College news
• Benjamin Dandrea of Brattleboro received his B.S. degree in education, with a history minor, from the University of Kansas on May 14.
• Alexander Harris of Brattleboro, who is studying therapeutic recreation at Ithaca (N.Y.) College, was inducted into the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, an academic honor society designed specifically to “recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students.”
• Alexandra Morrow of Townshend, a graduating senior at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., was named an Honors Scholar at the college's May 6 commencement at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
• Olivia Milne of Brattleboro was named to the spring 2017 Dean's List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
School news
• Ryan Taggard, a graduating senior at Brattleboro Union High School, has been named one of 722 semifinalists in the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from nearly 5,100 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2017. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 53rd year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. Taggard will attend Yale University and plans to study physics, math, Chinese, and economics.
Transitions
• West River Valley Thrives, whose mission it is to support and promote healthy lifestyle choices with an emphasis on the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by young people, welcomes Erica Reynolds to its staff. Reynolds is taking over for Kristin Cox as the organization's Program Director. Reynolds has a law degree from Western New England University School of Law and a degree in sociology from Smith College.
• Brattleboro Memorial Hospital recently welcomed Brandon Reed as the new Director of Finance. Reed was previously employed at Cooley Dickinson Medical Group in Northampton, Mass., as the Accounting Manager. A graduate of Western New England University, he has a background in both accounting and finance, working at Deloitte & Touche and Arthur Andersen, in Hartford, Conn. A Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA), Reed also maintains licensure as a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Informational Systems Auditor.
Obituaries
• William Scott Fletcher, Jr., 67, of Saxtons River. Died May 15 at Cedar Hill nursing home in Windsor, after a battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in Townshend on Sept. 22, 1949, the son of William S. “Billy” Fletcher and Nora Elizabeth Robinson. He was a 1967 graduate of Bellows Falls High School, served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and worked at Grafton Village Cheese Company for 43 years, until his retirement in 2011. He was a member of the VFW in Springfield, Vt.; the Abenaki Snowmobile Club, where he was active in trail grooming and maintenance; and Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST). He was a former member of the Vermont Trappers Association and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and snowmobiling. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved his trips to Alaska. He also enjoyed NASCAR, the Red Sox, mowing the lawn, being a Little League coach, and his many trips to the family camp, which he helped build, on Lake Seymour in Morgan. As a child, he was bat boy for the Grafton baseball team in the West River Valley League and was so proud of his father, a left- handed pitcher. As an adult, he played in the men's softball league for the Bellows Falls Cash Market. In 1999, he married Maureen Fisher Fletcher, who survives. Also surviving is his mother, Nora Fletcher of Townshend; his sons W. Scott Fletcher III and his wife, Samantha, of Saxtons River, and Gregory E. Fletcher and his wife, Noel, of Westminster; stepson Robert D. Sprague and his wife, Darcie, of Grafton; stepdaughter Terri Sprague Pickett and her husband, Jason, of Ypsilanti, Mich.; his sisters Ellen Wheeler and her partner, Bruce Howard, of Venice, Fla., Sherry Bartlett and husband, Tom of Venice, Fla., and Debra Jean Stevens and her husband, Mike, of Milton; eight grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: There will be a graveside service on Sunday, May 28, at 3 p.m., in Houghtonville Cemetery in Grafton. Donations to the American Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or to the Abenaki Snowmobile Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 55, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Patricia A. Kaiser, 85, of Brattleboro. Died May 4 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Born in Sovana, N.Y., on March 23, 1932; the daughter of the late Merle and Martha (Moss) Wixson, she was employed as an inserter-sorter for the Brattleboro Reformer for many years until her retirement. She enjoyed embroidering, reading, watching game shows, doing crossword puzzles, cooking, and gardening. She is predeceased by a son, Charles Kaiser. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Alonzo B. Kaiser Sr.; two sons, Al Kaiser, Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Dummerston, and Ron Kaiser of Brattleboro; a daughter, Michelle Kaiser of Westminster; a brother, Richard Wixson and his wife Marilyn of Savannah, Ga; and three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A service was held on May 20 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Burial will be at a later time.
• Anna Guilbault Lane, 68, formerly of Vernon. Died May 17. Born April 21, 1949 to the late Louis and Jeannette Guilbault, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1967. She loved skiing, traveling, and reading. She was a dedicated employee of Smucker Quality Beverages in Havre De Grace, Md., for the past 23 years. She previously worked at Famolare Shoes in Brattleboro. She was a hard-working, beautiful mother and grandmother. She loved to spend time with the family, especially her grand kids. She is survived by her son, Scott Lane (Jolene) of Vernon; her daughter, Heidi Artrip (Jeff) of Rising Sun, Md.; and three grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside service was held May 24 in North Cemetery in Vernon.
• Mary Martha Pazsak, 82, of Brattleboro. Died May 18 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Millbury, Mass., on April 5, 1935, the daughter of Frederick and Esther (Caisse) Hart, she was raised and educated in Millbury and graduated from Millbury Memorial High School, Class of 1953. She worked as an administrative assistant for State Mutual Life Assurance Co. in Worcester, Mass. A resident of Brattleboro since 1976, she worked at the Shoe Tree on Main Street and, for the past 17 years, at Galanes's Vermont Shop. She was known for her pleasant and warm personality and her spirit of friendship. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. In 1976, she married Joseph E. Pazsak Jr., who predeceased her in 2005. Survivors include a brother, Walter Hart of Hyannis, Mass., a cousin, Laura Jean Costa of Melbourne, Fla., dear friends Missy and Richard DeGray of Brattleboro, and several nieces, nephews, and close friends. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 23 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal Rites and burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to Brigid's Kitchen & Pantry, in care of St. Michael's Catholic Church, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Helen M. Pennell, 91, of Brattleboro. Died May 12 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Born in Newfane on Sept. 9, 1925, the daughter of the late Millard and Pearl (Daniells) Martin, she was a lifelong area resident, and was educated in local schools. She was employed as a shop worker at The Book Press in Brattleboro for many years. She was a member of the Eagles and the Pocahontas Clubs in Brattleboro. She enjoyed riding motorcycles, baking, and taking bus trips with her good friends, Mary and Marion Ackley. She was predeceased by her husband, Guy Pennell Sr., in 1971; a son, Guy Pennell, Jr.; a brother, Joseph Martin; and two sisters, Luetta Holden and Frances Bell. She is survived by two grandsons, Guy Pennell, III of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and Jimmy Pennell and his wife, Pamela, of Brattleboro; a brother, Millard Martin of Newfane; seven great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A graveside service was celebrated May 21 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane. Donations may be made to Thompson House, 80 Maple St, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Clifford A. Roby, 57, of Brattleboro. Died May 3 at his residence. Born in Bellows Falls, VT on Dec. 1, 1959, the son of the late Willard W. and Marie (Corbeil) Roby, he was a lifelong resident of the area. He was employed as a construction worker for Loney Construction. As a child growing up in a military family, he enjoyed traveling extensively, and loved spending time with his family and friends. He is predeceased by a brother, Willard A. Roby. He is survived by two sisters, Linda Boyd and her partner, Bruce Aldrich, of Monticello, N.Y., and Rita Carlson and her husband Robert of Windsor, Conn.; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Boyd of Hinsdale, N.H.; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, including his aunt, Helena Roby, of Vernon, whom he was close with. Memorial information: A graveside service was held May 15 at Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, 51 Fairview St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Douglas Savage, 68, of Keene, N.H. Died May 8. Born in Athol, Mass., on Oct. 17, 1948, the son of Arthur F. Savage, Jr. and Lila L. Ball, he worked as a floor manager for Cambium Corporation. He is survived by his daughter Kaitlyn and her husband, Thomas Brown III; his stepchildren Heather Tullar and Brandon Rivers; siblings Sandra Hanshaw, Patricia Whitney, Linda Bailey, Darlene Rooney, Debbie Ball, Bruce Savage, Walter Ball, and Clyde Ball, and grandson Carsten Tullar. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Lynn Savage, his life partner Joan Tullar, and siblings Arthur Savage III, Robert Savage, Gregory Ball, and Olay Whaley. Memorial information: Services will be private, at the convenience of the family.
• Ernest R. Thomas, 72, of Brattleboro. Died May 13 at his residence. Born in Brattleboro on June 5, 1944, the son of the late Richard and Beatrice Thomas, he was a lifelong Brattleboro resident. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1962, and served his country in the Army. He was self-employed as an auto body repairman. He enjoyed rebuilding and restoring classic cars, and loved Hampton Beach, N.H., where he would vacation every summer. He is survived by two daughters, Erin Crespo and her husband, Richard, of Brattleboro and Lynn McLaughlin of Underhill; a sister, Dorothy Longueil of Brattleboro; several grandchildren; and two nephews and a niece. Memorial information: A graveside service was held May 18 in Hinesburg Cemetery in Guilford. Donations to the Hinesburg Cemetery Association, in care of Cathy Hunt, 1799 Carpenter Hill Rd., Guilford, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
Services
• Burial and committal services with full military honors for Gary A. “Gilly” Gilman will take place in the Tyler Cemetery in Vernon on Saturday, May 27, at 11 a.m. Mr. Gilman died on Jan. 3, 2017 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.
• A graveside memorial service for Donato E. Carrara will be held on Saturday, June 3, at 11:30 a.m., at Maple Grove Cemetery in East Wallingford, Vt. All are invited. A reception will follow at the Shrewsbury (Vt.) Meeting House.