Published: 9/9/04

Plattsburgh — George J. Hicks passed into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Feb. 18, 1937, the son of George and Florence (Luben) Hicks.

George was a family man. He enjoyed spending time with his children and many grandchildren.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corp.

George was a steamfitter and then was employed at CVPH Medical Center until his retirement in 2000.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Jeanne (Stelfox) Hicks; three sons, John Hicks of Mooers Forks, Kevin and Angell Hicks of Schuyler Falls and Brian Hicks of Keeseville; six daughters, Ruth and Alex Crocker of Merrill, Caren Lafountain and her partner Wolfgang Chamberlain of West Chazy, Maureen and Todd Snide of Moors Forks, Jeanne and Lindsay Mesec of Plattsburgh, Amanda Hicks and her partner Danny Belrose of Mooers Forks and Aimee and Nathan Shiraldi of Saratoga Springs; 14 grandchildren; five sisters, Theresa Shannon, Lynn and Gene Nucci, Arlene and Don Ritter, Mary Ann (brother-in-law and best friend) Veto Toronto and Patricia and Bob Kempski.

He was predeceased by his mother, Florence Luben; his stepfather, Teddy Luben; one sister, Marie Maisonnade; and two grandsons, Joshua and Colby.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Assembly of God Church in Plattsburgh.

Burial will be in Sheldon Hill Cemetery in Ellenburg.

Donations may be made to the Veteran’s Association.

Long-Time Performer with Lake Placid Sinfonietta

Wilmington and Potsdam — Donald (Don) Macdonald, Emeritus Professor of Music at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam and 45-year performer with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Lake Placid.

A resident of Wilmington and Potsdam, Don was 90.

Born in Irondequoit, N.Y., on March 18, 1914, Don graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. and a B.M. with Performer’s Certificate in Flute from University’s Eastman School of Music. He received his Master of Science degree in Music Education from SUNY Potsdam.

His career included performing as solo flutist with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Don also taught flute at the Eastman School of Music, Trinity University, the University of Texas and Plattsburgh High School.

Don was a member of the faculty of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam from 1961 to 1985, where he taught applied flute and appeared frequently as a recitalist and member of the Faculty Woodwind Quartet.

During World War II, Don toured the country as a performer with the U.S. Army Band stationed at Walter Reed Hospital.

A long-time performer with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta from 1941 until 1986, Don returned in August 1988 as a guest artist. It was also in the Sinfonietta that he met his wife of 51 years, Joan, a violinist.

In the 1970s, Don recorded the album "Baroque Masterworks for the Flute - Vol 1."

He also leaves behind two daughters, Elizabeth of Lexington, Mass., and Pamela of Lincoln, Mass.; and two grandchildren, Carolyn and Timothy.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, P.0. Box 1303, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Judy A. Saari of Ballston Spa and formerly of Saranac, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, while recovering from a brain aneurysm.

She was born in Saranac, N.Y., the daughter of Florence (Ledwith) Collins and the late Edwin "Dutch" Collins.

Her son, Eric, lives in Saratoga Springs and her daughter, Vanessa, lives in Albany. She is also survived by her mother, Florence Collins. Her siblings include two brothers, Gordon Collins and his wife Marion of Saranac and Gary Collins of Morrisonville and her late sister, Donna (Collins) Payant. She has a brother-in-law, Leo Payant and his fiancée, Cathy Root of Saratoga Springs; two nephews, Christopher Payant and his wife Nicole of Wilton, N.Y., and Jason Payant and his wife Khrystyne of Malta, N.Y.; four nieces, Suzann Fleming and her husband Patrick of Cleveland, Ohio, Jodi Root and her fiancé Matt LeClair of Saratoga Springs, Jill Ramsill and her husband Seth of Florida and Jamie Hensley and her husband Justin of Virginia; one great-nephew, Zachary Payant; two great-nieces, Meghan Payant and Gabriella Payant; several cousins; and her devoted pet and companion, Sir William London.

She graduated from Saranac Central High School and the Champlain Valley School of Nursing. Judy worked as a nurse for over 12 years. Her life’s passion was seeking the truth about the murder of her sister Donna. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family.

Judy will be buried in Independence Cemetery in Saranac.

A service will be held at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 12:30 p.m. Viewing hours will be on the same day from 10 a.m. to noon.

Donations may be made in her name to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc., 102 Hackett Blvd., Albany, NY 12209.

Saranac — Donald J. "Don" Rock, 48, of the River Road, Saranac, died Sept. 7, 2004, at his home.

He was born in Plattsburgh, Oct. 3, 1955, the son of Leonard E. and Elinor D. (LaDuke) Rock.

Survivors include his wife, Julie L. (Wood) Rock of Saranac; his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Brentt LaValley of Plattsburgh; two sons, Ryan and Nolan Rock, both of Saranac; his parents, of Cadyville; two brothers and one sister-in-law, David and Cheryl Rock of Michigan and Darryl Rock of Cadyville; and aunts; uncles; cousins; and nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption in Redford with Rev. Francis J. Coryer, pastor, celebrating.

Donations in his memory may be made to his family.

Plattsburgh — Verlie L. Blanchard, 60, of Margaret Street, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Sept. 20, 1943, the daughter of Dennis and Amanda (Garcia) LaReau.

Verlie owned and operated Genoa Family Restaurant in Illinois for many years.

She married Harvey Blanchard on Jan. 4, 1997.

Survivors include her husband, of Plattsburgh; two daughters and one son-in-law, Lyn Powers of Plattsburgh and Laurie and Brian Pomerenke of Illinois; two stepsons, William Blanchard of Plattsburgh and Christopher Blanchard of Plattsburgh; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Patricia LaReau of Plattsburgh; five grandchildren, Steven and Scott Powers, Alexander Lonier, Jack and Mindy Goldsmith and Alexis Blanchard; and one great - granddaughter, Haliley Powers.

She was predeceased by a brother, Norman LaReau; and a sister, Barbara Beyer.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A wake service will be held at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh.

Burial will follow in the Cadyville Protestant Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

CROWN POINT — Devona "Midge" B. Davis, 75, of Crown Point, died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Her life began in Port Henry, Dec. 15, 1928, the daughter of Clarence and Marion (House) Bowers. She graduated from Port Henry High School as salutatorian of her class in 1946. On March 24, 1951, she was married to Earl E. Davis.

Midge was employed by Simmonds Precision in Vergennes, Vt., where she retired as an executive secretary after 24 years. She enjoyed her retirement at her home overlooking Lake Champlain. She was an avid reader and loved watching birds.

She is survived by her mother, Marion Bowers of Ticonderoga; two daughters and sons-in-law, Darcy and William Martin of Salisbury, N.C., and Wendy and Thomas Walters of Crown Point; five grandchildren, Ben Trimm, Shanna Martinez, Mattie Stark, Thomas J. Walters and Aaron Walters; two great-grandchildren, Rafeal and Rachelynn Martinez; three sisters and one brother, Elaine Popp of Mineville, Bernice Towne of Crown Point, Alice Williams of Port Henry and Wayne Bowers of Rome; and many nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; and cousins.

Midge was predeceased by Earl, her husband of 37 years, who died in 1988.

Calling hours will be Friday, Sept. 10th, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A burial will take place at the White Church Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Donations may be made in her memory to the High Peaks Hospice or Crown Point Fire and Rescue Department.

Robert Leo Mitchell

Plattsburgh — Robert Leo Mitchell, 63, of 250 Robinson Rd., Plattsburgh N.Y., passed away unexpectedly of heart failure at home, with his faithful canine companion Sadie by his side, on the morning of Sept. 2, 2004.

Bob was born Sept. 19, 1940, to Leo Mitchell and Doris (Light) Mitchell in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Bob resided in the Plattsburgh area his entire life.

Bob graduated from Beekmantown Central School. Upon graduation he chose the occupation of being a mechanic; in 1964 he opened his own business, Mitchell’s Garage. Bob retired after becoming ill in 1997. In the 1960s and early 1970s Bob and a team of very close friends were well noted drag racers, winning many competitions held in the Northeast. He was also a very skilled woodworker.

Bob is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth and Amanda Mitchell; one son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Laurie Mitchell; and two grandchildren, Barrett and Benjamin Mitchell, all of Plattsburgh. He is also survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Lori Mitchell and one sister and brother-in-law, Deborah and James Lattrelle, both of Plattsburgh. Two nieces and one nephew also survive him.

He married Patricia Ann Mitchell in 1973; Ann passed away on Aug. 3, 2004.

A memorial Mass will be held for both Robert and Patricia and will be announced at a later date.

Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1980, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Arrangements are with the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

THEODORE F. WOODS, 64, of Fort Plain, N.Y., died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at his home.

He was born on Dec. 11, 1939, at Moriah, N.Y., the son of McKinley and Alberta (Fish) Woods.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home, Port Henry, N.Y. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the White Church Cemetery, Crown Point, N.Y.

Elizabeth J. "Liz" Cavanagh, 41, of 8 So. Main St., Carthage, N.Y., and formerly of Malone, N.Y., died unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at the University Health Care Facility in Syracuse, N.Y., after being stricken at her home.

She was born in Malone on May 20, 1963, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Feimann) Cavanagh.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Malone. Burial will be in the Constable Cemetery in Constable, N.Y.

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.