Obituaries: 12/28/05

Christine A. Benjamin Wood

LYON MOUNTAIN -- Christine A. Benjamin Wood, 57, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Plattsburgh on March 7, 1948, the daughter of Clarence and Jeannette (Cayea) Benjamin.

She graduated from Lyon Mountain High School and attended the Champlain Valley School of Nursing. She was employed as a banker in Syracuse and later was employed as a Domestic Abuse Coordinator for Fulton County in Gloversville for many years until her retirement due to illness. She was a strong advocate for the rights and treatment of animals and also enjoyed to crochet.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Clyde James Wood of Lyon Mountain; a daughter, Shelley Ann Wood of Gloversville; her mother, Jeannette Miller of Merrill; a brother and sister-in-law, David and Lisa Benjamin of Dannemora; a sister and brother-in-law, Karen (Benjamin) and Gerald Linney of Champlain; her nieces, Jeannette, Lisa, Olivia, Heather and Vada; and her pet companion, Whitney.

Her father Clarence died in 1967. Her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Tillie and John McEvoy, also died earlier. A special pet companion, Sherlock, died in 2001.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 a.m. from St. Bernard's Church in Lyon Mountain. Interment will be in the parish cemetery in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sherlock Fund, c/o Eagles Nest Veterinary Hospital, 34 Skyway Plaza, Suite 2, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

The Lyon Mountain Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Catherine Chase Coletti

PLATTSBURGH -- Catherine Chase Coletti of the Vilas Home, Plattsburgh, N.Y., and formerly of Boca Raton, Fla., died on Dec. 26, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Catherine was born on Jan. 20, 1914, in Wickford, R.I., the daughter of the late Ernest B. Cooper and Catherine Chase (Murphy) Cooper. She was married to Anthony A. Coletti who predeceased her on Dec. 25, 1991. Barbara Engle, a sister, also predeceased her.

Catherine graduated from St. Xavier's Academy in Providence, R.I., and the Rhode Island School of Design. She spent many years enjoying traveling with her husband prior to moving to Florida. She was actively involved in the Providence, R.I., Republican Party and as an interior designer.

She leaves two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane M. Conca and her husband Raymond of Providence, R.I., and Dolores "Butch" Snell and her husband, John, of Plattsburgh.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, Michaela Pelletier and husband Fred of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., David Kopanski and wife Lois of Orlando, Fla., Stacey Monfils and husband John of North Providence, R.I., John Stephen Snell and wife Belinda of Chesapeake, Va., Brian Anthony Snell and wife Diann of Morrisonville, N.Y., and Kathryn Chase Snell and her husband Darren Slade of Aberglassen, New South Wales, Australia.

Catherine is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Lauren and Jordan Kopanski of Orlando, Fla., Jillian, Devon and Ethan Monfils of North Providence, R.I., Stephen Thomas and Ryan Matthew Snell of Chesapeake, Va., Matthew Johnston Snell of Morrisonville, N.Y., and Paris Kathryn and Sydney Chase Slade of Australia. Also surviving Catherine is her niece, Victoria Frye of King, N.C.

At Catherine's request, there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, Plattsburgh, N.Y. Burial will take place in Wickford, R.I., at a later date.

Donations in her name may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Barbara J. Stewart

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Barbara Jane Stewart passed from this world at home in Phoenix on Dec. 20, 2005, after a long battle with emphysema related complications.

Barbara was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., Feb. 21, 1948, daughter of John R. and Shirley E. (Ryan) Stewart, both deceased.

She was a 1966 graduate of Plattsburgh High School. Barbara was a writer and scholar, tutor to Terry and Nathan, sons of her caretaker and best friend, Sara Ruth Neel.

She was an avid Diamondbacks fan and loved bird watching and caring for wounded and orphaned wildlife. She shared special interests with Thomas, Marty, Annie and the rest of Sara's family. Many thanks to them for opening their lives and hearts to Barbara during her years in Phoenix.

She is survived by three brothers, John R. (Randy) and Lisa Stewart of Plattsburgh, Gerald A. and Shonna Stewart of Clayton, Calif., and Jeffrey B. Stewart and Robin Chernow of Cortland, N.Y.; three sisters, Denise E. and Donald Miller of Saranac, Maureen A. and William Cronin of West Henrietta, N.Y., and Fay Inge of Virginia Beach, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Paradise Sunset Funeral Home in Phoenix, Ariz., gratefully completed arrangements, with special thanks to Brandon for his quiet, generous help.

Memorial donations may be made to a Battalion 2 of the Phoenix Fire Department or to the Neel family.

Irene Honora Morales

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -- Irene Honora Morales, 95, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005, at Westminister Suncoast.

She was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and was a retail clerk for Montgomery Wards Department Store.

She moved to St. Petersburg in 1987 from Brooksville, Fla. While living in Brooksville she worked for the Frontier Campground for several years. She was Catholic.

She is survived by one daughter, Marlene "Chris" Siroy of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one son, Arlen Morales of Syracuse, N.Y.; two brothers, Leander Gebo and Phillip Gebo, both of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; two sisters, Velma Hughes of West Chazy, N.Y., and Geraldine Gebo of Morrisonville, N.Y.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are with the Zion Hill Mortuary in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Raymond G. Provost Sr.

PLATTSBURGH -- Raymond G. Provost Sr., 56, died Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Born in Plattsburgh on March 10, 1949, he was the son of Raymond J. and Katherine (Hannegan) Provost.

Raymond served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-1970. He enjoyed fishing, being with his dog Gizzy and spending time with his grandson, Tyler. He was also looking forward to the delivery of his granddaughter, Madison.

Survivors include his father, Raymond J. Provost; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Shawn and Laura Provost and his son, Raymond G. Provost Jr.; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol Calkins and her husband Scott; his former wife Susan (Mackey) Provost, all of Plattsburgh; a brother, John Provost of Plattsburgh; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Beverly Koon and her husband Barron of Aiken, S.C., Kathy LaPorte and her husband William of Plattsburgh, Doris and John Boone of Georgia and Lorrie Provost of Plattsburgh; a grandson, Tyler Scott Calkins; and a granddaughter, Madison Provost; and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his mother; and a daughter, Amy Jo Provost, who died at birth on March 6, 1976.

There will be no calling hours or services. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are with the O'Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Deaths:

ROBERT G. DAVENPORT, 66, of Newell Avenue, Plattsburgh, died on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Montreal, Quebec, on Aug. 9, 1939, son of Robert W. and Ruby Gladys (Burt) Davenport.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow next year in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Chazy.

WENDELL W. COLLINS, 63, of County Route 31, Jones Pond Road, Rainbow Lake, died Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

Born in Ellenburg, N.Y., on Oct. 26, 1942, he was the son of Wiliam and Anna (LaFountain) Collins.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, from 1 to 3 p.m. A funeral service will immediately follow at 3 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Mt. View Cemetery in the spring.

SEYMOUR SUMMERS, 85, of Clarence Oliver Drive, Willsboro, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Brooklyn, Sept. 19, 1920, the son Morris and Rose (Podbuch) Summers.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hamilton Funeral Home.