Milestones

Milestones

College news

• Brianna Jobst of Vernon recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration/Management from Bloomsburg (Pa.) University.

• Hana Kusumi of South Londonderry was named to the Dean's List for achieving academic excellence during the summer 2021 semester at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Kusumi is a member of the Class of 2023 and is majoring in government and philosophy.

Transitions

The Grace Cottage Foundation Board of Directors welcomed Kevin Rogers and Travis Shine to the Board. A native of West Virginia, Rogers graduated with a B.A. in political pcience from Shepherd University in 2010, and earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2014. He moved to Newfane in 2016 and began practicing law at Costello, Valente & Gentry in 2017. He now works primarily in their Dover office, specializing in criminal defense and real estate. Shine was born at Grace Cottage, delivered by Dr. Carlos Otis. Raised in the West River Valley, he graduated from the University of Rhode Island, where he earned his B.A. in Economics in 2002. After working for Pioneer Investments in the Boston area, Shine moved to New Jersey in 2004, where he began his career as a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial. After earning his Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP) designation, he moved back to Newfane and established the private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise/Goodwin, Shine and Associates.

Obituaries

• Bertram J. “Pete” Adams, 93, of Vernon. Died from COVID-19 on Sept. 17, 2021 at Vernon Homes. He was born in Northampton Mass., on Sept. 6, 1928 to Louis and Rachel (Hemenway) Adams, and delivered by his aunt, Dr. Ruth Hemenway. He grew up on Adams Farm in Wilmington, the fourth generation on the farm that is still owned by the family. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1946, and Vermont Agricultural College in 1948. He then served as a staff sergeant in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Returning home, he was part of Mount Snow's early days as head carpenter, building Snow Lake and Sundance Lodges, among others. He married Betty Crosier on Nov. 2, 1952. They built their home together in Wilmington where they lived for 64 years until moving to Vernon Hall in 2016. Soon after marriage they established Adams Plumbing & Heating. He and Betty were very active in the Vermont Plumbing Association for many years and made many lifelong friends. They enjoyed camping trips, snowmobiling, antique gas engines, and exploring back roads in his restored 1929 Ford Model A with their children. Some of his most memorable times were exploring the woods of Somerset with his good friend Wayne Rowell, and especially a canoe trip to find the Ghost Trains in the North Woods of Maine. Retiring in 2000, they took many trips in their RV to visit family in Florida, California, and Oregon, and visit many National Parks across the country. A special love was woodworking and finally having the time to build beautiful furniture and other woodworking projects, and rebuild antique canoes. Many a happy hour was spent chatting with visitors in his roadside workshop behind the purple doors. Above all, Pete loved his family. He leaves his beloved wife Betty; children Brenda Raleigh, Les (Robin) Adams, Justin Adams; grandchildren David (Ashley) Raleigh, Rachel Raleigh, and son-at-heart Jason Sprague, Nat (Amanda) Adams, Molly Adams; great grandchildren Thomas, JoAnna, and Ella; siblings Sally (Merrill) Mundell, Thelma Boyd, Bill (Sharon) Adams, Shirley (Bob) Pease, Ruby (Tom ) Bailey; sister in law Shirley Crosier, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Judy Adams and son-in-law Chip Raleigh. Memorial information: Services will be held at a time when it is safer to do so. Donations to Vernon Homes or the Guy Hawkins Cancer Fund may be sent in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. In his honor, and with respect for his and Betty's wishes, the family asks everyone to please get vaccinated for COVID-19 if you are able to, and wear a mask in public.

• Evelyn M. Aubuchont, 99, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 14, 2021 at Thompson House nursing home. Evelyn was born November 26, 1921 in Pomfret, the daughter of Frank D. and Emma (Laurie) Adams. She was a graduate of Walpole (N.H.) High School. Evelyn worked for H.A. Manning Co. in Bellows Falls for several years. In 1941, she married Ralph L. Aubuchont, who died in 2006. Evelyn loved reading poetry, had a good sense of humor, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, who will miss her dearly. She is survived by a son, John Aubuchont and his wife, Jad; two daughters, Judy Harrison and her husband, Peter, and Sally Willard and her husband, David; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by brothers Vern and Frank Adams, and her granddaughter Sarah Ann Willard. Memorial information: Calling hours are 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, followed by a private burial in the Walpole Cemetery.

• Alta E. Barber, 99, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 20, 2021 in Bartlesville, Okla. She was born in Guilford on June 24, 1922 to Ernest and Leila Paulman. She worked as a bookkeeper until age 92. Alta also knit and crocheted for family and friends, and donated more than 5,000 hours to RSVP and other community organizations. She was a member of Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro and was a Girl Scout leader, Red Cross blood donor, and election volunteer. She is remembered for her love of family, her hospitality, and her Thanksgiving feasts. She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel Barber, and her siblings: Harriet Fairbank, Dorothy Rogstad; and Ernest, Herbert, and Raymond Paulman. She is survived by her daughters: Janice, her husband Keith Ferguson, and their children, Matthew and Abby, of Virginia and Judy and her husband, David Bastian, of Oklahoma. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held at Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro in May 2022. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be shared at stumpff.org.

• Judith Ann Berkley, 96, of Westminster. Died Sept. 5, 2021 at her home. She was born on July 7, 1925 in New York City, the daughter of Robert Carl Gellert and Ruth (Hovey) Gellert. Judith graduated from Skidmore College in 1947 and married the late Leonard Bernard Tennyson in 1949. The couple had two children, Noel Ina Tennyson and the late Jeffrey Lawrence Tennyson. She worked as a professional portrait photographer for many years before going into real estate and establishing her own business, Greenwood Country Real Estate, in Brattleboro. Judith married John “Jack” Berkley of Brattleboro in 1992 and the two merged their real estate businesses into the firm now known as Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors. She enjoyed travel, reading and rich conversation and had a love of animals and gardening. In addition to her parents and first husband, Judith is predeceased by her second husband and her son Jeffrey Lawrence Tennyson. She is survived by her daughter Noel Hoffmann, her two daughters-in-law, Tamara Purcell and Lisa Boydstun, four grandchildren-in-law, and a host of friends. Memorial information: There will be a private memorial gathering at a later time.

• Douglas Bonneville, 90, of Guilford and Gainesville, Fla. Died peacefully on Sept. 16, 2021. He was born on April 30, 1931 to Dorothy Louise (Wait) and Joseph Ernest Bonneville. Doug was a third-generation resident of Greenfield, Mass., and an honor student at Greenfield High School, where he played right guard on the football team, sang in the Glee club, and served as his class's president for three years. After graduating GHS, he attended Bullis School in Silver Springs, Md., before entering Wesleyan University as a Henry Olin Scholar. An honor student at Wesleyan, he played freshman and junior varsity football, and graduated with a degree in Romance Languages with a distinction in French. He then attended the University of Bordeaux, France, and traveled Europe under a Fulbright scholarship. Upon returning to the United States, he attended Ohio State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Romance Languages and met the love of his life, Ann Bracken, a fellow Francophile and Fulbright scholar, whom he married in 1961. Doug taught French at Dartmouth College until he was recruited in the dead of winter by the University of Florida, moving to Gainesville in 1963. There, he was a Professor of French and 18th Century French Literature until his retirement in 1991. Doug attracted those around him with his quick wit and humor, forming lifelong friendships with colleagues and students alike. In 1975, Doug built his dream home, a log cabin in Guilford. He and his family would spend their summers there, hosting epic Fourth of July family reunions, fishing and swimming in Sweet Pond, and wandering the woods of Belden Hill. When Doug retired, he and Ann became snowbirds, splitting their years between Gainesville and Guilford, where they were active in both communities. Doug was a brilliant man - a polyglot, a published author, a poet, a voracious reader, and an avid crossword puzzler. He was an antiwar activist and championed causes such as saving the Ocklawaha River and Kirby Smith School. He was a world traveler who enjoyed exploring the outdoors, as long as there was shade. He was a great tenor, a sketch artist, a carpenter, a superb chef, and an absolute master of the long, elaborate joke, keeping everyone he knew in stitches, especially Ann. Above all else, Doug was a devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, son, friend and teacher. Doug is survived by his wife, Ann, and their three children, Anne, Lorie, and Grif (Elizabeth). He leaves behind five grandchildren, three step-grandsons, and six nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his brothers, Harold and Joe, his sister, Bette Jane, and his niece, Mary Ann. Memorial information: Doug's life will be celebrated in a small family ceremony, and his ashes will later be scattered in Guilford - his heaven on earth.

• Joseph Francis “Joe” Boyle III, 65, of Encinitas, Calif. Died unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2021 at his home. A much beloved brother, husband, father, and grandfather, he will be sorely missed, especially bythose who knew his smiling face, good humor, cheerful energy, and boundless love for family and his native Vermont. Born in Brattleboro on June 15, 1956, Joe is a 1974 graduate of Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend. He excelled in sports, especially skiing (including aerials before they were popular), soccer, basketball, and baseball. Named as All State and/or All League on high school teams, Joe was also a stand-out on the American Legion Post 5 baseball team. In 1976, Joe began his successful career in optical fabrication at Janos Optical where he remained until advancing his career in California. In 2006, Joe founded, F-1 Optics, Inc., where he developed an international reputation for the high-quality manufacture of low-tolerance precision optics. Joe's athletic ability made him a natural for golf, and he spent many hours with family and friends navigating courses on both coasts, often sailing to the 19th hole (a.k.a., Oggi's, where he was known as “The Mayor”). He played softball and surfed until he couldn't keep up but, even so, was able to hike Mount Monadnock with a brand-new hip on an autumn day not long ago. Joe's parents, Joseph Francis Boyle, II and Patricia Marie (Carey) Boyle, predeceased him by many years. He is survived by his wife Julie Mahan Boyle, his daughters Alison (Boyle) Bullock and her husband Jacob, Janelle Boyle Nelson and her husband Ty, and five grandchildren, Zaleia, Eli, Orion, Hawkin, and Francis (with number six on the way). Joe also leaves his siblings, Eileen Corbeil and husband Randall, Kathleen Ballantine and husband Douglas, Dorothy Nystrom and husband David, Philip Boyle, Peter Boyle and wife Deborah, Stephen Boyle and wife Lakshmi, John Boyle and wife Christel, his first wife, Kim White Maloney, and 34 nieces and nephews (and their families) who admired him greatly. Memorial information: Events to celebrate Joe's life are planned for the spring of 2022.

• Bruce Michael Burgoyne, 69, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 20, 2021 in Portland, Ore., after a brief illness. Born in Brattleboro on May 12, 1952, Bruce is a 1970 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. Bruce loved to ski, hunt, fish for salmon, and all things outdoors, which was the reason he moved to Nevada in the early 1980s. Eventually, he moved to Oregon where he owned and operated a small pizza/bar/entertainment pub called Boone's Junction, located in Wilsonville, Ore. Bruce was loved by all his employees and patrons as a fun loving, kindhearted man who would help anyone he could. Just a kid at heart, he still played drums and sang the oldies at his bar and made every event a special occasion. His patrons and friends all referred to him as their “Gentle Giant.” He also enjoyed golfing as often as he could. He was a beloved brother, uncle, and father, and he will be sorely missed. Bruce is survived by a sister, Darlene Tarlton and her husband, Charles, from Ellerbe, N.C.; a son, Christopher from Nevada; nieces Jennifer (Mike) Hardiman from Penacook, N.H., and Jessica (Dustin) Hale from Foxfire, N.C.; and great-nieces Kenlee Agrell and Everlee Hale from Foxfire, N.C. Bruce's parents predeceased him by many years. Memorial information: Donations in his memory may be sent to the American Kidney Foundation.

• Michael Cheeney, 63, died Sept. 11, 2021 at his brother's home in Westminster. He was born Feb. 25, 1958, the son of Joseph and Marjorie Cheeney. He graduated from Fall Mountain Regional High School in 1976. Mike worked at C & S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro for 27 years and held many positions. Mike enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandson.He is survived by four brothers: Freddie, Bruce, David, and Steve; a son, Bryan, and a grandson, Devyn. Memorial information: Calling hours were held Sept. 24 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.

• Luanne (Trask) Mace Crosby, 92, of Jacksonville. Died Sept. 18, 2021 at home, surrounded by family. Luanne, the daughter of Dr. Roswell G. Mace MD and Elizabeth (Trask) Mace, was born Dec. 30, 1928 in Springfield, Mass. Before retiring to Jacksonville with her late husband Robert Allen “Bob” Crosby Sr., Luanne and Bob raised their family in Stamford, Conn., where she also worked as a medical technologist. Luanne was also predeceased by her brother, John Lansing Mace, and is survived, and will forever be loved and remembered, by her children Diane E. Crosby of Wilton, N.H., Robert A. Crosby, Jr. (Abigail) of Jacksonville, and Peter M. Crosby of Colorado Springs, Colo. She will also be dearly missed by her grandchildren Tate Crosby and Nell Crosby of Colorado, her brother John's family, Bob Sr.'s siblings' families, and many great friends. At home in Vermont, Luanne loved her farm, gardening, wild birds, pets, and local friends with whom she participated in projects galore. Always generous with her time and energy, the community will greatly miss Luanne. Memorial information: A celebration of life for Luanne will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m., at Jacksonville Community Church, with a gathering immediately following at her home on Collins Road. Interment will be private at another date in Jacksonville Cemetery. Donations to the ALS Association or to the Cancer Society of one's choice, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363.

• Mariot Gardner Huessy, 95, of Essex, Vt. Died Sept. 15, 2021. She died exactly as she wished - in her sleep, at home, and at peace with herself and the world - 11 days after attending her grandson Andrew Laggis's wedding. She was born November 24, 1925, the daughter of Raymond and Margaret (Reed) Gardner. She graduated from Hanover (N.H.) High School in 1943, and attended Smith College and the Boston School of Occupational Therapy during World War II before marrying Henry E. Montgomery in 1947. (They separated in 1952, and divorced in 1955.) In 1958, she married Dr. Hans R. Huessy. She brought her two children into the marriage; he brought his six children into the marriage, and they had three more children together. The creation of a single family was the great achievement of their life together, their success showed in the way the family could expand to include new family members (whether from Holland or the Navajo Nation), as well as friends and far-flung family from across the U.S. and Europe. Mariot applied her organizational skills to epic food shopping trips, cooking, decorating, and laundry. Her home was her castle. Her love for animals brought her a great deal of joy and many wonderful friends throughout her life. She loved honoring (and creating) family traditions, and Christmas was the high holiday of her year. She made and collected presents for children and grandchildren throughout the year, storing them in a huge castered box under her bed. Her grandmother had taught her to sew and knit when Mariot was quite young, and she reveled in a lifelong love of fabric, buttons, and yarn. She made clothes for herself and her children, riding habits for children and friends, and costumes and scenery for the plays her children staged in the family barn. She remained an extraordinary seamstress and knitter until her eyes failed her in old age. She also designed and hand-colored Christmas cards that went out to hundreds of “friends and relations.” She was a member of the generation that grew up during the Depression; her brother, Clint, the “boys” she knew in high school, and Clint's friends at Dartmouth all served in World War II. She saw Marian Anderson sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, and had the good fortune to spend two hours with her childhood hero, Eleanor Roosevelt, when the First Lady visited Camp William James in Tunbridge in 1940. (They shelled peas together for the camp cook, “Joe” diVivo.) She was predeceased by her husband, Hans, in 1997 and by her brother, Clinton C. Gardner, in 2017. She is survived and held in loving memory by her 11 children: Pamela (and Philip) Hazel of Statesville, N.C.; Paula Stahmer of Gainesville, Fla.; Mark (and Frances) Huessy of Essex; Janet (and Stephen) Flanders of Norwich; Peter Huessy of Potomac, Md.; Raymond Huessy (and Frederick Gray) of Putney; Alan Huessy (and Karen Grose) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Collin Huessy of Marion, Mont.; Hans Huessy of Essex; Eugen (“Bear”) Huessy of Hobson; and Margaret Laggis of Derby, Vt.; by her 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, by her beloved step-grandchildren; as well as by Benjamin Barney of Lókaachégai, Ariz.; Lucinda Godinez of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and Willem Leenman of West Haven. Memorial information: A memorial service will be announced later. Donations to Essex Rescue, Inc.; Spring Lake Ranch in Cuttingsville; or the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge.

• Timothy John “Timmy” Kingsbury, 69, of Putney. Died Sept. 7, 2021, in the loving arms of his daughter Billie-Jo. He was born Jan. 4, 1952, to Fred and Evelyn (Vavney) Kingsbury in Bellows Falls. Tim survived many struggles during his lifetime - cancer, diabetes, and his biggest addiction, drugs and alcohol - which he was able to overcome by celebrating more than 25 years clean and sober. Tim had a great sense of humor and valued his family and children deeply. Back in the day, Timmy was known to frequent the local watering holes along Route 5 from White River Junction to Brattleboro. His favorite places were in the village of Bellows Falls. When not at one of those locations, he was often in local community gardens checking on the “tomatoes” and on the rarest of occasions, you could even find him in the red-light districts throughout the state. He was a great man with many friends - he would never judge anyone and would give a stranger the shirt and shoes he was wearing. Tim is survived by his mother Evelyn Kingsbury, of Claremont, N.H., his “summer children, some here, there, and everywhere” - Thomas and Melissa Meade of Claremont, Billie-Jo Wilder and Lillianna Butler (granddaughter) of Bellows Falls, Nichole Kingsbury of Windsor, Makia Kingsbury and Ariana Kingsbury (granddaughter) of Putney; stepdaughters Sharon Mireles of Clovis, Calif.. Meagan Mack of Brattleboro; his longtime partner, Lori Fairbanks; sibling Fred Kingsbury, Betty and Shirley Demond, Linda Jones, and Susan Andre; his favorite niece, Nancy Fish; and many other grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of Tim's life will be held Oct. 9. Following a service in Westminster Cemetery at 11 a.m., there will be a luncheon provided at Herricks Cove at 1 p.m. All are welcome to share stories and remember this great man. Arrangements are being made by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.

• Russell Paul Lazarek Jr., 50, of Westminster. Died unexpectedly on Sept. 6, 2021. He was the loving husband of Yevette Hendler, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage, and a devoted father to Jacob and Rome. Born Oct. 11, 1970 in Rahway, N.J., he was the son of Barbara and Russell Lazarek Sr. He received a B.S. in information technology from Rutgers University and went on to have a career in that field, ultimately advancing into management. As a recent resident of Westminster, he believed very strongly in community involvement and became a valued member of the town's Planning Commission. He was the commission's chair at the time of his death. Russ was a devoted father and husband who loved problem solving, especially when it involved using repurposed materials. He took pride in his vegetable garden which always produced a great bounty. He found delicious recipes and options for preserving for winter. In addition to his beloved wife and his devoted children, he is survived by his parents and his sister, Lisa Ford. Memorial information: There will be no immediate service or memorial. The family needs time to grieve and process and will plan a proper tribute in spring 2022.

• Edmund W. “Ed” Witalis, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 17, 2021. He was born in Northfield, Mass. on Oct. 19, 1927 the son of Joseph and Katherine (Bieniek) Witalis. Ed was raised and educated in Brattleboro and proudly served in the Navy during World War II from June 1945 to August 1946. Following his honorable discharge, Ed worked as a welder and maintenance supervisor for Crosby Milling Company for 43 years. He later worked several years at Green Mountain Messenger. Known as a great softball player, he began playing during his employment at Crosby's. Ed was also a 51-year member of the B.P.O. Elks Brattleboro Lodge, #1499. In 1947, he married Regina “Jeannie” Giroux, who predeceased him in 2015. They were married for 68 faithful years. Ed leaves behind his daughter, Cheryl Brentnall and husband Bill, of Gales Ferry, Conn.; his granddaughter, Nicole Beebe and her children, Brianna and Alyssa, all of Prineville, Ore.; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites and burial with military honors will be conducted Friday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m., in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Bratleboro. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Elks Home on Putney Road. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.

Services

Funeral services for Charlotte May Call will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. at Green Mountain Chapel on Western Avenue in Brattleboro. A reception in the church fellowship hall will follow. Charlotte will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in Christ Church Cemetery in Guilford at 2 p.m. Charlotte, a longtime resident of the Brattleboro area, died July 6, 2021 at Applewood Healthcare Center in Winchester, N.H., following a short period of declining health. To view her full obituary and send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.

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