Mary Evans

March 16, 2012

Mary B. Evans, 91, of Eagle Bay, passed away peacefully March 16, 2012, at Abraham House, Utica, after a brief illness.

She was born July 10, 1920 in Rome, N.Y., the daughter of Howard and Ruth Brown Burkhard and step-daughter of Ada Smith Burkhard. Mary was a graduate of Town of Webb School and attended St. Lawrence University, graduating with a B.S. degree in biology.

Mary worked several years as the medical secretary for Dr. H.G. Weiskotton, Dean of Syracuse University Medical School. A job she truly loved. While there, Mary met and married James J. Evans, Sr. on July 14, 1951. Jim predeceased her on July 15, 1987.

After marrying, she and Jim returned to the Adirondacks, settling in Eagle Bay where they raised their four children. In 1971, she bought Eagle Bay Villas, a cottage colony on Fourth Lake, which she operated for almost 30 years.

Mary enjoyed watching all kinds of sports and was an avid Syracuse University basketball fan. Even while ill, she wouldn’t think of missing an SU game. She was a fishing enthusiast, taking many fishing trips with Jim to Canada as well as into the Moose River Plains with her son, John. She was an animal lover, having at least two pets in the house at any given time. For the past few years, Mary especially treasured the times watching her grandchildren participate in school sports and activities, not wanting to miss anything they were involved in. She was also known to make the best molasses cookies.

Mary was an active member of St. Anthony’s Church in Inlet and its Altar Rosary Society. She was a Boy Scout leader for many years as well as a member of the Eagle Bay Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Leonard-Mick-Roberts American Legion Post #1402 Ladies Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Inlet Library and Old Forge Arts Center and was a previous Town of Webb Historical Association trustee.

She is survived by four children, James J. Evans, Jr. and wife Sharron of Bartlett, Ill.; John J. Evans of Eagle Bay; Sarah E. Frey and husband John of Inlet and Jeffrey A. Evans and wife Sharon of Big Moose; her “adopted son” David Scranton of Inlet; grandchildren, Michael I. Evans and wife Jacquelyn; Allison A. Frey, Andrea M. Frey, Alexandra N. Evans, J. Benjamin Evans, David Mortensen and wife Sara; Christine Jones and husband Justin, Sandy Kremer and husband Nicholas, Jenny Cadwell and husband Brian, Michael Rossi and wife Jennifer; nine great grandchildren; nephew David Evans, niece Deborah Evans as well as many other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her dear friend, Maxine A. King, who was considered a sister by Mary.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare and Abraham House for the care and compassion given to Mary and her family. They also wish to acknowledge those at HASCA for all they did for Mary.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on May 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church in Inlet. Interment will be at Riverview Cemetery. There are no prior calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in her name to Abraham House, 1203 Kemble Street, Utica, NY 13501. Envelopes will be available at the service. Arrangements are in care of Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, Old Forge. Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.dfwefh.com.

Bruce M. Kaufman

March 21, 2012

Bruce M. Kaufman, 71, husband of Phyllis H. Chase, passed away on March 21, at their home in Boonville. He was born in Rome, N.Y. on Dec. 13, 1940, a son of Leslie and Elizabeth Frederici Kaufman.

After graduating from Rome Free Academy, he entered the United States Air Force becoming a jet engine mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1965. He then became a dual status employee of the Federal Civil Service and the Army Reserve, becoming supervisor of helicopter maintenance, 98th Division, at Hancock Field, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1995.

Bruce has loved the Adirondacks since he was introduced to them in the 1950s when his parents purchased Timber Lane Lodge on Third Lake. He and his brother then purchased it in 1974, owning it for 12 years. In addition to his love of the Adirondacks, he enjoyed camping, boating and fishing. He was a good father, a generous man, full of humor and wit. He was an exceptional handyman who could fix just about anything, and was creative with any piece of wood he might pick up.

In addition to his wife, Phyllis, he is survived by two sons, Brian Kaufman, Wampsville, and Craig Kaufman, Oneida; two grandchildren, Kristine Granger and Brianna Kaufman; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Candace Kaufman, Kayuta Lake; a sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Francis Uhl, Lee Center and Old Forge; two nieces and two nephews; two step-children, James Chase, and Kimberly Serra and her husband Tim; five step-grandchildren, Tyler, Hannah and Collin Chase, and Kendalle and Adam Serra.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 24, at the Mills Funeral Home in Boonville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boonville Youth Athletic Assoc., P.O. Box 412, Boonville, N.Y. 13309.