Published: 02/26/03

Peru — Eileen Barker, 68, of Buttonbrook Parkway, Peru, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Plattsburgh, Feb. 16, 2003, the daughter of Francis and Mildred (Hanlon) Young.

Eileen was a member of the Peru Central School class of 1952 and was a graduate of the Alfred Agricultural and Technical College in 1954.

Mrs. Barker was employed for the last several years at the Peru Pharmacy. Prior to that Eileen worked at the Valehaven Home for Adults in Peru and worked as a laboratory technician for several years.

She was a lifelong member and communicant of St. Augustine's Church in Peru.

Eileen especially enjoyed cooking, reading and spending time with her grandchildren and nephews.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, John A. "Jack" Barker of Peru; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tim and Anne Barker of Guilderland and John and Carolyn Barker of Winchester, Va.; three grandchildren, Kelley, Jillian and Molly Barker of Guilderland; two step grandchildren, Kara and Matt Holben of Winchester; one sister, Mary Osielski of Mariaville; two nephews, Matt Osielski of Denver, Colo., and Adam Osielski, of Haiti; and countless friends.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her brother-in-law, Joseph Osielski.

Calling hours will be held Thursday 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 Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Peru with Rev. William Reamer, chaplain of the CVPH Medical Center, celebrating and Monsignor Peter Riani, pastor of St. Elizabeth's Church in Elizabethtown and St. Philip Neri Church in Westport, concelebrating. Burial will be in the spring in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center in Plattsburgh or Masses in her memory.

LITTLE RIVER, SC — Vincent B. Seery, 74, Charles Place, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, in the Grand Strand Health Care Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Mr. Seery was born on Jan. 16, 1929, in Dublin, Ireland. He was the son of the late Edward and Agnes Carroll Seery.

Mr. Seery came to the United States in 1954 and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Prior to his retirement he was a Food Scientist with the New York State OMRDD. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and past president of the Ancient Order or Hibernians.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie O'Kerrigan Seery; two sons, Mark Brian Seery, Ravena, N.Y., and Terence Vincent Seery, Altamont, N.Y.; two daughters, Shelia Catherine Seery, Albany, N.Y., and Maura Eileen Pearson, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; three brothers, Seamus Seery, Durbin, South Africa, Terence Seery, Dublin, Ireland, and Jerard Seery, Carmichael, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Erin, Eileen and Aidan.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at the Brunswick Funeral Service & Crematory, Shallatte, N.C., with a prayer service at 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at 9 a.m. in the St. Brendan’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at a later date in New York.

The family request memorials to the American Cancer Society, 500 E. Morehead Street, Suite 211, Charlotte, N.C. 28202 and/or The American Stroke Association 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75231.

Westport — Gerald N. LaGrange, former Headmaster of the Rye Country Day School in Rye, N.Y., died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown, N.Y., following a long illness.

Mr. LaGrange graduated from Hamilton College in 1936, where he distinguished himself on the football field as a leading running back. Upon graduation, he began his career as an educator, teaching at The Lebanon School (now Darrow), in New Lebanon, N.Y., and from 1938 to 1942, at the Rye Country Day School. Subsequent career moves led him to The Taft School in Watertown, Conn., where during his 11 years there he served as Director of Admissions and as Assistant Headmaster.

In 1953, Mr. LaGrange returned to the Rye Country Day School as Headmaster, a position he held until retirement in 1975. His prominence in the field of independent secondary school education won him key association appointments as President of the Country Day School Association, the National Association of Independent Schools, the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Westchester Independent Secondary School Fund.

Mr. LaGrange retired in 1975 to Westport, N.Y., where he continued his commitment to education and lifelong association with Camp Dudley where he acted as Chairman of the Board of Managers on two separate occasions and also as Director of fund raising. In 1977 he was elected as Camp Dudley's Man of the Year.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Barbara LaGrange; his children, Georgia L. Pratte, Virginia L. Hearon and Gerald N. LaGrange Jr.; six grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Skenewood in Westport, N.Y., on Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at 4 p.m.

The family requests that any donations be made in Mr. LaGrange's name to Camp Dudley, Westport, N.Y., 12993, or to the Rye Country Day School, Rye, N.Y., 10580.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Westport.

Wallace E. DuRoss, 87, formerly of the Portage in Ticonderoga died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at the Moses Ludington Hospital in Ticonderoga following a long illness.

Wally was born in Ticonderoga on Sept. 11, 1915, the son of George and Josephine (Dennis) DuRoss.

Calling hours will be held at Connery & Gunning Funeral Home in Ticonderoga from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003. A funeral service will follow, Deacon Elliot Shaw of St. Mary's Church in Ticonderoga officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Mary's Cemetery in the spring.

Howard C. Winch, 82, of Riverside Drive, Saranac Lake, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at his home.

He was born in Lake Placid, N.Y., on April 15, 1920, son of Halsey and Daisy (Wolfe) Winch.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in May at North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid. Arrangements are through the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, Inc. Saranac Lake, N.Y.

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