College news
• Amy Blazej of Windham, a member of the Colby-Sawyer College class of 2016 majoring in creative writing, is at Marlboro College as part of the Colby-Sawyer Study Away program, which “provides students the opportunity to acquire broad cultural knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to participate fully in a global society and to contribute to the internationalization of the Colby-Sawyer campus through academically demanding domestic programs,” according to the school.
• Zebulon Shippee of West Dover, a member of the class of 2018 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute majoring in mechanical engineering, was named to the university's Dean's List for academic excellence for the fall 2015 semester.
• Castleton University student Meghan Powell of Vernon was recently awarded an Academic Recognition Scholarship. These awards are given to first-year students who have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and are nominated by their First Year Seminar professor. These students will receive an annual scholarship, enrollment in Honors courses during the sophomore year, the option to live in Honors housing, and eligibility to serve on the Honors Council.
• Elias Park of Wilmington, a business major at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, earned Dean's List honors for the fall 2015 semester.
• Soren Pelz-Walsh of Brattleboro, was one of the 12 Castleton University football players to be named to the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference All-Academic Team for his performance in the classroom.
• Alexandria Reinertson of Whitingham was named to the fall 2015 Dean's List at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
• Castleton University student Matthieu Fortier of South Londonderry was recently awarded an institutional research grant for the 2015-2016 academic year. Twelve faculty-student groups earned grants, which range from $500 to $2,000. In addition to presenting their work at the Castleton Scholarship Celebration in May, many groups will present their work at national conferences this spring and summer.
• Marcos Gallegos of Saxtons River, McKenzie Bover of Brattleboro and Kayla Wood of East Dummerston all recently gave presentations as part of the annual Castleton University event Castleton Engaged!, a celebration of the many ways Castleton students engaged with their communities through coursework, athletics, student activities, and more.
• Saleh Rashed and Matthew Schultz, both of Brattleboro, were named to the Dean's List at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., for the fall 2015 semester.
• The following local Community College of Vermont students received academic honors for the fall 2015 semester: Kyle O'Rourke of Bellows Falls, Lisa Fricke and Sage Kampitsis of Brattleboro, Paige Gargett of Jamaica, Trinna Larsen of Putney, and Hannah Crocker of Saxtons River were all named to the President's List. Levi Simpson and John Wright of Brattleboro, Yuri Harris of Guilford, Daniel Tharp of Putney, Abigail Miller of Vernon, Lainee Hubeny of West Wardsboro, and Mandolin Lucier of Whitingham were all named to the Dean's List.
Obituaries
• Gordon Clarence Adams, 85, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 12 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of the late Barbara (Willis) Adams for 52 years. Father of Dawn Robinson of Brattleboro and the late Brenda Powell. Brother of the late Mabel Rayner, Lottie Woodard, Blanche LaPine, Louise Reynolds, Ethel Brown, Harry Adams, Charles Adams, Raymond Adams, and William Adams. Also survived by four grandsons, several great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Born on the family farm in Marlboro, the son of the late William and Ella (Baxter) Adams, he was raised and educated in Marlboro and attended Marlboro School. With his wife, he owned and operated Lawton Cleaners on Elliot Street, initially starting work at Lawton's in 1955 and later purchasing the business in 1978. He retired in June 2011. Previously, heworked for the former Shaw Dairy in Brattleboro and in his earlier years had been employed at the former New England Box Company in Wilmington. He was well known for his steadfast work ethic and spirit of generosity. Through his business, he supported many local nonprofit organizations annually and gave discounts to area law enforcement and fire personnel, among others, when servicing their dry cleaning needs. For all veteran's funerals, he graciously pressed American flags at no charge to area funeral homes. He will be remembered for his friendly, easy going personality and sense of humor. A devoted family man, he cherished time spent with his family and working in the woods with Mark and friends. He and his wife had a love for children and always had an open door to those in need. He loved to travel with his daughter, Dawn, and her fiancé, Mark. A man of faith, in more recent years he attended West Brattleboro Baptist Church. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service at West Brattleboro Baptist Church will take place at a later date in the springtime to be announced by the funeral home. Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery. Donations to West Brattleboro Baptist Church, Western Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Janice Rogers Adams, 79, of Salisbury, Md. Died Jan. 29, after a short illness. Wife of Howard Adams Jr. for 59 years. Mother of Cynthia Adams McGrath and her husband, Kenneth, of Cambridge, Md., and Howard Adams and Tracy Adams, both of Salisbury. Sister of Carlene Kelly, Linda Bedard, John Rogers , and the late Lois Cooley. Also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The daughter of the late Carleton Degree Rogers and Gladys Porter (Betty) Rogers, she grew up in Randolph, where she graduated high school in 1954 and received the Lucille Grant Award for Music. She then attended junior college before moving to Salisbury, where she married and started her family. In 1968, she began working at WBOC as a receptionist and continued there for 18 years. In 1991 she became a Master Gardner and began writing gardening columns for the Maryland Gardner, Salisbury Advertiser and The Daily Times. Her wonderful personality then landed her as a host for WBOC/WLVW's radio garden program. “Planting for Pleasure with Jan.” She was a very active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church as a lector, choir member as well as maintaining the gardens. She was a member of the Four Seasons Federated Gardener Club and the Maryland Master Gardener, entering many flower shows where her zeal won her several Blue Ribbons. She was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 194 Auxiliary. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held Feb. 11 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, with interment at Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury.
• Solana “Sunny” Elese Aguilar, 15, of Bellows Falls. Died Feb. 16. Born in Cheyenne, Wyo., the daughter of Gabriel and Amanda (Nebelski) Aguilar, she was known locally by many at the Kingdom Halls in Brattleboro and Bellows Falls as well as her schoolmates in Saxtons River and Springfield. To her father, she was his “Renaissance Baby.” She was well-rounded having many interests: from crafts, teaching herself music, and her awesome skill at photography to her successfully pursuing academics and knowledge. She loved crocheting for others, singing, playing her guitar “Maddie,” drawing, baking with her Papa and being with her family. She also volunteered at Echo Farm-working with her best friend, Elyse. There, Solana developed great knowledge of and a love for cows. Participating in various fairs and showings, she earned several ribbons and awards. In addition to her parents, she is also survived by siblings Braden Gassett and his wife, Brianna, of Bellows Falls; Jonathan Gassett of Bellows Falls; Karyn Hatch and her husband, Joshua, of Rutland; Hannah Gassett and her husband, Kevin Waters, of Bellows Falls. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: No service information provided. Fenton and Hennessy Funeral Home of Bellows Falls is in charge of arrangements.
• Henry H. Belisle, 72, a longtime resident of Bellows Falls. Died Feb 17 at home due to health complications. Husband of Rita Belisle for 40 years. Father of George, John and Mark Belisle. Stepfather of Rick Rayner of Westminster, and Marlene Curtis and Diane Bartlett of Bellows Falls. Brother of Therese Fullerton of South Woodstock, Yvonne Rogers of Bridgewater, and the late Armand Belisle. Born in Springfield, Vt., he grew up in Bridgewater and went to school at Woodstock Union High until the 10th grade. He graduated with his high school diploma from Bellows Falls Union High School on June 15, 2006. He worked most of his life as a truck driver. He drove for Carris Reels, CPM, BDR, St. Johnsbury Trucking, and Walmart. He was a very active member of the Cairo Shrine of Rutland as a clown. He loved people and his friends and family were very important to him. He was known to many of his friends and co-workers as Hank or Spikehorn. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls on Feb. 23. Donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Development Unit, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. Fenton and Hennessy Funeral Home of Bellows Falls was in charge of arrangements.
• Graham Gill, 62, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 15, due to complications from pneumonia related to a long-term battle with thyroid cancer. Husband of the late Jeanne A. Gill for 29 years. Father of Devon Gill and wife, Allison, of Foxboro, Mass., and his daughter Britainy Gill and fiancé, Joshua Harpst, of North Reading, Mass. Brother of Malcolm Gill and wife, Yolanda, of Bromley, England. Brother-in-law of Joanne Laflam, and sister-in-law Jaqui Trombley and husband, Mike, of Brattleboro. Born in Bromley, England, he was a long-time resident of Brattleboro. Previously, he worked as a chef at the Red Shutter Inn, the Windham Hill Inn, and, most recently, the Brattleboro Country Club. He enjoyed fishing, boating, dining out at new places, and providing his chef's opinion of the food. He loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed in the lives of his children. meMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of his life was held Feb. 20 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Graham's honor, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Timothy R. Lawrence, 59, of Grafton. Died Feb. 18. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of E. Donald and Sarah (Polhemus) Lawrence, he graduated from the eighth grade in the Grafton School, graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School in 1973, and attended Castleton State College. As a young person, he participated in sports activities, starting with Little League baseball. He learned to ski and play tennis, both of which he continued into his adult life. He became ill in his early adulthood. This illness reduced his mental and physical activities for the remainder of his life. He is survived by his parents of Grafton; his brother, Scott Lawrence of Grafton; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. mEMORIAL INFORMATION: Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
• Esther Amy Robinson, 100, of Newfane. Died Feb. 16 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of the late Paul E. Robinson for 50 years. Mother of Susan Record of Rocky Hill, Conn., Nancy Brooks of Newfane and the late Scott Robinson and Jane Worden. Mother-in-law of Curley Worden of Brattleboro. Also survived by 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Born in Townshend, the daughter of the late Joseph C. and Elizabeth (Eno) Daigneault, she was a lifelong resident of the West River Valley. She attended Townshend Elementary School and was a graduate of Leland & Gray Seminary, Class of 1933. She went on to attend University of Vermont, taking classes in education. An accomplished baker, she baked holiday pies for Marie's Dinette in Newfane and other area restaurants and diners. She was also a professional seamstress who made custom clothing, wedding gowns, slip covers, and drapes. For several years, she held membership in the NewBrook Fire & Rescue Auxiliary. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother who enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, Bingo, and spending time with her family. She loved to dance, which was how she met the love of her life. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held Feb. 23 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Burial in the family lot in Woodlawn Cemetery will be in the springtime. Donations to Newbrook Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 77, Newfane, VT 05345, or to Grace Cottage Hospital, c/o Dr. Robert Backus, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Robert Richard “Bob” Salvarani, 81, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 16 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a period of declining health. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of the late Guido and Eva (Shumway) Salvarani, he was raised and educated in Pittsfield, where he attended public school. A resident of Brattleboro for over 40 years, he had been employed at the former Via Condotti Restaurant on Elliot Street for 30 years and had also worked at the former Night Owl Restaurant, Spring Tree Restaurant and the Book Press, all of Brattleboro. He loved to follow sports and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. A man of faith, he was a member of Agape Christian Fellowship and was proud to be baptized into the church by Pastor Michael Gantt. He was known for his spirit of friendship, always having a smile on his face. In the late 1970s, he was married to Beverly (Ryder) Merithew and, later, was married to Mary Ann Hayes. Survivors include a stepson, James Merithew and his wife, Laura, of Brattleboro; a stepdaughter, Linda Prentice and her husband, Paul, of Concord, N.H., several step-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members in the Pittsfield area. He was predeceased by a brother, Louis Salvarani. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service will be held at Agape Christian Fellowship on Saturday, March 5, at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Salvarani family lot in Pittsfield Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Bob's name may be made to Agape Christion Fellowship, 30 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.