Obituaries

Feb 11, 2026

Wendy S. Vaniglia, 69, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Westminster Park on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Born in Utica, NY, on May 30, 1956, to Edgar and Doris Newman, Wendy was a graduate of Poland High School. Following high school, she was married for 25 years, raising her three children in the Schenectady and Ballston Lake area.

Later in life,...

Feb 10, 2026

Philip E. Smith, 92, of Kring Point Road, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 10th. 

He was born January 13, 1934, in Auburn, NY, son of John Edward and Elsie Grant Smith.

Phil was the sole proprietor of Lowville Plumbing and Heating and drove bus for Lowville Academy and Central School District and Alexandria Central School District. He enjoyed various outdoor...

Feb 5, 2026

James V. Lodico, 61, of County Route 3, passed away Thursday evening at Ellis Hospital, in Schenectady, NY.

He was born May 10, 1964, in Queens, NY, son of Vincent Vittorio and Giavanna Dolores Lodico. In 1982, He graduated 4th in his class at Aviation High School in Long Island City, NY. He received 2 scholarships for Brooklyn Polytech and MIT...

Feb 3, 2026

Wayne P. Schneider, 59, passed away February 3rd, at Samaritan Medical Center, in Watertown, after a brief illness.

He was born, November 5, 1966, in Watertown, NY, son of Paul and Helen House Schneider. He graduated from Alexandria Central High School in 1984.

Wayne worked several jobs over the course of his life. He was an equipment operator for Santaro, based in...

Feb 2, 2026

David L. Vandewark, 72, of 45 Church Street, passed away unexpectedly at his home on February 2nd.

He was born February 12, 1953, in Huntington Beach, CA, son of JoAnn Patterson Massey.

David worked for many years as a painter and general contractor.  Drumming was a big part of David's self-identity.  He formerly played in a Seattle band and frequently sat in...

Jan 30, 2026

Rosalie J. Burns, 85, long-time resident of Wellesley Island, NY, passed away January 30 at Samaritan Keep Home in Watertown.

Rosalie was born on April 17,1940 in Syracuse, NY, the daughter of Floyd M and Beverly Pooler Roberts. She attended Fabius Central School and then received her associate’s degree from Jefferson Community College, Watertown, NY.

She married Milton Burns on October 31,1959...

Jan 28, 2026

Thomas J. Fenzel, 83, St. Lawrence Park Road, passed away Wednesday, January 28th, at St. Camillus, in Syracuse, NY, surrounded by love.

He was born February 20, 1942, in Buffalo, NY, son of Robert and Catherine Crooks Fenzel. Tom proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1963. He received his associate’s degree from Jefferson Community College, where he later taught criminal...

Jan 28, 2026

Victor M. Chaltain passed away peacefully at his home in Alexandria Bay, New York, on January 28, 2026. He was born on November 2, 1947, at E. J. Noble Hospital in Alexandria Bay to Jack and Pauline (Cramer) Chaltain.

Victor is survived by his three children: Victor (Rushell) Chaltain,Chaumont, NY, Valerie (Greg) Walls Standford, KY, and Torrey (Lynn Riddell) Chaltain,Standford, KY;...

Jan 23, 2026

David L. Hollis, 71, Alexandria Bay, NY, passed away at Samaritan Medical Center, where he had been a patient for a short time.

Dave was born on June 18, 1954 in Alexandria Bay, the son of John L. and Frances Boyle Hollis. He graduated from Alexandria Central School and then received his business degree from Canton ATC.

He most recently worked at...

Jan 18, 2026

James B. Titus, LaFargeville, NY, passed away January 18, 2026 at Samaritan Keep Nursing Home where he had been a resident since January 13, previously admitted to Samaritan Hospital on December 23, 2025.

Jim was born on August 15, 1943 in Gloversville, NY, the son of Thomas A. and Adelaide R. Rathbun Titus. He was a 1961 graduate of Mayfield High School...

Jan 18, 2026

Marilyn Ferne (Moore) Sweet

Marilyn was born on March 12, 1937 in her grandparents’ home in Athens, PA,and passed to be with family in heaven on January 18, 2026. Her parents were the late Edward and Wilma (Frantz) Moore. Marilyn grew up in

Rome, PA was proud to be in the last graduating class of Rome High School in 1955. In subsequent years,...

Dec 24, 2025

Mary K. “Kathy” Hinkle, 78, passed away peacefully at her home on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th.

She was born August 5, 1947, in Camden, NJ, daughter of Chan L. and Dorothy M. Hart Harbour.

After graduating from high school, she received her certification in administrative medical specialties, from the University of New Mexico. She spent her career working in that field.

She...

Dec 19, 2025

Margaret L. Hunter, 98, formerly of Alexandria Bay, passed away Friday, December 19th, at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. While the medical cause may be listed on the official certificate, those who knew her suspect she simply decided it was finally time to go manage the Yankees’ bullpen from a better vantage point.

Born December 3, 1927, in Theresa, NY, she...

Dec 18, 2025

Richard W. “Rick” Branche, 73, passed away at his home on Thursday evening, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born October 13, 1952 in Watertown, NY, son of Harvey and Thelma Grant Branche. He graduated from General Brown High School and attended Jefferson Community College.

He married Mary Beth Kavanaugh on October 6, 1979 at St. Cyril’s Church in Alexandria Bay,...

Dec 17, 2025

Joan C. Patience, 87, Alexandria Bay, passed away in her daughter Elizabeth’s care in Syracuse on December 17th.

Joan was born in Fineview, NY, on June 13, 1938, the daughter of James and Mable Robbins Waterson. She was educated in local schools and later received her G.E.D. at the age of 52 and went on to earn her associate’s degree from...

Dec 17, 2025

Michael Weletok, born on October 15, 1962, passed away on December 17, 2025, was a beloved son and a dedicated public servant. He was the cherished son of Michael and Catherine Weletok.

Michael served with honor as a proud member of the New York Police Department (NYPD), where he dedicated his life to protecting and serving the community. He retired as...

Dec 17, 2025

Dec 14, 2025

Sadie M. Garlock, 82, Alexandria Bay, NY, passed away at home on Sunday December 14th, under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County, with her loving family at her side.

Sadie was born in Alexandria Bay on January 18, 1943, the daughter of Andrew and Susan Bishop LaFirst. She was educated in Alexandria Bay schools and later bartended at the family-owned...

Dec 10, 2025

Dottie E. Arquitt, 74, passed away Wednesday morning, December 10th at Upstate Medical Center, in Syracuse.

She was born November 6, 1951, in Massena, NY, daughter of Bud and Dorothy Clark Davis. Her stepfather, Leo Varley, also played a substantial role in her upbringing. She graduated from Norwood Norfolk High School.

She married John P. Arquitt on January 22, 1979, in Hammond,...

Dec 2, 2025

Patricia M. Lamb, 83, passed away Tuesday morning, December 2nd at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown.

She was born November 13, 1942, in Birmingham, England. She was educated in England.

She married Derek J. Lamb on February 16, 1963, in Birmingham, England. The couple lived on Wellesley Island for many years and raised their family there. Mr. Lamb passed away on March...