Published: 6/15/05

BEEKMANTOWN — Leonard J. LaValley, 68, of the Moffitt Road, died Monday, June 13, 2005, at his home surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was able to enjoy the country music he loved, which was played by family and friends, as well as his own recorded music during his peaceful passing.

Mr. LaValley was born in Plattsburgh, on Sept. 5, 1936, the son of Zepher and Margaret (Nephew) LaValley. He married the former Lucy Jarvis at Holy Angels Church in Altona in 1955.

He was a member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Cumberland Head. He was employed by Andy’s Restaurant in Plattsburgh from 1954 to 1955; NBC Bakery in Plattsburgh from 1955 to 1957; and Georgia Pacific from 1957 until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the Beekmantown Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years. He was also a self-employed carpenter.

Following his retirement from Georgia Pacific, he was a long-time member of the RSVP Kitchen Band, performing until a week before his death. When he wasn’t playing his music he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Lucy (Jarvis) LaValley; his four children, Randy LaValley and his wife Sharon of West Chazy, Thomas LaValley and his wife Leslie of Plattsburgh, James LaValley and his wife Carolyn of Plattsburgh and Judy Gorski and her fiancée Jeffrey Brown of Chantilly, Va.; two brothers, Lawrence LaValley and his wife Joan of Peru and Gerald LaValley and his companion Barbara Machurick of Beekmantown; one sister, Marion Dragoon and her husband Robert of Beekmantown; one brother-in-law, Roy Stone of Peru; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; his twin sister, Dorothy LaValley; and sister, Theresa (LaValley) Stone.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Cumberland Head. Interment will be held at Whispering Maples Mausoleum in Plattsburgh.

Donations in Leonard’s memory may be made to Chelsea’s Rainbow Fund, The Foundation of CVPH Medical Center, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

MINEVILLE, N.Y. — Ella Audrey Mussaw, 78, passed away peacefully June 10, 2005, at the home of her daughter, Susan Simard with her family at her side.

She was born in Chittenden, Vt., on June 12, 1926, the daughter of the late Ella Libby and Merritt Francis Wheeler.

Ella was a loving and caring wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Frank Nelson Mussaw Jr.; three children, Susan and Lionel Simard of Mineville, N.Y., Frances and Arthur Boyea of Farmington, Conn., and Frank and Ruth Mussaw of Sherman, Texas; four brothers, Elmer, Cleo, Lyle and Merritt Francis Jr., all of Chittenden, Vt.; four grandchildren, Angela Simard, Lionel and Kathy Simard of Mineville, N.Y., Eric and Shannon Boyea and Corina and Stephen White of Bristol, Conn.; six great-grandchildren, Emily Ann and Carolyn Ella Simard of Mineville, N.Y., Joel Boyea, Kayla and Stephen White and Michael Boyea of Bristol, Conn.

Besides her parents, Ella was predeceased by her daughter, Loretta Mussaw on Aug. l4, 2004.

Growing up in Chittenden, Vt., Ella worked on the family farm and for Dr. Lawrence’s office. After graduating and marrying Frank they moved to New York, where she cared for her family. In the 1960s she owned and operated Moose’s Restaurant in Moriah, N.Y. After the mines shut down, Ella and Frank move to Mercer, Pa., for their retirement, where she enjoyed sitting in her back yard and visiting with the Amish. Her hobbies included spoiling her grandchildren, crocheting, needlepoint, reading, painting, sewing, canning, cooking, baking and spending time with her family. Even though Ella is not with us, her love, devotion and meaning of family will live on in our hearts. Along with all the special memories we have made over the years.

Arrangements will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad.

ANTOINETTE B. GERVAIS of the Alice Hyde Nursing Home died Saturday, June 11, 2005, at that facility.

She was born June 13, 1924, in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Leopole and Blanche Mathieu Gervais.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will take place Friday, June 17, 2005, at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lake Titus Road.

Funeral arrangements are through St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home, Inc.

Vera M. Hardwich, 97, of State Route 374, Chateaugay died Monday, June 13, 2005, at Meadowbrook Nursing Home, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Arrangements are incomplete through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Gary C. Wright, 52, of 2095 State Route 11, North Bangor, N.Y., died Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at his home, while under the loving care of his family and Hospice of the North Country, Inc.

He was born in Malone, Feb. 25, 1953, the son of the late Harry and Gertrude Larro Wright.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers, Funeral Home in Malone. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the North Bangor Cemetery.

Bryan Young, of East Islip died on May 30, 2005.

Bryan was born in Plattsburgh on Aug. 7, 1959, the son of Wayne Young of Talbott, Tenn., and Ramona Young of Willsboro, N.Y.

Funeral services were held last week in West Islip, N.Y. A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Willsboro, N.Y., on Sunday, June 19, 2005, at 3 p.m. Cremated remains will be put to rest in Willsboro.

Mina S. Robare, 88, formerly of Cornelia Street, Plattsburgh died Monday, June 13, 2005, at the Meadowbrook Health Care Facility.

Calling hours and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

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