Obituaries: 12/01/05

Lester William LeClair

SCHROON LAKE -- Lester William LeClair, 59, of 6 Mousaw Way, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord at his home early Sunday morning Nov. 27, 2005.

Lester was born July 8, 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, 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 186 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 and Tracy Zollo of Rochester; his brother, Gerald and his wife Marla LeClair of Gouverneur; his sister, Bonnie and her husband Bill Norton of Queensbury; his grandchildren, Ashley, Anthony, Nicholas, Dennis, Sean, Carli and Abby; his companion's daughter, Tiffany Stanton of Lake Placid and her three children 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, Schroon Lake. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m.

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

Mildred M. Burke

PLATTSBURGH -- Mrs. Mildred M. Burke, 82, of Hartwell Street, Plattsburgh, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center with her family by her side.

She was born in Weybridge, Vt., on July 25, 1923, the daughter of George and Marie Mitchell.

Mildred was a graduate of the Champlain School of Nursing. She began her nursing career in 1945 at the Champlain Valley Hospital and then at CVPH Medical Center after they merged, retiring in 1985. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Mildred was a member of St. Peter's Church.

She was predeceased by her parents, George and Marie Mitchell; her husband, Mason Burke; four brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her children, Thomas Burke and his wife Theresa of St. Petersburg, Fla., John Burke and his wife Kathy of West LaFayette, Ind., Michael Burke and his wife Doreen of Plattsburgh, Patrick Burke and his wife Laurie of Plattsburgh, Daniel Burke and his wife MaryIda of Holden, Mass., Marie Corron and her husband Paul of Beekmantown, Lea Beech of Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Theresa Defayette and her husband Orel of Plattsburgh; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church. Interment will follow at the Saranac Independent Cemetery.

Friends wishing, may make donations to Covenant House, 346 West 17th St., New York, NY 10011-5002.

James E. Mason

WILLSBORO, N.Y. -- James E. Mason, 85, died at his home in Reber Tuesday Nov. 29, 2005.

He was born in Reber on the family farm July 14, 1920, the son of Seldon and Lina (Maloney) Mason.

Jim, as he was fondly known by all, was a farmer for 45 years and then a school bus driver, bus inspector and driving instructor for the Willsboro Central School for 19 years. He was a 70-year member of the Grange (Reber and present master of Whallonsburg), as well as Essex County deputy master. He was a 60-year member of Iroquois Lodge Accepted and Free Masons 715 where he served as master and secretary. He served as District Grand Lecturer in 1984 and 1993 and Associate Grand Sentinel in 1996, a 43-year member of Order of the Eastern Star 562 where he served as patron. He was a member of the Willsboro-Essex Kiwanis, a member and current chairman of the Administrative Board of the Reber United Methodist Church, a member of the Reber Fire Department where he was instrumental in organizing the building of the fire hall in 1954 as well as serving on the Essex County Fire Advisory Board. Jim also was a town councilman and served the people of Willsboro from 1971 to 1991.

Jim is survived by his wife, Arlene (Jones) whom he married in the Reber Church June 23, 1951; four children and their spouses, Christine and Clark Lindgren of Marshalltown, Iowa, Russell and Shelly Mason of Leicester, Vt., Andrea and Willy Robare of Reber and Karen and Robert Ashline of Willsboro; 17 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and special neighbors, Leamon and Bev Moran and families. He is also survived by two nieces and spouses, Madeline and Richard Blanchard and Janet and Fred VanOrnam; and several great-nieces and nephews; two brothers-in-law and spouses, Earl and Eunice Jones and Otis and Joan Jones; two sisters-in-law, Mary West and Ramona and husband Thurman Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; four brothers, Duward, Hubert, Clyde and Robert; and three sisters, Marguerite, Leota and Cathryn.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, at the Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. There will be a Masonic Service at 7:15 p.m., an Eastern Star Service at 7:30 p.m. and a Fireman's Service at 7:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Reber United Methodist Church Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. David Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Reber Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Reber United Methodist Church, the Reber Fire Company or the Willsboro-Reber Rescue Squad.

June Kathryn (LePage) Senecal

PLATTSBURGH -- June Kathryn (LePage) Senecal, 70, of Military Turnpike died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Grand Isle, Vt., on June 15, 1935, daughter of Francis "Frank" Joseph LePage and Mary Eva "Baker" LePage.

June attended St. Peter's School and D'Youville Academy in Plattsburgh, and she earned her high school diploma at St. John's Academy. In 1954, June married Ralph Senecal Jr. of Treadwells Mill. June and Ralph celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 5, 2004, in the company of many family members and friends.

June was involved in several church and civic activities. As a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Treadwells Mill, June participated in the Ladies Club, where she volunteered at harvest dinners, socials, youth-group activities and church council. She was also a long time member of Sweet Adelines. In the community, June worked with the Plattsburgh Youth Commission and she served on the Clinton County Democratic Committee, working the voting poles for many years. In later years, June volunteered weekly at the Salvation Army, where she was revered for her cooking and loved by all she served.

June's greatest love in life was her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. June lovingly welcomed all who walked through her "always-opened" door. She loved to entertain, socialize and to "hang out" with the girls.

June is survived by her husband, Ralph; two sons, Tim Senecal and his companion Donna Ashline and Randy Senecal and his wife Deborah; six daughters, Carroll Ann Bordeau and her companion Jim Van Weort, Holly Ann Scott and her husband Eric, Colleen Ann (Maggy) Bromsey and her husband Andy, Mary Ann Gregoire, Hope Ann Senecal and Tracey Ann Blauser and her husband Bob. June watches over 13 beautiful grandchildren, Timmy John and Tyler Senecal, Kelly Hooper and Lewis Phares, Marnie and Maggie Bordeau, Michaela, Emma and Samuel Scott, Michael Bromsey, Matthew, Adam and Abbygail Gregoire; and two great-grandchildren, Madison Rose Pardy and Gavin Matthew Senecal. She is also survived by four brothers, six sisters and respective spouses; and multiple nieces and nephews.

June is predeceased by one son, Ralph (Feeper) Senecal III, who died in 1962; her parents, her sister, Susan (Susie LePage) Smith; along with several close family members.

Calling hours will take place at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh on Thursday and Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will follow on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Treadwells Mill.

Donations may be made to Salvation Army in Plattsburgh, in care of Capt. Traci Creagan.

Deaths:

JOHN RENE LATRIELLE, 78, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., died Monday Nov. 28, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center following a long illness.

Funeral services will be held Friday in Hemingford, Quebec at St. Romains Church at 1 p.m.

AUSTIN "CARL" FRENYEA, 76, of the Clinton County Nursing Home died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born April 12, 1929, the son of the late Louis and Geneva Frenyea.

There will be no public calling hours. Services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain.

MAYNARD F. WILLIAMS, 86, of Constable, N.Y., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Nursing Home in Malone, N.Y.

He was born in Constable, April 21, 1919, he was the son of the late Frank and Minnie Denesha Williams.

Calling hours will be Friday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Constable. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, with the Rev. Francis Flynn officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are through the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service, Inc. of Malone.