Obituaries: 12/06/05

Michael Edward O'Connor

FLORIDA CITY, FLA. -- Michael Edward O'Connor of Florida City, Fla., passed away on Dec. 3, 2005, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Mike went peacefully to sleep in the company of his good friends, Emmet and Charlene.

Mike was a Christmas baby, born on Dec. 25, 1944, to Joseph and Mary (Lawrence) O'Connor in Keene, N.Y.

He was raised in Keene in the O'Connor family homestead on Hurricane Road and enjoyed growing up as the fun hearted younger brother to Lawrence (Larry) and Steven.

Mike was married, then later divorced. He had two sons, Michael who died as a young man, and Scott.

A carpenter by trade, Mike relocated to South Florida. He first lived in Key West, then ventured north to the Homestead area. Where ever Mike lived, he was a favorite amongst friends and was always a friend to be counted on.

Mike is survived by his devoted mother, Mary Lawrence O'Connor Vagnarelli of Lake Placid, N.Y.; son, Scott of Florida; nephews, Shawn and David of Lake Placid, N.Y., and Joe of Key West, Fla.; niece, Shannon of Tupper Lake, N.Y.; his beloved dog, Sheba; and special friends, Emmet, J.R., Ed and Charlene.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Joseph; brothers, Steve and Larry; and son, Michael.

The family would like to express thanks to the many friends who stood by Mike during his last year, giving him kindness and support. Thank you also to the doctors and staff of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, for making Mike's last days more comfortable.

A graveside service will be scheduled at a later date in Keene, New York.

Mike was a generous, kind hearted, spirited individual. Mike will be missed by many.

Richard (Monte) Issett

AUSABLE FORKS -- Richard (Monte) Issett, 82, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown, N.Y.

He was born April 30, 1923, in AuSable Forks, the son of Imen and Nan (Thomas) Issett.

Monte owned and operated the family business, Imen Issett Shoe Store from 1951 to 1995. He was an aerial photographer in World War II from 1942 to 1945. He was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed his vegetable gardens. He was a photographer for the area business and all types of parties for many years. He was an eager sports-minded high school student who participated in tennis tournaments and soccer. He was a familiar sight touring around town on his bicycle in which was his favorite means of transportation. He was a resident of the Keene Valley Neighborhood House for a short time.

He is survived by two sisters and one brother, Dorothy and Frank Huchro of Keene Valley and Mrs. Joyce Patterson of New Bloomfield, Penn.; Barbara Payro, a loving friend and companion for many years. Six nephews and one niece, Frank Huchro Jr., Brian Huchro and John, Kent, Brad, David Patterson and Nanette Ramsey; and many, many friends from the north country.

Memorials may be made to the AuSable Forks Volunteer Ambulance Service.

There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church in AuSable Forks. Burial will follow in Holy Name Cemetery.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Elizabeth Pilcher Trimble Skinner

CROWN POINT, NY -- Elizabeth Pilcher Trimble Skinner, passed away Dec. 2, 2005, at the age of 97, in Crown Point, N.Y.

She was born in Crown Point, N.Y., Sept. 24, 1919, the daughter of Clifton King Trimble and Julliette Murdock Peck Trimble.

She was predeceased by her husband, Francis(Ted) Skinner; and a son, King Trimble Skinner.

She is survived by a daughter, Frances (Becky) Skinner Hall; a son, Matthew Skinner; four grandchildren, Calvin Fidler of Orlando, Fla., Andrew Skinner of Souix Falls, S.D., Adam Skinner of Moriah, N.Y., and Celeste' Skinner of Naples, Fla.

"Lib" will be remembered for many things, foremost the years of genealogical research in the Crown Point, Essex County, N.Y., area. As one of the last decendents of the Trimbles of County Longford Ireland, the Murdocks of Limerick, Ireland. This was all magnified in her 18 years as a "historical interrupter" at Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga, N.Y.

There will be no services at this time. Burial services will be at the Congregational Church in the spring.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the 1st Congregational Church of Crown Point or AE Phelps Rescue Squad of Crown Point, N.Y.

Harland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Olive R. Burdo

WEST CHAZY -- Olive R. Burdo, 74, of the Ashley Road, West Chazy passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Redford on March 1, 1931, daughter of the late Louis and Elsie (Surprenant) Racette.

Olive was married to Reginald Burdo on Nov. 4, 1950. They worked together on their dairy farm on the Ashley Road until they retired from farming in 1973. Olive also worked for the local telephone company for 30 years.

Olive is survived by her husband, Reginald Burdo of West Chazy; two daughters and sons-in-law, Katherine and Steven LaVarnway of West Chazy and Julie and Bryan Giroux of West Chazy; three siblings, Genevieve Strong of Unionville, Va., Jerry Racette of Redford and Sister Agnes Racette of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis in Plattsburgh; four grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Olive was predeceased by her brothers, Bernard Racette, Armand Racette and Roland Racette; and her sisters, Berrnie Hughes and Rita Hahn.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. Burial will be next year in Church of the Assumption Cemetery in Redford.

Donations in Olive's memory may be made to Sisters of Charity of St. Louis.

Thomas William Sheehan

WILLSBORO, NY -- Thomas William Sheehan, 70, of Point Road, Willsboro died Monday, Dec. 5. 2005, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., June 3, 1935, the son of Thomas and Ella (McCann) Sheehan.

Tom was an Army veteran and a retired elementary school principal and instructor. He taught in Dannemora and at the Hogansburg Indian Reservation before he was employed by the Department of Defense and taught in Germany for 30 years.

He was a member of St. Philips of Jesus Church and the Willsboro Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Doris (Rau) whom he married in Hampton, Va., Aug. 2, 1969; three sons, Michael Sheehan and his wife Felecia and son Sam of Shohola, Pa., Patrick Sheehan and his wife Michelle and son Thomas of Lebanon, N.H., and James Sheehan of Plattsburgh, N.Y. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Ramona Sheehan of Willsboro; and nieces, Colleen Sheehan and Joan Hubbard; and nephews, John Sheehan Jr. and Timothy Sheehan.

He was predeceased by his parents; and brothers, John Sr. and Pete Sheehan; and a sister, Kathleen Sheehan.

Calling hours will be held at the Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005, from 2 to 4, and 7 to 9 p.m. A Knights of Columbus service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Scott Seymour, pastor and Rev. James Delbel, former pastor concelebrating. Burial will in the Sheehan family plot in Calvary Cemetery, Essex Road, Willsboro.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorials in Tom's name be made to the St. Philip's Renovation Fund.

Deaths: 

SAMUEL CABAN, 48, of West Street, Malone, N.Y., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at his home while under the loving care of his family and Hospice of the North Country.

Born in Manhattan, N.Y., Jan. 11, 1957, he was the son of Manuel and Veneranda Quiles Caban.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A funeral service will be held at 9 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery in Malone at the convenience of the family.

FLORENCE STEPHENSON, 85, of Bloomingdale, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

She was born June 8, 1920, in Saranac Lake.

Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Patrick O'Reilly officiating. Interment will be in Brookside Cemetery.