MASSENA – Mr. Robert W. LaValley, 96, of Stearns Street, passed away late Wednesday evening at the St. Regis Nursing Home.
Bob was born January 6, 1922 in Fine, New York, the son of the late Joseph and Rachel (Nichols) Compo. After the tragic death of his parents, he was adopted and raised by his aunt and uncle, Charles and Ida (Nichols) LaValley. He was a 1940 graduate of Massena Central School. On February 12, 1942, he married Doris M. Fincham at the Advent Christian Church with Rev. Albert Brooks officiating. Doris predeceased him on April 21, 2006. Shortly after his marriage, he was drafted into the US Army Air Corps entering active duty on November 28, 1942 at Fort Niagara, New York. He served as a Sergeant with the 400th AAF Base Unit. Before his discharge on February 9, 1946, he was awarded the World War Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.
In May 1941, he started working at Alcoa, where he continued until his retirement in June 1983 as a tool maker. In 1940, Bob joined the Advent Christian Church, where he served many offices throughout his lifetime and served as the President of the New York State Advent Christian Conference. Bob was also an active and life member of the Free and Accepted Masons Massena Lodge #513, serving as the Master Mason in 1993 and 1994. He was a member of the York and Scottish Rite Bodies and the Media Temple Shriners. Bob had a great love for traveling having visited 44 states, Mexico and 5 Central European countries. He also found great peace while camping and boating at his camp in Parishville on Allen’s Falls Flow.
Bob is survived by his three children, David LaValley of Manvel, North Dakota; Linda and David Myers of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; and Sharon and Gary Johnson of Massena; seven grandchildren; several great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; his sister, Jean Ann Cody of Hawaii; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Bob was preceded in death by a son, Gerald Robert LaValley on August 27, 1987; his brother, Bernard Compo; his sister, Ida Mae Sebring; and his dear friend and travel companion, Wilma Taylor.
Friends may call Friday 5-8:00 PM at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena. Funeral services will be held Saturday 2:00 PM at the Northside Community Church with Rev. George Middleton officiating. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family in Louisville Community Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Northside Community Church Memorial Fund or Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.
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