Obituaries: 04/11/06

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.

Herbert G. Herron

WEST PLATTSBURGH -- Herbert G. Herron, 92, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2006.

He was born in Dannemora on May 5, 1913, the son of Hugh J. and Josephine (Drollette) Herron.

Herbert graduated from Dannemora High School and was a correction officer in Dannemora for 34 years.

Mr. Herron served in World War II. He completed his basic training at Fort Custer in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was then shipped to Australia and served in the Pacific Theater with General MacArther Advance Headquarters to New Guinea and Philippines during 1943-1946. After several operations onboard ship and at Camp Pendleton Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif., LAPE, he was honorably discharged July 18, 1946, from Rhodes General Hospital in Utica. After which he returned to work until his retirement in 1972.

Herbert was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora and St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville, N.Y.

He married Claire E. Gonyea on April 22, 1941, in St. Bernard's Church in Lyon Mountain by Father Edward Burnes. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. His life, joy and purpose revolved around his family.

Mr. Herron was a past member of Dannemora Fire Department, American Legion Post 852, Dannemora, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 125 in Plattsburgh and a life member of the Disabled American Vets Chapter 179. He helped form Post 1514 in Dannemora. He served several positions in each Post, County, 4th District and State.

Survivors include his wife, Claire; three daughters and sons-in-law, Harriet and Louis DelSole of Queensbury, N.Y., Sandra and Richard Arruda of Plattsburgh and Nancy and Robert Carter of Kent, Ohio; two granddaughters, Lisa (Joe) Hill of Clifton Park, N.Y., and Deborah DelSole of Malta, N.Y.; one grandson, Mark Carter of Napa, Calif.; two great-grandsons, Timothy Michael Carter of Dayton, Ohio and Matthew Hill of Clifton Park, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Hugh A. Herron and his twin brother, Herman Herron; three sisters, Marjory Ahern, Marion Wing and Joyce Douglas; one granddaughter, Sheila Marie Canning; and one grandson, Michael Carter.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday 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 Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Dannemora. A reception will follow at St. Alexander's Jubilee Hall.

Donations in his name may be made to St. Alexander's Memorial Fund or Masses may be offered in his memory.