Published: 9/22/04

PLATTSBURGH — Eldred E. McComber, known to many as "Mac", passed away on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004, at his residence.

Mac was born in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Dec. 19, 1932, to Willard and Annabelle (Hastings) McComber.

He graduated from Lake Placid Central School in 1950, and graduated from Clinton Community College in 1998 with an associates in applied science degree in business administration. While living in Lake Placid, Mac was president of the Lake Placid Jaycees, president of the St. Agnes Home and School Association; worked as a representative for a group known as Laiety for Pius, a grassroots organization dedicated to raising money to keep Pius X High School open. Despite the efforts of Mac and the group, the school was closed.

Mac spent many years working in the automobile business, having owned his own business in Lake Placid and working for several car dealers in the North Country as both a salesman and as a service manager/service advisor. He also managed a store in Champlain Centre North for a short time. He was the former owner of the Thunderbird Lake Edge Motel in Plattsburgh.

Mr. McComber had a great love for music, both in high school and in church. He sang in the Lake Placid Barbershop Chorus, the Cumberland Bay Chorus in Plattsburgh, St. Agnes Choir in Lake Placid, St. Joseph's Choir in Malone, St. Mary's Choir in Plattsburgh. He also had a great love for his Catholic faith. He served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Youth Minister, Confirmation Teacher, Release Time Religious Education Teacher, Parish Council Member, all at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. He also served as a lector at St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville and a Confirmation Teacher for this parish. He often said that the two most rewarding Ministries that he served were as Youth Minister and Eucharistic Minister.

While in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in St. John's Newfoundland Canada, he met and married the former Carmel Crotty of St. John's on Sept. 1, 1954. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Mac and Carmel were blessed with four beautiful daughters, with their oldest, Deborah, being born in Newfoundland.

Mac is survived by his loving wife, Carmel; four daughters, Mrs. Patrick (Deborah) Trombley of Cape Coral, Fla., Mrs. Craig (Beth) Porta of Canton, N.Y., Mrs. Lyle (Cathy) Trombley of Plattsburgh and Mrs. Chris (Danielle) Butler of Plattsburgh. In addition, Mac is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jason McComber and his companion Crystal of Lake Placid, Carin C. Perreault of Fayetteville N.C., Kristen and Josh Robinson of Havelock, N.C., Shaun Trombley of Plattsburgh, Davin S. Weyrich of Cape Coral, Fla., Jennifer Geer of Plattsburgh, Lauren Porta of Canton, N.Y., and Michaela and Jacob Butler of Plattsburgh. He is also survived by eight great-granchildren, Zachary, Isabella, Bailey, Dylan, Tyler, Logan, Noah and Brennen.

Since becoming disabled in 1993, Mac has been enjoying his family and spending as much time as possible with his two youngest grandchildren, Michaela and Jacob.

There will be no calling hours or services at Mac’s request.

O’Neill-Redden-Drown are in charge of the arrangements.

Donations in Mac's memory may be made to his widow or to the Diocese of Ogdensburg Youth Ministry Program in his name.

CHAMPLAIN — Jean A. Ethier, 67, of Champlain passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born Nov. 10, 1936, in LaColle, Quebec, the son of the late David and Claire (Clement) Ethier.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Champlain.

Jean was predeceased by his parents; one son, Gerard (Jerry); one grandson, Darrin Wells; and three brothers, Ives, Gerard and Arthur.

He is survived by his wife, Aline; one son, Daniel and Dawn Ethier of Huntsville, Ala.; two daughters, Francine and Daniel Wells of Chazy and Maryann and Timothy Greeno of Alburg, Vt.; two brothers, Serge and Diane Ethier of St. Jean, Quebec, and Norman and Cheryl Ethier of South Carolina; two sisters, Jeannie and Jean Trahan of St. Valentine, Quebec, and Lisette and Maurice Chartier of Magog, Quebec; nine grandchildren, Jessica Aubrey, Cassandra Ethier, Daniel Ethier Jr., David Ethier, Samantha Ethier, Jaqueline Ethier, Tracy Wells, Heather Greeno and James Greeno; and one great-granddaughter, Brooke Aubrey.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church in Champlain.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of the North Country, St. Mary's Church or St. Mary's School.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Donald C. Pulsifer, 76, of Elizabethtown, died Monday, Sept. 20, 2004, at the Horace Nye Home in Elizabethtown, after a long illness.

He was born May 3, 1928, in Essex, N.Y., the son of Irvin and Jenny (Patnode) Pulsifer.

Don worked for Green Island Construction for some years, but spent most of his life logging.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Agnes (Joy) Pulsifer of Elizabethtown; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Edward Simpson of Lewis, N.Y., and Anna and James Mayhood of Mineville, N.Y.; three sons and two daughters-in-law; Jerry and Cynthia Pulsifer and Donald and Anne Pulsifer, both of Elizabethtown, and Ronald Pulsifer and Christine Zelazo of Dover, N.H., 7 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

Four brothers, Fred, Warren, Richard and Phil; and three sisters, Anna Keese, Hattie Mitchell and Edith Lawrence, died earlier.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Deerhead Cemetery in Lewis.

JAMES DESIMEO, 82, of Westport, N.Y., died Monday, Sept. 20, 2004, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born Dec. 7, 1921, in New York City, the son of James Kebes and Madeline Desimeo.

A private funeral service will he held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Black River Cemetery.

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