Obituaries: 2/03/06

Walter Russell Porter Sr.

TICONDEROGA -- Walter Russell Porter Sr., 89, of Street Road, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at the Moses-Ludington Hospital of Ticonderoga.

Born in Lyndhurst, N.J., Nov. 17, 1916, he was the son of the late Mason Lloyd and Mary (Latamer) Porter.

Mr. Porter lived in Brooklyn before moving to Ticonderoga, where he has been a resident for most of his life.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served with the Sea Bees during World War II.

He was employed by the International Paper Company of Ticonderoga as a machine operator for many years before his retirement, and was a member of the Company's Quarter Century Club. He served as President of Local Union 497.

Walter was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved boating and camping.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 224 and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks 1494, both of Ticonderoga.

He was predeceased by two sons, Kenneth L. Porter and Walter R. Porter Jr.; one grandson, Edward Clark; two brothers, Raymond Porter and Howard Porter; and one sister, Pearl White.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Anita (Benway) Porter; five sons, Walter W. Porter and his wife Judy of Hague, Charles H. Porter and his wife Dawn of Stillwater, Thomas G. Porter of Ticonderoga and Robert R. Porter and his wife Jennifer of Ticonderoga and Wayne F. Porter of Portland, Maine; four daughters, Mary Anne Clark and her husband Jim of Ticonderoga, Pamela Whitford and her husband Robert of Marcellus, June Georgi and her husband Omar of Montavideo, Uruguay, South America, and Karen Whalen and her husband Michael of Minot, Maine; two brothers, Milton Porter of Tampa, Fla., and Richard Porter of Ticonderoga. He is also survived by 45 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and

great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. The Ticonderoga Elks will conduct ritualistic services at 6:15 p.m. at the funeral home, followed by an American Legion Service at 6:30 p.m.

A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m., Saturday evening, at the funeral home. The Rev. Mr. Elliott A. Shaw of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ticonderoga, will officiate.

The family would like to invite relatives and friends to the Ticonderoga Elks Lodge for a reception following the funeral service on Saturday evening.

The Rite of Committal will take place at the family plot of the May Memorial Cemetery of Hague in the spring.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Ticonderoga Emergency Squad, 8 Depot St., Ticonderoga, NY 12883 or the Moses-Ludington Hospital, Wicker Street, Ticonderoga, NY 12883.

Gerald W. Ratta

KEESEVILLE -- Mr. Gerald W. Ratta, 79, of Keeseville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility in Burlington, Vt., with his family by his side. He was born in Chazy, N.Y., on Aug. 7, 1926, the son of Julius and Bertha (Martin) Ratta.

Gerald was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He retired from PACTIV Corporation after 421„2 years. Gerald was a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1466, Beekmantown and the American Legion Post 20, Plattsburgh. He enjoyed playing senior bingo, traveling and playing cards.

Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Julius and Bertha Ratta; a son, Jerry Ratta; a granddaughter, Jamie Ratta; his brothers, Ray, Julius and Lawrence Ratta; and a sister, Pearl Fountain.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nora (Gumlaw) Ratta of Keeseville; one daughter, Sandy Bousquet and her husband John of Beekmantown; grandchildren, Mindy Burdo and her husband Terry of West Chazy and Beth Bousquet of Beekmantown; a daughter-in-law, Laura Gamache and her husband Clifton and their family of Sciota; his brother, Virgil Ratta and his wife Nancy of Plattsburgh, a sister, Betty Hadley and her husband Harvey of Hemingford, Quebec; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Ratta of Williston, Vt.; two brothers-in-law, Jack Fountain of Plattsburgh and Francis Delong of Schuyler Falls; several nieces, nephews; special friends; and his beloved cat, Mittens.

At Gerald's request, there will be no calling hours.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 2 p.m. from St. Louis de France Church in Sciota with the Rev. Gilbert O. Boisvert, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be at a later date in the family plot at St. Louis de France Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Judith A. Spaulding

QUAKERTOWN, Pa. -- Judith A. Spaulding, 58, of Quakertown, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at her home. She was the wife of the late Dana H. Spaulding.

Born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Benedetto and Veronica (Donah) Mazzola.

She was a local craft artisan.

She is survived by two sons, Christopher B. of La Plata, Md., and Timothy A. of Quakertown; two daughters, Tara L. of Phoenix, Ariz., and Bethany L. of Quakertown; a sister, Cindie M. Goodrow and her husband Thomas of West Chazy, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Christopher and Aryn.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 821 W. Broad St., Quakertown. A memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home. (www.crstrunk.com)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or to VNA Hospice at St. Luke's, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Deaths:

GLORIA RITA PETERSON, 80, of Plattsburgh died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5 at M.B. Clark Funeral Home in Champlain. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6 in St. Ann's Church in Mooers Forks.

A full obituary will appear in Saturday's Press-Republican.