College news
• Liina Koch of South Londonderry graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, with a major in biochemistry.
• Ansley Henderson of Brookline and Savannah Sylvester-Neal of Putney recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island.
• Jennifer Miner of Brattleboro was named to the Online Dean’s List for the summer 2026 semester at Champlain College in Burlington.
• The following local students were recognized for academic achievement in the summer 2026 semester at Southern New Hampshire University: Named to the President’s List were Michelle Little of Brattleboro, Grady Lockerby of Putney,Susanna Yule of Whitingham, Jayden Bloom of Brookline, John Senechal of Grafton, John King of Grafton, Corey Serviss of Vernon, Niame Diallo of Brattleboro, and Lindsay Cunningham of Wilmington. Named to the Dean’s List were Tara Fitzgerald of Brattleboro, Madison Morancy of Westminster, Alejandra Morcillo Franco of Bellows Falls, Magdalen Hodgson of Saxtons River, Devin McAllister of Brattleboro, Courtney Sanderson of Westminster, and Catherine Weber of Brattleboro.
Obituaries
• Paul Edward Collier, 68, of Westminster. Died at home Sept. 15, 2026, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with Alzheimers. Born March 28, 1958, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Donald “Pete” Collier and Edith (Boyles) Collier, Paul was raised in Seymour, Connecticut, and attended Emmett O’Brien Regional Vocational Technical High School, graduating in 1976 with a focus on carpentry. In 1981, Paul relocated to Westminster, where he worked at both Springfield Fence Co. and as an EMT at LeFevre Ambulance. He then jumpstarted his career with employment at Fellows Gear Shaper, where he discovered his love of machine tool sharpening. He later became the owner of The Cutter Shop in Springfield, where he not only ground a variety of different tools, but also worked with Burton Snowboards designing tooling used to make a prototype for their first snowboards. He was also proud to have both designed and created an intricate part for the International Space Station that is currently still in use. He was incredibly reliable, skilled, and knowledgeable, and the talent he brought to his skilled craft was unmatched. In 1989, he married Debra (Perry) Collier in Bellows Falls, sharing 37 years of marriage. He was known for having a deep love of building and flying model airplanes, snowmobiling, riding his motorcycle, long bicycle rides, completing both Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles, carpentry and fixing anything and everything that was broken, camping with family in the summer, remodeling his home (except the kitchen), and refurbishing old tractors. Paul was preceded in death by his father, father-in-law William “Bill” Perry Sr., and brother-in-law William R. Perry Jr. He will be deeply missed by his surviving family, including his wife and his three children: sons, Thomas Collier and Christopher Dryden, and daughter, Jennifer (Collier) Washburn and her husband, Phillip; grandsons, Adam and Ethan Collier; granddaughters, Mia, Brooke, and Kaylee Washburn; his mother, Edith (Boyles) Collier; mother-in-law, Alice (Trombley) Perry, as well as siblings, Beth and Ron Schmecker, Donald and Kathy Collier, and Deborah and Mark Vinsen. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Sept. 24 at The First Congregational Church of Westminster, followed by burial at Westminster New Cemetery. Donations to Westminster Animal Hospital, Attention: Caring Paws Fund, 5052 US-5, Westminster, VT 05158.
• William R. “Bill” Frost, 84, of Vernon. Died Sept. 15, 2026, with family members by his side. He was born Nov. 13, 1941, in Brattleboro, son of Lee Putnam and Mary (Bucossi) Frost. Bill was the youngest, he was predeceased by Marie Walker and Albert Frost and survived by Lee “Butch” Frost Jr. of Vacaville, California. Bill graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1960. He had fond memories of playing football and baseball. In March 1961 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany. He spoke favorably of “Sergeant Smith” and his preference of black coffee was established. In May 1964, William and Margaret A. Durant of Bennington married. They settled in 1967 in Vernon, building a home and raising a family. Bill was employed at The Book Press/Quebecor Printing in Brattleboro for 34 years as a pressman and foreman. He enjoyed the work and the community of co-workers. After the relocation of Quebecor Printing in 2000, Bill worked at C&S Wholesale Grocers as forklift operator in the freezer until retirement. Upon retirement, Bill and Peggy enjoyed cruises, winters in the Florida Keys, and other travel adventures. Bill was a keen observer of nature and wildlife. In his younger years, fishing and hunting were favorite activities. In his later years, he observed nature on his daily driving loop or watched the birds and other wildlife visiting the yard with his feline friend, Bandit. Bill’s other interests included home improvement projects, cooking, and spending time with family. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Margaret D. Frost; daughter, Heather Frost and Jeff Finnell of Vernon; son, Todd Frost and Jeanna Johnson of Vernon; grandson, Bronson Frost Finnell, granddaughter, Darby Frost, great-grandchildren, Kimber Sue Roy, and Mark and Madelyn Johnson; and Bandit. Memorial information: Services were held Sept. 27 at Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vernon.
• Joseph Howard “Joe” O’Brien, 75, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully Sept. 12, 2026,surrounded by his family after a period of declining health. A greatly loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Joe was born Nov. 3, 1950, at Chelsea (Mass.) Naval Hospital to Francis X. O’Brien and Elizabeth A. (Pehlemann) O’Brien. Joe grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, where he attended Salem High School, graduating in May 1968. On June 9, 1968, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served aboard the USCGC Tamaroa, based in New York Harbor. Joe was a skilled sailor and a distinguished swimmer, earning multiple awards and the designation of 2nd Swimmer. He also received awards for his excellence in firearms marksmanship. In 1982, Joe married Pauline Blake in Bellows Falls, and their marriage spanned 44 wonderful years. In 1984, they settled in Bellows Falls, where Joe continued his work as a master carpenter until his retirement in 2016. Joe’s talents and interests were numerous. He was known for his quick and sarcastic wit, and he was a man who could engage anyone in conversation. His Massachusetts accent was a hallmark of his speech, endearing him to all who knew him. Joe was an avid softball pitcher and cyclist throughout his adult life, and he found joy in activities like fishing and kayaking. Above all, Joe was devoted to his family, whom he loved beyond measure. He is survived by his wife, Pauline; a daughter, Taylor O’Brien Emery and her husband, Chad; a son, Blake O’Brien, and his beloved grandchildren Jett, Sawyer, Lilah, and Ava. He also leaves behind his siblings: Ann Kulas and her husband, Jack, Sharon, Marc and his wife, Janet, Margaret and her husband, Martin, and brother, John and his wife, Lauren; and his nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents, brother, Jim, and sister, Elizabeth, lovingly known as “Cha-Cha.” Memorial information: A memorial service and celebration of Joe’s life will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster St., Bellows Falls. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
• James “JT” Tirrell, 38, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly Sept. 21, 2026, after being stricken ill at work. JT was born March 21, 1988, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, the son of Keven and Deborah (Howe) Tirrell. He was raised in Wilmington, and attended local schools there. He also attended Kindle Farm School in Townshend, Wilmington High School, and graduated from the Windham Regional Career Center with the Class of 2006. His academic focus while at the Career Center was law enforcement and firefighting. At the time of his death, he worked as a shipping department supervisor at LePage’s Bakery in Brattleboro. Previously, JT worked for Baker Distributors in Brattleboro as a salesman. During high school, JT was an active member of the Wilmington Fire Department. An avid outdoorsman, JT enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and riding his motorcycle, but his biggest source of enjoyment was time spent with his children, his fiancé, and his nephews, Bradley, Logan. and “Grasshopper.” Survivors include his fiancé, Katelyn Barrows of Brattleboro and her mother, Lori Vigneau of Dummerston; his son, Jayson and his daughter, Brooklynn, both of Brattleboro; his brother-in-law, Brian Barrows (Nikkie) of Dummerston; his parents, Keven and Deborah Tirrell of Wilmington; a sister, Tia Tirrell Williams (Trevor) of Star Lake, New York; brother, Brian Tirrell (Laura) of Jamaica; his lifelong “brother from another mother,” Cody Yule of Readsboro; his maternal grandfather, Lenny “Pop” Howe of Wilmington; paternal grandmother, Brenda Tirrell of West Dover; nephews, Bradley, Logan, Taylor, and Bradly; and a niece, Lauren. Additionally, JT leaves a host of in-laws, cousins, aunts, and uncles… and even more friends. JT lived by the motto, “I’ve never met a stranger I didn’t know.” He was loved by all who met him. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted Sunday, Oct. 18, at noon at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. A memorial gathering will follow the committal service, to be held at his home on Laurel Street. To honor JT’s memory, spend a day with your child. You may also send memorial contributions in his name to “Hunt of a Lifetime Vermont.” Checks, cash, or Visa gift cards can be sent to the Vermont Head Ambassador, Kevin Morton, at 1091 Bunker Rd, East Dummerston, VT 05346. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Sidney Markus Wolf, 77, of Putney. Died peacefully Sept. 6, 2026, from Parkinson’s Disease at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow. He was born in 1949 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to the late Sigmund Wolf and Alice McAllorum (Lengyel). Sidney is survived by his wife of 35 years, Frances ‘Frankie” Knibb. He is also survived by his brother, Leonard L. Wolf, and sisters, Maureen W. Dobrow and Jackie Wolf. He was predeceased by a third sister, Linda Wolf. Sidney loved the scholar’s life. He put himself through college, graduate school, and law school at the University of Iowa. He later earned his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In the 1980s, Sidney was a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. for Environmental Action, working hard for passage of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He taught environmental law and public policy for many years, ending his academic career at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He published several books and numerous articles and also practiced law in Brattleboro and Stowe. Sidney served on the Putney Planning Commission and the Affordable Housing Committee. In 2017, he took out dual citizenship in Germany, reclaiming his family’s birthright stolen by the Nazis. He loved to travel and absorb new cultures and foods. Memorial information: At Sidney’s request, no memorial service is planned. Donations in his memory can be made to the International Rescue Committee, 22 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168, or the Gill Odd Fellows Home, 8 Gill Terrace, Ludlow, VT 05149.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.