01/09/2006

Obituaries: 01/09/06

Florence M. Gonyea Hackett

PLATTSBURGH -- Florence M. Gonyea Hackett, 101, formerly of Sailly Avenue and the Vilas Home, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at Meadowbrook Nursing Home.

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

Florence was an elementary-school teacher and taught in several one-room schoolhouses in the North Country. She began teaching in the Tobin District, then on the True Brook Road; she then taught in Silver Lake and finally on the Military Turnpike. Her last 17 years of teaching were spent as a first-grade teacher at Beekmantown Central School.

She was a communicant of St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh and was a lifetime member of St. Peter's Altar Rosary Society, Plattsburgh State University College Alumni Association, the Plattsburgh Senior Citizens and the New York State Retired Teachers Association.

Florence had a great love of spending good times with friends and family. She greatly enjoyed dining out, and she always had a little joke to brighten the day.

Florence is survived by many nieces and nephews and several friends. She was the last of 11 children. Florence was predeceased by sisters, Cecile Sydney, Clara LaRose, Evelina Seney, Anna Bell, Priscilla McClelland and Sister Agnes Seney; and brothers, Marcel Seney, Louis Seney, Loren Seney and John Seney.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Emmaus Room at St. Peter's Church.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon in St. Peter's Church. Following the funeral Mass, a reception will take place in the Emmaus Room. Burial will take place in the spring in Assumption of Mary Cemetery in Redford. Donations in Florence's memory may be made the the Emmaus Room at St. Peter's Church.

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

Irene W. Supernaw

MOOERS FORKS -- Irene W. Supernaw, 81, of Cannon Corners Road, Mooers Forks, died on Jan. 5, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Born in Brattleboro, Vt., on May 20, 1924, she was the daughter of Emile and Cora (Barcomb) LaValley.

She was married to Lawrence Supernaw on Jan. 1, 1946, in Brattleboro. He predeceased her on June 15, 1978.

Mrs. Supernaw is survived by a son, Robert Allen, of Ormond Beach, Fla.; a granddaughter, Angelica Supernaw, of Gatlinburg, Tenn.; and longtime friend and companion, Wallace LaFave of Mooers Forks.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents and a son, Jay Supernaw, in 1956.

Mrs. Supernaw attended school at St. Michael's in Brattleboro, Vt. During her life, she was employed at the Twin Bridges Inn, Champlain, as a waitress and bartender and at one time was manager of the Cider Inn.

There will be no calling hours and funeral services will be private. Spring burial will take place at St. Ann's Cemetery, Mooers Forks. Arrangements are with the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

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.

Deaths: 01/09/06

LAWRENCE R. (LARRY) LaHART, 45, of 15 Grandview Ave., Lake Placid, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at Adirondack Medical Center in Lake Placid.

Born in Saranac Lake on Monday, March 7, 1960, he was the son of Russell and Kathleen (Dreibelbis) LaHart of Lake Placid.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 9, 2006, at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. A Bible vigil will be held at 6:45 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at St. Agnes Church in Lake Placid.

Interment will be held in May at St. Agnes Cemetery, Lake Placid.