Obituaries
• Mary Ida Blackstone, 82, formerly of Putney. Died April 30, 2020 at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility in Pittsfield, Mass. Born on April 25, 1938 in Putney, daughter of the late Guy and Gladys Vaine Stockwell, she graduated from St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro. In 1957, she married Elvin “Whitney” Blackstone. Mary was a CNA and medical receptionist who was most recently employed at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. She treated all her patients with dignity and understanding. Mary had a number of interests, including gardening, sewing, art, camping, bike riding, swimming and hiking. She shared these interests with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary was selfless when it came to family and was the first to lend a hand to anyone in need. She helped raise her two nieces, Gladys Barlow and Marianne Rice. She was a true matriarch, keeping the family together even as it grew in numbers. She was a devout Christian. Over the years, Mary taught Sunday school, and painted, repaired, and cleaned churches as needed. The most recent church she attended was Calvary Chapel of the Berkshires in Pittsfield. Mary was predeceased in 2008by her beloved husband of more than 50 years. She was also predeceased by a brother, Paul Stockwell, and sister, Undine Weeks. She is survived by her children Anne M. Lauren (Chris D. Del Gallo) of Pittsfield, John A. Blackstone of Lanesborough, Mass., and Teresa L. Blackstone (Daniel J. Ling) of Middle Grove, N.Y. She leaves behind siblings Erwin Stockwell (Mary) of Brattleboro, Fred Stockwell of Putney, and Irma Robertson (Stanley) of Hinsdale, N.H. Also left behind are six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Donations to Calvary Chapel in care of Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
• Wallace Alfred “Wally” Brown, 86, of East Dover. Died peacefully, with his beloved wife Catherine and children by his side, on May 7, 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in East Dover on July 30, 1933, the son of the late Erwin and Geneva (Bartlett) Brown, he was raised and educated in East Dover and helped out on the family farm with his brother and sisters. He was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1951. In 1953, he met the love of his life, Catherine I. “Kate” Brooks. He proudly served his country in the Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Intrepid. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1957 and returned home to resume his employment with Agway (formerly Eastern States Farmers' Exchange), He retired as feed manager following 39 years of faithful service with the company. In retirement, he worked part-time as a school bus driver where he was affectionately known to play country music on his routes with the kids. Wally especially enjoyed square dancing and was an avid gardener. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards with his wife (allowing her to cheat on occasion). He loved baseball and football and was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Everyone knew you couldn't talk to Wally if a game was on TV. Active socially, he was a member of the Now & Then Car Club and was the owner of a 1952 Dodge pickup, which he proudly won awards for. He and Kate were active members of the Windham Wanderers, a private camper group that traveled throughout New England. He held membership in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, an active preservation group, and was a proud member of the National Rifle Association. With his wife, he attended the East Dover Baptist Church and was a former member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. Besides his loving wife of 65 years, he leaves a son, Russell Brown (Kristen Clark) of Hinsdale, N.H., and a daughter, Susan Ballantine (Tom White) of West Dover; one brother, Sonny Brown of East Dover; three sisters, Eva Sherman of East Dover, Beverly Murray of Virginia and Evelyn Brassor of Norton, Vt.; and his two grandchildren, Amanda Moshovetis (Michael) of Milton, and Jeremy Ballantine (Shelby) of East Dover. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be conducted at a future time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or to Deerfield Valley Rescue, P.O. Box 854, Wilmington, VT 05363. To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Virginia A. “Ginny” Carter, 78, of West Dummerston. Died peacefully with her family by her side on May 6, 2020 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Ginny was born on Oct. 28, 1941 in New Haven, Conn., to William and Eunice Hadley. She was a graduate of Green Mountain College in Vermont. With her husband Dick, she lived and worked for many years in Vernon, Conn. She worked for the town's Public Works Department as a dispatcher, a position which she loved. She delighted in answering the phone and cheerfully announcing herself as “Dispatcher Carter.” Prior to that she owned and operated several 7-Eleven stores in the area. When she and Dick retired, they relocated to West Dummerston. Ginny was a consistent volunteer at the Dummerston Community Center, and loved their many fundraisers and activities. She was a member of the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center. She also enjoyed tending her garden and flowers around her house and chatting with all her friends and neighbors at the Post Office next door. Ginny and Dick were avid campers and travelers, once traveling cross-country pulling their travel trailer, with their loyal dog Shelby along for the ride. She leaves her three children: Allan Nelson and his wife, Dianne, of Somers, Conn.; Jennifer Dion and her husband, Charles, of Townshend; and David Nelson and his wife, Kassandra, of Bolton, Conn. She also leaves her four stepchildren, Deborah O'Sullivan, Carol Royce, Judith Grindal, and Robert Carter. Additionally, she leaves daughter-in-law Anne Smith Nelson, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ginny was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her brother, Allan Hadley. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral services will be private. Donations to the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department, West Street, West Dummerston, VT 05357. To send messages of condolence to Ginny's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Kenneth E. Lee, 61, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died May 7, 2020 at Poet Seat Nursing Home in Greenfield, Mass., after a very long battle with diabetes and heart problems. Born to Kenneth and Florence Maybell Avery Lee on Sept. 19, 1958, Ken lived all of his younger years on the family farm on Lee Road in Guilford. After graduating from Brattleboro Union High School in 1976, Ken went to work for Famolare on Old Ferry Road. He also worked at Hinsdale Race Track. In 2003, he went to work at Albert's Organics (now UNFI) in Chesterfield, N.H., and was still employed at UNFI at the time of his death. Ken was a Selectman for Hinsdale for many years. He leaves three siblings: Linda, Peter, and Lisa, as well as an ex-wife, Cynthia Wagner. Memorial information: Per his wishes he will be cremated and laid to rest in the Lee Cemetery, Guilford. Services will be at a later date.
• Michele (Gauthier) Lemnah, 63, of West Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly May 7, 2020 at her home, the result of stage four emphysema. Michele was born in Brattleboro on Sept. 13, 1956, the daughter of Richard Gauthier, Sr. and Constance (Allen) Longway. She was raised and educated in West Chesterfield, N.H., and attended Keene High School. She later received her GED from Brattleboro Union High School. She had been employed as a para-professional for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, working at Academy School and later Green Street School in Brattleboro. She worked for almost 20 years in her position, retiring early due to a health-related disability. Previously, she worked at the former O.K. Fairbanks Grocery Store as front-end manager and had been employed as an office manager at UPS, both in Brattleboro. Michele was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, gardening, and time shared with her two granddaughters. She was also an avid reader. Survivors include one daughter, Katie Gauthier of Brattleboro; her father, Richard Gauthier, Sr. (Marge Shields) of West Chesterfield; sisters, Sherrie Gauthier of Brattleboro, Heidi Stanclift (James) of Keene, Judy Chambliss (Scott) of Homosassa, Fla., and Kathy Dubois (Phil Moreland) of Tampa, Fla.; brothers, Richard Gauthier, Jr, (Christine) of West Chesterfield and Jamie Longway of Plant City, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Laura Longway of Tampa, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Castor of Westmoreland, N.H., and two granddaughters. Additionally, she leaves several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many lifelong friends. She was predeceased by a son, Andy Lemnah; a brother, Mark Longway; and her mother. Memorial information: There are no formal funeral services scheduled. A celebration of her life will take place at a date to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Michael Joseph “Mike” Lenois Sr., 52, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly on April 28, 2020. He was born on Sept. 1, 1967 to Diane (Moffit) Lenois who died in 2012, and Ronald Lenois, who died April 29, 2020. He leaves behind two sons, Michael Lenois Jr. of Newport, Vt. and Jonathan Lenois of St. Albans; three stepchildren, Cassie Jordan of Bellows Falls, Brandy Jordan of Brattleboro, and Jason Jordan of Manchester, N.H.; siblings Jane Smith of Vernon and Scott French of Dover, and nieces Stacy Beckett, Katie Smith, and Meagan Bullins. Mike also leaves his lifelong friend Denise Jordan of Brattleboro. Mike attended elementary school in Brattleboro and high school in Chickasha, Okla. He loved snowmobiles, four-wheeling, camping and fishing, old cars, tattoos, music, and his TV shows but, most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren Kieona, Brieona, Josaphine, Brennon, Bryce, and Ethan. His daily visits, conversation, and sense of humor will be missed. Memorial information: No services are scheduled and burial will take place at a later date.
• Bruce McCauley, 83, of Swanzey, N.H. Died at his home on May 5, 2020. Bruce was born on Sept. 9, 1936, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the only son of John J. and Hannah (Riddel) McCauley. In 1939, the family moved to Montreal and they lived there until 1946, when the family moved to Brattleboro. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1955. He enrolled in a college prep program at Tilton Academy, graduating in 1956. From there he attended Leicester Junior College, earning an associate's degree in business. In 1960, he graduated from Curry College with a B.S. in business administration. In 1963, Bruce took the oath of U.S. citizenship from Judge Ernest W. Gibson in Brattleboro. As a “life-long learner,” Bruce continued to complete courses in small business management and modern production improvement methods, and worked on a Harvard University business model to expand L.L Bean. From 1960 to 1966, Bruce was a manager of the industrial paint division of Bradley Laboratories in Brattleboro. He served as production manager from 1966 to 1971; sales manager from 1971 to 1975; and president from 1971 to 1992, overseeing a major expansion of the business. After Bruce sold his holdings in the company, he accepted an offer to create a start-up coatings company in Lafayette, La. This endeavor lasted six years and created a successful business. Retirement for Bruce meant returning to Keene, N.H., on the invitation of his son, Christian, to work in the car business at Fairfield's Auto Group. Bruce's free-time passion was flying. He started taking flying lessons in 1979 and was licensed as a private pilot two years later. Over the next 28 years, he owned and flew several types of airplanes all over New England and Florida. In 1999 he met his partner, Jean LaValley, who was his co-pilot and they flew regularly to Maine and their favorite “hang-out,” Block Island. He was a quiet person who cherished “his alone time,” but also enjoyed the company of family and friends. Bruce is survived by his daughter, Shari Pulitano of Brattleboro; his son, Christian McCauley of Spofford, N.H., and his fiance Andrea Fournier of Stratton; and his grandchildren Keira and Kelci Lewandowski of Stratton. Memorial information: There will be no calling hours or services. Burial will be at a later date in Swanzey.
• Judith D. Covey Nolin, 75, of West Brattleboro. Died at her home on May 7, 2020. Judith was born in Brattleboro on Sept. 23, 1944, the daughter of the late Raymond and Alice (Larmie) Covey Sr. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. She was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for a brief time before marrying her husband of 54 years, Bernard E. Nolin. She will be remembered by all for her unconditional love and support for her family throughout the years. Judith is survived by her devoted husband; her daughters, Denise Perkins (Rick) of Brattleboro, Renee Madore (Tim) of Williamsville, and her grandchildren Philip III, Evan, Jessica, and Leah. Additionally she leaves one brother, Ronald Covey, along with several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Raymond Covey Jr., Dennis Covey, Janet Bush, and Bernard Scott. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro will be private. Donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050.
• Terry Shepard Sr., 71, of Westminster. Died May 9, 2020 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. Terry was born to the late Wilford and Evelyn Shepard in Lebanon N.H. on July 21, 1948. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He also loved shooting horseshoes with his friends and competed in many tournaments. He had just acquired an interest in target shooting with his guns. He was working on completing a model boat that he started two years ago; his son Scott will now complete the boat for him. He also had a passion for flying drones in his backyard. He is survived by his wife, Rose Shepard, whom he married in 1967; his three children, Terry Shepard Jr. and his wife, Robin, of Chesterfield. N.H, Scott Shepard of Westminster, and Julie Barre and her husband, Mike, of North Walpole N.H.; his grandsons Michael Shepard and wife Brittany, Zachary Shepard, and Justin Shepard and his wife Jenna; three granddaughters, a great-granddaughter; four brothers, Arthur, Allan and his wife Linda, Charles, and Donald and his wife, Brenda. He had many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A memorial service for Terry will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• Mark “Zuc” Zuchero, 70, of Monroe Bridge, Mass. Died May 8, 2020, after a long struggle with Alzheimers disease, at Crescent Manor in Bennington. Mark was born in Salem, Mass., to his late parents, Victor and Muriel Zuchero. He grew up in Swampscott, Mass., where he graduated from Swampscott High and then from Bentley College in Waltham, Mass. He will be deeply missed by Gail Dieter, his life partner of 39 years, whom he lived with in Wilmington, until moving to Monroe Bridge in 2015. Mark owned a rooming house, known as “The Ramage House,” for the past 30 years. Mark made many new friends with the guests, who mostly worked for the power industry. He also leaves his two sisters, Carin Zuchero of Millis, Mass., and Jan Monahan of Swampscott, and his niece Courtney Monahan and nephew Thomas Monahan. Mark came to Mount Snow in 1975, while working for Ogden Foods, the company that ran the concessions at the ski area. He fell in love with the Deerfield Valley and decided to stay. Because of his wonderful personality, he quickly made numerous friends and became known as Zuc. After working at Mount Snow, he opened his own business, Marcus Paper Co., which eventually led to a job at Yankee Rowe Nuclear Plant in Rowe, Mass. There he met many new friends, where he and Gail became part of a whole new family of lifelong close friends. This is where he became known as Zoomer, after starting a new business, Zoomer's Express. In the long run, Mark was most happy working for himself, until his disease forced him to retire, about 10 years ago. Mark was always the life of the party and was often full of mischief. In the last years of his life, he said daily, “Let's just have fun!” Old-timers may remember when he put an old crashed airplane, from Mount Snow Airport, on the back of his Ranchero. He was bringing the plane to his house on Route 100, for the annual Memorial Day party and bonfire. Unfortunately, he was caught by Mount Snow Security, a sight they will never forget. Memorial information: A remembrance of his life is planned for sometime in the future. Donations to Deerfield Valley Rescue, where Mark was a volunteer for several years, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.