Published: 9/1/04

Burlington, Vt. — Eugene J Ward Jr., 82, passed away quietly on Aug. 23, 2004, after suffering a stroke 6 years earlier.

Gene was an eternal optimist who was known for his quick wit and prompt smile.

Gene was born in New York, N.Y., on Nov. 5, 1921, was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in 1945 and emigrated to Plattsburgh in 1957 where he resided until 1999 when he moved to Burlington, Vt., to be with his family.

Gene was predeceased by Betty Ward his wife of 52 years on Feb. 1, 2003.

Gene is survived by his sister, Eleanor Shade of San Diego; his son, Chip; his daughter-in-law, Donna Mazut; three grandchildren, Laura of Peru, N.Y., and Shawn and EJ Ward of South Burlington, Vt.

Gene was an avid skier and a basketball player who for years could be found in the middle of a pickup game at the YMCA. Gene pitched softball for Northway Estates in the Plattsburgh summer leagues and was a former Press-Republican Senior Doubles Tennis Champion. Gene was employed as a real-estate broker, builder, developer and built hundreds of homes at Cliff Haven, at Brookfield Manor, the West End of Plattsburgh and in Rouses Point. Gene was a life member of the Plattsburgh Rotary Club and a 45 year communicant of St. John's Parish. Gene served as president of Westland Homes Inc., managing properties the last 20 working years of his career.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. John’s Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, Vt., with family member Rev. John Hamilton, pastor, celebrating. Burial shall follow the ceremony in Resurrection Park Cemetery next to the church with a full military honor guard. No calling hours will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Gene to St. John's Academy Endowment Fund, 59 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Cards from his friends would be welcome at 803 Nowland Farm Road, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Gifford Funeral Service of Richmond, Vt., is in charge of arrangements.

South Burlington — Shirley E. Chandler, 75, of South Burlington, Vt., died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at the Vermont Respite House in Williston.

Born Oct. 20, 1928, in Charlotte, Shirl was the daughter of the late Clayton J. and Mabel B. Eno.

On Jan. 3, 1953, she married Joel W. Chandler of Mooers, N.Y., who survives her.

In addition to her loving husband of 51 years, Shirl leaves her children, Lori Benson of Bridgewater, Mass., Jamie W. Chandler of Key West, Fla., Tracy K. Chandler of Essex, Vt., and their families; The Rev. Timothy J. Benson and Jordon Benson of Bridgewater, Mass., Beth Chandler and Max Clayton Chandler of Key West, Fla., and Norm and Sam. Other survivors include her sister-in-law, Jane Wilson and her husband Hale Wilson of Rouses Point, N.Y.; niece, Candy Davidson and husband Bill Davidson of New Haven; nephew, "Stevie" Phillips of Shelburne; and other nieces; nephews; and wonderful friends and neighbors. A devout animal lover, she also leaves her treasured "critters".

A heartfelt thank you to all at the Vermont Respite House, Hospice of the Champlain Valley and Fletcher Allen whose care was so compassionate.

There will be no calling hours. A funeral service will be held in the chapel of Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 71 South Union Street, Burlington at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004. A private burial will take place in North Ferrisburgh Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shirley's name can be made to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495 or Hospice of the Champlain Valley, 1110 Prim Road, Suite One, Colchester, VT 05446.

Theodore D. Anthony, of County Route 1, Fort Covington, N.Y., died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at the Massena Memorial Hospital in Massena, N.Y. He had been a patient there since Aug. 24, 2004.

He was born in New York, N.Y., the son of the late Theodore and Josephine Smith Anthony.

There are no calling hours. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Cappiello-McKenzie and Cosgrove Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Donald Alexander officiating.

Gerald A. LaPier, 83, of Front Street, Keeseville, died on Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at his home.

He was born in West Chazy on June 22, 1921, son of Walter and Margaret (Lucia) LaPier.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 a.m. from St. Augustine's Church in Peru. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Chazy.

A full obituary will appear in the Plattsburgh Press-Republican.

Catherine (Newman) Casarella, 96, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, in Florida.

She was born in Hartford, daughter of the late John and Mary (Tracey) Newman.

The funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. from The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, Conn., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Augustine’s Church, 10 Campfield Ave., Hartford, Conn. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, prior to the funeral, 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

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.