Published: 4/14/04

Lake Zurich, Ill. — Christopher L. Watson, 26, of Lake Zurich, Ill., at peace in Christ Saturday, April 10, 2004.

Loving son of Donald and Virginia Watson; brother of Jennifer and Gregg Watson; and fond grandson of Gladys Lunneborg.

Arrangements entrusted to the Symonds Funeral Home & Crematory of Grayslake, Ill. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Friday, April 16, 2004, at St. Matthew’s Church in Black Brook, N.Y. Internment to follow immediately at the former Crowley Farm, Haselton Road in Wilmington, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Chris’ memory to the Clinton, Essex and Franklin Crisis Center, 36 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY, 12901, telephone: 518-561-2699.

Plattsburgh — Doris G. Breyette, 74, of Plattsburgh, passed away on Monday, April 12, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh surrounded by her family.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Feb. 14, 1930, daughter of the late Ralph and Delia (Perry) Bushey.

Doris was a secretary in the nursing office at Beekmantown Central School, retiring after 25 years. She loved collecting figurines. Doris was an avid walker.

Doris is survived by four children, Douglas Breyette of Plattsburgh, Karen Wallace and her husband Glenn of Sanford, Fla., Julie Serra and her husband Michael of Plattsburgh and David Breyette of Plattsburgh; two grandchildren, Jonisa Bombard of Plattsburgh and Brien Breyette of Plattsburgh; and a great-grandson, Bruce David Bombard of Plattsburgh.

Doris was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Arthur L. Breyette, who passed away on Jan. 1, 2004.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A prayer service will be held Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. William Reamer officiating. Doris and her husband, Arthur, will be buried Thursday at 9 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Clinton County Nursing Home Resident Council.

Plattsburgh — Withington R. "Bob" Moore, 91, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., passed away in Newport on Tuesday, April 13, 2004.

He was born in Danville, Vt., on Jan. 19, 1913, the son of Benjamin H. and Mary Jane (Peak) Moore.

Mr. Moore worked as a plantman at Exxon in Burlington, Vt., for more than 30 years, retiring in 1975.

He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an avid boater. He also loved sports and enjoyed playing bridge and keeping up with current events.

On Aug. 18, 1937, he married the former Beatrice Girdle, who survives him.

He is also survived by his children, David H. Moore and his wife Anne of Derby, Vt.; Virginia Jane Barnewall and her husband John of Chateaugay, N.Y., and Christina Ann Allen and her husband James of Aurora, Colo.; his grandchildren, Derek Moore and his friend Dawn of Derby,

Vt., and Ryan Moore and his wife Angie of Derby, Vt.; and his great-grandson, Matthew Moore of Derby, Vt.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.

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 Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday 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.

LEWIS — Rodney Bronson, 56, of Lewis, died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at the Elizabethtown Hospital.

He was born April 5, 1948, in Elizabethtown, the son of John and Arlene (Stevens) Bronson.

Rodney married Gloria Sheldon on Aug. 19, 1969.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served from 1965 to 1971. He then worked for Hercules Paint Co. in Glens Falls, N.Y., for six years, returning to Lewis to work for Allen-Rogers Corp. at the mill in Lewis.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria of Lewis; his father, John of Westport; two sons, Chad and Shawn Bronson, both of Lewis; one brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Starr Bronson of Westport; and one grandson, Sage Bronson.

His mother, Arlene, died in 1993; and a daughter, Laurie Ann was born and died in 1972.

There will be no calling hour. A memorial service will he held Friday at 7 p.m. at Marvin’s Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Burial will take place later in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to the High Peaks Hospice or the Elizabethtown Ambulance Squad.

Helen L. Tennant, 90, formally of Main Street, Lake Placid, N.Y., and a resident of Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid died April 10, 2004.

Mrs. Tennant was born in Lake Placid July 26, 1913, the daughter of Fred and Nellie (Courtney) LaRocque.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 18, 2004, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. A Bible vigil will be held at the funeral home at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Agnes Church Monday, April 19, 2004, at 10 a.m. Rev. Patrick O’Reilly will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery.

Calling hours for Esther Maloney, who died April 4, 2004, in Toledo, Ohio, will be held Sunday, April 18, 2004, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home, AuSable Forks. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, Keeseville. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Keeseville.

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

Copyright 2004, Plattsburgh Publishing Co., Plattsburgh, NY,  Division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., Campbell Hall, NY. The information you receive from Press-Republican Online is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting, or repurposing of any copyright-protected material.