College news
• The following local students were named to the Castleton University President's List for the spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year: McKenzie Bover of Brattleboro, Kamelia Crawford of Saxtons River, Alex Derosia of Brattleboro, Callie Ginter of Townshend, Casey Gould of Brattleboro, Ryan Haselton of South Londonderry, Colby Hescock of Brattleboro, Soren Pelz-Walsh of Brattleboro, Meghan Powell of Vernon, and Nicole Wershoven of Whitingham.
• The following local students were named to the Castleton University Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year: Zachary Brooks of Newfane, Matthieu Fortier of South Londonderry, Eric Ginter of Townshend, Abigail Lesure of Vernon, Molly O'Callaghan of Brookline, Alyssa Palumbo of Whitingham, Brian Schilling of Saxtons River, and Grandon Smith of Londonderry.
• Samuel O'Brien of Brattleboro and Zachary Howe of Westminster, both nursing students at Castleton University, were recently recognized at the annual Castleton Nursing Pinning Ceremony.
• Cleo Rohn of Brattleboro received her B.A. in English, cum laude, from the University of Vermont on May 22.
• Connor Tripp of Vernon, a graphic design major at Northeastern University in Boston, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2015 and spring 2016 terms.
• Gray Miles of Guilford graduated from Tulane University's School of Liberal Arts with a Doctor of Philosophy degree during the school's May 14 commencement in New Orleans, La.
• Genevieve M. Darling, a junior psychology major from South Newfane, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2016 semester at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.
• Alexa A. Litchfield of Jamaica, a communications major and member of the Class of 2019, has been named to the spring 2016 Dean's List at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.
• Jacob Ellis of Brattleboro received his B.A. from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, on May 28. Ellis majored in mathematics, with a minor in economics.
• Wynona Meyer of Guilford was named to the spring 2016 Dean's List at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Mass.
• Madison Derosia and Megan Walker, both of Brattleboro, were named to the spring 2016 Dean's List at the University of New Haven.
School news
• The following local residents were among the 200 students who graduated May 22 from Northfield Mount Hermon School: Calvin Gooley of Brattleboro, Claire Kendrick of Brattleboro, Michaela Malin of Brattleboro, Leah Silver of Brattleboro, Allison Stamler of Brattleboro, Claire Mitike Lyons of Dummerston, Caleb Paasche of Guilford, Connor Little of Guilford, Isobel Rountree of Marlboro, Christopher Lasch of South Newfane, and Lauren Sumner of West Halifax.
Transitions
• Tim W. Hoskins has been hired by Brattleboro Memorial Hospital as the new Director of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He received his B.A. in Athletic Training from Union College in Barbourville, Ky., and has an M.B.A. with a specialization in health care management from King University in Franklin, Tenn. Most recently, he has served as Manager of Sports Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Bone and Joint Program, where he helped develop an after-hours clinic and managed the busiest orthopaedic practice within the Vanderbilt system. Prior to his tenure at Vanderbilt, he managed sports medicine and physical therapy programs in Tennessee and North Carolina.
• The membership of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) elected five individuals to the museum's Board of Trustees at the annual meeting of the museum's members on May 17. They are Christie Herbert of Dummerston, an associate professor of art at Landmark College; Laura Howat who divided her time between New York City and Brattleboro, and served as a trustee of BMAC from 2009 to 2015; Stephen Lloyd of West Brattleboro, a retired architect; Susan McMahon of Putney, the associate director of the Windham Regional Commission; and Fred Moriarty of Hinsdale, N.H., an accountant and auditor for numerous organizations. After a brief meeting, the museum's newly constituted Board of Trustees elected four officers to one-year terms. Christopher Chapman of Brattleboro was re-elected to a second term as president. James Meltzer of Hancock, N.H., was elected vice president, David Walter of Westminster was elected secretary, and Fred Moriarty was elected treasurer, a position he held at BMAC from 1990 to 1994.
Obituaries
• Ralph E. Aiken Sr., 96, of Springfield, Vt. Died June 5, after a brief illness. Born in Westminster on Aug. 12, 1919, he was a longtime resident of Bellows Falls and Springfield. He served in the Army during World War II as a military police officer. He is survived by his four children and seven grandchildren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Services will be private, at the convenience of the family.
• Beverly J. Bickford, 61, of Springfield. Died June 7 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a long illness. The daughter of Roger and Barbara (Rafuse) Maynard, she was born Jan. 26, 1955, in Bennington. She grew up in Wilmington, where she graduated from Wilmington High School in 1972. For many years, she owned an accounting firm in Springfield known as Bickford Business Services. She enjoyed playing Bingo, going camping with family, visiting the ocean, listening to country music and attending concerts. She will be remembered as being very family-oriented. She is survived by her parents, of Wilmington; children Michael Bickford and Roland Bigelow, both of Springfield, Roger Bickford of Keene, N.H., and Mariah Dubanevich of Springfield; brothers Steven Maynard of Wilmington and David Maynard of Milo, Maine; sisters Linda Maynard of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Jackie Maynard of Georgia; eight grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held June 14 at Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington. Burial will follow in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to Roland Bigelow, P.O. Box 382, Springfield, VT 05156.
• George C. Class Jr., 81, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died June 5 at home. Born in Brattleboro on Sept. 8, 1934, the son of the late George C. Class Sr. and Josephine Jessie (Lee) Class, he was a graduate of Brattleboro High School in 1953. After graduation, he joined the Navy and was assigned to the destroyer USS McGowen as a radioman. He traveled extensively in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, and the Red Sea. He was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked for Western Union, Case Brothers Company, and the Brattleboro Reformer. He retired from the Reformer in 1997 after 33 years of employment. He was a member of the American Legion Post 5 of Brattleboro and took great pride in being a charitable supporter of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, and the American Motorcycle Association Hall Of Fame. He took great joy in stamp collecting from the age of 11. He also was an avid motorcycle rider, traveling around the country on his Moto Guzzi. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Frank and his fiancé, Patricia Eakins. Survivors include his sons, Colten and wife Nancy of Castleton, N.Y., Frederick and wife Teresa (who was George's care-giver for the past six months) of West Chesterfield, N.H., and Thomas of Hinsdale, N.H.; his daughter, Candace of Chicopee, Mass.; his brothers, Robert of Sewell, N.J., Edward of Vernon, Richard of Mechanicsville, Va.; his sisters, Laurelle Ferjak of Anniston, Ala., and Christine Howe of Vernon; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of his life will be held on July 16 at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street in Brattleboro, with burial to follow in North Cemetery in Vernon. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Francis Olie Cole, 86, of Derby, formerly of Brookline. Husband of Elaine Cole for nearly 55 years. Father of Christine of Derby, Kevin Cole and his wife, Debbie, of South Londonderry, Jennifer Cole of Vernon, and the late Matthew F. and Timothy W. Cole. Brother of Alice Clogston of Swanzy, N.H., Shelbajean Hescock of South Newfane, Arnold Cole of Chester, Carlos Cole of South Oseltic, N.Y., and the late Eleanore Bennett and Ernest Cole. Died May 31 at North Country Hospital in Newport. Born in Townshend on April 14, 1930, he was the oldest of seven children of the late Olie F. and Margaret B. Cole. As a teenager, he worked and lived at West River Camp as a stable hand. He later attended the Vermont School of Agriculture in Randolph, and graduated in 1948. In 1951 he joined the Marine Corps and served during the Korean War, spending 18 months overseas. Following his service in the military, he returned to Brookline, where he made his home. He worked for Kenolie Farms, delivering milk around the upper West River Valley and always enjoying meeting new people. In 1958, he started working for Kearley Fuel Co. and stayed for 38 years, retiring in 1996. He was active as a Boy Scout leader for eight years in the mid 1950s and helped four young men become Eagle Scouts in the same year. He loved bowling, played baseball in the West River League, and enjoyed fishing, especially fly fishing. He also enjoyed gardening and hunting He went on many hunting trips to Maine and was proud to spend time with his two sons to teach them the basics. In 2000, the Coles retired and moved to Derby, where he and his wife spent many happy years together at their home near Lake Salem. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of his life at the Derby Community Church, at a date and time to be announced. A graveside service at the Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend will be held at a later date. Donations to Boy Scout Troop 880 in Derby, or the Frontier Animal Shelter in Orleans.
• Donald Joseph “Don” Gero, 80, of Wilmington. Died June 2 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington following a period of declining health. Brother of Mildred Momaney, Lily Record, and Doris Gero, all of Brattleboro, Margaret Leclair of Thorndike, Mass., Cora Odenphael of Morehead City, N.C., Mary Oates of Turners Falls, Mass., and the late Alfred, Victor and Earl Gero. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Born in Mooers Forks, N.Y., on Dec. 13, 1935, the son of Henry and Emma (Lavalley) Gero, he was raised in Brattleboro where he attended Brattleboro public schools. He was a machine mechanic at Putney Paper Mill, where he retired following many years of faithful service with the company. Previously, he had worked at the former Concel Paper Company and Albany Paper Works (APW) in Brattleboro. A longtime resident of Brattleboro, he moved to Wilmington in 1980. An ardent outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and spending time with his family and close friends. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and, while a resident in Wilmington, attended Our Lady of Fatima Parish. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral Mass was held June 9 at Saint Michael's Catholic Church, with burial in the Gero family lot in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, principal. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Nancy Kollock Strayer Groff, 74, of Putney. Died May 30 at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, after a lengthy battle with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML). Born Nov. 22, 1941 to Sarah Irvin Kollock and Paul Johnston Strayer, she grew up in Princeton, N.J. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1959, and attended Mount Holyoke College. In 1962. she married Edmund Royce Groff, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and had four children together before moving to Warren, Vt., in 1969. They divorced in 1972, but remained in Warren raising their four children. She worked a variety of jobs in Warren and Waitsfield and was an active member of the Valley Players Theater Group. In 1983, she decided to pursue her dream of an acting career, and moved to New York City. She appeared in several off-Broadway plays and did voice-over work. She later moved to Oregon to study American Sign Language at Western Oregon University, and earned her B.A. degree in 1999 at age 58. She was then hired as the Sign Language Interpreter Coordinator for the state of Oregon. Family provided much joy and, in 2006, she returned to Vermont to be close to her children and grandchildren, settling in Putney. Upon returning to Vermont, Nancy worked as the Program Director for the Vermont Interpreter Referral Service (VIRS) in Brattleboro. She cared deeply about her work, which she continued to perform as she was being treated for cancer. She remained devoted to VIRS even after she was incapacitated by her disease; supporting and advocating their fundraising event for the Yolande Henry Community Fund. She had a passion for theater from a young age and joined community theater companies wherever she lived. She was on the Board of the Vermont Theatre Company and acted with the Actors Theater Playhouse in Chesterfield, N.H., among others. She was an active community member, participating in Putney Community Dinners and as a member of the Lions Club. She enjoyed the town of Putney and her loving network of friends in the area. She is survived by her four children: Stephen Paul Groff and his wife, Maria Theresa Regalado, of Manila, Philippines; Brian Arthur Groff of San Diego, Calif.; Lauren Groff Bartlett and her husband, Don Bartlett, of Grand Isle; and Megan Groff Bachinski and her partner, Ben Hamilton, of Williston; her sisters Mary Strayer McGowan of Concord, N.H., Frances Strayer of Sandwich, N.H., and seven grandchildren and six nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Sally Strayer Levin, of Chicago. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of her life will be held in Putney on June 26, with a private gathering at the family camp in Moultonborough, N.H., in late July. Donations to VIRS (Vermont Interpreter Referral Service) with YHCF written in the memo section; checks should be mailed to “The Community Fund,” in care of VIRS/VCIL, 11 East State St., Montpelier, VT 05602
• Carl D. Moon, Sr., 76, of Readsboro. Died May 30 at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington. He was born in Stephentown, N.Y., on Nov. 15, 1939, the son of the late Roy and Dorothy Moon. He served his country in the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. He worked for the Readsboro Chair Factory and drove for Webster Trucking until his retirement in 1994. He served as a Readsboro town employee and constable for many years. His passion in life was draft horses. He loved to own and care for them. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary Ann Moon; four step-children, Vicky Hall, Kristy Dimezza, Marcy Gordon and Thomas Deblois; 11 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A private burial service will be held at the Readsboro Village Cemetery, where he will buried next to his granddaughter, Jonica Deblois.
• Pamela Morse, 70, of Jaffrey, N.H. Died from cancer on June 4. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Randall; two daughters, Kristen Newmark and her husband Jason of Longmeadow, Mass., and Allison McCague of Derry N.H.; four grandchildren and her mother of Putney. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Per her request there will be no calling hours or funeral. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is in charge of the arrangements. Donations may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, The Breast Cancer Research Fund, D-H/Geisel Office of Development, Office of Gift Recording, One Medical Center Drive, Hinman Box 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001.
• Laurence T. Newton, 92, of Vernon. Died June 7 at the Vernon Green Nursing Home. He was born in Brattleboro on Sept. 25, 1923, the son of the late William R. and Clara (Taylor) Newton. He grew up on the family farm on Ames HIll in Brattleboro, was educated in Brattleboro schools, and was a 1941 graduate of Brattleboro High School. He married the former Emily Chapman in 1947. They moved to Bernardston, Mass., in 1952 and raised their family on a farm there. She predeceased him in 1985. He worked early in life at The Book Press in Brattleboro, and then was employed for many years for Eastern A I, retiring in 1985. He owned draft horses for many years and loved giving rides around the farm. In 1986, he married the former Anna Flewelling. They became members of SOWERS and spent many winters in Florida. He enjoyed motorcycling and was an active rider until he was 85. He was a member of the Advent Christian Church in Vernon, where he enjoyed singing in the church and area nursing homes. He was instrumental in the planning and construction of the recent addition to the church. He is survived by his wife Anna, and his sons: David and his wife, Phyllis, of Vernon, and Mark and his wife Cathy of Shelburne Falls, Mass., and a stepson, Alfred Goodwin and his wife, Carolyn, of Northfield, Mass. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three great-granchildren, and five step-great grandchildren. He was precedeased by a daughter, Margaret. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service was held June 12 at the Vernon Advent Christian Church. Burial will be at a later date in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations in his memory may be made to the Advent Christian Church, 4554 Ft. Bridgman Rd. Vernon, Vt. 05354. Kidder Funeral Home of Northfield was in charge of arrangements.
• Jordan Leonard Peduzzi, 29, of Vernon. Died June 1 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born on Aug. 17, 1986 in Greenfield, Mass., the son of Jennifer Peduzzi and Jere Nelson. He was especially close to his grandparents, Leonard and Janet Peduzzi of Vernon, with whom he resided. He grew up in Northfield, Mass., and Vernon, attending Northfield and Vernon Elementary schools, Pioneer Regional Middle and High School and Brattleboro Union High School. He graduated with his GED. Since birth, he had an inquisitive and curious mind. He always showed great interest in learning new things, how things worked, and meeting new people - young or old. He genuinely cared about how you were doing and how to make people feel better. He had a soft spot in his heart for people less fortunate. He was a gifted athlete, excelling in soccer and wrestling. He continued to play soccer on adult teams in Bernardston, Mass. He was not the biggest player on the team, but he was one of the fastest and had excellent footwork with the ball. He enjoyed being immersed in nature and being outdoors every chance he could. He cherished hikes with his mom, as well as fishing. He spent countless hours at Perry and Lily Ponds. He learned to deep-sea fish with his friends, the Bordners. He took up golf as a hobby and enjoyed the challenge it provided. Since early childhood, Jordan had a passion for snowmobiles, dirt bikes and four-wheelers. As an adult, he became an avid motorcyclist. He found freedom and peace on the open road with the wind in his face. He was interested in forestry and learned the trade of logging from his father at an early age. He worked for his father's tree service in Northfield. He will be remembered as a very sweet and caring young man. He possessed a huge, empathetic heart and had the ability to light up an entire room with his love and humor. Jordan had a very special relationship with his three year old niece, Olivia, whom he adored beyond words. In addition to his parents and maternal grandparents, he is survived by his brothers, Nicholas and Philip Peduzzi; his sister, Sophie Peduzzi-Nelson; many aunts and uncles, numerous great friends, and his beloved dog, Emma. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held June 11 at the Vernon Advent Christian Church. Donations to: For The Love of Dogs/Vermont Dog Rescue, P.O. Box 1112, Waitsfield, VT 05673, or to Phoenix House R.I.S.E, 435 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Sterling S. Saunders, 90, formerly of Brattleboro. Died June 7 at the Golden Living Center in Norwood, Mass. Born in Westminster on April 28, 1926, he was the son of the late Henry J. and Eva I. (Hutchinson) Saunders. He grew up in Prospect, Conn., and resided in Brattleboro for many years. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II. Before his retirement, he worked as an upholsterer in the office supply repair industry for many years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He was predeceased by his daughter, Betty Jean Potts. He is survived by a stepdaughter, Sandra Streeter, of Port Richey, Fla.; five brothers: Richard Saunders of Lake George, N.Y., Sherman Saunders of Vernon, Randall Saunders of Danbury, Conn., Dennis Saunders of Waterbury, Conn., and David Saunders of Cleveland, Ga.; two sisters, Linda Russo of Medway, Mass., and Suzette Pelkey of Northfield, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Saturday, June 18, at 11:30 a.m., at New Pine Grove Cemetery on Meriden Road in Waterbury, Conn.