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.
• William W. Bassett, 72, of Tiverton R.I. Died on Sept. 10 at his home. Husband of Sharon Bassett. Father of Cynthia Poudrier and husband, Brian Peterson, of Phoenix; Kimberly Gesualdi and husband, Joe Gesualdi, of Cranston, R.I.; Mary Poudrier Tudan and husband, Jonathan Tudan, of Calabasas, Calif.; Stephanie Poudrier of Tiverton; Douglas Bassett and wife, Sara, of Brattleboro; and Elisabeth Bassett of Brattleboro. Born in Boston, the son of the late Brigham and Dorothy Bassett, he was a graduate of St. Georges School in Middletown, R.I., and Colby College. He owned The William H. Bassett Co., an automobile dealership in Brockton, Mass., and with the assistance of his wife, they owned and operated Tight Lines. Inc., a sporting retail and mail order company, and a large antique center. He was on the board of many organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Brockton, Brockton Hospital, Bridgewater Savings Bank, and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. An accomplished athlete as a young man, his passion was sailing. He loved golf, and being with his wife, children and grandchildren. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Sept. 15 at the Acoaxet Chapel in Westport, Mass. Donations to the Lupus Foundation, 40 Speen St., Suite 205, Framingham, MA 01701, American Diabetes Association, 222 Richmond St., Suite 204, Providence, RI 02906, or the Cancer Center at Mass General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114.
• Elizabeth M. “Betty” Bordner, 93, formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 13 at Maplewood Nursing Home, in Westmoreland, N.H. Wife of the late John Bordner for 47 years. Mother of Anne Boudrieau of Ringe, N.H.; Evelyn Ebbighausen of Windsor; Janice Field of Sunapee, N.H.; Frances Bristol of Guilford; Jacqueline Schnabel of Center Reach, L.I., and Stephen Bordner of Hinsdale. Also survived by 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Predeceased by siblings Margurite Sklat, Annie Majer, Eleanor Johnson Chamberlin, Virginia Provencher, and John and William McGrath. Born in Harrisville, N.H., the daughter of the late William and Lizzie LaPointe McGrath, she was raised and educated in Harrisville and was a graduate of Keene High School, Class of 1935. She had been employed by the town of Hinsdale as food service manager at both Hinsdale Elementary and Hinsdale High School, retiring in 1995 following 30 years of service. A devoted homemaker, her life centered around her family. With her husband, she enjoyed wintering in St. Cloud, Fla. She was a member of the Parent Teachers Association in Hinsdale, and enjoyed sewing, cooking and canning, playing cards, and going fishing with her husband. African violets were her favorite flower. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m., in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations to Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Melodee L. Boyd, 49, of Brattleboro. Died on Sept. 6 at Thompson House. Sister of Georgia Boyd of Nantucket, Mass. Born in Whitingham, the daughter of Burton Jasper Boyd and Irene Helen Rich, she attended school in Brattleboro. She was married and divorced three times, and in June 1999, she began a long, enduring relationship with her fiancee, James Ducey. She loved her apartment in the Barber Building, which she shared with Mr. Ducey and their cat, Sneakers. She loved painting and drawing, shopping, and being around animals. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held Sept. 19 at Thompson House.
• Harley Parkhurst “Buddy” Gates, 91, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 6 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Brother of Diane Benedetto of Miami. Uncle of Dianne Chapek, also of Miami. Born in West Palm Beach, Fla., the son of the late Harley D. and Harriette A. Parkhurst Gates, he was raised and educated in Florida and was a former resident of Rutland prior to moving to Brattleboro. He had been employed at the former Estey Organ Co., and previously worked as a professional driver. He enjoyed coin and stamp collecting. Memorial information: No formal funeral services are scheduled. Burial will take place in Brookfield Center Cemetery. where he will be laid to rest in the Parkhurst family lot. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Harry M. Higley, 86, of Lowell. Died Sept. 8. Husband of Georgia Anderson Higley for 58 years. Father of Paul Higley and his wife, Katherine Simon, of Keene, N.H.; Mark and Catherine Higley of Lowell; Eric Higley of Jeffersonville; Brian Higley and his wife, Margaret Rasmussen, of Beacon, N.Y.; Kristian and Emma Higley of Brattleboro; and Allison White of Guilford. Brother of Herbert Higley of San Diego, and Wilma Higgins of Guilford. Predeceased by a half-brother, George, and two half-sisters, Lucy Higley and Evelyn Clark, all of Guilford. Born in Guilford to William and Bessie (Davis) Higley, he graduated from Brattleboro High School and then served two years in the Navy. In 1952, he graduated from the University of Vermont, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and the Honorary Boulder Society. He was a builder and cabinet maker in the Brattleboro area for over 40 years. He was honored by the Vermont School Boards Association for 25 years of dedicated service to Windham Southeast Supervisory Union schools. From a young age, he was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. In his retirement years, he enjoyed golfing and his winters in Alabama. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Higley home, 275 Buck Hill Road, Lowell. Donation to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 39, Lowell, VT 05847.
• Lee Hall Mathers, 75, of West Dover. Died Sept. 13 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Born in Amityville, N.Y., the son of Frank J. and Gertrude E. Bewes Mathers, he was a 1954 graduate of Belmont (Mass) High School. Served in the Navy, with three tours in Vietnam, where he was assigned to the Mobile Riverine Force. For many years, he had worked for New England Telephone in the Boston area; he retired in 1995. Following retirement, he relocated to Nevada for five years and then in 2000 to West Dover where he made his home. He enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Sept. 21 at the Covey & Allen Funeral Home in Wilmington, with burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery.
• Raymond E. Perkins, 80, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 7 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Brother of Virginia Welch, Howard Perkins, David Perkins, and Norman Perkins, all of Brattleboro, and the late Cora Winter. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Clyde and Ruth Perkins, he attended school in Brattleboro. He enjoyed his work as a farmer in Brandon, and later was employed by Elliot St. Market, Cersosimo Lumber, the Brattleboro Retreat, and Larry Cooke. He loved collecting model toy tractors. He enjoyed getting to know people, and everyone in Brattleboro seemed to know him. He was a kind and generous man. Memorial information: A graveside service was held at North Cemetary in Vernon on Sept. 16.
• Carroll S. Scranton, 81, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Aug. 18 at home. Former husband of Sylvia E. Putnam. Father of Joy E. (Scranton) Washburn and her husband, Lawrence, of West Chesterfield. Brother of Duane Scranton of Colrain, Mass, and the late Caroline and Arthur Scranton. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Mildred (Franklin) and Ivan Scranton, he went to school in Guilford in a one-room school house where he was taught by an aunt. He later attended Brattleboro High School, which he quit and joined the Vermont National Guard in Brattleboro. When his unit got activated, which was very shortly after he enlisted, he was sent to Germany during the Korean War. He worked at Cersosimo's on Vernon Road, and The Putnam Farm. In 1967, he went to work for Case Brothers, and in 2000, retired from FiberMark. He enjoyed spending time with his family, as well as fishing, camping, hunting, and country music. Memorial information: There was a double memorial service for Mr. Scanton and his mother, who died on Sept. 12, at the Colrain Community Church on Sept. 16. Donations to Home Health and Hospice in Keene, N.H. or Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
• Mildred Franklin Scranton, 101, of Colrain, Mass. Died Sept. 12, at Buckley HealthCare Center in Greenfield, Mass. Wife of the late Ivan Scranton for 44 years. Born in Guilford, the daughter of the late Darling D. and Lena (Thompson) Franklin, she was the youngest of nine children. Before moving to Colrain in 1963, she was employed at H. Margolin in Brattleboro and was also a 4-H leader in Guilford. She enjoyed gardening and spent her summers in the garden, pickling or canning. She enjoyed puzzles, genealogy and quilting. She made quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She has donated many quilts to town organizations to raffle off as well as to each grandchild and great-grandchild's sixth-grade class to raffle off for their trip to Washington. Mildred, who was Colrain's oldest citizen, designed the town's flag. One is displayed in the hall of flags at the Statehouse in Boston, while the other is displayed in the entry way of the Colrain town office. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 16 at Colrain Community Church, with burial will be in Baker Cemetery in Guilford. Donations to Franklin County Home Care, 330 Montague City Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376.
• Eleanor Louise Field Stanclift, 91, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 8 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H. Wife of the late Elwin “Ring” Stanclift for 35 years. Mother of Susan Stanclift-Walker of Hinsdale. Sister of Ruth Devine and her husband, Nathan, of Lynn, Mass., and the late Thelma Reese. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Harry Field and Gladys Pearl Wager Field, she attended Brattleboro High School. She was employed by the Holstein Association in Brattleboro and Ashuelot Paper Co. in Hinsdale. In her retirement, she enjoyed her time as the librarian of the Hinsdale Elementary School and volunteering for the Senior Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed traveling with her long-time friend Kenneth Ruskowski, visiting with her friends at Rolling Hills Village, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing the piano for the First Congregational Church, gardening, reading, cross-stitching, knitting, and spending time with her family. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held Sept. 17 at the First Congregational Church in Hinsdale.
• Ada Weston Thomas, 86, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 16 at Vernon Hall Assisted Living in Vernon. Wife of the late Ronald G. Thomas for 44 years. Mother of Bruce of Conway, Mass.; Keith and Craig of Newfane; and Brian of Peterborough, N.H. Predeceased by siblings Gordon Weston, Hazel Bewsher, Edna Baker, and Tillie Roberts. Born in Birkenhead, England, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Butterworth) Weston, she was raised and educated in England and attended St. Andrew's School for Girls in Woodslea. She met her husband while he was stationed in England during World War II. In April 1946 they came to the United States, settling in Brattleboro where they lived together, working and raising their family. She worked at Berkshire Fine Spinning in the Cotton Mill and then spent 29 years at The Book Press as a journeywoman until her retirement. She was a faithful member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on Sept. 21 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, with interment in Morningside Cemetery. Donations to the charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Paul Thompson, 76, formerly of Whitingham. Died Aug. 3 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Husband of Luella Fenton Thompson. Father of Paul A. Thompson, Ruth Thompson, Janet Thompson and Jean LaBarge. Brother of Stanley L. Thompson and Jeanne Thompson Surrey. Born in Boston, the son of Frederick and Louise Thompson, he graduated from Malden (Mass.) High School in 1952 and attended Boston University. He was employed by Maryland Casualty Insurance Company, Shelby Mutual Insurance Company, and the state of Connecticut Insurance Department until retirement in 2000. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held Sept. 24 at Jacksonville Cemetery. Donations to American Lung Association or Whitingham Free Public Library.
• John E. Toomey, 69, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died July 29 in San Francisco. Brother of Deborah of Silver Spring, Md., and Bill of Grafton. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Mary Stolte and Edward W. Toomey, he graduated from Bellows Falls High School. Gifted with a prodigious memory, considerable musical talent, and an insatiable appetite for reading, he approached life with a carefree and joyful attitude. For many years, he wandered the country, working at various jobs and making many friends, until he finally found his calling. Discovering the physical characteristics of his maturity to be a natural advantage, he began a career as Santa Claus. Known affectionately as “Santa John,” with his long white hair, flowing beard, rosy cheeks, and rotund figure, he was immediately identifiable to the public all year round, whether in his Santa suit or not. In addition to these blessings, he possessed a rich baritone voice and a naturally dramatic nature. For 20 years, he was Macy's head Santa Claus in San Francisco. This past season, Macy's fired “Santa John” for telling a slightly naughty joke to a middle-aged couple who had wanted to “sit on Santa's lap.” Public opinion rose up in his favor, and the incident became his ticket to celebrity. He made an appearance on the Jay Leno Show, where he happily considered Halle Berry's Christmas wish of a trip to Paris in Santa's sleigh. Lefty O'Doul's restaurant of San Francisco was quick to hire him to finish out the season, and with “Santa John” heading up the restaurant's citywide toy drive for needy children, they almost doubled the previous record for donations. For John, it was always about kids. Lefty O'Doul's recently hosted an Irish wake in celebration of John's life, and the occasion was attended by hundreds of his fans. He shall be remembered by all who knew him for his Santa-sized heart, full of kindness and joy for all. Memorial information: Services will be held at future date to be determined by the family.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 9, 2011, a daughter, AubreeAnn Lyn Kennett, to Katlin Kennett; granddaughter to Peggy Lescord and Scott Kennett.
• In Burlington (Fletcher Allen Hospital), Aug. 19, 2011, a daughter, Addyson Grace Pollard, to Evan Pol lard and Jessica Towne of Milton; granddaughter to Ron and Dawn Pollard of Brattleboro, and Sheila Towne and the late Jeffrey Towne of South Hero.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Aug. 6, 2011, a son, Derek Allen Johnson, to Angela (Rowell) and Jason Johnson of Guilford; grandson to Butch Johnson, Linda Johnson, Richard Rowell and Valerie Rowell.
College news
• Laura Geidel of Putney has enrolled in Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the nation's first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. She is a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School in Brattleboro, and is the daughter of Nancy Braus and Rich Geidel.
• Chloe Alex Cebek, daughter of Natasha Cebek of Brattleboro, graduated from Saint Michael's College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in August.