Obituaries: 1/08/06

Dr. Martin F. Mihal

PLATTSBURGH -- Dr. Martin F. Mihal, 76, of Cliff Haven, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in Schenectady on Aug. 24, 1929, son of Martin F. and Marion (Valent) Mihal.

Dr. Mihal was a graduate of the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, attended Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Ill., graduating from Syracuse University with an A.B. degree. He furthered his graduate education at Columbia University, School of Optometry with B.S. and M.S. degrees. He received a Doctor of Optometry from Massachusetts School of Optometry. Dr. Mihal served with the Army Chemical Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the American Optometrists Association, New York State Optometrists Association, Northern Optometrists Association, Omega Epsilon Phi Honorary Optometric Fraternity, American Optometric Foundation, Optometric Extension Program, a charter member of the South Plattsburgh Fire Department, member and Past Exalted Ruler and past State Vice President of the Northern District B.P.O.E., past president of Plattsburgh Noon Rotary Club, past president of the Holy Name Society at Our Lady of Victory Church, past member of the Parish Council and Financial Committee of Our Lady of Victory Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 255 of Plattsburgh, past president and charter member of the North Country Square Dancing Club. He enjoyed bowling, golf and bridge.

Dr. Mihal is survived by his wife, Mary, of Cliff Haven. Three sons and daughters-in-law, M. Steven and Kathleen Mihal of Macedon, N.Y., David and Donna Mihal of Woodstock, Ga., Robert and Patricia Mihal of Plattsburgh; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Rhys Lord of Woodstock, Ga., Debra and John Cobb of Mt. Holly, N.J.; two stepdaughters and one stepson, Carolann Monroe of New York City, Deborah Kampschror of Plattsburgh, Patrick Monroe of Plattsburgh; and 14 grandchildren.

Dr. Mihal was predeceased by his wife, Dawne Mihal; and a granddaughter, Lori Ann Cobb.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Members of the Plattsburgh Elks Lodge will meet Tuesday evening at 7:30 for services, members of the Plattsburgh Knights of Columbus will meet Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 for services. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be later in the year in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Plattsburgh, with military honors.

Richard D. "Danny" Rock

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Richard D. "Danny" Rock died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at age 62.

He was predeceased by his parents, Clifford and Ellen Rock; twin sisters, Maureen and Colleen; stepfather, Armand "Frenchy" Prairie.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diana (Stafford) Rock; children, Christine (Bruce) White of Williamson, N.Y., Brian (Tonya) Rock of Florida, Kevin Rock of Maryland, Mark (Marlene) Schofield of Walworth, N.Y., Diana (Bruce) Peck of Tennessee; 11 grandchildren; three great - grandchildren; a sister, Catherine "Cassie" (Robert) McGee of Peru, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Comer Family Funeral Home, 6 Empire Blvd., Rochester, where his funeral service will follow calling hours at 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Liver Foundation, 25 Canterbury Road, Rochester, NY 14607 or National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York, 15 Prince St., Rochester, NY 14607.

Robert "Bob" Nathan Crary

SHERRILL'S FORD, N.C. -- Robert Crary, 9459 Riviera Drive, Sherrill's Ford, NC 28673, died peacefully at his home on Dec. 24, 2005, after a seven year struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Bob was born in Pierrepont, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 1921, the son of Leslie O'Gilvia Crary and Mayfred Hazel Moore.

Bob is survived by his wife Venita of Sherrill's Ford; three children, Howard Crary and his wife Carol of Plattsburgh and their three children, Mark, Candy and Scott; Cheryl Dickerson and her husband William of Danville, Va., Crystal Straigis and her husband Edward of Broken Arrow, Okla., and their four children, Jacqueline, Thomas, Katherine and Elizabeth; and two great-grandchildren, Terrin and Caitlin; sisters-in-law Violet Carpenter of Hermon, N.Y., Vivian Rubado of DeKalb Junction, N.Y., and Vena Hubbard of Sherrill's Ford; niece Anne Jantz and her husband Bill and their children, Katie and Matthew; nephew John Crary of Plattsburgh; and very special family friends, Kenneth, Andrea and Robert Desotell of Morrisonville, N.Y.; as well as many cousins in Pierrepont and Colton, N.Y.

Bob was predeceased by his parents and a brother, William Crary.

Burial will take place in the spring in Hermon, N.Y.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Lorraine "Lorrie" Donivan

SCHUYLER FALLS -- Lorraine "Lorrie" Donivan, 46, of Birchwood Drive, Plattsburgh, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at her residence.

She was born in Hornell, N.Y., on March 17, 1959, the daughter of Lloyd and Carolyn (Phillips) Lyke.

Lorrie graduated in 1977 from Saranac High School and then attended and completed Rhode Island School of Photography.

She married David G. Donivan on Feb. 11, 1989, at Anthony's Restaurant in Plattsburgh.

Lorrie then, with David, owned and operated the House of Pine and Oak in Schuyler Falls. She was very active in the operations of the business and David always said, "She is the House of Pine."

Lorrie attended Holy Angels Church in Altona.

Survivors include her parents, Lloyd and Carolyn (Phillips) Lyke from Phoenix, Ariz.; three sisters, Mrs. Trudy Viscusi of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Linda Compoli of Schenectady, N.Y., and Ms. Carolyn Ross of Phoenix, Ariz.; one aunt and uncle, Bill and Bunky "Alice" (Phillips) Pawling of Largo, Fla.; five nephews, Corey Desso of Plattsburgh, Jason Desso of Plattsburgh, Jacob Desautels serving in Iraq, Adon Trombley of Schenectady and Karch Ross of Phoenix, Ariz.; and one niece, Konner Ross of Phoenix, Ariz.; several other aunts, uncles and cousins; and her Grammy, Doris J. Carr of Ashville, N.Y.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at 11 a.m. in St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh.

Following the funeral Mass, a reception will be held at the American Legion Post 20 on the Quarry Road in Plattsburgh.

Burial will take place in the spring in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to The American Cancer Society.

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

David G. Donivan

SCHUYLER FALLS -- David G. Donivan, 67, of Birchwood Drive, Plattsburgh, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at his residence.

He was born in Chazy, N.Y., on Jan. 17, 1938, the son of George I. and Edna (Durand) Donivan.

David graduated from Plattsburgh High School and then attended Paul Smith's College for a year, studying forestry. He retired from the Plattsburgh City Police Department and was a Golden Gloves boxer.

David and a friend built the House of Pine, later called the House of Pine and Oak.

He owned and operated the furniture business for 26 years and he and his wife Lorrie had planned to retire this year.

David married the former Lorrie Lyke on Feb. 11, 1989, at Anthony's Restaurant in Plattsburgh.

David loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and guns. He also enjoyed walking in the woods and loved flying. He owned several sea planes and sometimes flew friends on fishing expeditions to Canada. David was a Golden Gloves boxer and he attended Holy Angels Church in Altona.

David is survived by two brothers, George Donivan and his wife Elinor (Bush) of Gulfport, Miss., and Robert Donivan of Texas; two half brothers and one half sister, William and Kaye Donivan of York, Pa., James Donivan of Pennsylvania and Sheila Beeler of Pennsylvania; one aunt, Florence Donivan of Chazy; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a half brother, Michael Donivan, formerly of Pennsylvania.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at 11 a.m. in St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh.

Following the funeral Mass, a reception will be held at the American Legion Post 20 on the Quarry Road in Plattsburgh.

Burial will take place in the spring in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to The American Cancer Society.

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

Deaths

FLORENCE M. GONYEA HACKETT, 101, formerly of Sailly Avenue and the Vilas Home, died Jan. 6, 2006, at the Meadowbrook Nursing Home.

She was born in Saranac, N.Y., on June 13, 1904, the daughter of Marcel and Cecile (Livernois) Seney.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time with the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A full obituary will be in Monday's Press-Republican.