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.
•Madelin Belle Aldrich, 82, of Vernon. Died Oct. 2 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Wife of the late Charles Aldrich for 54 years. Mother of Lori Aldrich of Hinsdale, N.H., and Michael Aldrich of Halifax. Sister of Alton Cutler and Richard Cutler, both of Vernon; Robert Cutler of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Joyce Dunklee and Barbara Cutler, both of Vernon; Sadie Shippa of Northfield, Mass.; and Shirley Cutler of Brattleboro. Predeceased by a son, Archie Aldrich, and a sister, Phyllis Holmes. Born in Orange, Mass. Graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1946. Worked for the former Vermont National Bank in the bank's operation center, retiring from in 1984. Also was a bookkeeper at the former Margolin's Pocketbook Shop on Upper Canal Street. Attended Vernon Advent Christian Church and had been a member of the Loyal Workers. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 7 at the Vernon Hall Chapel. Burial will take place at a later date. Donations to Vernon Advent Christian Homes, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354-9474. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Royal Aldolf Bonnette, 81, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Oct. 7 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Leah Belle Peters for 57 years. Father of sons Bruce, Steve and Terry, all of Hinsdale; and daughter Diane Butler of Fredericksburg, Va. Brother of Hilda Mae Bonnette of Sheldon, Vt. Predeceased by siblings Mary Shepard and Ralph, Frederick and Edward Bonnette. Born in Montgomery Center, Vt. Served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Moved to Hinsdale in 1964. Worked at The Book Press for 28 years and later owned and operated a construction business. A gifted athlete, he played men's baseball and softball in Brattleboro and was regarded as one of the top pitchers in men's fast pitch softball in New England. Was one of the original founders as well as a generous supporter of Hinsdale Little League Baseball. He coached Hinsdale Peewee, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams and took great joy in coaching his own children and grandchildren. He also coached the Hinsdale High School girl's varsity softball team and the Brattleboro Post 5 American Legion Baseball team. Was a member of Brattleboro American Legion Post 5, VFW Post 1034 in Brattleboro and held membership in the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 12 at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale, with burial with full military honors in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Donations to Royal Bonnette Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of TD Bank, N.A., Main Street, Keene, N.H. 03431. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joshua Dee, 60, of East Dover. Died Oct. 2. Son of Sally Dee. Husband of Lucinda Dee. Father of Lachlann and Knowlton Dee. Brother of Dik, Justin and Rachel Dee. Born in Beverly, Mass. Graduated from the University of New Hampshire as an art major. Taught ceramics at a high school in Great Barrington, Mass., before moving to East Dover, where he and his family have resided for 23 years. Was a ski pro, snowboard pro and coach at Mount Snow for the last 20 years. Was an avid road bike rider, and was on his bike when he died. Was also a builder known for being a hard worker and a master craftsman. Was an active member of Jehovah Witnesses for 37 years and helped in the building projects for new Kingdom Halls throughout the Northeast. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 9 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses in West Brattleboro.
• Elizabeth A. “Tish” Ferguson, 97, of Jamaica. Died Oct. 2 at Equinox Terrace in Manchester Center. Predeceased by her two brothers, James F. Ferguson MD and David S. Ferguson. Born in New Haven, Conn., and received her education at Vassar College, Yale University, and the Smith College School of Social Work. Taught for many years at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and in 1970, moved to Castleton State College in Vermont to establish a social work program there. Retired in 1976 and was named Social Worker of the Year by the Vermont Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Served two terms as auditor of the town of Jamaica. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m. at Equinox Terrace, Manchester Center. Donations to Castleton State College, 62 Alumni Drive, Castleton, VT 05735.
• John Townsend Godfrey, 82, of Vernon. Died Oct. 2 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband Mary Wanda Godfrey for 57 years. Father of James M. Godfrey and his wife Kim of Vernon; and Mary G. Short and her husband Scott of Granville, Mass. Brother of Roland J. Godfrey Jr. Predeceased by a son, John T. Godfrey Jr. Born in Wellesley, Mass, and was a 1946 graduate of Wellesley High School. Served in the Navy on the USS Cadmus. Graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in dairy science and from West Virginia University with a Master's in Science. Worked at Cornell University in the Animal Science Department, and later at the Squibb Institute of Medical Research in New Brunswick, N.J. Moved to Vermont in 1965 where he headed the data processing department of the Holstein-Friesian Association of Brattleboro. Retired in 1990 from Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Springfield. Was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Centre Congregational Church, Kiwanis, Cairo Temple, and a past president of the Brattleboro Winter Carnival. Memorial information: A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations to a charity of one's choice or to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Springfield, Mass.
• Richard Otto “Dick” Johnson, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 30 at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington. Husband of the late Hilda Elizabeth Pratt for 48 years. Father of Donna Sullivan, and her husband Jack of Danvers, Mass.; and Peter Johnson of Brattleboro. Predeceased by a brother, Conrad Johnson. Graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1935. Served in the Army during World War II with the 324th Infantry Regiment of the 44th Division in Europe. After the war, he returned home and joined his father in the family painting business, Johnson & Johnson Painting. He later worked at the Brattleboro Post Office, retiring as a clerk in 1986 after 30 years of service. Was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as a trustee and on the church council. The current location of the church on Western Avenue was donated to the church by his family in the early 1950s, when the church relocated from its original location on Strand Avenue. Mr. Johnson assisted with the construction of the church. He was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, Brattleboro Lodge #102 and held membership in American Legion Brattleboro Post 5. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on Oct. 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with burial with full military honors at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Trinity Lutheran Church, 161 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301; Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or the Vermont Veterans Home, 325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Olive Mahilda McDonald, 87, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 8 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Wife of the late John B. McDonald for 58 years. Mother of Brenda Shuey of Vernon, Carol LaFlam of Guilford, and John McDonald of Brattleboro. Predeceased by a daughter, Marleen Thurber, and siblings Leon Piette, Jean Pike Marsh and Lorretta Skorb. Worked as a nurse's aide at the former Linden Lodge for 25 years. Previously worked at the former Arnoldware Co. on Cotton Mill Hill, American Optical, Margolin's Pocketbook Shop and Estey Organ Co. Memorial information: A graveside committal service will be held on Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Judith Ann Rogers, 70, of Bellows Falls. Died Oct. 9 at Mount Ascutney Hospital in Windsor. Wife of Donald Rogers for 48 years. Mother of Michael and wife Meloney of Vine Grove. Ky.; Carol and husband Robert Aslin of Bellows Falls; Scott and wife Lisa of North Walpole, N.H.; and Gail and husband Jeffrey Emery of Bellows Falls. predeceased by her parents, Melvin and Isabel (Spinelli) Bushway, and a sister, Isabel Lund. Graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1958. Was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 37 and the Bellows Falls Senior Center, and loved spending time with family and friends, playing scrabble, cards, reading and doing crossword puzzles. Memorial information: A graveside funeral service was held Oct. 12 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls. Donations to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Land, Williston, VT 05495.
• Peter P. Shaw, 72, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 3 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. Husband of Beverly Bates Shaw for 51 years. Sole child of the late Woodrow and Irma Porter Shaw, former owners of the Shaw Dairy. Father of Debra Anthony and husband Curt of Brookline; Christopher Shaw and wife Jo Anne of Middleton, N.H.; Gregory Shaw and wife Suzanne of Hooksett, N.H.; and Matthew Shaw of Brattleboro. Predeceased by a daughter, Lori Shaw. Born in Brattleboro and graduated from St. Michael's High School, Class of 1956, and the New Hampshire Technical School in 1959. Served in the New Hampshire Air National Guard. Worked as a welder at various companies, including O'Brien Construction and Brattleboro Roofing & Sheet Metal before starting his own welding and sheet metal manufacturing business known as Peter Shaw Custom Welding. While in business for himself, he was the primary contractor used by the Brattleboro Water Department to thaw frozen water pipes and welded a new base for 'The Spirit of Life” statue by Daniel Chester French, now housed at the Brooks Memorial Library. Donated his time to make a snow grooming roller as well as some snow making parts for the Harris Hill Ski Jump back in the early 1980s. Following the sale of his business, he worked for Tri State Automotive and G.S. Precision. Was a former member of the Brattleboro Volunteer Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles and the Elks. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 7 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial in St. Michael's Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, attn: Elaine Beam, Principal; or the Brattleboro Fire Department Career Staff. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Gordon Elmer “Smitty” Smith, 85, of Vernon. Died Oct. 3 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband of Linda Zumbruski. Father of James Smith of Vernon. Predeceased by a brother, James Stetson, and a sister, Mae Whitney. Born in Claremont, N.H., and attended Stevens High School. Interrupted his education to serve in the Army as a medic during World War II in Gen. George S. Patton's Third Army. Was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge, and receiving two Bronze Stars. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home to complete his schooling. Worked at the Taylor Made Co., a cabinet shop in Ascutney, and the Estey Organ Co. before joining the Brattleboro Police Department on Oct. 1, 1950 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 1953 and ended his career in 1986 with the rank of captain following 35 dedicated years with the department. Attend the FBI Academy in 1968 and was a graduate of the Kodak School of Criminal/Forensic photography. In his retirement, he was a self-employed woodworker specializing in cabinets and bookcases. Was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, Brattleboro Lodge #102, the Brattleboro Shrine Club, and Cairo Shrine Temple of Rutland. Held membership in the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499 and American Legion Brattleboro Post 5. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 6 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial with full military honors in North Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, attn: Elaine Beam, Principal; or to the Brattleboro Police Department Benevolent Fund, 230 Main St., Brattleboro, VT. 05301. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Alta Mary Wilcox, 78, of South Charlestown, N.H. Died Sept. 28 in her home. Mother of Theodore Brown Jr., Darlene Barnett Boniface, Lamont Barnett, Britt McLain Sr. and Bobbie-Sue McLain. Sister of Jerald, Donald, and Kevin Wilcox. Predeceased by a daughter, Tessie Mae McLain, and siblings Harry, Leo and Norma. Born in Westminster, and attended school in Charlestown. Lived in Bellows Falls for 34 years before moving to South Charlestown in 1998. She was an independent, strong woman who had a sincere passion for others that could be seen through her kindness of helping those in need, and kept regular attendance at Our Place Drop In Center in Bellows Falls. Before retirement, she had been employed at Readex in Chester, Springfield Hospital and Mary Meyer's in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 10 at the Moose Lodge in Bellows Falls. Donations to Our Place Drop In Center.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 27, 2010, a daughter, Rose Marie Bothwell, to Kristy Shippee and John A. Bothwell of Jacksonville; granddaughter to Todd Howe and Angie Howe, and Terry and Andy Bothwell; great-granddaughter to Jeanne Ragan and Judith Tetreault.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 11, 2010, a son, Braydon Elliot Fostyck, to Jacquelyn Georgina and Joseph Fostyck of Brattleboro; grandson to Lori and John Brunelle of Dummerston, Barb and Joe Fostyck of Hinsdale, N.H., and Lee Georgina of Brattleboro.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 2, 2010, twin daughters, Emma Jennifer Day and Alexandra Charlotte Day, to Sarah Elizabeth (Murphy) and Christopher Anthony Day of Brattleboro; granddaughters to Diane (Murphy) Renzi of Dover, N.H., John and Kate Murphy of Brattleboro, Rebecca Day and Graeme King of Brattleboro, Charles Van Gorder and Susan Dunn of New York, N.Y., and Edward and Annette Day of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; great-granddaughters to Helen Day of Chandler, Ariz., Gabrielle Murphy of Alfred, Maine, and Mary Berg of Satellite Beach, Fla.
• In Safety Harbor, Fla., (Mease Country Side Hospital), Aug. 29, 2010, a daughter, Bianca Rese Mulvey, to Katrina (Koski) and Shaun Mulvey of Port Richey, Fla.; granddaughter to David and Rebecca Koski of West Dummerston, and Maryse and George Mulvey Jr. of New Port Richey.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), July 17, 2010, a daughter, Gemma Rose Durocher, to Crystal (Horrigan) and Gregory Durocher of Brookline; granddaughter to Pat and Marcia Horrigan, Kyle and Robin Chase, and Richard and Lynn Durocher.