Obituaries: 4/13/06

Charles L. Blake II

PLATTSBURGH -- Charles L. Blake II, 85, of the Fox Farm Road, Plattsburgh, peacefully passed away, Tuesday, April 11, 2006.

He was born in Peru, June 1, 1920, the son of Charles L. Blake I and Essa Marie (Reid) Blake.

Charles served in the United States Army during World War II as a sharpshooter and "bomb dog." He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf and the Bronze Service Arrowhead, among others, and was honorably discharged Sept. 25, 1945.

Charles was manager of Sterling Fox Farm in Plattsburgh for many years. Following retirement he did landscaping for many area residents.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Charles was also known to have one of the largest gardens in the area.

Survivors include a daughter, Virginia Winifred Blake of Plattsburgh; a son, Charles Leslie Blake III of Plattsburgh; two grandchildren, Angie Burke and her companion Jeff Laundry of Plattsburgh, who cared for Charles for several years, and Day "Pollywog" (as Charles fondly referred to her) Blake of Plattsburgh; seven brothers and sisters, Raymond Kenneth of Plattsburgh, Lena Hags of Saranac Lake, Gerald Ralph Blake of Plattsburgh, Alice Nancy Coon of Plattsburgh, Patricia Marie Blake of Plattsburgh, Barbara Mabel Blake of Plattsburgh and Doris Mae Ryan of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife, Viola Lillian (Coon) Blake; and three brothers, Robert Frank, Clayton Arthur and Donald Benjamin.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to his family.

Mary Elizabeth Donovan Gijanto

TICONDEROGA -- Mary Elizabeth Donovan Gijanto, 70, of Ell Street, Ticonderoga, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, after a short but spirited battle with cancer.

Born April 25, 1935, in Ticonderoga, she was the daughter of the late Charles "Tunk" and Elizabeth (Jeffers) Donovan.

Mrs. Gijanto graduated from Ticonderoga High School as salutatorian in 1952 and was a 1953 graduate of Mildred Elley Business School.

She married James Joseph Gijanto on Oct. 10, 1953.

Over her professional career Mrs. Gijanto was employed by Attorney Allen Wicks and E.J. Monroe, both of Ticonderoga and Shore Line Cruises of Lake George. She was also co-owner and operator of Adirondack Lanes of Ticonderoga for 20 years. After her retirement, she volunteered at an elementary school in Key Colony Beach, Fla., where she spent her winters.

She was a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ticonderoga and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court of St. Mary's 794. She was an avid golfer and a lifetime member of the Ticonderoga Country Club.

Survivors include her devoted husband, James J. "Jake" Gijanto of Ticonderoga; two sons, Michael Gijanto and his wife Becky of Pownal, Vt., and Charles Gijanto and his wife Jacqueline of Morrisonville, N.Y.; two daughters, Mary Susan Paeth and her husband Paul of Manchester, N.Y., and Elizabeth Gijanto of Long Beach, Calif. She is also survived by six grandchildren; one great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed by friends in Ticonderoga, Glens Falls and Key Colony Beach, Fla.

Relatives and friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ticonderoga. The Rev. William G. Muench, pastor, will officiate. The Rite of Committal will follow at the family plot of St. Mary's Parish Cemetery of Ticonderoga.

Donations in her memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center, c/o CVPH Medical Center, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Howard L. Bouvia

WEST CHAZY -- Howard L. Bouvia, 88, of the Ashley Road, West Chazy, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh on July 17, 1917, son of Daniel D. and Lilly M. (Dapo) Bouvia.

Howard served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a life member of American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1466 in Beekmantown.

Howard retired from tractor-trailer driving in 1977 after 25 years driving for Smith Transport in Rouses Point. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Howard enjoyed camping.

Howard is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Provost of West Chazy; a son, Robert Bouvia Sr. and his wife Joyce of Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Gloria Bouvia of Ellenburg; 15 grandchildren, Ernest and wife Marilyn Duprey of Sciota, Richard Duprey and wife Gloria of West Chazy, Pamela Beshon of Florida, Debra Yelle and husband Kenneth of West Chazy, Randy Provost and fiancee Melody Giddins of Plattsburgh, Kelley Bartholomew and fiancee Ben Abrams of New Jersey, Robert Bouvia Jr. of Ohio, Diana Turner and husband Cletus of Ohio, Pamela Mellon and husband Tim of Ohio, Kimberly Spring and husband Robert of Arizona, Tom Bouvia and wife Marie of Ellenburg, Peter Bouvia of West Chazy, Cheri Quesnel and husband William of Ellenburg and Sara LaBarge and husband Earl of Ellenburg; many great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; several nieces; nephews; and a life-time friend, Ernest Burl and wife Eunice of West Chazy.

Howard was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Mildred; his brother, Raymond Bouvia; a son, Howard F. Bouvia; grandson, Tim Bouvia; and a great-grandson, Richard A. Duprey Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 17, 2006, from St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy at 10 a.m.

Donations in Howard's name may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements with Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Joyce Emma Metz

MINEVILLE -- Joyce Emma Metz, 83, passed away on April 6, 2006.

She was born in Schenectady, N.Y., on Nov. 14, 1922, the daughter of Emma and Harry Metz.

She lived much of her life in Ashby, Mass., where she raised Rottweilers and in 1978 her dog Lyndhausen's Erik V Desun won Best of Breed and was declared a Certified Champion by the American Kennel Club. For the last 15 years she lived with her sister, Virginia Thelen on Bartlett Pond Road in Mineville, N.Y.

Joyce loved the North Country and said many times she felt blessed to be living here. She loved to weed in the garden and drive around the Town of Moriah visiting her many friends, especially those she treasured at Mineville Rexall, Hometown Pharmacy, Mineville Oil Company and the former Tops in Port Henry.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Harry Metz Jr. and Charles Metz; and her life-long companion, Pat Comporone, all of Schenectady, N.Y.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia (Metz) Thelen, formerly of Schenectady and now a resident of Mineville, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Doris Metz of Schenectady, N.Y.; and nieces and nephews, Karen and David Thelon of Atlanta, Ga., Judy and Harry Peers of New York City, N.Y., Marilyn (Metz) Sanford of Schenectady, N.Y., and Karl and Mary Thelen of Mineville, N.Y.;, and several grandnieces and nephews, Christopher Thelen of Augusta, Ga.; Kelly (Thelen) Wilson of Douglasville, Ga.; Tamara (Thelen) Palmer of Sugarloaf, N.Y.; Shane Thelon of Ticonderoga, N.Y.; Joshua Thelon of South Hadley, Mass.; Jeffrey Thelon of Rochester, N.Y. and Mark Sanford of Schenectady, N.Y.

Joyce was loved by all for her sense of humor and outgoing nature. She will be missed.

Arrangements were made by Harland's Funeral Home in Port Henry, N.Y. There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in August.

Friends may make memorial donations in Joyce's name to the Moriah Ambulance Squad in Moriah Center, NY 12960.

Donald P. Hewson

PLATTSBURGH -- Donald P. Hewson, 75, of Montcalm Avenue, Plattsburgh, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Chazy, on Dec. 5, 1930, the son of Elmer and Hartie (Martin) Hewson.

Donald attended Chazy High School. He married Maidge Ducatte on July 24, 1954, at St. Peter's Church.

Donald was employed at Rowe Buick as a mechanic for over 20 years, at the KOA Campground for many years and later at Kmart where he was employed until he retired due to illness.

Mr. Hewson was a member of St. Peter's Church. He loved to fish, hunt, camp and do woodworking projects.

Survivors include his wife, Maidge of Plattsburgh; one son, Ronald and Jill Hewson of Morrisonville; one daughter, Kathy and Kevin Reil of West Chazy; four grandchildren, Jonathan Hewson, Michael Hewson, Robert and Christine Reil and Kristy Reil; one brother, Martin Hewson of Pittsburgh, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Champlain Valley Heart Center at CVPH Medical Center.

Deaths:

LARRY GARROW, 76, of Hinesville, Ga., died Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at his residence under the care of Hospice Savannah.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 13, 2006, with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 14, 2006, at St. Stephen Catholic Church with Father Thomas J. Murphy, officiating. Burial will be in Oglethorpe Memorial Park with Masonic Rites.

JOAN M. SOULIA, 58, of County Route 24, Malone, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006, after being stricken at her home.

Born in Malone, on Dec. 20, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Anna McNierney Tavernier.

Calling hours will be in the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Notre Dame Church in Malone. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.