Category: R

Reta D. Reed
Reta D. Reed, 84, of Richville, died on January 13, 2015 at Gouverneur Hospital. There will be a graveside service on May 9, 2015, 10:00 am at Maple Grove Cemetery, Richville, Pastor Karen Taylor officiating. She is survived by her husband Paul R. Reed, sons Dorwin and his wife Pamela Gore of Gouverneur, Richard and his wife Colleen Reed of Gouverneur, Roger and his wife Donna Reed of Canton, a daughter Amy Jo and her husband Michael Weil of Potsdam, a sister June and her husband Keith Walrath of Gouverneur, grandchildren, Jamie Varney, Alexander Weil, T.J. Gore, Bethany Gore, Christopher Reed, Jason Reed, Travis Reed, Ashley Constance, and Connor Reed, great grandchildren, Holden Varney and Lia Constance, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister Marion Woods. Reta was born on May 20, 1930 in Nicholville, New York, the daughter of Ernest and Dorothy Briggs Durant. She graduated from Gouverneur Central School, and Rome School of Business. She married H. Dorwin Gore in 1948, he died in 1960, and then she married Paul Reed on February 6, 1961, Rev. Brown officiating at the parsonage. Reta was an administrative assistant at BOCES Southwest Tech., Fowler, prior to that she worked for Gouverneur High School as a secretary of the Health and Athletic Department, Gouverneur Savings and Loan as a teller,and at John Rouse Construction as a stenographer. She loved playing games with her grandkids, sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking cookies and pies, she was an avid reader. Contributions can be made to the United Church of Richville or Maple Grove Cemetery.

Ralph F. “Ferns” Gilson
Ferns Gilson, 85, of DeKalb Junction, died on October 27, 2014 at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Calling hours will be November 1, 12 – 2 PM, funeral service at 2 PM, Reverend Jerry Lambeth officiating. Burial will follow in Old DeKalb Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Viola C., a son Gary and his wife Bonnie Gilson of DeKalb Junction, daughters, Susazan Weller Williams of Russell, Carol and her husband Terry McKendree of DeKalb Junction, Lynn Hepfner of Salem, Ohio, a sister Elizabeth and her husband Kenneth Farr of Jackson, Mississippi, 14 grandchild, 4 step grandchildren, several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Helen Campbell. Ralph was born on May 4, 1929 in Ogdensburg, the son of Ralph and Henrietta Ferns Gilson. He married Viola Finley on December 30, 1949 at the Ogdensburg Pilgrim Holiness Church with Reverend Bernard Barton officiating. Ferns ran a family dairy farm for many years before owning and operating Gilson Logging with his son until his retirement in 2006 at age 77. He was a member of the Ogdensburg, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Morley Wesleyan Church, and most recently the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Harrisville. Ferns loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed camping at church camps, hunting, going to dinner at camp and he would fondly remember fishing with his grandfather. Contributions can be made to the Harrisville Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

Richard I. Hayes
Richard I. Hayes, 77, of Canton, died on April 29, 2014, at Canton Potsdam Hospital. There will be no services. He will be laid to rest in East DeKalb Cemetery. He is survived by his nephew, David Rickett of Hermon. He was predeceased by a brother, Irving Hayes, sisters Marion Hayes Rickett and Vivian Hayes. Richard was born in the Town of DeKalb, on April 15, 1937, the son of Irving and Lillian Elsey Hayes. He graduated from DeKalb High School. Richard worked on the family farm in DeKalb his entire life. He was a past member of the Old DeKalb Grange and the Masonic Lodge Richville Chapter. He enjoyed watching sporting events on television especially NASCAR, playing cards, reading. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Ronald E. Brown
Ronald E. Brown, 67, of DeKalb, died on March 30, 2014, at his home. There will be a celebration of life at his home, 60 Hitchcock Road, DeKalb, on July 12, 2014, 1:00 PM. Ron is survived by his wife, Veronica “Vicki” Brown, a son Matthew and his wife, Erin Brown of DeKalb Junction, daughters, Michelle and her husband Chad Putvain, of Waldon, Vermont, Melinda Abbott of Richville, brothers, David and his wife Susan Brown of Londonderry, Vermont, Michael and his wife Lisa Brown of Londonderry, Vermont, a sister Gail Sherman of Danby, Vermont, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandsons, several nieces and nephews. He was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, on March 13, 1947, the son of Emmitt and Glenna Benson Brown; he graduated from Leland and Gray Seminary in 1966. Ronald married Veronica “Vicki” Eaton on July 24, 1967 in Grafton, Vermont. Ron was in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He owned and operated Ron Brown Builders in Jamaica, Vermont. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and family, helping his neighbors, fixing things, horses and watching Westerns. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.

Rebecca L. Sieradski
Rebecca L. Sieradski, 60, of Massena, died on March 3, 2014, at the St. Regis Nursing Home. There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 16, 2014, 3:00 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness in Massena.  Becky is survived by her husband Paul of Massena, her father Kenneth Vick of Lakeland, Florida, a son, Andrew and his wife Renee’ Sieradski of Syracuse, a brother, Erik and his wife Roz Vick of Arizona, sisters, Bridget Norregaard of Lakeland, Florida, Gretchen and her husband John Fullerton of Norwood, grandchildren, Carrigan Sieradski, Fallon Sieradski and Bella Sieradski, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Matthew Sieradski. Rebecca was born on November 11, 1953, in Long Beach, California, the daughter of Kenneth and Dawn Anderson Vick. She graduated from Potsdam Central School in 1971 and then attended Bryant & Stratton in Syracuse, earning a business certificate for medical transcriptionist. Becky married Paul C. Sieradski on October 7, 1972 at her parent’s home. She was a receptionist and did cleaning at Dr. Gupta’s office in Massena. Rebecca was a member of the Jehovah Witness Massena Congregation. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and reading. Contributions can be made to the ALS Foundation and Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.

Rose D. Lusas
Rose D. Lusas, 98, of Canton, died on February 13, 2014 at Maplewood Nursing Home. She is survived by her sons, George and his wife Ruth Crowley of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Ronald and his wife Sharon York of Florida, Thomas and his wife Margaret Crowley of Connecticut, a daughter, Constance Crowley of Connecticut,seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Rose was born in Monroe,New York on August 16, 1915. She was predeceased by her husband George Crowley in 1956 and her husband Edmond Lusas. She was in the Navy during WWII. Rose was an aide at numerous nursing homes over the course of her career. She loved cooking, going out to dinner, getting her hair done and above all seeing her family. Contributions can be made to Maplewood United Helpers or Hospice and Palliative Care of St.Lawrence Valley.

Richard C. Harris
Richard C. Harris, 38, Morley, died, April 25, 2013, at his home. Calling hours will be at the funeral home, Tuesday, April 30th, 2 -4 PM, the funeral service will follow at 4 PM, and burial will be in Hermon Cemetery. Richard is survived by his wife, Shirley F. , his parents, Dennis and Joan Harris, Russell, a daughter, Savannah Harris, Ogdensburg, stepsons, Timothy and Kayla Wright, Canton, Scott and Danielle Wright, Hermon, a brother, Dennis Harris Jr., Plattsburgh, a sister, Melanie Harris and her fiancé Jeremy Chaney, Adams Center, step-grandchildren, Samuel, Levi, Maryann and Jacob, several nieces and nephews. Richard was born on July 12, 1974, the son of Dennis and Joan Conto Harris. He married Shirley F. Baugh on June 30, 2012 at their home in Morley. Richard was a carpenter for Northland Associates in Syracuse. He was a NY Giants Fan, and loved doing yard work, playing computer games and watching television court shows. Donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Russell G. Matott
Russell G. Matott, 57, formally of DeKalb Junction, died, April 6, 2013, at his home in Inverness, FL. Calling hours will be at the funeral home, Saturday, April 27, 10 – 11 am, the memorial service will follow at 11 am, Lay Pastoral Assistant Martha Helmer officiating. A gathering of remembrance will be held at the DeKalb Junction United Methodist Church after the memorial service. Russell is survived by his wife, Barbara Matott, mother, Lenore Bovay, DeKalb Junction, a brother, Jeffrey and his wife Debra Matott, DeKalb, a step son Anthony Ortiz, FL, a niece Stephanie Matott, a nephew, Zachery Matott, several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Maurice Matott. Russell was born on August 5, 1955 in Gouverneur, the son of Maurice Matott and Lenore Elsey Bovay. He graduated from Hermon DeKalb Central School in 1973. He married Barbara Ortiz November 18, 2000 in FL. He was a dry wall contractor in FL. Russell’s interests included music, writing, drawing, and painting. Prior to his death he thoroughly enjoyed playing guitar with a group during services at the 1st United Methodist church in Inverness. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Robert A. Holt
Robert A. Holt, 35, of Canton, died, January 24, 2013, at his home. There will be calling hours on Monday, January 28, 3 – 5 PM. Robert is survived by his parents, Richard H. and Rosanne M. Weaver Holt , Canton, paternal grandmother, Cecile R. LaPierre Holt, Gouverneur, a brother, Richard A. Holt, Ketchikan, Alaska, a sister and brother in law, Jennifer and Shawn Lashua, Hermon, nieces, Courtney Holt, and Sierra Lashua, nephews, Kodi Wentzel and Draven Lashua, great nephew, Cohen Marin, Jennika Shipee, Dylan Petrie, many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Grace and Alex Weaver, and paternal grandfather, Richard Holt. Robert was born on December 20, 1977 in Watertown, he graduated from Hermon DeKalb Central School in 1997, and he then worked for NYSARC in Hermon as an assistant habilitation specialist. A marriage to Jessie Gladle ended in divorce. He loved to disassemble and reassemble anything mechanical, welding, and working on cars. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

RICHARD C. GATES
Richard C. Gates, 81, of Philadelphia, died, September 27, 2012, at his home. There are no services. Richard is survived by his wife, Betty J., sons, Robert Gates, Philadelphia, Richard C. and wife Lori Gates Jr. of Gouverneur, Rick and his wife Wilma “Willie” Gates, Spring Valley, CA, daughters, Barbara J. Burns, Debra Hitchcock, Sandra M. Gates, all of Missouri, a sister, Nancy Clark Love, Hailsboro, 18 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a brother, Harold N. Clark. Richard was born on December 28, 1930 in Gouverneur, the son of Jerome Claude and Mamie Littlbrandt Gates. He married Betty J. Gardner on December 9, 1971 at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church with the Reverend Stanley Brown officiating. Richard was in the Air Force from 1950 – 1971, while in the Air Force he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Richard was a bindery worker at Post Publications on Fort Drum. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and camping. Contributions can be made to the charity of one’s choice.