Obituaries: 12/31/05

Lois A. Goodspeed

PLATTSBURGH -- Lois A. Goodspeed, 72, of 3 Nichols Avenue, passed away Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at her home under the care of her family and Hospice of the North Country.

Lois Anne Heim was born June 3, 1933, in Utica, N.Y., the daughter of Theodore and Violet (Sebastian) Hadynski.

Lois graduated from Holland Patent Central School and began working for the U.S. Air Force at Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, N.Y., immediately after graduation. Lois retired on June 21, 1991, at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Her years at Plattsburgh Air Force Base were spent as the secretary to the Wing Commander. Over her 30 plus year career, she was the secretary to 17 Wing Commanders of the 380th Bomb Wing, most of whom became top level general officers in the Air Force.

Lois was an avid golfer having belonged to Bluff Point Golf Resort for over 30 years. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed spending time in her gardens and caring for her grandchildren.

From November of 2000 when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she exhibited a will to live that amazed even her doctors. She never looked back on her struggle and always accentuated the positive side of things never looking back. She has left her mark on the many people who have crossed her path.

Lois is survived by her husband, Robert L. Goodspeed, of Plattsburgh; her daughter Nanci and her husband Scott W. Murray of Morrisonville; her son Douglas W. and his wife Renee Wooster of Beekmantown; her granddaughters, Cara and Alexandria Murray and Deidra and Mckayla Wooster.

There will be no calling hours or funeral service.

The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to the Hospice of the North Country, 43 Durkee St., Suite 200, Plattsburgh, NY 12901; or the FitzPatrick Cancer Center, 313 Cornelia St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Patrick V. "Vernon" Romeo

REDFORD -- Patrick V. "Vernon" Romeo, 68, of Route 3, Redford, passed peacefully Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh following a brief battle with cancer.

He was born in Plattsburgh, Sept. 30, 1937, the son of Patrick (Pasquale) Leon and Margaret Rose (Farrell) Romeo.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return, he married Geneva Lucy Cass, Aug. 12, 1961. Together they had three children, Patrick and wife Rebecca Romeo of Vermontville, Bruce and wife Maureen Romeo of Vernon and Derrick Romeo of Vermontville. He later married Barbara Ann Beecher, Oct. 16, 1982, and together they had four children, Patrick V. Romeo II, Specialist U.S. Army of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Barbara Romeo and companion Jarrod Carte of Redford and Melinda and Norlene Romeo, both of Redford; survivors also include his beloved mother, Margaret Farrell Romeo Lobdell of Redford; grandchildren Maryssa and Cassidy Romeo of Vermontville; mother-in-law, Barbara Beecher of Redford; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law spouses, Colleen and Larry Seney of Saranac, Deborah Beecher of Redford, Bonnie Beecher Flora and Glenn Flora of Willsboro, Jordan Beecher II of Redford, Mary Beecher and companion Jeff Higgins of Chazy and Joseph Beecher of AuSable; nieces and nephews, Arlene and Matthew Seney, Justin and Jolene Daniels, Steven and Kevin Hartpence, Nicholas Beecher and Harley Blake; and many cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Patrick (Pasquale) Leon Romeo; stepfather, Vincent Lobdell; and father-in-law, Jordan Beecher Sr.

Throughout his life Vernon was blessed with the "'gift to gab" - he greeted everyone with a warm smile and an outstretched hand ready to embrace all his friends with a great big bear hug. He welcomed everyone into his home offering food and drink, most often spaghetti. Vern loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman. His favorite sporting events were ones he played with his children and grandchildren. He built the first ballpark in Vermontville.

Pat worked for Torrington Construction and Saranac Lake Central School.

Vern was a member of the American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh and the Knights of Columbus.

Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption in Redford with Rev. Francis J. Coryer, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be in the spring in the parish cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the family.

Laura Jean Ingalls

PLATTSBURGH -- Laura Jean Ingalls, 90, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.

She was born in Chazy, N.Y., in 1915, the daughter of James and Laura (Graves) Ingalls. She graduated from Plattsburgh High School and attended Simmons College.

Laura was a librarian at the Plattsburgh Public Library for her entire professional career. She was an avid reader with a strong fondness for cats and bridge. Laura never turned her back on a charity.

A partial verse from the senior class poem (which she wrote) foretold her life..."May we find in our way of living The work that our hearts shall please." (The Barker, 1932).

Laura dedicated her life to community service. She was the recipient of the United Way Distinguished Citizen Award, the Outstanding Service Award from the Plattsburgh Rotary Club and the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award for community service from the Northern Light Lodge. She did volunteer work for the Red Cross and CVPH. She was particularly well known for her Sunday dinners at the USO for Air Force personnel and their families.

Although she never married and was without any surviving relatives, her life was not without joy and fulfillment. Love came to Laura late in her life in the form of Don Edwards, a retired court clerk and widower. They became inseparable and were totally devoted to each other. Laura would want her friends to know that she was thankful for her life and that she had no regrets.

Services will be at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh, on Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, from 1 to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations for scholarships may be made to the Barker Fund, Plattsburgh City School District.

Virginia C. McCormick

PERU -- Virginia C. McCormick, 85, of the Bear Swamp Road, Peru, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Ballston Spa.

She was born in Pottersville, Dec. 11, 1920, the daughter of Vernon and Mabe (Allen) Culver.

Virginia worked for many years as a renewal parts technician at General Electric in Schenectady. In early years, she was an aircraft spotter during World War II.

She enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading.

Survivors include her two sons and daughters-in-law, Vernon J. and Judy McCormick of South Glens Falls and N. Robert and Cathie Sue McCormick of Ballston Spa; four granddaughters and spouses, Michelle and Michael Richardson and Valerie and Robert Bennett, all of Saratoga, Kimberly McCormick of Ballston Spa and Melissa McCormick of Hudson Falls; four great - grandchildren, Corey Saxton, Shayne Richardson, Tamaryn Bennett and Haley Anne Bennett, all of Saratoga; two sisters and one brother - in-law, Janet James of Scotia and Florence and Louis Mele of Albany; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; and beloved husband, Robert J. McCormick, April 21, 2002.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Harkness United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Harkness Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home of Peru.

Raffaella (Randegger) Rasco

PLATTSBURGH -- Raffaella (Randegger) Rasco, 75, formerly of Saranac, died peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

Raffaella was born in Trieste, Italy, on Aug. 27, 1930, the daughter of Raffaello Musti and Fredericka Randeggar.

Raffaella met and married her husband, Elmore E. Rasco, in Trieste, Italy. Her husband of 40 years predeceased her in 1989.

Raffaella enjoyed socializing with her friends and family, sharing her views about world events and recounting stories of her life in Europe. She was an active member of the Resident Council of Evergreen Valley Nursing Home, acting as an advocate for the resident's needs and concerns. Her hobbies included arts and crafts, shopping for bargains and participating in the many functions and outings of the residence. She was a former member of the Church of the Assumption in Redford and St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora and more recently attended Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh.

Survivors include two daughters, Rosanna Morse of New Fairfield, Conn., and Trena Dickinson and her husband John of Frederickburg, Va.; two sons, Elvis Rasco and his wife Mary of Plattsburgh and Elmore N. Rasco of Plattsburgh; three grandchildren, Serina Morse of New Fairfield, Conn., Shawn Morse and his wife Renee of Pawling, N.Y., and Jacob Dickinson of Fredericksburgh, Va.; a stepgranddaughter, Deanna Bohl and her husband Eric of Fort Meade, Md.; and one stepgreat-granddaughter, Alayna Bohl.

Calling hours will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be in the spring in Church of the Assumption Cemetery in Redford.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Sara "Sue" Fox

CHAMPLAIN -- Sara "Sue" Fox, 65, of Oak Street, died Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Albany, N.Y., on Jan. 20, 1940, the daughter of Hugh P. and Sam C. (Schewe) McNamara.

Mrs. Fox was an instructor at CVPH Medical Center and later at Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh in the Medical Laboratory Technician Program and later in the Continuing Education Program. She had a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from Albany College of Pharmacy and her master's degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh in Counseling and in Business Administration.

Survivors include her husband, C. David Fox of Champlain; one daughter, Sharon Fox of Champlain; one sister, Lynne Merkle of Albany; and two nieces, Deborah and Victoria Merkle.

Calling hours will be held Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Burial will be in Roselawn Park Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Deaths

LAURA JEAN DOMINY, 51, of Lynde Street, Plattsburgh, died Dec. 26, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on March 18, 1954, the daughter of Gerald and Ruth (Williams) Dominy.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Plattsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at 1 p.m.

The R.W. Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.