OBITS: Post-Star 19 Jul 2005; Glen Falls, Warren co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** 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 Barron, Blue BALTIMORE -- Blue Barron, who led a big-band dance orchestra known for its signature sweet-sounding music, strictly devoid of jazz influences, has died. He was 91. Barron died in his sleep Saturday at the home he shared with his sister, Clarisse B. Mechanic. "He was a private person. He wanted no publicity. I want to respect his wishes," she said Sunday. Fronting a band that played in the style of Guy Lombardo and Sammy Kaye, . Barron once had a national audience for his nightly radio broadcasts. He popularized many songs, among them the 1948 hit "Cruising Down the River." Music colleagues said Sunday that he was born Harry Freedlin in Cleveland and earned a degree from Ohio University at Athens, where he became interested in music management and played violin in a campus band. He adopted the professional name Blue Barron and in 1934 founded the Blue Barron Orchestra, directed by Red Atkins. His band's theme song was "Sometimes I'm Happy." He introduced selections with: "The music of yesterday and today the Blue Barron way." "Blue certainly had his own style, highly stylized, an unapologetic sweet band," said Rich Conaty, host of "The Big Broadcast," a Sunday New York radio program that features popular music of the 1930s. After his brother-in-law, theater owner Morris A. Mechanic, died in 1966, Barron began spending more time in Baltimore. He gave up the band and helped manage his sister's real estate holdings, including the theater. Barron's wife died many years ago. A son, Gary Barron, died in 2003.u Blue Barron, who led a big-band dance orchestra known for its signature sweet-sounding music, strictly devoid of jazz influences, has died. He was 91. Barron died in his sleep Saturday at the home he shared with his sister, Clarisse B. Mechanic. "He was a private person. He wanted no publicity. I want to respect his wishes," she said Sunday. Fronting a band that played in the style of Guy Lombardo and Sammy Kaye, . Barron once had a national audience for his nightly radio broadcasts. He popularized many songs, among them the 1948 hit "Cruising Down the River." Music colleagues said Sunday that he was born Harry Freedlin in Cleveland and earned a degree from Ohio University at Athens, where he became interested in music management and played violin in a campus band. He adopted the professional name Blue Barron and in 1934 founded the Blue Barron Orchestra, directed by Red Atkins. His band's theme song was "Sometimes I'm Happy." He introduced selections with: "The music of yesterday and today the Blue Barron way." "Blue certainly had his own style, highly stylized, an unapologetic sweet band," said Rich Conaty, host of "The Big Broadcast," a Sunday New York radio program that features popular music of the 1930s. After his brother-in-law, theater owner Morris A. Mechanic, died in 1966, Barron began spending more time in Baltimore. He gave up the band and helped manage his sister's real estate holdings, including the theater. Barron's wife died many years ago. A son, Gary Barron, died in 2003. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005. Burpeau, Caroline F. WOODLAWN, N.Y. -- Caroline F. Burpeau, M.D., died on Monday, July 11, 2005, in Corinth at the home of her sister, Marguerite Rebehn. She spent summers on Efner Lake in Corinth since 1927 in a camp purchased by her grandfather and father. She was 88 years old. Dr. Burpeau earned her bachelor's degree at William and Mary College, her master's degree at the University of Maryland and her medical degree at George Washington University. She was one of only three female physicians in her graduating class. For over 50 years, she practiced dermatology and general medicine in the Woodlawn area of the Bronx. In addition to her private practices in Woodlawn and Bronxville, N.Y, she was employed by Laurence and Misericordia Hospitals, Sarah Lawrence College and Resthaven Nursing Home. She was listed in the Who's Who of American Women. Dr. Burpeau was born in the Bronx to George O. Burpeau and Frances O'Neil Burpeau, both deceased. In addition to her sisters, Marguerite Rebehn and Josephine Reichel, her siblings included Suzanne Falvey, George Burpeau Jr., Barton David Burpeau, and Gloria Donlevy, all deceased. She was a friend to many in the Corinth area and in Woodlawn. She was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lake Luzerne and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Woodlawn. Dr. Burpeau devoted her life to her patients and her family, including 13 nieces and nephews. She will be laid to rest in White Plains Rural Cemetery, White Plains, N.Y. Local arrangements were under the direction of Densmore Funeral Home Inc., 7 Sherman Ave., Corinth. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005. Dunn, Charles Elliot PALM BAY, Fla. -- Charles Elliot Dunn, 80, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2005. Mr. Dunn was born in St. Petersburg, Fla. He came to Brevard County 18 years ago from Glens Falls. He was a World War II Navy veteran serving in radar and radio. Mr. Dunn received an M.S. degree from the University of Scranton and was an alumni of Grove City College in Pennsylvania. He was a Professor at Adirondack Community College from 1965 until 1987 and a CPA. He was a member of the Melbourne Elks Lodge No. 1744, Loyal Order of the Moose No. 1046 and the Spacecoast TRIFF. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Doris Dunn; children, Elizabeth (David) Barcomb of Glens Falls and Matthew (Jacqueline) Dunn of Melbourne, Fla.; five granddaughters, Tara, Kathryn, Robin, Heather and Laura; and a sister, Virginia Bryan of Warren, Pa. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at Fountainhead Memorial Funeral Home, 7303 Babcock St. SE, Palm Bay, Fla. 321-727-3977. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, in the funeral home chapel. Entombment will be in Fountainhead Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or a charity of your choice. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005. Fitzgerald, Geraldine NEW YORK -- Geraldine Fitzgerald, who appeared in such classic 1930s films as "Dark Victory" and "Wuthering Heights" and later had a career on the New York stage, has died after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 91. Fitzgerald died Sunday at her Manhattan home, family spokesman Tom Goodman said Monday. The Irish-born actress received an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Isabella Linton in "Wuthering Heights" (1939), appearing with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon in director William Wyler's memorable screen version of the Emily Bronte novel. In later years, she appeared as a character actress in such movies as "Ten North Frederick" (1958), "The Pawnbroker" (1965), "Rachel, Rachel" (1968), "Harry and Tonto" (1974), "Arthur" (1981) and "Easy Money" (1983). "I was a great fan. She was a consummate actress, and I just loved everything she did," said Shirley Jones, who co-starred with Fitzgerald in the 1970s made-for-TV movie "Yesterday's Child." Fitzgerald received a Tony nomination in 1982, for directing "Mass Appeal," Bill C. Davis' play about the conflicts between an older and younger priest. Born in Dublin, Fitzgerald made her stage debut in 1932 at the Gate Theater and later appeared in several British films. She came to New York to act with Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater, but was quickly signed by Hollywood. Fitzgerald's first marriage to Edward Lindsay-Hogg ended in divorce. She later married businessman Stuart Scheftel, who died in 1994. Fitzgerald is survived by a son, director Michael Lindsay-Hogg of Los Angeles, and a daughter Susan Scheftel of New York. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005. MacFarland, Margaret Ann (Butler) Saratoga Springs -- Margaret Ann (Butler) MacFarland of Woodland Court, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2005, after a long illness. She was 75. Born on Jan. 31, 1930, in Oneonta, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Anna (Rush) and John Butler. Margaret Ann was a graduate of Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., with an associate's degree in Business. She worked for the Dean of Men at Syracuse University, Sylvania Company and the Grand Union Company as a secretary. She was also a successful real estate agent. She married Kenneth Edwards MacFarland on June 16, 1962. They enjoyed 22 years of marriage before Kenneth's death in 1985. She was also predeceased by her sister, Mary Ellen Warnken, who died on June 30, 2005. Margaret Ann was an avid reader who especially enjoyed murder mysteries. She enjoyed traveling and cherished her trips to Ireland, France and Italy. She was an avid bowler for many years. She touched many with her sense of humor and caring ways. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she always put her family first, was dearly loved by all and will be greatly missed. Survivors include her brother, William Butler of Oneonta; three children, Heather Franke, Sean MacFarland and Hillary Chase; their spouses, Kevin, Keri and Russ; eight grandchildren, Meghan, MacKenzie, Kenneth, Dustin, Kelly, Olivia, Braden and Samuel; as well as several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2005, at William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373 or burkefuneralhome.com). Burial will follow in the family plot in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Avenue. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005. Porteous, Roy A. WEST FORT ANN -- Roy A. Porteous, 87, of Pillar Way and formerly of Fenimore, went into the arms of the Lord, on Sunday, July 17, 2005, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born on March 29, 1918, in Madrid, N.Y., he was the son of the late Frederick and Alice (Aldrich) Porteous. Roy served in the U.S. Navy at the torpedo testing area on Montauk Point, Long Island, as a Carpenter's Mate. On June 29, 1940, he married Rita E. Dickinson at the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church. For 39 years, Roy was employed at the Glens Falls Insurance Company, retiring in 1982. He was a very active member of the West Fort Ann United Methodist Church for many years. Roy was a 50-year member and past Commander of the Hudson Falls American Legion Post 574. In 2002, he was named "Legionnaire of the Year". Roy was also a member of the Washington County Fire Police and a life member and charter member of the West Fort Ann Fire Company, for over 50 years. He was a jack-of-all trades. Roy helped build many homes for his family. On Friday nights, he helped the Hudson Falls American Legion Post 574 at Bingo, a game he enjoyed playing. The most important thing in Roy's life was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He even treated his nieces and nephews like his own children. Roy was a loving man who will be greatly missed. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his three brothers, Earl Porteous, Allen Porteous and Dale Porteous; as well as two sisters, Mary Anise and Avis Wilcox. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Rita (Dickinson) Porteous of West Fort Ann and formerly of Fenimore; his five daughters, Judith Johnson and her husband, Carlton, of Chestertown and formerly of Glens Falls, Helen "Honey" Edwards and her husband, John, of West Fort Ann, Edna Sexton of Glens Falls and formerly of Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Joyce Monahan of West Fort Ann and Eugenia Dragon and her husband, John, of West Fort Ann; his 12 grandchildren, Brian, Scott, Matthew, Paul and Jennifer Johnson, Colleen Allen and Brent Edwards, John and Roy Sexton, Carla Garvin, Michael Monahan and David Dragon; 16 great- grandchildren; his sister, Marjorie Fox and her husband, Edward, of Naples, Fla.; his sisters-in-law, Angela Dickinson, Lorraine Jenkins, Sarah Gleason, Pat Havens and Ginny Hill; his two brothers-in-law, Tom Dickinson and Ted Meade; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Tuesday, today, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls. The Hudson Falls American Legion Post No. 574 will provide color guard during the calling hours and a prayer service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Joseph Bradford, pastor of the West Fort Ann Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward. Full Military Honors will be provided at the cemetery by the Hudson Falls American Legion Post No. 574. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests that memorial donations be made to the West Fort Ann United Methodist Church Furnace Fund, P.O. Box 105, Fort Ann, NY 12827. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005. Rivers Jr., Harry Joseph South Glens Falls -- Harry Joseph Rivers Jr., 40, of Washington Road, died Monday, July 18, 2005, in the arms of his loving wife at Glens Falls Hospital after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Born Dec. 31, 1964, in Glens Falls, he is the son of Harry J. Rivers Sr. and Adeline (Darling) Rivers. Harry was a 1983 graduate of South Glens Falls High School. He also earned a degree in machining at Saratoga BOCES. Harry was a building contractor, and co-owned and operated L&H Construction along with his cousin. On July 18, 1987, Harry married his high school sweetheart, Sherry (Labshere) Rivers, from Hudson Falls. Together, he and Sherry started their beautiful family, with their son, Ryan, and daughter, Justine. Harry was predeceased by his grandparents, Cornelius and Ruth Lynch and Richard and Rose Rivers. Survivors include his loving parents, Addie and Harry Rivers Sr. of South Glens Falls; his devoted wife, Sherry; their two beautiful children, Ryan and Justine Rivers; a foster brother, Jeff Butterfield and his children, Jeffery and Emily, of Hudson Falls; a foster sister, Kelly Butterfield of Warrensburg; his lifelong best friend, Greg Beecher of South Glens Falls; his mother- and father-in-law, Robert and Sandra Bigelow, of Hudson Falls; many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins; and many beautiful, caring friends. Harry enjoyed many hobbies. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, ski and golf, and enjoyed camping with his family and friends. His latest hobby was watching the birds from his front porch. His favorite was the hummingbird. Harry loved to bowl, and bowled a perfect score of 300 on Dec. 9, 1993. He enjoyed spending time at NASCAR races with his dad, Ryan and friends. In 1988, he and his dad built a race car and formed "Rivers Racing Team." He drove pro stock No. 26 for three years. He loved to make his mom laugh so hard that she cried. Harry's absolute greatest joy was being a daddy. Family was the most important thing to him and he was so devoted to his children. He coached Ryan's Little League baseball team, and assisted his wife in leading Ryan's Cub Scout den and Justine's Girl Scout troop. He always volunteered to help in all of his children's activities in school and in sports. Harry loved to go for family bike rides. Harry was a member of the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2005, at M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls (www.kilmers.com). Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2005, at the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church, with Kelly Warner, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Southside Cemetery, South Glens Falls. Memorial donations may be made in Harry's memory to either the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018, or to the Glens Falls Hospital, Charles R. Wood Cancer Center 102 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. The family would like to invite everyone to their home after the services on Saturday for a picnic and sharing memories of Harry. Published in the Post-Star from 7/19/2005 - 7/20/2005. Wells Sr., Naylor R. HUDSON FALLS -- Naylor R. Wells Sr., 77, of Hudson Falls, went into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, July 17, 2005, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with cancer. Born on March 28, 1928, in Patterson, N.J., he was the son of the late Samuel and Charlotte Wells. Naylor owned and operated Naylor R. Wells Paving and Sealcoating in Lake George, for many years. Years ago, he raced cars at the South Glens Falls Race Track and won many trophies there. Naylor also loved to travel, fish and meet his family at Stewart's in Lake George for a coffee and some laughs. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Ceola Cullen, and his wife of 20 years, Jean (Hammond) Wells. Survivors include his children, Ceola Wells of Hudson Falls, with whom he lived, Susan Wells and her husband, Henry, of Hagerstown, Md., Naylor Wells Jr. and his wife, Gail, of Warrensburg, Samuel Wells and his wife, Nancy, of Warrensburg, Charlotte Whelan and her husband, John, of Hudson Falls and Thomas Wells of Hudson Falls; two brothers, Noah Wells and his wife, Carol, of Lake George and Joseph Wells of Lake George; his grandchildren, Willy and Betty Jean Wells; Nadine, Sadie, Lottie and Naylor Wells; Scott, Mike and Jean Whelan; Amanda, Rachel and Chelsea Wells; and Jason, Derek and Justin Sherman; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and many friends. Friends may call on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home, with Pastor Albert Wells, officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Lake George. His family suggests memorials in the form of contributions to the Charles R. Wood Cancer Center, Pruyn Pavilion, Glens Falls Hospital, 101 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Published in the Post-Star on 7/19/2005.