Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Calvin J. Alexander, 102, of Vernon. Died Sept. 28 at home. Husband of the late Doris Clark for 62 years. Father of Joyce Stevens and her husband Richard of Wakefield, Mass.; and Cynthia Hill of Haddam, Conn., and his daughter-in-law Lucy Alexander of Pottstown, Pa. Brother of Cesarine Stoddard of Brookfield, Vt.; and Lucille Knowles of Plainfield, Vt. Predeceased by a son, Robert, and siblings John, Mabel, Sadie and Stella. Born in Williamstown, Vt., he was employed by the New England Power Co. at the Vernon Dam for 32 years prior to retiring. He loved his farm and farming in general, and was a handyman who could fix anything. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Vernon Union Church. Interment will follow in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the Vernon Union Church, P.O. Box 111, Vernon, Vt. 05354. Condolences may be sent to the family at Kidder Funeral Home at www.kidderfuneralhome.com.
• Robert Ashcroft, 92, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 26 at McGirr Nursing Home in Bellows Falls. Husband of Jean Frances Lucier for 64 years. Father of Robert R. Ashcroft of San Antonio, Texas; James W. Ashcroft and Mary C. Ashcroft and husband Harold Billings, all of North Clarendon; Meg A. Ashcroft and husband Donald Conklin of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Ann M. Ashcroft of Bellows Falls. Graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1936. Served in the Navy during World War II. Was a special duty officer for the Bellows Falls Police Department, a truck driver for Gay's Express, and retired from Green Mountain Railroad. Was a founding member of the Bellows Falls Historical Society, served on the Board of Directors for the Bellows Falls Senior Center, was a trustee of the Rockingham Free Public Library and was curator of Adams Grist Mill. Was honored as State of Vermont Library Trustee of the Year in 1996, and the Greater Falls Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year in 2000. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to Bellows Falls Senior Center, Hyde Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Charles Newton Brickley, 86, of Putney. Died Sept. 25 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Joanne Brickley. Father of Lois Sleeper and her husband Skip of Hinsdale, N.H.; and Peter Brickley and his wife Annette of Mattapoisett, Mass. Born in Providence, R.I., and attended local schools and St. Dunstan's School in Providence. Graduated from Rhode Island College, then went on to receive both his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in American history and international relations from Clark University in 1949. Eager to complete his degree requirements before an August graduation, he was unable to take time to look for employment in the fall. One of his professors suggested he apply for a one-year position at The Putney School. He did so and found the school's ideals and practices so much to his liking that he spent the next 37 years teaching and serving in a number of administrative duties. In 1986, he retired as Dean of Faculty. Also was the founding Director of the Telluride Association's summer programs at Cornell University in the early 1950s and in the early 1970s, he was an adjunct professor at Antioch New England's Graduate School. Memorial information: A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of his family. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be sent to the family through Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Duane R. Comstock, 95, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 28 at Mt. Ascutney Hospital in Windsor. Husband of the late Gladys Judd. Father of David D. Comstock and his wife, Frances (Sue) Parrott, of Bellows Falls; and Gary F. Comstock and his partner, Edward “Rafe” Foley of Port St. Lucie, Fla. Predeceased by siblings Madeline Comstock and Elwin Comstock. Born in Westminster and graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1933. Worked at Jones and Lamson in Springfield for 40 years, retiring in 1980. Enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family and belonged to numerous outdoorsman groups. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at the Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in the new Westminister Cemetery. Donations to Mt. Ascutney Hospital, 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089 or to Cedar Hill Activity Fund, 49 Cedar Hill Drive, Windsor, VT 05089.
• Mary A. Creek, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 27 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Wife of the late R. Glen Creek. Mother of Julia Merrigan of Brattleboro and James R. Creek and his wife Diane of Falling Waters, W.Va. Sister of Rose Codogni of Readsboro, Olga Simonotti of North Adams and Carl Andognini of Scottsdale, Ariz. Born in Wilmington and graduated from Drury High School in North Adams, Mass., Class of 1936. A resident of Brattleboro since 1969, she had been employed as a sales associate at the former Cindy's Store on Main Street working for Norman Tinkle. Previously, she had worked for Sprague Electric in North Adams from 1958 to 1969, and at Deerfield Glassine in Monroe Bridge, Mass. Following her retirement, she served for 20 years as a volunteer at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital working in the transportation department. Enjoyed crocheting, knitting, gardening, cooking and time shared with her family, and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 5 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to the Nicholas Giamartino Scholarship Fund, c/o Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT. 05301-3698 Attn: Kathy Rouleau. Condolences may be sent to the family through Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Peter D. Ford, 55, of Westminster. Died Sept. 2. Husband of Mary “Peg” Stuart. Son of Francis and Suzanne (Bohain) Ford. Brother of Michael Ford and his wife Linda; and Jacquelyn Timmons and her husband Kevin. Born in Hingham, Mass., he is a graduate of Hingham High School and attended Massasoit College and Community College of Vermont. Served in the Marine Corps in the early 1970s. Was an avid fisherman, both fresh and salt water, and was a former member of the Polish American Club in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at his home on Oct. 2.
• Rose E. (Hescock) Joslin, 91, of Greenfield, Mass. Died Sept. 24 at the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility. Wife of the late Earl G. Joslin. Mother of Earl R. Joslin of Warwick, Mass.; Evelyn Dresser of Northfield, Mass.; Carol Smith of McConnellsburg, Pa.; and Gloria Kahle of Plano, Texas. Sister of Carroll Hescock of Norton, Vt.; and Alice Joslin of Brattleboro. Predeceased by a daughter, Vivian Lee. Born in West Wardsboro and attended local schools in Wardsboro. She had been a resident of Warwick, Mass., prior to moving to Greenfield in 1974. Was a homemaker who loved her family and loved to walk. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting and embroidery. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 1 at the Kostanski Funeral Home in Greenfield. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations to the SHINE Program, in care of Franklin County Home Care Corp., 330 Montague City Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376.
• Elaine France Maynard, 84, of Whitingham and Wicomico Church, Va. Died Sept. 26 at her home in Virginia. Wife of Reginald Leo Maynard for 56 years. Mother of Gregory B. Maynard of Gardnerville, Nev., and Karen D. Maynard and her husband, James B. Maland, of Brattleboro. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., her family maintained a summer home in Whitingham and throughout her life, she and her husband and family spent considerable time in Whitingham. Graduated from Bryn Mawr College. For 50 years, she volunteered with the Red Cross, the last six years of which she held the position of director of the Concord, Mass., chapter. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Whitingham Community Church on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. Donations to a charity of one's choice.
• Dorothy (Scofield) “Dot” McNeary, 91, of Newfane. Died Sept. 25 at the Thompson House in Brattleboro. Wife of the late William “Bill” McNeary for 48 years. Mother of Carol McNeary and her husband, John Pharr, of Blackshear, Ga.; Peter McNeary and his wife, Suzanne, of Brattleboro; Brian McNeary and his wife, Jeannie Ng, of Manhasset, N.Y.; Priscilla Cotton and her husband, David, of Newfane; John McNeary and his wife, Patricia Newman, of Portland, Ore.; and Jane Martin and her husband, Eric, of Milton, Mass. Born in Park Slope in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was a graduate of Far Rockaway (N.Y.) High School in 1927 as Salutatorian. Moved to Newfane in 1963, and was active in the Newfane Congregational Church, the Newfane Garden Club and such fundraising events as the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Show house. As coordinator of the Valley Health Council between 1976 and 1994, Dorothy worked to expand its services to West River Valley residents and was instrumental in attracting young physicians such as Dr. Timothy Shafer to the Valley. Memorial information: A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations in memory may be made to the Newfane Congregational Church, Moore Free Library of Newfane, NewBrook Fire and Rescue, Grace Cottage Hospital, Thompson House or other charities of your choice. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the McNeary Family, Post Box 6, Newfane, VT 05345, or through Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Douglas Wellington Newton, 98, of North Westminster. Died Aug. 30 in Maitland Fla. Husband of the late Mary McCarthy and the late Dorothy Cobb. Father of James Newton of Alstead, N.H. Stepfather of Billy Cobb of Longwood, Fla. Predeceased by a daughter, Marylou Pelton; and a stepson, David Cobb. Born in Greenfield, Mass., and was a 1931 graduate of Charlestown (N.H.) High School. Organized and played with his 12-piece orchestra throughout the area in the 1930s. Worked for the Wayne Feed Store in Bellows Falls for 31 years and owned with a partner and operated North Walpole Feed Store in North Walpole, N.H. He was a 67-year member of the Bellows Falls Elks Club and loved fishing and hunting. Memorial information: A graveside memorial service was held Oct. 2 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls. Donations to the Cole Welch Fund, BPOE No. 1619, Attn: George Bennett, P.O. Box 367, Bellows Falls, VT 05101-0367.
• Rosemarie Shaughnessy, 72, of Bellows Falls. Mother of Craig Stanley Shaughnessy and wife, Mary of Dracut, Mass.; and Garth Michael Shaughnessy of Wakefield, Mass. Sister of Mary M. Barber of Bellows Falls and Stanley Marino Jr. of Keene, N.H. Predeceased by a son, Scott Joseph Shaughnessy, and a brother, Joseph S. Marino. Graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1956, and attended Fisher Junior College in Boston. She was a top salesperson at JN Phillips Glass Co. where she had been employed for the past 31 years. She brought her small-town upbringing to all that she successfully accomplished in city life, never forgetting her roots. Memorial information: A graveside memorial service was held on Oct. 1 at St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to a charity of one's choice.
• Robert A. Smith, 71, of Vernon. Died Sept. 23 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Son of the late Robert L. and Claire Pluff Smith. Stepson of Virginia Kelleher of Greenfield, Mass. Husband of the late Marion Burnett. Father of Clayton and wife, Christine, of Wilmington; and stepdaughter Susan and husband, Raymond, of Gill, Mass. Predeceased by brothers Richard and Ronald. Held a GED and a blasting license. Blasting was his profession, and he also worked at various other jobs in the area. Served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960. Was a member of Kingdom Hall in Brattleboro. Memorial information: A service was held at Kingdom Hall on Oct. 6.
• Muriel Weinmann, 71, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 9 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Former wife of Lionel Weinmann. Mother of Lissa and son-in-law John Loggia of Brattleboro; and Robyn and husband Skip Weiss of Cleveland, Ohio. Predeceased by a son, Kurt. Born in Manhattan, she grew up in Queens, N.Y., and spent most of her life there before moving to Brattleboro two years ago to be with her youngest daughter. Single-handedly supported and raised three children after being diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis and seeing her marriage dissolve. Managed busy photography studios for much of her life, and had impeccable style, a flair for the dramatic, sharp intelligence and a good sense of humor. Memorial information: A graveside memorial service was held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Queens. A local memorial service was held Oct. 2 at Hilltop House in Brattleboro. Donations to the Arthritis Foundation.
Births
• In Montour Falls, N.Y. (Schuyler Hospital), Sept. 23, 2010, a daughter, Fiona Nancy Ettershank Brown, to Elizabeth E. Henry and David E. Brown of Groton, N.Y.; granddaughter to Lindley Speers and R. Scott Henry of Putney, and Susan J. and Kenneth S. Brown of Ithaca, N.Y.; great-granddaughter to Joyce and Richard Henry of Harwich, Mass., and Ruth K. Brown of St. Louis.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 22, 2010, a daughter, Aleigha Rayne Riendeau, to Shannon McGivney and Stephan Riendeau of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Carlie McAllister of Brattleboro, William McGivney of Athens, and Serge and Ida Riendeau of Pittsburg, N.H.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Aug. 25, 2010, a daughter, Peyton Riley Williams, to Chrysta (Whitney) and Jeffrey Williams of Lakewood, Wis.; granddaughter to Timothy and Kathy Whitney of Marlboro, and Chuck and Barb Williams of Lakewood; great-granddaughter to Jackie Durant of Dummerston, and Harold and Dorothy Whitney of Marlboro.
School news
• Melissa Soule of Leland and Gray Union Middle and High School has been named a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students are students who have placed among the top 5 percent of more that 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition.
• Jonah Bolotin, Hayden Noyes, Tori Bissell, and Rachel Greenberg were the winners of an essay contest at Bellows Falls Union High School held in conjunction with the school's Literary Kick Off program.
The essays were about the book, First They Killed My Father, A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, by Luong Ung, and how the book affected their lives. The winners shared their essays with the community, had dinner with Ung during her recent appearance at BFUHS and received a copy of Ung's latest book, Lucky Child, Daughter of Cambodia Speaks.