Monthly Archives: May 2014

Joyce B. LaPoint

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HUDSON FALLS- LaPoint, Proof, 82, died peacefully Friday, April 25, 2014, at her Martindale Avenue home.    Born on May 25, 1931, in Hudson Falls, she was the daughter   of the late George Arthur and Alberta (Hendrix) Blake.

After graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1948, Joyce started work, as a typist, at the Washington County Motor Vehicle Bureau.    Then, in 1956, she moved over to the County Clerk’s Office, and commenced working as a stenographer with Hall Niemer,  Deputy County Clerk.   In 1961, she resigned from her position with the County to work     with Wilbur “Pete” Williams in the private sector, searching property titles and preparing abstracts from them, eventually starting her own business, Joyce B. LaPoint, Abstracts of Title.    A fixture for decades in her small, corner office overlooking the county Records Room, Joyce was known for both the speed and the accuracy of her work.   She retired in 2001.

Joyce enjoyed her home, her friends, big cars, her pool,  scrabble, watching golf on television (especially Tiger Woods),  dachshunds (the companionship of her fourth,  Jackie, was a great joy and comfort to her) and, especially, her family, by whom she is, and will be, greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her first husband, John J. Carella, and her second husband, Robert J. LaPoint; a brother, Raymond A. Blake; and a sister-in-law, Patricia (Richard) Blake.

Survivors include her sons, David B. Carella and his wife, Tigest, of Fredricksburg, Virginia, and Richard A. Carella, of Hudson Falls; her brother, Richard R. Blake, of Fort Edward; her step-daughter, Jeanne Wood, of Argyle; her two step-sons, Robert LaPoint, of Jacksonville, Florida and Dan LaPoint and his wife, Debbie, of Argyle; her grandchildren, James Carella and his wife, Holly, of Clarksville, Moriah Ladd and her husband, David, of Fort  Ann, Joseph Carella and his wife, Brandie, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jonathan Carella and his wife, Rebecca, of Fort Edward and Stephen and Michael Carella, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; a daughter-in-law, Michaelene Carella, of Fort  Edward; her niece, Christine Latham and her husband, Michael, of Queensbury; her nephews, Scott Blake and his wife, Tammi, of South Glens Falls, Kevin Blake and his wife, Valerie, of Canaan, New Hampshire and Keith Blake and his wife, Heidi, of Raleigh, North Carolina; her step-nephew, David Connors and his wife, Jennifer, of Selkirk; her step-niece, Shannon Morock and her husband, Jeff, of Raleigh, North Carolina; eight great-grandchildren; and several great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

A private ceremony was held for Joyce on April 29, 2014, at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., in Hudson Falls.   “Amazing Grace,” a hymn she requested be played, was sung for her by her grandsons, James and Joseph Carella.

Interment followed at Sandy Hill Union Cemetery, Fort Edward.

Barry R. “Lefty” O’Donnell

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O'DonnellHUDSON FALLS – Barry R. “Lefty” O’Donnell, 78, of Hudson Falls, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at the Glens Falls Hospital.

Born on April 28, 1936, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Dorothy (Hunt) O’Donnell.

“Lefty” was a member of the Hudson Falls Class of 1955. Upon his graduation, he was drafted and served in the United States Army in active service from 1956 to 1960 and in the reserves until 1963. At the time of his honorable discharge he had earned the rank of Corporal.

Lefty worked his entire career at Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. He worked there for over 38 years, retiring as a Line Supervisor.

 “Lefty” was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 81 in Queensbury, the Idle Hour Club in Fort Edward, a 25 Year Club Member of Niagara Mohawk and a lifelong member of the Kingswood Golf Club. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.

 Lefty was an outstanding 3 sport athlete at Hudson Falls High. He also loved bowling in his younger years. Upon retirement, Lefty golfed nearly every day with his regular group of buddies at Kingswood, garnering a hole in one on # 16.   He loved playing the horses at OTB….you knew where you could find him most days at 11:30am, or afterwork at Reflections. He also loved coaching his 2 sons throughout their Little League years.   Lefty looked forward most to Sunday night dinners at Massies with his sons Brian and Kelly, a tradition the three of them had for over 20 years.   Sunday nights just won’t be the same.   He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

 He is survived by his sons: Brian O’Donnell and his companion, Jessica McKenzie of South Glens Falls; Kelly O’Donnell of South Glens Falls; his grandchildren Michael and Rachel O’Donnell (Brian); Maddy O’Donnell (Kelly); his brother Edward O’Donnell and his wife Marcia; his nieces and nephews David O’Donnell, Scott O’Donnell and Lea Ellen O’Donnell. He is survived by his first wife, Elsie (Fort) O’Donnell and his second wife, Melody (Wood) O’Donnell.   He also leaves behind his beloved cat Gracie.

Special thanks go out to his long time friend Mary Cunningham; his caregivers Rebecca DeCota and Doreen Mosher.   The family would also like to thank Dr. Mihindu for his outstanding care over these past several years; Dr. Michael Layden and Dr. Daniel Dorsey; as well as the nurses and staff at the Glens Falls Renal Center, the Glens Falls Hospital and Fort Hudson Nursing Home.  

Friends may call on Monday, May 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

Funeral services will be celebrated at 10 am, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.

The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Glens Falls Renal Center, 3 Broad Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or the SPCA, PO Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.