A Mass of Christian Burial for Rene O. Neves, 85 of Park Ave, Massena will be held Wednesday 12 noon (May 23,2012) at St. Mary's Church with Rev J. Michael Gaffney presiding. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors in Calvary Cemetery, Massena.

Friends and family may call Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Phillips Memorial Home. Rene died unexpectedly at his home Saturday afternoon (May 19, 2012).

Rene is survived by his loving wife of nearly 66 years, Elvera; sons David R. of Port Jervis, Philip T. and wife Linda of Mitchell, IN, Rene W. and wife Denise of Louisville and Mark and wife Barbara of Manlius; daughters Mary Ellen and Donald Costello of Glenn Allen, VA and Julie and husband Mike Gaskins of Rock Hill, SC; nine grandchildren; and sisters, Jeannette Premo of Tupper Lake and Jeannette and her husband David.  

Rene was born in Massena July 5, 1926 the son of Manuel and Armancia (Daoust) Neves. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 where he proudly served his counrty having been honorably discharged in 1946. Rene was employed at GM Powertrain for 31 years retiring in 1984. He had previously been employed at Alcoa after returning from Ohio. He worked for Bechtal Engineering Firm in the early stages of construction of the Chevrolet Plant.  

He married Elvera Stoyka on October 4, 1946 at the St. Mary's Church by Rev. Seguin.  Rene and his wife were members of the St. Lawrence County Rock-Mineral Club, he was an avid rock hound. Rene is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 1141.

The Council will hold Memorial Sercices Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. He also was a member of American Legion Post # 49, V.F.W Post # 1143 and the AmVets Post # 4, where they will hold a joint service (May 23,2012) Wednesday morning 10:00 a.m. at the Phillips Memorial Home.

At the request of the family memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Trinity Catholic Endowment Fund.

Online condolence may be made to www.phillipsmemorial.com.