College news
• The following local students completed their degree requirements at Northern Vermont University in the summer or fall 2018 semester: Madison O. Garfield of Brattleboro, B.A., psychology; Jake W. Harnish of Brattleboro, B.F.A., studio art; Trevor Lohr of Brattleboro, B.A., professional studies; Christian Max Ruse of Brattleboro, B.A., anthropology/sociology; Evan B. Daigneault of Newfane, A.A., general studies; Ellen D. Boles of Wilmington, B.A., music; and Ian M. Murdock of Wilmington, B.S., business administration. Ceremonies were held in December 2018 at NVU's Johnson and Lyndon campuses to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments.
• Alexander Groenewold, a computer science major from Bellows Falls, was named to the fall 2018 Dean's List at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.
• Taylor Bird of Vernon and Jessica Lawrence of Putney were part of an effort that raised $117,530.29 for the University of Vermont Children's Hospital through active participation in “Rallython,” UVM's annual year-long student-led fundraiser and 12-hour dance marathon in support of Vermont's local Children's Miracle Network Hospital.
• Emma Harris of Brattleboro is completing Colby-Sawyer College's internship requirement this spring with Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction, Vt. Harris is a sociology major and a member of the class of 2019.
Obituaries
• David R. Koski, 71, of West Dummerston. Died unexpectedly March 25, 2019 at the Vermont Veterans Medical Center in White River Junction, after being taken ill a week prior to his death. Born in Windsor, Vt., on June 15, 1947, the son of Walter and Helene (Genereau) Koski, he attended local public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1965. He went on to earn a diploma in photography from Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home to the Brattleboro area. He worked at C&S Wholesale Grocers for 22 years, retiring as a supervisor in 2008. Previously, David worked at the former Book Press in Brattleboro. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, playing golf, and riding his motorcycles with his wife and son. In 1977, he married Rebecca Sadd. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 41 years he leaves a son, Kevin Koski and soon to be daughter-in-law, Jacqueline Hynes, both of West Dummerston; a daughter, Katrina Mulvey and her husband, Shaun, of New Port Richey, Fla.; two grandchildren, Bianca and Kate Mulvey; several nieces and nephews and a close personal friend, Charles “Skip” Sleeper. Memorial information: A memorial gathering was held March 30 at St. Michael's School in Brattleboro. Donations to Brigid's Kitchen, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Bruce Arnold Lake, 83, formerly of Brattleboro and Putney. Died March 23, 2019 at the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington, following a period of declining health. Born on March 4, 1936 in Middletown Springs, Vt., the son of William H. and Elizabeth A. (Green) Lake, he was raised and educated in Putney and attended Putney Central School and later Brattleboro High School. In 1954 at age 18, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Patuxent River, Md., for two years and transferred to Morocco where he served for another two years until his honorable discharge in 1958. Bruce returned to Brattleboro and went to work for Suburban Propane, retiring as operations manager following 40 faithful years with the company. He was a longtime volunteer firefighter with the Brattleboro Fire Department and was a member of American Legion Post 5, Following his father's death, he relocated to Ashuelot, N.H., and resided in his father's home. He became a member of the Ashuelot/Winchester Volunteer Fire Dept. and Winchester Volunteer Ambulance, where he became a certified New Hampshire Emergency Medical Technician. Bruce was passionate about country music. He played guitar and loved to sing. In 1955, he married Marguerite Lewis, who predeceased him in 2001. Following his wife's death, he spent 17 years between West Palm Beach and later Zephyrhills, Fla, and Pittsford, Vt., enjoying time with his fiancée and companion, Ann Moran. Ann's daughters and their children became a big part of his life. Bruce is survived by a daughter, Debra L. Zaccheo of East Dorset; three sons, Bruce W. Lake (Debbie) of Putney, Terry W. Lake (Diane) of Vernon, and Christopher J. (Kyong) of Seoul, South Korea; and Ann's daughters, Patty (Rusty) Johnson, Pam (Dermot) Hughes, and Jennifer (Gus) Tabares. Additionally, he leaves: two brothers, Richard (Joan) and Danny Lake; one sister, Dora Lynn Prentice (Sam); his fiancée, Ann Moran of Pittsford; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, William, Edward, John, and Carroll, and a sister, JoAnn Gray. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with military honors will be conducted Saturday, April 20, at 11 a.m., in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road. Donations to the Putney Historical Society, 15 Kimball Hill, P.O. Box 260, Putney, VT 05346. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Richard K. Mitchell, 90, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 24, 2019 at his home, following a period of declining health. He was born in Northfield, Mass., on March 20, 1929, the second son of William and Blanche (Locke) Mitchell. He was raised and educated in Northfield and, while attending Northfield High School, became one of the air raid wardens for the town. At that time, he also joined the Civil Air Patrol in Hinsdale. He proudly joined the Marines in 1948 and served during the Korean War. While in the Marines, he married Beatrice Butler of Hinsdale in 1950. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1952. Upon returning home, the couple settled in Hinsdale and he established his own general contracting business, R.K. Mitchell, Builder. He is credited with building many of the homes and garages in the area and remodeled the local bank, Cheshire National. Prior to starting his business, he worked for the former Harry Winn Builders. Richard served on the Hinsdale Budget Committee for many years, and was the town's first building inspector. He also served as a part-time police officer in Hinsdale. He was a charter member of the Hinsdale Lions Club, of which he served two terms as president, held membership in the former Wantastiquet Grange, and was a former member of the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499. He enjoyed square dancing and, with his wife, was a member of the former Green Mountain Squares. He liked hunting, alpine and water skiing, and spending summers at his cottage on Spofford Lake. Additionally, he enjoyed candlepin bowling and was active in several leagues at the former King's Bowling Alley in Brattleboro. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 68 years, he leaves a daughter, Judy Carriere (Bruce) of Hinsdale, two sons, Jerry Mitchell (Ellen) of Rochelle Park, N.J., and James Mitchell (Kim) of Hinsdale, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Donald Mitchell and Helen Patterson. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors will be conducted in Pine Grove Cemetery later in the spring. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302; the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Dept., Depot St., Hinsdale, N.H. 03451; or to the Hinsdale Lions Club, P.O. Box 302, Hinsdale, N.H. 03451. To send condolences to the Mitchell family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Virginia “Ginny” Parker, 79, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 25, 2019 at the Jack Byrne Hospice Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a brief illness. She was born in Hinsdale on Oc.t 15, 1939, the daughter of Joseph Fostyck and Annie (Pelech) Fostyck, and attended Hinsdale schools. In 1965, she married Warren (Clem) Parker. They were married for 52 wonderful years before his death in October 2018. For many years, she worked for Linden Lodge Nursing home in Brattleboro before her retirement in 1997. When Ginny was able to get out and about, she enjoyed and attended many local Bingo nights (her favorite being the Shriners Hall in Brattleboro). She also enjoyed her scratch tickets. She loved watching the Red Sox and Monday Night RAW wrestling. Family gatherings every holiday and visits from family and friends were cherished. Survivors include Dennis Parker and his fiance Jane Boroski of Hinsdale, Diane Pringle and her husband Jack of Hinsdale, three grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, many nieces and nephews and her dear friend of more than 50 years, Claire Menter of Winchester, N.H., whom she had enjoyed talking on the phone with every day. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by siblings Joseph Fostyck and Lillian Hodgeman. Memorial information: In respect to her wishes, there will be no services, Burial will be in the spring at the family's convenience. Donations to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care, 154 Hitchcock Loop Rd., Lebanon, NH 03756.
• Joseph Herbert “Joe” Schaeffer, 80, of Marlboro. Died March 14, 2019 in his home, after returning there for brief hospice care following a massive stroke five days earlier. He was attended by his middle daughter and his oldest grandson, who were at his bedside when he died. He is survived by two daughters, one son, and three (soon to be four) grandchildren, as well as numerous friends and extended family. Joe attended Oberlin College on a full music scholarship in the 1950s, traveling to Austria to study piano as a young man. He went on to a successful career as both a performer and musician in musical theater and opera in New York City and elsewhere. He then changed careers, receiving his Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia University in the late 1960s, under the advisement of Margaret Mead. After completing the first U.S. government-funded research into marijuana use on the island of Jamaica in 1969-70, he moved with his second wife to Guilford, where they and a group of friends established the Johnson's Pastures commune. He was a professor of anthropology at Marlboro College from 1970 until 1987, eventually leaving this position to follow his dream of traveling the world. He then moved to Victoria, Canada, with his third wife and daughter, living there and then eventually in Waterloo, Canada, for the next 20 years. During this time, he developed a series of methods designed to support positive community communication and conflict resolution, which he shared in workshops with a wide ranging variety of populations across the U.S. and Canada. He published two books on this work. After living internationally and teaching English in Istanbul, Madrid, and Moscow from his mid-60s through his mid-70s, he returned to Jamaica, Vt., and then Marlboro, where he lived simply and peacefully until his death. During this time he took great enjoyment in spending time with his grandchildren, sitting in the sun, visiting with family and friends, reading books, and listening to classical music. Memorial information: None provided.