College news
• The following students recently earned degrees from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts: Lydia Hazzard-Leal of Brattleboro graduated with an M.S. in communications. Hazzard-Leal is a member of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda honor society. Freddie Learey of Brattleboro graduated with an M.A. in International Development.
• Ava Cutler, a member of Class of 2027 from Brattleboro, was named to the spring 2026 Dean’s List at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.
• Pemba Chekina of Brattleboro, Sophia Albright of Dummerston, Galen Fogarty of Guilford, and Emma Thompson of Westminster were all named to the spring 2026 Dean’s List at Norwich University.
• Devin Speno of Brattleboro was named to the spring 2026 President’s List at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts.
• Cassidy Fusco of Windham was named to the spring 2026 Dean’s List at Fairfield (Conn.) University.
Obituaries
• Harold Craig Handley, 73, of Tucson, Arizona, Died Sept. 13, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. He was born November 27, 1951 in Oakland, California, to Harrison and Eva (Carr) Handley. After serving in the Navy in Vietnam, he returned home and worked at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1996, he moved to Tucson, Arizona, where years later, as a union steward, he retired from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Harold grew up in Oakland with his rural southern roots woven throughout his childhood — hunting, fishing, and a smoke house all part of his youth. Harold’s parents, older siblings, grandmother (who was born into slavery), uncles, and aunts moved to California from Arkansas after the lynching of his uncle, around World War II. Harold deeply loved his family, neighbors, and friends. He was handsome, charismatic, stood up for people in the face of injustice, and enjoyed a good time. “He was a damn good person to know,” recall his children, “In whatever form he presented himself. He would always have your back if need be – even when you didn’t ask for it.” He brought music, dance and stories into his family’s house, hosting and cooking an abundance of food. “He was always a good time waiting to happen,” they remember. Harold’s sense of adventure and love of nature were fertile ground for many stories. His family remembers one day walking into the bathroom to find live sharks in the tub, which Harold had caught in the San Francisco Bay for food. He is survived by his wife, Linda (Conrad) Handley (Arizona); his sister Lynne Handley (California); the mother of his three youngest children Michele Miller (California); his children Kevin Guyton and daughter-in-law Sene (New Mexico), Harold Handley Jr. and Kalena Handley (Hawaii), Derrick Miller-Handley and son-in-law Isaac Evans-Frantz (Vermont), Melisa Miller-Handley and partner Xian Kwong and Michael Miller-Handley and daughter-in-law Lisette Martinez (California). He is also survived by his chosen son Ryan White (Arizona). His first grandchild, Michael and Lisette’s son León Sol Miller-Handley, was born Nov. 15, 2025, just two months after Harold’s passing. Memorial information: A potluck celebration will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, at 2 p.m., in the yard at the home of his son Derrick Miller-Handley and son-in-law Isaac Evans-Frantz. An intimate gathering of his children was held in Tucson in September, shortly after Harold’s death.
• Gregory Paul “Greg” Korgeski, 72, of Saxtons River. Died peacefully May 27, 2026, at Thompson House Nursing Home in Brattleboro, after a long struggle with a neurological disorder related to Parkinson’s. Greg was born in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, the oldest of Frank and Shirley Korgeski’s five sons, and completed his B.A. in psychology at the University of Scranton, then his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota. He had a long career in providing clinical services, teaching at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, and providing disability evaluation services to Vermont and New Hampshire. In addition to journal and magazine articles, Greg published books about psychology and a novel, Dark Analysis, under his pseudonym, JT Gregg. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brothers, Barry, Brian, and Warren. He is survived by his wife, Skye, his brother Jeff (Linda), and his sister-in-law, Janet (Brian), as well as his stepsons Michael (Becky) and Doug, his step-grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews and their spouses and children. Memorial information: Services are private per family request. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.
• Rachael L. James, 67, of Bellows Falls. Died May 30, 2026, at her home. She was born Nov. 10, 1958, in Springfield, Vermont, the daughter of Frank and Margarite (DeRosia) Barcomb. She graduated from the Bellows Falls School system and attended college. She assisted for many years in the schools as a classroom aide. Rachael loved animals and crocheted blankets that she gave to people who needed them. In 1984, she married Walter James III, who predeceased her. She is survived by her loving son, Troy James of Bellows Falls; her mother, Margarite Barcomb; and a sister, Kathy Fisher. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and cousins. Rachael was also predeceased by her father, Frank Barcomb. Memorial information: Funeral services were held June 5 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, followed by burial at Saxtons River Cemetery.
• Robert W. “Bob” Murray, 81, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at his home June 1, 2026, surrounded by his family and close friends, following a lengthy period of declining health. Bob was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 31, 1944, the son of William and Marjorie (Darst) Murray. With his family, he later moved to Swanzey, New Hampshire, where he attended public schools. He was a graduate of Keene High School, Class of 1962. Bob had a long and distinguished career in fire service and graduated from Community College of Vermont with an associate’s degree in Fire Science. He also graduated from the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford and served with the Vermont State Police from 1967 to 1973. He initially was a member of the Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department, joining the department in the late 1960s, and was active with Wilmington into the early 1970s. Bob joined the Brattleboro Fire Department in 1974 and retired from BFD as Assistant Chief in 1995. Along with his extensive firefighting certifications, he was also a certified Vermont Emergency Medical Technician. Bob and his wife, Diane, relocated to New Mexico and for four years, Bob was employed as a probation officer before relocating back to Brattleboro. He went back to work at Brattleboro’s Department of Public Works, retiring from the town after an additional 19 years of dedicated and faithful service to his community. A lifelong learner, while working full time, Bob furthered his education earning his B.A. in psychology and personnel management from Norwich University. Bob enjoyed Dowsing and for many years held membership in the American Society of Dowsers. He also practiced Reiki, and enjoyed writing, crafting walking sticks and jewelry, and spending time with his family. On Aug. 17, 1973, at the Congregational Church in Wilmington, he married Diane Marie Duhaime, who predeceased him on May 3, 2011. Survivors include three sons, Joseph Murray (Karen) of Salisbury, North Carolina, Kevin Murray of Milton, New Hampshire, and Robert Blodgett of Bullhead City, Arizona; three daughters, Christine Boucher (Brian) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Shannon Meckle (Ken) of East Dover, and Jodi Daigle of Swanzey, New Hampshire; 14 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Marvin Murray. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted June 5 at Mountain View Cemetery in Swanzey. Donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital New England, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA, 01104; or to the Wilmington Fire Department, P.O. Box 217, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Audrey C. Wilson, 94, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died at home June 3, 2026. Audrey was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, March 28, 1932, the daughter of Lewis and Blanche (Babbitt) Covey. She was raised and educated in Lynn, graduating from Lynn English High School with the Class of 1949. She went on to attend Norwood Hospital School of Nursing where she received her LPN certification. On May 3, 1952, at Lynn Baptist Church, she married Raymond A. Wilson, who predeceased her in 2002. Audrey worked in healthcare most of her career as a nurse at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, as an X-ray technician at BMH, in the medical offices of Dr. R. Keith Clarke, and as a dental assistant for C. Dwight Decker, DDS. She also worked at the former Grand Union supermarket in Brattleboro, at the former Hair Affair Beauty Salon, and for a couple of years at Walmart in Hinsdale. Audrey was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Bingham Chapter 30 in Brattleboro, and had attended St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. She enjoyed travel, taking cruises with her husband, attending Masonic and Shriners conventions, gardening (she loved her plants), and crocheting. She was a longtime avid Boston Red Sox fan. She also loved her cats. Most importantly, Audrey cherished time spent with her family and close friends. Survivors include four daughters, Denise Rumrill (Gerald) of Hinsdale, Donna Vautour (David) of Swanzey, New Hampshire, Debra Bokum (Joseph) of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and Doreen Bacon of Hinsdale; one sister, Louise Carr of Salem, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Audrey was predeceased by two grandchildren, Traci Rabideau and Travis Bacon; one brother, William Covey; and a sister, Janie Richardson. Memorial information: Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at Atamaniuk Funeral Home, with burial will follow in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband. Friends are invited to call at Atamaniuk Funeral Home Thursday, June 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446.To offer condolences to her family, visit atamaniuk.com.
Services
• A memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Brenda Lee Sanborn will be held Sunday, June 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Newfane Inn. A resident of Coolidge Highway in Guilford, Brenda died May 16, 2026. To view her full obituary and offer condolences to her family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Graveside committal services for Richard G. “Bucky” Turner Sr. will be conducted Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m. in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Richard, 86, of Putney, died May 11, 2026, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, New Hampshire. To view his full obituary and offer condolences to his family, visit atamaniuk.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.