Obituaries
• Donna Marie Burgoyne, 75, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 8, 2018 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, following a brief illness. Born in Brattleboro on Oct. 12, 1942, the daughter of Faheem John and Blanche (Burgoyne) Ziter, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a proud graduate of St. Michael's High School, Class of 1960. She had been employed as a switchboard operator at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for 13 years, retiring in 1992. For a number of years, she resided in Clinton, Mass., and had worked at Van Brody Industries and Henri Hair Salon, both in Clinton. In her earlier years, she worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in their Brattleboro office. Strong and steadfast in her walk of faith, she was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. She was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Emblem Club, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, held membership in the Brattleboro Floral and Garden Club and, was a very active volunteer and fund raiser for several Brattleboro organizations that included the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and St. Michael's High School Alumni Association, where she was organizer for its annual celebration and reunion. A faithful and devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother, her life centered around her family. She enjoyed family get togethers especially during the holidays. Donna was very proud of her Lebanese heritage. She loved the beach and enjoyed trips to Cape Cod and enjoyed seasonal activities, especially apple picking at Cortland Hill Orchards. She loved music, cooking, and flowers. She will be remembered for her pleasant and optimistic personality and spirit of friendship. On April 28, 1962, she married Thomas J. Burgoyne, who survives. Besides her husband of 56 years, she leaves one daughter, Andrea Bergeron and husband James of Clinton, Mass., one son, Aaron Burgoyne and his wife, Gena, of Brattleboro, and three grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves several nieces and nephews and many cousins. She was predeceased by an infant son, John Thomas and a sister, Tanya Beebe. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 15 at St. Michael's Catholic Church with committal rites and burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 35105, (www.stjude.org). To sign an online register book with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joseph “Jay” Casella, 72, of Brattleboro, formerly of Easthampton, Mass. Died Aug, 7, 2018 after a long illness. He is survived by sons James and Jason, and daughters Jessie and Beth. He is also remembered by his ex-wife and caregiver, Dawn. Jay was born in Pittsfield, Mass. on Feb. 3, 1946 to parents James and Elizabeth. He was the youngest of four children. He proudly served in the Marine Corps and received the Rifle Marksmanship Badge. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a driver for Barrows Oil, in a variety of positions at C&S Wholesale Grocers, and as a machine operator at Georgia Pacific. He enjoyed traveling and taking road trips. He was a fan of detective and history stories and television shows. His daughters and friends remember his enthusiasm for board games. Italian cooking was another hobby of Jay's and he liked to cook for his family and friends. Memorial information: He will be interred at Brookside Cemetery in Easthampton at a later date. Donations to Bayada Hospice, 1222 Putney Rd., #203, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Capt. Herbert C. Childs (USN, Ret.), 98, of West Dover. Died Aug. 5, 2018 at Langdon Place, Keene, N.H. Born in Battle Creek, Mich., on Feb. 25, 1920, he was a World War II Naval Aviator who saw action in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters as a fighter pilot with anti-submarine and fighter squadrons. He continued his career as an active squadron commander and retired from the Navy as a captain. After World War II, he graduated from Wayne State University's engineering school and took a job with Olin Industries in New Haven, Conn., where he met his wife, Isabel Riley Childs. They married on Oct. 14, 1950. After the birth of their third child, Herb was sent to Harvard Business School by Olin Industries. He went on to have a highly successful career in the chemical business with Olin as a research engineer, then at Kordite as a vice president of operations, then at Tenneco as vice president and director. In addition to those companies, he worked as vice president of operations at Off-Track Betting in New York City. Alongside Herb's career advancement, Isabel became quite adept at relocating, renting, buying and selling homes in 22 different locations. By the 1970's, they were settled in their beloved home in West Dover, where Herb enjoyed semi-retirement. But as Isabel was heard to say, “Herb's real hobby is going to work.” By 1980, he was appointed by then-Republican Gov. Richard Snelling as the director of general services for the state of Vermont. He served in Montpelier in that capacity for five years. Back in West Dover, he started a financial consulting business which expanded into a utility auditing, field and property management company which he ran with his son, Andrew Childs. After the death of his beloved wife, Isabel, Herb remarried at age 91 to Barbara Shepherd, who died in 2014. He was a dedicated supporter of the West Dover Congregational Church and a leader in many fundraising activities and major renovations. He was also active in the West Dover Historical Society. In addition to his wives, he was predeceased by his son Herbert Childs Jr. He is survived by his adult children Nancy Childs, Karen Childs LaVelle and her husband, Michael, Rebecca Childs Miller, Andrew Childs and his wife, Mindy, Sarah Childs Gagnon and her husband John; and six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and their families whom he loved very much. Herb had a great love of animals. He and Isabel shared many happy years with their three beautiful Shelties: Robbie, Jamie and Toby. Memorial information: A service of resurrection will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m.. at West Dover Congregational Church, with a reception to follow at the church. Donations to American Legion Post 15 and/or West Dover Congregational Church in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• William Henry “Bill” Faucher, 80, of Hinsdale, N.H. died August 6, 2018 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative Care & Hospice at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following an extended illness. Born in Webster, Mass., on Feb. 13, 1938, the son of Roland and Cecile (Jacob) Faucher, he was raised in the Webster area and attended Notre Dame Parochial School in Southbridge, Mass. He had been a longtime resident of Hinsdale. He worked most of his career as a horse owner, trainer, and driver in the harness horse racing circuit. Professionally, he competed at many racing venues along East Coast, including the former Hinsdale Raceway and Rockingham Park in New Hampshire, The Meadowlands in New Jersey, and Scarborough Downs in Maine. A hardworking and skilled entrepreneur, he owned and operated several successful businesses that included Hinsdale Harness (OTB), Faucher Paper Co., Faucher Trucking, and Route 63 Country Store, all in the greater Hinsdale area. He served two terms as a New Hampshire State Representative and was a steadfast promoter of harness horse racing. He also was an accomplished licensed private pilot and owned his own plane for several years. He enjoyed travel, especially trips in his RV with family and close friends, visiting Disney World, golfing, and time shared with his family. In 1963, he married Janet Wojchick, who survives. With his wife, he was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. He leaves three daughters, Karen Gaddy of Louisville, Ky., Laurie Faucher of Concord, N.H., and Kelly Gilmartin of Wilbraham, Mass.; a nephew who he considered a son, Christopher Lord of Brattleboro; one brother, Roland Faucher of Bridgeport, Conn., and a sister, Muriel Johnson of Hubbardston, Mass. Additionally, he is survived by six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews as well as a large host of friends. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 11 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, N.H. 03756-0001. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Deborah Andrews Ladd “Debby” Tewksbury, 82, of Brattleboro. Died Aug 3, 2018 at her home. She was born on April 1, 1936 in New York City, the daughter of Henry Ladd and Berenice Langton Ladd. She was the wife of Kipton “Kip” Tewksbury. They were married on Aug. 13, 1983 at their home in Brattleboro. Debby was previously married to John Paulsen, who predeceased her. She is survived by the three children of that marriage: Alexander Paulsen of Easthampton, Mass., April Paulsen Curtis of Brattleboro, and Michael Paulsen of Whately, Mass; by three much-loved grandchildren, four nieces and nephews, and several cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers. Her father died of a heart attack when she was five years old, and she was raised by her mother in New York City. She attended the Brearley School for Girls in New York City, The Putney School, and graduated from Radcliffe College in 1958. She was married to John Paulsen from 1962 to 1974. She worked at the Cambridge (Mass.) Public Library, Montpelier Head Start, Planned Parenthood of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Libraries at the Regional Library in Dummerston from 1972-1996 and, lastly, at Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vermont. Debby officially and finally retired in 2017 as a library clerk. Those who have been served by her and worked with her know that she was so very much more than a clerk. She was a naturalist at heart and thought that she should have gone into horticulture and botany instead of being an English major. She loved the outdoors, flower and vegetable gardening, watching wildlife and walking in the woods. Debby was passionate about words, written and spoken. She loved poetry and was a champion of children's literature. Other cultures interested Debby and she explored her interest through travel and food. She was a lifelong supporter of civil rights, human rights. and especially women's rights. Locally, she was quietly supportive of several area movements and organizations. She was on the board of, and drove weekly for the Senior Meals program until illness this year prevented her from doing so. She was also involved in Brattleboro Time Trade with her husband Kip. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro on Sunday, August 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. The library currently has a table where anyone may contribute to or write in her memory book. Donations to Friends of Brooks Memorial Library or Brattleboro Senior Meals.
• Benedict Q. Underhill, 59, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 12, 2018 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma and a more recent bout with sarcoma. He was born on May 20, 1959 in St. Petersburg, Fla. the son of the late Jacob B. Underhill III and Cynthia L. Robinson. He moved to Long Island, N.Y., shortly after his birth and graduated from Westhampton Beach High School in 1977. In 1981, he graduated from Colgate University with a double major in political science and history. He was invited to be a member of Konosioni, Colgate's Senior Honor Society devoted to preserving Colgate's many traditions and bettering the Hamilton community through service. While at Colgate, he was involved with the campus radio station, serving as program director his senior year. He also helped run the college record store and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He worked for WCHN/WKXZ radio in Norwich, N.Y., then came to Brattleboro to be a salesman for WKVT. In 1988, he joined the Putnam Insurance Agency in Brattleboro and became president of the agency in 1992. In 2002, he completed his purchase of the agency from his close friend and mentor, Andy Chalifour. While in high school, Ben lettered in both wrestling and golf. He also began coaching youth baseball, a love that continued throughout his life. He was a longtime coach in the Brattleboro Small Fry Baseball Association and served on their Board of Directors for over 30 years. In 2012, he was honored with the dedication of the first base dugout in his name. He played for over 20 years in the Brattleboro Softball League with the Brattleboro Reformer and Newton Business teams. For many years, he played in the Morning Basketball Association at Brattleboro Union High School. In 1986, Ben started the Green Mountain Rotisserie League and is their CFL and seven-time winner. He was also active in the Vermont National Bank Fantasy Football League since 2006 and was a three-time winner of that league. One of Ben's biggest joys was the Boston Red Sox. A lifelong fan of the team, he shared season tickets and went to many games, his first in 1969, the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park with his son Jeff, and Opening Day of 2005, when they raised the Championship banner. In 2007, he attended his first World Series game and in 2013 attended two World Series games, including the Game 6 clincher at Fenway. He always rooted against the Evil Empire. He was a passionate Patriots fan and season ticket holder, going to many of their games over the years, including Super Bowl XX. He loved rock & roll; almost every year he would attend concerts, and was a huge Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band fan. Reading was another passion, along with movies. Ben loved his children and was proud to have been able to coach and watch them in their various sports and endeavors in life. He was a board member of Youth Services of Windham County for 30 years beginning in 1987, serving as both President of the Board of Directors and of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. In 2010, he was honored as a recipient of their first Hall of Fame award. He was a longtime Brattleboro Town Meeting Representative and served on other area boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Parks & Recreation Board, Play Inc. and the West River Park Board and Fund Raising Committee. He served as a Justice of the Peace, first being elected in 2008 and enjoyed working election nights. In 2011, the Brattleboro Rotary Club honored him by naming him a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2012 and 2013, he testified in front of the Vermont Legislature in support of the Patient's Choice Bill and attended the signing of the bill by Governor Peter Shumlin in May 2013. In 2003 Ben was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He survived the cancer for 15 years, primarily thanks to the help and dedication of his children, friends, and family. This changed his life, ending his participation as a coach and as a player. He is survived by his stepchildren, Meghan John of Winchester, N.H.; Christopher John (and Jamie Cansler) of Brattleboro, and Jeffrey John of Boston; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Linda Underhill of Portsmouth, N.H.; a sister and brother-in-law, Kate and Jim Kerwin, of Naples Fla.; and his nieces and nephews; Graeme & Heather Underhill, Sean Kerwin and his fiancé Jennifer Montgomery, and Meaghan Kerwin and Brian Zimmer; stepmothers, Lois Underhill of La Jolla, Calif., and Betsy Ashton of New York City, and his ex-wife, Debra Ketchum. He also shared his life with many dogs and cats over the years. In addition to his birth parents, he was predeceased his stepfather, William R. Robinson, who raised him. Memorial information: There will be a gathering to celebrate Ben's life on Sunday, Aug. 19, at 5:30pm at the Kiwanis Shelter at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro. They will have ball park food and a baseball-themed party, so wear your Red Sox, Patriots, or local team apparel and, if able, bring your own lawn chair. Donations to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 383 Main Ave, fifth floor, Norwalk, CT 06851; Youth Services of Windham County, Walnut Street, Brattleboro VT 05301; PLAY Inc, c/o the Gibson-Aiken Center, Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or the Oncology Unit at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Belmont Ave, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Edward Francis “Ed” Wunsch, 87, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died August 9, 2018 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in White River Junction, following an extended illness. Born in Framingham, Mass on Feb. 17, 1931, the son of Theodore and Louise (Hart) Wunsch, he was raised and educated in Palmer, Mass., and was a graduate of Palmer High School, Class of 1949. He went on to proudly serve his country in the Air Force during both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged from active service at the rank of master sergeant in November 1971 following 22 years of military service. He then worked as a plumber for Edmund Gilbert Plumbing & Heating in Brattleboro and, later, for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 21 years in the Brattleboro Post Office. He retired in 1996. He was a life member of both VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 and American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro, where he served as financial officer. He was an active volunteer in each post. Additionally, he held membership in the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge 1499, and the F.O. Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie 2445. A man of faith, Mr. Wunsch was a member of North Hinsdale Community Church, where he served as bookkeeper. He enjoyed gardening, bowling and playing softball. For several years, he played in the Greater Brattleboro Men's Softball League. He also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford, N.H. In 1953, he married Edna Johnson, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 65 years, he leaves two sons, Theodore “Ted” Wunsch and his wife, Kelly, of Vernon, and Edward A. Wunsch of Hinsdale; a daughter, Paula Howe and her husband, Stephen, of Hinsdale; and numerous nieces, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by a daughter, Sheila Mae Wunsch, on July 1, 2018; a sister, Lois Taylor; and a grandson, Jacob Wunsch. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors will be conducted Aug. 16, at 2 p.m., in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale. At his request, his beloved pet dog, Ashley, whom he loved so much, will be buried next to him in the Wunsch family lot. A reception will follow the service to be held at the American Legion on Linden Street in Brattleboro. Donations to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W. Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• There will be a gathering to remember Robert Arthur “Bob” Miller on Sunday, Aug. 19, at 3 p.m., at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church (West Village Meeting House) in West Brattleboro. Songs and reminiscences will be followed by a buffet meal. Please RSVP for the meal to [email protected]. Mr. Miller died on Feb. 13, 2018 at age 93.