Published: 2/3/04

Mooers, NY — Leo "Francis" Phaneuf Jr., 52, of Mooers, N.Y., ended his journey through life on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at CVPH in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

He was born in Champlain, N.Y., on Nov. 21, 1951, the son of Leo Francis Phaneuf Sr. and Marie (St. Andrew) Phaneuf.

Francis is the loving husband of Joan (Joanne) Rugar-Willette Phaneuf, whom he married on June 23, 1984. He is the loving father of Chris Willette, Jauna Phaneuf and Erik R. Phaneuf. He loved them each as individuals, spending a lot of time doing special things with each of them, they will feel a great void without him. He is also survived by his mother, Marie Phaneuf of Champlain; a brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Tina Phaneuf of West Chazy; and a sister, Linda Phaneuf of Champlain; and very special friends, Stacey LeClair and Jeannie LaFountain.

Francis graduated from NCCS and went to BOCES and achieved certificates for auto body and wood working. He worked for DeCato Brothers as a diesel mechanic and Bennett Fleet International, because of kidney dialysis, he retired from U.S. Customs at Champlain, N.Y.

Francis has many older nieces and nephews, although he loved them all, he had a very special bond with the four youngest, Gordon Phaneuf, Sierra LeClair, Jennifer Phaneuf and Dakota LeClair, who affectionately called him Uncle Lu-Lu. Because of the special bond they had together, it has already eased their sadness. There are many memories and smiles that will always stay in their hearts.

Francis was a man of few words, what he said was important. He was a person with a positive attitude. He worked hard and would never complain. When he started something, he never gave up, that is how he lived his life. Although the stars won’t seem to shine as bright for us now, the memories of his humor and smiles will get us through this dark time.

Please join us on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, for a celebration of his life, at Drown Funeral Home, 2444 Route 11, Mooers from 3 to 6 p.m. Pastor Hal Johnson will say a few words and a prayer. His uncle, Areul Phaneuf will be singing a few of his favorite songs. Following his celebration of life we would like you to join us at Knights of Columbus next door, for a light meal.

Anyone wishing to make donations may do so in his memory at the H.K. Freedman Renal Center or to his children. At his request, instead of sending flowers, send a children’s book to your special little friend. Francis was anxiously awaiting a kidney transplant. He fully believed in organ donations, his wish was for a new beginning and his goal was to work again. Please consider the gift of life through organ donations. Please bring a memory and a smile!

Anoka, Minn. — Judith A. Barber, 51, of Anoka, Minn., passed away on Dec. 20, 2003.

She was born July 23, 1951, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the daughter of Lawrence and Jane Patnode.

She is survived by her mother; and eight sisters and brothers, Linda and Marion McDonald, Daniel and Nel Patnode, Sandra and Wally LaGoy, Debby and Allen Provost, James and Carol Patnode, Ellen Rabideau, Randy and Amy Patnode, Laura and Grant Wilson; many nieces and nephews; also Carlie Macey, her friend of 20 years from Anoka, Minn.

No calling hours. A private family memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Hudson Falls, NY / Mineville, NY — Christopher M. Savage, 28, formerly of Mineville died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at the Glens Falls Hospital.

He was born Dec. 1, 1975, in Burlington, Vt., the son of Peter and Nancy (McEvady) Savage.

He was employed at the Warren County ARC, Glens Falls, N.Y.

He is survived by his parents, Peter and Nancy Savage; his brothers and sisters, Peter and wife Shanir Savage of Mineville, Mark Savage of Mineville, April Savage of Mineville, Tammy Austin and husband William of South Royalton, Vt., and Deli Petri and Steven Dudick of California.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, 11 a.m. at the Church of All Saints in Mineville. Monsignor John McAvoy, officiating. Burial will be in the spring.

PLATTSBURGH — Ada Holmes died on Jan. 30, 2004, six weeks’ shy of 90, she had been mid-way through a re-reading of Jane Austen’s "Mansfield Park."

She was born to Ada (Murray), an immigrant from the English midlands and Edwin Holmes, a bookkeeper of Scottish origins. A grandfather and an older brother, Clark, rounded out the Holmes family of Kingston, Pennsylvania.

From among many wonderful childhood experiences, Ada Holmes liked to recount the tale of her first sojourn to the public library, across a bridge to Wilkes-Barre, taken despite her parents’ displeasure. Previously her literary escapes had been curtailed to the Holmes’s collection of Victorian authors; afterward, she knew no limits, garnering a much-relished reputation as a bookworm. At the suggestion of a high-school English teacher, she studied elocution until, as a polished orator, she earned fees for public speaking; as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, she won recognition from peers and distinction from teachers.

This trio of accomplishments inspired in Ada a quest for higher learning, for a child of working-class parents, a difficult quest at any time, but more so during the Depression. In 1934, she accepted Bethany College’s offer of scholarship and board in exchange for housekeeping, and thrived in a collegiate climate until severe family hardship forced her home. She then taught English wherever and whenever a job became available; for a year, she was a governess for a Pennsylvanian industrialist’s son, living among the Boca Raton swells but below stairs.

Afterwards, Ada Holmes moved to Philadelphia and reveled in its culture, completing a bachelor’s degree at Temple and dividing spare moments between lyceums and dances. A most cherished memory of this period concerns a summer job in Atlantic City: after a day’s waitressing, she would saunter along the steel pier to the tunes of that evening’s big band—Tommy Dorsey’s being her favorite. Supported by assistantships, she earned a master’s degree in 1947 from the University of Pennsylvania and entered its doctoral program, concentrating in Eighteenth-Century English literature.

In 1950, with all but a dissertation, Holmes accepted a position at Plattsburgh State College, where its fledgling English Department was growing in response to post-war demands for liberal-arts education. Literature and English-education majors alike, most of whom were young women, found in this consummate teacher a model of humanity—smart, witty, compassionate.

Outside the classroom, she edited the college’s catalogue and fought the good fight to maintain educational standards; moreover, she prized company among the faculty and their families, many of whom became beloved friends. Alas, the rigors of teaching, combined with familial responsibilities, afforded little time or resources to complete her dissertation on Jonathan Swift.

After retiring in 1977, Ada Holmes tried Florida living, settling instead on Cumberland Head, her days were devoted to enticing wildlife onto her deck and her nights to reading. As blindness encroached, she reluctantly allowed good friends to coax her into taking up residence, in 1999, at Lake Forest. There she surprised herself by thriving anew in community’s camaraderie. Over four years, her circle of friends enlarged until it encompassed all who knew her.

Friends are invited to gather at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, at Lake Forest Retirement Community, contributions in her memory may be sent to its Good Samaritan Fund (8 Lake Forest, Plattsburgh, NY 12901).

"A teacher affects eternity."

CARY, N.C. — Mary Ann Greene passed away peacefully in her sleep on the eve of her 92nd birthday at the Western Wake Medical Center in Cary, N.C., on Jan. 29, 2004.

Mary was born in Rouses Point, N.Y., and lived there most of her life.

She touched many with her prayers, wonderful smile and her positive way of looking at everything.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Greene.

She is survived by her daughters, Cathy Lawler and her husband John of Voorheesville, N.Y., and Madeline Kamp and her husband Bill of Cary, N.C.; her grandchildren, Chris, Nicole and Danielle and Scott and Sean Kamp; one sister, Lucille Merchant of Rouses Point; and one brother, Francis Anctil of Rouses Point.

A celebration of her life will take place Friday, Feb. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point. Calling hours will be Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point.

Paul Richard Pierson, 90, of Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at his former residence on Woodcliff Drive.

Paul was born March 21, 1913, in New York, N.Y., son of the late Harold C. and Alys (dePau) Pierson.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home Chapel, with the Reverend William Reamer, hospital Chaplain, officiating. Burial will take place later in the year at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in North Tarrytown, N.Y.

Luella M. Brown, 98, formerly of Willow Street, Malone died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at the Alice Hyde Nursing Home, Malone, N.Y.

He was born on Nov. 26, 1905, in Malone, N.Y., she was the daughter of Henry and Nettie (Dumas) Fountain.

There will be no calling hours. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home, Malone.

Arrangements are through St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home.

Rose I. Eldred, 68, of Morrisonville, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Oct. 27, 1935, the daughter of Joseph and Viola (Seguare) Arquette.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Ellenburg Depot. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in Sheldon Hill Cemetery in Ellenburg Depot in the spring.

Harold T. Maneeley, 86, of County Route 25, Malone, N.Y., died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone. He had been a patient there since January 20, 2004.

He was born in Malone, Jan. 21, 1918, the son of the late J. Hugh and Ella Foote Maneeley.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Malone. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on the Lake Titus Road in Malone in the spring.

To contact the Press-Republican, Phone: (518) 561-2300 or send mail to:
Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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