Published: 5/19/05

Mooers — Leona B. Bassford, 91, a lifelong resident of Mooers and most recently of the Vilas Home, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Mooers Forks on March 31, 1914, the daughter of Levi and Achsah (Mesick) Vancour.

Leona was a nurse's aide for many years at CVPH until her retirement. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Mooers and the Altar Rosary Society. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Jr. and his wife Joyce of Transfer, Pa.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jacqueline and Neil LaPine of Hagerstown, Md., Joyce and John New of Homosassa, Fla., and Joan and Arthur Bylow of Rouses Point; a sister, Teodis Bertrand of Altona; a sister-in-law, Frances Gardner of Plattsburgh; a special nephew, Richard Gardner of Lyon Mountain; twelve grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Robert W. Bassford died Jan. 25, 1965. A sister, Achsah Rabideau; and three brothers, Leonard, Victor and David Vancour, predeceased her.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Mooers. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. from St. Joseph's Church in Mooers. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

New Hartford, N.Y. — Michael Joseph McDonald of New Hartford, N.Y., died Sunday, May 15, 2005, after a prolonged illness.

He was born June 22, 1932, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the son of Thomas W. and Helen (Callanan) McDonald.

After graduating from Port Henry High School, class of 1950, he served as a specialist in the army during the Korean conflict. Michael, an alumnus of Dartmouth College, class of 1954, was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He later graduated from Albany Law School.

Michael married Mary Burleigh on July 14, 1962, at St. Mary's Church in Ticonderoga, N.Y. They located in the Utica area where Michael began the practice of law with the firm of Helmer and Shaffer. He retired as an attorney for Oneida County Department of Social Services. Active in community service, Michael was a board member of the Utica Rescue Mission and a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford.

He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Helen McDonald; and sister, Helen Frances McDonald.

Michael is survived by his wife, Mary; three sons; daughter-in-law; and two beloved grandchildren; son, Thomas B. and his wife Linda, their children, Julia Evelyn and Michael Harry of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; son, Michael Joseph of New Hartford and Stephen Andrew of Rochester, N.Y. Also surviving are his two brothers, John C. and his wife Anne and Thomas W. and his wife Carol; his mother-in-law, Evelyn (Cunningham) Burleigh; and several nieces and nephews.

He is remembered as an outstanding athlete, avid golfer, loving husband, father and grandfather.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Harland Funeral Home, Main Street, Port Henry, N.Y. A funeral Mass for Michael will be celebrated on Thursday, May 19 at St. Mary's Church in Ticonderoga, N.Y., at 11 a.m.

Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Ticonderoga, N.Y.

Plattsburgh — Dennis A. Martino, 38, of Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh on March 2, 1967, son of William J. and Susan (Beshaw) Martineau.

Dennis is survived by his longtime companion, Florence LaSalle of Plattsburgh; two daughters, Jessica Martino and Breanna Martino; two stepdaughters, Shannon Beshaw and Danielle Beshaw; a stepson, Kyle Beshaw; a grandson, Cameron Cornish; his parents, William J. Martineau and Susan Ann Martineau; his sisters, Wendy Hendrie and Tammy LaRock; two brothers, Randy Martineau and Robert Hendrie Jr.; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Friday, May 20, 2005, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 20, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. from St. Joseph's Church in Treadwells Mill. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.

Richard Wayne Denno, 84, of Emma Street, Tupper Lake, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, N.Y.

He was born March 18, 1921, in Piercefield, N.Y., the son of Frederick and Angelina (Parent) Denno.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, May 19, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Richer Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 20, at Saint Alphonsus Church with the Rev. Kris Lauzon, officiating. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at a later date.

Richard C. Fountain, 77, of Constable died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at Alice Hyde Nursing Home in Malone.

Arrangements are incomplete through St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home.

James C. Brady, 72, of Westville died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center.

Arrangements are incomplete through St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home and will be in tomorrow's paper.

Rita Leahy, 79, of Constable died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh where she had been a patient for the last week.

She was born in Constable, N.Y., on Jan. 1, 1926, the daughter of the late Alex and Mary (Badore) Fleury.

Calling hours will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Friday, May 20 from 10 am to noon. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated immediately following. Burial will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Constable.

Arrangements are through St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home.

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 2005, 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.