Carl E. Rivers Sr., 75, Richville

Carl E. Rivers Sr., 75, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at home under the care of his family and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.

Calling hours will be Monday, November 29th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur with Rev. Lee VonWald, pastor Ford Reynolds, and pastor Reggie Curtis officiating and burial with military rites in Maple Grove Cemetery, Richville.

Carl was born June 4, 1935 in Canton, the son of Allen and Blanch “Sally” Charbonneau Rivers.

He attended schools in Madrid and Canton before serving in the United States Air Force from 1955 - 1959.

Carl married Helen G. Peterson on August 8, 1959 at St. John’s Baptist Church, Madrid with Rev. J. Carlton Dewey officiating.

Carl worked as a mechanic and body repairman in auto body shops in Harverstraw and Nyack until opening his own shop, Carl’s Body Shop, in 1968. The couple moved their business to Richville in 1970 and Carl worked his trade until retiring in 2002. He also established several rental properties in 1992 in Richville.

Carl enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, woodworking, developing his properties, and camping, especially at his Silver Hill camp in Russell. He attended the Church of God in Richville, Richville Christian Fellowship, and the Assembly of God in Gouverneur.

Mr. Rivers is survived by his wife, Helen; three sons, Carl Rivers Jr. and his wife Janet of Calcium, Gary Rivers of Richville, and Joseph Rivers of Virginia; a daughter, Lisa Reynolds Middlemiss and her husband Jeffrey Middlemiss of Brier Hill; seven grandchildren, Heather Rivers, April Marsh, Christina Reynolds, Cynthia (Rivers) Hunter, Jason Rivers, Douglas Reynolds, and Susan (Rivers) Moore; a stepgrandson, Andrew Middlemiss; four great grandchildren, Logan Rivers, Carl James “CJ” Moore, Ryan Hunter, and Michael Moore; a brother, Darrell Rivers of Batavia; three sisters, Beverly Corcoran and Cheryl Barber of Batavia, and Lori Forsyth of Oakfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Carl was predeceased by a daughter, Sarah Louise Rivers who died at birth; a step granddaughter, Cathy Jo Middlemiss; a brother, Arthur Rivers; and two sisters, Barbara Blackmer and Rita Sanfrantello.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.