Obituaries 09/10/09

Robert J. Gainer


LANCASTER, N.H. — Robert J. Gainer, 71, of Lancaster, N.H., died Thursday morning, Sept. 3, 2009, at the Concord Hospital in Concord, N.H.

He was born in Lancaster on Nov. 19, 1937, the son of Linwood J. and Emily M. (Rich) Gainer.
In 1966 he married Virginia A. Sullivan of Shoreham.

He was a lifetime resident of Lancaster, having attended Lancaster Academy and later Berlin Trade School. He worked as a truck driver all his life in the logging, construction and paper mill industries. At one time he hauled logs for Reuben Washburn and for many years drove truck for Diamond International, James River and Groveton Paper Board. For many years he worked at the Groveton Speedway for Mike Beattie. He also served with the National Guard.

For over 20 years he was a director at the Lancaster Fair, where he was superintendent of the grounds. His family says his loyalty and commitment to the Lancaster Fair Association gave him a purpose in life these past few years.

He enjoyed traveling, casinos and playing cards with his family and friends. He was also an avid NASCAR fan.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia of Lancaster; a daughter, Jill M. Gainer of Manchester, N.H.; three sons, James Gainer and his wife Tricia, Joel Gainer and Jon Gainer, all of Lancaster; a brother, Richard and wife Katherine of Lancaster; a sister, Carol (Gainer) Beaudoin and husband Edward of Contoocook, N.H.; a grandson and granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church, Lancaster. The Rev. Raymond Ball, pastor, officiated. Burial followed in Summer Street Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, New England Affiliate, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688, or the Lancaster Ambulance Association, c/o Ron Wert, 25 Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584.

Online condolences may be left at www.baileyfh.net.

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Elizabeth Fay Goodale


SHELBURNE — A memorial service for Elizabeth Fay “Betty” Goodale, who died on July 29 at the age of 95, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 2:30 in the afternoon at The Arbors in Shelburne.


She and her late husband, E. Dudley Goodale, moved to Middlebury in 1993. After her husband’s death, she enjoyed attending Project Independence and left behind many friends when she relocated to The Arbors in Shelburne in 2004.

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Rev. Charles N. Graham


MIDDLEBURY — The Rev. Charles N. Graham, 67, died unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, in Clarendon. He was born Sept. 3, 1942, in Bennington, the son of Harley and Jean Burt Graham.

He graduated from Bennington High in 1960 and attended Union College in Barbourville, Ky., where he earned a B.A. in 1964. After college he attended seminary in Ohio, and he received a Master of Divinity from the Methodist Theological School and was ordained a minister in 1967.

The Rev. Graham served as the pastor of several churches in his career, almost all in and around Vermont, including in Essex, N.Y.; Hardwick, Grand Isle and North Hero, the Monkton Friends Methodist Church and the Bristol Federated Church. He retired from Bristol and Monkton in 2008 after serving there for 17 years. For the past year, he attended the Middlebury United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Graham loved dogs. He owned five Cocker Spaniels in his life, including King, Buffy, Misty, Sadie and Tuffles. He lived an active life, often walking his dog, attending local community events and visiting with friends and members of his church. He was a lover of history and civics, especially all things having to do with Vermont.

He is survived by his sister, Holly Jean Graham of Goffstown, N.H.; two nephews, Michael Josef Adamowicz and Matthew Aaron Adamowicz and wife Nicole, all of Waltham, Mass.; a grand-nephew, James; special cousin Janice Hogan of Cheshire, Conn.; and his beloved dog Tuffles.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Bristol Federated Church. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Groton Village Cemetery. Friends may call at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol on Friday, Sept. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. A Masonic service will be held 8 p.m. on Friday during the calling hours.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Bristol Federated Church, Attn. Rev Bill Elwell, 37 North St., Bristol, VT 05443, or Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

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Clois C. Griggs


BRISTOL/ORWELL — Clois C. Griggs, 80, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, surrounded by family at the home of his daughter.

He was born Feb. 13, 1929, in Lincoln, the son of Marshall and Evelyn (Hartwell) Griggs.

He enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. He married Ila Burritt on May 27, 1955. She predeceased him Aug. 31, 2000. They lived in Monkton and later in Bristol where they owned and operated Griggs Sales & Service until retirement. His family says he enjoyed the outdoors and his dogs. He was most proud of his family.

He is survived by his son Carroll and wife Laura; his daughter Elizabeth Orr and husband William; eight grandchildren; a great-grandson; a sister, Marshlyn Reed of Addison; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at Lincoln United Church. Interment will be in Maple Cemetery in Lincoln. Friends may call at Lincoln United Church on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753, or Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

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Seward T. Highley


MIDDLEBURY — Seward T. Highley, 76, died Sept. 5, 2009, in Middlebury.

Born in Medford, Mass., he was a graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass., and of Middlebury College. He also received a master’s degree from Simmons College in Boston, Mass. At Middlebury he was a founding member of the Dissipated Eight, an a cappella group that remains active today.

Following graduation from Middlebury, Mr. Highley served in the U.S. Army for two years before beginning a career in education. He returned to teach at Williston Academy and later at the Millbrook School in New York, where he also served as science department chairman.

His lifelong passion was seeking and observing birds, and after retiring to Cape Cod, he worked at the Center for Coastal Studies and other organizations as an ornithology educator.

He is survived by daughters Deborah Highley of Rhinebeck, N.Y., Susan Highley of Bridport, and Carolyn Highley of Lee, Mass.; by seven grandchildren, including Addison and Haven Tate of Bridport; by his sister, Helen Matel of Brewster, Mass.; and by his former wife, Patricia Highley of Bristol.

A memorial service will be held on Cape Cod on Sept. 19.

The family would especially like to extend their appreciation and thanks to the nurses and staff who cared for Mr. Highley during his time at The Lodge at Otter Creek, where he was one of the original group of residents.

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Eugene Arthur Orvis


LINCOLN — Eugene Arthur “Papa” Orvis, 68, died Saturday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2009, at his home in Lincoln.

He was born Dec. 27, 1940, in Burlington, the son of Sherman and Irene (Atkins) Orvis.
He graduated from Bristol High School in 1959, recently celebrating his 50th reunion. He graduated from Vermont Technical College in 1961. He served his country in the Air Guard Reserve.

He retired in September 1996 from the Vermont Agency of Transportation, after 35 years of service. His relatives say he loved the outdoors and that he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed being a 4-H leader in Starksboro and coached tee ball. He had a way of making his grandchildren feel special and he enjoyed teaching the younger generation.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine “Kay” Orvis of Lincoln; two sons, Randall A Orvis and his wife Martha of Bridport, and William C. Orvis and wife April of Middlebury, and their mother Pauline (Jewett) Orvis; three stepdaughters, Denise Potter and husband Tim of Bristol, Suzanne Rouelle and Todd Pecor of Montpelier and Jeanette Martin and her husband Steve of Orange, Mass.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three sisters and their spouses, Rebecca and Joel Fifield of Middlebury, Joan and Cyric Turner of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Earlene and Bruce Wheeler of Massachusetts; stepbrothers and their spouses, Harvey and Eleanor Farr, Paul and Betty Farr, and Lawrence and Louise Farr; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Jeanette Orvis; his parents; and his stepmother, Pauline Farr Orvis.

Calling hours will be held at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the United Church of Lincoln. Interment will be in Maple Cemetery in Lincoln.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495, or the Lincoln Fire Department, Lincoln, VT 05443.

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Ella Smith


Feb. 12, 1924 — July 3, 2009.


A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Hall
in Bridport. Everyone who knew Ella is invited to come and share their memories with her family.

Please join us for coffee, desserts and stories.

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Joshua A Tatro

BURLINGTON — Joshua A Tatro, 71, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, at home peacefully with his loving daughters. He lost his battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 5, 1937, in Bristol, the daughter of George and Etta (Farr) Tatro.

He received his early education in Bristol and later attended Kansas State.

His relatives say he loved to play Texas hold ’em and spend time with his family and friends.

He is survived by two daughters, Deborah Bristol and Erin Jewell, both of Burlington; his special friend Barbara LeDuc of Burlington and her two grandchildren; two grandchildren; a great-grandson; two sisters, Marcella LaDeau and husband Neal of Enfield, Conn., and Joan Barrows and fiancé Bill LaDeau of Bristol; a brother, George Tatro of Burlington; a sister-in-law Jenny Tatro of Lincoln; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his brother, Frank Tatro.

Calling hours were held at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495-1460.

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