Published: 7/18/05

PLATTSBURGH — Elizabeth R. Mitchell, 85, formerly of Plattsburgh, died at Horace Nye Home in Elizabethtown on Tuesday, July 12, 2005, surrounded by her family.

She was born in New Haven, Vt., on Nov. 9, 1919, the daughter of William and Lottie (McCauley) Nimblett. She retired from her career as a waitress in California and moved back to Plattsburgh to be closer to her family.

She is survived by four sons, James of Waveland, Miss., Paul and wife, Marie, of Plattsburgh, Robert and wife, Jane, of Jericho, Vt., Dan of Port Henry; and three daughters, Pat and Don Sprague of Mineville, Mary Jane Marcil of Moriah, Sue and Tom Shpur of Witherbee; 28 grandchildren, 39 greatgrandchildren, and one great-great-grandson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sons Phil in 2004 and Gerald in 1972, her brother Kenneth Nimblett, her sister Marion Longey, and her son-in-law Tom Marcil.

Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, gardening, crocheting and shopping those sales racks.

There will be a service at the Weybridge Cemetery in Vermont on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at 10 a.m.

Plattsburgh — Mrs. Helen E. Stefaniak, 89, formerly of 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, 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, Eugene Rivers of Crescent, Calif., and Guy Rivers of Las Vegas; one sister, June Brous and her husband, Bill, of New Hampshire; 18 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Monday, July 18th, 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.

CADYVILLE — Mr. Francis J. "Bud" Shanley, 67, of Rabideau Street, Cadyville, died Saturday, July 16, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

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

Bud served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Marias, touring the Middle East and Mediterranean. A state employee for more than 34 years, Bud worked at the Central Islip State Hospital and a state-run facility for the developmentally challenged before coming to the North Country.

He retired from Clinton Correctional Facility as head cook after 20 years of service. After retiring, he worked part-time at the Grand Union and later at the Auxiliary of CVPH’s Coffee Shop. Bud made friends everywhere he went. He was quick with a smile and loved a good joke.

Bud enjoyed watching golf, being outdoors and socializing at the Homestead Restaurant. He loved spending time with his family and friends and enjoyed telling stories of days gone by.

For the past eight years, his life revolved around his beloved granddaughter, Maggie. He was "her buddy" and she was the light of his life. Their bond was a special one.

Bud was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Margaret Shanley; his brothers Kevin Shanley, Jacky Shanley and a sister, Eileen Darrah. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Hilda (Macpherson) Shanley, of Cadyville; his children Christine Blake and her husband, Donald, of Morrisonville, Thomas Shanley and his companion, Kerie Wood, of Plattsburgh; a brother, Kenneth Shanley, and his wife, Caron, of Port Charlotte, Fla.; two grandchildren, Maggie and Libby Blake; his sisters-in-law Diane Macpherson of Spring Valley, N.Y., Josette Shanley of Central Islip, Long Island; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be today, July 18, 2005, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Park Row, Cadyville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday from St. James Church in Cadyville. Following cremation, burial will be in St. James Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to the Knights of Columbus Council #255 for the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center Chemo Chair Fund.

Here’s to you, Bud, we’ll miss you.

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

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 Masters 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 everyday 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 19th 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 20th, at St. Edmund’s Church in Ellenburg, N.Y., with 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.

AGNES G. LaBRAKE, 85, of 615 Wagner Road, Brushton, died Sunday at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone.

Born in St. Regis Falls on Feb. 28, 1920, she was the daughter of the late William and Mabel Sawyer Gokey.

There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John Bosco Cemetery in Malone.

KURT F. FLEURY, 46, of 64 Porter Road, Malone, died Saturday, July 16, 2005, at his home.

Born in Malone on Aug. 14, 1958, he was the son of Leon and Theresa Johnson Fleury.

Calling hours will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Church in Malone. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Lake Titus Road in Malone.

GERALDINE A. BAKER, 82, of Glen Drive, Plattsburgh, died July 9, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. She was born in Beekmantown on Aug. 4, 1922, daughter of the late Henry and Edith (Gebo) LaVarnway.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Brown Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.