Category Archives: Obituary

Rhea A. Thornton

Rhea A. Thornton, 81, died Friday, July 5 at Samaritan Keep Home, Watertown where she had been a resident. 

She was born Oct. 7, 1937 daughter of Homer and Flossie Gordon Reynolds.

She graduated from Alexandria Central School in 1956. She married Howard Thornton Nov. 11, 1958, that later ended in divorce.

Ms. Thornton was a cashier at the Red & White store, Grand Union and retired from Alex Bay Big M in 2013. 

She enjoyed doing circle word puzzles, ceramics and listening to old country music.

Rhea is survived by her son Randy Thornton, Alexandria Bay.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 16 at Barnes Settlement Cemetery at 11 a.m., with Pastor Philip Seybert officiating.

Donations made be made to Alley Cat Rescue of Alexandria Bay.

Gerald A. “Gerry” Chaltain

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Gerald A. “Gerry” Chaltain, 70, passed away July 2nd, at the Syracuse VA Medical Center.

Gerry was born October 15, 1948 in Alexandria Bay, son of Jacques J. and Pauline Marie Kramer Chaltain.

He graduated from Alexandria Central High School.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1975, stationed in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He was a lifetime member of the Alexandria Bay American Legion.

Although he worked most of his life as a truck driver for various trucking companies, he most recently worked as an industrial x-ray technician on oil rigs in Texas.

He is survived by his brother, Victor Chaltain, Alexandria Bay, three sisters, Marie Tidd, Alexandria Bay, Jacqui Chaltain, Houston, TX and Johannah Chaltain Bullock, Utah. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by two brothers, Richard and Jack Chaltain.

There will be no services.

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

S. Graham Atkinson

Shaner Graham Atkinson passed away from natural causes on June 28th, 2019. He was born in Watertown, NY on April 8th, 1963. He is survived by his three daughters, Elena, Mary Grace, and Kate Elizabeth; his brother Todd; his sisters Gay and Leslie; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends His loving parents, Elizabeth G. Atkinson Roe and John G. Atkinson and his loving stepfather, Thomas B. Roe are predeceased. 

Graham was an ‘81 Trinity Pawling Graduate and then went on to graduate from Syracuse University in 1985.  He worked in Newtown, PA, and then moved his family closer to his hometown to Manlius, NY, in 1991. There he started a Staffing Company with much success, and enjoyed his life in Upstate NY raising his beautiful daughters with his wife Amy VanEenenaam Atkinson.

Graham loved his three daughters, who were the most important part of his life. In the words of his daughters, Graham was “the most doting, dedicated, and compassionate father we ever could have wished for. He taught us how to love with his whole heart as he did with us.”

He will be remembered not only as a great dad but also by his friends for his quick wit and great sense of humor. His greatest gift was bringing laughter and love everywhere he went. He lit up any room with his lighthearted and comforting presence, and will be remembered fondly by those lucky enough to know him.

Graham also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, spending time on Carleton Island with his family, and  skiing ~ he just loved it! He was a passionate Syracuse basketball fan, an avid golfer, and an artist. Most importantly, he was a friend to all. His one-of-a-kind wisdom, exuberance, and kindness will be missed dearly by his family and friends.  Services: 10am Friday, July 5, at First Presbyterian Church, Watertown.   

In lieu of flowers Graham’s family would welcome a charitable contribution to the Carleton Island Swallow-wort program at the Thousand Islands Land Trust.  https://tilandtrust.org/support.

Geneva J. Running

May 11, 2019

REDWOOD, NY – Geneva J. Running, 80, Stine Road, passed away Saturday evening at her home. She had been under the care of her loving family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

She was born November 4, 1938 in Lake Lure, NC, daughter of Theodore and Mary Skipper Burgess. She was educated in North Carolina schools. She married David E. Running on June 6, 1956, in Spartanburg, SC. Mr. Running passed away on January 23, 2013.

Geneva worked for the Thompson family of Alexandria Bay for over 45 years.

She was a member of the Redwood United Methodist Church, where she taught the “Kids Club” as well as Sunday school. She was a member of the Jefferson County Republican Committee, the Redwood Historical Society. She was instrumental in starting the Redwood “Mission Possible” thrift store, a member of the Redwood Fire Department and Auxiliary, where she served as an EMT on the ambulance squad. In 2015, she received the Tourism and Hospitality Award from the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce. She enjoyed gardening and music.

She is survived by two sons, David E. Running, Jr, and his wife Isabella, Watertown, and Daniel L. Running and his wife Cindy, Theresa, two daughters Mrs. Michael (Debra) Montondo, Redwood, and Mrs. Greg (Mary) Wills, Redwood. A daughter in law, Carol A. Running, a brother, Donald Burgess, two sisters, Wilma Clemons and June Ruff, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her. Besides her husband David and her parents, she was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Mary Ann Lindsey Running, her brothers R.L., Calvin, J.C., and A.D. Burgess and her sisters, Minnie Gibbs, Lena McDaniel, and Beulah Wilson.

Calling hours will be Thursday, May 16th, from 4-7 pm, at the Costello Funeral home, Alexandria Bay. The funeral will be at 11 am Friday, May 17th, at the Redwood United Methodist Church, with Rev. Phil Seybert, officiating. Burial will follow at Barnes Settlement Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Redwood Fire Department, or the Redwood United Methodist Church.

John C. “Jay” Meyers IV

Calling hours for Jay will be on Saturday, June 8th, from 2-4 pm at Costello Funeral Home. Memorial service will begin at the funeral home at 4 pm with Reverend Lisa Busby officiating.

CLAYTON, NY – John C. “Jay” Meyers, IV, 31, Robinson Road, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 9th.

He was born August 28, 1987 in Watertown, NY, son of John C. Meyers III, and Jane E. Lamb Meyers.

He graduated from Thousand Islands High School.

Jay was a skilled woodworker and did many projects for private clients. He was currently working as a finish carpenter for Green Structures, Fishers Landing. He had also worked for some time for LP Builders in Clayton.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Jay was a talented guitar player, and was well known in local music circles.

He is survived by his parents Jane and John C. III, as well as his sister, Julia Meyers, Alexandria Bay.

Memorial donations may be made in Jay’s name to the following: the National Kidney Foundation for Team Tyler, c/o Yvette Reome, Community Bank, 205 State St., Clayton, NY 13624; TIERS, 885 Graves Street, Clayton, NY 13624; The Disabled Veterans at www.woundedwarriorproject.org; to Ducks Unlimited at www.ducks.org., or to the SPCA  of Jefferson County, 25056 Water St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Elinor W. Ducat

Elinor Walton Ducat, 83, of St. Lawrence Park Rd., Alexandria Bay, passed away at her home on Saturday, May 4th, surrounded by her loving family.

Elinor was born on September 12, 1935 in Watertown, the daughter of Dorothy P. and Lawson G. Walton.  She was a 1953 graduate of Watertown High School, and then received an associate’s degree from Cazenovia College in 1955.

She relocated to Shrewsbury, MA, and subsequently married Jack Ducat on August 8, 1976.

She became office manager for a construction company in Worcester, MA in the late 1970s.  Ultimately, the family moved back to Upstate New York in the 1980s, and established their home in Alexandria Bay. Elinor became business manager for Tannery Island Power Company, Carthage, and later became a sales agent for Christensen Realty in Clayton.

Elinor was the most senior member of the LeRay de Chaumont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.).  She was instrumental in the establishment of the General Jacob Brown Chapter of the C.A.R.  She also belonged to the Albany Chapter of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Jefferson County Historical Society.  She was always proud to be “a farm girl from Upstate NY,” and she was an avid St. Lawrence River fishing gal.

Elinor is survived by her husband, Jack;  children, H. Thomas (Robin) O’Hara Jr., Great Neck, NY; Kathleen O. (Joseph R. Jr.) Falcone, Manlius, NY; John S. (Laurie) Ducat, Dover-Foxcroft, ME; Elizabeth Ducat-Fitzpatrick, Worcester, MA; James I. Ducat, Redlands, CA; her brother, David Walton, Watertown; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and her former spouse H. Thomas O’Hara.

Calling hours will be held at Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay, on Tuesday, May 14th, from 4-7 pm. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 15th, at 11 am The Church of the St. Lawrence with Rev. Lisa Busby officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made in Elinor’s name to Hospice of Jefferson County, the Northern New York Community Foundation or the Jefferson County Historical Society.

Connie Marie Richard

April 15, 2019

HAMMOND, NY – Connie Marie Richard, 75, State Route 37, passed away Monday morning at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg, with her loving family by her side.

She was born October 14, 1943 in Gouverneur, NY, daughter of Amy Barrett and Thomas Mutz. She was adopted and raised by Jake & Rella Niles. She worked as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, as a young woman. She lived in California for much of her adult life, where she owned and operated her own house cleaning business.

She married Robert A. Richard in 1996. They were later remarried in 1997 in the Bahai Faith.

The couple moved back to the North Country in 2007.

Besides her husband Bob, she is survived by a son, Gregory Carrera, Weed, CA, a daughter, Kim Hansen, Newark, NY, four half-sisters, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 18th, at 3pm, at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammond.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, at action.lung.org

Patricia A. Chalk

April 13, 2019

FISHERS LANDING, NY – Patricia Ann Moore Chalk, passed away Saturday afternoon, at River Hospital, Alexandria Bay, surrounded by her loving family.

Pat was born August 5, 1928 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of Sarah Lee Moore. She graduated from Alexandria Bay High School. She married Duane J. Chalk on November 22, 1951 at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. She was the accountant and co-owner of H. Chalk & Son, Inc. Marina in Fishers Landing for many years with her husband Duane, until they sold the business in 2009.

She was a member of the Omar/Fishers Landing United Methodist Church, a founding member of Save the River, and instrumental in saving what is now River Hospital, in Alexandria Bay. 

Besides her husband Duane, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Carolyn (Christopher) Delaney, two sons, Barry D. (Linda) Chalk and John (Barbara) Chalk, all of Fishers Landing, two sisters, Alice Millett and Ellen Cooper, both of Alexandria Bay, sister in law and her husband, Mrs. Lyle (Rita) Maldoon, Sodus, NY, three grandchildren, Harry C. Chalk, Kaitlin Christina Chalk and Sarah Patricia Delaney, a great grandson, Ace Deline, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Virginia Simpson.

Calling hours will be Friday, April 26th, from 4-7 pm at the Costello Funeral Home. A memorial service will be Saturday, April 27th at 11 am at the Omar/Fishers Landing United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Pierce, officiating. Burial will be private at Omar Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Omar/Fishers Landing  United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 461, Fishers Landing, NY 13641 or River Hospital, P.O. Box 567, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607.

Faye Babcock Service Notice

Alexandria Bay – A memorial service for Faye G. Babcock, 79, will be held Saturday, April 27th at 11 am at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay, the Rev. Jack Andersen officiating. Mr. Babcock passed away January 12, 2019. Among his survivors are his wife, Carol.

Full Obituary…

Faye G. Babcock, 79, County Route 1, passed away peacefully January 12, 2019 at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, surrounded by his family. He was born July 30, 1939 in Watertown, NY, son of Delbert and Lillian Dickie Babcock. He graduated from General Brown Central School. He served in the US Army and the Army Reserves. He married Carol Bruyns on September 9, 1966 in Dexter, NY. Faye began his career in banking with Marine Midland Bank in 1958, where he worked for over 20 years. He then worked for Jefferson National Bank, and then for Redwood National Bank, where he retired as manager of the Alexandria Bay branch. After his retirement from banking, Faye worked for several years as a sales representative for the North Shore Oil Company, West Monroe, NY.

He was a member of the Evans Mills Lions Club and the Alexandria Bay Rotary Club, where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship award. He was also a member of the vestry of the Church of the St. Lawrence, Alexandria Bay. He was an avid golfer, and had a passion for the St. Lawrence River. Besides his wife Carol, he is survived by his daughter Katrina Keefe, her husband Dave, and his granddaughters Molly and Maggie Keefe, and a sister Nancy Weiler of Adams, NY. He was predeceased by three brothers, George, Dickie and James Babcock.

Memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Community Betterment, Alexandria Bay Chapter, PO Box 358, Arnold, MD 21012, or the Alzheimer’s Association of CNY Chapter, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.

Lyle F. Docteur

April 10, 2019

Lyle F. Docteur, 80, of NYS Rte 12E, Cape Vincent, passed away Wednesday afternoon at the Emergency Room at River Hospital.

Lyle was born on June 4, 1938 in Watertown, the son of Frederick and Mable Reff Docteur.  He graduated from Cape Vincent High School.

Lyle married Edith “Edie” Hammond  on May 5, 1962 in Chaumont, NY.  Together, they owned and operated Docteur’s General Store, Doc’s Hots Snack Bar, and Docteur’s Flea Market, all located in Sand Bay, across from Cedar Point State Park.  After selling the store property, Lyle worked as a self-employed general contractor. He also owned race horses and was known in the harness racing circuit.

Lyle was a 3rd Degree member of the Leray de Chaumont Knights of Columbus in the parish of St. Vincent de Paul, Rosiere, NY. He was on the committee to build the Cape Vincent Recreation Park and was a member of the Cape Vincent Lion’s Club.

Besides his wife, Edie, he is survived by his son Scott (Elizabeth) Docteur, Clayton, NY; daughters, Jody Lynn Pettit, Clayton, NY, and Wendy (Steven) Carlson, Glenfield, NY; four grandchildren, Taylor Pettit, Makenzie Docteur, Jennifer Augliano, and Ryan Dee; and his sisters, Mary (Lawrence) Wiley, Massena, NY, Audrey (Al) Natoli, Webster, NY, Carol Fleming, Cape Vincent, and Jeri Lynne (Michael) Brayen, Fishers Landing, NY.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rosiere.  The funeral mass will be at 1:00 with Rev. Raymond Diesbourg officiating. Burial will follow  at St. Vincent de Paul cemetery.  A reception will be held at the K of C Hall following graveside services.

Memorial contributions may be made in Lyle’s name to the Cape Vincent Ambulance, PO Box 835, Cape Vincent, NY 13618.