Published: 7/5/05

Clarence R. Bushey

PLATTSBURGH — Clarence R. Bushey, 76, of Oak Street passed away Sunday, July 3rd, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in Plattsburgh on June 4, 1929, son of the late Leo and Eva (Deno) Bushey. Clarence was a graduate of Mount Assumption Institute, class of 1948, he served in the United States Navy in Korea from 1949 to 1952. He was a fuel-oil delivery man for A. Fortin’s Sons for over thirty years, prior to his retirement. Clarence was a life time member of American Legion Post 20 and a life time member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125. He enjoyed bowling and writing in his journals.

Clarence is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Pauline A. Bushey of Plattsburgh, one son, Dale R. Bushey and Mary (Parker) Bushey, four daughters, Margaret and Donald Surprenant of Champlain, Donna M. Bushey of Plattsburgh, Bonnie and Hector "Jesse" Creamer of Ayer, Massachusetts, Jean and Reginald Bellerive of Plattsburgh, eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Clarence was pre-deceased by his daughter, Gail Bushey, and a brother, William Bushey. Calling hours will be Tuesday, July 5, 2005, from 2-4 and 7-9 at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Members of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will meet Tuesday evening at 7:30 for services. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at 10 a.m. from the Brown Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. William Reamer, Catholic Chaplain at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh. Donations in Clarence’s memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. Immediately following the funeral service will be a reception at the American Legion Post #20, Quarry Road, Plattsburgh.

John T. Rushby

HALFMOON — John T. Rushby, 62, of Tabor Road, Mechanicville, died Saturday, July 2, 2005, at his home in his family’s loving arms. He was born Sept. 29, 1942, in Port Henry, N.Y., the son of the late Walter Rushby Sr. and Mollie Rushby.

John was a graduate of Port Henry High School and Albany Business College. He was employed as a union carpenter for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 370 in Albany until his retirement two years ago.

He was a lover of learning and nature, especially birds and enjoyed beekeeping, astronomy, sailing and landscaping.

John’s wife of 39 years, Patricia Trow Rushby, and his two children survive him. His daughter, Kristine Marie Rushby, 31, of Philadelphia, Pa., is a fourth-year dental student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. His son, John Joseph Rushby, 25, of Mechanicville, is transportation supervisor at SYSCO Food Services in Albany. John was most proud of them.

He is also survived by his 90-year-old mother, Mollie, his brother, Walter Rushby Jr., his sisters, Ruth Rushby and Judy McLaughlin all of Port Henry, and his brother William Rushby of Virginia. Many nieces and nephews survive him as well.

Calling hours will be from 3 to 4 p.m. at Harland Funeral Home on South Main Street in Port Henry, N.Y. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 12866.

Daniel J. Slattery

MORIAH — Daniel J. Slattery, 60, of Center Road, Moriah, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2005 at his residence. Dan was a devout Catholic and parishioner of All Saints Parish in Mineville, N.Y.

Born June 1, 1945, he was the son of Rollin Thomas Slattery, I, and Rosemond (Rondeau) Slattery.

Dan was a lifelong resident of the Town of Moriah. He was a graduate of Port Henry High School. During his high-school years, he was an outstanding athlete and had a passion for music and singing. His accomplishments include all-state chorus, yearbook staff, baseball, basketball, football, track, varsity club and Boy Scout leader.

Dan was also a member of the Knight’s of Columbus where he received honors of the 4th Degree on Sept. 28, 1969, in Ticonderoga, N.Y. He was an employee of the former D and H Railroad and CP Rail for approximately 30 years.

Dan’s whole life centered around his family. He loved hiking the High Peaks with his children and relatives, fishing, hunting and long sunny days at Lincoln Pond with his family. But most importantly, Dan will be remembered for his boundless generosity, kindness, laughter and for being the most wonderful father.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Jane (Trybendis) Slattery; his children, Rebecca (Euell) Slattery, Daniel, Mary and baby Rowen Slattery, Eric, Karen, Little Eric, Jacob and Sarah Slattery, Joseph, Gayle, Joie and Lillian Slattery, Maria Slattery, Elizabeth Slattery and fiancé Dylan Celotti, John, Andrew and Justin Slattery, and six grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Thomas and Linda Slattery, Judy and Gene Carotta, Aileen Slattery, Michael and Joan Slattery, Patricia Tromblee and Jim and Judy Slattery, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Church of All Saints in Mineville, N.Y. Burial will be in St. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Mineville. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Ralph J. Pombrio

PLATTSBURGH — Mr. Ralph J. Pombrio, 95, was called home to the Lord July 3, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He is survived by a son, Royce Pombrio and his wife, Marjorie (Coon) Pombrio of Mooers and Crystal River, Fla., and a daughter, Rowanda Tucker of Long Beach, Calif.; six grandchildren, Angela Petersen of Springfield, Mo., Brian Rusaw of Mission Viejo, Calif., Steven Rusaw of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Wendy (Pombrio) Mann of Crystal River, Fla., Toby Pombrio of Fort Meyers, Fla. and Lt. Jody Mark Pombrio of the U.S. Air Force and 14 great grandchildren.

His wife, Rena (Vassar) Pombrio, preceded him in death on June 30, 1997. Two brothers and a sister and their spouses also predeceased him Ruth (Pombrio) and her spouse, William Corbeil; Wilmer Pombrio and his spouse, Ruth (Monnette); Ella Pombrio and her spouse, Maynard Trombley, and his youngest brother, Leon E. Pombrio.

Also, a foster daughter, Marie Fleury, is deceased.

Mr. Pombrio was born on Sept. 16, 1909, the son of Edward and Margaret (Dowd) in Chazy. He was a graduate of Chazy Central School in 1928. He later went on to further his education and graduated from the Normal School in Plattsburgh with a Permanent Teacher’s Certificate.

While attending school in Plattsburgh, he worked at Jacque’s Drug Store where he received a Pharmacy Certificate from the State of New York.

Mr. Pombrio felt his true calling was to teach. In 1935, he received a Bachelor’s Degree and an Elementary Principal’s Certificate from Albany State Teacher’s College. His education was nearly complete in 1939 when he completed his Master’s Degree from St. Lawrence University. Throughout his college education, Mr. Pombrio focused on the Central School System. A prideful moment in his early life was when, while studying under Dr. Cyr, he was personally introduced to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mr. J.C. Penney.

Mr. Pombrio was an active member of the Northeastern Zone Teacher’s Association and held the office of Treasurer and Secretary. He also served as the president of the New York State Central School Principal’s Association.

In 1931, he became principal of the Altona Central School and held that position for 30 years. In 1961, he returned to his alma mater, the Chazy Central Rural School where he served as principal until retiring in 1966. Unable to leave his passion of teaching and serving young people, he remained with the Chazy Central Rural School as the business manager under the new principal, William Proulx.

Mr. Pombrio helped bring about many changes to the various school systems in which he served. While in Altona, he worked with the Board of Education to facilitate the completion of two new buildings. He also worked with the State Education Department on the advancement of the school from an elementary school to a full high school and personally officiated over the very first graduating class in 1939. Mr. Pombrio was also very instrumental in the decision to move the Chazy school system forward. As the school administrator in Chazy, he conducted a thorough study of the operating costs and presented them to the Board of Education. As a result of Mr. Pombrio’s intensive study, the Board formed the opinion that the Chazy area needed a new school building.

Later, Mr. Pombrio was appointed by the New York State Education Department to the Salmon River Central School, where he served as a financial consultant. He helped them to make many important changes. He also served as the chairman of the Northeastern Zone Friendly Services Committee of the New York State Retirement System. When he left the North Country in search of warmer climates, the state chairman of the Florida State Retirement System requested he organize a committee in Florida, which he did. Florida now has two units functioning, with one being affiliated with the New York State organization.

He is a Life Honorary Member of the National Education Association of the School District Administrators and the New York State Retired Teacher’s. He is also a member of the Altona Central School Alumni Association and the Chazy Central Rural School Alumni Association. He was also an Honorary Member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Council 06954 and an original member of the NCPSSM, as well as a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mooers Forks.

The people of the North Country will definitely feel the loss of a friend and dedicated educator. He will be missed.

His viewing will be at Brown’s Funeral Home in Altona on Wednesday, July 6, and Thursday, July 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be held Friday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at the Holy Angel’s Catholic Church in Altona with burial to follow at St. Louis de France Cemetery in Sciota.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Altona Alumni Scholarship Fund or the Mooers Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 515, Mooers, N.Y., 12958.

The Msgr. Gilbert Knights of Columbus Council, 3rd Degree will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

Eugene F. Engert

JAY — Eugene F. Engert, 76, died Thursday, June 30, 2005, at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.

He was born in Brooklyn on Nov. 7, 1928, the son of Theodore A. and Veronica M. Ankner Engert.

He worked as a ironworker and belonged to the local 580 in New York City. He was a member of the American Legion Post 504 of AuSable Forks and a member of the Tahawus Lodge 0790 of AuSable Forks. He also was a committeeman for the Town of Jay Republican Committee — and an avid hunter.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Holzbaur Engert; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Tom Conroy and Karen and Bernie Sprague, all of Wantagh, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Colleen and Katelyn Conroy of Wantagh.

Memorials donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be Tuesday July 5, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in AuSable Forks.