Published: 3/16/04

SARANAC LAKE — Robert A. LaFountain, 80, of 34 Forest Hill Ave., Saranac Lake, died Saturday, March 13, 2004, at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Silver Lake, N.Y., on Nov. 10, 1923, he was the son of Edward and Mary (Buckley) LaFountain.

Mr. LaFountain was employed by Tom Norman farms for 21 years and Niagara Mohawk for 21 years, retiring in 1986. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge 1508 and was a communicant of St. Bernard’s Church.

He is survived by his wife, the former Louise Emmons of Saranac Lake, whom he married Oct. 31, 1953, in St. Bernard’s Church. Also surviving is a son, Tony and his wife Lynn of Penfield, N.Y.; a daughter, Lisa of Saranac Lake; three granddaughters, Jennifer, Stacey and Raenene; a great-granddaughter, Alexis Rae; a sister, Marguerite "Peg" Dupraw of Plattsburgh; and 14 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward LaFountain; his mother, Mary Buckley LaFountain; his brothers, James and Edmund; and his sisters, Gertrude Hogan and Anna Hough.

Visitation was held at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home Monday. An Elks service was held followed by a Bible vigil. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church with the Rev. Kevin McEwan officiating. Burial will be at Assumption Cemetery in Redford in May.

Friends wishing to remember Mr. LaFountain may make memorial contributions to High Peaks Hospice in care of the funeral home.

Albany — Virginia F. (Bootsie) vanDyck, 68, of Albany, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at the Inn of Community Hospice due to complications from a stroke.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Louis B. vanDyck Jr.; and her brother, Robert Henningson.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lynne Kelley and her husband Larry of Malone, N.Y., and Pamela Coluccio and her husband Frank of Albany. She is the cherished grandmother of Christina, Rocco and Michael Coluccio; and sister of Eugene Henningson of Troy.

Funeral services were held at NewComer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Avenue). Calling hours were held at the funeral home.

At the request of the family, and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Louise Corning Senior Center, 25 Delaware Ave., Albany NY 12210 or to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.

PLATTSBURGH — Barbara (Bergman) Flynn Tosh was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Aug. 30, 1928, the daughter of Clayda (MacArthur) and Carl Harvey Bergman. She attended local schools graduating from Plattsburgh High School in 1945. Barb attended Plattsburgh State Teacher’s College from 1945 to 1948. She attended a preparation course for Nursing Home Administrators given by Columbia University and was a member of the first group in New York State to be licensed as a nursing home administrator. She received her bachelor of science degree in Health Care Administration from Empire State College.

Barb first worked for the Plattsburgh Recreation Department and later as Plattsburgh High School’s first teacher’s aide before taking the position of what was then known as the Matron of the County Home. Barbara was recognized by the NY State Office for the Aging for her "sensitivity and assistance to older New Yorkers" and at the time of her retirement was commended as a respected administrator under whose leadership the Clinton County Nursing Home evolved from a classic "poorhouse" to a progressive, modem NY State Nursing Home, the first public home to join the NY State Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

In 1995, the New York Senate and Assembly Standing Committees named Barbara Senior Citizen of the Year. A resolution was passed by the Clinton County Legislature publicly commending Barb for this honor, citing her many contributions towards the establishment of the local RSVP Program, Senior Citizens Nutrition Program, founding member of the Plattsburgh Area Newcomers Club, past president of AARP, raising funds for the Adirondack Youth Orchestra Scholarship, instituting programs to provide toys for children in "safe homes" for abused spouses and participating in fund drives for various charitable organizations.

In 1997, Barbara was honored by Governor George Pataki’s Division for Women as the 1997 recipient of the Women’s 20/20 Award for Clinton County citing "outstanding contributions to her community and to women of tomorrow as an example and role model".

Always a fun lover, Barb organized two fun groups, "The Gappers" and "The Board Game Broads". She was also a member of the Plattsburgh High School Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Barbara was predeceased by her husbands, Donald "Shorty" Flynn and Albert "Bab" Tosh; and her only sibling, John Richard Bergman.

She is survived by her children and their families, Michael Flynn and wife JanMarie and their children, Kelly, Micki and Matthew Flynn, Kerry Flynn and her husband John Lacy Jr. and her children, Erin Rabideau and Shane Rabideau and K. Casey Flynn and wife Beth and their children, Katelyn, Molly and Kristen Flynn. Barb is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Meron; niece, Grace Bergman; and her son, Michael John Bergman; and several loving nieces and nephews in the Flynn side of the family.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be a brief memorial service for family. Following the service, all of Barb’s many friends, acquaintances and co-workers are invited to join in a celebration of her life to be held at Meron’s. Where she has provided for food, drinks and music. The family strongly encourages everyone to attend and send Barb off as she wished.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial gifts to the Senior Citizens Council or the Adirondack Humane Society.

Arrangements are through the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

GOUVERNEUR — A memorial service for Helen L. Bulger, 84, of 275 W. Barney Street, Gouverneur will be at a later date. Burial will be in Oxbow Cemetery.

Mrs. Bulger died Friday morning at her home, where she was under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County.

There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are with Green Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bugler was a homemaker. She and her husband, Luman D., were superintendents of a housing complex in Rochester, where they resided for 15 years. They also lived in Wegatchie and Gouverneur for many years.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, cards and bingo.

She was born Nov. 25, 1919, in Gouverneur, the daughter of Archie and Annabelle (Hockey) Goodison, she graduated in 1936 from Gouverneur High School and Deibert’s Business School, Philadelphia.

She married W. Bulger on Jan. 2, 1938, at Great Bead, Penn. He died June 27, 1987.

Surviving are seven sons and six daughters-in-law, Dennis of Colton, David and Karen of Deming, Wash., Gary and Jane of Plattsburgh, Robert and Suzanne of Webster, William and Lynn of Gouverneur, Gregory and Rosanne of Rochester and Jeffrey and Yvonne of Fullerville; a brother, Wayne Goodison of Clifton Springs; two sisters, Oletha Scott of Gouverneur and Marge VanEtten of Antwerp; 24 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

A son, Dale; and a brother, Dean Goodison, died before her.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601; to Oxbow Presbyterian Church; or to Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Marion Gardner, 85, of West Main Street, Malone, N.Y., died Sunday evening, March 14, 2004, at the St. Regis Nursing Home in Massena, N.Y. She had been a resident there since Oct. 8, 2001.

She was born in Malone, May 29, 1918, the daughter of the late Amos and Josephine Page Benware.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. John Bosco Church in Malone. Burial will be in St. John Bosco Cemetery in the spring.

Charlotte Agoney, 79, of Palm Street, Las Vegas, Nev., and formerly of Peru, died Friday, March 12, 2004, at the Kindred Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev.

She was born July 5, 1924, the daughter of Earl and Helen (Alan) Lawson.

There will be no public calling hours. Burial will be in the spring in the Peru Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

Lionel W. Vaughn, 72, of Sun City, Ariz., and Saranac Lake died Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Phoenix Veterans Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz.

He was born in Saranac Lake on March 4, 1932, the son of William and Violet (Hall) Vaughn.

Visitation will be held at Fortune - Keough Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Veterans service will be held at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday and a Bible Vigil will follow with the Knights of Columbus in attendance. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:15 on Friday with a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. Father Kevin McEwan will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake in May.

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