Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), March 11, 2014, a daughter, Charlotte Leigh Cote-Abel, to Lindsey Cote-Abel of East Dover; granddaughter to Jonathan Abel of East Dover, Wendy Speid of Londonderry, and Ted O'Brien of Auburn, N.Y.; great-granddaughter to Regena and the late George Cote of Westminster; the late Robert and Charlotte Abel of Townshend, and Carleen and the late Thomas O'Brien of Auburn.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Feb. 20, 2014, a daughter, Josephine Ginger Frank-Divoll, to Erica Frank and Ian Divoll; granddaughter to Nancy and Ed Goutas, and Judy and Walter Frank.
College news
• Kelly Therieau of Brattleboro earned a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Liberal Studies from Union Institute & University.
• Madison M. Hinrichs, a mathematics major and member of the Class of 2015 from West Halifax, was named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2013 semester at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
School news
• Vanessa Young, a sophomore from Wardsboro, and Ethan Lawrence, a junior from Grafton, were both named to the High Honor Roll for the Winter Term at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn.
Obituaries
• Edward J. Cassidy, 92, formerly of Putney. Died March 18 at his home in Venice, Fla. Husband of the late Pauline Pratt for 29 years and Muriel (Kenerson) Newton for 20 years. Father of James E. Cassidy of West Virginia, Daniel J. Cassidy of Putney, Lawrence J. Cassidy of Dummerston, and Linda J. Cassidy of Brattleboro. Brother of the late Robert Cassidy Jr., Arleen Cassidy, who died in infancy, and Elizabeth Rice. Born in Hamden, Conn., the son of the late Robert J. Cassidy and Elizabeth (McGrath) Cassidy, in 1923 he moved to Putney with his family when his father bought a dairy farm north of the village. When his mother died of tuberculosis a year later, his father insisted on keeping the family together and raising the young children. He walked over the hill to elementary school in East Putney and then attended St. Michael's School in Brattleboro before farming with his father and his brother, Robert Cassidy, Jr. Although eligible for a farming deferment from military service during World War II, he volunteered and joined the 82nd Airborne, parachuting into Europe and fighting in France and Germany. In 1945, he married Pauline Pratt, and they raised four children on the farm. After he stopped farming in the mid-1960's, he worked for the Experiment in International Living, retiring in 1992. In 1994, 20 years after the death of Pauline, he married Muriel and they spent summers in Putney and winters in Venice. He devoted his life to his family, who adored him. He made friends wherever he went; he could see the funny side of almost any situation, and he had a gift for sharing stories about people he knew in Putney as well as his own life. He served as a member of the Putney Planning Commission and, for many years, as a Justice of the Peace. He enjoyed playing horseshoes and followed the Red Sox closely, criticizing their managers through victory and defeat and rejoicing in the team's recent World Series championships. Memorial information: There will be no formal funeral service. A gathering to celebrate his life will take place at a later date. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Elaine Faulkner Chapin of Newfane. Died March 15 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Wife of the late Edward Pepin and the late Malcolm “Pete” Chapin. Mother of Richard Chapin and his wife, Catherine, of Guilford, and the late Terrence Chapin. Stepmother of Emma Michaels of North Carolina. Sister of Eloise Boyd of Readsboro, Maxine Morse of Chelsea, Sharon Faulkner of Brattleboro, and Charles Faulkner of Lyndonville. Born in Jacksonville, the daughter of the late Neal and Leone Hager Faulkner, she was raised in Jacksonville by her father and stepmother, Mary Faulkner. She graduated from Whitingham High School in 1950 and from Becker Junior College in 1952. She worked for Mary Meyer Mfg. Co. for 22 years and retired from the Windham County Sheriff's Department after many years of service. She and her husband Pete enjoyed square dancing, camping, and Bingo. She was involved in Scouting when her sons were young. She was a longtime member of the NewBrook Ladies Auxiliary. Memorial information: Per her request, there will be no funeral service. A celebration of Elaine's life will be held on April 5 at the NewBrook Fire Department from noon to 3 p.m. Burial will be in the spring at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane. Donations to the NewBrook Ladies Auxiliary, in care of Sigrid Blazej, 235 Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline, VT 05345.
• Virginia “Ginger” A. Gordon, 78, of Brattleboro. Died March 17 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of Richard I. “Skip” Gordon for 56 years. Mother of Timothy Gordon and his wife, Laurie; Brenda Gilbert and her husband, Peter; Linda Gordon and her husband, Bruce; Andrea and Brett Viray; and Lisa Taylor and her husband, Douglas. Sister of George Bristol and his wife, Janice; Verne Bristol and his wife, Mary; Merlin Bristol; Neil Bristol and his wife, Joyce; Charles Bristol and his wife, Corrine; Donald Bristol and his wife, Jeanne; Dean Bristol and his wife, Frances; Stewart Bristol and his wife, Linda; Barbara Harris; Brittany Oliver; Esther Lamb; Betty Wellman and her husband, Arthur; and the late Edwin, Irving, Robert, and Margery Bristol. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Everett and Elizabeth (Pratt) Bristol, she was educated in the Brattleboro school system, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1954. She worked in child care all her life; She ran her own daycare for 30 years and also worked at the BUHS Daycare at its beginning, providing love for the children in her care and gentle support for their families. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, and making crafts of any type, and often donated them to local charity functions. She and her husband “Skip” also made “cool ties” for the military and she was an active member of the Yellow Ribbon Group while her son was serving in Iraq. She was very well known for her peanut butter cookies and enjoyed baking treats for everyone. She never missed a family function, recital, play or event. She will best be remembered as a dedicated caregiver to all. Memorial information: A memorial service was held March 24 at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. There will be a private burial in the spring. Donations to to Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org), or Windham Child Care Association, 130 Birge St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• Ronald Carl Kenney Jr., 50, of Brattleboro. Died March 13 after a short illness. Born in Groton, Conn., he made his home in Brattleboro. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Janet and William Berner of South Newfane; his father and stepmother, Ronald and Lorna Kenney of Santa Rosa, Calif.; his daughter, Jamie Armstrong, of Vernon, Conn.; and his sisters Debra and Albert Latour of Connecticut; Dawn Kenney-Copperthite and her husband, Brian, of Vermont; and Renee Kenney of Georgia. He is also survived by many loving friends and extended family members. He was a loving gentle soul who would help anybody. Memorial information: A memorial service was held March 19 at the First Congregational Church in Newfane.
• John G. “Jerry” Lawlor Jr., 83, of Rockingham. Died March 18, 2014, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Stone) Lawlor for nearly 64 years. Father of John G Lawlor III, Brian D. Lawlor, Jeffrey M. Lawlor, Donna J. Cenate, Susan C. Lawlor. and the late Steven C. Lawlor. Brother of the late Gertrude “Betty” Burbee. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of John and Gertrude Ramona (Haight) Lawlor, he graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1949. He worked at Bryant Grinder Corp. in Springfield, and then at the Book Press in Brattleboro for 30 years. In 1996, he retired from a 40-year career as a rural mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. He enjoyed snowmobiling and was an original member of the Abenaqui Snowmobile Club. He also enjoyed the Maine seacoast and visiting lighthouses. Gardening, feeding birds, cocker spaniels and BF Alumni Weekend were also things he enjoyed. He had an entry in the Alumni parade every year, beginning in 1949. He was also a car enthusiast and attended local car shows in his 1964 Ford Galaxie. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 22 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery. Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls was in charge of arrangements.
• John Matthew Lonardo Sr., 61, of Brattleboro. Died March 17 at his home following a period of declining health. Husband of Jeanne Driscoll Lonardo for more than 42 years. Father of John M. Lonardo Jr. and Michael Lonardo and his wife, Jennifer, all of Brattleboro, and Michelle Brown and her partner, Travis Kissell, of Vernon. Brother of James Lonardo and his wife, Robin Hill, of Fords, N.J., and Donna Bracken of Boston. Born in New York City, the son of Anthony and Ida (Finck) Lonardo, he was raised and educated in Flushing, N.Y., and was a graduate of John Bowne High School, Class of 1970. He was a chef for the past 13 years for Michele's Restorante in Keene, N.H., and at its former Brattleboro location. He also worked at Canal Street Gulf for 13 years and previously had been employed as a shift manager at the former O.K. Fairbanks and Super Place supermarkets on Putney Road. Active civically, he coached Small Fry, Little League, and Babe Ruth Baseball in Brattleboro, as well as junior and senior Pro Basketball for the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department. He loved working with the youth in the community. Cooking was his passion with Italian dishes as his specialty, he was also an avid walker and will be remembered for his daily walks down Western Avenue. He enjoyed spectator sports and was a devoted New York Mets and Giants fan. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 22 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Donations to Brattleboro Small Fry Baseball, in care of Ben Underhill, 91 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to the Cardiac Rehab Department, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Edgar B. “Moose” McBrine Jr., 77, of Vernon. Died March 11 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of the late Moreene Denyou May for more than 35 years. Father of Todd F. May of Palm Springs, Calif. Stepfather of Joelle L. May of Tucson, Ariz., and Denise Popko and her husband, Dewey, of Ashburnham, Mass. Father of five children from a previous marriage - Katherine, Alice, Carol, Richard and Edgar McBrine III - and the late Mary and Thomas McBrine. Brother of Helen Fogg of Portland, Maine, Paulyne McBrine of Carmel, Maine, and the late Nancy Doughty and Barbara Foster. Born in Rockland, Maine, the son of Edgar B. and Addie L. (McIntosh) McBrine, he was raised and educated in Rockland, where he attended public schools. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in both Hawaii and Okinawa. He worked as a boilermaker in the welding industry and was employed at the Bath Iron Works in Maine and later at Vermont Yankee while the plant was under construction. He held membership in the Boilermaker's Union, Local 29, in Quincy, Mass. Following his retirement, he worked on a part-time basis as a crossing guard for the Brattleboro Police Department: his posts included the Oak Grove and Esteyville areas of town. He enjoyed camping in his travel trailer, and loved to eat out at his two favorite restaurants, the Dam Diner in Townshend and the Four Leaf Clover in Bernardston, Mass. Memorial information: A graveside service with military honors will take place in North Cemetery in Vernon at a later date to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Wesley Eugene Merrill, 79, of Brattleboro. Died March 17. He is survived by daughters Cheryl Morey and Shirley Willette, eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren. He was employed at The Stephen Greene Press and was well known for his love of flea markets and Harley's. Memorial information: Family and friends are invited on Friday March 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., at 20 Dodge Ave. Hinsdale, N.H. for a gathering. Donations/flowers may be sent to Shirley Willette, 15 Elm St., Apt. 203. Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Verne E. Moberly, 76, of West Townshend. Died March 18 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Husband of Mary Moberly. Father of Beth Radwanski and her husband, Brian, of Maryland and Karen Adkins and her husband, Charles, of Virginia. Brother of Kenneth Moberly and his spouse, Michael Cooney, of South Wardsboro, and the late Maris and Ralph Moberly. Born in Worcester, Mass., the son of the late Ernest and Lilly (Dutton) Moberly, he was educated in the Worcester school system, graduating from Classical High School. He then went on to attend McLean School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse and later Cambridge College, earning his Master's in education. He was employed as a nurse at MacLean Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., and later at the Brattleboro Retreat until his retirement in 2000. He served his country in the Army. He had a love for anything mechanical, including antique cars and automobiles. He was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, and spending time with his dogs and family. Memorial information: Services will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353 or Townshend Public Library, P.O. Box 252, Townshend, VT 05353. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• Paul R. Turnbull, 75, of Heath, Mass. Died March 11 in Greenfield, Mass. Husband of Janice Boudreau for 33 years. Father of Clay Turnbull and his partner, Indra Tracy, of Townshend, and Scott Turnbull and his wife Suzette of Kittery, Maine. Born in Arlington, Mass., the son of Bertha Olsen and Robert Turnbull, he served the Navy aboard the USS Atka, an icebreaker, and became a Photographer's Mate. As a civilian in 1962, he filmed nuclear weapons testing and. as a result, he resigned because involvement was counter to his peaceloving nature, and respect for life. He made Heath his permanent home in 1975 and joined the newly formed Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Mass. He later was the inaugural director and curator of the Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography. Following his retirement in 1992, he formed Turnbull/Boudreau Photographers. His photographs appeared in magazines such as National Geographic, Bon Appetit, and Country Living; books such as “The Perilous Sea,” “Secrets of Serenity,” and “Insight Guide: Jamaica;” and are in numerous national and international collections. Memorial information: A memorial celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m., at the Federated Church in Charlemont, Mass. Donations to In-Sight Photography Project, Attn: Paul R. Turnbull Memorial Fund, 45 Flat St., Suite 1, Brattleboro, VT, 05301.