Obituaries
• E. Wayne Blake, 83, of West Brattleboro. Died Nov. 24, 2020 at his home. He was born in May 1937 in Bradford, the son of Merlin and Elinor (Allen) Blake, and graduated from Peoples Academy in Morrisville. He furthered his education at the Massachusetts Radio and Telegraph School in Boston, earning his certification as a Radio Technician. He owned and operated a television and appliance business in Bradford and also worked with Berkshire Life Insurance Company (later Guardian Life, when the companies merged). He excelled and remained there for the rest of his professional career, retiring from Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed spending weekends and family vacations at his camp in Fairlee, as well as hunting and fishing there. Wayne and his many hunting buddies spent almost every deer season trying to bag the biggest buck by day, then playing cards or cribbage in the evenings, all the while telling tall tales of the ones that got away or were just a little too far off to take a decent shot. He still holds the camp record for the largest buck taken. His love of animals of all kinds from his childhood was clear from the many pets he had, one being his best buddy, “Braddie,” his cocker spaniel that passed just shortly before he did. Wayne loved children and coached youth baseball and other sports as all his boys grew up over the years, introducing them to every type of sport, and shared his love of hunting and fishing with them as well. He was a long time Mason and Shriner. He received his 50 Year Pin last year with the Masons. He was chairman of the Shrine Monday Night Bingo, where he and many volunteers raised money for the Shriner's Hospital for Children. A member of the Elks and past member of the Lions Club, Wayne truly enjoyed people and sharing a joke or laugh with everyone he met or knew and was regaling his family with funny recollections and stories to the very end. Wayne is survived by his wife of 38 years, Barbara (Greenwood) (Robinson) Blake. He is also survived by his sons, Mike Blake (Laurie) of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Mark Blake (Kelly) of Hockessin, Del., and Jackson Kidder (Carolyn) of Raleigh, N.C.; three grandchildren, Sarah, Kruce and Jacob, all of Florida; two stepsons, Jeffrey and Steven Robinson of Brattleboro, whom he loved and treated as his own; six step-grandchildren and 13 step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Janice Blake; nephews Jeffrey and Christopher Blake; and niece, Bonnie Blake, all from the Bradford area. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Graham Blake, and his step-daughter, Sherry (Robinson) Hardy. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date, to be announced. Donations to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. To share a memory of Wayne or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Molly Scully Burke Cloutier, 97, of Buffalo N.Y. Died Nov. 13, 2020. She was the mother of state Rep. Mollie S. Burke of Brattleboro and stepmother of Anne Cloutier Montgomery of Guilford. Molly Scully was born in Boston in 1923 and moved with her family to Buffalo in 1939, where she eventually met F. Brendan Burke at the home of a friend. They began a correspondence after she and her family moved back to Boston, and they continued writing while he served in the Navy in World War II. They married in 1946 and made their home in Buffalo. Mr. Burke became vice president of Ferguson Electric Construction Co., oversaw the electrification of the Niagara Power Project, and was active as a civic leader in Buffalo. Upon his sudden death in 1968, Molly became a single mother to her 11 children. In 1972, friends introduced her to Dr. Louis Carl Cloutier, a widower and father of five. They merged their large households when they were married the next year. Dr. Cloutier, a surgeon and past Erie County Medical Examiner, died in 2012. Over the years, the couple made frequent trips to the Brattleboro area to visit their daughters and their families and to participate in Vermont seasonal events. They came for apple picking, snowshoeing, ice skating, and for sleigh rides at Fairwinds Farm. They attended several BUHS high school graduations, watched their grandchildren in many BUHS soccer games, and saw them perform on the high school musical stage. Molly Cloutier believed in the presence of the marvelous in everyday life. This came from her Irish heritage, her faith, and her absolutely unique ability to look at the positive in everything and everyone. She was also a talented figure skater and a member of a synchronized figure skating team, that won a bronze medal in national championships in 1989. She loved singing and birds, especially cardinals. She was well-known for her hospitality; her motto was “There's always room at the table.” During the infamous Blizzard of 1977 in Buffalo, she hosted 21 extra people for dinner. In addition to Representative Burke, other survivors include daughters Sara Burke Potter of Buffalo, Madeline Burke-Vigeland of Yonkers N.Y., Margaret Burke of Taos, N.M., Deirdre Burke Goodrich of Norwich, and Mary Alyssa Holmwood Burke of Boston; sons F. Brendan Burke Jr. and Christopher Burke of Buffalo, John Burke of San Francisco, Edward Burke of Brooklyn, N.Y., and T. Patrick Burke of Rye, N.Y.; in addition to Ms. Montgomery there are two other step-daughters: Mary Jo O'Connell of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland and Clare Cloutier of Seattle, Wash.; a stepson, Michael Cloutier of Monroe, Mich. Other survivors include numerous sons and daughters-in-law, 30 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Molly Cloutier was adored by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her special caregivers, and many friends and acquaintances. She will be remembered for her graciousness, her kindness, her generosity, her loving spirit, her joy in life. Memorial information: A private funeral service and burial was held in Buffalo on Nov. 21. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.
• The Rev. Alfred A. “Al” Cramer, 86, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Nov. 23, 2020, leaving this earth on the strength of the Psalms and other prayers read to him by his wife of 32 years, Janet French Cramer. Janet and Al were married at the Marlboro Meeting House in 1988. They lived first in Marlboro and later in Brattleboro, where Al became a Priest Associate of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. Al spent his life investigating the mysteries of this world and the next. He graduated from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Mass. in 1962, and moved to Seattle, Wash., where he served as Curate at St. Mark's Cathedral. He was ordained as a Priest on Jan. 25, 1963. Al's work with Vietnam veterans in Seattle taught him the nature of despair contained in the human heart. He met that despair with compassion and with words from the Bible and stories from Church History. In 1969, he was called to St. Luke's Parish in Des Moines, Iowa, where he served as Rector. He was the Episcopal Chaplain at Drake University and later Rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Burlington, Iowa. After completing a program in Pastoral Counseling, Al focused his attention on marriage and family therapy. In 1991, he was awarded a Masters in Social Work from Smith College, writing a thesis on rural homelessness. In his later years, Al quietly shared his spiritual fruits with the congregation of St Michael's Episcopal Church and his family. He was known to pray for each member of the Church before retiring for the evening as well as for his four children and their grandchildren. He blessed all who visited his home with “May the Angel of Peace go with you.” He had a profound love for classical music and absurdist comedy. He was passionate about politics his entire life, and couldn't go a single day without reading at least three newspapers. Al leaves his wife, Janet, his two sons of his first marriage, David Cramer of Greenfield, Mass., and John Cramer of Chicago, and his daughter and son of his second marriage, Laura Cramer of Austin, Texas, and Nicholas Cramer of Philadelphia, along with five grandchildren. Memorial information: Services are pending. To leave a condolence, visit www.phaneuf.net/obituaries.
• Pamela “Pam” Goulet, 53, of Townshend. Died Nov. 6, 2020 after battling a long illness. Pam was born Nov. 4, 1967 in Randolph to Malcolm and Frances (Cassidy) Campbell. She attended Springfield High School and married Randy Goulet. They had three children: Kyle, Kristen, and Ryan. Pam and Randy later divorced. Pam worked for more than 15 years as a painter for her own business, Pam Goulet Painting. On Sept. 12, 2015, Pam married Jennifer Hoitt, who survives. Pam had a passion for snowmobiling, boating and enjoyed the company of friends and family around the fire. She was an avid New York Giants and New York Yankees fan, and was known for her quick wit and strong determination. Pam loved her family fiercely and spent as much time as possible with them. Besides her loving wife, Pam is survived by her mother, Frances Bushey of Brookfield; siblings Richard Campbell of Brattleboro, Patricia Scoggins of Franklin, Tenn., and Melissa Campbell of Randolph; stepsister Susan Palmer Chase of Brookfield; daughter Kristen Bartel and her husband, Will, of Dover; son Ryan Goulet and his wife, Michelle of Townshend; son-in-law Robbie Michaud and his wife, Renee Deurloo, of Bellows Falls; and five nieces, two nephews, and eight grandchildren. Pam was preceded in death by her father, Malcolm, and her son, Kyle. Memorial information: The family is planning a memorial service for next spring or summer. To share a memory of Pam or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Sampson A. Gundry, 76, of Madison, Maine. Died Nov. 20, 2020 at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. He was born Jun 19, 1944 in Barre, Vt., the son of Alfred E. and Dorothy (Morton) Gundry. He attended Brattleboro Union High School. In 1963, he married Lynda Matteson in Brattleboro. He was employed for 30 years at The Book Press in Brattleboro. Sampson was a member of the Fraternal order of Eagles for more than 30 years and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and watching westerns featuring Audie Murphy. Sampson is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lynda Gundry of Madison; daughter, Kimberley Goulas and husband Steven of Madison; two sons, Leslie Gundry and wife Rose of Hinsdale, N.H., Nathan Gundry and his partner Donna Felion of Brattleboro; siblings, Priscilla Dyer of Brattleboro, Stanley Gundry of Barre, and Karen Isham; grandchildren Erica Hertzog, Sarah Gundry, Jordan Gundry, Adam Gundry, Nicholas Passino, Jared Gundry, Alexander Passino, Lucas Gundry, Tyler Goulas, and Emily Goulas; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his long-time best companion for 17 years, his Brittany Spaniel, Miss Brit. He was predeceased by siblings, Alfred and David Gundry. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held in Brattleboro at a later date at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements under the direction of Dan & Scott's Cremation & Funeral Service of Skowhegan, Maine.
• Carolyn S. Lane, 81, of Brattleboro, formerly of Putney. Died Nov. 24, 2020 at her home, following a period of declining health. Carolyn was born in Bellows Falls on March 18, 1939, the daughter of Donald and Blanche (Austin) Strange. She grew up in Putney, attending Putney Elementary School and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1957. In 1960, she was married to Francis E. Lane, who predeceased her in 1979. She had worked as a bookkeeper all of her working career, employed by several local businesses that included Mountain Home Sales & Services, C.E. Bradley Labs, Green Mountain Security, Putney Credit Union, and R.S. Roberts, Inc. where she began her career at the age of 17. A woman of faith, she attended West Brattleboro Baptist Church on Western Avenue. Carolyn enjoyed classic Country & Western music. In her younger years, she loved to dance and take trips to Hampton Beach and Clearwater, Fla. Most recently, she valued spending time with her family that included playing cards with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include daughters Valerie Becker and her husband, Jody, of Brattleboro, Holly Jefts and her husband, Kevin, of Winchester, N.H., and Travis Lane and his partner, Sarah Green, of Guilford; brothers Donald Strange of Guilford, and Bradley and Douglas Martin, both of Clearwater, Fla.; and a sister, Dawn Strange of Orange, Mass. Additionally, she leaves six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney will be conducted late in the spring of 2021 at a day and time to be announced. Donations to the Putney Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 875, Putney, VT 05346, or to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the Lane family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Alton Richard Montgomery, 77, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died unexpectedly Nov. 15, 2020 at his home. He was born in St. Albans, Vermont on November 8, 1943, the son of Alton and Mildred (LaCross) Montgomery. He was raised and educated in St. Albans and attended St. Mary's High School. He worked for most of his career as a roofer employed by several roofing contractors throughout Vermont. His last position was with C&S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro, which he retired from in 2002. Alton enjoyed hunting, working on jigsaw puzzles and time shared with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a faithful and devoted husband, father and grandfather. In 1973, he was married to Christine Hodgdon, who survives. Besides his loving wife of 47 years, he leaves a daughter, Sherry Carter and her husband Todd of Troy, NH; two grandchildren, Zachary and Kaelyn Carter of Troy; one brother, Gary Montgomery of Chesterfield; and a sister, Sally Bennett of Lubbock, Texas. Additionally, he is survived by several nieces and nephews. Alton was predeceased by his parents and a grandson, Taylor Carter. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, there are no formal services scheduled. Donations to Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 13, Hinsdale, NH 03451. To share a memory or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Elizabeth “Liz” Ann Rossi, 51, of Guilford. Died unexpectedly on Oct. 28, 2020, in the arms of her best friend and companion, Scott Knickerbocker, in Brattleboro. Born on July 9, 1969 to Dr. Anthony and Lynne Rossi of Easton, Pa., Elizabeth graduated in 1987 from Easton Area High School. An accomplished cellist, starting in the third grade, she achieved the honor of attending Pennsylvania State Orchestra in her senior year. She was also a member of The Young People's Philharmonic in Bethlehem, Pa. for four years. An athlete for most of her life, Elizabeth competed on her high school and college cross country teams. After high school, Elizabeth spent a year in Finland as a Rotary Exchange Student where she resided with three different families in Hyvinkaa, Finland and became fluent in the Finnish language. While there, she learned the tradition of the “Finnish Sauna” and visited Sweden, Lapland, and Russia. Elizabeth went on to receive her B.A. in Classics from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., in 1992 and spent her junior year at Dartmouth as part of a five college consortium. She then interned as a Latin Teacher and dorm counselor at St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H., a time she has always cherished, and went on to complete her M.A. in Teaching: Latin and Classical Humanities at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Elizabeth was a well-loved Latin teacher at Brattleboro Union High School for 20 years, taught Virtual High School, and tutored many students during the school year and summers. She was a member of the Guilford Historical Society and participated with The Windham Philharmonic. Elizabeth spent two summers in Greece working with AGORA on archeological research digs which she found immensely fascinating and a summer in Rome studying to be a guide for high school students learning about Roman history. These experiences fueled her love of vintage fashion, old jewelry, and buttons which she collected with knowledge and passion. A friend and business partner of hers recently told her mother that he “admired her sense of curatorial responsibility, for language and for objects and their order in the world.” Elizabeth's love of Vermont started when she attended summer music camp at Point CounterPoint on Lake Dunmore in Leicester for several summers. She then went on to serve as a counselor at the Kinhaven Music School in Weston. It was inevitable that she would return someday. In addition to her parents and her dear friend Scott, she is survived by her siblings, Reggie Gonzalez (Sam), Tania Rossi, and Patrick Rossi, nieces Jessica and Alexandra Rossi, and Bella and Ivy Felizardo, and her beloved dog Oscar. Memorial information: A scholarship fund will be set up in Elizabeth's name at Brattleboro Union High School at a future date. Donations may also be made to the Guilford Historical Society, 236 School Rd., Guilford, VT 05301.
• Sherwood Marshall Smith, 83, of Dummerston. Died Nov, 23, 2020, surrounded by family and loving caregivers. Born May 4, 1937 in Princeton, New Jersey to Edgar Stanley Smith and Mildred (Suydam) Smith, he attended Princeton Day School in Lawrenceville. He graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in English in 1959. While there, he enrolled in ROTC and served in the Army after graduation. Sherwood taught English at Chapin School in Princeton before moving to Vermont in the late 70's. For 20 years, he ran Baskets Books, owned by his sister Jane. Sherwood's passion for reading and poetry was shared through a reading group and a number of close friends who considered him a literary mentor. He was a trustee with the West Dummerston library for many years and received recognition for his long service. Sherwood loved to be outside with his dogs, going fly fishing, hiking, or gardening, all of which he did with zest and studious intensity. A sometimes crusty and cynical personality hid a human with a great heart who was willing to help anyone and loved to do so. Sherwood is survived by his sisters, Cynthia of Anderson, S.C., and Jane W. Smith of Dummerston, his brother, Edgar Lee Smith of Flemington, N.J., and a special friend, Carol Young, as well as a community of loving friends. Memorial information: Burial will be in the spring in the family plot in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to Lydia Taft Pratt Library, P.O. Box 70, West Dummerston, VT 05357; West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 40, West Dummerston, VT 05357; or Bayada Hospice, 1222 Putney Rd., Suite 107, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or a condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Suzanne Woodcock, 91, formerly of Putney. Died Nov. 25, 2020 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, following a period of declining health. She was born in Morrisville, Pa., on March 13, 1929, the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Woodcock) Lukens. She was raised and educated in Morrisville, graduating from Morrisville High School, and later went on to attend the Trenton (N.J.) School of Art. Although a faithful and devoted homemaker, she did work locally for several businesses that included the former Chesterfield Fabrics and Linden Gardens Florist, both in Brattleboro, and at the former Carol Brown Irish Wools in Putney. For several years, she owned and operated her own lamp shade business located in the Algiers section of Guilford. In her earlier years, she had been employed by Lenox China in Trenton. Suzanne was an accomplished artist who enjoyed painting with both oils and water colors. She loved music and playing the accordion. In recent years, she attended Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center. She married Dr. Robert D. Woodcock; her faithful and loving husband predeceased her in 2010. Survivors include her son, Timothy Woodcock and his wife, Melissa. of Aurora, Colo.; son-in-law,Jamie Gillespie of Putney; and her four grandchildren, Megan and Becky, both of Marblehead, Mass., and Anders and Alex, both of Aurora. Additionally, she leaves several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Suzanne was predeceased by a daughter, Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Woodcock Gillespie, in 2015, and a sister, Elizabeth Lukens Sines and her husband, Daniel. Memorial information: Services will be conducted later in the spring of 2021, with burial of her cremated remains in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to Pine Heights Nursing Home Activities Fund, 187 Oak Grove Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or a condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.