Births
In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Aug. 29, 2014, a daughter, Athena Alivia Marshall, to Tamina and Scott Marshall of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Jennifer and Joe Muzur, and Kay and John Marshall.
In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Aug. 26, 2014, a son, Jacob Riley Louison Jr., to Samantha Lyn Mayer and Jacob Riley Louison of Bernardston, Mass.; grandson to Penny Weeks, John Gifford, Carol Buffum, and Raymond Squires.
In Lebanon, N.H., (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center), Aug. 24, 2014, a daughter, Alexandria Rae McAllister, to Samantha and Glenford McAllister of Springfield.
College news
• Elias Martel, 16, of Putney and The Compass School, and Keith Walsh, 16, of Marlboro and Brattleboro Union High School, both earned a place in the fall 2014 class at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Mass. Martel and Walsh, who both completed their sophomore years at their respective schools, are among 400 students engaged in rigorous education at the only college in the country specifically designed for bright, highly motivated students ready to enter college early.
Transitions
• Bobbi Kilburn of Westminster recently joined 15 other community members in serving on Youth Services' board of directors. Kilburn is currently providing consultant support to the Vermont Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, acting as its Director of Finance and Board treasurer during its wind-down phase. Since leaving Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation after 15 years as its Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary, she provided financial and business consulting services to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria and to Monadnock SCORE Chapter #379 in Keene, N.H. In the early part of her career, Kilburn worked for Chittenden Bank's mortgage loan servicing division. She has an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University, and a B.S. in business management with a specialization in accounting from Keene State College.
Obituaries
• Joanne Blumenthal, 61, of West Dover. Died Sept. 6 at Southern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, after a valiant fight against cancer. Wife of Jonathan Blumenthal. Stepmother of Sara Spengler of San Francisco. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Skinner; and a brother, William Pryeor, both residents of Enfield, Conn.; and other relatives in Rhode Island. She was a smart, energetic, beautiful, and passionate person who will not be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to know her. She was committed to her community and was a regular volunteer at the Dover Free Library. She also served as chairman of the board of library trustees for a number of years. She cared deeply for people with whom she spent her time and enjoyed a range of activities. She graduated with a nursing degree from Northeastern University and spent 30 years of her career taking care of others. Outside of work, she delighted in being a caretaker for her beloveds. She spent years supporting her husband while he battled his own cancers. She tended to a beautiful garden and filled her house with plants as well. She was a member of the “Chicks on Sticks” ski club and “Joanne's Walkers” walking club. She was a fantastic cook, and appreciated the offerings of many local inns and restaurants as an avid gourmand. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a time to be announced. Donations to Deerfield Valley Community Care (make checks payable to DVCC), P.O. Box 5, Wilmington, VT, 05363; Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1743, Wilmington, VT 05363 or Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Road, Dover, VT 05341.
• Emilie Elizabeth Branch, 5 months, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 7. Daughter of Johnathan Branch and Tammy Sears. Brother of Johnathan Branch Jr., Ashley Branch, Amanda Cassell, and Rebecca Fitts. Grandchild of Alfred and Geraldine Williams, Elizabeth Kimball, Susan Wilkins, and the late Allen Branch and Judy Lapine. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Sept. 15 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in the Immanuel Churchyard.
• Michael L. Crosier, 44, of Wilmington. Died Sept. 9 at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington. Husband of Joanne Maynard Crosier for 19 years. Father of Kody Crosier and his fiance, Natalia Ceolho, of Wardsboro, and Alec and Addison Crosier of Wilmington. Brother of Paul Crosier and his wife, Michelle, of Wilmington; Laurie Spear and her husband, Stephen, of West Palm Beach, Fla. and Holly Oliveira and her husband, Rodney, of Mobile, Ala. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Larry and the late Vera Chase Crosier, he graduated from Whitingham High School. He worked as an oil delivery driver for Guy E. Nido, Inc. for many years. He was not just an employee of Guy, he admired him and thought of him as a father. His fellow co-workers were like another family to him, especially Zetella Penson, whom he held dear to his heart. He spent most of his weekends playing paintball or RC car racing with his boys. He was a car enthusiast that could fix any mechanical issue and enjoyed drag racing with his best friend Randy Pike. His perfect smile always got a little bigger every time his daughter entered the room. He was part of the Valley Town Church. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Sept. 13 at Memorial Hall in Wilmington, with interment private in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. Donations to to the Michael L. Crosier Memorial Fund, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Alan Osborn Dann, 80, of Marlboro. Died Sept. 7 at home from metastatic bladder cancer. Husband of Deirdre Donaldson for 18 years and the late Jacqueline Brown for 27 years. Father of John Dann and the late Martha Dann. Also survived by granddaughter Ruby Dann, foster son Pedro Mendia-Landa, brother Robert Dann, and three cats: Itsy-Bitsy, Rrrex, and Boots. Born in New Haven, Conn., the son of the late Katherine and Walter Dann, he attended Hamden Hall Country Day School and then Kent School, which provided the foundation for everything he did for the rest of his life. He earned his A.B. in economics at Harvard College in 1955, then spent five years on active duty in the Navy. He continued his service in the Naval Reserve, retiring at the rank of commander. He earned two master's degrees from Columbia University in 1961 and 1982 and, at age 64, completed a Ph.D. in education administration at the University of Connecticut. He worked for Southern New England Telephone in New Haven and at AT&T. He retired at 54 and became busier than ever in volunteer activities, as well as working as assistant principal of an elementary school in Woodbridge, Conn., and as an organization consultant. He hosted several foreign exchange students, some of whom became family. He moved to Vermont in 1998, where he was active in many organizations, including The Commons, the Vermont Progressive Party, Hilltop House, the League of Women Voters, the Estey Organ Museum, and the Marlboro Historical Society. He served as president of the boards of several of these organizations. He was a deacon at the Marlboro Meetinghouse. He was an auditor for the town of Marlboro. He was a church organist who played at several area churches, most constantly at West Dover Congregational Church and St. Mary's in the Mountains, and, in summer, at Halifax Union Society and Marlboro Meetinghouse. He worked tirelessly to sustain several churches. He served on the board of the City Missionary Association of New Haven for 40 years and served as its president. He sang with the Trinity Boys' Choir, Harvard Glee Club, Friends of Music at Guilford, Brattleboro Community Chorus, and the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus, and served on the boards of the last of these. He was known for the likelihood of his bursting into song in his booming baritone at any time in any place. He interviewed applicants for Harvard for decades. He was class secretary for his class at Kent for more than 40 years and was called the glue that kept them together. He rowed at Kent and Harvard. His concern about the state of the world occupied much of his waking hours. He was a frequent writer of letters to the editor and to his congressmen. He read widely. He had a strong sense of duty and was generous with his time and energy. He could start a conversation with anyone and was always the last to leave a gathering. He was an ardent supporter of people and their causes. His laugh could be heard above the noise of any gathering. He was a diehard Red Sox fan, even after they sold their pitchers. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at First Baptist Church in Brattleboro on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m., to be followed by burial in Kings Cemetery in Marlboro and a reception at the Marlboro Meetinghouse. Memorial contributions may be made to Vermont Independent Media/The Commons, P.O. Box 1212, Brattleboro, VT 05302; the Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 W. 20th St., New York, NY 10011; or the Estey Organ Museum, 108 Birge St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Bernard J. “Bernie” Derosia, 78, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 6 at his home following a lengthy illness. Husband of Veglia (Caccivio) Derosia for 56 years. Father of Wayne of Vernon, Scott and his wife, Janet, of West Brattleboro, Joseph and his wife, Sheena, of West Chesterfield , N.H., James and his wife, Kelly, of Vernon, Lisa Derosia of Brattleboro, Karen Lynch and her husband, Stephen, of Rutland, and the late Angela Maria Derosia. Brother of Philip Derosia of Arizona, Frederick Derosia of Chester, and the late Pete, Victor, David, Richard, Ernie and Gene Derosia. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Henry and Cordelia (Belair) Derosia, he attended St. Michael's Parochial School and was a graduate of St. Michael's High School, Class of 1955. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged from active service in June 1957. He worked as a butcher at the Grand Union supermarket in Brattleboro. He retired when the Brattleboro store was closed, after 38 years of faithful service. He later worked part-time as a bartender at American Legion Post 5. In his earlier years, he worked at the former Crosby Milling Co. He coached Little League, Babe Ruth and Legion baseball in Brattleboro, with one of his Babe Ruth teams reaching the New England Regionals. He loved sports and followed all of his grandchildren in their sport endeavors. He held membership in American Legion Post 5, VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034, and the F.O. Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445. He was also a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. A faithful and devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he treasured time spent with his family. He also loved to dance and was an avid New York Giants and Detroit Tigers fan. He was fondly called “Pea Soup” by the many who knew him well. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Sept. 11 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors in the family lot in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery will be conducted at a later date. Donations to St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, principal. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Arne H. Frye, 93, of Springfield, Mass. Died Sept. 9 at Baystate Medical Center. Husband of Barbara E. (Goss) Frye. Father of Karen E. Pestana and her husband, John, of Venice, Fla., Ellen F. Campbell and her husband, David, of North Egremont, Mass, Elizabeth Frye and her husband, Carl Sam Pilo, of Guilford, Joseph A. Frye and his wife, Tina, of Springfield, and Robert P. Frye of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Born in Jonkoping, Sweden, son of the late Carl H. and Evy (Borg) Frye, he immigrated to the United States at the age of nine and settled in the Boston area. Raised in Brookline, Mass. he graduated from Brookline High School. He was employed by Diamond International 22 years and retired as art director in 1982. He joined the Massachusetts National Guard in 1940 and served his country during World War II in the Army though 1945, attaining the rank of corporal. He resided in Springfield since 1960, was a founding member and communicant of St. Patrick's Church and he coached St. Patrick's Church Little League Baseball for eight years. He was a well-known local artist of watercolors and oils. He painted many sports figures and his work was on display and sold at Mercy Hospital. He was a member of the Sixteen Acres Civic Association and an avid gardener. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Sept. 13 at St. Patrick's Church in Springfield, followed by burial with full military honors in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield. Donations to The Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115.
• Hugh K. Jones, Jr., 87, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 7 following a courageous battle with cancer. Husband of Carolyn Grover for 63 years. Brother of Damon Jones and his wife, Donna, of Hinsdale; Michele Jones of Weare, N.H.; Nola Corbeil and her husband, Gary, of Vernon; Dawnette Brailey and husband Will of Winchester, N.H.; Delvina Kearney and Paul Furgot of Westminster; and Jeanne (Roxanne) Jones of New York. Brother of Ann Clark of Marianna, Fla. Predeceased by two brothers and six sisters. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Hugh and Bernice (Davenport) Jones. He attended the Kurn Hattin Home in Westminster prior to enlisting into the Navy at age 16. He served his country during World War II on board the USS Holder. He was honorably discharged from active service in October 1947. A skilled auto mechanic, he had worked at Norm's Auto Sales and for Dexter Royce at the Auto Barn, both in Hinsdale, N.H. He later was employed by two of his daughters, working at Coastal Imports, then owned by his daughter, Delvina, and later for his daughter, Michele, at the former Vermont Market. In his earlier years, he worked at the former Crosby Milling Co. in Brattleboro. He was a member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro and the VFW in Hinsdale. For several years, he held a pilot's license and enjoyed flying. He was a Dale Earnhardt and NASCAR fan and also enjoyed stock car racing and competed at several tri-state area racetracks, including Claremont Speedway. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 20, at noon, at the VFW in Hinsdale, with a reception to follow. Donations to Hospice at HCS, 45 Main St., Suite 316, Peterborough, NH 03458. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Frank A. LaFlam Sr., 83, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 10, at Pine Heights following a brief battle with cancer. Husband of the late Pauline (Davis) LaFlam for 61 years. Father of Frank LaFlam Jr. of Vernon, Mark LaFlam Sr. and his wife, Denise, of Charlestown, N.H., and the late Terry LaFlam. Brother of the late William LaFlam, Eugene LaFlam, Dolly Willette, Ann Clifford, and Fred Babbitt. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late William and Eleanor (Grassi) LaFlam, he attended Brattleboro High School and joined the Navy from high school. He worked for Pepsi as a salesman until 1969 when he became a full-time police officer. He retired from Brattleboro Police Department as head detective in 1993. Memorial information: A graveside service will take place at Meetinghouse Cemetery on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m., with a gathering to follow at Westgate Community Center in West Brattleboro.
• William “Bill” J. LaPlante, 44, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 6 at his residence. Husband of Lisa LaPlante. Father of Ryan LaPlante. Stepfather of Chelsea LaPlante. Brother of Michelle LaPlante of Bridgewater. Born in Albany, N.Y., the son of Phillip and Jacqueline (Guerette) LaPlante, he was a resident of Brattleboro for the past 15 years. He previously resided in Rutland, Burlington and Bennington. He was self-employed as a skilled carpenter and painter for over 25 years. He enjoyed spending time at the river, fishing and swimming. He was a good athlete, playing soccer and baseball, and loved taking walks at night with his wife. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Sept. 15 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to Lisa LaPlante, in care of Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; the Brattleboro Retreat, 1 Anna Marsh Lane, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or to the Phoenix House RISE Program, 435 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Donna P. Marshall, 72, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 10 at her residence. Wife of Robert Marshall. Mother of Brian Marshall and his husband, Christopher Fennell, of North Andover, Mass.; John Marshall of Hinsdale; Steven Marshall and his wife, Eryn, of West Chesterfield, N.H.; and Vallerie Rella and her husband, Paul, of Columbia, N.H. Sister of Janice Deyo of Vernon, Carol Walker of Charlotte, N.C., and the late Lorraine Coulombe. Born in Jeffersonville, the daughter of the late Edward and Florence (Spaulding) Pope, she was a lifelong resident of the Brattleboro area. She was educated in the Brattleboro school system, graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1959. She was employed for the town of Hinsdale, N.H., in property and records for many years until her retirement. She enjoyed spending time with her two cats, Chiffon and Savannah, spending winters at her home in Eustis, Fla., traveling throughout New England, and walks on the beach. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the Southwest Regional Planning Commission in New Hampshire, and the Court of St. Joseph, Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Sept. 17 at St. Joseph Church in Hinsdale. Donations to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W. Swanzey Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446.
• Yvonne Bover Nadeau, 96, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 4. Wife of the late Armand Nadeau for 72 years. Mother of Armand Nadeau, Jr. and his wife, Sue, of Hinsdale, N.H.; Paul Nadeau and his wife, Evelyn, of Swanzey, N.H.; David Nadeau and his girlfriend, Kim, of Brattleboro; Betty Lou Whipple and her husband, Don of Massachusetts; Sylvia Heath and her husband, Cliff, of Hinsdale; and the late Gary and Leonard Nadeau. She was born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late George and Vivian Bover. She worked many jobs, including at Berkshire Fine Spinning, Margolin's, and at the Brattleboro Retreat as an LPN. However, her most endearing job was that of wife and mother. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday Sept. 28, at American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Beverly Perna, 82, of West Dover. Died Sept. 9 at Thompson House in Brattleboro, where she resided for nine months as her physical health declined. Wife of James Perna. Mother of Lynn Perna of Marlboro and Michael Perna of San Francisco. She was born in Cambridge, N.Y., the daughter of the late Donald and Ruth (Luddy) Bruce. After attending local schools, she graduated from SUNY-Plattsburgh. She married and moved to Spring Valley N.Y. (Rockland County). She taught kindergarten there for 27 years and was a civil rights advocate and union activist. In 1988, the Pernas retired to West Dover, where she was a volunteer and a town lister for several years. She thoroughly enjoyed needlework and gardening and children's literature. She passed her cooking skills onto the next generations. Memorial information: At her request, there will be no funeral or visitation. Donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.
• Jerald L. Stevens, 73, of Chester. Died at his home on Sept. 5 from melanoma. Partner of Michelle Dufort. Former husband of Barbara Stevens. Father of Jacob Stevens of Brooklyn, N.Y., Peter Stevens of Concord, Mass., William Stevens of San Francisco, and Katharine Stevens of Genga, Italy. Brother of Robert Stevens of Freeport, Maine, James Stevens and Stephen Stevens of Bloomington, Ill., and Ann Sweeney of Keller, Texas. Son of the late Louis Schenck Stevens and Mary Frances Dunne Stevens. He loved ideas, people, and community. Active as a volunteer in the neighboring town of Grafton, he expressed his love of books and learning as a trustee of the Grafton Library, his enjoyment of a good party through his promotion of the Grafton Day Celebration, and his willingness to cause a ruckus in passions like his alternative plan for the abandoned Red Church building. Although variously describing himself as an atheist and a Buddhist, he was active at and a deacon of the Grafton Church. Swimming and his keen intellect led him from Bloomington, Ill., where he grew up, to Yale. He graduated from Yale in 1963, from the Harvard Business School in 1967, and worked in private finance. He was appointed at age 33 as Commissioner of Public Welfare and Secretary of Human Services by Massachusetts Gov.Michael Dukakis. Five years later. he became the vice president of finance and administration at Yale. He returned to the private sector as president of Vanguard Investments in 1983. He retired to Vermont in 1994. Always an athlete and lover of things physical, he played rugby in college, ran the Boston Marathon in the 1970s, biked to work before it was cool, and became a master club rower in his 50s. Last year, he was still bench-pressing 200 pounds. He was ever curious about and generous with others, and appreciative of their individual perspectives, insights, and strengths. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Grafton Church on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m. Donations in his memory may be made to the Jerald L. Stevens Memorial Fund, in care of the Grafton Library, P.O. Box 129, Grafton, VT 05146.
• Steven L. Walker, 52, of Basking Ridge, N.J. Died Aug. 9. Son of Jacquelyn Walker, and her husband, Steve Anderson of Putney. Brother of Linda Penn of Madison, Conn., Sharon Walker of Seattle, and Keith Walker of Clifton Park, N.Y. Stepbrother of Teja Anderson of Monmouth Beach, N.J., Judy Anderson Cosgrove of Kinderhook, N.Y., and Daniel Anderson of Forest Hills, N.Y. Born in Orange, N.J., he grew up in Mendham, N.J., before relocating to Morristown, N.J., and later, in 1995, to Basking Ridge. At Mendham High School, he dedicated himself to playing soccer and was consistently recognized as an area and state all-star player. He was recruited to Wake Forest University on a soccer scholarship and was later involved in coaching youth soccer in the Mendham and Basking Ridge areas, while working at the Mendham Racquet Club. He earned an associate's degree from Morris (N.J.) Community College in 1985. He first discovered his lifelong passion for both photography and traveling in the course of an extended trip to Australia, after which he became a serious practitioner of animal photography. His photographic experience included working as a photo editor for a National Geographic photographer and serving as the official photographer for the Philadelphia Zoo and the Audubon Society's Project Puffin in Maine. He was an ardent animal lover, from the many cats that he adopted and nurtured to the wide variety of wild animals he so sensitively and beautifully photographed. He designed, wrote, and published several colorful children's books using animal photos to encourage young readers to recognize and learn about a wide variety of animals. He was also an accomplished woodworker and worked for several years at King Boatworks in Putney, building racing shells. He spent the last 12 years of his professional life as an auto salesman and certified brand ambassador at Ray Catena Porsche in Edison, N.J. His family and many lifelong friends will remember him as a loving and giving son, brother and uncle. His energy, creativity, generosity, courage and optimism under adversity, and especially his unbridled sense of humor were an inspiration to all. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Sept. 18 at Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham, N.J. There will be a second memorial service in Putney for his friends there on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Putney Friends Meetinghouse. Donations to Project Puffin at give.audubon.org/Giving/Page/131/1/131.