Efton R. McCrea, 74, Gouverneur

Efton R. McCrea, age 74, of Kearney Road, Gouverneur, died on Friday, June 20, 2008 at home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on August 10, 1933 in Heuvelton, a son of the late Alton and Carrie (Pike) McCrea. Efton attended several local schoolhouses before attending Gouverneur High School.

He married Helena C. Clark on May 19, 1956 in the Spragueville Methodist Church with the Rev. Daisy Harvey officiating. The couple has been avid horsemen, attending shows and parades for years.

Mr. McCrea was also a horse ferrier who would enjoy stopping to help others. Efton’s hobbies included bowling, motorcycling, listening to country music.

Efton had worked at various farms, the paper mill in Natural Dam and for Jones Farm Supply in Gouverneur as a mechanical repairman before his recent retirement.

He and his wife previously had a dairy farm in Theresa and currently have a hobby farm in Gouverneur where they have raised beef cattle.

His survivors include his wife, Helena – Gouverneur, four children whom all live in Gouverneur; a daughter, Ola F. McCrea, three sons and two daughters-in-law; Efton R., Jr. and his wife, Paige, Joel C. and his wife, Helen, and James C. He is survived by three sisters and their husbands; Martha and Bill Smith – Virginia, Addie and Bill Cooper – Antwerp, Betty and Royal Gutierrez – Philadelphia, and his two brothers and a sister-in-law; Walt and Marge McCrea – Gouverneur and Archie McCrea – Florida. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Keshia and Elizabeth McCrea, four grandsons; Gary and Kristopher Johnson, and Ethan and Cody McCrea, all of Gouverneur, and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 1 until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2008 at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur.

His funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with Rev. William G. Hart officiating.

Burial in Spragueville Cemetery will be private.