College news
• Anna Mary Gaskill of Brattleboro and Sarah Harlow of Putney were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2015 semester at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H.
• Rachel Greenberg of Saxtons River, James Moore of Saxtons River, and Sam Molner of Wilmington all were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2015 semester at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn.
• Brennen D. Zolnoski, a biomedical engineering major from Brattleboro, has been named to the President's List at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass., for the fall semester of 2015.
• Meghan Armstrong of Searsburg is among 56 students working toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree who have been named to the Dean's List at Western New England University for the fall semester of 2015.
Transitions
• Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, the former president of Marlboro College, was appointed Rock Point Legacy Minister by Bishop Thomas Ely of the Episcopal Church in Vermont. McCulloch-Lovell will design and implement the fundraising campaign to support the vision of Rock Point - a 130-acre church-owned property in Burlington, as an educational, recreational and spiritual resource for the Episcopal Church in Vermont and the broader community.
• Stevens & Associates, P.C., of Brattleboro welcomes Trista Kerber to their team as an Architectural Designer. Kerber has received her B.S. and Master of Architecture degrees from Norwich University, and is currently working toward her architectural license. She brings over a decade of work experience including several years of freelance work, drafting, and designing permit plans. Kerber has worked as a designer for several firms focusing on restaurants, timber frame, multi-family housing, mixed-use, and luxury home designs. Her interests include traditional architecture, renovations, interior design, and New Urbanism. In addition to her professional career, Kerber has served as a member on the Guilford Central School Board.
Awards
• Alfred Dunklee of Vernon recently won third place in the “A” non-irrigated division of the 2015 National Corn Growers Association's (NCGA) Corn Yield Contest in Vermont. Dunklee won with Pioneer brand hybrid P0993AM1, which yielded 218.1414 bushels per acre.
Obituaries
• Joan Elizabeth Anderson (Towle, Berry, Coons), 68, of Mesa, Ariz. Died Nov. 22, 2015 at Banner Hospital in Mesa, Ariz. Born in Brattleboro, the second daughter of Henry A. Anderson and Kathryn Fitzgerald Anderson (Gibson), she is predeceased by her parents and brother, Richard H. Anderson, and survived by sisters Barbara Jean and Carol Susan. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1965. She attended Keene School of Cosmetology from 1966-1967 and had several jobs in both Hinsdale, N.H., and Brattleboro before marrying Vern Towle and moving to Easthampton, Mass, where she raised two sons, Timothy Edward of Alabama and Robert Vern of Massachusetts. She later settled in New Hampshire, where she studied and became a nurse's assistant and worked for many years at local nursing homes including Eden Park and Vernon Green until she retired and moved to Arizona in 2007. She spent many years enjoying putting together puzzles, knitting and crafts. She enjoyed the company of her cousins and two sisters; Barbara of Prescott and Carol in Mesa, who are among the survivors along with her two sons, five grandchildren and a great-grandson. Memorial information: A funeral service will be held in the spring at Locust Ridge Cemetery at a date to be announced.
• Robert Bahr, 60, of Venice Fla. Died suddenly on Jan 19. He grew up on Spofford Lake in New Hampshire and was married to Janice (Gouger) Wellbrock for 24 years before the marriage ended in divorce. In addition to Ms. Wellbrock, he is survived by his mother, Peggy Bahr of Venice, Fla.; his son Justin Bahr and his wife, Jaclyn, of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; and his sister Shari Van Oene of Sarasota, Fla. Memorial information: None provided.
• James Barcomb, 48, of Jacksonville. Died Jan. 19 at home. Husband of Jane (Coleman) Barcomb for nearly 20 years. Father of Joey Barcomb of Halifax, Renee Tower and her husband, Jonathan, of Readsboro, and Kristy Dansereu and her husband, Jamie, of Bellows Falls. Brother of Allen Barcomb of Georgia, Jane Duffus of Florence, Mass., and Jennifer Barcomb of Williamsburg, Mass. Born in Northampton, Mass., the son of Allen and Jane Mannix , he attended local schools. He worked in food service as a sales representative for Schwan's, delivering food to grocery stores. He had a passion for fishing and was the first mate on the fishing vessel The Black Hawk in Niantic, Conn. He enjoyed sports and was an avid New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 22 at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington. Interment will be private. Donations to the Cancer Connection in Northampton, Mass., in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Sergeant First Class (Army, Ret.) Todd James Chapman, 54, of Fayetteville, N.C. Died Jan. 13 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Born in Townshend, Vt., he was preceded in death by his father, James Chapman. He is survived by his wife, Maureen Callahan Chapman; daughter Jennifer Chapman of Guilford; sons Adam Chapman of Fort Riley, Kans., and Michael Chapman of Hinsdale, N.H.; brothers Jon Chapman of Troy, N.Y., and Christopher Chapman of Brattleboro; mother, Meredith Chapman of Troy, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Jan. 17 at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home of Fayetteville. Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4200 Morganton Rd. #300 Fayetteville, N.C. 28314.
• Edna Dean, 92, of Newfane. Died Jan. 3. Born in Blandford, Mass., the daughter of Charles and Mabel (Candee) Whitney, she moved to Newfane as a child. She is survived by her children, Alan and Carolyn, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. She was predeceased by her husband, Calvin, and her daughter, Marilyn. Memorial information: Her final resting place will be at the Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend, beside her husband and daughter. She requested no services.
• Lyle Edward Deyo Sr., 30, of West Townshend. Died Jan. 18. Born in Greenfield, Mass., the son of Julie Mae and Kevin Michael Deyo, he arrived in the company of his older sister, Angela Louise (Petrie) Whalen, and was later joined by his younger brother, Matthew William Deyo. He grew up on a farm in West Brattleboro, and loved the farm dearly. He was already a skilled tractor driver at age 8. One of his proudest moments was saving his family from a fire that claimed the farm home. He attended Brattleboro Union High School, and was enrolled in Keene State College. He was employed by North Timberland Associates, a timber frame company in Wilmington. He married Amber Rene (Mazelli) Deyo in 2012. He was a devoted and loving family man, who cherished spending time with sons: Lyle Edward Deyo Jr, Lucas Alan Mazelli, and Brody James. He was very outgoing and would do anything to make someone happy. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and traveling the back roads. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of his life will be held at Brattleboro Eagles Club, 54 Chickering Dr., from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29. A fund has been set up to help the family through this difficult time. Donations may be made at www.gofundme.com/nek57vjh.
• Bruce Garland, 64, of Newfane. Died Dec. 23, 2015, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2014. He was born in Brattleboro, the son of Dexter and Sophie (Kerylow) Garland. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his sons, Benjamin and Bradford; his sisters, Valerie Rogers and Pamela Willette; and his brother, Stanley. He was predeceased by his parents, father-in-law, Calvin Dean and sister-in-law, Eleanor Garland. His mother-in-law, Edna Dean, died Jan. 3. Memorial information: He requested no services.
• Raymond W. Harris, 95, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died Jan. 20 at his home. A native of Williamsville, he was the son of Walter and Ada (Jones) Harris. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lena (Hagadorn) Harris; daughters, Donna and Sherry; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Randy. After graduating from Brattleboro High School in 1940, he enlisted in the Vermont National Guard's 172nd Regiment of the 43rd Infantry Division. During World War II, he spent nearly three years in the South Pacific Theatre, serving as a scout and reconnaissance platoon commander, taking part in the New Guinea, Northern Solomon Islands and Luzon (Philippines) campaigns. After the war, he worked for more than 35 years at American Optical in Brattleboro. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 86 in Chesterfield, where he served as Chaplain for many years. He was an accomplished woodsman, an avid hunter and fisherman, and a lifelong snowmobiling enthusiast. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: No service information provided.
• Thomas J. Hudon, 68, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 17 at his home. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Ernest (Pete) and Lillian Hudon, he attended area schools and graduated from BUHS in 1965. After graduation, he survived a severe motor vehicle accident. After he recovered, he worked as a cook at Marlboro College and the Stone Fence Inn. He then tried his hand at automotive repair and began working at Montgomery Ward. He liked it so much that he opened Sonny's Sunoco. He worked long hours to build his business and eventually he opened a second repair shop on Western Avenue. He added another by converting the “Getty” on Canal Street into a full-service gas station, convenience store, and deli which he named The Pit Stop. He traded in his mechanic's tools for a spatula and returned to his love of cooking as The Pit Stop's cook. He was predeceased by his brother, Daniel Hudon. He is survived by his loving wife Michele; his siblings, Jan Zalneraitis and her husband, Skip, of Brattleboro, Jill Hudon of Bennington, and Benjamin Hudon of Brattleboro; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 23 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Donations to The Gathering Place, 30 Terrace St., Brattleboro; or St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro. Arrangements were handled by Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Vieng Keopraseuth, 77, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 18 at her residence. She was born in Champasak, Laos and was the wife of the late Khampha Keopraseuth. Memorial information: A funeral service took place on Jan. 23 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Ian Bernard McGrath, 52, of Chester. Died Jan. 15 at his home. Boyfriend of Holly Clayton. Father of Caitlyn, Callum, Ewan, and Graeme McGrath, all of Chester. Brother of Barton McGrath of Saxtons River. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of Mary Donaldson and the late Bernard McGrath, he was a 1981 graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School and worked for the Vermont Country Store. He served for six years in the U.S. Marines during the Persian Gulf War. He was a member of the American Legion in Chester and the VFW in Chester. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
• William T. “Duke” Lahart Jr., 86, of Lenox, Mass. Died Jan. 15 at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of William T. Lahart Sr. and Mary Constance Peters, is greatest sense of pride came from being a lifelong resident of Lenox, a town he loved so much. He was beloved for his generous and fun-loving spirit. He was a 1948 graduate of Lenox High School, where he was a two-sport star. He played varsity baseball and basketball for six years at Lenox High. He was an All-Berkshire First Team basketball player, but baseball was his favorite sport. For four consecutive years, Duke was selected as a First Team member of the All-Berkshire and All-Western Massachusetts teams. He finished in the top three for batting average in the Berkshire County League four years in a row. His Lenox High baseball team won the South Berkshire Championship three times and was crowned Berkshire County Champions in 1947. In 1948 and 1949, his Brass Rail team won the Pittsfield Junior City League title and finished in the top five of the All-American Baseball National Tournament in Johnstown, Pa. On Sept. 1, 1950, Duke signed a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia A's and was assigned to the club's minor league team in Kewanee, Ill., before an injury ended his professional career. The Berkshire Eagle wrote about Duke at the time that he was “one of the greatest boys to ever come off the Lenox diamond.” In 2006, he was inducted into the UNICO Berkshire County Baseball Hall of Fame. He married Rosemary Monterosso on Sept. 4, 1954 at St. Ann's Church in Lenox, and they raised their seven children on Plunkett Street. He loved watching all of his children play sports, particularly basketball, at Lenox High School. He was a licensed electrician who began working for his father's electrical contracting business, William T. Lahart & Son, Inc., in 1948. He then owned the business himself until 1993. He was a “fixture” at Tanglewood, where he and his father did the electrical contracting work from the Festival's inception. His three sons also worked closely with him at Tanglewood until his retirement. He served on the Lenox Savings Bank Board of Directors and was a volunteer firefighter for the Lenox Fire Department. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Boston Celtics. Winter trips to Florida, particularly by train, made him so happy. He also truly enjoyed spending time with his 18 grandchildren who loved their “Pop” so much. A communicant of St. Ann's Church, he frequently volunteered his time to help the parish. He also was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife of 61 years and his children and their spouses: William E. and Judith Lahart of Franklin, Mass.; Robert T. and Tammy Lahart of Lenox; Nancy (Lahart) and Thomas Heydinger of Vernon; Sharon (Lahart)and William Popeo of Kennett Square, Pa.; Colleen (Lahart) and Rick Porth of West Hartford, Conn.; and Cathleen (Lahart) and Kevin Kinne of Great Barrington, Mass.; and his sister, Joan (Lahart) Mahoney of Lenox. He was predeceased by his son, Don Peters Lahart, and his sisters, Peggy (Lahart) Casey and Connie (Lahart) Clifford. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 20 at St. Ann's Church in Lenox. Burial will follow in St. Ann's cemetery. Donations to Lenox Volunteer Fire Department, in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. The family invites friends to share their memories of “Duke” at rochefuneralhome.com.
• Mary M. Smith, 82, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 14 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Wife of the late Edward O. Smith for 52 years. Mother of Hal Smith and his wife, Cindy, of Atlanta, Ga., Nick Smith and wife, Carol, of Swanzey, N.H.; Ed Smith and wife, Kathy of Hinsdale, N.H.; and the late Steven Smith, who died in infancy. Sister of the late Florence Derosia. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Dominic and Rose (Madia) Mannarino, she was raised and educated in Hinsdale, N.H., where she attended Hinsdale High School. With her husband, she owned and operated the former Ed's Market & Deli located on lower South Main Street. She also had worked at AMP Keyboards, The Book Press, Holstein-Friesian Association of America, and R.S. Roberts, all of Brattleboro. She was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She was known for her spirit of friendship and generosity. She enjoyed knitting, gardening, and time shared with her family, especially her seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was also an avid reader. For many years she practiced Reiki and was a certified master in the art. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Jan. 20 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial will take place in the springtime. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05203, or to Brattleboro Fire Department, 103 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Chief Michael Bucossi. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.