News stories tagged with "obit"

(04/16/12) One of the North Country's most influential and beloved artists passed away last month. Sid Couchey was a cartoonist and illustrator who lived in Essex in the Champlain Valley.

He drew for decades for Harvey Comics, helping to bring life to iconic characters like Richie Rich and Little Lotta.

Couchey, who was 92 years old, also popularized characters like "Champy," the friendly sea monster that supposedly haunts Lake Champlain. Brian Mann has this remembrance. more

(09/09/09) A North Country legend passed away over the weekend. Fran Betters from Wilmington taught fly fishing, tied trout flies and wrote books about fishing. Betters, who was 78 years old, had been ailing for months. His shop on the bank of the Ausable River was a destination for sportsmen from around the world. Betters knew what insects were hatching, and near which rocks the biggest fish were waiting. He fished the Ausable River since he was a boy, and he knew each rapid and pool. He also learned that there is more to fishing than fishing. Lamar Bliss has this Meet the Masters profile.

(08/07/08) The North Country lost one of its most influential voices for history and preservation this summer. Paul Malo, architect, author and advocate for all things historic and special in the Thousand Islands and the Adirondacks passed away last month in Granby, New York. He was 78. For many years, Malo discovered and documented some of the hidden treasures in the region, from Thousand Island Park on Wellesley Island to Sagamore, an Adirondack great camp. Todd Moe has this remembrance.

(09/28/05) Adirondack author and activist Barbara McMartin died yesterday at the age of 73. She had been battling breast cancer for more than two decades. McMartin spent thirty years exploring the region. She wrote more than twenty books, capturing the history and the environmental conflicts of the Adirondacks. She authored and edited a series of popular guidebooks. McMartin also sat on the state's Forest Preserve Advisory committee and served as its chairman. She was honored in 2004 by the Residents Committee for the Protection of the Adirondacks, with an Adirondack Park Defender award. Brian Mann traveled to McMartin's home in Canada Lake last year to talk with about her life and her final book The Privately Owned Adirondacks.

(06/29/05) Senator Ron Stafford passed away last week at the age of sixty-nine. He dominated north country politics for nearly four decades. But he was also afamiliar figure to many in the region, deeply connected with the lives of his constituents. At yesterday's funeral ceremony at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh, his daughter Brooke offered this personal remembrance.

(06/27/05) One of the north country's most powerful statesmen passed away on Friday. Senator Ron Stafford was first elected to the state senate in 1965. He died of lung cancer at his Plattsburgh home. Brian Mann has details.

Calling hours for Senator Stafford will be held Monday from noon until 8 p.m. at St. Peter's church on Cornelia Street in Plattsburgh. The funeral will be held at St. Peter's, Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

(06/27/05) In 2002, when Sen. Stafford announced his retirement, Martha Foley spoke with Bob Grady, managing editor of the Plattsburgh Press Republican. They talked about Sen. Stafford's incredible rise and his long career as one of the most powerful leaders in New York's Republican Party.