Lloyd A. Best

Winthrop- Mr. Lloyd A. Best, 82, passed away Wednesday September 5, 2012 at his home, surrounded by the love and support of his family. Arrangements are entrusted with Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Lloyd was born in Potsdam on February 11, 1930 to Charles and Alma Brown Best. Fourteen months after Lloyd was born, his father Charles passed away. At age 4 Lloyd started school at what he called the country school and around that same time his mother married Mr. Charles Pike. Charles became Lloyd's step-father and as Lloyd said "He was very good, in fact he was the only known father that I knew". Lloyd graduated from the Brasher Stockholm High School and it was there that he met the love of his life Gracie Rufa. After graduation Lloyd and Grace were married on September 10, 1949 at St. Patrick Church in Brasher Falls. In 1952 Lloyd began building their home; doing the majority of the work himself, he finished within a year and a half. Being a hard worker Lloyd held several jobs over the years; however in 1964 he started work at the Norwood Plumbing & Heating Company. In 1966 Lloyd became owner/partner of the company, where he retired from in 1990. He never lost his enjoyment of plumbing as he continued to help others as long as he was able. After retirement, Lloyd and Grace enjoyed trips to Florida in their Winnebago, traveling cross country out west, or just loading up the truck and hitting the road. Lloyd was an avid hunter and took pleasure in 4 wheeling and riding snowmobiles. He was a member of the Plumbers Union for 55 years, a longtime member of the Tri-town Chamber of Commerce from whom he received the "Man of the Year" award, a member of the Winthrop Fire Department, and the Eskimo Club. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Grace, his daughter and son-in-law, Roseanna M. and Wayne Felix of Winthrop, daughter-in-law, Julia Best of Brasher Falls, his grandchildren: Christopher and Heather Felix of Massena, Jason and Kimberly Felix of Colton, Wade and Alice Felix of North Lawrence, Shaun and Sharon Felix of NC, Lisa and Pierre St. Pierre of Tupper Lake, Jeremy and Kristen Best of Brasher Falls, Matthew and Kristen Best of Williamsville, and Marcie and John Lawrence of North Lawrence, 14 great-grandchildren: Ciera, Shyane, Keith, Payton, Hunter, Noah, and Grace Felix, Mason and Pierson St. Pierre, Elizabeth, Anthony, and Avery Best, and Caitlin and Anna Lawrence, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his son, Michael L. Best, and his siblings, Robert Best Sr. and Dorothy C. Grandaw. Visitation will be Saturday from 1-3 and 6-8 at the Hammill Funeral Home, with a Remembrance Gathering commencing at 8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lloyd's honor to: The Tri- Town Rescue Squad, Brasher-Winthrop Fire Dept., and Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley Inc. Those who knew Lloyd will always remember that, for Lloyd, "there was the right way, the wrong way, and Lloyd's way" when it came to work or play. Lloyd would also never hesitate to let you know when it wasn't his way - God love him.