Obituaries
• Dennis Wayne Covey, 71, of West Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly on Nov. 1, 2019 at his home. He was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 14, 1948, the son of Raymond and Alice (Larmie) Covey. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1966. He had been employed at G.S. Precision as a machine operator, which he retired from in 2016 following over 30 years of faithful service with the company. Previously, he had worked for Crystal Ice & Fuel Co. and assisted with the day-to-day operation of his family's farm off of Ames Hill Road. Dennis was a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499 and, for several years, he was active in the Brattleboro Men's Softball League and was known for his excellent pitching arm. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, playing horseshoes, classic cars, and playing cards, especially poker. Later in life, he embraced technology and enjoyed time on his computer and other high-tech gadgets. In 1976, he married Constance “Connie” Finnell. His faithful and devoted wife of 35 years predeceased him in 2012. Survivors include: his two sons, Shaun St. Germain and his wife, Megan, of Readfield, Maine, and Shannon Covey and his wife, Lisa, of Winston-Salem, N C; his daughter, Dr. Heather Harper and her husband Sean of Readfield, ME; one brother, Ronald Covey of Brattleboro; a sister, Judy Nolin also of Brattleboro; and eight grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves his companion of six years, Joyce Jones, and her family, and many nieces, nephews and several cousins. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by one sister, Janet Bush, and a brother, Raymond Covey. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted Nov. 12 at St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Leon F. Dickerman, 87, of Gill, Mass. Died Jan. 17, 2018, with his loving family beside him, at Buckley HealthCare Center in Greenfield, Mass. He was born in Brattleboro on July 3, 1930, to Annie (Stearns) and Frederick Dickerman, in the middle of the Great Depression. He graduated from Greenfield High School, and joined the National Guard. When he came down with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which paralyzed him from the neck down, he had to leave the National Guard. Eventually, with the help of physical therapy, Leon learned how to walk again. Leon and Alma (Paulin) were married in 1954 and raised four children. He worked as a draftsman at Greenfield Tap & Die for more than 45 years, and at Escott's gas station. Leon and Alma lived in Turners Falls, Mass., for 25 years, and moved to Gill 40 years ago. Leon helped to build an addition on their house and a barn on their Gill property, and he loved using his Kubota tractor. Leon could fix just about anything, from cars to plumbing to machinery, and was an excellent draftsman/engineer. A carpenter as well, he renovated and helped to build a few houses. He worked hard and studied everything, thinking it through thoroughly before moving ahead with a plan. Leon loved family and friend get-togethers, playing cards, and going camping, backpacking, and target practicing. He was an excellent marksman and great outdoorsman, and went hunting turkey and deer every season until his late 70s. A hunting trip to northeastern Canada in 1998 with his son Mike was the only time he ever flew on a plane. Leon always had a huge vegetable garden, and into his 80s, Leon was still moving large downed trees with manual logging tools. He loved a wood fire, and did not mind the work of cutting, splitting and stacking wood. Leon took care of Alma at home in the last months of her life. After Alma died on July 4, 2013, Leon stayed on in Gill with his cat Smokey, always welcoming visits, calls, and home-cooked meals annd desserts. When Leon was at the end of his life, he wanted a “big pill,” but we did not have one for him. We miss Leon deeply, and are filled with love and gratitude for the person that he was to all of us. He is at peace, now, with Alma. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Noga (Stan), and three sons, Robert Dickerman (Cindy), Steven Dickerman (Bella) and Michael Dickerman, and several grandchildren. Memorial information: In keeping with his wishes, Leon was cremated and buried next to his wife, Alma, in the family lot in St. Anne's Cemetery in Turners Falls. A private graveside memorial service was held Oct. 19, 2019. Arrangements were handled by Kostanski Funeral Home of Greenfield.
• Albert Arnold Gunzinger, 88, formerly of Newfane. Died Nov. 6, 2019 in Destin, Fla. Albert was born in Newfane in 1931 and attended Leland & Gray Seminary, lettering in several sports. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro before moving to Colorado Springs, Col. He later was a substance abuse counselor for the state of Kansas. Albert moved to Niceville, Fla., for retirement and to be near family and friends. A man who loved the Lord with all his heart, Albert worshipped and attended Bible study at the Rocky Bayou Baptist Church in Niceville. He was a dedicated father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. Albert is survived by his four children, Cheryl, Mark, Eric, and Kurt; and five grandchildren, Kimberly, Kamilla, Brent, Jace, and Landon Gunzinger. Memorial information: A celebration of life service was held Nov. 9 at the Rocky Bayou Baptist Church. An interment ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane will be held at a future date. Albert will be buried alongside his former wife, Beverly Jefts Gunzinger.
• Susan E. Holt, 68, of South Dennis, Mass. Died peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 with her loving family by her side following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born in Bellows Falls, the beloved daughter of the late Walter and Gladys (Ayers) Lyon. She spent most of her life in the Vermont and New Hampshire area and resided in South Dennis for the past three months. Susan was a medical inspector and worked with MultiMed for the past 9 years. To all who knew her, Susan was a fiery, independent woman who lived life on her terms. She was an avid gardener, had a love for animals, enjoyed listening to music, and was known to appreciate a good murder mystery. Above all else, Susan cherished her time with her grandkids; she especially enjoyed their baking escapades. She is survived by her three children; Rebekah Miller of South Dennis, Mass., Jennifer Niles of Brattleboro, and Thomas Niles of Newport News, Va.; her sisters Mamie Kelley of Hinsdale, N.H., Holly Gideos of Chesterfield, N.H., and her 10 cherished grandchildren: Josh, John, Jordan, Jacob, Hannah, Braden, Destiny, Alexis, Hayden, and Landon. She was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Lyon. Memorial information: A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Masonic Temple in Keene, N.H. Donations to American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org.
• Guy E. Nido Jr., 82, of Wilmington. Died peacefully Nov. 1, 2019 at the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington, where he had been a resident for the past three years. Guy was the youngest child and only son of Guy E. and Svea (Johnson) Nido. He was born at the family home on Ray Hill Road on April 15, 1937. Growing up in Wilmington, he attended local schools, graduating from Wilmington High School in 1955. Following graduation, he served four years in the Air Force, where he was stationed in Iceland and assigned to radar operations. Upon returning from the military, Guy worked for Guy E. Nido Inc., a fuel oil business owned by his father. In 1961, he married Janet Brown of Heath, Mass. Upon his father's death, he managed the oil business with his mother for three years and assumed ownership of the company in 1971. Guy had an unfailing hard work ethic and was devoted to his business, customers, and community. He served his town as a volunteer fireman, member of the Selectboard, and water commissioner. He played on the town baseball team for several years. He was a Shriner and Past Master of Social Lodge #38 Free & Accepted Masons, of which he was a member for many years. Guy enjoyed hunting at his camp on Haystack, attending car shows, sports, and spending time at the Maine house. Guy suffered a stroke in 2016 and was a patient at Grace Cottage Hospital for three months prior to his stay at the Vermont Veterans' Home. Guy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet (Brown) Nido, daughters Kim Benedict and her husband, Douglas, of Spofford, N.H., and Kelly Nido and her husband Marc McClanahan of Colchester; a son, Greg Nido and his wife Hannah of Wilmington; and six grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters Ruth Wight, Elnora Scribner, Svea Jane McCarthy, Mary Lundberg, and Kathy Jenkins. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Nov. 6 at the Old School Community Center in Wilmington. Burial services were private. Donations to the Vermont Veterans' Home, in particular the Veteran's Mobility Trail Fund, or Deerfield Valley Rescue in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Marie Angeline Elizabeth “Angie” Rabideau, 93, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Nov. 6, 2019 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family. Angie was born in Burlington on July 7, 1926, the daughter of Antonio and Diana (Dionne) Leclaire. She was raised and educated in Burlington, attending St. Anthony's Parochial School and later moving to Brattleboro with her family. She worked as a seamstress and also had been employed at Brattleboro Union High School for eight years, where she managed the kitchen, retiring in 1983. A devout Catholic, Angie was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and was a faithful volunteer at Brigid's Kitchen. In March 2007, along with Louise Renaud and Agnes Gilson, she was a recipient of a humanitarian award by the Vermont Community Foundation for her dedicated service as a volunteer at Brigid's Kitchen, an honor she was extremely proud of. In 1946, she was married to Wilfred Henry Rabideau, who predeceased her in 1992. Survivors include her three sons, Francis Rabideau and his fiancée, Pattie Miller, of Brattleboro, John Rabideau and his fiancée, Trish McGilpin, of Gansevoort, N.Y., and David Rabideau and his wife, Darlene, of Scarborough, Maine; one brother, Marcel Leclaire of Zephyrhills, Fla.; a sister, Jeanne Lyon of Vernon; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She was predeceased by five brothers, Joseph, Norman, Leo, Rene, and Richard; and seven sisters, Gertrude Raymond, Irene Pollica, Anita Doucette Stacy, Mary Castine, Jeanine Smith, Annette Marchant, and Yvette Brouillard. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Nov. 14 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial to follow in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Brigid's Kitchen, 46 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of e-condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.