College news
• Alexander C. Breau of Vernon recently received the Hoyt Warner Computer Science Book Award at the College Honors Ceremonies at Western New England University. This award is determined first by overall GPA and the GPA in the major, then by an evaluation by the computer science faculty, who consider the student's potential for graduate study in computer science or a related field, as well as the student's service to the department. Graduating cum laude with a B.S. in computer science, Breau is a member of Pi Mu Epsilon-Massachusetts Kappa Chapter, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Omicron Delta Kappa national honor societies.
• Kerry A. Howard of Londonderry earned a B.A. degree from Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.
• Dillon Sparks of Guilford earned a B.S. in marketing from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
• Charles Eastwood of Townshend and Ashley Moran of Westminster both graduated from the Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology. Moran received a B.S. in diagnostic medical sonography, while Eastwood received a B.S, in mechanical engineering technology. Both were also named to the RIT Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester.
• Jenna Jordan of Londonderry graduated from Ithaca (N.Y.) College with a degree in music education. Jordan and Sam Colleran of Vernon were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Ithaca.
• Rachel Durante of Guilford was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Goucher College in Towson, Md. She spent the spring term studying Theater at the Accademia dell' Arte in Arezzo, Italy. She is a theater major and psychology minor and will be entering her senior year this fall.
• Beau Doucette of Wilmington was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at the University of Rhode Island.
• Elias Park of Wilmington earned Dean's List honors at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia for the spring 2015 semester.
• Clayton Enright, an accounting major from Londonderry, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
• Robert Brown of Brattleboro, graduated with a B.A. in business from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn. He was also named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester.
Transitions
• River Valley Credit Union has promoted Toni Muzzey to Operations Analyst II. Muzzey, a graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School, started at River Valley's Bellows Falls office in 2011. In December 2012, she took a position at River Valley's Operations Center in Brattleboro.
• Barbara Miller of Brattleboro, a Personal Lines manager at the Richards Group in Brattleboro, was recently award the Safeco Insurance Award of Excellence for the third straight year. The award is given individuals with superior underwriting skills who have developed long-term partnerships with Safeco. Miller has been with the Richards Group since 1977.
Obituaries
• Corrine S. Boyd, 87, of Jacksonville. Died July 14 at her home. Wife of Raymond Boyd for nearly 63 years. Mother of Eric G. Boyd and his wife, Cheryl, of Whitingham, Shirley J. Boyd Stratton of Bennington, Michael E. Boyd of Whitingham, and the late Alan Raymond and Arnold Douglas Boyd. Sister of Lucille Rice and her husband, Harold, of Wilmington, and the late Marshal and Carl Stone. Born in Readsboro, the daughter of the late Floyd N. and Kathryn (Moxley) Stone, she attended the Valley School in Halifax, graduated from Whitingham High School, Class of 1946. and from Castleton Teachers College, earning her Associates degree with the class of 1948. She taught elementary school in Guilford and Wilmington, and was a substitute teacher for several years in Wilmington, Whitingham, and Halifax. She also volunteered for cancer fundraisers, the library, Jacksonville Church, and the Whitingham Historical Society. She was a member of the School Board for six years and the Order of the Eastern Star, where she was Worthy Grand Matron, Associate Matron, Conductress, and Associate Conductress. Memorial information: A funeral service was held July 17 at Jacksonville Community Church. Interment was private. Donations to the Whitingham Historical Society or the Jacksonville Community Church, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• William A. “Buzzy' Buswell, 62, of Dover. Died July 15 at his home. Born in Boston, the son of the late Joseph R. and Sarah (Doherty) Buswell, he worked for the City of Boston for five years before moving to Vermont, where he owned and operated Buzzy's Taxi Service and worked as a travel agent at Mount Snow. He was a member of the West Dover Volunteer Fire Department and former Tax Collector for the Fire District. He also served on the Selectboard and the Planning Commission. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Foxwoods Casino, and was known for his famous “Buzzy's Punch.” He is survived by his brothers, Joseph and John Buswell; an aunt, Patricia LeBlanc; an uncle, Bill Doherty; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held July 20 at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, with interment in West Dover Cemetery. Donations to the West Dover Firefighters Association, in care Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Patricia Wilson Daniels, 72, of Weathersfield, Vt. Died July 4 at the hospice suite at the Mount Ascutney Health Center in Windsor, after courageously battling breast cancer. Wife of Anthony Daniels for 52 years. Mother of Christian Panasuk and her husband, Michael, of Tewksbury, Mass.; and Douglas W. Daniels of West Dover. Sister of Gail W. Speno and her husband, Francis, of Brattleboro and Leslie W. McBride and her husband, John, of Wilbraham, Mass. Born in Denver, the daughter of the late Ronald and Christian Caird Wilson, she grew up in Brattleboro. She attended local schools and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1961. She treasured her family above all else. She loved to socialize and travel with close and extended family encompassing the Wilson and Daniels connections. She also nurtured many friendships with neighbors and classmates throughout the last 50 years. Recently, she became an honorary member of Springfield High School's Class of 1961, as a testament to the mutual love of her husband's classmates. The Daniels loved to travel extensively with their restored antique car, and maintained many friendships with other enthusiasts. Her professional career included her love of secretarial work and customer service. Later in her life, she served in many administrative and leadership capacities in her community of Weathersfield, including the Board of Listers, Zoning Administrator, Trustee of Martin Memorial Hall, and the elected Selectboard for three terms. She served on the Weathersfield Fire Commission, and as a Justice of the Peace. She also loved managing the family rental properties. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m., at Weathersfield Center Church, 2564 Weathersfield Center Rd. Donations to Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Proctor Library in Weathersfield, or the Springfield Humane Society.
• Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodcock Gillespie, 56, of Putney. Died July 10, on the 22nd anniversary of her marriage to James “Jamie” C. Gillespie. A well-known Brattleboro area chiropractor, she was born in Bristol, Pa, the daughter of Suzanne (Lukens) and the late Dr. Robert Woodcock. She was raised and educated in Guilford and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School Class of 1976. She later earned her B.S. from Johnson State College and in 1984 she graduated from the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Ill., where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She joined her father, Dr. Robert Woodcock, and her uncle, Dr. Donald Woodcock, at the Woodcock Chiropractic Clinic in the Algiers section of Guilford. She was active in her practice until December 2014, when the progression of her illness prevented her from continuing to see patients. She was well respected by fellow colleagues and admired and loved by her many patients. She was known for her gentle and caring manner of treating her patients with kindness and spiritual compassion. She was a member of the Vermont Chiropractic Association and was active with the Healing Rooms of Southern Vermont. Devoted in her walk of faith with her husband, she attended church at Healing Grace Ministries in West Brattleboro. Her life centered around her joy-filled faith, her husband, and family. She loved hiking, sailboarding, ice skating, tennis and, occasionally, skydiving and rock climbing. She was passionate about traveling, and enjoyed playing the piano and flute. She further expressed herself artistically through many media, including watercolor painting, which she particularly enjoyed. She was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables. She loved to share her passions, inviting others to join her and teaching nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she delighted in their fun and participation. She was a skilled knitter who gifted many beautiful sweaters to others. What best characterizes her was her compassionate heart, generous spirit, and genuine affection for family and friends. Besides her husband, she leaves her mother, of Brattleboro, and her brother, Timothy Woodcock of Aurora, Colo. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center, with a reception following at her home in Putney. Donations to Healing Rooms of Southern Vermont, P.O. Box 118, West Halifax, VT 05358, or to a charity of one's choice. To sign an online register book, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
•Edward Paul Morissette, 83, of El Dorado Hills, Calif. Died June 29 at Mercy Folsom Hospital after an extended bout with Alzheimer's Disease. Husband of Ellen Winn Morrisette. Former husband of Elsa Morrisette. Father of Roxanne Morissette and her hustband, Bill; Wendy Chadwick and her husband, Phil; Mikell Morissette; and Tara Morissette, and her husband, Brian. Stepfather of Mike Winn and his wife, Karen, Tom Winn, John Winn and his wife, Vicki, and Pete Winn, and his wife, Susie. Born in Keene, N.H., the son of the late Edward and Mary Morissette, he graduated from Keene High School and joined the U.S. Army Special Forces in 1952. Once his military service as a paratrooper was completed, he worked for the New Haven Railroad. His passion for cooking was fulfilled when he graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. In 1957, he opened The Country Kitchen, which became one of Vermont's most cherished restaurants, popular with locals and tourists alike. Living in Brattleboro with his first wife, Elsa, he raised four wonderful daughters while managing the growing business. He first met Ellen Winn at Keene High, and the two were re-introduced in 1978. They looked around New England and decided to settle in Boothbay, Maine. First opening the Kenniston Hill Inn in 1983, they expanded their bed and breakfast empire to include the carefully renovated Five Gables Inn in East Boothbay by 1987. His time as an innkeeper in coastal Maine was a beautiful period, entertaining family and friends while busy with the cooking and home repairs for dozens of guests every day. Winters were spent in Sacramento, Calif., with the innkeeping couple returning to Maine each spring to reopen the business. His breakfast cuisine was renowned throughout New England; a cookbook of their B&B recipes still graces many kitchen libraries. Paul and Ellen eventually settled year-round in Folsom, but continued to travel throughout the world. In retirement, he was a loving and devoted grandfather, attending countless baseball, soccer, wrestling, and lacrosse games. He was the family's top chef, teaching those fine arts to anyone who dared enter his kitchen domain. He gently taught his grandchildren how to ride bikes, bake, give a proper handshake, play cribbage, and more. His loving spirit, generosity, and infectious laugh will be greatly missed by family members and friends. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 24, at the historic St. John's Catholic Church in Folsom.
• Clayton L. Piepkorn, 88, of Roseville, Minn. Died on July 14. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Bev; children, Roxanne (Loren) Alexander, Lois (Wayne) Pauluk, Dan, Mark (Sarah), and David (Cathy); grandchildren Christopher (Kaleo), Becky, and Jessica Alexander, Karah, Heather (Scott) McClintock, Phillip (Nicole) Diskerud; and great-grandchildren Andrew and Evan. Memorial information: A memorial service was held July 18 at St. Stephanus Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn., followed by a private interment at Elmhurst Cemetery.
• Richmond A. “Dick” Tripp, 87, of Vernon, formerly of Brattleboro. Died July 11 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Wife of Ruth (Burth) Tripp for 67 years. Father of Michael Tripp of Vernon, Elizabeth Dusablon of Burlington, Catherine Pohle of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Christine Miles of Keene, N.H. Also survived by eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Alfred Richmond and Ruth (Sparks) Tripp, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1945. He went on to serve his country in the Navy, where he was honorably discharged from active service at the rank of fireman, second class. Upon returning home, he went to work for the Brattleboro Department of Public Works from 1946 to 1952. He started Central Vermont Public Service in 1952 and retired as a superintendent with the company in 1990. He was active in many community activities, serving as a Boy Scout Leader, member of the Academy School PTA, member of Sportsmans Inc., and as a Brattleboro Town Meeting member for many years. He received a Vermont Public Service Awards certificate in 2000 for more than 20 years of community service in Brattleboro. He was a member of the former Wantastiquet Lodge #5, IOOF, serving as Noble Grand and District Deputy Grand Master, Oasis Encampment IOOF, serving as Chief Patriarch and District Deputy, and was a member and Past President of the Brattleboro Kiwanis Club. He was a longtime member of First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro, where he served as trustee, deacon, on the investment committee, and a member of the Thursday Night Club. He also held membership in the American Legion, Brattleboro Post 5. Since moving to Vernon, he had been active in the Vernon Seniors and Vernon Historians, Inc. as museum chair and trustee. He served as water commissioner of the Edgewater Park Water Association for a number of years. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, graveside committal services in West Brattleboro cemetery will be private for the immediate family. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home Activities Fund, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354. To sign an online register book, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Lawrence Joseph “Woody” Wood, 80, of Putney. Died July 12 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., of complications from lung cancer. Husband of Louise (Demers) Wood for 55 years. Father of Kelly Wood of Weston, Mass.; Karen Feldman and her husband, Edward, of Bridgewater, Mass.; Kathy Wood and her husband, Bruno Tenger, of Zurich, Switzerland and Calabar, Nigeria; and Kristine Wood of Putney. Born in Putney, the son of the late Lawrence H. and Nellie (Chmielewska) Wood, he attended elementary school in Putney and graduated from St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served for three years on the USS Leyte during the Korean Conflict. After his Naval service, he attended Coyne Electrical and Technical School in Boston, and graduated in 1956, and Coyne School of Electrical Engineering, graduating in 1957. He began his career as an electrician at Loyal Electric in Brattleboro and married the love of his life in 1960. In the early 1970s, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 490, and was an active member of the union while working as foreman on many large projects across New England. His career led him to nuclear power services at Vermont Yankee, where he became project manager. He continued in that position until his retirement in 1998. In 1990, Woody renovated the house he was born in, and he lived out his life there. From that experience, he discovered he had a gift for carpentry, and he built a house for his daughter and granddaughter after his retirement. He was an avid reader and a sports fan. He especially enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and the New England Patriots. More recently, he loved to watch his granddaughter's soccer and basketball games. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held July 17 at Our Lady of Mercy in Putney, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations may be made to St. Michael's School or Rescue, Inc. in Brattleboro. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• A memorial service for Lorraine (Miller) McKinnon and her daughter, Diana Kristina McKinnon, will be held at the Westminster West Cemetery on Sunday, July 26, at 1 p.m. Though absent from the area for many years now, Lorraine and Diana were most active in the community through the Wabena Farm riding stable and through their involvement with the Putney Inn. The family would like to invite any friends of Lorraine's and/or Diana's to the memorial and your vignettes will be welcome.