Births
• In Lebanon, N.H., (Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center), June 16, 2014, identical twin sons, Caleb Robert Gaines and Collin John Gaines, to Sarah Emmons and Brad Gaines of Guilford; grandsons to Bob and Jackie Gaines of Guilford, and Laurie Bayer of Putney and the late John Emmons of Langdon, N.H.
College news
• Zachary Wilkins was recently awarded a $250 scholarship by the Townshend Business Association. This was the second time Wilkins received this scholarship, presented to a Leland & Gray senior or graduate who intends to return to the area and become part of the business community. Wilkins completed his first year at Keene State College and has chosen to pursue a degree in occupational safety and health applied science. He may also pursue minors either in environmental science or business.
• Kori Huffman, a sport and recreation management major from Brattleboro, was named to the spring 2014 Dean's List at American International College in Springfield, Mass.
Transitions
• At its July 1 breakfast meeting, the Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club officially welcomed incoming club president Todd Murchison. Murchison becomes the 19th president to preside over the club since it was chartered in 1995. He will serve as the club's president through next June.
• After four years at the helm of the Windham Child Care Association, executive director Elizabeth Raposa is moving on in search for a new professional opportunity. During her tenure, the organization developed their Sprouts Early Learning Cooperative child care program into a recently designated 5-STAR operation, established a vibrant Early Learning Express program (formerly the Bookmobile) and the first ever Farm to Preschool program, and greatly expanded their Professional Development and Early Educator Mentor Programs. Additionally, Raposa directed a comprehensive community-wide assessment regarding child care and was instrumental in WCCA's selection as a “vital project” in this region's economic development plan.
Obituaries
• Edith “Lorraine” D. Baldwin, 77, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Aug. 5 at home following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Wife of Joseph W. Baldwin for 53 years. Mother of Elaine H. Levlocke and her husband, Thomas, of West Chesterfield; Kenneth W. Baldwin and his wife, Cindy, of Marlborough, N.H.; and the late Steven J. Baldwin. Born in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Fred O. and Edith L. (Meacham) Dillback, she attended Brattleboro schools and was a 1955 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. During her senior year, she began what would turn into a nine-year position at the Holstein Association, where she enjoyed filing and working with people. It was during this time, that she met her future husband on a blind date at King's Bowling Alley in Brattleboro. Following a two-year courtship, they were married in 1961. She resided in West Chesterfield for more than 53 years. Following her work with the Holstein Association, she worked for the town of Brattleboro at the Brooks Memorial Library and at the Town Clerk's office. Later, she worked at the Thompson School for Practical Nursing. She loved the positions she held; however, her biggest accomplishment in life was her family. She had a simple outlook on life, always saw the best in everyone, and greeted everyone with her heartwarming smile. Her hobbies included traveling, knitting, reading; playing cards, playing the accordion, and watching game shows and soap operas. She also was an active volunteer at the Chesterfield Public Library for several years. She was a loving wife, mom, grandma, “gigi,” sister, cousin, aunt, and friend. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was held Aug. 9 at Cemetery West in West Chesterfield. Donations to the Chesterfield Library, 524 Route 63, Chesterfield, N.H. 03443.
• Emil F. Begiebing Jr., 78, of Jacksonville, formerly of Clarksburg, Mass. Died Aug. 3 at Williamstown Commons. Husband of Barbara (Scott) Begiebing for nearly 58 years. Father of Daniel Begiebing and his wife, Kimberly, of Berkshire; Frederick Begiebing and his wife, Debbie, of North Pownal; Edward Begiebing of Hooksett, N.H.; and David Begiebing and his wife, Lori, of Henderson, Nev. Brother of Jane Robare and her husband, Carl, of Stamford, and the late Doris Baird. Born in North Adams, Mass., son of the late Emil F. and Eola (Collins) Begiebing, he attended schools in North Adams and graduated from Drury High School. He served in the Coast Guard from 1958 to 1962 and later was a member of the Massachusetts National Guard. In his earlier days, he worked at Montagna Motors and Strong & Hewitt Co. in Clarksburg. He then was employed at the New England Power Co. and was last employed at the Yankee Atomic Power Plant, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Clarksburg School Committee and a wire inspector for the towns of Clarksburg and Rowe. He was a longtime member of the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Co. and a member of the Readsboro American Legion. While in Jacksonville, he served on the Laurel Lake Association. He enjoyed golfing and riding his motorcycle. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Aug. 7 at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals-West Chapel in North Adams, followed by burial with military honors in Southview Cemetery. Donations to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in care of the funeral home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.
• Beverly Marie Lehane, 87, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Aug. 3 at Applewood Nursing Home in Winchester, N.H., following a period of declining health. Wife of Eugene F. Lehane and the late Elmer Wilkins Jr. Mother of Elmer Paul Wilkins III and his wife, Cindy, of Cedarville, Ohio; William Wilkins and his wife, Margo, of Hinsdale; Carl Wilkins and his wife, Lori, of Dresden, Maine; Kathleen Wilkins Katula and her husband, Joseph, of Lisbon Falls, Maine. Stepmother of Robin Lehane and his wife, Nancy, of Winchester, N.H.; Mark Lehane and his wife, Sandra, of Tucson, Ariz.; Larry Lehane and his wife, Irene, of Tucson, Ariz.; and Michael Lehane and his wife, Laura, of Sinking Spring, Pa. Sister of the late Luna Wilkins, Martha Benjamin, Audrey Moore, Ina Gilson, William Young, Ronald Young, and Benjamin Young. Born in Waterbury, the daughter of the late William and Clyda (Austin) Young, she attended schools in Cambridge, Jefferson, and South Burlington. Most of her adult life was spent in Brattleboro and Hinsdale. For 19 years she worked in the Hinsdale school system in the lunch program. Previously, she worked for Gratton and Weeks Paper Company in Hinsdale. She enjoyed camping and time shared with her children and grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was held Aug. 7 in the Lehane family lot in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Frederick Joseph Robling Jr., 85, of Westminster. Died July 18 in his home. Husband of Mary P. (Fiorillo) Robling for 63 years. Father of Richard Robling of Raleigh, N.C., Frederick Robling III of Westminster, Marc Robling of Southington, Conn., Jo-Ann Robling of Sandy Hook, Conn., and Mary Alice Robling of Milford, Conn. Brother of Alice Robling and Mary Ann Carroll. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., the only son of the late Glady (Ward) Frederick Robling Sr., he was raised in Fairfield, Conn. He volunteered for the Town Guard during World War II. At 17, he tried to enlist in the Army, Navy, and Merchant Marine, but his mother wouldn't sign because his father (Navy) and uncle had been torpedoed (they survived) in the North Atlantic during World War I. He happily enlisted in the Army on his 18th birthday. After receiving basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., he was assigned to Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, to serve with the 537th Engineer Battalion. He learned to operate heavy construction and bridge building equipment. During his spare time, he studied photography and was reassigned to the Ground Safety Office. His duties were to photograph post hazards, including hundreds of winter truck accidents. He liked his job greatly, and received a promotion to corporal. He extended his enlistment to attend Signal Corps school in Fort Monmouth, N.J., for advanced training as a photo lab technician. He studied all phases of photography, including stills, motion pictures and aerials. During this period, he got married and, after a short Quebec honeymoon, he traveled to Sasebo, Japan, where he proudly accepted a photographer role with the famous 1st Calvary Division, 13th Signal Company just before the Korean War begun. In Korea, he took many photos and motion pictures, but mostly took intelligence gathering aerials. After being promoted to sergeant first class, he traveled to Camp Crawford in Hokkaido, Japan, where he received the Air Medal and Korean service medals with three stars, as well as the United Nations, Good Conduct and National Defense medals. After his 1952 discharge, he resided in Westport, Conn. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 32 years. He retired in 1985 and then settled in Westminster. He was a life member of the VFW, Korean War Veterans Association, 1st Calvary Division Association, Alfred E. Smith Post Catholic War Veterans, and Council 755 Knights of Columbus. He was a member of American Legion Post 37. He was also an honorary life member of the Westport Volunteer Fire Department and a Westminster Cares longtime board member. He enjoyed photography, woodworking, walks with his golden retriever, Trapper, and spending time with his visiting grandchildren. Memorial information: Donations in his memory may be made to Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, Westminster, VT 05158.
• Frederick Ware “Fred” Tyler, 88, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 4 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Husband of the late Anna Catherine “Shirley” Hubner for 67 years. Father of Kate Tyler of Westminster; Deborah Tyler of Brattleboro; Martha Tyler Gouger and her husband, Jeffrey Gouger, of Brattleboro; Brian Tyler and his wife, Jill Stahl Tyler, of Brattleboro; and the late Kevin Tyler. Brother of Donald Tyler and his wife, Virginia, and Eleanor Petersen and her husband, Stuart, all of Brattleboro. Born in Greenfield, Mass., the son of the late A. Lawrence and Doris (Ware) Tyler, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1943. He served in the Navy during World War II from 1943 until his honorable discharge from active service in 1946. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater as a radioman on board the light cruiser USS Astoria. His ship earned five battle stars and survived the infamous “Halsey's Typhoon” that struck in the Philippine Sea in December 1944. He was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrender ceremony was held on Sept. 2, 1945. He continued his service in the Naval Ready Reserve, and was called back to active duty during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1952. He was eventually honorably discharged at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He returned to Brattleboro following his military service and apprenticed under his father, an electrical engineer. He started working in the family's electrical contracting business, A.L. Tyler and Sons, Inc., in 1946, and earned his master electrician's license. He eventually became the co-owner and president of the company until his retirement in 1992. At that time, his son and nephews purchased the business to become the third generation servicing southern Vermont and New Hampshire. For many years, he was a member of the Vermont Electrical Contractors Association (VECA) and he served two terms as its president. He was instrumental in working with the state of Vermont to help develop an inspections division that would eventually become the Department of Labor and Industry. He was a 54-year member of B.P.O.E. #1499, Brattleboro Lodge, was a 32nd degree Mason in Brattleboro Lodge #102 F&AM, a member of the Shriners Snowmobile Parade Unit, and belonged to American Legion Post 5, and the VFW in Brattleboro. An avid golfer for many years, he was also a longtime member of the Brattleboro Country Club. He loved his community and was active for many years with the Harris Hill Ski Jump, including serving as a volunteer marker on the hill. He held the honor and position of “Chief of the Hill” for two terms. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, wood carving and crossword puzzles. He was a faithful and devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Memorial information: After private graveside services at West Chesterfield Cemetery with full military honors, a celebration of life for both Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, who died on July 18, will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Elks Home on Putney Road in Brattleboro, from 1 to 4 p.m. Donations to the Thompson House Nursing Home Activities Fund, 80 Maple St. in Brattleboro, 05302; the Brattleboro School Endowment, P.O. Box 2534, Brattleboro, VT 05302; Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or Brattleboro Fire Dept., 103 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• A memorial service for James Michael Lannon, 60, of West Halifax, will be held on Friday, Aug 15, at 11 a.m., at the upper level of Pleasant View Cemetery in Ludlow, followed by a gathering at his family home at 31 High Street in Ludlow. Lannon died Nov. 22, 2013 from injuries sustained after he was thrown from his pickup truck in a single-vehicle crash in Brattleboro four days earlier.