Obituaries
• Barbara Louise Aplin, 91, of Brattleboro. Died April 21, 2020 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for the past six months. Barbara was born in Brattleboro on May 30, 1928, the daughter of Donald George and Leone Carolyn (Fuller) Aplin. She was raised and educated in Putney, attending local schools. For many years, she worked as a proofreader for American Stratford and, in her earlier years, worked for a short time at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster. A quiet and peaceful soul, Barbara was happy keeping to herself. She was often known to spend hours lost in a good book. Barbara is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Cousins of Sharon, Conn., and Betty Spicer of Utica, N.Y., and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Harlow, Pauline Starck, and Joyce Beam; and two brothers, David Aplin and Edward Aplin, Sr. Memorial information: There will be no formal funeral services. Burial will take place in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Donations to Putney Volunteer Fire Station, P.O. Box 875, Putney, VT 05346, or Pine Heights Nursing Home Activities Fund, 187 Oak Grove Ave, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert “Rusty” Blossom, 80, of Conway, Mass. Died March 9, 2020, beating by a decade the age at which he declared continued human existence “in bad taste.” Doctors attributed the cause of death to pneumonia, but a number of Rusty's friends had a different theory: Trump-related existential exhaustion. He is survived by his longtime companion, Susan Lenoe, of Andover, Mass.; his two brothers, Dwight, of Hinsdale, N.H., and Charles, of Concord, N.H.; and 26 nieces and nephews. His wife of 30 years, Margaret (Dunn) Blossom, predeceased him. Rusty was a resident of Conway for exactly half a century and, along with his wife, personally took credit after moving there for tipping their town blue, by two votes, in favor of George McGovern, in the 1972 presidential election. Called Rusty (never Bob) from birth, either due to his red hair or in a prophetic nod to his future politics, he grew up in Hinsdale. Rusty was a 1961 graduate of Keene State College, where he majored in English and theater. In 1966 he received a master's degree in American Studies from Yale, where he specialized in African American history and literature. Rusty later taught a course at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst while working toward a (never completed) doctorate in Education. Rusty was culturally and politically engaged all his life. He directed and acted in more than two dozen plays in community theaters in the Deerfield and Greenfield, Mass., area. In recent years, he became an enthusiastic benefactor and board member of New England Youth Theatre in Brattleboro. In addition, Rusty volunteered (and sometimes got arrested) on behalf of a number of causes that reflected his dedication to social justice, including various anti-nuke initiatives and Pioneer Valley's first support organization for people living with HIV, Traprock Center for Peace and Justice of Greenfield, and the Franklin County Jail, where he co-facilitated a sobriety program for inmates. With Rusty's death, go the answers to innumerable grammatical mysteries. He was assumed by many to be the last person alive who knew the difference between “lie” and “lay,” or who could explain what, exactly, the subjunctive mood is. He taught English for 38 years, first at Frontier Regional High School in Deerfield, Mass. and later at Franklin Tech, in Turners Falls, Mass. In between, in the 1970s, Rusty worked as a reporter and editor at the Amherst Record, which he proudly helped to unionize, equally proudly losing his job in the process. As generations of former students would often tell him, he inspired in many a love of literature, respect for his higher power, Shakespeare and, despite terrorizing his classes with opera arias, the soundtracks to his creative-writing sessions, an appreciation for classical music. Rusty was an accomplished painter, an epic raconteur and dinner party host, a voracious reader whose house, friends swore, tilted from the weight of untold thousands of volumes, and an avid gardener. His voluptuous flowerbeds were featured on garden tours and served as the setting for numerous weddings: straight, gay, and who-knows-what, legal or not. Many summers, he participated in the Teaching American History Institute program at the Deerfield Teachers' Center, where he taught seminars on history and pedagogy to elementary and high school teachers. Memorial information: At his request, there will be no memorial service. A private celebration of his life will take place at a later date. Donations in Rusty's memory can be made to Meals on Wheels/LifePath or Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, both of Greenfield, Mass.
• Real F. Bouchard, 79, of Whitingham. Died April 19, 2020 at home, surrounded by family, after a long illness. This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on the hearts of all who knew him. He will be supremely missed by his wife and best friend of 52 years, Lois (Tefft); his son, Brian and his wife, Katherine; two grandchildren, Aiden and Breanna, his golden retriever and canine companion “Lilly,” as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends. Born in Canada, Real moved to Vermont in 1964 on a work visa (which was sponsored by E.J, Roberts of Jacksonville) where he quickly learned the English language and found his love of working on cars and anything with an engine. Real continued to work as a body man and mechanic until he retired in 2007. In 2008, he started working part-time at the YMCA in Greenfield, Mass., in the maintenance department until health concerns caused him to retire for a second time in 2011. In his early years, when Real was not working, he loved to go snowmobiling with friends. He was always tinkering or building something with wood. He also loved working on numerous vehicles with his son, some of which were complete rebuilds. He also loved to watch wrestling, baseball, tennis, and NASCAR, and was a lover of animals. He was known as the “Real Deal” by his family and friends. Family was a huge part of Real's life. He was proud and honored to be the husband, father, father in-law, grandfather and regular comic relief to his family. He will be forever remembered for his gentle eyes, caring heart, loving embrace, unconditional love, and crazy dance moves. Memorial information: At Real's request for simplicity, a private interment will take place at the convenience of his family in the Jacksonville Cemetery, with a life celebration gathering held at a later date to be announced. Donations to the Friends of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls, MA, 01376 or to the Franklin County Sherriff's Department, in c/o the TRIAD Unit, 160 Elm St., Greenfield, MA 01301.
• Alvin “Al” Davis, 90, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died April 15, 2020, with his family by his side. He was born March 22, 1930 in West Chesterfield to Clinton and Katherine Davis and later lived almost 60 years on the same Chesterfield property that Davis ancestors occupied since the mid-1700s. Alvin began a lifelong series of jobs serving the town of Chesterfield at age 13, when he began working for the Highway Department. He attended the two-room schoolhouse in West Chesterfield and spent several years working in town cemeteries as a youngster. He was a member of Future Farmers of America and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1948. In 1956, he married the love of his life, Freda Dillback. They enjoyed a very close and loving relationship for 63 years. In his early years, Alvin ventured into entrepreneurship raising cucumbers for Vlasic Pickles and operating a sawmill business where he did everything from logging to sawing crutch stock. He held jobs in Vermont at Railway Express Agency, Quinn Freight Lines, and Arnoldware, where he was plant manager. In 1969, he became Chesterfield's Road Agent and, later, its Director of Public Works, a position he held until 1994, interrupted briefly by a stint working for the town of Walpole. Alvin also served in Chesterfield as a library trustee and as a Selectman after his retirement. As a child, Alvin dug waterways in dirt and studied how the water flowed. As Road Agent, he delighted in watching the snow fly off the end of his plow and in knowing town roads so well that he slowed down for bumps that were hidden under snow. As a neighbor, he was quick to clear snow from driveways with his Ford tractor and to pull cars out of the mud. As a husband he was a dedicated team player, balancing tremendous hard work with play times with his daughters, constructing igloos and sledding ramps, and playfully chasing them around the house on Sunday mornings. He enjoyed farming his entire life, raising livestock and multiple crops on the family farm for decades. He derived peace from his cherished woodlands, making maple syrup and growing flowers, and had a love for numerous family pets. He enjoyed card playing at family gatherings. Alvin was recently predeceased by his youngest daughter, Susan Allgood, and sister-in-law Lorraine Baldwin. He is survived by his wife Freda; daughter Carolyn Smith and partner Gary Gragen of West Chesterfield; daughter Nancy Aichele of West Chesterfield; sister Sylvia Fairbanks of Keene, N.H.; sister Barbara and husband Fred Melvin of West Chesterfield; brother-in-law Joe Baldwin of Keene; grandson Jesse Smith of Milton, Vt.; step-grandchildren and “adopted” grandchildren Donovan Daughtry, Connor Allgood, Sarah Gragen, Justin Gragen, Emma Gragen, Stephanie Sargent, and Zachary Sargent; and several beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews,including nephew Lester Fairbanks of West Chesterfield, with whom he was exceptionally close. Memorial information: A private graveside service for family will be held at the Chesterfield West Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a future date and location to be announced. Donations to the Activities Dept., Vernon Green Nursing Home, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon VT 05354. Any stories or remembrances about Alvin would be welcomed and may be mailed to The Davis Family at P.O. Box 48, West Chesterfield, NH 03466 or emailed to [email protected]. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Laurie Croot Newton, 61, of West Dover. Died after a seven-year struggle with ovarian cancer. Until the very end, Laurie emerged from every struggle even stronger and more determined to live life to the fullest. Laurie was born in Hartford, Conn. on April 24, 1958 to Darrel and Helen (Hamilton) Croot. She was raised in Stamford, Conn. and graduated from Westhill High School. She attended Bates College in Maine, where she met lifelong friends, nicknamed “The Group.” She graduated with a degree in mathematics and spent a year teaching math in Lugano, Switzerland. In the early 1980s, she moved to southern Vermont, where she taught math. Shortly thereafter she began a 35-year career with Mount Snow where she worked in marketing, administration and, most recently, as vice president of planning and permitting. In this role, she traveled throughout Asia and the Middle East to secure funding for the Westlake snowmaking project and the new Carinthia base lodge. Both personally and professionally, she made a positive impact and many friends throughout Deerfield Valley and the world. Laurie loved sports. At various points in her life, she ran track and played golf, field hockey, softball, basketball, and volleyball. It was through a volleyball league she met the love of her life, George Newton. They married in 1998 and she was blessed to become part of his family. Laurie loved children and was known as “Aunt Laurie” to many of her friends' children, and she and George hosted “Fresh Air” children for many summers. She loved camping, boating and snow and water skiing and at one point she either water or snow skied every month for seven years. She played and taught handbells at her church. She also enjoyed traveling, both in the U.S. and internationally, and visited more than 35 countries. She especially loved Lake George N.Y., where she and George rented a house for a couple of weeks in the summers, often joined by members of their extended family. Laurie is survived by her husband George; her parents; her sister Andrea Banyas and her husband Joe; her brother Gary and his wife Jennifer Croot; her nephews Noah, Nicholas, and Nathan, who called her “Auntie;” her nieces Emily and Abigail; and by George's sons, daughters, and their children. Memorial information: A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Donations to the Newfane Congregational Church, P.O. Box 27, Newfane, Vermont, 05345, the Izzy Foundation (theizzyfoundation.org), or the FUND for Lake George (www.fundforlakegeorge.org). To send the family personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Marjorie Pryves, 87, of Old Bethpage, N.Y. Died April 2, 2020, of pneumonia and complications from COVID-19. She was born in Boston in May 1932 to Bella and David Kaufman, immigrants from Russia. Though Marjorie spoke only Yiddish when she started school, she quickly learned English and excelled in school, graduating from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in Sociology/English. She held a variety of jobs throughout her life - teacher, administrator, and bookkeeper - and was able to balance running a home and working. Marjorie is survived by her three daughters, Barbara Collins in California, Beth Bleistift in New York, and Susan McMahon in Vermont; and grandsons Daniel and Aden McMahon of Vermont. She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert Pryves, her parents, and her brother Sidney Kaufman. Memorial information: Donations in her honor may be made to the National Jewish Health, a respiratory center, (P.O. Box 17169, Denver, CO 80217) or other nonprofits of your choice.
• Isabelle A. Rinfret, 91, of Vernon. Died peacefully on April 15, 2020 at Vernon Green Nursing Home, where she had been a resident since September 2019. Isabelle was born in North Leverett, Mass., on Feb. 24, 1929, the daughter of Raymond and Ethel (Cutter) Annis. She was raised and educated in Vernon and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1946. Isabelle worked at Baker's Soda Fountain after school during her high school years. In later years, she had been employed as a secretary in the Vernon Town Offices working under town clerks Betty Underwood and, later, Sandra Harris. Previously, she had worked as a secretary at the School for International Training and at the former Margolin's Pocketbook Shop in Brattleboro. Steadfast in her walk of faith, Isabelle was a longtime member of the Vernon Union Church where, for many years, she served as organist. Additionally, she sang with the former Vernon Choir. For many years she played piano and her sister, Marion, played fiddle for the entertainment of Vernon Green residents. Isabelle was known for her pleasant personality and spirit of friendship. She enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses, and travel, making several trips to Nova Scotia, one of her favorite destinations. In 1946, she married Joseph L. Rinfret. He predeceased her in 2003. Survivors include three sons, Joseph, Jr. and David, both of Vernon, and Patrick of Denver, Colo., six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Daniel (1994) and Stephen (2013), a daughter, Eileen Dunham (1997) and a sister, Marion Butler. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be private for the immediate family only. Isabelle will be laid to rest beside her husband in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. A celebration of life service and gathering will take place at a later date. Donations to Vernon Union Church, 2631 Fort Bridgman Rd., Vernon, VT 05354. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• David Newton “Dave” Smith, 73, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died April 9, 2020, in the comfort of his brother's home on Stage Road, following a five-month battle with cancer. Dave was born in Brattleboro on March 2, 1947, the son of Robert and Beatrice (Haggar) Smith. He was raised and educated in Chesterfield, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1965. He went on to attend Vermont Technical College, where he earned his associate's degree in Vocational/Technical Education in 1967. He later received his bachelor's degree from Keene State College in 1974. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he proudly served his nation in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971, stationed for 18 months at Phu Cat Air Force Base in southern Vietnam before being honorably discharged from active service. Dave was a teacher at the Windham County Vocational Center at BUHS for four years before establishing his own excavation and general construction business, Dave Smith Contracting, based in Chesterfield. He successfully operated his business for many years retiring in 2019. Active civically, he served on the Chesterfield School Board, the town budget committee (where he was auditor of the books), the Chesterfield Cemetery Commission, and was a library trustee. For many years, Dave was responsible for the placement of American flags on the graves of all veterans interred in Chesterfield town cemeteries. He was a longtime member of the American Legion in Chesterfield and held membership in the Putney Gun Club. An excellent marksman, Dave competed in local and regional competitions and at one time was rated second-best in the country for his skill. Dave was an avid reader and a scholar of Civil War history, known for his wealth of knowledge in this area. Not a big fan of high-tech communication and living, he proudly lived somewhat rustically in a simple home devoid of modern-day conveniences. He enjoyed his home and living off the land. Survivors include one brother, Norman Smith of Chesterfield; a sister, Margaret Bowling of Denver, Colo.; and a large host of friends which include Debra and Keith. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, there are no formal services scheduled. A celebration of his life will take place at a future time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Chesterfield Public Library, 524 Route 63, Chesterfield, N.H. 03443. To send messages of e-condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.