College news
• Beau Doucette of Wilmington graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Community Planning degree from the University of Rhode Island.
• Sarah Harlow of Putney, a member of Colby-Sawyer College's 2016 undergraduate nursing class, was honored with her classmates by New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan for their professional success and their future contributions in the health care field. Of the 33 graduates in the Class of 2016, 27 are now employed as Registered Nurses in New Hampshire, and every member of the class passed their RN licensure examination on the first try.
Obituaries
• Edmund H. “Ed” Bills, 86, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 24 at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, where he had been a resident since 1996. Born in Englewood, N.J., on August 10, 1930, the son of the late Lewis and Inez (Cherrie) Bills, he attended schools in Fort Lee, N.J., Newfane, and Chesterfield, N.H. In 1947, when he was 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Warrington (DD-843). Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1950, he enlisted in the Army later that year and successfully completed airborne school. In December 1950, he was deployed to Korea with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953 with the rank of corporal. Combat memories from the Korean War would haunt him in the form of PTSD for the rest of his life. He returned home to Brattleboro and worked at the building and grounds department at the Brattleboro Retreat and later at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was a member of VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 and the John Blake Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. A motorcycle enthusiast, he enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson and was an avid fisherman. Survivors include several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews as well as his extended family at the Veteran's Home in Bennington. He was predeceased by three brothers, Allen, Neil and George Bills. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services with full military honors were Aug. 27 in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Vermont Veterans Home, 325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Burnis E. Lewis, 81, of Brattleboro. Died June 19 at his home. Born in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 1935, he was educated both in California and New York and went on to earn two Master's degrees, one in literature and the other in social services. He proudly served his country in the Army until his honorable discharge from active service and went on to serve in the Peace Corps. He later became an educator. For several years, he taught English as a second language at New York University and, following his move to Brattleboro 30 years ago, taught at the School for International Training. He was a quiet, unassuming man known for his spirit of friendship. He loved to read and enjoyed spending time at Brooks Memorial Library. He possessed a wealth of knowledge and never stopped learning. He loved his community and took a special interest in Brattleboro history. He was very devoted to his family and always looked forward to his weekly telephone chats with his brother. In 1963, in Huddinge, Sweden, he was married to Grace Hector. His wife and best friend of 49 years predeceased him in 2012. Survivors include one brother, Lionell Lewis and his partner, Lynda, of Rialto, Calif., three nieces, one nephew, and three great-nieces and two great nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Chester Lewis. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Services were private and burial was in the Hector family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest next to his wife. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to his family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert E. “Bob” Chase Sr., 82, of Wilmington. Died Aug. 19 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a brief illness. Husband of Margaret (Broadwell) Chase for more than 43 years. Father of James Chase and his wife, Anna, of East Dover, Robert E. Chase Jr. of Middletown, Conn., Vicki Haggerty of Wilmington, and Cheryl Chase of Virginia Beach, Va. Brother of Roland and Larry Chase, both of Wilmington, Ada Grant of Worcester, Mass., and the late Althea Drew and Walter Chase. Also survived by five grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born at home in Wilmington on Jan. 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Roy and Edith (Adams) Chase (Batchelder). Growing up in Wilmington, he attended local schools and began a lifelong career as an auto mechanic, working at E.J. Roberts Chevrolet for over 30 years. Following the closing of the dealership, he worked at Briggs Automotive and Greene's Service Center. He enjoyed following NASCAR racing and attending the races in Dover, Del. He also enjoyed camping and splitting firewood. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside services were held Aug. 27 in the family lot in Intervale (Cutting) Cemetery. Donations to the American Lung Association in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Irene-Marie Navin, 49, of West Brattleboro. Died Aug. 23 at her home. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., on Aug. 30, 1966, the daughter of William and Lynda (Stanard) Navin, she was raised and educated in Lee and Lenox. She was a graduate of Lenox High School, Class of 1984. She went on to attend the Northwest Connecticut Community College in Winsted and later the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she received an A.A. degree in human services. She had been employed as an employment specialist at Healthcare & Rehabilitation Services in Brattleboro. Previously, she worked for Early Education Services of Windham County. A former resident of Buckland, Mass., she moved to Brattleboro in July 2006. She loved helping people and is remembered for her generosity and spirit of friendship. She enjoyed gardening and time spent with her family. Survivors include her partner of many years, Thomas Marhefka Jr. of Brattleboro; one daughter, Marrina-Raine Gallant of Brattleboro; her mother, Lynda Stanard, of Lenox; her father William J. Navin, Sr. and his fiancée, Donna Lefco, of Pittsfield; and two brothers, Robert Navin and his partner, Becky Ferris, of Pittsfield and William J. Navin, Jr. of Lenox. She was predeceased by her stepmother, Jeanne Navin. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service will be conducted at the Grennock Country Club, 220 West Park St., Lee, Mass. ,on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 11:30 a.m. Donations to a charity of one's choice. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• A memorial service for Elizabeth “Betsey” Crockett Shay, who died on July 22, 2016 in Boulder, Colo,, will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal), 379 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill, Mass. All are welcome. In addition, a memorial luncheon gathering will be held locally at 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10, at Hallelujah Farm Retreat, 48 Bradley Rd., Chesterfield, N.H. All are invited, but an RSVP is requested. To RSVP the luncheon or for further information on either event, call Betsey's father, Larrimore C. Crockett at 802-380-3669, or email him at [email protected]. A committal service for family members will be held in the Dummerston Center Cemetery.