Published: 4/18/05

ROUSES POINT — Bursey, Junior John William, age 72, of Rouses Point, died April 9, 2005, at Strong Memorial Burn Trauma Unit in Rochester, N.Y. Unrelated complications from severe burn injuries in a cooking accident 13 days earlier were the cause of death. Born on May 13, 1932, in Plattsburgh, Junior loved the North Country, was raised and spent most of his adult life there. He was a longtime and devoted chef. Cooking was his passion and his expertise.

He proudly served in the Army for three years and was a cook on the front lines during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. While on active duty he was awarded two Bronze Stars for heroism.

Junior is survived by his daughter, Paula and her husband Lenny Bijeau of Orlando, Fla.; their children, Greg, who is training to be a chef at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Orlando, (which Grandpa was very proud of), Nick, who loves the outdoors and country as much as his Grandpa did; and Harrison, who has a mischievous zest for life like Grandpa did. Junior is also survived by the only love of his life, Lucille; his brothers, Collin and Betty Bursey of Del Mar, N.Y.; Lloyde and Dawn Bursey of Charleston, S.C.; Floyde and Shirley Bursey of Champlain; and Hugh and Darla Bursey of Apache Junction, Ariz.

Family and friends are welcome to help us celebrate Junior at a memorial service at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, with a military honors burial immediately following at the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh, concluding with a lunch reception at the Weathercock in Chazy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests in Junior’s name that donations be made to: Shriners Burn Hospital for Children, 3229 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, attention: Physical Services.

Junior will be missed by all that loved and befriended him. I know that Heaven has just become a little livelier with his presence. He is at peace.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Ortha (Ferguson) Tryon passed away Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the Horace Nye Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.

She was born Aug. 22, 1912, the daughter of Oscar and Phila Ferguson. She was the wife of the late Percy S. Tryon, who passed Sept. 6, 1995.

She is survived by her children, Percival "Skip" Tryon of Westport, Rita Paquette of Westport, Peg Tryon of Salina, Kan.; her son-in-law, Dale Moss of Westport; her sister, Ruth Mullen of Mineville; and her brother, George Ferguson of Florida.

She is predeceased by her husband, Percy; her daughter, Joyce; her parents; and brothers and sisters.

Ortha was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.

At her request there will be no calling hours or memorial service. A committal service will be held at the convenience of the family.

DANNEMORA — Veronica G. "Ronnie" Venne, 85, of Dannemora, died Sunday, April 17, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Chazy on Feb. 18, 1920, the daughter of Louis and Etta (Mattot) Deso.

She was employed by J.C. Penney and Grand Union in Plattsburgh for many years and was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Dannemora.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Phyllis Donivan of Dannemora and Wayne and Jane Donivan of Glens Falls; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Derrick and Dolly Venne of Dannemora; three stepdaughters and sons-in-law, Theresa and Ronnie Minckler of Ellenburg Center, Shirley and Dennis Gadway of Mooers Forks, Phyllis and Gary Donivan of Dannemora; 20 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and close friends.

Her husband, Adrian H. Venne, died April 2, 2001. A daughter, Betty McComber; three brothers, Harold, Randall and Ernest Deso; and three sisters, Carrie Aubin, Hazel Conners and Mae LeBlanc, also died earlier.

Calling hours will be held privately for the family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Tuesday from St. Joseph’s Church in Dannemora. Interment will follow at Whispering Maples Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Ellenburg Depot.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dannemora Fire Department, P.O. Box 123, Dannemora, NY 12929, St. Joseph’s Church, P.O. Box 418, Dannemora, NY 12929, or a charity of your choice.

The O’Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh is in charge of arrangements.

WILMA M. McGRATH, 75, of Lapham Mills Road, Peru, died Sunday, April 17, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Peru on Nov. 9, 1929, the daughter of Loney D. and Sarah M. (Abare) Wells.

Calling hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in God’s Acre Cemetery in Peru.

A complete obituary will appear in Tuesday’s newspaper.

FRANCIS E. LASHWAY, 64, of 1575 Plank Road, Ellenburg Depot, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. Funeral arrangements are incomplete; a full obituary will follow.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JOHN F. KUHLSEN JR., 71, of Hugh Herron Road, died Saturday, April 15, 2005, at his home.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

MARGARET M. SUSICE, 86, formerly of Santa Clara, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Nursing Home in Malone.

Born in Santa Clara on June 29, 1918, she was the daughter of the late John and Katherine (Cayea) Susice.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 tonight at the Anderson Funeral Home in St. Regis Falls. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Ann’s Church in St. Regis Falls. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

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

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