Obituaries
• Barbara Ann Atamaniuk, 71, of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Died peacefully at Charlene Manor in Greenfield, with her family at her side, on April 22, 2025, following a lengthy battle with dementia. Barbara was born in Greenfield on June 12, 1953, the daughter of Carlos and Alice (Garey) Renfrew Jr. She was raised and educated in Greenfield, graduating from Greenfield High School with the Class of 1971. Barbara was employed at Deerfield Academy, which she retired from following 16 years of faithful service with the school. A woman of faith, she attended functions at the Salvation Army in Greenfield. She enjoyed making jewelry, playing cards, family reunions, and quality time spent with her family. Barbara was a quiet, unassuming woman known for her spirit of friendship and generosity. On Nov. 17, 1984, in Greenfield, she married Shane Peter Atamaniuk, who survives. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 40 years, she leaves one son, Shawn Atamaniuk (Samantha) of Greenfield; two children from a previous marriage, Jennifer Breault of Baldwinville, Massachusetts, and Jeffrey Sakowicz of Orange, Massachusetts; three sisters, Diane Wood of Rutland, Linda Rounds (Kevin) of Greenfield, and Cindy Phillips of Greenfield; two brothers, Carlos Renfrew III and Joseph Garey (Ann), both of Greenfield; one aunt, Dotty Woods; six grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Edward Renfrew. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held on April 26 in the family lot in St. Anne's Cemetery in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Donations to Charlene Manor Extended Care Nursing Home Activities Fund, 130 Colrain Road, Greenfield, MA 01301. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Charles W. "Charlie" Bashaw Sr., 89, of Bellows Falls. Died at his home on April 11, 2025. He was born in Bellows Falls on March 5, 1936, the son of Ernest and Mary (Golec) Bashaw. He attended schools in Bellows Falls, graduating in 1954. Charlie served in the Air Force and, following his time in the service, he worked for Moore and Thompson and Standard Paper companies. He also worked for many years at Bryant Grinder Co. in Springfield, Vermont, retiring in 1998. On Nov. 4, 1961, at St. Charles Church he married Elizabeth "Betsy" Coyne, who survives. Others who survive are four sons, Michael, Patrick, Timothy, and Charles Jr.; a daughter, Monica Kieffer; a brother, Richard; and 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Ernest J. and Paul Bashaw, and sisters Brona Bilodeau and Lois Frohawk. Charlie was very active in the area Little League as a coach for 23 years. He also was a CYO basketball coach and leader of a Webelos troop. He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus and served as grand knight several times. Charlie was also the Vermont state singles tennis champ in 1954. Memorial information: A funeral Mass took place on April 26 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. Donations to the BF Junior League, P.O. Box 415, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Linda Anne Novak Daniels, 83, died on April 21, 2025. Linda was born to Henry and Mary (Dunn) Novak, on June 12, 1941, in Northampton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Northampton High School in 1959. From 1961 to 1983, she was married to Charlie Daniels. In 1963, they moved to Westminster West and raised their family. She went on to make Brattleboro her home. Linda is survived by her children, John, Susan, Lori, and Candace. She was predeceased by her daughter, Wendy, in 2019. She is survived by her grandchildren: Nathan (Amanda) Daniels, Megan Curran (Jake Brennan), Justin Caggiano, Christopher Daniels, Spencer (Gabrielle) Butter, and Quincy Butter (Zoee Blossom); sisters Sheila (Stephen) Moos and Pamela Novak; a brother, Glenn Novak; many nieces and nephews; her last surviving aunt, Jean Dunn; and many cousins, including John and Kate Cocco, who held a special place in her heart. She was predeceased by her partner of 35 years, Clark Anderson; her parents, Henry and Mary Novak; brother, Raymond; sister, Mary Elizabeth; and daughter-in-law, Holly (Dusseault) Daniels. While living in Northampton, Linda graduated from the Kay Harvey Hair Dressing Academy and became a hairdresser at what, at that time, could have been considered "the" hairdressing salon in Northampton. Of the many hats she wore, Linda ran a daycare from her home in Westminster West. She and Charlie owned and operated D & M Texaco in Putney. While working at the service station, during the lunch hour she would waitress at The Putney Diner. She also worked at Stephen Greene Press, Omega Optical, and Appropriate Technology. Her last career, her crowning achievement, was owning and operating Linda's Place in Brattleboro. People came from miles around to have breakfast and lunch. Linda will be remembered for her lifetime enjoyment of baking - pies (best pie crusts ever!), penuche, fudge, pierogis, and chruściki. She passed along her love of baking to her children and the skill and love of pie-crust making to Quincy and Zoee. She loved golf, having grown up in a family of golfers, and spent many of her later days golfing with her sister, Pam, and her grandsons, Nathan and Spencer. Linda will be greatly missed by many. Memorial information: At her request, a funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, with a gathering to be held at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge, 75 Putney Rd., immediately following. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• John "Jack" Falvey, 86, died on March 29, 2025, in Cancun, Mexico, his "happy place." Jack was born to John N. and Dorothy Levy Falvey on July 22, 1938 in Yonkers, New York, later moving to Hopkinton, New Hampshire. After his high school graduation in 1956, Jack joined the Air Force and served for four years in Texas and Germany. Jack leaves behind his devoted wife of 59 years, Cindy Nesbitt Falvey, his two sons Mike and Steve (Julie), and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his sisters, Mary Jane Beardsley (George) and Jill Noelle Stafford (Frank), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Drew. Jack was a big, strong guy and, after he and Cindy installed their own pool, he decided he could do this for a living and founded Falvey Pools in Brattleboro in 1978. It was his pride and joy, and he was passionate about caring for his customers. His two sons eventually joined him in the business and he employed many local people who quickly became part of his family. His sons took over the business in 2016. He had the gift of gab and was always good for a joke or two. People smiled when Jack was around. Jack struggled with his fading body this last year and started off each morning with a resounding,"You !$!$%! old fart," which was always Cindy's cue to start his protein shake. Jack and Cindy vacationed over 40 winters in Cancun, bringing family and friends every year to share in their happiness. He was an avid beach volleyball player and loved walking the beaches in Mexico. Memorial information: A celebration of Jack's life will be held at the Brattleboro Country Club on Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. Donations can be made to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Robert W. Holden, 69, of Ashfield, Massachusetts. Died at his home on April 24, 2025. It would have been to his taste to start this obituary thus: Robert's dead. If you knew him, you can make up your own obit. If you didn't know him, it's pointless. Born Sept. 15, 1955, in Burlington, he had sense enough to leave and grew up in rural southeastern Vermont. He graduated from Marlboro College, where he majored in psychology, then worked at the college in admissions. He also worked in restaurants, did dry stone work, landscape detailing, direct care work at both the Brattleboro Retreat and on the Navajo Reservation in Flagstaff, Arizona. He volunteered for NewBrook Fire & Rescue and worked as a paramedic. After the Sept. 11 attacks, he returned to work as an emergency medical technician. He retired as director of special projects for Rescue Inc. in Brattleboro in 2017. He enjoyed dancing, early music and Celtic music, making and playing penny whistles, doing stonework, cutting, stacking and splitting wood, organizing chaos, and taking up little space in the world. He could walk through an autumn forest without making a sound, scale hills and appreciated the views of northern New England and the Southwest U.S., particularly. With hand tools, he designed and built a cabin of 120 square feet, living off the grid for several years in Newfane. It helped that he had a shower at work. Robert was moved by the response of many people in Ashfield, who came to his aid around his diagnosis of lung cancer. In his own words, Robert could be gruff, curt and didn't suffer fools gladly. He cared deeply about the natural world, a place where he found solace and comfort. He spoke deliberately and with authority and studied subjects deeply. He said that 90 percent of what people care about didn't matter. Among his prized possessions was his extensive collection of books on a variety of subjects. He loved the work of J.R.R. Tolkien particularly, and often said he would like a first edition of "The Lord of the Rings." He said that "if I knew I was going to die, I would have lived a more interesting life." Memorial information: Committal of ashes will take place Friday, May 2, at 2 p.m. in St. John's Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, 469 Main St., Ashfield, Mass. Donations to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002.
• Ray Clarence Lamothe, 83, died on April 16, 2025, with family by his side, at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, New Hampshire. Ray was born in Springfield, Vermont, on Dec. 31, 1941, the son of the late Clarence and Evelyn (Grover) Lamotte. He was raised in Chester, graduating in 1960 from Chester High School. Following his graduation, he served in the Army Reserve. He worked on the dock for St. Johnsbury Trucking Company for nearly 27 years. He later worked as a yardman at Hancor in North Springfield. Ray married Linda Anne Danico, whom he met while working at the trucking company, on April 30, 1976. Ray was a devoted husband to Linda, so evident in his care for her throughout her lengthy struggle with illnesses during the later years of their marriage. She died in 2011. He was a member of American Legion Post 37, the Polish American Club, and the Moose Lodge in Bellows Falls, along with the Springfield Humane Society. Ray enjoyed being outdoors. A hunter in his earlier years, he became more involved with kayaking and golf as he grew older. He enjoyed gardening and caring for his yard. He also enjoyed reading and was an avid card player, particularly cribbage and bridge. He is survived by his sister, Leona (Wendell) Brown of Bellows Falls, four nephews: David Brown of Roswell, Georgia, Christopher (Jennifer) Lamotte of Milton, Jason Lamotte of Colchester, Steven Lamotte and his fiancée Amy Briere of Rutland, and one niece, Elizabeth (Jon) Morris of Epping, New Hampshire. He is also survived by great-nephews Jordan and Jeremy Lamotte, Evan Brown and Kenneth Lamotte, great-niece Caitlyn Lamotte, and his dear friend Donna Marzouk of Bradenton, Florida. In addition to his parents and his wife, Ray was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth. Memorial information: At Ray's request there will be no calling hours. A private service will take place on Saturday, May 3. Donations to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156.
• Bill B. Reynolds, 73, of Brattleboro, formally of Dummerston. Died on Monday, April 21, 2025, after a brief Illness. He was born in Bennington on March 25, 1952. Bill was a graduate of the Francis Hicks School and, after graduation, he went to work for the former Boise Cascade Company in Brattleboro, where he was employed for some 50 years. In his early years, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Brattleboro Fire Department. His first action as a firefighter was helping fight the Woolworth fire on Main Street on Nov. 21, 1972. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Sammie and Lois Reynolds of Brattleboro; his wife of 39 years, Lori (Shannon) Reynolds of Dummerston; his brother, Kert Reynolds, of Roanoke, Virginia; and special brother-in-law, "Danny Boy" Shannon of Dummerston. He is survived by his four siblings, Paula and Russ West of Salem, Virginia, Sammie (Twig) and Wanda Reynolds of Brushton, New York, Chris Reynolds of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and Dodie and PG Carrier of Readsboro; and his sister-in-law, Betty Reynolds of Glenvar, Virginia, wife of his late brother Kert. He is also survived by his late wife's sister and brother, Kathy (Paul) Bacon and Barry (Barbara) Shannon, both of Dummerston, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; especially his niece, Brandy Wisell, who was his caregiver. Memorial information: Per Bill's request, there are no planned services. Donations can be made to Putney Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 233, Putney, VT 05346. Cards of condolence may be sent to 31 Deepwood Park, West Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer online condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Philip Langworthy Stimmel, 82, of Brattleboro. Died at his home on April 18, 2025, surrounded by his wife and son, after months of declining health due to congestive heart failure. Phil was born on June 4, 1942, in Rutland, to Howard Lincoln Stimmel and Reba Lunetta Langworthy Stimmel. His older sister, Carol Jane, died in 1964. He grew up in a family dedicated to service and education. His father served as a Methodist minister in various churches across Vermont and New York, and his mother was an occupational therapist and teaching principal. As a teenager, Phil performed magic shows for children at birthday parties and several amusement parks. He graduated from Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) High School in 1960, and continued his education at Drew University, earning a bachelor's degree in political science in 1964. During his time at Drew, he pursued his love of music, studying pipe organ with his father and Lester Berenbroick. Phil earned his master's degree from Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music in 1966, beginning his long career in church music. A year later, he moved to Montpelier to serve Bethany Congregational Church, and teach choruses at Montpelier High School. In 1971, he became the Music Team Leader at the newly-formed Union 32 High School music department in East Montpelier. He later founded the Montpelier Conservatory of the Arts, which he ran for several years. In 1972, he married a "cute red-haired third grade teacher," Cherolyn Dawn Montgomery, whom he met through his church choir. They had one son, Jonathan Smith Stimmel. Together, they moved to Brattleboro in 1987. For more than 50 years, Phil served as an organist and choirmaster for Presbyterian, Congregational, and Roman Catholic churches across New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts. He was a Colleague of the American Guild of Organists, and served as both treasurer and dean of the Vermont chapter, which named him Artist of the Year in 2002. He would often present organ recitals, and especially enjoyed creating programs which featured other instruments, and he staged the operas Amahl and the Night Visitors and Noye's Fludde. He had a gift for nurturing and encouraging singers and performers to develop their abilities and confidence. Beyond music, Phil served as director of the Estey Organ Museum, developed a second career as a skilled bookkeeper for local businesses and non-profit organizations, and was an avid collector of both stamps and reed organs. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on June 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. Donations to Vermont Public in support of classical music (donate.vermontpublic.org/home); the Windham County Humane Society (windhamcountyhumane.org); Bayada Hospice Fund (bayada.com/support); or the Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice, bit.ly/center-for-solace). To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Laura Calista West, 93, formerly of Guilford. Died on Feb. 16, 2025, in Fremont, California, following a period of declining health. Laura was born in Montgomery, Vermont, on Aug. 19, 1931, to Mahlon and Nora (Kennett) Deuso. She was the youngest of four surviving children. At age 18, she traveled to Brattleboro to work at the Brattleboro Retreat in the dietary department. This is where she met her husband, Percy "Roy" West. They were married for 70 years until Roy's death on June 2, 2022. In her free time, she enjoyed oil painting and her home was decorated with her art work. At one point, she raised poodles and had a side job of dog grooming for extra money. Laura leaves behind a daughter, Linda Tom of Fremont, California; one son, Gary West and his wife, Barbara, of Westminster; grandchildren Amber West, Leisha West, Kaitlyn Whitham, Eric Tom (Loan), and Phillip Tom (Malinda); and great-grandchildren Landen, Kennedy, Claire, Alyson, and Benjamin. She also leaves behind a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Gertrude, and brothers Charlie and John. Memorial information: A graveside service will be conducted on July 19 in the West family lot in Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscassett, Maine, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Dana Thomas Zak, 77, of Brattleboro. Died April 14, 2025, after a brief period of declining health. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Oct. 6, 1947, to Patricia Lee (Milligan) and Francis Thomas Zak. He was educated at Olney Friends Boarding School in Barnesville, Ohio, and his membership in the Society of Friends was a very important part of his spiritual life. Dana was a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam and performed community service at Cleveland's University Hospital. He graduated from Ohio University. Prior to his retirement in 2013, he worked for 30 years at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, New Hampshire, as an IT professional. As a lover of Moby Dick, Dana would agree that "Wonderfullest things are ever the unmentionable; deep memories yield no epitaphs." His complicated and gentle spirit is difficult to capture, but he left a profound impact on those who knew him, many of whom remained lifelong friends. He was an inveterate punster with a wry sense of humor, one who contributed laconic remarks from the back of the room, intended to fly under the radar and reach only those who were closest to him. Dana was a man of integrity and a loving father, always willing to help his children with construction projects and anything else they needed. A devoted Detroit Tigers fan, he played right field on a local men's softball team, and with his family was part of a winning trivia team in recent years. He loved old cars, especially his Dodge Dart. He had an affinity for places of great natural beauty, especially the Southwest, Putney Mountain, and Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deborah Lyn Zak, his son Matthew Thomas Zak and daughter-in-law Heidi, his daughter Emily Zak Webb and son-in-law Ben, granddaughters Diana and Helen Webb, and former wife and dear friend, Louise Zak. Also surviving are his sisters Deborah Lewis, Cynthia Zak, Andrea Lingelbach, and brother Gregg Zak, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Pamela Maxwell. Memorial information: A private family memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Donations to Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, P.O. Box 453, Empire, MI 49630, or Olney Friends School, 61830 Sandy Ridge Rd., Barnesville, OH 43713. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.
Services
• A celebration of the life of Tamayra Lindop will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street in Brattleboro. Friends are invited to share stories about this beautiful human. Bring a dish to share. Tamayra, a resident of Thompson House in Brattleboro for the past eight years, died on Feb. 10, 2025.
• Friends of Nancy L. Butterfield are invited to a celebration of her life at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 29 South St., West Brattleboro, on Saturday, May 10, at 3 p.m. Nancy died at the Covenant Living of Keene, New Hampshire, on Dec, 1, 2024, at the age of 94. Gifts in remembrance may be made to All Souls U.U. Church, P.O. Box 2297, West Brattleboro, VT 05303.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.