DANNEMORA — The man who died in a snowmobile accident Friday night will be sorely missed by those who knew him.
Everett J. Willis, 41, of Brainardsville was killed in the accident that happened at about 10:24 p.m. Friday near Boomhower Road, which runs along the southeastern end of the lake.
William Willis, also of Brainardsville, said his younger brother “was a wonderful person and my best friend.”
He said Everett was especially devoted to their 83-year-old mother, Joyce Willis, who lives across the road from Everett’s home.
“He does everything for her,” William said, adding that was the main reason she is still able to live on her own.
That included installation of a new washing machine on the day of the fatal accident.
“He was that kind of a giving person,” William said. “He never complained about anything.”
His brother loved to ride his snowmobile in the winter, motorcycle in the summer and his four-wheeler in the woods whenever he could. He loved to joke with friends, William said, and he would pull pranks on his many friends whenever he could.
Everett was a correction officer at Chateaugay Correctional Facility. The brothers have lived in the Brainardsville area since birth.
“He touched many lives in a short period of time,” William said.
Everett and his wife, Amber, loved to travel, William said. He said she was dealing as well as anyone could under tragic circumstances.
“She’s amazingly strong.”
The couple have no children. William said that was part of the reason his brother was able to devote so much time to their mother.
Calling hours are from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Chateaugay Funeral Home. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Thursday at Brainardsville United Methodist Church.
“The church won’t be big enough for this funeral,” William said. “We’re all going to miss him.”
Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain said the accident occurred as a group of snowmobilers rode together on Upper Chateaugay Lake.
Clinton County Coroner David Donah responded to the accident Friday night and pronounced Everett dead. Sunday, Donah said an autopsy is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. today at CVPH Medical Center.
Todd M. Harrigan, 41, of Chateaugay received multiple injuries in the accident. He was transported to CVPH Medical Center and was treated then discharged on Sunday.
In a press release, State Police said that as a result of the preliminary investigation, Roger J. Wilcox, 43, of Brainardsville was charged with operating a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol. He received an appearance ticket and was released to appear in court at a later date.
LaFountain said BCI and the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit personnel were still gathering information about the accident Sunday. He said police hope to be able to release more details today.
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