College news
• Colton Butler of Whitingham was one of 22 Elmira (N.Y.) College students inducted into the Rho Mu Chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education during a recent ceremony for outstanding education majors.
• Casey Greenleaf, an English/anthropology major from Brattleboro, was named to Boston University's Dean's List for the fall 2017 semester.
Transitions
• Craig Miskovich and Johana Lengfellner, of Brattleboro and Dummerston, respectively, recently joined 15 other community members in serving on Youth Services' board of directors. Miskovich serves in a similar capacity in the region, as president of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) where he contributes to providing greater economic opportunity to area families by helping attract employers that provide well-paying jobs. A lawyer with Downs Rachlin Martin's Health Law Practice Group, Miskovich advises hospitals, nursing facilities and other healthcare providers in Vermont and New Hampshire. Lengfellner is relatively new to the area having moved here several years ago from upstate New York where she was raised and attended college. She is a Senior Financial Analyst for New Chapter in Brattleboro, where she has been employed for the last year. She collects, develops, and analyzes reports to identify trends in the sale of New Chapter pharmaceutical products. Before that, Lengfellner performed a combination of finance and information technology work in the healthcare field.
Obituaries
• Ruth M. Bernard, 94, of Whitingham. Died March 25, 2018 at Pine Heights in Brattleboro. Born in Whitingham on Aug. 13, 1923, the daughter of Carl & Ethel (Dix) Morse, she attended schools in Whitingham. She married Erford Bernard on Feb. 4, 1946. He died July 16, 1963. She worked as a house keeper for local families for many years. She was an avid reader and spent many hours on her piazza doing just that. She enjoyed her Wednesday shopping trips on the Moover to Bennington. She lived a simple life on Town Hill Road until she was 89 in the family homestead with its wood burning stove. In 2012, health issues forced her to move to Holton Home in Brattleboro, where she would live until she went to Pine Heights last October. She leaves a great-niece, Judith Carrier, and her husband, Jon; their daughter Amanda and her husband, Travis Root; plus many other great-nieces and nephews. Memorial information: There will be no funeral services. A private burial will be held in the spring at Jacksonville Village Cemetery.
• Ben Winter Castle was born on Dec. 18 2017 to Brattleboro residents Deborah Bencosme and Scott Castle. He died in his parents' arms 12 days later due to complications from Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Ben was a beautiful baby who was loved intensely by his family during his short time on earth. He will never be forgotten.
• Bruce Gauthier, 86, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died March 27, 2018 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. He was born in Ossining, N.Y., on June 1, 1931, the son of Louis and Mildred (Willians) Gauthier. His family moved to West Chesterfield when he was 4, and he would live there for the rest of his life. A graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1950, he proudly served his country in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was wounded in action and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and other service-connected medals. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home to attend barber school in Hartford, Conn. He then joined his father operating Gauthier's Barber Shop on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, later located over Dutch Bake Shop on Main Street. He eventually became sole owner of the business after his father's death. He retired from barbering in 2006 after 40 years in the business. In his earlier years, he worked at the former Crosby Milling Company in Brattleboro. He served on the Board of Adjustment for three years and on the West Chesterfield Budget Committee for three terms. He was also a member of the West Chesterfield Fire Department for over 20 years. Additionally, he operated a rifle club in West Chesterfield and was one of the first hunter safety instructors in town. He was a life member of VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 in Brattleboro, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, John Blake Chapter, and a member of American Legion Brattleboro Post 5. He also held membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards, especially at local tournaments. In 1955, he married Avis Slade. His faithful and devoted wife of 50 years predeceased him in 2005. Survivors include two sons, Louis Gauthier II and Brett Gauthier, both of West Chesterfield; one brother, Richard Gauthier of West Chesterfield; eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Phillip Gauthier, and a sister, Betty Smith. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors will be conducted at a later date in Chesterfield West Cemetery on Poor Road, when the cemetery reopens. Donations to West Chesterfield Fire & Rescue, P.O Box 95 Chesterfield, NH 03443. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ruth Louise (Carey) Guyette, 77, of Canterbury, Conn. Died Wednesday, March 14, 2018. She was born on May 29, 1940 in Brattleboro, to Frank and Fanny Maria (Knapp) Carey. She retired from Foxwoods, after many years of service as a chef. She leaves her loving spouse of 51 years Daniel S Greene, their children and their spouses Carol (Lester) Walbridge, Karen R Knight Owens, James (Danielle) Guyette, Kevin (Cindy) Greene, Candance (Bill) Greene, and Donna (Mark) Moore; her dear sister Grace Moffit, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by her parents and her nine sibilings: Marion Hogdgdon, Erline Nesbitt, Lillian Garfield, Alice Strange, Merton Carey, Myron Carey, Verne Carey, Stewart Carey, and Leighton Carey. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held in the spring in South Newfane. Donations to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.
• Anita Frechette Joyal, 78, of Brattleboro. Died March 20, 2018 at Pine Heights in Brattleboro. She was born July 28, 1939 in Bristol, Conn., to Odina and Marie (Cadieux) Frechette. She is survived by two sons, John (Glyndora) Harpin of Putney and Mark (Deb) Harpin of Waterford, and their families; Two sisters, Annette Kief of Hardwick and Gladys (Bill) Edgemond of Austin, Texas; several nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Eleanor Temple of Brattleboro.She was predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Michael and Robert Frechette. Memorial information: There will be no funeral services. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.guibordfh.com.
• Harold John Lackey 88, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Died March 20, 2018. He was born and raised in Wilmington, and graduated from Wilmington High School. He relocated to Florida in 2001 from Worcester, Vt. He served in the Army and was a combat infantryman during the Korean War in 1951 and 1952. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars. After working in the Vermont Department of Taxes for thirty years, he retired in 1987 as administrative director. He was a member of American Legion Post 23 and enjoyed sky diving, traveling, and motorcycling cross country through North America, Alaska, and the Maritime Provinces Another pastime of his was flying into Northern Quebec by bush plane, to fish. He is survived by two sons, Glenn Lackey of Georgetown, Idaho and Jay Lackey of Northfield, Vt.; two brothers, Morris Lackey of Shoreham, Vt., and Gary Lackey of Titusville, Fla.; a sister, Marianne Lackey of Le Roy, N.Y., three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jane. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05201.
• Kathryn T. (Sumner) Lucier, 80, of Spofford, N.H. Died March 4, 2018 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., following a strong and courageous battle with cancer. She was born Jan. 17, 1938, the daughter of Harry and Anna (Saunders) Sumner. She worked for several years as an in-home caregiver. Her compassionate service helped to make the lives of those she helped better and she was able to help them stay in their homes and be independent. She loved to surround herself with nature. Whether working in her garden, watching the birds, or simply enjoying the fresh New England air, she was happiest outdoors. She held a special place in her heart for animals. She also had an extremely creative side and enjoyed wood restoration projects and hand-crafting from yarn. She had an immense amount of inner strength. She is survived by her son:, Doug Lucier of Spofford; two daughters, Karla Young and her husband, Chuck, of Rhome, Texas, and Donna Scully of Vernon; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. She is also survived by her dear friend and the father of her children: Donald M. Lucier of Willsboro, N.Y. She is predeceased by her daughters: Darlene and Karen Lucier, and her brothers: James, Albert, and Henry Sumner. Memorial information: As per Kathryn's wish, memorial services were private. Donations to Home Health Care/Hospice, P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH. 03431.
• Vickie Lynn Plante, 62, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 23, 2018 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy period of declining health. A lifelong resident of the area, she was born in Brattleboro on March 3, 1956, the daughter of Robert and the late Lois (Grover) Johnson. She was raised and educated in Hinsdale, graduating from Hinsdale High School with the Class of 1974. She worked as a customer service representative at The Book Press in Brattleboro for 12 years and, later, as a receptionist in the offices of Dr. Frank Illuzzi, DDS, in Brattleboro. She retired early due to her failing health. A woman of faith, she was a member of North Hinsdale Community Church. She will be remembered for her positive and optimistic outlook on life, her good sense of humor and her spirit of friendship. Of her leisure time activities, she enjoyed travel, taking day trips, music and playing her piccolo, communicating with her friends on Facebook and spending time with her family. She was married to Paul Plante , who predeceased her in the mid 1990s. Survivors include her father of Hinsdale; two sisters, Cindi Leclair and Kristine Aquino, both of Hinsdale; her aunt and uncles, Edward and Edna Wunsch of Hinsdale; a niece and two nephews, and several cousins and great-nieces and nephews. Additionally, she leaves her beloved Shih tzu, Nikki. Memorial information: A memorial service was held March 31 at North Hinsdale Community Church. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery on Meetinghouse Road when the cemetery reopens in the springtime. Memorial contributions in Vickie's name may be made to the North Hinsdale Community Church, 105 Meetinghouse Road, Hinsdale, NH 03451. To send messages of condolence to her family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Percy “Bud” Alfred Sprague, 85, formerly of Brattleboro. Died March 23, 2018 after a short but valiant battle against Legionnaire's Disease. He was born on Aug. 20, 1932 on Birge Street in Brattleboro, the eldest son of Percy Elmer Sprague and Florence Marion Montieth. He grew up in Brattleboro and lived many years in Newfane and Keene, N.H. He graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1950. He proudly served in the Vermont National Guard (172nd Infantry) and New Hampshire National Guard (195th Infantry) and was honorably discharged from both. In 1950, he married Joyce Sheila Fisher, who predeceased him in 1986. In the 1960s, he was the Grand Master of the I.O.O.F. in Greenfield, Mass. As a youth he worked on the Lott Farm and loved being in 4-H. In the 1950s he owned his own business, the Starr Oil Company. He then moved his family to Vermont where he became the manager of Valley Oil Co. He later was a quality control inspector at Specialty Paperboard Corp. which he retired from after more than 30 years. In the 1980s. he was a special officer with the Brattleboro Police. He is survived by his three daughters, Helen L Gammon, Brenda Sprague-Kent and her husband, Chris; and Susan L. Fisher, and her husband, Paul; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Richard, Dwight and Robert; two sisters, Janice Cross and Marilyn Lucier. His brother Byron predeceased him. He is also survived by his second wife Priscilla Clark Lloyd, whom he married in 1986; his two stepsons, Earl and Robert, their wives, Analisa and Carissa, and two step-grandsons, as well as his former son-in- law Stewart Shepard, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was immensely proud of his beloved daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured the time spent with them. He loved music, both playing and listening, and was an accomplished musician who played a variety of instruments. He was an avid reader from childhood of history and biographies with special interest in the Civil War and World War II. His passions were racing stock cars and, in later years, attending auctions and going to thrift shops and tag sales. He collected baseball cards. He also loved traveling and was fortunate to have done so extensively. His last few months were happily spent at the Applewood Nursing Home, due to the wonderful friendships he made there. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held April 2 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Keene. Donations to the Winston Prouty Center in Brattleboro or to Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities in Keene.
• Etta E. Thomas, 94, of Brattleboro. Died March 29, 2018 at Vernon Green Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for the last three weeks. She was born in Westminster on Oct. 17, 1923, the daughter of Ernest and Julia Willis Beam. She was raised and educated in Gageville, where she attended public schools. She worked as a basket weaver for Basketville in Putney for 40 years, extending her full-time employment after the company called her back to work after she first retired. Previously, she had been employed at the former American Optical Company in Brattleboro. She was a member of the VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 Auxiliary, and thoroughly enjoyed the friendships she established with the post members. She enjoyed playing cards and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and WWE wrestling for many years An excellent cook and baker, she was known for her delicious apple pies and other pastries. A true Vermonter, she had a kind and giving spirit that touched many lives, including her caregivers at Vernon Green Nursing Home. In 1941, in Westminster, she was married to Ernest “Tom” Thomas. Her faithful and devoted husband predeceased her. Survivors include two grandsons Tyson Howard of Colrain, Mass., and Joseph Howard of Brattleboro; three brothers, Leroy Beam, William Beam, and Butch Beam; three sisters, Lorraine Taylor, Marie Plumley, and Margaret Shambo; nine great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Patricia Howard, a granddaughter, and six siblings. Memorial information: Calling hours at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro will be Saturday, April 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. Graveside services in Westminster Cemetery will be conducted Wednesday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home Activities Fund, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354-9474.
Services
• Friends of Ian Aucoin are hosting a memorial in his honor that is open to everyone in the community who knew and loved him. It will take place on Thursday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m., at 118 Elliot in Brattleboro. All are invited to bring an object or photo that reminds them of Ian to display during the event.