October 24, 2018

Helen Mastrocola Sweet, 89, formerly of Alexandria Bay, NY passed away early Wednesday morning at Tidewell Hospice Facility in Port Charlotte, FL.

Helen was born on December 19, 1928, in Queens, NY, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Mae) Curren Mastrocola Finnigan.  Her father passed in his early years when Helen was very young.  Her family then moved to Canton New York when she was 10.  Helen grew up in Canton and finished high school there.

After graduating high school, Helen worked in Alexandria Bay doing various waitress jobs. It was there she met her future husband James (Jim) Sweet (now deceased). She was married to Jim in 1949. The marriage ended in divorce.

Helen enjoyed many aspects of life. She definitely was not an introvert.  When her boys were young she could be seen Continue reading →

Paul C. Coleman, Sr., Peel Dock Rd., Wellesley Island, NY and formerly of Floyd, NY, passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday evening after a long-fought battle with cancer.

Paul was born in Rome, NY on November 8, 1941, the son of the late John T. and Lavinia Rostiser Coleman.  He was a graduate of Holland Patent Central School, Class of 1961, and excelled in all sports.  Back in the day of high school demonstrations he performed the task of doing what is called a “Double Cut Off” on the flying rings, blind folded, proving to be an excellent gymnast as well.

On December 31, 1991 Paul married Barbara Dixon in Ogdensburg, NY.

Paul was employed by Marcy State Hospital, serving in the music department for 13 years.  He went on as a self-taught musician entertaining locally for many years, eventually opening for Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, and many Continue reading →

October 16, 2018

LaFargeville, NY

Colleen A. Papin, 65, of County Route 3, passed away Tuesday morning at her home.

She was born September 16, 1953 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of Roger and Aileen Staie Mathous. She graduated from Alexandria Central High School. Marriages to Floyd Hall and David McDaniels ended in divorce. She married John Papin on December 30, 1999. Mr. Papin passed away on May 30, 2011.

Colleen worked for many years at Fort Drum as a dispatcher for public works. She also managed several N.C.O. clubs on Fort Drum, and bartended at many other local establishments. She dairy farmed at different points in her life as well. Continue reading →

October 5, 2018

ALEXANDRIA BAY

Margaret J. “Peggy” Sweet, 81, passed away late Friday evening at Samaritan Summit Village, where she had resided for the past two years.

She was born January 4, 1937 in Clayton, NY, daughter of Wallace and Geneva Jobson Solar. She moved to Alexandria Bay as a child and was educated in Alexandria Bay schools. She married Jack W. Sweet on February 28, 1954 at the Asbury Methodist Church in Watertown. Mr. Sweet passed away on September 3^rd, 2015.

Peggy managed Pearls Department Store in Alexandria Bay for 18 years and then purchased it, changing the store’s name to “Home Sweet Home”. She enjoyed sewing, crafting and quilting. Continue reading →

Helen B. McDonald, 85, Reynolds Road, Alexandria Bay, passed away peacefully Wednesday night, October 18, 2017 at Samaritan Medical Center surrounded by family and friends.
Helen was born on May 4, 1932 in Watertown, the daughter of Karl M. and Helen Finney Bunce. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1949 at age 17 and then received her teaching degree from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio (1953). She began teaching at Dexter Elementary School from 1953-57 and, after having her children returned to teaching at Clayton Elementary, teaching in the Thousand Islands school district from 1969 until her retirement in 1988. After her retirement, she became an active genealogist tracing her family back to the 1600’s.
On August 22, 1953, Helen married Kenneth G. McDonald son of Kenneth T. and Mildred Deugaw McDonald at Emmanuel Congregational Church in Watertown with Howard Boardman officiating.
She was active in a variety of community activities including Study Club, WSCS, Sunday school teacher, and Girl Scouts. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, the NYS Teachers’ Retirement System, and the NNY & CNY Genealogical Society. She was happiest when her family was all together.
Helen is survived by her husband of 64 years Kenneth; daughter, Elizabeth L. McDonald and her daughter, Sarah, North Syracuse; sons, Steven K., wife Nancy and sons Joshua and Kyle and Michael R., wife Leslie and sons Jon and P.J. as well as five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Two children, Stanley K. and Amy L. McDonald, pre-deceased her, as well as two brothers, Jack and Theodore Bunce.
She is also survived by her brother Roy K. Bunce (Vicki Deal) and her sisters-in-law Joyce(Jack) Ulrich and Carole Bunce Dingman.
The family is so very grateful for the love and support of her caregivers Pam, Melinda, JoAnn, Petra, Maria, Ellen, Hanna and her nurse Terry that allowed her to remain in her own home.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church, Alexandria Bay, at 2:00 on Saturday, October28, 2017, followed by a celebration of life at the American Legion in Alexandria Bay from 3-5. Burial for Helen and her son Stanley will be private at the convenience of the family at Union Cemetery, Adams Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department who have been exceptionally caring during her ongoing illnesses.
Arrangements are with Costello Funeral Service, Alexandria Bay.

Dorothy Price Hinckley, 84, of Cape Vincent, passed away Wednesday after a brief illness at Blossom View Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home in Sodus, NY, where her loving family had been by her side.

Dorothy was born in Cleveland Ohio on September 18, 1933, the daughter of Joseph and Genevieve Fraley Price.  The family moved to Cape Vincent when Dorothy was in 8^th grade.  She graduated from Cape Vincent Central School in 1951.  She married Theodore “Ted” Hinckley on July 10, 1954 in Cape Vincent.  They raised their children in Minetto, spending summers in Cape Vincent, and upon retirement, wintered in Bradenton, FL.  Ted passed away on November 26, 2005.

Dorothy enjoyed knitting and made over 100 gifts of blankets and Christmas stockings over the years.  She was a member of the John C. Londraville American Legion Auxiliary in Cape Vincent for over 50 years.

She is survived by her sons, Theodore “Rusty” and wife, Noreen, Sterling, NY; Matthew and his companion, Nancy, Newark, NY; Scott and wife, Laura, Pearl River, NY; Wade and wife Theresa, Oswego; her daughter Jody and her husband Brad Skinner, Lorain, OH; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan Gosier, Cape Vincent; and over one hundred nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.  She is pre-deceased by siblings, Richard, Francis, Beatrice, George, Thomas, Margaret, Catherine, David, and Carol.

Calling hours will be held at the Cleveland Funeral Home, Cape Vincent, on Friday from 4-7 pm.  A funeral mass will be held on Saturday at 1:00 pm at St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church, Cape Vincent with Father Pierre Aubin officiating. Burial will follow at St. Vincent of Paul Cemetery, Cape Vincent.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to Hospice of Jefferson County at jeffersonhospice.org.

JoAnn E. Massey, 85, of 66 High Street, passed away Wednesday, October 11th at River Hospital, where she had been a patient since September 28^th.

She was born May 17, 1932 in Santa Ana, California, daughter of Lloyd F. and Margaret A. VanDerWolf Patterson. She was educated in California schools.

JoAnn worked started working as an operator for General Telephone in Westminster, CA which later became Verizon. After more than 30 years with the company, she retired as a supervisor in 1985.

She married Sam Massey in 1985 and the couple moved back to Sam’s hometown of Alexandria Bay, shortly thereafter. Mr. Massey passed away in 2015.

She enjoyed motor home camping, was an avid reader, and often wrote articles for the Watertown Daily Times.

She is survived by two sons, Charles L. Vandewark, Alexandria Bay, and David E. Vandewark, Shoreline, WA. A sister, Kathleen Prevette, Stanwood, WA, also survives her.

There will be no calling hours or services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

Theodore D. Weisberg, 81, longtime resident of Omar and Kring Point, passed away Tuesday morning in Watertown.

Ted was born July 10, 1936 in Syracuse, the son of Jack and Abigail Serlin Weisberg.  He graduated from Manlius High School and then Syracuse University.  A marriage to Jane Geller ended in divorce.  Ted married Ann Elliot on October 14, 1988 at their family farm in Omar.

Ted dabbled in a variety of professions over his lifetime. For many years and most recently he was a real estate agent for Garlock Realty, Alexandria Bay. He was a member of the Antique Boat Museum and the Alexandria Township Historical Society

Besides his wife, Ann he is survived by his son Matthew and wife Alexandra, Miami, FL; his daughter Kelly Campanario and her husband Agistino, Issaquah, WA; and eight grandchildren.  His son, Jon passed away on February 25^th, 2017, and his sister, Doreen Broudy passed away on February 23^rd, 2017.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 12^th from 2-4 and 7-9 at Costello Funeral Home in Alexandria Bay. The burial on Friday at Omar Cemetery will be private.  A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Edgewood Resort, Alexandria Bay, on Friday starting at 2:00 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Township Historical Society, 36 Market St., Alexandria Bay, NY 13607.