Obituaries: 4/10/06

Wilfred Francis "Red" Lacey

PLATTSBURGH -- Wilfred Francis "Red" Lacey, 92, of 16 Marcy Lane in Plattsburgh, returned to the arms of the Lord on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, surrounded by his loving family.

Red was born in Brooklyn on Oct. 12, 1913, one of five children of the late Edward Lacey and Agnes (Cody) Lacey. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen; son Edward; daughter Agnes; brothers Thomas and Leo; and sisters Agnes and Marie. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Standiford and husband, Herman, of Sumter, S.C.; son Richard of Melbourne, Fla.; daughter Linda Ackey and companion, Richard Blanchard, from Plattsburgh; daughter Donna Blanchard and husband, Edward, of Plattsburgh, son James and companion, Donna Gilman, of Plattsburgh, daughter Kathy Remer and fiance, Mick Chaskey, of Schenectady, and son Thomas and wife, Doris, of Plattsburgh. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friend, Josette Babbitt, of Plattsburgh who he loved and cherished.

Red was a member of American's greatest generation, a World War II hero. He served honorably in the United States Army for more than 23 years and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and numerous campaign medals and battle stars.

He was the Company boxer and bugler while stationed at the Plattsburgh Barracks. After his retirement from the Army, Red settled in Plattsburgh where he worked at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, base supply at PAFB, and as a dispatcher for the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department.

After finally retiring from all his jobs, Red became a world traveler, taking hundreds of Space "A" trips on KC-135s out of PAFB. He visited his daughter Patricia in Hawaii and South Carolina many times, son Richard in Okinawa and the Philippines, and daughter Kathy in California and Florida. He visited almost every Air Force installation in Europe. He loved to connect with his friends who he knew at PAFB who were stationed throughout the world. He was a champion ballroom dancer and enjoyed dancing with his friend, Josette, at every opportunity.

In 1975, Red began a physical regimen of swimming and exercise at the YMCA in Plattsburgh. He was close to his goal of swimming 5,000 miles and maintained an active lifestyle until shortly before his death. He was proud of the extraordinary accomplishments that he achieved and was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Red was faithfully dedicated to his family and went to great lengths to attend all family celebrations and significant events. He truly loved his family, friends and his country and was always ready and willing to be there at any time and place.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, April 11, 2006, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Plattsburgh YMCA, 17 Oak St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Hazel Mae Albee

ESSEX -- Hazel Mae Albee of Essex died of natural causes at age 96 in Plattsburgh on Thursday, April 6, 2006, just five weeks after the death of her twin sister, Doris.

Doris and Hazel were born May 28, 1909, to Harry W. Albee and Hattie Hoyt Albee in Marshfield, Maine. They were preceded in death by their brother, Harry W. Albee, Jr., half-brother Lewis Albee and half-sister Gladys Albee Bishop.

Hazel lived in Maine, Massachusetts and New York before retiring to her home in Essex on what is now called Albee Lane after her family.

Hazel graduated with the first class at the Physicians Hospital School of Nursing at Plattsburgh. She worked as a private nurse until joining the Army Nursing Corps during World War II. She left the army after the war with the rank of lieutenant. Hazel worked as a school nurse until her retirement in 1972, completing her career at Chazy Central Rural School.

Hazel had an extraordinary talent for enjoying life. In her Nursing School yearbook she wrote, "Whenever I am angry or displeased with the world, I shall sally forth and buy a new hat." She was fiercely independent, had many close friends, always drove Volkswagens and was particularly fond of cats.

Hazel is survived by her niece and nephew-in-law, Olive and Donald Alexander; nieces, Maxine Cochran and Connie Wolfe; and numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

At Hazel's request, no service will be held. A family celebration of her life will be held this summer at her home in Essex.

Gregory David Martin Jr.

CROWN POINT -- Gregory David Martin Jr. of Hogback Road, Crown Point, died Friday, April 7, 2006.

Born Aug. 16, 1969, in Ticonderoga, he was the son of Gregory David Martin and Sharon Martin of Crown Point.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his son, Jaimie Martin of Ticonderoga; his wife, Ann Martin, of Monkton, Vt.; his two sisters and their husbands, Kelly and Leigh Dunning of Moriah, and Lynn and Richard Dunning of Crown Point. He is also survived by one brother, Joshua Martin, and his wife, Bobbi Martin, of Ticonderoga; and six nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A service will follow at 3 p.m.

Edwidge E. "Eddy" Brunet

PLATTSBURGH -- Miss Edwidge E. "Eddy" Bruneet, 94, of Elm Street, Plattsburgh, died Saturday, April 8, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. She was born in Willsboro on July 3, 1911, the daughter of Joseph and Edwidge (Martin) Brunet. Edwidge retired from NYNEX after 41 years of service. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, St. Peter's Church and a member of the Rosary and Altar Society of St. Peter's Church. Edwidge was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Edwidge Brunet; two sisters, Marguerite Boyd and Evelyn Cosgrove; and two brothers, Joseph and Martin Brunet.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Bertha Perry and her husband, Victor, of Willsboro; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be today, Monday, April 10, 2006, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 10 a.m. from St. Peter's Church.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Willsboro.

Members of the Rosary and Altar Society of St. Peter's Church are asked to meet this evening, Monday, at 6 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home.

Friends wishing may make donations to St. Peter's Altar and Rosary Society.

Deaths: 04/10/06

DOROTHY E. BONTECOU, 84, of Oneida Avenue, Lake Placid, died Friday, April 7, 2006, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

Dot was born in Lake Placid on May, 10, 1921, the daughter of Raymond J. and Johanna Collins Traynor.

Friends may call Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Cremation will follow and a memorial service will be held at a later date, to be announced, from Lake Placid Baptist Church. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Lake Placid in May.

SISTER ADELE MURPHY R.S.M., 98, of St. Margaret's Convent, Uihlein Mercy Center, Lake Placid, died April 7, 2006, at Uihlein Mercy Center, where she had been a resident since Oct. 11, 2005.

Sister was born in Ormstown, Quebec, Canada, on Oct. 27, 1907, the daughter of Peter Murphy and Mary Ellen Murphy.

Calling hours will be held Monday, April 10, 2006, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the library of St. Margaret's Convent at Uihlein Mercy Center, Lake Placid. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at noon at the center's Reiss Memorial Chapel. Burial will be Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at 11 a.m. in Glenwood Cemetery, Watertown.