Category Archives: 2020

Lila E. Side

EVANS MILLS, NY- Lila Elaine Side, 93, passed away Thursday afternoon, at her residence, Carthage Center, Carthage, NY.

She was born August 6, 1927 in Watertown, NY, daughter of Clifford and Vera Barnes Ingerson. She was educated in Watertown Schools. She was happily married to Earl J. Side for over 55 years. Mr. Side passed away on December 12, 2000.

Lila was housekeeping manager at Mercy Hospital in Watertown.  She retired in 1986, after 26 years of service.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Tina) Side, Evans Mills, NY and Patrick (Lisa) Side, Watertown, NY, three daughters, Judy(David) Ashley, Black River, NY, Kathy (Norris) MacCue, Evans Mills, NY and Valerie (Rick) Bain, Redwood, NY , a sister, Donna Heirhozer, Morristown, NY, grandchildren,  great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by three daughters, Sharon Engelhardt, Vera Pierce and Barbara Cook, three brothers, Richard, James and Allen Ingerson and a sister, Isabelle Fram.

Due to Covid 19, her funeral services will be private and limited to family.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, at stjude.org.

Edwin R. Smalling

November 8, 2020

Edwin R. “Ed” Smalling, 79, native of Alexandria Bay, passed away Sunday, November 8th, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, NY.

He was born October 3, 1941 in Alexandria Bay, son of Norbert and Flora Smalling. He graduated from Alexandria Central High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Springfield College, and his master’s degree from Ithaca College.

He married Nancy Beaulieu on August 29, 1982 in Fonda, NY.

Ed taught and coached at Gloversville High School for 15 years. He then went into the restaurant and motel business at Poplars Inn.  He later was coach and athletic director at Johnstown High School, retiring in 1993. After retiring, he bought and sold antiques on Ebay. Ed had always dreamed of having a camp on the St. Lawrence River and in 2008 he built a home on #9 Island. 

Besides his wife, Nancy, he is survived by two stepsons, Mark (Patricia) Roten, Johnstown, NY and Richard (Angelia) Beaulieu, Jr., Marietta, GA and a stepdaughter, Shannon Beaulieu, Florida, three grandchildren and three nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Norbert Smalling.

Graveside services will be planned for the spring of 2021 at Riverside Cemetery, Wellesley Island, NY.

Memorial donations may be made in Ed’s name to River Hospital Foundation, PO Box 567, Alexandria Bay, NY, 13607 or www.riverhospital.org.

Sean R. Dillon

SEAN R. DILLON

September 22, 2020

Cape Vincent, NY.  Sean R. Dillon, 32, of Route 12E, passed away with his family by his side on Tuesday morning at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, where he had been a patient for many months.

Sean was born to Linda Dillon in Council Bluffs, IA on July 5, 1988. He was a graduate of Thousand Islands High School.  He married Courtney Gould on July 22, 2017 in Cape Vincent with Hon. John Blodgett officiating.

Sean was employed for the past three years as the assistant manager at Valvoline in Watertown.  He enjoyed golfing, coin collecting, and auto mechanics, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends.  Following his death, per his wishes, Sean was an organ and tissue donor.

Sean is survived by his wife, Courtney and their daughter, Haisley; his wife’s parents and grandmother, Marylynn and Brian Leech, Erin and Floyd “Butch” Gould, and Rosalyn Robbins, all of Cape Vincent, and his many friends that were more like family to him.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Sunday, October 4th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at the Recreation Park facility/picnic area on James Street in Cape Vincent.  Attendees are reminded to wear face masks and respect distancing rules.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Sean’s name may be made to the fund for his daughter, Haisley Dillon, c/o the Citizen’s Bank of Cape Vincent, 154 East Broadway St, Cape Vincent, NY 13618.

Judith S. Rothermel

September 21, 2020

Theresa, NY – Judith S. Rothermel, 77, Clear Lake Camp Road, passed away Monday morning at her home.

She was born January 21, 1943, in Oneonta, NY, daughter of Clyde and Elma Southern Salisbury. She graduated from Oneonta High School. She married John S. Rothermel on May 2, 1972, in Cooperstown, NY.

Judie worked at Bresee’s Department Store as an IBM key puncher and for 5 years at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The couple lived in Concord, NH, Cape Elizabeth, ME, Springfield, MA, Keene, NH and Watertown, NY for many years, before retiring to their home on Clear Lake. Judie was a member of the Clear Lake Cottage Association.

Besides her husband John, she is survived by her brother, Bruce L. Salisbury, Milford, NY, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life gathering will be held Saturday, September 26th at 2pm on the shores of Clear Lake, at the home of friends, John and Mary Weagraff, 26861 Clear Lake Camp Road, Theresa, NY.

Deborah L. Emmons

September 9, 2020

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Deborah Leigh Emmons, 62, passed away Wednesday evening, September 9th, at Samaritan Keep Home.

She was born February 26, 1958 in Watertown, NY, daughter of Alfred and Audrey Lake Engelhardt. Ater the passing of her parent in an automobile accident, she was raised by foster parents Loyd and Clara Evans. She graduated with honors from Indian River High School. In 1985, she married Dr. Louis Emmons, and was married for over 30 years.

Debbie was an RN at multiple hospitals in New York before moving to California in 1989. In Los Angeles, she worked at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and received her BSN from Cal State. In 1996, she relocated to North Carolina, where she received a master’s degree in 1998 and began working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She was given the honor to speak at many psychiatric drug conferences. In 2008, she and her family relocated to Ohio and continued her profession. In 2010, she received a second master’s degree to be a family psychiatric nurse practitioner. In 2014, she moved to Arizona and in 2015, returned to New York to be with her sister.

Debbie was academically and professionally accomplished, and was highly respected among her peers. She was a devout Christian and was involved in the churches that she attended. Her and her husband adopted two daughters from China. She enjoyed taking her family to the lake, on neighborhood strolls, and to animal zoos. She was an avid bicyclist, listened to country gospel music, and loved animals.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Louis Emmons, her daughters, Abigail Emmons and Sarah Qiong-Yun Emmons, of Yuma, AZ, and her sister, Julie Kirker, Madison, NH.

Graveside services will be announced at a later date.

EMBERLY JEAN MILLS

September 13, 2020

HAMMOND, NY – Infant Emberly Jean Mills was carried to heaven by angels on September 13, 2020, shortly after meeting her parents, Jordyn Tulley and Brent Mills, of Hammond.

Besides her parents, she is survived by her maternal grandparents, Cathleen and Ronald E. Tulley, II and paternal grandparents, Mandy Brown and Thomas and Gwen Mills, maternal great-grandparents, James and Nancy Gleason and Ronald and Virginia Tulley, her paternal great-grandparents, Sue and Steven Miller, an aunt, Mia Tulley and uncles, Brock and Cale Tulley, Bryan Mills, Dylan Gagnon and Zander Webb, several great aunts, great uncles and cousins.

Family members who were waiting for her in heaven are, Joseph Brown, Robert and Eleanor Gleason, Dean and Georgieanna Rosenbarker, Clyde and Isa Tulley and Hollis and Eleanor Drummond.

Our lives were touched by her short presence and her memory will always remain in our hearts.

Emberly’s family will celebrate and honor her privately as they lay her to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammond, on September 16th.

Mary T. Hawley

August 30, 2020

Alexandria Bay, NY – Mary T. Hawley, 14 Avery Ave, passed away Sunday afternoon, August 30th, at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

She was born October 10, 1925 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of John and Maria Hubbard Hartman. She graduated from Alexandria Bay High School and then from Binghamton School of Nursing, in 1949.  She worked for many years as a registered nurse for E.J. Noble Hospital in Alexandria Bay. She was a member of the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church.

She married Anson Hawley on April 18, 1948 in Binghamton, NY. Mr. Hawley passed away on November 16, 1999.

She is survived by her son John (Stacy) Hawley, Mallette, SD, 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Besides her husband Anson, she was predeceased by her daughter, Gail Edwards, two brothers, John and Miller Hartman and a sister, Sally Johnson.

Burial in Barnes Settlement Cemetery will be at the family’s convenience.

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

Peter B. Mellon

August 28, 2020

Wellesley Island, NY – Peter B. Mellon, 62, passed away unexpectedly, early Friday morning, August 28th, at his home on Tennis Island near Alexandria Bay, New York in the Thousand Islands.

Peter was born March 14, 1958, the son of Jefferson and Marie Therese Mellon. His love and passion for the Thousand Islands started with his parents from the age of eight where they would summer at Pine Tree Point in Alexandria Bay. It was here on the River where he built a wide and deep network of close friends and business associates. It was also where he brought the love of his life, Helene, to marry at Boldt Castle on June 28, 2002. It was here, looking at Boldt Castle every morning and every evening that they built a wonderful life together. It later included their companion Golden Retrievers: Coach and Argo. Toby, their first rescue dog, predeceased Peter a few years ago.

Peter was founder and owner of the brokerage, Antique Boat America, and founder of the charitable organization, the Mellon Foundation. Peter was a voice for the antique and classic boat hobby and his passion was unmatched. He was often the “go-to” expert for antique boats on the TV show, American Pickers. He also served on the Antique Boat Museum International Advisory Council and managed the auction fundraiser at the museum’s annual boat show for almost 15 years.

A close second to his love for all things business and antique boats was his love for hockey! He played the sport all throughout his life and was an avid fan.

A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at a time to be announced.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Wellesley Island Volunteer Fire Department, Thousand Island Emergency Rescue Service, or Golden Retriever Rescue (www.goldenrescue.ca).

Penny J. Pledger

August 21, 2020

LaFargeville, NY–Penny J. Pledger, 62, County Route 3, passed away peacefully early Friday morning at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse.

Penny was born September 22, 1957 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of the late Leon and S. Jean Ely Paige. She was educated at Alexandria Central School. Penny married Darrell Pledger on May 11, 1974 at the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church.  Mr. Pledger passed away on June 10, 1993.

Penny volunteered at many events hosted by the Alexandria Bay Fire Department. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, making memory bears and being with family.

She is survived by her companion of 24 years, Steven Charles, two daughters, Miranda (Mark) Welch, Evans Mills, NY and Brooke (Simo) Lazizi, Philadelphia, PA, two sisters, Pamela (Terry) Robb, Pennellville, NY,  Robin (Mike) Shannon, Redwood, NY and a brother Timothy  (Tammy) Paige, Rochester, NY. She is also survived by two granddaughters, A’Darra and Addison, a great grandson, Ryker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Friday, August 28th at 1pm, at Barnes Settlement Cemetery, with Pastor Jeff McIlrath of the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles, officiating.

A celebration of life reception will be held at a later date and time to be announced.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Bay Rescue Squad, 110 Walton Street, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607

ALICE M. MILLETT

August 12, 2020

Redwood, NY – Alice M. Millett, 88, of County Route 1, passed away at Wednesday at her home.

She was born February 7, 1932 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of Leonard and Sarah Lee Moore. She graduated from Alexandria Central High School in 1950. A marriage to Harold “Mush” Millett ended in divorce.

Alice worked as a lithotype operator the Thousand Islands Sun, a bookkeeper and payroll clerk for Hutchinson’s Boat Works, for many years as a bookkeeper for Frink America in Clayton. She retired April 20, 1995.

She enjoyed word puzzles, knitting, gardening, playing solitaire and listening to classic Country & Western music.

She is survived by her son, Bruce Millett and her sister Ellen Cooper, both of Alexandria Bay, a sister in law Donna Millett, Alexandria Bay, a brother-in-law, Duane Chalk, Fishers Landing, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Patricia Chalk and Virginia Simpson.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to her wonderful caregivers, Susan, Amanda, Kelly and Molly B.

Burial will be private in Barnes Settlement Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department, 110 Walton Street, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607