School news
• The Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro and the River Valley Technical Center in Springfield sent local students from several programs to the 2014 Vermont SkillsUSA competition, held in early April in Burlington.
• WRCC students fared very well, earning awards in five different technical areas. Leon Ogden, a Guilford junior, earned a silver medal in Technical Drafting. Trevor Houle, a Brattleboro junior, earned a bronze medal in Fire Fighting. Una Oarcea, a Brattleboro senior, Joshua Parro, a Vernon senior, and Jeffery Harlow, a Putney senior, won the team silver medal in Crime Scene Investigation. Adam Richter, a Wilmington junior, won the bronze in Architectural Drafting, Jacob Harne, a Hinsdale senior, along with Matt Forrett, a Brattleboro senior, won the gold in Mobile Robotics, while Jonah Koch, a Townshend sophomore, earned the silver in the same event. Harne and Forrett will represent the state of Vermont in the national SkillsUSA competition in June in Kansas City, Mo.
• RVTC students Elliot Thompson and Rebekah Ferreira, both from Springfield, won a gold medal in Television Production and will represent Vermont at the Nationals. They both also earned a $2,000 scholarship to the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT). Kaelan and Aja Selbach-Broad, from Bellows Falls, won a bronze medal in Television Production and were only 9 points out of 2,000 total points away from taking the silver. They also received a $1,000 scholarship to NEIT. Katherine Szuch who is a Culinary Arts student, earned a silver medal for her cooking and job skills demonstration. Brandon Cote, an Information Technology student, competed in Computer Maintenance, while Tim Stiener, Tyler Waddell, and Nate VanVelsor, competed in the Carpentry division. Tim Spaulding and Brandon Kelly competed in the Welding competition, representing the Industrial Trades program, and Holly Landon and Alexis Roldan represented the Health Careers program by participating in the medical terminology competition. Culinary Arts students who also competed in SkillsUSA included Elizabeth Manuel (cooking), Patience Bearse (baking), and Lisa Wilkinson (restaurant service).
Obituaries
• George H. Bristol, 82, of Vernon. Died April 24 at home after a lengthy decline in health. Husband of Janice Blodgett Turner for nearly 33 years. Former husband of Caryl Boyce Simeon. Father of Michael Bristol and his wife, Penny, Peter Bristol, and Susan Drew and her husband, Donald. Stepfather of Keith and Jill Turner. Brother of Verne, Merlin, Neil, Charles, Dean, Donald, and Stewart Bristol, Barbara Harris, Brittany Oliver, Esther Lamb, Betty Wellman, and the late Edwin, Irving, and Robert, and Margery Bristol, and Virginia Gordon. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Everett and Elizabeth Pratt Bristol, he attended schools in Dummerston and Brattleboro, and was a lifelong resident of the area. He joined the Vermont National Guard and was drafted into the Army where he served his country in West Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was employed at the Book Press in Brattleboro for 42 years, retiring 20 years ago. He was one of the founding members of Rescue Inc. He was a member of the Brattleboro Ski Patrol and, in 1965, became a member of the National Ski Patrol #2958. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and was active in the Green Mountain Squares for many years. He enjoyed snowmobiling, and traveling in his camper for many winter trips to the south, visiting state and national parks. Much of his spare time involved renovating and building his homes. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at the American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St., Brattleboro, on May 1, at 11 a.m. Donations to Kurn Hattin Homes, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158; VNA Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001, or the charity of one's choice.
• Alberta Mae Fontaine, 91, formerly of Alstead, N.H. Died April 21 at the Keene Center-Genesis ElderCare, following a period of declining health. Wife of the late Stanley Fontaine. Mother of Louise Wright and her husband, Caleb, of Keene, N.H. Sister of Waltermar Sherwin of Bellows Falls, Joyce Ballentine and her husband, Raymond, of Jamaica, Alice Basso and her husband, Edmund, of Ascutney, and the late Barbara Davis. Born in Cavendish, the daughter of the late Waltermar P. and Ruth G. Heald Sherwin, she attended area schools. She worked at the Dunning Box Company in North Walpole for more than 30 years before her retirement. She married in 1965 in Alstead, and the Fontaines resided in Alstead up until his death. She was a member of the Third Congregational Church of Alstead, regularly attending the Friendly Meals. Home was her priority, raising her family, caring for others as well as the gardens she created. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren brought her much happiness. The Fontaines also enjoyed camping. Memorial information: Services are to be private, and burial will take place at a later date in Alstead. Donations to the Third Congregational Church of Alstead, 14 River St, Alstead, NH 03602.
• Brandon T. Greenia, 25, of Spofford, N.H. Died April 21 at his home. Son of Michael Greenia of Spofford and Windy Newell of San Diego. Stepson of Debbie Greenia of Spofford. Brother of Steven Irwin and his wife, Nicole, of Beverly, Mass. Nephew of Steven Greenia of Hinsdale, N.H. A graduate of Keene High School, Class of 2007, he was employed as a construction worker for Walker & Co. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved listening to rap music. Memorial information: A funeral service was held April 24 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to Phoenix House, 106 Roxbury St., Keene, NH 03431.
• Joan M. Hill, 54, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died April 10 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., from complications associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Wife of the late Michael E. Hill for 22 years. Mother of Marie D. Hill of Jeffersonville, Sarah L. Hill of Brattleboro, and Allen E. Hill of Hinsdale. Sister of Rose Haynes and her spouse, George, of Brattleboro and Kimberly Simeon and her spouse, Andrew, of Hinsdale. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Irma S. Stockwell Robertson and Stanley A. Robertson, she was raised and educated in Hinsdale, graduating from Hinsdale High School, Class of 1977. She was a dedicated employee of the Holstein Association for 26 years, until she was no longer able to work. After her husband's death in 2009, she moved to Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H. She was a loving mother and loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed sitting in the sun on a beautiful day, and listening to country music. In earlier years, she was a hobbyist, loved to cook, sew, craft interior designs, and collected stamps. She was also a member of the bowling league in Brattleboro. Memorial information: A graveside service was held April 26 at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter, P.O. Box 845945, Boston, MA 02284-5945, or Rescue, Inc., 541 Canal St, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Jerry Leon Holliday, 55, of West Dover. Died April 19 at his home. Husband of Donna Holliday for 34 years. Father of Debra and Patricia Holliday. Brother of John, Roy, and Patrick Holliday. Born in Michigan, the son of Jerry and Patricia Holliday, he lived in Vermont for the past 34 years. For the past 10 years, he worked for Mount Snow, where his hard work and dedicated service will be truly missed. He was a great husband, father, and a friend to many who will miss him dearly, along with one sad dog, Rocky. Memorial information: A memorial service was held April 30 at the Grand Summit Hotel at Mount Snow in West Dover. Donations to Wardsboro Fire and Rescue, P.O.Box 15, Wardsboro VT, 05355. White Funeral Home in Townshend is charge of arrangements.
• Frank A. “Bub” Hubner Jr., 83, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died April 19 at his home. Son of the late Frank A. and Anna C. (Delohery) Hubner. Brother of A. Shirley Tyler and her husband, Frederick, of Brattleboro; Cynthia “Cindy” H. Clark and her husband, Edward, of Guilford; Paul M. Hubner and his wife, Donna, of Chesterfield, N.H.; and the late Elizabeth “Betty” Whitehouse and Jean A. Hubner. Born in Danbury, Conn., he had been a resident of Chesterfield since 1936, when his family moved there from Connecticut. He remained on the family farmstead for the past 77 years. He operated the family farm and was a partner in Hubner Bros. Inc. He was an expert cable shovel and backhoe operator. He was also an expert welder and enjoyed making windmills as a hobby. His talents also included woodworking. He loved to tinker on anything and everything, including working on his 1977 Mercedes Benz. He loved the outdoors, and visiting flea markets. Memorial information: A graveside service was held April 25 in the West Cemetery in West Chesterfield. The Foley Funeral Home of Keene, N.H., was in charge of arrangements.
• Harold E. “Harry” Nichols Sr., 74, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died April 20 at his home, following a lengthy illness. Husband of Mary Vallee for nearly 53 years. Father of Harold Jr., Donald, and Timothy Nichols, and Carol Bascom and Mary Howe, all of Hinsdale, and the late Thomas Nichols and Beverly Howe. Born in West Halifax, the son of Leo and Nellie Snow Nichols, he was raised and educated in Marlboro and attended Brattleboro High School. He served in the Army as an infantryman and, upon his honorable discharge from active service, returned to the area where he worked as a logger for many years. He had been employed by Allard Lumber Co. in Brattleboro, and Cook Timber Harvesting and Beaman Lumber Co., both of Winchester, N.H. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, gardening, riding ATV's, and time shared with his family, especially his grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held at a later date in the family lot in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale Donations to Home Healthcare & Hospice, P.O. Box 564, Keene. N.H. 03431-0564. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Catherine M. Tolaro, 86, of Westminster. Died April 21 at the Ascutney House. Wife of the late William Collins and the late James Tolaro. Sister of Ralph “Andy” Andosca of Connecticut and the late Robert Andosca and Marjorie Ford. Sister-in-law of Gloria Carr and her husband, James, of Bellows Falls. Daughter of the late Antonio and Ida Biagiotti Andosca, she attended schools in Bellows Falls and was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School. She was owner and operator of the Rocking Horse in Bellows Falls. She was a member of the Woman's Club, the Rockingham Hospital Auxiliary, was an active volunteer for the blood drive, and was active in service clubs. Memorial information: A funeral service was held April 26 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
• Katherine Purinton “Kitty” Tuttle, 89, formerly of Newfane. Died April 8 at home in Plymouth, Vt. Wife of the late Charles Purinton for 33 years and the late C. Dinsmore Tuttle for 15 years. Mother of Charles Jr., Chris, Randy, Nick, and Amanda (Howe). Sister of the late Robert and Leonard Rowley Jr. Born in Jamaica Plain, Mass., the daughter of Helen A. Batcheller and Leonard W. Rowley, she attended Newton Centre, Mass., grammar schools and Dana Hall School. She graduated from Middlebury College, with a B.A. in English. In 1948, she married Mr. Purinton, who predeceased her in 1981. She supported her husband as he managed the Maple Valley Ski Area for 12 years, and was Town Clerk and Librarian in Newfane for several years. She married Mr. Tuttle in 1986, and they lived in Inverness, Fla. and Plymouth. She was an artist in oils and watercolor painting, a dynamic piano player of traditional hymns, a voracious reader, a patient and loving wife and mother, and an active member of Congregational church in Middlebury, Conn., Newfane, and Tyson Village, in Plymouth. She continues as a living light on our way, and her combination of spiritual integrity and worldly wisdom is a model for all our generations. Memorial information: None provided.
• Michael Zaluzny, 92, a lifelong resident of Vernon. Died March 10 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband of the late Olga Kosta for 45 years. Brother of the late Stephen, Walter, Andrew, and Harry Zaluzny, and Olga Williams. Born in Vernon, the son of the late Harry and Ann Sobedska Zaluzny, he attended school in Vernon and later graduated from Mount Herman School for Boys in Gill, Mass. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and, following his honorable discharge from active service, returned home to Vernon and established his own trucking company, Michael Zaluzny Trucking. He is credited with driving over one million miles without an accident, something he was very proud of. Active in the community, he was a longtime member of the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department, serving as the organization's first chief and was instrumental in the construction of the department's fire station. He loved his community and was a longtime participant in Vernon's Annual Town Meeting. He cast his vote in the town election every year, his last vote coming a week prior to his death. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed farming, gardening and maintaining his vanishing varieties of apple trees located on his property. He was a longtime communicant of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in South Deerfield, Mass. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held April 28 at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Church in South Deerfield, with burial in Holy Ghost Ukrainian Cemetery in Whatley, Mass. Donations to the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department, 2842 Fort Bridgman Rd., Vernon, VT 05354, or Vernon Green Nursing Home, 61 Greenway Dr., Vernon, VT 05354. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.