Obituaries: 2/15/06

Gerald L. Graves

PLATTSBURGH -- Mr. Gerald L. Graves, 85, of Oak Street, Plattsburgh passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on May 21, 1920, the son of Lawrence and Una (Girard) Graves.

Gerald was a veteran of World War II and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125. He owned and operated Plattsburgh Armature Works on Clinton Street from 1960 to 1998. Gerald and his late wife, Roslyn enjoyed antiques and dealing in them.

His parents and his wife predeceased him.

Gerald is survived by children, Lawrence Graves and his wife Nancy of Plattsburgh, Jerry Graves and his wife Joy of Massena, Judy Broeker of Malone and Robert Graves of Plattsburgh; six grandchildren, Brian Graves and his wife Amy of Plattsburgh, Laurie Rogers of Texas, Lucinda Clements and her husband Casey of Apex, N.C., David Graves of North Carolina, Calvin Neil Broeker of Malone and Matthew Broeker of Morrisonville; four great-grandchildren, Logan and Tori Graves of Plattsburgh and Corey Breen and Jeremy Rogers, both of Texas; a sister, Mrs. James (Carolyn) Finnegan of Keeseville; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours and funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at a later date at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to the Skilled Nursing Facility at CVPH Medical Center.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Anthony V. Pellicano

PERU -- Anthony V. Pellicano, 78, of Winding Brook Road, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Brooklyn on June 11, 1927, son of the late Joseph V. and Fortunata (Nettie Perrone) Pellicano.

Tony was a graduate of Brooklyn Methodist School in Brooklyn, he attended college in Syracuse prior to entering the United States Army. He served during World War II and was a band leader. He came out of the service and entered Champlain College.

After college he joined his father in Centereach Plumbing Supply in Suffolk County, Long Island. He came to Plattsburgh, designed, built and owned the Airport Mall that housed Pelican Supply. He was selected Businessman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Tony was honorary commander for the Plattsburgh Air Force Base Liaison Committee. He was known for his sense of humor, Tony liked to play golf with his friends, cook for his family and enjoyed playing Frank Sinatra music. Spending time with his grandchildren was the highlight of his life.

Tony is survived by his wife of 57 years, Geraldine (Reeves) Pellicano of Peru; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Deborah Pellicano of Howell, N.J.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Fortune and Richard Ellison of Peru and Linda and James Baker of Peru; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Kathy Pellicano of Savannah, Ga.; a sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Peter Strafaci of Oak Ridge, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Robbie, Timothy and Amy Pellicano, Nadine and Laura Ellison, Kristy, Brian, Katie and Bradley Baker; and several nieces and nephews.

Tony was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Pellicano.

Calling hours will be Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, at noon from St. Augustine's Church in Peru. Burial will be later in the year in St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Lillian M. Calkins

PLATTSBURGH -- Lillian M. Calkins, 89, of Route 9, Plattsburgh, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 13, 1916, the daughter of Frederick and Sophia (Seimers) Dosher.

Lillian married John E. Calkins Sr., on Nov. 30, 1940. Mr. Calkins died Oct. 10, 1983.

Mrs. Calkins worked as a cashier for Grand Union for 28 years.

Survivors include one daughter-in-law, JoAnne Trombley Calkins of Plattsburgh; one grandson, Scott Calkins and his wife Carol and their son Tyler; one granddaughter, Heather Barber and her husband William and great-grandsons, John A. Barber and twins, Zachery and Alex Barber.

She was predeceased by two sons, John Calkins Jr. in 1996 and Randall Scott Calkins; and three brothers, Hubert, Fredrick and Billy Dosher.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the R.W. Walker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the spring in Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

Allen L. Pierce

AUSABLE FORKS -- Allen L. Pierce, 70, of Broad St., AuSable Forks and Lakeside Court, Cliff Haven, completed his earthly life and entered into eternal life with God on Monday, Feb. 13, 2006, at his home. He was surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Elizabethtown, N.Y., on Dec. 3, 1935, the son of Harold and Gladys (Miller) Pierce.

Allen graduated from Westport Central School in 1954. He served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958. Allen retired from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora where he was employed as a correction officer for 34 years. He worked for Pete's selling and servicing monitor heaters after his retirement. His early years of work were at Eggleston's Lumber Yard, Walt Bull's Trailers and Allen Roger's Corporation.

Allen was a member of the AuSable Forks United Methodist Church, the Dannemora American Legion, the Wadhams Grange and the Masonic Lodge in Ellenburg.

Allen was devoted to his wife and family who were the delight of his life. He especially enjoyed taking his family camping during summer vacation. Allen loved helping his friends and neighbors wherever he saw a need.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, the Rev. Virginia (Anson) Pierce, whom he married July 25, 1964, in the Wadhams Methodist Church; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Ronald and Noreen Pierce of Mechanicsville, Va., Steven and Roseanna Pierce of Dannemora, Timothy Pierce and fiancée Brigit Murray of Albany and Matthew Pierce of New York, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Rebekah, Joshua, Danae, Kaitlyn and Jacob Pierce. A new grandchild is expected very soon. He is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Edwin and Anna Lee Pierce of Homer, N.Y., and Glenn and Marty Pierce of Canton, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Mary Pierce of Saranac; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; and three brothers, Robert, LeRoy and Harry Pierce.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Peru Community Church with the Rev. Dr. Robert E. Svenson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Saranac Independence Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the AuSable Forks, Clintonville or Dannemora United Methodist Churches or the Dannemora Fire Department.

Richard Mullen

SOQUEL, CALIF. -- Richard Mullen, 90, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, in Capitola, Calif.

Born and raised in Saranac Lake, Mr. Mullen was the youngest of four children and graduated from Saranac Lake High School. He also graduated from Colgate University and attended Case Western Reserve University.

He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II as a supply officer. After serving in the Navy, Mr. Mullen returned to Saranac Lake, where he married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor LaVallee and managed his family's well-known grocery store, the Saranac Lake Supply, for 30 years. Following the sale of the store, he worked for the Housing and Urban Development Program where he served underprivileged families.

Mr. Mullen moved to Santa Cruz, Calif., in 1991 to live with his daughter and son-in-law following the passing of his wife.

He enjoyed playing bridge, oil painting and especially enjoyed his devoted friends in his poker group in Aptos, Calif. He had been a member of Rotary Club. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his gentle and sweet nature, the twinkle in his eye and his enthusiasm for life.

Mr. Mullen is survived by a sister, Mildred Mahan of Richmond, Va.; a brother, Bernard Mullen of Keene; two daughters, Patrice Keet and her husband Robert of Aptos, Calif., and Kathleen Schneck of Saranac Lake; and four grandchildren, Richard and Amanda Schneck and Corinne and Kevin Keet.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife; and his brother, Bertrand Mullen.

A memorial gathering was held Feb. 18 in Soquel, Calif. A memorial service will be held in the spring in Saranac Lake.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Richard Mullen Scholarship Fund of North Country Community College in care of NCCC President Gail Rice, PO Box 89, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

Donald P. Boire

WEST CHAZY -- Donald P. Boire, 80, of Route 9, Ingraham, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Coopersville on Nov. 7, 1925, the son of Alexander and Amelia (Tetrault) Boire.

Donald attended Chazy Central Rural School. He married Geneva Goodrow in West Chazy on Oct. 26, 1946, she died Dec. 15, 2004.

Donald was a mechanic for 28 years at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base. He was an avid I.H. enthusiast, restoring several I.H. trucks, tractors and Cub Cadets. In his younger years, he was employed by several I.H. dealerships. He was a man of many trades. If it needed fixing he could fix it. As an ambitious young man he cut trees down in the woods, brought the logs to the family sawmill, cutting them into lumber and then building his home from start to finish. Donald belonged to the Champlain Valley Antique Gas Engine Club. He was a member of the St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy.

Survivors include his son, Michael Boire of Plattsburgh; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Marcel and Joyce Boire of Altona, Gabriel and Marie Boire of Westboro, Mass., and Arthur and Jeanne Boire of Point Au Roche; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Madeline and Donald Favreau of Chazy and Germaine Giles of Seffner, Fla.; two grandsons, Matthew and Jason Boire of Plattsburgh; two sisters-in-law, Theresa Boire of Chazy and Rosemary Boire of Beekmantown; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by five brothers, John, Louis, Roger, Leo and Orel Boire; and one sister, Loretta Favreau.

Calling hours will be held Friday 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 held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy. Burial will be at a later date at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Chazy. A reception will follow in the church hall.

Arrangements by R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Deaths:

THOMAS JOSEPH KING, 23, of Burke, died Feb. 11, 2006, after a long battle with leukemia, at his family's home in Burke under the devoted care of his family.

He was born May 17, 1982, he was the son of Ronald H. and Debra Leabo King.

Calling hours will be Wednesday at the Spaulding Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Tom Davis officiating.

Arrangements are through the Spaulding Funeral Home of Malone.

MATHIAS NADEAU, 83, of Tupper Lake, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at Mercy Healthcare Center.

Calling hours will be on Friday, Feb. 17 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fortune-Keough-Rennell Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church.

FRANCIS G. SILVER, 86, of the Brand Hollow Road, Peru, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Churubusco, April 9, 1919, the son of Gilbert and Myra (Tourville) Silver.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.