College news
• Kaie Quigley of West Wardsboro and Sophia Mark of Brattleboro were among the nearly 600 new students that Lasell University welcomed to its Newton, Mass., campus for the 2019-20 school year. Quigley is studying communication, while Mark is studying fashion design and production.
• St. Lawrence University recently welcomed Hanako Kusumi of South Londonderry as a member of the Class of 2023. Kusumi attended Stratton Mountain School.
• William Baker of Londonderry, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2020, earned the spring 2019 Dean's Award for Academic Excellence.
Obituaries
• Philip E. Bartlett, 71, of East Dover. Died suddenly on Sept. 23, 2019 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, surrounded by his family. The son of Edwin and Marion I. (Johnson) Bartlett, he was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 3, 1948. Phil grew up in East Dover, where he attended Dover Elementary School. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1966. He served in the Army, and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. A lifelong farmer, he worked on Bill Holland's dairy farm during his teenage years, he worked for Dick Holland doing construction work in the 1970s and, for nearly 35 years, he worked for the Dover Highway Department. For 30 years, he was the town's Road Commissioner. Phil was very involved in his community and family - he was a member of the East Dover Volunteer Fire Department, Future Farmers of America, Friends of Dover School, and the Windham Solid Waste Management District Board. He became a Dover Selectboard member in 1988, served in the Vermont House from 2002-2006, and was a trustee of the Deerfield Valley Fair for many years. He leaves his wife Sandra (Mundell) Bartlett; children Melissa Bartlett and Ray Fletcher of East Dover, Carl Bartlett and Brenda Pike of East Dover, and Traci Bartlett and Jesse Corbeil of East Dover; siblings Sheila Lowe and Reg Lowe of Jamaica, Warren Bartlett of East Dover, and Steven and Edna Bartlett of East Dover; as well as nine grandchildren and many nieces, nephews,and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Effie Chamberlin and Eleanor Lowe, and brothers Rexford Bartlett and Kenneth Bartlett. Memorial information: A service was held at the family homestead on Sept. 27. Donations to the East Dover Volunteer Fire Department or Grace Cottage Hospital, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Mildred (Millie) Bristol, 80, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 23, 2019, surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born to the late James and Mildred Boomer, on Sept. 23, 1939, in Boston. She attended Groton High School and graduated from Lowell General School of Nursing in 1961. Millie married the late Robert Bristol in 1975, and they lived together in the Brattleboro area. She worked as the Emergency Room nursing supervisor at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and a private duty nurse for many years. She subsequently owned several prominent businesses, including Central Answering Service and Crystal Limousine Service. Millie is survived by her sister, Ruth Moran of Marietta, Ga., and five children: Michael Terenzio, of Boone, N.C., Jesse and Paula Bristol, of Dummerston, Debra and Chris Terenzio Ramacciotti, of Renton, Wash., Travis and Chris Bristol, of Dummerston, and James and Sarah Terenzio of Barrington, N.H. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Millie was predeceased by her loving husband in 2012. Millie loved spending time with her vast extended family, soaking up sun on any beach she could find, and was an accomplished bridge player. Solving jigsaw puzzles was a family affair in her home during both long winters and hot summers. In recent years, Millie found fulfillment and fellowship while volunteering regularly at St. Brigid's Kitchen, a ministry of St. Michael's Catholic Church, where she was a long-time parishioner. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held today at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Donations to St. Brigid's Kitchen or Brattleboro Oncology.
• Paul Alan Bruhn, 72, of South Burlington. Died Sept. 19, 2019. His friends say he died of having too much fun, and that it was his heart that finally couldn't keep up with him. He was born March 27, 1947, in Burlington, the son of Marion and Elmer Bruhn. His father died when Paul was just five months old, and his mother was left to run the family business, Bruhn Office Equipment on Church Street in downtown Burlington, as well as raising three young children. The first two were probably easier than the last one. The high point of his academic career was at the Tom Thumb Nursery School. He later graduated (barely) from Burlington High School in 1965, where playing basketball was his biggest interest, and he briefly attended the University of Vermont. In spite of an uninspiring academic record, he was lucky enough to have three very special careers. In 1966, Proctor and Ruth Page took him under their wings and provided him with an education in journalism and the newspaper business. Later, they supported his effort to edit and publish a monthly magazine for Chittenden County. Chittenden Magazine operated for four years, ending publication in 1973. Paul often said those years working for Proc and Ruth were his “college” education. After a brief stint in the Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office, he ran Patrick Leahy's first campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1974. He then served as Senator Leahy's chief of staff in Washington, D.C., until returning to Vermont in 1978. (That, Paul said, was his second college education.) He operated a consulting business for several years, and became the first executive director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont in 1980, a position he held until his death. He had great passion for his work with the Preservation Trust and the people in virtually every community in Vermont who work hard every day to save and use their historic places, and who value and support their downtowns and village centers. It would be hard to overstate how much he cared about Vermont. He received a number of honors and awards, including an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Vermont, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Green Mountain College, the President's Award from Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Hildene Award, the Richard Carbin Award for Community Service from the Vermont Land Trust, the Cowbird Award from the Vermont Land Trust, the Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership from Smart Growth Vermont, the Franklin Fairbanks Award from the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, the Bernice Murray Award from the Vermont Community Development Association, the Nate Harris Award from the Downtown Burlington Business Association, the Pizzagalli Excellence Award, the Vermont Council on Rural Development Lifetime Leadership Award, and the Vermont Economic Advancement Award from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. During his tenure as executive director, The Preservation Trust received the Trustees' Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Paul served on the board of many organizations, including the Visiting Nurse Association, Howard Mental Health, the Vermont Community Foundation, Smart Growth Vermont, the Vermont Council on Rural Development, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Life Advisory Board, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board, the Vermont Natural Resources Council, Local First Vermont, Vermont Public Television, the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Board of Advisors. Paul is survived by his very special friend, Colleen O'Neill, of Cornish, N.H.; his former partner, Christine Graham, of Burlington and North Bennington; her two sons Finnegan Calabro and wife Clare Beams and their daughters, Tess and Joanna, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Max Calabro, of Portland, Ore.; his sisters Janet Lum of Orcas, Wash., and Beverly Major and her husband, Randolph, of Westminster West; his former wife, Kathleen Stankevich, of Springfield; numerous nieces and nephews; his “brother,” Pat Robins and Lisa Schamberg, who didn't know she was getting a package deal; his colleagues and board members at the Preservation Trust of Vermont; and lots of special friends. Memorial information: There will be a celebration of Paul's life on Friday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m., at the Breeding Barn at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne. Visit www.cremationsocietycc.com to place online condolences.
• Marilyn J. Kissell, 86, of Westminster. Died Sept. 26, 2019 at her home. Marilyn was born in Claremont, N.H., on Jan. 24, 1933, the daughter of Charles and Thelma (Purrington) Sawyer. She was a graduate of Stevens High School in Claremont and worked on the family farm. She also worked at T-Bird, Jones & Lamson, and The Westminster Restaurant. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church and a member of the Polish American Club. She loved the ocean and was a very caring woman with a beautiful smile - always giving and never taking. She also had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. In 1956, she married Phillip F Kissell, who predeceased her. Surviving are their sons Victor C. Kissell, Phillip F. Kissell, Jr., and Daniel J. Kissell; daughters Cynthia M. Tucker and Dianne M. Quinn; and 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, David. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m., at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• Mark Leon Kozlowski, 61, of Townshend. Died unexpectedly on Sept. 17, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. Mark was born and raised in Southington, Conn., on Dec. 10, 1957, son of Beryl (Francis) and Leon Kozlowski. He raced dirt bikes as a child, winning many competitions, and attended trade school as a teenager for welding and automotive repair. At 21, he began his trucking career driving gas tankers for A.W. Martin Trucking in Plainfield, Conn. In 1981, he married Joletta P. Januszkwiecz of Coventry, Conn. They started a family and moved to Vermont, where they raised their four children, in 1991. Mark began driving that year for the Disilva family at Webster Trucking in Brattleboro. He worked there for 22 years. He was a true American man, racing stock cars and using his many talents and knowledge to build and fabricate Jeeps. Mark was an exceptional welder and perfected everything he touched. You could always find him in his garage helping his sons work on a project. His pride and joy were his four granddaughters. There wasn't any thing he wouldn't have done for them. He was above all a family man and would drop anything he was doing to help his family. He loved to read and had vast knowledge in so many subjects. He also loved music and his selections never ceased to amaze. He was an amazing man who will forever be missed and loved. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 38 years; his four children: Kyle Kozlowski of Townshend, Kaleb Kozlowski and Aubrey Paraspolo of Newfane, Kaysha Chapman of Townshend, and Karla Kozlowski and Jamie Zargo of Wardsboro; four granddaughters: Isabella Kozlowski, Aubree Chapman, Meadow Zargo, and River Zargo; his father of Southington, CT, and his sister April (Kozlowski) Smalls of Oakfield, Maine. He was predeceased by his mother and his brother, Todd Kozlowski. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be set for a later date.
• Maureen Van Hook, 61, of Wilmington. Died Aug. 25, 2019. Maureen was a long-time resident of Wilmington, having moved to the area from New York City in 1989. Her original plan was to take a break from the city life and spend some time in the country in the area that her parents had recently retired to. That break lasted 30 years. She loved Vermont. As a bartender at Cuzzins at Mount Snow, Maureen was a popular and familiar and comforting figure at the ski area for many years. Her long blonde curls and big smile were easy to notice and hard to forget. During summer, she would move to the Mount Snow golf course as a server and bartender. She very much enjoyed the camaraderie of her friends on the Mount Snow Golf School team. She attended Immaculate Heart Academy in New Jersey, where she excelled at academics and as an athlete. She went on to attend the University of Vermont. Maureen loved the outdoors, her dogs, her family and friends, and tennis. She had a fierce personality that was based in love and loyalty. Maureen was predeceased by her father, Charlie, in 2015. She missed him dearly. She leaves behind her mother and brothers and sisters, and her beloved pets Angie, Billy, and Kid. Memorial information: A celebration of Maureen's life will be held at Dover Forge in West Dover on Saturday, Nov. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. All friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations to your local animal shelter would be greatly appreciated by Maureen.
• Hal Joseph Wilkins, 70, of Windham. Died Sept. 13, 2019, following a short battle with cancer. He loved a strong IPA, a hike in the woods with his beloved Labrador Lilly and a playful philosophical discussion. A wry smile always preceded an amusing insight or gentle grammatical correction. Nature in all her forms inspired Hal's career from his first job in the White Mountains to his final work as a zoning administrator for the villages of Sandgate, Peru, Landgrove, and Pawlet, Vt. His willingness to help any and everyone earned him many loyal friends and kept him busy with endless projects - much to his wife's chagrin. In his last months, Hal learned from family, friends, colleagues and neighbors just how much he was valued and left this earth knowing how deeply his gifts were appreciated. Born on Sept. 29, 1948, he was the son of the late Oliver Woodbury Lull Wilkins and Lou Ramsey Wilkins of Northborough, Mass. He attended Bates College, earning his B.A. in religious atudies and philosophy. Later, he earned an MBA from Norwich University and continued his studies in forestry at the University of New Hampshire. During the course of his life, Hal worked for dozens of businesses and organizations both nationally and internationally. In addition, he ran his own business for 30 years. His work was in his areas of interest that included but were not limited to forestry, logging, construction, engineering, land planning, permitting, education and law enforcement. Hal served on the Windham Selectboard, and on several environmental boards. His expertise and counsel were often sought by local and international concerns and altogether these experiences enriched his love for life, education and the earth. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Virginia “Missy” Maloney Wilkins, of Windham; their children Caitlin Jane Rawson Wilkins of Johnson, and William North Wilkins and his partner, Sarah Rondot, of Warrensburg, Mo., as well as their infant son, Sidney J. Phillip Rondot, a special joy to his grandfather in his last days. Hal is also survived by his daughters by his first wife, Virginia G. Cave of Phoenix, Ariz., Emily Apple Wilkins of Seattle, and Ramsey Beaumont Williams and her husband, Joey Williams, of Flagstaff, Ariz., and stepsons, Ian MacLean, John Dickson, and Robert Dickson as well as his devoted sister, Lee Ann Wilkins, of Rutland, Mass. Memorial information: A gathering to commemorate Hal's life will take place at the Windham Meeting House on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. For more information, visit caringbridge.org/visit/halwilkins. Donations to the town of Windham (to be designated for the operation of the Windham Meeting House, 5976 Windham Hill Rd., Windham, VT 05359); SWA Faith and Nature Camp (Dorset Church, P.O. Box 263, Dorset, VT 05251); Vermont Natural Resource Council (9 Bailey Ave, Montpelier, VT 05602); or Keep the Whites Wild (www.protectmountwashington.org).
• Timothy A. Zettle, 55, of Londonderry. Died Sept. 23, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family, on the day before his 56th birthday. Born in Indiana, Pa., on Sept. 24, 1963, the son of the late William Zettle Sr. and Dorothy (Roth) Buterbaugh, he attended United High School in Armagh, Pa., and attended DeVry University for Technology & Electronics. Tim worked in maintenance for many years, and at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow for about seven years. Tim loved snowboarding, hiking, camping, and going to the beach. He was a self-taught carpenter and could build just about anything, including his home in Brush Valley, Pa., along with total renovation of his home in Londonderry. He was a huge Pittsburgh sports fan, especially the Steelers. He loved his three dogs and cherished times spent with his family. Tim is survived by his wife, Brenda Zettle, whom he began dating in 1999 and married in 2006; daughters Monica Reed, of Denver, Colo., and Heather Reed, of Johnstown, Pa.; two grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, William Zettle Jr. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Sept. 29 at The Roundhouse at Jackson Gore at Okemo Mountain Resort. Donations may be made to the family at www.gofundme.com/f/tim-zettle-memorial-fund.
Services
• There will be a memorial service for Natt Lincoln Divoll III on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m., at the Rockingham Meeting House. A reception will follow the service at the Rockingham Hill Farm. Mr. Divoll died on Aug. 6, 2019 at the age of 80. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• A memorial barbeque for Jeffrey W. “Jeff” Collins will be held Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 6 p.m., at the home of Jeff's sister, 21 Thomas Street in Brattleboro. Mr. Collins died on Aug. 26, 2019 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., at the age of 61. To view his full obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com.