College news
• Mariah Hinckley of Putney, a recent graduate of Southern Vermont College's pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), passed on the first try the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This year's graduates of Southern Vermont College's BSN program had a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX, the national standardized examination required for nurses to receive a license to practice their profession.
• Cassidy Santorelli of Bellows Falls, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus in Madison, N.J., has been named to the Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester.
Obituaries
• John W. Barnett, 89, of Westminster West. Died Aug. 10 at his summer home on Swans Island, Maine. Born in Lakewood, Ohio, on Aug. 26, 1927, to Harold and Nellie Barnett. He served in the Army at the tail end of World War II, and attended Oberlin College and Harvard Law School. In 1950, he married Elizabeth D. (Betsy) Sargent, who died in 2001. They moved to North Haven, Conn., and he joined the New Haven, Conn., law firm of Wiggin and Dana, where he was a partner for more than 50 years. He generously gave his time to North Haven town government, school and charitable organizations as well as to those in the larger New Haven community, such as the United Way. He was a longtime member of the Church of the Redeemer, The New Haven Lawn Club, and The Quinnipiack Club. He was also a member of the New Haven Investment Club, the State Bar Examining Committee, the Benchers, and the Social Science Club. He married Helen Sheffer in 2005. Following her death in 2008, he married Elizabeth S. “Libby” Mills and moved to Westminster West, where he joined the Vermont State Bar Association. He served on the board of Senior Solutions, the Westminster Planning Board, and did pro bono legal work for other nonprofits and members of the community. Throughout his life, he enjoyed tennis, travel, photography, and spending time with friends and family in Maine and on Cape Cod. He was particularly passionate about reading and baseball. Family, friends, and colleagues appreciated his intelligence, wit and generosity, along with his wise counsel and considered opinions. He is survived by his wife, Libby, and his children, Elizabeth D. Barnett and Suleiman Mustafa Kutana of Sharon, Mass., Priscilla and Andrew Mainardi of Montclair, N.J., and John and Denise Barnett of Ocoee, Fla.; eight grandchildren and his stepson, Matthew Mills. Memorial information: A memorial service and celebration of his life was held Sept. 8 at the Church of the Redeemer in New Haven. A second memorial gathering will be held Sunday, Sept. 24, at 4 p.m., at the Congregational Church of Westminster West. Donations to Westminster Cares, 3534 US 5, Westminster, VT 05158; the Church of the Redeemer, 185 Cold Spring St., New Haven, CT 06511; or a charity of your choice.
• Michael M. Baronas, 62, of Putney. Died Sept. 3 at his home after he lost his battle with esophageal cancer with his wife, Donna Baronas, and his sister, Lisa Baronas, by his side. He was born in Greenfield, Mass., on Feb. 6, 1955, the eldest son of the late Howard and Shirley (Gallant) Baronas. Although born and raised in Greenfield, in later years, he called Vermont home. He worked for 16 years as a quality inspector for Swiss Precision Turning Inc. in Brattleboro. He was also an accomplished photographer and marquetry artist. He was a former member of the Vermont Center for Photography and Leverett (Mass.) Crafts & Arts. Michael's love of sailing, motorcycling, and appreciation of nature was evident in all of his artistic endeavors. He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, and enjoyed an array of topics on PBS and NPR including art, literature, history and, most of all, music. He is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Baronas of Putney, and siblings Lisa Baronas of Greenfield, Gina Wells and her husband, Larry, of Shelburne Falls, Mass., David Baronas of Leyden, Mass., Sandra Hatch of Greenfield, and Suzette Anderson of Groton, Vt., as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, family, and friends. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m., at Holy Trinity Church, 133 Main St., Greenfield.
• Francis Leslie “Butch” Hilliard, 92, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 1 at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris (Grout) Hilliard, whom he married in 1960. Born Nov. 7, 1924 to Adelaide Hilliard in Greenfield, Mass., he attended school in Charlestown, N.H., prior to joining the Navy in 1943 to serve his country during World War II. Before retiring in 1986, he worked for 35 years at the Fellows Gear Shaper Corporation in Springfield, Vt., as a machinist/assemblyman. After marrying, he moved to Bellows Falls where he resided until December 2009 when he moved to Beachwood, Ohio, to live with his daughter, her husband, and their two sons. He is survived by his daughter, Betty Hilliard; son-in-law E. Rene Rodriguez; his sister Nancy Bogle of Claremont, N.H., and brother-in-law, Brian, two grandsons as well as several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Sept. 9 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Alstead, N.H.
• Crystal F. Long, 42, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 6. She was born in Brattleboro on Aug. 6, 1975, the daughter of Darlene (Brown) and Daniel Long Sr. She was a caring mother who enjoyed houseplants and gardening. She loved being around her children and was always willing to help those in need. She is survived by her children: Colby Morris-Long, Jeramiha Long, Krishtin Long, and Tasha-Monica Long, all of Bellows Falls; her partner Thomas Morris; her brothers Dwight Tester and Carl Long; and sister Sheila Neathawk. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers Daniel Long Jr. and Frank Long. Memorial information: Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Hugh James “Jim” McAlister, 82, of Brattleboro. Died on Sept. 3. Born on April 20, 1935, in Cushendall, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the son of James and Margaret (McAuley) McAlister, he was raised and educated in Cushendall and emigrated to the United States with his family on March 28, 1975 from Milford Haven, Dyfed, Wales to Brattleboro. Together with his son, he owned and operated McAlister & Son Excavation, based in Brattleboro. Previously, he worked for the former Howard O'Bryan Construction Company in Brattleboro. He was a hardworking, devoted family man whose life centered around his family. He was a model in how to dutifully work hard for one's family, remain steadfast in one's values and heritage, and find joy and humor even in life's darkest moments. Together with his wife, he was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. In conjunction with time shared with his family, he enjoyed vegetable gardening. He kept a large garden at his home, especially for “spuds.” In 1959, he was married to Mary C. Murphy, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 57 years, he leaves one son, Shamus McAlister and his wife, Mary, of Hinsdale; two daughters, Kathryn Young and her husband Robert of Mansfield, Mass., and Geraldine “Geri” Hopkins and her husband, Rick, of Brattleboro; three sisters, Anne Doherty of Donegal, Betty McCann of Antrim, and Angela Cole of Godamming, U.K.; one brother, Alex McAlister of Chepstow, UK. Additionally, he leaves five grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, several cousins, and the Murphy clan. He was predeceased by five sisters, Maureen, Margaret, Kathleen, Eileen, and Genevieve; two brothers, Patrick and James; and a foster brother, Francis Lennon. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Sept. 9 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, followed by committal rites and burial in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ruth Ann (Cerosky) White, 89, of Marlboro. Died on Aug. 27. Born in New York, N.Y., on April 28, 1928, to Anna (Johnson) Cerosky and Edward Austin Cerosky. Her family later moved to Port Chester, N.Y., where she graduated from Port Chester Senior High in 1946. During World War II, as a Girl Scout, she worked at a Farm-Aid camp in upstate New York during summers for three years before graduating from high school. After graduation, she was employed by Arnold Constable in New Rochelle, N.Y., as a gifts and stationery department manager. In 1951, she married Arnold M. White of Brattleboro, and later they lived in Marlboro. In 1952, they had identical twin daughters, Suzanne and Sally. Arnold and Ruth were married for 46 years, until his death in 1997. During these years, she was employed at Hogback Mountain Corp., a family-owned year-round resort business at Hogback Mountain in Marlboro. She was an associate member of the Marlboro Meeting House. She was a long-time member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, an active member of the Nile Court Ladies Shrine, and a past member of the Floral Arts Club in Brattleboro, and member of the Brattleboro Country Club. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed the out-of-doors in summer and winter. She was an alpine skier and loved skiing at Hogback Ski Area and other local areas. She cross-country skied on the family property at home, Roundstone Farm, in Marlboro, and she snowmobiled, hiked, and rode horses on her trails at home. She loved bird watching and seeing all the wildlife at Roundstone Farm year-round. She enjoyed sailing in her early years. She maintained her beautiful flower gardens, grew vegetables, and created beautiful floral arrangements for her home and for church. She was a gifted florist and artist and spent time painting and drawing, as she was naturally artistic. She was an avid golfer and, later in life, she enjoyed golfing with Jack North locally, regionally, and in the South. She loved to travel and spend time with Jack, with whom she had much in common. A Mediterranean cruise together was a highlight of their travel experiences. They took great pleasure in watching the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoons together. He was her friend, her soulmate, her companion and her caregiver for more than 17 years. She was forever thankful for having him in her life. She leaves behind Jack North; her daughter, Sally M. White; three sisters-in-law, Joan Cerosky (Robert), Edie Cerosky (Richard), and Diane (White) Matthews; a brother-in-law, Richard H. Hamilton, (Joyce White); two grandsons, and many nieces and nephews in the Douglas, Hamilton, Cerosky, Burke, and Lord families. She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Suzanne Chase (White) Hedgecock, and all her brothers and sisters. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held Oct. 21, at 11 a.m., at Marlboro Meeting House, 524 South Rd., followed by refreshments at New England House, 254 Marlboro Road (Route 9), Brattleboro. Donations to Marlboro Meeting House, P.O. Box 64, Marlboro, VT 05344, or Shriners Hospital for Children-Springfield, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.