Obituaries
• Donald “Don” Albano, 77, of Dover. Died Sept, 23. Born in Springfield, Mass, he was the beloved husband of Sheila Joyce-Albano and resided in Dover since 1968. He was the father of Marc Albano and his wife, Brandy, and Leslie Arre-Albano, both of Brattleboro, and the stepfather of Ben and Kevin Joyce. He was the brother of Janice LaPlante and her husband, Paul, of Wilbraham, Mass. He gradauted from Classical High School in Springfield in 1957 and Springfield College in 1962. Although an English major in college, he audited classes at Andover-Newton Theology College and was licensed to preach in the Methodist Church. While in college, he served as director of Youth Work at Agawam (Mass.) Baptist Church, director of Christian education at West Springfield's First Congregational Church on the Green and Liberty Methodist Church. In his second week of college, Don was asked to star in the college's production of “The Cocktail Party” and, according to Don, too frightened and naive to say “no” he said “yes” and began a career in the theater. He was featured in 12 productions of the college's Attic Players. During the summers, he took on professional acting roles in summer stock and TV voiceovers. He was editor-in-chief of The Student, Springfield College's student newspaper, and did a stint as a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Mass. He toured the U.S. in the feature role of Christ in the American version of the Ommergau Passion play and worked in a professional production and financial role in the theater, landing in New York. He soon took a left turn and began teaching salesmen the tools of an actor in order to increase their effectiveness and eventually became a senior executive with GALC Inc., then the largest land developer in the nation and the developers of Cape Coral, Fla., and Rio Rico, Ariz. His success in developing the effectiveness of salesmen led him to be appointed president of Vermont Land Corporation with the goal to develop their 18,000 Vermont acres and, by special arrangement, a 50,000-acre tract in the Adirondacks. In his first year as president, a proposal to build a 3,000-lot subdivision on a Dover hillside was the impetus behind the passage of Act 250, Vermont's landmark land use law. Mr. Albano took the position that the 10 criteria for large-scale development in Act 250 were logical, but the potential bureaucracy of governing and administrating the regulations would soon become excessive. He created the land and permit packages as well as the sales and marketing packages for Greenspring Townhomes, Snow Mountain Village, Snowtree Condominiums. and the Dover Hills subdivision. His marketing campaign, “Get a lot while you are young,” was well-known throughout the Deerfield Valley. In the early 1970s, he studied law under Attorney Tom Politano, completing his course of study in 1976. He was a founding member of the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and the recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Citizenship Award, given by the American Legion. His real estate career also included the purchase and sale of inns and lodges in New Hampshire and Vermont, including the Red Cricket Lodge in Dover. With newspaper “ink” in his blood, he purchased and published the Deerfield Valley News for 20 years and growing it from 4 pages to 24 before selling it in 1991. In 1986, he and his wife, and a mutual friend, Missey Faas-Sackett, launched SnowResorts, uniquely specializing in selling both new and used condominiums and SnowResorts Hospitality Group, focusing on renting and managing condominiums and townhouses. He loved Dover, serving as a member and chairman of the Planning Commission, the Selectboard, and the North Branch Sewer District #1. He also served on the executive commission of the Windham Regional Commission, as vice-chair of the Vermont State Board of Libraries, on the board of the Deerfield Valley Transportation Authority, on special appointment to Gov. Thomas Salmon's Blue Ribbon Commission on Land Regulation Reform and as a member of the Board of Directors of Kids in the Country pre-school. He was the past chairman of the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Finance Committee and the marketing and development committees as well as being a trustee of the hospital and their various subsidiaries. He was a member of the Governance (Executive) Committee at Southwestern Vermont Health Care. He was an active member of the Deerfield Valley Rotary and was the recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Sept. 30 at the First Congregational Church of West Dover. Interment was private. Donations to Deerfield Valley Rotary, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Gary R. Barton, 60, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 18 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was born in Springfield, Mass., on June 3, 1957, son of the late Raymond and Bernice (Vielleux) Barton. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School and was employed in construction for Tim Severance Builders. He loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and cooking (everyone remembers his tuna macaroni salad). He loved spending time at camp in Irasburg and was a former player for the Master Batters team in the Putney Softball League. After his playing days were done, he remained a big fan of the Batters. He is survived by a son, Ryan McCullock of South Carolina; a brother, Tony Barton of Lakewood, Colo; two sisters, Jeannie Quest and her husband, Ben, of Putney and Elaine Howard and her husband Kevin of Deltona, Fla.; and several nephews and nieces. Memorial information: A celebration of his life, along with a cookout, was held Sept. 30 at the Putney Ball Field on Sand Hill Road. Donations may be made to the Putney Gun Club, 44 Sand Hill Rd, Putney, VT 05346, or Rescue, Inc., 541 Canal St, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Marion (Drake) Boese 91, of Newfane and Vernon. Died Sept. 20 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Born in Copiague, N.Y., on Jan. 21, 1926 to Marion (Schmitz) Drake and Lawrence Erwood Drake. Her family moved to Amityville, N.Y., where her mother ran a well-known boarding house, even hosting for a time ex-pats from World War II, such as poet W.H. Auden and composer Benjamin Britten. Throughout the war, she and her mother worked at Republic Aviation, building many of the fighter planes used in the European Theater. In 1946, Marion was first married to Henry Petersen, which ended in divorce. In 1955, she married George Boese. Both predeceased her. In 1971, she purchased Fieldstone Lodge in Newfane, and moved her family to the compound built in 1932 by Charles K. Field, a nationally-known radio personality in the 1920s and 1930s known as “Cheerio.” Continuing the family tradition, she operated it as a guesthouse. With her warm, outgoing nature, Marion created a welcoming environment that resulted in many return guests, particularly during the fall hunting seasons. The “Lodge,” as it came to be known, served as a focal point for many friends of her children and was a frequent venue for graduation and cast parties. She also ran a child-care center at the Lodge and played an integral part in the lives of many children growing up in the West River Valley. Never one to be still, she also purchased a home in Atlantic, N.C., that she operated as a bed & breakfast, which became a focal point for socializing and good cheer. In 1994, Marion moved back to Newfane to care for her ailing mother, Marion Chaffee of Hobby Hill Lodge, ensuring her mother's ability to live out her days in the comfort of her own home. Mrs. Boese leaves a sister, Alida Wicks, of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; four children, Edward of Lebanon, N.H., Maryann of Newfane, James of New York Ciry, and Melanie of Vernon; four granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, countless children through her years of day care, and exceptional friends, particularly Sally Winchester. She was predeceased by her eldest son, Drake Petersen, and her brothers, Lawrence and Richard. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held Oct. 1 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. Donations to the Grace Cottage Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Douglas E. “Doug” Grimes, 44, of Guilford. Died Sept. 23 at his home. Born in Brattleboro on Jan. 5, 1973, the son of Jerry and Marilyn (Thayer) Grimes, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending Brattleboro public schools. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycle. Survivors include his parents of Guilford, a sister, Tammy Roberge of Milton, N.H.; a brother, Jerry Grimes, Jr. of Gulf Breeze, Fla., and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 30 at West Brattleboro Baptist Church with Pastor Steve McClelland officiating. Burial took place in the Grimes family lot in Christ Church Cemetery in the Algiers section of Guilford.
• Jeanne Laura Kay, 92, of Murrells Inlet, S.C. Died Sept. 27. She was born Jan. 27, 1925 in Claremont, N.H., daughter of the late Alfred Bonneau and Lillian (St. Cyr, Bonneau) Alger. She attended schools in the Brattleboro and Guilford area, where she lived for 70 years before moving to Murrells Inlet. She served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II and was a licensed practical nurse. She was a life member of American Legion Post 178 and VFW Auxiliary Post 10420, both in Murrells Inlet. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Constance Bickford. Survivors include her loving husband of 27 years, William Kay; two daughters, Sue E. Eldridge and Vicki G. Baker; two sons, David Ogden and Charles Ogden and a sister, Eleanor Bronner. Memorial information: No formal services will be held.
• Marianne “Patty” (Mayotte) Miller, 72, of Suffield, Conn. Died Aug. 4 at home, unexpectedly. Loving wife of 53 years to Marvin Miller, she was born March 18, 1945, in Richford, the daughter of the late George and Mary (Lavender) Mayotte. She was raised in Vermont, where she met her husband before their move to Connecticut. She was a longtime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 1034 in Brattleboro. She enjoyed camping with her family and friends and reading. She is also survived by three daughters, Melinda Miller of Suffield; Cindy Germano and husband, Paul, of Newington, Conn.; and Kimberly Brutnell of Newington; and seven beloved grandchildren. She leaves three brothers, James Mayotte and wife, Wendy, of New Hampshire, Dennis Mayotte, and Charles Mayotte and wife, Sue, all of Vermont, and a sister, Gloria “Buttons” Lisella of Newington. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. A son, Marvin “Marski” Miller, Jr., died earlier. memorial information: A funeral service took place Aug. 9 at the Leete Stevens Enfield Chapels in Enfield, Conn. Donations to the American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001. Friends and family - including members of the Brattleboro Union High School Class of 1963 - are invited to a celebration of life, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 7, from 1 to 5 p.m., at VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Rd., Brattleboro.
• Cora Paquette, 93, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 22 at Springfield Hospital, She was born April 11, 1924, the daughter of John and Gertrude (Greene) Baird, in Barton, where she attended local schools. She worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro. Survivors include five children, Maurice and John Paquette, of Georgia, Michael Paquette of North Walpole, N.H., Pauline Chisamore of Rockingham, and Linda Fournier, of Lempster, N.H.; many grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul. memorial information: A funeral service was held Sept. 27 at Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Carol S. Powers, 75, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 15 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was born on Dec. 19, 1941 in Lyndon Center, the daughter of the late William F. and Gertrude (Batchleder) Powers. She was educated at the Austine School in Brattleboro and later at Lyndon Institute. She has been a Brattleboro resident since 1992. She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, knitting and loved going on outings with her brother, Don, especially to McDonald's. She is predeceased by three brothers and a sister. She is survived by two sons, Dale Glode of Burlington, N.C., and Bruce Glode and his wife, Laura, also of Burlington, N.C.; two daughters, Georgia Frenette of Mebane, N.C., and Debbie Shepard and her husband, Kevin, of Hartland; a brother, Donald Powers and his wife Judy of Gilsum, NH; six grandchildren, three great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. memorial information: Services will be held at a later date. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Mary Alma Prusak, 93, of West Chesterfield. Died Sept. 27 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was an elementary school teacher, directed a three-part children's choir, and served as principal in a parochial school on Long Island. Born in Kingston, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late James and Mary (Madejewski) Prusak. She was predeceased by her sister, Rose Mayone, and four brothers Ignatius, Leo, Joseph, and Frank Prusak. Survivors include a dear friend, Dolores Konchalski and the Konchalski Family, and nieces and nephews: Marie Gallagher of Naples, Fla., Rosanne (and Roger) Yetzer of Saugerties, N.Y., Mary Cassell of Cooperstown, N.Y., Michael Mayone of Pittsburgh, Pa., Janine (and Bob) Scism of Port Ewen, N.Y., Ramon Prusak of Kingston, and Joey (and Kathy) Prusak of West Hurley, N.Y. memorial information: A funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. Michael's Roman Catholic School in Brattleboiro. Burial will be at St. Michaels Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joe Riendeau Sr., 79, of Grafton. Died Sept. 10 of cancer. He was born July 11, 1938, the son of George and Hazel (Flanders) Riendeau. He served in the Navy from 1956 to 1961, on the USS Purdy and the last two of those years in the Naval Reserve. He retired from Bryant Grinder Corp. after 38 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Pauline, whom he married June 27, 1980, in Saxtons River; four daughters, Toni Perry of Bellows Falls, Tracy Lovell,of Westminster, Christine Bechard of Windham, N.H., Trudi Stanley of Henniker, N.H.; a son, Joseph Riendeau Jr., of Claremont, N.H.; 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; eight stepchildren, Rose Mandeville, Katherine Gorey, Darlene Gilman, Barbara Rowe, Allen, Albert, Fred and David Lanfair; seven siblings, Arthur, Gordon, both of Georgia, Francis, of Chester, Donald, of Bellows Falls, Florence Bosch, of Townshend, Sandra Riendeau, of Tennessee, Louise Hamilton, of Westminster; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by six siblings, Sonny, Lawrence, Fred, infant Paul, Elizabeth “Betty” Wood, Patty Ann Riendeau; an infant grandson; and two nephews. memorial information: At his request, there were no calling hours. A graveside service was held Sept. 30 in Saxtons River Cemetery. Arrangements were by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• Stanley B. Stockwell, Sr., 87, of Putney. Died Sept. 26. Born in Westminster on May 22, 1930, the son of Berten and Florence (Vaine) Stockwell, he served in the Army during the Korean War and was a lifelong dairy farmer in Putney. He loved hunting, fishing, trapping, playing horseshoes, and country music dancing, and karaoke. He loved his cows and nature. He was a “Jack of all Trades” known for his honesty, integrity, and love for his family. He is survived by his sons: Stanley Stockwell, Jr. and his wife, Heather, and Eric Stockwell, both of Putney; his daughters: Brenda Robinson and her husband, Stephen, of Bellows Falls and Jacklynn Amidon and her husband, Norman, of Westminster; nine grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Judith (Phelps) Stockwell, his son Mark Stockwell, his parents, his brother Leonard Stockwell, and his sisters Alberta Wood and Kathline Look. memorial information: A graveside service was held Sept. 30 in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney.
• Ruth A. Wood, 91, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 18 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was born in Brattleboro on March 26, 1926, the daughter of the late Dwight H. and Fannie (Prouty) Doyle. She was a lifelong Brattleboro resident and was educated in the local school system, graduating from Brattleboro High School. She then went on to attend nursing school, becoming an LPN. She was employed for many years as the head nurse at Thompson House and, later, at Linden Lodge, until her retirement. She enjoyed walking through the woods to listen to nature and sitting on the back porch of her Hayes Court home at night listening to Whetstone Brook. She also enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and gardening, and was a member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. She loved to help people and was an extremely hard worker who was loved by all her co-workers. She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Wood, and a brother, Dwight Doyle. She is survived by a son, Butch Wood of Brattleboro, a nephew, Robert; and a very close family friend, Rhonda Jepson, also of Brattleboro. Memorial information: Services will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Windham County Humane Society, 916 West River Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.