10/24/2005

Obituaries: 10/24/05

Lewis James Staats

LAKE PLACID -- Lewis James Staats, 62, of John Brown Road, Lake Placid, after a brief illness, passed away peacefully with his family on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, at his home.

He was born in Phillipsburg, N.J., on Nov. 2, 1942, the son of Frank D. and Mildred Staats.

On Sept. 7, 1963, he married Lorraine Titus from Paul Smiths at St. Regis Presbyterian Church in Paul Smiths.

In addition to his wife, Lorraine, he is survived by one brother, Frank Staats and his wife, Alice, of Oxford, N.J.; one uncle, Harold Staats, of Oxford, N.J.; two daughters, Lori Ann and her husband, Eugene "Butch" Martin of Lake Placid, and Lisa Jane Bimonte of Lake Placid; one son, James Dayton and his wife, Lori Abbott Staats of Lake Placid; two granddaughters, Lorissa Martin and Elizabeth Bimonte, both of Lake Placid, plus three nephews and several cousins.

Lew was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He gained much gratification by spending many endless hours out in the woods enjoying our Adirondack seasons.

He attended Paul Smiths College, graduating in 1962 with an associate's degree in applied sciences forestry. In 1986, he obtained a bachelor of sciences in forest management from SUNY Empire State College. In 1992, he obtained his master's degree in forest resource management from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse.

He was employed by Cornell University as an Extension associate and research specialist manager at the Uihlein Sugar Maple Field Station in Lake Placid from 1965 to 2001. After retiring from Cornell University, he continued his work in the field of forestry and maple production as an adjunct professor at Paul Smiths College.

Lew obtained many professional awards in the field of maple production, including the Charles R. Hubbell Memorial Award in 1993 "for service to the New York maple industry." He also was inducted into the American Maple Museum Hall of Fame in 1997 in Croghan, N.Y.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005, at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. The Rev. Ray Bronk, rector of St. Eustace Episcopal Church, will officiate the funeral service on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid.

The family is asking for donations in Lew's memory to be made to Cornell University for the ongoing research at the Lake Placid Maple Field Station, c/o Brian Chabot, Corson Hall, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853; to High Peaks Hospice, P.O. Box 840, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983-0840; or Adirondack Community Trust for the Lewis J. Staats Endowment-Scholarship Fund, 2038 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid, N.Y. 12946.

Deaths: 10/24/05

VERA GRACE JOHNSTON, 97, of Burke, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, at Alice Hyde Nursing Home, Malone.

There are no calling hours. Family and friends may attend a graveside service to be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the North Burke Cemetery. Arrangements by the Spaulding Funeral Home of Malone.

MARY JANE BARCOMB, 92, formerly of Mooers Forks, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, at Williamstown Commons Nursing Home in Williamstown, Mass. Arrangements were incomplete Sunday evening at E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Mooers.

BRIAN H. TROMBLEY, 40, of Route 9, Plattsburgh, and formerly of Route 9, Keeseville, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, at his home. He was born in Plattsburgh on Aug. 11, 1965, the son of Herman Trombley of Plattsburgh and Gloria (Mitchell) Lenendecker of Arizona.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.

MARION I. SANTAMORE, 96, of Town Line Road, Malone, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, at Franklin County Nursing Home in Malone.

Born in Nashua, N.H., June 11, 1909, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lottie (Pudvah) Goodchild.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Notre Dame Church in Malone. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Theresa M. Almond, 67, of 2376 Chateaugay St., Fort Covington, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005.

Born in Fort Covington on Nov. 24, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Joseph P. and Hazel (Martin) Lauzon.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Cappiello-McKenzie and Cosgrove Funeral Home in Fort Covington. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Church in Fort Covington. Burial will be in the new St. Mary's Cemetery in Fort Covington.