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.
• Andrew G. Andersen, Sr., 84, of West Dover. Died Aug. 21, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Nancy Michaelsen Andersen for 59 years. Father of Andrew III of Wardsboro, Steven of Kentucky, Nancy (Jeffrey) Houghton of Guilford, Ruth (Michael) O'Hearn of Readsboro, and Dreama (Michael) Rozanski of Wardsboro, and the late William Andersen and Betty Lou (Claye) Scott. Served in the Marine Corps and was a member of VFW Post 1034 and the American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He will be fondly remembered for his love for his family, great sense of humor, hard work ethic and his love for the Deerfield Valley and all of the people who touched his life. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Aug. 25 at Butterfield Commons in West Dover.
• Gail Ellen Bellville, 62, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 25 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Former wife of Donald Lamson. Sister of Jan Bellville of Brattleboro, Lynn McCarty of California, Jeffrey Bellville of Brattleboro and Peter Bellville of California. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Kenneth and Alberta (Magoon) Bellville, she was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1967. With her husband, she co-owned Tyler's General Store in Hinsdale, N.H., for 10 years, before retiring early due to the onset of multiple sclerosis. Previously, the couple resided in Wallingford and were publishers and owners of the Town Crier, a weekly newspaper based in Rutland. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She enjoyed dining out, cookouts, home decorating, swimming and time shared with her family. She was a very loyal person and was known for her witty, fun personality as well as her spirit of friendship. Memorial information: Graveside services were held Aug. 27 in the family lot in Christ Church Cemetery in Guilford. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
•Nancy Susan Cutting Bevis, 61, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Aug. 24 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of Stephen D. “Bart” Bevis for nearly 13 years. Mother of Melissa Snow and her husband, Jim Charuhas, of Charlestown, N.H.; Edward “P.J.” Snow IV and his wife, Cheryl, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Amy Beth Wood and her partner, Daemon Petty, of Guilford. Sister of Diane LaClair and husband, Louie; Reed Cutting and his wife, Sandy; and Ronald Cutting and his wife, Joan. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Doris Phelps Cutting and the late Clayton L. Cutting, she was raised on a farm and loved riding horses in her younger years. She was funny, lively, and had a wicked sense of humor right up to her last days. She loved her family, the sun, the beach, her vehicles, her flower gardens and plants. She was a hard worker and had many jobs throughout the years, but she was most proud of and remembered for all the children she took care of in her at-home daycare. She and her husband purchased the former Winky and Phyl's Gift Shop in Chesterfield, renaming it Route 9 Crafts and Collectibles. During that time, she also started selling on eBay, and the Bevises would go to tag sales, auctions, and flea markets to look for treasures. Memorial information: Graveside services were held Aug. 30 at Chesterfield West Cemetery. Donations to Chesterfield Fire and Rescue Association, P.O. Box 95, Chesterfield, NH 03443 or the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Oncology Department, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Richard B. “Dick” Carter, 75, of Dummerston, formerly of Vernon, Conn. Died Aug. 18 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Virginia Hadley and the late Ruby Bukowski. Father of Robert L. Carter, Deborah O'Sullivan, Carol Royce, and Judith Grindal. Stepfather of Jennifer Dion, Allan Nelson and David Nelson. Brother of Edward Carter and Mary Ann Carter. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of the late Robert and Harriet (Richards) Carter, he was raised and educated in Pittsfield and later served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1962. For many years, he worked as an auto mechanic in Manchester, Conn., and previously had been employed at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. A resident of West Dummerston for the past 10 years, he was a member of the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston. He enjoyed drag racing in his earlier years. Later, camping and time shared with his family were his joys. He was also an avid Boston Red Sox fan. A quiet unassuming man, he was known for his integrity and spirit of friendship. Memorial information: Funeral services were private. Donations to the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department, West Street, West Dummerston, VT 05357. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Alberta C. Colvin Fair, 75, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Aug. 25. Wife of David W. Fair; Mother of David M. Fair and Alice E. Mullinary; Sister of Beatrice Wood, Dorothy Richmond and the late Catherine Vivian. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 29 at St. Ursula Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.brandtfuneralhome.com
• Doris R. (Hodgkins) Ferguson, 97, of Bellows Falls. Died Aug. 20 at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow. Wife of the late Alwyn R. Hodgkins and the late Wayne H. Ferguson. Mother of Shirley Richardson, and her husband, Glenn, of Springfield; Ralph Hodgkins, and his wife, Gloria, of Walpole, N.H.; and the late Reginald L. Hodgkins. Sister of Lillian Edwards of Winter Haven, Fla. Predeceased by her parents, five brothers, and one sister. Born in Hubbardston, Mass., the daughter of Napoleon and Rose (Twa) Boudrieau, and grew up in the Alstead-Walpole, N.H. area. She was a member of the United Church of Bellows Falls. In 1956, Doris and her first husband, Alwyn Hodgkins, started Hodgkins & Sons, a family construction business. She had no formal education in bookkeeping, but she was a natural and very efficient at this task. She also was a member of the Bellows Falls Country Club and an avid golfer. She made five holes-in-one during her golfing career, her last coming in 1995 at the age of 81. Memorial information: A graveside service was Aug. 27 at the family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls.
• Jeffrey Fillion, 52, of Jamaica. Died Aug. 17 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital after being stricken ill while mountain biking. Longtime companion of Crystal Mansfield of Townshend. Father of Carson and Julia Fillion, both of West Dover. Brother of Gary (Peggy) Fillion of Sandy Hook, Conn., Ricky Fillion of West Milton, N.Y., Marci (Bob) Bird of Clifton Park, N.Y., Kim (Michael) Cantanucci of Lake George, N.Y,, Cynthia (Marc) Goldstein of Clifton Park, N.Y., Robert Fillion of Albany, N.Y., Kelley (Gary) Bristol of Troy, N.Y., and Kyle (Candice) of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Born in Troy, N.Y., the son of C. Leo “Fil” Fillion and the late Beverly J. “Bev” St. Johns Fillion, he was a graduate of Lansingburgh (N.Y.) High School, Class of 1978, where he was co-captain of the football team. He went on to serve in the Navy as a Seabee. He was self-employed as a custom home builder and was an avid snowboarder, mountain biker and rollerblader. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home in Lansingburgh, N.Y. Donations to Millstone Park Trails (one of his favorite riding places), P.O. Box 44, Attn: Pierre, Websterville, VT 05678.
• Dr. John Glennon, 81, of Granville, N.Y. Died at Aug. 22 his home following a long illness. Husband of Anita Morin for 55 years. Father of John Glennon Jr. and his wife, Rhonda, of North Carolina; Robert and his wife, Sara, of Brattleboro; Ann Benjamin and her husband, David, of Keene, N.H.; Elizabeth Dean and her husband, Jason, of East Swanzey, N.H.; and Joseph Glennon and Teryll Rainey of California. Born in Kingston, N.Y., the son of the late John B. and Nell (Avery) Glennon, he was a graduate of Union College in Schenectady and Albany Medical College in 1958. He served his internship at the Marine Hospital in Staten Island, N.Y., and then the Glennons and their growing family moved to Hagerstown, Md., where he served his residency in public health. In 1961, they moved to Granville, N.Y., where John opened a practice which spanned from 1961 until his retirement in December 1998. His devotion to medicine and his young family came together on several family vacations, as he volunteered in places such as Okanogan, Wash., at the Federal Prison in Lewisburg, Pa., at an AIDS clinic in Provincetown, Mass., and at a hospital in Harrisburg, Pa., during the Cuban crisis. He spent these two-week stints covering for other doctors so that they could have vacation time. He was a kind and caring family practitioner, but he gave much more to the Granville area. He and his wife, a nurse, served the public in many ways, living their strong faith through their dedication to public service. He served as a school physician, volunteered for many years at Washington County Head Start, served with Carl Clapper with the Handicapped Children's Program and worked with Pat Harrison, R.N., on the Utilization Committee, reviewing charts for public health nursing at their office in Hudson Falls. Always ready to help those in need, the Glennons frequently raided the kitchen and freezer of their large family to fill boxes of food to give to those in need. Along with their parish priest and good friend, Father Paul Roman, they started what is now known as the Ecumenical Food Pantry housed in the basement of St. Mary's Church. The Glennons also served as medical missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He was ordained as a deacon in 1982 by Bishop Howard Hubbard, where he served in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. His assignment from the Diocese was to serve with Father James Hayes as a chaplain at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, N.Y. After retiring from his medical practice, he received his master's degree in Theology at Westminster Chapel at Oxford University in Cambridge, England, in 2000. The Glennons began spending their winters in Leesburg, Fla., where he served the Orlando Diocese, filling in as a chaplain. He also volunteered at the Free Baptist Clinic which provided medical assistance for those without health insurance. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 25 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Granville, N.Y., with burial in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Middle Granville, N.Y.
• Joan LaClair, 70, of Rowayton, Conn. Died Aug. 19 at her home. Partner of Bob McGregor. Mother of Mark LaClair, and his wife,Tanya, of Westport, Conn.; Kirsten Hinds and her husband, Ben, of Bay Head, N.J.; and Joelle LaClair and her husband, David Light, of Woolwich, Maine. Sister of Judith Miller and her husband Roger of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro, she was the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Haynes) Manley. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Class of 1962, she was the owner of the Joan LaClair Swim School. Memorial information: A memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Ave, Rowayton, Conn. Donations to DBAfoundation.org, P.O. Box 1092, W. Seneca, NY 14224, or SwimAcrossAmerica.org: 1 International Pl, Suite 4600, Boston, MA 02110.
• Jerry Levine, 90, formerly of West Dover. Died at the Vermont Veterans' Home after a 15-year battle with dementia. Husband of the late Gloria Levine for 67 years. Father of Bari Levine and his wife Linda of Sandy, Utah; Michael Levine and his wife, Nancy O'Hara, of New York City; and David Levine of Bangkok, Thailand. Brother of Eleanor Shepard of Miami Beach, Fla., and Florence Creddedio of Highland Park, Ill. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., the son of the late Ida Mae and Abe Levine of the Bronx, N.Y., he moved with his family at the start of the Great Depression to Miami Beach, Fla. As a student at Miami Beach High School, he became an accomplished musician and excelled as a swimmer and diver. He attended both the University of Florida and the University of Miami on music scholarships. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and volunteered for flight training. He graduated near the top of his class in flight school, and shipped out for his tour of duty serving in the China-Burma-India Theatre. He distinguished himself as a transport pilot, flying C-46 and C-47 aircraft over the treacherous route through the Himalayan mountains known as “The Hump.” He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. After the war ended, he sought to continue his flying career as a airline pilot. Disappointed by a restrictive policy that prevented men of the Jewish faith from being hired as commercial pilots, he relocated his family from Florida to New York City, where he began his career in the construction industry. He later was an independent building contractor and real estate developer, working on projects in New York, Boston, Vermont, and Florida. He continued in this business after he moved to West Dover in 1964, all the while pursuing his artistic passion as a professional musician along with his love of aviation. He earned his private and commercial licenses with multi-engine and instrument pilot ratings. For many years, Jerry flew his own plane for business and pleasure, traveling all over the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. In 1989, the Levines opened the Hayloft Gallery in West Dover. They were dedicated patrons of the arts, supporting and attending art shows, concerts, and theatre throughout the area. He was an avid skier and outdoorsman, and was a well-known figure on the slopes and trails of Mount Snow. As a result of his combat experiences during the war and the personal discrimination he faced after the war, he became an outspoken peace activist and proponent of nuclear disarmament and gun control. In keeping with his strong convictions, he also contributed to the the Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s. The Levines proudly stood in solidarity with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the historic National March for Freedom in August 1963 in Washington, D.C. Memorial information: In accordance with his wishes, following cremation, his remains will be interred alongside those of his wife in the West Dover Town Cemetery, which overlooks their home. Donations to The Charitable Giving Program, Vermont Veterans' Home, 325 North Street, Bennington, VT 05201. Condolences may be sent to www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Jean E. Hubley Massari, 80, of Williamstown, Mass., formerly of Readsboro. Died Aug. 21 at North Adams (Mass.) Regional Hospital. Wife of the late Silvano C. Massari for 60 years. Mother of Wayne Massari and his wife, Pamela, of Rutland; Aaron Massari of North Adams; Peter Massari and his wife, Lorrie, of Brattleboro; Paul Massari and Sue Shepard of North Adams; Joni Massari, and his wife, Linda, of Hoosac Tunnel, Mass., and the late Michael Massari. Sister of Russell S. Hubley Jr. of Longmeadow, Mass. Born in Readsboro, the daughter of the late Russell S. and Kathleen (Davis) Hubley, she graduated from Drury High School in 1948. She was primarily a homemaker and mother to six sons. She worked at G.S. Precision in Wilmington for 15 years until her retirement in 1995. She was a communicant of St. Joachim's Church in Readsboro, where she taught CCD and was a member of its St. Ann Society. Jean enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking and flower gardening. She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 27 at St. Joachim's Church, with burial in Village Cemetery. Donations to the St. Ann's Society at St. Joachim's Church, in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247.
• Joseph C. Paige, 74, of Newfane. Died Aug. 7 at the home of his daughter and caregiver Trish after a lengthy illness. Husband of the late Doni Paige. Former husband of Alice Gausch. Father of Trish Coyne and her husband, M.J., of Newfane, and sons Christopher and Justin of Florida. Brother of Lois Besanko of New Bern, N.C. Born in Ithaca, N.Y., the son of the late John and Beryl Paige of Ithaca, N.Y., he served in the Army and graduated from Syracuse University. A specialist in sales and marketing, his career was primarily in the travel and leisure industry. He moved to Newfane in 2009. Memorial information: A memorial service will take place in Vermont at a time to be announced. Contact [email protected] for service information. Donations to The Gathering Place, 30 Terrace Place, Brattleboro VT 05301.
• Alvin L. Southwick, 85, of Westminster. Died Aug. 16 at Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor. Born in White River Junction, the son of Arthur and Hazel (Davison) Southwick, he was a graduate of Hartford High School and went on to serve in the Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Worked at St. Johnsbury Trucking for 30 years, and BDR Trucking for 20 years, retiring in 2004. He was also a member and past Exalted Ruler of the BPO Elks 1541. He was also a member of the United Brethren Lodge 21 in Hartford, and a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose 527, American Legion Post 37, and the PA Club Lodge 1355, all in Bellows Falls; VFW Post 2571 in White River Junction; Shriners International in Montpelier; and the Holy Cross Commandery No. 12 Knights Templar in Springfield. He was also an honorary life member of the BPOE 1619 in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A funeral service was held August 27 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Westminster (New) Cemetery.
• Linda Thomas, 63, of Marblehead, Mass., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 17 at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) while waiting for a kidney/liver transplant due to polycystic kidney/liver disease. Sister of Suzanne and the late Rev. Cannon David P. Thomas. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late E. Gordon and Lucille P. Thomas, graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1965 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Keuka College in 1969. She earned a Master's degree in Health Education from Boston University in 1974. She earned a Master's degree in Nursing and became a Nurse Practitioner from The Institute of Health Professionals in 1998. She spent her entire nursing career, 41 years, at MGH. She always wanted to be a nurse, and she loved every moment of her career. She had many passions, including Boston Terriers and being “at the beach.” She and her twin sister operated a bed and breakfast in Marblehead nearly eight years. Memorial information: A graveside service and burial was held on Aug. 27 at Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Minuteman Boston Terrier Club of Massachusetts c/o Doris Bizier, 203 Lynnshore Drive, Lynn, MA 01902, or to the MGH Transplant Gift Fund, in care of the MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.
• Barbara C. Wilson, 83, of Newfane. Died Aug. 23 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of the late William A. Wilson for 62 years. Mother of Deane Wilson and wife, Shelley, of Newfane; Emily Parker and husband, Donald, of Putney; and Theresa Frank of Newfane. Sister of Stephen Clark and wife, Alexa, of Jamaica. A lifelong resident of the West River Valley, she was born in Jamaica, the daughter of the late Charles and Alice (Knight) Clark. She was raised and educated in Jamaica and was a graduate of Leland and Gray Seminary, Class of 1946. Following high school, she worked for several years at the Holstein-Friesian Association, and then became a stay-at-home mom. In 1969, she joined Vermont National Bank, and eventually became the supervisor of its Newfane branch. She retired in 1990. She was a lifetime member of the Jamaica Community Church, was an active member of the Dummerston Ladies Sewing Group,and held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, Townshend Post 77. A devoted homemaker, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, quilting and time shared with her family and friends. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, 185 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT 05353 c/o Dr. Robert W. Backus; Newbrook Fire and Rescue, Route 30, Newfane, VT 05345; or Jamaica Community Church, P.O. Box 287, Jamaica, VT 05343. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert Edward Winslow, 64, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 21 from injuries sustained in a single vehicle accident in Bradford. Husband of the late Anne (Goodreau) Winslow. Father of Jeremy Edward Winslow, David Gendron, and Anna and Lisa Winslow. Brother of James, Ralph, David, Gary, Rick, and Leonard Winslow. Born in Windsor, the son of Ruth Barber Winslow and the late Ralph Winslow Sr., he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1965. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965, and served until he received a medical discharge in 1969. He received several medals, including the Purple Heart. He never allowed the injuries he received in Vietnam to slow him down. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing throughout his life. Memorial information: A memorial service with full military honors took place on Aug. 26 at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph.
College news
• Heather Fletcher of Brattleboro has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Union Institute & University.
• Violet K. Dixon of Brattleboro and Carla M. Yudin of Guilford were both named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2011 semester at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.