WATERTOWN — Fredrica “Riki” Barkley, 66, passed away on Thursday evening, June 13, 2019, at her home.

Fredrica was born on April 17, 1953 in Carthage, NY, a daughter to James F. and Arvilla (Schloeder) Blackwell. Riki graduated from Carthage Central School and went on to work at Northland Electric in Watertown for over 30 years. After the closing of Northland Electric, Riki obtained her LPN through Jefferson/Lewis BOCES. She worked for Jefferson County Public Health as well as doing private duty. She also coached high school tennis at Immaculate Heart Central School and had private tennis students. Recently, Riki worked for Family Care Home Program, providing supportive living to persons being reintroduced into the community after inpatient mental health hospitalization.

Riki served as a deacon at Emmanuel Congregational Church in Watertown. Her faith in Jesus sustained her during the good and difficult times. She and her companion, Katherine Barkley, had a commitment ceremony at Emmanuel Congregational Church in June of 2006 to vow their love for each other in the sight of their God and with the blessing of their Church. They were legally married on July 27, 2011, after NYS legalized same-sex marriage. Kathy passed away on February 3, 2016.

Riki was an avid Yankees baseball and Syracuse Orange basketball fan. She religiously followed both men’s and women’s professional tennis. Riki was skilled at the art of wood burning, making decorative pieces for friends and family. She also took pride in making sure the lawns around her home were well-groomed. She enjoyed feeding the birds and watching them, as well as spending time with her beloved dachshunds.

Riki is survived by her father, James Blackwell, Carthage, NY; her siblings, Leonard Blackwell, Durham, NC; James M. Blackwell, Wendell, NC; Carl Blackwell, Pugwash Nova Scotia, Canada; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She is predeceased by her mother, Arvilla Lafountain, and a sister, Tricia Lafountain.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage, NY 13619 with Rev. Jane Wagner officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date.

Condolences may be made online at www.lundyfuneralhome.com

Mr. Ronald L. McCasland, age 88 of Potsdam, NY, passed away on June 13th at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, June 19th at 9:00 am at St. Mary’s Church with Rev. Stephen Rocker as celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Tuesday, June 18th from 4-7pm. Contributions in Ron’s memory can be made to St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam. Thoughts, memories and condolences can be shared @www.garnerfh.com.

Ronald is survived by his wife Lois McCasland; daughter, Jennifer (Jim) Ferguson; sons Jeff McCasland and Greg (Angela) McCasland; grandchildren Christopher (Cassandra) Ferguson and Ryan and Meghan Ferguson; Colin and Kevin McCasland, and a sister Rowena Burdett. He is predeceased by a brother, Frances McCasland.

Mr. Ronald L. McCasland was born on November 12, 1930 in Parishville, NY to the late John McCasland and Mayfred Moses McCasland. He was a graduate of Parishville Hopkinton High School in 1947. He was married to Lois Gilbert at Holy Cross Church in Hopkinton on December 27, 1950. He proudly served in the Army from 1950-1953 during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge he returned back home and went to work as a department manager at Montgomery Ward in Potsdam where he remained for over 40 years. He then managed Sperling’s Furniture Store for 10 years before retiring.

Ronald was very active in St. Mary’s Parish. He was a strong supporter of St. Mary’s School, including acting as president of the school’s board. He was heavily involved with the St. Mary’s Church Festival for years. Ron was also very supportive of Potsdam Junior Hockey, serving as a coach and on their hockey board for several years. Ron was a member of St. Mary’s Church, the Knights of Columbus, and a co-director of SERA/DOVS religious vocation ministry for the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

AKWESASNE — Barney J. Rourke, 94, of St. Regis Road, peacefully passed away Friday afternoon, June 14, 2019 at IAK HIH SOH THA Lodge with his loving family at his side.

Friends may call at the home of his nephew, Marshall and Janine Rourke, 89 Rourke Road, starting at 3:00 PM Monday until 9:00 AM Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, 10:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating. Burial with full military honors will follow the services in Rourke Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider donations to the St. Regis Catholic Church Building Fund.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at www.donaldsonfh.com.

A complete obituary will publish in the next edition.

Madrid: Larry “Joe” Dutton, of Cogswell Corners Road, Madrid, passed away on June 13, 2019 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester with his loving family by his side. Friends and family are invited to call on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 5:00 until time of service at 8:00 pm at the Phillips Memorial Home, Madrid. Per Joe’s wishes, the family would like to request casual attire to be worn. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Char’s Bar in Morley at 2:00 pm.

Joe was born on May 25, 1955 in Sayre, PA, the son of the late James and Margaret (Fairlie) Dutton. He attended and graduated from Madrid Waddington Central School in 1973 and then joined the Airforce where he was a Communication Operator and later was honorably discharged. He married Joanne Merrill on September 2, 1978 in Berlin, Massachusetts. Joe worked construction for many years and later for Fastenal. He also worked at the Madrid Golf Course where he was a groundskeeper. Joe was a proud member of the Soul Seekers Bike Club and loved riding his motorcycle. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with his family and was a man with an incredible sense of humor.

Joe is survived by his wife, Joanne of 40 years; a daughter, Heather Dutton of PA; a son, Jordan and wife Bianca Dutton of PA; 8 grandchildren, Ramsey, Kaleb, Jaymen. Aaliyah, Haleigh, Aubrey, Abbygail and Brayden; two great grandchildren, Isaac and Kaiden; his beloved dog, Trouble; two brothers, Charles Dutton of Rome, NY and John and wife Chong Dutton of Clinton, MA; three sisters, Margaret and John Dalton of Lake Clear, NY, Cheryl and Pat Ruddy of Waddington and Beverly Morrill of Zephyrhills, FL and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by a son, Brandon; five siblings, Janice Trimm, James Dutton Jr., Thomas Dutton, Barbara Dutton and Jean Corbin.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Phillips Memorial Home, Madrid. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.PhillipsMemorial.com

AKWESASNE — Barney J. Rourke, 94, of St. Regis Road, peacefully passed away Friday afternoon, June 14, 2019 at IAK HIH SOH THA Lodge with his loving family at his side.

Barney was born September 4, 1924 on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, the son of the late Frank and Marion (Loft) Rourke. He attended schools on the reservation and on June 20, 2009, he was awarded this honorary diploma through Operation Education and Salmon River Central School. On December 4, 1943, he entered the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving his country during World War II in the Okinawa Theatre. He was honorably discharged from service on April 5, 1946. Barney was the last Marine Corps World War II Veteran from Akwesasne. On June 12, 1948, he married Viola E. Cook at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Bourget, officiating. They renewed their vows on their 65th wedding anniversary with family and friends present and Father Jerome Pastores, officiating. Viola predeceased him on July 15, 2014.

Barney was a lifelong ironworker with Local #440, working throughout the Northeast and Canada. As a proud veteran he was a life member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479, where he was a Past Commander, Life Member of the Marine Corps League and the VFW Post #1143. Barney was also a devout and lifelong communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church and Honorary Life Member of the Father Michael Jacobs Knights of Columbus Council #10423. He has a great love and passion for golf and was a member of various leagues including the Monday Morning League and the Cedar Golf Course traveling league. He was also a NY Yankees and NY Rangers fan and was the manager of the American Legion Baseball Team for many years. Barney loved to mow his lawn, tinkering and fixing things, visiting with his many friends, watching television, and would be seen riding around his community on his golf cart.

Barney is survived by his children, Cynthia Sawatis, Larry and Tassie Rourke, Marsha White, Sandra Rourke, Steven “Judgie” and Shelley Rourke, and Eileen Rourke and John McComber, a daughter-in-law, Veronica “Binky” Rourke, all of Akwesasne. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Evie Lynn Campbell, David and Christopher Sawatis, Ryan and Lauren White, Cami Campeau, Natasha Thompson Barnes, Nathan and Narissa Thompson, Margaret Rourke-Bay, Arif, Marc, Michael, Brett, Stacey, and Louis Rourke, Bucky Cook, Joanna Balcom, Sharlann, Blake, and Cara Mae Diabo; 29 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Carole Sharlow of North Lawrence; his godson, Nathan Thompson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his beloved dog, Coco.

In addition his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Evelyn M. Rourke on July 3, 2004; a son, Hubert Rourke on January 3, 2016; two granddaughters, Leslee Ann Rourke and Memphis Rain Carle; and his brothers, Andrew Rourke on May 30, 2002 and Joseph F. Rourke on October 13, 2008.

Friends may call at the home of his nephew, Marshall and Janine Rourke, 89 Rourke Road, starting at 3:00 PM Monday until 9:00 AM Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, 10:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating. Burial with full military honors will follow the services in Rourke Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider donations to the St. Regis Catholic Church Building Fund. Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at www.donaldsonfh.com.