College news
• Ethan Paasche, a mathematical economics major from Guilford, graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., with the Class of 2021.
• Charlotte Croft of West Dover and Addison Kujovsky of South Londonderry recently matriculated as first-year students at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.
• Jasmine Denny of Whitingham is among the new and returning students enrolled at Elmira (N.Y.) College for the fall 2021 semester.
Obituaries
• Joy M. Bellville, 72, of Guilford. Died unexpectedly on Sept. 18, 2021 at her home. She was born in Brattleboro on March 23, 1949, the eldest child of Alfred J. and Pauline (Johnson) Gero Sr. She was raised and attended schools in Brattleboro. She attended Brattleboro Union High School before dropping out at the end of her junior year. In 1995, she decided she wanted to realize her dream to obtain her diploma. With the help of Vermont Adult Learning in Brattleboro she completed her high school classes and was able to receive her diploma. She was very proud and excited to walk in cap and gown, at the same time as her daughter, as part of the BUHS Class of 1995. She worked at the Holstein Association and, later, at Guilford Central School. In 1972, she married Raymond O. Bellville Sr. They would live out their lives in the same home where they raised two children. As a family, they enjoyed Sunday drives to nowhere that usually resulted in getting lost. Family vacations were spent on camping road trips or up at Lake Champlain. They were married for 32 years before his passing in December 2004. Joy loved her time working with children, watching Animal Planet, doing word search puzzles, and spending time with her pets; most recently with her much loved dog, Cody. With her son Ray, she spent time enjoying music and professional wrestling. This summer, she was able to attend her first Dropkick Murphy's concert and the opening of the Chaos and Kindness store in Keene, N.H. Joy is survived by her daughter Kimberly Toby (John Wheelden, Jr.) of Vernon and son Raymond O. (Alanna) Bellville Jr. of Guilford; her sister Ann (Arnold) Kristolaitis; and brothers Henry (Ellen) Gero and Paul (Michelle) Gero. She is also survived by stepchildren Alexa (Leigh) Morrell, Ilene (Rick) Leverence and Bradley (Tracey) Bellville; numerous step-grandchildren, cousins and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sister Kathy Gero Taylor, brothers Alfred Gero Jr. and Dolph Gero, her step-daughter Lynda Frost, and step-granddaughter Heidi Frost. Memorial information: A celebration of life and a joint graveside service for both her and her husband will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made 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.
• Hector Ariel “Artie” Carrasquillo, 73, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Sept. 27, 2021 due to complications of ALS. He was surrounded by his family and music, and he was very well-cared for by the staff at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, many of whom knew him well from his practice. Affectionately known as “Artie,” he was born in New York City on April 28, 1948. He grew up amidst his loving, extended Puerto Rican family, including his brothers and cousins, playing stickball, “asses up,” and singing Doo Wop on the street corner in Brooklyn. He started off his career in the medical field as an X-ray tech in Brooklyn, where he met Phyllis, the love of his life, whom he eventually married in 1968. He then studied at University of Puerto Rico and New York University, and went on to Stonybrook Medical School. While in Medical School, he embroidered and played chess in the park in his spare time. He completed his residency in Ob-Gyn at Kings County at Downstate Medical Center. After the arrival of his three young sons, Seth, Joshua, and Matthew, and the destruction of his Brooklyn apartment by multiple cats and children, he moved his family to Hillwinds and joined his brother, Ivan Carrasquillo, and Cheri Ann Broadhurst in practice at Windham Ob-Gyn in Brattleboro. One of his first deliveries was the girl who would become his daughter-in-law, Leah (Nero) Carrasquillo. He became a fixture of the community, delivering thousands of babies over multiple generations. He was well-loved for his quiet, compassionate bedside demeanor by his colleagues and patients alike. His patients could expect a doctor who was cross-legged, mustachioed, wearing red Converse sneakers and who was funny and kind. Though often a man of quiet strength, he was also known for his quick wit and wry remarks, which were always tempered by his warm, genuine nature. He also spoke frequently with his facial expressions - conveying a great deal with his eyebrows and mustache - including “The Look.” When not delivering babies, Artie could be found playing first base on the WOG softball team, videotaping his sons' sporting events, or engaging in his many interests. He was an avid lover of diversified music styles, feeding the birds, reading fantasy and sci-fi books, card games, cigars, sarcastic quips, kayaking, fishing, movies, and good beers - especially stouts and porters. He was a huge animal lover, particularly of his many pet dogs. He loved spending time with his family and lake house vacations. If you were lucky enough, you had a chance to taste one of his famous cheesecakes. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Minnie; his brother, John; his cousin, Lydia, as well as a lot of wagging tails. He is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis; his brother, Ivan; his cousin, Ozzie; his three sons, Seth, Joshua, and Matthew; daughters-in-law Colleen and Leah; his eight grandchildren: Dylan, Owen, Jackson, Gabriel, Julian, Lucien, Rosalina, and Thatcher; as well as his furry child, Casey, and his nieces and friends. Memorial information: There will be a private graveside ceremony for his family, with a public Celebration of Life at a later date. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; The Sato Project (a Puerto Rican dog rescue group), 130 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, www.thesatoproject.org; or St. Brigid's Kitchen, 38 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Barbara Jill (Lewis) Gentilin, 83, of East Dover. Died Sept. 28, 2021. She was born Aug. 2, 1938 in Osage, Wyo. Her parents, Arthur Lewis and Osie Gibson, moved the family to Weirton, W.Va., when Jill was 2, where her father was employed as a welder in the Weirton Steel Mills. Jill graduated from Weirton High School in 1956 and became a registered nurse working at both Montefiore Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic in obstetrics. She met her husband, Charles “Chuck” Gentilin in Florida where both were on vacation. They were married in 1961 and relocated to Princeton, N.J., and, later, Pennington, N.J. Her children, John and Roseanne were born in 1962 and 1966, respectively. She obtained her BSN at Trenton State College in 1980. Shortly thereafter, the family relocated to East Dover, where she worked as director of adolescent substance abuse at The Brattleboro Retreat until her retirement in 2000. During that time she gained her M.A. with an M.Ed degree in Rehabilitation from Springfield College while working full-time and raising her family. Jill was also a member of the National Nurses Association and was inducted into the Who's Who in Nursing. She is the author of several published articles in professional journals and was accredited in advanced child and psychiatric nursing. She was an active member of the West Dover Congregational Church, Dover Food Pantry, and the Senior Citizen Council of Dover, as well as a religious counselor at Grace Cottage Hospital. She is survived by her husband; her children John Gentilin of Castro Valley, Calif., and Roseanne Rhodes of Milford, Pa.; her sisters JoAnn Angert of Minneola, Fla., and Rosemary Bodley (spouse Dr. Raymond Bodley) of Raphine, Va., and her four grandsons, Giovanni Gentilin, and Maddox, Rowan, and Griffen Rhodes, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Services will be held at West Dover Congregational Church on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. Donations to Deerfield Valley Rescue and/or East Dover Fire Department, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05201.
• Jennifer Ellen Litchfield Joyce, 51, of Townshend. Died September 25, 2021 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, following a brief battle with cancer. A lifetime resident of the West River Valley, Jennifer was born at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend on April 4, 1970, the daughter of Robert and Janice (Crowninshield) Litchfield. She attended Newfane Elementary, Leland & Gray Union High School (Class of 1988) and Champlain College, graduating with an associate's degree in business in 1990. In 1991, she married her lifelong love, Bill Joyce, who survives. After college, Jennifer resided in Burlington and was employed at Farrell Distributing. When she moved back home, Jennifer worked for DeWitt Beverage. She also was employed by Sue and Rob Rowell at NRAI. Previously, she was employed as a legal secretary for attorney Gwen Harris, one of her favorite jobs. Jennifer had a close group of friends from college and would keep in touch with them regularly, maintaining their special bond throughout the years. Jennifer loved traveling and especially enjoyed camping in her fifth-wheel camper with her husband, bringing along her grandkids whenever possible. She made many camp friends at their seasonal campground, Horseshoe Acres. Jennifer's all-time favorite flower was the hydrangea. Jennifer loved family get-togethers. She was the oldest of the Litchfield cousins and they all looked up to her. Their bond was more like brothers and sisters than cousins. Besides her husband of 29 years, survivors include her daughters, Kayla Joyce and her partner, Andrew Davis, of Newfane and Marguerite “Maggie” and her partner Gabe Bergeron of Wardsboro; her father, Robert Litchfield Sr. of Newfane; two brothers, Robert Litchfield, II and his wife, Amy, of Jamaica and Nick Litchfield and his wife, Shaunna, of Harmonyville; a sister, Eliza Gosselin of Brookline; two grandchildren, Carter and Bailey; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother, Janice Litchfield, and a cousin, Fred Parker. Memorial information: A memorial service was conducted Oct. 2 at Newfane Congregational Church. Memorial contributions in Jennifer's name may be made to a special education fund established for the benefit of her two grandchildren, in care of 802 Credit Union, P.O. Box 625, Townshend, VT 05353, Attn: Kayla Joyce, Branch Manager. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Arlene May Stockwell Kathan, 98, of Bellows Falls, a former longtime resident of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 28, 2021 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Arlene was born at home in Putney on July 26, 1923, the daughter of George Andrew and Marguerite Edna (Blakeslee) Stockwell. She was raised and educated in Putney and attended the East Putney one-room school house, later moving to Brattleboro where she graduated from St. Michael's High School with the Class of 1941. Arlene went on to attend Castleton State College, where she received her bachelor's degree in elementary education. Additionally, she completed extensive courses at Keene State College and extension courses at UVM and Boston University. Over her 40-year career, Arlene taught in elementary schools in Williamstown, St. Johnsbury, Westminster, Putney, and Brattleboro, as well as Westmoreland, N.H. During the later part of her career, she also taught on a part-time basis at St. Michael's School in Brattleboro. In 1947, she married Dexter Warner Kathan Jr., the love of her life. The couple were blessed with five very musically talented children who went on to form the band, The Innovations, which Arlene and Dexter managed and joined them on stage. Steadfast in her lifelong walk of faith, Arlene was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, where she served as Eucharistic minister for the parish, taught religious education and catechism, and was a chaplain facilitator at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for 20 years, as well as a member of the St Michael's Church Choir. She also held membership in the Daughters of Isabella, Ave Maria Circle #128. Arlene had the distinguished honor of being the recipient of the annual Bishop's Award in 2008. For many years, she was active with Vermont Right to Life. Arlene enjoyed gardening, bird watching, sewing, music, and time shared with her family. She will be fondly remembered for her pleasant personality, generosity, and spirit of friendship. Survivors include: one son, James Kathan of Belmont, N.H.; three daughters, Donna Kathan of Bellows Falls, Deborah Armour of Gilmanton Iron Works, N.H., and Judith Wolfe of Westminster; 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her husband; a daughter, Dianne Lawrence; four brothers, Earl, Raymond, William and Harold Stockwell; and two sisters, Marjorie Callahan and Hazel Campbell. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Oct. 9, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial to follow in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. A reception in Rand Hall at St. Michael's School will follow the graveside services. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Alphonse C. “Al” Ratté, 86, formerly of Brattleboro. Died June 28, 2021 at home in Londonderry, N.H., surrounded by his loving family. Born in Brattleboro on Nov. 22, 1934, the son of the late Alphonse and Elizabeth Ratté, Al grew up in Brattleboro and attended Wentworth Institute in Boston and the University of Vermont, graduating with a B.S. in electrical engineering and an officier's commission in the Army. He served 26 months on active duty in the Army's Security Agency Training Center & School at Fort Devens, Mass. Al then started his primary career, employed by General Electric, in Syracuse N.Y., and then Sanders Associates in Nashua, N.H. In retirement, he was employed part time by Hannaford Supermarket in Gilford, N.H. Al had a love for all things in nature. He enjoyed bird watching, hiking, fishing, kayaking, golfing, skiing down Tuckerman, games of croquet, and the beloved Ratté family camping trips every summer. Quick-witted and incredibly wise, Al always had a riddle to recite or joke to tell. He even had his grandchildren convinced that candy could grow on trees. A favorite pastime of theirs was to harvest a treat when visiting him in Gilford. He was faithful to his morning routine of coffee and a muffin, and in the afternoons he loved to watch the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, as well as enjoy his favorite treats: mint chocolate chip ice cream, cookies, and Beefeater martinis, with two olives. Al also grew to love his “second family” of wonderful home health aides and VNA nurses. He won the hearts of all who knew him because of his warm presence, welcoming smile, and kind words. Besides his loving parents, Al was predeceased by his wife Anita (Wilson) Ratté of Gilford; his brothers Richard Ratté of Brattleboro, Charles Ratté of Saxtons River, and Edward Ratté of Mineola, N.Y., sister Dorothy (Ratté) Lyman of Alstead N.H., and his step-son John Wilson of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He was survived by his sister Joann (Ratté) DelColliano of Asheville, N.C., his children Renee Ratté and her husband, Tom Frantz, of Andover, N.H., Scott Ratté and his wife, Darleen, of Derry, N.H., Denise (Ratté) Garcia and her husband, David, of Dover, N.H., Craig Ratté and his wife, Karyn, (Niemela) of Nashua, N.H.; stepdaughter Debbie (Wilson) Miller and her husband, Bill, of Dubuque, Iowa; stepson Jeff Wilson of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; and by his former wife, Vilma Ratté of Newburyport, Mass. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. Memorial information: A private burial was held in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. Donations to New Hampshire Audubon (www.nhaudubon.org/donate/make-a-donation) or to Londonderry Trailways (londonderrytrails.org/make-a-donation).
• Patricia R. Steuer, 77, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully on Sept. 22, 2021. Patricia was born on March 7, 1944 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Edward and Rita (Bellucci) Diehl. She was a graduate of Plainedge High School in Massapequa, N.Y. Patricia and her husband John moved to Vermont from Long Island, N.Y. in 1989. Patricia was self-employed for many years, running and owning several of her own businesses in the food industry. She enjoyed music, dancing, baking, and spending time with family. Patricia was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and husband of 51 years, John Steuer. She is survived by her daughter Tabitha and her husband, Dave Atkinson; her daughter, Tracy Steuer; her granddaughter Brandi and her husband, Justin Fiske, and their children (Patricia's great grandchildren) Aayden, Aiyana, and Adaline Fiske; her grandson, Dakota Thomas; her sister Linda Diehl; her sister Rita and her husband Robert Miller; nieces and nephews: Lonnie, John, Laura, and Matt. She was also predeceased by her nieces; Theresa and Kim. Memorial information: As per Patricia's wishes, there will no memorial services. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association, or Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, Westminster, VT 05158.
Services
• At the request of the family, all services scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9 for Evelyn M. Aubuchont of Brattleboro will be cancelled at this time, due to COVID concerns. Mrs. Aubuchont, 99, died Sept. 14, 2021 at Thompson House nursing home. Arrangements are under the direction of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.