Obituaries
• Emeline C. Bezio, 98, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Friday, April 6, 2018 at Applewood Harborside Healthcare in Winchester, N.H. Born on March 3, 1920 in Easthampton, Mass., the daughter of James and Laura (Rabideau) Barcomb, she was raised in Moores Forks, N.Y., where she attended a one-room schoolhouse. She eventually moved to Brattleboro with her family and worked for several years at the former Guilford Paper Company. Most of her life, she was a devoted homemaker. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She enjoyed camping, crocheting, knitting, cooking, and time shared with her family. In 1949, she married Robert Joseph Bezio, who predeceased her in 2005. Survivors include 14 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Arthur Billings, Jr and Eugene Barcomb, Sr.; brothers, Jeffrey, Conrad, and Lewis Barcomb; and sisters, Viola Barcomb, Marguerite Lambert, Leona Beebe, and Blanche Arnold. Memorial information: Both Mr. and Mrs. Bezio were interred on April 14th at St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Gary Francis Crosby, 68, of Halifax. Died Thursday, April 4, 2018 at his home. Born April 4, 1950 in Halifax to the late Barbara (Dalrymple) and Frederick Crosby Jr., he went to school in Halifax and attended Whitingham High School. After high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he spent a year serving in Germany. He later enlisted in the Vermont National Guard, and served for many years. He enjoyed spending time on his land, was an avid reader, and loved being with his beloved dog, Neko. During his life, he was employed at The Book Press in Brattleboro, Clear Solutions in Vernon, and Main Street Mill Works in Greenfield, Mass. He is survived by his longtime partner, Harriett Ellis of Brattleboro; his children Amy Crosby-Perham and her husband, Robert Jr., of New Hampshire, Shane Crosby and his wife, Maria, of Pennsylvania, and Megan LaFlam and her husband, Sean, of Vernon; brothers Frederick “Hop” Crosby III and his wife, Melanie, of Halifax, Kirk Crosby and his wife, Sally of Halifax, and John Crosby of Brattleboro; and a sister, Kelley Crosby of Revere, Mass; and 13 grandchildren, four great- grandchildren, and as many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Per his wishes, no funeral services will be held. His family will celebrate his life privately, in a ceremony on his land. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Katherine Ann Fitzgerald, 93, of Bellows Falls. Died Monday, April 2, 2018. She was born on July 26, 1924 in North Walpole, N.H., the daughter of Catherine and Eugene P. Cray. She attended school in North Walpole and was a 1942 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. She attended Smith College and Bentley University, graduating in 1946 with a degree in business. She worked in the family business, Cray Enterprises. She was a member of the Altar Rosary Society, was a Lector at St. Peter's and St. Charles's churches, and was a board member and former president of the Greater Rockingham Area Services. Ann was also a Catechism teacher. She was a lifetime member of the Bellows Falls Woman's Club, former president of Monadnock Mental Health, was an active member of the Vermont Democratic Party and, in 2004, was voted Greater Rockingham Person of the Year. She also was a lifetime Red Cross volunteer. In 1949, she married Tom Fitzgerald, who predeceased her. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Sue Fitzgerald of Walpole; her daughter and son-in -law Barbara Fitzgerald and Mathew Katz of Longmeadow, Mass.; five grandchildren Kelsey, Conor, Nora, Joe, and Abby; her sister Madeline Courant of Carlisle, Mass.; as well as her large extended family. She is also predeceased by siblings Paul Cray and Barbara Spallino. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held April 14 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, followed by burial in St. Peter's Cemetery in Walpole, N.H. Donations may be made to Greater Rockingham Area Services.
• Constance Anne “Connie” Good, 65, died on March 25, 2018. She was born on Sept. 1, 1952, in Brattleboro. She was the second daughter of the late Joseph H. and Lucille C. (George) Good. While at BUHS, she was inducted into the Silver B Society and the National Honor Society. After graduating from Wheaton College, she worked in high tech in Virginia and Massachusetts, before returning to Vermont to live in Green River. She worked for the Holstein-Friesian Association and as a typesetter for American-Stratford Graphic Services and Pagesetters. From 1997 on, she found true joy in being an antiques dealer and co-owning, with her sister Gail, Big Al's Marketplace in Claremont, N.H.Connie made a wicked good potato salad, keyboarded with rocket-like speed, hiked The Long Trail, and loved animals. She was the best sister anyone could hope for. She had a beautiful alto voice and loved to sing; she played piano and guitar. She listened without judgment and loved without conditions. Her greatest pleasure came from loving her family and observing the beautiful birds, beasts, and flora of God's creation. She is remembered as a cherished daughter, beloved sister, dear niece, kind aunt, treasured friend, and valued neighbor. She is survived by her aunt, Louise George Boulter, formerly of Brattleboro; her sisters Elizabeth, Robin, and Gail Good; her niece Sarah Noonan; and her Boulter, Good, McSwiney, and Winchester cousins. Memorial information: Private service and interment at Meeting House Hill Cemetery.Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Alexander Winsor “Sander” Macy, 32, died Friday, April 6, 2018. He was born on June 21, 1985 in Boston, and had recently lived in Brooklyn, Boston, and Dummerston. He is survived by his beloved family, his parents, Robin Macy of Dummerston and Michael Macy and Tanya Fitneva of Kingston, Ontario, his brother Elliot Macy of Brooklyn, and sister Ani Macy of Kingston. Memorial information: A memorial service was held April 14 at the First Church in Jamaica Plain, Mass. In lieu of flowers, Sander's family asks that his spirit be honored by enjoying life as he did - listen to a song, dance at a show, have an impassioned discussion about politics, root for the Red Sox, fish on the beach, swim in a pond, river, or ocean, cook a meal with a friend, ski a favorite run, take pleasure in art, and reach out to old friends and connect deeply and often with those around you. Donations may be made to the Windham County Humane Society to honor Sander's love of animals, in particular his rescue dog, Charlie.
• John M. Platek, Jr., 47, of Halifax. Died April 8, 2018 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born in Greenfield, Mass., on Aug. 6, 1970, the son of John M. and Gloria Minelli Platek Sr. He attended elementary school in Colrain, Mass., then Mohawk Regional High School and Franklin County Technical School. He worked as a certified mechanic for Brown's in Greenfield and, for many years, worked as a house painter with his father and brothers. He enjoyed working on cars, going on family vacations, listening to country & western music (especially Johnny Cash), and the sounds of Irish bagpipes. He loved his dog Maddie and enjoyed a good steak and seafood. He is survived by his mother, Gloria Platek of Halifax; his brothers Michael Platek and his wife, Nikki Brown, of Heath, Mass., and Jason Platek of Turners Falls, Mass.; his sister Lisa Garbiel and her husband, Michael George, of Montague, Mass.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father. Memorial information: At the request of the family, funeral services will be private. There are no visiting hours. Donations to the Wilson House, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Shawn M. “Homer” Prentice, 36, of Townshend. Died unexpectedly on Saturday March 31, 2018 at his home. Born June 29, 1981 in Keene, N.H., son of Oliver M. “Sam” Prentice III and Dora L. (Lake) Prentice, he grew up in Townshend. Shawn attended the Forestry class at Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro. and graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School, Class of 2000. He was working for Erik & Andrew's Property Maintenance of Townshend. He previously worked for Wilson & Lawrence, Inc. Tennis Court Construction in Grafton and for Mr. & Mrs. Stan Holt of Townshend. He had a big heart and a contagious smile. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat: cutting wood, shoveling snow, and doing whatever needed to be done. He enjoyed the outdoors, wildlife, fishing, and riding and working on ATVs and snowmobiles. He especially enjoyed sharing these experiences with his sisters, nieces, cousins and friends. Growing up, he took his role as big brother seriously, always protecting his younger sister Samantha and in later years, his nieces Chloe and Alex. Shawn rarely ventured far from home yet he had many friends far and wide. A fan of the New England Patriots, Shawn would often give his dad grief about being a fan of the Denver Broncos. Shawn was an avid story teller and jokester with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed music of all kinds especially the 1980s and “oldies.” Shawn enjoyed life and especially spending time with family and friends. Survivors include his parents; sisters Samantha Prentice of Wolfeboro, N.H., Tina Prentice (Bobby) and her daughters of Charlestown, N.H., and grandmother Jeanette Bookhammer of Colorado. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family in both New England and Colorado. Additionally he is survived by close family friends, Scott, Vivian, John, Sue, and “little brother” Jimmy Francy. Memorial information: Burial in Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend will take place at a later date when the cemetery reopens. Donations may be made in Shawn's name to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at www.vtfishandwildlife.com/nongamefund.html. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.