Transitions
• Mona Williams recently was elected to the board of directors at Members 1st Credit Union in Brattleboro for a three-year term. Williams is the payroll and benefits coordinator at Cota & Cota and is a member of the Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary since 2017 and served as its past president in the 2021-22 member year. She as been a USBC League Bowler at Brattleboro Bowl for more than 12 years and a current member of the Child Care Coalition in Brattleboro for the past year. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, gardening, and camping.
Obituaries
• Theresa A. “Terry” Bolster of East Dummerston. Died Nov. 30, 2022 at home. Terry was an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many people. Together with her husband of 60 years, Cleon Bolster Sr., they founded B's Treasures and Flea Market in Swanzey, New Hampshire. Terry spent most of her life in Vermont, creating a great home for her children and a safe, happy place to live for foster children. Terry enjoyed spending her days going to tag sales, flea markets, and thrift shops. She loved family gatherings, large and small, sharing stories of current and past milestones. Terry is survived by her husband Cleon; daughters Anita Foss, Lora Gonyea, Karen Sprague (Martin), and son Cleon Jr. (Frankie); grandchildren Rodney, Levi, Cameron, Beth, Eric, Kaden, and Krista; and great-grandchildren Connor, Caden, Colin, Mason, and Ivory. She is also survived by her brother James and sisters Lea, Barbara, and Sandy. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held Dec. 15 at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center. Donations to West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad. P.O. Box 40, West Dummerston, VT 05357.
• Alice Bessie Clayton, 95, formerly of Jamaica. Died peacefully Dec. 10, 2022 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Alice was born on April 1, 1927 on the Wright family farm in Jamaica to John and Mary (White) Wright. She was one of 20 children. She attended South Hill School in Jamaica. Alice lived at home until she met and married the love of her life, Bill Clayton, and was married 53 years until his death in 2008. Alice was always happy being a homemaker and never worked outside the home although, when she was still living at home, she stuffed toy bears for Mary Meyer Toys. One of her favorite things was picking berries along some country road or at a local orchard, then of course, making pies and freezing the extras for later. Alice loved cooking and trying new recipes she found in a magazine. She had many books with some of her favorite recipes pasted in them. Alice enjoyed very much the simple little pleasures in life. She loved going fishing for brook trout using a branch, fishing line, and a hook (of course, someone put the worm on for her). She would just laugh because she caught more fish with that branch than her fishing companions had all day. In the summer, you would find her in the garden pulling weeds with a contented smile. Alice loved doing puzzles, knitting, and looking at magazines to cut out her next recipe. She loved dogs and always had many of her own and would dog-sit for her daughter's little dog and spoil them all. On the weekends, she loved going for a drive to visit family or going to yard sales with her daughter. In addition to her husband, Bill, she was predeceased by her 19 siblings. She leaves behind a daughter, Maxine Rice, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Memorial information: As per Alice's wishes, there will be no funeral services. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to Alice's family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Peter Joseph Gerbasi, 56, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 2, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer. Peter was born in Brattleboro on Dec, 10, 1965, the son of Mary L. (Bacon) Gerbasi. He was raised and educated locally, attending Dummerston Elementary School and Brattleboro Union High School. After high school, Peter served in the Army and was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. Peter was part of the kitchen staff at Mount Snow Ski Resort for many years. Prior to that, he worked as a general contractor in the Brattleboro area. Always wanting to help others, Peter volunteered at Turning Point in Brattleboro. He enjoyed music, playing his guitar, and singing. He loved the outdoors and time spent on his Harley Davidson as well as playing cribbage with family and friends. Peter leaves behind his mother, Mary Bacon, of Brattleboro; a son, Mike Curtis, of Brattleboro; a brother, Timothy Gerbasi, and his wife, Lorri, of Brattleboro; one nephew, Cody Gerbasi, of Wilmington; and a niece, Kalysta Gerbasi, of Charlestown, New Hampshire. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held in the springtime, to be announced. Donations to Turning Point, 39 Elm St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send condolences to Peter's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Mike Malekoff, 78, of Londonderry. Died Dec. 12, 2022 at his home following a lengthy illness. Mike was born on April 12, 1944 in Paterson, New Jersey to Madeline Japko Malekoff and Jules Malekoff. He grew up in Cranford, New Jersey and raised his family in Old Bridge and Manalapan, New Jersey. Mike was an outstanding halfback on the Cranford High School football team. While in high school, he met and married the love of his life, Dale Vogel. They shared 58 loving years together. Mike had a lifelong career working for Pathmark Supermarkets. Upon retirement, he created Patriot Painting and embarked on residential house painting part-time. An avid outdoorsman, Mike was an executive member of the Fin, Fur, and Feather Rod and Gun Club in New Jersey. He enjoyed fishing trips with the guys on the Salmon River, pheasant hunting on Thanksgiving morning, and surf fishing during spring break in Cape Hatteras. Mike enjoyed refinishing antique furniture and could be found at flea markets and yard sales searching for treasures. An avid gardener, he lamented that growing tomatoes in Vermont was not as successful as in New Jersey, but his asparagus was outstanding. Later in life, Mike discovered skiing and fell in love with the Green Mountains. Mike and Dale visited all 50 states and traveled internationally to China, Egypt, Russia, the Caribbean, Canada, and Germany. Mike was honored to serve as a trustee of the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry, and applied his supermarket expertise to help the Londonderry Food Pantry provide groceries for local residents. Mike is survived by his wife and daughters Kathryn Malekoff of Toms River, New Jersey, and Laura Lukaszek and her husband Larry of Millington, New Jersey and grandchildren Steven, Jessica, and Garrett Lukaszek. Memorial information: A celebration of life for Michael will be announced after the new year. Donations to the Neighborhood Connection or the Second Congregational Church, both in Londonderry, in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255. To send condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• John E. McKay, 79, of Vernon. Died on Dec. 11, 2022. Born on April 22, 1943, he was a humble businessman with the best handshake and a heart of gold. John was truly a self-made man inspired by the art of the deal who loved people, life, and business. He was destined to be an entrepreneur and never lost his old school values in the modern world. At age 9, he sold his first bike and, by age 15, he sold his first car. He started his car business in West Brattleboro and ran that for more than 50 years before moving into real estate. John tried not to turn anyone away. He was one of the biggest believers in second chances. Things such as hair curlers, fishing poles, and pots and pans were accepted as a deposit on a car. He was creatively wired for making money, he never forgot the value of even a penny. He measured success by the amount of people he was able to help and that meant he never made a deal without making a friend as well. If he shook your hand, you could be sure whatever he promised was a guarantee. His humor and kindness were always contagious traits of his. John wore many hats. He was a father, husband, friend, uncle, grandpa, business man, teacher, traveler, therapist, storyteller, problem solver...you name it. He saw the good in everyone and was always, unapologetically, himself. He leaves behind his wife Diana; children Kelly Henry, Patrick Strange, Meagan McKay, Mariah McKay, and Maggie McKay; and many more loved ones. He was predeceased by his sister Marlys Duncan, mother Marjorie Ober and father Edward Vincent McKay. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at the Eagles Club in Brattleboro on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 4 to 7 pm. The family welcomes any and all stories about John to be sent via email to magmckart@gmail.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
Services
• Funeral services for Vera M. Deyo will be conducted on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Town Crier Drive in Brattleboro. Mrs. Deyo, 99, died Sept, 17, 2022 at Bradley House in Brattleboro. To view her full obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com.