Dannie Lee Friend, 82
Dannie Lee Friend 82, formerly of Colchester, VT passed away peacefully November 1, 2019 after a long and arduous struggle with pulmonary disease (COPD).
He was born December 22, 1937 in South Barton, the son of the late George Elbridge and Lucy Clara (Lahue) Friend.
The family moved to Tupper Lake in 1948 where all the children attended school. Dannie had numerous jobs including being a lumberjack, cross country tractor trailer driver and managing two horse farms.
He is survived by his son, Dannie Friend, Jr. of Florida and daughter Danielle (Shoram) Martin and husband Jim of Burlington, VT and her children: Corey, Jacob and Krystal; His beloved granddaughter, Zibby Davis of Wisconsin; his brother, Vernon Ross and his wife, Sandra (Sutter) Friend of Tupper Lake; His sister, Georgia Lou (Friend) Christiano of Grand Isle, VT as well as many nieces and nephews from Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, Wisconsin and New York
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers: Rodney George, Marvin Walter and Terrance Dean.
Dannie elected to donate his body to the University of Vermont Anatomical Gift Program at The Robert Larner MD College of Medicine. His remains will be there for three years and will then be cremated and returned to his family. There will be no services at his request.
Sincere thanks to the staff at Burlington Health and Rehab and Hospice for their loving care and support, as well as to Minor Funeral Home for their guidance and support.
Helen Keeler Beck, 102
Helen Keeler Beck passed away peacefully at Union Villa Long Term Care Facility in Unionville, Ontario at the wonderful age of 102.
Helen was born in Tupper Lake, and was part of a large closely-knit family. She was high school valedictorian and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in chemistry in 1937 from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. She remained a proud alumnus of St. Lawrence for the rest of her life.
In 1942, she joined the US Navy as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), where she worked as a degaussing specialist protecting warships from mines for over 3 years. During her service, she met her husband, Lloyd, also in the Navy, and they married in 1944.
Her husband stayed with the Navy as a researcher in underwater acoustics, based mostly in Pasadena, California. They lived in Pasadena for about 40 years, raised two children, and then lived in Arroyo Grande, California for another 13 years.
In 2004, at the age of 87, Helen emigrated to Canada to be closer to her daughter and lived her final 15 happy years, surrounded by family, as a resident of Wyndham Gardens and finally Union Villa.
Helen was predeceased by all her seven sisters and brothers, and by her husband Lloyd in 1995.
She is survived by her son Bruce Beck (Hong) of Salt Lake City, Utah and daughter Donna Miasek (Peter) of Unionville, five grandchildren in Canada and the USA, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen had a lifelong interest in sports, gardening, family genealogy, and current events. She will be missed by her entire family, but we recognize that all life is finite and that she is rejoining Lloyd.
Our thanks to the staff at Union Villa for the care and kindness extended to her in her final years.
Visitation will be held at the Dixon-Garland Funeral Home, 166 Main St. North (Markham Rd), Markham, Ontario on Thursday, November 7 from 10a.m. until time of the Celebration of Life at 11a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, 178 Big Wolf Rd., Tupper Lake, NY 12986, USA, or to a charity of your choice.
A second ceremony and interment will be held in Tupper Lake at a future date.
Chauncey “Nubby” O’Connell, 79
Chauncey “Nubby” O’Connell, 79, passed away on September 27th after a long illness.
Born on January 6, 1940, he was the son of Dorothy (King) and Hiram O’Connell.
Nubby graduated from Thomaston High School, Thomaston, CT in 1958 where he excelled in basketball among other sports. He also graduated from SUNY Canton in 1960.
He was in the Army Reserves for 10 years and a NYS Corrections officer for 30 years.
Nubby was a golfer, but his favorite thing was hunting in the Adirondacks, camping and canoeing with his best friend and partner of 40 years, Loyce Chiasson.
He leaves behind four children, 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a brother, Richard O’Connell of Thomaston, CT and a sister, Sandra Roesing of Torrington, CT.
Nubby will be dearly missed by Loyce, Michelle, John and Tommy.
Elaine Tebo, 90
Elaine Emily Tebo, of Tupper Lake, died at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, NY, on Friday, October 11, 2019 at the age of 90.
A funeral mass for Elaine was scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 10a.m. at Saint Alphonsus Holy Name of Jesus, with Father Douglas Decker officiating. A burial took place following the service at Holy Name Cemetery.
Elaine is survived by her son Robert Tebo, and his wife, Donna, of Tupper Lake, her daughters, Anne Chesbrough of Tupper Lake, Jane Freeland and her husband, Wallace, of Theresa, NY, and Judy Delano and her husband, Gary, of Niskayuna, NY. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Peter Tebo, Barb Tebo, Lisa Staves and her husband, Mark, John Chesbrough and his wife, Renee, Alyssa Freeland, Jeremy Freeland and his wife, Delores, Jolene Lyng and her husband, Andrew, and Jacob Delano, and eight great grandchildren; Kyla Kenyon, Brayden Staves, Hope, Olive, and Candice Chesbrough, Dasha, Deanna, and Jonah Freeland. She is survived by her sister, Gloria Fletcher of Saranac Lake.
Elaine is predeceased in death by her brother, Raymond Brunet, and sisters, Janet Rabatoy and Theresa Lavinge.
Elaine was born on February 9, 1929 in Tupper Lake, NY, daughter of Liva and Fred Brunet. She attended Tupper Lake Central School. She married William Tebo, who predeceased her in 1993, on September 14, 1946 at the Church of The Holy Name of Jesus in Faust, with Reverend Finnegan as the officiant. Elaine worked in the cafeteria at L.P. Quinn Elementary School in Tupper Lake as an assistant cook, retiring in 1994.
Gram's favorite times were with her family, including watching and enjoying her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Donations in Elaine’s memory can be made to Mercy Care of the Adirondacks at 185 Old Military Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946 or Adirondack Adult Center at 179 Demars Blvd, Tupper Lake, NY 12986.
Marie Rice, 87
Marie Anna Rice, 87 years old, of Tupper Lake, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the
University of Vermont in Burlington, VT.
A private service was held on Friday, October 11, 2019 at
11a.m. for family with burial following in Holy Name Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering took place on Friday, October 11, 2019 ay 1p.m. at Lakeview Lanes for family, friends, and those who
loved Marie.
She is survived by seven children, Marie Robinson and her husband, George of Tupper Lake, Linda Denis and her husband, Greg, of Wilton, NY, Charles Rice Jr. and his wife, Susan of Tupper Lake, Judy
Lalonde and her husband Lonnie, of Tupper Lake, Robert Rice and his wife, Tammy, of Tupper Lake,
Jeffery Rice and his fiancé, Nichole Bedore, of Tupper Lake, and Michael Rice and his wife, Michelle, of
Tupper Lake; three brothers, Paul Gaff and his wife, Trudy, of Tupper Lake, Joseph Gaff of Elizabethtown, NY, and Lawrence Gaff of Keeseville, NY; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marie is predeceased by her husband, Charles Rice Sr., her daughter, Shirley Rice; her parents, Lawrence and Anna Gaff; two sisters, Margaret Gebo and Shirley Seeney; and her brother Robert Gaff.
Marie was born January 24, 1932 in Tupper Lake to Lawrence Gaff and Anna (Young) Gaff. Marie
married Charles Rice Sr., of Tupper Lake, NY on July 24, 1950.
Marie was a devoted mother and enjoyed walking, reading and visiting with her children and grandchildren. She was a foster grandparent at Sunmount for seven years and loved every moment of it. She was a spiritual person and will be deeply missed by her family.
Donations in Marie’s Memory can be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue,
Dallas, Texas 75231.
Yvonne F. Brayton, 97
Yvonne F. Brayton, 97, passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Born in Tupper Lake on February 23, 1922, she was one of ten children.
She worked at Boardman Ltd. in Albany.
Yvonne was predeceased by her parents, Alphonse and Ameline (Leboeuf) Beaudet, her husband Robert, who passed away in 1999, and her son John, who passed away in 2009.
Yvonne is survived by her brother, Arthur Beaudet of Syracuse, her children, Jeanne (James) McDonald of North Falmouth MA, Mary Clements, William (Kathy) Brayton, and Robert (Linda) Brayton, all of Rensselaer, her six grandchildren, Heather (Jeffrey) Spector, Kristin (Thomas) Simon, Christopher (Jamie) Brayton, Jessica Clements, Emily Clements, and Skyler Brayton, and her six great grandchildren, Avery and Tate Spector, Zoey and Tabitha Simon, and Owen and Natalie Brayton.
A private service will be held. A special thank you to Mary and Jessica Clements for their loving care of Yvonne throughout her later years, certainly contributing to her long life. Yvonne was a wonderful mother. We will always carry her memory in our hearts.
Emmett J. Ernenwein, 42
A Funeral Mass for Emmett J. Ernenwein, age 42, was held on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church with Rev. Douglas Decker officiating. Calling hours were held on October 13, 2019 at Frary-Stuart Funeral Home, Tupper Lake. Burial took place at St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Tupper Lake following the Mass.
Emmett passed away on Friday, October 4, 2019 in Sanford, North Carolina.
He is survived by his parents, Gerald and Margaret Ernenwein, of Tupper Lake; his wife, Faith Ernenwein, of Holly Springs, NC; his siblings, Virginia Gordon and her husband, Robert, of Wesley Chapel, FL, Kathleen Hewey and her husband, DJ, of Hiram, ME, Luke Ernenwein and his wife, Jennifer, of York, ME, Eileen Ernenwein, of Johnson City, TN, and David Ernenwein, of Saranac Lake, NY; two step-children, Christian and Buddy Burgess, both of Holly Springs, NC; and many nieces and nephews.
Emmett was born on November 30, 1976 in New Hartford, N.Y., the son of Gerald and Margaret Tobin Ernenwein. He graduated from Old Forge High School in 1996. He worked for Apex Auto as an auto mechanic in Apex, North Carolina.
Emmett was an active member of the Faith Baptist Church in Apex, NC, where he participated on their softball team. Emmett loved his dogs, Marley, Hurley, and Codi and enjoyed playing fly ball together. Emmett was instrumental in opening a public dog walking park.
Donations in Emmett’s memory can be made to a local animal shelter of your choice.
Death Notice: Lois Johnson
Lois A. Johnson, age 62, formerly of Tupper Lake, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 14, 2019 in Orange County, Massachusetts.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time with Frary-Stuart Funeral Home, Tupper Lake.
Patricia Santana, 79
Patricia Santana, age 79, of Tupper Lake, NY, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake, NY. At this time, there are no services scheduled.
Patricia is survived by her children, Kathryn Santana and her companion, Jim Ellis, of Tupper Lake, NY; John Tarplee and his wife, Susan, of Newark, NY; Matthew Kessler and his companion, Kellee Crouse of Tupper Lake, NY; Scott Tarplee of Fayetteville NC and his companion Christina Hughes; Michael Barber of Florida; and Ronald Barber of Rochester, NY. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great children. Grandchildren are Noah Santana; Brennen McComber; Sophia Nadeau all of Tupper Lake,NY. Leigha and Harlee Kessler, Robert Tarplee and his children Jack and Nate Tarplee; Grandson Ryan Tarplee and daughter Kate Tarplee; Granddaughter Donna (Nesbitt) Stivers, husband Tom and their children Aubrey, Michael and Alayna Stivers; Grandson Dan Nesbitt and wife Lindsay.
Patricia was born on May 3, 1940, in Rochester, NY, the daughter of Justice Copp and Dorothy (Allen) Copp. She attended school in Lima, NY and graduated as valedictorian. She later married. Patricia moved to Tupper Lake in 1985 and owned and operated Pat’s Wood Shed in Tupper Lake, NY for several years then retiring from that to open and operate Noah’s Arc Daycare for many years before retiring.
Patricia was a wonderful and kind woman who enjoyed the Adirondacks especially during the fall. During her retirement she enjoyed cooking, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
Donations in Patricia’s honor can be made out to The Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Ave Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001.
George H. Anderson, 86
George H. Anderson, 86, passed away peacefully at Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake on September 23, 2019.
George was born April 12, 1933 at the same location when it was the Mercy General Hospital. His parents Fred and Shirley (Ingraham) Anderson lived at 7 Martin St, Tupper Lake, where he was raised and continues to be a family home.
George was a bachelor and took pride in his long time career in the mail center at SUNY Potsdam where he was recognized as “Employee of the Year”. George graduated from Tupper Lake High School in 1952. George served and is an Army veteran. He retired to Tupper Lake where he was always a faithful and helpful visitor to his parents. He has been a resident of Mercy Living Center for many years where he appreciated the staff, along with his family.
Surviving George is his brother Earl Anderson and his wife Barrie of South Hero, VT and Naples, FL. He also has 2 nieces and 8 nephews. He always bestowed kind and humorous attention to his nieces and nephews in their childhood years. The family continues to grow with many grand nieces and grand nephews and now 2 great grand nephews and 2 great grand nieces.
Including his parents, George is predeceased by his oldest brother Fred who died in childhood. Also predeceased are his youngest brother Harold, his brother James and wife Patricia, and his older sister Ethel Bower and husband Richard and an infant grand nephew Kevin Bower.
Calling hours were held at the St Thomas Episcopal Church 8 Brentwood Ave., Tupper Lake, NY on Friday October 4 from 10a.m. to noon. The funeral was at St Thomas Episcopal Church at 3p.m. Saturday October 5. George will be buried close by in Lake View Cemetery, Tupper Lake alongside many family members.
Memorial donations may thankfully be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8 Brentwood Ave., Tupper Lake, NY 12986 where George was proud to be a long time, faithful parishioner.
Sandi Frankel Friedman
Sandi Frankel Friedman died September 25, 2019 following an 11-year battle with ovarian cancer. Survived by her beloved husband of 44 years, Bob Friedman, her brother Michael Frankel, her children Ethan, Abigail, and Daniel, and her grandchildren Patience and Teddy.
Sandi was born on April 15, 1951 in New York City to Ted and Marcia Frankel. An avid reader, traveler and sports fan, fiercely loyal to her family and friends, and possessed of a keen wit and lively sense of humor, Sandi was graduated from Douglass College in 1972 and from Fordham University School of Law in 1976.
Sandi adopted the Adirondacks as her second home and along with Bob, was a founding member of the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, near their beloved camp, Kildare Club, as well as a patron of other Adirondack causes including the Adirondack Land Trust and the Adirondack chapter of The Nature Conservancy. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights or to any of the organizations above.
Gladys Tarbox Hastings, 94
Gladys Tarbox Hastings, 94, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born in Richford, N.Y. on February 3, 1925 daughter of the late William and Lola Angeline Hamilton Tarbox and was the widow of John “Pesty” Hastings who died in 2011.
Gladys grew up in Piercefield, NY and was a graduate of Tupper Lake High School.
Gladys is survived by her children, Elizabeth Hastings of Ithaca, Mary Apker of Dryden and John Thomas Hastings III of Albany, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Stephanie Hastings of Raleigh, N.C., Christopher (Sonia) Apker of Homer, N.Y., Michelle (Robert) Chillis of Danville, PA, Scott (Lisa) Hastings, of New York City and Patrick (Chrissy) Hastings of Van Etten, NY and her great grandchildren, Joshua (Rachel Keefe), Nathan, Zachary and Catherine Apker of Homer, NY, Samantha, Kiera and Emily Chillis of Danville, PA, Everett and Olivia Hastings of NYC and Laurin, Keili, Ian, Johnathan and Julia Hastings of Van Etten, N.Y.
She is also survived by her brother, Jewett “Iggy” (Mabel) Tarbox of Long Lake and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband Gladys was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Fred Apker and her siblings, Raymond, Leon, Stanley Tarbo and sisters, Virginia Carrow, Ruby Gilson and Lura LaVoie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Augustine Chumo on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 10:30 am. The family will greet friends immediately following the mass in the Parish Center. Private burial will be held at the Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Gladys' memory may be directed to the Fred Apker Memorial Scholarship, c/o Mary Apker, 64 Freeville Rd., Dryden, N.Y. 13053.
Celebration of Life for Jan Thoreck postponed
Regrettably, the Celebration of Life planned for Jan Thoreck at the Saranac Lake Golf Club on September 27, as announced in his recent obituary, will be postponed until further notice.
Elizabeth Smalley, 85
Elizabeth Smalley, age 85, of Tupper Lake, NY, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Albany Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Potsdam, NY.
Elizabeth is survived by one daughter, Julie Marsh and her husband, Randy, of Tupper Lake, NY, her sister, Patricia Perkins of Potsdam, NY, and a grandson, Jesse Marsh. She is predeceased by her husband, Chester Smalley; brothers Richard Brunet; and Wayne Brunet; sister, Joan LaPoint, and one daughter, Catherine Marsh.
Elizabeth was born August, 10, 1934 in Ogdensburg, NY, daughter of Morris Brunet and Olive (Raymo) Brunet. Elizabeth earned her GED and worked as a Direct Care Aid at Sunmount DDSO for many years.
Elizabeth enjoyed tending to her garden and caring for animals. She also loved spending time with her family.
Donations in Elizabeth’s honor can be made out to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, 255 George Lapan Memorial Hwy, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, and the Tupper Lake Ambulance and Emergency, 169 Main St. Tupper Lake, NY 12986.
Robert Clement
Robert Clement of Glens Falls, N.Y. passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility in Burlington, Vermont. A graveside service will be held for Robert on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 10a.m., at St. Alphonsus Cemetery.
Robert is survived by his wife, Sally Ann (Denis) Clement, and son, Robert Scott Clement of Mountain View, California.
Robert was born in November, 30, 1937 in Tupper Lake, son of Emery Clement and Carmen (Campe) Clement. He graduated from Tupper Lake High School. He then married Sally Ann (Denis) Clement. Robert worked as an auto mechanic and small appliance mechanic in Glens Falls.
Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending his time as a gunsmith.
June Norma Reandeau, 88
June Norma Reandeau, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake.
Born on August 11, 1931, to the late Norman and Helena Cardinal, she was raised on her family’s farm in Tupper Lake. She graduated from Holy Ghost Academy in 1949.
She married Donald Dillon Reandeau of Tupper Lake in June of 1956 at St. Alphonsus Church. They made their home together in Tupper Lake until his death in 1995.
After graduation, she lived for several years with her sister Rena in Syracuse, where she worked and was able to follow her passion for country and western music by singing with local bands.
June worked at the local drive-In theater and the State Theater, owned by her brother-in-law and sister, William and Pearl Donovan, as bookkeeper and ticket seller. She spent many memorable hours in the little ticket seller’s booth at the theater greeting Tupper Lake moviegoers. In later years she worked as a home health aide, a job she found very rewarding.
She was a lover of music, and her beautiful voice brought much pleasure to her family and friends over the years. Especially joyful were those times with her mother on the piano, her brother on the violin, and June harmonizing with her sisters at family gatherings.
Devoted to church and prayer, she was a member of the Legion of Mary, where she held the post of treasurer, and the St. Anne’s Society.
An avid gardener, bingo player and berry picker, she loved being with her family and hosting chicken and dumpling dinners for everyone.
Surviving June are her sister Marie Mayotte, her son Dillon Reandeau of Tupper Lake, her daughters Jem (Richard) Reandeau Azar of Tupper Lake and Holly (Mark) Reandeau Bernardo of Tupper Lake and the Hudson Valley, her grandson Alexander (Georgina) Reandeau of Australia, her granddaughter Wendy (Travis) Badore and great-grandchildren Dominic Badore and Jillian Badore, all of Baltimore, Maryland, and many nephews and nieces.
Predeceasing June were her parents, her husband, her brother Walter Cardinal and her sisters Pearl Donovan, Rena Cardinal and Violet Hamernick.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Monday, September 9, 2019. Burial was at St. Alphonsus Cemetery. A reception for family and friends was held at the V.F.W. in Tupper Lake.
Rena Young
Rena Young, of Saranac Lake, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake after a long illness.
Calling hours for Rena will be held today, Wednesday, September 11, 2019, from 1p.m. to 3p.m. at Frary-Stuart Funeral Home, Tupper Lake. A funeral service will also take place on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 3p.m. at Frary-Stuart Funeral Home, Tupper Lake. Burial will be at St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Tupper Lake immediately following the funeral service.
Rena is survived by three daughters, Dawn Sauve, and her husband Andre, of Tupper Lake; Tammy LaMora of Saranac Lake; Jeanne Beeman of Tupper Lake. Additional survivors are Donna (O'Dell) Nicklaw of Tupper Lake, and Scott O'Dell and Steven O'Dell, both of Binghamton, who were taken in as children and raised as her own; one sister, Reta Larabie and one brother, George Young, both of Tupper Lake; one Godchild, Carrie Richer of Tupper Lake.
Rena is also survived by many grandchildren, Brianna Sauve, Neanna LaMora, Aiden LaMora, Audrianna LaMora, Rilynn Beeman, Warren Beeman, Rayne Beeman, and Shawn Nicklaw. Her first great-grandchild, Azreal is due this month. Rena is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Rena was born January 30, 1951, in Tupper Lake, the daughter of Jeanne (Quilette) Young and George Young.
Rena earned her GED and attended college at North Country Community College, earning her LPN degree.
Rena married Patrick LaMora in April of 1969 and they were married for 33 years. Rena worked in private nursing for many years in Florida before moving back to New York.
Rena loved spending time with her family and dog, Brandy, of eleven years. She also enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis.
Leon E. “Lee” Savard, 87
Leon E. “Lee” Savard, 87, of Marshall, formerly of Tupper Lake, died on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the Reflections Memory Care in Battle Creek surrounded by his family.
Lee was born on May 3, 1932 in Tupper Lake, to Ernest and Leah (Sumire) Savard. He graduated from Tupper Lake High School in 1950. Lee served in the United States Air Force for 20 years.
On September 11, 1952 he married Connie Bodah in Tupper Lake.
Following his retirement from the United States Air Force, Lee helped start the National Bank of Marshall. He later would retire as president of Chemical Bank, Au Gres, Michigan. He was a member of the Catholic Church and would attend Saint Mary Catholic Church in Marshall. Lee was also a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, the VFW, American Legion, and the Lions Club in Tupper Lake.
He enjoyed woodworking, and he stayed active by being outdoors and cutting firewood.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Connie of Battle Creek; children Paul (Bonnie) Savard of Glenn Falls, New York, Deborah Buczynski of Kalamazoo, Michael Savard of Oakawville Illinois, Donna (Richard) Gelnar of Granite, Oklahoma, and Dianna (Michael) Sobutka of Northville, Michigan; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a brother Edward (Jeanne) Savard of Tucson, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law David Buczynski in 2001; and a grandson Joseph Buczynski in 2018.
A graveside service will take place at 1p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Holy Name Cemetery. Family requests memorial contributions to the American Kidney Foundation. Assistance with memorials contributions is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the Family and sign the online guestbook at www.kempffuneralhome.com
John Paul ”Jan” Thoreck, 70
John Paul Thoreck died in the sole presence of his daughter, Kelly Lynn Thoreck, Saturday, July, 27 2019, 15:03 EST.. Jan died at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, New York, 18 days after being transported by helicopter from Adirondack Medical Center - Saranac Lake, where he lost a traumatic battle with late-onset stage-IV liver cancer.
John was born in Syracuse, New York, formally named by his beloved mother and baptized as John Paul Thoreck, in honor of his father, and the first appointed Polish Pope – the Great Peacemaker, his Holiness, Saint John Paul II.
In childhood, called Jas, pronounced Y-ah-sh, short for Jashua, a derivative of the Abrahamic name of God, Yahweh; in adulthood, by his chosen name, Jan - the Slavic translation of John, traditionally pronounced Y-ah-n.
His last name, anglicized to Thoreck (commonly misspelled by his contemporaries), originally spelled Thorrek, is a Ruso-Nordic derivative, translated as the Son of Thor. In Norse and Slavic mythology, Thor (Asa-Thor) is the Son of Odin, The Allfather (Wodin/Wotan). Thor is the God of Thunder, and Protector of Midgard (Earth) who defeated the Great Serpent Jormungand with his magical hammer, Mjolnir.
True to his given names, and called by dozens of nicknames, Jan was a local legend, a natural-born diplomat and lover of all earthly inhabitants. A bear of a man of Slavic, Jewish, Mongolian and Nordic lineage, he was known to decimate a woodpile with the mighty swing of his axe.
Jan was the descendant of Polish and Russian immigrants. His maternal grandparents: survivors of the Holocaust – Polish Ashkenazi Jews persecuted by Hitler who lost countless relatives to the blood-stained hands of the Third Reich in Auschwitz. His paternal grandparents: Russian Orthodox Christians loyal to Tsar Nikolai II (Saint Nikolai, the Passion-Bearer), were hunted by Leninist factions and fled Mother Russia after the assassination of the Tsar. Both Jan’s maternal and paternal family names (Bednarczyk and Thoreck) are recognized on The American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island.
Jan’s deeper genetic heritage harkens to legendary European and Eurasian warriors of the past. His maternal Slavic ancestors fought with King Jan Sobieski III in his cavalry of Winged Hussars, who pushed back the Ottoman Turks and united the Kingdoms of Poland and Lithuania. Later they bravely posed a rebellion on two fronts, against Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin as Jews. His paternal Russian roots trace back to the Swedish (Kievan Rus) settlers of the Ukraine - founders of Russia and the Varangian Guard - the Viking mercenaries and personal bodyguards of Byzantine Emperors from the 10th to the 14th Centuries who also held back the Ottomans and preserved Christianity. His paternal grandmother identified herself as the direct descendant of the Great Mongolian Unifier, Chinggis Khaan, Clan of the Wolf, who tolerated people of all faiths in his Kingdom, establishing the first formal international passport, The Gereg.
Jan’s booming voice, infectious laughter, great physical stature and even greater heart touched thousands. He detested injustice, ignorance, and greed. He would take the shirt off of his back and give his last dime for those he found in need. He lived his life to fullest, embracing the journey and all he met on it until the bitter end.
An American Patriot, he voted early and often, and fulfilled his numerous calls to jury duty. Ready and willing, he was denied military service when his number was selected for the Vietnam draft, diagnosed with genetic high blood pressure. Throughout his life, he felt compelled to support U.S. Veterans of all Wars, Conflicts, and Police Actions.
A steward of the land he loved, Jan’s career spanned nearly three decades with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: beginning as a laborer in 1981, raising and stocking land-locked Atlantic salmon at the NYS DEC Fish Culture Station – Region 5 (Adirondack Fish Hatchery) in Lake Clear. He transferred to the NYS DEC William C. Whitney Wilderness and Round Lake Wilderness – Sabattis, in Long Lake, in the late 1990’s, where he maintained the facilities and lands. He formally retired as a Conservation Operations Supervisor 1 in 2009. (Notably, his loves of nature, country, and humanity were developed at Boy Scout Camp Sabattis, on the same lands he worked as an adult, for several consecutive summers during his youth.)
An avid motorcycle enthusiast, one of Jan’s greatest pleasures was taking elderly ladies for joy rides on his custom Harley Davidson. He loved to travel, and checked the trip of a lifetime off of his bucket list in 2017, when he rode his motorcycle in an epic international journey to visit his sister Eileen in Arizona. Amateur golfer extraordinaire, consistently drove 300+ yard bombs in his prime, and to his delight, witnessed both is mother, “Irene”, and daughter, Kelly Lynn shoot holes-in-one. A dedicated conservationist, Jan never missed a season in pursuit of fish, fowl, and white-tail deer, harvesting hundreds of animals with family and friends over a lifetime. Much of what he harvested was quietly donated to hungry families.
A committed supporter of civic and fraternal organizations, he was at one point or another a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, the Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake VFW Posts, the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club, Ducks Unlimited, and multiple hunting clubs. He was a proud volunteer of the Alpo International Sled Dog Races, formerly held in Lake Clear, and gave his time and resources to a host of benefits and fund raisers throughout the Tri-Lakes. Jan was amiable, a veritable social butterfly, and was known for cultivating random encounters into lifelong friendships.
Raised a Roman Catholic through his families’ war-time conversions, steeped in both Catholic and Russian Orthodox traditions, Jan was a devoted altar boy in his formative years at the predominantly Slavic Transfiguration Church of Syracuse.
Jan upheld his faith and commitment to God as best as any mortal can. He received the last rights of the Roman Catholic Church while at AMC in Saranac Lake. He died with the Holy Rosary in his left hand and a talisman of a crescent axe embellished with the Ukrainian Kolovrat in his right hand, literally at the Gates of Valhalla, where his spirit was carried by the Valkyries and he was recognized by his Creator.
Jan’s mortal body was handled professionally and respectfully by the McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home in White Plains, New York. He was cremated at Ferncliff Crematory in Hartsdale, New York on August 1, 2019. His ashes were received by his daughter Kelly Lynn, on August 10, 2019, and per his request, are being lovingly tended by close family and friends.
During his final days in Valhalla, he was comforted by daughter, Kelly Lynn, her mother Nancy, partner, Patti; her daughter, Erika, brother, Michael, his daughter, Tracy, dear friends “Dobber” and George, his daughter’s friend, Angelica, who lovingly called him her “Viking Dad”, brought him treats, tended to his personal hygiene and appearance, and prayed with him when his family couldn’t be there; and by new-found comrade and hospital roommate Elias, with whom Jan formed a deep bond and lovingly called “Rocky”. Elias, a complete stranger, lifted his spirits, gave him his final moniker of “Paulie”, and guarded his person and property with the devotion of a son in spite of his own ailments.
Jan was pre-deceased by father, John Thoreck, and mother, Amelia “Irene” Thoreck (Bednarczyk) of Syracuse, New York. He is survived by elder sister Eileen Thoreck-Swete, of Carefree, Arizona; elder brother Michael Thoreck, of New Woodstock, New York; daughter, Kelly Lynn Thoreck, of Saranac Lake; son Jeffrey Scott Thoreck, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; four grandchildren by his son: Griffin, Connor, Owen, and Julia Thoreck; several aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews spread across the globe; partner of 20 years, Patricia Duval- Stenger, and “adopted” daughter, Erika Stenger-Thomas, both of Tupper Lake.
Family and friends throughout the world will miss him dearly and carry on his legacy with stories of wild adventures, selfless generosity, and fond remembrances.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Jan’s honor at the Saranac Lake Golf Club in Ray Brook on Friday, September 27, 2019. Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All are welcome.
In remembrance of Jan’s legendary 9th hole drives at the SLGC, the First Annual Jan “Big John” Thoreck Memorial Long-Drive Contest open to all youth, ladies and gentlemen of the public, will be held on the 9th tee during calling hours, rain or shine – winners will have bragging rights and results will be posted in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise – bring your driver, your balls, and your best swing.
Correspondence may be directed to The Thoreck Family, PO Box 154 Lake Clear, NY 12945. In lieu of flowers, please direct monetary donations to North Country Life Flight.
Shirley Tromblay, 83
Shirley Tromblay, age 83, of Tupper Lake, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 14, 2019 at University of Vermont Hospital in Burlington. Calling hours were held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 to at Frary-Stuart Funeral Home, Tupper Lake. A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Tuesday at noon at St. Alphonsus Church in Tupper Lake, NY. Burial took place at Holy Name Cemetery following the funeral Mass.
Shirley was born on December 23, 1935 in Tupper Lake, the daughter of Roy and Rose Chenier Foote. She graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1955. She worked at the dress factory in Tupper Lake for a time.
Shirley married Harold “Pete” Tromblay on October 30, 1965 in Tupper Lake. The couple opened Pete's automotive repair shop in 1971 operating it together until they both retired in 2001.
Shirley loved animals, especially dogs. She enjoyed volunteering for Bingo at the Adult center. With her husband they spent many falls in Booth Bay Harbor, Maine. They enjoyed Sunday drives around the North Country.
She is predeceased by her husband Harold “Pete” Tromblay who died on January 7, 2005, and two brothers, Roy Foote and Francis Foote.
Shirley is survived by one sister, Lillian Barham, sister-in-law Loretta Foote and many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by many close friends.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, 255 George Lapan Memorial Highway, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 or North Country Life Flight Inc., 49 Helms-Mueller Road, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983.