Francis Lapham

Plattsburgh Mr. Francis A. "Gus" Lapham, 83, beloved husband and father passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012 surrounded by his family at Meadowbrook Health Care Facility. He was born in Plattsburgh, New York on September 28, 1928 the son of Arthur and Margaret (Dwane) Lapham. Gus graduated from St. John's Academy in 1946. He served with the 271st field artillery battalion in Japan during WWII from 1946-1948. Upon returning from war he attended Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute. Gus was manager of Lapham Orchards from 1951-1955 and owner and operator of F. A. Lapham Mobile Homes from 1955-1965. In 1965, Gus was appointed Executive Director of Champlain Valley Development Corporation and then President of the Clinton County Area Development Corporation, until his retirement in 1990. During his tenure, the Corporation saw $100 million in capital investment, the addition of 2 million square feet of commercial and industrial space and the creation of more than 4,000 jobs in the area. In addition he successfully pioneered the county developing its own industrial park and the development of a free trade zone. Gus served a President of the New York State Economic Development Council from 1980 to 1981. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #255 where he served as Grand Knight, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Plattsburgh Lodge #621, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and St. John's Church. Gus was an avid Notre Dame Football fan, watching his sons and grand children's sporting events and playing golf. He married the former Helen Lorraine Russell on June 3rd, 1952 at St. John's Church. Gus is survived by his wife "Rusty" of Plattsburgh, his sons Michael Lapham and his wife Christine of Plattsburgh, Stephen Lapham and his wife Estelle of West Chazy, daughters; Paula Lapham and her companion Stephen Martin of Plattsburgh, Kathleen Maksimow and her companion Marc Papa of Plattsburgh, Ann Barnes and her husband David of Annapolis, MD, his brother Robert D. Lapham and his wife Joyce of Rensselaer, 10 grand children and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Margaret Lapham, a brother Edward J. Lapham and his sisters Catherine Dewey and Dorothy Filion and a son-in-law Max Maksimow. Calling hours will be Sunday, April 15, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April, 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Family members request that in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. John's Church or the Parkinson's Association in care of Brown Funeral Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, (518) 561-3980 Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.