Alan F. Neese, 81, of Saranac Lake, died at home Tuesday, August 28, 2012.

He was born in Rochester, New York on December 10, 1930, the son of Leon Miles and Eleanor Wilson Neese.

Alan served in the army and was stationed in Trieste, Italy during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953.

He graduated from Paul Smiths College with a degree in forestry and from Plattsburgh State College in 1961 with a bachelor or arts. Alan taught school for thirty-two years in the Saranac Lake Central School System. He began his teaching career in Onchiota, New York teaching grades K -6 in a two room school house.

Mr. Neese coached modified football at Saranac Lake Middle School for thirty-two years. He so enjoyed his fellow coaches and had great love and respect for his football players.

Alan and Joan Smith Neese married June 21, 1951 and recently celebrated their sixty¬first wedding anniversary.

Mr. Neese is survived by his wife Joan, his children Robert Neese of Maine, Carla Palmirotto of Asheville, North Carolina, Dion Neese of Saranac Lake and Micah Neese of Palm Bay, Florida; thirteen grandchildren: Jennifer Butler, Kristen Gill, Rebekah Butler, Courtney Cucinotta, Lindsay Dunn, Adriane Stickney, Nicholas Palmirotto, Allison DeFranco Neese, Carey Neese, Kelly Neese, Lucy Neese, Nina Champion and Nathaniel Vieira, eleven great grandchildren and many sisters and brothers in law, nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his brother Leon Robert.

Calling hours are set to take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday, August 31, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial is set to take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday September 1st at St. Bernard’s Church. Burial will follow at St. Paul's Cemetery in Bloomingdale.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Fifth Quarter Club in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

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