Published:  04/23/03

HUDSON FALLS — Gary A. "Binky" Amlaw, 58, of Cherry Street, Hudson Falls, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2003, at his home.

He was born on May 23, 1944, in Plattsburgh, son of the late Paul and Bertha Amlaw.

Gary graduated from the Mendenhall School of Auctioneers in North Carolina in 1989. He also held a real estate estate license through the Manfred Real Estate Learning Center.

He served with the United States Navy.

At the age of 16, Gary started his horse auctioneering career, which has lasted for 35 years. For many he resided at the Kennedy Farm on Dyke Road in Hudson Falls. He recently moved to Cherry Street. Gary was a past director of the Auctioneer's Association of New York State and according to his family, he had a passion for nice trucks. He truly enjoyed spending time with his daughter and granddaughter. He also looked forward to setting up fairs during the summer.

Survivors include his daughter, Stacey Tyler and her companion, Brian Tucker of Hudson Falls; his son, Scott Beale and his fiancee, Jamie Shattuck of Saratoga Springs; his grandchildren, Lauren Tyler of Hudson Falls, Connor and Mikaela Beale, both of Saratoga Springs; a very dear friend, Margaret Kennedy; and his good friend, Francis Guilder, all of Hudson Falls; three sisters, Judy Martin and her husband, James of Keeseville, Sue Lencewicz and her husband, Dennis and Audrey Majkowski and her husband, Thomas, all of Schenectady; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls. Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev.

Joseph Xavier, associate pastor of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls, officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward. Following the Rite of Committal, all are welcome to a gathering at the Kennedy Farm on the Dyke Road in Hudson Falls.

The family suggests that memorials take the form of donations to the Hudson Falls Policeman's Benevolent Association, P.O. Box 112, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

PLATTSBURGH/KEENE — Deborah A. Gifford, 38, of Wood Manor Drive, Plattsburgh and Keene, died April 21, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center emergency room.

She was born Sept. 26, 1964, at the Keene Valley Hospital, the daughter of Clarence and Esther (Irwin) Gifford, both whom predeceased her.

Although disabled at an early age, Debbie kept busy by crocheting and reading. She loved to play card games of all kinds. Until recently she also cared for a friend's baby girl, whom she loved like her own daughter. Her greatest joy was her family and friends and her pets.

She is survived by her fiancé' Clifton Spinney; her sister, Susan Carey and her husband Alan; her brother, Robert Gifford and wife Kristin, all of Keene; four nieces, Sheryl Quinn and husband Jeremy of Keene Valley, Amy Carey and fiancé' Sukru Cinar of Medford, Mass., Nycole Gifford and Madison Gifford of Keene; one nephew, Daniel Gifford of Keene; a great-niece, Caitlin Quinn; a very special little girl, Kayla, of Hawaii; and also several aunt, uncles and cousins.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2003, at St. Brendan's Church, Keene, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at a later date in the Norton Cemetery, Keene.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home, AuSable Forks is in charge of arrangements.

PLATTSBURGH — Mr. Donni L. Obert, 30, of Broad Street, Plattsburgh, passed away suddenly Monday, April 21, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Plattsburgh on June 23, 1972, the son of Joseph O. and Pauline (Laundry) Obert.

Donni had been employed as a cook by Tijuana Jail and currently Geoffrey's Pub. He enjoyed motor cross racing, playing horse shoes and being with friends.

Donni was predeceased by his father, Joseph 0. Ober;, his maternal grandparents, Charles and Pearl Laundry; and his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Bertha Obert.

Donni is survived by his mother, Pauline Obert of Plattsburgh; his fiancé, Tracy Thomas of Plattsburgh; her son, Tyler Augliano of Watertown, N.Y.; his daughter, Zoey Obert of Plattsburgh; two brothers, David Obert of Loon Lake, N.Y., and Joseph P. Obert and his wife Pamela of Loon Lake, N.Y.; two sisters, Carol A. Nephew and her husband Rick of Peru; Cindy Obert and her fiancé Ricky Criss of Plattsburgh; his nieces and nephews; Rickey Lee, Casey, Paula, David, Nicholas, Chad; two great nephews, Joseph and Dawson; and several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive him.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Brown Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Floyd "Jerry" Bleaux, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Church officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery.

Bearers will be Ricky Criss, Larry Laundry, Cody Lobdell, Bobby Reeves, Ricky Lee Nephew and Casey Nephew. Friends wishing may make donations to his family.

Lawrence E. Brunell, 79, of Route 9 North, Plattsburgh, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Ingraham, N.Y.., on Feb. 6, 1924, the son of William and Lena (Brown) Brunell.

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

PLATTSBURGH— Committal services will be held Thursday April 24, 2003, at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Cemetery for Albert LaTour, Homer Bosley, Ross Garrow, Bernard Russell and Mary Roberts.

Arrangements are by the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Ticonderoga — A graveside service for Viola E. LaRock, who passed away Dec. 31, 2002, will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the family plot of St. Mary's Parish Cemetery of Ticonderoga. The Rev. Mr. Elliott A. Shaw will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, Ticonderoga.

Champlain — Burial services for Donia (Don) Bechard and Jane Rushlow will be held following the 11 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, April, 26, 2003, at St. Joseph’s Church and Cemetery in Coopersville.

Arrangements are by the Clark Funeral Home, Champlain.

Keeseville — A graveside service for Maida M. LeClair who died Feb. 10, 2003, will be conducted 9 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003, at Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville.

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Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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