School news
• Several students from area schools were among the 455 Vermont high school students graduated from the Governor's Institutes of Vermont (GIV) this summer. GIV hosts intensive, hands-on learning experiences in various disciplines for young people on college campuses throughout Vermont.
• Bellows Falls: Grace Cavanagh, Dora Jones, Kimberly Lawrence, and Emily Wundrle, Arts; Ian Wallace, Entrepreneurship.
• Brattleboro: Riley Beard-Sullivan and Stone Mycroft, Arts; Julia Belyung and Cayden Learey, Current Issues & Youth Activism; Eli Carter, Astronomy; Mason Redfield, Architecture, Design & Building.
• Compass School: Sarah Atwood, Silas Holmes, and Mirra Macy, Arts; Dakotah Luebbert, Engineering; Sophia Mark and Gabe Morse, Architecture, Design & Building; Nicholas Mitchell and Noah Sherrill, Astronomy; James Shanti-Strother, Current Issues & Youth Activism; Noah Sherrill, Environmental Science & Tech; Linaea DiMarino, Mathematical Sciences; Olivia Veale, Young Writers.
• Green Mountain: Grace Johnson and Laurel King, Current Issues & Youth Activism; Bri Luman and Owen Massey, Information Technology & Digital Media; Zoe Svec, Mathematical Sciences; Rileigh Thomas, Young Writers.
• Leland & Gray: Caroline Mehner and Vernonica Stevens, Arts; Izzy Schmidt, Architecture, Design & Building; Nastia Stevens, Current Issues & Youth Activism.
• Putney School: Izzy Synder, Mathematical Sciences.
• Twin Valley: Olivia Genella, Asian Cultures; Willie Queenie, Engineering.
• Vermont Academy: Maggie Adams, Astronomy.
Obituaries
• Lawrence “Larry” Cobb, 94, of South Burlington. Died Aug. 21. Born and raised in Brattleboro by his parents, Richard Cobb and Lelia Lampson Cobb, he graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1942. He attended Tufts University to study electrical engineering, but left partway through his schooling to serve in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he continued his education at the University of Vermont, earning a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1949. Throughout his 40-plus year career, he worked as an electrical engineer specializing in radar systems for a number of different companies, moving frequently as the jobs took him around the United States and as far away as Greenland and England. He was working in Florida when he eventually retired. He is survived by his former wife Leona Rodgers of Shelburne; his children, Llynda Bigalow of Shelburne, Richard Cobb of Waterville, and Susan Engle of West Virginia; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Charles Bigalow, of Shelburne, Vt., and a brother, Maurice Cobb, of West Newfield, Maine. Memorial information: Private family memorial services will be held this fall.
• William “Chuck” Darrell, 49, of Rockingham. Died Aug. 19 at his home after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Bellows Falls on Feb. 16, 1968 and was a graduate of Bellows Fall Union High School. He was an extremely hard worker who put 110 percent into the various positions he held. He was mostly known for his truck driving skills. He enjoyed everything outdoors - hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. He enjoyed spending time in his garage working on various projects. He mostly loved spending time with his family. He will forever be remembered for his witty sense of humor and creating lasting friendships with everyone he encountered; he made everyone smile and laugh. He leaves his wife, Tara Darrell; his children Ashley Kenyon Baldacchino, Taryn Darrell and Jesse Darrell; his brothers James Darrell, Steve Fletcher, and Kevin Hamilton; three grandchildren; his birth mother; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held in October, at a date to be announced.
• Patrick D. Donahue, 47, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 18. Born in Taunton, Mass., son of Gail McMorrow-Donahue and Peter Donahue, he graduated from Nashua (N.H.) High School in 1988. From a young age, he practiced martial arts, achieving many awards. He attained the rank of 7th Dan Shorinyo Karate and, in 1990, established his own martial arts school in Brattleboro. He trained with Steven Seagal, Mike Pabst, and Scott Rodall, who remained mentors. He was committed to traditional arts and philosophy, and led to teaching accredited courses at Marlboro College. Additionally, he taught non-violent intervention programs and received commendations at the Brattleboro Retreat and was a mental health worker for 20 years. He believed in investing in his community, teaching women's self-defense classes through an abuse survivor's agency. His work in schools impacted many children to view “power as a gentle skill.” He was also a therapeutic Shiatsu massage practitioner. His training in Eastern practice and teaching took him to Japan, Okinawa, Canada, Australia, and France. He was an avid rock and blues music fan, attending as many concerts as possible. He even dabbled in piano and guitar playing over the years. He was also an enthusiastic skier and swimmer. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and hundreds of students he has affected through the years. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandfather, an aunt and uncle and many cousins. He is also survived by his loving friends, Beth Rivera, Sean Sylvain, Joe Milliken, and Chris Pong. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 58 Lowell St., Nashua, N.H., on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend. Interment prayers and burial will be private and held at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oak Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 (www.alz.org) or the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 58 Lowell St., Nashua, NH 03064.
• Robert Loomis Goodell, 74, of Westminster. Died Aug, 18, while traveling to South Carolina. Born in Brattleboro on June 17, 1943 to Robert Washburn Goodell and Rowena Muriel Loomis of Putney, he attended elementary school in Putney and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1961. He then served in the Navy from 1961-1969, serving aboard the USS Sailfish. Following his Naval service, he returned to Putney and operated Bob's Sunoco in Putney until the early 1980s, when he joined his brother at Westminster Farms in Westminster,where he continued to work until the time of his death. He married Patricia Carberry in 1973 and their marriage was blessed with three children, Kelly Mendoza (Guy) of Falmouth, Mass., Elizabeth Adreon (Ryan) of Vergennes, and Hugh Goodell of Westminster, as well as sibling Clayton Goodell (Darcy) and Jill Garland, both from Putney. He is also survived by three grandchildren, as well as many nephews and nieces, cousins, and close family friends. Family was very important to him and he was always willing to fire up the grill and open his home for a gathering. He filled his life with a love of the land, be it farming, gardening or hunting. He owned several Corvettes during his lifetime and could often be found with his head under the hood. He was a NASCAR fan and enjoyed going to Daytona with his son for the last 20 years. He loved to bake and with his daughter, Beth and granddaughter, Sydney, made dozens of cookies to share during the holidays. Pat and Bob also enjoyed road trips into the Vermont countryside. He was a lifetime member of The American Legion as well as the VFW, Cairo Shriners, and the Brattleboro Masonic Temple. Memorial information: A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m., at Westminster Congregational Church. The family invites everyone to join them at their home on Route 5 following the service for a cookout. In Bob's tradition, please bring a dish to share and a chair. Donations to the Vermont Food Bank at vtbookbank.org.
• Alfred Hardesty Jr., 72, of Warren Center. Died Aug. 19 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Born on April 13, 1945, the son of Alfred and Catherine (Harris) Hardesty, in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He received degrees from Merrimack College, University of Maryland, Syracuse University, St. Michael's College, and Penn State, and worked as a teacher of ESL at World Learning in Brattleboro and Landmark College in Putney. He loved to travel and enjoyed cooking and collecting cookbooks of the world. He enjoyed music and languages. He also served in the Air Force. He is survived by his daughters Aileenka and Corrine Hardesty; his sister, Linda Ring and her husband, Dennis; half-sister Anna Milena Hardesty; the mother of his children, Inessa Muse; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of life was held on Aug. 26 at Main Street Arts in Saxtons River.
• Johanna Marie Harpster, 70, of Rockingham. Died Aug. 21 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born Dec. 17, 1946, in Lock Haven, Pa., the daughter of Victor and Marie (Wentz) Lucas. She graduated from State College (Pa.) Area High School in 1964; received a B.A. from Allegheny (Pa.) College in 1968; received a M.Ed. from Pennsylvania State University in 1975; and earned her doctorate in educational administration from the University of Vermont. In 1969, she married the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Harpster. She was a member of Grace Congregational United Church of Christ and was an associate member of the United Church of Ludlow. She was the chairperson of the board for Greater Falls Connections and a member of the Bellows Falls Rotary. From 1970-1972, she taught sixth grade in Branford, Conn.; from 1986-1989, and taught English and social studies in grades 7 and 8 in Bangor, Maine. In 1989-1990, she was assistant principal in Dexter (Maine) Primary-Middle School; then became principal there from 1990-1991. In the Windsor Central Supervisory Union, she was principal at Woodstock Union Middle School from 1991-1997, and then became principal at Woodstock Union High School 1997-2006. From 2006-2011, she was the superintendent of the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union in Bellows Falls. She is survived by her husband and two sons, Benjamin E. Harpster and his wife, Christine, and Matthew L. Harpster. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Aug. 26 at the United Church of Ludlow. Burial will be in Graysville Cemetery in Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa. Donations to the United Church of Ludlow, 48 Pleasant St., Ludlow, VT 05149.
• Raymond Cyrus Lavoy, 97, of Wilmington. Died Aug. 18 at his home. Born in Wilmington on May 9, 1920, the son of the late Cyrus and Marguerite (Beaudry) Lavoy, he graduated from Wilmington High School, where he played both baseball and basketball. He was a mechanic for Moran's Garage before entering the Army Air Corps in World War II. Following his discharge from the service, he worked as a self-employed plumber and propane gas distributor and retired at the age of 80. He was a former member of the VFW and American Legion in Wilmington. For 55 years, he was a member of the Wilmington Water Department, where he served as Water Commissioner for many years. He was also a member of the Wilmington Fire Department for 25 years and the Sheriff's Department for 15 years. He played on town and military baseball and basketball teams and enjoyed golf and, in his earlier years, hunting. Not only was he an avid New York Yankees baseball fan, but he was a professional ball player as well, having been signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the early 1940s. Military service ended that possibility but, after his service, he continued to pitch for the town baseball team. He enjoyed all sports, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his children Tamara Karwoski of Palm Harbor, Fla., Dennis Lavoy of Lake Worth, Fla., Susan Ruprecht and husband, Carl, of East Berkshire, Vt., Mark Lavoy and his wife, Marie, of Wilmington, Chris Lavoy of Wilmington, and Lisa Levitas and her husband, Jon, of Goshen, N.Y., nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Beatrice Ann Dunn (Bobbie) whom he married in 1946. Mrs. Lavoy died in 2016. Also preceding him in death was his brother, Roland B. Lavoy. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Aug. 27 at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington. Interment took place in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to Disabled American Veterans, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• George E. McIntyre, 90, of Jacksonville. Died Aug. 17 at his home. He was the son of Edwin and Mabel (Underwood) McIntyre and was born March 8, 1927 in Orwell. He was educated in Orwell and Windsor schools and enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 during World War II, serving until the end of the war. After being honorably discharged, he learned auto body reconditioning and became a licensed pilot. He married Laverne Davis in 1948 and they began their long married life in Jacksonville, where they raised their three children. He loved his family and was ever present in their lives. For 24 years, he was employed by E.J. Roberts & Son, and then went into business for himself reconditioning marine propellers for 30 years. He was active in his community serving as Master of North River Grange, Fire Chief, and School Director, while constantly moonlighting building a home. He enjoyed flying, motorcycles, boats, and antique cars. He restored antique cars, and won trophies for several of them. Boating was his family's primary summer recreation, especially going to Expo 67 in Montreal via boat. He could build or fix anything and often shared his experience with others. He was a “Jack of All Trades” and master of many. He loved music and played steel guitar and organ and was a good dancer. He was a kind and generous man who loved life with great joy. He was never judgmental and always fair. He is survived by his wife, Laverne; daughters Kathleen McIntyre-Bernier and Jean McIntyre, both of Greenfield, Mass.; and son and daughter-in-law Jay and Donna McIntyre of Jacksonville; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two great grandchildren. Memorial information: Burial services were private. Donations to Deerfield Valley Ambulance Service or the Vermont Association for the Blind, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Alfred Daniel “Dan” Sines, 95, of Alburgh. Died Aug. 22 at Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton. Born in Morrisville, Pa., on April 11, 1922, to George W. Sines and Eleanor E. (Gallagher) Sines, he was the youngest of their five sons. Shortly after graduating from Morrisville High School in 1940, he entered the Army and served in Italy during World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart, having been shot and seriously wounded in combat. He returned to Morrisville and married Elizabeth “Betty” Lukens in 1946. Together they raised three children, who survive him; Cindy Bacigalupo (Randy Hickin) of Dummerston, David Sines (Julie McCarthy Sines) of Bellows Falls, and Marylouise Peters (Scott Robtoy) of Isle LaMotte. He was an electrician for Forrestal Research Center in Princeton, N.J., and General Electric in Trenton, N.J., before he and his wift retired to Isle LaMotte in 1985. Betty predeceased him in 1999, shortly after their 53rd wedding anniversary. In 2002, he met and married Annie Bradley of Alburgh, who survives. Dan and Annie traveled extensively during their 15 years together, visiting many locations including Italy, Hawaii, a scenic train excursion through the Canadian Rockies, and a Mississippi River cruise. In his retirement, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. In 2016, he was chosen to participate in the Honor Flight program, as a World War II Veteran, traveling to Washington, D.C., and touring many memorials. Beside his three children, he is also survived by sister-in-law, Suzanne (Lukens) Woodcock of Brattleboro, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, six stepchildren, Doug (Judy), Bill (Carol) , Chuck (Linda), Linda (Russel), Sherry, and Jeff, and their families, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his four brothers, George, Ernest, Richard and Robert Sines, and two sons-in-law, Fred Bacigalupo and Mark Peters. He was a member of the Purple Heart Foundation, American Legion, Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge # 81 in Isle La Motte, and the Methodist Church of Isle La Motte, where he and Annie sang in the choir. He touched the hearts of everyone he met with his good humor, kindness, and generosity. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on Aug. 30 at Kidder Memorial Home in Swanton, burial at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph. Donations to the Alzheimer Foundation of America, New England Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster, C.I.D.E.R. (www.cidervt.org) or a charity of one's choice.
• Margaret Green “Margot” Torrey, 89, of Putney. Died Aug. 19 at her home, following a brief period of illness. Born on March 15, 1928 in Hartford, Conn., to Chandler and Margaret Hitchcock Green, she fondly recalled playing in the stream behind her house in then-rural West Hartford, raising both poodles and goats, and singing and hiking with her family. She graduated from Chaffee School (1946) and Smith College (1950). An adventurous junior year abroad studying art history in post-war Paris led to her lifelong love of cooking, art, France, and travel. She married Frederick G. Torrey in 1951 and raised four children on the campuses of Mount Hermon School and Loomis-Chaffee School. She actively participated in the life of these vibrant schools, developing programs for arts enrichment, humanities, and foreign study. In 1976, Margot and Fred moved to Putney to establish the Putney Woodshed, which Margot developed into the premier outlet for fine local crafts. She dove into community life, connecting with her neighbors through the visual arts, writing, and arts programming at the public library. She formed a French dinner group, and was involved in spiritual, environmental, and activist projects. Fred served as Headmaster of Thetford Academy until his untimely death in 1990. Working with her fellow artisans, she brought the Putney Craft Tour into being, now in its 39th year. Her own artwork (woodcuts, sculpture and writing) blossomed in this rich artistic community. She lived by the motto “carpe diem” - always learning, active, and engaged. She was unafraid to express herself in words and through her talents in the visual arts. She inspired and nurtured communities wherever she ventured. She delighted in her large and growing family, her friends of all ages, the natural world, new ideas, good food, gardening, world travel, political discussion, artistic expression, and her beloved Sunapee summer home - right up to the end of her life. She is survived by her brother, John Green of Duluth, Minn., her four children, Katharine Torrey of Alstead, N.H., David Torrey of Cambridge, Mass., William Torrey of Etna, N.H., and Neige Christenson of Waltham, Mass., as well as her 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, David Green. Memorial information: There will be a service in celebration of her life on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m., in the Greenhoe Theater of Landmark College on River Road South in Putney. Donations to Northfield Mount Hermon School, Loomis Chaffee School, or to the Putney Public Library to support local arts programming.
• Ruth H. Wright, 94, of Springfield, Vt. Died Aug. 19. Born in Bellows Falls on April 7, 1923, the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Strong) Hurlburt. She was a 1941 graduate of Bellows Falls High School and worked as a bookkeeper, retiring from Petrolane. She was also a member of the United Church of Bellows Falls. She is survived by her son, Robert Wright Sr. and his wife, Debbie, of Grafton; daughter Kay Johnson and her husband, Tim, of Bellows Falls; her stepson Daniel Wright and his wife, Lucille, of Maine; grandson Rob and his wife, Kristina Wright, of Townshend; and two great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by her husband Cassius M. Wright, Jr. and all of her siblings. Memorial information: Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Services
• A burial service for Martha Jane O'Brien “Marty” Fenn will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at noon, in the Rural Cemetery in Center Sandwich N.H. She will join her husband, Jerry Fenn, as the seventh generation of family buried in that cemetery. Mrs. Fenn died on July 26, 2017 at the age of 87.