11/08/2005

Obituaries: 11/08/05

John H. Genier

MINEVILLE -- John "Jack" Genier lost his battle with lung cancer on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at his home on Fisher Hill in Mineville, surrounded by his family.

Jack was born in Mineville, N.Y., on Jan. 3, 1936, to William and Luella (Wilson) Genier.

Jack attended Mineville-Witherbee school, on Jan. 19, 1954, enlisted in the United States Marine Corp., serving over a year of active duty in the Korean War.

Jack worked at Tahawus Mines for more than 15 years when he changed careers with interest in the building trade profession retiring in 1998 from Luck Brothers of Plattsburgh.

After retirement Jack enjoyed his time spent with his family and friends and his love of the North Country woods, walking, looking and digging for old bottles.

Jack was predeceased by his first wife of 18 years, Barbara (LaRose) Genier, who died July 22, 1977; his parents, William and Luella Genier; sister, Ann (Genier) Drinkwine; and two brothers, William Genier and Bernard Genier.

He is survived by wife of 27 years, Angie (Allen) Genier; leaves one son of this marriage, Vince Genier and his girlfriend Jessica Cossey of Port Henry; four children born of his first marriage with wife, Barbara, daughter, Amy Meacham and her finance Jim Crowe of Burke, Maine, daughter Donna Romasco and son-in-law Vince of Wartburg, Tenn., son Brian Genier and daughter-in-law Laurel of Chazy, son Chris Genier and daughter-in-law, Karen of Westport. He leaves three stepchildren from his second marriage with wife, Angie, Eric Rice of Altona, Scott Rice and his wife Rose of Moriah and Debra Drake and her of husband Corey of Chazy. A loving Grandpa Jack and PaPa leaves ten grandchildren, Mark, Jack and Sarah Genier, Amber Romasco, Elli Genier, Matthew Rice, Derek, Kyle and Colby Drake, Melissa Duval; three great-grandchildren, Courtney, James and Noel Duval. Jack is also survived by two sisters, Louise O'Connor of Mineville and Gert Fairbanks and her husband John of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and two brothers, Glenn Genier and his wife, Loretta of Tonawanda and Donald Genier and his wife Gloria of Bridgeport, Conn. Jack also leaves a lifetime friend, Bob Scharpf of Mineville.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A graveside service will follow at the family lot in the South Moriah Cemetery. The family extends an invitation to gather at his residence immediately after.

The family wishes to thank the many people who were supportive during Jack's illness, including Dr. Duus, Dr. Vaccaro and the staff of the FitzPatrick Cancer Center, The Champlain Valley Physician Hospital and High Peaks Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's memory to High Pikes Hospice, PO Box 195, Mineville, NY.

Mark Eugene Devlin

JAY -- Mark Eugene Devlin, 76, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at his home in Jay, N.Y., surrounded by his family.

He was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Jay N.Y., the son of Mark A. and Grace (Bartlett) Devlin.

He was a bus driver for the AuSable Valley Central School for 38 years and a truant officer for AuSable Valley School.

Gene and his wife Clarisse, owned and operated the Devlins Convalescent Home in Jay, N.Y. He was also an assessor and councilman for many years for the town of Jay and a member of the Jay Fire Department for a number of years.

He enjoyed social gatherings and was a avid hunter and fisherman. Until a few weeks ago he was internal auditor for the AuSable Valley School.

He is survived by his wife, Clarisse (Sampica) Devlin; and four daughters and three son-in-law, Patrica and Greg Williams of Wilmington, Colleen Devlin and companion Jerry Dashnaw of Lake Placid, Susan and Derek Varin of Ellenburg Depot and Jessica and John McDonald of Jay. Survived by two sisters and one brother-in-law, Kathleen and James Crowley of Plattsburgh and Rita Wilkins of Lake Placid; six grandchildren, Stacy and Evan Williams, Zachary, Alex and Zoey Varin and Dalton McDonald; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Francis, Jack and Robert Devlin; and one sister, Eileen Carron.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, 10 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church in AuSable Forks.

Memorials donations may be made to Jay Fire Department or AuSable Volunteer Ambulance Service.

A reception will be held after the burial at American Legion Post 504 in AuSable Forks.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

William J. Thomas

BRISTOL -- William Judson Thomas, 84, of Bristol, husband of the late Lillian (DiVenere) Thomas, died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, at Bristol Hospital.

Jud was born April 21, 1921, in Chesterfield, N.Y., and was a son of the late Horatio and Isabelle (Brown) Thomas.

He resided in Bristol most of his life and was employed at the Wallace Barnes Division of the Barnes Group, Bristol for 42 years before retiring in 1985. He was a member of St. Anthony Church, Bristol, the Bristol Fish and Game Club, and the Bristol Senior Citizens.

Jud is survived by three sisters, Virginia Ladue of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Teddie Armstrong of Pennsylvania and Margaret McCaw of Willsboro; one brother, John Bill of Vermont; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at St. Anthony Church in Bristol. Burial followed in St. Joseph Cemetery in Bristol.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony Church, 111 School Street, Bristol, CT 06010.

Louise Donaldson

SARANAC LAKE -- Mary Louise LaBounty Donaldson, age 92, formerly of Will Rogers Drive, Saranac Lake and Lake Clear, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, at the Eastern Star Home in Oriskany, N.Y.

Born in Jay, Vt., on April 9, 1913, she was the daughter of Mitchell and Bertha (Mayhew) LaBounty.

At the age of 16, Mrs. Donaldson was hired as a waitress and worked in the Olympic Arena during the III Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid in 1932.

Along with her husband Clifford Donaldson Sr., she owned Donaldson Construction Company of Lake Clear, N.Y. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson spent winters at their home in Kissimmee, Fla. Mrs. Donaldson was a member and past matron in 1959, of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a member of the Order of the Amaranth. She was a former member of the Saranac Lake Women's Bowling Association. Mrs. Donaldson was also an active member of a group of Lake Clear parents who lead the efforts to build a new school in Lake Clear which is today a part of the Saranac Lake School District. She was president of the Lake Clear School Parent Teachers Association from 1957-1964 and was a member of the Lake Clear Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Donaldson married Clifford Donaldson Sr. on Jan. 10, 1933, in Saranac Lake. He died in 1987.

She is survived by a son, Clifford Donaldson Jr. and his wife Joan of Saranac Lake; a daughter, Arlene Wozna and her husband Robert of Holland Patent, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Kathy Brown and her husband John, Robert Wozna, Sheila Saunders and her husband Brett, Scott Wozna and his wife Jo and Aaron Donaldson; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; her father, Mitchell LaBounty; her mother, Bertha Mayhew; her brother, Robert LaBounty and her brother, Lawrence LaBounty.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, from 6 to 9 p.m. An Eastern Star service will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday with immediate past grand Matron, Betty Crawford, officiating. The funeral service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake with Reverend Joanne White and Reverend Arthur Goyette concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Paul Smiths.

Friends wishing to remember Mrs. Donaldson may make memorial contributions in care of the funeral home to the North Country Community College Foundation in support of the nursing program.

Pearl E. Barnard

PLATTSBURGH -- Pearl E. Barnard, 86, of Battery Street, Plattsburgh, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Altona on Oct. 24, 1919, daughter of Marcel and Jennie (Burnett) Gero.

Pearl was formerly employed at the Mess Hall at Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

She was a volunteer cook for the Salvation Army in Plattsburgh.

Pearl was devoted to her family.

Pearl is survived by two sons, Bernard A. Barnard and his companion Helen Bast of Peru and Emerson Barnard of Plattsburgh; one granddaughter, Billie Jo Barnard of Keeseville; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mable Piatek of Hamden, Mass., Flossie Patrie of Ludlow, Mass., and Maude Hagey and her husband Joseph of Witherbee; one brother, Leo Gero of Plattsburgh; and many nieces and nephews.

Pearl was predeceased by her husband, Emerson Barnard; eight brothers; and one sister.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, at 12 noon at Brown Funeral Home Chapel in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army.

Deaths: 11/08/05

DORIS M. DEGON, 85, of Shadow Lane, Malone, N.Y., died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, where she had been admitted earlier that day.

She was born in Ellenburg, N.Y., May 29, 1920, the daughter of the late Samuel and Georgina Boyea Nichols.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Constable with the Rev. Francis Flynn officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

GARY F. CLUETTE, 61, of Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., April 14, 1944, the son of Francis "Frank" and Marjorie (Merrihew) Cluette.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A memorial Mass will held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Peru. Burial will follow in the family plot in the parish cemetery.

A complete obituary will be in the Wednesday Press-Republican.