Obituaries: 05/02/06

Bertha A. Perry

WILLSBORO -- Mrs. Bertha A. "Birdie" (Brunet) Perry, 92, of the Lake Shore Drive in Willsboro, passed away Friday, April 28, 2006, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown, N.Y., in the arms of her son, Tom "'Greg" Brunet.

She was born in Belmont, N.Y., on Sept. 23, 1913, the daughter of Samuel and Edith (Coon) Monette.

Birdie was a co-founder of the Foster Parent's Association of Clinton County and was foster mother to 106 children. In 1962, she and her late husband, Joseph Brunet were awarded the Good Neighbor Award for Clinton County. She enjoyed playing bingo. Birdie was a member of the American Legion Unit 20 Ladies Auxiliary, she was a member of the Gold Star Mother's, St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro and the Altar Rosary Society of St. Philip.

Birdie was predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Edith Monette; her first husband, Joseph Brunet; a son, Thomas Townsley; two sisters, Dora Bedard and Betty Engle; her brothers, Albert and Norman Monette; a son-in-law, Thomas Kraft.

She is survived by her husband, Victor Perry of Willsboro; five sons, James Brunet and his wife Marsha of Ellenburg, N.Y., Tom "Greg" Brunet of Willsboro, Harold LeClaire of Morrisonville, Rodney Brunet and Donald Brunet of Mooers; two daughters, Betty Becker and her husband Donald of Wayland, N.Y., and Janice Kraft of Atlanta, Ga.; a brother, Kenneth Monette and his wife Ruth of Black Hawk, S.D.; a sister-in-law, Rita Shakrota; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; four nieces she raised as her own children, Mary Durocher, Thelma Stacy, Audrey Manor and Cecile Mahoney.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. from St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Willsboro.

Friends wishing may donations to St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro. Members of Unit 20 American Legion Ladies Auxiliary are asked to meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. for services.

Charles W. LaMotte

PLATTSBURGH -- Charles W. "Charley Brown" LaMotte, 75, of Hammond Lane, Plattsburgh, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Burlington, Vt., on Sept. 10, 1930, son of the late Nelson and Viola (Burbo) LaMotte.

Charles had been employed by Arpak Plastics for 24 years, retiring in 1992. He had various other jobs also. He loved country music and playing in a band, The North Country Express with his best buds, Ronald Martineau, Ken Collins and Roy Smith. Charles enjoyed fishing, collecting clocks and he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He will be truly missed.

Charles is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gloria M. (Desso) LaMotte of Plattsburgh; two sons, Brent W. LaMotte and his companion Belinda Smith of Plattsburgh and Brian L. LaMotte and his companion Donna Richards of Schuyler Falls; two sisters, Ethel King of Vermont and Dorothy Whitney of West Chazy; two brothers, Howard LaMotte of Vermont and Fredrick LaMotte of Plattsburgh; three grandchildren, Melinda LaMotte, Lauren L. LaMotte and Ryan L. LaMotte; a great-granddaughter, Jaycie Long; and several nieces and nephews.

Charles was predeceased by a brother, Elmer LaMotte.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 3, 2006, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 10 a.m. from St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery in West Plattsburgh.

Masses may be offered in Charley's memory.

Russell J. Bouvia

PLATTSBURGH -- Russell J. Bouvia, 86, of Mohawk Road, Plattsburgh, passed away on Monday, May 1, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Springfield, Mass., on March 23, 1920, son of Alec and Ida (Latour) Bouvia.

Russell was an avid New York Yankee fan. He retired from Diamond National in 1984, he had worked in the steam plant. Russell was a decorated veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army in the European Theater. He enjoyed bowling, he had played in a country and western band, playing the guitar, banjo and base. Russell loved family get togethers, horseshoes and barbecues.

Russell is survived by his wife, Helen Marie (Stanfield) Bouvia, they would have been married 59 years on June 25, 2006; two daughters and a son-in-law, Susan (Bouvia) Roberts and her companion Jack LaVigne of Plattsburgh and Cathy (Bouvia) Arnold and her husband, Glenn of Peru; a brother, Edward Bouvia of Plattsburgh; three granddaughters, Melissa Ewing, Samantha Arnold, Kasey Bouvia; two great-grandchildren, Jordan Ewing and Taylor Ewing; a sister-in-law, Christine LaBarge; and several nieces and nephews.

Russell was predeceased by a son, Michael John Bouvia in 1989; two sisters, Gladys LaGoy and Doris Giroux; and a brother, Kenneth Bouvia.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at 12 noon from Brown Funeral Home Chapel in Plattsburgh with Rev. William Reamer, Chaplain at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Shirley M. Rock

MORRISONVILLE -- Mrs. Shirley M. Rock, 78, of Shingle Street, Morrisonville passed away Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Feb. 23, 1928, the daughter of John and Alfarata (Cutler) Devins.

Shirley was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed camping and traveling to Maine.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, John and Alfarata Devins; her husband, Herman J. Rock; a sister Sondra Reeves; and a baby daughter, Star Ann.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Sondra Rock of Winooski, Vt., Darlene Duprey and her husband Roger of Peru and Deborah Morrow and her husband Millard of Morrisonville; two sons and two daughters-in-law, John J. Rock and his wife Brenda of Morrisonville and Eldric Rock and his wife Deanna of West Chazy; five grandchildren, April Sylvester, Jason Rock, Chantelle Rock, Gabriel Rock, William Duprey and Kevin Duprey; three great-grandchildren, Owen and Alyson Rock and Seth Sylvester; two brothers, Roland and Gerald Devins; and several nieces and nephews also survive her.

At Shirley's request, there will be no calling hours. A memorial Mass will be held Friday, May 5, 2006, at 11 a.m. at St. James Church in Cadyville. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Edward B. Rogers

BEEKMANTOWN -- Edward B. Rogers, 86, of Beekmantown died Friday, April 28, 2006, in Meadowbrook Health Care in Plattsburgh.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Watertown, N.Y., on Jan. 1, 1920, the son of George L. and Ruth (Gibbs) Rogers of Antwerp, N.Y.

He grew up in Antwerp and graduated from Antwerp High School in 1937. After working in his fathers drug store he attended the Albany College of Pharmacy graduating in 1942.

On Feb. 7, 1942, he was married to Virginia E. Tracy at the home of her parents in Massena, N.Y. The Rev. Lacey officiated at the ceremony.

He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 as an officer aboard the USS DuPage (APA-41) in the Pacific. On his discharge from the Navy he went to work for the Kinney Drug Store in Massena. In January 1949, he started working for Eli Lilly Company as a representative in Plattsburgh, retiring in 1982.

He was active in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He also served as chairman of the Beekmantown Zoning Board from 1989 to 1993. He was a life member of the Hill 19 Hunting Club.

He was predeceased by his wife, Virginia on Feb. 8, 2002; his parents; and a sister, Margery Brown.

He is survived by four sons, James Rogers and his wife Joanne of Essex Junction, Vt., Wayne Rogers and his wife Nancy of Malone, Donald Rogers and his wife Jan of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Gerald Rogers of Orlando, Fla.; one sister, Betty Clough of Irvine, Calif.; five grandchildren, George Rogers and his wife Denise, Edward Rogers and his wife Kathleen, Christopher Rogers and his wife Christine and Patrick and Nathan Rogers; four step grandchildren, John, Joseph and Jeffrey Martineau and Julie Rowe; six great-grandchildren, Noah, Callahan, Abigail, Finneas, Brady and Witt Rogers; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery in Massena at 2 p.m. Military honors will take place at the graveside.

Memorial donations may be made to the Beekmantown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 321, West Chazy, NY 12992.

Deaths:

RUDOLPH W. "RUDY" CANFIELD, 75, formerly of Peru, died Sunday, April 30, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Mooers Forks, Jan. 18, 1931, the son of Edward and Marion (Charland) Canfield.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine's Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.