College news
• Elizabeth Collins of Landgrove graduated after majoring in engineering and minoring in physics at Bates College in Lewsiton, Maine.
• The following local students were recognized for academic achievement during the spring 2021 semester at Northern Vermont University: Kaylee Gargett of Jamaica, Samantha Palmer of Townshend, Hanna Buedinger of Vernon, Joseph Rafus of Whitingham, and Laura Gypson of Williamsville were all named to the President's List, and Kseniya Gorbunova, Samantha Martin, and Emmalee Waite of Brattleboro, and Abbey Buedinger of Vernon were named to the Dean's List.
• Mollie Patenaude, Riley Patenaude, and Leah Silverman of Brattleboro, Olivia Lauricella of Saxtons River, and Emma Krzeminski of Whitingham were all named to the Dean's List for the spring 2021 semester at the University of New England in Portland, Maine.
• Jessica Tatro, a biology major and member of the Class of 2024 from Brattleboro, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2021 semester at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
Obituaries
• Frederick Lyman “Fred” Castine, 85, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully Aug. 7, 2021 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Fred was born in Brattleboro on July 11, 1936, the son of Fred J. and Elizabeth (Eddy) Castine. He was raised in Brattleboro attending public schools, including Brattleboro Union High School. Following high school, he went on to serve in the Vermont National Guard. Fred worked all of his career as a Master Electrician, most recently at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which he retired from in 1994 following 15 years of service. Previously, for 22 years (1957-1979), he was employed at MW Stack Electrical Contractors in Bellows Falls. He worked at Mount Snow in West Dover, one of Stack's larger accounts. Fred loved playing golf, collecting Indian Head nickels, and trips to the coast of Maine. He was first married to Elaine Gabree in 1955. He later married Mary Leclaire in 1970. His second wife predeceased him in 2014. Survivors include four sons: Gary Castine (Linda) of Dummerston, David Castine of Brattleboro, and Douglas Castine and Richard Castine (Carol), both of Vernon; two daughters, Kelley VanLeeuwen of Brattleboro and Karen Castine Shines (Terry) of Dummerston; four stepdaughters, Donna Jones, Janet Jones, Barbara Byrd, and Tina Rae; one brother, Herbert “Bud” Castine of Hinsdale, N.H.; and two sisters, Marilyn Momaney of Loudon, N.H. and Karen Roberts of Brattleboro. Additionally, he leaves 21 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Robert, Ted, and Maurice Castine, and Rita Howe. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held Aug. 13 in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or Windham County Humane Society, PO Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Arnold Walter Cole, 82, of Chester. Died Aug. 4, 2021 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in White River Junction after a short illness. The son of Olie and Margaret (Brown) Cole, he was born in Brookline, Vt., on June 14, 1939. He attended school in Brookline and Townshend, and later worked for Cersosimo Lumber, Victor Morse Lumber, Smith Inc., and the town of Townshend. He served in the Army from 1963 to 1965. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a Red Sox fan. He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 54 years; son Gregory and wife, Liz, of Brookline; four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. He is also survived by his sister Shelbajean of South Newfane and his brother Carlos and his wife, Sandra, of South Otselic, N.Y., as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Steven, as well as two sisters and two brothers. Memorial information: There will be no funeral or calling hours, but a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Gassetts Grange Hall, 3553 Rt. 103 North, in Chester. Please wear a mask if you attend. Donations to the Voluntary Service Fund at the VA Medical Center, 215 North Main St., White River Junction, VT 05009-0001.
• Tyler Zachary Gilbert, 12, of West Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly August 4, 2021 in Hinsdale, N.H. Tyler was born in Brattleboro on Oct. 30, 2008, the son of Christie Gilbert. He attended Academy School and this fall would have been entering seventh-grade at Brattleboro Area Middle School. He was a loving and compassionate young man, very active and enjoyed sports, riding his scooter, four-wheeling, and spending time with his many friends. Tyler was also very curious and inquisitive always eager to learn new things. He also enjoyed time with his four dogs Buddy, Chestnut, Sadie, and Zoie. Tyler had an entrepreneurial spirit and at the tender age of 11 established his own lawn care business, servicing family and friends in the Mountain Park neighborhood. Survivors include his mother and her fiancé, Bernie Cardinal of West Brattleboro; two brothers, Brandon Gilbert, at home and Dylan Gilbert; maternal grandmother Patricia Gilbert of Brattleboro and maternal grandfather Winston Pasha of Hinsdale; one uncle, Gregory Pasha of Cockeysville, Md.; and one cousin, Cole Pasha, also of Cockeysville, several second cousins and great aunts and uncles, Robert and Constance Gilbert, Tom and Jean Gilbert, and Bill and Karen Gilbert. Memorial information: Private graveside services were held in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro. A memorial service for the public may be held at a future date at a time to be announced. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P..O Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Patricia “Ricia” Gordon, 75, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at home, with family by her side, on Aug. 5, 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Ricia was born in Bremerton, Wash. on April 14, 1946 to Alice (Baker) and Clarence “Curtie” Shockro. From the moment she first visited the East Coast at age 16 to meet cousins in Wellfleet, Cape Cod, she knew she belonged in New England. After graduation from the University of Washington, it seemed natural to live in Boston. Ricia later moved to Vermont to pursue a her M.Ed. degree at Antioch University, where she formed close and lasting friendships. This is where she had her daughter Willow. In 1980, Ricia joined a group of parents to create the Neighborhood Schoolhouse in Brattleboro. This small intimate educational environment provided an exceptional learning experience for its students. In later years, she received an M.F.A. in creative writing from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. Ricia's professional careers centered on editing for VeloNews magazine and teaching writing at Landmark College, Keene State College, and Community College of Vermont. Always involved in the arts, she displayed talents in poetry, African drumming and dance, piano (classical and jazz), and painting. Ricia was an avid gardener and art lover, talented seamstress and cook, and an individual dedicated to maintaining a healthy body and mind. She appreciated the nuance of a beautifully plated meal or a carefully curated collection of anything from birds' nests to oil paint. Every summer, she and her husband Bill would travel, mainly to France and Italy, where they spent weeks hiking in the mountains. Upon retiring from teaching in 2008, Ricia achieved two goals in particular which gave her great satisfaction: running a half-marathon and walking across France. And it was during this period that Ricia's talents in oil painting were developed. She had exhibitions in Manchester, Vt., Landmark College, Newfane, and Brattleboro. One day while working in her studio she said to Bill, “It is so exciting to paint. This is really what I have always wanted to do.” Ricia will be dearly missed by her husband Bill Dixon, daughter Willow Gordon and her partner Kasy Prendergast, brother Michael Shockro, cousins, and many close friends. Memorial information: A memorial service (in-person and via Zoom) will be held Sept. 12, at 2 p.m., at the West Village Meeting House in West Brattleboro. Donations to Groundworks Collaborative at groundworksvt.org/support. For additional information about the service, email [email protected].
• Joseph Culver “Joe” Grannis, 88, of Stuyvesant Falls, N.Y., formerly of West Townshend and New York City. Died Aug. 1, 2021 at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, N.Y., after a period of declining health. He was born near Philadelphia, Pa., on Aug. 8, 1932. His father, Joseph Culver, died when Joe was 2; his mother, Mary, later married Douglas Grannis. Joe grew up in Columbus, Ohio and Milwaukee, Wisc. He graduated from Harvard College in 1954, earned an M.A.T. from Harvard in 1955, and a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from Washington University in 1965. He worked at Hull House in Chicago prior to entering the U.S. Army in 1956. During his service in Germany, besides his military commitments, he enjoyed the intellectual and artistic life around him and learned to play the viola. From 1959 to 1967, he taught at the Harvard School of Education. For the next 28 years, Joe was a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. As professor, in addition to theoretical work and writing, Joe led the Project Follow Through Classroom Environments study, the New York City Dropout Prevention Initiative from 1986 to 1990, the Stay in School Partnership program to reduce dropout, and several others. He worked with a street academy in New York, studied student stress in middle school, developed curriculum, and throughout, focused his attention on how students experienced school with a particular interest in the experience of at-risk students. Joe also devoted himself to community education projects, including the renovation of playgrounds. He served on parent committees for the local New York City public schools his children attended. After retirement Joe was a Fulbright Professor at the University of Namibia. As he was leaving, a couple of students came into his department chair's office to say, “Send more Americans!” At the end of the Fulbright year, Joe settled full-time in his beloved small farm in Jamaica, Vt. He pursued his several loves: sailing, canoeing, gardening, hiking, cross-country skiing, and helping with the small dairy on the farm. With all of this he enjoyed the company of his cherished family. He loved the excitement of mushroom recognition and was successful but for a couple of misidentifications that landed him in the local hospital. He always loved and knew music. In Vermont, he studied organ and became the musician at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Chester. He was a parishioner of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro before moving to New York State and led the restoration of the Jamaica Town Hall, turning a neglected building into a unique, historic venue for community activities. Joe married Alexandra Wharton in 1964. They were the parents of two boys, Eric and Alexander. The marriage ended in divorce. He married Susanna Whitney Pflaum in 1987. Joe was preceded in death by his son, Alexander Grannis and his brother, Oliver Grannis. He is survived by his wife, Susanna Grannis, sister Frances Whyatt, son Eric Grannis, step-son William Pflaum, step-daughter Melanie Pflaum, three grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral took place on Aug. 14 at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, N.Y. His ashes will be brought to the South Windham Cemetery in Jamaica at a later date.
• Dorothy Jean (Call) Hall, 78, of Brattleboro. Died July 26, 2021 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, following a period of declining health. Dorothy was born in Curtisville, Pa., on Feb. 11, 1943, the daughter of Fred and Ida (Guiney) Call. She was raised and educated in Butler, Pa, graduating from Butler High School with the Class of 1961. She was raised in her very special Christian home, where for several years her father was a lay minister in Great Belt, Pa. Being a pastor's daughter, she was very involved in every church that her father served, mostly in music ministry. After working at American Hardware for two years, she moved to Wayne, Mich., where she met the love of her life, Ronald Hall. They were married in Butler on June 19, 1965. In the course of her husband's education, they moved to Nyack, N.Y., and then to seminary in Illinois. The couple spent many years and moves to Aurora, Colo., Butler, Pa., Yorktown Heights, N.Y., then back to Butler. Dorothy and her husband eventually settled in Brattleboro. She worked as a secretary and administrative assistant in each area where she resided, including the former Vermont National Bank in Brattleboro, which she she retired from in 1998 due to a disability. She had been a resident at the Bradley House in Brattleboro since 2014. Steadfast in her daily walk of faith, she was a member of Grace Community Evangelical Free Church in Chesterfield, N.H. Survivors include her husband, currently a resident at Crescent Manor Nursing Home in Bennington, one son, Ronald Hall, Jr. and his wife, Sonya, of Brattleboro, and one precious granddaughter, Zoey Hall of Lee, N.H. She was predeceased by three brothers, Fred Call, Jr. (Trudy), William Call (Charlotte), Kenneth Call (Donna), and a half-sister, Kathleen LaBosco (Chick). Memorial information: A memorial service in celebration of her life will be conducted at a future date and time which will be announced to be held at Grace Community Evangelical Free Church. Donations to Grace Community Evangelical Free Church, 49 Old Swanzey Road, P.O. Box 120, Spofford, NH 03462. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Helene Joyce Henry, 75, of Brattleboro. Died July 30, 2021. Helene was born in Scranton, Pa., on July 1, 1946, the daughter of Joseph and Helen (Holly) Kiesel. She was raised and educated in Scranton, attending St. Joseph's Parochial School. She later attending the former Windham College in Putney, where she earned her Bachelor's degree, and went on later in life to receive an M.F.A from Marywood University in Scranton. She had been employed at the Winston Prouty Center, Community College of Vermont, and worked as an art instructor. She was an accomplished artist, but, most importantly, Helene was a devoted volunteer and member of her beloved community. Some of her volunteer and committee positions included: Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro Fine Arts Committee, Development Review Board, Conservation Committee, and River Gallery School. She also served as a Town Meeting Representative and was a longstanding parishioner of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Helene was most proud of founding Trees Please, and being part of the Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the planting of hundreds of trees throughout Brattleboro. She was known for her passion, commitment, and her steadfast dedication to enhancing Brattleboro's green spaces. Helene strongly advocated for trees being a part of any landscape if she had a say. At her core, Helene was an artist, not only in the traditional sense which was represented in her abstract artwork, but in the way she cared for her extensive flower gardens, the restoration of her farmhouse, textile creations, putting together floral pieces, and creating a home that displayed her many passions. She even allowed her husband to showcase some of his many collections. In conjunction with her love for art, some of her other loves were prolific reading, rapid walking (you were only welcome to join her if you could keep up), and visiting trees whereever she traveled, her favorite being the Copper Beach Tree. She took time to enjoy captured moments of beauty in the minutia, be it the afternoon light through a window to a lovely vista. In 1972, she married Robert Henry, who survives and currently is a resident at Vernon Green. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 48 years, she leaves two daughters, Lauren Brown, her husband Steve, and grandchildren Huxley and Eloise of Brattleboro, and Susan Schoenecker, her husband Jonathan, and grandchildren Tyler and Abigail of Nashville, Tenn.; siblings James Kiesel of Fairmont, Minn., and Joann Bender of Gouldsboro, Pa., and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, Helene was a devoted and loyal friend, maintaining deep relationships that included groups, big and small, that met consistently for many, many years, whom she regretfully leaves behind. During the last 10 years of her life in a slow transformation brought upon by Alzheimer's. Though the condition gradually stripped away the sharp intellect and wit that had characterized Helene, she still continued to display her humor, determination, craftiness, and speed through her last days. Memorial information: A private ceremony will take place with immediate family. A celebration of life will take place at a future date. Donations to the Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee, 230 Main St., Brattleboro, Vermont 05301. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Judith Hill Kittredge, 89, of Lenox, Mass., formerly of Dalton, Mass. Died peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 10, 2021, after a brief spell of pancreatic cancer. She is survived by three children, four granddaughters, and her sister, Lee Stookey (husband Byron) of Brattleboro. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Sept. 11 in Dalton.
• June Irene (Powers) Manning, 91, of Guilford. Died peacefully Aug. 12, 2021, surrounded by her loving family at the home of her daughter, Susan Manning Ross. June was born in Brattleboro on April 5, 1930 to Harry Leon Powers and Irene Lola (Barnes) Powers. She resided in Marlboro with her parents and her brother, Leon (Buddy) Powers, on the family farm. Following graduation from Brattleboro High School in 1948, she married the love of her life, Robert Parle Manning, and they remained in Brattleboro, raising their family of five children. Robert predeceased her in 1997. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she most enjoyed spending time with her family. Having grown up on the family farm she had a heart for all animals from horses to cats. While battling Alzheimer's in her later years, she lived with her daughter Susan, and her husband, Dave, with grandchildren, Rashka and Elsa, on their farm in Guilford, along with several horses, dogs, cats and assorted animals that brought her great comfort and pleasure. June leaves behind her children, Stephen R. Manning, and wife, Gail, of East Longmeadow, Mass., Terry A. Manning, and wife, Peggy, of Brattleboro, Linda J. Manning of Guilford, David J. Manning, of Brattleboro, and Susan Manning Ross, and husband, Dave Ross, of Guilford; grandchildren Amy (Manning) Dusseault, and her husband, David; Jennifer Manning Higley, and her husband, Luke; Jonathan Manning, and his wife, Laura; Heather Manning Bauer, and her husband, Corey; Katie (Manning) Leuth, and her husband, David; Bret Manning, and his wife, Megan; Casey Manning, Rashka Manning Ross, and Elsa Manning Ross; and 11 cherished great-grandchildren, Taylin Bauer, Trey Bauer, Tyler Higley, Morgan Higley, Benjamin Higley, Sophie Dusseault, Henry Dusseault, Austin Leuth, Ireland Manning, Nash Manning, and Molly Manning. June was also survived by her brother, Buddy, and his wife, Ellen Powers, of East Lyme, Conn., and their son, Randy Powers; a niece, Karen Buys, and nephew, Thomas Manning, Jr., along with many cousins, and many friends and neighbors. June will be missed by all, but her spirit and grace will continue to live on in the hearts of her loved ones. Memorial information: Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro is attending to arrangements. There will be no calling hours, and a private burial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Bernard W. “Bernie” Stewart, 90, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully Friday, Aug. 6 at Springfield Health and Rehab. Bernie was born in North Springfield on May 11, 1931, the son of Bert W and Gertrude (Picard) Stewart. He was educated in Springfield and Chester, leaving after eighth-grade to help support his family. Bernie was a military veteran and, on returning home from the service, he resumed his truck driving career. Over the years, he worked for many local trucking companies. He drove for more than 30 years with St. Johnsbury Trucking, as well as driving for Cray Oil, Tim Graves, Beaudry Enterprises, and BDR. He also worked for Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home, a job he truly loved. In 1951, Bernie married Harriette (Lovell) Stewart who predeceased him on Sept. 13, 2018 after 67 years of marriage. Together, they enjoyed camping with their family and, for many years, going to antique truck shows with “Terrible Tessie,” which he drove in the Fourth of July parade in Saxtons River and the BF Alumni parades. He was a lifelong member of the BF Elks, King Solomon's Temple, Teamsters Local No 597 Retirees, and the Antique Truck Club. He is survived by two of his three daughters, Claudia (Stewart) Allbee and husband David of Westminster, and their sons Jonathan D. Allbee of Westminster, his wife Holly and their children Eli, Meg and Olivia; Josh D Allbee, his wife Tara Aumand and their sons, Max and Sabastian, of Wilton, Maine; Brenda (Stewart) Graves of Bellows Falls, Peter L. Graves of Walpole, N.H., and their children Samuel L Graves and his wife, Emma, of Saxtons River, and their daughters Lyla and Lakelyn, and Kathryn Stewart Graves and her son, Beckett, of Walpole, N.H. He is also survived by his son-in-law Gil Bennett of South Deerfield, Mass., and daughters, Gretchen (Bennett) Barnett and husband Duane of Montpelier, and Remy J. Bennett and partner, Will Spalding of Greenfield, MA. He is also survived by his brother Fran Steward of Cavendish, sister-in-law Jean Stewart of Springfield, and nieces and nephews. Bernie was predeceased by his parents, daughter Bonnie J. Bennett, and siblings Bert Jr., William, Robert, and Kathy. Memorial information: A graveside service was held at New Cemetery in Westminster on Aug. 16. Donations to the Bellows Falls Senior Center, 18 Tuttle St., Bellows Falls VT 05101. Bernie and Harriette enjoyed many years of lunches and activities there.
• Nancy Madden Stockwell, 82, of Foxboro, Mass., formerly of Brattleboro and West Chester, Pa. Died Aug. 4, 2021 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after a brief illness. She was born in Brattleboro, VT, daughter of the late Hollis B. and Madeline M. Madden. She married Bradley R. Stockwell in 1960. He pre-deceased her in 2010. Nancy graduated from Brattleboro Union High School and Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Hanover, N.H. She worked as a registered nurse for E. Thomas Deutsch, MD, and for C. Gale Alderman, DDS. She enjoyed volunteer work with the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts, Great Valley Little League, Charter Chase Homeowner's Association, and booster clubs at West Chester East High School. Nancy also served on the East Goshen (Pa.) Planning Commission for 10 years. Upon moving to Foxboro, she was active at the Council on Aging, serving on their board and singing with the Serenading Seniors. Nancy especially enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, and she was famous for her baked beans and Chex Mix. She is survived by her children: Kye and his wife, Cindy, of Walpole, Mass., Lynda of Foxboro, and Erik and his wife, Jean, of Charlotte, N.C., and grandchildren Maria, Carter, Ryan, and Madison. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Ingram of Methuen, Mass., two nieces and their families, and six cousins. Memorial information: At her request, there will be no formal services. Memorial donations may be made to La Mancha Animal Rescue (855 Doe Run Rd., Coatesville, PA 19320) or the Foxboro Discretionary Fund, which provides food and other solutions to town residents following unexpected crises (P.O. Box 636, Foxboro, MA 02035).
Services
• Graveside committal services for Lois Marie Rouleau will be conducted Friday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m., in West Northfield (Mass.) Cemetery with Pastor Michael Gannt of Agape Christian Fellowship officiating. Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. Lois, 92, of Clark Street, died in the comfort of her home July 11, 2021 following a period of declining health.