Leon “Dean” Senecal, a longtime fishing guide and lifelong resident of Alexandria Bay, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

Born March 15, 1934 in Watertown, he was the son of the late Leon and Hazel Senecal and graduated from Alexandria Bay High School before serving in the United States Navy from 1952-56. He continued to serve as a member of the reserve until retiring from the Navy in 1974.

He married JoAnn Darlene Hicklin on September 15, 1956 in San Rafael, California. His wife predeceased him in 2015.

Well known as a true “River Man,” he worked as a fishing guide with the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association for over 50 years before retiring. An avid outdoorsman, he spent a great deal of time hunting, fishing and trapping and seemingly never forgot a hunting story along the way. He was also a longtime minor hockey coach in Alexandria Bay and was inducted into the Alexandria Bay Minor Hockey Association’s Hall of Fame. Dean was also a member of the Alexandria Bay American Legion post 904 and a former member of the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

He is survived by his son, Len (Barbara) Senecal, Cato, NY and daughters Susan (Chris) Weber, West Palm, FL, Darlene (Gerardo) Lopez, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Deana (Bryan) Honeywell of Cicero, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren Greyson Lowe, Mariah Senecal-Reilly, Sebastien and Sean Honeywell and his nephews David and Lloyd Alker and nieces Valerie Cooper and Marcie Hicklin as well as his faithful springer spaniel Bruce. A sister, Gloria Dawn Maxam and a nephew, Shawn Alker, predeceased him.

There will be no service, but a celebration of life will take place in the summer.

Donations may be made in Dean’s name to the Volunteer Transportation Center 24685 State Route 37, Watertown NY 13601 (volunteertransportation.org) or the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

Please leave condolences by clicking on Dean’s name at the top of this page. This will take you to a separate page where the comments can be written below the obituary.

March 7, 2021

PLESSIS, NY – Caroline V. Kernehan, 88, of State Route 26, passed away Sunday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse.

She was born July 1, 1932, in Watertown, NY, daughter of William and Leah Shoulette Pfister. She graduated from Alexandria Central High School. She married Robert C. Kernehan on October 23, 1954, at St. Cyril’s Church, in Alexandria Bay. Mr. Kernehan passed away on June 30, 2016.

Caroline worked as young woman, as a telephone operator for N.Y. Telephone, in Alexandria Bay. She also worked part time for Pearl’s Department Store, in Alexandria Bay. She and her husband, Robert owned and operated Bob & C’s Store in Plessis, where Caroline also had a retail yarn shop. She loved bowling, knitting, crafting, reading, playing bingo, and connecting with the girls from the telephone company.

She is survived by her son, Robert C. (Kelly) Kernehan, Alexandria Bay, her daughter, Kimberly A. Kernehan, Plessis, her brother Russell (Sue) and her sister Arlene Pfister, all of Alexandria Bay, six granddaughters and 14 great-grandchildren. Besides her husband Bob, she was predeceased by a son, David W. Kernehan, a brother, Donald Pfister, and three sisters, Mary Rowland, Elizabeth Lockwood, and Sharon Senecal.

Calling hours will be Saturday, March 13^th, from 11 am till 1pm at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. A memorial service will begin at 1pm at the funeral home. Spring burial will be at St. Cyril’s Cemetery, Alexandria Bay.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department or the Alexandria Bay Food Pantry.

Please leave condolences by clicking on Caroline’s name at the top of this page. This will take you to a separate page where the comments can be written below the obituary.

MEMORIAL SERVICE SET

A memorial service for Dorothy Jane Daily, will be held Saturday, October 24^th at 11am at her home, 20675 St. Lawrence Park Road. An outdoor, catered lunch reception will immediately follow the service. Social distancing guidelines are expected.

March 29, 2020

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Dorothy “Jane” Daily, 78, of St. Lawrence Park Road, passed away peacefully, late Sunday evening, March 29^th, at her home.

She was born May 18, 1941, in Hillsgrove, PA, daughter of Howard and Lucretia Bryan Stoner. She was one of 16 children. She married Kenneth “John” Daily, on October 24, 1959 in Syracuse, NY. The couple moved to Alexandria Bay in 1973 when they purchased the Alexandria Bay Big M grocery store. The family still owns and operates the store to this day. The couple was always known for their kindness, generosity and dedication to the community. Mr. Daily passed away on January 3, 2013.

Her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, at her home on the River.

Jane is survived by her son, Kenneth John (Arlene) Daily, Valrico, FL, her daughter, Diane (Brian) Willix, Theresa, NY, her grandchildren, Maloree, Chelsee, Cierra, Chad, Cassidy, Conner and Rylie, great grandchildren, Lauren, Willow, Addison and Saylor, her siblings, Joyce, Nancy, Ben and Rick, and her close friends Dorothy and Shirley, the three musketeers.

Besides her beloved husband, John, she was predeceased by her son, Rick, her sisters, Shirley, Caroline, Joanne and brothers, John, Roy, Earl, Guy and Bill, as well as three other siblings who died as infants.

Services will be held at a time to be announced in the future, at the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles. Burial will be in Barnes Settlement Cemetery, next to her husband, John.

March 30, 2020

Wellesley Island, NY – Derek J. Lamb, 80, County Route 100, passed away Monday morning at Samaritan Medical Center, in Watertown.

He was born August 16, 1939 in Birmingham, England, son of Henry T. and Mary A. Saunders Lamb. He was educated in England. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corp.

He married Patricia Badham on February 16, 1963, in Birmingham, England.

Derek worked for many years as head caretaker for Clover Boldt Baird, on Wellesley Island, whose properties included Hopewell Hall. He was a longtime member of the Wellesley Island Fire Department.

Besides his wife, Patricia, he is survived by a son, Edward, a daughter, Michelle and her companion, Jeff Hunter, all of Wellesley Island, four sisters, Joan Jones, Betty Lamb, Edna Cooke, and Barbara Hipkiss, and three grandchildren.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Wellesley Island.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wellesley Island Fire Department.

March 26, 2020

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Grace E. Bowles, 90, longtime resident of Alexandria Bay, passed away Thursday morning, March 26^th, at the Samaritan Keep Home, in Watertown, where she had been a resident since December of 2014.

She was born October 15, 1929 in Pierrepont, NY, daughter of Jay Claude and Ethel Crary Aldous. She graduated from Herman High School and attended JCC. She married Jack Bowles in 1956.  Mr. Bowles passed away in May of 1992.

Grace worked for many years for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority at Boldt Castle, retiring in 2012. She had also work at Edgewood Resort.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, loved blue grass music and square dancing, and was an adamant patriot of the United States of America.

She is survived by her son Jay C. Bowles, Panama City, FL, a daughter, Linda Flinn, Alexandria Bay, a sister, Muriel Patton, Herman, NY, six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was predeceased by a daughter, Sharry Murray, in 2019, a brother, Melbern Aldous, and three grandsons, Johnathan Murray, Luke Bowles, and Logan Flinn.

She will be buried in Barnes Settlement Cemetery, next to her husband, Jack. Services will be announced in the spring of 2020.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church.

MARCH 15, 2020

Hammond, NY — Brian K. Fuller, 46, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 15th.

He was born February 26th, 1974, in Carthage, the son of Arthur and Nancy Fuller. He was educated in Carthage schools. He loved dogs, snowmobiling, cliff diving, and driving fast.

He was a career truck driver, most recently working for Maple Lane Transport out of Philadelphia, NY.

Brian is survived by his daughter, Kylee Fuller of Boaz, AL; his son, Keith Fuller of Craigsville, WV; two grandchildren; his mother, Nancy Fuller; his brothers, Randy Fuller and his wife, Cathy; Bruce Fuller; Art Fuller and his wife, Tracy; Todd Fuller and his wife, Cindy; his sister, Carmelita Bowman and her husband, Albert; and many, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father, Arthur; his grandparents, Herb and Lulu Fuller, and Dick and Ethel Croyle; and his sister, Cindy.

Brian also had a second family, whom he loved, that played a major role in his life. Kathy and Carl Cook of Evans Mills (whom he called mom and dad); their son, Brian Cook and his wife, Kaye; their daughter, Amanda and her children; their son, the late Carl (CJ) Cook; and Gail Downling.

There will be no services.

Memorial donations may be made to his daughter, Kylee Fuller, 7219 Leeth Gap Road, Boaz, AL 35956.

Redwood, NY – Eugene A. Catlin, 88, passed away early Sunday morning in Bartow, Florida under the care of his daughter, Margo, and Hospice.

He was born December 9, 1931 in Chateaugay, NY, son of Floyd and Mary Martin Catlin. He graduated from Alexandria Bay High School and then volunteered to serve his country as a Marine in the Korean War. After returning home he continued his education at Syracuse University.  While there he was also a member of the university’s boxing team.

He married Jacqueline Pierce on April 1, 1956 in Alexandria Bay. They spent many wonderful years together, until her death on April 12, 2018. Eugene was an Art Teacher for the Geneva City School District.  Later he and Jackie owned and operated both the Dreamland Motel in Malone, NY and the Comether Motel in West Webster, NY. He also owned and instructed at the Franklin County Boxing Club, in Malone, NY. He spent many summers as a tour boat captain on the Saint Lawrence River.   He loved spending time on the water and painting many of his favorite river scenes.

Eugene is survived by four children, Debra Heroux and husband Michael of Woodway, TX, Margo Elaine Carter and husband Daniel of Bartow, FL, Kenneth Catlin of LaFargeville, NY, Blake Catlin and wife Amy of Brewerton, NY.  Also three siblings; Brothers Roger, Joe and his sister Eileen Carson and husband Bob.  He also has seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Gene will be remembered for his quirky sense of humor and impassioned stubbornness.

Memorial Services will be held in the summer of 2020.  Donations in Eugene’s name could be made to the Redwood Fire Station in appreciation of their great service to the community.

Redwood, NY —

Robert H. Wills, 85, Olney Road, passed away Friday evening March 13^th at home under the care of his family and Hospice.

Robert was born on December 7, 1934 in the town of Orleans, the son of Jack and Edna Crouch Wills.  He graduated from LaFargeville Central High School . He married Beverly E. Denner on February 13, 1954 in Angola, Indiana. They enjoyed 57 happy years of marriage. Mrs. Wills passed away on November 17, 2011.

Robert was co-owner with his wife Beverly, of the Sir Robert Peel Motel in Alexandria Bay for over 30 years.  He also worked as a welder for Frink America in Clayton. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed hunting, fishing, baseball and basketball.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Streeter (Steve), Redwood; his sons, Thomas (Nancy), Redwood, Greg (Mary) Wills, Redwood, Randy Wills and his companion (Kim), Omar, 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Kenneth (Ilda) Dwyer, Theresa. He was pre-deceased by two sons, Robert and Phillip, brothers, Earl, Gordon and Paul Wills, and three sisters, Esther Shaw, Frances Schrodt and Marjorie Doxtater.

A private graveside service will be held at Barnes Settlement Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Robert’s name to Hospice of Jefferson County or the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

March 12, 2020

LaFargeville, NY — Dora J. Tufo Wills Berkman, 97, longtime resident of LaFargeville, passed away late Thursday evening at Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown, where she had been a resident.

She was born November 30, 1922, in Watertown, daughter of Samuel and Louisa Esposedo Tufo. She graduated from Clayton High School. She worked for many years as a teller for the Jefferson  National Bank, in LaFargeville. She married Earl A. Wills on May 21, 1941. The couple founded and operated Will’s Wrecker Service, in LaFargeville. Mr. Wills passed away in 1965. She married Harold Berkman on February 23, 1968. Mr. Berkman passed away in July of 2000.

Dora is survived by her son David and his wife Vivian Wills, Middle Grove, NY, two daughters, Mrs. Randy (Julie Wills) Sliter, Val Rico, FL, and Mrs. David(Christine) Shortt, Redwood, a brother, Sam Tufo, Watertown and a sister, Joanne Jones, Georgia, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sons, Larry and Michael Wills, two brothers, Jerry and Benny Tufo, and three sisters, Veronica LaFontaine, Mary Neuroth and Edith Seymour.

Calling hours will be Monday, March 16^th, from 7-9pm at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. The funeral mass will be Tuesday, March 17^th at 11am, at St. John’s Church, LaFargeville. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, LaFargeville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Church, LaFargeville.

SERVICE NOTICE

Calling hours for Isabelle E. Otakie, 91, will held Friday, June 5, from 7-9pm, at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. A funeral service will be Saturday, June 6^th, at 10 am, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Redwood. Burial will follow at Redwood Cemetery.

Face masks and social distancing are required at all events.

Redwood, NY – Isabelle “Belle” Elaine Bearden Otakie, formerly of Redwood, passed away Sunday March 8^th at Samaritan Medical Center, in Watertown. She had been a resident of the Samaritan Keep since May of 2016.

She was born June 22, 1928 in Watertown, daughter of Frederick and Mary Langouer Bearden. She attended Watertown High School.

She married Alexander “Alex” Otakie on January 26, 1947 at the Trinity Episcopal Church. The couple resided in Watertown, until moving to Redwood in 1955. Mr. Otakie passed away in 2007 at the age of 84.

Belle and her husband Alex owned and operated the Wayside Restaurant in Theresa. She had previously worked at the Tea Room in Cape Vincent, Pine Tree Point in Alexandria Bay, and both Faichney’s and the A&P in Watertown.

In her later years, she spent time gardening, refinishing antique furniture, spending time with her basset hounds and her dachshund, Abby.

She is survived by her two sons, Daniel Alexander Otakie, Baltimore, MD and Gary Frederick and his wife, Patricia Otakie, Pooler, GA, five grandchildren, Shannon Otakie Bray, Daniel Kent, Bridget Renee, David Matthew, and Kristine Otakie Deryder, four great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband Alex, she was predeceased by two sisters, Virginia M. Guinn, in 2010 at 86 and Constance A. Sayyeau in 2014 at 87, and a brother, Daniel Bearden.

Calling hours, funeral and graveside services in Redwood Cemetery, will be held at a time to be announced in the Spring.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 43668 Lake St, Redwood, NY 13679.