Obituaries: 4/14/06

Richard Bernard Harmon

PORT KENT -- Richard Bernard Harmon was born on July 4, 1928, on the Brooklyn Bridge in a taxicab in New York City.

He was the fourth child of Richard and Elizabeth (Hanratty) Harmon. Both were immigrants from County Louth, Ireland. Richard was raised in Bellerose, L.I.; he graduated from the Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School as class president in 1942. In 1946, he graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola as vice-president. He attended the University of Dayton in Ohio. There he met his future wife, Georgia O'Connell. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952. He married Georgia on Aug. 22, 1953, in the Corpus Christi Church in Dayton, Ohio. Richard continued his college education while working full time. He received his B.S. degree from Adelphi and his M.A. degree from Columbia. He did additional post graduate work at Ohio State University.

He worked as a recreation director on Long Island and in South Kingstown, R.I. In 1958, he accepted the newly created position of Civilian Base Recreation Director of Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio. In 1960, he transferred to Plattsburgh Air Force Base in the same position. He left the base in 1967 to become Athletic Director of Our Lady of Victory Academy. He later taught at the AuSable Valley Central High School. He retired in 1986. Dick and Georgia founded Mattig, Inc. in 1962. Together they developed and operated the Port Kent Golf Course until their deaths. Dick was a past member of the Parish Council and trustee of Immaculate Conception Church in Keeseville.

Richard is survived by six daughters and four sons-in-law, Wendy and James Dill of Roanoke, Va., Aimee R. Harris of Roanoke, Va., Sheila and Patrick Murnane of Plattsburgh, Teresa P. and John Ciannamea of Raleigh, N.C., Martha H. Newkirk of Albany, Anita G. and Thomas Lewison of Charlotte, N.C.; 17 grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Lois Harmon of Holbrook; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Richard was predeceased by his wife, Georgia, on July 27, 1997; his parents; a sister, Margaret H. Walsh; and a brother, Thomas P. Harmon.

Calling hours will be Saturday, April 15, 2006, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 17, 2006, at 10 a.m. from St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in Richard's memory may be made to Catholic Charities or the Seton Catholic Capital Fund.

Almet B.E. Harran

PLATTSBURGH -- Almet B.E. Harran, 78, of Cliff Haven, died on Monday, April 10, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born June 8, 1927, in Springfield, Mass., son of the late Stephen F. and Beatrice (Belleau) Harran Sr.

He came to Plattsburgh in 1946, attending the first group at Champlain College (ACUNY). Almet entered the Army Air Corps in 1947 and graduated from pilot training in 1948. He was a combat jet fighter pilot during 1952 in Korea. In 1956 he came to Plattsburgh Air Force Base to fly the B-47 Medium Bomber and moved into Cliff Haven. After several reassignments, he retired in 1971 in Orlando, Fla. He was the recipient of 18 awards and decorations during his service in the U.S. Air Force. He returned to Cliff Haven in 1972 and worked for Montgomery Ward for 10 years. He loved flying, golf and his beloved wife. Almet was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125 in Plattsburgh, American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh, The Retired Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans Organization and AARP. Prior to his illness, he was a member of Bluff Point Golf Course.

Almet is survived by his wife, the former Marguertie Long, whom he married on Oct. 19, 1948; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Edward and Delores Harran of Saratoga Springs, Stephen and Dorothy Harran of Gansevoort, Betty Long of Cumberland, R.I.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by two brothers, Robert Harran, Richard Harran; two sisters-in-law, Helen Long, Sandra Harran; and two brothers-in-law, Thomas Long and Robert S. Long Jr.

Calling hours will be Saturday, April 15, 2006, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 from Brown Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William Reamer, Catholic chaplain at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, officiating. Burial will follow in Whispering Maples Mausoleum in Plattsburgh.

Rita L. Brunell

CHAZY -- Rita L. Brunell, 89, of Miner Farm Road, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. She was born in Chazy in the family home on Jan. 29, 1917, daughter of the late Louis and Julia (LaForest) Brunell.

Rita attended a one-room school in Angelville. She was a member of St. Louis de France Church and formerly the Altar and Rosary Society. Rita worked on the family farm her entire life with her two brothers, Herman and Culbert. She was also the business manager for the farm. She was the caregiver for her parents, grandparents, great-niece and great-nephew. Rita traveled extensively in the United States with her sisters.

Rita is survived by two sisters, Mae Brunell of Chazy, Irene Brunell of Chazy; a brother, Culbert Brunell of Chazy; two nephews and their wives, Hermon and Dorothy Brunell and Dennis and Julie Brunell; her beloved great-nieces and a great-nephew, Katie Brunell, Drew Brunell, Kayse Brunell and several other nieces and nephews.

Rita was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Herman Brunell; and a half brother, Henry Brunell.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 10 a.m. from St. Louis de France Church in Sciota. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Donations in Rita's memory may be made to the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements are with Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Dorothy J. Adams

WILMINGTON -- Dorothy J. Adams, 78, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid. She was born April 17, 1927, in Thornwood, N.Y., the daughter of David and Mary Emma (Sarles) Kirkcaldy.

She married her husband Delmar (Babe) Adams on Aug. 20, 1966, in Pleasantville, N.Y. She was a avid bunco player and she loved canning everything.

She is survived by her husband, Delmar (Babe) Adams; three daughters and two sons, Carol and John Gallagher of Mahopac, N.Y., Kathy and Ted Lamarque of Wilmington, Kelly Adams and companion Greg Winch of Wilmington, Philip Noel of California, and Raymond and Brenda Noel of Fort Pierce, Fla.; one brother, David Kirkcaldy of California; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; and one sister, Isabelle.

Visitation will be Monday, April 17, 2006, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Haselton Cemetery in Wilmington.

Memorials may be made to the Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Wilmington, NY 12997.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Deaths:

WARREN W. DICKERSON, 79, of Stowersville Road, Lewis, N.Y., died Thursday, April 13, 2006, at the Albany Veteran's Hospital.

He was born Feb. 3, 1927, in Lewis, N.Y., the son of Marshall and Mildred (Crowningshield) Dickerson.

There will be no calling hours. A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2006, at 11 a.m. from Marvin's Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Burial will follow in Reber Cemetery.