January 30, 2021

Ronald F. Kocher 72 formerly of Vestal, NY passed away on Saturday January 30, 2021 at Grand Strand Hospital in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. 

Born November 7, 1948 in Ithaca, NY the oldest son of J. Fred and Arlene (Hood) Kocher, he graduated from Vestal Central High School in Vestal, NY in 1966.

After high school Ronald graduated from Utah State University in Logan, UT as an Electrical Engineer.   He went to work for various companies on the East Coast until he finally settled back to his home town and worked for IBM in Endicott, NY.  Ron also spent many summers in the Thousand Islands with his family and after selling his 42 foot cruiser purchased a cottage in Clayton, NY for weekends and vacations.  Ronald also owned his own business that he started after retirement renting out many storage buildings in Apalachin, NY.  He finally settled down year round in Myrtle Beach and then Conway, SC.

Ronald fell in a parking lot on October 30, 2021 at Conway SC and suffered a severe head injury and never recovered, he was entered into an Adult Care Unit at Myrtle Beach until January 29^th when he was sent to Grand Strand Hospital at Myrtle Beach with COVID Symptoms after having received his COVID vaccination a week before.

He is survived by his father J. Fred Kocher of Alexandria Bay, sisters Lynn (Bill) Cucci of Vestal, Donna (Gary) Gressler of Watertown, NY, twin brothers Gary Kocher of Alexandria Bay, and Barry Kocher of Watertown, NY.  Ronald is also survived by his nephews and nieces Jason (Lauren) Cucci of Apalachin, NY, Justin (Angela) Cucci of Binghamton, NY, Chris (Kimmy) Cucci of Hollywood, CA, Amber (Jeff) Adams of Corning, NY, Zachary (Asia) Gressler of Walton,NY, and Wyatt (Gabby) Gressler of Rome, NY.  Ron also had some great nieces and nephews, Ben & Evan Cucci of Apalachin, NY and Lucas, Samantha, and Owen Adams of Corning, NY, and Tatum Gressler of Walton, NY.

Ron is predeceased by his wife Diane (2016), his mother Arlene Kocher (2017), and great nephew Nathan Cucci (2016) of Apalachin.            

  Please leave condolences by clicking on Ronald’s name at the top of this page. This will take you to a separate page where the comments can be written below the obituary.

January 29, 2021

Alexandria Bay, NY – Marilyn B. Jones, 86, of Alexandria Bay was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus and her beloved husband, Ted Jones, the morning of Friday, January 29th. She passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth, in Haymarket, VA.

She was born March 9, 1934 in Watertown, NY, daughter of the late John and Dorothy Tallon Brownell. She graduated from Alexandria Bay High School and then from the University of Rochester, with her RN degree. She worked in medical offices throughout her career, ultimately retiring from Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, SC in 1996.

She married Harvey “Ted” Jones on June 15, 1957 at the Church of the St. Lawrence, in Alexandria Bay with Rev. David Talbot officiating. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in 2007 with a dinner with close friends and family at Pine Tree Point, where they had their wedding reception so many years earlier. Mr. Jones passed away on April 6, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Troy Jones and his wife, Sue, of Charlotte, NC, her daughter, Elizabeth Amy Wheeler and her husband Edward Jr., of Haymarket, VA and her grandchildren, Evan (Kristin) and Ryan Jones, Trei and Victoria Wheeler.

Marilyn was her kids’ biggest fan in whatever they were involved in and was a team mom to various baseball teams, Cub Scout and Brownie leader, and the coach of the Belvedere Youth Football Cheerleaders. Once she retired to Alexandria Bay she very much enjoyed being team mom to Ted’s teams which he coached and she also became a member of the E.J. Noble Hospital Auxiliary, Church of the St. Lawrence Vestry, the local Garden Club, a volunteer at the community Thrift Store and was also named Citizen of the Year 2011.

Funeral services will be announced in the spring of 2021. Burial will be in Barnes Settlement Cemetery.

The family would especially like to thank the very special caregivers who showed so much love and compassion: Rachel Wiseman, Paige Guns, Sonya Turner and Ann Javins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church of the St. Lawrence, P.O. Box 211, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 or The River Hospital, P.O. Box 567, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, Attn: Development Dept.

Please leave condolences by clicking on Marilyn’s name at the top of this page. This will take you to a separate page where the comments can be written below the obituary.

January 28, 2021

Oswego, NY – Ellen E. Cronk, 101, passed away early Thursday morning, January 28^th in Oswego.

She was born May 1, 1919 in Sackets Harbor, NY, daughter of Joseph and Angerine Spencer McGrath. One of eleven children, she graduated from Sackets Harbor High School, in 1938.

She married Don Cronk, Sr., on June 29, 1940.

Ellen was village clerk for the Village of Pulaski, NY for 27 years. During her time as clerk, she served under 8 different mayors and at 4 different locations, the last being the Snow Building, where her name is inscribed on a plaque.

She was a remarkable lady, dearly love by her family and her second family at St. Luke’s, where she resided in her later years. Loving, kind, just and upright, her memory will live forever.

Ellen is survived by her son, Donald Cronk, Jr, Pulaski, NY and her daughter, Katherine (Anthony) Folino, Alexandria Bay, 10 grandchildren and 10 great and great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Joanne Burritt, in November of 2020.

Memorial services will be announced in the spring of 2021.

Please leave condolences by clicking on Ellen’s name at the top of this page. This will take you to a separate page where the comments can be written below the obituary.

Alexandria Bay, NY – Loretta L. Sibert, 62, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

Loretta was born in Philadelphia, Pa, the daughter of Paul C. Harris, Sr. and Johnnie Mae Harris.  She graduated from Cherry Hill East High School, Cherry Hill, NJ and Camden County College, Blackwood New Jersey, where she majored in theater.

Loretta is survived by her husband Jim Sibert who she married on October 17, 2004, her mother Johnnie Mae Harris, Cherry Hill, NJ; her children, Akil Collins and wife Stacy, Cherry Hill, NJ, Paul A. Collins, Lindenwold, NJ, Ayanna S. Collins, Lindenwold, NJ, and Amaris A. Sibert, Alexandria Bay, NY; her three grandchildren Devin, Sophia and Malik, and her sisters, Ellen Harris-Small, Palmyra, NJ, and Sheila Harris-Adams and brother in law Bryan Adams, Merchantville, NJ, and a host of nieces and nephews. Her loving father, Paul C Harris Sr. and brother, Paul C. Harris, Jr. greeted her in heaven.

Loretta was dedicated to her family, community and always had a heart to serve. She was a shining star that bought joy to everyone around her.

Loretta was a talented jewelry designer who also created customized wedding jewelry. She expressed her love in everything she did.

Loretta loved the Lord and served him with her beautiful singing while leading praise and worship at the 1000 Islands Christian Church. She also sang in her home church choir in New Jersey for many years. Throughout Loretta’s entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared through her kindness, joyous, and positive attitude for those who surrounded her.

A celebration of life service will be held Monday, January 25th at 6:30 pm at the Thousand Islands Christian Church, 26631 Simpson Rd, Plessis, NY with Pastor Gene Brown officiating. On-line Celebration of Life Service will be available on YouTube at Watch “Rev Gene M Brown”. https://youtube.com/channel/UCCsm0F0DEfxKATmgmEltdaA

Loretta’s family thanks everyone for their prayers, support, and thoughts at this difficult time.

Please leave condolences by clicking on Loretta’s name at the top of this page. This will take you to a separate page where the comments can be written below the obituary.

Alexandria Bay, NY – Ronald S. VanDerwerker, 97, passed away on Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, where he had been a patient since December 20, 2020.

Ronald was born on March 9^th, 1923 in Seward, NY, the son of Solomon and Blanche Coats VanDerwerker.  He graduated from Cobleskill High School and then from Albany Business School.

Ron served in the US Army from 1942-1945, during World War II.  After his service, he was employed as a Service Supervisor with Niagara Mohawk Powercorp in Canajoharie, NY, retiring in June of 1983.

He married Jean Launback on July 17^th, 1947 in Cherry Valley, NY.  He was a member of the Alexandria Bay Masonic Lodge #297 and a member of the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles.

Ron is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ellen and John Lingenfelter, Alexandria Bay; two grandchildren, Christopher Bellman, South Carolina and Nicholas Bellman, Alexandria Bay, and one great-grandchild, Christopher Bellman II, South Carolina.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 23^rd, 2021at 1pm,at the Costello Funeral Home, with Pastor Jeff McIlrath officiating.  Facemasks and social distancing requirements are expected.

Memorial donations may be made to the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles, 54 Church St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 or at www.reformedchurchofthe1000isles.org

January 3, 2021

HAMMOND, NY – Eileen M. Maloy, 67, passed away Sunday morning, January 3^rd, at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, in Ogdensburg.

She was born March 14, 1953 in Norwich, NY, daughter of William and Laura Rogers Coles. She graduated from Alexandria Central High School. She worked as a nurse’s aide at E. J. Noble Hospital in Alexandria Bay and later for DeFelsco Gauge in Ogdensburg, NY.

She married Gary M. Maloy, September 18, 1976, at St. Cyril’s Church in Alexandria Bay.

Eileen is survived by her husband, Gary, a son, William, Hammond, NY and three grandchildren. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Larry Coles.

Burial will be in the spring in Fineview Cemetery, Hammond.

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.