednesday at St. Bernard’s Church with the Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer officiating. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Friends wishing to remember Mrs. Johnson may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad or Saranac Lake Adult Center in care of the funeral home.

MERRILL — John Joseph "J.J." LaMere, 47, of Merrill, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Keeseville Country Garden Apartments in Keeseville, while under the loving care of his family and Hospice of the North Country, Inc.

Born in Malone on July 22, 1955, he was the son of John and Joyce Perry LaMere. He graduated from Northern Adirondack School in Ellenburg.

While in school, he was a member of the Lyon Mountain Boy Scouts Troop #71. He enjoyed music and was an avid chess player.

Along with his parents, John and Joyce LaMere of Merrill, he is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Mabel LaMere of Schuyler Falls, and three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Connie and Jerry Hamelin of Merrill, Bonnie and Richard Corliss of Wassiac, N.Y., and Brenda LaMere of Plattsburgh; and several nieces and nephews, Shawn and Shannon Hamelin, Chasity, Natasha and Brandon LaMere and Josh and Jaimie Corliss.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bernard’s Church in Lyon Mountain, with Msgr. Bernard Christman officiating. Burial will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.

Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of the North Country, Inc.

LAKE PLACID — Harry Bernard Fregoe, age 81, passed away peacefully on Oct. 31, 2002, at his camp on Lake Placid.

He was born on Dec. 7, 1920, in Massena, and was the son of Bernard J. and Gladys (McKenna) Fregoe. Harry attended Massena High School and graduated from Niagara University in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after completing ROTC and OCS and was assigned to combat duty with the 76th Infantry Division in France and Germany, and retired with the rank of captain.

He married Mary McGibbon of Lake Placid in 1943. Harry was a special agent for New York Life Insurance Company and retired after 50 years of service. He was a member and past president and past zone chairman of the Lions Club and received the Melvin Dewey Award; member and past president of the Lake Placid Ski Club; past president of the Tri-Lakes Underwriters Association; member and past Grand Knight of the Lake Placid Council 1827 Knights of Columbus; life member and past commander of the Lake Placid Post #326 American Legion and service officer for approximately 50 years; member of VFW; member of the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee, chairman of athletes housing and mayor of the Olympic Village; member of the board of directors of the Lake Placid Horse Show; served on the village Republican committee as a committeeman for four years; past president of the Advisory Board of the Uihlein Mercy Center and past chairman of the Finance Committee; past trustee of St. Agnes Church; served as a member of the Selective Service Board; trustee for the Lake Placid Village Board for ten years and deputy mayor for seven years; served as town councilman for eight years. Harry never missed a meeting of either board during his tenure. Harry served as a member of the State and Federal Board of Prisons.

Harry was an avid hunter, a certified professional ski instructor, fishing guide and gardener.

Harry was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and his brother Gerald Fregoe of Massapequa Park, Long Island, N.Y.

Harry is survived by his sister Helen and Larry Mansell of St. Petersburg, Fla., and his brother Richard and Gisela Frego of Dallas, Texas.

Survivors include his son James and his wife, Nancy, of Lake George, his daughter Mary and her husband, Don Reichhart, of Malone, his son David and his wife, Sharon, of Norwood, his daughter Trishia Fregoe of Saranac Lake, and his daughter Meagan of Lake Placid; and his grandchildren, Jimmi-Joy and Christopher Clarke of Plattsburgh, Jennifer Fregoe of Newcomb, Ryan and Stephanie Fregoe of Lake George; Rebecca Fregoe of Potsdam, Jesse and Zachary Fregoe of Norwood; great-grandchildren Devin and Jacob Clarke of Plattsburgh, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, at Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. An American Legion Prayer Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department will hold a prayer service at 8 p.m. A bible vigil service will be offered at 8:30 p.m. with the Rev. Patrick O’Reilly officiating.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Lake Placid. The Rev. Paul Whitmore of Port Leydon, N.Y., will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Agnes Cemetery.

The family has requested that contributions be made to the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 569 Lake Placid, NY 12946.

WESTPORT — Robert Francais McGee Sr., 72, of Eagle Lane, Westport, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002 at Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington, Vt.

He was born in Keeseville on Dec. 18, 1929, the son of Russell and Mildred (Brankman) McGee.

Mr. McGee retired from Westport Central School as a bus driver for many years, worked as a mechanic for Reeds Sales and Service of West Addison, Vt., and was a partner with his son in McGee’s Snowplowing of Westport.

He was a past member of Sisco Lodge #259 F&AM of Wadhams.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Robert F. Jr. and Brenda L. McGee, and one daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Howard Bessette of Westport; his companion, Jeannette McGee of Westport; three grandchildren, Randy Montville, Kelly Bessette, and Karlee McGee of Westport; one brother, Howard McGee of Daytona, Fla.; one uncle, George Brankman, and one aunt, Ida Brankman of Westport; several nieces, nephews and many family members living in the area.

His parents predeceased him, and his wife, Beverly J. (Borden) McGee died on Jan. 6, 1984.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, at Hamilton Funeral Home in Westport. Members of the Masonic Lodge will conduct ritualistic services at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Westport Federated Church with the Rev. Richard Hoff officiating. Burial will follow in Black River Cemetery, Westport.

Donations in his memory may be made to his family.

WEST CHAZY — Bernard J. Nephew, 66, of 191 Fiske Road, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Mooers on Nov. 6, 1935, the son of Benjamin and Helen (LaValley) Nephew.

Bernard married Doris Lucia on Nov. 5, 1955, at Holy Angel’s Church in Altona.

He worked for 10 years at Georgia Pacific paper mill. He then worked at L.G. Robinson Lumber Yard in West Chazy. From there, he went to work on Plattsburgh Air Force Base as a civilian firefighter then as a fire inspector. He retired in 1994.

Bernard was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and a past member of the West Chazy Fire Department.

He served the Town of Chazy in different capacities over the years, as tax collector, bingo inspector and, in the early 1990s, as code enforcement officer.

Survivors include his wife, Doris; two daughters, two sons and spouses, Steve and Debbie Stone of Dannemora, Ronnie and Bea Nephew of Rosendale, MO., Tim and Lynn Nephew of Plattsburgh and Robert and Kathy Porter of West Chazy; his mother, Helen Nephew of West Chazy; three brothers, two sisters and spouses, Edward and Joyce Nephew of Lady Lake, Fla., Benjamin and Shirley King of Ellenburg Depot, Joe and Theresa Baker of Plattsburgh, Roger and Donna Nephew of West Chazy, and Steve and Connie Nephew of Ellenburg Depot; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Bernard was predeceased by his father, Benjamin; a sister, Carolyn; and a brother, Lawrence.

Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in West Chazy. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Donations in Bernard’s memory may be made to the Heart Fund.

THOMAS SCOTT, 98, of Constable, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone.

Born in Edwards, N.Y., on April 20, 1904, he was the son of the late Christopher and Mary (Coffee) Scott.

There are no calling hours. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday in the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Tom Davis officiating. Burial will be private.

VERNON HARRIS, 72, of Trudeau Road, Saranac Lake, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

He was born in Waverly on Oct. 21, 1930.

Visitation will be at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday. Calling hours will also be held at Candor Funeral Home in Candor, N.Y., from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Candor.

Memorial contributions may be made to Methodist Church Handicapped Lift Fund, 19 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

AUGUSTA S. "GUSSIE" PEDRONI, 90, of 246 Broadway, Saranac Lake, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam.

Born in Westport on July 29, 1912, she was the daughter of Reynolds and Harriet (Stevenson) Still.

Calling hours and funeral services will be private at the conveniencce of the family, with the Rev. Linda McIntyre, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery.

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