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 →