In Memoriam



Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches News, 1 November 2009
John Anthony Fontana 1931-2009
John Anthony Fontana, 78, died Oct. 29, 2009, at his home. He was born in New York City and lived in Fort Pierce since 1990, coming from Jackson, N.J.
John Fontana
He served in the Marines during the Korean War. Before retirement, he worked as a butcher for Shop Rite Superama in Lakewood, N.J., for 38 years. He was a member of the Crossing Community Church in Fort Pierce. He was a member of the Lions Club, Moose lodge and Italian American Club in Jackson. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lois Fontana of Fort Pierce; son, John Fontana of Jackson; daughters, Jodi Mycz of Beachwood, N.J., and Laurie Fontana of Toms River, N.J.; sister, Rosalie Johnson of Sun City West; Ariz; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen O'Connell; and brother, Charles Fontana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation c/o Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 S.E. Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997. Services: A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Crossing Community Church in Fort Pierce. Arrangements are by Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book may be signed at seawindsfh.com/obit.php.


Telegraph-Journal, 28 July 2008
Lois Jean McIntee 1930-2008
MCINTEE, LOIS JEAN - At the Saint John Regional Hospital, July 25, 2008, Lois Jean McIntee of St. Stephen, NB. She was the widow of Randall Edward McIntee and daughter of the late Hazen and Jessie (Fisher) Dougherty. Survived by one son, Greg of St. Stephen, NB; one daughter, Mary Ellen Fitch (Peter) of St. Stephen, NB; step-daughter, Carol Anne Beckett of Florida; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Doug Dougherty (Betty) of Mayfield, NB; two sisters, Shirley Labrecque of St. Stephen, NB and Mary Scribner of Calais, Me. She was predeceased by son, Bill McIntee; and one brother, Hazen Dougherty. Funeral service will be held from Kirk McColl United Church, King Street, St. Stephen, NB on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 2PM. Visiting hours will be held at The S. O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home Ltd., 23 Main Street, St. Stephen, NB on Monday, July 28, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Interment at St. Stephen Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers remembrances to the Kirk McColl United Church or charity of ones choice would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be sent online at www.mehanfuneralhome.ca


New Jersey Herald, 3 March 2008
Diane Katherine Blessing 1953-2008
GLEN AUBREY, N.Y. — Diane Katherine Blessing, 55, of Glen Aubrey, formerly of Sparta, passed away after a long illness on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Vestal Nursing Center in New York. She was born in Franklin to Dorothy Zoe Ralph Blessing and Dr. Joseph M. Blessing Jr. Ms. Blessing was a graduate of Sparta High School, Class of 1971, and a graduate of Bloomsburg State College in 1975, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in education. Ms. Blessing was best known for her love of children and cooking.

She was predeceased by her dear father, Dr. Joseph M. Blessing Jr., in 1964 and her loving companion, Roger Harrington, in 2002. Ms. Blessing leaves behind her loving mother, Dorothy Zoe Randolph, and her stepfather, Donald Randolph; her two brothers, Joseph Blessing of Ogdensburg and Karl Blessing and his wife, Deborah, of Ohio; her nephew, Paul Blessing, and two nieces, Allyson and Anna Blessing, all of Ohio. Ms. Blessing also leaves behind her two stepsisters, Janice Berndt and Diane Reece, and her dear cousin, Phyllis Blessing.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 12 noon at the Sparta United Methodist Church, 71 Sparta Ave., Sparta. Interment will follow at Sparta Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or to Danielle House, 160 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905.


Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches News, 16 October 2007
Karen O'Connell 1953-2007
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - Karen O'Connell, 54, of Port St. Lucie, passed away October 12, 2007 at St. Lucie Medical Center. She was born February 25, 1953 in Camp Lejeune, NC. She had been a resident of Port St. Lucie for 20 years, moving from Bricktown, NJ.
Karen O'Connell
She had been a Paraprofessional for 14 years at St. Lucie West Middle School. Karen was very involved with all of the students at school, including bowling and golf tournaments for the school. She received Employee of the Month, and the ESE Award from the school. Karen loved gardening and was the "Bunco Queen". Karen was a wonderful mother, a wonderful wife, and a best friend. Her son Jason said that she was his best friend and his guiding light through everything in his life. Karen was her daughter Tracy's best friend and role model, "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have learned about all the finer things in life." She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jerry O'Connell of Port St. Lucie; son, Jason O'Connell of Port St. Lucie; daughter, Tracy O'Connell of Port St. Lucie; parents, Lois and John Fontana of Ft. Pierce; Sisters, Jodi Mycz (Steve) of Beachwood, NJ, Laurie Fontana of Toms River, NJ; brother, John Fontana Jr. (Donna) of Jackson, NJ; and granddogs, Mercedez, Snykers and Jake. Visitation will be 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Monday, October 15th, and 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 7 – 9:00 PM, Tuesday, October 16th, at Byrd Young & Prill Port St. Lucie Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, at Byrd Young & Prill Port St. Lucie Funeral Home, with Rev. Craig Bridges officiating. Entombment will follow in Rolling Oaks Cemetery, Port St. Lucie. An online registry is available to sign and leave notes of condolence at the web site of Byrd, Young, and Prill. She was a great-granddaughter of Charles Frederick Fisher and Sarah Young of Middleton, Nova Scotia, through their daughter Dorothy Josephine Ralph.

Medical College of Georgia, Augusta Georgia, 9 January 2006
Dr. Robert G. Ellison 1916-2006
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - Dr. Robert Gordon Ellison Sr., a stalwart of the Medical College of Georgia who helped revolutionize the field of cardiothoracic surgery, died Jan. 8 at age 89 at MCG.

Dr. Robert Ellison
"Dr. Ellison's contributions as a member of the MCG faculty are incalculable," said MCG President Daniel W. Rahn. "He was directly responsible for many of MCG's most groundbreaking achievements, and he simply helped change the face of health care. He will be sorely missed."

The funeral will be held Thursday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. at Augusta's Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Ave., followed by burial at Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Road. The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Elliott and Sons Funeral Home, 1134 Telfair St.

Dr. Ellison, the son of John Gordon Ellison and Fredricka Fisher Ellison, was a native of Millen, Ga. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1939 and a medical degree from MCG in 1943. After completing an internship and residency at University Hospital and MCG and a cardiopulmonary physiology fellowship at Bellevue Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, he joined the MCG faculty in 1947 as an instructor and became professor of thoracic surgery and chief of the Section of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery in 1959. He was named Leon Henri Charbonnier Professor of Surgery in 1973. He retired from MCG in 1987 as Charbonnier Professor of Surgery Emeritus and Chief of the Section of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery Emeritus. He was chief of general thoracic surgery at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta from 1987-1991.

He contributed extensively to MCG's teaching, research and educational missions and performed Georgia's first open-heart operation in 1956. He worked closely with his wife, Dr. Lois Taylor Ellison, whom he married in 1945 and who helped develop MCG's cardiopulmonary laboratory for cardiac catheterizations and pulmonary function studies. His research contributions in the cardiothoracic surgery field included improved modified techniques for cardiothoracic surgery, investigation of pacemakers, long-term evaluation of mechanical versus tissue prosthesis, evaluation of methods of myocardial preservation during open heart surgery, long term results of surgery for coronary artery disease and transplantation of the heart and lung.

Dr. Ellison was a past president of the Augusta Area Tuberculosis Association, the Georgia Heart Association, the Georgia Surgical Society, the Georgia Thoracic Society, the Georgia Tuberculosis Association, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He chaired the American Board of Thoracic Surgery from 1979-81. He was a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American College of Surgeons and the Southeastern Surgical Congress. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Honor Society and Sigma Xi.

His many awards included a School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award, School of Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award for Institutional Service, School of Medicine Recognition and Appreciation Award, American Heart Association Heart of Gold Award, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Silver Platter, Richmond County Medical Society Achievement Award, Medical Association of Georgia Hardman Cup, 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and MCG's 2005 Vessel of Life Award, presented to Dr. Ellison and his wife. The Robert G. Ellison, M.D. Symposium on Thoracic Surgery was established in his honor.

He published 133 articles in medical journals, was co-editor of one book, author of one book and contributed chapters to 11 books. He was a member of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church and the Damren Sunday School Class, the Kiwanis Club and the Augusta Country Club.

Dr. Ellison's survivors include his wife, Dr. Lois Taylor Ellison; five sons, Dr. Robert G. Ellison Jr. and wife Penny of Jacksonville, Fla., Dr. Gregory T. Ellison and wife Marty of Augusta, Dr. Mark F. Ellison and wife Betsy of Athens, James W. Ellison of Augusta and John C. Ellison and wife Jackie of Atlanta; grandchildren Robert G. Ellison III, Lauren Ellison, Taylor Ellison Jr., Leigh Ellison, Sarah Ellison, Mark Ellison Jr., David Ellison, John Ellison Jr. and Jerry Ellison; and brother Fred F. Ellison of Durham, N.C. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert G. Ellison, M.D., Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at MCG, MCG Foundation, Inc., 919 15th St. Alumni Center, Augusta, Ga., 30912 or the Television Ministries of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, Ga. 30904.


Times & Transcript, 31 August 2005
Peter Fisher 1928-2005
POINTE DE BUTE, NB - Peter Fisher, 77, of Pointe de Bute, N.B., passed away at the Moncton City Hospital on Friday, August 26, 2005. Born in Sackville, N.B., he was the son of the late C.M.P. Fisher and Kathleen (Fawcett) Fisher. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Barbara (Edwards); son, David, Lethbridge, Alberta; daughters, Kay (Peter) Langmuir of Kingston, Ont. and Jill Fisher (Dr. Kevin Librach) of Guelph, Ont., brother, Maurice P. Fisher and sister Mary McOuat, both of Sackville, and his cherished grandchildren, Ben, Robin, Naomi and Tim Librach, and Victoria and Morgan Langmuir. He attended Bishops College School and Mount Allison Academy. He worked for many years for the Enterprise Foundry Company Limited in Sackville in advertising and public relations and later for the Globe and Mail and North American Van Lines in Halifax. He was an active private pilot and ham radio operator (VE1VY), and longtime president of the Moncton Flying Club. He was the youngest president of the Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association and attended the annual meeting of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale held in Moscow in 1959. The group was the first foreign delegation allowed into the Soviet Union after the lifting of the Iron Curtain. Other FAI meetings took him to Spain, Morocco and Greece. More recently he was a founding member of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, Turnbull Chapter, and was involved in establishing the Don McClure Aviation Historical Gallery at Moncton Airport. He was an avid supporter for many years of the Air Cadet League of Canada, N.B. Command, a longtime Rotarian, volunteer for the Saint John Ambulance Association, and held a certificate for over 40 years of blood donations. He was an early member of the Sackville Curling Club, a longtime sailing member of the Shediac Bay Yacht Club, and had been a member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron since 1952. Cremation has taken place and the family will receive visitors at Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge Street, Sackville (364-1300), from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday September 2. Funeral service at 11 a.m., Saturday at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Sackville, Rev. Father Kevin Stockall officiating. Burial will follow in the Sackville Cemetery with reception to follow at Jones Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society for Leukemia Research, Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation, Canadian Aviation Historical Society Turnbull Chapter, or a charity of your choice. www.jonesfuneralhome.ca

Times & Transcript, 11 June 2005
Margery Ross Campbell Fisher 1925-2005
Margery Ross Campbell Fisher passed away unexpected on June 7, 2005 at the age of 80.
Margery Campbell Fisher
Survived by her husband, Maurice (Jake) of 55 years; and her children, Judith (Keith Purchase), Michael (Karen Phinney), Susan and Ian (Judith Cane). Predeceased by her son, Alan. Margery will also be greatly missed by her sister, Heather Seybold; her brother, Davidson Campbell; and her long-awaited, greatly beloved grandsons, Samuel, Colin and Sam. Margery was a graduate of the Royal Victoria College of Nursing in Montreal and Mount Allison University in Sackville, and was one of the original "stews" at TCA. Visitation at Campbell's Funeral Home, Sackville, N.B., Friday, June 10, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 125 Main Street, Sackville, on Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. Flowers are welcome or donations to the VON or Red Cross.


Times & Transcript, 12 April 2005
Frederick William Fisher 1910-2005
SACKVILLE, NB - Frederick William (Bill) Fisher, passed away peacefully at the Sackville Memorial Hospital, on Sunday, April 10, 2005 at the age of 95. Born in Sackville, NB on January 22, 1910, he was the son of the late Frederick Arnold Fisher and Nora (Wiggins) Fisher. Bill was educated in Sackville and at Rothesay Collegiate School and served in the Canadian Armed Forces during WWII. He was employed in a management position with Enterprise Foundry Company Ltd. until his retirement. Bill was a member of the Kinsmen Club, longtime member of the Sackville Rotary Club and the Sackville Curling Club. He will be sadly missed by his sister Nora Tapley of Sackville, NB; his brother, George (Norma) Fisher of Kemptville, Ontario; a stepdaughter and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Marjorie (Belding) Fisher and his second wife, Sally (Conner) Fisher; his brother, John W. Fisher and his sister Katherine S. (Fisher) Tamplet. Arrangements are entrusted to Campbell's Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB (364-8188). Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on a date to be announced. Donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation, St. Paul's Anglican Church or to the charity of one's choice.


Times & Transcript, 6 November 2004
Arthur Vincent Tingley 1928-2004
SACKVILLE, NB - It is with great sadness that Marg, Brian and Janet Tingley, wife and children, announce the death of their husband and father, Arthur Vincent Tingley on Thursday, November 4, 2004. Born in Sackville, N.B. on July 2, 1928, he was the son of the late Harry A. and Ida (Hicks) Tingley. Art is survived by his wife of thirty six years, Margaret (Tapley) Tingley of Sackville, N.B.; son, Brian Tingley; and daughter, Janet Tingley, both of Moncton, N.B.; brother, Harry Jr. (Evelyn) Tingley of Creston, BC; four sisters, Edith Fairweather of Moncton, N.B., Audrey (Adelard) Cormier of Moncton, N.B., Martha (George) Stultz of Crossfield, AB and Marilyn Myra of Sussex, N.B.; two grandchildren, Virginia and Alexander Tingley of Dorchester, N.B.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Ida; sister, Ruth; two brothers, Herman and Don; and two infant sons. Arrangements are entrusted to Campbell's Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville, N.B. (364-8188). Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place on Monday, November 8, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM from Campbell's Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held from St. Paul's Anglican Church on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at 4 PM with Father Kevin Stockall officiating. Burial will follow in The Sackville Cemetery. Following the burial a reception will be held at Campbell's Funeral Home, Sackville, N.B. In lieu of flowers, donations in Art's memory may be made to the Sackville Memorial Hospital, Parkinson's Society, Canadian Diabetic Association or to the charity of ones choice.


Daily Gleaner, 12 September 2002
Dorothy Mae Grant
COMOX, BC - Dorothy Mae Grant, aged 90 of Comox, BC, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Hospital on Thursday, December 5, 2002. Predeceased by her husband Kenneth and sister Edith. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughters, Joyce (Gray) Pearson of Nanaimo, BC, Vivian (Gerald) Bethell of Ontario and Terry (Bill) Fisher of Comox; her grandchildren, great grandchildren and half-sister Shirley. Dorothy was a resident of Fredericton, for many years, moving to Comox in 1998 to be with her family. She will be sadly missed as well by her many friends at Bay Community Church. Following cremation, interment will take place in New Brunswick at a later date. Comox Valley Funeral Home, 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay, BC entrusted with arrangements. For those wishing, donations in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.