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.
• Walter L. Allen, 93, of Bellows Falls. Died Jan. 13 at the McGirr Nursing Home. Father of Robert Allen. Stepfather of Nelson and Lenita Bean. Brother of Russell, Gladys, Daisy, Beatrice, and Margaret. Born in Lynn, Mass., the son of the late Herbert C. and Louise (Deslex) Allen. He attended schools in Westminster and Bellows Falls, and worked in the area for many years as a carpenter and painter. Memorial information: Services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• Virginia L. Andre, 79, of Bellows Falls. Died Jan. 17 at Springfield Hospital. Mother of James L. Andre and his wife, Susan, and Laurene Tuttle and her husband, Robert. Sister of Robert, Bertrand, Nancy, and Marion. Predeceased by siblings Marjorie, Earl, Edward, and Barbara. Born in Ware, Mass., the daughter of the late Roy and Madeline (Haesaert) Taylor, she attended schools in Massachusetts and worked as a licensed practical nurse. She was a nurse for 38 years and worked for Pine Heights in Brattleboro, McGirr Nursing Home in Bellows Falls, the former Linden Lodge in Brattleboro, and Monson (Mass.) State Hospital. She enjoyed crocheting and doing crafts, and spending time with her family. Memorial information: A funeral service will take place in the spring.
• Robert Eugene Castine, 69, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 13 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Darlene Castine. Former husband of Donna Perkins. Father of Linda, Laura, and Robert Castine, Jr., Mary Benoit, and Jenny Castine. Stepfather of the late Stephanie Castine. Brother of Gabrielle Elliot, Susan Esterday, Diane Carroll, and Shirley Weber. He was born in Concord, N.H., the son of Ted Castine and the late Ruth DeRoche. He was a very loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He liked collecting knives, country music, and spending time with his wife. He was a very dedicated, hard worker who enjoyed driving trucks, which he did for C&S Wholesale Grocers, CarQuest and Advance Auto Parts. In 2008, he received a trophy for best driver from Advance Auto. Memorial information: Services were held Jan. 25 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Paul Richard Davis Sr., 71, of Spofford, N.H. Died Jan. 13 at his home. Husband of Mary Holland Davis for more than 48 years. Father of Paul R. Davis Jr. and his wife, Rhonda, of Spofford; Kelly Davis Erunski of Keene, N.H.; and Julie Davis Buffum and her husband, Seth, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Brother of Elmer A. Davis Sr. and his wife, Helen, of Spofford; Morton A. Davis Jr. and his wife, June, of Wardsboro; Ella Barber and her husband, Louie, of Ruston, La.; Sister Shirley A. Davis, of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Rutland; Bette Davis Parent of Spofford; and the late Kenneth, Robert and Erwin Davis, and Elsie Irene Davis. Born in Wardsboro, the son of the late Morton and Elsie (Reome) Davis, he was raised in Spofford and educated in Brattleboro, where he graduated from St. Michael's High School, Class of 1961. For 40 years, he and his wife owned and operated Mort's Grocery on Route 9 in Spofford. Previously, he worked at the former American Optical Co. in Brattleboro and Electro Sonics in Spofford prior to assuming ownership of the grocery store. Active in his community, he had been a member of the Spofford Volunteer Fire Department. He was a communicant of both St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, and St. Margaret Mary Parish in Keene. He enjoyed golfing and had been a member of the Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, playing poker, pinochle, and dominos, as well as time shared with his family. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 19 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial in Freidsam Cemetery will take place at a later date. Donations to the Justine Ernunski Scholarship Fund, in care of Keene High School, 43 Arch St., Keene, N.H. 03431-2298. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Laurel P. Fox, 70, of Wilmington. Died Jan. 18 at her home. Former wife of Robert Grinold of Wilmington. Mother of Adam Grinold, and his wife Karen, of Wilmington. Sister of Kathleen Fox of Arlington, Mass., and Mary Fox of East Hartford, Conn. She was born in New York City, the daughter of Roger P. and Josephine (Berio) Fox, she graduated from Greenwich High School, and from the University of Connecticut, (BFA, 1962). She had resided in Wilmington for several years prior to returning to college to earn a B.S. in Occupational Therapy at the State University of New York. She worked with patients at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City, North Adams (Mass.) Regional Hospital, and Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington. She was an artist, an avid reader, gardener, and a bird watcher. She had a great appreciation of the wonder of nature, and enjoyed teaching her grandchildren about these interests. Memorial information: Services were held Jan. 25 at Covey & Allen Funeral Home in Wilmington. Donations to the Children's Activities Fund of the Pettee Memorial Library, P.O. Box 896, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• The Rev. Gerald F. Grace, S.S.E, 90, of Englewood, Fla. Died Jan. 16. Born in Montreal, the son of the late James and Genevieve (Tallon) Grace, he was a professed member of the Society of Saint Edmund for 62 years and an Edmundite priest for over 56 years. He served in the Army during World War II, graduated from St. Michael's College in 1951 and was ordained in 1955. His final ministry was serving in the West River Missions as the pastor of St. John Berchman in West Dummerston, and Our Lady of the Valley in Townshend from 1987 until his retirement in 1995. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Englewood, Fla. on Jan. 20, with interment in Fairlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Selma, Ala. Donations to the Edmundite Southern Missions, 1428 Broad St., Selma, AL 36701.
• Kathleen “Eileen” O'Beirne, 86, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 17 at Brandywyne Reflections in Colts Neck, N.J. Wife of the late James P. O'Beirne. Mother of James Andrew O'Beirne of Jersey City, N.J., Noreen O'Beirne Stillman of Manasquan, N.J., Ellen O'Beirne and Thomas Lowell of Dummerston, Joan O'Beirne and Malcolm Moore of Marlboro, Mary Ann O'Beirne and Kenneth Eaton of Brattleboro, and the late Christopher O'Beirne. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of the late John and Jane (McAtee) Murphy, her family settled in Harrison, N.J., when she was 14. She graduated from nurse's training in 1945 at St. Barnabas Hospital in Newark, N.J., and went on to work as a registered nurse in the labor and delivery room at St. Barnabas. She eventually took a position as a school nurse at Maple Avenue School in Newark, where she worked until retiring in 1986. She earned a bachelor's in Health Education from Jersey City State College in 1966 and a master's in Counseling and Personnel Services from Trenton State College in 1979. Upon retirement, she slowed down only long enough to take a part-time position as an academic advisor and career counselor at Ocean County Community College. She enjoyed gardening and became accomplished at her hobby of pottery. She lived most of her life in New Jersey and, in retirement, she purchased a second home in Brattleboro, where she lived until Alzheimer's disease began taking a toll on her active life. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 21 at the O'Brien Funeral Home in Wall, N.J., with committal in the New Jersey Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, N.J. at the convenience of her family. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.
• Eric Pratt, 15, of Vernon. Died Jan. 15 after being struck by a train in Vernon. Son of Michael and Dawn Pratt. Brother of Bryan, Meagan, and Tyler Pratt. A homeschooled student, he was kind, considerate, and very passionate about his music. He took great pride in making other people laugh. He was very close with his family, and was a very gifted person who will be dearly missed. Memorial information: A funeral was held Jan. 21 at Vernon Elementary School. Donations to the Vernon Fire Association, or the music department at the Vernon Elementary School.
• Susan Rubinstein Press, 68, of Brattleboro. Died Jan 11 in the intensive care unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., from injuries suffered when she was hit by a car in Brattleboro on Nov. 30. Wife of Theodore “Ted” Press. Sister of Alice Gochman and her husband, Richard, of New York. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Morris and Lillian Rubinstein, she graduated from Brooklyn College and enjoyed a successful career as a buyer of women's clothing for department stores in New York City. She and her husband moved to Brattleboro in the 1970s. There, they opened the popular women's clothing store on Main Street, Lady Lynn, one of the first stores in the Brooks House Mall. After Ted died, she kept the store open as long as she could. Susan loved music, TV & movies, and the company of friends. She was a loving and generous person, always giving gifts and sharing what little she had. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Jan 15, at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community Cemetery, located off of South Main Street. Donations to be sent to the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, P.O. Box 2353, Brattleboro, VT 05303.
• Richard J. Rogenski Jr., 63, of Rockingham. Died Jan. 16 at Springfield Hospital. Husband of Carol Lyford for 37 years. Father of Alexis Rogenski of Rockingham. Brother of Albert Rogenski and his wife, Ginette, of Virginia, and Dennis Rogenski of Connecticut. Born in Winooski, Vt. the son of Alberta (King) and the late Richard Rogenski, he was a 1967 graduate of Bellows Falls High School and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He worked at several area machine shops as well as Green Mountain Railroad. He retired from Hicks Machine in November 2011. He had a wonderful zest for life and a contagious sense of humor. He loved his family, and would talk for hours about his granddaughters, or his thoughts on politics. He was an avid Boston sports fan and loved vacationing in Cape Cod. He enjoyed long walks on the beach, gathering shells with his family, and watching the sun set. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 21 at the Congregational Church in Charlestown, N.H. Donations to the Springfield Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2003, Springfield, VT 05156.
• James R. Saunders, 75, of Charlestown, N.H. Died Jan. 11 in Zephyrhills, Fla. Husband of Nancy Terry Saunders Belisle. Father of Ernie Saunders of Fairfax; Jim Saunders, David Saunders, and Jennifer Dyer, all of Saxtons River; and the late Robin Dustin. Brother of Marion Houde of Beverly Mass., Patricia Kenyon of Saxtons River, Allan Saunders of Rohnert Park, Calif., Shelia Theriault of Sturbridge, Mass., Brenda Pulliam of Chester, Va., and the late John, Jeff, and Carol Saunders. Born in Beverly, Mass., the son of the late Margery Thorton Saunders and John Saunders, he was sales route driver for Tip Top Bakery until they sold to J.J. Nissan, where he retired from the Teamsters Union. He was happy to spend his winters in Florida and summers in Charlestown. He enjoyed coaching Little League when his sons played. He was an avid hunter and loved to fish. He was a member of the American Legion, the Polish American Club, the Moose, and the Elks. He enjoyed all sports, and liked to play cards and cut a rug. He will be missed. Memorial information: The family will hold a celebration of his life in May in Bellows Falls. Time and place will be announced. Donations to Bellows Falls Junior League, in care of Kevin Vancor, 16 Pearce Circle, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Donald Alfred Stark, 85, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 17 at his home. Husband of Elizabeth Akley Stark for 55 years, Father of Randall Stark, Dawnette Stark Rogers, Christina Stark and Michael Howe, and James and Ann Frazier Stark. Son of the late James and Ruth (Worden) Stark, he served in the Army during World War II. He was a self-employed blacksmith and farrier for over 60 years. He was a member of Christian Family Circle Church in Westminster for almost 30 years. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held in the spring.
• Sandra J. Stratton, 69, of Bellows Falls. Died Jan. 13 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of Richard Stratton Sr. for 25 years. Mother of Jody Shattuck Sr. of Athens, Jamie Whidden of Bellows Falls, Jacob Stratton of Bellows Falls, Richard Stratton Jr. of Westminster, Amy Kingsbury of Bellows Falls, Nicole Taylor of Ticonderoga, N.Y., Rachel Stratton of Springfield, and Tonia White of Westminster. Sister of Gerald Matthews Jr. of Brattleboro, Joanne Matthews of Brattleboro, Nancy Lord of Vernon, and Juanita Sylvester of Charlestown, N.H. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Beatrice (Stocker) and the late Gerald Matthews, she attended school in North Walpole, N.H., and Bellows Falls High School. She worked at area health agencies, the former Rockingham Memorial Hospital, and provided day care in her home. She enjoyed traveling, yard sales, antiquing and was an avid collector of dolls. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was dedicated to helping people and animals, especially cats. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Jan. 19 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Westminster Cemetery.
• Andrea Elizabeth Walker, 44, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Jan. 15 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Former wife of Stephen Brown of Walpole, N.H. Sister of Kathleen Hanson, and her husband, Brian, of Little Canada, Minn. Born in Bridgton, Maine, the daughter of Richard and Susan Walker of Milan, N.H., she graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1986. She earned her B.A. at the University of New Hampshire in 1989, where she later earned her Master's in English. She devoted her career to teaching high school English in northern New England. She taught in Colebrook, N.H.; Sanford, Maine; Alton, N.H.; and spent the last nine years at Keene, N.H. She found happiness in her beloved pets, needlepoint, gardening, photography and her love of teaching and devotion to her students. She enjoyed reading and writing mysteries, and achieved her goal of authoring a mystery novel in 2010. Memorial information: Services were held Jan. 21 at Fletcher Funeral Home in Keene, N.H., with burial at the West Milan, N.H., Cemetery in the spring. Donations to the Benjamin Walker Hanson Neonatology Fund, 791 Carla Lane, Little Canada, MN 55109.
• Harold G. “Buster” Warner, Jr., 77, of Londonderry. Died Jan. 18 at the Gill Oddfellows Home in Ludlow. Husband of the late Barbara (Sanford) Warner. Former husband of Frances Lord-Hinson of North Carolina. Father of Malcolm Warner Sr. of Middletown Springs and Marguerite Warner of Weston. Stepfather of Sherry Watmough of Maine and Ricky Quimby of Springfield. Brother of Jacqueline Griswold of Andover. Born in Chester, the son of the late Harold G. and Margaret J. (Eddy) Warner, he was a graduate of Springfield High School. He owned and operated Harold “Buster” Warner Excavation for many years, retiring in 1999. He worked for the Bromley Ski Patrol and Londonderry Volunteer Fire Department for several years, and served as constable for Londonderry. He was a member and past president of the Wantastiquet Rotary Club, and a member of the Masons. An avid hunter and fisherman, he also loved camping. Memorial information: Services were held Jan. 22 at the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry. Burial will be in Simonsville Cemetery in the spring. Donations to the Simonsville Cemetery Maintenance Fund, 400 Hillcrest Drive, Andover, VT 05143.
• Eric Weindl, 71, of Newfane. Died Dec. 24. Husband of Schatz Gundi Clemenz for more than 43 years. Born in Langenhaslach, Bavaria-Germany, to the late Anton and Herta Weindl, he grew up and received his culinary training in Germany and Switzerland. After a three year apprenticeship, he traveled between Switzerland and England, and then on to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Florida. In the spring of 1965, Eric settled in Vermont and became the first chef to Mario Berry at the Toll Gate Lodge in Manchester. Later that year, he was the chef at Stratton Mountain Inn, where he met his wife. In the fall of 1968, the Wiendls had the food concession at the Avalanche Lodge in Manchester. In April 1970, the Weindls became proprietors of the Old Newfane Inn, and became the owners in 1978. In June 1987, the Old Newfane Inn celebrated its 200th Anniversary with the help of the purveyors and their employees, in conjunction with a benefit dinner for the Winot family. For the past 42 years, he enjoyed his culinary arts at the Old Newfane Inn, pleasing his patrons and countless celebrities and diplomats. Generations of families have made it a tradition to return time and time again to the Old Newfane Inn to savor his Christmas goose and red cabbage, spaetzel, house dressing, garlic soup and many other menu specialties. Eric had many hobbies. He enjoyed gardening, tennis, water sports, golf, skiing and traveling, He had a passion for antiques, and loved spending time with his friends and colleagues, and having challenging conversations with them about world news, politics, and sporting events. Memorial information: A memorial service is planned for a later date. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, Newbrook Fire and Rescue, and the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.
College news
• Rosa Palmeri of Putney, a theater major, was named to the Fall 2011 Dean's List at the University of Evansville.
• Rebeccah Bizon, a junior general studies major from Brookline, was named to the Fall 2011 Dean's List at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa.
• Kyra Pelz-Walsh of Dummerston and Natasha Marie Aekus of Whitingham were both named to the Fall 2011 Dean's List at the University of Connecticut.
• Jacquelyn Cawley, a sophomore Education & Human Development major from Brattleboro, was named to the University of Delaware's Dean's List for the Fall 2011 semester.
• Noah Tapper of Saxtons River, was named to the Fall 2011 Dean's List at the University of Massachusetts/Boston.