09/10/2005

Blanche A. Demarais

PLATTSBURGH -- Blanche A. Demarais, 89, formerly of Tioga Lane, Champlain Park, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, with her children by her side.

Blanche was predeceased by her husband, Robert W. Demarais Sr. and a son, Gregory Paul, who lovingly await her arrival.

Though some of you may not know Blanche personally, you've probably enjoyed her piano playing in several of the eating establishments she's played at in the Plattsburgh area.

Blanche loved to share her gift at the piano and for many years volunteered her services at many of the nursing homes and senior functions in the local area. There was nothing she enjoyed more than family and to bring joy to those around her through her music.

She will be deeply missed and always remembered with a song in our hearts.

Calling hours will be Sunday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. George W. Tobin officiating.

Interment will follow at St. Mary's of the Lake Cemetery, Cumberland Head.

Friends wishing may make donations to the Adirondack Humane Society.

Rita L. Johnpeer

KEESEVILLE -- Rita L. Johnpeer, 78, of the Highland Road, Keeseville, died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Burlington, Vt., June 28, 1927, the daughter of Houghton and Gladys (Fuller) Pray.

She was a graduate of Keeseville High School in 1944.

Rita worked in the cafeteria at AuSable Chasm for 21 years. She also, for many years up until the day she passed, was a babysitter for family and friends.

She was a member of the Peru Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 309. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews; and two special children she was currently caring for.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Elmer Johnpeer; brother, Bert Pray; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris and John Nolan and Theresa and Jim Dorr.

Calling hours will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru with the Rev. Sally White, pastor of the Keeseville and Harkness United Methodist Churches, officiating. Burial will follow in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center in Plattsburgh.

Deaths:

BARBARA JO GRATTON, 57, of 3594 State Route 37, Westville, N.Y., died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Hospital in Malone, where she had been admitted earlier.

Born in Malone, May 22, 1948, she was the daughter of Vila and Wilma (Smith) Hall.

There are no calling hours. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Centenary Methodist Church in Malone, with the Rev. Tom Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Westville.

Arrangements are through the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service, Inc. of Malone.

MARTHA A. LARAMEE, 82, of 184 Fort Covington St., Malone, N.Y., died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Nursing Home in Malone. She had been a resident there since 1999.

Born in Ellenburg, N.Y., Aug. 22, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Dennis and Clairsa (Beach) Malark.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 9 until 10:45 a.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Malone. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery on the Lake Titus Road in Malone.

RAYMOND W. BROUSSEAU, 82, of Tupper Lake, N.Y., died on Sept. 6, 2005, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1923, in Canaan, Vt., the son of Edward and Matilda (Elliott) Brousseau.

There will be no calling hours. A Masonic graveside service with full military honors will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Tupper Lake.

Arrangements are with the Richer Funeral Home.