Obituaries

Fredrick J. Laflair

Feb 11, 2020

Fredrick J. "Ricky" LaFlair, 74, of Canton passed away peacefully at his home. There will be no services.

Arrangements are under the care of the O'Leary Funeral Service of Canton.

Matthew G. Sullivan

Jan 21, 2020

Matthew G. Sullivan, 63, of Canton peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Matt fought a long and courageous battle of liver disease. Matthew was born October 4, 1956 in Potsdam, the son of the late Richard and Loretta (Goodhartt) Sullivan. He attended Madrid Schools. On April 16, 1977, Matthew married Sharon...

Donald J. Tracy

Jan 19, 2020

Donald J. Tracy, 65, of Canton, died peacefully in the comfort of his home, on Sunday, January 19, 2020 where he was surrounded by his loving family after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer.

Don was born on December 20, 1954 in Malone, and was raised by James and Gertrude (McCabe) Johnston. He graduated from Chateaugay...

Harry R. Walter

Jan 7, 2020

Harry R. Walter, 86, of Pierrepont, died on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital where he had been a patient for a week. Among his survivors is his wife Irmgard, of Pierrepont.

In accordance with his wishes, Harry was cremated and there will be no services.

Memories and condolences may be shared online...

Shirley (Planty) Smith

Dec 28, 2019

Mrs. Shirley (Planty) Smith, 80, of Canton died on Saturday, December 28, 2019, while surrounded by her children, at the United Helpers Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Canton, where she had been a resident for just over a year.

Shirley was born January 16, 1939 in Potsdam, a daughter of the late Mason and Helen (Davis) Planty. She attended Canton Schools....

Melvin "Mel" Jaskowski

Dec 18, 2019

Melvin "Mel" Jaskowski, 78, of Canton, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

Mel was born April 16, 1941in Depew, NY; a son of the late Edward and Celia (Kujawa) Jaskowski. He graduated from Cleveland Hill High School in Buffalo and from Canton ATC with a Criminal Justice degree. Mel served in the US Air Force from...

Winifred T. (Taylor) Gushea

Dec 16, 2019

Winifred "Winnie" Gushea a long-time resident of Canton passed away on Monday, December 16, 2019, at her home under the care of Hospice. She was 100.  Winnie was born October 12, 1919 at the Little River Boat Livery in Canton, she was the daughter of the late Winfred and Addie (Lavery) Taylor, both of St. Lawrence County. She graduated...

Loretta K. (Moulton) Sharpstene

Dec 14, 2019

Loretta K. (Moulton) Sharpstene, 92, of DeKalb and formerly of Clare, died peacefully surrounded by family at the United Helpers Nursing Home in Ogdensburg. Loretta was born, November 7, 1927 in Canton, a daughter to the late Bernard and Harriet (Fountain) Moulton. She attended schools in Clare and Hermon and graduated from Pilgrim State Hospital of Nursing in 1952....

Matt R. Mcgregor

Dec 8, 2019

Matt R. McGregor, 63, of Canton died unexpectedly, at home, in his sleep on Sunday, December 8, 2019.

Matt was born May 4, 1956 in Gouverneur, a son of the late Robert and Margaret (Scott) McGregor. He graduated from Potsdam High School in 1975 and was one of the first wrestlers from the area to place in...

Charles K. Brown

Dec 7, 2019

Charles K. Brown, 56, of Norwood, died on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Albany Medical Center, where he had been a patient since November 29, 2019.

Charlie was born May 21, 1963 in Kingston, New York, a son of the late Thomas and Juanita (Rydzewski) Brown. He graduated from Saugerties High School. On July 20, 2004, Charlie...

Don M. Bush

Dec 4, 2019

Don M. Bush, 62, of Canton died peacefully, in his sleep on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Don was born December 10, 1956 in Ogdensburg, the son of the late Don H. and Meredith (Adams) Bush. He graduated from Canton High School. Don worked as a mechanic for several years for Schroon Lake Equipment in Gouverneur and retired...

Paul A. Toomey

Nov 19, 2019

Paul A. Toomey, 83, of Lisbon, passed away while in the company of his family on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg, where he had been a patient since October.

Paul was born September 30, 1936 in Canton, the son of Bernard and Florence (Bradley) Toomey. He graduated from Canton High School and...

Bruce C. Mcdonald

Nov 5, 2019

Bruce Charles McDonald, 58, of Canton, died unexpectedly over night on Monday, November 4, 2019 at his home.

Bruce was born on January 7, 1961 in Neptune, New Jersey, the son of the late John and Jane (Wykoff) McDonald. Bruce was a Union Carpenter, and although he wasn't born in Canton, he had made it home for...

Jody B. Sharlow

Oct 31, 2019

Jody B. Sharlow, 55, of Potsdam, died peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at his home where he was with his family and under the care of Hospice.

Jody was born June 4, 1964 in Canton, the son of the late Alvin and Elizabeth (Corcoran) Sharlow. He graduated from Colton-Pierrepont High School. He was a bricklayer and...

John F. Thomas

Oct 24, 2019

John F. Thomas, 92, of Potsdam died on Thursday, October 24, 2019 while in the comfort of his home, where he was surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care.

John was born October 10, 1927 in South Colton, the son of the late Park and Freda (Selleck) Thomas. John graduated...

Bernard L. Holmes

Oct 23, 2019

Bernard L. Holmes, 79, of Lisbon, passed unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg where he had been a patient for a short time.

In accordance with his wishes, Bernard was cremated. There will be a Celebration of His Life on Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 11:00 am till 2:00 pm...

Elmer N. Votra

Oct 23, 2019

Elmer N. Votra "Jr.", 90, of Canton, died on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. He was reunited with his beloved Norreen on their 71st anniversary.

Elmer was born on July 9, 1929 in Parishville, the son of the late Elmer Leo and Marion (Bush) Votra. He graduated from Parishville High School. On...

Dorothy A. (Manor) Briggs

Oct 18, 2019

Mrs. Dorothy A. Briggs, 91, formerly of Canton died peacefully on Friday, October 18, 2019 in Lakeland, Florida, at the home of her daughter Helen, where she was in the company of family.

Dorothy was born January 24, 1928 in Plattsburgh, New York; the daughter of the late Joseph and Marguerite (Amlaw) Manor. Dorothy attended school in...

Geoffrey G. Cary Sr.

Oct 14, 2019

Geoffrey G. Cary, 57, of Sanfordville, died on Monday, October 14, 2019 in the comfort of his home, where he was in the care of his loving wife Linda.

Geoff was born October 1, 1962 in Potsdam, the son of George and Joan (Miller) Cary. He attended Potsdam Schools. On March 12, 1991, Geoff was married to...

Colleen M. (Holmes) Murdock

Oct 9, 2019

Colleen M. Murdock, 83 of Canton died at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 where she had been a patient for a short time.

Colleen was born February 2, 1936 in Lisbon, the daughter of the late Walter and Evelyn (Lewis) Holmes. She graduated from Lisbon High School. Colleen married Lester Murdock in February of...