Births
• In Manchester, N.H. (Elliot Hospital), Feb. 7, 2015, a daughter, Kathryn Ariana Haggerty, to Claire Willscher and Stephen Haggerty of Bedford, N.H.; granddaughter to Betty and Hugh Haggerty of Bellows Falls, and to Lynn Willscher and the late Max Willscher of Wolfeboro, N.H.; great-granddaughter to Patricia Garbarini of Ossining, N.Y., and Scarborough, Maine.
• In Burlington (University of Vermont Medical Center), Jan. 10, 2015, a son, Jaiden Joseph Perkins, to Nicole Davis and Jeremy Perkins of Morrisville.
College news
• The following local residents made the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology: Cesar Augusto Rabello Borges Filho of Brattleboro, a first-year student in the biomedical engineering program, James Ferris of Brattleboro, a first-year student in the computer science program, and Ashley Moran of Westminster, a fourth-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program.
• Patricia Gilbert, a student at the Brattleboro location of the Community College of Vermont, was selected as one of 13 recipients of the CCV Student Leadership Scholarship. It is given out annually to a student from each of CCV's academic centers and its Center for Online Learning, and is designed to honor students who demonstrate significant leadership abilities in their classrooms, their academic centers, or their communities through service learning, volunteer work, and involvement in student life at CCV. Gilbert and the other recipients will receive $1,000 each, a certificate of achievement, and will be invited to a luncheon with CCV President Joyce Judy to be held in their honor this spring.
Transitions
• Laura Schairbaum of Brattleboro is the new director of Greater Falls Connections (GFC), a substance abuse prevention coalition serving the communities of Windham Northeast, including Rockingham, Westminster, Grafton, and Athens. A returned Peace Corps volunteer in the country of Mali, Schairbaum has extensive community education and nonprofit experience. Schairbaum is an alumna of SIT Graduate Institute, with an M.A. with a concentration in training and cross-cultural communication. Scott Sharland of Brattleboro is GFC's new program specialist, overseeing both the media coordination and tobacco prevention efforts of the coalition. He has extensive training, media coordination, and prevention experience from serving in the Peace Corps in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a youth outreach project officer. A graduate of Providence College, Sharland is a candidate for an M.A. in sustainable development at SIT Graduate Institute.
Obituaries
• Gladys I. Boyd, 84, of Wilmington. Died Feb. 19 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Wife of Elliott “Pickle” Boyd for more than 62 years. Mother of Catherine “Peanut” and her husband, Marshall Goodell; Gordon “Joe” Boyd and his wife, Deborah; and Robert “Bob” Boyd and his wife, Earlene, all of Wilmington. Sister of Wesley Carrier of Brattleboro, Frances Boyd of Wilmington, Bernice Murdock of Brattleboro, Seraph Stoddard of Chesterfield, N.H., and Evelyn Bernard of Wilmington. Born in Readsboro, the daughter of the late Harvey K. and Esther Ruth (Stark) Carrier, she was a 1949 graduate of Whitingham High School. After marriage, the Boyds moved to Niagara Falls, N.Y., where they lived for 10 years. In 1964, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, returning to Wilmington in 1967, where they continued to raise their family. She had worked throughout her life at many local businesses, including Dunn's General Store, C & S Store, Mount Snow, Readsboro Chair Factory, and Shaw's. She was very family-oriented and enjoyed family gatherings, knitting and crocheting, and crossword puzzles. She was an avid, lifelong reader. Memorial information: A service to remember her life will be held at the Dover Town Hall on March 15 at 1 p.m., with a memorial reception to follow in the Town Hall. Donations to the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry in care of Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Timothy Francis Boyd, 59, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Feb. 17 at his home. Husband of Bonnie Boyd. Father of Timothy Boyd Jr. and Carrie-Lynn Boyd. Sister of Katherine Prince. Stepfather of Paul, Robert, and Gerald. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Francis and Anita (Martin) Boyd, for the last 14 years, he worked at the Hinsdale Gulf station where he cultivated many friendships. He was a kind and gentle soul who loved spending time with his wife and son. He enjoyed coaching Little League baseball, playing fantasy football, and rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots. In his typical selfless and caring manner, he provided end-of-life care for both of his parents. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Mar. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Grace Christian Fellowship, 81 Ashuelot St. Winchester, N.H. Burial will be private and held in the spring. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro is assisting the family with arrangements.
• John C. Dean, 82, formerly of Halifax and Hermon, Maine. Died Feb 15 at a rehabilitation center in Zephyrhills, Fla. Husband at Linda (Tozier) Dean. Father of Debra Dean of Bridgeport, Conn., Diane Wiley of Hinsdale, N.H. and Carol Roger and her husband, Lou, of Ridgefield, Conn. Stepfather of Lisa Tozier of Liberty, Maine and Holly Tozier of Pittsfield, Maine. Brother of the late Frank, Fred, James and Edward Dean and Edith Cetto. He was born in Halifax, the son of the late Loran and Alice (Rich) Dean. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. He was a heavy equipment operator for 20 years and a carpenter for 37 years prior to his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and collecting baseball cards. He was a life member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro, where he served as post commander from 1970 to 1971. He was also a life member of the BPOE 244 Elks in Bangor, Maine. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Feb. 23 at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home in Newport, Maine.
• Bernard Francis “Bernie” Doyle Sr., 95, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 17 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of the late Charlene (McLearn) Doyle for 40 years. Companion of the late Evelyn “Effie” Sirois for 30 years. Father of Linda Mae Frizier of Coventry, Conn., Bernard Doyle Jr. of Brattleboro, Richard Doyle of Charlestown, Tenn., and the late Ronald Doyle. Predeceased by one brother and five sisters. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late John and Mary Jane (Dougherty) Doyle, he attended St. Michael's Parochial School and St. Michael's High School. He served in the Army with the 19th Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, stationed in the Pacific Theater of Operation during World War II. He was at Pearl Harbor at the time of the infamous attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home to Brattleboro and went to work at the former Crosby Milling Co. He later was employed at the former Boise Cascade Co. and also worked for several years at the Brattleboro Retreat. He retired in 1987. He was a life member of VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 and American Legion Post 5, and held membership in Sportsman's Inc. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and hiking. Memorial information: Committal rites and burial with full military honors will take place in St. George's Cemetery in Bakersfield, Vt., in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05202, or to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: Elaine Beam, Principal. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Charles James “Chuck” Frost, 70, formerly of Putney. Died Feb. 15 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. Former husband of Suzanne Colvin. Father of Lorelei Morrissette and her husband, Derrick, of Brattleboro. Brother of Ronald Frost and his wife, Lynda, of Springfield; Judith Fuller and her husband, Ronald, of East Swanzey, N.H.; and the late Kevin Frost. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Charles Henry and Wyona (Ellis) Frost, he was raised and educated in Putney and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1962. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in the Navy until his honorable discharge from active service. He worked for many years at Two Masters Gulf Service Station in Putney. Previously, he had worked in the maintenance department at Brattleboro Union High School and at Kurn Hattin Homes. In conjunction with quality time shared with his family, he also enjoyed meeting his friends at the Putney General Store for coffee, and more recently, at the Dunkin Donuts in the Walmart in Hinsdale. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney will be conducted in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. Donations to the Putney Vol. Fire Dept., P.O. Box 875, Putney, VT 05346, or to the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Alfred H. Holhut, 87, of Hatfield, Mass. Died Feb. 14 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass. Wife of Louise (Diemand) Holhut. Father of James Holhut and his wife, Tracy, of Greenfield, Mass.; Michael Holhut and his wife, Michelle, of Hatfield; Diane Grady and her husband, John, of Springfield, Mass.; Julie Holhut of Greenfield, Mass.; and the late Ronald Holhut. Brother of Francis Holhut of Hatfield, and the late Edward Holhut and John Holhut Jr. Uncle of Randolph T. Holhut and his wife, Joyce Marcel, of Dummerston; Sandy Kochman and her husband, David, of Swanzey, N.H.; Kenneth Holhut and his wife, Karen, of Hatfield; Robert Holhut and his wife, Anna, of Hatfield; and Edward Holhut Jr. of Hatfield. Born in Hatfield, the son of the late John and Lena (Zeitz) Holhut, he was educated in local schools and was a lifelong resident of Hatfield. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He later worked at D.A. Sullivan and Sons Construction Co. for many years, retiring in 1989. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Hatfield. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Feb. 19 at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Hatfield, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery in Northampton. Donations to Our Lady of Grace Parish, 11 School St., Hatfield, MA 01038.
• Dean G. LeClaire, 47, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 17 at his residence after battling ALS. Husband of Pamela (Monroe) LeClaire. Father of Gregory and Sarah LeClaire, both of Brattleboro. Brother of Andrew LeClaire and his wife, Kathy, of Brattleboro; Vicki LeClaire of Wallingford, Vt.; Diana Shepherd and her husband, Charles, of Guilford; and the late Michelle M. LaRue. Born in Naperville, Ill., the son of the late Richard and Verna (Gilson) LeClaire, he was a lifelong Brattleboro resident. He was educated in the Brattleboro school system, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1985. He was employed as the UPS shipping leader at New Chapter for many years. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed playing softball, bowling, camping, biking and fishing. Memorial information: Burial will be held in spring. Donations may be made to ALS Association, NNE Chapter, Concord Center, 10 Ferry St., Concord, NH 03301. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
• James P. Martin, 74, of Grafton. Died Feb. 6. Husband of Patricia K. Peter Martin for more than 51 years. Father of Katherine Lynn Martin, Douglas Howard Martin and his wife, Tanya, and David Paul Martin. Brother of Doug Wright, Ellen Archambault, and the late Norm Martin, Ann Dean and Karen Martin. The son of the late Howard and Mabel (Brown) Wright, he was a graduate of Leland & Gray Seminary, served four years in the Navy, and later worked for Fuller Tractor in Beeville, Texas, and Keats Tractor in Keene, N.H. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events, fishing and hunting, haying, the Red Sox, and barbeque. He especiually loved all of nature, especially his dogs and cats. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Feb. 21 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Townshend. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353; or Grafton Cares. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• Bernard B. McGrath, 78, of Westminster. Died Feb. 19 at the Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center. Wife of Mary Donaldson McGrath for more than 52 years. Father of Ian McGrath of Chester and Barton McGrath of Rockingham. Brother of Alma Pearson of Edinburgh, Scotland. Born in Edinburgh, the son of the late Bernard and Marion (Ramsey) McGrath, he served in the British Royal Army. Memorial information: Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• Pamela Cheney Potter, 70, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 14, following a lifelong battle with Crohn's disease. Wife of Edward R. Potter and the late James McKay Lykes III. Mother of Cathryn E. Lykes of Brattleboro, James M. Potter of Starksboro, Emily F. Potter of Putney, and Deborah P. Satterfield of Brattleboro. Sister of Maurice A. Cheney. Half-sister of the late Martha Lincoln and Lionel Cheney. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., daughter of the late Dr. Maurice L. and Wanda P. Cheney, she grew up in Guilford where, as a teenager, she spent almost every afternoon trail riding on her first horse, Cindy. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1962, and studied physical therapy at Tufts University before earning her diploma in secretarial studies from the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston. She was employed at the Office of Admissions at Harvard University before her first marriage. Following the death of Mr. Lykes in 1969, she married Mr. Potter in 1970. Together, they bought a beautiful hilltop farm in Walpole, N.H., raised four children, and pursued their mutual interests of carriage driving and cross-country skiing. She was a devoted mother who took beautiful care of her children despite her continuing illness. She was highly artistic and intuitive, with a refined sense of esthetics, musicality, home décor, and natural beauty. Her loved ones could count on an exquisite handmade greeting card from Pam for every birthday and holiday, and she loved to play Beethoven at top volume. She treasured the childhood experience of seeing Rudolf Serkin play live at the Marlboro Music Festival. During the 1980s, she owned and managed Meadow Winds Farm, a highly successful family business and Morgan horse show stable in Walpole. Meadow Winds was the home of the Morgan stallion Shaker's Destry, and the birthplace of many championship foals. An incredibly hard worker, she was later employed by Rentokil of Boston and Cersosimo Lumber Company of Brattleboro, where she completed nearly two decades of service in Human Resources before her retirement in April 2014. Memorial information: No service details provided. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Dominic Tagariello, 76, of Williamsville, formerly of New Britain, Conn. Died Feb. 13, following a brief illness. Husband of Anne (DiCesare) Giumelli Tagariello and the late Joan (Rampone) Tagariello. Father of Ann, Darlene, Donna, Debbie, and Joanie. Stepfather of Jennifer and Anna and the late Jackie. Brother of Jennie Andrusio, Connie Boucher, Donald Tagariello, and his wife, Linda, and the late George Tagariello. He was employed as a front-end loader operator at Tilcon-Tomasso until his retirement in 2000. He held active retiree status in the IUOE Local 478 of Hamden, Conn. He was a Third-Degree Knight in Knights of Columbus Leo Council 917, of St. Michael's Church in Brattleboro. He served as head usher and groundskeeper at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Townshend. He loved the outdoors, was an avid fisherman, hunter, and a gifted woodworker. He was also an avid motorcyclist. He and his first wife, Joan, were charter members of The Nutmeg Winnies of Connecticut, and he and Anne, were members of GWTA chapters in Plainville and Bristol, Conn. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro.
• Laura Mae Whittemore, 86, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Feb. 19, at her home. Wife of the late Clarence “Peanut” Whittemore. Mother of Richard Whittemore of Hinsdale, Helena Gurney of Hinsdale, Louise Gleason of Winchester, N.H., and Sharon Richardson of Vernon. Predeceased by two brothers and three sisters. Born in Chesterfield, N.H., the daughter of the late Percy and Alice (Dobson) Rowe, she worked for more that 40 years at Holstein Association USA. She afterwards worked at Ames Department Store for 15 years, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. for 10 years, Vernon Pre-School as a part time substitute, and Teddy Bear Day Care for five years. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed camping with her husband and family, reading, and caring for her birds, cats, and flowers. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Graveside committal services and interment will take place at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations to the American Heart Association, New Hampshire Chapter, 2 Wall Street Suite 104, Manchester, NH 03101, or to the to the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
• Michael Eli Wilson, 71, of Grafton. Died Feb. 13 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene following a brief illness. Husband of Loraine Smith for 30 years. Father of Benjamin Wilson of Penacock, N.H., Michael Wilson of Brattleboro, Christopher Stone of Charlestown, N.H., and Randy Stone of Peru, Vt. Sister of the late Carlie Patch. Born in Springfield, Vt., the son of Helen (Stompor) and the late Clarence Wilson, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1963. Following high school, he served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in Vietnam during the conflict. He worked as a shipping clerk for G.S. Precision from 1983 until his retirement in 2012. Previously, he had worked at the former Book Press in Brattleboro. He was a member of American Legion Post 67 in Chester. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and puttering around his home. He always has a remodeling project on the docket. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, as they visited many destinations both in the United States and abroad. He was known for his spirit of kindness and generosity; always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Memorial information: Funeral services will be private with interment in the family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or to The Animal Rescue and Protection Society (TARPS), P.O. Box 274, Chester, VT 05143. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.