Obituaries: 09/30/05

Wayne Thomas Bowers

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Wayne Thomas Bowers was introduced to the world Oct. 20, 1938, by his parents, Marion Audrey (House) Bowers (July 2005) and Clarence Thomas Bowers, (1967) in Port Henry, N.Y. Wayne joined his four sisters, Elaine Popp, (Anthony, September 1969), Devona Midge' Davis, (September 2004), (Earl April 1988), Bernice Towne, (James July 2000, nephew David January 1981) and Alice Williams, (Eugene February 1989).

After Wayne graduated from Port Henry High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force, becoming an air traffic controller. In 1958, he was stationed in Turkey at the end of the Korean conflict. In 1959, he was sent to England were he met and married his wife of 39 years, Patricia Tracey Bowers, (Oct. 5, 1998).

Wayne and Patricia had two children, Jacqueline and Dale. Jacqueline married Steven Kearney in 1986. They have two children, Caitlyn and Christopher. The four reside in Rotterdam, N.Y. Dale was born Sept. 29, 1961, and died Oct. 5, 1961. He was seven days old.

Wayne was an air traffic controller, retiring in May 2005. In 1981 he, along with the rest of the country's controllers, were asked by then President Ronald Reagan to vacate our country's towers after being fired when PATCO went on strike. Wayne then gained employment through a company based in Canada, ICAO and was sent to Saudi Arabia to control planes and train new controllers. He was based in Saudi Arabia during the Desert Storm War and asked to stay on when all other civilians were being sent home, to assist in the ATC of our country's armed forces due to his knowledge of the region. While overseas, he was reinstated to the FAA. He returned to Albany Airport and retired from there. He then went back to Saudi Arabia and Oman, continuing to train new controllers.

While Wayne and Patricia were abroad, they traveled the world, seeing the sunrise on the great pyramids of Egypt, fished in the Red Sea, swam in the Aegean Sea, saw the windmills of Holland and visited family and friends many times in England and Ireland, but came home to grow up with their grandchildren. Wayne's passion for family was further evidenced by his enjoyment of family gatherings around the dining room table for cheers and good humor. His interest in American products when given the option is testament to his steadfast conviction of service to country and patriotism.

Wayne will be remembered by his sisters, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, friends and his family, not only for his warm smile and contagious laugh, his sense of humor, but for his heart that he wore proudly on his sleeve each day. Wayne's kindness and generosity touched every person he knew and will be treasured. His smile will be missed more than words can ever say -- "Cheers Dad."

Wayne passed away Sept. 27, 2005, surrounded by his family.

Wayne's family would like to thank the nurses on A-6 and the emergency room (Mary) at Ellis Hospital for the excellent care you gave both my father and my family.

We would like to thank Karen Horton from Hospice for her care and compassion. Working for Hospice takes special people.

Thank you to Dr. Pattison's staff for your support and time away.

There will be no calling hours. A burial service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Union Cemetery in Port Henry, N.Y., at 11 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Meyers Funeral Home, Delmar, N.Y.

Deaths:

WILMA M. KENNEDY, 87, formerly of Peru, died Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 at Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Bellmont, N.Y., on April 25, 1918, the daughter of William and Clara (Gardner) Santamore.

A graveside service will be held Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Peru, with Rev. Allen Schnob officiating.

Arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

MARY ALICE DUQUETTE died Monday, Sept. 26, 2005, at her residence in Midland, Texas.

She was born July 14, 1931, in Chateaugay, N.Y., the daughter of Arthur and Margery (Mills) Jones.

Calling hours will be held at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Monday from noon to 2 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. John Demo of St. Patrick's Church officiating. Burial will take place at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Chateaugay.