Published: 12/12/04

Plattsburgh — Mr. Lester F. "Les from the Press" Bouyea, 79, of Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, passed away Friday, Dec. 10, 2004, at his home, with his family by his side.

He was born in Morrisonville on Aug. 15, 1925, the son of George and Jenny (Rock) Bouyea. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Army, where he was an engineer and fought in the Pacific.

Les retired from the Press-Republican after 35 years of service. He was a meat cutter and enjoyed fishing and berry picking. Les had played semi-pro baseball; he enjoyed bowling and square dancing with the North Country Squares. He served on the RSVP Advisory Council, was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 255 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125, Plattsburgh. Les was an active member of St. Peter's Church, where he served as an usher and worked bingo at St. Peter's and Seton Catholic, the harvest dinners and the French Festival.

He was predeceased by his parents, George and Jennie Bouyea; and his brothers, Emerson, Robert and Malcolm Bouyea.

Lester is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet (Doucette) Bouyea of Plattsburgh; his children, Lynda Hackett and her companion Sal Rios of Plattsburgh; a son, Ricky Bouyea of Arcadia, Fla.; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Tyler and Marie Bouyea of Plattsburgh, Arthur and Evelyn Bouyea of Buffalo, Ross and Hilda Bouyea of Plattsburgh, Chester and Audrey Bouyea of Plattsburgh, Rose Bouyea of Amenia, Helen Bouyea of Granville, Hope Doucette of Plattsburgh and Dolores Young of Plattsburgh; four grandchildren, Laurie Brown and her companion Ron Cook Jr. of Plattsburgh, Shelby Hackett and her fiancé Dwight Spear of Dannemora and Jessie Bouyea and Samantha Bouyea of Arcadia, Fla.; four great - grandchildren, Eryn Bushey, Courtney Facteau and Adam Facteau, all of West Chazy and Haleigh Spear of Dannemora; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. Members of the Knights of Columbus are asked to meet Sunday at 3 p.m. for services.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 1 p.m. from St. Peter's Church. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to St. Peter's Memorial Altar Fund or American Cancer Society.

Marcy, N.Y. — On Dec. 9, 2004, at 11 p.m., William F. Haley entered into eternal rest with his loving family by his side, at home. He was born on Aug. 11, 1937, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., to the late James and Margaret (Wilson) Haley. He was the last child.

Bill had many challenges he faced in his life and was never afraid to face whomever he had to for his own moral beliefs. He would go the full limit even though others tried to knock him down. He wouldn't let anyone stop him when he had a job to accomplish in his life. He wouldn't take "NO" for an answer when he believed in something. He challenged things in life others wouldn’t dare to challenge. Bill was highly respected for those characteristics. When others tried to knock him down, he found ways of his own to challenge them again and again. Many times in his life he paid a high price for his belief system, but that didn't stop him.

Bill and Joann entered into life as soulmates, friends and true loving concern for each other on Dec. 30, 1995. They had a true, loving, mature relationship and shared nine beautiful years together. They traveled Europe in 1999 and again in 2001. They loved each other’s company and welcomed many into their home open armed. They entered their relationship with love and support for each other. Their 19 years age difference didn't affect their relationship. Their age difference and love for each other was never in their wildest dream that they could love someone with that age difference. Bill graduated from high school the year Joann was born. Many individuals never experience what they had together in life.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and James Haley; his sister, Virginia (Red) Matt; his brother, James Haley Jr.; his granddaughter, Sarah Constabile; his brother-in-law, Jack Matt, whom he looked to as a father figure and who guided him and helped him through life. He was also predeceased by his father-in-law, Innocenzo (Nunzio) Cavo, who had a lot of respect for his life's journey and always looked at life on the brighter side. He spoke highly of Mr. Majka of Marcy, whom he called his adopted father, who helped him in life. His close friend, Dick Brandell of Plattsburgh, who showed him life in a different light. Bill has mentioned many, many, individuals through these nine years who guided him in life’s journey, too many to mention.

He leaves his loving wife, Joann Haley; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Anthony Constabile and their children, Anthony, Spencer, Brianna and Nicholas, his daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Jim Thompson and their children, James, Matt, Genna, Samantha, Jessie and Brett, his daughter Tanya Haley; his former wife, Linda Haley of Marcy, with whom he shared many beautiful years; also many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, cousins-in-law and many friends.

At Bill’s request, services will be at the convenience of the family.

Bill's own words "Our dance of life." He said he lived a good life and wanted everyone to celebrate his life. He didn’t want us to cry for him. He asked me, his wife, not to cry and to go on in life and not to have anyone take advantage of my genuine concern for others in my life.

Arrangements are with the Sansone Funeral Home, Utica, N.Y.

Hague — Emma Werschky, 75, of Graphite Mountain Road, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 10, 2004, at the Glens Falls Hospital.

Born in Rastadt, Ukraine, Feb. 12, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Johann and Margaret (Anton) Schaaf.
Emma lived in Germany until 1952 when she emigrated to the United States with her parents and brothers and sisters.

She married Eberhard H. Werschky in 1954.

They lived in Texas and Connecticut for many years. She and her husband retired to Hague, N.Y., in 1990, moving from New Britain, Conn.

She was employed as a meat clerk at Stop & Shop of New Britain, Conn., for 10 years before her retirement.

Mrs. Werschky was an active communicant of the Blessed Sacrament Church of Hague. She was also a member of the German American Club of Glens Falls, the Senior Citizens Club, the Quilting Club, the Crafts Club, and enjoyed going to lunch with the "lunch bunch."

Survivors in addition to her husband of 50 years, Eberhard H. Werschky, include her four children, Robert Werschky and his wife Linda of New Britain, Conn., Katherine Werschky of Peru, N.Y., Rosemarie Jakowenko and her husband Carl of Ticonderoga, N.Y., and Mark Werschky of Ticonderoga, N.Y.; two grandsons, David Werschky and Philip Werschky, both of New Britain, Conn.; one brother, Joseph Schaaf and his wife Bernice of Plantsville, Conn.; two sisters, Emilie Albert of Kensington, Conn., and Olivia Czapski and her husband Joseph Jr. of New Britain, Conn. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews; and also aunts and cousins in Germany and Canada.

Relatives and friends may call Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.

A funeral service will take place at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday morning. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament of Hague. The Rev. George P. Fleming, pastor, will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will take place at the family plot.

Willsboro — James B. Halstead, 93, of Willsboro, N.Y., formerly of Rock Tavern, N.Y., died at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home, Plattsburgh, on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004.

He was born in Nyack, N.Y., on Jan. 21, 1911, the only son of James I. and Georgianna (Taylor) Halstead.

For many years, Mr. Halstead owned and operated the Halstead Painting Contractors Company in Rock Tavern, N.Y. He was a deacon in the Little Britain Presbyterian Church and a member of the church Men's Council, whose mission was to provide medical equipment to those in need, a member of the Odd Fellows of Cornwall, N.Y., a member of the NRA and a member of the Bass Association.

He and Dorothy, his wife of 69 years, retired to Willsboro in the early 1990s.

James is survived by his wife Dorothy; two daughters, Nancy and her husband Gene Thorley of Willsboro and Susan and her husband William Schneider of Annapolis, Md.; and two grandsons, Karl and Geoffrey Schneider.

At Mr. Halstead's request, there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials in his memory may be made to the Willsboro Reber Rescue Squad, the Heart Fund or the Evergreen Valley Memorial Fund, 8 Bushey Blvd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

The Huestis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Schenectady — Ricky E. Savage, 48, of Schenectady, passed into the Lord’s hands on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004.

Rick was born in Ticonderoga, N.Y., and has lived in the Schenectady area most of his life.

For many years, Rick worked as a certified nursing aide. He worked at several facilities and was last employed at Sunny View Hospital. Rick was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Niskayuna.

He was predeceased by his parents, the late George T. and Valida (Hemingway) Savage; and two sisters, Kathy Savage and Amy Lynn Savage.

Survivors include his stepmother, Muriel Savage of Witherbee, N.Y.; four sons, Ricky Savage Jr., Wayne Savage, Christopher Savage and Leland Savage, all of Schenectady; three daughters, Erika Lyons, Tanya Savage and Ciara Savage, all of Schenectady; four brothers, George Savage and his wife Donna, Gary Savage and his wife Gail, Tim Hall and his wife Kim, all of Schenectady and Ted Savage of Witherbee, N.Y.; two sisters, Starr DeAngelo and her husband Don of Rotterdam and Lucy Marx and her companion Dan White of Westport, N.Y.; two stepsons, Jimmy Graves and Allen Graves and a stepdaughter, Shelly Graves, all of Schenectady. Four grandchildren, Ricky Savage III, Kaleen Morehouse, Destiny Graves and Jovan Savage; and several nieces and nephews also survive Ricky.

Calling hours will be Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until noon at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Schenectady. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at noon at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, 2635 Balltown Rd., Niskayuna, NY 12309.

PLATTSBURGH — Roger C. Thompson, 64, of Genesee Lane, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Lincoln, Vt., on June 28, 1940, the son of Ralph and Ida (Cram) Thompson.

Roger served in Korea with the U.S. Amy in the early 1960s.

He married Wilma W. Everleth on July 25, 1969, in Albany, N.Y. Wilma died on Oct. 20, 1995.

Mr. Thompson worked for National Cash Register for over 30 years, retiring in 1994. He then worked for the Plattsburgh Press-Republican from 1997 until now.

Roger was an avid gardener, tenacious at crossword puzzles and enjoyed his family pets.

Survivors include his love, Mary Anne Sullivan of Stowe, Vt.; one daughter and son-in-law, Mitzi and Steve Bonhomme of Plattsburgh; three brothers, Marvin and wife Trudy Thompson of Phoenix, Ariz., Fred and wife Eleanor Thompson and Edward and wife Roberta Thompson, all of Lincoln, Vt.; three sisters, Wanda Goodyear of Lincoln, Vt., Marie Rhodes of Middlebury, Vt., and Karlene and husband Marcel Gagnon of Schenectady, N.Y.; and two granddaughters, Kayla and Karen Bonhomme of Plattsburgh.

He was predeceased by one adult sister, Gwen Dearborn; and three infants, brother Delwin and twins, Norma and Norman.

Calling hours were held Saturday at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Assembly of God Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be at a later date in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to the Adirondack Humane Society or the Champlain Valley Heart Center at the CVPH Medical Center.

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.