Published: 10/31/03

Rouses Point — David Thomas Benjamin, 53, of Rouses Point, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, as a result of a tractor trailer accident in Plattekill, N.Y.

He was born Sept. 9, 1950, in St. Albans, Vt., the son of Fernand and Evelyn Benjamin of Alburg, Vt.

He graduated from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans. From there he drove for various trucking companies in upstate New York. He worked for Harvey & Company of Chazy, N.Y., for the past 10 years.

David loved restoring old cars and motorcycles with his son Nicholas. He was a dedicated father who loved his family very much and enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include his mother, Evelyn Benjamin of Alburg, Vt.; one son, Nicholas Benjamin of Rouses Point; one daughter, Christina Boutin of Saratoga Springs; three sisters, Judy Hoffman and her daughters (Stacey and her daughter, Sebrina Short of St. Albans) and Randi, Lynn Martin and her daughter Tamara and Penny Dubuque, all of Alburg; and several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Some of his good friends were Mr. and Mrs. Larry Houston and Jeff Trudeau, to name a few.

David was predeceased by his father, Fernand Benjamin, on Aug. 5, 1992; and his brother, Larry Benjamin, on Nov. 2, 1974.

David will be missed tremendously by all who loved him. He will forever live in our hearts.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Amadeus Church in Alburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for a fund for his son, Nicholas Benjamin, in care of his mother, Karen Coulombe of 47 Chapman St., Rouses Point, or any animal rescue organization.

The Kidder Memorial Home in Swanton, Vt., is in charge of arrangements.

Crown Point — Lt. Col. Ret. E. Gilbert (Gil) Barker, 77, of Creek Road, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at the Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., on March 8, 1926, he was the son of the late Dr. Elmer E. and Edna L. (Snyder) Barker.

Mr. Barker was a graduate of Cornell University. He moved to Glens Falls where he established an architectural and engineering firm, Barker and Henry, Inc., and raised his family.

He moved to Crown Point in 1976. He married his second wife, Joyce Dedrick Martin-Barker, in 1976.

He and his father founded the Penfield Foundation and he was past president. He was also founder and past president of the Ticonderoga Festival Guild and the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum. He was a past president of the Glens Falls Optimist Club while he resided in Glens Falls.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served for 35 years, 20 of which he spent as the Liaison Officer Coordinator for the North East. He was awarded the distinguished Silver Falcon award in 1972 for outstanding performance.

Mr. Barker had an expertise in the history of the area and was instrumental in the excavation of the forts at Crown Point. He was awarded the Member of the Year in 1995 from the Adirondack North Country Association.

He has a rich family history in the Crown Point area and spent his teenage summers on his uncle's farm on Sugar Hill. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hiking the tall peaks of the Adirondacks.

He was a 25 year member of the Kiwanis Club of Ticonderoga and was an Elder of the United Presbyterian Church of Putnam Station.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Dedrick Martin-Barker; two sons, Dr. Peter Barker and his wife Dr. Soni Barker of Leesburg, Va., and Christopher Barker and his wife Kelly of Garnet Lake; two daughters, Leslie H. Barker of Glens Falls and Stacey Agnello and her husband Richard of Schenectady; two brothers, Stephen Barker of Stamford, Conn., and Thomas Barker of San Diego, Calif.; one sister, Mary Louise Weis of Chevy Chase, Md.; three grandchildren, Lydia Barker, Sam Agnello and Emily Agnello; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many close friends who loved him.

Relatives and friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m Saturday at Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at United Presbyterian Church of Putnam. The Rev. Sharon Weber, Rev. Bruce Tamlyn and Rev. Helen Marie Sunkenberg will officiate.

Interment will follow at the family plot of the Forest Dale Cemetery of Crown Point.

Donations in his memory may be made to the United Presbyterian Church, Lower Road, Putnam Station, NY 12861.

Maurice Miserany, 78, of Rouses Point, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain.

A full obituary will appear in Saturday’s Press-Republican.

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