Published: 12/15/04

Peru — Gladys M. Wright, 86, of Bear Swamp Road, Peru, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Black Brook, June 6, 1918, the daughter of Samuel and Julia (Bashaw) McKee.

She was a rural mail carrier for many years in the Peru, Schuyler Falls and Peasleeville areas.

Gladys was a very active member of the Peasleeville Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading, gardening and was very interested in learning about history and current events. Her true love, however, was her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Karl Schweikert of Peru and Judy and Donald Maurer of Canterbury, N.H.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mahlon and Ann Wright and Winston and Denise Wright, all of Peasleeville; a sister, Genevieve Frenia of Peru; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Guy Wright; and three sisters, Bessie Bashaw, Myrtle LaDuke and Mildred LaDuke.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Parker, officiating, and Rev. Wilfred Meseck, assisting. Burial will be in the Peasleeville Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Peasleeville Methodist Church.

PLATTSBURGH — Bird L. Berdan, 84, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at his home.

He was born in Paterson, N.J., on Oct. 9, 1920, the son of Bird and Clara Louise (Nellis) Berdan.

He graduated from Pompton Lakes, N.J., High School in 1938. He also attended the School of Radio Technique in New York City.

Bird served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of World War II with the U.S. Marine Corp. from 1942 to 1946. While stationed in Pensacola, Fla., he performed in many Little Theater productions for service men and women.

He married Dorothy Martin at her family home in Plattsburgh on Sept. 9, 1947, and they were married for 56 years. The love of his life, Dorothy died July 19, 2004.

He was a well-known radio announcer for WIRY and WEAV starting in 1948. In 1954, he joined WIRI TV, which became WPTZ, where he was an announcer until his retirement in 1985. He will long be remembered as the "Atlantic Weatherman," the host for the live production of "On the Local Scene," his puppet show, "Mr. Daffy and Hot Dog Hound," local host of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and most recently by his entertaining commercials with Rolla Parker for Parker Chevrolet of Champlain, all for Channel 5.

Bird was a member of the Plattsburgh United Methodist Church, lifetime member of Plattsburgh Lions Club, Plattsburgh Little Theater and a former member of the Plattsburgh Kiwanis Club. He swam every day at the YMCA, loved to drive his car, especially for Sunday drives and was always singing or humming. He was an avid collector of pictures and memorabilia.

Survivors include one son, Martin Berdan and his wife Cynthia of Lakeway, Texas; two daughters, Louise Jolly and her husband Thomas of Plattsburgh and Amy Berdan of Plattsburgh; three granddaughters, Anna and Alice Jolly of Plattsburgh and Lara Pumphret and her husband Richard; great-grandchildren, Brendan, Emily and Madeline Pumphret, all of Cedar Park, Texas; a grandson, Derek Berdan and his wife Kristen of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; siblings, Dorcas and her husband William Martin of Jupiter, Fla., Elise Holmgren of Wayne, N.J., Dr. Leonard Berdan of Schoharie, N.Y., Antoinette and her husband Lawrence Whetham of Dunedin, Fla., Katherine and her husband Albert McNomee of Forked River, N.J.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

One sister, Harriet McNomee; and one brother, Frederick Berdan, predeceased him.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church.

Donations in his memory may be made to the United Methodist Church of Plattsburgh or the Plattsburgh Lions Club.

Naples, Fla. — Michael Patrick McCaffrey, 38, of Naples, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 11, 2004.

He was born on Oct. 17, 1966, in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

After graduating from high school, he went on to attend Old Dominion College and the University of Colorado where he majored in English. Pat enjoyed writing, music and poetry. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a selfless soul with a heart of gold.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory his mother and stepfather, Sheila (Maher) and John Wilder of Naples; his father, Michael McCaffrey of Riverside, Fla.; his brother, Nick Wilder of Cincinnati; his stepsister and husband, Anne Copland of Lakeland, Fla.; his grandmother, Mrs. Daniel Maher of Naples; his six aunts and uncles; nine cousins and his cherished companion the love of his life, Monica Maloney.

Mothers and fathers hold their children's hands for just a little while and their hearts forever. Irish eyes will be watching over Patrick in heaven.

A Mass will be held in Naples at St. William’s Catholic Church, 750 Seagate Drive on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at 10 a.m. and a memorial service in the spring in Champlain, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Daniel E. Maher Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Northeastern Clinton Central School, 103 Route 276, Champlain, NY 10919.

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Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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