William H. Hosmer Sr.

FORT ANN William H. Hosmer Sr. of Fort Ann and Gouverneur, N.Y., passed away on Monday, July 28, 2008, at Glens Falls Hospital, just days before his 77th birthday. William was born on Aug. 5, 1931, at home in Copenhagen, N.Y. He was the son of Melvin B. and Alice M. Watson Hosmer. He attended Edwards High School and then proudly served in the Korean War Conflict from 1948 to 1952. After being honorably discharged from the Army. he was a mason foreman at the Eisenhower Locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway. He went on to work as a paper millwright in Natural Dam of Gouverneur and then at James River Paper Company in South Glens Falls, where he retired after 38 years of mill work. William enjoyed building on to his camp at Hadlock Pond, which became his year round home. Such additions included Lee's Grocery in 1970, then Bill's Grocery in 1980, which provided the neighborhood with a variety of summertime goods. Years later he purchased Lil Red's Roost Diner in Flackville, N.Y. He enjoyed talking with his customers, telling a good joke, and playing cards for money, of course! He had a passion for old cars and spending time riding around with his son looking for the next project car and he couldn't resist scouting out a good garage sale. He was a past member of the Elks Club Lodge No. 81, Gouverneur Senior Citizens and he recently enjoyed visiting with his new neighbors at Earl Towers in Hudson Falls. William is survived by his wife, Leona Congdon Hosmer; his three daughters: Constance and husband, Robert Haynes, of Richville, Crystal and husband, Dorian McWain Sr., of Fort Ann, and Darlene and husband, Robert Storie, of Gouverneur; and one son, William Jr. and his wife, Kelly, of Fort Ann; and two sisters, LaVerne Freeman of Edwards, and Carol DeRose of Wake Forest, N.C. He looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Lucas Haynes, Angela Shultz, Jennie Zuger and her son, Nicholas, Dorian McWain Jr., David McWain, Sarah Jenkins, Bobbie Sue Storie, Joseph Storie, Dustin Storie, Sarah Hosmer, Samantha Hosmer and her daughter, Charleigh. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home, 18 George St., Fort Ann. Memorial contributions may be made in William's name to the American Heart Association, www.american heart.org or P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049.