D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. is a beautifully maintained home, located in  a quiet respectful residential area at 135 Keyes Avenue Watertown, New York .

Current Services

Robert C. Merchant

Another member of the "Greatest Generation" is gone. 

Robert C. Merchant, 86, of  20978 Hadcock Road, passed away quietly at his home, under the loving care of his wife Janet on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Bob, fondly known as “Bulldog”, was born June 13, 1924 in Stone Mills, N.Y., and was raised in the Watertown area. He attended Watertown High School where he played football. 

He enlisted in the navy the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served on the USS San Diego – now memorialized as the Pacific Fleet’s second most decorated ship. He then served with the inaugural crew of the USS Vicksburg. These two vessels participated in every major battle of the South Pacific including Iowa Jima. He was on ship in Tokyo Bay when the enemy surrendered. Mr. Merchant was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945 and returned to Watertown where he met and married the love of his life Janet and raised their six children.

With his brother Cecil, he owned and operated an ice business that served establishments along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River and later Fort Drum. Mr. Merchant then went to work for his good friend Robert Freeman Sr. at Freeman Bus Company where he was the primary charter bus driver. He was best known by the Watertown High School athletic teams, including his daughter’s field hockey teams and the Red and Black Football teams, whose bus he often drove to games. He retired from Freeman Bus in 1987 as the foreman of garage operations.

Bob enjoyed raising German Shorthaired Pointers and won many awards and championships with his National Champion dog “Tough Mike”. He was an avid outdoorsman who spent time in the Adirondack Mountains hunting and fishing in the St Regis Wilderness Area. He enjoyed following the athletic careers of his daughters and going to the local car races with his sons.

Mr. Merchant is survived by his wife Janet E. Merchant; two sons, G. Michael Pfister and Charles F. Merchant (Jennifer Kane); four daughters, Michele J. Grabill (Bob Grabill), Allison A. Spagnoletti (Anton Spagnoletti), Julie M. Merchant (John Peck), Carol S. Merchant (Toby Frank); seven grandchildren, Robert J. Merchant, Janelle and Meghan Bailey, Madison and Mallory Spagnoletti, Natalie Peck, and Madeline Ruth Frank; two sisters Ruth Neu, Rochester, and Doris Keegan, Missouri; and a niece, Judy Moro, Manlius.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sindu, Ingrid Exford and all the staff at the Nephrology Associates for their excellent care and compassion and Hospice of Jefferson County for their end of life care and attention.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Merchant’s name to Hospice of Jefferson County. 

Cards and letters will be received by mail at 20978 Hadcock Road, Watertown, N.Y.

A private service for family members will be by D. L. Calarco Funeral Home. 

Internment of his ashes will be at a later date at Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown.

Condolence
 

Dominic Pepp

Dominic Pepp, 94, a former Watertown resident, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died peacefully on Aug. 27.

Born May 28, 1916, the son of Anthony and Theresa Fasano Pepp,he graduated from Watertown High School.

He married Concetta ‘Nettie’ Doldo on Sept. 26, 1937, at St. Anthony’s Church. Nettie and Dominic  renewed their vows on the anniversary of the 50th year together in the same church.  Nettie, his devoted wife of 66 years, sadly  predeceased him on Dec.15, 2003.   

Mr. Pepp was employed at The Watertown Daily Times starting as a newspaper boy and working  his way to the status of journalist, occupying  that position for 45 years. While an employee of the Times, he was the first television editor and ultimately was responsible for the annual business edition. 

Upon his retirement, he was the recipient of the first citizen award, presented by Mayor Karl R. Burns. 

Dominic was an appointed member of the Watertown Housing Authority for 22 years, a past chairman of the Jefferson County Community College Scholarship Corporation, a past director board chairmen, and a life member of the Italian American Civic  Association.  

He was a communicant of Saint Anthony’s Church, Watertown, and Saint Ann’s church in Haines City, Fla.  

He was an avid golfer and member of the Watertown Golf Club. 

Dominic and Nettie moved to Haines City, Fla., after his retirement and enjoyed their life in Lake Region Mobil Park. There he served on the Welcoming Committee and the Financial Committee of the complex. He was an enthusiastic member of the Men’s Chorus and performed choral programs throughout the Haines City area and within the Lake Region Park.

Surviving are his two caring daughters and their spouses, Roxane and John Price, Hoschton, Ga., and Cynthia and James Fleming, Webster, N.Y.; three adoring grandchildren; Aaron Gillette, Tara Fleming-Caruso, Jason Gillette; three great-grandchildren, Logan Gillette, Jaden Caruso and Sydney Gillette; and several nieces and nephews.  

He was predeceased by a beautiful infant daughter, Esther Pepp, and loving siblings, Rose Anzalone, John, Carmen and Louis Pepp.

Calling hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.  A prayer service is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating.  

Entombment will be in Glenwood Mausoleum.  

Condolence

Larry W. Fluno

Larry W. Fluno, 77, of 351 W. Main St., died Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Samaritan Medical Center.  

Born Aug. 18, 1933, in Watertown, a son of Charles L. and Shirley LaHare  Fluno, he graduated in 1951 from Watertown High School.  

Mr. Fluno worked for the New York Air Brake in the shipping department, helped his mother run Gi Gi’s Florist and Gift Shop on State Street and a hair salon in the same address, retiring in 1984.  

He enjoyed playing piano and organ as a young man. 

Surviving are three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Charles and Betty, Watertown, Leroy Watertown, John and Donna, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. 

A sister, Shirley Cuttleback, and a sister in-law, Helen Fluno, died before him 

Calling hours will be 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Fred Garry officiating.  Burial will be in North Watertown Cemetery.  

Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
 

Condolence

George W. Eversfield

George W. Eversfield, 82, Dexter, died Friday August 13, 2010 at home while under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County and JRC ICF #1 Staff.   

Born March 10, 1928 in Washington, D.C., a son of Cyril William Eversfield and Maude Arguerite Williams, he was the only child born to his parents. He lived and attended private school in Washington, D.C., until moving to Watertown in 1951 with his parents. 

Upon his mother’s death in 1975, he continued to live with his father. He was admitted to Jefferson Rehabilitation Center on March 16, 1981, and lost his father in 1985.  

He has lived at the JRC Dexter residence since 1985. His fellow residents are like family to him.  

George’s interests over the years included nature, music, dancing, bowling and current events.   

He is survived by his advocates, Phillip and Margaret Reed, and a host of friends at Jefferson Rehabilitation Center. There are no known surviving family members.   

A calling hour will be held 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday followed by an 11 a.m  funeral service at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc., with Rev. Leon Schilling officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery. 

Contributions may be made to JRC Box 41 Watertown, NY or Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY.
 

Sophia K. Leana, 93, of 1387 Cosgrove St., died Wednesday, July 21, at the Samaritan Medical Center.
    Born March 22, 1917, in Deferiet, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine Pelz Ganeriski, she attended Deferiet Middle School. After her schooling she was employed at the St. Regis Inn as a food server where she met Frank Leana who was bartending at the Inn. 
    She married Frank C. Leana on Aug. 21, 1940, at Holy Family Church. Mr. Leana died Aug. 10, 1991. 
    Mrs. Leana was a clerk for the meat department at the Market Basket Grocery Store now the Big M on Washington Street. She retired at age 82 after 38 years of service. 
    She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church and a member of the Meat Cutters Union. 
    She enjoyed ‘Find the Word’ puzzles, gardening, crocheting and knitting. Mrs. Leana gifted her knitted slippers and afghans all over the United States.
    Surviving are a son and his wife, Frank and Lenesa, New York City; a step grandson and his wife, Zachary and Elizabeth White, Minatonka, Minn.; two step great grandchildren, Joseph and Eleanor; two sisters, Bernetta Miterko, Carthage, and Pauline Moryl, DeWitt. 
    Four sisters, Helen Warner, Mildred Ganeriski, Albina Ganeriski and Mary Ganeriski, all died before her.
    Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to noon Friday, July 23, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held Friday at 12:15 pm at the funeral home followed by a 1pm funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. David DeLuca officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. 
    Contributions may be made to The Samaritan Medical Center Capital Campaign in honor of the 3rd floor staff, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolence

Francis Herbert Bailey

Francis Herbert Bailey, Sr., 86, of Failing Shores Lane, Three Mile Bay, died Monday July 19, 2010 at his home under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County and his family.

 Mr. Bailey was born June 30, 1924 in  Rock Rift, NY a son of  Homer Charles and Alice Louise Lindsley Bailey. He attended schools in Rock Rift and served in the United States Army Air Corp. Mr. Bailey’s great grandfather served in the Civil War.

 On June 1, 1946 he married Violet Gladys Hart, she died on June 1, 1981. He then married June Carr Zanker, she died in 2002. Mr. Bailey was employed after his military service with LC Smith Gun Co. where he was an artist engraving gun stock. The plant closed and Mr. Bailey was then employed with Sealrite in Fulton as a machinist for thirty-five years. Mr. Bailey and his wife Eva moved to the Three Mile Bay area after his retirement in 1985. He was a member of the Fulton American Legion.

 Surviving are two sons and their wives; Francis Herbert, Jr. and Carolyn Ann of Marathon, NY and John Homer and Barbara of Pierre, South Dakota, two sisters Marie and Elizabeth, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Two brothers Paul and Ray died before him.

 The burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.

Condolence

Judith A. Williams

Judith A. Williams, 64, of 12330 Streanvale Circle, Herndon, VA, died July 19, 2010 at Samaritan Medical Center.

Mrs. Williams was born June 29, 1946 in Watertown a daughter of George and Dorine Jessmore Stuhlmiller. She graduated from Indian River High School and the Watertown School of Commerce. On September 17, 1970 she married Michael S. Williams in Watertown. In 1981 the couple moved to Virginia.

     Mrs. Williams was employed with the Lifetouch National School Portrait Studio’s as an office manager for the past fifteen years. Previously she was an office clerk for Fellowship Square Foundation for seven years. She also was a daycare provider. Mrs. Williams retired in 2008. She was a former communicant of Holy Family Church in Watertown and a current communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Virginia. She enjoyed golf, gardening and traveling.

     Surviving besides her husband are a son and his wife Scott and Tiffani of Minneapolis, MN, a daughter and her husband Krista and Ralph Forsht of Sterling, VA, a brother and his wife Terry and Penny Stuhlmiller of Palm Bay, FL, a sister Jackie Sesta of Syracuse, six grandchildren, several  five nieces and  four nephews. A sister Jennie Hugo and a nephew Bobbie Lawler died before her.

     Services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Contributions may be made to the Samaritan Medical Center, 3^rd Floor Sunshine Fund, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601. Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com

Condolence

Gregory P. Buker

Gregory P. Buker, 63, 18583 County Route 63, died Friday June 25, at Carthage Area Hospital .

Born May 6, 1947, in Watertown, a son of Arnold and Pearl Bercume Buker, he attended Indian River schools and received his ASE certification through Canton ATC.

 In 1966, he entered the Navy where he was a corpsman assigned to the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Vietnam Conflict. In 1970, he was honorably discharged and received a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star. 

On April 28, 1971, he married Linda Van Alstyne in Watertown.

Mr. Buker was a certified master auto body technician currently employed with Caskinette’s Lofink Ford Mercury in Carthage. Previously he worked for Watertown Body and Fender, and was a die cast machinist for the New York Air Brake. 

He enjoyed woodworking, auto repair and auto restoration.

Surviving besides his wife are a son and his wife, Jason and Stephanie, Adams Center; two daughters and a son-in-law, Melissa Buker, Watertown, and Jayme and Matthew Cootware, Watertown; a brother, Robert Buker, Carthage; a sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Donald O’Riley, Gouveneur, four grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. The funeral service will be private at the convenience of the family. 

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 155, Watertown, NY 13601. 

condolence

Robert R. Pugliese

Robert R. Pugliese, 79, saloon keeper, of 2544 Longpine Lane, St. Cloud, Fla., and formerly of Watertown, died June 18, 2010.

Born Aug. 10, 1930, in Watertown a son of Frank and Mildred Olney Pugliese, he attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School and General Brown High School. 

From Sept. 3, 1947, until Sept. 24, 1949, Mr. Pugliese served in the Navy. When returning from his Naval service he worked on the family farm on Bradley Street. He served on the Pamilia Town Council and was chairman of the Republican Party for the town of Pamelia. On Sept. 26, 1955 he was drafted into the United States Army serving with the 101st Airborne and Army Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1960 as a staff sergeant. 

He married Sally Charlebois on Sept. 26, 1952. The marriage ended in divorce. 

On March 13, 1993, he married Carol Moore during a tornado in Orlando, Fla.

Known as ‘World Famous Rebel Bob’ Mr. Pugliese was the first person to receive a legalized saloon license in New York State. Lieutenant Governor Mary Ann Krupsak assisted him in getting the license under the new law on May 9, 1978. 

Mr Pugliese owned and operated many businesses including the Lighthouse Restaurant on Wellesley Island, in 1971 he operated the Borderline Restaurant on the other end of Wellesley Island, the Hickory House in Clayton, the Crazy Horse Saloon, the Mall Liquor Store in Alexandria Bay and the Rebel Room Saloon on Arcade Street. 

In 1982, after his mother died he moved to Boise, Idaho, and became an Insurance Agent for nine years. 

After that he moved to Orlando, Fla., and managed an Elks Lodge. He also worked for Alamo Rent A Car as a bus dispatcher, a driver for the Osceola Meals on Wheels, a driver for the Medicine Shoppe in Kissimmee, and was a employed with the Manheim Auto Auctions until his retirement in 2008. 

Mr. Pugliese was a past president of the Jefferson County Hotel and Restaurant Association, a member of the American Legion Post 61 and the Elks Lodge 496. 

Surviving besides his wife are three sons and a daughter-in-law, William and his companion Barbara Giordanelli, Watertown, Joey and Nora, Napa, Idaho, and Todd Fitzgerald, Ft. Myers, Fla.; four daughters and their husbands, Kelly and Alson Taylor, Clayton, Mary and Eric Bauman, Watertown, Kerry and Mark Richie, Clayton, and Julie Wade, Alexandria Bay; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

A brother, Nicholas, died before him.

Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. , tentatively, at 7pm the American Legion and the Elks Lodge will conduct their services followed by a funeral service with Rev. Alson Taylor, Mr. Pugliese’s son in law, officiating. 

Service will also be held Monday, June 28, 2010 at the Osceola Memory Gardens, 2013th St. St. Cloud, Fa.

Contributions may be made to the Vitas Hospice, 2201 Lucien Way, Suite 100, Maitland, FL 32751, www.vitascharityfund.org. 

Condolences
 

Mary T. Swayze

Mary T. Swayze, 71, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully on April 29th, 2010, after a short illness.  A native of Watertown, NY, she graduated with honors from Watertown High School.  Mary resided in Brewerton and North Syracuse, was employed as an Administrative Assistant at General Electric, C & S Companies, O’Brien & Gere and Carrier.  After moving to Portland, OR, in the early 1990’s, she was employed at Intel as a Project Assistant.  She retired in 2000 and moved to Tampa, FL.

Mary was an avid knitter and over the years made hundreds of beautiful pieces for family and friends. She also spent most of her life singing in church and community choirs.  While living in the Syracuse area and in Portland, OR, she was a member of the local affiliate of the Sweet Adelines and the Spirit of Syracuse Chorus.

 She was predeceased by her parents, Angelo and Philistine Puccia of Watertown.  She leaves behind four children, Mary Fabian of Central Square, NY, John (Mary) Swayze, Catherine(Dario) Ruiz, and Ralph(Tina) Swayze all of Tampa, FL; eight grandchildren Kimberly Fabian, Joseph and Kathleen Swayze, Dario, Jr., Thomas and Rocco Ruiz, and Annika and John Swayze; two sister Josephine(Donald)Snyder of Canastota and Eleanor(Jack) Caltabiano of Syracuse; and three brothers, Angelo(Benita) Puccia , Nelson Puccia, and Philip (Mary) Puccia all from Syracuse; two aunts Mary and Virginia Palumbo both of Watertown, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

 Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday July 31th at St. Anthony’s Church in Watertown with Reverend Donald Robinson officiating..  Internment will be in Glenwood Cemetery.  The family will celebrate her life later that day at the annual family reunion, an event that Mary looked forward too and never missed.  The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Ramon Chang and Myriam Gonzalez for their loving care and compassion, and also Lifepath Hospice of Tampa.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association. Local arrangements are with the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Alice O. Petroske

Alice O. Petroske, 92, of Watertown, and Naples, Fla., passed away April 24 at the home of her son ,Jack, and daughter-in-law, Judy.

Born April 30, 1917, in Carthage, she graduated in 1935 from Carthage High School. She then went to NYC for school to become a hairdresser and had a business out of her home in Carthage. 

She married John B. Petroske II, and they moved to Watertown where she was a homemaker for many years.

Mrs. Petroske belonged to the Home Bureau for many years, where she would make quilts. 

She enjoyed crocheting, chair caning, bowling, arts and crafts of any kind, and baking. 

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church with her husband, John, for many years. 

In recent years, she resided with Jack and Judy in Naples, Fla., and Chaumont.

Surviving are two sons and their wives, John “Jack” and Judy Petroske, Chaumont, and Naples, Fla., and Fred and Paula Petroske, Chaumont, and Key West, Fla.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

Her husband, John, and a son, Robert, died before her.

A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 29, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Richard Kennedy celebrating her beautiful life. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 28, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Avow Hospice, Wipporwill Road, Naples, FL or to Jefferson County Hospice, 425 Washington Street, Watertown, NY. 

Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Condolence 
 

Howard W. Drappo

Howard W. Drappo, 92, of 24521 Route 159, died Sunday, May 16, at Samaritan Medical Center.

Born Aug. 8, 1917, in Watertown, a son of Joseph and Grace Pearson Drappo, he graduated from Watertown High School. Mr. Drappo served in the United States Army from June 18, 1945 until he was honorably discharged on July 10, 1946. 

After his service he was employed with his father as a butcher in the family’s two grocery stores. 

On Nov. 3, 1937, he married Marion J. Harrigan in Plessis. Mrs. Drappo died Feb. 28, 1996. 

He began at the New York Air Brake Company in 1941 where he started as a machinist, and was very active in the union. He then moved into management and became the machine shop’s general supervisor and retired in 1980. 

Mr. Drappo was active in starting the Northern Federal Credit Union and was its first depositor. He was a life member of the American Legion, a member of the Masonic Lodge, was very active politically in AARP, active in SMC Cardiac Rehab, a life long blood donor, a former member of First Baptist Church and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. 

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.

Surviving are a son and his wife, Paul R. and Patricia, Watertown; a daughter, Catherine A. Vincent, Manning, S.C.; a sister, Margaret Blair, Buffalo; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. 

Two brothers, Robert and Albert, two sisters, Doris Lanich and Helen Euhtag, and a grandchild, died before him. 

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 20, and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, May 21, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Leon Schilling officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, at Brookside Cemetery. 

Contributions may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 327 Franklin Street, SMC Cardiac Rehab, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY or Town of Watertown Ambulance Squad, PO Box 170, Watertown, NY.

Condolence

Giacomo C. “Jack” Scordo

Giacomo C. “Jack” Scordo, 83, of 226 Thompson Blvd., a practicing lawyer in Watertown for more than 50 years, died May 5 at Samaritan Medical Center after a brief illness.

Attorney Scordo was well known as a trial attorney on criminal cases over the years.

The two most famous cases in which Mr. Scordo was involved were the 13 years of litigations between 1984 and 1997 involving William F. Oakes, accused murderer in the February 1984 slaying of Cape Vincent resident Edward W. Goulding and the “Lost Boyz” litigations following the Sept. 14, 1992, murder of Jackie L. Dacusin, a student at Indian River Central School in Philadelphia.

Born March 20, 1927, the son of Vincenzo and Marianna Agnesina Scordo, hje was educated in Watertown schools and graduated in 1945 from Watertown High School. While in high school, he was prominent in athletics, being captain of the school’s varsity football team in 1944.

He served in the Navy from August 1945 to August 1946, and that fall he entered Union College in Schenectady from which he graduated in 1950 with a bachelor's of arts degree.

Attorney Scordo entered Syracuse University Law School in the fall of 1950, and graduated with his law degree in June 1953.

His scholastic honors in law school included the New York State Bar association award of first prize for his essay on the United States Constitution in a statewide contest among students of state law schools.

From September 1953 to June 1954, he held a clerkship in the Buffalo law firm of Wilcox & Van Allen.

During the 1954 session of the state legislature. Mr. Scordo was legislative clerk to Republican Assemblyman Justin C. Morgan of Buffalo.

He was associated with Atty. William L. Clay of Rochester from July 1954 to June 30, 1955, and from July to September 1955, he was clerk to Jefferson County Surrogate Judge Leon Schwerzmann.

He was associated with Atty. Michael R. Renzi in a clerkship capacity and was admitted to the state bar after passing his examination in March 1958.

On Sept. 1, 1959, he severed his association with Attorney Renzi to open his own law office at 12 Unity building.

Attorney Scordo served as clerk and crier of state supreme and county court in Jefferson County from January 1958 to Aug. 9, 1960.

Attorney Scordo was appointed assistant city corporation counsel in December 1962 to succeed Atty.Russell Spencer, who resigned to return full time to his law practice. He served in the post until June 30, 1977, working with City Corporation Counsel Kenneth W. Brett.

Jack traveled to Italy for a month aboard the Michaelangelo ship in August 1965 where he visited Rome, Naples, had a special audience with Pope Paul in Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence. He visited with aunt and cousin in Reggio, a province of Calabria and traveled to Florence, Venice, Milan, Turin, Genoa and the Italian Riviera. He stopped in Paris, London before arriving back in the US via jet. 

Attorney Scordo was president of the Italian-American Civic Association in 1962, Judge Advocate in 1992and was president of the Watertown Red and Black Football Club in 1972. An active member of St. Anthony’s Church, he was president of its Mount Carmel Society in 1966. He was a member of Sons of Italy, the Italian American Heritage Association of Albany, NY, third degree of the Knights of Columbus and an avid fan and member of the Watertown High School Booster Club. 

Mr. Scordo was a member of Watertown High School's Distinguished Alumni Hall of Achievement.

Attorney Scordo retired March 1 and close his practice at 121-122 Sherman St. All records were transferred to Conboy, McKay, Kendall and Backman.

Friend and fellow attorney Robert V. Renzi, who has also practiced law for about 50 years, said Mr. Scordo made many contributions to the community in addition to his work as a lawyer.

"Jack was so active, he was involved in everything. Not just law; he was an advocate for all kinds of community programs," Mr. Renzi said. "He was a Renaissance man; he was interested in the arts and was a big supporter of Watertown athletics."

Mr. Scordo graduated from Union College, Schenectady, in 1950 before attending law school. He graduated from Syracuse University School of Law in 1953.A member of the Jefferson County Bar Association; he began practicing law in 1958.

"He's a good friend, a good attorney and just a nice man," Mr. Renzi said. "It's hard to believe he won't be running around the courtroom."

In January 2008 he was interviewed by the Watertown Daily Times. The following are excerpts his family wants to share:

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO PURSUE A LAW CAREER?

"I was in high school, playing basketball at Watertown High. We played a game in Herkimer on a Friday night and were playing Saturday at Little Falls, so we stayed overnight at Little Falls.
"Saturday afternoon, the coach sent us to the movies, we started horsing around and got kicked out. One of the kids' father, Bill Reynolds Sr., was a lawyer. He was on the trip with us and he came out, met us in the lobby and prevented us from getting arrested.
"That planted the seed. I was very impressed with the man."

WHO WAS THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON HOW YOU APPROACH THE LAW?

"My father instilled in me, not just me, but my brothers and sisters - I'm the seventh of 11 children - a sense of righteousness, of being honest. Paul Shanahan (late Syracuse defense attorney), his trials were like a seminar. He liked to educate the young lawyers. Robert Shaad, William McClusky, are others. Robert Shaad graduated from Cornell in 1950 with the highest grade ever obtained at Cornell Law School. It may have been beaten since, but that was still something like a hundred years."

He is survived by two brothers, Fortunato F. “Ben” and Giuseppe P. “Joseph”, both of Watertown, four sisters and a brother in law Caterina “Kay” and Fortunato “Fred” Benedetto, Antionetta A., Carmelina A. and Lucia A. all of Watertown, three cousins Mary Navarra, Josephine Basile, both of North Syracuse, Sister Giacinta Basile NPF, New Brunswick, NJ, cousins in Calabria, Italy, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Calling hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, and Friday, May 7, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral Mass will be said 1 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating and Monsignor Anthony Milia as the con celebrant. 

In lieu of flowers contributions in Jack’s Name may be made to St. Anthony’s Church, 850 Arsenal Street, Watertown, or St. Joseph’s Infirmary Villa Walsh, 455 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

Condolances may be made at www.dlcalarco.com.

Condolence
 

John R. Steller

John R. Steller, 87, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 1, in his home at the Ives Hill Retirement Community. 

He was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Steller of St. Louis, Missouri. 

Mr. Steller left his hometown in 1942, joining the Army and being transferred to Pine Camp, thereby meeting his loving and faithful wife Carmella of 67 years in Watertown. Carmella "Chiumento" Steller passed away March 3, 2010 and he desperately missed her. 

He returned from World War II, where he served under General Patton in the 3rd Army, 4th Armored Division, 51st light armored infantry battalion, being decorated with the bronze and silver stars with oak leaf clusters. 

In Watertown, he began his vocation as an electrician, working briefly for Donovan Construction and finishing his career of 40 years with Dexelectrics. 

John was a devoted and loving husband to Mella, and father to his two sons. He enjoyed every minute of the time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family by marriage, the Chiumento’s, their spouses and children, were as loving and caring as any family could be and he appreciated their kindness, especially Anita Parish and Patsy Chiumento in his final years. 

For recreation, John was a very proficient bowler and devoted much of his time running junior bowling programs and assisting in the administration of ABC and 700 Club events. 

He enjoyed dancing with his wife and fishing with his sons and grandchildren. J

John and Mella enjoyed traveling together and went as far away as Australia to visit their in-laws. They spent many winters vacationing and fishing the saltwater in Texas and Florida. In the recent past they both enjoyed gambling at local casinos. 

He is survived by his sister Marion Smith of St. Louis, two sons, John Jr., and wife Arlene of Cape Coral, FL., James and wife Cheryl of Hitchcock, TX., four grandchildren , Tracey (Steller) Ingle, John R. Steller, III., James T. Steller and Lauren (Steller) Markiewicz, five great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Nathan Ingle, Trent Steller, Grant Steller and Carys Markiewicz. 

His parents and a sister, Mary Steller, died before him. 

A special thanks to the staff at Ives Hill Retirement Center who provided a safe and caring environment, Dr. Jason White and his dedicated caregivers, Marlene, Terri and Mindy. 

The family will receive family and friends 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, May 6, at the funeral home with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial with military honors in Glenwood Cemetery will be 12:15 p.m. Saturday. 

In lieu of flowers donations in Johns name may be made to Jefferson County Hospice, 425 Washington St., Watertown, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 155, Watertown.

Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Condolence
 

Edward M. Lyng

Edward M. Lyng, 94, died Wednesday, April 28, at the Samaritan Keep Home. 

Born May 26, 1915, the son of John and Susanna McGowan Lyng, he attended Holy Family School and graduated from Holy Family High School in 1934. Before he served in the Army from 1941 to 1944, he sold tobacco and cigarettes for R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard Tobacco Company. 

He married Mary Schlichtig in Holy Family Church on Aug. 7, 1944, by Rev. Msgr. James T. Lyng, his brother.

Mr. Lyng worked with Leo Yager selling business machines before he started the Lyng’s Office Supplies and Equipment business in his home in 1949. The business operated out on the Gifford Street Road, Route 12, until 1973 when he retired in 1973 due to illness. His son, Patrick, operated the business until it was sold to Frank Empsall in 1977. 

Mr. Lyng was a member of the American Legion Post 61 and an active member of Holy Family Parish. 

He loved to play golf and enjoyed reading. 

He was an avid Notre Dame Unviersity football fan.

Surviving are three sons and their wives, Edward and Mary, Victor, N.Y., Patrick and Debra, Franklin, Tenn., and Terry and Sue, Tully, N.Y.; two daughters, Sister Mary Eamon, SSJ, Ogdensburg, N.Y. and Mary Marino, Watertown; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, a step-granddaughter; nieces, nephews and cousins. 

His wife, Mary, a grandchild, Joseph Charles Marino, his brothers Francis, Andrew, Rev. Msgr. James, Paul, Leo, a sister, Sister Eucharista "Sally", FMDCA and Mary, Elizabeth, and Joseph, who died in infancy, all died before him.

The funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Monday, May 3, at Holy Family Church with Rev. Leo Wiley officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Family Church, 129 Winthrop St., Watertown or to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1425 Washington St., Watertown.

Condolence
 

Josephine V. Spaziani Marcinko

Josephine V. Spaziani Marcinko, 85, of 139 Cedar St., passed away Saturday, April 24, at Samaritan Keep Home where she had been a patient since June 2006.

Born Nov. 24, 1924, at the family home on Cedar Street in Watertown, a daughter of Gaetano and Ida Nagni Spaziani, she was educated in Watertown schools but left in her junior year to assist her father in the operation of the family business, Spaziani’s Bakery, because her brothers Peter and Henry were called to military service. Her father, Gaetano Spaziani, started the business in 1907. He died Oct. 11, 1953. The bakery ran continuously for 87 years, closing on Oct. 1, 1994.

Mrs. Marcinko met George M. Marcinko a member of the famed 5th Armored Division stationed at Pine Camp in 1943. They married on June 14, 1945, at St. Anthony’s Church with Monsignor Claude Sechi officiating. Mr. Marcinko died Dec. 25, 1985. 

Mrs. Marcinko worked for Dr. Louis C. Battista, as well for the Singer Sewing Company, and at Carl’s Auto before returning to the family business in the 1970s. She retired when the business closed in 1994.

She enjoyed cooking Italian specialties for her family and friends as well she enjoyed traveling to casinos and sight seeing.

Surviving are two sons and their wives, John A. and Sandra, and George M. Jr. and Melody; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Theresa Galluccio and Delores Strejlou, both of Watertown. 

A son, Guy, died March 14, 2002. Six brothers Jerry, Vincent, Peter, Henry, Frank "Káko", and Silverio F. "Chet", and a sister, Anna Cumoletti, all died before her. Two sisters, Salvina about age three, and Lucy in infancy, also died before her. 

Calling hours will be private at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, at St. Anthony’s Church with Reverend Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. 

Contributions may be made to American Pancreatic Association, P.O. Box 14906, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
 

Condolence

Alice Petroske

Alice Petroske, 92, born April 30, 1917, in Carthage, and residing many years at 425 East Main St., Watertown, died Saturday, April 24, in Florida. 

She had been living with her son, "Jack", and daughter-in-law, Judy, in Naples, Fla., and under the care of Hospice since January.

She leaves behind another son, Frederick, and daughter-in-law, Paula, Chaumont, N.Y., several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

Her husband, John II, and a son, Robert, died before her. 

A funeral mass will be held later in May or early June at a time to be announced by the family.

Condolence

Michael A. Vecchio

Michael A. Vecchio, 66, of 454 Bugbee Dr., died Sunday, April 18, at the Samaritan Keep Home where he had been a resident for a short time. 

Born Nov. 7, 1943, in Watertown, a son of Jerry and Nancy Abbate Vecchio, he graduated in 1961 from Watertown High School, and Jefferson Community College in 1972 with an associate’s degree in accounting. 

He was previously married to Virginia Dealing. On July13, 1974. he married Phyllis LaCette at Point Salubrious 

Mr. Vecchio served in the United States Army in from Aug. 7, 1961, until July 28, 1964. 

He was a machinist at the New York Airbrake for many years retiring in 2004. He then assisted his son Michael at his business Metal Man Services as a truck driver and machinist. 

Mr. Vecchio attended Saint Anthony’s Church.

He enjoyed wood working, carpentry and hunting. He was a member of the Italian American Civic Association, a volunteer for the Brownville Fire Department and was an officer from 1993 until his retirement in the International Association of Machinist and Aeorspace Workers Lodge 761.

Surviving besides his wife and mother are three sons and their wives, Michael II and Amanda, Watertown, Stephen and Billiejo, Adams Center and Peter and Janet, Liverpool, N.Y.; a brother and his wife, Jerry and Marion, Sackets Harbor; a sister and her husband. Anna and Richard Warner, Watertown; two sisters in-law, Barb Vecchio, Black River and Joan Vecchio, Watertown, four grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. 

Two brothers, Joseph and Sebastian, passed before him. 

Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held 9:15 a.m. Thursday, April 22, at the funeral home with a 10 a.m. funeral service at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Mausoleum. 

Contributions may be made to a charity of ones choice or to the National Parkinson’s Association, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope RoadMiami, Florida 33136-1494. 

Condolences may be made at www.dlcalarco.com. 

Condolence
 

Fred G. Mammoliti

Musician and composer Fred G. Mammoliti, 95, passed away April 12, 2010 at University Hospital in Tamarac, Fla. He was a resident of Sunrise, Fla., and a summer resident of Cape Vincent.

Born in January 1915 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., a son of Cosimo and Verernada Brancatisano Mammoliti, he lived in Watertown as a young child and then moved to Auburn. 

Learning first to play the violin with his family, he later took up guitar and piano. As a young man he started his professional career playing with bands part time until 1947 when he moved to California and soon became a full time solo musician with the stage name of Freddie George. During the 1950s he worked as an entertainer in Central New York and the Los Angeles area.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he also operated the George Mammoliti School of Music on Genesee St. in Auburn. In 1980, he retired to Florida but soon began spending summers in Cape Vincent. Later he began playing regularly at the Sleepy Hollow and other area establishments. In 2009, he created a music video, Ode to President Obama, which was posted on YouTube and featured on Miami television news.

He married Antoinette Sciortino on June 29, 1935, in Auburn. Mrs. Mammoliti died June 5, 1999.

Among his survivors are a son, Fred G. Jr., Hialeah, Fla.; several nieces and nephews. 

Three brothers James, William, John, and a sister Julia Campisi, died before him.

Calling hours will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. 

Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, Po Box 155, Watertown, NY 13601.
 

Condolence

Dr. William F. (“Bill”) Christy

Dr. William F. (“Bill”) Christy, 58, died on April 3, 2010, surrounded by members of his family and close friends, at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, New York following a brief illness. He was born in Syracuse, New York, a son of William and Margaret Wackerle Christy, on July 28, 1951 (also his father’s and nephew’s birthday) and had lived in Watertown for the past eight years.  He graduated from Westhill High School in Syracuse, the University of Notre Dame, the Universidad Autonomo de Guadalajara, where he earned an M.D. degree, and completed the Physician Assistant program at Bailey Seton Hospital in Staten Island, NY.  He was employed by Occupational Medicine in Watertown for the past eight years as a Physician Assistant.

     On July 12, 2009 he married Mary Brazell at the Watertown City Hall; their marriage was blessed by Reverend Steven Murray before Bill’s passing. Bill loved the Adirondacks, especially Old Forge and Raquette Lake, and also loved playing his three  tubas, he also played his tuba in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Old Forge. Bill was a certified Baseball Umpire and assisted with the writing of the Little League Rule and Regulation Manuel. He umpired for Little League games along the east coast, in Northern New York and Canada. Bill was a communicant of Holy Family Church and enjoyed studying astrology.

     His family and friends knew him to have a unique sense of humor and a kind and gentle spirit and he will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

     Bill is survived by his wife of nine months, Mary ; his parents, William P. and Margaret Christy, of Syracuse, NY; his sisters, Karen (Robert) Kottmeier of Parker, CO, Joan Christy (Thomas Bersani) of Skaneateles, NY and Nancy Christy, of East Syracuse, NY; his brother, Daniel (Debra) Christy of Cazenovia, NY; five nieces and nephews; three grandnieces and nephews; two step-daughters, Tonya (Chet) Kubis of Black River and Crystal (Christopher) LaClair of  Philadelphia, NY; four step-grandchildren; Abbigayle and Jason Kubis, Kalib and Gavin LaClair and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Bill was predeceased by his infant brother, Thomas Christy, and two nephews, Daniel Christy and Michael Mason.

      Calling hours will be held at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc., 135 Keyes Avenue, Watertown, on Thursday, April 8 from 5-8 pm.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 9 at Holy Family Church, 129 Winthrop Street, Watertown, NY at 10 am.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Old Forge, New York, at a time to be determined. 

        Contributions may be made to the Rescue Mission,  120 Gifford Street, Syracuse, NY  13202, the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 155, Watertown, NY 13601 or to Samaritan Foundation of Northern New York, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601. Condolences may be sent to www.dlcalarco.com.

Condolence

George A. A. Burker

George A. A. Burker, 44, of 290 Barben Ave., passed away Friday April 2, at his home.

Born April 25, 1965, in Watertown, a son of Norman George and MaryAnn Fairbanks Burker, he graduated in 1983 from Watertown High School. 

George was trained at Brunswick Academy as a bowling alley technician. He was employed by various bowling alleys in the north country as a technician. Most recently, he was employed by Theresa Bowl until December 2009. Currently, he was planning to operate an independent Taxi Service ‘Geo Cab’. 

George was a train enthusiast and belonged to the Watertown Train Association. 

He enjoyed collecting coins, attending car shows, bowling, fishing and was an avid New York Yankee fan.

Surviving besides his mother is a sister and her husband, Jennifer and Todd Arriza, South Riding, Va.; a brother and his wife, Geoffrey and Tina, East Amherst; five nieces and a nephew, Amanda, Elizabeth, Olivia and Alexander Arriza, Grace and Sabrina Burker; special family friends, the Leo Bennett family; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will gather for a private funeral service. 

Contributions may be made to Samaritan Keep Home, 133 Pratt St., Watertown NY 13601 or to Relay for Life, Bessie’s Favorites, c/o Cathleen Robinson, 12445 Rt. 12 E, Chaumont, NY 13622. 

Condolences may be sent to www.dlcalarco.com. 

Condolence
 

Dr. Floyd Louis Bajjaly

Dr. Floyd Louis Bajjaly, 81, died Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, following a short illness.  He was born on July 30, 1928, the fourth son of Namie N. Bajjaly and Marie Otakie Bajjaly.  He attended Cooper School, North Junior High School and graduated from Watertown High School in 1946.  He received a BS from St. Lawrence University in 1950, his M.D. from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario in 1959, and an MS in Psychiatry from Ohio State University in 1963.  He served a one-year rotating internship at Kingston General Hospital (1959-1960), and a 3-year residency in Psychiatry at Ohio State University (1960-1963), serving as Chief Resident in 1962-1963.  He completed his psychiatric training with a 2-year residency at Athens State Hospital, Athens, OH.

    Dr. Bajjaly began his professional career in July, 1965 as the Associate Director of the Onondaga County (NY) Mental Health Department.  In 1966, he served as the consultant to the first Head Start Program.  In December, 1966,  he returned to Watertown where he worked in various positions until 2 weeks before his death to deliver mental health services to local residents.   From 1966 - 1987, as Director of Community Mental Health Services for Jefferson County, he worked with citizens’ groups to expand greatly the county’s mental health, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and alcoholism and substance abuse services infrastructure. Dr. Bajjaly had a career-long association with Jefferson Rehabilitation Center.  From 1966 until his death, Dr. Bajjaly served as the agency’s psychiatrist and also served as JRC’s Director of Community Services from 1966 to 1987.

    In 1968, Dr. Bajjaly and Mercy Hospital administrators received federal funding to build a comprehensive mental health center (CMHC).  He served as the founding director of the Mercy Hospital CMHC from 1971-1994. He provided psychiatric services to disabled American veterans from 1966-1995. From 1992-1999 he served as the psychiatrist in a collaborative day treatment program between St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and Jeff-Lewis BOCES. From 1995-1999 he was the psychiatric consultant to CREDO Foundation. From 1996 until his death he was the psychiatrist attached to the outpatient and continuing day treatment program at the Mercy Center of Northern New York.

    During the course of his career, his validation to practice medicine and the specialty of psychiatry were attested to by various agencies. He was a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1960. He was licensed to practice medicine in Ohio in 1961 and in New York in 1965. He was accredited as a qualified psychiatrist by the N.Y.S. Office of Mental Hygiene. In 1966, after a civil service test, he was rated as a supervising psychiatrist. In 1966 he was certified by the American Board of Psychiatry. In 1971, after examination, he was certified as a Mental Health Administrator by the American Psychiatric Association.

     He was a life member of the medical society of the state of New York and the Jefferson County Medical Society. He was a life member of the American Psychiatric Association and of its Onondaga District Branch. He also belonged to the American Association of Mental Health Administrators and as the American Association of Community Psychiatrists. He was a former member of the American Medical Association and of the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

    Dr. Bajjaly was the recipient of several honors and awards.  In 1978 he was presented with the national commanders award by the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans to recognize the services he provided to disabled American veterans. In 1981 he was presented with the annual St. Joachim’s Award from Mercy Hospital. He was elected as President of the Jefferson County Medical Society in 1985-1986 and President of the Medical Staff of Mercy Hospital in 1990-1991. In 1995 the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Community of Jefferson County presented him with the public service award in recognition to his contributions in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse. In 2003 he was named to the Watertown City School District to their Distinguished Alumni Hall of Achievement.

    Dr. Bajjaly was a life member of Watertown Elks - 496. He was also a member of the North Side Improvement League and the Italian American Civic Association. He was a former member of the Watertown Rotary Club, the Black River Valley Club, and Ives Hill Country Club. He played football in high school, college, and also for the Watertown Red & Black. In 1968, he and a group of friends reestablished the Watertown Red & Black after a hiatus of several years. He was elected to the Queen’s University Football Hall of Fame in 2005.He was a life long voracious reader. The knowledge gained from that pursuit enabled him to win several trivia contests in the 1970s.

    On October 11, 1955 he married Nora Wilson Troup from Ottawa, Ontario in Kingston, Ontario. Survivors besides his wife include his sister, Florence Bajjaly (Watertown); four children: Stephen (Charleston, SC), Michael (Palmetto, FL), Sarah (Boston, MA), and David (Watertown); daughter-in-law Ann Marie Bajjaly (Watertown); grandchildren Briana and Ryan Bajjaly (Watertown); and several nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Ula Bajjaly, brothers Philip and Frank Bajjaly, sisters Freda Bajjaly and Olga Ball, and nephew Fred Bajjaly. 

    Calling hours will be Friday from 4 until 8 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church with The Very Reverend Clarke French officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Brookside Cemetery.

Condolence

John F. Mulcahy

     John F. Mulcahy, Sr., 73, formerly of Carthage and Black River, went to be with the Lord on Thursday March 18, 2010 at University Hospital Syracuse.

John was born January 10, 1937 in Philadelphia, NY, a son of Jack and Helen Graves Mulcahy. He graduated from Philadelphia High School and served in the United States Navy from 1956 until 1960.  

 John retired from Niagara Mohawk as a chief line foreman after thirty four years in 1995. He was a former communicant of St. James Church in Carthage, a life member of the Carthage Elks Lodge for forty two years and a member of the Knights of Columbus. John was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. Being a very generous individual, John collected food for food pantries in and around Watertown, especially for the Watertown Urban Mission. 

Survived by his ex-wife, Constance Foster Mulcahy, are two sons and  a daughter-in-law Todd Mulcahy, Central Square, John, Jr. and Catherine, Liverpool, two daughters and their husbands Jaymie and Russ Denny, Nassau, NY and Heidi and Ken Hicks, LeRay, NY, two brothers and a sister-in-law, Jimmy and Annie Mulcahy, Watertown and David Mulcahy, Florida, eight grandchildren; Caitlin, Krista and Kylie Denny, Chelsea, Claire and Kevin Mulcahy, Johnna and Brittany Simser, a great grandson Andrew Mulcahy and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Pastor Dick Graves, and a sister Chloe Beal, predeceased him.

Calling hours will be Saturday March 27 at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. from 11:30 am until 1 pm. A memorial service will follow at 1 pm with Reverend Steven Murray officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Black River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Watertown Urban Mission, 247 Factory Street, Watertown, NY 13601. Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Condolence

Dorothy C. ‘Dot’ Beasley

Dorothy C. ‘Dot’ Beasley, 88,  formerly of the Brighton Apartments, died Thursday March 11, 2010 at Samaritan Keep Home where she had resided since 2006.

 Mrs. Beasley was born November 29, 1921 in Watertown a daughter of Joy I. and Muriel M. Rolfe Case.  Mrs. Beasley graduated from Watertown High School and the Watertown School of Commerce. On January 11, 1944 she married Walter F. ‘Red’ Beasley  in Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Beasley died January 12, 1990. Mrs. Beasley was a bookkeeper at the New York Air Brake Company and WF Beasley Painting Co. where she worked with her husband. Dot and Red owned and operated Red Dot Antiques where they would use red dots to mark their items. After they closed the antique shop the couple moved to Colorado where Mr. Beasley passed away in 1990. Mrs. Beasley remained there for thirteen years until she moved back to Watertown in 2003. She was a former member of Trinity Episcopal Church, enjoyed sewing, quilting and Genealogy Research.

 Surviving is a son and his wife; Gary C. and Andy Beasley, Dexter, a daughter Cathy LaBouf, Towanda, Pennsylvania, six grandchildren; Amy LaBouf Montondo, Christina Beasley O’Riley, Sarah Beasley Crump, Jon T. LaBouf, Nathan J. Beasley and Lee M. LaBouf and nine great grandchildren. A brother Reginald ‘Bud’ Case died in 1968. 

 The family will hold a private  service at a later date as Mrs. Beasley had requested. Arrangements are with the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Contributions may be made to the Flower Memorial Library, please specify the research or genealogy department, 229 Washington Street or to Neighbors of Watertown, 112 Franklin Street, Watertown, NY 13601. On line condolences may be made to the family at  www.dlcalarco.com.

Condolence

Alma "Jess" Martell

Alma "Jess" Martell, 85, formerly of Watertown, passed away Feb. 1 in Largo, Fla. 
    Born Oct. 19, 1924, in Watertown, the daughter of Raymond and Kathleen Baxter Wager, she graduated in 1942 from Watertown High School. 

She married Joseph Martell on May 1, 1946, at Holy Family Church, Watertown. He died Oct. 9, 1964.
    Mrs. Martell worked in Watertown as a telecommunications operator and secretary for New York Telephone Company and was also employed with the Board of Education, Automobile Bureau, Employment Office, Electrical Union, J.P. Lewis Paper Co. and Post Engineers at Fort Drum. She retired from Bay Pines VA Hospital in Florida. 
    After retiring, Jess enjoyed working part time in the pro shops at Willowbrook Golf Club and Pine Crest Country Club in Florida.
    An avid golfer, Jess played in numerous tournaments and won several trophies. She also enjoyed playing cards, reading and watching golf. She was a long time member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
    Surviving are a son and his wife, Michael and Vicki Martell, Wellesley Island, a daughter and her husband, Michelle and Lewis Fults, Evans Mills; seven grandchildren, Michael (Mika) Durhan, AL, MacKenzie Dickinson, Watertown, Megan Rodriquez, Texas, Morgan Martell, Texas, Joseph Fults, Evans Mills, Jana Fults Evans Mills and Lindsey Fults, N.C.; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Marie Elger, Watertown, Louise Kaufman, Texas; a brother, Robert, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Edna Wager; and several nieces and nephews.
    Besides her husband, Joseph, a sister, Eleanor Howland, and a brother, Frank Wager, predeceased her. 
    A summer memorial service will be held in July at Glenwood Cemetery. 
    There will be no calling hours. Local arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.

Condolence
 

Carmella A. Steller

Carmella A. Steller, 87, went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2010.

Born the eldest daughter of Frank and Laura Chiumento Mella, a lifelong resident of Watertown, N.Y., she was one of six brothers and sisters. 

Mella is survived by her husband of 67 years, John R. Steller, Sr., two sons, John Jr., and wife Arlene of Cape Coral, Fla., James and wife Cheryl of Hitchcock, Texas; four grandchildren , Tracey (Steller) Ingle, John R. III., James T. and Lauren (Steller) Markiewicz, five great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Nathan Ingle, Trent Steller, Grant Steller and Carys Markiewicz; her sister, Anita and husband Richard Parish, a brother, Patsy Chiumento; a sister-in-law, June Chiumento; a number of nieces and nephews; and her life-long friend, Mary Cook.

She was predeceased by her parents, brother John Chiumento and sisters , Antonette Rhynhart and Rose Wolfe.

Mella was a devoted and loving wife, mother and sister. 

She was a dedicated homemaker and enjoyed cooking, shopping and family get-togethers, especially the family reunions held at her sister Anita’s cottage.

For recreation, Mella enjoyed dancing; bowling in a mixed league with John, fresh and saltwater fishing and boating, was a member of the Italian American Club Auxiliary and a life-long member of St. Anthony’s Church. 

Mella and John enjoyed traveling together as far away as Australia, and spent many winters fishing in Texas and Florida. In the recent past they enjoyed gambling at local Casinos.

A special thanks to the staff at Ives Hill Retirement Center who provided a safe and caring environment and Mella’s dedicated caregivers, Marlene, Terri and Mindy.

The family will receive family and friends 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 5, at D. L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held 9:15 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at the funeral home with a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be  11:15 a.m. Tuesday in Glenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mella’s name may be made to Jefferson County Hospice, 425 Washington St., Watertown, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 155, Watertown.

Condolence

Howard R. George

Retired 1^st Sgt. USMC and Judge Howard R. George, 75, passed away February 24, 2010 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Mr. George lived on Gifford St. Rd., Rt. 12, until he moved to Tully, NY this past year.

    Howard was born February 6, 1935 in Watertown, NY a son of the late Harold George and Margaret Oatman George Lytle. In 1952,at the age of 17, Howard enlisted into the United States Marine Corp. He served one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. While serving 1^st Sgt. George was awarded many awards, achievements and declarations. Among them were the Conspicuous Service Cross, Navy Achievement Medal (Combat “V”), Purple Heart, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (Palm), Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (1 Star), Navy Unit Commendation (1 Star), Presidential Unit Citation (2 Stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ( Vietnam), Good Conduct Medal (5 Stars), National Defense Medal ( 1 Star), Vietnamese Service Medal (Cluster), Vietnamese Campaign Medal (7 Stars), Korean Service Medal, United States Service Medal (1 Star), Letters of Congratulations (1970, 1971), Letters of Appreciation (1966, 1970, 1971), Meritorious Mast ( 1964, 1967). 1 st Sgt. George was a member of the All Marine Wrestling Team, All Marine Football Team and All Marine Judo Team.  1^st Sgt. George wrestled and placed 7^th in the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy. He later went on to coach football and wrestling.

    On February October 29, 1960 he married Joanne Costello. The marriage ended in divorce. Joanne Frenzel now lives in Sun City, FL.  In 1971, 1^st Sgt. George retired from the United States Marine Corp and returned to Watertown to work as a Criminal Investigator for the Office of the Jefferson County District Attorney. In 1977 he started his own Private Investigation Agency, which is still run by his son William R. George. Mr. George also owned NNY Long Bow Archery Shop and was employed by UPS in preload. Mr. George was the Security Director at the Salmon Run Mall and the House of the Good Samaritan Hospital. Mr. George was the Town of Watertown Justice for eighteen years, during this time he performed many weddings at his home on Gifford St. Rd.

    He founded the NNY Judo Jujitsu and Wrestling Club, which now trains with the CNY MMA in the Northland Plaza in Watertown. Mr. George also ran the Young Marine Program and was a member of the Jefferson County Detachment of the Marine Corps League and the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, NYS Magistrates Association and the Association of Licensed Detectives of New York State.

    Surviving besides his wife Tamara, of Tully NY, a son and his wife William and Meredith George, Watertown, a daughter and her husband Nancy and William Condon, Summerville, SC, six granddaughters; Kallista, Sereenah, Abrianah, Merabella George and Elizabeth and Georgie Condon, three brothers Wayne George, Watertown, Harry George, Clallam Bay, WA, Gary George, Canton, MO, a sister Beatrice George, Tulare, CA, five stepbrothers; Robert C., Richard C., Ronald C., Raymond C. and Roy C. Lytle, one stepsister Patricia A. Lytle, and several nieces and nephews, three step sons Robert, Kyle and Michael Sears, a step daughter Erica McGiveron and four step grandchildren Bailey, Emma, Riley McGiveron and Addison Sears. His parents and a  brother Floyd George died before him.

    Calling hours will be Friday from 4pm to 8 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A burial with full military honors will be held in the spring at Sackets Harbor Military Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Detachment of the Marine Corps. League, PO Box 6421, Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolence

David William Chisamore

David William Chisamore, 83, beloved husband of the late Sally Walrath Chisamore passed away Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford CT. 
    Born Feb. 7, 1926, in Theresa, the son of Carlton and Nora Evans Chisamore, he was the stepson of the late Edna Chisamore. He proudly served in the Navy during World War II as a radioman aboard a PBM in the Pacific Theatre.
    Mr. Chisamore retired in 1988 from Case Power & Equipment, Buffalo, and resided in Watertown until 2004. 
    He leaves behind his children and their spouses, David & Marcia Chisamore, Nashua, N.H., and Jan and Richard Reutenauer, Wallingford Conn.; grandchildren, Kristin Chisamore Defina, Brian Chisamore, Jason Reutenauer and Erin Reutenauer; a sister, Ruth Moran, Evans Mills; and sister-in-law, Patricia Chisamore, Deland, Fla. 
    A brother, Thomas Chisamore, died before him. 
    An hour of calling will be held 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc., with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Leon Schilling officiating. Entombment will be in Glenwood Mausoleum.
    In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the Masonicare Health Center, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492 or the NYS Zoo at Thompson Park, One Thompson Park, Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolence
 

Mary C. Barbara

Mary C. Barbara, 96, formerly of St. Anthony Apartments and Arsenal Street, died Monday, Feb. 15, at James Square Nursing Home, Syracuse. 
    Born March 2, 1913, in New York City, a daughter of Lorenzo Anna Surace, she moved to the Watertown area as a young child and attended local schools. 
    She married Emil "Bob" Barbara on Feb. 2, 1932. He died May 26, 1978. 
    Mrs. Barbara provided child care and was a supervisor for Model Homes for over twenty years.  
    She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church, was a member of St. Anthony’s Altar Rosary Society, the Legion of Mary and the Secular Order of St. Francis. Mrs. Barbara volunteered for St. Anthony’s Mount Carmel Fest. She and her sister Margaret Fontana were the chief cooks for the Spaghetti Suppers for many years. 
     She was a member of the Precious Blood Auxiliary, and was an avid gardener.  
    Surviving are a son and his wife, Frank and Ann, Florida; a daughter, Virginia "Ginny"  Barbara, Watertown; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two step grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. 
    Two infant children died at birth. Two sons, Lawrence and Michael, four brothers, Frank, Pasquale, Antonio and Rocco Surace, two sisters, Jennie Benedetto and Margaret Fontana, and a grandson, Phillip, all died before her. 
    Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held 9:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. 
    Contributions may be made to St. Anthony’s Church, 850 Arsenal St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolence

Gerald Frederick “Tim” Quinn

Gerald Frederick “Tim” Quinn, 90, of 714 S. Massey Street, Watertown, died Monday, January 25, 2010, at Samaritan Keep Home, Washington St., Watertown.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4-7 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc., 135 Keyes Avenue, Watertown. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am Friday at St. Patrick’s Church with Reverend Vincent Freeh officiating. A spring burial with military honors will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Donations may be made in Tim’s name to St. Patrick’s Church, 724 Massey Street, Watertown, NY or to the Elks Lodge #496, Youth Fund, Bradley Street, Watertown, NY.

     Mr. Quinn was born in Watertown on December 4, 1919, the son of Clarence J. and Rose Elizabeth Casey Quinn. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1940.

     He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from April 9, 1942 to December 28, 1945, and was stationed in the South Pacific, Australia and New Guinea in the 1124^th Military Police Unit.

     Mr. Quinn was employed at New York Airbrake, Watertown, for 43 years as a tester, retiring in 1983. He was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church.

     Mr. Quinn started golfing at the age of nine and went on to become the Watertown Golf Club Champion four times, in 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1959 and the Watertown City Champion in 1966. Mr. Quinn made four hole- in -ones during his golfing career, including one in which a foursome composed of his brother Charles and nephews Robert and Kevin. The ball rolled in front of his brother Bernard ‘Bun’ Quinn( superintendant of the golf club) and into the hole. He and his long time friend and golf partner, Bill Barden, were Member Guest Champions at the Watertown Golf Club at Thompson Park and at Ives Hill Country Club. He was also lead off bowler on the team sponsored by Rand Clothing Store for many years.

     At the age of 58, he married Patricia Ames Brownell in Watertown on April 20, 1979 at Sacred Heart Church, with Rev. Benoit C. Dostie officiating. Witnesses were William and Thelma Koemel. The couple spent winters in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

    Mr. Quinn was a life member of Watertown Elks #496, VFW Lodge #1400 and the North Side Improvement League. He was a member of the Watertown Golf club since 1945 and a member of American League Post #61.

     He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and a sister-in-law, Beverly Quinn Lynch of Liverpool, N.Y.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Five brothers Francis, Charles, Harold, Jack, Bernard ‘Bun’ ,two sisters, Rosemary Bergevin and Doris Smith died before him.

Condolence

Helen E. Fluno

    Helen E. Fluno, 74, of 1010 Franklin St., died Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Samaritan Keep Home. 
    Born Oct. 9, 1935, in Belleville, a daughter of Melvin and Ellen Hedger Parks, she attended Ellisburg and Watertown city schools.  
    She married Leroy D. Fluno on Dec. 3, 1955, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Herbert S. Schroeder officiating.  
    Mrs. Fluno provided child care at her home for several years for area children. Her family currently owns and operates Colonial Woodshed and Basket World on West Main Street.  
    She was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
She was a former member of the PTA, bowled in the women’s league at the Watertown Bowl and played softball.  
    Surviving besides her husband are two sons and a daughter in-law, Edward R. and Marlene, S.C. and David L. and his fiancé Patricia Anderson, Watertown; two daughters and a son in-law, Yvonne and Steven Gebo, and Gail Fluno, all of Watertown; a brother, Robert and Janice Parks, Belleville; a sister, Louise Tavani, Fla.; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.  
    A sister, Nancy J. Roshia, died before her.   
Calling hours will be 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Fred Garry officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery.   
    Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 155, Watertown, NY 13601 or the American Diabetes Association, Utica NY Office, Lomond Office Park, 110 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.        
 

Mary Lee Kellner

Mary Lee Kellner, 71, of 257 Thompson Blvd., and formerly of Evans Mills, died Monday, Jan. 11, at Samaritan Medical Center.
    Born Dec. 11, 1938, in Steubenville, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Beatrice Basch Shaffer, she attended schools in Youngstown and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Youngstown State University.
    In 1965, she moved to Watertown. She married David L. Kellner on Aug. 20, 1967, at the Emmanuel Congregational Church. David died March 26, 2007. Mary Lee assisted David in the operation of Kellners Wrecker Service until 1981 and rental property in the Watertown area.
    Until the early 1980s, she was an English teacher at North Junior High School and Case Junior High School.
    Mary Lee was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where she was very involved in church activities especially Bible Study.
    She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, a former member of the Red Hat Society, a member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association and the Order of the Eastern Star.
  Surviving are a step daughter Vicky Kellner–Landers; two grandchildren, Noah and Seth Landers, all of Watertown; a sister, Marilyn Shaffer-Zishka; two nephews, Jeff and Jason Zishka, all of Ohio; and several cousins.
    Calling hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at the New Hope Baptist Church with Pastor Stan Gilcash officiating. Burial will be in the spring.
    Contributions may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church, Building Fund, 19983 NYS Route 3, Watertown, NY or to Augustinian Academy (her grandchildren’s school), 317 West Street, Carthage, NY 13619.

Arthur C. Mecomonaco

Arthur C. Mecomonaco, 83, of Main Street, died Saturday, Jan.  9, at Samaritan Keep Home after a brief illness. 
    Born Jan. 20, 1926, in Watertown, a son of Charles and Dora J. Dick Mecomonaco, he graduated in 1944 from Immaculate Heart Academy. In 1947, he attended Syracuse University’s Radio and Broadcasting School. 
    He married Doris E. Merritt on June 5, 1948, at Saint Patrick’s Church with Reverend Carlton Dewey officiating. Mrs. Mecomonaco died March 21, 2005. 
    Mr. Mecomonaco was employed with the Display Advertising Department of the Watertown Daily Times from 1946 to 1951. From 1951 until 1959, he was an Airmail Clerk and Senior Window Clerk for the United States Post Office in Watertown. In July of 1984, Mr. Mecomonaco retired from owning and operating, Schmid Music store. 
    On July 10, 1944, Mr. Mecomonaco entered the Army, was trained as a radio operator in field artillery as a forward observer. He took part in the invasion of the Palau Islands, the invasion and capture of Guam and the initial invasion of Leyte. After the Phillipines were conquered he took part in the invasion of Okinawa. His observation team of three men were over run by a Japanese Patrol, they were held for three days until they were able to escape during an artillery battle, in which one of his fellow team members was wounded. Mr. Mecomonaco received a Bronze Star Medal for his service in saving his fellow team member s life. Before his discharged on August 10, 1946 he did duty in Tokyo and Yokohama.
    He volunteered for the VA Hospital in Syracuse as a speaker at special events and presented musical entertainment to the residents. Mr. Mecomonaco drove for the Jefferson County Office of the Aging Transportation Program and the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Service. He was a committee member of Snowtown, USA. He was appointed to service in the commission to evaluate the City Charter for the City of Watertown. 
    Mr. Mecomonaco was a life member of the Knights of Columbus serving as a 4th degree knight, several offices and the Forth Degree Color Corp. In 2000 the Knights of Columbus offered a patriotic program of lectures on WWII, Mr. Mecomonaco received the second highest honor in the country for his speech from the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus for the two years it was submitted. 
    Mr. Mecomonaco spoke to many history classes and taught portions of history classes at Immaculate Heart Academy and Watertown High School for many years. He was appointed an honorary staff member. Because of his lectures at Senior Citizen Organizations and many civic groups, the State of New York started a program called, Veterans Oral History of WWII. He was contacted, interviewed and video taped to be placed into the permanent archived of the State. He enjoyed traveling, especially going on cruises with his wife.
    He is survived by a son and his wife, Robert and Kathleen, New Philadelphia, OH, two daughters Teresa Mecomonaco and her companion Juliet Myers, and Diane Kimball all of Watertown, seven grandchildren, Jeffrey and Ryan Kimball, Watertown, Tina Kapper, Bobby and Lindsay Mecomonaco all of OH, Eric Lieberman, Stevie Knight, both of Watertown, two sisters and a brother in law Rita and C. Philip Phillipson, Alfred, NY and Mary Daley, Bristow, VA, several nieces and nephews. 
    His parents Charles and Dora, a brother, Alfred, and a sister Stella, all died before him. 
    Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. A spring burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery with full military honors. 
    Contributions may be made to Immaculate Heart Academy, 1316 Ives Street, Watertown, NY 13601 or Watertown High School, 1335 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Beverly J. Draper

Beverly J. Draper, 79, of 112 Brown Blvd., died Jan. 5, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse.
    Born June 1, 1930, in Rome, she attended schools in Rome.  She married Robert W. Draper on Feb. 4, 1950, in Rome. Mr. Draper died Feb. 17, 2009.  Mrs. Draper was employed with Weston’s Department Store in Watertown and was a caregiver in Brownville. She enjoyed reading and sewing.
    Surviving are three daughters Jodi Lee Brown, Ala., Judy Lyn Hogue and Tammy Sue Draper McDermott, both of Watertown; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Two sisters died previously.
    A graveside service will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Town of Lee, in the spring. Arrangements are with the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.Contributions may be made to the Brownville Fire Department, Brown Blvd, Brownville, New York 13615.

Gerald L. Barry

Gerald L. Barry, 69, 312 Flower Avenue West, passed away Saturday January 2, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital, Syracuse, New York.

Mr. Barry was born May 9, 1940 in Ogdensburg, NY a son of Edward N. and Cora McEwen Barry.  He received his primary education at Saint Patrick’s School in Watertown, New York, graduated from Watertown High School in 1958 and SUNY Agriculture and Technical Institute in Canton with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He married Frances Siragusa April 15, 1961 with Reverend Joseph Siestito officiating.  Mr. Barry was a manager of  the tooling department at the New York Air Brake where he was employed for forty two years, retiring in 2002.  Mr. Barry was an alumnus of Canton ATC, belonged to the New York Air Brake golf league and a member of the Watertown Golf Club for twenty years.  He was also a communicant of St Patrick’s Church.   Gerald was a devoted family man, a true friend to many and a kind and gentle soul.

     Surviving besides his wife of forty eight years, are two sons and a daughter in-law; Robert and Leslie, Seattle, WA and Steven Watertown,  three daughters and a son in-law; Marie McCready, Lorraine Barry, Sandra and Jon  Macy all of Watertown,  a brother and sister in law; Edward H. and Maryann, Tarpen Springs, FL., thirteen grandchildren; Meghan, Steven, Erin, Justin, Soni, Colleen, Jill, Brandon, Samuel, Seth, Kevin, Logan and Lauren, two great grandchildren, Jersey and Mason,  several nieces and nephews.

     Calling hours will be Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.  A prayer service will be Wednesday at 9:15 am at the funeral home followed by a 10 am mass at Saint Antony’s Church with Reverend Donald Robinson officiating.  Contributions may be made to St Patrick’s Church, 123 South Massey Street, Watertown, New York.   

Juanita Rose Mitchell

Juanita Rose Mitchell, 89, 162 Boon Street, died Sunday January 3, 2010 at the Samaritan Medical Center.

Mrs. Mitchell was born October 20, 1920 in Kalispell, Montana a daughter of Wonslow and Hazel Lillie Bailey. As an infant she moved to this area and graduated from Theresa High School in1936. On September 5, 1939 she married Samuel M. Mitchell at St. Anthony’s Church with Monsignor Sechi officiating. Mr. Mitchell died June of 1970. Mrs. Mitchell was employed with Dr. Capones‘s dental office, the New York Telephone Company and retired in 1991 as an interviewer with the Jefferson County Medicaid office. She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church.

Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Lucia and Jasper Shealy, Fairport, NY and Sandra and Frank Bondellio, Morristown, NY a sister Betty Bolen, Newburgh, PA, seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A brother Jack Bailey and a daughter Donna Bauer died before her.

 Calling hours will be Monday from 4-7 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held Tuesday at 9:15 am at the funeral home with a 10 am funeral mass at St. Anthony’s Church with Reverend Donald Robinson officiating and Monsignor Anthony Milia con-celebrating. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery. The family would prefer donations made in Mrs. Mitchell’s memory to Catholic Charities, 812 State St, or to the Watertown Urban Mission, 247 Factory Street, Watertown, NY 13601

Margaret J. Littlefield

Margaret J. Littlefield, 85, formerly of Cooper Street, died Monday, Dec. 21, at Mercy Healthcare of Northern New York where she had been a patient since February 2007. 
    Born Jan. 27, 1924, in Freeland, Pa., a daughter of Michael and Anna Dvorshak Adams, she graduated in 1942 from Carthage High School.  She married Foster E. Littlefield on Oct. 5, 1947, in Elkton, Md. Mr. Littlefield died Jan. 24, 1992.  Mrs. Littlefield worked for an ammunition depot  in California during World War II.  She then moved to Watertown and was employed at Woolworths Department Store. From 1970 until her retirement in 1989, she assembled motors for fans and computers at Bomax Inc.  Mrs. Littlefield was a former communicant of Holy Family Church.  
    Surviving are four sons and two daughters in-law; Stanley and Nancy, Raleigh, N.C., Thomas, Watertown, David and Rose, Coppers Cove, Texas, and Raymond, Arlington, Va.; a daughter, Carolyn and Michael Lariton, Bloomfield, N.Y.; two sisters, Mary Pais, Deferiet, N.Y., and Irene Ginger, Watertown; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Helen Turpin, died before her.   
    There will be no calling hours.  There will be a private service in the spring in Depauville Cemetery. Arrangements are with the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northern Regional Office, 120 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolence
 

Alex C. Velto

Watertown – Alex C. Velto, 68, Executive Director of the Northern New York Community Foundation died Thursday morning of cancer at his home in Watertown. Mr. Velto was born in July 1941 in the Bronx, NY, the son of William Velto and Anne Stefanish. He grew up between the Italian Bronx neighborhood of his father’s family and his Ukranian-born mother’s family on the Lower East Side.

Alex Velto is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jeanne Emery, and their sons:  Bill, his wife Linda Sauter and their two children, Alexander Jacob and Margaret Anne, of Cary, North Carolina, and Steve, of Watertown, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, friends and colleagues. Mr. Velto graduated from Mount St. Michael High School in the Bronx in 1959, where he was selected to the 1958 all NYC Catholic Football team. He received a full football scholarship to Holy Cross College, and graduated in 1964 with a BS in History, after missing a year due to a football injury.

 Immediately after college, Mr. Velto joined a group of activist young volunteers working in Chicago inner-city neighborhoods as teachers and youth workers, met and married Jeanne, another volunteer and launched his career as an organizer and advocate for the poor and for anyone he felt was being treated unfairly. He completed his Master’s Degree in Social Work in Community Organization at the Jane Addams Graduate School of Social Work in 1968. Catholic Charities in Chicago hired him to lead their Area Services Project dedicated to teaching organizational skills in the model of Saul Alinsky, at the grass roots level in neighborhoods on the north and west side of the city. It was a time of action orientation, of social justice thinking and civil rights awakening and he was in the middle of it.

Feeling a need to return to the East Coast, Alex and Jeanne were lured to the North Country by Msgr. Robert Lawler, then Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Ogdensburg and moved here in August 1972 with their young family. As director of the Watertown Office of Catholic Charities for 14 years Alex was deeply involved in the early formative years of the North Country Children’s Clinic, Health Clinics and Senior Citizen Groups in Jefferson and Lewis Counties. He most notably focused his talent and energy on developing multiple millions of dollars of senior citizen housing in communities across the North Country.   He then went on to be Director of Planned Giving at St. Lawrence University before returning to Watertown in February 1992 to accept the position at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

Alex Velto loved canoeing and hiking the outdoors, particularly in the Adirondacks, and shared his passion generously with friends and all those nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He served on the Adirondack and Central New York Nature Conservancy Boards and as a Trustee of the Adirondack Land Trust and was a founding member of the Black River Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. He was an avid birder, and a regular at the Spring Hawk Watch at Derby Hill in Oswego County. Alex was a talented woodworker, first making furniture that is in the family home and later hand carving elegantly designed wooden spoons, that were coveted by friends and family. His natural ability in athletic activities was nurtured by early trips to Yankee Stadium to see Joe DiMaggio and other greats of the 40’s play, by being given a boat ride by Babe Ruth at Greenwood Lake when he was four years old, and by a fierce determination to stay physically healthy. Like most of the men in his family, he loved to cook and was good at it, often making the “recipe” up as he went along. Bread and pizza were his specialty, as was anything with lots of garlic. No one ever turned down an invitation to dinner.

 A memorial service is being planned for Alex Velto for mid January 2010, to allow for friends and family to gather from around the country. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alex Velto Community Fund at the Northern NY Community Foundation, 120 Washington Street, Watertown NY 13601 and to the North Country Children’s Clinic, 238 Arsenal Street Watertown NY 13601.

Condolence

Joseph R. Coppola

Joseph R. Coppola, 80, 300 Mill Theresa, NY , formerly of Superior Street, Watertown, died Wednesday November 4, 2009 at  Samaritan Medical Center.

Joseph R. Coppola was born December 27, 1928 in Watertown a son James and Mary Cifra Coppola. He attended Watertown Schools and served in the US Army. He was previously married  to Linda LaVancha. Mr. Coppola was employed with Black Clawson and retired from the New York Air Brake as a foundry worker. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, member of the Elks Lodge and was a former member of the American Legion.  He was a great grandpa, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren while watching sports and auto racing on television.

Surviving are a son and daughter in law William and Donna of Theresa, a daughter and son in law Sherry and David Donley of Watertown, four grandchildren Sierra and Wade Donley,  Angela and Jennifer Kloss, five sisters  and two brothers in-law, Antoinette Casler of Clayton, Sarah and Will Varno , Mary Jane Gutherie, Marsha Coppola, all of Watertown  and Brenda and John Kirwin of Middleton, MA, a sister in law, Jennie Coppola of Auburn, five great granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. Three brothers Ettore, James and Mariano died before him.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 1-5 pm at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held Monday at 9:15 am at the funeral home with a 10 am funeral mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Reverend Richard Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery with military honors. Contributions may be made to Renal Care of Northern NY, 19328 Washington Street Rd. Suite A, Watertown, NY 13601.

Irene P. Higgins

Irene P. Higgins, 75, of 1375 Sherman St., died Tuesday, Dec. 8, at her home under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County and her husband, Paul. 
    Born Jan. 12, 1934, in Bridgeport, Ohio, a daughter of George H. Beard, Jr. and Evelyn Brownlee, she graduated in 1953 from Martins Ferry High School in Ohio. On October 2, 1956, she entered the Air Force and was honorably discharged March 11, 1959.  During her service she met Paul Higgins and was married September 6, 1958 by Rev. (Capt.) John J. McGowan at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, N.Y. Mr. Higgins was the former director of the Jefferson County Veterans Service Agency. Mrs. Higgins began her banking career at the Riverhead Savings Bank in Riverhead, Long Island, she then was employed by the Industrial Bank in Schenectady for seven years. After her husband returned from Vietnam he was assigned to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany where she worked for American Express. During her thirty year career she was the Arsenal Street branch manager for HSBC and the Arsenal Street branch manager and main branch customer service officer for Key Bank. On June 1, 1996, she retired from banking. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church.  Mrs. Higgins was a long time member of the Watertown Golf Club. Being an avid and competitive player she golfed in many tournaments in and around the Watertown Area.  She loved animals and was a cat aficionado. 
    Surviving besides her husband are a brother, George H. Beard III, Tiltonsville, Ohio; two sisters, Iris Clower, Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Maureen Vostatek, Hillyard, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.  A brother, Alan Beard, died before her.
    Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the funeral home with a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Richard Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.  Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown or to the Sacred Heart Foundation, 668 Thompson St., Watertown

Patricia J. Chamberlain

Patricia J. Chamberlain, 69, of 24396 County Route 54, Brownville, died Monday, Dec. 7, at Samaritan Medical Center where she had been a patient since Nov. 26.
    Born March 9, 1940, in Hamptonburg, N,Y,, a daughter of Andreas C. and Vera Stone Seyfried, she graduated in 1957 from Cortland High School. 

She married H. Edward Chamberlain Jr. on July 2, 1960, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cortland. The couple moved to the Watertown area in 1969.  Mrs. Chamberlain was employed as a clerk with the admissions department of the Samaritan Medical Center between 1980 and 1985. She also was employed with Chamberlain Rental Corp. in Clay, hosted Tupperware home parties and was a homemaker.  Mrs. Chamberlain was a member of the Loyal Samaritans, a group of retired Samaritan employees, and the Red Hat Society.  She enjoyed gardening and traveling. Mrs. Chamberlain collected Department 56 Dickens Village and Marie Osmond Dolls.
    Surviving besides her husband are four sons and their wives, Paul E. and Cristina, Watertown, Thomas S. and Laurie, Mont Vernon, N.H., John M. and Carolyn, Brownville, and Lee A. and Alexandra, Cambria, Calif.; two daughters and their husbands, Lori A. and John Agoglia, Carlisle, Pa., and Susan R. and Michael Kwak, Lacona, N.Y.; two brothers and their wives, Andrew and Joan Seyfried, Dryden, N.Y., and Fred and Helen Seyfried, Cortland, N.Y.' three sisters and their husbands, Shirley and Ace Shackelton, Dryden, N.Y., Vera and James Graves, Ontario, N.Y., and Carol and Larry Taylor, Bonaparte, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
    Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.  A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the funeral home with Rev. Leon Schilling officiating. Burial will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden, N.Y. 
    Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 6390 Fly Road, 2nd Floor, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
 

Mary Frances Scudera Platt

Mary Frances Scudera Platt, 57, passed away Monday, Nov. 23, in Phoenix, Ariz., surrounded by her family and friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
    Born Feb. 6, 1952, in Watertown, the daughter of Carmen and Josephine Soluri Scudera, she was the second oldest of four siblings. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1970.  She moved to Phoenix, Ariz., shortly after graduation where she remained up until her death.
    Surviving are a daughter and her husband, Jody Irene Seeling (Platt) and Patrick Seeling, and her beloved granddaughter Savanna Scarlett Seeling, Wisconsin; a brother and his wife, Carmen and Rosemary Scudera, Fla.; two sisters and their husbands, Andrea and William Decillis, Watertown, and Jody and Frank Amelio, Watertown; many more family members and close friends.
    Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Watertown. The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the funeral home with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested for Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing (www.dav.org).
 

Gerald E. Tanner, Sr.

Gerald E. Tanner, Sr. 65, Redondo Beach, CA, father of Jason Tanner, manager of the Northside Key Bank, died October 23, 2009. A graveside service will be Saturday at 11 am at Glenwood Cemetery with Pastor Kirk Gilcrest officiating, family and friends are welcome. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601. Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.

    Jerry Tanner was born July 23, 1944 in Long Beach, CA a son of Clyde E. and Frances A. Ienna Tanner. He graduated from Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, CA and owned and operated Tanner Construction in Redondo Beach. Jerry enjoyed deep sea fishing, boating and his family.

H. Michael Sprague

H. Michael Sprague, 42, of 27417 NYS Route 3, Watertown died Friday evening at his home while under the care of his wife, family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Mike was born August 7, 1967 a son of Howard and Julia (Judy) Capone Sprague. He graduated from Watertown High School and attended the Building Trade program at BOCES.  He worked in construction and was an equipment operator with the New York State Department of Transportation until his retirement due to his disability in August of 2009. On June 15, 2002 he married Fran A. Crosby at Point Peninsula with the Judge Robin Curtis officiating. Mike was a communicant of Holy Family Church and a member of the Elks Lodge #496. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and four wheeling. He was a master carpenter and plumber using his skills for all phases of construction and renovations.  His mechanical expertise and dedication to dirt car racing was widely known by friends and family. Whether on the water, in the woods or at home he enjoyed most of all spending time with his family and friends.

    He is survived by his wife Fran, his father, Howard Sprague and step mother, Rosie Sprague, Watertown, a brother David, Sackets Harbor, his sons, Dustin and Dominick, a sister and her husband Christine and Phil Desormeau, LaFargeville ,their children, Alexia, Phil III and Julia.  Michael was predeceased by his mother, Judy, in October 1985.  In addition to aunts, uncles and cousins he is survived by two step brothers and two step sisters.

    Calling hours will be Monday from 4-7 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral mass will be tentatively Tuesday at 10 am at Holy Family Church with Reverend Steven Murray officiating. Burial will be n Glenwood Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

Russell W. Berkey

Russell W. Berkey, 46, Adams Center died Wednesday November 18, 2009 at Samaritan Medical Center.

Mr. Berkey was born in Watertown June 7, 1963 a son of Charles and Virginia Sprague Berkey. He graduated from South Jefferson Central School in 1982. On September 15, 1984 he married Tina Augustine at Holy Family Church with Reverend Garvin Demarus officiating. In September they celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary with family and friends.  Mr. Berkey was employed at Rod’s Big M in Adams.  He then began his twenty three year career with South Jefferson Central School as a custodian and then became a senior custodian. Mr. Berkey was a communicant of Saint Anthony’s Church. He had a passion for refinishing hardwood floors and was a collector of baseball card and coins.  He was always there to put a smile on your face and joke around with you.

     Surviving besides his wife and mother are: a daughter Heather, Adams Center, two brothers and a sister in law, Jeff and Donna, Vermont, Brian, Adams,  two sisters  and a brother in law, Audrey and Tim Jerome, Adams Center, Louanne Berkey, Adams, his father in law Peter Augustine, Watertown, a brother in-law and his wife, Angelo and Kris, Carthage and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  His father Charles on July 4, 2007, two uncles Robert and Thomas Berkey and a dear cousin Elizabeth Buddenhagen on August 18, 2008 all died before him.

     Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.  A prayer service will be held Saturday at 8:45 am the funeral home with a funeral mass will be at 9:30 am at Saint Anthony’s  Church with Reverend Donald Robinson officiating.   Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Relay for Life to either the JCC team, c/o Rachael Riordan, 1220 Coffeen Street, Watertown, NY 13601 or to the Dance World Team, c/o Michelle Gillette, 680 Mill Street, Watertown, NY 13601

Condolence

Gerald E. Tanner Sr.

Gerald E. Tanner Sr., 65, Redondo Beach, Calif., father of Jason Tanner, manager of the Northside Key Bank, died Oct. 23.
    Born July 23, 1944, in Long Beach, Calif., a son of Clyde E. and Frances A. Ienna Tanner, he graduated from Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, Calif. He owned and operated Tanner Construction in Redondo Beach.  Jerry enjoyed deep sea fishing, boating and his family. 
    Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Gerald E., Jr., Redondo Beach, Calif., and Jason A. and Jocelyn, Watertown; two brothers, John A. Morvant, Laguna Hills, Calif., and George W. Morvant, Redondo Beach, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Jacob A. Rutgliano, Jonathan M. Tanner and Joshua A. Tanner, all of Watertown. 
    A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Glenwood Cemetery with Pastor Kirk Gilcrest officiating. Family and friends are welcome to attend. 
    Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolence
 

Thomas L. Parker

    Thomas L. Parker, 81, formerly of Watertown, died Oct. 3, in Asheville, N.C. 
    There will be no calling hours. A memorial Mass will be held 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Richard Kennedy officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made to St. Williams Church Food Bank, 765 Andrews Road, Murphy, NC 28906. Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc., Watertown.
    Mr. Parker was born October 4, 1927, in Salisbury, N.C., a son of James W. and Elizabeth B. Cuthrell Parker. In 1949, he graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. 
    Mr. Parker owned and operated Parker-Soper Architects in Watertown for many years. He was responsible for the design of major architectural projects including schools, colleges, industrial buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, houses and restaurants in several states. 
    Mr. Parker served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman of the Board of the Northern New York Heart Association. He was elected to the board of directors of Watertown Savings Bank on July 13, 1972, and became trustee emeriti on October 4, 2002.  After his retirement he and his wife Elaine moved to Murphy, N.C., where they have lived since 2003.
    Among his survivors are his wife Elaine, two sons and their wives Thomas and Wanda Parker II of Pine Grove, CA, David and Danñe Parker of Clifton Park, NY, three daughters and their husbands Karen and David O’Keefe of Bloomington, NY, Lynn and James Fort of Germantown, Md., Ann and Mark Schroepfer of Rochester, NY; a step son and his wife, Greg and Shannon Genter of Grosse Ile, MI; a step daughter and her husband Kristen and Salah Khlifi of Martinez, Gd.; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchild

Condolence

Evelyn L. Shullette Bass

Evelyn L. Shullette Bass, 83, formerly of 626 Mundy St., died Friday Oct. 16, at Mercy Health of Northern New York. She had been a resident scene March 3, 2008.  
    Born Oct. 23, 1925, in Theresa, a daughter of Ernest and Louise Vogt Shullette, she graduated in 1943 from Dexter High School.  She married Reginald C. Bass December 11, 1944 at Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Dexter with the Reverend Edward J. Pierce officiating. Mr. Bass died previously.  Mrs. Bass was a seamstress at Olga Knitting Mill Watertown, Hartz Manufacturing and Hanna Sports Ware both of Dexter.   Mrs. Bass was a former communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church and an avid reader.  
    Surviving are a nephew and his wife, Jeffrey and Deborah Shullette, Dexter; a niece and her husband, Blaire and Adam Albanese, Delaware; two cousins, Jean and Richard Flick and Shirley Best, both of Watertown; two great nieces and a great great grand nephew.  A daughter, Lori Gail Bass, and a brother, Robert E. Shullette, died before her.  
    A calling hour will be 10 a.m. Monday followed by an 11a.m. funeral service at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. with Rev. Mark Rielly officiating. Burial will be in Dexter Cemetery 
    Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204

Condolence 
 

Sister Mary Grace Ayotte APB,

Sister Mary Grace Ayotte APB, 87, of 400 Pratt St., died Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Motherhouse while under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County.  
    Sister Mary Grace was born Mary Elizabeth Ayotte on July 31, 1922, in Concord, Mass., a daughter of Cham Albert and Margaret Mary Brennan Ayotte. She was baptized at Saint Bridget’s Church in Maynard, Mass. She attended Maynard schools and worked briefly for Raytheon Manufacturing Co. as a secretary clerk. 
    Sister Mary Grace entered the Precious Blood Monastery in 1945 in Manchester, NH, made profession of vows in 1948 and came to Watertown as a Foundress of the local monastery in 1963.  
    She served the community as superior for many years and also served as past president of the American Federation of Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood. Since July, Sister has lived at the infirmary of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse.  She was an avid reader.   
    Surviving are a sister and her husband, Constance and Vincent Stigliani, Maynard, Mass.; a sister in-law, Betty Ayotte, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.  A brother, Joseph, and two sisters, Regina Nee and Joanne Engel, died before her.   
    Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Precious Blood Monastery.  The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Sisters of the St. Joseph’s Motherhouse with Monsignor Paul Whitmore, chaplain, officiating and Monsignor R.J. McCarthy, founder of the monastery and Reverend Arthur LaBaff Concelebrating. 

Condolence
 

Concetta Renzi

Concetta Renzi, 87, formerly of Clinton Street, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Carthage Skilled Nursing Facility where she has been a resident for the past two weeks. Miss Renzi had been living with her brother and his wife in Carthage since January 2009.
    Born March 21, 1922, in Watertown, a daughter of Benardino and Marguerite Capone Renzi, she graduated from Watertown High School and the Watertown School of Commerce.   Miss Renzi was a bookkeeper for JJ Capone Co. for 20 years, and an administrative assistant for the Carriage House Hotel and Restaurant for 28 years.  She was a communicant of Holy Family Church.
    Surviving are a brother and his wife, Benjamin and Elizabeth, Carthage; several nieces, nephews and cousins.  A sister, Filamena, and two brothers Michael and Carmen, all died before her.
    Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be 9:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at the funeral home with a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Holy Family Church with Rev. Steven Murray officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. 
    Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 120 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to the Carthage Area Rescue Squad, 200 Riverside Dr., Carthage, NY 13619.

Condolence
 

Hilda M. Miller

Hilda M. Miller, 89, of 231 Franklin St., died Friday, Oct. 23, at Samaritan Medical Center.  

Mrs. Miller was born January 20, 1920 in the town of Brownville a daughter of Walter and Julia Moffett Mitchell. She graduated from Brownville High School in 1935.

A marriage to Edward Wright ended in divorce. On Aug. 9, 1973, she married Robert Miller in Clayton.     

In 1950 she founded and operated the City of Watertown Answering Service for area doctors and businesses. Mrs. Miller was also an initial stockholder for Guilfoyle Ambulance Service when her son Bruce Wright bought the business in 1971. Mrs. Miller retired in 1972 and moved to New Jersey, returning to Watertown in 1989.  

She was a member of the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, Watertown, VFW Post 1400 Auxiliary, an avid reader and enjoyed gardening.   

Surviving beside her husband are a daughter and a son- in-law, Emily and Anthony Casselmen, Pamelia; a daughter in-law, Charmaine Wright; a stepson Sean Miller, Watertown; a stepdaughter and stepson in-law, Jacqueline and Brad Stemler, N.J.; a stepdaughter-in-law, Margaret Miller, Watertown; seven grandchildren, six step grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. 

A son, Bruce Wright, a stepson, William Miller, a brother, Neil Mitchell, and a sister, Beulah Moffett, all died before her.   

Calling hours will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday followed by a funeral service at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Brookside Cemetery.

 Condolence