Published: 7/28/05

PLATTSBURGH — Veronica (Ronnie) E. Hamel, 72, of Plattsburgh, passed away at the CVPH Medical Center on July 26, 2005, with her family by her side. Ronnie was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend and nurse and will be missed greatly.

She was born in Riverview, N.Y., on Nov. 2, 1932, the daughter of Frank and Alvina Mary (Hainault) Hamel.

Ronnie graduated from Sallaz Academy in Redford, and went on to St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Yonkers, N.Y., she was a nurse par excellence! She worked as a nurse at Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, followed by Plattsburgh Air Force Base Hospital for many years and retired in 1995. After her retirement Ronnie was a Lay Minister at CVPH Medical Center bringing the Eucharist and ministering to the sick.

Ronnie was a gifted musician who enjoyed playing the piano, guitar, violin, accordion and harmonica. She was an avid traveler and traveled extensively around the United States, Europe, Asia, Central and North America. Most of all Ronnie loved God, her Catholic faith, family, friends and being a nurse. Ronnie was devoted to the care of her mother, during her declining years until her mother's passing. Ronnie was a daily communicant and made a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration for many years until her final illness. She befriended, cared for and consoled countless people during her lifetime. She was loving, warm, kind hearted, always had an open door, a pot of coffee, a great listening ear, and stimulating conversation awaiting all who called upon her. Ronnie had a zest for life and love of people. Throughout her life she was greatly loved and a blessing to so many!

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Alvina Mary Hamel; her sisters, Gail Hamel, Carol Siskavich and Bertha Bennett; her brothers, Francis Hamel, Roger Hamel and Leo Hamel.

She is survived by two sisters, Madelyn L'Heureux of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Joyce Williams and her husband Ed of Philadelphia, Pa.; a brother, Galen Hamel of Delmar, N.Y.; her niece and grandniece, Linda and Mary Beth Bracy who cared for her for several years; and several other nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews. She also is survived by numerous godchildren.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the O'Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, from the Church of the Assumption in Redford. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Center or American Cancer Society.

CHAMPLAIN — Joseph Wilfred Grimshaw, 70, of Route 11, Champlain, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 26, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh, on March 16, 1935, the son of Joseph Odell Grimshaw and Lillian (Coates) Grimshaw.

Joseph graduated from Champlain High School in 1953. He later went on to work for the Champlain Telephone Company for 42 years, until his retirement in 1997. Upon his retirement, he worked as a satellite TV repairman for many years. As an avid bluegrass music fan, Joseph attended many festivals across the region for a number of years. In his travels, he made many lifelong friends and acquaintances.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Romona (Boulriss) Grimshaw; two sons, Charles and his wife Linda of Cadyville and Joseph of Champlain; two grandchildren, Jordan Taylor and Carly Joy Grimshaw; one sister, Ruth Strack and her husband Phillip of Englewood, Ohio; three brothers, Paul and his wife Bernice of Champlain, Charles and his wife Arlene and Kenneth and his wife Marjorie both of Elijay, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a brother, Emerson of Champlain.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain.

Burial will follow Saturday, at 11 a.m. at the Glenwood Cemetery in Champlain.

PLATTSBURGH — Julie Ann Smith, 45, passed away on July 26, 2005, at her mother’s home in Plattsburgh with all her loving family present.

She was born in Canton, N.Y., Jan. 29, 1960, and is survived by her mother, Nancy McNally and her husband Robert; and her father, Sidney Smith and his wife Joanne; sisters, Cindy Smith of Livingston, N.J., Donna Conard of Vero Beach, Fla., JoAnn Smith of Quincy, Mass.; along with her brothers, Steven Smith and his wife Susan of Waterford, Conn., and William Smith and his wife Tami of Plattsburgh. Julie is also survived by three nieces, Brooke Rose of Plattsburgh, Hayden and Anna Smith of Waterford, Conn., of whom, Anna is her godchild. She also has a nephew, Ryan Conard of Vero Beach, Fla., and a great-niece, Melanie Lincoln of Plattsburgh.

She was predeceased by her grandparents, William and Cecelia Smith and Charles and Valeda Barber, all from Plattsburgh.

Julie graduated from Plattsburgh High School as a four year honor student in 1978 and was selected by Who's Who among American High School students. She graduated with honors from the University of the State of New York at Canton in 1981 in the field of nursing. Her career consisted of 24 years as an RN caring for others in the field of geriatrics, disabled and rehabilitative nursing. She worked at Hallmark Nursing Center in Schenectady, N.Y., Glendale Nursing Home of Schenectady County, Scotia, N.Y., Meadowbrook Nursing Home, Plattsburgh, N.Y., The Waters of Syracuse/Hill Park Health Care Center, Syracuse, N.Y., and Loretto Utica Center, Utica, N.Y.

Julie enjoyed traveling, garage sales, painting, crafts and going to the casino with her friends. She was an avid cat lover and New England Patriots fan. She was known for her great sense of dry humor, dedicated work ethics and golden heart.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the North Country, 43 Durkee St., Suite 200, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 in memory of her.

Calling hours will be held at R.W. Walker’s Funeral Home in Plattsburgh from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, followed by internment in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

ANDREW H. ROCK, 54, of Poplar Street, Constable, N.Y., died unexpectedly, Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Born in Malone, N.Y., July 24, 1951, he was the son of Howard and Wanda Dumas Rock.

There are no calling hours.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday in the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home chapel, with Monsignor Dennis Duprey officiating.

DAVID E. LEWIS, 63, of Charlotte, N.C., and formerly of Schuyler Falls, N.Y., died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 23, 2005, at his residence in North Carolina.

He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Aug. 21, 1941, the son of Edward and Olive (Bradley) Lewis.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time with the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

KEITH V. LIKHITE, 43, of Rugar Street, Plattsburgh, died unexpectedly on Sunday, July 24, 2005 in Albuquerque, N.M.

He was born on Aug. 13, 1961, in Illinois, the son of Dr. Vinay and Dr. Fern Likhite.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time with the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.