OBITS: Post-Star 2 Nov 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 Bisignano, Cosimo J. HUDSON FALLS -- Cosimo J. Bisignano, 84, of Poplar Street, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at home, after a short illness. Born on Aug. 20, 1921, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Amadeo and Frances (Caivano) Bisignano. He served with the United States Army during World War II in Italy and received the European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar. On Sept. 8, 1947, he married Margaret Fisher in Wellsboro, Pa. Mr. Bisignano worked for the Hudson Falls post office, retiring after more than 20 years. He then worked part time for OTB for more than 15 years. He was an avid horse racing fan and enjoyed puttering around the yard, where he was very proud of his flowers. He especially loved his family and devoted his life to his wife, children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. In his earlier years, he enjoyed vacations in Maine. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Domiano Bisignano and Salvatore Bisignano and a sister, Doris Anibal. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Margaret Bisignano of Hudson Falls; his three children, Gary Bisignano and his wife, Bev, of South Glens Falls, Linda LaPlant and her husband, Donald, who cared for him during his last days, and Rose Rourke and her husband, Fred, of Weston, Wis.; one stepson, Robert Wolfe of Roanoke, Va.; six grandchildren: Alan LaPlant, Matthew Bisignano, Paul LaPlant, Sherry Dunham, Angela Mangafas and Christina Briggs; eight great-grandchildren: Brianna, Brittany and Brielle LaPlant, Justin and Kaitlyn Dunham, and Patrick and Emma LaPlant and Matthew Bisignano; one sister, Rosemary Tucker of Hartford; one brother, Anthony Bisignano of South Glens Falls; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. The Rite of Committal, with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 574, of Hudson Falls, will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in South Glens Falls. Memorial donations in Mr. Bisignano's memory may be made to the SPCA , P.O. Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12828. Published in the Post-Star from 11/1/2005 - 11/2/2005. Daignault, Francis L. FORT EDWARD -- Francis L. Daignault, 85, of Lamplighter Acres, and formerly of Gansevoort, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. Born on Aug. 28, 1920, in Champlain, N.Y., he was the son of Henry and Cora (Willet) Daignault. Francis was employed at Scott Paper in Fort Edward for many years prior to his retirement. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Francis was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed automobiles and NASCAR racing. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Betty M. Daignault, on Nov. 22, 1994; his brothers, Raymond Denue, Earl Denue and Robert Denue, and his sisters, Gertrude Anderson, Madeline Shovah and Winifred Shovah. Survivors include his son, Louis H. Daignault and his wife, Christine, of Hadley; two grandchildren, Gabriel and Peyton Daignault of Hadley; his sister, Eileen Ballard and her husband, Edward, of Schuylerville; nephews, Rick Denue and Robert Shovah, and nieces, Dianna Sack and Nancy Kelmetson. At Francis' request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Burial will be at Short Tract Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 94 Saratoga Ave., South Glens Falls. Published in the Post-Star on 11/2/2005. Fish, Francis S. "Bus" ARGYLE -- Francis S. "Bus" Fish, 94, of Argyle, died Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, at Pleasant Valley Infirmary in Argyle, where he had been a resident since May 2005. Born on Dec. 5, 1910, in Fort Edward, he was the son of the late John and Bertha (Hill) Fish. He married Geraldine Colvin Gates on April 27, 1937, in Fort Edward. His wife died May 12, 2005, after 68 years of marriage. Bus worked at Imperial Wallpaper and Color and later at Hercules, Inc., as an electrician for more than 30 years. After retirement, he worked in the area helping friends and neighbors with electrical needs. He always gave generously of his time and abilities. He was an active member of his church at Pine Knolls Alliance in South Glens Falls and was formerly active for many years at the Village Baptist Church in Fort Edward. Besides his parents and his wife, he is predeceased by all of his siblings: Raymond, Harry, John, Clifford, Albert, Earl, Ralph and Robert Fish. Also, Florence Johnson and Myrtle Berkowitz and several half brothers and sisters. He is survived by his children, Daryle Fish and his wife, Ruth, of South Glens Falls, a daughter, Patricia Abrahamson and her husband, Richard, of Cossayuna and a son, Gordon Fish and his friend, Sharon Corlew, of Fort Edward; nine grandchildren: Ann Greene and her husband, Pat, Daryle Fish and his wife, Caryl, Scott Fish and his wife, Katie, Diane Sprague and her husband, Scott, Pam Bice and her husband, Sean, Todd Abrahamson and his wife, Kathy, Dan Abrahamson and his wife, Stephanie, Beth Payne and her husband, John, and Charlene Bell and her husband, Ben; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, at 2 p.m., at Pine Knolls Alliance Church, 614 Gansevoort Road, South Glens Falls. The family would like to invite friends for a reception following the services. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of M.B Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, www.kilmers.com. Donations may be made in memory of Bus to the Argyle Emergency Squad, 248 Pleasant Valley Road, Argyle, NY 12809 or Pine Knolls Alliance Church Building Fund, 614 Gansevoort Road, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. Published in the Post-Star from 11/2/2005 - 11/4/2005. Haggerty, Theresa Garofalo "Terry" SCHENECTADY -- Theresa "Terry" Garofalo Haggerty, 86, of Sheridan Village, passed away Sunday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2005, at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam. Terry was born May 14, 1919, in Schenectady, a daughter of the late James and Josephine Farrarro Garofalo. She was educated in Schenectady schools and was a 1937 graduate of the former Nott Terrace High School. Terry dedicated her life to being a homemaker. Terry was an avid golfer, a member of the Rexford Womens' Club, Home Bureau, a former communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church and a longtime parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert C. Haggerty, whom she married on June 7, 1942. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Angie DeMeo and Josephine Mastroianni. Survivors include her children: Robert C. Haggerty and his wife, Catherine, of Rotterdam, Eileen H. Ottati and her husband, Anthony, of Tamarac, Fla., and Thomas P. Haggerty and his wife, Wendy, of Queensbury; grandchildren, Tate Ottati, and Patrick and Christopher Haggerty; siblings, John Garofalo, Mary Garofalo, Millie Rotunda, all of Schenectady, Lee Fox of Weston, Fla., and James Garofalo of Marco Island, Fla. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, Union and North Jay streets, Schenectady. Family and friends are welcome to call. Services will be held Friday morning at 8:30 at the funeral home, then to St. John the Evangelist Church, Union Street, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Loretto Nursing Home, 302 Swart Hill Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Published in the Post-Star on 11/2/2005. Howard, Laura Grace (Harrington) QUEENSBURY -- Laura Grace (Harrington) Howard, 80, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born July 4, 1925, in Hudson Falls, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Marion (Griffin) Harrington. Laura was predeceased by not only her parents but also her husband of 57 years, John C. Howard, their son, David D. Howard, sisters, Ruth Fletcher, Nina Bourgault, and brothers, Daniel Harrington, and Chuck Harrington. She was the devoted mother of daughter Nancy Polunci and her husband, Donald, of Queensbury; sons, Jack H. Howard and his wife, Lori, of Arlington, Mass., and Gary E. Howard and his wife, Michelle, of Queensbury. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Emma Howard of Arlington, Mass., and Shelly Marcantonio of Glens Falls. A service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Singleton-Healy Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury, with Sister Donna Irvine officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Donations in Laura's honor are requested to: Luke Garrett Fund, 18 Hughes Court, Queensbury, NY 12804 or to Purrs and Paws Animal Shelter, 3857 Route 9L, Lake George, NY 12845. Published in the Post-Star from 11/2/2005 - 11/3/2005. Lemery, Augustin Leo "Bib" GLENS FALLS -- Augustin Leo "Bib" Lemery of Glens Falls, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, Born Jan. 29, 1914, in Hammond, Ontario, Canada, he was the youngest son of the late Joseph and Melvina (Legault) Lemery. He was a longtime communicant of St. Alphonsus Church and later a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls. Leo was a surgical tech with the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. On Oct. 8, 1937, he married Frances Dougrey at St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls. She passed away Jan. 4, 1979, after 42 years of marriage Leo managed the Lantern Inn at the Queensbury Hotel and also tended bar there for many years. He enjoyed traveling, cooking and loved to entertain. He always had family and friends in and out of his home and they all brought him much joy. His greatest love, however, was the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides his parents and his loving wife, Frances, five brothers and five sisters predecease him. Survivors include his daughter, Gail Luciano and her husband, Peter, of Glens Falls; two sons, John C. Lemery and his wife, Joan, of Glens Falls, and Marvin F. Lemery and his wife, Andrea of Queensbury; grandchildren: Noel and Holly Luciano, both of Glens Falls, Katharine Erceg and her husband, Kristopher, of Lake George, Elizabeth Joy and her husband, Dr. Robert of Scotia, Dr. John M. Lemery and his wife, Sarah, of New York City, Meghan D. Lemery of Glens Falls, Michelle DelSignore and her husband, Anthony, of South Glens Falls, and Nicole Livingston and her husband, Jason, of Lake Luzerne; his great-grandchildren: Justin, Sean, Nicholas, Bradley, Nathan, Katie, Luke, Brooke, Alexis, Bradley, Cooper and Ayden; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at St. Mary's Church, Warren Street, Glens Falls, with the Rev. Peter A. Fiore, OFM, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, South Glens Falls. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Singleton-Healy Funeral Home, 407 Bay Rd, Queensbury. The family would like to thank everyone at Eden Park Nursing Home for all their love and care of Leo. Donations in Leo's memory may be made to the Open Door Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 3306, Glens Falls, NY 12801. Published in the Post-Star on 11/2/2005. Matot, Eleanor M. HUDSON FALLS -- Eleanor M. Matot, 87, formerly of Lydia Street in South Glens Falls, and Hunt Avenue and Wright Street in Hudson Falls, died Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home in North Creek, after a long illness. Born on Aug. 12, 1918, in Dorset, Vt., she was the daughter of the late Mark and Lena (Warner) Center. Her husband, Howard S. Matot, died on May 9, 1981. Mrs. Matot was an inspector at General Electric Co. in Hudson Falls for 10 years and a resident of Hudson Falls for 50 years. She was a member of the Hudson Falls Branch of the Glens Falls Hospital Guild and the General Electric Retirement Club. Her enjoyments included dancing, crocheting, shopping and dining out. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers: Walter Center, Glendon Center, Leon Center and Frank Center, her sisters; Estelle Lundmark, Virginia Kelly, Marion Coffey and her sister-in-law, Marion Charbonneau. Survivors include one daughter, Nancy M. Olson and her husband, Daniel, of Queensbury; one son, David Matot of Thailand; six grandchildren: Jeffrey Olson and his wife, Sarae, of Queensbury, Lisa Hendley and her husband, John, of Glens Falls, Daniel H. Olson and his wife, Colleen, of Saranac Lake, Hilarie Sicko and her husband, Tom, of Troy, Jason Matot and Grant Matot, both of Troy; six great-grandchildren: Elisabeth, Henry and Abigayle Olson, all of Queensbury, Laura Hendley of Glens Falls and Taylor and Connor Sicko, both of Troy; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by many dear friends at Adirondack Tri County Nursing Home in North Creek. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Church of the Messiah, 296 Glen St. in Glens Falls, with the Rev. Scott Harding, rector, officiating. Burial will be at Glens Falls Cemetery on Bay Street in Glens Falls. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home Patient Activity Fund, 112 Ski Bowl Road, North Creek, NY 12853. Arrangements are under the direction of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 136 Warren St., Glens Falls. Published in the Post-Star on 11/2/2005. Maynard, Geneva E. Cleaveland West QUEENSBURY -- Geneva Elizabeth Cleaveland West Maynard, 95, a longtime resident of Queensbury, and a resident for many years at Westmount Health Facility, died Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. Born on April 27, 1910, in Hudson Falls, she was the daughter of the late Grover and Agnes (Church) Cleaveland. She attended school in Fenimore and Hudson Falls. She was employed at Scott Paper and the Queensbury School Cafeteria for many years, and was also a member of Eastern Star. Geneva married Ernest Everett West, on Dec. 30, 1933. They were married for 54 years, until he died on Nov. 23, 1987. Their only son, Everett Ernest West, died at birth on June 2, 1938. Geneva and Everett resided in Queensbury until they retired to Ocala, Fla., until 1987, when they returned to Queensbury. They traveled a great deal around the United States. Later on, Geneva married H. Maurice "Maurie" Maynard. He died on April 12, 1990. She loved her dogs, Ginger and Solo, and her cat, Kiki. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Edna May (Cleaveland) Johnson, and her brother, Erwin Roy "Perkie" Cleaveland. She is survived by her nieces, Dr. Marilyn Van Dyke of Queensbury, Luana Rohlin and her husband, David, of Redford Township, Mich., Beulah Green and her husband, Lowell, of Queensbury, and Thelma DeGrush of Queensbury; her nephews, Walton Johnson of Falmouth, Maine, and Erwin Johnson and his wife, Ann, of Queensbury and Naples, Fla.; and many great and great-great- nieces and nephews. Graveside services for family and friends will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Southside Cemetery, South Glens Falls, with Regina Haag, pastor of the Adirondack Friends Meeting, South Glens Falls, officiating. Donations may be made in Geneva's memory to the S.P.C.A. Upstate New York, P.O. Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839-0171, or to the Westmount Health Facility Activity Department, 42 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804. Arrangements are under the direction of M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St. South Glens Falls, NY 12803. www.kilmers.com. Published in the Post-Star on 11/2/2005. Peoples, Pearl Evelyn Torrey SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Pearl Evelyn Torrey Peoples went home with the Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, surrounded by her loving family. Pearl was born on June 18, 1919, in Clinton, Mass., and graduated from Holden High School in Holden, Mass., in 1937. After attending David Hale Fanning trade school in Worcester, Pearl taught dressmaking in local schools until the job was eliminated due to World War II. On Nov. 11, 1939, Pearl married Loren Ralph Peoples. They had two children, L. John in 1946 and Linda Marie in 1949. The family moved to Saratoga Springs in 1951. She attended Keuka College in the early 1950s, studying early childhood education and taught nursery school at the First Baptist Church in Saratoga Springs for over 20 years. Pearl also worked at the Van Raalte textile mill in Saratoga Springs, and was a successful private dressmaker. Two weeks before her 70th birthday, she fulfilled a lifelong dream, earning her credentials as a licensed practical nurse. Pearl cared for the elderly until her retirement several years later. After her retirement, Pearl found time to pursue her hobbies: writing and publishing her newsletter, "The Adirondack Visitor," playing the piano, and compiling numerous short stories about her life and family, primarily her father, Roy. Pearl was predeceased by both parents, Roy James and Olive Dora (Carr) Torrey, and all of her siblings: Hettie Mae Armer, Eleanor Dorothy Favreau, James T., Charles, Irene, David, Merle and Myrtle, and an infant girl. She is survived by two children, L. John Peoples and his wife, Karen, and Linda Marie Chowske and her husband, Michael, all of Gansevoort; five grandchildren: Amber C. Briscoe, Terry Briscoe and his wife, Wendy, Sean Biscoe and his wife, Julie, John L Peoples and Lisa Peoples, all of the Gansevoort area; four great-grandchildren: Logan and Kristiana Briscoe, Jagger Diem & Nicole Grace Hogan; niece, Jeanette White and her husband, Donald, niece, JoAnn Zimmerman, nephew, Jerry Favreau and his wife, Kyong, and numerous other nieces and nephews and her Church of Christ Family. A memorial service will take place Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. at the PBA Range on Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Pastor Benjamin Fronczek of the Queensbury Church of Christ will officiate. Donations may be made to Hospice of Saratoga Springs, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; Wesley Health Care Facility, Leonard Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; or the Church of Christ in Queensbury, NY 12804. Published in the Post-Star on 11/2/2005. Pratt Jr., Arthur G. "Jake" HAMPTON, NY -- Arthur G." Jake" Pratt Jr., age 71, of Hampton, passed away on Oct. 31, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. Jake was born on March 30, 193, in Hampton, the son of late Arthur G. Sr. and Elmina (Belden) Pratt. On August 20, 1955, he married Marian Haley. He enjoyed dairy farming throughout his whole life. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a mechanic by Scott's Farm Machinery in Granville, Proctor's Farm Machinery in Fair Haven, Cooper's Farm Machinery in Fair Haven and the Ritchie Brothers Slate Co. Jake had served the town of Hampton as a councilman for over 20 years and was a former member of the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department. He was an active member of the United Baptist Church of East Poultney. Jake is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marian Pratt of Hampton; one son, Arthur G. Pratt III and his wife, Jody, of Hampton; one daughter, Rebecca Jones and her husband, David, of Hampton; two stepdaughters, Joann Noiseaux of Schenectady, and Linda Reed and her husband, Leonard, of Hampton; two sisters, Alice Battease and her companion, Vern Bezio, of Dresden, N.Y. and Lillian Pomainville and her husband, Archie, of Saint Cloud, Fla.; five brothers: Carl Pratt and his companion, Judy Thomas of Whitehall, Lewis "Pete" Pratt and his wife, Debbie, of Whitehall, Malcolm Pratt and his companion, Mary Wood, of Hampton, Doran Pratt and his wife, Bonnie, of Hampton, and Floyd Pratt and his wife, Patricia, of Hebron; 10 grandchildren: Pamela Panoushek, Louie Pratt, Valerie Toubman, Charlie and Tom Reed, Elaine Leddick, Susan DeRush, Matthew Pratt, Jacob and Hannah Jones; 16 great- grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Viola Pratt, and a granddaughter, Wendy Lee Pratt. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the United Baptist Church of East Poultney. The Rev. Norma G. Drosky will officiate. Interment will follow at North Granville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Roberts-Aubin Funeral Home, Poultney, Vt. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jake may be sent to the Oncology Unit, 3 West B, Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, NY 12801. Published in the Post-Star from 11/1/2005 - 11/3/2005.