OBITS: Post-Star 25 May 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 Davis, John Francis EAGLE BRIDGE -- John Francis Davis, 91, of Turnpike Road, Eagle Bridge, died Sunday, May 8, 2005, in Blairsville, Ga., after a short illness. He had wintered with his son, Glenn, and family at their home in Murphy, N.C. Born in southern New York near Cannonsville, in Delaware County, on April 26, 1914, John was the son of Charles and Mary Margaret Davis. In 1932, John graduated from high school in Deposit, N.Y., where in 1938, he met and married Effie Cornelia "Connie" Coulter Davis, his wife of 55 years. Connie was originally from the town of Jackson in Washington County and in 1938, John moved his family to Jackson. Then he lived in and around the Cambridge Valley for more than 60 years. Connie predeceased him by 13 years. John enjoyed a multifaceted and productive life as a husband, father, Civilian Conservation Corp enlistee, farmer, expert welder, auto mechanic and body man, home builder, Chrysler Plymouth dealership owner/partner, and Cambridge Central School employee. John was a longtime member of the Cambridge Fire Department, having served two terms as chief. In the 1950s, he helped build and maintain a winning NASCAR stock car. He was also an avid sportsman and hunter, at West Possum Trot Hollow and near his home, as well as a member of the Salem Fish and Game club. In retirement he also enjoyed woodworking, cooking and making maple syrup. Survivors include two sisters, Bertha Weitzel of Lincoln, Neb., and Mary Harvey of Oneonta, N.Y.; a daughter, Nancy L. Davis of Troy; five sons, John R. Davis of Aurora, Colo., Glenn A. Davis of Murphy, N.C., Stephen P. Davis of Wellesley, Mass., Louis C. Davis of Bridgeport, Conn., and Jerry K. Davis of Newton, N.J.; seven grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Private services will be conducted at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours scheduled. Burial will take place at Woodlands Cemetery in Cambridge. The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 52, Cambridge, NY 12816. Published in the Post-Star on 5/25/2005. Foster, Anderson G. "Andy" Shushan u Anderson "Andy" G. Foster, 28, of Roberson Road, died Monday, May 23, 2005, in Shushan, as the result of an ATV accident. Born Monday, Oct. 11, 1976, in Cambridge, he was the son of George E. Foster of Shushan and the late Debery Cook Foster, who died in 2002. Andy graduated from Salem Washington Academy, Class of 1995, and attended Canton University, earning a certificate in carpentry. He worked, very successfully, as a self-employed carpenter. Andy had a hobby for every season: snowmobiling in the winter; camping, canoeing and riding his four-wheeler at other times. He built his own house and took great pleasure and pride in maintaining it and his property. This past July 11, a new love came into Andy's life. He and his significant other, Pam Bates, had a daughter, Clara Rose Foster. Andy was an adoring, devoted father. Along with his father, daughter and her mother, Andy is survived by three siblings, Kent W. Foster, Lee L. Foster and Elizabeth Ruth Foster, all of Shushan; a maternal grandfather, Merrill Cook of North Adams, Mass; four uncles, Carlton Foster of Shushan, Keith Cook of Easton, Craig Cook of Cabot, Vt. and Kimball Cook of North Adams; and several cousins. Andy will be buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge, on Friday, May 27, at 12:30 p.m. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial service at the Shushan United Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 27, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Boyd Heldring will officiate. A reception will follow. Memorial donations may be made to the Clara Rose Foster Education Trust, c/o George E. Foster, 54 Foster Lane, Shushan, NY 12873. Arrangements are under the direction of Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, Cambridge. Published in the Post-Star on 5/25/2005. Lavin, Vincent M. WHITEHALL -- Vincent M. Lavin, formerly of Whitehall, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 23, 2005, at his home in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Born on July 9, 1940, in Whitehall, he was the son of Owen N. and Alice Naomi (Moore) Lavin. He was a graduate of Whitehall Central School and later graduated from Castleton State Teachers College of Vermont. Vincent served his country in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on Aug. 31, 1964. He was an avid sports fan, especially in his earlier days, playing softball. He worked as a special education teacher at Wassaic Development Center until his retirement. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Lavin; and a nephew, Thomas Howard. Besides his two former wives, Linda Lavin and Maria Da Conceicao De Paula Lavin, he is also survived by one daughter, Michelle Lavin of Manhattan; two sons, George and Matthew Lavin, both of Hartford; five brothers and six sisters, Frank Lavin and his wife, Sue, of Hartford, Owen Lavin and his wife, Barb, of Whitehall, Theresa Eagan and her companion, Ben, of Whitehall, Helen Harcourt and her husband, Gordon, of Ardonia, N.Y., George Lavin and his fiance‚, Terry, of Elizabethtown, Jane Anderson and her husband, Edward, of Oswego, N.Y., Peter Lavin and his wife, Jane, of Whitehall, Susan Howard and her husband, Arthur, of Richfield Springs, N.Y., Richard Lavin and his wife, Connie, of Whitehall, Alice Lavin and her companion, Mike, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Cecilia Shumack and her husband, Art, of Canajoharie, N.Y.; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, May 27, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, in Whitehall, with the Rev. Francis Dunbar officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Whitehall. Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams St., Whitehall. Logo Published in the Post-Star from 5/25/2005 - 5/26/2005. McDonald, James Frankfort and Indian Lake -- James McDonald, age 74, of Brockway Road, Frankfort and Main Street, Indian Lake, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2005, at his Indian Lake home. Born on June 13, 1930, in Indian Lake, he was the son of the late George and Catherine (McGinn) McDonald. Mr. McDonald was a graduate of Indian Lake Central School, Buffalo State and University of Buffalo. He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict ,having served in Germany where he earned the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. McDonald was a teacher for 37 years. He had taught at Hamilton High School for many years and retired from Salem Central School in 1991. He enjoyed carpentry, camping with his children, reading, playing cards and music. Mr. McDonald was predeceased by two brothers, John McDonald and Peter McDonald. Survivors include his former wife, Suzanne McDonald of Hamilton, and their children, Catherine Kenyon and her husband, Ray, of Ogden, Kan., Marianne Thompson and her husband, Michael, of Rochester, N.Y., James McDonald of Knightdale, N.C., Margaret Harrison and her husband, Roland, of Amarillo, Texas, Sheila Reakes and her husband, Rob, of Lansing, N.Y., David McDonald of Oneida, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Erik Kenyon, Justin Reakes, Delancey Fox, Sarah McDonald and Andrew Reakes; his beloved companion, Carolyn Staudt and her sons, Peter and Steven Franchell, whom he loved as his own. Graveside services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday, at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica. Friends may call Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home, 35 West Main St., Indian Lake, and Friday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Road, Utica/New Hartford. Contributions in Mr. McDonald's memory may be directed to the Indian Lake Ambulance Corps, Indian Lake, NY 12842. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller Funeral Home, 35 West Main St., Indian Lake. Published in the Post-Star from 5/25/2005 - 5/26/2005. Patch, Milita B. QUEENSBURY -- Milita B. Patch, 82, passed away Tuesday morning, May 24, 2005, at Westmount Health Facility. Born on April 1, 1923, in Westerly, R.I., she was the daughter of Victor and Cornelia Boeckh. Milita graduated from Fitchburg High School in Massachusetts in 1941. She married her husband, Bob, on July 19, 1943. She moved to Queensbury with her husband, Bob, in 1958. Milita was active in the Girl Scouts as a leader and also a director at Camp Meadowbrook in Queensbury. She was a longtime member and past president of the Queensbury Farm and Garden Association. She was a charter member of the United Methodist Church of Queensbury, serving as a trustee and chairwoman of Christmas decorations. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Curtis Patch, and a daughter, Gail Brown. Survivors include her husband, Robert Patch of Queensbury; a sister, Claire Crockford of Fitchburg, Mass; a son, Bradley Patch and his wife, Veta, of Queensbury; four grandchildren, Kelly Corbett and her husband, Greg, of Queensbury, Britt Patch of Glens Falls, Tyra Brown of Queensbury, and Tonya Brown of Queensbury; three great-grandchildren, Marissa Lau, Cierra Corbett, and Isiah Thompkins; two sisters-in-law, Jane Boeckh of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Patricia and Robert Bradley of Virginia Beach, Va.; a brother-in-law, Norman and Barbara Patch of Wolfboro, N.H. A private memorial service will be held Friday, May 27, 2005, at Radloff Funeral Home Inc., 136 Warren St., Glens Falls, with burial to follow at Pine View Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions in Milita's memory may be made to the following: Westmount Health Facility Activities Fund, 42 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804 and the United Methodist Church of Queensbury, 460 Aviation Road, Queensbury, NY 12804. Published in the Post-Star from 5/25/2005 - 5/26/2005. Persons, George E. BOYNTONVILLE -- George E. Persons, 84, of Warren Cemetery Road, died peacefully, Sunday, May 22, 2005, at The Inn at St. Peter's Hospice in Albany, following a short illness. Born in North River, (Town of Johnsburg, Nov. 11, 1920, he was the son of the late Gordon and Debora G. (Tucker) Persons Sr. and the husband for more than 38 years of June E. (Coon) Persons of Boyntonville, who survives. George and June were married in Passaic, N.J. on Dec. 2, 1966. Mr. Persons was a graduate of Johnsburg High School and employed for a short time by the National Lead Company as a diesel mechanic in Tahawus. On May 26, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was a veteran of World War II serving as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class aboard several vessels including the USS Sampson. On March 7, 1945, Mr. Persons was honored with the Naval Silver Life Saving Ribbon for helping to save the lives of several of the crew of the destroyer that he was serving on that had been damaged and sank in the Atlantic Ocean. He was credited with helping his mates survive being in the water for more than days before being rescued. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 4, 1945. A former resident of Hoosick Falls and Hudson, he was employed for more than 16 years as a production supervisor at the Barton Mines in Johnsburg and later at the Battenkill Stone Company in Middle Falls, the Columbia Box Corporation in Wallomsac, and most recently for more than 13 years as a welding and production supervisor by the Atlantic Cement Company in Ravena. He retired in 1984. George was a member of the Baptist Church and the I.O.O.F. Lodge of North Creek, the Green Sabres Drum and Bugle Corps in Schuylerville and the V.F.W.Post No. 8417 in Hoosick Falls. In addition to his wife, Mr. Persons is survived by seven children, Irene Cardinal of Ormand Beach, Fla., Earl G. Persons of Cambridge, James P. and Linda Persons of Santa Rosa, Calif., William and Jane Persons of Boyntonville, Mary Ann Persons, Donald Persons and Gary Persons, both of Ballston Spa; a stepdaughter, Dawn Miller of Hudson; a brother, Gordon Persons Jr. of North Creek; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Leonard Persons and Ernest Persons; and a stepson, Daniel Stout predeceased him. A funeral service will be held at 9:45 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2005, at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY-7, located in Raymertown with the Rev. Darren Persons officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Veteran's Cemetery in Schuylerville. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be to The Inn at St. Peter's Hospice, 315 South Manning Blvd., Albany NY 12206, in memory of George E. Persons. Published in the Post-Star on 5/25/2005. Pifer, Charles A. Queensbury -- Charles A. Pifer, 80, of Mountain View Lane, Queensbury, passed away Monday morning, May 23, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital following a long illness. Born Jan. 5, 1925, in Denver, Colo., he was son of the late Fred and Ina (Hatcher) Pifer. He lived most of his life in Miami, Fla., working as a dispatcher for the Miami Police and Fire Departments as well as a manager of the city of Miami Federal Credit Union. He retired from the Girl Scout Council of tropical Florida as Property Manager in 1987. Local employers were Adirondack Pools, and Hometown Apothecary. Some of his many interests were playing golf, playing pool, crossword puzzles and cooking. He married Martha Jo Holleman on July 14, 1945, in Tavernier, Fla. Martha died Oct. 20, 1980. He married Marie Kastner on April 8, 1983, in Miami, Fla. Besides his parents previously mentioned, Charles was predeceased by one sister, Ila Roderick; and three brothers, George, Jack, and Frank Pifer, and his pet cat, Fluffy. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Marie Kastner-Pifer of Queensbury; one son, Charles Pifer II of Miami Beach, Fla., and one daughter, Linda Deane of Dania, Fla.; three grandchildren; Paul Wooden and his wife, Mindy, of Texas, Janet Gonzales and her husband, Alex, of Miami, and Cindy Elizabeth Wooden-Pryer and her husband, Daniel, of Vermont; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob, Sailor, and Halli Wooden of Texas, Nicholas and Ariel Gonzales of Miami, Caleb Lucier, of Vermont and Joshua Lucier, now serving with the U.S. Marines in Iraq and his wife, Morgan, of Vermont; two great-great-grandsons, Gabriel Lucier, and a boy born May 22, 2005, not yet named; one brother, Harvey Pifer and his wife, Thelma, of Battleground, Wash.; one sister-in-law, Lorena Pifer of Liberal, Kan.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 27, at the funeral home with James Allen Baker, layman, officiating. Interment will be at St. Cecelia's Cemetery, Warrensburg immediately following the funeral service. Published in the Post-Star from 5/24/2005 - 5/25/2005. Sabo Sr., Elias J. WHITEHALL -- Elias J. Sabo Sr., 63, of Death Rock Way, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 23, 2005, at his home. Born on July 22, 1941, in Whitehall, he was the son of Emma (Rodd) Sabo of Hudson Falls and the late Sabo N. Sabo. Mr. Sabo was a correctional officer at the Washington Correctional Facility in Comstock, N.Y., for 20 years. He belonged to the national chapter of the Ducks Unlimited and also the National Rifle Association, and he was an avid duck hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed living on South Bay. He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Whitehall. Survivors besides his mother include four children; two daughters, Kathryn (Sabo) Strother and her husband, Richard, of Kingsbury, and Tina Marie Liles and her husband, Douglas, of Londonderry, N.H.; two sons, Peter Joseph Sabo and his wife, Jamie, of Kingsbury, and Elias J. Sabo Jr. and his wife, Jaye of Encinitas, Calif.; four sisters, Fraida Beebe of Middletown, Conn., Kay Lafond of South Glens Falls, Agnes Schulenburg of Queensbury, and Helen Henderson of Aransas Pass, Texas; five brothers, Jacob C. Sabo and his wife, Mary, of Whitehall, Nicholas J. Sabo of Argyle, Sabo N. Sabo and his wife, Janet, of Hudson Falls, Roland Sabo of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Antonius N. Sabo Sr. and his wife, Mary Jane, of Kingsbury; eight grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Requiem Eucharist Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Whitehall with Father Marc Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Greenmount Cemetery. Family and friends may call at Jillson Funeral Home, 46 Williams St., Whitehall, on Friday, May 27, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Following the interment, family and friends are invited to the Trinity Episcopal Church Hall for a time of fellowship and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation in Elias' name to Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 Broadway, Whitehall, NY 12887. Published in the Post-Star from 5/25/2005 - 5/26/2005. Smith, Geraldine E. North Creek -- Geraldine E. Smith, 89, a longtime resident of North Creek, went to be with her Savior on Monday, May 23, 2005, at the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Creek. Born Oct. 23, 1915, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of Martin and Edith (Maides) Blazy. Geraldine was a longtime beautician in North Creek before retiring in 1970. She was a member of the North Creek Baptist Church and a past member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Geraldine enjoyed reading, caring for her grandchildren and spending time with her family. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert J. Smith Jr., who passed away on March 26, 1961. Her brother, Nicholas Blazy, also died before her. Survivors include her children, Robert J. Smith Jr. and his wife, Marilyn, of North Creek, William N. Smith and his wife, Marcia, of Gloversville, Margaret E. Lanphear and her husband, Larry of Minerva, Suzanne E. Phelps and her husband, Douglas, of Springfield, Mass., Thomas G. Smith and his wife, Vickie, of North Creek; sister, Irma PreGenzer of Weirsdale, Fla.; brother, Martin J. Blazy and his wife, Doris, of Oklahoma City, Okla; 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service to celebrate Geraldine's life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 4, 2005, at the North Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Trudy Pettibone, pastor, officiating. Burial will take place in Union Cemetery, North Creek. There are no calling hours scheduled. Memorial contributions may be made in Geraldine's name to Adirondack Tri County Health Care Center or to the North Creek American Baptist Church, North Creek, NY 12853 Arrangements are under the direction of Alexander Funeral Home, Inc, North River. Published in the Post-Star from 5/24/2005 - 5/25/2005. Wilson, Catherine "Kay" Greenwich -- Catherine "Kay" Wilson, 78, a resident of 53 Bleeker St., died Monday, May 23, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital after a long illness. Born June 13, 1926, in Schuylerville, she was the daughter of William and Mary Fitzgerald Kelly. Kay was a former employee of the Greenwich Garment Company. She served four years as a trustee for the Village of Greenwich, was a former member and past president of the Greenwich Fire Department Auxiliary, and a member of St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Harold Frederick Wilson, and two brothers, Leo Joseph Kelly and Robert James Kelly. Survivors are a daughter, Kelly Johnson of Greenwich; a son, William F. Wilson of Greenwich; a grandson, Thomas Darrah Jr. of South Glens Falls; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Flynn Bros., Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main St., Greenwich. Services will be at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. The family suggests memorials in her name be made to the Easton Greenwich Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 84, Greenwich, NY 12834. Published in the Post-Star on 5/25/2005. Wolf, David A. Chestertown -- David A. Wolf, 51, died unexpectedly Monday, May 23, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls. Born Aug. 1, 1953, in Passaic, N.J. he was the son of Robert R. Wolf of Chestertown and the late Eldred Spradley Wolf. Mr. Wolf was a heavy equipment operator in New Jersey. His hobbies included panning for gold, hunting, fishing, building furniture, and gardening. Survivors besides his father include one daughter Jennifer Scholl and her husband Robert of Sarasota, Fla., two brothers, Thomas D. Wolf of Chestertown, James P. Wolf of Chestertown, two grandchildren, Samantha Scholl, William Scholl; two nieces, Joyce Wolfe, Bobbie Bradley; two nephews, Jason Wolfe, and Jeffrey Wolf. Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2005, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Main Street, Chestertown with the Rev. Robert Limpert officiating. Memorials may be made to North Warren Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 323, Chestertown, NY 12817 Funeral arrangements entrusted to Barton-McDermott Funeral Home, 9 Pine St., Chestertown. Published in the Post-Star on 5/25/2005.