Obituaries
• Orion Metcalf Barber II, 90, of West Brattleboro. Died Sept. 22, 2026, following a long struggle with dementia. A full obituary will be published in a future edition of The Commons. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro. To share a memory or offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• David Matthew “Dave” Hellus Sr., 62, of Dummerston. Died peacefully Sept. 28, 2026, in the comfort of his home, following an extended period of declining health. A lifelong resident of the area,Dave was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 31, 1963, the son of Henry F. and Linda (Whitman) Hellus Jr. He attended Dummerston schools and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1982. Following graduation, he went to work for Crystal Ice & Fuel Co. (CIFCO), becoming a dedicated and valuable employee of the company. Dave worked in several capacities at CIFCO that included oil burner service, installation of aluminum doors and windows, as well as chain link fencing and asphalt paving. In 2007, Dave established his own company, Daveco & Sons, LLC, which he operated up until the time of his passing. He was well known for his honesty and excellent service rendered to his many customers in the greater Brattleboro area. Snowmobiling was his favorite leisure time activity and he favored the old Arctic Cat machines of which he restored and repaired many throughout the years. Dave also enjoyed hunting, puttering around his home, and time shared with his family. David was first married to Roberta Crossman, which ended in divorce. He later married Ellen Bolster Asbury on Feb. 14, 2003, in Dummerston. Besides his wife of 23 years, he leaves his mother, Linda Hellus of Dummerston; his children: David Jr., Echo, and Ticiaonna, all of Wyoming, and Cody of Dummerston; two brothers, Stephen (Marilyn) of Spofford, New Hampshire, and Henry “Chip” (Carlene) Hellus, III of Dummerston; a sister, Katherine (John) Rabideau of Dummerston; three nieces, Kelsey, Megan, and Devon of Dummerston; a nephew, Christopher Flibotte of Seattle; seven grandchildren and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dave was predeceased by his father, Henry F. Hellus, Jr. Memorial information: A memorial gathering in celebration of his life will be held Sunday, Nov. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dummerston Congregational Church. Donations to the Windham County Heat Fund, 63 Cedar St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, wcheatfund.org; or Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353.To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Dennis Michael Mayotte, 76, formerly of Brattleboro. Died July 21, 2026. His family was by his side along with his beloved cat, Jellybelly. Dennis was born in Richford on June 26, 1950, to George and Mary Mayotte. When Dennis was diagnosed with cancer in 2025, he moved from Brattleboro to Battle Ground, Indiana, to be with his daughter, Stephanie, and his son, Jesse. In addition to his children, Dennis is survived by his brother James and his wife, Wendy; his brother Charles and his wife, Sue; and his sister, Gloria Lisella; grandchildren Megan, Emma, and Rylan; great-grandchildren Easton and Leighton; and many nieces and nephews. Dennis was predeceased by his sister, Marianne, and her husband, Marvin Miller. Dennis joined the Marine Corps in 1969 and served in Vietnam. He was a proud Marine and a “brother” to all military men and women. Dennis was an avid reader, hunter, golfer, cat lover, and was a proud member of VFW Post 1034 in Brattleboro, and the Brattleboro BPOE Lodge 1499. He was part of a group of men who went to a hunting camp in Brattleboro, where he loved to spend his time. He also was a member of the Brattleboro Country Club. Memorial information: Military services will be held at noon on the Brattleboro Common Saturday, Oct. 10, followed by a celebration of life at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge at 12:30 p.m.
• Michael Don Sullivan, 69, of Brattleboro, formerly of Fairfield, Connecticut. Died peacefully Sept. 27, 2026, following a period of declining health. Michael was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 9, 1957, to Don and Beverly Sullivan. His family soon relocated to Fairfield, which he proudly called home until 2015, when he moved to Brattleboro to be closer to his daughters and their families. Michael had a natural gift for making people feel welcome, seen, and cared for. During his years as a bar manager at the former Al’s Place in Fairfield and as a devoted staff member at the former Oscar’s Delicatessen in Westport, Connecticut, Brattleboro Country Club, and the Vermont Country Deli, he brought smiles to countless customers with a simple hello, a thoughtful gesture, or his signature wit and humor. Kindness came naturally to Michael, and he never seemed to miss an opportunity to make someone’s day a little brighter. He had a deep appreciation for history and could spend hours talking about the people, places, and events that shaped the world. He loved learning, remembering the details, and sharing what he knew with anyone willing to listen. A lifelong Mets, Jets, and Notre Dame fan, Michael loved watching sports and, even more, talking about them. Most of all, Michael cherished his family and watching his grandchildren grow. He was incredibly proud of Cameron, Jackson, Brayden, and Addyson and treasured every opportunity to be part of their lives. He treasured his daily morning texts to his daughters, evening calls with his twin brother, and checking in with family. Michael will be remembered for his quick wit, love of sports and history, storytelling, and most of all, his kindness. Michael was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Greg Sullivan, and his brother-in-law, Tom Stablein. He is survived by his daughters, Amy Frechette (Brian) of Dummerston, and Jennifer Abramson (Brian) of South Deerfield, Massachusetts; grandchildren Cameron and Jackson Frechette and Brayden and Addyson Abramson; and his extended Vermont family, Laura Classey, Amber Classey, and Gabe Rosa. He also leaves his twin brother and lifelong best friend, David Sullivan (Beth) of Fairfield; sisters Sue Darrow (Roger) of Monroe, Connecticut, Terry Seymour (Nick) of Marlboro, Massachusetts, and Patty Benner (Ron) of Fairfield; sister-in-law Debbie Sullivan of Sandy Hook, Connecticut; along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and countless dear friends who remained close to his heart throughout his life and final days. Memorial information: Calling hours will be Friday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Phaneuf Funeral Home in Brattleboro. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. In honor of Michael’s love of sports, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite team apparel, or something green or Irish. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Michael’s memory with an unexpected act of kindness to make someone feel seen and cared for. Alternatively, donations may be made directly to Thompson House (Brattleboro Mutual Aid Association) or the BAYADA Hospice Foundation, supporting their continued compassionate care for others in the Brattleboro community. To leave a message of condolence, visit phaneuf.net.
Services
• A celebration of life for William “Marty” Adams will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street in Brattleboro. Marty, 88, of Brattleboro, died peacefully at his home Aug. 5, 2026. To view his full obituary and offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• The family of Elizabeth (Esha) Dakavana of Brattleboro will hold a memorial service for her Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., Brattleboro. A light meal and refreshments will be served immediately following the service in the church’s parlor room.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.