Obituaries: 11/30/05

Andrew Bujakiewicz

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Andrew Bujakiewicz, 77, of Winter Park, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005.

A native of Poland, he came to New York in 1958 after traveling the globe as a ship's engineer. There, he met Lissi Andersen of Denmark, and the couple soon married and had two daughters. Lissi passed away in 1974.

Fluent in four languages, Andy built a career in the USA on his plumbing and electrical skills and later became administrator of the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, N.Y. He retired to Plattsburgh, N.Y., and then relocated to Winter Park, Fla., after the death of his second wife in 2003. Often referred to as "Handy Andy," he quickly made friends locally through his warmth, charm and ability to fix almost anything.

Andy is survived in Germany by his mother, Stefania Bujakiewicz, 100; and a niece, Anna Zukowska. In the USA, he is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Stephanie and Jim Philips of Winter Park and Kristina and Darek Pala of South Miami; and his grandchildren, Allison, Laura, Elvis and Penelope. He is also survived by his stepdaughter and her husband, Christina and Lenny Carlson of Point Pleasant, N.J.

A memorial service will be held in Plattsburgh in the spring. The family requests contributions in his memory to the Winter Park Public Library kgee@wppl.org or Hospice of The Comforter www.hospiceofthecomforter.org.

Lester William LeClair

SCHROON LAKE -- Lester William LeClair, 59, of Mousaw Way passed peacefully into the arms of the lord at his home early Sunday morning Nov. 27, 2005.

Lester was born July 9, 1946, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the son of Lawrence and Louise Flora LeClair.

Lester was predeceased by his father, Lawrence LeClair, April 4, 1984.

Lester graduated from Newcomb Central School as salutatorian in 1964. He attended Plattsburgh State College where he was an outstanding baseball player, he was the first freshman athlete at Plattsburgh State ever selected as a "most valuable player" in a varsity sport and he played third base and batted .407.

Lester served in the U.S. Army and did a tour in Germany. He was employed as a laborer with Local 196 of Plattsburgh, he worked on many construction projects throughout the North Country.

Lester had resided in Schroon Lake since 1969, he played softball and basketball in many leagues and tournaments around the area and he was an avid sports fan who loved the Dodgers and the Knicks. He assisted many young people and supported their sports programs.

Lester loved his family and was devoted to his grandchildren spending as much time with them as he could.

Lester is survived by a loving family, his mother, Louise LeClair of Queensbury; his dearest friend and companion of 24 years, Darlene Stanton of Schroon Lake; his sons, Eric LeClair of Schroon Lake and Ryan LeClair of Wilton; his daughters, Monica Isabella of Saranac Lake, Tracy Zollo of Rochester and Tiffany Stanton of Lake Placid; his brother, Gerald and his wife Maria LeClair of Gouverneur; his sister, Bonnie and her husband Bill Norton of Queensbury; his grandchildren, Ashley, Anthony, Nicholas, Dennis, Sean, Carli, Abby, Secilley, Tess and Hallie; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday evening Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Edward L. Kelly Funeral Home in Schroon Lake. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m.

The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to ones charity of choice.

Corydon Marshall Johnson

SIMSBURY, Conn. -- Corydon Marshall Johnson, 81, of Country Club Drive, Simsbury, Conn., husband of Mary (Nolen) McGrath, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Conn.

He was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., son of the late Nelson Fisk and Dorothy (Marshall) Johnson.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Ruth leigh Hazelwood Johnson in 1998. They were longtime residents of Simsbury, Conn., and Keowee Key, S.C.

He was a 1951 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he received his bachelor's of arts degree. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was the recipient of The Purple Heart for wounds received in a action. Mr. Johnson was president of Judd Drapery Hardware, a division of the Newel Companies in Wallingford, Conn., for four years prior to his retirement in 1984. He had also worked for the Stanley Works in New Britain, Conn., for over 20 years. He was a member and Deacon at the First Church of Christ in Simsbury, Conn., past president of the Simsbury Little League and was a founding member of the Hop Meadow Country Club.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Corydon M. and Jennifer B. Johnson of Hobe Sound, Fla., Eric P. and Elizabeth R. Johnson and Steve N. and Katherine B. Johnson; and a daughter, Lisa J. McDonald, all of Wilton, Conn. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Eric, Douglas, Peter, Nelson, Marshall, Bennett, Daniel, Jacob and Nicholas.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. at the First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, Conn., with the Rev. Jonathan Morgan officiating. Private burial will be in Simsbury Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT 06070 or to the Walhalla Presbyterian Church, PO Box 917, Walhalla, SC 29691.

Rita Rose Martin Bechard

CHAMPLAIN -- Rita Rose Martin Bechard, 84, of Champlain passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, at Birchwood Nursing Home in Burlington, Vt. She was surrounded by her loving family at her side.

Rita was born Jan. 23, 1921, in Lacolle, Quebec, Canada, daughter of the late Arthur and Adelia Martin.

She married Orel Bechard of Champlain on Aug. 15, 1940. He predeceased her on Nov. 17, 2003. They shared 63 wonderful years together.

She is survived by three daughters, Therese and Michael Laurin of Burlington, Vt., where Rose had been residing for the last five years and where she received the love nurture and care she so deserved from her daughter Therese, M.J. and Bill Hyduke of Colchester, Vt., and Denise and Andy Kreller of Atlanta, Ga., she leaves behind nine grandchildren, Daniel and Shelly Laurin of Champlain, David and Myrna Laurin of Colchester, Vt., Lisa and Craig Emmons of Grand Isle, Vt., Kim and Brian Grenon of Colchester, Vt., Tanya and Dave Carter, Karen Duncan, Jamie Kreller of Connecticut, Robbie and Aimee Kreller. She leaves behind 16 great-grandchildren, Patrick, Stephen, Nicole, Ashley, Joshua, Zoe, Oliver, Derek, Veronica, Taylar, Macie, Brittany, Katie, Bradley, Ashley, Coutney; and other special great-grandchildren. Rita leaves behind a special nephew, Andre for whom she held a very special place in her heart and her dog "Peanut," who she loved so much. She also leaves behind her brother, Gerald of Lacolle, Quebec.

Rita is predeceased by her other children, Madeline, Therese, Louise, Nicole, Andre; her sister, Agnes; and three brothers, Maurice, Paul and Jean of Lacolle, Canada.

Rita enjoyed being on the farm, cooking and visits from her extended family on the weekends. She enjoyed her great- grandchildren, her eyes would light up every time she would see them. She would be waiting for them in the morning looking out the window and greeting them with her warm smile. She will be missed by many friends and family. She touched many lives and will not be forgotten.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, at St. Mary's Church in Champlain.

Ruth C. Weaver

PLATTSBURGH -- Ruth C. Weaver, 90, of the Clinton County Nursing Facility and formerly of 17 South Acres Road, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Schenectady on May 5, 1915, the daughter of Raymond and Rena (Flint) Brockmeyer.

Ruth was a member of the Clinton County Home Bureau. She graduated from Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady.

Ruth worked for Variety Flower Shop in Plattsburgh then Hagar & Hart Studio, then at Plattsburgh State University for 10 years, retiring in 1978.

Our mother/grandmother, Ruth, had so much love in her heart for her children and grandchildren and plenty left over for all the other folks she met.

Survivors include one son, Kenneth B. Harper and his wife Linda of Balston Lake, N.Y.; two daughters, Sue Shaffer and her husband Ronald of Plattsburgh and Carol Reid of Jackson, N.J.; one sister, Bettie Bradt of Schenectady; one daughter-in-law, Diane Harper of Burnt Hills, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one nephew and her faithful dog, Skipper, who always thought she was his mother. Also surviving are so many friends who cared for Ruth so tenderly at the Clinton County Nursing Home.

Ruth was predeceased by her first husband, Leonard Harper; second husband, Marvin P. Weaver; and her son, Alan Harper.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at the Bible Baptist Church on Route 9 South in Plattsburgh. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Fonda, N.Y., at noon on Saturday.

Donations in her memory, may be given to the Clinton County Nursing Facility Memorial Fund.

Deaths:

DAVID W. SMITH, 88, of Willsboro, died at Elizabethtown Community Hospital Nov. 29, 2005.

He was born in Laconia, N.H., May 23, 1917, the son of David A. and Marie (English) Smith.

There are no local services. Burial will take place in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Schenectady, N.Y.

Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro is in charge of local arrangements.

JAMES MASON of Reber died at his home Tuesday Nov. 29, 2005.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced in Thursday's Press-Republican.

Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro is in charge of arrangements.