Obituaries: 10/19/05

James Cecil Wright

July 26, 1926-Oct. 16, 2005

CADYVILLE -- Dad (Uncle Jimbo) left this life bound for a better place on Oct. 16, 2005.

A spiritual man who found church any where he was, in the yard, in the fields or in his truck, "God is everywhere" there are no boundaries to God's existence, Dad taught us that.

Dad worked in Saranac, N.Y., for Ryan's Agway and Dannemora Ford, where he was recognized in the area for ranking fifth in the state as a mechanic. He also worked on many farms in the area including Duquettes, Castines and O'Connells.

"Go'in Ta Romis" was a favorite expression around our house.

Dad also loved to work with wood. He made clocks and all sorts of toys for grand babies and kids he knew.

Talking to my cousin, he said, he couldn't remember dad ever having days when he was cross, not very often, soft spoken and gentle was the norm. We will miss his quiet way.

Dad married Mona-Faye White on Aug. 23, 1951. Between them they had six children who survive them. Lana (Armondo Rodriguez) of Cadyville, N.Y., Debi (Jimmy LeFevre) of LaVerkin, Utah, Kim Wright of Hurricane, Utah, David Wright of Cadyville, N.Y., Dana Wright of Plattsburgh, N.Y.., and Bill White of Schenectady, N.Y.; several grandchildren: great-grandchildren; great-nieces and nephews. Dad is survived also by one sister, Gen Bull from Cadyville, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Florence Wright of Saranac, N.Y.; and brother-in-law and wife, Robert and Kate White.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Mable Wright; sisters, Edith (Forest) Bull, Grace (Fred) Tallman, Mary (Ray) Cody and Bertha Wright; brothers, Will (Lydia) Wright, Charlie (Helen) Wright and Francis Wright; brother-in-law, Myron Bull; and long time companion Olleen Nazario.

Dad was an extraordinary man with a zest for life and a never ending heart that brought him through the best and worst of times. He will be remembered as a man who wouldn't quit and we will love and miss him every day of our lives till we meet again for coffee and ....

Many, many thanks to all the staff at Cedar Hedge Nursing Home for taking care of our special guy on the shores of Lake Champlain, Dad's favorite spot. Daddy - we love you!

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

Donald Robert Velie Sr.

SARANAC -- Donald Robert Velie Sr., ended his fight Oct. 18, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center.

He was born May 4, 1949, to the late Jessica J. Velie.

He lived in the home he and his wife built with love on the Strackville Road in Saranac. He married the love of his life, Marilyn T. (Plumadore) Velie on June 10, 1967, at the Assumption of Mary Church in Redford, N.Y.

He was a builder by his very nature, pouring his heart into countless projects. He built many homes in the area, was superintendent of Concord Development and operated his own contracting business until his retirement when he was able to expand on his accomplishments as a woodworker. He also enjoyed computers, photography and being outdoors, but most of all he loved being with his family. His proudest achievements were the values and sense of togetherness he instilled in his family.

He is fondly remembered and missed by his loving wife, Marilyn of 38 years; three sons and daughter-in-laws, Donald Jr. and Michele, Robert and Kara and David and Christina, all of Saranac. He has seven grandchildren, Kristin, Austin J., Austin D., Dylan, Brandon, Kaelie, Robert; and one unborn grandson. He is also remembered and missed by his brother, Lawrence and his wife Judy Velie of Peru; a very close friend (like a brother) Rand and Pat Tellstone of Glens Falls; his brothers and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his mother, Jessica Jane Velie; his father-in-law, Henry J. Pluamdore; and very special friends, Victor and June Tellstone. He will be remembered and live forever, by the works of his hands and the wealth of feelings from his heart.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A prayer service will be held during calling hours at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Philip Allen, pastor of the Holy Name Church, AuSable Forks, and St. Matthew's Church, Black Brook, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to his family.

Douglas C. Robarge

KEESEVILLE -- Douglas C. Robarge, 50, of AuSable Street, Keeseville, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh, Feb. 11, 1955, the son of William F. and Eva M. (Rock) Robarge.

Doug was a 1974 graduate of AuSable Valley Central School.

He worked for the Gerald B. Edwards Training Center in Keeseville for several years and was a member of the Keeseville Town Board for more than 20 years. Also, Doug and his brother Gene together owned and operated Riani's Market for several years until its close in 1988.

He enjoyed painting, canoeing and fishing.

Survivors include his three daughters, Whitney Robarge of Plattsburgh and Sara and Kael Robarge, both of Keeseville; his mother, Eva Robarge of Plattsburgh; his former wife, Beth Winter of Keeseville; two brothers and one sister-in-law, William Alan "Al" and Kathy Robarge of East Northport, Long Island and Gene Robarge of Keeseville; one nephew, Bryan Robarge and one niece, Emily Robarge, both of East Northport, Long Island.

He was predeceased by his father, Oct. 31, 1988.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. John's Church in Keeseville with the Rev. William G. Reamer, CVPH chaplain, celebrating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Evergreen Cemetery Association, the Keeseville Village Beautification Project or the Keeseville Fire Department.

Ralph W. Simpson Sr.

PLATTSBURGH -- Ralph W. Simpson Sr., 84, of Peru Street, Plattsburgh, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh on Nov. 25, 1920, son of the late Joseph L. and Grace (Brasted) Simpson.

Ralph had been employed by the D&H Railroad for 41 years, retiring in 1979.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.

Ralph was a member and past commander of American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125 in Plattsburgh, a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Plattsburgh.

Ralph is survived by eight children, Pennie and Dick LaBarge of Maryland, Linda Jesse of Connecticut, Bruce Simpson of New York City, Nancy Whisten and her companion Tony Glasco of New Jersey, Jill and Jim Moore of Morrisonville, Robyn and Leon King of Beekmantown, Michael Simpson of Plattsburgh and Laurie and Bob Rossi of Rhode Island; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Ralph was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Evelyn Stephens Simpson; his son, Ralph William Simpson Jr.; and a son-in-law, Paul Jesse.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. from Brown Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Sorensen, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in Ralph's memory may be made to a charity of choice.

Mary L. D'Gregory

PLATTSBURGH -- Mary L. D'Gregory, 93, of Bay Road, Cumberland Head, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, at the Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility.

She was born in Chazy on Nov. 17, 1911, the daughter of Joseph and Lottie (Donah) White.

Mrs. D'Gregory graduated from Chazy Central School in 1930 and from the last nursing class of the Physicians Hospital in 1934. She worked as a registered nurse at the Physicians Hospital until 1950. In 1954, Mary worked at Beekmantown Central School as clerk and treasurer until retiring in 1974. Mrs. D'Gregory was a member of St. Mary's of the Lake, where she had been the organist since it was built in 1966. She retired in 1992.

She was predeceased by her husband, Carmin D'Gregory, who died in 1971.

Mrs. D'Gregory will be missed by her many close friends and loved ones.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary's of the Lake in Cumberland Head. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to North Country Association for the Visually Impaired or Hospice of the North Country.

Marilyn Soulier

BURLINGTON, CONN. -- Marilyn (Chase) Soulier, RN, 65, of Burlington, Conn., beloved wife of the late Francis "Tiny" Soulier peacefully passed away, after a gallant battle with cancer on Oct. 14, 2005, at home surrounded by her family.

She was born on Aug. 11, 1940, in Bristol, daughter of the late John and Lorene (Maynard) Chase.

Marilyn was educated in the public schools in Bristol and went on to graduate at St. Mary's Nursing School in 1961.

She retired from John Dempsey, UCONN Medical Center in Farmington after 28 years as nursing supervisor. She spent most of her retired years traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and was able to see her Red Sox win the World Series in 2004.

Her hobbies included genealogy, her boys, Blue, Rascal and AJ, summers on Fern Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and watching her loons on the lake.

She is survived by her three beloved children, Jacqueline and her husband Richard Pryor of Gloucester, Va., Deborah and her husband David Powers of Burlington and Michael and his wife Jeannette of Burlington; eight cherished grandchildren, Jeffrey, Gabrielle, Christopher, Tabitha, Timothy, Amanda, Ashley and Hali; three sisters, Susan Urban and her husband Peter of Terryville, Eileen Neimann and husband Clifford of Ellington and Sharon Testa and her husband Gary of Bristol; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Route 4, Unionville, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Thursday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. followed by the funeral liturgy in The Church of Saint Patrick, Collinsville at 10 a.m.

Calling hours will be Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Zaumetzer-Sprauge Funeral in AuSable Forks with funeral services at 11 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church in AuSable Forks, with burial in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, 719 George Washington Turnpike, Burlington Conn. 06013 or The Greater Bristol VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 2628, 195 Maltby St., Bristol, CT 06101.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.