Published: 7/17/05

Keene — Susan Hun McAllen Turner died Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, N.Y. Born Feb. 11, 1936, in Princeton, N.J., Susan was the daughter of the late Robert Gordon McCallen and Elizabeth Hun.

She was a graduate of Miss Fine’s School in Princeton, N.J., (1953) and Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., (1957).

Susan was a business owner from 1976 to 2001 when, along with her husband and three partners, she purchased and operated the Keene Valley Hardware in Keene Valley, N.Y.

Susan was actively involved in the sport of bobsledding and distinguished herself with many achievements in the bobsled community. In 1975 she was qualified and presented with a license to drive bobsled from the half-mile at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. She was also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Hurricane Bobsled Club and in 1980 was chairman of the Olympic Bobsled Scoreboard. In 1983, Susan was first vice-president of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and was the first woman to become an internationally licensed FIBT jury member; additionally from 2000 to 2004, Susan was race secretary for all international bobsled and skeleton races held at Lake Placid, N.Y.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred H. Turner Jr., of Keene, N.Y.; two daughters, Katherine Casler and her husband Kevin of Wilmington, N.Y., and Eleanor O’Connell and her husband Daniel of South Portland, Maine; a stepson, Alfred H. Turner III of Albany, N.Y.; a sister, Gordon Baker of Grantham, N.Y.; as well as three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside memorial service to celebrate her life will he held at Norton Cemetery in Keene, N.Y., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Keene Volunteer Ambulance Squad or the National Audubon Society.

Deland, Fla. — Donald L. Pelkey, 83, of Deland, Fla., died on Tuesday, July 12, 2005. He was the son of Roy and Emily (Burdo) Pelkey and a lifelong resident of Plattsburgh until his retirement in 1983.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army in Company F of the 179th Infantry Division. He was the owner and general manager of WIRY Radio for many years. He was an avid golfer and sportsman and enjoyed wood crafting as a hobby.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie (Merrihew) Pelkey; a son, Gary Pelkey of Deland; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Thomas Guay of Morrisonville; a sister, Joyce Pelkey of Plattsburgh; a daughter-in-law, Evelyn Pelkey of Ormand Beach; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Donald Pelkey Jr.; a daughter, Karen Meigs; and a sister, Leila Prenoveau.

There will be no calling hours. Funeral services were held in Deland.

Interment will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh at the convenience of the family.

Rouses Point — Ira Allen Hunter, 71, of Rouses Point, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born May 8, 1934, in Rouses Point, the son of the late Ira Allen Hunter Jr. and Ethel Ewart.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 until 1958. Allen was a member of the Masons and the Rouses Point Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing and the outdoors. He was a main contributor in organizing youth hockey in Rouses Point and very instrumental in getting the Rouses Point Civic Center. He coached youth hockey for 14 years, first with the Rouses Point Raiders and later with the North Country Youth Hockey Association.

Allen is survived by his wife Nancy of Rouses Point; two sons, Rick Hunter and his wife Kathy of Rouses Point and Charles Hunter and his wife Sarah of Champlain; one daughter, Marne Lynne Robinson and her husband Seth of Navarre, Fla.; six grandchildren, C.J., Carrie, McKenna, Dalton, Sydney and Cole. He is also survived by sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and several cousins.

Calling hours will be Monday, July 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point. A funeral service will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point. Burial will follow at the Bush Cemetery in Alburg, Vt.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Adirondack Humane Society.

Ellenburg Depot — Norman V. Kavanaugh, 76, of Ellenburg Depot, N.Y., died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 12.

He was born in Cohoes, N.Y., on July 3, 1929, the son of Norman and Madeline Kavanaugh. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant. He was the recipient of the Air Medal. In 1958, he graduated with an A.B. degree from the State University at Albany. He subsequently earned a master’s degree and certificate of advanced study in educational administration. He taught for 10 years at Guilderland Central High School. In 1969 he became District Principal of Ellenburg Central School. In 1970, he became High School Principal of the merged school district — Northern Adirondack Central — a position he held for 30 years until his retirement in the year 2000. He organized the first high school Key Club in Northern New York and served as its advisor for 30 years.

He is survived by two sons, Michael Kavanaugh and his wife Gwen of Ellenburg Depot and David Kavanaugh and Karessa McCartney of San Francisco, Calif.; his brother Paul and his wife Zoe of Eastampton, N.J.; grandchildren Katherine and Ryan Kavanaugh; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in 1987; his parents; his brother John; and sister-in-law Helen.

Norman is also survived by a large family of friends who remember him as the consummate gentleman. As a principal and a man, Norman served as a mentor to his family, his students and the entire community, modeling the values, ideals and goals that distinguish an exceptional life. He was always kindhearted, unassuming, soft-spoken and impeccably attired. He was a deeply religious man, but he did not force his beliefs on others. Norm could never speak ill of anyone and would give anything to anyone. He was embarrassed by praise or the limelight and generously gave the accolades and credit to others. He showered his friends with attention and had time for anyone in need. He volunteered countless hours for others but would be the last person to mention the sacrifices he made. He was always happy to see you and made everyone around him feel welcome and important.

In addition to his family and friends, Norman loved many things in life. He loved his large collection of plants and flowers and in recent years, he cultivated a wide range of orchids — a collection he was extremely proud of. He loved to play tennis and handball with his friends and welcomed their best game even though it was nearly always better than his. He loved to play with his grandchildren who referred to him as "Pop" — he was their best friend and playmate. He loved to travel — frequently visiting his son David in San Francisco. He loved New York City and always managed to see a Broadway show when he was there. He loved Montreal, spending countless hours there and he had recently joined a walking group that toured the many interesting sections of the city that he enjoyed so much. He believed in staying healthy through exercise and he walked nearly every day and on most did a rigorous weight routine. He loved to read and was always surrounded by books, magazines and newspapers. He loved to cook and would amaze his family and guests with spectacular, memorable meals and hospitality.

Norman was a man of elegance and class. He was thoughtful, generous, caring, loyal and dedicated. He lived every day to its fullest and faced the challenges of life with grace and dignity. He will be missed for his compassion, his selflessness, his energy and his ready laugh. Very few people realize the universal respect that Norman was accorded. He was a rare and special man and we were all blessed to have known him.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 19 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the O’Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home on Court Street in Plattsburgh. A Mass of’ Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, at St. Edmund’s Church in Ellenburg, N.Y., with the Rev. John Looby officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. Edmund’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Norman V. Kavanaugh Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o John Coughenour, Principal, Northern Adirondack High School, P.O. Box 164, Ellenburg Depot, NY 12935.

Plattsburgh — Mrs. Helen E. Stefaniak, 89, formerly of the Brown Road, Plattsburgh, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2005, at the Evergreen Valley Nursing Home with her family by her side. She was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on April 4, 1916, the daughter of Frank and Marjorie (Read) Rivers.

Helen enjoyed playing bingo while a resident at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Treadwells Mills.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Marjorie Rivers; her husband, Frank Stefaniak; a son, Robert Stefaniak; her brothers, Lyman and Harry Rivers; her sisters, Florence Munn and her twin sisters Verna and Vera Rivers.

Helen is survived by her sons, Douglas Stefaniak of Plattsburgh and George Stefaniak and his companion Linda Thorpe; her daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Beverly) Martineau, Mrs. Helen Martineau and Mrs. Marjorie Martineau, all of Plattsburgh; her brothers; LeRoy Rivers and his wife Marie of Schenectady, N.Y., Eugene Rivers of Crescent, Calif., and Guy Rivers of Las Vegas; 18 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Monday, July 18, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Church, Treadwells Mills.

Interment will follow in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to the American Cancer Society or St. Joseph’s Church.

PLATTSBURGH — Walter W. Ubl Sr., 87, formerly of 79 Boynton Ave., died Thursday, July 14, 2005, at the Veterans Medical Center in Albany, N.Y. He was born in New York City on Nov. 14, 1917, the son of Walter and Mary (Krass) Ubl.

Mr. Ubl married Charlotte F. Fifield in Plattsburgh on Feb. 25, 1941. They were married for over 58 years. Charlotte died on Sept. 29, 1999.

Walter came to Plattsburgh in 1936 when he joined the 1st Infantry Division, 26th Infantry, U.S. Army. He served during World War II and was wounded in North Africa. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He worked for Dock & Coal Co. in Plattsburgh. He then became a plumbing and heating contractor in Plattsburgh for over 30 years; he was owner and operator of Ubl & Sons Plumbing and Heating, formerly Ubl & Adams, until 1973, when his son, Leslie Ubl, took over the business. Leslie died on May 22, 2004.

After retirement, Walter and his wife divided each year between Plattsburgh and West Palm Beach, Fla. He loved to play golf in Florida and continued until 2001.

He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125 and a former member of American Legion Post 20 and Elks Lodge 621.

Survivors include two sons, Walter W. Ubl Jr., of New York City and Alan Ubl of East Palm Beach, Fla.; one sister, Edna Forcolla of Utica, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Francis J. "Bud" Shanley, 67, of Rabideau Street, Cadyville, died Saturday, July 16, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Bay Shore, Long Island, on Jan. 6, 1938, the son of Thomas and Margaret (Fleming) Shanley.

Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Park Row, Cadyville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday at a time to be announced from St. James Church, Cadyville.

Following cremation, interment will be at St. James Cemetery.