Monthly Archives: July 2019

Frank C. Frost II

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.


Barbara M. Zeltt

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 3rd.

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

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.

Gerald A. “Gerry” Chaltain

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

S. Graham Atkinson

Shaner Graham Atkinson passed away from natural causes on June 28th, 2019. He was born in Watertown, NY on April 8th, 1963. He is survived by his three daughters, Elena, Mary Grace, and Kate Elizabeth; his brother Todd; his sisters Gay and Leslie; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends His loving parents, Elizabeth G. Atkinson Roe and John G. Atkinson and his loving stepfather, Thomas B. Roe are predeceased. 

Graham was an ‘81 Trinity Pawling Graduate and then went on to graduate from Syracuse University in 1985.  He worked in Newtown, PA, and then moved his family closer to his hometown to Manlius, NY, in 1991. There he started a Staffing Company with much success, and enjoyed his life in Upstate NY raising his beautiful daughters with his wife Amy VanEenenaam Atkinson.

Graham loved his three daughters, who were the most important part of his life. In the words of his daughters, Graham was “the most doting, dedicated, and compassionate father we ever could have wished for. He taught us how to love with his whole heart as he did with us.”

He will be remembered not only as a great dad but also by his friends for his quick wit and great sense of humor. His greatest gift was bringing laughter and love everywhere he went. He lit up any room with his lighthearted and comforting presence, and will be remembered fondly by those lucky enough to know him.

Graham also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, spending time on Carleton Island with his family, and  skiing ~ he just loved it! He was a passionate Syracuse basketball fan, an avid golfer, and an artist. Most importantly, he was a friend to all. His one-of-a-kind wisdom, exuberance, and kindness will be missed dearly by his family and friends.  Services: 10am Friday, July 5, at First Presbyterian Church, Watertown.   

In lieu of flowers Graham’s family would welcome a charitable contribution to the Carleton Island Swallow-wort program at the Thousand Islands Land Trust.  https://tilandtrust.org/support.