Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• John Frederick “Fred” Green, 71, of Vernon. Died Aug. 9 at his home. Husband of Joan Moore for nearly 49 years. Father of John Green Jr. of Gulfport, Miss., and Thomas Green and his wife, Amy, of Westborough, Mass. Brother of A. Leslie Hickman and her husband Bill, of Smyrna, Del. Born in Chester, Pa., to Frederick and Marie (Welsh) Green, he attended school in Boothwyn, Pa., and graduated from Chichester High School in 1958. He went on to attend Westchester University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and a master's degree in Athletic Administration. He pursued his coaching career in Oxford, Pa., establishing the football program at Oxford Area High School as its first coach. In 1973, he became the athletic director at Brattleboro Union High School, a position he held until he retired in 1998. He was dedicated to making infrastructure improvements - including the installation of a modern track, and new lights on Tenney and Natowich fields - and promoting gender equity in varsity sports. He also established varsity ice hockey and lacrosse programs at BUHS. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie among the state's athletic directors and held a deep appreciation for his staff at BUHS. He was elected twice as president of the Vermont State Athletic Director's Association and was inducted into the Vermont Principal's Association Hall of Fame in 2008. His personal interests included gardening, fishing, and most of all family. He enjoyed summer vacations with his family in Ocean City, N.J., and on Martha's Vineyard. He was especially proud of his three grandchildren, supporting them in all of their endeavors. He was a member of the Vernon Union Church where he served as an Elder. Memorial information: A funeral service was conducted on Aug. 12 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with interment in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the BUHS Athletic Fund, 131 Fairground Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: Chris Sawyer, or to the Vernon Union Church, P.O. Box 111, Vernon, VT 05354. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ernest Thorwald “Ernie” Johnson Sr., 87, of Cumming, Ga., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 12. Husband of Lois Denhard for 63 years. Father of Dawn, Chris, and Ernie Jr. Brother of Dorothy Milkey of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro, he was a 1942 graduate of Brattleboro High School, where he was a top athlete. He signed a contract at age 18 with the Boston Braves in 1942 as a pitcher, but his baseball career was interrupted by World War II. He served in the Marine Corps for three years, and participated in the Okinawa invasion. He finally made his major league debut as a relief pitcher for the Braves in 1950. In nine seasons in the majors with the Boston and Milwaukee Braves (1950, 1952-58) and the Baltimore Orioles (1959), he compiled a record of 40-23 with 319 strikeouts and an earned run average of 3.77 in 273 games. After his playing career ended, he became part of the Braves broadcast team on radio and television in 1962, and took over play-by-play duties when the team moved to Atlanta in 1966. He retired from full-time work in 1989, but continued to broadcast on a part-time basis and worked three seasons alongside his son, Ernie Jr., before retiring for good in 1999. He was inducted to the Braves Hall of Fame in 2001. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 16 at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, Ga., with burial with full military honors at Green Lawn Cemetery in Rosewell, Ga.
• Mary Kathleen Justus, 67, of Morganton, Ga. Died Aug. 4. Sister of Doreen Justus Woodward of Westminster. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late William D. and Isabel (Whisker) Justus, she was a 1962 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. She attended the University of Vermont, and graduated from Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Mass. For almost 30 years, she held various administrative assistant positions in the Episcopal Church for the Diocese of Massachusetts and St. Paul's Cathedral in Boston; including serving as assistant to the church's first female Bishop, Barbara C. Harris. In 1995, she moved to Arlington, Va., where she served as parish secretary and administrative assistant to the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. When she retired in 2009, she moved to Morganton, Ga., where she shared a home in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her longtime friend, Christie Balsam. Memorial information: A graveside service will be conducted at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. Donations to New England Kurn Hattin Homes, PO Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158.
• Charles William “Chuck” Kaiser, 53, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 7 at his home. Husband of Lorrie Kaiser. Father of Nichole Kaiser of Georgia. Stepfather of Brian and Brittney. Brother of Alanzo Kaiser Jr. and his wife, Karen, and Ronald and Michelle Kaiser. Born in Rochester N.Y., the son of Patricia and Alanzo Kaiser Sr. He graduated in 1976 in Clinton, Mass. He worked at Fulflex Inc. in Brattleboro. He was a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and NASCAR. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at Emil's Pub in Brattleboro.
• Nelson W. “Buster” LaBonte, 68, of Bellows Falls. Died Aug. 6 at Springfield Hospital. Father of Kimberly Dowgiallo and her husband Danny of Florida. Brother of Margaret Stevens of Westminster, Janet Hyslop of Barre, and the late Bella Laraway. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Nelson Sr. and Florence (Stanford) LaBonte, he attended schools in Bellows Falls and later served in the Air Force. He worked for Jim Farrell in Bellows Falls and Unified Data in Cambridgeport. He was a member of the Polish American Club and the American Legion, both in Bellows Falls. Buster loved hunting, fishing, and spending time at his hunting camp in Windham. Memorial information: A graveside service was conducted at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls on Aug. 11. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Michael Arthur Martin, 59, of Dummerston. Died Aug. 9 in Brattleboro. Husband of Jennifer Dusenbery of Dummerston. Father of Trinity Nasca of Buffalo, N.Y., Ella Martin of Burlington, Leah Martin of St. Albans, Jesse Martin of Cottonwood, Ariz., Corporal Rory Martin,USMC, of Lake Mary, Fla., and Keegan Martin of Lake Nary, Fla. Stepfather of Sam, Mitchell and Evelyn Dusenbery, all of Dummerston, Abrie Brutsche of Boulder, Colo., and Zach Brutsche of Sedona, Ariz. Brother of Jo Ann Berno and her husband, Randy of Duxbury, and Cathy Fisk and her husband, Shane, of Duxbury. Born in Montpelier, the son of the late Wayland and Mary A. (Canale) Martin, he grew up in Waterbury and was a 1970 graduate of Harwood Union High School in Duxbury. He continued his education at Johnson State College, and the College of Arts, Media and Design at Northeastern University in Boston. He started his working career with Overlake Distributors in Burlington and Florida, and then founded his own electronics business in Barre, named Great Electronics. Moving to Albuquerque, N.M., he started a journey that led him to studying alternative medicine at the Ayurvedic Institute, from which he graduated with his degree in Ayurvedic medicine. The pursuit of well-being, natural health and foods led him to not only start his own Ayurvedic medicine practice, but to also work for various natural food companies. He came to the Brattleboro area five years ago and became the store manager for the Brattleboro Food Co-op, a job that he loved very much. He enjoyed being part of the Co-op's growth and success. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Natural Grocery Co. Association, where he was very active in policies. He enjoyed brewing beer, cooking, raising chickens, riding his motorcycle, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hunting and spending time with his best friend, Barry, at his camp on Miller Pond in Groton. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held on Aug. 17 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury. Donations to the Waterbury Area Food Shelf, 57 South Main St., Waterbury VT 05676, or the Michael Martin Memorial Fund, in care of Brattleboro Savings & Loan, 221 Main St., Brattleboro VT 05301. Condolences may be sent to Perkins-Parker Funeral Home at www.perkinsparker.com.
• Sherry Smith McElroy, 54, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 3 at her home. Wife of Michael McElroy. Stepmother of Jessica Brooks of North Walpole, N.H., Erica Rau of Alstead, N.H., and Erica McElroy and Corbin McElroy of Bellows Falls. Sister of Susan Eiseman of Savannah, Ga., Sandra Dockum of Weathersfield, and William Smith Jr. of Chester. Born in Glen Cove, Long Island, N.Y., the daughter of William and Marion Smith, she graduated from the Berkshire School in Massachusetts and attended Castleton State College. She later studied theorem painting with artist Elizabeth Goodwin of Weathersfield. She was employed by HCRS for many years and more recently by Sam's Outdoor Outfitters. She was an artist and enjoyed music and books. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Aug. 9 at United Methodist Church in Springfield. Donations to Our Place in Bellows Falls or The Family Center in Springfield.
• Moran H. “Sonny” Rabideau, 82, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 9 at his home. Husband of the late Beverly Anne Houghton for 50 years. Father of John Rabideau and his wife, Kate, of Dummerston; and Wendy Fletcher and her husband, Donald, of Brattleboro. Brother of Freda Kingsbury of Dayton, Ohio, Florina Bokum of Dummerston, Shirley R. Squires of West Brattleboro, and the late Howard and Homer Rabideau, Valeda Kozyra and Anne Morgan. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Henry and Lena (Burdo) Rabideau, he was raised and educated in town and had attended St. Michael's Parochial School. Served in the Army, and was stationed in Austria during the Korean War. He had been employed as a machinist at Tri-State Automotive for 42 years. On a part-time basis, he plowed snow during the winter months for Chester Majdak. In his earlier years, while residing in the Fort Dummer section of Brattleboro, he worked at the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates on Cotton Mill Hill. Was a life member of the American Legion, Brattleboro Post 5 and VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034. He also held membership in the F.O.Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, the F&AM, Brattleboro Lodge #102, the Brattleboro Shrine Club, and the Cairo Shrine Temple of Rutland, where he served as captain of its skimobile unit. An accomplished stock car driver known as the “Flying Frenchman,” he competed throughout the New England circuit and won 109 feature races from the 1950s to the 1970s. He won five New England Dirt Track championships and four Vermont Dirt Track championships. In 2005, he was inducted into the New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame. He enjoyed hunting, travel, and time shared with his family. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, Aug. 22, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Eagle's Club on Chickering Drive. Donations to St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: Elaine Beam, Principal, or to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• John Henry Romano, 83, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Aug. 3 at Pines Nursing Home in Rutland. Sister of Ann Hamel, and her husband Charles, of Springfield, and the late Romey J. Romano, Constance Dennett, Georgia Spinelli, and Mary Romano. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Nicola Romano and Giovannina Estramonte. He attended St. Charles School in Bellows Falls and graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1945. Served in the Army as a dental technician in Japan after World War II. Worked at Fellows Gear Shaper and Bryant Grinding in Springfield, before relocating to the Boston area, where he worked as a professional house painter. He moved to Lempster, N.H. in the early 1980s and opened a pet store in Claremont, N.H., for a short time, then he returned to painting, working at the Sullivan County Home. He moved to Springfield in the late 1980s after his retirement. He enjoyed gardening, raising and selling miniature rabbits, and listening to opera and classical music. He was an avid sports fan. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 16 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, followed by the burial at St. Charles Cemetery. Donation to the Veterans Administration hospital, 215 North Main St., White River Junction, VT 05009, The Humane Society of Springfield, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156, or TARPS Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 274, Chester VT 05143
• Mary Pat Sabine, 62, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 5. Mother of Melody Sabine of Patagonia, Ariz., and Clayton Sabine of Brattleboro. Sister of Peggy Hadley, Eddie Struthers, David Struthers, Russell Struthers, and the late Jimmy Struthers and Betty Hazelton. Born in Brattleboro, the youngest child of the late Irene and Lawrence Struthers of West Brattleboro, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1966 and studied at the University of Vermont. She was employed primarily as a medical secretary, and many in the community knew her as the exceptionally friendly, helpful and efficient lady at their physician's office. She was a loving mother who often said that her children were her proudest achievement. She was also a surrogate mother and grandmother to the many beloved “kids” that she took into her home and her heart throughout her life. She was an enthusiastic and fierce competitor and most of her friends and family have known the sting of defeat after challenging her to rounds of scrabble, cribbage, badminton, horseshoes, and countless other games. She had a wicked sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She sang often and well, and she loved to harmonize with her friends, family, and church communities. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 14 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro.
Births
• In Burlington (Fletcher Allen Health Care), July 13, 2011, a daughter, Jordyn René Crawford, to Jessica Kimball and Brett Crawford of Isle La Motte.
• In Nashua, N.H., (Southern New Hampshire Medical Center), June 7, 2011, a son, Benjamin Alfred Barbere, to Matthew and Heidi Barbere of Milford, N.H.; grandson to Harold and Vicki Wood of Dummerston, Michael and Barbara Barbere of Dunstable, Mass.
College news
• Florencio Ricohermoso of Newfane has been awarded a Master of Science degree in Teacher Education from Kaplan University.
Awards
• Builder First Class Thomas M. Salmon was named the 2010 Vermont Sailor of the Year. Salmon, a Bellows Falls native and Vermont State Auditor, enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 2000. He is currently a member of Naval Mobile Construction Batallion 27, based in White River Junction. He served with Batallion 27 in Iraq in 2008-09.
• Salon Jacque, located on 6 Elliot St. in Brattleboro, owned by Lorraine Gordon and Jacqueline Bilodeau, recently was chosen as one of the Top 100 hair salons in the United States by Elle magazine. The salon was the only one in Vermont that was featured by the magazine. The list was compiled by hair and makeup stylists, editors and magazine contributors from around the country.