OBITS: Post-Star 25 Jan 2005; Glen Falls, Warren co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: Post-Star http://www.post-star.com Chant, George R. Queensbury -- George R. Chant, 42, of Queensbury, passed away, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005, at his home. He was born Sept. 23, 1962, in Florence, N.J., the son of James Chant of Gansevoort and Helen (Marinkos) Chant of Glens Falls. After running Airland's Part Plus of Glens Falls for 20 years, George started his own business, Motive Power & Paint LLC, in Glens Falls. George was passionate about his work and was proud to pass on his legacy of the business to his wife and son, in January 2005. He was a special man who had an impact on people's lives. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time camping, four wheeling, boating and going fishing, but his joy in his life was his children and the love he had for his wife. He also had a special place in his heart for his mother. He is survived not only by his parents, but his wife of 21 years, Karen (Seelye) Chant of Queensbury; a daughter, Kirsten Chant of Tampa Fla., a son, Jason Chant of Queensbury; along with his sisters, Nancy Hall of Hartford and Linda Chard of South Glens Falls; his brother, Jim Chant of Baggs, Wyo.; and several nieces and nephews also survive him. His Great Dane, Princess Sage Blue, and his other dog, Sammy, will be lost without him. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Pine View Cemetery, Quaker Road, Queensbury. Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 25, at Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury. Memorial donations to High Peaks Hospice, 286 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 or the Charles R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital, 102 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801, are suggested. Published in the Post-Star from 1/23/2005 - 1/25/2005. LaPier, Margaret H. CORINTH -- Margaret H. LaPier, 80, of County Route 10, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at Saratoga Hospital following a short illness. Born on July 31, 1924, in the town of Day, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Zelpha (Bovee) White. Mrs. LaPier attended school in Conklingville. She married Bert O. LaPier in Corinth. The couple resided in Corinth for many years. He died April 14, 1972. Mrs. LaPier enjoyed her home, and also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and flowers. Besides her husband and her parents, two sons, Ricky LaPier and Charles LaPier; two daughters, Judy LaPier and Clara LaPier; and two sisters, Ila Betler and Frances LaPier, all died before her. Survivors include four sons: Frank LaPier and his wife, Beverly, of Hadley, Ronnie LaPier and his wife, Dorann, of Lake Luzerne, Donnie Lapier of Gansevoort, and Dennis LaPier of Saratoga Springs; six daughters, Susie Ferrara of Gansevoort, June Sarro and her husband, Gene, of Gansevoort, Babe Murdie of Ballston Spa, Charlene Phenes and her husband, Rexford, of Corinth, Margaret LaPier of Saratoga Springs, and Peggy Been and her husband, John, of Saratoga Springs; 22 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one brother, Warren White and his wife, Florence, of Niagara Falls; three stepbrothers: Richard White and his wife, Renee, of Tennessee, John White of the town of Day, and Paul White of Schenectady; four stepsisters, Myra Bailey of Fort Plain, Muriel Hayes of Fultonville, Jean Parks of Hadley, and Helen Dickenson of Day; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at Densmore Funeral Home, Inc., 7 Sherman Ave., Corinth. Spring burial will be at Lynwood Cemetery, Hadley. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to the Corinth Emergency Squad, 101 Sherman Ave., Corinth, NY 12822. Published in the Post-Star on 1/25/2005. Mastrianni M.D., Michael CLEVERDALE -- Michael Mastrianni M.D., 94, passed away Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at his residence on Lake George. Born January 27, 1910, in Mechanicville, he was the son of Salvatore and Michelina Mastrianni. Dr. Mastrianni graduated from McGill University Medical School. He is a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. Dr. Mastrianni practiced internal medicine and cardiology in Glens Falls for over 40 years. His first wife, Helen, and his second wife, Celia, predecease him. His children, a daughter, Susan DeFelice of Chappaqua, N.Y. and his son, Michael M. Mastrianni Jr. and his wife, Fay, of Granville, survive Dr. Mastrianni. His three stepchildren: MaryLee Kent, Michael Kent, and Peter Kent and his wife, Dr. Pilar Moyano, along with six grandchildren: Michael and Christopher DeFelice, Jessica Burger, Michael Mastrianni III, Nicholas Mastrianni and Alexander Kent, also survive him. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Singleton, Healy Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury, with a private burial to follow. Friends and family may call Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donation to a charity of one's choice is requested. Published in the Post-Star on 1/25/2005. Robichaud, Marguerite "Lee" QUEENSBURY -- Marguerite "Lee" Robichaud, 82, formerly of John Burke Apartments, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at the Julia Blair Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Albany. Born on March 25, 1922, in Jacksonville, Fla., she was the daughter of the late Homer Lee and Marguerite (Geppner) Smith. At age six, she moved to Saratoga Springs and attended school there. For 11 years, she was an employee of Scott Paper Co. in Fort Edward. Marguerite also lived in Saratoga and Fort Edward during her life. While living in Fort Edward, she was a communicant of the St. Joseph's Church. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and collecting salt and pepper shakers. Her husband, Eli L. Robichaud; her son Michael L. Burns; two brothers, Walter R. Smith and Howard J. Smith; and a granddaughter, Kelly A. Burns, all passed away before her. Survivors include two sons, James F. Burns and his wife, Patty, of Hudson Falls, and Patrick J. Burns and his wife, Maria, of Navarre, Fla.; two daughters, Sharon B. Holcomb of Queensbury and Mary F. Holcomb of Queensbury; a sister, Shirley M. Smith of Queensbury; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. at 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Joseph Xavier, administrator of St. Joseph's Church in Fort Edward, officiating. The Rite of Committal will be in the spring at St. Joseph's Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward. Her family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 380A Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Published in the Post-Star on 1/25/2005. Seale, Jade Elizabeth LAKE GEORGE -- We were blessed with an angel, Jade Elizabeth Seale, on Dec. 14, 2004. Our baby girl was welcome with love! We were blessed to have Jade for 37 days. Jade Elizabeth was loved and cherished each and every day. Faith, Hope, Joy and Warmth shined through our baby daughter. Jade Elizabeth is a beautiful perfect angel made by God. Jade Elizabeth Seale joined God in Heaven on Jan. 20, 2005, at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Surviving are parents, Michael and Mary Seale, and big brother, Dylan of Lake George; grandparents: Joseph and Carol Burkhart, Alfred and Jeanette Seale, and Maria Jennings; aunts, uncles and first cousins; and Brussel family, Smith family, Burkhart family and Seale family's. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Bolton Landing, with the Rev. James Barry Lonergan officiating. Family and friends are asked to make contributions in care of Jade Elizabeth Seale to Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, 3921 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are under the direction of Stafford Funeral Home, Inc., of Lake George. Published in the Post-Star on 1/25/2005. Traux, Agnes B. "Grammie" BOLTON LANDING -- Agnes "Grammie" B. Truax, 85, of Second Street, passed away at Glens Falls Hospital early Monday morning Jan. 24, 2005, with her loving family by her side. Born Sept. 16, 1919, in Bolton, she was the daughter of the late Chester D. and Estella E. (Cilley) Beswick. Being born and raised in the Bolton area, she attended and graduated from Bolton Central School District. Starting as a young teen, Agnes worked at Trout Lake Club on S. Trout Lake Road in Bolton for many years, performing various duties such as cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the guest's children. On Nov. 23, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Curtis A. Truax Sr. in Bolton Landing. While her husband was over seas serving in the United States Army, Agnes was employed with Warrensburg Shirt Factory in Warrensburg, but following his return, the couple bought a home on Second Street, where she was able to raise her two children, along with raising many other children, who today, fondly refer to her as "Grammie." Agnes loved gardening, tending to her flowers, making crafts for her family and friends, singing to country music, and decorating her home for Christmas. Above all, she truly loved her family. She took such pride in their accomplishments and always was eager to spend time with them. Besides her parents, three sisters, Laura Combs, Geraldine Urtz, Bertha Ovitt, and one brother, Harold Beswick, all predeceased her. Survivors include her loving husband of 63 years, Curtis A. Truax Sr.; one son, Curtis Truax Jr. and his wife, Dolores; one daughter, Carol Persons and Jim Blanchard; four grandchildren, Dedra Kneeshaw and her husband, James, Jeffrey Persons and his wife, Melanie, Lance, and Ashley Truax; six great-grandchildren, Carolanne Fitzgerald, Kelsey and Caleb Kneeshaw, Tori, Joshua, and Abbie Persons; one brother, Arnold Beswick and his wife, Millie, with all the above from Bolton Landing; several brothers and sisters-in-law; numerous adopted grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, with special mention to Ginny French. Friends may call upon the family Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. A funeral service will immediately follow the calling hours starting at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Carol Knapp, pastor of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will take place in the spring at a time to later be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in loving memory of Agnes, to Bolton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1054, Bolton Landing, N.Y., 12814. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Bolton Rescue Squad, to the staff at the Bolton Health Center, with special recognition to Dr. Smead, for all their utmost professionalism and compassion given to Agnes. Published in the Post-Star on 1/25/2005. Varney, Mary Elizabeth Rugg WOODSTOWN, N.J. -- Mary Elizabeth Rugg Varney, 93, passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at Friends Home in Woodstown, N.J. She had been a resident of Glens Falls before moving to the Friends Home in 1991. Born Aug. 14, 1911, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of George J. and Mary M. Rugg. Mrs. Varney graduated from Glens Falls High School, Class of 1929, and from Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass. in 1933. She was married to Addison M. Varney on Nov. 14, 1936. He died in 1978. Mrs. Varney was a member of the Church of the Messiah and the Chapman Historical Association in Glens Falls. She was also a former staff member of the Adirondack Chapter of the American Red Cross. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judith V. and D. James Taylor of Sewell, N.J. She is also survived by three grandsons: Douglas Taylor (Kendra) of Guam, David Taylor (Jacqueline) of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Steven Taylor (Ellen) of Mantua, N.J.; and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 315 Highland Terrace, Pitman, N.J., with calling hours from 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Glens Falls at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Chapman Historical Association, 348 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 or the Church of the Messiah, 296 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Arrangements are under the direction of Kelley Funeral Home in Pitman, N.J. Published in the Post-Star on 1/25/2005. Ward Sr., Donald A. "Rhubard" QUEENSBURY -- Donald "Rhubarb" A. Ward Sr., 64, of Corinth Road, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 22, 2005, at his home, unexpectedly, due to a heart condition. Born April 24, 1940, at the family home on Bald Mountain in Greenwich, he was the son of Albert and Ursala (Marceil) Ward. He received his education from Greenwich Central School Systems, and then joined the United States Army in December of 1958, serving two years of his six-year commitment in Germany, being honorably discharged December of 1964. While serving his country stateside, he met Jo-Ann Sullivan on March 23, 1962, in Vermont, and the couple eloped 23 days later to wed on April 15, 1962 in "the little white church" on Route 4 in Fort Miller, bringing them 42 lovely years together until his untimely passing. Since the early 1960s, Don was a dedicated hard working truck driver, who hauled for Frank Parrish and Terry Bouilette, both of Fort Ann, just to name a few. He then owned his own hauling company, after his name sake, for many more years, then hauled most recently for Bruce Fifield of Fort Ann, retiring in 1993. Don enjoyed spending his spare time hunting, riding his four wheeler with his dog, "Buddy", camping on their seasonal site at Smoke Rise Campground in Pottersville, routing for his favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon, and kicking "Mom's butt" at Skip Bo, his favorite card game. Many fondly knew Don as "The Watcher of Corinth Road," the man who always enjoyed sitting in the front lawn, rotating his chair from spot to spot to keep from the sun, observing the commotion at Stewart's Ice Cream Shop, and watching the world go by. Don was a man who valued his own space, but loved his family and grandchildren, and worked hard to support them, and if he hadn't seen them in a while, would always ask how they were doing and what they were up to. Besides his parents previously mentioned, one brother, Shearl D. Ward, passed away Dec. 2, 2001, and last year, his dog of 17 years, "Buddy," predeceased him. Survivors include his loving wife of 42 years, Jo-Ann Ward of Queensbury; four children: Donald A. Ward Jr. and his wife, Penny, of Argyle; one daughter, Terri Walker, of Argyle; another son, Eugene Ward and his wife, Jami, of Queensbury; and his youngest son, David Ward and his wife, Luanne, also of Queensbury; eight grandchildren: Wayne Maxam, Joshua Ward, Nikki Ward, Jeremy Ward, David Ward Jr., Tatreeanna Ward, Tyler Ward, and Collin Ward; five sisters: Peggy Wilder of Kentucky, Jeanne Freebern of Greenwich, Judy Santa Croce of New York, Rhonda Ward of Gansevoort, and and Betty LeClair of Hudson Falls; two brothers, Bruce Ward of Greenwich and David Ward of Gansevoort; his in-laws, Eugene and Hanna Sullivan of Wilmington, Vt.; many brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Friends may call upon the family Tuesday Jan. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Rodney Mosher, pastor of West Mountain Community Church, officiating. Following the funeral service, burial, with full military honors, will be at Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. The family requests that memorial donations may be made, in loving memory of Don, to West Glens Falls Emergency Squad, 105 Main St., Queensbury, N.Y., 12804. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to West Glens Falls Emergency Squad and to West Glens Falls Fire Department for their immediate response and utmost professionalism and care given to Don. Published in the Post-Star from 1/24/2005 - 1/25/2005.