Obituaries: 4/28/06

William R. English

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- William R. "Bill" English, 74, of San Jose, Calif., died Saturday, April 22, 2006, at his home with his family at his side.

Born in Chateaugay, N.Y., on Jan. 25, 1932, he was the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Grimshaw) English.

Mr. English served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a graduate of San Jose State University with a bachelor's of science in business management. He held a California State Professional Industrial Engineer's license and a Certified Financial Planners license. He retired from Lockheed-Martin in 1990, after 28 years of service.

He enjoyed traveling, learning and political discussions. He was known at wedding receptions as "the dancing man." But his main avocation was helping people, either through financial advice or direct contribution to individuals and charities -- Oxfam America, Doctors Without Borders, Second Harvest Food Bank, Raphal House of San Francisco and Amnesty International.

Surviving are his wife, Pamela (Rhodes) English; a son, William S. English of San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Linda M. Birlew and Janice M. Martin, of San Jose; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Oak Hill Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Julie Bulliart, 366 St. Julie Drive, San Jose.

Any memorial offerings should be made to one of the above charities, or Hospice of the Valley.

Nancy Ann Hunter

ROUSES POINT -- Nancy Ann Hunter, 70, of Rouses Point, passed away unexpectedly into the arms of our Lord on Friday, April 21, 2006, at the Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.

She was born Aug. 14, 1935, in Rouses Point, the daughter of the late Charles John and Kathryn Mae (Cronkrite) Marnes. She was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point, president of the Maple Hill Cemetery, a member of the Rouses Point Beautification Committee, a member of the Rouses Point Historical Society, a member of the Rouses Point Auxiliary and a member of the Chazy Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and held the position of the Star Point of Martha for over 15 years. She was a retiree of Wyeth with over 30 years of service.

She married Ira Allen Hunter on June 24, 1956, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point. He predeceased her July 16, 2005. She enjoyed travel, her many close friends, helping others and visiting the casino in Biloxi, Miss. She enjoyed her family and was able to spend a full week of joy in Florida with them prior to her death.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Kathy Hunter of Rouses Point, Charles and Sarah Hunter of Champlain; one daughter and son-in-law, Marne Lynne Robinson and Seth of Navarre, Fla.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sally and Carl Smith of Rouses Point, Mary Lou and Gabriel Bedard of Merrimack, N.H.; six grandchildren, C.J. Hunter, Carrie Hunter, McKenna Hunter, Dalton Robinson, Sydney Hunter and Cole Robinson. Several nieces and nephews and cousins also survive Nancy.

The family will receive friends and family from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a memorial service which will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point.

Donations in Nancy's memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Adirondack Humane Society.

Arrangements are with the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point.

Otis O. Gadway

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Otis O. Gadway, 92, of Ariana Street, died Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at Velencia Hills Rehab Center.

He was born in Highbanks, N.Y., on Sept. 29, 1913, the son of Edward and Florence (Tallman) Gadway.

He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, serving as a medic.

Otis Gadway married the former Margaret Gadway in Chateaugay on Sept. 10, 1935, at the Methodist Church Parsonage.

Mr. Gadway was a former member of the Highbanks 7th Day Adventist Church. He was a member of the North Country Fiddlers, the Saranac Valley Fiddlers and an avid gun collector.

Otis was a tractor operator and truck driver for the Clinton County Highway Department for many years and later a truck driver for the Saranac Highway Department, retiring in 1976.

Mr. and Mrs. Gadway moved to Florida in 2003.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Margaret Gadway of Lakeland, Fla.; one daughter, Susan Dupraw and her husband Charles of Mulberry, Fla.; one grandson, Robert Dupraw and his wife Renee of Maynard, Mass.; and a great-granddaughter, Anne Marie Dupraw; one sister, Myrtle Packard of Plattsburgh; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by four infant children; three brothers, Orey, Orville and Owen Gadway; and three sisters, Minerva Bruso, Ethel Ives and Ellen Bruso.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. In the funeral home chapel.

Burial will follow in the Saranac Independence Cemetery.

James Robert

(Jim) Armstrong

CADYVILLE -- Jim Armstrong of Cadyville, N.Y., died suddenly on Monday, April 24, 2006, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, while visiting his family.

Jim was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 28, 1948, and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Drake University with a bachelor of arts in history and taught junior high history and social studies in Boise, Idaho. He moved to Eugene, Ore., in 1970 where he met and married his beloved wife Eileen. In 1976, Jim and Eileen moved to the North Country, where they've enjoyed the scenery, the climate and the people for the last 30 years.

Jim owned an independent insurance agency and was known for his integrity and his attention to his clients. He also had a small farm and raised beef cattle. He was a generous man who was always ready to help others. Jim enjoyed riding his motorcycle, driving his 39 Chevrolet and having lively debates with his many friends. Jim had a beautiful bass voice and was a member of the Champlain Valley Oratorio Society. He also greatly enjoyed singing an antique form of Protestant church music called "Shapenote."

Jim was predeceased by his father, Robert Armstrong. He is survived by his best friend and wife, Eileen (Herring) Armstrong; his mother, Gretchen Armstrong; his sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Donald Wendell; his nephew, David Wendell; his niece and her husband, Heidi and David Enderson; and many friends who will miss him sorely.

As per Jim's wishes, there will be no funeral. A reception celebrating his life will be held at some time in the future.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to help defray Jim's medical bills and final expenses in care of Laura Holzer, 60 Canning Road, Saranac, NY 12981.

Mary Rose Woodruff

SARANAC LAKE -- Mary Rose Woodruff, age 80, of 64 Margaret St., Saranac Lake, died Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, N.C.

Born in Churubusco, N.Y., on Oct. 29, 1925, she was the daughter of Raphael and Angeline (Boyea) Lamitie. She married William Russell Woodruff on July 4, 1942, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on Aug. 28, 1997.

Mrs. Woodruff was employed at the A&P in Saranac Lake for many years and was later employed at the American Village in Saranac Lake. Mrs. Woodruff volunteered at the St. Bernard's Thrift Shop for many years.

She is survived by nine children, Rolfe "Joe" Woodruff of Rouses Point, N.Y., Judith Duquette of Gabriels, N.Y., William Woodruff and his wife Kathy of Burlington, N.C., Bonnie McIntyre and her husband Bob of Burlington, N.C., Wayne Woodruff of Rouses Point, N.Y., Ronald Woodruff and his wife Sabrina of Tabernacle, N.J., Janet Varmette and her husband Terry of Saranac Lake, N.Y., Michael Woodruff and his wife Laurie of Saranac Lake, N.Y., and Eric Woodruff of Saranac Lake, N.Y.; 10 brothers and sisters, Franklin Lamitie, Calbert Lamitie, Roselba Daly, Leona Thomas, Urla Zoll, Joan Parkinson, Patricia Dragon, Joyce Muller, Sandra Muller and Pamela Yeddo; 35 grandchildren; many, many great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; four brothers and sisters, Lester Woodruff, Madeline Young, infant brother Everett Lamitie and her infant brother Haden Lamitie.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2006, at St. Bernard's Cemetery. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Mary Rose Woodruff may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department in care of the funeral home.

Deaths:

WILLIAM LESLIE FARRELL, 69, of Elizabethtown, died Thursday, April 27, 2006, at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Elizabethtown, N.Y.

He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Sept. 10, 1936, the son of Edward J. and Martha (Denton) Farrell.

A full obituary will follow.

Arrangements are with W.M. Marvin's Sons, Inc., Elizabethtown, N.Y.

LAWRENCE W. NASON SR., 69, of 2275 State Route 37, Fort Covington, N.Y., died Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the home of his daughter.

He was born Dec. 26, 1936, in Malone, N.Y., the son of Alfred and Lydia (Amo) Nason.

Calling hours will be Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. in St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will take place in St. John Bosco Cemetery.

RANDY NILES BUSH, 48, of Long Lake, N.Y., died April 25, 2006, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, N.Y.

He was born on July 31, 1957, in Ticonderoga, N.Y., the son of Theodore and Dorothy (Benware) Bush.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held on April 29 at noon at Long Lake Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Richer Funeral Home in Tupper Lake, N.Y.

GRACE J. SOULIA, 74, of Main Way, Plattsburgh, died Thursday, April 27, 2006, at her home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of the North Country.

She was born in Dannemora, Feb. 15, 1932, the daughter of Wilfred Sr. and Madeline (Turner) Carter.

There will be no public calling hours or services.

A complete obituary will appear in the Sunday Press-Republican.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.