Neil Charles Coir, 80, of East Drive, Canton, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb 25, 2017 at Maplewood Campus while surrounded by his loving family.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 28th at Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 1st at 10:00 AM in the First Presbyterian Church of Canton with Rev. Michael P. Catanzaro officiating. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery.

Additional off-street parking is available behind “LUNA” on Park Street.

Neil was born March 14, 1936 in Morrisburg, Ontario, a son of the late, William & Nellie Droppo Coir. After high school, he attended and graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1958, where he played goalie for the SLU hockey team. He went on to attain his Master’s in Education at St Lawrence in 1960.

Neil started his teaching career at Parishville, then taught at Norwood and went on to a distinguished career teaching mathematics for 25 years at Canton Central School prior to his retirement in 1991. He led the varsity hockey team as coach for ten years at Canton Central School. Neil’s teams were always a force to be reckoned with winning many league and sectional titles. He was most proud of his players who exhibited his philosophy that winning is a result of exhibiting the positive attributes of a scholar and an athlete in sport and in life.

On August 20, 1960, he married Lois “Marilyn” Caloren in the Iroquois Anglican Church in Ontario, Canada. He loved his wife and cherished her endearing love right to the last moment and forever. He was so proud of his children Jenn and Greg and the people they have become.

He was predeceased by his three brothers and his sister.

Neil is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn of Canton; daughter, Jennifer (Douglas) Collins of Boston, MA; son, Greg (Alexandra) Coir of Newburyport, MA; and six grandchildren, Alexa and Devin Collins and Ethan, Griffin, Amelia and Duncan Coir.

Neil was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Canton, a member of the St. Lawrence Golf Club and he was President of the Teacher’s Union.

Neil will be remembered for his love of sports especially hockey and his beloved Montreal Canadians. He had a passion for coaching youth hockey and loved to mentor players not only in hockey skills but life lessons as well. He enjoyed watching St. Lawrence Hockey and loved all his trips to Boston with Marilyn to spend as much time as possible with the grandchildren.

Memorial contributions are suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Canton or to Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org

Kathleen A. Schneider, 70, Mustard Road, Watertown, passed away February 25, 2017 at Hospice of Jefferson County, surrounded by her family.

Kathy was born January 20, 1947 in Watertown a daughter of Martin and Helen Singer Schneider. In 1965, she graduated from Watertown High School. For twenty years, Kathy was employed by Mercy Hospital in the Medical Billing Office. Since leaving Mercy Hospital until now, she has been the Office Manager for Lennox Homes.

Kathy was a communicant and active member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the American Legion Post #61.

Kathy was a Sister and Life Member of Theta Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She served as President of her chapter many times as well as president of BSP’s city council. Kathy joined the Brownville B G’s and soon after started organizing and promoting their bus trips. She planned many memorable events that were enjoyed by all. Kathy was active with the Carthage Forever Friends and enjoyed their get togethers and camaraderie.

Surviving are a brother Martin (Elaine) Schneider, Palmetto, FL., three sisters, Virginia “Ginny” (Jon) Lennox, Chaumont, NY, Suzanne Cavallario, Alexandria Bay, NY, Amy (Ramon) Rivera, Dexter, NY. Kathy was a loving Aunt to her nephews and a niece; Chris Schneider, Buffalo, NY, Robin Vedella, Buffalo, NY, Jared Lennox, Chaumont, NY, Carmen Andrew Cavallario, and his fiancé Megan Smith, Buffalo, NY, Vincent Cavallario, Alexandria Bay , NY and Tampa, FL., Catherine (Jon) Maillet, Austin, TX, Luis Rivera, Dexter, NY and a great nephew, Austin Lennox, Chaumont.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4-7 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc.. A prayer service will be held Wednesday at 9:15 am at the funeral home with a 10 am funeral mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Reverend Jonas Tondayu officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham Street Road, Watertown, NY 13601. Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Martin R. Luther, Sr., 89 of Harrisville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Country Manor in Carthage, where he was surrounded by the love and support of his family.

Born at home on May 5, 1927, in Harrisville, a son of Roy and Ruth E. (Atkinson) Luther, he graduated from Harrisville High School in 1943. He married Barbara Foster Burgess in January 1963, at St. Francis of Solanus Church in Harrisville.

A World War II veteran, he entered the US Army on September 1, 1945, and served with the 50th Company Area Service Unit until he was honorably discharged as a T/Sgt. on November 18, 1946, at Fort Dix, NJ.

Following High School and before his Army service, he went to work for the St. Regis Paper Company in Harrisville, and then returned there until 1952. From 1955 until 1970 he worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., at Benson Mines in Star Lake. He then went to work for New York Air Brake for five years and later worked for the Harrisville Central School Bus Garage for 15 years. Along with his wife, Mr. Luther also owned and operated the Harrisville Laundromat and B&M Bookkeeping Service in Harrisville for a number of years.

Mr. Luther served as Village Mayor for two years, as town of Diana Assessor for six years, as the Harrisville School Tax Collector for eight years, and served on the Board of Education for five years and was a Hunter’s Safety Instructor for many years.

He was a member of the Harrisville Rod & Gun Club, and was a member of the former American Legion Post in Harrisville.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed bowling, traveling, card playing, hunting and fishing.

Surviving besides his wife, are three sons, John “Jack” Luther and wife, Sheryl; Craig Luther and wife Terri and Martin Luther Jr., all of Harrisville; a daughter, Laura Cornaire and husband Wendell of Watertown; five grandchildren Travis, Kyra and Craig Luther and Trisha and Michaela Cornaire and by a great-granddaughter, Ava Luther. Also surviving is a brother, Ranald B. Luther of Henderson; four sisters, Dorothea Lebow of Belt, Montana; Gloria Dowling of Harrisville; Loretta Ledger of Redwood and Sandra Metcalf of Massena, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by four sisters, Karen Miller, Arlene Luther, who died at the age of two, and by twins, Roxy and Joy Luther who died at birth; and by a brother, Edward Luther.

Marty’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Scanlon Funeral Home, 14187 State Street, Harrisville, with Rev. Donald Manfred, officiating. Burial will be in the Harrisville Community Cemetery. There will be a luncheon at the Harrisville Fire Hall following the service.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday at the funeral home from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Harrisville Rescue Squad or the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department.

To view Marty’s on-line obituary and share a memory or condolence, please visit www.scanlonfuneral.com.

Tracy Baker, 79, Sackets Harbor passed away Sunday February 26, 2017 at his home under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Among his survivors is his wife Jean. Arrangements are incomplete at this time with the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown.

Condolences may be made online at www.reedbenoit.com.

Michael F. Ring, 61, Adams Center passed away Friday February 24th at his home under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County and his family.

The funeral will be 11 am Wednesday, March 1st at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home with Rev. Leon “Toby” Schilling officiating. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 28th from 3-7 pm at the funeral home.

Michael was born June 20, 1955 to the late Frederick and Margurete Cornwall Ring. Michael graduated from South Jefferson Central School in 1973 and at the time of his death he was Chief Engineer for Stephens Media Group, Watertown.

From the time of his diagnosis of leukemia until his passing Michael’s motto was always “It’s all good”. Michael had a passion for teaching, helping others, exploring new places and spending time with his friends, family and grandchildren.

Michael is survived by his wife Penny K. Thomas Ring, daughters, Rebecca, Adams Center; Darcia (Schlechty) Brimmer, Adams Center; Anya Perry who he took in from Belrus and considers her a daughter, 2 step-daughters, Tracy Mead, South Carolina; Elizabeth Scheibe; Long Island; brother, Stuart Ring, Rochester; grandchildren, Kaidon, Trinity, Temperance Brimmer, Adams Center; Ava and Luke Scheibe, Long Island; 2 godchildren, Tandra Trowbridge, Adams Center; Randon Trowbridge, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents Michael was predeceased by his sister in law, Suzanne Ring.

Donations may be made in Michaels name to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to the Hope Lodge, 1120 S. Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14620.

Online condolences can be made at www.reedbenoit.com.

Services for Martin Maurer, 96, of Lacona who passed away on December 20, 2016 will; be held Saturday April 22, 2017. Calling Hours will be from 11am – 2pm at the Summerville Funeral Home, Sandy Creek with a Memorial Service at 2pm at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sandy Creek.

NORWOOD—Arrangements for Dean Murray, a resident of 3 McKinley Street, Norwood, are incomplete at this time with the Buck Funeral Home in Norwood. Mr. Murray passed away unexpectedly Friday morning at his home. A complete obituary will be available. The Buck Funeral Home in Norwood is serving the family of Dean Murray.

Alton R Wallis “Dicky”, age 71, of Sandy Creek died Friday, February 24, 2017 at his home.

Dick was born February 4, 1946 in Fernwood, NY. He is the son of the late Samuel and the late Olive (Twiss) Wallis. He married Mary Slater on July 10, 1965 at Fernwood United Methodist Church.

Dick was a former employee of Fulton Boiler Works and had also done logging and excavation work. He was a member of the Sandy Creek Fire Department for 25 years and enjoyed hunting and making maple syrup.

He is survived by his wife: Mary (Slater) Wallis three sons: Alton Wallis, Jr of Sandy Pond, NY, James (Sandy) Wallis of Pulaski, NY and Brian (Jessica)Wallis of Sandy Pond, NY, two sisters Viola Skotniski, Myrtle (Ray) Winkelstine, several grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.

Besides his parents, Dick was predeceased by two brothers, George and Wayne and a sister Marjorie.

The funeral will be held 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 4 at Summerville Funeral Home, Inc, 1997 Harwood Drive, Sandy Creek, NY with Dan Quinta officiating. Burial will be in South Richland Cemetery, Pulaski on Saturday, March 4 at 3:00 pm, weather permitting. A gathering will follow the burial at the Sandy Creek Fire Department.

Calling hours will be Saturday, March 4 from 10am - 2pm at Summerville Funeral Home, Inc, 1997 Harwood Drive, Sandy Creek, NY.

Shirley A. Newsome, 73, of Cottontail Dr., Watertown, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 24, 2017.

The Home Going Service will be held Noon, Saturday, March 4 at the Sweet Haven Holy Church of God in Black River. A calling hour will preceded the service from 11 a.m. to Noon at the church.

Burial will be in the spring at the Sanford Corners Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Bruce Funeral Home, Black River.

Born on October 11, 1943 in Bridgeville, Delaware, daughter of Daniel and Fannie (Burbage) Hopkins, she graduated from high school in Delaware.

Following school she married John H. Newsome Jr., on December 31, 1966 at the parsonage in Denton, MD.

Mr. Newsome served in the U.S. Army for 27 years as an Engineering Supervisor and Field Artillery Senior Sergeant during which time Mrs. Newsome was a homemaker. The couple was then stationed at Fort Drum in 1987 and she worked at the Commissary on Fort Drum as a cashier for several years. She later owned and operated Mother’ s Day Care on Pearl St. Road in Watertown up until she retired.

She was an active member at Sweet Haven Holy Church of God where she was the Church Mother and President of the Young Women’s Christian Council for over twenty years.

She enjoyed sewing, making lap scarves, crocheting and cooking.

Among her survivors are a daughter, Patrice B. Newsome, GA; two sons and a daughter in law, John H. and Gladis Newsome III, AZ, Davon N. Green, GA; three granddaughters, Ashley Newsome, Leia Green, Kenzi Green; grandson, Legend Green; two brothers, Paul Hopkins, PA, Daniel Hopkins Jr., DE; several nieces and nephews.

Her loving husband of fifty years, John H. Newsome Jr., passed June 25, 2016, a son, Anthony Newsome, passed in 1981 and a sister, Rosalee Tucker also passed before her.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Online condolences may be made at www.brudefh.com.

A Celebration of Life for Tracy S. Baker will be 1pm Saturday, March 4th at the Sackets Harbor American Legion Post 1757, 209 Ambrose St., Sackets Harbor.

Mr. Baker, 79, of Hess Rd., Sackets Harbor, passed away Sunday, February 26th at his home with his family by his side.

He is survived by his wife Jean, a daughter Kim Baker Spink and a son Richard Baker, all of Sackets Harbor; 6 grandchildren Tracy Spink Zarate, Amanda Spink Tuthill, Jennifer Spink Martin, Tasha Shenk, Brandi Baker and Kendra Shanahan; 5 great grandchildren; two sisters Marion Burns, Stuart, FL and Shirley Salisbury, Watertown; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Betty Baker at age 6 and Audrey Pennock.

Tracy was born in Rome, NY, July 3, 1937, a son to Tracy and Dorothy Davis Baker. He was educated in Sackets Harbor schools. Tracy worked at Black Clawson in Watertown for 43 years as a machinist. After leaving Black Clawson, he worked for the Village of Sackets Harbor for 3 years, and later for the Green Thumb Program in Watertown for 10 years.

He married Jean Conway, June 15, 1957.

Mr. Baker was a member of the Sons of American Legion Post 1757, Sackets Harbor. He enjoyed golfing and played in a league at Bedford Creek Golf Club. Tracy enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to the Sons of American Legion, 209 Ambrose St., Sackets harbor, NY 13685.

Online condolences can be made at www.reedbenoit.com.

Gouverneur – Dianne M. Calvani, 56, passed away Monday in Ogdensburg.

A mass will be held on Friday at 11 am at St. James Church, Gouverneur. Calling hours are on Thursday from 1-3 & 6-8 pm at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur.

Joseph N. Rizzo, 80, passed away at his home in Watertown Sunday evening, February 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown on Thursday, March 2, from 4 - 7PM. A prayer service will be at the funeral home on Friday, March 3, at 10:15AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church at 11AM with Msgr. Robert Aucoin, pastor, presiding.

Mr. Rizzo was born in Watertown on March 9, 1936, son of Nelson J. and Mary A. (Gross) Rizzo. Mr. Rizzo graduated from Watertown High School. On May 18, 1955 he married Carol A. McDonald at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Dennis Lynch officiating.

Joe owned and operated Coldwell Banker Ramada Realty for 48 years and was a member of the National Association of Realtors. He was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church. As a boy he enjoyed his horses and raising beagles on his family’s farm, and later enjoyed boating, fishing trips, and snowmobiling.

He is survived by his wife, Carol. The couple has six children, James M. Rizzo, Watertown, Joseph N. Rizzo, Jr., Sackets Harbor, Julie A. (Rizzo) Sanderson and husband, Keish, Watertown, Mary Ann (Rizzo) Pietrowski, Lexington, KY, Sarah J. (Rizzo) Chapman and husband, Edward, Watertown, and Donna M. (Rizzo) LaRock, who passed away July 7, 1989, and her husband, Charles E. LaRock, Sterling, VA. Mr. Rizzo is also survived by ten grandchildren, Todd Rizzo, Charles LaRock, Keith LaRock, Alisha Rizzo, Mariah Rizzo, Donna Sanderson, Hanna Sanderson, Philip “Trip” Pietrowski, Annalise Pietrowski, and Peyton Chapman; three great great grandchildren, Rylan Smart, Lexi LaRock, and C. Eric LaRock and another grandson on the way; two brothers, Dominic R. Rizzo and wife, Donna, FL and James A. Rizzo, NC; three sisters, Lucia A. Hnath, GA, Jane E. Perritano and husband, Anthony J., FL, and Rosemary D. Franke and husband, Richard, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Rizzo’s family wished donations be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences to his family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com.

Barbara M. Ventiquattro, 84, former Postmaster of the Village of Deferiet, died Monday, February 27th at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home in Carthage.

THERESA: Ida A. Hamilton, 87, of NYS Rt. 37, died February 25, 2017 at Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility, Lowville, NY. Survivors include two daughters, Darlene Stiles and companion Thomas Levinson, Sharon Hamilton and companion Paul Balentine; two sons, Clifford Hamilton and companion Fern Corp, Neil Hamilton and his wife Debra.

LEWIS COUNTY- Lorraine M. Cummings, 62, formerly of Lewis County, NY, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing, Syracuse.

Gouverneur - Jake Thomas Ferrick, age 8, became an angel on February 26, 2017 and went to Heaven, surrounded by his loving parents, brother, and sister.

A mass will be held on Saturday, March 4th at 11:00 am at St. James Catholic Church, Gouverneur with Fr. Shane Lynch officiating.

Jake was born in Potsdam on October 16th, 2008, the son of Jason and Angela Weaver Ferrick.

He was a student at St. James Catholic School and enjoyed playing tball and Pokémon Go with his Dad. He also enjoyed playing with his best friends John Michael and RJ, and cousin Tommy. He was the greatest joy to both his Mom and Dad. He will always be remembered for the bright light he was to everyone who knew him.

Jake is survived by his parents Jason and Angela, his sister Vincenza Gillan and his brother Christian Gillan of Gouverneur, his grandparents Holly and Lonnie Weaver of Gouverneur, Margaret Reed of Hermon, his great grandmothers Margaret Grant of Hermon, Willard Weaver of Gouverneur,Marilyn Knight of Georgia, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorial donations in Jake’s memory may be made to Ryan’s Wish Foundation, PO Box 326, Gouverneur , NY 13642.

There will be a graveside service for Kimberly Wood, of Star Lake, NY on Thursday, March 2nd at 10:30 AM at the Oswegatchie Cemetery. Reverend Fisher from the Star Lake Presbyterian Church will be officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Twin Lakes Hotel in Star Lake.

St. Cloud, FL and Canton, NY-- Francis Malcolm Todd, 93, of St. Cloud, FL and Canton, NY, died in Kissimmee, FL on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton. An obituary will appear as soon as available.

Gouverneur – Dianne M. Calvani, 56, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017, at Riverledge Healthcare in Ogdensburg, surrounded by the love of her husband, daughter, family, and friends.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 3rd at 11:00 am at St. James Catholic Church, Gouverneur with Fr. Shane Lynch officiating. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur.

Dianne was born on December 22, 1960 in Gouverneur, the daughter of Magno and Gilda Pistolesi Calvani.

She attended St. James School and graduated from Gouverneur High School. Dianne did her undergraduate work at SUNY Potsdam and while in Dallas, she attained her master’s degree in sociology.

Dianne was employed by the Savation Army and at Social Services in Dallas, TX before she returned to the north country and worked at St. Lawrence County Dept. of Social Services.

On February 17, 1987, in Dallas, Dianne married the love of her life, Chester Ford.

Dianne loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed the craft girls group and was a communicant of St. James Church. Dianne devoted many years of work to assist children and families who were in need. Dianne always considered her most important roles in life being a loving Mom and wife.

Dianne is survived by her husband Chester, her daughter Shacoria “Cori” Jackson, her many cousins, aunts, and uncles. She is predeceased by her parents and two daughters Marisa Ford and Logan Ford.

Memorial donations in Dianne’s memory may be made to St. James Catholic School, 164 East Main Street, Gouverneur, NY 13642.