Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Alberta H. Antaki, 84, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 13 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Wife of Addison Pond, Ralph Carey and John Antaki, all predeceased. Mother of Juanita Lane and husband, Kenneth of Brattleboro; Ida Welch and husband, Herman, of Virginia; Marlene Heinonen and husband, Robert, of Winchester, N.H.; George Pond and wife, Paula, of Vernon; and step-daughter Jean Berke and husband John of Cambridge, Mass. Sister of Catherine Pike of Deerfield, Mass.; Delia Bolster of Dummerston; Shirley Horton of Ayer, Mass.; Donald Lynch of Arizona and Laurence Lynch of Dummerston. Additionally she leaves 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, three great-, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Helen (Lawrence) Lynch, and a sister, Olive Lynch. Born and raised in Brattleboro. Worked for many years in the housekeeping department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Previously worked in the kitchen at the former Brooks House and the former H. Margolin Pocketbook Shop. Was a member of Agape Christian Fellowship and had also attended Community Bible Chapel. Was a longtime member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Brattleboro, where she volunteered many hours at the former Linden Lodge nursing home. Loved to knit and for many years was active with the Reformer Christmas Stocking, knitting baby blankets and baby sets. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 17 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro, with burial in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to The Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.atamaniuk.com.
• Merle “Barney” W. Bailey, 85, of Vernon. Died Sept. 16 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of Betty G. Gregory Bailey for 59 years. Father of Michael Bailey, and his partner, Kelly Massicotte, of Waterbury Center. Predeceased by a daughter, Betty-Jo Bailey. Enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from Brattleboro High School and served his country during World War II. His ship, the USS Presque Isle, provided logistical support during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Upon his return stateside, Barney hitchhiked to California and back with his childhood friend, Walter Zaluzny, which provided good fodder for many stories. Retired from Cersosimo Lumber Co. after more than 30 years. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations to The Gathering Place, 30 Terrace St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Eleanor “Ellie” (Hall) Baker, 92, of Brattleboro, Died Sept. 15 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H. Wife of the late Curtis L. Baker for 47 years. Mother of Gerald “Thumper” Baker of Guilford; Carol Eddy of Hinsdale, N.H.; Janice Chase of Vernon; Elaine Cheney of Montpelier; and Margaret Winn of West Chesterfield, N.H. Also survived by 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great -great grandsons. Graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1935. Baked breads for the Centerville Store on Western Avenue, and later was employed at the Academy School kitchen, where one of her specialties was her light, delicious rolls. Longtime member of First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro and a charter member of the church's Thursday Night Club. Also a member of the Brattleboro Fire Department Auxiliary and held membership in the West Bees Homemakers Group. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 18 at First Congregational Church with committal services and burial in Westminster West Cemetery. Donations to Hilltop House, 65 Harris Ave. Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to First Congregational Church Memorial Gifts Fund, P.O. Box 2389, West Brattleboro, VT 05303-2389. Condolences to the family may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Alice Viens Putnam Brunelle, 61, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 12 at home. Daughter of Mildred Widener and the late Ervin Viens. Wife of Roy Putnam. Mother of Brenda Putnam. Sister of Ruth Ann, Shirley, Carole and William. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Epilepsy Foundation.
• Mary L. DeVries, 83, in Brattleboro. Died Sep. 12 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Wife of the late Justus J. DeVries for 31 years. Mother of Lou Nelsen, Nancy DeVries, Justus DeVries, Jr. and Andrew DeVries, and their respective spouses Paul Nelsen, Colin Nickerson, fiancée Lynn Heffelfinger and Amy Thebault. Sister of Elizabeth Donnellan and brother James Lott, Jr. Predeceased by a sister, Ruby Tucker. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Graduate of Fort Hamilton High School, Class of 1945. Lived in New Jersey and Connecticut before moving to Vermont to live full-time in 1969. Among her passions were hand weaving, quilting, long-distance bicycling, swimming, yoga, baking and gardening. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert on Sept. 18. Donations to the Activities Fund, Thompson House, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert.
• Norma Jane (Cleare) Hamelman, 58, of West Wardsboro. Wife of Paul Bedortha. Former wife of Jeffrey Hamelman. Mother of Erin Zargo, Paige Lakin, Rebeccah Hamelman, Sean Hamelman, Bonnie Hamelman, Sara Bernard and Jeremy Bedortha. Was an accomplished baker and was a co-owner of Hamelman's Bakery in Brattleboro and the sole owner of Sunflour Bakery-Peace of Hamelman's in West Dover. Memorial information: There will be a gathering of friends and family at her home in West Wardsboro at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, VT 05353.
• Edward E. Haslund, 80, of Wilmington. Died Sept. 15 at his home. Father of Sally Ambuhl and her husband, Michael of Latham, N.Y, Stepfather of David Schneider and his wife, Sue of Lee, Mass.; and Karen Hotaling of Phoenix, N.Y. Predeceased by a brother, Ralph Haslund. Graduate of Wilmington High School and Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Worked for Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna, N.Y., for 42 years, retiring in 1992, and was responsible for designing, manufacturing and testing the nuclear reactors for the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Memorial information: A graveside funeral service was held Sept. 21 in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. Donations to the Wilmington Historical Society, c/o Covey & Allen Funeral Home P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Harriet R. Hogan, 88, of Utica, N.Y., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 10 at the Presbyterian Home in New Hartford, N.Y. Wife of the late John E. Hogan. Mother of Theresa Prusak of Henderson, Nev.; Mary Cheney of Utica, N.Y.; and Janice Symons of Green Valley, Ariz. Sister of Lillian Frost and Ann Leary of Brattleboro; Mary Remillard of Northfield, Mass.; Louis Bobee of Readsboro and Joseph J. Bobee Sr. of Brattleboro. Predeceased by a son, Edward J. Hogan Sr., and a daughter, Patricia Penoyer. Memorial information: A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at St. Michael's Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Sandra Diane Holt, 58, of Dummerston. Died Sept. 15 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Daughter of the the late Charles and Ruth Farrington Holt. Sister-in-law of Carolyn Holt of Putney. Aunt of Thomas Holt, Timothy Holt and Tammy White. Predeceased by a brother, Theodore Alan Holt. Worked as an administrative assistant at the Holstein Association and the School for International Training. Enjoyed composing music and poetry and was best known for her musical talent. Was a local organist and played for church services, weddings, funeral, and gatherings throughout her life. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 20 at the Putney Federated Church, with burial at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Donations to the American Cancer Society or to Brattleboro Area Hospice.
• Helen Elizabeth Smith Kelton, 87, of Saxtons River. Died Sept. 15 at her home. Wife of the late Merle Kelton. Mother of Richard Kelton and wife, Althea, of Winchester, N.H.; Michael Kelton and wife, Ellen, of Greenfield, Mass.; Nancy Olney and husband, Gary, of Derby Line, and Kathy Musson of Havre, Mont. Sister of Deborah Thomas of Arizona. Predeceased by her sibling Howard, Maynard, Ralph and Paul Smith, Pauline Wadleigh, Bertha Grout, and Josephine O'Malley. Graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1941. Worked for A.J. Tidd and Rockingham Hospital, and retired from Unified Data Products in Grafton after 20 years. was a member of the Community Christian Church of Athens, where she served as treasurer for 40 years and was also a member of the Ladies Guild, where she served as president for many years. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 21, at the Community Christian Church in Athens, with burial in the Cambridgeport Cemetery. Donations to The Restoration Fund for the Athens Brick Meeting House c/o Darlene Wyman, 56 Brookline Road, Athens, VT 05143.
• Stanley W. Lacey, 84, of Vernon. Died Sept 9 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband of the late Alice Fournier Lacey for 61 years. Father of three sons, Stanley, Alan and his wife, Debbe, and Daniel and his wife, Tammy; and five daughters, Karen Renfrow and her husband, Charles, Donna Richer and her husband, Albert, Alice Johnson and her husband, Kenneth, Theresa Vinales and her husband, George, and Janice Carbone and her husband Robert. Also leaves 24 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren and three sisters. Was a decorated World War II veteran and an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. Memorial information: No information available.
• Leo Paul Leclaire, 85, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 16 at Thompson House Nursing in Brattleboro. Husband of the late Heloise (Giroux) Leclaire for 49 years. Father of Linda Goss and husband, Stephen of Spofford, N.H., Michael Leclaire and wife, Bridget of Chesterfield, N.H., Donna Traverse and husband, John of Richmond, N.H., Steven Leclaire and wife, Nancy of Brattleboro, and David Leclaire also of Brattleboro. Brother of Marie Rabideau of Brattleboro; Irene Pollica of Hinsdale, N.H.; Martha Castine of Brattleboro; Jeanne Lyons of Vernon and Anita Stacey of Brooksville, Fla.; and Marcel Leclaire of Zephyrhills, Fla. Predeceased by siblings Joseph Henry, Normand, Rene and Richard Leclaire, Yvette Broulard, Annette Marchant, Gertrude Raymond and Jeannine Smith. Born in Burlington and lived in Brattleboro for more than 60 years. Graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy. Served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. He survived the sinking of the destroyer USS Beatty during the North African campaign in 1943. He was assigned to another destroyer, the USS Ingraham, which saw action in the Pacific campaign including the bombardment of Iwo Jima, the liberation of the Philippines, and the Battles of Leyte and Luzon Gulfs. During the Battle of Okinawa, his ship was heavily damaged by a Japanese kamikaze plane. Was employed by Baker's Bookstore for 16 years prior to taking a position with the Brattleboro Police Department for 22 years, retiring as Deputy Chief in 1988. Upon his retirement, he was employed by the Windham County Sheriff's Department as a bailiff in the Windham Superior Court for 11 years. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Sept. 22 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with burial with full military honors will follow in Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Thompson House Nursing Home activities fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences to the family may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Thomas “Tom” McHaffie Jr., 49, of Montague, Mass. Died Sept. 9 in Calvin Coolidge Nursing and Rehabilitation Home in Montague, Mass., Son of the late Thomas and Norma (Harmon) McHaffie Sr. Brother of James McHaffie and his wife, Kelly, of Brattleboro. Worked a carpenter and repaired trucks in Franklin County. Memorial information: A memorial service and burial was held Sept. 15 at Leviatt Cemetery in Charlemont, Mass. Donations to the Charlemont Ambulance Fund, Town of Charlemont, Charlemont MA 01399.
• Jerry Pfohl, 81, of Acworth, N.H. Died Sept. 7 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Gretchen Abendschein for 30 years. Father of Christopher Pfohl of Holyoke, Mass.; Leslie Quarrier of Acworth; Benjamin Pfohl of Blue Hill, Maine; Mark Pfohl of Salvador, Brazil; and Jason Pfohl of Oaxaca, Mexico. Brother of Peter Pfohl of Bradford, Pa.; and Barbara Byrnside of Southern Pines, N.C. Born in Bradford, Pa., he became a serious painter as a teen, and went on to study in New York, London and Paris with some of the top painters of the day and earning major awards for his work. After living in New York City and exhibiting at Janet Nessler Gallery in the 1960s, he moved to Brattleboro and eventually settled in Acworth. His figurative work is known for its complex subject matter, often depicting enigmatic characters in whimsical, inscrutable or disturbing situations. His landscapes, sometimes massive canvasses, are bold yet meticulous odes to New England's rocky rivers and lush foliage. His work is in countless private collections. Memorial information: A memorial service will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. on Pfohl Road, across from 188 Charlestown Rd., in Acworth. Donations to the Acworth Community Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 10, Acworth, NH 03601.
• Ann G. Williams, 84, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 8 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Mother of Charles F. Williams and his wife, Carolyn, of Brattleboro. Predeceased by five brothers and one sister. Worked for the Veterans Hospital and the Arsenal in Watertown, Mass., as an administrative assistant. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on Sept. 18 at her home.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 2, 2010, a daughter, Callie Ada-Stover Burch, to Summer Burch and Jason Stover of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Walter and Kathy Stover of Jamaica, Gary and Donna Burch of Granville, N.Y., and Bonita Slater of Cambridge, N.Y.
• In Northampton, Mass., (Cooley Dickinson Hospital), Aug. 28, 2010, a son, Gabriel Nero Carrasquillo, to Matthew and Leah (Nero) Carrasquillo of Easthampton, Mass.; grandson to Artie and Phyllis Carrasquillo and Peter and Judith Nero of Brattleboro; great-grandson to Olive Boyer and Minnie Carrasquillo, both of Brattleboro, and Peter and Lucy Nero of Hudson, N.Y.
School news
• Three students at Bellows Falls Union High School have earned AP Scholar Awards from The College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on advanced placement exams.
Aaron Morton qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3.0 or higher on five or more of these exams. Tanner Degenkolb qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3.0 or higher on four or more of these exams. Marion Major qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3.0 or higher.