Obituaries
• Athena Arvanitakis, 55, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 30 after a courageous battle with cancer. Mother of Andrew Arvanitakis. Sister of Elpi and Nick Arvanitakis. Born in Queens, N.Y., daughter of the late Simon and Marianna (Doxakis) Arvanitakis, she spent her formative years in Wilton, Conn., and then went onto live in Colorado and Arizona before coming to Brattleboro, where she had lived for the past 12 years. Prior to her death, she was attending Divinity school working towards becoming a pastor. She was deeply spiritual and devoted to helping people achieve new spiritual heights. She was a devoted mother, godmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She experienced many wonderful things in her life, but none so great as the birth of her beloved son. Memorial information: No service information provided.
• Rebecca M. “Becky” Chase, 77, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 4 at Pine Heights. Wife of the late Harry Chase. Mother of David Shaw of Winchester, N.H., Kevin Shaw of Brattleboro, Elizabeth Powers of Old Saybrook, Conn., and the late Bruce Shaw. Sister of Sandra Handy of Guilford. Born in Morrisville, the daughter of the late Solon and Virginia (Warren) Arbuckle, she graduated from Branford (Conn.) High School in 1952. Besides being a homemaker and raising her children, she worked as a nurse's aide and as a store clerk at various stores in the Brattleboro area. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 8 at the Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Brattleboro, with interment at the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Pauline I. Garfield, 87, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 31 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Wife of the late Theodore “Ted” Garfield for 32 years. Former wife of Gerald Bergeron. Mother of Arlene Johnson of Newville, Pa., Barbara Smith of Guilford, Michele Thompson of Brattleboro, and the late Dale Bergeron. Born in Montague, Mass., the daughter of Alexander and Germaine (Deslongschamp) LaShier, she was raised and educated in Turners Falls, Mass., where she attended St. Anne Parochial School. She later graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, proudly receiving her diploma with the Class of 1987. She had worked as a hostess at the Quality Inn on Putney Road and later at the Skyline Restaurant in Marlboro, from which she retired in 1997. Previously, she owned and operated the Copper Lantern Restaurant in Hillsborough, N.H., which she eventually sold in 1984. She enjoyed playing Bingo, square dancing, and crocheting. Throughout the years, she generously donated many of her crocheted items to RSVP of Brattleboro. Memorial information: A private burial was held in West Brattleboro Cemetery. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Nelson James “Nelly” Lewis, 75, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 29 after a long illness. Former husband of Mary Ellen (Smith) Lewis. Stepfather of Karen Wilson, Sharon Garry, Wayne Smith, and the late Tina Sinclair. He worked in southern Vermont as a lumberjack and sharpening saws. He enjoyed fishing, being in the woods and playing softball, as well as old Western films, baseball, and boxing. Memorial information: Arrangements are private.
• Russell Charles “Rusty” Lindgren, 54, of Heath, Mass. Died Sept. 3 at home. Partner of Laura O'Connor for 21 years. Father of Jens Lindgren. Brother of Erik Lindgren and Robert Lindgren. Born in Harrisburg Pa., the son of the late Robert M. and Jane C. Lindgren, he graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School in 1976 and Tufts University in 1980 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He was employed by Wang Industries before relocating to Brattleboro, where he started Lindgren Associates. He also ran BioTags, which developed and produced digital and analog wildlife electronic tags for tracking and population studies. Other places of employment include Omega Optical, Chroma Technologies, PC Connection, Vermont Photonics, and MicroCal. He was also the editor and a writer for the trade magazine Personal Engineering & Instrumentation News. He was a technical designer and inventor who thought outside the box. He was passionate about music, a proficient guitarist, and a fan of the music of Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno. Russ played in a New Wave band with his brother Erik called Family Fun, which released “Record” on Eat Records in 1981. He had an innate talent for building electronic instruments and synthesizers. One of his last projects was modifying an SK-5 synthesizer, which was sampled and will be marketed through PureMagnetik. He was an avid fly fisherman and spent many hours fishing with his close friend, Peter Maynard. He loved cats, skiing, swimming, and walking. He enjoyed reading science fiction and metaphysics. He was a seeker at an early age and carried his questioning with him. Memorial information: A memorial gathering was held Sept. 9 at The Gleanery in Putney. Correspondence can be sent to [email protected].
• Gail H. Turner Lovell, 65, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 3, at her home. Wife of Victor Lovell for 25 years. Mother of Rose Barber of Fairfax, Leonard Fowler of West Rutland, Glen Hall of Rutland, and the late William Hall. Sister of Gladys Warner of Chittenden, Gloria Chase of Charlestown, N.H., Joyce Jones of Washington, Maine, Glen Turner of Rutland, Gordon Turner of Marlboro, and the late George and Kenneth Turner and Anne Johnson. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Hugh and Gwendolyn (Turner) Luice, she worked as a nurse at several area nursing homes caring for others. Outside of work, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, putting jigsaw puzzles together and, most of all, spending time with her family. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held on Sept. 8 at the Hinsdale Community Center.
• Reginald Leo “Reg” Maynard, 82, of Whitingham and Wicomico Church, Va. Died Sept. 6 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband of the late Elaine France Maynard. Father of Gregory B. Maynard of Gardnerville, Nev., and Karen D. Maynard of Brattleboro. Brother of Vera Deyo of Brattleboro, Jackie Bradley of Framingham, Mass., Roger Maynard of Wilmington, and the late Peter and Allison Maynard. Born in Wilmington, son of the late Eleoda and Mary Maynard, he was brought up on the family farm on Castle Hill in Wilmington, where he attended public schools, and went on to graduate with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Vermont. He participated in Naval ROTC at UVM and went on to complete officer training in Virginia and serve in the Naval Civil Engineering Corps. After that, he worked for 30 years for Standard Oil of New Jersey, which became Exxon. Early in his working career, he completed an MBA from Boston University. He was active in town politics in both Sudbury, Mass., and Whitingham, serving on the School Committee, Zoning Board, the Windham Regional Commission, the Whitingham Historical Society, regional AARP efforts, and an Exxon Annuitants group. He enjoyed The Wall Street Journal, watching the wildlife outside his homes in Virginia and Vermont, and traveling with his wife. He loved to engage in philosophical and political discussions. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington on Sept. 10. Donations to the THV Scholarship at Vermont Student Assistance Corp., or to a charity of one's choice in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Howard Perkins, 83, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 5. Husband of Ruth Winter Perkins. Former husband of Joyce Smith. Stepfather of Norman Perkins Jr. of Brattleboro, Rick Perkins of Hinsdale, N.H., Sherri Donovan of Hinsdale, Anna Murry of Putney, and Charlene Perkins of White River Junction. Brother of David Perkins and Norman Perkins Sr., both of Brattleboro, Virginia Welch of Brattleboro, and the late Cora Winter and Raymond Perkins. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Clyde and Ruth Perkins, he worked as an edger for the Cersosimo Lumber Co. for 38 years. After his retirement, he worked for the Brattleboro Reformer delivering papers for 10 years until he was forced to retire due to illness. Memorial information: A graveside service was held on Sept. 8 in the North Vernon Cemetery. Donations to the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001.
• George Ellsworth Putnam, 83, of Westmoreland, N.H. Died Aug. 30. Husband of Eleanor Boyd Putnam for 14 years and the late Marianne Egemo Putnam for 41 years. Father of Linda Remy and her husband, Peter, of Westmoreland; Mark Putnam and his wife, Carole, of Walpole, N.H.; and William Putnam and his wife, Lori, of Keene, N.H. Stepfather of Linda and Ken Glidden of Brewster, Mass., Lois and Dennis French of Keene, and April and Ted Ferguson and Audrey Hood, all of Westmoreland. Brother of Marshall Putnam and his wife, Virginia, of Walpole, Harold Putnam of Walpole, and the late Robert Putnam and Maydra Freis. Born in Walpole, the son of Elmer and Helen (Pierce) Putnam, he attended schools in Walpole, transferring to Keene High School in his senior year to join its internship program. Interning with Perkins Bassett & Wright of Keene, he eventually became the president and owner of the company. He served in the Air Force and was stationed in Rapid City, S.D., where he met and married his first wife. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 5 at Westmoreland United Church. Donations may be made to the Westmoreland United Church, P.O. Box 214, Westmoreland, NH 03467; the Westmoreland Fire Department, in care of Chief Harry Nelson, Glebe Road, Westmoreland, NH 03467; or to a charity of one's choice.
• Thomas Michael “Tuffy” Moody Sr., 56, of Rockingham. Died Aug. 31, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Springfield. Husband of Paula Martin Moody for 35 years. Father of Thomas Michael Moody Jr. and his wife, Lisa Hindes-Moody, of North Walpole, N.H.; Kari Bazin-Moody of Rockingham; and the late Magen Moody. Brother of Susan Matthews and her husband, Arthur Matthews, of Newport, N.H., Debra Moody of Bellows Falls, and the late Sally Ann Moody. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of Helen (Pencek) Moody and the late Frank St. Patrick Moody, he received his education through the Bellows Falls school system. He worked most of his younger years in the family business, before becoming employed at Brattleboro Haulage. He was a lover of life, and his family was his world. He adored his children and grandchildren and loved to tell stories about them. He had a passion for fine motorcycles - Harleys, of course - and owned many through the years. He was always there, no matter what time of the day or night, to assist a friend or to offer his home to somebody needing a place to stay. He was one of the finest horseshoe players around, and loved to spend summer afternoons playing shoes with his family and friends. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Sept. 9 at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
• Timothy Allen Scranton, 51, of Colrain, Mass. Died Sept. 1 at home after a hard fought battle with cancer. Longtime companion of Sueanne Crowningshield Dyer. Brother of Michael and Mark Scranton. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Nancy (Tyler) and Duane Scranton, he moved in 1963 with his family to Windswept Valley Farm in Colrain, Mass., where he resided his entire life, living and working on the farm he so dearly loved. He attended Colrain Central School and graduated from Mohawk Trail Regional High School. He had a strong work ethic and was known for being a skilled driver and equipment operator. He was the “T” of M & T Auto, ran Mountain Rock Quarry, logged, sold firewood as well as worked the family farm. He worked for Bostley Sanitary Services, then Mitchell Excavating, where he worked until his illness made it difficult for him to continue. He was a lifetime member of the Western Mass. Rod and Gun Club. He was active in stocking local ponds and rivers for fishing. He was a coin collector. He also loved snowmobiling, hunting, boating, watching westerns, and hanging with his friends. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m., at the Colrain Community Church, followed by a celebration on the Scranton Farm.
• Gary L. Tyrrell, 67, of Westminster. Died Sept. 4 in Boston. Husband of the late Susan James Tyrrell. Father of Gary Tyrrell of Clarksville, Tenn., Steve Tyrrell of Carlisle, Mass., Angela Holloway of Strongsville, Ohio, and Jenny Austin of Stockbridge. Brother of Janie Kimbrough and Carol Pickard. Born in Oklahoma City, Okla., the son of the late Ralph and Lavasca (Blankeship) Tyrrell, he attended schools in Oklahoma and was a 1963 graduate of U.S. Grant High School. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma and for Woodlan Tool in Rockingham. He enjoyed spending his summers sailing on Lake Bomoseen. Memorial information: A graveside funeral service was held Sept. 8 in Westminster Cemetery. Donations to Crystal Beach, in care of Steve Tyrrell, 129 Russell St., Carlisle, MA 01741.
• Winston Ralph Wheelock, 84, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 6. Husband of Leona Jillson Wheelock for 59 years. Father of Gary Wheelock and his wife, Karen, of Colchester and Marcia (Wheelock) Rajala and her husband, Richard, of Kennebunk, Maine. Brother of Dale Wheelock. Born in Maple Corner, Vt., the son of the late Albert Wheelock and Edna (St. John) Wheelock, he was a 1946 graduate of Springfield (Vt.) High School, and served in the Army through 1949, attaining the rank of sergeant at the conclusion of his military service. The Wheelocks made a home and raised their family on Jackson Hill Road in Chesterfield, and lived there for almost 50 years before moving to a new home in Hinsdale in 2005. He had a long career with the A&P supermarket chain, and was the manager at various stores during the 1960s and 1970s, especially in Brattleboro and Keene. When the A&P chain closed its stores in this region, he became a manager of the O.K. Fairbanks/SuperValu supermarkets on West Street and on Marlboro Street in Keene, until his retirement in 1992. He loved working with people and talking with customers. Upon his retirement, he quickly decided he missed that interaction with people, and took a part-time position in the electronics department at Walmart in Hinsdale. He enjoyed his almost 20-year “retirement” at Walmart, and the family thanks his co-workers and loyal customers for their many acts of kindness and friendship over the years. A lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox, he watched the games regularly, in good seasons and bad. He was an outdoor enthusiast, and loved camping and fishing. He also loved to play cribbage with his son and son-in-law. He was an animal lover, and the family always had dogs of every variety as companions. Memorial information: To honor his wishes, a private memorial service will be held. Donations to Rescue, Inc., at 541 Canal Street, P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
School news
• Salty Pennington-Fitzgerald of Putney was inducted into the Vermont Academy chapter of the Cum Laude Society during VA's convocation ceremony on Sept. 4. In order for a student to be considered for membership in this academic society, he/she must demonstrate good character, honor, and integrity in all aspects of their school life. Of primary importance is academic excellence in all course work and strong performance on any national testing. Students may be inducted at the end of the junior year or during their senior year. Pennington-Fitzgerald is entering his senior year at VA. He has earned High Honors for all six previous semesters. His efforts have been recognized with the Dartmouth Book Award, the Bausch and Lomb Award from the University of Rochester, the George F. Edmunds Memorial Prize, first place for grade 11 in last year's all school writing contest, and induction in the National Honor Society. In addition, snowboarding, varsity soccer, and varsity baseball round out his resume.
• Brattleboro Union High School student Lachlan Francis of Putney was appointed by Gov. Peter Shumlin to the Vermont Board of Education. Francis, a junior at BUHS, has been active in sports and civic organizations in school. In addition, he has worked as a farm hand and a camp counselor, and traveled to Cuba. He will serve as a non-voting member this year, and become a voting member during his second year on the board.
Transitions
• Dr. Ewa Dziewiecka Arnold has joined Grace Cottage Family Health in Townshend as one of its physicians. A native of Poland, she emigrated to Ontario with her family when she was 12. After returning to Poland to study medicine at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, she did her three-year residency at Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington. Her medical focus is on geriatrics and women's health.
• Dr. Ellen Garvey has joined the staff of Brattleboro Obstetrics and Gynecology. A 2008 graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, she recently completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and in 2007 she received the Barry D. Smith Award for Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has also been an assistant instructor in obstetrics and gynecology for emergency medical providers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Greenfield Community College, and Holyoke Community College, and a resident teacher at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.