College news
• The following area students have enrolled at Castleton University for the fall 2017 semester: Sabrina Arend-Denko of Bellows Falls, Greer Bills of Wardsboro, Skyler Boyd of Whitingham, Gabrielle Carpenter of Vernon, Abby Chapman of Brattleboro, Cody Cutler of Newfane, Morgan Derosia of Vernon, Courtney Fernot-Noyd of West Dover, Logan Hazard of Jamaica, Hailey Howe of Wilmington, Caleb Lisai of Bellows Falls, Jacob Lober of Westminster, Elias Lombardi of Brattleboro, Anthony Martinez of Brattleboro, Devin Millerick of Vernon, Kelsey Rabideau of Dummerston, Hannah Ruhl of Wilmington, and Owen Sniatkowski of East Dover.
Obituaries
• Arnold E. Canedy, 91, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 25 in Phoenix, Ariz., where he resided since 1999. Born in Brattleboro on Oct. 24, 1925, he was a 1943 graduate of Brattleboro High School and served in the Army during World War II in Germany. After the war, he worked in the Brattleboro area in the auto repair business and retired as the owner of Canedy's Service Center. He was an active participant in his Lutheran Church community and an active member of a quilter program within the church. He will be truly missed by his many family members and friends. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Eileen Floberg, whom he married in October of 1947. He is also survived by his children: David and his wife, Kathy, of Hampton Falls, N.H.; Dennis and his wife, Kim, of Phoenix; and Doug and his partner, Joannie Hartman, of Waddell, Ariz.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial information: None provided.
• Peter Isaac Diamondstone, 82, of Dummerston, formerly of West Brattleboro. Died Aug. 30 at his home, after a long illness. He was co-founder of, and perennial candidate in, Vermont's first alternative political party, Liberty Union. Born Dec. 19, 1934 in the Bronx, N.Y., to Mildred and Jess Diamondstone. He first met Doris Lake in 1953, and they married four years later. He was quoted many times as saying that his life “began when he married Doris.” Together they raised Aaron, Jessy, Ian, and Paula. Besides his devoted wife and children, he is survived by 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his brother, Kenneth and his lifelong partner, Joe Kopitz; and cousins, John Bloch, Barry Diamondstone, Patty and Avna. His life of service in the struggle to protect human rights and our nation's Constitution began at an early age and continued through his last weeks. As a child, he worked for Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivering leaflets. He often recalled a book his mother gave him when he was still “a kid” - The Fine Art of Propaganda: A Study of Father Coughlin's Speeches. During his last months, he saved his strength to attend monthly Liberty Union meetings where he helped to update the party platform. He dedicated his life to the vision of a fair and just society where all people have equal access to the resources necessary to actualize their full potential, a classless society where people own the goods of their labor and no one has the right to profit from another's labor. After graduating from Flushing High in Queens, N.Y., he worked as a cab driver and a short order cook to put himself through college. He attended Queens College for two years. However, his conscience forbade him from continuing to participate in a system where privileged college students were spared the draft while working-class men died to protect the interests of the wealthy, so he served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. After his honorable discharge, he completed his B.A. in English and history, and continued on to earn his law degree from the University Of Chicago in 1960. He opened a private law practice on Long Island. He then moved to Vermont to be a Legal Aid attorney and to write a book, which was never written, never ceasing his work as a civil rights activist. After refusing to be re-licensed on the Vermont Bar, due to the unconstitutionality of the licensing process, he worked as a VISTA volunteer trainer, a teacher, truck driver, preschool bus driver, and alcohol rehab counselor for the Vermont Veteran's Association. He was arrested numerous times, protecting our constitutional rights. One person wrote of Peter, “When you look up the word 'mensch' in the dictionary, you find a picture of Peter.” He keenly felt the pain in the world; he served with compassion to ease suffering wherever it showed. He shared his home with the homeless, shared family holidays with strangers from halfway houses, and bartered legal advice for firewood and garden vegetables. He and Doris loved animals and rescued all sorts of critters from hurt pigeons to cats, dogs, even turtles. He always lit up when he thought of two of the most influential people in his life: Pete Seeger and William Meyer. A good friend and inspiration, Meyer was Vermont's first elected Democrat to Vermont's U.S. House seat in 1958 and a co-founder of Liberty Union. Pete Seeger was one of his childhood camp counselors. One of his childhood delights was sitting under a tree with Pete Seeger singing songs of peace and justice, and fun songs, too. Some of his last words, as he thought about his own life and the world at large were, “maybe we can all be a little nicer to each other.” Memorial information: Donations in his memory may be sent to the Liberty Union Party (www.libertyunionparty.org), the American Civil Liberties Union (www.aclu.org), or Green Mountain Veterans for Peace (wmgmvfp.wixsite.com/vermont).
• John Mullan “Jack” Keil, 95, of Westminster West. Died Aug. 25 at his home. Born in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 30, 1922, he attended the University of Rochester, where he ran track and played varsity soccer. In 2000, he was inducted into the University of Rochester Athletic Hall of Fame. Jack's college years were interrupted when he enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War II. He flew 50 missions over Europe as a bombardier in a B-24 Liberator, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, Jack returned to the University of Rochester to finish his degree. He met his future wife, Barbara, in 1950, and they were married in three months. They lived in New York City for a year and then moved to Grand-View-On-Hudson, N.Y., where they lived for 58 years. They moved to Westminister West in 2006. After graduating college, he began working in advertising at Needham and Groman. He eventually moved to Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, and became the agency's creative director. During his career in advertising, he created such iconic ad campaigns as General Mills's “Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” and Toyota's “You asked for it, you got it.” He is perhaps best known, however, for creating the character of McGruff the Crime Dog and playing the character's voice. Jack authored two books: “The Creative Mystique” and “How to Zig in a Zagging World". An outsized presence to his friends and family, to whom he was known as Jolly, he had many interests, and he pursued them voraciously. He loved to play tennis, paint, run, watch football, tell stories, and mow his fields in Vermont. A lifelong performer and lover of jazz music, nothing made him happier in recent years than his guest performances singing with the Butterfly Swing Band. He is survived by his son, Nick Keil and his wife, Jill; daughter Betsy Kluck-Keil and her husband Roger; and five grandchildren and a great grandson. He was predeceased by his wife and a son, Peter Keil. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 2 at the Westminister West Church. Donations to Main Street Arts, 35 Main St., Saxtons River, VT 05154.
• Arthur Archie Magoon, 71, of Bondville. Died Aug. 9. Born May 10, 1946 in Bondville, the son of Archie and Vera (Kendall) Magoon, he was drafted into the Vietnam War and served two years in Vietnam in an intelligence unit. He worked side by side with his brother Edward (Elery) for many years cutting firewood. He was the caretaker at the Bondville Cemetery for 40 years and cut logs for people. He loved to hunt, fish and trap. He is survived by his brother, Edward Magoon, and his wife,Virginia; two nieces, Tammy Palmer and Wanda Howe; two great-nephews and a great-niece, and a great-great-niece. He was preceded in death by his father Archie Magoon (1964), mother Vera Magoon (June 2017), and brother Walter Magoon (March 2017). Memorial information: A funeral service will be held on Sept. 9, at noon, at Bondville Cemetery. Donations to the Bondville Cemetery, ot the Londonderry or Winhall Rescue Squads, in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
• Marie Catherine O'Brien, 93, of Wardsboro. Died at Thompson House in Brattleboro. She was born Jan. 15, 1924 in New York City, the daughter of Simon and Elaine O'Brien. She was predeceased by her brother Joseph and sister Elaine O'Brien. She grew up in Tenafly, N.J., and attended Glassboro State College, graduating with a degree in teaching. She moved to Somers Point, N.J., where she taught preschool. She traveled to Vermont as much she could in her Volkswagen bus, visiting her family's home on Main Street in Wardsboro that was purchased in 1923. Moving to Vermont in the early 1980s, she bought her home on South Wardsboro Road, where she resided for more than 30 years. She was very involved in her community; she was a Wardsboro librarian, a member of the garden club, and an avid gardner. She was a lover of all animals. She was active in the Catholic Church, and studied to become a Eucharist Minister. She will be remembered for all her many colorful and fun hats she wore. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral service will take place in Townshend at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic church on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m., followed by graveside rites. Donations to Thompson House, 80 Maple St. Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Jesse James “Pipewrench” Parsons Jr., 74, of West Wardsboro. Died Aug. 29 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a lengthy illness. Born in Wilmington on March 10, 1943, the son of Jesse J. and June (Lazelle) Parsons. He was raised in Wilmington where he attended public school. He went on to serve in the Vermont National Guard. He later attended vocational school classes evenings at Mount Anthony High School in Bennington. At the time of his death, he owned and operated Pipewrench Water Systems & Trailer Sales in West Wardsboro. Previously, he worked as a licensed plumber for Adams Plumbing Company in Wilmington (1965-1972) where he served his apprenticeship prior to obtaining his professional license. He was a member of the Wardsboro Volunteer Fire Department for 46 years, including service as its chief. He loved motorcycles, riding and taking trips to the coast of Maine with his wife and friends. With his wife, he held membership in the Red Knights Motorcycle Club and was an active member and current president of the Wardsboro PathFinder's Snowmobile Club. He was known as a hard worker and devoted family man who enjoyed time spent with his family. In 1964, he married Bette J. Allen, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 53 years, he leaves one son, Daniel Parsons and his wife, Dawn, of West Wardsboro; his mother, June Parsons of Wilmington; one brother, Kenneth Parsons and his wife, Jodi, of Wilmington; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his beloved pet Rottweiler, Rambo. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held Sept. 2 in West Wardsboro Cemetery. Donations to Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Vermont Chapter #2 Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 8032, Brattleboro, VT 05304, PathFinder's Snowmobile Club, 814 Potter Rd., Wardsboro, VT 05355, or to the Wardsboro Volunteer Fire Dept., 49 Main St., Wardsboro, VT 05355. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Jon R. Rogers, 79, of Westminster, Died Aug. 28 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bennington on May 1, 1938, the son of Harry and Doris (Lund) Rogers, he attended Gageville Elementary School and was a 1956 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. In 1961, he married Mary E. Nims. As a teen, he worked for Fenton & Hennessey Store and Funeral Home. He was a professional truck driver for various companies, including 32 years with Rouse Trucking as a driver and dispatcher. He retired from Webster Trucking in 2003. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and received awards from the American Trucking Association for safe driving. He was a devoted member and trustee of the Athens Community Christian Church and was baptized on Aug. 21, 2016. In 2014, he married Alice Rhoades Cobb of Westminster, a longtime friend. He enjoyed working with oxen, cutting wood, and a good conversation with anyone. He is survived by his second wife; son Jon Rogers, Jr. and wife Sherrylynn of Bristol, N.H.; daughters Janet Swain and her husband Mike of Walpole, N.H., and Patty Sweeney and her husband Mike of Langdon, N.H; his half-sister Nancy Nelson of Texas; stepchildren Gary, Joel, James, Mike, and Kim; four grandchildren and several step grandchildren. He is predeceased by his first wife; a son, Peter; and a brother, Donald Rogers. Memorial information: A private burial, followed by a memorial service, was held on Sept. 2. Donations to the Athens Community Christian Church, 1 Miller Road, Athens, VT 05143 or to VNH Hospice of VT & NH, P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
Services
• A celebration of life service for Joan M. Hall, who died June 26, 2017 at the age of 78, will be held on Friday, Sept. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Chesterfield Town Hall, 490 Route 63, Chesterfield, N.H. The family will start sharing memories at 5:15 p.m., and they welcome friends to share their memories as well.
• A memorial service for Barbara A. Smith will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m., at the All Souls Church/West Village Meetinghouse off of South Street. Mrs. Smith, 87, of Pleasant Valley Road in Brattleboro, died on June 12, 2017 at her home.
• A memorial service celebrating the life of Elizabeth Greenhoe will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center. Call 802-463-1521 for more information.