Robert A. LaMere, 91
Dan McClelland
Robert A. LaMere, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Tupper Lake on August 10 with his wife, Bevery, and Hospice staff at his side.
Bob was born in Kinderhook, N.Y. to Ann and Fred LaMere, where he spent his childhood days with his sister, Ruth.
When he was about eight or nine he came to Tupper Lake with his father and helped him build onto a structure that is now Trail’s End.
He attended Tupper High where he wanted to play football but couldn’t because his father needed his help.
After high school he joined the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan, working as a lineman for several years.
When he was discharged from military service, Bob was happy to be back home in Tupper Lake and got a job at Benson Mines in Star Lake, driving a large Uke mining truck.
For a time he also worked helping to build the new locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway at Massena.
In 1942 he married Beverly LaMere and a year later their son, Steven A. LaMere was born.
Bob’s dad remarried about that time and he and his new wife Beverly ran Trail’s End together- a popular place for hunters, fishermen and loggers in those days.
His father and step-mother had four children together: Fred, Patty, Peter and Annie, so Bob had new brothers and sisters.
Bob loved to work in the woods and was taught the art of logging and forestry by his father-in-law, Barnard P. Badger, who was woods boss for the U.S. Bobbin and Shuttle here.
Later Bob started his own logging company- LaMere Professional Services- and delved into the dangerous tree service business. His wife would often work alongside him, preparing and delivering lunches and such.
Bob LaMere liked to hunt, fish and trap. At one point he leased hunting land near Sabattis and built a camp on it. The camp boasted 20 or so members over the years.
He was an active volunteer for many years with the Woodsmen’s Field Days, working with the wood carvers and bands that performed each year.
At Bob’s wishes there are no funeral services planned or celebrations of life. Donations in his memory, however, can be made to High Peaks Hospice