Category Archives: Obituary

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.

Milton L. Burns

April 3, 2019

Wellesley Island – Milton L. Burns, 93, passed away Wednesday evening at the Samaritan Keep Home, in Watertown, where he had been a resident for several years.

He was born September 19, 1925 on Wellesley Island, son of John and Camilla Houghton Burns. He was educated in Wellesley Island and Clayton schools. He married Rosalie Roberts on October 31, 1969 in Apulia Station, NY.

Milton owned and operated the Texaco Gas Station on Wellesley Island for many years. He was a member of the Wellesley Island Fire Department for most of his life.

Be sides his wife Rosalie, he is survived by two daughters, Alison Burns Wellesley Island, and her companion, Charlie Scott, and Mrs. Clifford (April) Rossiter, Canton. A granddaughter Natasha Rossiter also survives him. He was predeceased by a sister Junia Bertram, and four brothers, Alden, Robert, H. Lewis, and Richard Burns.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 12, at 11 am at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Wellesley Island.

Memorial donations may be made in Milton’s name to the Wellesley Island Fire Department or to the Wellesley Island Methodist Church.

Patrick J. Chavoustie

Stuart, Florida & Alexandria Bay, NY

Patrick Joseph Chavoustie, known as “Pat”, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2019, in Stuart, Florida where he retired with his wife, Clorinda after they married in 2003. He was 85 years old.

Pat was born to Elmer and Mary (O’Neil) Chavoustie, on June 15, 1933, in Watertown, New York. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 with the majority of his time stationed in Germany.

He leaves as his legacy, 9 children. From his first wife Carol (Ruff): Christopher Chavoustie, Richard (Lisa) Chavoustie, Webster, NY, Michael (Julie) Chavoustie, Alexandria Bay, Carol Ann (Rick) Ward, Alexandria Bay,  Paul (Paige) Chavoustie, Granby, CO. From his second wife Cheryl (Batchelor): Shelly (Shawn) Bemis, Patrick (Cynthia) Chavoustie II, Erin Chavoustie, Ryan (Natsuko) Chavoustie.

He also leaves to cherish his memory 21 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, his sister Theresa Terry and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his infant son Christopher, his brothers John and Eugene and sisters Coletta and Dorthey.

Pat served as the maintenance superintendent at Anheuser Busch in Baldwinsville, NY until he retired in 1994.  As a young businessman, Pat was well known for running establishments in Alexandria Bay and Watertown, NY including the Pirates Roost, The Gaslight and Uncle Sam’s Boat Tours. After 2003, in sunny southern Florida, Pat and Clorinda enjoyed times together at the beach, talking to each other, playing trivia and dancing the night away like two young love birds.

“To make a long story short” is a phrase that will always bring a smile to those who knew Pat well. Pat’s storytelling was cherished by many and he always had a captive audience when sharing exciting experiences from his 85 years of life. He traveled all over Europe during his military service and tour on the US Army boxing team that served to boost morale for the troops. 

He loved the company of people more than anything else and could make anyone feel comfortable in his presence. His hobbies included fishing, painting, discussing politics and current events, exploring history, and playing the guitar.

A celebration for Pat will be held June 15, 2019, for family and close friends in Alexandria Bay, NY where Pat enjoyed his summers as a child and several times these last few years. He will be missed.

Carol J. Chavoustie

Carol Joanne Chavoustie passed away suddenly on March 21, 2019 in Alexandria Bay. She was 83 years old.

Carol was born on August 20, 1935 in Detroit, MI. She was the only child of Richard J. Ruff and Janith (Reed) Ruff. She was born deaf and attended St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind. She went on to graduate from the University of Miami. Incredibly, Carol taught herself to read lips and speak so clearly that people rarely knew she could not hear. She never let her disability stop her from anything.

She married Patrick Joseph Chavoustie on September 15, 1956 at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church in Alexandria Bay, NY. Their marriage ended in divorce. Surviving are her four children: Richard (Lisa) Chavoustie, Webster, NY;  Michael (Julie) Chavoustie, Alexandria Bay; Carol Ann (Rick) Ward, Alexandria Bay; and Paul (Paige) Chavoustie, Granby, CO. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She sadly was preceded in death by her infant son Christopher, Richard’s twin brother.

Carol worked at Jefferson Rehabilitation Center in Watertown, NY. She made a life changing impact on deaf students’ lives. Always the adventurer, in 1977 she moved to San Jose, CA where she worked as a programmer for IBM for 10 years. She also taught night school at Gilroy College. As a deaf instructor, she amazingly taught hearing students American Sign Language. She later transferred with IBM to Kingston, NY so she could be closer to her children. She retired from IBM in 1994.

Carol was extremely artistic. To her everything was beautiful. She loved to oil paint, create ceramics, and garden. She was also always a very competitive board game player. She loved her dogs and especially Jesus. Her adventurous spirit led her to buy a 34’ boat, cruise it from the St. Lawrence River to Jupiter, FL, where she lived on her boat named “High Spirit”, which describes her so well–living life to the fullest, fearless, with her loving spirit, forever the overachiever and an overcomer. She will be greatly missed. A celebration of life will be held at a time to be announced.

Suzanne “Suzie” L. Keeler

Suzanne “Suzie” Louise Keeler, 63, Alexandria Bay, passed away on Monday, March 18th at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital in Syracuse.

Suzanne was born on November 29, 1955 in Alexandria Bay, the daughter of M. Wilmot and Louise Stott Keeler.  She was the step-daughter of Harold “Van” VanNorman.  She graduated from Alexandria Central School in 1973 and then from Canton ATC in 1975.  She, along with her brother Steve, co-owned Van’s Motor Marine Inc. in Alexandria Bay for 45 years, selling the business in 2015.

Suzanne served the community of Alexandria Bay in many ways including being an active board member of the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce and a member/secretary for the Alexandria Historical Society at Cornwall Bros. Store.

She is survived by her brothers Walter (Johanna) Keeler, Canandaigua, NY, and Steve Keeler, with whom she resided; Her nieces, Jana (Jonathan) Keeler Rundle, Stanton Harcourt, UK and Lauren (Jason) Keeler Gundlach, Lancaster, NY; great nephews, Jamie & Iver Rundle, and Tanner Gundlach; and cousins, Wilmot & Judy Keeler, Redwood, NY, and Bethany (Michael) Keeler Leung, CA.

Services will be held at Costello Funeral Home later in the spring as follows: Calling hours on Friday, May 24th from 6-9 and a memorial service on Saturday, May 25th at 11:00 am at the funeral home, with Rev. Freddie Webb, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alexandria Township Historical Society, PO Box 695, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 or the Alexandria Bay Ambulance Squad, 110 Walton Street, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607.

KATHLEEN M. DEPUY

March 11, 2019

Alexandria Bay – Kathleen Marie DePuy, 72, ended her battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Monday, March 11 at United Helper’s Riverledge Campus in Ogdensburg, where she was a resident since August of 2017.

She was born December 21, 1946 in Ellenville, NY, daughter of William (Bill) and Winifred (Winnie) LaMont Coombs. She graduated from Ellenville High School in 1966. She moved to Alexandria Bay in 1979.

Kathy was a longtime employee of the Thousand Islands Tourism Council, Collins Landing. She enjoyed gardening, hiking, crafting, woodworking and listening to music. Although she was not an animal lover, Kathy was a founding and active member of Alley Cat Rescue. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son Robert DePuy and his wife Dionne, their children Saraya, Gillian and Kenyon, Marathon, NY, her daughter, Heather Parrow and husband Jarrett, Plessis, NY, who share five children, Samantha Olsen and husband Skyler, Brianna Prashaw and her husband Dustin with their son Lane, Bailey Rogers, Lucas and Jerica Parrow. A sister, Carol Coombs, Alexandria Bay, also survives.

The family will receive friends on Thursday March 14, from 5-7pm, at the home of Jarrett and Heather Parrow, 25808 Route 26, Plessis.

Karl H. Wiegand


    February 21, 2019

    Alexandria Bay – Karl H. Wiegand, 73 of Anthony Street, passed away Thursday morning, at his home.

    He was born March 27, 1945 in Germany, son of Heinz and Freida Borreck Wiegand. He graduated from Passaic High School in Passaic, New Jersey. He married Eileen Brzys on August 23, 1980. He served in the New Jersey Army National Guard for 40 years, and was a career police officer for the City of Passaic, retiring in 1995.

    The couple moved to Alexandria Bay in 2002.

    Karl was a member of the Alexandria Bay American Legion, Post 904, and the Coast Guard Auxillary.

    Besides his wife, Eileen, he is survived by his son, Karl H. Wiegand II, Alexandria Bay, and a sister, Gabriella Zawacki, Osprey, FL.

    Per Karl’s wishes, there will be no services.

    Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alexandria Bay American Legion.