Published: 12/05/04

Wadhams — Matthew J. (Buddy) Hopkins, 18, of Route 22, Wadhams, died Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at his home, as a result of a brain tumor he has battled since he was 3 years old.

He was born in Ticonderoga, Feb. 7, 1986, the son of Daniel J. and Sheri L. (Dougal) Hopkins.

He attended Westport Central School and graduated from BOCES in Mineville.

Buddy enjoyed model cars, old cars, WWF Wrestling and was an avid Yankees fan.

Survivors include his parents, Daniel J. and Sheri L. (Dougal) Hopkins of Wadhams; three sisters, Becky Hopkins of Morrisonville and December and Kalika Hopkins, both of Wadhams; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Westport. A prayer service will follow at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Westport with Rev. Arthur Goyette, pastor of the Westport Federated Church, officiating.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Betty Lasker Rainy Day Oncology Fund, 111 Colchester Ave., Mod B Room 113, Burlington, VT 05401.

Lake Placid — Eunice E. Soden died peacefully in her sleep shortly after midnight on Friday, Nov. 12, 2004.

She was born on March 24, 1906, in Athens, N.Y., as the eldest daughter of Floyd and Ethel Gilbert. Although the early death of her mother delayed Eunice’s college entrance, she still graduated first in her class at Albany State Teachers College, (now called SUNY Albany). She later taught English at Keene Valley public school before her marriage to New York State Supreme Court Justice Harold R. Soden, who predeceased her six years ago.

She is survived by her two children, son Bruce and his wife Priscilla Soden of Fayetteville, N.Y., and daughter Marcia and her husband Vaino Kola of Deer Isle, Maine; also by five grandchildren, Eero Kola of Braintree, Mass., Anja Kola-McDonough of Boston, Mass., Matthew G. Soden of Silver Spring, Md., Laney W. Soden Cook of Liverpool, N.Y., and Mark M. Soden of Somerville, Mass. Eunice is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Eunice, fondly nicknamed "the White-Haired Chief" by her immediate family, was an optimistic, good humored woman who gave her husband and children a lifetime of love, support and loyalty. She created and maintained a nurturing and secure home environment where she taught by example a strong work ethic; a deep and abiding love of literature; a daily appreciation of the surrounding natural beauty and a deep civil responsibility to one’s community.

Over her lifetime, Eunice served, both as working member and officer, in many local organizations such as the Lake Placid Hospital Auxiliary Board; the Essex County Republican Women; the Girl Scout Council; the Essex County Garden Club as well as the Lake Placid Garden Club. Her deep and sustaining passion for gardening was visible at her home as well as in the beautiful wreaths and seasonal decorations which she created annually for the Adirondack Community Church holiday bazaar. One of her favorite sayings used to hang in her kitchen, which read: "When the world wearies and ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden." She originated beauty in her surroundings with an unusual grace and dignity.

A memorial service celebrating her life, followed by a reception, will be held in the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, followed by a graveside service. The family welcomes all friends.

Contributions may be made in her name to the Lake Placid Library Fund or to the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake or to the Lake Placid Garden Club.

The Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements.

Ticonderoga — William Edward "Bill" Rooker, 57, of Ell Street, passed away Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, at his residence.

Born in Ticonderoga, Feb. 20, 1947, he was the son of the late Lurvey E. and Josephine (Cooper) Rooker.

Mr. Rooker was a lifelong resident of Ticonderoga and was a graduate of Ticonderoga High School, Class of 1964. He was also a graduate of Canton College, Class of 1966.

Mr. Rooker was a member of the New York State National Guard and most recently retired from the Vermont State National Guard having served a total of 33 years.

He was employed as Superintendent of Public Works for the Village of Ticonderoga for 14 years. He also worked for various companies as a consulting engineer, including Adirondack Engineering and most recently Clark Patterson Associates, both of Ticonderoga.

Mr. Rooker was a member of the Ticonderoga Volunteer Fire Department for many years and a member of the Ticonderoga Fire Police.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one sister, JoAnn Rooker Moore; and one brother, Lurvey H. Rooker.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Juliann (Bessett) Rooker; one son, James W. Rooker of Ticonderoga; two daughters, JoAnn Rooker of Brant Lake and Jennifer E. Rooker of Crown Point; and one sister, Justina R. Huestis of Ticonderoga. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Relatives and friends may call Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. The Ticonderoga Fire Department will gather at the funeral home for ritualistic services at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

A funeral service will take place Monday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will take place at a later date at the family plot of the Valley View Cemetery of Ticonderoga.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Charles R. Wood Cancer Center, Glens Falls Hospital, 102 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801.

New Haven & Vergennes, Vt. — Shirley Mae (Collins) Evarts died peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Willsboro, N.Y., on Oct. 22, 1930, to Edward and Mabel (Shepard) Collins.

She spent most of her adult life raising nine children with her late husband, Judson Evarts, in New Haven, Vt. She worked for many years at Simmonds Precision/Goodrich before retiring.

During the years of raising her children, she also made room for most of the neighborhood kids. She taught not only her own children, but most of the kids on South Street how to swim. She was an avid card player. She was the first one to start a game of baseball, softball, kickball, or capture the flag. She spent many years following her children in whatever sports event they were participating in at the time. There were many debates with her sister because of the Red Sox/Yankee rivalry.

She is survived by five daughters, Linda and Curt Cooper of Charlotte, Vt., Terry and Jim Booska of Bristol, Vt., Pam Whittemore and Howard of Bristol, Nancy and Ray Hadley of Colchester, Vt., and Cherri and Bruce Jolley of Colchester; and her two sons, Robert Evarts of Vergennes, Vt., and Timmy and Judy Evarts of Monkton, Vt. Shirley is survived by 14 grandchildren and their families, including eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Beverly Dickerson of Willsboro, N.Y.; and her brother, Edward Collins and his wife Doris of Willsboro, N.Y.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Judson, December 1970; her son, Scott Cross, May 1999; and his father Charlie Cross; her son Tommy, July 2001; her stepson, Juddy, August 1965; her daughter-in-law, Kathy, July 2004; her brother, Harold Collins and his wife Barb of Ausable Chasm, N.Y.; and her brother-in-law, Milton Dickerson of Willsboro, N.Y.; Shirley is survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.

The family wishes to thank the Helen Porter Nursing Home Staff. They would like to give a special thank you to the Porter Hospital Staff for outstanding care and understanding.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7th, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Charlotte. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 6 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shirley's memory may be made to Project Independence, 27 North Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

Clintonville — James E. Minogue of Route 9N, Clintonville, N.Y., passed into the arms of the Lord in his home in the company of his loving family and friends on Dec. 1, 2004, after a lengthy illness.

He was born May 25, 1924, between AuSable Forks and Clintonville, in what is known as "Rogers."

He is survived by his sister, Sybil Lawrence of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; his children, Robert and Mary Minogue of Jay, N.Y., William and Shawn Minogue of Wilmington, N.Y., Jan and Gerald Rafferty of Keeseville, N.Y., Marilyn and Larry Plishka of Keeseville, N.Y.; grandchildren Brandon and Kristopher Minogue of Wilmington, Kayla, Elizabeth and Michael Rafferty of Keeseville, Nicole, Jared and Tanner Plishka of Keeseville and Sarah McCoy of Dannemora; stepchildren Debbie Cumber, Kathryn Cooper, Thomas Hathaway; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several foster children; nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Lillian Minogue; and brother Thomas. He was also predeceased by wife Freda "Pat" (Pelkey) Minogue (1946-1986) and wife Joyce (Rhino) Minogue (1988-2004.)

Employed by New York State Department of Correctional Services, retiring at the rank of lieutenant, a self-employed master carpenter; lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1505, Keeseville and American Legion Post 504, AuSable Forks. He was a lifelong communicate of St. Catherine’s Church in Clintonville until its closing and of the Holy Name Church in AuSable Forks.

Jim was a lifelong resident of Clintonville and the North Country. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He also was an avid fan of the AuSable fast pitch softball league and tournaments. He is well known for his editorials and insights into many local issues as well as his daily technical advice to the local auto repair facility. He was admired for his loyalty to his career-long peers and subordinate staff as well.

He served his country as a member of the 801st Aviation Combat Engineers during World War II, stationed on the Azore Islands off the coast of Europe.

Jim entered public service as a prison guard in 1957 at Clinton Correctional Facility, retiring at the rank of lieutenant in 1983 from Adirondack Correctional Facility. He enjoyed his retirement years doting on his loved ones, woodworking and his daily two to three mile walks.

Calling hours were held on Friday at the Zaumetzer Funeral Home, AuSable Forks. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Holy Name Church, AuSable Forks.

Memorial donations in Jim's name can be made to: Keeseville Fire Department/Ambulance, AuSable Forks Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Hospice of the North Country, Becky's House, 296 Hackett Blvd., Albany NY 12208, c/o St. Peter’s Health Care Services.

Patricia M. "Patti" Trott, 61, of Plattsburgh, died Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Dec. 25, 1942, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Short) Bishop.

At Patti's request, there will be no calling hours. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held from the Elizabeth Street Wesleyan Church with a date and time to be announced. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery in New Castle, Pa.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Joel E. Mayberry of Lake Placid, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004.

He was born on Dec. 21, 1938, in Lake Placid, N.Y., the son of Horace and Rose (Perry) Mayberry.

Friends may call Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. A Bible vigil service will be held Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church in Laek Placid. Rev. Michael Gafney will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Agnes Cemetery.

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