Tag Archives: plude

GRANVILLE and HUDSON FALLS—Michael Lee Plude, who lived in Hudson Falls for most of his life before moving to Granville, died unexpectedly and entered into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, February 8, 2018, five days before his birthday. He was 51.

Mike was born February 13, 1966, the son of Donald J. and Beatrice L. (Bechard) Plude. He was born with Down syndrome and a permanently dislocated hip that left him unable to walk, but that never affected his zest for life. He had a remarkable effect on all who knew and loved him.

He especially enjoyed parades and marching bands, and in his younger years could often be seen with his parents outside their Winnebago cheering on the marchers. He loved music, especially old country songs and ballads, and would pump his better leg to the music and sing along with his own lyrics, right in tune. In his later years he liked to go to Rick and Carol’s in Fort Ann and dance in his wheelchair.

He also loved long rides in any vehicle. And he liked the water, and if you held your hand under his chest he would kick his legs like he never could in his wheelchair and almost seemed to swim.

In his later years Mike enjoyed going out for pizza with his brother Jeff and sister-in-law Karen and afterward riding around and singing along to Willie Nelson and Hank Williams songs. He also took a big trip to New York City in 2005, accompanied by Nicole Stevens, a former manager of his group home, to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Mike lived at home in Hudson Falls for most of his life with his parents, and after his father died in 1983, with his mother. He would sit in front of the house at 33 LaBarge Street with his mother and wave to all the passers-by. She lovingly cared for him until 2003, when he moved to a group home in Granville, where he made a whole new group of friends. He attended a day program nearby at CWI Eastpointe.

Mike’s mother died in 2014, and his half brother, Ronald L. Plude, died in 2016.

Left to cherish Mike’s memory are his brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Karen Plude of Bethlehem; his two half nephews, Scott (Pasquela) Plude and Matthew (Sonia) Plude, both of California; a special cousin, Denis Plude of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and caregivers.

There will be no calling hours. Private graveside services and burial will be held in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward.

Donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the National Down Syndrome Society,  8 East 41^st Street, 8^th Floor, New York, NY 10017, or at www.ndss.org.

GRANVILLE and HUDSON FALLS—Michael Lee Plude, who lived in Hudson Falls for most of his life before moving to Granville, died unexpectedly and entered into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, February 8, 2018, five days before his birthday. He was 51.

A full obituary will appear in an upcoming edition of The Post-Star. Arrangements are pending and under the care of Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls

HUDSON FALLS—Beatrice Louise “Bea” Plude, a longtime resident of LaBarge Street, died Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at the Fort Hudson Healthcare Facility. She was 86.  

She was born in Hudson Falls on March 31, 1928, the daughter of Wilfred and Mildred Deyette Bechard.  

On Sept. 4, 1954, Mrs. Plude married Donald J. Plude and moved into the house he built himself at 33 LaBarge Street. They lived there together for 29 years, until Mr. Plude’s death in 1983. She lived there for another 26 years before entering the nursing home—55 years in all.  

From the mid 1970s to the early ’80s, Mr. and Mrs. Plude enjoyed taking trips in their Winnebago with their family. They could often be found at campgrounds in the Adirondacks and at local parades, with friends in tow or around the campfire.  

In later years, Mrs. Plude could often be seen sitting on the front stoop of her house or in the driveway in nice weather with her son Michael, who has Down syndrome, and waving to and chatting with neighbors and passersby. For many years, Mrs. Plude took care of Michael at the family home. She had a warm and bright smile and a good sense of humor and loved a good hotdog.  

Mrs. Plude especially enjoyed scholastic wrestling. For many years after her son Jeffrey was a high school wrestler, she could be seen at area matches and tournaments in the front row cheering on the Hudson Falls Tiger grapplers. She regularly attended the Hudson Falls High School wrestling banquets and presented the annual sportsmanship award to the winner. She herself was awarded a plaque as the #1 Fan by the 1995-96 team.  

Her other sport was professional baseball. An avid Yankees fan, Mrs. Plude rarely missed a game on television in the 1980s and ’90s and attended games at the old Yankee Stadium several times. She also liked to do crossword puzzles and take bus trips with other seniors. She was a past member of the Hudson Falls/Fort Edward 60 Plus Senior Citizens and a member of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.  

Her parents, her husband, a half brother Richard Gregory, and two sisters, Doris Costanzo and Shirley Ball, all died before her.  

Survivors include her sons, Jeffrey Plude and his wife, Karen, of Glens Falls, and Michael Plude of Granville; her stepson, Ronald Plude of Plano, Texas; her stepgrandsons, Scott and Matthew Plude, both of California; her half sister, Joyce Hammond of Queensbury; her half brothers, Marvin Gregory of Glens Falls and Raymond Gregory and his wife, Linda, of Hudson Falls; her sisters-in-law, Lois Plude of Lusby, Maryland, Marlyn Bray and her husband, Dana, of Queensbury, and Roanne Messier of Virginia; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Calling hours will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.  

Services will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, following the calling hours. Burial will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward.   

Donations may be made in Mrs. Plude’s memory to the National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10012, or at www.ndss.org.