OBITS: Post-Star 4 Sep 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 Ackley, Charles Albert Cambridge u Charles Albert Ackley, 87, died suddenly, Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center after being stricken at his home. He was the husband of Vera (Morey) Ackley. Born Sept. 17, 1917, on the Ackley Farm in the town of Jackson, he was the son of Charles Henry and Mamie (McCabe) Ackley. He attended the Lauderdale schoolhouse and graduated from Cambridge High School, Class of 1936. Charlie joined the U.S. Army and served on the hospital ship USS Hope during World War II as an NCO in charge of central supply. Returning to Cambridge, he worked for O.K. Spurr at the funeral home and at the furniture store. He attended Simmons Institute of Embalming in Syracuse and became a licensed New York state funeral director. Charlie bought the furniture store in 1955 and ran it until 1975. In 1965, he bought the ambulance service and funeral home. He helped start the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad in 1969, giving it his ambulance. He retired from funeral service in 1996, selling the business to the Rosses, the current owners. A staunch Republican, he served as the Chairman of the White Creek Republican Committee for 35 years. He also served on the County Committee and was Mayor of Cambridge from 1954 through 1957. He was a member of Capt. Maxson Post No. 634 of the American Legion for nearly 60 years and a member of Cambridge-Salem Lodge No. 481 Free & Accepted Masons for over 60 years, serving as Master for two terms. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and the Calvary Commandery. For 76 years, he was a member of the Embury United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Woodlands Cemetery Board for many years, and served for 22 years on the Mary McClellan Hospital Board. In his spare time, Charlie enjoyed writing songs (he had one published), singing and playing cymbals in the Cambridge Marching Band. He liked to spend time with his family, the "Breakfast Flakes" and at his camp on the Lauderdale farm. His son-in-law, Bruce W. Bracken Jr., predeceased him on Sept. 4, 2004. Along with his wife of 63 years, he is survived by two children, Charles H. Ackley and wife Debbie, of Queensbury, and Carol Ackley Bracken of Cambridge; a granddaughter and her husband, Erin and Bryan Genevick of Cambridge; two grandsons, Ryan and his wife, Elizabeth Winn Bracken, of Dayton, Ohio, and Philip Bracken of Cambridge; two great-grandsons, Daniel and Nathan Genevick; a sister Rachael M. Little of Pennsylvania; a brother and his wife, Francis and Cathy Ackley of Cambridge and several nieces and nephews. There will be no public calling hours. A funeral service will be held on Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Embury United Methodist Church, 41 East Main St., Cambridge. Pastor Cal Whitam, a family friend, will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlands Cemetery. Memorial donations would be greatly appreciated by the following: Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad. P. O. Box 52, Cambridge, NY , the Cambridge Band CCS Uniform Fund, c/o Pete Bell, 10 West Main St., Cambridge or Capt. Maxson Post No. 634. In 1996, the year of Charlie's retirement, he was given a roast and the Village of Cambridge proclaimed October 19th as Charles A. Ackley Day. The Proclamation stated: "We celebrate this man who has given many years of dedicated, loyal service to his community, church and civic organizations. We celebrate his devotion to his family and his business; a man who possesses a robust sense of humor and has strength of character." Charlie had a wonderful, positive spirit and sense of humor. He loved his family and friends and was always willing to serve others. We will greatly miss him. Today, we celebrate his life. Arrangements are in the care of Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, Cambridge. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. Beaugrande de Champagne, Rene Henry GLENS FALLS -- Rene Henry Beaugrande de Champagne, 92, of Glens Falls, died Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, after a short illness. Born Jan. 14, 1913, in Cobalt, Ontario Canada, he was the son of Arthur Beaugrande de Champagne and Anna Charette Champagne. His wife of 45 years, Eva Rendo, passed away before him. He grew up in Timmins, Ontario, then moved to the United States in his teens. He married Eva Rendo of Ballston Spa in 1940. During World War II he worked for Curtis Wright Aircraft in Buffalo. They later moved to Glens Falls where he worked as manager of Steiner's Wallpaper and Paint until it closed in 1969. He went on to work at Sawyer's Hardware until retiring from there in 1978. During the 1970s and 1980s he was a member of St. Mary's Academy Home School Association bingo committee. Throughout his life he enjoyed many activities from playing in tennis tournaments early on , to ballroom dancing. For many years he and his wife danced to live performances of the Big Band stars. He also played pool for many years and was an avid card player. His surviving family includes one son, Robert Champagne, and his companion, Janet McShea, of Las Vegas, Nev.; twin daughters, Denise Champagne of Greenfield Center and Dianne Champagne of Glens Falls; one brother, Edmund Champagne and his wife, Sarah, of Edgewater, Fla.; two sisters, Jeanne Mock of Aurora, Colo, and Irene Chambers of Yonkers, N.Y.; also eight grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A son, Richard John Champagne, and a daughter, Carol Diane Champagne, predeceased him. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373 or burkefuneral home.com). Burial will be at a later date. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home prior to the funeral services. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Community Hospice, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. Blakely, Edmund C. Lake Luzerne -- Edmund C. Blakely, age 85, of Lake Avenue, died Friday morning, Sept. 2, 2005, at Fort Hudson Nursing Home, Fort Edward. Born on July 20, 1920, in Rutland, Vt., he was the son of Edmund E. and Grace (Bailey) Blakely. Edmund served in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Denver, earning the Asiatic Pacific Medal with five stars, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He married Vivian Drew on April 6, 1946, in Stanstead, Quebec. Edmund worked as a printer for several newspapers including The Rutland Herald, The Post-Star, The Wilkes Barre Times Leader and Citizens Voice in Wilkes Barre, Pa., prior to his retirement in 1985. Edmund and Vivian moved to Lake Luzerne in 1997. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Edmund enjoyed camping, model trains and traveling, mainly throughout Pennsylvania, Maine and Florida. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by one sister, Shirley Blakely. Survivors, in addition to his wife of 59 years, include one daughter, Linda Fleck and her husband, Douglas, of Carlisle, Pa.; two sons, Robert Blakely of Anaheim, Calif., Stephen Blakely and his wife, Christine, of Lake Luzerne; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. There are no calling hours scheduled. Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, with the Rev. Dick Osborne, pastor of the Hadley-Luzerne Wesleyan Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Edmund's memory may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 71 Glenwood Ave., Queensbury, NY 12804 or to the Fort Hudson Nursing Home, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. Dake Jr., Stanley B. GREENFIELD CENTER -- Sergeant Stanley B. Dake Jr., 26, of Sand Hill Road, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005, as a result of an automobile accident en route to the Army Base at Albany Airport preparing to deploy to Louisiana. He was a member of the New York Army National Guard. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of The Post-Star. Arrangements are pending under the direction of Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. Emrick Jr., Harry W. "Hap" Stony Creek -- Harry W. "Hap" Emrick Jr., age 67, of Murray Road, died Friday evening, Sept. 2, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. Friends may call Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brewer Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Church St., Lake Luzerne. A complete obituary will appear in Monday's edition of The Post-Star. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. McDermott, Martin W. (Marty) CHIPLEY, FLA. -- Martin (Marty) W. McDermott, 49, of Chipley, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, as a result of an automobile accident. Born on Aug. 1, 1956, in Norfolk, Va., he was the son of Thomas L. McDermott and the late Alma R. (Lanfear) McDermott. Marty married Janet Rayno on July 16, 1977. They relocated to Florida, where Marty worked as a plumber and pipefitter. Marty loved his family, animals and the Adirondacks. Marty will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Janet Rayno McDermott, and sons, David and Martin McDermott, all of Chipley, Fla.; his father, Thomas L. McDermott of Fort Ann; brothers, Patrick McDermott of Fort Ann, Thomas McDermott Jr. of Fort Ann and Paul McDermott of Queensbury; his sisters, Mary Hoertkorn of Queensbury, Paula Harrold of Lake Luzerne, Toni McQuate of Queensbury and Kathleen Spieldenner of Lake Luzerne; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no calling hours and services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hurricane Relief Fund, the SPCA or a charity of one's choice. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. Messina, Anna Elizabeth Cambridge u Anna Elizabeth Messina, 100, formerly of county Route 71, died peacefully Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington. Born March 17, 1905, in Whitehall, she was the daughter of Alberto and Marie Renna Messina. The family moved to the farm on The Crossroad when she was a young girl. She lived there until three years ago, when she went to live at the Cambridge Guest Home. An accomplished seamstress, Anna worked for Hoosick Falls Undergarment and for many years at Reis Mill. She made beautiful doll clothes. Along with sewing, she also enjoyed cooking and going on day trips. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church, a member of the Cambridge Senior Citizens and the Ladies Undergarment Union. She was predeceased by six siblings, Clara Barrato, Nicholas Messina, Mary Ansaldi, Josephine O'Donnell, Peter Messina Sr. and Charles Messina. Survivors include her nephew and caregiver, William O'Donnell of Cambridge; her caregiver and niece, Mary Dewey of Cambridge; and several other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Friends and relatives are invited to call at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main St., Cambridge, on Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, from 5 to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, at St. Patrick's Church, 17 South Park St., Cambridge. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Center Cambridge Road. The family suggests memorial donations be made to St. Patrick's Church or Cambridge Senior Citizens. Anna was a kind, loving generous woman, devoted to her family, who was very proud of living 100 years. Published in the Post-Star on 9/4/2005. Smith, Edwin J. QUEENSBURY -- Edwin J. Smith, 86, of Needlepark Circle, passed into eternity peacefully at Glens Falls Hospital on Friday morning, Sept. 2, 2005, following a short illness. Born June 23, 1919, in Schenectady, N.Y., he was the son of the late Edwin R. and Esther (McCauliff) Smith. Following his high school education, Edwin worked as a plumber for a while until he joined the United States Army, January of 1941, serving as an auto mechanic both in the U.S. and in Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland. While stationed in Germany, Edwin was taken captive as a prisoner of war. His decorations and citations include the American Defense Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and Purple Heart. Edwin was honorably discharged Oct. 2, 1945. While home on leave from the military, Edwin met Shirley M. Myers at an Odd Fellows Hall square dance, and later married her May 20, 1944, in New York City. Edwin was a member of the Teamsters Union, working for many years as a semi truck driver until his retirement in 1972. Other memberships included the Glens Falls American Legion Post No. 233, Ticonderoga Elks Lodge No. 1494, Port Orange Florida VFW Post, and the East Central Florida Chapter of the American Ex-POW No. 33846. Edwin was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, and enjoyed cars of all kinds. He loved to work. He was very proud of what he did, and his military duty, yet most of all, he truly was proud of his beloved wife and his family. He will be missed by all who loved and cherished him. Besides his parents, one brother, Tom Smith and his wife, Beulah, and one brother-in-law, Ashley Dawes, all predeceased him. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Shirley Smith; four sons, Dana Smith and his wife, Louise, of Waddington, N.Y., Dale Smith and his wife, Valerie, of Queensbury, Donald Smith of Zephyr Hills, Fla., and Dean Smith and his wife, Katrinka, of Redwood, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Tonya Haslop of Tampa, Fla., Todd Smith of Canton, N.Y., and Brittaney Smith of Redwood, N.Y.; two grand-dogs, "Lawrence" and "Suzie Q" and one grand-cat, "Heidze"; one great-grandchild, Myah Haslop of Tampa, Fla.; one sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Dawes of Greensboro, N.C.; several nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. At Edwin's request, there will be no calling hours. A Lodge of Sorrow will be preformed by Elks B.P.O.E Lodge 81 at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, followed by a memorial service at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. Burial, with full military honors performed by Glens Falls American Legion Post No. 233, will immediately follow at Pine View Cemetery, Queensbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in loving memory of Edwin, to Glens Falls American Legion Post No. 233, 30 Cooper St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the doctors and staff at Glens Falls Hospital, with special mention to CCU and 2S, the Glens Falls Dialysis Center, and to West Glens Falls Emergency Squad for their utmost professionalism and care provided to Edwin in his time of need, and also to the priest from St. Mary's who anointed Edwin, and Sister Donna of Glens Falls Hospital, who administered Communion. Published in the Post-Star from 9/3/2005 - 9/4/2005.