College news
• Collin Owen of Dummerston graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., and earned a B.S. in geology.
• Jessica Merrill of Londonderry, Connor Pearce of South Londonderry, and Sam Colleran of Vernon were all graduated from Ithaca (N.Y.) College in May.
• Carolina Curvo of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2016 semester at Regis College in Weston, Mass.
• Elkanah Linder, a doctor of pharmacy student from Townshend, was named to the spring 2016 Dean's List at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
• Molly Goodhue of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2016 semester at Emmanuel College in Boston.
• Paula Merkle of Vernon and Alexander Harris of Brattleboro were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2016 semester at Ithaca College.
Obituaries
• William Michael Billetdeaux, 52, of Manchester, N.H. Died July 4. Husband of Raymalene Perry Billetdeaux. Brother of Mark, Robert, Robin, Vincent, and Edward Billetdeaux and the late Conette Billetdeaux. Born in Meriden, Conn., he was the son of the late Edward and Georgianna (Morissette) Billetdeaux. He lived most of his life in Brattleboro, where he was a longtime employee at C&S Wholesale Grocers. Most recently, he was employed at BJ's Wholesale Club in Hooksett, N.H. He was a kind and loving soul with a terrific sense of humor and joy for life. He was generous with his time and helped others. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved being outdoors. He enjoyed biking, hiking, and grilling. He also enjoyed really bad sci-fi movies, any TV program on aliens, and working on computers. He will be missed by all who knew him. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: He requested a direct cremation, with memorial arrangements to be determined later. He was an organ donor and his corneas were donated to give others the gift of sight.
• Winifred M. Brooks, 83, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died July 5 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Born in Hinsdale, N.H., on March 21, 1933, the daughter of Kenneth and Anna (Paduchak) Brooks, she was a graduate of Hinsdale High school, Class of 1951. After high school, she worked for Vermont Savings Bank in Brattleboro, later working for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until 1966, at which time she moved to Massachusetts. She returned to Hinsdale in 1971 to work at the law firm of Kristensen, Cummings, and Price until 1978, when she left and started working at Cheshire County Savings Bank, retiring in 1998. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, making Christmas stockings for each new baby and, throughout her life, she was an avid Red Sox fan. She was a charter member and past president of the Brattleboro Eagles Auxiliary #2445 and held many other positions in the auxiliary. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She leaves a son, David Michael Brooks and his wife, Hope; a brother, Bernard K. Brooks; as well as two grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a sister, Loretta Brooks Kelly. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 15, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hinsdale. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations may be made to the Vermont Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, University of Vermont Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 1 South Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Donald T. “Don” Carleton, 73, of Brattleboro, Died June 15 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Husband of the late Theresa (Sanek) Carleton. Father of Theodore Carleton of Brattleboro and Thomas Carleton of Putney. Brother of Terry Carleton of Somers, Conn., and the late Kimberly Carleton and Barbara LaFarr. Also survived by five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Born in Guilford on Jan. 20, 1943, the son of the late Theodore and Dorothy (Eddy) Carleton, he attended school in Guilford and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1961. He went on to proudly serve his country in the Army and was honorably discharged from active service in 1968. He was a former member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He worked as both a carpenter and truck driver for Loney Construction Company and Cersosimo Lumber Company and also had been employed in the Kiln Dry Division at Cersosimo. Although he was not a member of a local church, throughout the years he was an active volunteer with several Brattleboro area churches. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, taking rides in his car, and visiting friends. He was also an avid NASCAR fan. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services with full military honors were conducted July 8 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street. He will be laid to rest next to his parents. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to his family. visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Kenneth Francis “Ken” Carpenter, 73, of Dummerston, Died July 1 at his home. Born in Brattleboro on Feb. 25, 1943 to Ilma Mary Carpenter, he was proud to be a 10th generation Vermonter and lifelong resident of the area. Raised and educated in Dummerston, he attended public schools and was a graduate of the Brattleboro Union High School Class of 1961. He proudly served his country in the Air Force and, following his honorable discharge from active service, he continued his education at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston. He graduated with his Masters degree as one of the top in his class. Upon receiving his pharmacist license, he went to work for his uncle, Robert Carpenter, at Town Rexall Pharmacy on Main Street in Brattleboro. He eventually purchased the pharmacy and owned and managed the business until his retirement in 2006. As a well-respected business owner, he interacted with thousands in the community and greeted most by name. He also owned the patent and was exclusive producer and distributor of the unique homeopathic “Stratton's Liniment,” still available in the area pharmacies. He devoted more than half of his life in service as a Mason at Brattleboro Lodge #102. During his 46 years at the Lodge, he attained his 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, served as Worshipful Master for two terms, and was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. He was instrumental in the organization and will be deeply missed by his Masonic Brothers as they carry on his vision for the future of the lodge. Additionally, he held memberships in the Brattleboro Shrine Club, Cairo Shrine Temple of Rutland, and the Order of the Eastern Star, Bingham Chapter, #30; the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499; American Legion Brattleboro Post 5; and was a past member of the Brattleboro Planning Commission. He was also a 59-year active member of the Eastern Star Grange in Dummerston. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, woodworking, time with family and friends, and dining out. He was a loyal fan of all New England sports teams and attended games often. He leaves behind his four daughters: Stacy Carpenter-Barrows and her husband Cleon; Valerie Sargent; and Bethany Ranquist, all of Brattleboro; and Alison Wheeler and her husband, David, of Dummerston. He also leaves eight grandchildren. He will be missed by a large host of friends and acquaintances. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Funeral services were held July 8 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, followed by a graveside service at the Carpenter family lot in Morningside Cemetery where fraternal memorial rites and military honors were accorded. Donations to the Brattleboro Lodge #102, Scholarship Fund, 196 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Carl Hugh Chaffee, 79, of North Walpole, N.H. Died July 6 at his home. Husband of Nancy DiBernardo Chaffee for nearly 58 years. Father of Gary Chaffee and his wife, Dawn, of Bellows Falls; Gregory Chaffee and his wife, Lorraine, of Langdon, N.H.; and Carla West and her husband, Todd, of Rockingham. Brother of Penny Clarke of California and the late Harold, Donald, Leslie, and Clifford Chaffee and Beatrice Rayt and Esther Bugbee. Also survived by nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Born Dec. 6, 1936 in Westminster, the son of the late Maurice and Esther (Fish) Chaffee, he attended schools in North Walpole and Bellows Falls. He served in the Air Force, and then worked as a diesel mechanic at Quinn Freight Line, Hemingway Transport, and Holmes Transportation. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, his black trucks and Kubotas, sports and western movies. His greatest love was his family. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held July 11 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Westminster Cemetery. Donations to the White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 N. Main St., White River Junction, VT 05009; or the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.
• Gary Alan Chaudoir, 71, of Cambridgeport. Died July 5 at his home. Born Sept. 14, 1944, he attended the Divine Word Seminary for high school and undergraduate college, and graduated from the University of Chicago with a Masters of Social Work in 1971. In 1976 he established a private practice in Saxtons River. He was president of the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and was pivotal in enacting social worker licensure in Vermont. His pride and joy was his family. With them, he shared his love of travel, adventure, music, and laughter. His warmth and humanity had a lasting positive effect on everyone he came in contact with. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Chaudoir; his children: Joel, Heather, and Amie Chaudoir; his brothers: Bernard, Thomas, and Jeffrey Chaudoir; and four grandchildren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral Mass was held July 9 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bellows Falls. Donations to Park Place Resource Center, Attn: Christine Bullard, 44 School St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101; or Our Place Drop in Center, Attn: Lisa Pitcher, P.O. Box 852 Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Emory Albert “Sonny” Felch, Jr., 83, of Windsor, formerly of Brattleboro. Died July 4 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Brattleboro on July 25, 1932, the son of the late Emory and Ethel (Blaisdell) Felch. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1952. He owned and operated Richfield Service Station on Western Avenue for many years and later was employed by Vermont Transit as a ticket agent, retiring in 2009. He loved antique and classic cars and enjoyed attending car shows throughout the area. He was a collector of Matchbox miniature cars and Avon bottles. His Matchbox collection filled an entire room in his home. With his family, he had attended Centre Congregational Church. Survivors include one sister, Marilyn Young and her husband, Arnold, of Springfield, Vt., a niece and several nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery will be conducted at a later date in September, to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements are being handled by Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Helen Gilbert, 87, of Brattleboro. Died July 5 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Wife of the late Edmund E. Gilbert. Mother of Patricia Gilbert of Vernon and Eugene Gilbert of Hinsdale, N.H. Also survived by two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by six of her siblings. Born at home in Brattleboro on Nov. 5, 1927, the daughter of the late Harry and Helen (Robinson) Stewart, she was raised in Brattleboro and attended Brattleboro public schools. She was a devoted homemaker and mother and babysat many children throughout the years. Many of those children remain close to her today. Active civically, she was a faithful member and served in different positions for American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary. She assisted in many of the organization's functions and was a faithful volunteer. She also held membership in the VFW Post 1034 Auxiliary and a past member of the F.O. Eagles Auxiliary. all in Brattleboro. Her life centered around her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandsons. She was known by all who knew her as a loving woman, always with a smile and with a heart of gold. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services were held July 12 in Locust Ridge Cemetery. At her request, donations may be made to her great-grandsons' college fund at Members 1st Credit Union, P.O. Box 8245, No. Brattleboro, VT 05304 (with Perrotti College Acct. on memo line). To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Cecile Rose Chase Goss, 97, formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died July 2 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Born in Richford on Feb. 2, 1919, the daughter of the late Frederick and Roseanna (Asselin) Domina, she was raised and educated in Richford, graduating from Richford High School, Class of 1937. A resident of Hinsdale for 37 years, previously she lived in Brattleboro and had been employed as a clerk at Holstein-Friesian Association, which she retired from in 1986. Previously, she had worked at the Brattleboro Retreat. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale and a former parishioner of St.Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. She was an active member for several years of the Catholic Daughters in Hinsdale and held membership in the Grange. She was first married to Thayer Chase, who predeceased her in 1970. She later married Robert Goss, who is also deceased. Survivors include one son, John Chase and his wife, Noreen, of Swanton; one daughter ,Julie Hildreth and her husband, Charles, of Hinsdale; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two children, Jeanne Lamagdelaine and James Chase, as well as three half-sisters and two half-brothers. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral Mass was held July 7 at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale. Committal rites and burial followed in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home Activities Fund, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354; or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Bernard James Stoodley, 57, of Springfield, Vt. Died July 4 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Bellows Falls on Sept. 22, 1958, the son of the lare George W. and Celia E. (Fedelski) Stoodley. he enjoyed watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He collected baseball and football cards. He loved to travel with his parents and spend time with his family and friends. In recent months, he had volunteered at the Springfield Hospital and the SEVCA Thrift Store. The family includes his brothers, Thomas Stoodley of Texas and Robert Stoodley of Bellows Falls; his sisters, Jane Pixley of Cavendish and Judith King of Unity, N.H.; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his dedicated caregiver, Barbara Goodell, who lovingly and patiently attended to all of his needs. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral Mass was held July 8 at St. Catherine's Church in Charlestown, N.H., with burial in St. Catherine's Cemetery. Donations to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156; or the Springfield Hospital Volunteer Services, 25 Ridgewood Rd., Springfield, VT 05156.
• Louise F. White, 100, formerly of Brattleboro. Died July 5 at Vernon Hall Assisted Living, just shy of her 101st birthday. Wife of the late George S. White for 55 years. Mother of Richard White of Greenfield, Mass., and Margaret Wocell-Kingsley of Guilford. Sister of the late Allan Fitchett and Jean Steel. Also survived by two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was born in Flushing, N.Y., on July 8, 1915, the daughter of the late Charles and Edna (Cheesman) Fitchett. She was raised and educated in Flushing, graduating from Flushing High School. She moved to Jacksonville in 1945 with her husband and the children so that they could help her mother-in-law run the Jacksonville General Store after her father-in-law died suddenly. She was employed as secretary in the Guidance Department at Brattleboro Union High School, working under the late John Goss. She retired from BUHS following 25 years of service. Previously she worked at the former Holden & Martin Lumber Company and at the former W.T. Grant Department Store, both in Brattleboro. She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was an accomplished artist and enjoyed toile painting as well as painting on porcelain. She loved music, playing her organ, working in her garden, needlepoint, reading, and traveling the world. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services were conducted July 11 in Christ Church Cemetery in the Algiers section of Guilford. Donations to Vernon Hall Activities Fund, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354, or to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• A celebration of life for George C. Class Jr. will be held on Saturday, July 16, from noon until 4 p.m., at American Legion Post 5, Linden Street, Brattleboro. Burial will take place following the celebration in North Cemetery in Vernon. Mr. Class died June 5, 2016 at his home in Hinsdale, N.H.