Published: 2/21/05

PUTNAM STATION — Jane McCaughin Lape, 93, of Putnam Station, passed away peacefully at the Moses-Ludington Nursing Home of Ticonderoga on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005.

The daughter of William McCaughin and Ellen McNulty, and the sister of the late John W. McCaughin, Mrs. Lape was the widow of Thomas V. Lape, who passed away on June 17, 1971, of Putnam Station.

Born on Oct. 22, 1911, in Ticonderoga, Mrs. Lape graduated from Ticonderoga High School and attended the State University of New York at Albany. From her early college years, she was interested in the local history of the Ticonderoga area. For many years, she was the curator of the John Hancock House in Ticonderoga, the headquarters of the New York State Historical Society.

Later she became curator and then director of Fort Ticonderoga, where she worked until her retirement in 1989. She authored many historical papers and completed and documented historical research for the fort. She is co-author of "Patches and Patterns," a book that historically chronicles the people and events of her native town of Ticonderoga. Mrs. Lape’s other contributions included past-president of the Ticonderoga Historical Society and the Potter Foundation, trustee of the North Country Library Service in Plattsburgh, editor of the Fort Ticonderoga Museum Bulletin and membership on many Washington and Essex county committees.

Mrs. Lape was an amazing woman, in many ways a pioneer, whose passions included her family, horses and her work. She and her husband settled in Putnam Station, working a dairy farm for many years. Fulfilling a lifelong ambition, the cows were replaced with a growing stable of Standard-bred horses. Sharing the training on the farm’s half-mile loop with her husband, their racing circuit spread across many New Hampshire, Vermont and New York tracks including Saratoga.

Mrs. Lape had a unique style of story-telling, making history come alive with humor and anecdotal recollections. She lived a rich and full life, forever committed and loyal to her immediate and extended family. She would often reminisce of life in her rural community and of the adventures of living close to the shore of Lake Champlain. She particularly enjoyed recounting her role as manager of the Putnam Iroquois men’s basketball team and its roster of five that she led to a championship.

She is survived by her daughter, Jane L. Bertrand of Putnam Station; seven grandchildren, Dr. Peter Bertrand of Annapolis, Md., Susan Semiz of Warwick, N.Y., Michael Bertrand of Derry, N.H., Frank Bertrand of Sandy, Ore., Bruce Bertrand of Rutland, Vt., Brent Bertrand of Warrensburg, N.Y., and Matthew Bertrand of Castle Rock, Colo.; nine great-grandchildren, her sister-in-laws, Esther Breed and Betty McCaughin, both of Ticonderoga, and Ruth Lape of Fort Edward; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Wilcox and Regan funeral home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Ticonderoga. The Rev. William G. Muench, pastor, will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will take place at the family plot of the Meadow Knoll Cemetery of Putnam Station in the spring.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Putnam Historical Society or the Ticonderoga Historical Society.

TICONDEROGA — Beulah Elizabeth Belden, 81, of Ticonderoga, passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt.

Born in Whitehall, Sept. 27, 1923, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Anna T. (Ash) Anderson.

Mrs. Belden was a resident of Ticonderoga for most of her life and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ticonderoga.

She was employed by the Moses-Ludington Nursing Home of Ticonderoga as a nurse’s aide for many years.

Mrs. Belden was a member of the Fort Ticonderoga Chapter #442, Order of the Easter Star (O.E.S.)

She married her husband, Edward E. Belden, on Nov. 15, 1941 at the Log Chapel in Putnam Station. He predeceased her on Sept. 15, 2002.

Survivors include two sons, Edward A. Belden of Ticonderoga and William G. Belden of Putnam Station; and one daughter, Elizabeth A. Coley of Ticonderoga. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilcox and Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.

A funeral service will take place 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, Wicker Street, Ticonderoga. The Rev. Prudence Bertolino, pastor, will officiate.

Interment will take place in the spring at the family plot of the Valley View Cemetery of Ticonderoga.

SHELTER ISLAND — Dr. Bernard Joseph Ryan, 88, died Feb. 13, 2005.

He was the chief of surgery from 1957 to 1986 at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, N.Y.

He was the beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth (nee Croken); loving father of Christopher James Ryan, Kathleen Ann Ryan Gerard, Elizabeth Mary Ryan Pepper and Elaine Margaret Ittleman; and the cherished grandfather of nine.

The liturgy of Christian burial was held 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, in Our Lady of the Isle R.C. Church, 3 Prospect Ave., Shelter Island Heights. Interment, with military honors, followed in Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery.

Friends called at the Church from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Arrangements were entrusted to The Shelter Island Funeral Home.

KEESEVILLE — Doris L. Nolan, 64, of Highland Road, Keeseville, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

She was born in Keeseville, Dec. 6, 1940, the daughter of Houghton and Gladys (Fuller) Pray.

Doris was employed at the Evergreen Valley Nursing Home in Plattsburgh for many years. She enjoyed visiting yard sales, gardening, flowers, feeding birds, but her true love was her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, John M. Nolan of Keeseville, whom she married April 4, 1959, at the Holy Name Church in AuSable Forks; two daughters and one son-in-law, Becky Nolan and companion, Randy Yelle, and Betsy and Philip Moore, all of Keeseville; one son and daughter-in-law, Darwin and Brenda Nolan of Keeseville; seven grandchildren, Hayden, Cassidy, Monica, P.J., Tanya, Phalon, and Boone; one sister, Rita Johnpeer of Keeseville; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Bert (Joan) Pray of Jay; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Bert Pray; half-brother, Howard Pray; half-sister, Theresa Dorr; and brother-in-law, Elmer Johnpeer.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru with the Rev. Philip Allen, pastor of the Holy Name Church in AuSable Forks and St. Matthew’s Church in Black Brook, officiating. Burial will follow in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

CHAZY — Frederick J. Ratta Jr., 76, of Miner Farm Road, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at Cedar Hedge Nursing Home.

He was born in Chazy on Dec. 9, 1928, the son of Frederick and Maude (LaPointe) Ratta Sr.

Mr. Ratta owned and operated Ratta’s Trucking Co. for over 50 years until retiring in 2000.

He was a former member of the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Survivors include four daughters, Ellen Goyette, and her husband, Michael, Laura Shambo and her husband, Frank, all of West Chazy, Janet Bouyea and her husband, Stephen, and Sharon Smith and her husband, Lonny, all of Plattsburgh; one brother, Henry Ratta of Plattsburgh; seven grandchildren, Carmen and Carey Goyette, Christopher and Stephanie Bouyea, Sean and April Shambo, and Brad Smith.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ratta family for a private memorial.

JACK KRAUS, 92, of 60 Church St., Saranac Lake, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

Born in Peekskill, N.Y., on March 28, 1912, he was the son of Eugene and Hermoine (Shrgel) Kraus.

Visitation will be held at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. today. The funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Rabbi Alec Friedman officiating. Burial will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Saranac Lake, in May.

DENTON ‘DESTRY’ LEWIS, 77, of 60 Church St., Saranac Lake, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Saranac Lake on Feb. 20, 1927, he was the son of Claude and Alyce (Hayes) Lewis.

Visitation will be held at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. A veterans service will be held at 7:45 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 8 with the Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer officiating.

THOMAS W. CONWAY, 33, of 88 Campbell Road, Churubusco, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, in Burke.

Born in Plattsburgh July 16, 1971, he was the son of James F. and Joan (Gadway) Conway Sr.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Arthur Preve officiating. Burial will be in the Schuyler Falls Cemeter in Schuyler Falls.

RUTH E. TROMBLY, 91, of Dunn Road, Chazy, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

The R.W. Walker Funeral Home is in charge of calling hours and funeral arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.

SOPHIE MIESAK, 92, of Peasleeville Road, Schuyler Falls, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Mooers Forks, June 17, 1912, the daughter of Amos and Anna (Roberts) Mesick.

Services will be held in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Mooers.

A complete obituary will be in a later edition of the Press-Republican.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

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

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