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Heart Ailment Fatal to Carpenter Who Lived on Boat at Foot of 114th Street.
Joseph D. Faucher, 57, a carpenter, who lived alone on a house boat at the foot of 114th Street, Lansingburgh, for the last seven years, was found dead there shortly before 10 o’clock last night. Coroner John H. Clinton said that death was due to a heart condition.
Thomas Davin, a nephew, of 386 Third Avenue, discovered Faucher dead. The latter had been employed with Davin on a job in 114th Street and worked Saturday. Faucher failed to report for work yesterday and as a result Davin went to visit him last night.
Faucher, Coroner Clinton believes, had been dead since Saturday night [November 14]. Dr. Eugene F. Connally of Lansingburgh told authorities that Fuacher was at his office about 10 o’clock Saturday night. Pills which he had obtained from the physician were found in the house boat untouched. There was no fire burning in the stove and an oil lamp had burned itself out. Coroner Clinton expressed the belief that Faucher retired after returning to the boat Saturday night from the physician’s office and shortly afterwards was stricken. He arose from his bed and then dropped to the floor where he was found by his nephew, it is thought.
Upon discovering his uncle dead, Davin hurried to the Fourth Precinct and notified Capt. Joseph S. Schulze and Sergt. James N. O’Brien. The police captain, Sergt. J. A. Hartnagle and Patrolmen John Christiansen and John Kelly went to the boat. Faucher’s dog, a fox terrier, never left his owner after he was stricken. The dog was on a couch nearby the body.
Faucher was born in this city and always resided here. He attended St. Augustine’s Church. Three sisters, Mrs. John Davin and Mrs. Louis Davin, both of Troy, and Mrs. H. A. Vadney of Brooklyn, and a son Fred Faucher of New York City, survive. The body was removed to the William A. Toohey Funeral Home, 543 Second Avenue.
Faucher was employed by the John J. Davin Lumber Company of Lansingburgh.
Times Record. November 17, 1936: 11 cols 7-8.
The funeral of Joseph Faucher, who was found dead of a heart attack in his houseboat in Lansingburgh Monday morning, was held this morning from the residence of his sister, Mrs. Louis Davin, 384 Third Avenue, and later from St. Augustine’s Church. Rev. James R. Simpson conducted the requiem mass, Stephen J. Harrington sang during the mass, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Keefe at the organ, “Panis Angelicus” and “Jesus, Keep Me Close to Thee.” For the recessional he sang “Lead Kindly Light.” Serving as bearers were Louis Davin, Thomas Davin, John J. Davin, Thomas J. Davin, Clarence Goyette and Kenneth Van Vleck. Interment was in St. John’s Cemetery, where Rev. Father Simpson officiated at the grave.
“Obituary; Deaths: Funerals.” Times Record. November 10, 1936: 27 col 6.
Did other people have houseboats on the Hudson River along Lansingburgh? Let us know!