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.
• Philip L. Jillson, 65, of Readsboro. Died Nov. 21 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Husband of Martha (Morse) Jillson for 44 years. Father of Stephanie Taylor and husband Trent of Brandon; and Layle Luke and husband Chris of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Brother of Harold Sprague of Whitingham; Roger Sprague of Gettysburg, Pa.; Richard King of Newfane and Sandra King of Holliston, Mass. Predeceased by a son, Philip L. Jillson II; a daughter, Lisa Jillson; and brothers George and Timothy Jillson. Graduate of Whitingham High Schol, Class of 1963. Worked as a linotype operator throughout his life for many printing companies - including Capital City Press and Leahy Press in Montpelier, Elm Tree Press in Woodstock, Yankee Typesetters in Maine, TJ Press in Duxbury, Page Setters and Stratford Publishing in Brattleboro and H.A. Manning in Bellows Falls - before he retired in 2002. Was a member of the Readsboro Lions Club and a long-time member of the Readsboro School Board. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Nov. 27 at the Readsboro Community Club, with burial in the North Hill Cemetery. Donations to the Readsboro Lions Club, Whitingham Ambulance Service or Guy Hawkins Cancer Fund, in care of the Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Thomas Delbert Rafus, 72, of West Halifax. Died at his home. Husband of Betty (LaRock) Rafus for 50 years. Father of Jackie and her husband Steve Hill, Jr. of West Halifax; Tim and his wife Rhonda Rafus of Whitingham; Brad Rafus and Peggy Webber of West Halifax; Jenn and her husband Kevin Birch of Whitingham; and Steph and her husband Dennis Pike of Whitingham. Brother of George Minckler of Greenfield, Mass.; David Smith of Putney; and Hazel Robinson, of Harrington, Del. Predecased by brothers Ray and Edwin Rafus. Served in the Army and the Army National Guard from 1956-1962. Worked for New England Box Co., Deerfield Valley Supply, Greene's Service and Kendall Mills for 34 years until retirement in 1997. Was a 40 year member of the West Halifax Volunteer Fire Department and was assistant chief from 1981-85. Volunteered many hours in helping build the new fire station in 1975-76. Held various positions for the town of Halifax including assistant forest fire warden, selectman, Civil Defense coordinator and cemetery commissioner. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Nov. 28 at the West Halifax cemetery. Donations to the “Kick Butt Angels,” the Rafus family's American Cancer Society Relay For Life Team, at P.O. Box 82, West Halifax, VT 05358.
• Travis Ezra Richmond, 23, of Vernon. Died Nov. 21 from injuries sustained in a single car accident on Route 142. Son of Mary Ellen McDurfee and Douglas Richmond. Graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 2005. While in high school, he started working at Vernon Green Nursing Home and later attended Porter & Chester Auto Tech in Holyoke, Mass. He worked as an auto mechanic for the family business, Richmond Auto in Guilford. Enjoyed music and was an accomplished drummer. He loved his cars, cherished his family and friends, and was happiest hanging out with a few good buddies. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Nov. 27 at the Guilford Community Church in Algiers. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
Births
In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Nov. 2, 2010, a son, Mason John (Boulrice) Grindlay, to Mindy Boulrice and Jeff Grindlay Jr. of Brookline; grandson to Rene and Paula Boulrice Jr. of Reading, Michelle and Dave Stanch of Chichester, N.H., and Jeff Grindlay Sr. of Brandon; great-grandson to William and Sally Smith of Reading, Rene and Estelle Boulrice Sr. of Palm Coast, Fla., Joan Boulrice of Westfield, Mass., Genevieve Grindlay of Brandon, and Mary Nesci of Chichester.
In Lebanon, N.H., (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center), Sept. 9, 2010, a son, Dominic Meyer McKay, to Christine D. Meyer and Tyler McKay; grandson to Bernadette and Jeffrey Meyer, and Kim and Ron McKay, all of Brattleboro.