LEESBURG, FLA. — Rose Marie Champagne, 67, of Leesburg, Fla., died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006. Mrs. Champagne was born in Buckannon, W.Va., and had lived most of her life in Upstate New York. She was a homemaker. She lived in Leesburg, Fla., during the winter months and in Waddington, N.Y., during the summer. She enjoyed outdoor sporting activities and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Waddington. She is survived by her husband, Donald K. Champagne of Waddington and Leesburg; three daughters, Colleen Rock of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Wilma Kilburn of Clayburg, N.Y., and Nancy Wood of Riverview, N.Y.; a stepson, Michael Champagne of Schuyler Falls, N.Y.; two stepdaughters, Karen Drollette of Saranac, N.Y., and Tammy Galindo of Cross River, N.Y.; three brothers, Jim Sipe of Ganseboort, N.Y., George Sipe of Sewlickley, Pa., and Robert Sipe of Northville, N.Y.; four grandchildren; and two stepgrandchldren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with the Beyers Funeral Home in Leesburg, Fla. Published in the Press Republican on 12/30/2006. --------------------------------------------------- Collins Jr., Howard A. MORRISONVILLE — Howard A. Collins Jr., 68, of Kent Falls Road, was called home to our Lord on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Plattsburgh on March 5, 1938, the son of Arnold H. and Mary Rita (Young) Collins. He married the former Doris E. Martineau on May 9, 1959, at St. Joseph's Church in Treadwells Mills. Howard was a member of the Operating Engineers Union, Local 106, Albany, N.Y., and retired in November 2000 after 30 years of dedicated service. He was a partner of D&H Auto in Morrisonville. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, auto body and engine repair and was a fan of NASCAR racing. He had a loving heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand, never expecting or asking anything in return. He will be greatly missed by many people. Survivors include his wife of 47 years; three daughters, Tina Stoughton and her companion Don Dupraw of Saranac, Wanda Collins of Morrisonville and Tammy Russell and her husband Randy of Morrisonville; five grandchildren, Kiel and Shauna Stoughton of Saranac, Cody and Colby Russell of Morrisonville and Karlee Fleming of Morrisonville; a sister, Grace Jabaut of Plattsburgh; a brother, Calvin Collins of Plattsburgh; three sisters-in-law, Alice LaFave and her husband George of Norwich, Conn., Marion LaForest of Plattsburgh, Ethel LaForest and her husband Jay of Sciota; several nieces, nephews; and friends, especially Raymond "Emery" Boyd and Evan Boyd of Plattsburgh and Charles "Charlie" Normandin of Morrisonville. Howard was predeceased by his parents; a brother, George W. Collins; two brothers-in-law, Norman Jabaut and Gordon LaForest; and a sister-in-law, Rose Collins. At. Howard's request, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at 11 a.m. at St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society serving the Plattsburgh area at Capital NY Region-Queensbury, 959 State Rt. 9, Mt. Royal Plaza, Queensbury, NY 12804 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050. Arrangements are with the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Published in the Press Republican on 12/30/2006. ------------------------------------------------- Greene, Gertrude F. CATSKILL, N.Y. — Gertrude F. Greene, 91, of Catskill, died at her home on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, following a brief illness. Mrs. Greene was born in Keeseville, N.Y., on Oct. 27, 1915, to the late Frank and Margaret (Laundree) Finnegan, She was one of nine children. In later adulthood, she graduated from Ulster Community College and completed her career there at age 77 as the Director of Administrative Assistants. Following her retirement, she enjoyed traveling, dining out, socializing, visiting her family, homemaking and caring for the residential pets. Mrs. Greene is survived by her son, Gordon "Bobby" (Anna) Greene of Owensboro, Ky.; and daughter, Gretchen "Gigi" Thomas of Sun City, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren, including Kim-marie (Terry Herbeck) Doty of Rochester, her devoted caregivers; two brothers, Charles Finnegan of Queensbury and Frank Finnegan of Dunedin, Fla.; her sister, Agnes Smith of Waterville, Maine; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Gayle Doty; and five siblings. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church in Catskill with Rev. James E. Clark, pastor, officiating. Private cremation was conducted on Thursday, Dec. 28, at the Albany Crematorium under the direction of the Millspaugh Camerato Funeral home at 139 Jefferson Heights in Catskill. Interment will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Keeseville, N.Y., in the spring of 2007. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene or the ASPCA of which she was a staunch supporter. On-line condolences may be made at millspaughcamerato.com. Published in the Press Republican on 12/30/2006. -------------------------------------------- Griffith, Jeanette JEANETTE GRIFFITH, 97, of Potsdam, N.Y., died on Dec. 25, 2006. She was born on June 11, 1909, in Howick, Quebec, the daughter of Treffle Rose and Roseanna (Benoit) Rose. A funeral service was held Dec. 28, 2006, at St. Andrew's Church in Norwood with Monsignor Harry Snow officiating. Published in the Press Republican on 12/30/2006. ------------------------------------------------- Light, Andre A. ANDRE A. LIGHT, 83, of Crescent Drive, Plattsburgh, died Dec. 29, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in Plattsburgh on Aug. 16, 1923, son of the late John B. and Agnes (Bouvier) Light. Calling hours will be Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held Saturday evening at 6 p.m. from Brown Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Yonkovig, pastor of St. Peter's Church, officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh. A complete obituary will appear in the Press-Republican. Published in the Press Republican on 12/30/2006.