Howard I. Chambers

Funeral services for Howard I. Chambers, age 82 of Elderkin Street in Potsdam will be held on Friday (March 9, 2012) at 11:00am at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home with Rev. Lee Sweeney officiating. Burial will be in the spring at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 3-5pm & 7-9pm at the funeral home and again on Friday from 9:00am until the time of the service. Mr. Chambers died early Monday morning at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Surviving is his wife of 59 years Lareatta “Rita” M. Chambers; two sons Ed & Robin Chambers of Ogdensburg, James & Pamela Chambers of Potsdam; four daughters Ramona Smith & Mark Sovie of Fowler, Angela & Douglas Quick of Canton, Diana Hyatt of Potsdam, Pamela Chambers & Bryon LaBar of Parishville; a daughter-in-law Karen Alguire of Chase Mills; four sisters Ida Cummings of Massena, Agnes Perry of Ogdensburg, Eleanor James and Rosemary Simmons of Heuvelton; two brothers Leon & Martha Chambers of Ogdensburg, Fred Chambers of Russell, MA; 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews & cousins.

A son Steven Chambers, three sisters Norma Brooks, Sharon Spicer, Gloria Mills and three brothers Burton, Clifford & Richard Chambers predeceased him.

Howard was born on August 19, 1929 in Heuvelton, NY, a son of the late James & Annas (Redmond) Chambers. He attended Heuvelton schools for his education, and served in the US Army from 1951 – 1956 and was awarded the Purple Heart after becoming wounded during the Korean War. He worked on area farms for 15 years prior to becoming employed for the Village of Potsdam. He retired in 1991 as the village acting superintendant.

He was a lifetime member of the Heuvelton AmVets Post 1997 where he also served as Commander, 1st Vice and head of the color guard unit. Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, going to the casino, gardening, woodworking, bird watching, feeding his “pet” squirrels, family gatherings and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Memorial contribution can be made to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY 13676 or the Down Syndrome Association of Central New York, Inc. P.O. Box 5, Manlius, New York 13104-0005.