July 22, 2020

Alexandria Bay, NY – Dale L. Houghton, 79, passed away Wednesday morning at River Hospital, where he had been a patient since June 30^th.

He was born September 2, 1940 in Watertown, son of Harold and Servia LaRue Houghton. He graduated from Alexandria Central High School in 1958. A marriage to Enid “Kim” Harris ended in divorce.

Capt. Dale “Houghty” made his living as a fishing and hunting guide and cooked many shore dinners at Mary’s Island State Park. He was an Assistant Chief of the Alexandria Bay Fire Department, member of the Ambulance Squad and the “Wild Geese” racing team, Ducks Unlimited, was an avid trapper, and tournament bass fished with his cousin, Dick Garlock, for many years. In addition, he coached minor hockey and deer hunted at “Chasey’s” Camp.

He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Bennett (Amy) Quigley, Rome, NY and his grandson, Bennett of Park City, Utah, and his sister, Mrs. Harry (Sandra) Inman, of New Hartford, NY.

Services will be announced at a time to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cape Vincent Ambulance Squad and the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE

A Memorial/Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 1st, at the home of Chris Bain, 46514 Farrell Road, Redwood. Pastor Bob Bausum will officiate the service. Please join us in the celebration of Shane with music, food, bonfire, fireworks,and shared laughter amongst friends!

…Robin and Shane Simpson

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”

Shane Howard Simpson II, born October 7th, 1982, of Redwood, NY slipped away peacefully on March 30, 2020 at the young age of 37 due to complications from pneumonia.  He fought valiantly to overcome this serious illness to the very end.   He will be missed by many family and friends— all of whom  became family to the Simpsons.

Shane attended school through Indian River Central graduating with an IEP degree as well as being celebrated as an Alexandria Bay Purple Ghost in June, 2004 to a standing ovation.  As a Purple Ghost Shane attended sporting events in support of his father the coach, his mother forever the cheerleader and his brother and sister, the athletes.  He would be seen wrapped tightly in layers on the football field or in the best seat in the house during basketball season.  His life was always at the center of his loving family, whether it be home, school, spring break vacations, camping or any other random event, Shane was along for the ride enjoying all of the many friends that gathered.  Music, bonfires and being in the midst of the little ones playing made Shane glow as seen in that ever-infectious grin he proudly displayed in his happiest times.

Shane leaves behind his parents, Shane and Robin; his brother, Brandon (Chelsea); his sister, Anna Bassett (Tom);  his paternal grandmother, Norma Frazier; his favorite little people (nephews) August, Jasper and Dominick and coming soon Maverick;  numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and adopted family both home and abroad.  He is predeceased by his paternal grandfather August Frazier and maternal grandparents, William (Bill) and Lorna (Betty) Clark.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date due to the current gathering restrictions.

Lay down your sword… this fight is over.  Come together with love and your sacred memories to celebrate this precious young man who brought so much joy to oh so many.  He lives on in our hearts forever.

Frank C. Frost II, 32, of 1 Margaret Ave., Alexandria Bay, passed away in the emergency room of River Hospital Thursday morning as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in the village of Alexandria Bay.

Frank was born on October 10, 1986 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Frank C. Frost and Rita J. Neal.

He received his GED and then entered the U.S. Army March 2007 serving two tours in Iraq as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and was honorably discharged September 2012.

Frank married Monica Cline on August 8, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was a member of the Alexandria Bay American Legion Post 904.

Besides his wife, Monica, he is survived by his parents, Frank, Auburn, NY, and Rita Frost, Wichita, KS; his brother Tech. Sargent Alexander (Monica) Frost, RAF Mildenhall, UK; his paternal grandparents Grant (Sharlene) Frost, Indianapolis, IN; a niece and two nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, July 31st at Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. The funeral service will begin at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/frank–frankie–c-frost-ii?utm_term=E8e3qrj4E to help with funeral and medical expenses.

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Barbara M. Zeltt, 94, mother of Dr. Teresa Dombek-Lang, passed away Tuesday July 9th at River Hospital, where she had been a patient since July 3^rd.

She was born December 1, 1924 in Kartuzy, Poland, daughter of Gustaw Splawa and Irena Pacja Neyman. As a teenager, Barbara fought in the “AK”, a Polish resistance force during the German occupation of Poland during WWII. After the war, she earned her Master’s Degree in chemistry and worked as a chemist at Province Hospital, in Wroclaw, Poland. She married Dr. Ryszard  Zeltt, who was a surgeon at the hospital.

Though Barbara’s primary residence was still in Poland, in recent years, she would spend her winters in Alexandria Bay with her daughter Teresa, with whom she resided.

Besides her daughter Teresa, she is survived by two grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

Besides her husband Ryszard, she was also predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth.

Services will be held in Poland.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County.

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.

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Gerald A. “Gerry” Chaltain, 70, passed away July 2^nd, 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.

Alexandria Bay, NY

July 12, 2018

Philip H. Manchester, 80, passed away early Thursday morning after battling multiple myeloma for several years.

He was born April 29, 1938 in Endicott, NY, son of W. Ray and Edna Mae Shafer Manchester. He graduated from Owego Free Academy and then from Broome County Community College. He served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959.

He is survived by his wife, Jean (Russell) of 58 years, two daughters, Sue Manchester, of Chapel Hill, NC, and Sami (Dave) Foye, of Pittsboro, NC, a brother John (Janet) Manchester, of Endwell, NY and two grandchildren, Sean and Katie Foye and several nieces and nephews. Phil worked for many years for IBM in Owego, retiring as Public Relations Manager. After retirement, the couple spent summers at their home in the Thousand Islands and currently reside in Sanford, NC. Continue reading →

Phyllis T. Heberger, 82, of Fisher’s Landing, NY, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, July 6^th with her family by her side.

Phyllis was born in Rochester, NY on January 12, 1936, the daughter of Harold K. and Edna E. Bansbach Trost.  She graduated from West Irondequoit High school and then received her diploma from Rochester Business Institute.

She married Kenneth Heberger on August 10, 1957 in Rochester, NY and became a homemaker.  Mr. Heberger passed away on August 31, 2014. Continue reading →