Category Archives: Obituary

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

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.

His family will receive friends at a later date to be announced.

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; or Ducks Unlimited at www.ducks.org.

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.

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.