Obituary of Arthur P. Tourville

Arthur Tourville Clinton Arthur Tourville, 86, of Clinton, NY, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2012. He was born on February 3, 1926 in Ellenburg, NY to the late William and Anna Mae Amo Tourville. A graduate of Plattsburgh High, Arthur entered the Air Force in 1944 and served as a gunner in a B-24. Following the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Lettie Dickinson, in 1947. He began work as a lineman for New York Bell Telephone and later became an engineer. He retired in 1982 after 34 years. Arthur was a life member of the Verizon Pioneers, former leader of Boy Scout Troop 89, former board member of the Kirkland Art Center, and founding member of the Erie Canal Woodcarver's Club. An accomplished woodworker and self-taught electrician, plumber, and mason, Arthur built two houses for his family. For many years he raised German Shorthair Pointers. He took great pride in his vegetable garden and apple orchard and enjoyed many hobbies. Arthur is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Lettie; daughter and son-in-law, Fern and Kirk James of Brookline, MA; grandsons, Matthew James of Brooklyn, Paul and Shawn Tourville of Syracuse; sisters, Wilma Farley, Carolyn Tarricone, Sylvia Stack, and Gloria Manny of Plattsburgh, Diane Sitte of Toronto, Ontario; brother, William of Irmo, SC; and close family friend, Ting Khumkwa of Clinton. Arthur was predeceased by his son, Arthur; daughter, Mary Hope; brothers, Lawrence and Joseph; and grandson, Peter James. Arrangements made by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the nurses and staff of the Willow Way Unit of the Lutheran Home for the wonderful care and good humor enjoyed by Arthur over the last several months. A celebration of his life is planned for the summer. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kirkland Town Library, 55-1/2 College St., Clinton, NY, 13323 in Arthur's memory.