College news
• Elisabeth Keeler of West Dover recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Science Degree from Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tenn.
• Megan Rexroat of Jamaica was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester at Goodwin University in East Hartford, Conn.
• The following local students were honored for academic excellence at Northern Vermont University for the fall 2021 semester: Laura Gypson of Williamsville was named to the President's List and Gregory Fitzgerald of Brattleboro and Joseph Rafus of Whitingham were both named to the Dean's List.
Obituaries
• Patricia E. “Pat” Austin, 90, of Brattleboro. Died March 5, 2022 at Thompson House, the result of injuries she sustained from a fall at her home. She was born Dec. 19, 1931 in Plainfield, N.J., the daughter of Addison and Audrey (Block) Ely. Pat was raised and educated in Westfield, N.J., later attending Stephens College in Missouri and the University of Vermont in Burlington. Pat had been employed as a sales associate at the former Wilsons LTD, Candy and Gift Store on Main Street in Brattleboro. For many years she was a volunteer working in the coffee shop at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and was also an active volunteer at the Thompson House Nursing Home. She was a member of Centre Congregational Church, where she served on several church committees. Pat enjoyed golf and was a member of the Brattleboro Country Club. She also enjoyed collecting miniatures, scrapbooking, and time spent with her family. In 1958, she married Kenneth S. Austin, who predeceased her. Survivors include a daughter, Carol Coulombe and her husband, Larry, of Hinsdale, N.H; a son, Addison E. Austin of Fort Thomas, Ky.; a sister, Joan Carpenter of Birmingham, Mich.; and five grandsons, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m., at Centre Congregational Church with a reception to follow the services in the church's parlor. Pat will be laid to rest beside her husband in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery later in the spring. Donations to Centre Congregational Church Book of Remembrance, 193 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to a charity of one's choice. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Scott Anthony Brooks, 59, of Newfane. Died unexpectedly on March 8, 2022. The son of the late Robert and Maxine (Shine) Brooks, Scott was born at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend on May 1, 1962. He attended grade school in Newfane and graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend with the Class of 1980. Scott was thoughtful, generous, independent, and had a great sense of humor. He was widely known in the community as the owner and operator of Scott Brooks Towing & Recovery, based in Townshend, a successful business that he established more than 30 years ago. Scott's children will honor his legacy by continuing to serve the entire West River Valley. Scott had a love for cars and was the proud owner and builder of his own classic cars. For many years, he was involved in Enduro and Pro Stock car racing, primarily at Monadnock Speedway. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time at his family's camp at Lake Seymour in Morgan, Vt. Scott also enjoyed taking road trips with his longtime companion, Robin Chase. The couple completed trips across the country together. He also enjoyed playing billiards and was considered a “pool shark.” Most importantly, he cherished time spent with his friends and family, especially his children and grandchildren. In addition to his companion, Robin, Scott leaves behind his three children, Samantha (Cody) Palmer, of Townshend; Brianna Brooks (Devin Shippee) and their three children, of Newfane; and Robert Brooks (Sarah Leclaire), of Townshend. Other survivors include one sister, Toni (Patrick) Skater of Tucson, Ariz.; his former spouse, Tammy (Brown) Brooks; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: Scott will be laid to rest with his parents in the Brooks family lot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane at a private graveside service. A celebration of life gathering will be held, from noon to 2 p.m., on Saturday, March 26 at Newbrook Fire & Rescue, 698 Vermont Route 30 in Newfane. Light refreshments will be served. Donations to Newbrook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 77, Newfane, VT 05345. A GoFundMe is set up to help the family with funeral costs. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Barbara Wentworth Holton, 92, of Walpole, N.H., formerly of Westminster and Venice, Fla. Died at her home in Venice on Feb. 24, 2022. She was married to James C. Holton for more than 70 years. Barbara was born in Bellows Falls on March 5, 1929, daughter of Chester and Alma (Ellis) Wentworth. She was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1946, and Wilfred Beauty Academy in Boston. She and her husband served as house parents at the New England Kurn Hattin Home for Boys and then farmed locally for many years. Barbara was later employed by Hubbard Farms in Walpole, and served as secretary to the director of international operations for 20 years. She is survived by a son, Gregory Holton (Joan); a daughter, Raynie Laware (John); grandsons James Wheeler, Christopher Holton, Eric Wheeler, and Brett Wheeler; and great-grandchildren Nicholas Wheeler, Gracie Wheeler, Landon Wheeler, Logan Wheeler, Jack Holton, Tyler Wheeler, and Benjamin Wheeler. Barbara is also fondly remembered as a surrogate mom to several youth in the Westminster area, in particular David Willard and Stanley Trelewicz. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, James, and sisters Jean Estes Girardeau and Sally Halladay. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held June 18, at 11 a.m., at First Congregational Church in Westminster. Donations to Tidewell Foundation (Hospice), 3550 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239.
• William J. Neathawk, 77, of Newfane. Died unexpectedly on March 2, 2022 at his home. He was born Jan. 5, 1945, in Brattleboro, the son of Charles and Juanita (Karlson) Neathawk. He grew up in Athens and was a 1963 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. Billy (or Willy, he was known by both names to many), worked many years for Arol Ward Jr. Excavating in Grafton and even more years for Whitcomb Construction in Brattleboro and Walpole, N.H. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and country music. And beer. He was an avid gardener and lived all winter on the fruits of his summer labor. He is survived by his three children, Kevin W. of Grafton, Kimberly J. of Chester, and Shane J. of Rockingham, and his three grandchildren, Claire N. Shillington of South Hadley, Mass., Brandon W. of Charlestown, N.H., and Jared M. of Bellows Falls. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley Lockerby Neathawk, and all three of his brothers, Charles, Edward, and Roger. Memorial information: Per his wishes, there will be no memorial service. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
• Jeffrey Ruggiero, 56, of Westminster. Died peacefully, surrounded by love and family, on March 5, 2022, after a lengthy, hard-fought, battle with cancer. He was born April 5, 1965 in New Haven, Conn., to the late Christy “Chris” Ruggiero and Judy G. (Montalto) Ruggiero. He stayed in Connecticut, attending Lymm High School, before relocating to Vermont with the entire Ruggiero Family. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Lisa, in 1985. They raised their two sons, Cris and Justin, while building their life together. Jeff started Best Septic in 2010, and the company quickly became an important business in the community. He was awarded the 2011 person of the year by the Greater Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce for his generous heart and devotion to the community he proudly served. Jeff was also a member of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years, beginning in 1988, and held the title of lieutenant. Jeff will be remembered as a man who would give the shirt off his back to anyone he met. He never failed to crack a joke, and brought a smile to every face. He will be missed deeply, and thought of often. Jeff leaves behind his wife of 36 years; children Cris and Justin and his wife, Victoria; grandchildren Jaxson, Ryder, Brixton, and Jameson; brothers Joseph and his wife, Cheryl, and John and James, all of Saxtons River; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations to the Vincenzo James Memorial Fund, in care of 802 Credit Union, 105 Westminster St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Eric Sprenger, 73, of Wilmington. Died unexpectedly on March 1, 2022 while doing what he loved - cross-country skiing on Lake Whitingham. The son of the late Claus “Joe” and Maryann Sprenger and a beloved longtime resident of Wilmington, Eric is survived by the woman he adored, his wife and soulmate, Barbara LeVan, and his three daughters: Brie Beckwith and husband Justin of Warren, Tyne Pike-Sprenger and husband David Rothman of Fayston, and Emma Rose Sprenger of West Brattleboro. Also surviving “Pops” are his greatest joys, his grandchildren: Redmond and Frida Beckwith, Wilder and Tulsi Rothman, and Lennon Timmons. He is also survived by his sister, Cyndi Sprenger of Wilmington. Eric was predeceased by his older sister, Claudia Whalen of Sykesville, Md. Eric had an engineering degree from the State University of New York in Buffalo. Originally from Wantagh, L.I., Eric moved to Vermont in the 1970s, following his time in the Army. He found a vibrant ski community in Southern Vermont that welcomed him and nurtured his talents. Over the years, he combined his technical woodworking skills, his innate artistic sense, and his brilliant craftsmanship to become an exceptionally gifted sculptural woodworker. His sense of design was the defining signature of his work. In a career that lasted almost 50 years, Eric produced elegant furniture and decorative items, many of which are found in beautiful homes and fine galleries across America. While he was also well known for creating large estate gates and community collaborations, he took as much joy making carved toys for his grandchildren. Eric was a lifelong elite athlete, playing soccer from childhood into his adult years, and then coaching his daughters in Wilmington. He was a runner, mountain biker, hiker, snowshoer, speed skater and a cross-country skier. Eric was one of the most beautiful telemark skiers that people in the valley can remember. Eric was passionate about his family, his friends, his craft, and Vermont itself. Besides his sporting activities, he enjoyed gardening and landscaping, playing classical guitar, and constantly sketching new design ideas. He was committed to his community, always there to help others in need. He enjoyed bird-watching through his living room window, and looked forward to ski adventures with his grandchildren. He cherished family time spent with cousins on Great Diamond Island in Maine. He was always happy to spend his time outdoors, often with friends, communing in the sanctuary of nature, as well as in his woodworking shop. But he especially cherished his time with his loving wife, Barbara. Eric's family always saw him as their grounding force. He was selflessly committed to them throughout his life. His good soul, his artistic nature, his common sense, and his passion for life will carry on through his family. Memorial information: Services will be held at the West Dover Congregational Church on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of his life at Memorial Hall in Wilmington from 1 to 4 p.m. Donations to HatchSpace, which is starting a memorial fund in Eric's name dedicated to educating young people in the artistry of woodworking (P.O. Box 1526, Brattleboro, VT 05302), and the Twin Valley Youth Sports soccer program, with gifts designated to renovate their soccer field in Wilmington (P.O. Box 1458, Wilmington, VT 05363).
• Harry Lloyd “Tim” Streeter, 86, of Athens. Died Feb. 26, 2022 at Springfield Hospital. Tim was born on Jan. 13, 1936, to Leslie and Anastasia (Lashua) Streeter. Tim served in the Army and then went on to become a truck driver for many years. He owned Custom Wood Products in Alstead, New Hampshire, for a number of years. After retiring, he delivered the Brattleboro Reformer for several years. Tim is survived by his partner of over 30 years, Shirley Alsvig, of Athens; sons Lloyd and Steven Streeter of Hudson Falls, N.Y.; stepchildren Eric Alsvig (Amanda) and Melissa Williams (Michael); his sister, Joanne Clark, of Charlestown, N.H.; and several grandchildren, including his beloved Cheree, of Athens. He was predeceased by his sister, Ellen Patoine, and one brother. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held at a later date.