Obituaries: 2/02/06

Ernest P. Rangazas

AUGUSTINE, Fla., -- Ernest P. Rangazas, 82, St. Augustine, Fla., died Jan. 28, 2006, at Flagler Hospital. He was born in Brockton, Mass.

He graduated from Nashua High School, the University of New Hampshire and received his Ph.D. from Indiana University. After coaching baseball, basketball and football at Anderson College in Indiana, he moved to Plattsburgh State University, N.Y., where he served as baseball coach, Director of Athletics and Chairman of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.

He was a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and played a central role in bringing several international sporting events to Plattsburgh including the World University Winter Games in 1972, the assembly point and training program for the U.S. Olympic team before the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and the Olympic Academy in 1985. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Empire State Games, modeled after the Olympic Games, for the state of New York.

He retired in 1985 and became a full-time resident of St. Augustine. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Adkins of Mechanicsville, Va.; his son, Peter Rangazas of Morgantown, Ind.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Nerina C. Rangazas.

Calling hours will be held at the Zis-Sweeney Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St., Nashua on Saturday, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by his service at 11 a.m. in St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church, 500 W. Hollis St., Nashua.

The burial will take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashua.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the St. Philip Church Endowment.

Thomas M. Barber

KEESEVILLE -- Thomas M. "Papa" Barber, 66, of Grove Street, Keeseville, left this world Jan. 31, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center with his loving family by his side every step of the way. "Papa" is now and has always been our angel.

He was born in Keeseville, Aug. 9, 1939, the son of the late Rufus and Louise (Duell) Barber. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Paul and James Barber.

Tom was a 1955 graduate of Keeseville Central School. He then served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. He was employed at Keeseville Country Gardens for many years.

Tom was a man of endless talents and more than anything else in the world he adored his family. One of his many great accomplishments is his book "The Cabin by the Creek." He was a published author and we are all very proud of him for this special accomplishment.

He was a past member of the Keeseville Fire Department and Keeseville Knight of Columbus and was a member of the Writers Guild in Saranac Lake. He enjoyed crafts and writing.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Wanda M. (Latourelle) Barber of Keeseville, whom he married Saturday, Nov. 26, 1960, at St. John's Church in Keeseville; his three children and their spouses, Rickie and Patti Barber of Keeseville, Cathy and Greg Roy of Peru, and Debbie and Scott Benware of Keeseville; seven grandchildren, Leigh and Josh Preston, Jennifer and Curt Smith, Michele Rule, Heidi Benware, Christine Rule, Scott Benware., and Nikolas Barber; three great-grandchildren, Tonie Cross and Riley and Noah Smith; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Agnes Tetreault of Albany and Marie and Clayton Ramsdell of Lake Preston, S.D.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Shirley Barber of Peru and Jerry and Brenda Barber of Keeseville; very close friend, Dale Weed; and many other friends and family.

There will be no public calling hours.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Church in Keeseville with Monsignor Leeward J. Poissant, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be in the spring in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Keeseville Rescue Squad.

Katherine M. Peete

PLATTSBURGH -- Katherine "Kay" M. Peete, 79, of Ingraham, Chazy, N.Y., and the Tom Miller Road, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Chazy, N.Y., on May 20, 1926, the daughter of Lawrence and Ruby (Wilkins) DeCelle.

Kay graduated from Chazy Central Rural School in 1944 and Plattsburgh Business Institute in 1945. Kay worked for many area banks and retired in the early 1980s. Upon her retirement, she enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and to many other countries.

Survivors include one daughter, Kathleen Corley of Plattsburgh; one brother, Lawrence DeCelle and his wife Lillian of Beekmantown; and several nieces and nephews. Her husband, Lawrence Peete died Feb. 6, 1981. One brother, Albert DeCelle, also died earlier.

Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. A committal service will be held in the Sacred Heart Church parish cemetery in Chazy, at a time to be announced later in the spring.

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

Donations in her memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center.

Mildred J. Gero

CHASE MILLS -- Funeral services for 79-year-old Mildred J. Gero, of 712 Court. Rt. 44, Chase Mills, and a winter resident of Rockledge, Fla., will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church of the Visitation in Norfolk, with the Rev. Andrew Amyot, pastor, presiding. Spring burial will be in Visitation Cemetery, Norfolk.

Calling hours will be held Friday, at the Buck Funeral Home in Norfolk from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mrs. Gero passed away Monday with her loving family at her side at Wvesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge, Fla.

Survivors are her husband, Richard of Chase Mills; sons, Francis and Beatrice Gero of Massena, Rudolph Gero of Monterey, Mass., Harold and Beth Gero of Norfolk, John and Stacie Gero of Poughquag, N.Y.; and a foster son, Don and Doreen Carron of Meridan, Conn.; daughters, Mrs. Vernon Beverly Malark of Cadyville, N.Y., Mrs. Bernard Deborah Safford of Brasher Falls; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Antonie Lafave of Plattsburgh, Harold Lafave of Plattsburgh; sisters, Hattie Bourlice of Altona, N.Y., Irene Carter of Plattsburgh, Stella Mitchell of Altona, N.Y.; and nieces and nephews.

Born in Altona, N.Y., on Nov. 27, 1926, to John and Malinda Rabideau Johnson. She married Richard Gero on Aug. 13, 1944. She worked for Moongate Nursing Home in Canton as a nurses aid and was a homemaker.

She was a member of the church of the Visitation Altar and Rosary Society and a communicant of the church. She enjoyed wintering in Florida, playing cards with family and friends, playing bingo and enjoyed her little dog "baby."

Memorial donations can be made to a charity of one's choice or to Hospice of Wvesthoff Hospital Rockledge, FL 32955.

Arrangements are with the Buck Funeral Home Norfolk.

John F. Casey

PLATTSBURGH -- Mr. John F. "Jack" Casey, 72, of Halsey Court, Plattsburgh, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Great Barrington, Mass., on Oct. 12, 1933, the son of Raymond W. and Thelma D. (Dillenbeck) Casey Sr.

Jack was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1951 to 1954. He retired from Montgomery Ward after 35 years of service.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Thelma Casey; a son, Scott Kevin Casey; a grandson, Kellen Scott Casey; his brothers, Raymond W. Casey Jr., Robert D. Casey, Richard E. Casey; and sister, Joanne C. Clain.

Jack is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shauneen (Ryan) Casey of Plattsburgh; his children, Richard K. "Rick" Casey and his wife Cristi, Shauna E. Casey, Kristi C. Raville and her husband Gregory, Erin K. Casey, Joseph R. Casey and his wife Julie, Kerry C. Hynes and her husband John, Colleen C. Flynn and her husband Jamie all of Plattsburgh, John S. Casey and his wife Cynthia of Keeseville; 15 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

At Jack's request there will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, at 11 a.m. from St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Cumberland Head. Interment will be at a later date in the family plot at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to the Kellen Scott Casey Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. John's School or the American Heart Association.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Deaths:

IRA V. DURKEE, 78, formerly of Chateaugay, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, at Blossom View Nursing Home, Sodus, N.Y.

Born in Chateaugay, N.Y., on July 15, 1927, he was the son of Warren and Hilda (Dunford) Durkee.

Calling hours will be held at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, from noon to 2 p.m. The funeral will follow in the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m.

Spring burial will take place at Sandy Knoll Cemetery, Chateaugay.