Published: 3/31/04

AuSABLE FORKS — William A. Calhoun Jr., 87, of 29 Burt Street, the Jersey section of AuSable Forks, N.Y., died following a valiant struggle with lung cancer.

He was the husband of the late Pearl Vivian (Hewston) Calhoun, to whom he was married for 41 years and who died on Feb. 22, 1984.

Bill was born in the family home, in which he died, on Feb. 18, 1917. He was the son of the late William A. Calhoun Sr. and Delia (Miner) Calhoun.

He resided in AuSable until the age of 12, when the family moved to Elmira, N.Y. He graduated from Elmira Southside High School in June of 1937. The family returned to Jersey in 1940.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April of 1942, where he served and attained the rank of Army Staff Sergeant. Bill was a draftsman and in the war effort was called upon by the U.S. Intelligence Department to aid in the development of the Norden bombsight for the B-17 Flying Fortress, among others. He also did comic illustrations for service publications among which was ‘YANK’, well-known to many World War II veterans. Pearl Hewston joined him where he was stationed in Fort Meyers, Fla., and they were married on Feb. 2, 1943. Bill served also in Bermuda and lastly at Plattsburgh Air Force Base where he received his honorable discharge in August of 1945.

Bill built a home in AuSable where the family resided until 1965, when they moved to Glens Falls, N.Y. Bill worked in the Glens Falls area as a commercial graphic artist as well as a self-employed advertising and sign painter.

He was active in the sport of field archery and was club president of The Barkeater Bowmen. He created cartoons as well as the cover illustration for the New York State Field Archery Association’s official publication, "The Broadhead".

Bill was a close life-long friend of Arto Monaco and collaborated with him on the design and creation of toys at the Upper Jay studio, which would later become The Land of Makebelieve. Bill was also close to and a protege of reknown artist Rockwell Kent.

Upon the illness of his mother Delia, Bill returned to AuSable in the late 1970’s. He became an active member of American Legion Post 504. He was a 25 year member in good standing at the time of his death. Not only was he a talented artist, Bill was a keen student of history, especially that of the Adirondacks. His sharp intellect and distinctive sense of humor touched everything he did, from his illustrations in many local publications to his friendships and many associations in the valley.

He is survived by a son, David Calhoun of Glens Falls, N.Y.; two daughters, Margaret Hoag of Glens Falls, N.Y., and Kathryn Lanigan and her husband Chris Lanigan both of Morrisonville, N.Y.; and two grandsons, Jason and Christopher Hoag, of Cohoes, N.Y. and Glens Falls, N.Y. respectively; and three great-grandchildren, two nephews, Robert Torrence of North Jay, N.Y. and Ronald Haase of Schuyler Falls, N.Y.; and one niece, Mary Currytto of Bridgeport, Conn.; and three grandnephews; and one grandniece.

He was predeceased by his only sibling, sister Dolores Haase.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to American Legion Post 504 in AuSable Forks or to High Peaks Hospice, Broad Street, Mineville, N.Y.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to visitation hours on Thursday, April 1 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks. Following at 11 a.m. will be a Christian burial Mass celebrated by Father Philip Allen at Holy Name Catholic Church in AuSable Forks.

Upper Jay — Perley Smith MacKenzie, 87, of Route 9N, Upper Jay passed away in his home on Monday, March 2, 2004, after a long illness.

Perley was born in Port Hood, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia on July 10, 1916, the son of Rod and Albina (Smith) MacKenzie.

He worked for Peabody Engineering for 39 years as a machinist and a foreman. He was ex-chief of Armonk Fire Department in Armonk, N.Y. His favorite hobby was woodworking. Perley was well loved for his witty sense of humor and refreshing love of life that brought a smile to everyone he touched.

He was a life long Methodist and upon retiring was an active member of Whiteface Community United Methodist Church in Wilmington.

He is survived by his wife, Blanche Ferris MacKenzie, whom he married May 6, 1938, in Valhalla, N.Y. Perley and Blanche celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on May 6, 2003.

He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Perley Smith and Lois MacKenzie in Fort Myers, Fla.; Kevin Bruce MacKenzie in Canton, N.Y.; sister, Hazel Cullam of Mount Kisco, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Bruce Robert MacKenzie; and brother, Kelvin MacKenzie.

Calling hours will be Thursday, April 1, 2004, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be held Friday, April 2, 2004, at the Whiteface Community United Methodist Church in Wilmington. A "celebration of life" luncheon will be served following the memorial service in the fellowship room of the church.

Memorials in his name may be made to Essex County High Peaks Hospice of Mineville, N.Y.; or Whiteface Community UMC, Wilmington, N.Y.; or the Armonk Fire Company, Armonk, NY 10504.

MOOERS — Orville A. "Fuzzy" Hemingway, 43, of Mooers passed away Sunday, March 28, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born Feb. 4, 1961, in Plattsburgh, the son of Leeward and Genevieve (Mattot) Hemingway. Orville was a big fan of NASCAR and loved hunting and cars.

His father, Leeward Hemingway Sr.; and his brother, Leeward Hemingway Jr. predeceased him.

Orville is survived by his mother, Genevieve; his wife, Janet; two sons, Jamie and Christina Hemingway of Peru and John Hemingway and his girlfriend Tanya Witowski of Mooers; one daughter, Pamela and Donn LaPlant of Mooers; four brothers, Gerald Hemingway of Plattsburgh, Richard and Shirley Hemingway of Plattsburgh, David and Barbara Hemingway of Mooers and Chester and Danielle Hemingway of Vergennes, Vt.; eight sisters, Theresa and William Seaver of Point an Roche, Carolyn Hemingway of Plattsburgh, Linda and Mike Croft of Texas, Barbara and Norman Hoover of Champlain, Debra and Samuel Duval of Peru, Kathy and Marshall LaPier of Schuyler Falls, Juanita Duprey of Champlain and Robin and Kenneth Collins of Plattsburgh; five grandchildren, Dylan, Austin, Dakota, Adam and Kaylee; two sisters-in-law, Cindy Hemingway of Keeseville and Dana Nichols of Champlain; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain with a Mass of Christian burial following at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Champlain.

Mae M. Perry, 99, of Whallonsburg, died Monday, March 29, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Lewis, Sept. 29, 1904, the daughter of Cleander and Stella (Pratt) Marshall.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Westport. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home with Reverend Fred Shaw, pastor of the United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown. Burial will follow in the New Burt Cemetery in Whallonsburg.

A complete obituary is being prepared and will be printed in a later edition of the Press-Republican.

JAMES E. HALL, 50, of Broad Street, Port Henry, died Monday, March 29, 2004, at the Moses Ludington Hospital, Ticonderoga.

He was born May 23, 1953, in Ticonderoga, the son of Harold J. and Rose (Myers) Hall.

Calling will be held Wednesday, March 31, 2004, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home, Port Henry. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, April 1, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Spring burial will be held in the Chilson Cemetery, Ticonderoga.

Norman A. Degon, 84, of Shadow Lane, Malone, N.Y., died Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at CVPH in Plattsburgh, N.Y. He had been a patient there since March 25.

He was born in Malone, Sept. 26, 1919, the son of the late Andrew and Hattie (Perry) Degon.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desonyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Constable with the Reverend Francis Flynn officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

CYRIL A. BUYSSE, 93, of Keene, died Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at the Horace Nye Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.

He was born in Jay on Feb. 23, 1911, the son of Armand and Nellie (Grandy) Buysse.

Arrangements are with the W.M. Marvins Sons Funeral Home in Elizabethtown and are incomplete at this time.

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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