Obituaries: 10/28/05

Edward "Sonny" Beauchemin

DANNEMORA -- Edward "Sonny" Beauchemin, 75, of Hammond Street, died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Dannemora on March 19, 1930, the son of Edward and Evelyn (Goddeau) Beauchemin.

Edward was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Amevets.

Mr. Beauchemin was a Naval veteran of the Korean War from July 1948 to July 1952.

He retired as a lieutenant in 1984 after 32 years with the State Department of Corrections at Clinton Correctional Facility.

Survivors include one son, James Beauchemin and his wife Carolyn of Altamont, N.Y.; his mother, Evelyn Beauchemin of Dannemora; one sister, Mrs. Michael (Marion) Ryan of Dannemora; and his beloved companion of 19 years, Jean Kerber of Dannemora; and several nephews.

Edward was predeceased by his wife, Patricia; and his father, Edward.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora.

Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dannemora Ambulance & Rescue Squad.

Mary Louise Welch

PLATTSBURGH -- Mary Louise Welch passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2005, surrounded by family, following a long illness. Louise (Manso) Welch was born on Aug. 10, 1923, in Mechanicville, N.Y. She was one of five children born of Spanish immigrants.

Louise was the loving wife of Thomas M. Welch for more than 59 years and the beloved mother of eight children. She is survived by five sons, Michael (Kathy) of Plattsburgh, Thomas (Tina) of Plattsburgh, Patrick (Ellen) of Rouses Point, James (Diane) of Plattsburgh and David (Tina Soloski) of Port Henry. She also is survived by three loving daughters, Mary McGee (Charles) of Plattsburgh, Ellen (Richard Johnson) of Plattsburgh and Anne (Walter McNally) also of Plattsburgh.

She was predeceased by her twin sister, Alicia Manso; and her brother, Arturo Manso. Louise was recently predeceased by her loving granddaughter, Jennifer Louise Welch. Jenn spent many hours visiting her grandmother during her illness.

She is survived by 10 grandchildren, Jeffery Welch (Patty) of Fairport, N.Y., Chad Welch (Jennifer) of Plattsburgh, Christopher Welch of Rouses Point, Chuck McGee (Marny) of Potsdam, N.Y., Sean McGee (Kristin) of Germantown, Md., Kate, Sara and Emmy Welch of Plattsburgh and Benjamin Welch of Port Henry.

Also survived by three great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Madeline McGee of Potsdam and Theodora Welch of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

She is further survived by two brothers, Benjamin Manso of Mechanicville, N.Y., and Charles Manso of Boca Raton, Fla.; and one sister-in-law, Frances Butler of Plattsburgh; and several nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Mechanicville High School and continued her education at Mildred Ellie Business College. She worked briefly before starting her family.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and loved playing games with her family. She was an avid Bingo player. When she became too ill to go out for Bingo, her family brought Bingo to her.

She was a member of St. John's Parish and the Catholic Daughters. She was very active for several years at the Plattsburgh Senior Citizens Club at Robert S. Long Apartments and served as secretary.

Calling hours will be private for the family.

A Mass of Christian burial for all will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005, at 10 a.m. from St. John's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, all memorial donations should be made to the Jennifer L. Welch Memorial Scholarship Fund at Adirondack Community Trust (ACT), 2038 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid, NY 12946.

Arrangements are with Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

John Robert Thompson

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE -- John Robert Thompson, 87, of Preble Street, formerly of Keeseville, N.Y., died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005, at the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough.

He was born in Schenectady, N.Y., on Feb. 10, 1918, a son of Thomas Henry and Winifred Mary Reed Thompson. He attended Keeseville, N.Y., schools and was a graduate of Keeseville Central School, Class of 1936. Mr. Thompson then attended Luscombe School of Aeronautics, Trenton, N.J., graduating in 1938.

During World War II, Mr. Thompson served in the U.S. Navy.

During his working career, Mr. Thompson worked as a welder and pipefitter, having worked on many projects in New York.

He will be remembered as being a very talented man -- one who enjoyed working with his hands. He built his own home in New York from trees cut from his property. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking.

Mr. Thompson was a 50-year member of the Masons and was also proud of being a Shriner. He volunteered a great deal of time to the Shrine, from driving children to the Shriner's Hospital in Montreal, to serving as a Shriner's clown for many years. Mr. Thompson will also be remembered as extending this same compassion to his friends and neighbors.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Raymond Roger Thompson and Richard "Mike" Thompson; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Anne Stretchberry.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Grace Clark Thompson, of South Portland; a son, Michael Charles Thompson and his wife Nancy of Keeseville, N.Y.; three daughters, Patricia Jane Stretchberry and her husband James of Santa Barbara, Calif., Julia Evelyn Berman and her husband William of South Portland and Amy Elizabeth Lobiondo and her husband Joseph of Albuquerque, N.M.; and five grandchildren, Jeffrey Berman and his wife Lisa, Laurie Berman, Sarah Stretchberry, Hannah Stretchberry and Rachel Lobiondo.

A celebration of John Robert Thompson's life will be held at a later date at the Keeseville United Methodist Church, Keeseville, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oriental Shrine Hospital Fund, c/o William Reed, Hospital Fund Chairman, 22 Cora Drive, Cohoes, NY 12047.

Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.

Donald F. Drollette

SARANAC -- Donald F. Drollette, 79, of Ryan Road, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in Dannemora on Sept. 23, 1926, son of the late Frank and Mary (Bouyea) Drollette.

Donald was a 1944 graduate of Dannemora High School; he entered the U.S. Navy and served from 1944 to 1946. He married Eulala Corron on June 3, 1947, in Plattsburgh.

Donald had been employed by the U.S. Postal Service and then by New York State Department of Corrections, retiring in 1983 after 28 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora. He and Eulala spent their retirement years camping on the St. Lawrence River. Donald enjoyed wood working and building furniture.

Donald is survived by his wife, Eulala (Corron) Drollette of Saranac; two daughters, Judy Brown and her husband Stephen of Dannemora and Donna Hollingsworth and her husband Thomas of Peru. He is also survived by his life's greatest blessings, his four grandchildren, Kari and Troy Revette of Burke, Glen and Sheila Brown of Keeseville, Jay and Alison Hollingsworth of Montpelier, Vt., and Lori Eagan of Plattsburgh; six great-grandchildren, Eryn, Nathan and Nicholas (Big Guy) Revette, Gwendolyn (Winnie) Eagan, Lydia Brown, Ava Hollingsworth. Survivors also include many nieces and nephews that were a very special part of his life; four sisters-in-law; and a brother-in-law.

Donald was predeceased by 11 brothers and sisters; his beloved mother-in-law, Beatrice "Ma" Rushford.

Calling hours will be Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m. from St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Dannemora.

Donations in Donald's name may be made to Hospice of the North Country or the FitzPatrick Oncology Center at CVPH Medical Center.

Nitika Nirvelli Yvonne Giddings

PLATTSBURGH -- Baby Nitika Nirvelli Yvonne Giddings, precious daughter of Terri (Terrell) Giddings and Taylor Gibbons and little sister to Tanina and Kaya Carroll-Gibbons, was carried into the loving arms of our Lord, Jesus, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005.

Nitika will be lovingly remembered by her grandmother, Desiree Terrell; her uncle and aunt, Leonard and Nancy Terrell, aunt Catherine Parrott-Hawkin; and her cousins.

Calling hours will be Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. from the Brown Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American SIDS Institute, 509 August Drive, Marietta, GA 30067 will be most appreciated.

Paul N. Laurin

CHAZY -- Paul N. Laurin, 68, of Chazy, passed away Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 at his home.

Mr. Laurin was born in Chazy on June 2, 1937, the son of Anthime and Eva (Tetreault) Laurin. He graduated from Chazy Central School. He served in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1958, he married Angele Guay. Mr. Laurin was a self-employed dairy farmer in Chazy. Paul was a avid hunter, member of the Champlain Knights of Columbus, member of the St. Joseph's Church Board and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Angele Laurin; two sons, Jeffrey P. Laurin and Todd A. Laurin and his companion Tammy Cayea; two daughters, Denise H. Whyman and her husband Kevin and Christine L. Laurin; four brothers, Marcel Laurin and his wife Bulah, Francis Laurin and his wife Rita, Walter Laurin and his wife Rita Ray and Richard Laurin and his wife Betty; two sisters, Anita Laurin and Thresa Tetreault and her husband Gerald; 11 grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Helen Guay.

Mr. Laurin was predeceased by his parents; and one brother and sister-in-law, Armand and Rita Laurin.

Calling hours will be on Friday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at M.B. Clark Funeral Home, 196 Elm St. in Champlain. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, at noon in St. Joseph's Church on the Mason Road in Coopersville. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department.

Arthur L. Kelly

MINEVILLE, N.Y. -- Arthur L. Kelly went into the loving arms of the Lord on Oct. 26, 2005, following a long illness.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He knew the best spots. His main love was his music. He played steel guitar in country western bands at venues all over the state. He also sang and was said to be the best in the business by his peers. He was known as the one-armed music man.

He was predeceased by his father, Arthur L. Kelly Sr. and his mother, Grace Kelly; one brother, Gary Kelly; one sister, Anne Scott; and one granddaughter, Shannon L. Westover.

He is survived by his six children, Arthur Kelly III of Crown Point, N.Y., Helena Kelly of Glens Falls, N.Y., Patsy Kelly Allen and her husband Darryl of Moriah, N.Y., Kathy Kelly of Glens Falls, N.Y., Robin McMaster and her husband Lance of Hudson Falls, N.Y., and Paula Kelly-Battease and her fiancé Dan Sawn of Glens Falls, N.Y.

He is also survived by his brothers, Richard Kelly and his wife Janice of South Glens Falls, N.Y., Thomas Kelly and his wife Pat of Oneonta, N.Y., Donald Kelly and his wife Evelyn of Oneonta, N.Y., David Kelly of Oneonta, N.Y.; and one sister, Grace Hyatt and her husband Melvin of Fort Henry, N.Y. He has nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry, N.Y. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. from the funeral home, with burial to follow in Union Cemetery, Moriah, N.Y.

Brian H. Trombley

PLATTSBURGH -- Brian H. Trombley, 40, of Route 9N, Plattsburgh and formerly of Route 9, Keeseville, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 at his home in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh, Aug. 11, 1965, the son of Herman Trombley and Gloria (Mitchell) Lenendecker.

Brian worked for his father's company, Herman Trombley painting and contracting for several years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and was an avid pool player. He was a beloved husband, son and father and will be remembered as a very caring and gentle person.

Survivors include his wife, Vanessa A. (Smith) Trombley of Plattsburgh; seven children, Carly Smith, Sarah Trombley, Brian Jr., Tonya, Belinda, Joseph and Francis; his father, Herman Trombley and companion Patty of Plattsburgh; his mother and stepfather, Gloria and Gary Lenendecker of Arizona; his maternal grandmother, Beatrice Mitchell of Keeseville; one brother, Todd Trombley of Plattsburgh; one aunt, Genevieve Rowell and her husband Timothy of Keeseville; one nephew, Michael Trombley; and one niece, Bridget Trombley.

He was predeceased by his brother, Timothy Trombley; and several aunts and uncles.

Calling hours will be held Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 1:30 p.m. at St. John's Church in Keeseville with Monsignor Leeward J. Poissant, pastor, celebrating. Following cremation, burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country, 686 Bear Swamp Road, Peru, NY 12972.

Deaths:

RAYMOND SLEIGHT KNOBEL, 83, of 79 Will Rogers Drive, Saranac Lake, died Oct. 27, 2005, at his home.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., on Oct. 29, 1921, he was the son of Howard and Ada (Sleight) Knobel.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Masonic service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by an Order of the Eastern Star service. A fireman's service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday followed by a veteran's service at 7:45. A funeral service will be held Sunday 2 p.m. at the Bloomingdale Methodist Church, Bloomingdale, N.Y., with the Rev. Andrea Sears, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery in Bloomingdale.