“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”

Shane Howard Simpson II, born October 7th, 1982, of Redwood, NY slipped away peacefully on March 30, 2020 at the young age of 37 due to complications from pneumonia.  He fought valiantly to overcome this serious illness to the very end.   He will be missed by many family and friends— all of whom  became family to the Simpsons.

Shane attended school through Indian River Central graduating with an IEP degree as well as being celebrated as an Alexandria Bay Purple Ghost in June, 2004 to a standing ovation.  As a Purple Ghost Shane attended sporting events in support of his father the coach, his mother forever the cheerleader and his brother and sister, the athletes.  He would be seen wrapped tightly in layers on the football field or in the best seat in the house during basketball season.  His life was always at the center of his loving family, whether it be home, school, spring break vacations, camping or any other random event, Shane was along for the ride enjoying all of the many friends that gathered.  Music, bonfires and being in the midst of the little ones playing made Shane glow as seen in that ever-infectious grin he proudly displayed in his happiest times.

Shane leaves behind his parents, Shane and Robin; his brother, Brandon (Chelsea); his sister, Anna Bassett (Tom);  his paternal grandmother, Norma Frazier; his favorite little people (nephews) August, Jasper and Dominick and coming soon Maverick;  numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and adopted family both home and abroad.  He is predeceased by his paternal grandfather August Frazier and maternal grandparents, William (Bill) and Lorna (Betty) Clark.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date due to the current gathering restrictions.

Lay down your sword… this fight is over.  Come together with love and your sacred memories to celebrate this precious young man who brought so much joy to oh so many.  He lives on in our hearts forever.

March 30, 2020

Wellesley Island, NY – Derek J. Lamb, 80, County Route 100, passed away Monday morning at Samaritan Medical Center, in Watertown.

He was born August 16, 1939 in Birmingham, England, son of Henry T. and Mary A. Saunders Lamb. He was educated in England. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corp.

He married Patricia Badham on February 16, 1963, in Birmingham, England.

Derek worked for many years as head caretaker for Clover Boldt Baird, on Wellesley Island, whose properties included Hopewell Hall. He was a longtime member of the Wellesley Island Fire Department.

Besides his wife, Patricia, he is survived by a son, Edward, a daughter, Michelle and her companion, Jeff Hunter, all of Wellesley Island, four sisters, Joan Jones, Betty Lamb, Edna Cooke, and Barbara Hipkiss, and three grandchildren.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Wellesley Island.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wellesley Island Fire Department.

March 26, 2020

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Grace E. Bowles, 90, longtime resident of Alexandria Bay, passed away Thursday morning, March 26^th, at the Samaritan Keep Home, in Watertown, where she had been a resident since December of 2014.

She was born October 15, 1929 in Pierrepont, NY, daughter of Jay Claude and Ethel Crary Aldous. She graduated from Herman High School and attended JCC. She married Jack Bowles in 1956.  Mr. Bowles passed away in May of 1992.

Grace worked for many years for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority at Boldt Castle, retiring in 2012. She had also work at Edgewood Resort.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, loved blue grass music and square dancing, and was an adamant patriot of the United States of America.

She is survived by her son Jay C. Bowles, Panama City, FL, a daughter, Linda Flinn, Alexandria Bay, a sister, Muriel Patton, Herman, NY, six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was predeceased by a daughter, Sharry Murray, in 2019, a brother, Melbern Aldous, and three grandsons, Johnathan Murray, Luke Bowles, and Logan Flinn.

She will be buried in Barnes Settlement Cemetery, next to her husband, Jack. Services will be announced in the spring of 2020.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church.

MARCH 15, 2020

Hammond, NY — Brian K. Fuller, 46, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 15th.

He was born February 26th, 1974, in Carthage, the son of Arthur and Nancy Fuller. He was educated in Carthage schools. He loved dogs, snowmobiling, cliff diving, and driving fast.

He was a career truck driver, most recently working for Maple Lane Transport out of Philadelphia, NY.

Brian is survived by his daughter, Kylee Fuller of Boaz, AL; his son, Keith Fuller of Craigsville, WV; two grandchildren; his mother, Nancy Fuller; his brothers, Randy Fuller and his wife, Cathy; Bruce Fuller; Art Fuller and his wife, Tracy; Todd Fuller and his wife, Cindy; his sister, Carmelita Bowman and her husband, Albert; and many, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father, Arthur; his grandparents, Herb and Lulu Fuller, and Dick and Ethel Croyle; and his sister, Cindy.

Brian also had a second family, whom he loved, that played a major role in his life. Kathy and Carl Cook of Evans Mills (whom he called mom and dad); their son, Brian Cook and his wife, Kaye; their daughter, Amanda and her children; their son, the late Carl (CJ) Cook; and Gail Downling.

There will be no services.

Memorial donations may be made to his daughter, Kylee Fuller, 7219 Leeth Gap Road, Boaz, AL 35956.

Redwood, NY – Eugene A. Catlin, 88, passed away early Sunday morning in Bartow, Florida under the care of his daughter, Margo, and Hospice.

He was born December 9, 1931 in Chateaugay, NY, son of Floyd and Mary Martin Catlin. He graduated from Alexandria Bay High School and then volunteered to serve his country as a Marine in the Korean War. After returning home he continued his education at Syracuse University.  While there he was also a member of the university’s boxing team.

He married Jacqueline Pierce on April 1, 1956 in Alexandria Bay. They spent many wonderful years together, until her death on April 12, 2018. Eugene was an Art Teacher for the Geneva City School District.  Later he and Jackie owned and operated both the Dreamland Motel in Malone, NY and the Comether Motel in West Webster, NY. He also owned and instructed at the Franklin County Boxing Club, in Malone, NY. He spent many summers as a tour boat captain on the Saint Lawrence River.   He loved spending time on the water and painting many of his favorite river scenes.

Eugene is survived by four children, Debra Heroux and husband Michael of Woodway, TX, Margo Elaine Carter and husband Daniel of Bartow, FL, Kenneth Catlin of LaFargeville, NY, Blake Catlin and wife Amy of Brewerton, NY.  Also three siblings; Brothers Roger, Joe and his sister Eileen Carson and husband Bob.  He also has seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Gene will be remembered for his quirky sense of humor and impassioned stubbornness.

Memorial Services will be held in the summer of 2020.  Donations in Eugene’s name could be made to the Redwood Fire Station in appreciation of their great service to the community.

Redwood, NY —

Robert H. Wills, 85, Olney Road, passed away Friday evening March 13^th at home under the care of his family and Hospice.

Robert was born on December 7, 1934 in the town of Orleans, the son of Jack and Edna Crouch Wills.  He graduated from LaFargeville Central High School . He married Beverly E. Denner on February 13, 1954 in Angola, Indiana. They enjoyed 57 happy years of marriage. Mrs. Wills passed away on November 17, 2011.

Robert was co-owner with his wife Beverly, of the Sir Robert Peel Motel in Alexandria Bay for over 30 years.  He also worked as a welder for Frink America in Clayton. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed hunting, fishing, baseball and basketball.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Streeter (Steve), Redwood; his sons, Thomas (Nancy), Redwood, Greg (Mary) Wills, Redwood, Randy Wills and his companion (Kim), Omar, 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Kenneth (Ilda) Dwyer, Theresa. He was pre-deceased by two sons, Robert and Phillip, brothers, Earl, Gordon and Paul Wills, and three sisters, Esther Shaw, Frances Schrodt and Marjorie Doxtater.

A private graveside service will be held at Barnes Settlement Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Robert’s name to Hospice of Jefferson County or the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

March 12, 2020

LaFargeville, NY — Dora J. Tufo Wills Berkman, 97, longtime resident of LaFargeville, passed away late Thursday evening at Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown, where she had been a resident.

She was born November 30, 1922, in Watertown, daughter of Samuel and Louisa Esposedo Tufo. She graduated from Clayton High School. She worked for many years as a teller for the Jefferson  National Bank, in LaFargeville. She married Earl A. Wills on May 21, 1941. The couple founded and operated Will’s Wrecker Service, in LaFargeville. Mr. Wills passed away in 1965. She married Harold Berkman on February 23, 1968. Mr. Berkman passed away in July of 2000.

Dora is survived by her son David and his wife Vivian Wills, Middle Grove, NY, two daughters, Mrs. Randy (Julie Wills) Sliter, Val Rico, FL, and Mrs. David(Christine) Shortt, Redwood, a brother, Sam Tufo, Watertown and a sister, Joanne Jones, Georgia, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sons, Larry and Michael Wills, two brothers, Jerry and Benny Tufo, and three sisters, Veronica LaFontaine, Mary Neuroth and Edith Seymour.

Calling hours will be Monday, March 16^th, from 7-9pm at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay. The funeral mass will be Tuesday, March 17^th at 11am, at St. John’s Church, LaFargeville. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, LaFargeville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Church, LaFargeville.

March 8, 2020

Redwood, NY – Isabelle “Belle” Elaine Bearden Otakie, formerly of Redwood, passed away Sunday March 8^th at Samaritan Medical Center, in Watertown. She had been a resident of the Samaritan Keep since May of 2016.

She was born June 22, 1928 in Watertown, daughter of Frederick and Mary Langouer Bearden. She attended Watertown High School.

She married Alexander “Alex” Otakie on January 26, 1947 at the Trinity Episcopal Church. The couple resided in Watertown, until moving to Redwood in 1955. Mr. Otakie passed away in 2007 at the age of 84.

Belle and her husband Alex owned and operated the Wayside Restaurant in Theresa. She had previously worked at the Tea Room in Cape Vincent, Pine Tree Point in Alexandria Bay, and both Faichney’s and the A&P in Watertown.

In her later years, she spent time gardening, refinishing antique furniture, spending time with her basset hounds and her dachshund, Abby.

She is survived by her two sons, Daniel Alexander Otakie, Baltimore, MD and Gary Frederick and his wife, Patricia Otakie, Pooler, GA, five grandchildren, Shannon Otakie Bray, Daniel Kent, Bridget Renee, David Matthew, and Kristine Otakie Deryder, four great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband Alex, she was predeceased by two sisters, Virginia M. Guinn, in 2010 at 86 and Constance A. Sayyeau in 2014 at 87, and a brother, Daniel Bearden.

Calling hours, funeral and graveside services in Redwood Cemetery, will be held at a time to be announced in the Spring.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 43668 Lake St, Redwood, NY 13679.