Published: 10/30/04

Alphonso L. Riccardelli

Peru --- Alphonso L. Riccardelli, 76, of the Patent Road, Peru, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at his home under the care of his family and Hospice of the North Country.

He was born in Seattle, Wash., on Feb. 12, 1928, the son of Patsy and Madge (Draper) Riccardelli.

Mr. Riccardelli served in the Merchant Marines and U.S. Army prior to his employment with the Connecticut Light and Power Co. in Stanford, Conn., where he worked for 39 years. He was a resident of Ridgefield, Conn., for 32 years. Following his retirement in 1991 he moved to Peru, where he enjoyed many hobbies. He had a small sheep farm and enjoyed working his border collie dog, Toby, with them. He had a small airstrip where he flew his plane. He built an airplane, restored old tractors and banjos as well as playing the banjo. He had a beautiful vegetable garden and enjoyed watching his grapes grow.

Survivors include his wife, Harriet F. (Darling) Riccardelli of Peru and formerly of Stanford, Conn.; two daughters and one son - in-law, Cindy Riccardelli and Sandra and Gregg Bechard, all of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Karen Riccardelli of North Canaan, Conn.; six granddaughters, Kate, Claire, Hannah, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary; two grandsons, Chad and Trent; two sisters, Madge Luz of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Pat Brennin of Soap Lake, Wash.; four brothers-in-law, John, Richard and William Darling, all of Stanford, Conn., and Roger Joseph Darling of Peasleeville; several nieces and nephews; and his dog, Toby.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, April 17, 2004, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home with Rev. William Reamer, chaplain of the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, officiating. Full military honors will follow, accorded by the Vermont Air National Guard Honor Guard.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country or the Don Imus Ranch for Children with Cancer, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Rita Boire Banks

Plattsburgh --- Rita Boire Banks, 89, of Steltzer Road, Plattsburgh, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at CVPH Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family as well as her friend and physician of 30 years, Dr. Fern Likhite.

Rita was born in Plattsburgh at 7 William St., on July 5, 1914, daughter of Victor and Harriet (Banfield) Boire. An active Catholic all her life, she was most recently a member of St. Peter's Church and St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church.

Rita attended St. Peter's School, D'Youville Academy (MAI) and graduated from the Plattsburgh Normal School, Class of 1934. She later received her bachelor's degree from Albany State University, continuing her lifelong love of learning and beginning her career as a teacher in the North Country and in the New York City Public Schools.

In 1947 she married Charles Banks from New York City. They lived in New York for 25 years and raised their family there. In 1972, they returned to the North Country, eventually settling into the family home on Steltzer Road that had been built by her grandfather in the 1890's.

Rita was the founding Director of the Clinton County Office for the Aging from 1973 to 1978 where she worked alongside a wonderful friend and colleague, Joe McGrath. Retiring in 1978, she used her considerable energy and joy for service to participate in numerous community and volunteer activities. These included the Christmas Bureau, United Way, Hospice of the North Country, American Red Cross, Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, JCEO, the Plattsburgh Interfaith Council as well as advisory boards for the Plattsburgh Housing Authority, AARP, the Clinton County Health Dept., the Office for the Aging and more. She received numerous recognitions, including Irishman of the Year in 1982 and the United Way Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1989.

Many people knew Rita by her distinctive walking sticks which she used in her later years. Until the day before her death, she faithfully completed her daily crossword puzzle and Jumble while watching the birds in her garden from her favorite kitchen chair. She brought her warmth, definite opinions and unique sense of humor to each of her eclectic interests, which spanned from wild foods and flowers, to local politics and history and the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles in 1980; as well as her sister Yvonne Boire Chadek and her brother Victor (Sonny) Boire Jr.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Margaret and George Ortiz of Eugene, Ore., Lucille Marie Banks of Plattsburgh and Barbara and Joseph Barry of Plattsburgh; and two grandchildren, Katie and Thomas Barry; as well as her many, many close and wonderful friends.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, April 15, 2004, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 16, 2004, at 11 a.m. from St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Friends wishing to do so may make a donation to the Clinton County Office for the Aging EISEP (Expanded In-Home Service for the Elderly Program) or a charity of their choice.

Elizabeth A. Bruce, 93, of Standish, died Friday, April 9, 2004, at her residence.

She was born in Dannemora on Aug. 6, 1910, the daughter of Michael and Hattie (0stler) Ramond.

Arrangements were incomplete Friday evening at the Lyon Mountain Funeral Home.

Ronald L. Sample Sr., 59, of Rouses Point, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at his residence.

He was born in Cannons Corners on Dec. 24, 1944, the son of Wright and Helen (Morin) Sample Sr.

Arrangements were incomplete Friday evening at the E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Champlain.

Homer B. Susice, 80, of the Nicholville Road, St. Regis Falls, N.Y., died Wednesday evening, April 7, 2004, at CVPH in Plattsburgh, N.Y., where he was admitted earlier in the day,

He was born in Santa Clara, N.Y., on Nov. 30, 1923, the son of the late Bert and Jennie (Cramer) Susice.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 10 until 11:45 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in St. Regis Falls. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon at St. Ann's Church in St. Regis Falls, with the Rev. James Delbel officiating. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery.

James W. Maneeley, 55, of Barker Road, Potsdam, N.Y., died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Center in Burlington, Vt. He had been a patient there since Dec. 19, 2003.

He was born in Malone, N.Y., on Aug. 25, 1948, the son of Harold and Laura (Breen) Maneeley.

Calling hours will be Saturday from noon until 1:15 p.m. at the Bruso - Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone, N.Y. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Malone. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery on the Lake Titus Road in Malone later in the spring.

Catherine (Kay) Barry, 87, of Sparks, Nev., and formerly of Chateaugay, N.Y., died at the home of her daughter on March 23, 2004.

She was born in Bonncruna, Northern Ireland, on Nov. 20, 1916.

Funeral arrangements were with P.H. Dold of Sparks, Nev.

Octave F. Bechard, 81, of Plattsburgh, passed away Friday, April 9, 2004, at the Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility.

Calling hours will be Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point at a time to be announced.

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