Published: 12/29/03

SCOTIA — Frances Rita Palombo died peacefully at her home with her family on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003. Mrs. Palombo was born Oct. 21, 1930, in Dannemora, the daughter of Frederick and Agnes (Drollette) Parrotte.

Mrs. Palombo was co-owner (with her late husband) on Mondy’s Delicatessen, Scotia, from 1955 to her retirement in 1971.

She was predeceased by her husband of 24 years, Armand Palombo. She was the devoted mother of Monte Palombo of Auburn, Robert Palombo of Scotia, and Nancy Engert of Scotia; cherished grandmother of Christian, Stacey, Nicholas, Joseph, Amber, Brooke, Diane, Lisa, Ami, Joshua, James, Jonathan, Matthew and Kyle; loving sister of Margaret Brown of NYC, Lorraine Lewandowski of Plattsburgh, Teresa Gribbin of Elmira, Esther Burleigh of Plattsburgh, Jeanne O’Neill of Michigan and George Parrotte of Dannemora.

Mrs. Palombo is also survived by five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Frances was a huge garage sale enthusiast and gave unselfishly of herself to anyone in need. She was an ardent supporter of her children and grandchildren’s athletic endeavors and was a former member of the Tuesday Tipplers Bowling League.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph’s Church, Scotia. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Schenectady.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the White Funeral Home, 264 N. Ballston Ave., Scotia.

Donations in her memory may be extended to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105, or Schenectady Hospice, 1411 Union St. 12308.

CLINTON — Sceva A. "Andy" Speare, 67, of Clinton, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at the Veterans Hospital in West Haven. He was the loving husband of Elizabeth (Corney) Speare. Andy was born in Plattsburgh on May 16, 1936, the son of the late Dr. Andrew Z. and Josephine (Kaseta) Speare.

Andy was an Army veteran serving in Germany. He graduated from Choate School in Wallingford and from Yale (class of 1958) receiving his degree in 1962. He joined the Woodmen of the World Life Ins. Society of Omaha, Neb., in 1985, and worked in sales as area manager. Andy was also very proud to be involved in the Woodmen of the Worlds Youth Camp; he was also a member of the Elks and the Mensa Society.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Curtis A. Rau of Phoenix, Ariz., and Robert S. Kreps of Longmont Co.; two daughters, Nancy K. Ealy of Charlottesville, Va., and Carolyn K. Ball of Walpole, Mass.; two sisters, Joan Cross and Joan Kurlind, both from Florida; and one brother, Randall S. Speare of Lunenberg, Mass. Andy is also survived by seven grandchildren and five nieces.

The Speare family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at the VA in West Haven for their many acts of kindness and concern.

Memorial services will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 E. Main St., Clinton. Family and friends may call at the funeral home prior to the service from 6 to 8. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory in lieu of flowers to the NY/NE Family Camp of the W.O.W 1732 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203.

MORRISONVILLE — Bertha I. "Nana" LaPorte, 74, of Charles Way, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh with her family by her side. She was born in Cadyville on June 21, 1929, daughter of the late Alfred and Mary (Decker) Burnell.

Bertha attended Cadyville High School. She had been employed by Fishman’s and Diamond Paper Mill. Bertha was a devoted grandmother and was "Nana" to the many children she cared for. She was a member of St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville. Bertha enjoyed collecting porcelain dolls.

Bertha is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Caroline and Bruce Danville of Ellenburg Depot, Karen "Lee" Derocher and her fiancé, Steve Watts, of Plattsburgh, Joyce and Craig Baker of Chazy; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard "Rocky" and Carol LaPorte Jr. of Peru, and Steven and Linda LaPorte of Dannemora; a sister, Rita Stone of Morrisonville; two brothers, Clarence Burnell of Plattsburgh and Ross Burnell of Cadyville; a special friend, Ethel Blake; 16 grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, several step great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Bertha was predeceased by her husband, Richard LaPorte Sr.; a sister, Dorothy Parent and a brother, Harold Burnell.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville. Burial will follow in Whispering Maples Mausoleum in Plattsburgh.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center at CVPH Medical Center.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Robert D. Purdy Sr., 75, of Whitehouse Station, N.J., died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at the Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown, Pa.

Born on Nov. 20, 1928, he was the son of the late Robert Franklin Purdy and Rosella (DuPont) Purdy, both former residents of Plattsburgh.

Mr. Purdy married Marilyn Miller on June 30, 1950, in the Brainardsville United Methodist Church.

Mr. Purdy attended Plattsburgh High School, graduating in 1946. He received a bachelor of science from SUNY Plattsburgh and obtained his master’s degree from Syracuse University. He was employed by the Liverpool School District from 1953 to 1966. Bob retired from Educational Testing Service, Princeton, N.J., in 1992.

Mr. Purdy is survived by his wife of 53 years; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. and Connie Purdy Jr. of Stockton, N.J.; five grandchildren, Kathleen Smith Hughes of West Virginia, Kristie Smith Adkins of Cross Junction, Va., Kerri Smith Bruce of Tullahoma, Tenn., Kelli Smith of Stockton, N.J.; and William Fields of Warrensburg, Mo.; five great-grandchildren, Marcus Hughes of Lundale, W. Va.; Zach and Gabby Adkins of Cross Junction, Va.; and Asia and Jacob Bruce of Tullahoma, Tenn.

There will be no calling hours or services at this time.

Burial will take place in the spring at the Brainardsville Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

CADYVILLE — Clayton E. Rushford, 65, of Route 3, returned to heaven on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003 at his home. He was born in Chazy on Nov. 27, 1938, the son of the late Ernest and Kathleen (Stone) Rushford.

Clayton was a tractor-trailer driver and drove tandem dump trucks for Rushford Trucking. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 648. Clayton was a member of St. James Minor Church in Cadyville. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting and snowmobiling.

Clayton is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Hilda M. (Roberts) Rushford of Cadyville; three children, Terri J. LePage and companion John Devereaux of Peru, Clayton A. and Donna Rushford of Maple Wood, Minn., and Cindie and Skip Riley of Plattsburgh; ten grandchildren, Kayla LePage, Dale Rushford, Derrick and Dylan Riley, Corrie, Zoë, Drake, Jessica and Olivia Rushford, Fawn Rascoe; two half-brothers, Keith Clark of Altona and Carl and Veronica Rushford of Chazy; four brothers and sisters, Ernestine and Neal Van Splinter of Plattsburgh, Clarissa and Gordon Stone of Plattsburgh, Douglas and Shirley Rushford of Plattsburgh, Gerald Rushford of Plattsburgh; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Clayton was predeceased by three brothers, Ralph Bennett Rushford, James Rushford and Leslie Rushford; a half-brother, Francis Clark; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Monday, Dec. 29, 2003 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Cadyville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003 at 10 a.m. at St. James Minor Church in Cadyville. Burial will follow in Whispering Maples Mausoleum.

LAKE PLACID — Joseph N. McCallie, 67, of Hyland Avenue, Lake Placid, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003 at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.

He was born in Parkersburg, Pa. July 1, 1963, the son of Andrew and Margaret (Runkle) McCallie. Mr. McCallie worked in Massachusetts for R.V.A. Corp. as a scientific glassblower, retiring in 1997.

He was a member of the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid, a Charter Member of St. Andrews Society of the Adirondacks, The American Scientific Glassblowing Society, the Dulcimer Club and a Member of The Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America.

Joe is survived by his wife, Janice Eleanor (Bogardus) McCallie of Lake Placid; four daughters, Marna Elaine McCallie and her husband Tim Francis of Massena, Beth Alynn Pavlich and her husband Frank of Lebanon, Conn., Gwyn-Anne McCallie Bissonette and her husband R. Todd of Lake Placid, and Sharon Lee McCallie Stellar and her husband Andrew of White River Junction, Vt.; two sisters, Patricia Armstrong and her husband Clifford of Malabar, Fla., and Kathleen Smith and her husband Harlo of Lititz, Pa.; ten grandchildren, Andrew and Daniel Joseph Francis, Sarah Marie and Rachel Lindsay Pavlich, Morin Lisamarie and Cobane McCallie Bissonette, Cortland Hammond, Brandon Stellar, Michael Joseph McCallie and Nathan Allan Stellar. There are also several nieces and nephews surviving.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid at 10 a.m. The Rev. Mark Demers will officiate.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Lung Association of Northeastern New York, 3 Winners Circle, Suite 300, Albany, N.Y., 12205-1187.

The Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements.

RICHARD FLETCHER FINEGAN, 78, of Harrietstown Road, Saranac Lake, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, at Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid.

Born in Saranac Lake on July 17, 1925, he was the son of Fletcher and Helen (Leahy) Finegan.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake, with a Bible vigil held at 5:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bernard’s Church with the Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer officiating. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery in May.

DONALD GWYNNE OLMSTEAD, 85, of Onchiota, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, at CVPH Medical Center, Plattsburgh, surrounded by his family.

Born in Port Chester, N.Y., on July 11, 1918, he was the son of Walter and Cora (Wood) Olmstead.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. The funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kevin McEwan officiating. Burial will be in Merrilsville Cemetery in Loon Lake in the spring.

ROBIN J. LEYENDECKER, 40, of Smart Road, Plattsburgh, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

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