Redwood – Lawrence F. “Larry” McCauley, 79, passed away Friday morning, August 30th at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Ogdensburg, NY.

Larry was born on April 3, 1940, in Watertown, NY, the son of Frederick L. and Mary E. Carty McCauley. He graduated from Alexandria Central School and then became a Technical Engineer for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 545, Syracuse.  After retirement he worked in the seasonal landscaping department for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, Collins Landing.

He married Judy Miller in Alexandria Bay on September 26, 1959.  Judy passed away on March 4, 1997.

Larry was involved in the Alexandria Bay community, serving on the school board as well as a past president of the Chamber of Commerce.

His true passion was the sport of hockey. He was the president for 10 years for the Northern Zone Board of Directors of the New York State Amateur Hockey Assoc. and president for the NYS Amateur Hockey Assoc. for four years.  He was elected Director Emeritus in 2000, and earned awards because of his dedication.  He was the recipient of the Peter Rush Award, which is the highest award given in the New York State Amateur Hockey Association; the Douglas McCarther Award, for promoting youth locally and throughout New York State; in 2005 he received the Thayer Tutt Award, the highest award given by USA Hockey, which was presented in Colorado Springs, CO; and he was elected to the NYS hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

Larry is survived by his son Frederick (Jennifer) McCauley, Alexandria Bay and his daughter, Kelly Downey, Redwood; four grandchildren; and his brother Francis, Alexandria Bay.  He was predeceased by his son Todd, and his sister Muriel Edgar.

Memorial donations are asked to be made in his name to the Alexandria Bay Minor [JC1] Hockey Association or Hearts for Youth.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7^th starting at 1:00 pm at the Alexandria Bay Fire Hall.

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Shirley Ann Simpson, 80, Redwood, NY, passed away late Tuesday night at Samaritan Keep Home where she had been a resident since July 3, 2019.

Shirley was born on November 20, 1938 in Rossie, NY.  She was the daughter of Delose and Lena Hunter Dingman. She was educated in Rossie schools. She was a caregiver for many years at the T.I. Home in Alexandria Bay, NY and also owned The Treasure Hunt Shop in Redwood, NY. 

She married Joseph Parker and they had five sons together, one who passed away at birth. Joseph passed away on October 29, 1965.

A marriage to Morris Amyot,  that ended in divorce. 

Shirley married Andrew Harold “Bart” Simpson on May 30, 1981 in Johnstown, NY.  Bart passed away on April 15, 2018.

She is survived by her children: Tamara (Dwayne) Streeter, Redwood; Glenn (Shawna) Parker, Hammond; Joseph Parker, Pope Mills; Dale (Kathy) Parker, Dekalb Junction; and Robert Parker, Redwood; 10 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Darcey Dingman, Gloversville, NY. Siblings Leona Gushlaw and Nat Denner pre-deceased before her. 

Shirley enjoyed dealing in antiques and crocheted avidly. 

There are no services planned. 

August 16, 2019

June D. Ward, 92, a lifelong resident of Alexandria Bay, passed away early Friday morning at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 22, 1927 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of Harry and Mable (Joyner) Hartman. She graduated from Alexandria Bay High School in 1944 at the age of sixteen. She married Stanley E. Ward on May 28, 1949 in Alexandria Bay.  The two were married for seventy years and together for seventy-seven.

June was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles.  She enjoyed gardening, hiking the Adirondack peaks, and the St. Lawrence River.  She and Stanley were seasoned travelers of the United States and Canada, taking month-long trips coast to coast and throughout all of the Canadian provinces and territories.

Besides her husband Stanley, June is survived by her son and daughter, Gawaine (Lorraine) Ward and Jackie (Doug) Strough, all of Alexandria Bay.  In addition to her children, she is also survived by five grandchildren:  Jessica (Carlton) Ridsdale, Danielle Ward, Ryan Strough (and partner Andria Turner), Justin Strough, and Genesis (Robert) Scales; and four great-grandchildren:  Alexis Ridsdale, Grady and Henry Scales, and Maren Strough.

She was predeceased by four brothers, George, Gordon, Edward and Walter Hartman, and a sister, Ruth Flynn.

There will be no services or calling hours. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the MacSherry Library, 112 Walton Street, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607; the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles, 54 Church Street, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607; or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department, Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service (TIERS), River Hospital, and Hospice of Jefferson County.

August 1, 2019

Redwood, NY

Jill E. Partridge, 64, Shannon Road, passed away Thursday evening, August 1^st,  at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She was born February 23, 1955 in Gary, Indiana, daughter of Joseph Rene and Mary Gay Foisy. After her mother’s death, she was raised by her father and his second wife, Elizabeth. She graduated from Salmon River High School. She married Larry Partridge on July 20, 1986 in Alexandria Bay.

Jill worked for 18 years for Wellesley Island Building Supply, where she was known as the “paint lady”. She retired in September of 2017.

She was a member of the Goose Bay Reclamation Corporation. She loved riding her Harley Davidson motor cycle, her dog Lucy and cats, Millie and Molly.

Besides her husband Larry, she is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Bruce (Kally) Hull, Redwood and Erin Dulmage, Clayton, five brothers, Paul Foisy, Dade City FL, Ken Raimondo, Kewanee, IL, Matthew (Debbie) Foisy, LaFargeville, NY, Eric Foisy, Fountain, CO, and Joseph (Jessica) Foisy, Danville, VA, five sisters, Mrs. Scott (Mary) Sager, Bridgeport, NY, Mrs. Brian (Patty)Kirkby, LaFargeville, NY, Anita Casey, North Bangor, NY, Mrs. Darrell (Beth) Trombley, North Bangor, NY and Mrs. Raymond (Yvette) Byrns, Clayton, NY., six grandchildren, Shawnea Hull, Kai Hull, Quinn Ayen, Aleigha Ely, Hannah Dulmage and Jakob Dulmage.

A celebration of life reception will be held Saturday, August 10^th, from 1-4 pm at the Alexandria Bay Fire Hall.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, in Jill’s name at cancer.org.

August 2, 2018

Alexandria Bay

Madelyn L. “Wagoner” Hartman, 91, lifetime resident of Alexandria Bay, NY, passed away late Thursday night at Riverledge Nursing Home in Ogdensburg, NY.

Madelyn was born on October 27, 1926 in Leraysville, NY, the daughter of S. Eugene and Mary E. Colleary Wagoner. She graduated from Alexandria Bay High School in 1944. She married H, Miller Hartman on April 22, 1950 at the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church with Rev. Lisle Caldwell officiating. Mr. Hartman passed away on June 14, 2013.

Madelyn worked as a bookkeeper at H. Chalk & Son in Fisher’s Landing from 1970-1982.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church, financial secretary for the church for many years, and past president of the United Methodist Women’s Guild (?).  She was an avid New York Yankee fan. Continue reading →

Cecelia R. Tidd, 64, passed away unexpectedly on August 29, 2017, at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, VA.  Ceil was born on June 13, 1953, in Syracuse, NY, to Allen and Pauline Tidd.  Our sister grew up in Alexandria Bay, NY, where her love for the St. Lawrence River began.  She graduated from Alexandria Central School in 1971 and from the nursing program at Jefferson Community College in 1981.  Ceil moved to Richmond, VA, and worked as a registered nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital for 35 years until she recently retired.

Ceil will be missed by her two loving cats, Buster and Grayson; her mom Pauline at Samaritan Keep Home, her four brothers from Alexandria Bay and her three sisters: Joe and (Linda) Tidd, Greg and (Cindy) Tidd, Adrian Tidd, Rod and (Lisa) Tidd, Harriet and (Ed) Madden, Watertown, NY,  Angela Bascou, Encinitas, CA, Monica and (Jerry) Fulton, Rodman, NY.

She will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her friends both in the Thousand Islands and Virginia.

We will remember her generosity, kindness, sense of humor and annual summer trip to the Thousand Islands.  Her worldwide travels over the years continued her love for adventure and having a fun time.  Ceil always enjoyed a good glass of wine wherever she went.

Ceil was predeceased by her dad, Allen.  Memorial donations may be made to any local animal shelter or charity of one’s choice.

In keeping with Ceil’s loving and generous spirit, she gave the gift of life through organ donation.

A memorial service will be held at St. Cyril’s Church in Alexandria Bay on September 30 at

11:00 a.m.  Immediately following the mass, a reception will be held in the downstairs church hall.

Alexandria Bay

August 21, 2017

Arlene M. Kocher, 90, of Seaway Avenue, Alexandria Bay, passed away Monday afternoon at River Hospital, after being stricken at home.

Arlene was born in Endicott, NY on July 13, 1927, the daughter of Francis and Nellie Marbaker Hood. She graduated from Union Endicott in 1945.  She married J. Fred Kocher on June 7, 1947 in Endicott, NY.

The couple vacationed in the Thousand Islands for many years and moved to the area to live after Mr. Kocher’s retirement from IBM in Endicott.  She enjoyed to traveling and boating on the St. Lawrence River.

She is survived by her husband J. Fred, their sons, Ronald, Conway, SC; Gary, Alexandria Bay, NY, Barry, Hilton, NY, their daughters, Mrs. William (Lynn) Cucci, Vestal, NY; and Mrs. Gary (Donna) Gressler, Watertown, NY; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  Her sisters Maritta Gosart and Beverly McGovern predeceased her.

Calling hours will be held at Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay, on Thursday, August 24^th from 7-9 pm.  A calling hour will also be held at Vestal Hills Memorial Park Chapel, Vestal NY from 1-2 pm on Friday, August 25^th.  A prayer service will be at 2:00 pm at the VHMP Chapel.

August 13, 2017

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY

Mindy Jane Willix Rolls, 59, formerly of Alexandria Bay, passed away Sunday at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida.

She was born October 17, 1957 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of Horace “Hod” and Minnie Tousely  Willix. She graduated from Alexandria Central High School and later from Jefferson Community College with her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She worked as a secretary for Century 21 Reality in Alexandria Bay.

She married Audie Rolls in December of 1989, in Alexandria Bay.

She is survived by two sons, Brian and wife Diane Willix, Plessis, NY, and Maxwell and wife Mackenzie Perry, Delavan, WI, a daughter, Nichole Rolls, Redwood, NY , two brother George Willix, Sr., of Georgia and Phillip Willix, Florida, two sisters, Mrs. Larry(Bonnie) Bartlett, Hammond, NY and Louise.  Five grandchildren also survive. She was predeceased by a brother Paul and a sister Clara.

Services will be at a time to be announced. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Alexandria Bay.

Arrangements are with Costello Funeral Service, Alexandria Bay.

August 6, 2017
LaFargeville, NY

Gregory G. Reynolds, 47, County Rt. 2, passed away Sunday at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, where he was admitted on Saturday.

He was born November 14, 1969 in Watertown, NY, son of James and Linda Cullen Reynolds.

He graduated from Naples Central School and then served in the US Army for 6 years. He married Melissa Mathes on December 22, 2000. He was employed by Marsellus Construction Inc. in Adams, NY.

He was an avid collector of Native American artifacts and enjoyed ice fishing. He spent quality time with family. He could be seen almost any Saturday night with a car full of nieces and nephews at the Bay Drive In. He was a very loved man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his son, Cullen G., Alexandria Bay, his parents Jim and Linda, LaFargeville, a brother, Jessie, Centreville, AL, aunt Molly Brier, Alexandria Bay and uncles Reggie Cullen, Carthage and Tony Cullen, Alexandria Bay, Terry Reynolds, Roduport, TX and Chuck Reynolds, Shortsville, NY, many nieces, nephews and cousins. A sister Jada, predeceased him in 2009.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, August 8th, from 5-8pm at the Costello Funeral Home 113 Church St, Alexandria Bay. A funeral mass will be said at 1 pm Wednesday, at St Cyril’s Church, with Fr. Douglas Comstock, officiating. Burial will be private at Barnes Settlement Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness, that we announce the passing of Colin Patrick “Pat” Fitzsimmons, age 72 of Alexandria Bay, NY

Pat was born in Alexandria Bay March 24, 1943 to Lowell and Alice Fitzsimmons. He graduated from Alexandria Bay High School in 1961 and continued on to St Michaels College in Burlington, VT.

Inseparable soul mates and high school sweethearts, Pat and Mary (Kilburn) wed on September 11, 1964. Thru 51 years, Pat and Mary were an example of how a loving, supporting marriage should be. Continue reading →