College news
• The following students at the Community College of Vermont (CCV) were recognized for academic achievement in the fall 2020 semester:
On the President's List, which recognizes full-time students with a 4.0 grade point average, are Amanda Conley, Finnlay Fisher, Charles Galanes, and Addison Worsman of Brattleboro; Evan Bernard of Townshend; Miles Anton of West Dover; and Zachary Condon of Whitingham.
On the Dean's List, which recognizes full-time students with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.99, are Ulises Amaro-Crosby and Erin Curtis of Bellows Falls; Adelaide Abbott, Lydia Hazzard Leal, Cecil McLaury, Paige Mellish, Sequoyah Stevens-Mills, and Ellery Witman of Brattleboro; Morgan Gero of Brookline; Morgan Stevens of Grafton; Margaret Lonardo of Guilford; Susan Jones of South Newfane; Lauren Shott of Stratton; Molly Potter and Virginia Ware of Westminster; Codie Wershoven and Jennifer Winte of Whitingham; and Tristen Dionne and Izaak Park of Wilmington.
On the Student Honors List, which recognizes part-time students with a 4.0 grade point average, are Kyle Trombley of Bellows Falls; Brooke Andrews, Sophia Capy, Emma Ethier, Jeffrey Kerylow, Marshall Lazar, Jade Newton, Isaac Nold, Rachel Paligo, Jenna Rae, Jason Shatney, and Alejandro Toledo Cornman of Brattleboro; Emily Sherburne of East Dummerston; Elena Kondracki of East Dover; Brooke Chaney and Kelly Garland of Guilford; Emma Lane of Jamaica; Mikaela Mellish and Melissa Nowers of Putney; Christopher Peck of Townshend; Melia Allen and Hannah Gantt of Vernon; Elisabeth Keeler of West Dover; and Callie Dix of Wilmington.
• Hope Divello of Townshend, who is in the biomedical engineering program, and Nina King of Bellows Falls, who is in the hospitality and tourism management program, were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology.
• The following local students were named to the Dean's List for fall 2020 at the University of Hartford: Adam Culver of Grafton, Silas Holmes of Wardsboro, Morgen Janovsky of Wilmington, Owen Rounds of Westminster, and Samuel Thibault of Williamsville.
Obituaries
• Sylvia (Wightman) Hunter Eaton, 91, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at home on February 15, 2021, after a period of declining health. Sylvia was born March 7, 1929 in Avoca, N.Y., to parents Alton and Lovilla (Hopkins) Wightman. She married John Hunter Jr. in 1951, who predeceased her in 1990. In 1997, Sylvia married Milton A. Eaton. She resided in Bath, Clymer, Penfield and Webster, N.Y., as well as Ridgewood, N.J., before settling in Brattleboro in 1967. Since 1983, Sylvia and family have enjoyed summers at Willoughby Lake. Sylvia and Milton lived for two years in Tokyo before returning to Brattleboro. They enjoyed frequent trips for London theater, and other world travel. Sylvia graduated in 1951 from The State University of New York at Geneseo and worked as a fifth grade teacher in Avoca. Since 1967, she was an active member of the Brattleboro branch of American Association of University Women, serving in several leadership roles. She was the Honoree of the Year in 1986. Sylvia was an active and supportive member of Centre Congregational Church for over 50 years, giving generously of her time and talents to Choir, Sunday school, pastor search committees, member care, and knitting group. Other community service included volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and Experienced Goods. Sylvia enjoyed book clubs and had a passion for gardening. She has blessed many with her sewing, knitting and needlework creations. Sylvia was well known for her gift of hospitality for all, including both the banking and diplomatic communities. She was a devoted, loving and supportive daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In addition to her first husband John Hunter Jr., former president of Vermont National Bank, she was also predeceased by siblings Esther (Wightman) Wahlig and Robert Wightman. Sylvia is survived by her husband Milton Eaton, retired Far East Representative for the U.S. Department of Energy and Attaché to the Ambassador resident in Tokyo. She is also survived by her brother Edward Wightman and wife Nancy of Hammondsport, N.Y.; and her children and their spouses: Jim and Mary Ellen (Sprigg) Hunter of Park City, Utah, Nancy (Hunter) and Dan Campi of Bellevue, Wash., Judy (Hunter) and Bill Daley of Brattleboro, Linda (Hunter) and Peter Tardif of Natick, Mass., as well as 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Sylvia is also survived by stepdaughters and their spouses, Chris Eaton and John Greenbaum of Aiken, S.C., Carol Lynn (Eaton) and Tom Arrieta of Mary Ester, Fla. Memorial information: The family is planning a virtual memorial service for Sunday, March 7 at 5 p.m. For a link to that service, email nancyhcampi@gmail.com. Donations to Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301; Finger Lakes Boating Museum (www.flbm.org); or the Westmore Association (www.westmoreassociation.org). To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Thomas Patrick “Tom” Holiday, 30, of Brattleboro. Died of natural causes on Feb. 12, 2021. Brattleboro's ginger-bearded sage, raconteur and much-loved community fixture grew up in Dummerston, where he attended Dummerston School before joining his fellows in the Class of 2008 at Brattleboro Union High School. A renaissance man and tinkerer, Tom's talents were as eclectic as they were pervasive. He could build a PC from scratch, then construct the room and house around it. He could invent the world's worst cocktails and convince you it was in your best interest to drink the catastrophe, and also pay full price for it. He could make cheesecake so rich it was best served by forklift. He could dissemble, reassemble and shoot you in the face with a paintball gun in under 30 seconds. He wouldn't do that, but he liked you to know that he could. Every moment spent with Tom was better than it would have been otherwise. He missed more appointments than he kept, but one understood that all plans with Tom were flexible. If he made it, you were psyched. If he didn't, forgiveness was instant. Tom was the true master-storyteller, who knew when to embellish and when to tell it straight. And he was the rare master-storyteller who loved hearing stories even more than telling stories. His love of your story made you a better storyteller, as he found the best parts of the tale and lifted them from you. He saw your humor. He saw your heroism. He saw your truth, even before you did. He loved people's stories because he loved people. To be around Tom was to feel that love. A unique and perfect thing, it is a feeling now consigned to memory. Tom is survived by his father and mother, Patrick Holiday and Gina Barcomb; his sister and brother-in-law, Alexis and Eric Mialkowski, a nephew, Tucker; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. Memorial information: No services planned at this time.
• Barbara Ella (Gorham) Maysilles, 95, of Keene, N.H. Died Feb. 7, 2021 at Langdon Place of Keene after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born on May 8, 1925, in St. Johnsbury, to Willis Gardnier Gorham and Grace May (Bryant) Gorham. She spent her childhood on her parents' farm in the Northeast Kingdom. She obtained a teaching certificate at Johnson Normal School and, having been educated in a one-room schoolhouse, began her Vermont teaching career in a similar school in Craftsbury. She also taught at Fairfax, and then at the New England Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster. It was here through mutual friends that she met her husband, David Jonathan Maysilles, a Middlebury College graduate and alumnus of Kurn Hattin. They married in 1951, beginning what was a long and happy union of 69 years through his two careers. His first was as a Marine Corps officer, and during that time they raised three children, Duncan, Cathy, and Bruce. She kept home and hearth together during his service in two wars, Korea and Vietnam, numerous military assignments away from the family, and endless transfers around the country. Upon his retirement, they returned home to Vermont for his second career as the director of Kurn Hattin Homes. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful time of joyful service in a setting that had meant so much to them in their earlier years. Barbara and David were both active in community affairs, which for her was focused upon the General Federation of Women's Clubs. She served as president of Bellows Falls Woman's Club, was the GFWC president for Vermont, and later served as vice president of the New England Region Conference. She is preceded in death by her husband David, and by her two sisters: Eileen Blake Gorham and Patricia Mae (Gorham) Zabbo. She is survived by 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 her six grandchildren. Memorial information: Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 20 in Walpole (N.H.) New Town Cemetery. Donations to Kurn Hattin Homes Development, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158.
• Jane Y. Moore, 95, of Brattleboro. Died Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 at Pine Heights nursing home after a short period of declining health. Jane graduated Magna cum Laude from Syracuse University with degrees in journalism and chemistry. Her career in printing and editing began in 1946 at the E.L. Hildreth & Co. in Brattleboro, where she met her husband Frederick A. Moore. When the firm relocated to Bristol, Conn., she and Fred moved with it, then back to Brattleboro in 1971. Upon returning to Vermont, she filled several positions at Brattleboro Union High School. First, as assistant to the librarians in The Learning Center, and later as administrative assistant to the head of the Guidance Department until her retirement. Ever an avid reader, Jane worked tirelessly with the Windham County Reads program and its bookmobile. She enjoyed volunteering in several grade schools to bring literacy and her love of books and learning to children. She was sought after by students and teachers alike for her skills in reading books aloud, augmented by oral history. As a 40-plus year member of the First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro, she served as Deaconess, State Representative, Historian, Moderator, and numerous other positions as well as volunteering in the office and for all types of events. Jane was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Frederick A. Moore, in 2005. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Zuke; her daughter, Pamela Moore Kratz and her husband, John; her son Chris Moore and his wife, Laurie; a grandson, Jesse, his wife, Danielle, and their children; a granddaughter, Katie Achilli; and nephews. Memorial information: A graveside gathering will be held in the summer. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society (who socialized and placed her two 12-year-old cats in loving new homes), P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or to: The First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 2389, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Steven Myers, 73, of Greenfield, Mass. Died on Feb. 13, 2021. Steven was born in Greenfield on April 25, 1947, the son of George and Mary Myers, and was a lifelong resident of the town. He grew up on the Myers farm in the Greenfield Meadows. He attended the Bement School, the Winchendon School, and Franklin Pierce College where he was selected to “Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities,” a feat that he never let his brother and sister forget. After a brief stint as a department manager in a large retail store, he returned to the farm, where he worked side-by-side with his father until his father's death and the subsequent sale of the farm to the Four Rivers Charter School. That work kept him in the hayfield, on the tractor, and in the pasture in constant contact with his bovine friends. Indeed, his most devoted companion was his Hereford cow who he affectionately named Humphrey and who would come running to him at warp speed whenever he called. Humphrey saw in Steven what all who knew him also saw and appreciated - that he was a loving and giving person who had a heart of gold. Along with his love of animals, Steven had a very sharp wit and a great sense of humor, as those who got to spar with him regularly experienced. He leaves behind a brother and sister-in-law, Howard Myers and Catherine Stern of Hartland, Vt.; a sister, Sharon Myers of Brattleboro; three nieces, Susanna Myers of Florence, Italy, Molly Myers of Hanover, N.H., and Anna Myers of Edinburgh, Scotland; a nephew, Ian Myers of New York City, and four grandnieces and grandnephews. Memorial information: A private family interment service in memory of Steven will be observed in the Greenfield Hebrew Cemetery. A memorial gathering to honor Steven's life will be held later this year. In the meantime, anyone who wishes to honor Steven may do so with a contribution to an animal or human rights organization of one's choice.
• George Allan Rose III, 67, of Townshend. Died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Jan. 30, 2021 while in Comfort Care at Grace Cottage Hospital. Born Aug. 31, 1953 in New Haven, Conn., to the late Mary (DeVeau) and George Allan Rose Jr., he grew up in Guilford, Conn., and moved to Newfane in 1969. He graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in 1972 and married Cindy Sargent in 1979. George was a talented carpenter, delighted in finding treasures while antiquing and attending auctions, and he was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and UConn mens' and womens' basketball. An avid gardener, he was especially known for his amazing irises. He was even awarded by the American Iris Society. Mostly, he loved spending time with his family and friends. His granddaughters brought him great joy and he loved exploring the world with them. According to his oldest granddaughter, he was a cat person but also loved snakes and turtles. He relished meeting new people and spending time with his family and friends. He will be dearly missed. He leaves his beloved daughters, Tavis Rose and Ashley Squires of Brattleboro; granddaughters Scarlett Rose and Savannah Squires, also of Brattleboro; sister- and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Chipper Runge of Newfane; his former wife, Cindy Rose, and the rest of the extended family and many friends. Memorial information: The family hopes to have a socially-distanced celebration of his life outside in the spring or summer. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, 185 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353; or NewBrook Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 698 VT Route 30, Newfane, VT 05353.
• Edward A. “Ed” Smuts, 80, of Granville, N.Y., formerly of Brattleboro. Died on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. He was born March 19, 1940 in New York City, the son of the late Edward and Mildred (Kucera) Smuts. He was predeceased by his first wife of 41 years, Marikae (Petrello) Smuts. Ed graduated from Clarkson University in 1961 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He furthered his education with studies in industrial engineering at Steven Institute of Technology and executive programs at Pennsylvania State University. While at Clarkson, he was a charter member and treasurer of the My Omicron Chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. As a senior nuclear engineer at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., he was part of the test team for the SSN671 Narwhal that took the submarine to sea. His 40-year career there spanned several disciplines and he retired in 2005 as purchasing manager. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 30 years, first as an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow and earning the Explorer Silver Award, then as a Pack Leader, Scoutmaster, and Committee Chairman. His service to youth continued as Vice President of Valley Shore Big Brothers in Old Saybrook, Conn. For many years he was a member of the Elks and a communicant at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. He volunteered his services at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for more than 10 years. He loved to travel and had been in almost every state in the U.S. His greatest joy, however, came when he was with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His survivors include his daughter Maria Hyatt and husband Dean; grandson Daniel Hyatt; granddaughter Meghan Steves and husband Nicolas, and their two sons, Kylo and Colton; daughter-in-law Jennifer Smuts and her daughter Caroline; and his former wife, Janette. His son, Edward Smuts, predeceased him. Memorial information: Internment is at Resurrection Cemetery, next to his wife Marikae, in Westbrook, Conn., and will be private. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Donations to Granville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 153, Granville, NY 12832.