Obituaries
• Dawn (Mastellone) Franceschetti, 55, of West Dover. Died peacefully at home on Oct. 7, 2022, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Born May 22, 1967 in Tarrytown, New York, she was the daughter of Stephen and Florence (Scheffold) Mastellone. She grew up in Poughquag, New York and attended Arlington High School in Pleasant Valley, New York, graduating in 1985. Dawn attended Maria College and graduated with an associate's degree in 1989. She was a physical therapist assistant at Grace Cottage Hospital for 25 years. Her nurturing spirit combined with her bright intellect and her compassionate nature made her an excellent therapist. Dawn was appreciated by her patients and she was admired, loved, and adored by her co-workers. Throughout her illness, Dawn carried herself with tremendous strength, dignity, and stubbornness. She refused to let her cancer define her. During chemotherapy, she flew to Arizona to visit friends, sightsee in Sedona, and attend The Eagles “Hotel California” concert. Even as her illness progressed, she continued to push herself to enjoy every event and gathering she could. Dawn was a caring and loving person to family and friends. Her home and kitchen were always open to all. She was a wonderful cook and baker. One of her greatest joys was sharing food and recipes with her loved ones. Part of her legacy includes a collection of recipes that she left for all to share. She loved the outdoors and was outside year-round hiking, snow-shoeing, and cross-country skiing. Most of all, she loved the water. Whether it was summers in Maine on the beach or kayaking at Somerset Reservoir in southern Vermont, she loved the beauty and fun of each setting. She was also a great shopper. She always found a bargain or the perfect gift for someone, and she loved an outing with friends or her mother and sister. She enjoyed her get-togethers with “the girls,” and there was always laughter and a game or craft to be shared. She was a friend to many as evidenced by the countless number of visitors throughout her stays in the hospital and the last days of her illness at home. Her greatest love and joy was her family. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, and most importantly, mother to her son, Anthony. She attended all his school programs and sporting events - always cheering him and his teammates on. She was so proud of him and the fine young man he has grown into. Dawn, Tim, and Anthony enjoyed many happy times together. The three of them loved to explore local hiking trails in all four seasons, attend sporting events, and travel to Maine each summer. She was predeceased by her father-in-law, Reno Franceschetti and her loving mother-in-law Mary June Franceschetti. She is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Timothy Franceschetti and her beloved son Anthony; her parents Stephen and Florence Mastellone of Queensbury, New York; her sister Elena and husband Joseph Scrivo of Queensbury, and her brother Stephen Mastellone, Jr. of Queensbury. She is also survived by her extended family: sister-in-law Lori and husband Keith Hoyt of Bennington; brother-in-law Mark Franceschetti and his wife Kathleen of Charlotte; uncle James Moruzzi of Bennington; and her nieces and nephews Laura and Alexander Scrivo and Anna and Joseph Franceschetti. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 13 at Our Lady Of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, followed by burial at Readsboro Village Cemetery. Donations to The Ovarian Cancer Society, Grace Cottage Hospital or The Jack Byrne Center, in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send personal condolences to her family please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Marilyn Ann Gouin, 75, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 7, 2022, with her family at her side, at Vernon Green Nursing Home following an extended period of declining health. Marilyn was born in Brattleboro on July 19, 1947, the daughter of Howard and Shirley (Nutting) Rabideau. She was raised and educated in town, attending St Michael's Parochial School and graduating from St. Michael's High School with the Class of 1965. She enjoyed music and was a proud member of the St. Michael's High School Band. She had been employed as an export customer service representative and buyer for Spring Tree Maple Products in Brattleboro, from which she retired in 2008 following many years of faithful service with the company. Marilyn enjoyed playing board games with her grandchildren, Bingo, excursions to the local casinos, and attending Paint Nights. One of her more memorable trips was to Las Vegas with her beloved mother, a generous Christmas present given to her by her husband. Most importantly, Marilyn cherished time spent with her family, especially her great-grandchildren whom she affectionately referred to as her “Littles.” On Nov. 26, 1966, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, she married Wilfred L. Gouin, who survives. She also leaves two daughters, Tammy Cobb of Brattleboro and Lisa Raymond of Hadley, Massachusetts; a sister, Pamela Barre and her husband, Richard, of Brattleboro; grandchildren Amber Renaud, Ericka Barrows and her husband, Jason, Justin Gouin, Ryan and Max Cobb, Chelsea, Thomas, Hailey, and Hannah Raymond; and her great grandchildren, Jocelyn and Makenna Renaud, Bryson Gregg, Liliana and Hayden Barrows, and Cayden Cobb. Marilyn was predeceased by a daughter, Lori Gouin; two sisters, Becky Jacques and Diane Avery; and a grandson, Tanner Raymond. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery will be conducted at a later date. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Arthur H. Higley, 94, of Guilford. Died Oct. 10, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, after a period of failing health. He was born on Aug. 20, 1928, son of George E. Higley and Thora (Hendrickson) Higley. He grew up working on the family farm. He attended school through the eighth grade in Guilford and attended Brattleboro High School through his sophomore year before enlisting in the Navy in March 1946. Upon discharge as a Seaman First Class in 1948, he married Maude F. Brookes on Oct. 9 that same year. Mr. Higley continued to work on the family farm and built his home on Locust Hill Road, where he remained with his wife through the remainder of his life. Mr. Higley had two sons, Alan A. and Edward “Eddie” D. Higley in July 1949 and March 1953, respectively. Mr. Higley and his sons worked the family farm until around 1970, when it was sold and he began a cut-to-order firewood business with his wife and son Alan. Mr. Higley was predeceased by his son Alan in 1991. The wood business lasted until 1996 and Mr. Higley began working part-time for the Guilford Home Center, delivering lumber. Once Mr. Higley retired from the Home Center, he began working with his son Eddie in his pallet business until his passing. Throughout his life, he enjoyed hunting for elk out west and for deer in New England. He and his wife also enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada (specifically Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia). He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His survivors include his wife of 74 years; his son Eddie of Guilford; granddaughters Christine M. (Higley) Williams and her husband, David, and their two children, Caroline and Brady of Concord, New Hampshire and Rebecca J. (Higley) Stone and her husband, Don, of Guilford; his niece Catherine Higley of Guilford and her children; nephews Peter and his spouse, Gail (Richardson) Higley of Guilford and their children, Michael Higley and his partner Paula Tudor of Guilford and his daughter; and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and lifelong friends. Mr. Higley was also predeceased by his brothers Harold Higley and his spouse Elaine and their children, Clifford Higley and his late wife Marge (Baronis) Higley, his sisters Margaret (Higley Smith and her spouse Scotty, Evelyn (Higley) Walker and her daughter Barbie, his uncles, Harry Higley, Herbert Higley and his wife Faith, and his aunts Evelyn (Higley) Clark, Lucy Higley and Wilma (Higley) Higgins. Memorial information: A graveside gathering was held Oct. 15 in Christ Church Cemetery in the Algiers section of Guilford. Donations to Guilford Volunteer Fire Department, Guilford Cares, or a charity of your choosing. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Jean Honora Jeffrey, 78, of Bellows Falls. Died on Oct. 8, 2022, with loved ones by her side, following a long battle with leukemia. Just before her passing, she was able to hear the wedding ceremony of her granddaughter on the same date, an event that she had been waiting for. She was born on April 15, 1944, and spent much of her time tending to her garden, reading books, and chatting with friends and family. Jean was known for her distinct personality and left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was predeceased by her parents, Steven and Helen (Waryas) Soboleski, and her grandparents, Frank and Honora (Niemzura) Waryas. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Denis Jeffrey. They were married in Lawton, Oklahoma on March 21, 1965 and spent most of their marriage residing in Bellows Falls. Jean is also survived by her three children: Brenda (Tom) Lawrence, Timothy (Stacie) Jeffrey, and Dawn (Kevin) Kingsbury; her grandchildren Matthew Lawrence, Melissa Lawrence, Nicholas Kingsbury, Denise Kingsbury, Jesse Jeffrey, and Coby Jeffrey; and five great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside service will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m., at Rockingham Meetinghouse Cemetery.
• Edward Joseph O'Neil, 90, of Newfane. Died peacefully, gently holding his wife's hand, on Oct. 13, 2022 at Pine Heights nursing home after a brief admission and long illness. Born and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts, to immigrant parents, his mother was French Canadian and his father emigrated from County Limerick in Ireland. Proud of his Irish heritage, his father's creativity, and lively Irish humor, he followed his father's example. Ed's own playful humor was notorious, and few could match his quick wit and devilish puns. A gentle, generous man, he was supportive to others, helpful, and kind. His family's immigrant background taught him appreciation for diversity and celebrating difference. At his mother's insistence, his early education was in a French Canadian parochial school, and he spoke French in school until he transferred to public school. Curious and inquisitive, he learned quickly and enjoyed his education. After a year at Boston College, Ed left to enlist in the Navy. He served with pride during the Korean Conflict on the USS Loeser, which performed munitions testing under extreme weather conditions which included spending summer in the Caribbean and winter in the North Atlantic. He did say wryly he wished the assignment was the other way around. After discharge, he married and went to work at New England Deaconess Hospital in their developing respiratory therapy program. Ed fell in love with the field, so the Deaconess sent him to Northeastern University and, after graduation, Ed worked and taught respiratory therapy for the Deaconess. He worked in several hospitals in eastern Massachusetts before being recruited to take charge of the respiratory therapy program in Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. In time, he made a change and used his mechanical skills in several settings, including a nursing home, engineering, and carpentry before retirement. His interest in people, and especially those with special needs and the passage of the ADA, led him to resume his architectural interest and training (Wentworth University, now) in architectural adaptability. Ed designed, and in some cases, built adaptations for private homes and public buildings, even using his new training in adapting historic buildings. Ed volunteered in several area organizations, including chairman of the board for Hotline for Help, serving on the board of Morningside Shelter, and working with West River Trails for the Disabled American Veterans to design the handicapped-accessible section of the trail in South Londonderry, starting in Winhall Brook Campground. He designed the foot bridge over Cobb Brook on the West River Trail at Jamaica State Park to handle wheelchairs as well as horses and pedestrians. Ed leaves Ingrid (Scholz) Longo, his wife to whom he was devoted for 38 years; his son James Gates and daughter Sharon; and stepsons Etan Nasreddin-Longo of Putney and Ben Longo and his wife, Lori (Havreluk), of Newfane, and stepdaughter Melanie (Longo) Schofield, and grandchildren Richard Tucker and Amanda McDonald, as well as niece Anne (Harris) Peck, and great-nieces Cassie and Alyssa Peck. He also leaves two brothers, John and Frank (Evelyn) Longo. His son Sean and sister Joanne predeceased him. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro on Friday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. Committal rites and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. It is encouraged that those who can attend the graveside service bring a memory of Ed to share. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Arthur Eric Savory, 89, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully on Oct. 5, 2022 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, where he had been a resident for the last four years. Arthur was born on May 19, 1933 in Brattleboro, the youngest child of James Clyde and Lillian C. (Nelson) Savory. He graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1951, and served in the Army during the Korean Conflict in the heavy mortar company of the 32nd Infantry. He was honorably discharged from active service, earning four medals, and was on standby reserve until 1962. Arthur worked in the bindery department at The Book Press in Brattleboro for many years, retiring from there. He was a member of the Sportsman Club, the New Hampshire Grange, and the American Legion. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, car shows, and his video camera. He also liked building things. He built an electric car by himself and was one of the volunteers that helped maintain Pisgah State Park in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Gordon and Robert Savory, and his sister Phyllis McIntyre. He was also predeceased by his wife of 44 years Mabeth “Lucille” (White) Savory, his great-niece Kristin Wilson, and his granddaughter Megan Bratton. Arthur is survived by his daughters Sheila Savory of West Dover and Karen Bratton of Wilmington, as well as grandchildren Donavin Mayle, Jordin Mayle, Jacob Amidon, and Cassie Bratton. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Memorial information: There will be no services. A celebration of life will be held at a future date at the Hinsdale Community Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey, New Hampshire.
• Ricky J. Sprague, 65, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died peacefully at home on October 5, 2022. Ricky battled for years with substantial leg injuries and constant pain sustained from a 2014 motorcycle accident that he and his wife were in. The accident left him weak, resulting in several additional health issues over the last several years. Ricky was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 19, 1956, eldest son to the late Francis and Cynthia (Green) Sprague. He married his loving wife and caretaker, Joanne (Wallace) Sprague on Jan. 30, 1988. Ricky was quite a jokester. As a lifelong Dallas Cowboys, Boston Red Sox, and Brattleboro Colonels fan, while watching games with his sons, he would constantly make up stories about all the “records” he held for his three favorite teams. Ricky was known for his love of fast cars, motorcycles, boats...anything with a motor! He also claimed most any poker or pitch record that could be won. There was a core group of lifelong friends Ricky played cards with during winter months for over 45 years. Steve & Tony Diorio and Randy Jacobs are left from the original group and will need to pick up a new partner while Ricky is now sitting at the table, no doubt, chomping on hard candies with his “Pops” Francis, Tom Diorio, and Arthur Jacobs who all welcomed him into their card game in heaven. Ricky loved to take family vacations to Maine and Panama City Beach, Florida. He and Joanne fell in love with the island of Aruba, along with their friends, Tom and Michele Hudon. He loved to go for long car rides with Uncle Al, who was like the older brother he never had. Listening to the fascinating stories always seemed to take the pain away for a short while. He also loved to have friends, co-workers, and family over for summer barbecues and Super Bowl parties, as much as he loved sitting around a quiet crackling campfire while camping. In 1996, Ricky, along with his wife, became involved with The Fresh Air Fund and a beautiful young family joined them. David Flores became their son during that two-week period of pure innocence and love. Over the years, David visited for every school vacation. Eventually they took over legal guardianship of David for several years. During a period while David's mother, Juanita, was having surgery, David's sister Julissa, their first real daughter, came into their lives as well. A special young man, Jeremiah Miller, began coming to the house often. They finally realized he was almost living with them when they started going through BJ's-sized boxes of Oreos on a weekly basis and milk pitchers tripled. Their family just constantly seemed to grow. Besides his wife of 34 years, Ricky leaves behind his three sons, Ricky Jr. and his wife Jess of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, Daniel and his wife Regan of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and Mathew, who he left in charge of taking care of Joanne in Hinsdale; his two brothers, David Sprague and his wife, April, and Marc Sprague and his wife Christine; along with Karen's husband Michael Nadeau, Aunt Pat Green; and cousins Marvin Deyo, Lisa Thomas, and Debra Brow. Additionally, he leaves his in-laws Steven and Ann Diorio, Mike and Elaine Wallace, Bill and Barbara Wallace, Joe and Ellen Wallace, Wanda Nelson, Jim and Lauri Wallace, and Patty and Diane Wallace, along with uncle Alfred Courtemanche and many nieces and nephews, their spouses, along with many great nieces and great nephews. The four biggest joys of his life were the four beautiful and unique individuals who called him PopPop - grandchildren Julia, Liyah, Jaxon, and Alexzander. Ricky was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Kristabell Marie Sprague; his sister Karen Nadeau, his uncle Richard Green and aunt Helen Courtemanche; in-laws Harold and Maryann Wallace, and special friends Tom Hudon and David Gratton. Memorial information: Friends and family may call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. A Celebration of Life will follow the visitation to be held at the Elks Club on Putney Road from noon to 2 p.m. To send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Elizabeth Helen Clingenpeel Winter, 30, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 25, 2022. She is survived by her two children, Ezekiel Roland Winter and Olliara Eden Winter; her children's father, Brian A. Winter; her older sister, Charlotte Lyman; and her parents, Roland Edward and Lindee Sue Baker, as well as many aunts and an uncle. Memorial information: A cemetery service will be held Oct. 29 at 1 p.m., at the Ira Allen Cemetery in Sunderland, with a pot luck gathering to follow at 3 p.m. at the VFW in Brattleboro.