Obituary of Harold F. Gotham

SYLVIA LAKE – Harold F. Gotham, Jr., age 81, passed away on June 30, 2015 at the Gouverneur Hospital. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home, 188 Main St., Edwards, on Monday, July 6, 2015 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. His funeral service will be on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Beth Benham officiating. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Harold was born on April 14, 1934 in Edwards to the late Harold F. Gotham, Sr. and Bernice (Miller) Gotham. He attended the Knox Memorial High School. Harold married Janet F. Bridgeland on October 20, 1961. He, along with his family, ran the Twin Brooks Vu Farm in Edwards for 30 years. Prior to that he worked as a carpenter in Syracuse and drove truck for the St. Lawrence Seaway Project. In his younger years he worked at the Cheese Factory in Redwood and on the family farm. He loved doing carpentry work. Along with Darren and David he built several family homes in Fowler and Sylvia Lake. He also enjoyed working in the garden. Harold was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Edwards, a previous member of the Edwards Lions Club. His survivors include his wife, Janet; two sons, David Gotham, Darren Gotham and his wife, Tonya; a daughter, Shelly Palleschi and her husband, Phillip, Jr.; two brothers and their wives, Howard and Katie Gotham, Richard and Janet Gotham; and three sisters, Helen Henri, Mrs. (Rosalie) Carlton Force and Mayfred Hull. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Ashley, Nicholle, Jaymie, Kyle and Daniel and several nieces and nephews. Harold is predeceased by a sister, Madeline Hatch and two brothers, Gilbert and Winston "Sonny" Gotham.