Obituaries
• Corinne Elizabeth Bristol, 77, of Guilford. Died unexpectedly on Aug. 3, 2020. Corinne was born to Isabel (Tupper) and William Huestis Jr. at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital on Jan. 22, 1943. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1961. Corinne worked as a Candy Striper at BMH at the age of 15, before attending Yale-New Haven School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in 1964. Working her way up the ranks, Corinne continued her career as a nurse at BMH and retired from the same hospital as Senior Vice President of Discharge Planning and Utilization Review. During her tenure at BMH, Corinne played an instrumental role in the development of the nurses union. In addition to her work at the hospital, Corinne also spent over 20 years volunteering as a Guardian Ad-litem for the courts. She is survived by her beloved husband, Charles M. Bristol, whom she married in 1964. The couple took pride in impeccably restoring old farmhouses - their first was in Brattleboro with a second, their current residence, in Guilford. They looked forward to their semi-annual trips to various antique fairs, and working side-by-side to build and customize children's wooden toys. Together, Corinne and Charlie restored their old sugar house and opened Sugar House Antiques, a small gift shop where they sold their antiques and toys. Corinne's passion was her garden, and she worked tirelessly to manicure and perfect beautiful flower and vegetable beds throughout their property. The couple has three children, Aaron Bristol and his wife, Pamela, of Vernon, Stacey Villiard and her husband, Gary, of Halifax, Mass., and Jared Bristol and his wife, Beth, of Guilford; and seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Corinne is also survived by her brother, William Huestis III and his wife, Yudah, and a sister, Barbara Miller, both of Brattleboro, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Catherine Huestis. Memorial information: Family was of the utmost importance to Corinne and she greatly cherished the time the family was together. Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of Corinne's life will be held next summer, when friends and family can gather freely. Donations to the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department, 108 Guilford Center Rd., Guilford, VT 05301. To share a memory of Corinne or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert B. Grinold, 80, of Wilmington. Died Aug. 5, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his family. Robert was born in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 28, 1940, the son of the late Raymond and Cleo Costello Grinold. He attended West Hartford schools, graduating from Conard High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor's degree from Bryant College and started his career working in his family's auto parts business until transitioning to real estate. Upon moving to Vermont in 1969, he started a small construction and real estate development business while also opening a ski lodge on Ray Hill. An early visionary in the Vermont hospitality industry, he loved hosting guests and was best known as innkeeper of the White House Inn, which he continued to operate up until his death. Robert was a founding member of the Dover Dunkers, member of the Chamber of Commerce in Wilmington, and was former Town Manager for the town of Wilmington. Robert was proud to be a founding member of Deerfield Valley Rescue. He loved sailing, scuba diving, listening to the sounds of Jimmy Buffett, and was an avid reader and a lifelong learner. Robert is survived by his wife, Arleen Kunzi Songailo, of Wilmington; children Donna Joy Hawley of Arlington, Va., Sandra Giampa and her husband, Steven, of Walpole, Mass., Susan Wood and her husband, Scott, of Frederick, Md., Adam Grinold and his wife, Karen, of Wilmington, stepdaughter Deborah Cotrill and her husband, Don, of South Glastonbury, Conn.; six grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brothers Raymond Wade Grinold and William B. Grinold. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Aug. 8 in the garden at the White House in Wilmington. Donations to Deerfield Valley Community Cares, Home Heating Assistance, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Frederick Wesley “Fred” Huntley, 90, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on July 30, 2020 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, after a period of declining health. He was born on Aug. 27, 1929 in Brattleboro, the son of M. Wesley Huntley and Edith Ingalls Huntley. Fred graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1947, and then served on active duty as part of the Vermont National Guard during the Korean War. He attended Bentley College in Boston, graduating in 1954. From there, he worked his way up and became the director of international auditing for BF Goodrich in Akron, Ohio. He was a lifelong bachelor. Fred was a world traveler. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family and friends. He loved all sports and could be found watching many high school and area sporting events. He was an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan, frequently needing to check his cell phone app for sporting updates. He kept his mind sharp by completing Sudoku and crossword puzzles on a daily basis. He was predeceased by his sisters, Ethel Huntley Mills and Miriam Huntley Childs. He is survived by his brother Robert Huntley of Brattleboro, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial contribution to Rescue Inc. in Brattleboro, To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, go to www.phaneuf.net.
• Lt. Col. (ret.) David Jonathan Maysilles, 91, of Keene, N.H. Died July 30, 2020. He was adopted as the only child of Lillian (Beck) Maysilles. As a child, he lived at the New England Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster, where he was educated through grades 1-8 (Class of 1943). His mother was a teacher at the Kurn Hattin Girls Campus. He was further educated at Vermont Academy (1947) and Middlebury College (1951), and later received a master's in administration from George Washington University (1971). After graduating from Middlebury, he married Barbara Gorham. They celebrated their 69th anniversary a few months before his death. David served in the Marine Corps for 25 years. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he flew as an aerial observer, and the Vietnam War. After retirement from the Marines, Maysilles returned to Vermont to become the first Kurn Hattin alumnus to serve as its director. He led Kurn Hattin for 18 years before retiring in 1994 and continued to serve on its board of directors. During his tenure as director, he consolidated the separate boys and girls campuses to form a unified coeducational program. He also instituted the counseling program, and modernized the campus with an extensive building campaign, resulting in the construction of many new cottages for the children and the Mayo Memorial Center educational building. After his second retirement, he and Barbara made their home in Walpole, N.H., until declining health led them to reside at Langdon Place in Keene. David participated in many community organizations including the National Association of Homes for Children, the Bellows Falls Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts, the Walpole Congregational Church, and choral societies. He is survived by his wife and their three children, Duncan (Teresa) Maysilles of Lewisville, N.C., Catherine (Charles) Zublic of La Plata, Md., and Bruce (Marta) Maysilles of Loveland, Colo., and by six grandchildren. Memorial information: Graveside funeral services were conducted on Aug. 8 at the Walpole New Town Cemetery. Donations to Kurn Hattin Homes Development, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158.
• Robert “Bob” Menck III, 59, formerly of Brattleboro. Died peacefully July 21, 2020, as his partner, Lisa, held his hand. He was born in Smallwood, N.Y., on Oct. 12, 1960, the son of Carol (Meddaugh) and the late Robert Menck, Jr. He moved with his family to Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, where he participated in the band and played football in 1978. Bob attended the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978-79, and transfered to Auburn University when his major was no longer available at the Academy. He left Auburn when a hurricane wiped out the facilities for his major. He then transfered to the University of New Hampshire and graduated in 1982. While at UNH, Bob acquired his lifelong interest in birds and met his future wife, Carol Hagstrom. Bob and Carol married and moved to Claremont, N.H., where they began careers in teaching, and began their family. Bob left teaching the following year, when he realized that he made more money driving a truck in the summer than he did for a whole year as a teacher. When the owner of the company realized that Bob had a college degree, he was promoted to various positions in management. He stayed with the DiSilva Companies for 27 years. Bob and Carol had two children, Sarah (Menck) Gray and Robert Menck IV. They moved from Claremont to Keene, N.H., where they raised their children. Bob and Carol divorced in 2005, but remained good friends. Bob became a swim official when his children were young and involved in competitive swimming. His children eventually pursued other interests, but Bob was hooked. He worked his way through the levels to Meet Referee and mentored many others. He became active with New England Swimming (NES) when he was asked to be on the Officials Committee, then to be the Chair of that committee. It was during this time that he met Lisa, another committee member. They became the best of friends. Bob also was appointed to the NES Board of Directors and served as chair of the Technical Committee. Most recently, he was the NES Board's vice chair of program operations. Bob was also extremely active with USA Swimming, working national meets all over the country in many different positions. He served as chair of Eastern Zone officials, and had been given the honor to serve at USA Swimming's Olympic Trials in 2021. This had been a dream of his. Bob served in many capacities for YMCA Swimming at the national, regional, and local levels. He officiated high school swimming across a four-state area, served as an NCAA official for many conference championships, and served as meet referee for America East and the Ivy League. Bob was well loved at all levels of swim officiating for his knowledge and skill as an official and a mentor, his sense of humor, and his pranks. He was affectionately known as “King Bob,” after his love of the Minions was discovered. Bob also was an extensively active birder and was able to identify any bird by sight or song. He participated in E-Bird and achieved the distinction of identifying 100 birds in each of the lower 48 states. Bob is survived by his mother, of Brattleboro; and his brother Eric (Rick) Menck and his wife, Sheilagh, and his nephew, Hunter, of Anchorage, Alaska. He was a loving father to Sarah (Menck) Gray and her husband, Nathan, of Surry, N.H., and Robert (Bob) Menck IV and his wife, Taylor, of Concord, N,H. He was a loving partner to Lisa Black Sholudko and generous of heart to her sons Andrew, Evan, and Austen Sholudko. He will be sorely missed by all. Memorial information: At this time, there is hope for a formal gathering of remembrance and celebration of his life in the spring of 2021. There will be an online platform on his Facebook page for friends and family to upload pictures and videos of their memories of Bob. Memories and messages of sympathy may also be submitted at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Donna Lucy Phillips, 70, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died unexpectedly at her home on July 30, 2020. She was born January 28, 1950 in Townshend, the daughter of Kendall and Arlene (Tuttle) Lucy. She spent her youth in West Dummerston, and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1969. Following graduation, she received her LPN license from The Thompson School of Nursing in Brattleboro. Donna was previously married to William Phillips of the Schenectady area of New York, where she lived for several years, working at Ellis Memorial Hospital. Following their divorce in the early 1980s, she moved back to West Dummerston. She then worked at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital until her retirement. In 2001, she purchased a house in Hinsdale, N.H. where she resided until her death. Donna was a very caring and giving person her entire life and will be greatly missed. She is survived by: two sisters, Anna and Evelyn Lucy; two brothers, James and Kendall Lucy; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout New England, Virginia and Arizona. Memorial information: No services are planned. Donations to Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 13, Hinsdale, NH 03451. To share a memory of Donna or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Linton Delvado Walker, 72, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly on July 2, 2020 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, West Indies on March 17, 1948 to Anthony and Julianna (Mitchell) Walker. He was the first born and only son followed by seven sisters, three of whom predeceased him. He migrated to America in 1981, where he met the love of his life, Betty-Jeanne (Ludzus), at the airport. They were married for 37 years. He was a proud man of God and a member of the Agape Christian Fellowship of Brattleboro, and Unity of Ocala, Fla. He was known for his friendly smile, cheery attitude, and his loud laugh. He is survived by his wife, of Brattleboro; daughter Khalila Walker Cliche and her husband Zachary; grandchildren Isaiah Cliche, Korie Cliche, Shadda Cliche, and Mackenzie Cliche, all of Brattleboro; stepson Robert “Robski” Tormaschy Jr. of Brattleboro; stepdaughter Anne-Marie Claytor of Boston; step-grandchildren Richard Claytor II and Ryan Claytor of Boston; and other family members. Memorial information: At the family's request, there will be no services. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.phaneuf.net.
• Gerald D. Zwyna, 73, of Brattleboro. Died July 21, 2020 at Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield, Vt. Born in Brattleboro on April 16, 1947 to Mildred and John Zywna, Jerry graduated from Turners Falls (Mass.) High School in 1965. He met the love of his life, Barbara (Rough) Zywna, and they were married Sept. 11, 1993. He loved his family very much. He had one daughter, Deanna, and four stepchildren: Karen Niemczyk; Joseph Niemczyk and his wife, Tracy; Colleen Niemczyk; and Kimberly Kempf and her husband, Billy. He had 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-grandson on the way. Jerry and Barbara brought up two of their grandchildren, Brandy and Brandon Niemczyk, whom he loved very much. He leaves his sister, JoAnne Zywna, and two brothers, John and Bob Zywna. He was a wonderful chef and cooked at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Bay Lake, Fla., and, later, after returning to Brattleboro, at the former Riverview Café. Memorial Services: A celebration of Gerald D. Zwyna's life will be announced.
Services
• Socially-distanced graveside services for Eloine Elsie (Foster) Holmquist will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 15, at 2:30 p.m., in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. A gathering at Bella Notte at the Brattleboro Country Club will follow from 3 to 5 p.m. Mrs. Holmquist died July 23, 2020 at Grace Cottage Hospital. To view her full obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com.