Obituaries: 4/07/06

Donald E. "Mike" Roushia

PLATTSBURGH -- Mr. Donald E. Roushia, 72, of the Irish Settlement Road, Plattsburgh, was called home to the arms of the Lord, Tuesday, April 4, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center, after a courageous battle with cancer, with his family by his side.

He was born on Feb. 2, 1934, to Joseph and Leona (Barassa) Roushia. Donald was an extremely hard worker and worked a variety of jobs, most notably being the highway superintendent for the Town of Plattsburgh. Later in life, Donald worked for Carter Trucking and most recently for Provost Trucking. He continued to work despite the fact that he was going through radiation and chemotherapy. Donald was a man of many talents and interests. He was a self taught mechanic, welder, plumber and electrician (a jack of all trades). If something was broken, Donald could fix it!

After his retirement, Donald enjoyed spending his winters in Florida. He also loved riding his Harley Davidson (that he wanted forever), playing the Liberty 7's at the Bingo Palace, having coffee with his friends at Dunkin' Donuts and camping with his family.

He was the greatest father, husband, brother, son and Pip anyone could have. He loved life and never would let the grass grow under his feet. He has left an impression on the world that will not be forgotten.

Donald was predeceased by his father, Joseph Roushia; a half brother, Maynard Roushia; and a half sister, Marion Simpson.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alice (Trombly) Roushia of Plattsburgh; one son, Jay Roushia and his wife Sherri of Altona; four daughters, Holly Stefaniak and her husband Fran of Keeseville, Crystal Provost and her husband Gary of Dannemora, Cindy Stewart and her husband Tim of Plattsburgh and Kellie Simmons and her husband KC of Peru; his mother, Leona (Roushia) Mitchell of Plattsburgh; one brother, Willam Roushia and his wife Gail of Plattsburgh; three sisters, Gladys Martin of Plattsburgh, Lillian Shelters and her husband Ted of Plattsburgh and Jean Garrant and her husband Donald of Saratoga; one sister-in-law, Bernice Barcomb; 12 grandchildren, Eric and Matthew Fletcher, Justin and Nicholas Stewart, Jason Stewart, Tyler Roushia, Alyssa Penell, Sonny Day, Amanda, Kayla and Brandi Roushia and one very special granddaughter, Jessica Gilman (Nurse Goodbody) and her husband Jeffrey; two great-grandsons, Crae and Christien Gilman; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated today at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Treadwells Mills. Interment will follow at St. Alexander's Cemetery in Morrisonville.

Serafina Smith Charbonneau

KEESEVILLE -- Serafina Smith Charbonneau, 94, of Route 9N, Keeseville, died April 5, 2006, at her home.

She born in Fornaci, Tuscany, Italy, Jan. 5, 1912, the daughter of Serafino and Assunta (DaPrato) Riani.

She graduated from Keeseville High School in 1930 and Plattsburgh State Normal School in 1934. She was schoolteacher at Keeseville Central School for 15 years. She married Richard J. Smith, July 5, 1939 in Keeseville. He died Dec. 8, 1969. Mr. and Mrs. Smith together owned and operated Richard Smith Lumber Sales in Keeseville for many years and is still in operation today.

She later married A. Bernard Charbonneau in 1974. He died Nov. 19, 1991.

Former activities include the Keeseville Riding and Driving Club, Keeseville Bowling League, the Girl Scout Committee, Immaculate Conception Church Choir, Wednesday Bridge Club, Catholic Daughters and was a volunteer swim instructor for the Red Cross.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Servando Canas of Port Kent; one daughter-in-law, Ruth Bookstaber of Long Beach, Calif.; four granddaughters and spouses, Susan (Canas) and Christopher Gregoire of South Burlington, Vt., Dr. Kathryn Canas and Lance Pearson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Laura (Smith) and Kemal Kazan of Long Beach, Calif., and Ivy Smith of Lawndale, Calif.; six great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; one brother-in-law, Dr. William Walker of Syosset; close friend, Pearl Morrow of Keeseville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also predeceased by her parents; one son, Dr. Richard C. Smith, Jan. 6, 2006; brothers, Peter and Louis Riani; and sisters, Mary Riani and Frances Riani Walker.

At Serafina's request, there will be no public calling hours. A memorial Mass will be celebrated later in the year at a date and time to be announced. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Keeseville.

Donations in Serafina's memory may be made to the Hospice of the North Country or the Keeseville Rescue Squad.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.

Elaine D. Bennett

PLATTSBURGH -- Elaine D. Bennett, 80, formerly of Addoms Street, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at Cedar Hedge Nursing Home in Rouses Point. She was born in Plattsburgh on Nov. 22, 1925, daughter of Clifford A. and Rhea (Lemieux) DuFour.

Elaine was a graduate of Glens Falls High School and became a registered nurse, working in Glens Falls prior to her marriage. She was a volunteer at CVPH Medical Center, in the FitzPatrick Cancer Center and the gift shop. One of her favorite activities was her weekly bridge group and outings with her friends. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and will be missed by all who knew her. Elaine was a lifetime communicant of St. Peter's Church.

Elaine is survived by three children, Mark Bennett and his wife Theresa of Plattsburgh, Jill Wray and her husband John of Tupper Lake, Rhea Chase and her husband William of Albany; six grandchildren, Amanda Wray of Providence, R.I., Adam Bennett of Plattsburgh, Aaron Bennett of Plattsburgh, Patrick Bennett of Plattsburgh, Nicholas Chase of Albany, John Chase of Albany; a brother-in-law, Richard Allen of Massillon, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elaine was predeceased by her husband, John Bennett; a son, Jim Bennett; and a sister, Delores Allen.

Calling hours will be Sunday, April 9, 2006, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 10, 2006, at 10 a.m. from St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Donations in Elaine's memory may be made to the Emmaus Room at St. Peter's Church.

Calvin "Stoney" R. Stone

WEST CHAZY -- Calvin "Stoney" R. Stone, 75, of Route 22, died Thursday, April 6, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Sciota on Sept. 22, 1930, the son of Albert and Nora (LaForest) Stone.

Calvin married Joyce M. Thompson at St. Joseph's Church on Nov. 14, 1949.

Mr. Stone was a member of St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy and a past member of the West Chazy Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, where he was fire chief for 18 years. In January 1970 he was honored as the 1969 Clinton County Fireman of the year. He was instrumental in rebuilding the fire department after a fire destroyed the fire house and in finding the land and completing the construction for the West Chazy Recreation Park. He was also a member of the Local 106 Operating Engineers and the North Country Squares.

Calvin worked as a crane operator for 37 years, working on many union jobs throughout New York state. He worked for Murnane Construction Company for 18 of the 37 years, retiring in 1993.

Survivors include his wife of West Chazy; four daughters, Bonnie L. Stone of West Chazy, Star and Michael Riley of Mooers, Cathy and Paul Riley of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Cindy and Scott Brean of West Chazy; one brother, Douglas and Sandra Stone of Glens Falls; two sisters, Jean O'Hearn of West Chazy and Janet Ure of So. Glens Falls; two sisters-in-law, Marlene Stone of Altoona, Pa., and Janet Stone of West Chazy; seven grandchildren, Kelly and Kyle Riley, Kristopher and Karen Riley, Jennifer Carron and Keri and Cory Brean; one great-grandchild, Austin Carron; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Vincent and Richard Stone; and one brother-in-law, Ralph O'Hearn.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 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 celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy.

Burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association and the Intensive Care Unit at CVPH Medical Center.

Deaths:

STEVEN J. HAAS, 43, of Dashnaw Road, Peru, died Thursday, April 6, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Syracuse on April 20, 1962, son of Norman F. and Sylvia (Hollerand) Haas.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Further funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Goddard-Crandell-Shepardson Funeral Home in Syracuse. Burial will be in Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay, N.Y.

ETHEL HUGHES, 91, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Schoolegs Mt., N.J., and most recently a resident of the Farrar Home, Malone, died Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at the Alice Hyde Hospital after a short illness.

Born in 1914, she was the daughter of Wilhelm and Gesine Ruck.

Private funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, at the Cochran Funeral Home in Hackettstown, N.J., and burial will be in Union Cemetery, Hackettstown.

Local arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

BRANDON W. DUNLAVEY, 18, of 405 Pikeville Road, Burke, N.Y., died Tuesday, April 4, 2006, as result of a vehicular accident.

He was born in Malone, N.Y., Oct. 12, 1987, the son of John and Maryann (Koupash) Dunlavey.

Calling hours will be Friday, April 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, Chateaugay, N.Y., with the Rev. John Demo officiating. Spring burial will take place in St. George's Cemetery.

ROBERT SPRANZ, 60, died Monday, April 3, 2006, at his home at 824 StylesBrook Road, Jay, N.Y.

He was born Sept. 26, 1945, the son of William and Lucille (Seel) Spranz.

There will be no calling hours or funeral services.

Zaumetzer- Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.