Category: J

Jennifer Walton Vincent-Barwood

Jennifer Walton Vincent-Barwood of Richville, NY passed away Wednesday, August 27^th at 3:33 PM after a three-year battle with cancer. She was 68.  She is survived by her husband,  John McCloskey, and their cat Ms. Tabla FangClaw of Richville, NY, her son Zachariah Knight ,  his wife Elizabeth  (Herrington) Knight, and  their daughter, Evelyn Knight of Milliken, CO; her daughter Zoe Knight of Boston, MA; her brother Scott Vincent-Barwood of Sackets Harbor, NY and his daughters; Connie Takeshita of Rupert, ID and Aubri Vincent-Barwood of Kapahui, HI; her bonus brother Thomas Gardner and his partner Terri Chalone of Oswego, NY, and her Moon Daughters.

Daughter of Edward Allen “Vince” Vincent-Barwood and Aileen Vincent-Barwood, long time editor of the St. Lawrence Plaindealer.  Jennifer was born in Toronto on August 25th, 1956.  She spent her childhood living in Africa and the Middle East before her family settled in the North Country in the late 1960’s.  These formative experiences led to her lifelong passions for African drumming and world music, and expansive spiritual exploration.  Jennifer was well known in the North Country for her public Winter Solstice and Samhain (Halloween) rituals held at St. Lawrence University for over 25 years, where she was also Ambassador for Pagan Ministries and mentored many students in her spiritual practice.  As a drummer and community builder, she facilitated countless community drum and dance events in the North Country, in addition to accompanying African dance classes at SUNY Potsdam and SLU, where she was also a long-time member of the SLU Community Choir, Early Music Ensemble, and The Any Music Singers.

Professionally, she worked at NCPR, SLU’s ODY Library and Jennison’s Antiques before opening her own vintage boutique, Re-Creations, on Main St. in Canton.  She went on to work for NYSARC (now The ARC) for 27 years, and retired from her administrative position there in 2021.  She spent her retirement in her garden, weather permitting, or curled up with a good book when it was not.  She was full of love and will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

There will be no services as per Jennifer’s wishes.  In lieu of flowers Jennifer wished donations to be made to the Canton Free Public Library, 8 Park Street, Canton, New York, 13617.  Or, if you feel compelled, you may honor her by planting a tree, growing a garden, singing a song, drumming around a fire, howling at the moon, or however you see fit to honor her loving, wild spirit.  

Jean D. Thornhill         

Jean D. Thornhill, 92, formerly of Heuvelton, died on May 17, 2024, at the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family. There will be a memorial service on June 29, 2024, 11:00 am at the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home Chapel, Deacon Anthnoy Paztizzo officiating, a luncheon will follow at the gazebo, and burial will be at 2:00 pm at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Eel Weir.  Jean is survived by her daughters, Deborah and her husband Raymond Traver of The Villages, Florida, Donna Stiles of Morristown, Diana and her husband Tony Gallucci of Rensselaer Falls, Dawn Mack and Bruce Warren of Rensselaer Falls, a son, Michael and his wife Alison Thornhill of Rensselaer Falls, grandchildren, Sydney Thornhill, Lucas Thornhill, Amy Traver and her husband Darrin Fallick,  David Traver and his wife Mariko Omura, Anthony Gallucci, Keith Gallucci, Shelby Mack , Kedan Mack, great grandchildren Raenen Traver-Fallick and Avy Traver, several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother Gordon Dickson, sister, Agnes Wilson, and a niece Barbara Jean Romeo.  Jean was born on December 18, 1931, in Ogdensburg, to the late James and Catherine McDade Dickson. She worked as a waitress at Sholette’s Restaurant, before that she was a nurse’s aide at A. Barton Hepburn Hospital. Jean was a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Power Squadron and the Ogdensburg Senior Citizen’s Club. She loved following her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, boating and snowmobiling. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the SPCA or the charity of one’s choice. 

Joan Anson

Joan Anson, 85 of Richville, died on February 3, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.  There will be no services. Joan is survived by her sons, Francis and his wife Donna Anson of DeKalb Junction, Brian Anson of Richville, Charles Anson of Romulus, NY, daughters, Karen Blackmer of Buffalo, Christine Schieb of Henrietta, Darlene Benz of Rochester, Elizabeth and her husband Ali Naqvi of Katy, TX, brothers, Richard Sheffield of FL, Ronald Sheffield of Andover, a sister Marie Chaffee of GA, 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Melody Donohue, siblings, Dorothy, Virginia, Geraldine, John, Robert, Barbara, Charles, Patricia, George, Lawrence, Donald, Carol, Marie and Gerald. She was born on March 4,1938 in Brockport, to the late, George and Marie Donahue Sheffield. She graduated from high school in Brockport, NY. She married Lee Donohue which ended in divorce, she then married Francis E. Anson in Rochester in 1960, he died on November 14, 1993. Joan was a collator at a book binding company in Rochester, later in her life she was a housekeeper for many years. She was a member of the DeKalb Hermon Senior Citizens Club, AARP, where she was active in fighting for senior’s benefits, and the Red Hat Society. She loved to play bingo, dance, play cards, make puzzles, travel, sing and music.

John C. Holland

John Carl Holland, 65, of DeKalb, died on August 7, 2023, at his home.  There will be a graveside service on September 2, 2023, 11:00 am at the Old DeKalb Cemetery, Pastor Justin Bland officiating.  John is survived by his brothers, James E. Holland of Omaha, Nebraska, Robert G. Holland and his wife Karen of Canton, sisters, Linda R. Michaud and her husband Paul of Gouverneur, Hazel Holland of Norfolk, several nieces and nephews. John was born on September 21,1957 the son of the late, James W. and Hazel F. Bigelow in Ogdensburg. In 1976 he graduated from Hermon DeKalb Central School. He was a farm worker at the Corscadden Farm in Richville, for thirty plus years. John was a member of the Richville Baptist Church.  He liked to play cards, go fishing, watch WWE wrestling and the History Channel, he was a serious coin collector and a history buff. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Meals on Wheels Program. 

Joseph M. Spadaccini

Joseph M. Spadaccini, 62, of Canton, formerly of DeKalb Junction, died on June 20, 2023, at his home.  There will be calling hours, Saturday, June 24, 2023, 9 – 11 am, followed by a graveside service, 11:15 am at the Union Cemetery, DeKalb Junction, Pastor Martha Helmer officiating. Jospeh is survived by his sons, Shawn Spadaccini and his fiancé, Emily Pinckney of South Colton, Anthony Spadaccini and his longtime companion, Brienne Gleason of Fort Edward, NY, his brother, Tomme and his wife Michelle Spadaccini of CT, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was born on August 10, 1960 in Hermon, NY, the son of the late James and Sylvia Bush Spadaccini. He graduated from the Hermon DeKalb Central School in 1978 and continued his education at SUNY Potsdam, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in in mathematics in 1982. A marriage to Jodie Sanderson ended in divorce.  Joe was a corrections officer at the Gouverneur Correctional Facility until his retirement in 2019, with 32 years on the job. Joseph was a member of the Moose Lodge 2397 in Potsdam and an associate member at the Canton VFW Post 1231.  He loved spending time with his family and friends, was a fan of music (all genre’s), appreciated wonderful singing voices, and was a NY Giants fan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Lawrence County Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 291, Canton, New York 13617. 

John H. Conklin

John H. Conklin, 90, of Canton, passed away on December 20, 2022, at his home while in the loving care of his family. His family will hold a private service in his honor. Burial will be in Jerusalem Cemetery.

John was born on June 11, 1932, in Morley, to the late John and Florence (Trombley) Conklin. He was the second oldest of 11 children. He attended Canton Central School until he reached the 10th grade. At that time, he left school to help his father run the family’s farm.

He joined the Army in 1953 and served stateside during the Korean War, primarily in Louisiana and Kansas. He was honorably discharged in 1955 at the rank of corporal. In recognition of his service, he was awarded, and proudly accepted, his high school diploma in 2019 at the age of 87.

John worked at various jobs during his career, including Mace’s Auto Shop, Martin’s Beer Plant, and the United States Post Office. He retired from Corning Inc. in 1993 after 27 years of service as a furnace technician. Every job he did was met with hard work and dedication.

He married Judy Hawn at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church on March 18, 1961. He affectionately referred to her as his “Elizabeth Taylor” and was so thankful for the care she gave him over their 61 years of marriage.

John is survived by his wife, Judy, sons John (Dawn) Conklin and Joe (Kathy) Conklin, and a daughter, Michele (Jeff) Hunt, all of Canton. Also surviving him are his seven grandchildren, Kate (Dillon) Huntley, Nikki (Joe) Trimm, Erin (Joe) DiTullio, Tyler (Erin) Hunt, Joe (Brigette) Conklin, Colleen Conklin, and Meghan Conklin, as well as a step-grandson, Ryan Grimshaw, and 11 great-grandchildren. His brothers James (Nancy) Conklin, Francis (Barbara) Conklin, Richard Conklin, and Gary (Brenda) Conklin also survive him.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Shirley Elliott, Katherine Karpowich, Beverly O’Brien, Jean Gemmill, Theresa Faucher, and Donna Hosley.

John enjoyed going to garage sales, gardening, fishing, hunting, making puzzles, and traveling to the ocean for family vacations. He liked to go out for rides in his truck and visit with old friends. His favorite thing of all was being “Bompy” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family was everything to him and he never failed to let others know how proud he was of his family. He loved to tell stories and make people laugh with his jokes.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

James E. Mandigo

James E. Mandigo, 31, of Canton and Vermont, died on October 14, 2022, at Canton Potsdam Hospital. Services will be private. There will be a graveside service on May 22, 2024 at 11:30 am at the Cook’s Corner Cemetery in Pierrepont.  James is survived by his wife, Kelly, his sons, Tyron Mandigo and Braiden, his mother Ellen Mandigo of Vermont, a brother, Michael Mandigo, of Vermont, sisters, Amanda Mandigo and Dale Ashlaw of Canton, Angel Blevins of Vermont, best friend Timothy Marckres of Vermont, Gabriel and Noah Marckres, several nieces and nephews.  James was born on October 10,1991 in Ogdensburg to Ellen Dissotell Mandigo and the late Gary Mandigo. He married Kelly Sanford on February 3, 2009 in Vermont. He was the owner of Mandigo Inc. contractors out of Vermont and was a home health aide for Committed of Canton.  James loved spending time with his family and enjoyed working on cars, building things, playing video games and helping others. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Autism Speaks or the American Lung Association.