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.
• Henry “Hank” Holland Anderson, 88, of Westminster. Died Jan. 25 at home. Husband of Phyllis Quimby for 63 years. Father of Sue Gioulis of Ocean Grove, N.J.; Don Anderson of Santaquin, Utah; Wendy Schoenemann of Westfield, N.J.; Melanie DeLonge of Burlington; Jill Kimber of Bricktown, N.J., Jennifer Anderson of Westminster; John Anderson of Jackson, N.J.; Heidi Anderson of Westminster West; and Bonnie Anderson of Burlington. Brother of Dick Anderson of Sun City, Ariz.; and Steve Anderson of Putney. Born in Morristown, N.J., the son of Harold and Dorothy Anderson, he graduated in 1944 with a mechanical engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. Upon completing Midshipman's School at Cornell University, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served in World War II as an Engineering Officer aboard the battleship USS New York, participating in the Okinawa campaign and the postwar Navy Day in New York Harbor. After the war, he joined Bakelite Plastics Co. (later Union Carbide Corp.), where he worked for 39 years as a machine design engineer and, with his colleagues, he received several patents. Retired with his wife to Westminster in 1988. Music was his lifelong love, playing the piano, the organ, recorders, brass instruments and hand bells, as well as singing. He was also an accomplished composer. With his wife, he started and directed the Westminster Follies, which contributed to the support of the First Congregational Church for many years. Together they participated in all aspects of each year's production. In retirement, he served as “chief engineer” of the Westminster Aqueduct Society (town water supply), updating information and redrawing maps of the town's water system. He was also a trustee of the Westminster Historical Society, regularly volunteered at the local elementary school and the Westminster Recycling Center, and was also involved with Westminster Cares, Inc. In 2008 he was named Westminster Citizen of the Year. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 at the First Congregational Church in Westminster. Interment will be on April 27, in the Revolutionary Cemetery, Westfield, N.J. Donation to the pipe organ fund of the First Congregational Church in Westminster, or to Westminster Cares Inc.
• Jim Blake, 72, of West Dummerston. Died Jan. 30 while cross-country skiing. Husband of Lisa Blake for 48 years. Father of Alex, Natalie and the late Marshall Blake. Taught fifth grade and high school English near Boston, where he co-authored a widely-used teachers' resource book. He lived in the West Indies where he served with his wife and family for 10 years. In St. Vincent, he co-founded the Windsor School, now in its 21st successful year. Also worked at World Learning in Brattleboro, where he was a project manager for 20 years. He embraced the Bahá'í Faith in 1987, and co-taught a weekly spiritual education class for children in the former Grange hall. He had great long-term vision for the role that the building will serve through his faith and family. He swam almost every night at the Colonial Pool and attended the weekly yoga class held in his home of two years, the former West Dummerston Grange, that he and his family painstakingly renovated. His unfailing and energetic helpfulness, his mellow style and quick wit will be dearly missed. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on Feb. 6 in West Dummerston.
• Jerilynn “Jeri” Diane Carley Bruneau, 67, of Guilford. Died Feb. 1. Wife of Irvin W. Bruneau for 42 years. Mother of Mark Bruneau, and his wife, Lauren, of Essex; Matthew Bruneau, and his wife, Kelly, of Williston; Hope Bruneau Reilly, and her husband, Christopher, of St. Albans; and Jessica Bruneau of Guilford. Sister of Brian L. Carley and his wife, Linda, of Marlboro; and Joyce A. Banford and her spouse, Linda Martineau, of Turners Falls, Mass. and half-brother David M. Dewey and his wife, Marie, of East Randolph. She was born in Brattleboro, daughter of the late Lawrence H. and Helen D. Carley, and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1961. She later attended and graduated from Houles Beauty Academy in Manchester, N.H., and worked for Teresa's Health and Beauty Salon and then for Ludwig “Ludys' Hair Styling. After several years of raising her family, she worked at Vermont Yankee and the local U.S. Derpartment of Agriculture office for a number of years. Later, she went on to earn her LNA certificate and worked at Eden Park for nearly three years. She was an active member of the Guilford community, and was president of the Guilford Fair Association for 9 years. She also enjoyed her vegetable garden, and loved sewing, knitting, and woodworking. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro on Feb. 4. Donations to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attention: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.
• Eleanor M. Chaves, 92, of Londonderry. Died Jan. 29 at the Watson House in Bennington. Wife of the late Manuel Chaves for 40 years. Mother of David M. Chaves of Londonderry. Born in Boston, the daughter of Leon A. and Ida M. (Allen) Aldrich. She was a sales representative for Avon for the past 49 years, and for the past year, continued working with the assistance of her friend Polly Laselle. She was also a waitress for Idlenot Restaurant, and later Friendly's in Londonderry for many years. Since 1936, she was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry. She enjoyed her cat, Bailey, playing Bingo, and making trips at Foxwoods with friends and family. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry in the spring. Donations to the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry; or to the Londonderry Rescue Squad.
• Don Currier, 70, of Athens. Died Jan. 30 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Husband of Donna Currier. Father of Glen Currier of Charlestown, N.H.; Jeff Currier of Texas; and Rhonda Currier of Charlestown, N.H. Step-father of Amy Aldrich and April Lyman, both of Athens. Born in Casco, Maine, the son of the late Raymond Currier and Leola Godfrey. He was a truck driver for more than 30 years, most recently working for Beaudry Transportation. He enjoyed fishing, watching Fox News, and talking politics with his granddaughter Krista. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Feb. 13, at 2 p.m., at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Dennis Robert Dawson, 59, of East Hardwick, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 31 at Copley Hospital in Morrisville. Brother of Raymond Dawson of Brattleboro. Born in Inverness, Scotland, the son of Jean (Paterson) and the late Charles Dawson. Graduated from Waldwick (N.J.) High School, Class of 1968. Served two years in the Navy from 1980 to 1982. Was employed by FiberMark in Brattleboro until he retired due to failing health. He enjoyed fishing and traveling. Memorial information: A graveside service will be scheduled in the spring in the Sanborn Cemetery in East Hardwick. Donations to the American Heart Association , 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495.
• Frank D. Flanagan, 56, of Wilmington. Died Feb. 2 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Husband of Jane Ishkanian for 26 years. Brother of Patricia Potter and her husband, Jonathan, of Spencer, Mass. Born in Manchester, Conn., the son of John F. and the late Doris (Mann) Flanagan, he graduated from Tolland High School, then moved to Wilmington in 1973. Worked as a building contractor for many years and co-owned and operated Winterwood Builders in Wilmington since 1983. He will be remembered by many for his multitude of creative endeavors, his generous manner, and kind spirit. Passionate about fly fishing, he was a perfectionist at his craft of making trophy flies and bamboo rods. A master craftsman, he could build anything; most recently he even built his own fiberglass boat. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Wilmington, followed by a reception at The Old Red Mill. Donations to the Vermont Association of The Blind and Visually Impaired, in care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Jill Noss Hayes, 61, of Putney. Died Jan. 29 at Grace Cottage Hospital. Wife of Thomas Hayes. Former wife of Frederic Masco. Mother of Eliza Masco. Stepmother of Mariah Hayes. Predeceased by a sister, Rita. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of the late Harvey and Mary Noss, she graduated from Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, attended the Rhode Island School of Design, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Was a member of the Green Mountain Horse Association, and the Putney Craft Tour. A talented artist and photographer, she was best known for her “Dining In Vermont” poster. She was also an avid equine enthusiast and spent many years as a certified riding instructor. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m., in the Michael S. Currier Center at The Putney School. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Michael Marantz, 68, of Jamaica. Died Jan. 25 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Father of Julie and Ruth. Grandfather of Gabriel and Vanessa. Brother of Mady. Born in New York City to the late Irving and Evelyn Marantz, he spent most of his first 50 years in New York City, summering as a child and young adult in Provincetown, Mass., and later in southern Vermont. Attended Dartmouth College, where he was editor-in-chief of Greensleeves and received a B.A. in English, and later graduated from New York University with a M.A. in cinema studies. His early career was that of a documentarian, working as a director, editor, and cinematographer for both for film and television. Taught English to high school students in New York City from 1982 until 2000, when he retired and moved to Jamaica. Since his “retirement,” he was an active member and known voice of many community organizations and projects including Radio Free Brattleboro, The Common Ground, The Manitou Project, the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, and the Brattleboro Socialist Party. He built the Palden Sakya Center for Meditation and Buddhist Study in Jamaica, which also serves a venue for Yoga and Tai Chi classes. He communicated with hundreds of people daily - writing poetry, opinion pieces, sending Buddhist thoughts and Yiddish jokes, debating, and mentoring. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at his home in Jamaica on Feb. 6. Donations to The Vikramasila Foundation, Palden Sakya Center, P.O. Box 243, Jamaica, VT 05343.
• Barbara E. Petrie, 71, of Vernon. Died Jan. 26 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of the late Bradford Bliss and the late Herman Francis Petrie. Mother of Michael Bliss of Marianna, Fla.; Cassandra (Bliss) Witalis of Boyd, Texas; and Katrina (Bliss) Jackson of Vernon. Stepmother of Lawrence Petrie and Douglas Petrie of Vernon; Cindy Curtiss of Hinsdale, N.H.; and Beverly Robinson of Vernon. Sister of Raymond H. Puffer Jr., of Watervliet, N.Y. Predeceased by a son, Daniel Bliss, and a brother, Gary D. Puffer. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Raymond H. and Erma E. Puffer, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1957, and attended the University of Vermont and Northampton (Mass.) Commercial College. Worked as a civil servant at Fort McLean, Md., while her first husband was stationed there in the Army. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Raymond H. Puffer Transportation, Inc., in Vernon. Later worked for Erving Paper and Georgia Pacific in Brattleboro, and most recently for Brattleboro Primary Care. She enjoyed her flowers, gardening, and Bingo, and was active with the Grange, Vernon Senior Citizens, and Meals on Wheels. Memorial information: A private graveside memorial service in the spring at Mather Road Cemetery in West Brattleboro.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Feb. 1, 2011, a son, Cassious Ernest Graves, to Mary Elizabeth Graves of Putney; grandson to Brenda L. Graves and the late Ernest Graves.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Jan. 18, 2011, a son, Owen Michael Bessette, to Donna (Stoodley) Wilder and Robert F. Bessette of Brattleboro; grandson to Donald and Geraldine Stoodley, Shirley Freckleton and Eugene Bessette.
College News
• Ripley Sager, Class of 2012 at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., earned honors for the fall 2010 semester. He is the son of Margot Wright of South Londonderry, and Robert Sager of Bondville.
• Kelly M. Skinner, of Londonderry, a senior at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., has been selected for inclusion on the Deans List for academic achievement during the fall 2010 semester. Skinner graduated from Stratton Mountain School and is majoring in Fine Arts and Sociology.
• Nicholas Avery, a Mechanical Engineering major from Jamaica, was among the students from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., who were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2010 semester, which ended in December.