Obituaries
• Elke Greta Augliano, 84, of Vernon. Died Oct. 31, 2021 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Elke was born in Kiel, Germany on Oct. 12, 1937, the daughter of Albert Magnus and Magda Lena (Dreher) Goelling. She was raised and educated in Kiel and came to the United States in 1952, settling in Newport, N.H., where she graduated from Towle High School, Class of 1956. For several years she worked in the offices of the former Arnold Ware Company, then located on Cotton Mill Hill, and later was employed as a nurse's aide at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Elke enjoyed the outdoors, her flowers, gardening and loved small animals. In 1957, she married Edward “Eddie” Augliano, who predeceased her in 2015. Elke is survived by several relatives on her husband's side of the family, numerous friends, her extended family at Vernon Hall and her beloved cat, Missy. She was predeceased by a brother, Jack Goelling. Memorial information: There are no formal funeral services scheduled. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Tyler Cemetery on Pond Road in Vernon. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to her family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Harry Wallace “Harry” Borst Sr., 96, of Kenner, La. Died on Oct. 19, 2021, following a short illness. By the grace of God, his six children were able to spend time with Harry and say their goodbyes in his final days. Harry was born Dec. 31, 1924 in Turtle Creek, Pa., to Raymond and Isabella Borst. He quit high school to enlist in the Navy during World War II, later earning his GED. He proudly served his country on U.S.S. Caperton until his honorable discharge in February 1946. At the age of 12, he met Helen Slowinski, who had emigrated from Poland through Ellis Island. They were married on Aug. 10, 1946. They lived in New Jersey for most of their lives, raising their six sons. Harry was an electrician, and worked for PSEG until 1980. After retiring, he continued to work part-time for Salomon Smith Barney in Chatham and Florham Park. Harry and Helen spent a few years in Kyle, Texas, living with their son, Michael. After Helen's death in 2018, Harry moved to New Orleans in 2020, living at Inspired Living in Kenner under the watchful eye of Damian and Kathy Borst. Harry is survived by his six sons, Raymond (Donna) of North Carolina, Greg (Diane) of Lockwood, N.Y., Harry Jr., (Karlie) of Brattleboro, Mark (Deborah) of New Orleans, Damian (Kathy) of New Orleans, and Michael of Kyle, Texas. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, he was predeceased by a great-granddaughter, Jessica Parker. Memorial information: There will be a memorial service in New Jersey where Harry will be interred with Helen at Saint Vincent cemetery in Madison, N.J., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's Catholic School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Charles “Charlie” Braun, 69, of Northampton, Mass., formerly of Guilford. Died Oct. 6, 2021 from injuries suffered in a tragic accident while bicycling. Born on Oct. 24, 1951 in Minneola, N.Y., to Lester and Sylvia (Newmark) Braun, Charlie was a treasured son, brother, partner, father, and “Pop-Pop.” He devoted his life to his children and grandchildren with infinite and unbounded love. Throughout his life, he created and kept an expansive group of friends who became family. He was, in all ways, a vibrant member of his community. Charlie embraced life with an exuberant spirit, endless thirst for knowledge, and ability to master all he put his hand to. He was an avid cyclist, outdoor enthusiast, and pie-maker extraordinaire. Growing up in a family of musicians, Charlie was a prolific songwriter and performed and recorded across many genres. He was divinely gifted, forever crafting and generously sharing his supreme talent with the world. A master timber framer, Charlie built many fine dwellings, including his own family home on Belden Hill in Guilford. Throughout his life, he helped his friends and family build big and little projects, from art installations to chicken coops. Charlie was a school counselor in both Leyden and West Tisbury, Mass. His legacy lives on in his music. To listen visit: www.charliebraun.com. With a calm kindness, he guided and supported many children throughout his career. His loss leaves a heartbreaking void in the hearts of so many. Charlie is survived by his two daughters, Cedar Onchi and Jemma Siperstein; his four grandchildren, Ella, Meeka, Harper, and Nate; his sons-in-law Jon Onchi and Stephen Siperstein, as well as Wende Mueller and Joan Sellers. He is also survived by his mother Sylvia (Braun) Yules, and siblings Linda Braun, Carolyn Braun, and Michael Braun. Memorial information: In memory of Charlie, donations can be made to: musicandyouth.org, movement.vote, newgeorgiaproject.org, or bikesnotbombs.org. His legacy lives on in his music at charliebraun.com. To send special thoughts to his family, visit forevermissed.com/charlie-braun/.
• Susan Ruth Brown, 74, of Putney. Died at her home, of pancreatic cancer, on Nov. 5, 2021. She was surrounded by her three children and her dear friend, Laura Chapman. Known for her laugh, humor, and generous heart, Susan was born on Aug. 7, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas, the only child of Barbara Lucille Stearns and Thomas John Brown, and the beloved stepdaughter of Rosie Brown. Susan lived all over the country - Detroit, Brattleboro, Marathon, Texas, Hood River, Ore., and Arlington, Mass. Her giving nature, and openness to people from all walks of life created a vibrant community of people who adored her in each town. Her primary occupation was homemaker and mother to her three children - Jessica Baxter, Eli Brown, and Desiree De Luca-Johnson. As a “cool mom” and a woman with a large heart, she also routinely opened her home to teenagers and young adults struggling with depression, addiction, and the other difficulties of life. As a sober alcoholic, her honesty and humor helped endless recovering alcoholics and addicts. When she was younger, she brought her creativity and dynamism to running her own diner in Montpelier and growing an abundance of flowers for a wholesale florist business in Chelsea, Vt. As a young hippie, she also spent time selling candles in Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco and Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass. Susan loved gardening, dancing, music, and beauty - she introduced her children to Patsy Cline, Sam Cooke, Marc Chagall, and Egon Schiele. Susan also loved tennis and Roger Federer - she adored him for his grace and generosity. Susan was a robust member of an international tennis-watching community. She is survived by her three children, her grandchildren Chloe and Vivian (Jessica), Josephine, Thomas, Ian, and Luke (Eli), and Corabelle and Zulima (Desiree); her son-in-law Javier De Luca-Johnson, and her friends Laura Chapman, Karen Miller, Dot Morrill, and Carol Keiser, and so many other people who were close to the gregarious Susan (she was a Leo) through the years. Memorial information: A service for Susan's friends and family will be held in the spring when it will be easier to celebrate her life and mourn her loss while staying Covid-safe. Donations to Planned Parenthood, as Susan was a lifelong supporter of a woman's right to choose.
• Joshua Ryder Druke, 36, of Walpole, N.H. Died Oct. 28, 2021 in Walpole after a farm equipment accident. Josh is survived by his wife, Jamie Crotty Druke; his children Everly, Eloise (Lucie), and Oliver; his parents, Edward and Terri Druke; his brother Ryan Druke and wife Angela and their children; his in-laws Pat and Heidi Crotty; and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and their children. Josh was born on March 20, 1985, in Townshend. He graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in 2003. He was a talented basketball player who was a 1,000-point scorer at Leland & Gray and went on to play basketball at Western Connecticut State University. He graduated from Keene State College with a degree in business management and a minor in computer science. Josh married the love of his life, Jamie Crotty, in 2009, and welcomed their daughter Everly in 2013, their daughter Eloise in 2015 and their son Oliver in 2019. He was an incredible husband and father and treasured his family. They were the most important part of his life. Josh was in charge of business development and was the lead salesman and sales manager at WW Building Supply in Newfane and Wilmington. He was president and director of the Vermont Retail Lumberman's Association and served on the board of Southastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) and River Valley Tech Center in Springfield, Vt. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, hiking in the woods with his family, and splitting wood with his grandfather. He loved skiing with Evie, coaching Lucie in soccer, Ranger rides with Ollie, and date nights with Jamie. He was involved at Elm City Church in Keene. He was selfless and always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by not only his family and friends but by all those who knew him. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Nov. 3 at Grace Community Church in Spofford, N.H. To express condolences or to share a memory of Josh, visit FoleyFuneralHome.com.
• Harriette R. Hamilton, 88, of Wilmington. Died Oct. 22, 2021. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is preceded in death by her son, Taft Hamilton. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, G. William Hamilton; daughter Susan Carr (Gene); grandson Brian Harrigan (Nicole) and Troy Hamilton; her great granddaughter Aria Rose. Other loving family members include Joshua, Diane, Brenna, Lilly, and Helo Carr, Deacon Holderness and Douglas Aust. Harriette was an active member of the Wilmington community. She founded the first Brownie troop, ran a daycare center for many years, and was the assistant librarian at the Pettee Memorial Library for 30 years. She loved golf; she and her husband taught both their grandsons how to play. Memorial information: A graveside service will take place Saturday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m., at Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. Donations to Pettee Memorial Library in Wilmington.
• Michael Justin Little, 73, formerly of Putney. died Oct. 1, 2021 in Bucksport, Maine, surrounded by the people he loved, on the farm that he loved. Born on May 19, 1948 in Caribou, Maine, Mike was the epitome of the Renaissance Man - he was a scholar and a farmer, a dancer and a carpenter, a musician and a beekeeper, a book collector and an environmentalist; a fierce cribbage player and a birder, and so much more. He was a man of many interests and passions who lived and loved life to the fullest. Mike lived in Putney and was director of the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center between 1996 and 2000. While there are too many accomplishments to list, his family wanted to recognize some of them, as well as some of the most cherished memories - he celebrated every May Day with bells on as a Morris Dancer with the Putney Morris Men; as a teacher, he brought Scottish Country Dancing to the Blue Hill Peninsula; and he contributed to Herpetological Atlases in both Maine and Vermont. His loss will be felt profoundly by his family, friends and all of the communities and lives he touched. He leaves behind the love of his life, Dawn Little; and his children Seth Little, Katie Goldrick, Sarah Scamperle, and Emily Wheatley, along with a menagerie of furred, feathered, and scaled pets (and grand-pets). Memorial information: If you feel so inclined, consider making a donation to: The Flying Squirrel Farm, 678 State Route 46, Bucksport, ME 04416, so that his final passion project, the beautiful farm that he and his wife spent the last five years rebuilding, can continue to provide fresh eggs and produce to family, friends, and the community. Or, if your interests take you there, one may view his extensive and eclectic book collection at alibris.com/stores/outsideofadog.
• William Benjamin “Bill” Lockerby, 48, of Westminster West. Died Oct. 28, 2021 from injuries suffered in a hunting accident in Coshocton County, Ohio. He was born April 24, 1973, in Rockingham, the son of Roger and Kathleen (Gallagher) Lockerby. Bill attended schools in Westminster and Bellows Falls and was a 1991 graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School. Following high school, he received a bachelor's degree from American International College, where he also played baseball for all four years at AIC. He worked as a carpenter with Alan Smith for 10 years and had been working as an electrician for Lawrence & Lober. Bill was a Cub Scout, enjoyed playing baseball and football in high school, and coached the American Legion Post 37 baseball team for several seasons. He enjoyed coaching Pee Wee Football for the Packers for nine years. He was an avid Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Dallas Cowboys fan. Bill's love of his family was immeasurable and he took great pride working with them to build a new barn at his family's farm. His sense of humor and fun-loving attitude made him a favorite among his nieces and nephews who affectionately called him “Uncle BB.” In 2003, Bill married Jessica L'Heureux who survives. He is also survived by his parents; a son, Grady Lockerby; a daughter, Delaney Lockerby; sisters Beth Kidney (Erik), Amy McCullough (Craig), Laura Lockerby (Scott Wallace), and Kayla Williams (Sean); along with several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as many, many friends that he called family. He was predeceased by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his daughter, Grace. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held at St. Peter's Church in North Walpole, N.H., on Nov. 8, with burial in the Lockerby family cemetery. Donations to either the Connecticut Valley Pee Wee Football League or Post 37 American Legion Baseball.
• Nancy Hopkins Merritt, 75, of Wilmington, N.C. Died Nov. 1, 2021 at Brightmore of Wilmington. She was born in Rochester, N.Y., the daughter of the late Robert E. and Barbara Barnes Hopkins. Nancy graduated from Vermont College in 1965 and, after raising four children, graduated from University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 1991 with a degree in Education. She taught math and science at Roland-Grise Middle School for most of her teaching career. Surviving is her husband of 55 years, David M. Merritt; one daughter, Jennifer Miley and husband Jason of Rapid City, S.D.; three sons, Douglas Merritt of Wilmington, N.C., Peter Merritt and wife Becky of Castle Hayne, N.C., and Richard Merritt and wife Stacie of Castle Hayne, N.C.; four grandchildren, Seth Price, Savannah and Josie Merritt, and Diamond Price Adams; three great-grandchildren, Amanda, Curtis, and John Adams; one sister, Andrea Hopkins; and four brothers, Roger, Carl, Robert “Jack,” and Mark Hopkins. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted Nov. 9 in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Freemona Roundtree, 63, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly Oct. 27, 2021 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, after being stricken ill at her home. Freemona was born in Rochester, N.Y., on July 1, 1958, the daughter of Sam Roundtree and Gussie (Cason) Roundtree. She was raised and educated in Rochester, where she attended both public and Catholic schools. Freemona was an integral part of Twin States Network, where she was employed as a peer counselor and later became their board president. In Rochester, she worked for the Kodak company and for the New York State Unemployment Office. Freemona was active in promoting LGBTQ rights in Brattleboro and was an active member of the Freedom to Marry Coalition. Of her many interests, Freemona loved to travel, enjoyed an array of different types of music, loved attending live concerts, and took an interest in mentoring teens and young adults. Her home was always open to the many friends of her sons. She was well known for her loving spirit and generosity. She touched and brightened the lives of many women living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Freemona had an uncanny gift of observation, retention of details and situational awareness. She once participated in a clinical workshop with over 30 other individuals where she recalled in full detail what the participants were wearing as well as their unique physical features. This recall helped in her many Mystery Theatre performances that she participated in as part of Twin States' annual women's retreat. Survivors include her three sons, Daryl Roundtree of Rochester, and Anthony Wilson and Jeffrey Anderson, both of Brattleboro; her daughter, Nina Hoyte of Rochester; and two brothers, Jimmy and Robert Roundtree. Additionally, she leaves a host of friends and acquaintances in Rochester and Brattleboro. Memorial information: A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14 in the Thomas Hall at the Winston Prouty Campus, 209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro. To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.