Alexandria Bay, N.Y. – Sally A. Sourwine, 70, of Log Hill Road, passed away at home Tuesday evening, January 14th, due to complications with Parkinson’s disease.

She was born November 23, 1949 in Alexandria Bay, daughter of Richard and Myrtle Frizzell Marsaw. She was educated in Hammond Central School. She worked for many years as a housekeeper for Riveredge Resort.

A marriage Paul Mahay, ended in divorce.

She married Thomas O. Sourwine on August 9, 1976 at Oak Point with Menzal Preston officiating. Honor attendants were Leo Sourwine, brother of the bridegroom, and Linda (Davis) Babcock, cousin of the bride.

Besides her husband Tom, she is survived by three sons, Allan (Pam) Mahay, Hammond, John (Christine Penrose) Mahay, Alexandria Bay, and Nathan (Patricia) Sourwine, LaFargeville, a sister, June Johnson, Rochester, a brother, Jay Marsaw, Rossie, NY, and 7 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her half brother, James Frizzell.

Sally enjoyed being with friends and took great pride in her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the Watertown American Legion Auxiliary. Her hobbies included sewing and riding her motorcycle.  Sally and Tom loved to go dancing, enjoyed traveling, getting a deal at garage sales, and looked forward to their yearly vacation in Myrtle Beach.

Per her request, there will be no calling hours or funeral service.  A celebration of life service will be held at a time to be announced, in the Spring of 2020.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to Hospice of Jefferson County, the Michael J. Fox Foundation (michaeljfox.org) of Chaumont Parkinson’s Support Group, c/o Thomas Sourwine, 46563 Log Hill Rd, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607.

Alexandria Bay, NY – Walter Scott King MacPherson, Jr., 94, of 49 Walton Street, passed away early Thursday morning, January 2 in the year of our Lord 2020, in the emergency room of River Hospital.

He was born July 5, 1925 in Vineland, NJ, son of the Rev. Walter S. Sr. and Maude Hansen MacPherson. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Eastern Nazarene College, studied at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario and then graduated from Syracuse University with his Master’s Degree in Library Science. He married Emma Irene VanDresar on August 14, 1948 in Schenectady, NY with his father officiating. Mrs. MacPherson passed away on October 29, 2015.

Walter started his ministry as Pastor of The Church of the Nazarene in Watertown, NY, then Utica, NY and on to Florida, North Carolina, Newfoundland, Canada, completing his Ministry again at Life Church of the Nazarene in Watertown, where he was presently Pastor of Visitation and Congregational Care. He was librarian at Canadian Nazarene College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, NY and librarian as volunteer missionary at Nazarene Theological College, Brisbane, Australia, and Caribbean Nazarene College, Trinidad. Upon finally retiring, he enjoyed working as a volunteer at Cornwall Museum, Alexandria Bay, NY. His favorite hobbies when not boating on the loved St. Lawrence River were reading and stamp collecting. He lived a full life right up to his last breath, including extended visits in the winter with his children living in the south, and spending the last two weeks of his life celebrating Christmas with family in Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri.

He is survived by his son, Walter “Scott” (Donna) MacPherson III, Alexandria Bay, three daughters, Lois (Ron) Taylor, Black River, NY, Esther (Paul) Underhay, West Palm Beach, FL and Sarah (David) Avila, Irmo, SC, two brothers, Neil (Charlotte), Independence, MO, and David, Hagerstown, MD, a sister Eunice Osterhout, Clarksville, MD, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Priscilla MacPherson.

This man. Walter S. MacPherson, Jr. to the world, but Daddy to us, his children.
His steady, solid example of Christian manhood has been the rod by which we have measured all others.
His unwavering faith.
His servant heart.
His unending patience.
His passionate love for God, wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as our huge extended family and countless friends, colleagues, and parishioners throughout his 94 years.

Today… promoted to glory.
Our great loss. Heaven’s forever gain.
We love you, Dad.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 18^th, from 10am until noon at the Life Church of the Nazarene, Watertown. The funeral service will begin at noon. Burial will follow at Walton Street Cemetery, Alexandria Bay.

January 12, 2019

REDWOOD, NY – Patricia A. Denicola, 73, formerly of Redwood, passed away Saturday evening at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, after being admitted on Friday.

She was born December 9, 1945 in Watertown, daughter if Roscoe and Lillian Hall Shoulette. She graduated from Redwood High School in 1966. She married Dominick J. Denicola on November 16, 1968 in Redwood. Mr. Denicola passed away March 20, 1995.

Pat was a licensed beautician, owning her own salon called Pat’s Beauty Shop in Redwood. She also worked for a time in the cafeteria at Alexandria Central School. She was a member of the Redwood Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Office for the Aging Nutritional Site “Lunch Bunch”, in Alexandria Bay. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Marc and wife Janet, Oxbow, NY and Richard, Hammond, three grandchildren, Kelsey, Curtis and Lilly. She is also survived by her lifelong friends Margo Fowler and Lana Russell.

Besides her husband, she was also predeceased by her daughter, Lynda who passed away on February 23, 1983.

Calling hours will be Friday, January 18^th, from 6-9pm at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. The funeral will be at 11am Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Redwood.

Memorial donations may be made in Pat’s name to the Redwood Fire Department.

Alexandria Bay, NY – Faye G. Babcock, 79, County Route 1, passed away peacefully Saturday morning 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.

Calling hours and memorial services are planned for the spring. 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.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE PLANNED

Plessis- A graveside service for George B. Shultz, 79, will be held Saturday, June 2^nd at 11:00 am at Brookside Cemetery, Plessis. The service will be officiated by Pastor Freddie Webb.

January 30, 2018

George B. Shultz, 79, of Plessis, NY passed away Tuesday morning at Samaritan Keep Home, where he had resided since March 28, 2017

George was born in Brownville, NY on July 27, 1938, the son of G. Danford and Marion Phelps Shultz.  He attended Alexandria Bay High School and belonged to the New York National Guard in his early years.

On February 27, 1960, George married Mary Delosh at the parsonage of the Theresa Methodist Church.

He owned and operated Geo B. Shultz Scrap Metals in Plessis for many years as well as owning and operating D&G Country Market in Plessis.  He also worked with M&M Plumbing and Heating and for Willie Nash of Syracuse installing boilers in many of the area schools. Continue reading →

Sally J. Booth, 83, a lifelong resident of Cape Vincent, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family, and under the care of Hospice, on Thursday, January 25^th, 2018.

Born January 3, 1935, in Watertown, NY, the daughter of the late John J. and Frances Laba Busack, she graduated from Cape Vincent Central School in 1952 and from Jefferson Community College, Watertown, in 1981, earning an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts.  Sally was employed at Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, for 10 years and was a waitress in Cape Vincent for 20 years at the Broadway Diner, Aubrey’s Lunch Counter, Hotel Roxy, Sleepy Hollow, and Half-Way Chalet restaurants.

Sally married the love of her life, Richard B. Booth, on July 20, 1957, the son of the late Earl R. and Dorothy Robinson Booth, at the United Church of Cape Vincent with the Rev. Oliver Bark officiating.  She enjoyed fishing with her Continue reading →

January 17, 2018

LaFargeville, NY – Cindy L. Hirschler, 55, of Stafford Drive, passed away Wednesday at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, where she had been a patient since January 3^rd.

She was born January 16, 1963 in Watertown, daughter of Eugene “Silver” and Gloria Robinson Countryman. She was educated in Alexandria Bay schools. She was a housekeeper for many years for the North Star Motel in Alexandria Bay.

Cindy married Joseph S. Hirschler on October 7, 1989 in Theresa. She loved helping people. She loved her family unconditionally and cherished time with her grandchildren. Continue reading →

January 22, 2017

Weedsport, NY. – Gary M. Reno, 52, died Sunday in the town of Sennett, from injuries sustained from an automobile accident.

He was born May 20, 1964 in Las Vegas, NV, son of the late Gary J. and Sandra Shook Reno. He graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas. He served in the U S Army from 1985-1992, and for the Army reserves for several years following his active duty. A marriage to Angel Freeman ended in divorce.

He is survived by a son and his wife, Jon & Destinee Reno, LaFargeville, NY, a daughter and her husband, Cassandra & Shane Fichthorn, Alexandria Bay, a brother, William Reno and a sister and her husband, Laura and Barry Broadwater, all of Pahrump, NV. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Gary was very spiritual in nature, a regular church attendee, and an avid guitar player.

A memorial service with military honors will be held Monday, January 30^th at 11 am at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay, with Rev. Jeff McIlrath, officiating. A celebration of life luncheon will follow funeral home services at the Alexandria Bay American Legion.

Donations may be made to an account in the name of Jon Reno, at Watertown Savings Bank to help cover funeral expenses.

January 18, 2017

Redwood, NY

Michael Whiting Davis, 64, formerly of Redwood, passed away Wednesday, January 18th at Albany Medical Center.
Mr. Davis was born on August 26, 1952, in Watertown, NY, son of Isaac George and Barbara Jane Harten Davis. He was educated at Hammond Central School. He owned and operated a dairy farm in Theresa, NY, for a number of years before moving to Perryton, Texas, where he worked as an EMT firefighter. Upon returning to New York, he worked for Berry Brothers Lumber Company, resumed dairy farming for several years, and finished his career as a long haul tractor trailer driver.
Mr. Davis was married to the former Sharon Dingman, and together they had three daughters: Cynthia Lee White, Holly Sanderson, and Helen Davis. In November 2001, he married MaryLynn Festa. He is survived by his wife and daughters, his brother Isaac “Butch” Davis, sisters Sheila Steele and Sheri Sayers, five grandchildren: Ashley, Austin, Christine, Jared, and Sierra; great-grandson Michael, and stepdaughters Jessica and Polly Festa.
Calling hours will be Monday, January 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607. A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff McIlrath officiating.

January 1, 2017

Martin Wolfe, age 89, a resident of Samaritan Keep Home, formerly of Patterson Road and North Hamilton Street Watertown, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017.  Martin was born September 12, 1927, son of the late Mary Taper Wolfe and John Wolfe, Watertown.  He was a 1945 graduate of Watertown High School.  As a very young man he worked for the railroad in the freight yard and made many lifelong friends while working there.  He served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate repairing and maintaining small planes.  He met Ida Foster of Castorland, NY, who had moved to Watertown to enter nursing school at Samaritan School of Nursing and they were married June 24, 1951 at Holy Family Church.  At that time, he worked as a meat department manager at the former Loblaws Grocery on State Street in Watertown (one of the first self-service stores in the North Country).  After 26 years there, he then worked at Fort Drum Commissary until Continue reading →