Obituaries

Obituaries 03/26/09

Jeanette Denis Vernon

NORMAN, Okla. — Jeanette Denis Vernon, 77, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Norman, Okla.

She was born in Sudbury, Vt., on March 6, 1932, the daughter of Alphonse and Albertha (Racine) Denis. She received her early education in local Sudbury schools and graduated from Brandon High School, class of 1949.

She received her teaching degree from Castleton College, class of 1953. Her first teaching assignment was at the Whiting Elementary School. She later moved to Burlington where she taught for several years.

She later moved to Virginia, where she taught the children of the active duty military personnel at Quantico Marine Base. She continued her teaching career in Okinawa, Japan, where she also taught for military personnel. She returned to Virginia and worked as an office manager at the Pentagon until her retirement in the 1990s. Following retirement, she and her husband moved to Norman, Okla.

She is survived by her husband James Vernon of Norman, whom she married in Georgia in 1985; three stepsons, Mark Vernon of Georgia, Dr. Handy Vernon of Tennessee and Charles Vernon of Romania; a sister, Marjorie Wilcox of Kessee Mills, Mo.; two brothers, Larry Denis of Whiting and Raymond Denis of Benson. Several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her.

The funeral service and burial will take place, in Norman, Okla.

William Frederick James “Rick” or “Bill” Snyder

LEICESTER — William Frederick James “Rick” or “Bill” Snyder, 64, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at his home on Lake Dunmore.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 1, 1944, the son of Herbert and Hermina (Dick) Snyder. He graduated from Ithaca High School, class of 1962. He received a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Cornell University, class of 1968.

In his early career he worked for Boeing in Huntsville, Ala. He later joined Computer Sciences Corporation in Paramus, N.J., and moved on to Composition Systems Inc. of Elmsford, N.Y. For the past 25 years he was a self-employed computer software engineer with Toys “R” Us as his primary client.

He and his wife retired to Lake Dunmore in 2007, where his family had summered since 1918. For 33 years prior to his retirement, he resided in Mahwah, N.J. According to his family, he was an avid Cornell University athletics fan who also loved swimming and sailing on Lake Dunmore. He served on the board of directors for the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, whom he married in Brandon on June 25, 1972; three daughters, Carrie Snyder of New York City, Robin Vlamis and her husband Giorgios of Morristown, N.J., and Margaret Sparrow and her husband Geoffrey of Raymond, Maine; a sister, Judith Lodder of Trumansburg, N.Y.; a brother, Randall Snyder of Hillsboro, N.H.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

He was predeceased by his siblings Jane Baumgartner, Sara Ostergren and Herbert Snyder.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, March 28, at 1 p.m. at the Leicester Meeting House on Route 7 in Leicester. Following the service there will be a reception for friends and relatives at the family home on Lake Dunmore.

Memorial gifts may be made in his memory to Cornell University at www.giving.cornell.edu; the Parkinson’s Unity Walk (for his friend Gene Coggshall) at www.unitywalk.org; the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733; or to the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association, P.O. Box 14, Salisbury, VT 05769.

John Martin Thomas Gale

POTTSTOWN, Penn./MIDDLE-BURY — John Martin Thomas Gale, 89, died quietly in his sleep March 23, 2009, at the Manatawny Manor Senior Living Community in Pottstown, Penn.

He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept. 27, 1919, the eldest son of Lloyd Blanchard Gale and Huldah May Thomas. He was the grandson of John Martin Thomas, president of Middlebury College from 1908 to 1921.

He briefly attended Middlebury College before leaving to serve in the U.S. Air Force in Africa for three years during World War II. He completed his degree in business administration and human relations from Cornell University, class of 1949, and was employed for most of his career with Scott Paper Company in the personnel department at company facilities in Wisconsin, Maine and Pennsylvania.

His family says he had a profound love of music, playing trombone in various dance bands in his early life. He was an avid golfer and gardener, and especially enjoyed the family’s annual vacation at the Delaware shore, a tradition his family continues to this day.

He was active in numerous volunteer and church organizations, including Kiwanis Club and the Aldersgate United Methodist choir in Wilmington, Del. He retired from Scott Paper to Middlebury, where he remained active as a volunteer at the Ilsley Library and Porter Hospital and with the choir and various committees at the Middlebury Congregational Church.

He is survived by his brothers, Presson Richardson “Dick” Gale and wife Joan of Trenton, N.J., and David Gale of Rutland; his children, Thomas and wife Nancy of Somerset, N.J., David of Wilmington, Del., Kenneth and wife Gail of Pottstown, Penn., Donald and wife Gabrielle of Gothenburg, Sweden, Elizabeth Kosinski and husband Jeffrey of Hockessin, Del., and Susan of Wilmington, Del.; and eight grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Van Nest Gale.

Plans are being made for a memorial service and private interment service in Middlebury.

03/19/09

Roger Kenna

CHEVY CHASE, Md./BRANDON, Vt. — Roger Kenna, 42, of Chevy Chase, Md., and Brandon, Vt., died March 4, 2009, in Fairfax, Va., due to complications following treatment for leukemia.

Roger Thomas Kenna III was born July 29, 1966, in New Haven, Conn., son of Roger Thomas Kenna Jr., and Constance (Nobbs) Kenna. He attended elementary schools in Brandon and secondary school in Middlebury, graduating with the class of 1984 from Middlebury Union High School.

He received the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 1985 from the United World College in Montezuma, N.M., the BA from Yale College in 1989, and the M. Phil. from Yale University in 1997. He joined the U.S. State Department in 1998 and served as a political officer in Washington, D.C.; Peshawar, Pakistan; Mbabane, Swaziland; and Cairo, Egypt. He received numerous awards for his work in Pakistan and Egypt.

He married Lisa Dougherty on Aug. 3, 1991. He is survived by Lisa and their two daughters, Amelia and Isabel. He is also survived by his mother, Constance Kenna; his brother, Caleb Kenna; and his mother-in-law, Marjorie Dougherty.

He was predeceased by his father in 1975.

Friends and family are invited to gather at Mt. Pleasant, 40 Old Farm Road, Brandon, Vt., at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, to celebrate Roger’s life.

Edward S. Tyl

RUTLAND — Edward S. Tyl, 83, formerly of Middlebury, died peacefully Sunday, March 15, 2009, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

He was born January 19, 1926, in West Rutland, the son of the late Edward M. and Wanda (Kasuba) Tyl.

He was a graduate of West Rutland High School.

Edward was the owner of the Middlebury Bowling Lanes. He was an avid basketball fan and enjoyed watching his grandson play basketball. He was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his stepsons, David Waag and his wife Cora of Shoreham and Dale Waag and his wife Sarah of Williston; his grandchildren, Kali and Justin Waag of Shoreham and Jeffery Waag of Jacksonville, Fla; his sister, Sophia M. Bride of North Clarendon; and his brother, Leonard Tyl of Uncasville, Conn.

Edward was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (Landahl) Tyl, who died on August 14, 1999, and his brother, Henry F. Tyl.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, March 18, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Middlebury, with the Rev. William Beaudin, celebrant.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, VT 05495.

Diane Mary St. Onge

VERGENNES — Diane Mary St. Onge, 52, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington.

She was born April 3, 1956, in Burlington, the daughter of Richard and Marion McNamara Porter.

She attended Charlotte Elementary School and Champlain Valley Union High and graduated in 1974. Her family says she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to loved ones. She loved fishing and spending time with her family, and she enjoyed hobbies such as gardening, drawing, ceramics and vacationing in Maine. She was an avid dog and cat lover.

She is survived by her husband Michael St. Onge, her son Joshua and her daughter Kimberly, all of Vergennes; her parents, Richard and Marion Porter of Charlotte; three sisters, Linda Porter McSweeney of Essex Junction, Carol Valyeau and husband Michael of Colchester, and Donna Williams and husband Paul of Milton; a brother, Richard Porter Jr. of Charlotte; a grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, 100 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Kenneth L. “Ozzie” Osborn

FERRISBURGH — Kenneth L. “Ozzie” Osborn, 63, of Ferrisburgh, husband of Linda (Martin), passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, March 15, 2009.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 27, 1945. He was the only son of the late Arthur and Mary (Laird) Osborn. He was born prematurely and grew to a man larger than life. He worked for Velan Valve for 23 years, until his health made it difficult for him to work and he was forced to retire. He loved his wife and his two girls. He especially loved spending time with his grandkids and dog Sammy. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bristol, Vermont. He was a key supporter of the church’s upgrade in handicapped accessibility.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda of Ferrisburgh; his mother-in-law, Clara Martin; two daughters, Karen-Lynn Osborn of Bristol and Laurie Ann Lynch of Middlebury; Laurie’s husband Christopher and their two children, his grandkids Mary and Peter; several brothers- and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held at Brown-McClay Funeral home at 4 South Street in Bristol on Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m.  A graveside ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery will occur immediately after the service. Calling hours for friends and family will be Friday, March 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Brown-McClay Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church in Bristol, in Ken’s name. Mail to the church in care of Flora Norris, 52 Mountain St., Bristol, VT 05443.

Gary R. Orvis

STARKSBORO — Gary R. Orvis, 62, died peacefully on March 15 at his home, surrounded by his family after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Feb. 23, 1947, in Middlebury, the son of Roger and Gladys (Culver) Orvis.

Gary was a lifelong resident of Starksboro. He attended Bristol High School, where he graduated in 1965. Gary joined the National Guards in 1966 and was a member of the 131st Engineer Company serving for two years.

Gary took great pleasure in working. He owned and operated his own business, G.R. Orvis Construction, for over 30 years. He held several other jobs over the course of his lifetime. He was most apt to be found in his garage, where there was very often a steady flow of friends and neighbors streaming in and out, many knowing that this was the place in town to bring something that needed to welded, mended, etc. He was always very determined that there was a way to fix or build just about anything and with just a few pieces of scrap metal and his persistence, imagination and extremely inventive mind, he usually proved his theory to be true. 

Gary was a very kindhearted, humble and sensitive man who had great appreciation and compassion for all living things no matter how big or small. His wonderful sense of humor was quite noteworthy. He was original with his practical jokes as well.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diane (Adams) Orvis; daughter, Lisa Orvis; two sons, Joshua Orvis and David Orvis and his wife Tracey; two grandchildren, Marah and Jebediah Orvis; mother, Gladys Orvis; sister, Suzanne Orvis; brother Greg and his wife Nancy Orvis and their children; his Aunt Marjorie; several brothers- and sisters-in law; nieces and nephews; and many, many cherished friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Roger Orvis, in 2002.

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at the Lincoln United Church on April 4 at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon at Burnham Hall in Lincoln (casual attire please). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the wonderful organization of Addison County Home Health and Hospice of Middlebury.

Judith Ann Danyow

VERGENNES — Judith Ann Danyow, 64, died Saturday, March 14, 2009, at her home in Vergennes.

She was born Sept. 10, 1944, in Burlington, the daughter of Charles and Eleanor Murray Crane.

She is survived by two children, Deena A. Brouillard of Bridport and Doug Dow and his wife Penny of Panton; three brothers, David Crane of Florida, Robert Crane of New York and William Crane of Shoreham; a sister, Connie Jackson of Shoreham; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Diane and Sandy.

There will be no funeral services.

03/12/09

Robert L. Fuller

GRANVILLE — Robert L. Fuller, 83, of Granville, died early Sunday morning, March 8, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury.

He was born October 20, 1925, in New Brunswick, N.J., the son of LeRoy M. and Adelaide (Kreiger) Fuller. He was raised in Highland Park, N.J., and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rider College in Trenton, N.J. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was married to Carol Jones on June 9, 1951, in Basking Ridge, N.J., where they lived until moving to Woodstock, Vt., in 1979 and to Granville in 1981. He was a certified public accountant and worked for Price Waterhouse and Johnson & Johnson.

He purchased Granville Manufacturing Company in 1980 and never retired. Family says he enjoyed traveling, golfing, deep sea fishing, cooking and fine cuisine, and was a voracious reader. He was an Eagle Scout and served as president of the Middlesex Boy Scouts Council.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Fuller of Granville; two sons, Jeffrey Fuller of Warren and Douglas Fuller of Granville; two daughters, Debbie Budd of Flemington, N.J., and Cindy Fuller of Granville; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be held Friday, June 5, at 11 a.m. at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Randolph Center, with Rev. Wayne Holsman officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com. Contributions in his memory may be made to Valley Sports Memorial Fund (VSMF), c/o White River Credit Union, 96 N. Main St., Rochester, VT 05767.

William W. Crossman

NEW CANAAN, Conn./WEST ADDISON, Vt. — William W. Crossman of New Canaan, Conn., and West Addison, Vt., passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside Saturday, February 28, 2009, following a brief illness. He was the son of Homer Danforth and Emily May (Whittard ).

He was a graduate of the University of Miami with a bachelor of science degree in engineering science and a master of business administration degree. He was a retired senior vice president of the cable wire and communications division of ITT Corporation. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the U.S. Air Force.

One of his favorite pastimes was boating on Lake Champlain and spending time with his family and friends at his cabin at Owl’s Head Harbor. In his younger days he enjoyed golf and hunting. In his later years a glass of wine and a good cigar on his cabin deck absorbing the beauty of the lake.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; three children, William Jr., Lindsay and Michael; four grandchildren, Jesse, Dylan and Brittney and Kelsey.

A memorial service will be held this summer in Addison County.

Memorial gifts in his name may be made to Lake Champlain Committee, 106 Main St., Suite 200 Burlington, VT 05401 or at www.lakechamplaincommittee.org.

Olive Colwell

EAST MIDDLEBURY — A memorial service for Olive Colwell, who died Jan. 6, 2009, at her home in East Middlebury, will be held on Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. The service will be held at Havurah House, located at 56 North Pleasant St. (Route 7) in Middlebury.

The service will be held in the manner of Friends (Quakers), with participants encouraged to speak out of the silence to share messages.

Child care will be provided. All who knew Olive are welcome to attend.

Hazel Chambers Beckwith

NEW HAVEN — Hazel Chambers Beckwith, 98, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the home of her care providers in Vergennes.

She was born in Tinmouth on May 2, 1910, the daughter of Charles and Carolyn (Ellis) Leonard. She received her early education in local Tinmouth schools and graduated from West Rutland High School, class of 1928. She afterwards attended the University of Vermont and received her degree in elementary school education, class of 1930.

Her first teaching assignment was at the Willmarth School in South Addison, where she taught for five years. She then was transferred to the two-room Addison Corner School, teaching grades five through eight for the next five years and later to the new Addison School in 1940. She taught as a teaching principal at the new Addison Central School from 1953 until 1966. She then returned to regular classroom teaching until her retirement in 1975.

Following her retirement she and her husband, Howard Beckwith — whom she married August 13, 1959, in Vergennes — spent winters in Florida and summers in Vermont. He died December 9, 1986. Over the years she helped organize two 4-H clubs and taught Sunday school at the Addison Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Grandview Grange, where she served as secretary for 10 years. She served on numerous committees for the local school districts where she worked. She belonged to the Vermont State Retired Teachers Association and was a member of the Vermont Educational Association.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda Moyer of Middletown Springs; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several close friends.

She was predeceased by her brother, Ernest Leonard, and her son-in-law, John Moyer.

A graveside committal service and burial will take place, at a later date, in the family lot at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven. There are no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in her memory, to the charity of one’s choice.

03/05/09

Bernadette (Bedette) Laberge Viens

SOUTH BURLINGTON — Bernadette (Bedette) Laberge Viens, 56, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 28, 2009, with her family and friends by her side. She was born July 24, 1952, and raised in Charlotte, the daughter of Reina Laberge and the late Leo Laberge. She married William Viens Feb. 14, 1976.

Bernadette was office manager for G. Stone Motors in Middlebury for more than 20 years. She loved to read and do crossword puzzles but family was her first priority, especially her daughter Jacqui. Most importantly, she was always there for anyone who needed her.

She is survived by her daughter, Jacquelyn, and her mother, Reina (Aube) Laberge, both of South Burlington; sisters Renette Procopio of Barre, Leona LaBerge of South Burlington, Geralyn (Lynne) Croto and her husband Tom of South Burlington, Viv LaBerge and her husband Timothy Abbott of Canaan, Conn., and Julie Lusignan and her husband Kevin of Milton.

She is also survived by her brothers, Leo LaBerge of Charlotte, Gerard LaBerge and his wife Beth of Cabot, Donald LaBerge and his wife Julie of Montgomery Center, and Marcel LaBerge of Burlington; and many special nieces, nephews and friends.

She was predeceased by her father, Leo Laberge, in 1985 and her beloved brother, Roland, in 1991. Special thanks to the team of the ICU at Fletcher Allen Healthcare, especially Carol and Jackie, and Dr. Darryl Arnold, organ procurement coordinator, transplant department.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests, because of her special love of children, donations be made in her memory to the Fletcher Allen Children’s Hospital, Stern Center for Language and Learning, 135 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495, or the American Heart Association Vermont Affiliate, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Wednesday, March 4, in St. John Vianney Church in South Burlington.  Burial will be held later at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences to the family please visit www.readyfuneral.com.

Linda Sherman

MONKTON — Linda Sherman of Monkton passed away suddenly on Feb. 26, 2009. Born Sept. 16, 1936, in Punxsutawney, Penn., the daughter of the late Alexander and Virginia Shema, she is survived by her husband of 51 years, Paul Sherman; a daughter, Deborah Sherman of Monkton; a son, Eric Sherman of Granville, N.Y.; her sister-in-law, Rosellen Potter of Acworth, Ga.; nieces and nephews Vic and Tory Werne, Karen Potter and Kip Potter; as well as her longtime friends in New York and Georgia. She was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Kenneth Potter.

Linda graduated from Granville (N.Y.) High School in 1954 and attended Keuka College in New York state for two years, participating in a work-study program in London, England, during the summer of 1955, with side trips to several European countries. She married Paul Sherman in 1958 and settled in Hudson Falls, N.Y.

A mom and a homemaker, she was also an antique dealer and collector and was well known for her expertise in early American glassware. She continued with this interest after moving to Canton, Ga., in 1990. She and Paul loved attending flea markets, county fairs, historical sites and outdoor events throughout the northern and southern states.

She and Paul moved to Vermont in 2002, where she more recently enjoyed annual outings to the Vermont Mozart Festival. Linda loved animals and they loved her. A dog owner for much of her life, she also enjoyed visiting the animals at the county fairs and was a member and frequent visitor of Zoo Atlanta. Another of Linda’s favorite pastimes was baking, and she is famous among friends and family for the hundreds of dozens of cookies she has bestowed upon them throughout the years. She also enjoyed entering her baked beans and baked goods at the Addison County Fair & Field Days.

Linda’s playful spirit was well apparent in her love for decorating her home for every holiday, special occasions or any occasion at all. Linda will be remembered for her spunky spirit, good humor and wit even through decades of living with the many complications of diabetes. Memories of her generous nature and beautiful smile will be in the hearts of many.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. and a memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. at Sanderson Funeral Home at 117 South Main St. in Middlebury. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

Alice “Gail” Reed

BRANDON — Alice “Gail” Reed, 73, died Monday evening, March 2, 2009, at her home in Brandon.

She was born in Flushing, N.Y., on Sept. 30, 1935, the daughter of Dr. Arthur J. and Alice (Slater) Dick.

She received her early education in Flushing, N.Y., schools and graduated from Brandon High School in 1953, after moving to Vermont in her senior year. She continued her education at the University of Vermont where she was an active member of Tri Delta Sorority. Dance, encouraged by her mother, was a passion of her youth and she made her debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of three.

On June 16, 1956, she married Donald Smith Reed in Brandon. His naval career took them to Rhode Island, New York and California and finally back to Brandon, where they made their home. He died June 13, 1991.

She worked as a medical billing clerk for her father, Dr. Arthur Dick and her brother, Dr. John Dick. She spent many years as a card designer for Crockett Card Company and as a local artisan. She also worked in the local schools as a substitute art teacher and volunteer.

She was an enthusiastic member of her community, being active in the garden club, Monday Club, Brandon Historical Society and in many volunteer organizations. Her family says she enjoyed the arts, her garden, reading, sailing and spending as much time as possible on her beloved Lake Dunmore. But most of all, she enjoyed her family and friends.

She is survived by her son, Donald M. Reed and his wife Sue of Jeffersonville; her daughters, Alison Palmer of Brandon, Elizabeth Terwilliger of Biddeford, Maine, and Margaret G. Reimers and her husband Gary of San Francisco, Calif.; her brothers, John Dick and his wife Kathy of Salisbury and William “Bill” Dick and his wife Kathie of Brandon; six grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to share in a celebration of her life to be held Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at the Brandon Inn in Brandon, followed by continued fellowship and remembrance until 4 p.m.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made, in her memory, to the Brandon Free Public Library, 2 Franklin Street, Brandon, VT 05733, or the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733.

Jane Coburn McEvilla

AMITYVILLE, N.Y./VERG-ENNES — Jane Coburn McEvilla passed away peacefully at her home in Vergennes on Feb. 26, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Amityville, N.Y., on Dec. 26, 1942. She attended St. Martin of Tours School and Park Avenue schools. She graduated from Queen of the Rosary High School in 1961. She was a member of the Amityville High School summer band and an adopted member of the Amityville High School sorority, Delta Phi Sigma.

Jane worked for many years for IBM, retiring in 1993. She was a member of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church of Vergennes and the American Legion Post 14 Auxiliary. She was founding member of the local Red Hat Society chapter, “The Lollipops.” Jane enjoyed sharing her creativity through her painted glassware.

She is survived by her husband James McEvilla of Vergennes; her siblings, Roe Coburn of Frankfurt, Germany, Tom Coburn and his wife Jackie of Shelburne, and Carol Coburn of Santa Barbara, Calif.; her daughters, Dianne Zirk and fiancé Dave Quattrocci of Ferrisburgh, Tricia LaFountain of Vergennes, and Tara Burgess and her husband Lukas of Bristol; her stepchildren, Gary McEvilla of Florida, Janthoni Chase and her husband Craig of Vergennes, Jodi Barrows and her husband Steve of Moriah, N.Y., Jayne Airoldi and her husband Dan of Essex, and Greg McEvilla and his wife Amy of Port Henry, N.Y.

The children who knew her as Grammie Jane will miss her. They are: Heather, Sara, Matthew, Daniel, Josh, Luke, Elisabeth, Betsey, Lynsey, Amy, Christopher, John, James, Elizabeth, Amanda, Nathan, Justin, Emily, Miles and Nora.  She also is survived by six great-grandchildren.

Her family and friends will truly miss her fun-loving personality and her unique gift of finding joy in all she did. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 or 388-7259.

Wayne H. Heywood

ST. JOHNSBURY — Wayne H. Heywood, 79, of St. Johnsbury, died Tuesday morning, March 3, 2009, at home with his family by his side.

He was born April 5, 1929, in Woodsville, N.H., the son of Samuel W. and Ila R. (Joslin) Heywood. In 1947 he graduated from Woodsville High School.

Wayne then joined the U.S. Air Force, serving his country until 1950. On July 1, 1951, he married Della Nelson. They moved to St. Johnsbury, where he worked for the St. J & L.C. Railroad for 11 years. He then worked 22 years for the CP Railroad as a brakeman and clerk. Following his retirement from the railroad he worked for E.H.V. Weidmann in St. Johnsbury for 10 years.

He was a life member of the VFW Post 793 of St. Johnsbury. Family says he loved golfing and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping with his family, walking, playing cards, feeding and watching birds and other wildlife, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by two sons and their wives, Kerry and Terri Heywood of Warwick, R.I., and Myron and Jeannie Heywood of St. Johnsbury; a daughter, Linda Brown and husband Richard of Orwell; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Ora Pike and her husband Merton of Stowe; a sister-in-law, Hazel Joslin of Pike, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Della Heywood, on Jan. 17, 2004; a brother, Bernard Joslin; and a sister, Edna Blood, on Feb. 2, 2009.

Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Donations made in his memory may be directed to Northeast Kingdom Audubon Society, 1302 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Ralph Coleman Hatstat

BRISTOL — Ralph Coleman Hatstat, 75, formerly of New Haven, died Monday, March 2, 2009, at his home in Bristol.

He was born June 5, 1933, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Ralph C. and Hazel E. (Bond) Hatstat Sr.

He attended elementary schools in Hubbardston and Jefferson, Mass., and Holden High School in Holden, Mass. He attended the University of Maine at Orono.

He married Mary Lu Page on Feb. 21, 1953.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was employed at Morgan Construction and Arnold Greene in Massachusetts and after moving to Vermont was employed at Simmonds Precision, Drake Smith, Shea Motors and the Vermont Fish and Game Department, and was a lieutenant with the Addison County Sheriff’s Department.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lu (Page) Hatstat of Bristol; four daughters, Susan Mackin of Colchester, Nancy LaPierre of Chicopee, Mass., Sally May and husband David of Jeffersonville, and Rebecca Gibbs and husband Kevin of Bristol; and six grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, followed by a reception at New Haven Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Green Mountain Club, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury, VT 05677.

Barbara Evans Handte

RENO, Nev./VERGENNES — Barbara Evans Handte, 77, of Reno, Nev., and formerly of Vergennes, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at her home in Reno after a short illness. She was born July 29, 1931, in Bellows Falls, the daughter of George and Dorothy Evans. She graduated from Vergennes High School and the DeGoesbriand School of Nursing where she received her RN nursing degree. Barbara worked in Brooklyn, N.Y., at Fort Hamilton Veterans Hospital.

She married John Handte of Brooklyn in 1958. They moved back to Vermont and Barbara worked as a critical care nurse at the Mary Fletcher Hospital until moving to Reno in 1974. She was a critical care nurse at Washoe Medical Center and Northern Nevada Medical Center until her retirement.

Barbara is survived by her loving sister, Joan Quesnel of Vergennes; her nieces, Stacy Paquin and her children Ryan and Kaelin of Panton, and Sasha Bradford and her children, Dustin, Dylan and Kyra of Vergennes; an aunt, Dorothy Bodette of Vergennes; special friends, Pat and Gerry Wager of Addison; several cousins in Reno and Vergennes; and a son and granddaughter.

She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, John.

Barb loved skiing, was an avid reader and enjoyed working in her yard, as she landscaped it all herself.

A memorial service for Barb will be held in May in Vergennes.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Addison County Home Health, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753, or a book in her memory may be donated to the Bixby Library in Vergennes.

Donald Francis Xavier Frey

BRISTOL/BAREFOOT BAY, Fla. — Donald Francis Xavier Frey, 82, of Bristol and Barefoot Bay, Fla., died Friday, Feb 27, 2009.

He was born on July 22, 1926, in New Orleans, La., the son of Edna Rose (Reilly) and August W. Frey.

He attended middle school in St. Louis, Mo., and Chaminade High School in Long Island, N.Y. He graduated with a business degree from Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y. He spent two years in the U.S. Navy.

In 1952 he married Dorothy Ann Johnson.

He spent many years as a Woolworth’s store manager in New Jersey and in 1976 moved his family to Bristol, where he owned and operated the Ben Franklin store. Family says he loved everything about Vermont but after the loss of his wife Dorothy in 1997 and Vermont’s long winters, decided to live in Florida during the winter to enjoy the warmth and social life with his friends and siblings.

He is survived by four sons, Michael and wife Grace of Cedar Grove, N.J., Timothy and wife Maryann of Clifton, N.J., Dennis and wife Liz of Durham, N.C., and Andrew and wife Karen of Farmington Hills, Mich.; two daughters, Mary Jeanne Livingston and husband Stan of Bristol, and Kathleen Clark and husband Martin of Monkton; and 15 grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Mary Catherine Meehan and brothers Thomas and Robert Frey of Florida, and brother Joseph Frey of Long Island, N.Y.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Jack and Richard Frey, and two sisters, Rose Edna Frey and Eileen Heffernan.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, March 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Mary Jeanne Livingston at 1531 Hardscrabble Rd. in Bristol. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice.

Paul S. Eriksson

SALISBURY — Paul S. Eriksson, publisher, editor, author, raconteur, bird naturalist and Frisbee pioneer, died on Dec. 4, 2008, in Rutland Regional Medical Center. He was 92. The cause was pneumonia and attending complications.

He was born in East Templeton, Mass., the youngest of five children of Swedish parents from Finland and their only child born stateside. His father, Evert Viktor Eriksson, became widowed when Paul was two and raised the children singly in Gardner and Worcester, Mass., while conducting a busy contracting and architecting concern.

At age 10, Paul was given a pair of pigeons. He trained them to race, and bred them. They were the first of many homing pigeons he raced before going away to college and they awakened a lifelong passion for birds and bird life.

Following his days of Worcester North High basketball excellence and making lifelong friends, and after a struggle for funds, Paul entered Middlebury College in 1936. He majored in English and continued to star at basketball, was clerk, then manager, of the college bookstore for three years, joined Delta Upsilon and was chosen by Waubanakee.

When in the summer of 1938 he and three other members drove to a DU convention in Nebraska, they found a Frisbie Company pie tin in a field and tossed it around, starting the game they took back to Middlebury. “Frisbie,” later marketed as “Frisbee,” as we know it today, spread fast to fraternities and to other colleges. A statue commemorating the game’s genesis (by Patrick Villiers Farrow, commissioned in 1989) stands today some steps south of Middlebury’s Munroe Hall.

After graduation, Paul worked a year in New York at the Macmillan Company as a college traveler, then left to be married to Peggy Woods ’42, by Middlebury College president Paul D. Moody in the college chapel; she would be the first matriculated student granted a degree from the college as a married woman. During her senior year, they lived off campus. Paul did graduate studies, and publicity work for the Middlebury Register. When World War II broke out Paul joined the Army where he taught in the pigeon section of the Signal Corps, took Scandinavian studies and radio theory at Grinnell College, Iowa, and did code work in Texas, New Guinea, and the Philippines. He arrived in Japan the day the peace treaty was signed.

In New York after the war Paul was an editor at the John Day Company and worked alongside Richard Walsh and his wife Pearl S. Buck (author of “The Good Earth”); then he became publicity director at G.P. Putnam and Sons. In the late fifties, he published his first few books under the imprint Eriksson-Taplinger, predecessor of Paul S. Eriksson, Inc. (later, Paul S. Eriksson). Among them were “Give Us the Tools,” by Henry Viscardi Jr., with an introduction by Eleanor Roosevelt, and “Little Arthur’s Guide to Humbug,” by C.E. Vulliamy, with an introduction by C. Northcote Parkinson. It was the start of five decades of independent publishing — a perfect career for Paul, sleuthing for good books (human interest, social conscience, fine fiction, birds) with sociable business luncheons (he’d say, “martini luncheons”) and all the plan-making he loved for producing a book.

Some of Paul’s publishing reflected his interest in bird life, with several titles, including his own “Bird Finder’s 3-Year Notebook” and “A Treasury of Birdlore,” edited by Joseph Wood Krutch and himself, called by Audubon Magazine “one of the most readable anthologies on natural history ever published.” Other titles are “Flight of the Storm Petrel,” by R.M. Lockley; “The Hunt for the Whooping Cranes,” by J.J. McCoy; “Keep Your Pigeons Flying,” by Leon F. Whitney; and “An Eagle Named Bart,” by William R. Vasquez. Always behind these books was a man as committed to, as he was excited about, their subjects. Lincoln resident Alan Pistorius, coeditor with Eriksson of “A Treasury of North American Birdlore,” writes: “Paul’s fondness for birds, starting with a boyhood hobby raising and flying pigeons, never faltered. Wherever he and Peggy traveled, often, ostensibly at least on publishing business, he always found time to grab the binoculars and head out to the nearby coastal marsh or mountain meadow or urban park to sample the avifauna. Just months before his death, Paul was still enjoying ‘drive-arounds’ with birder friends, searching Dead Creek and Champlain Valley back roads for birds common and rare, while stories of birding coups of long ago circulated around the car.”

In addition to books about bird life the company published a number of other subjects: “A Thousand Springs,” by Anna Chennault, with introduction by Lin Yutang; “Three Alexander Calders,” by Margaret Calder Hayes, with an introduction by Malcolm Cowley; a highly praised novel by Richard Hawley, “The Headmaster’s Papers”; “Steinbeck and Covici: A Friendship,” by Thomas Fensch; “Beloved Island: Franklin and Eleanor and the Legacy of Campobello,” by Jonas Klein, with an introduction by Hon. George Mitchell; “John Ransom’s Andersonville Diary,” with an introduction by Bruce Catton; “Christine Jorgensen: A Personal Autobiography”; “Book Banning in America,” by William Noble; “Addison County Justice,” by Peter Langrock, with an introduction by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy; “It’s a Pig World Out There!” by Phyllis Demong; “Gil Hodges: The Quiet Man,” by Marino Amoruso, with an introduction by Pee Wee Reese; and “The Revenge of the Fish God: Angling Adventures Around the World,” by Carl von Essen, M.D.

In 1976, the company moved from New York to an office in the Battell Building in the town of Middlebury. The family’s house on Lake Dunmore became a full-time home with a small office for the publishing business. Paul leaves his wife Peggy, their daughter Kristin Mitchell, daughter Gretchen Margetson and her husband Neil, and son Stephen and his wife Donna Noble. He leaves two granddaughters, Erika Mitchell and Arlen Margetson.

Time and place for a memorial gathering will be announced in the spring.

Harold Francis Carey

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Harold Francis Carey, 91, of Newtown, Conn., died peacefully at home on Feb. 26. He was born September 25, 1917, the son of Wilbur Watson Carey and Bridget (Hughes) Carey.

He attended Danbury Teacher’s College (now Western Connecticut State College) where he met Ann, his wife of 66 years, and left to serve in the Army during World War II. After the war, he sold textbooks in the state of Washington before returning to Connecticut and opening the Carey Insurance Agency, which he ran until his retirement.

Family says he believed in living life to the fullest and shared his great love of nature through photographs, painting and stories. When his children were young, he took the family camping in New England and New York. In 1963 the family camped around the country, visiting national parks and traveling 10,000 miles in the car. In later years, he traveled to Italy, France, Canada and Ecuador. Until he was 75, he hiked in Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Greece. According to family, he was equally comfortable skiing a mountain, sailing a lake, reading a book or eating good food, and the biggest joy in his life was spending time with his wife, Ann.

Harry is survived by Ann (Titsworth) Carey; his children, Sas Carey of Middlebury, Jason Carey and wife Carolyn of Cornwall, Julia Carey Petro of Briarcliff, N.Y., Joan Elizabeth Carey and her husband Andrew Baron II of La Plume, Penn., and Thomas David Carey and his wife Patricia Honan Carey of Westport, Conn.; and his sister, Marian Marinelli of Ridgefield, Conn. He leaves 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Carey Favreau, and his brother, Arthur Carey.

A celebration of his life was held in Newtown, Conn., on Feb. 28, with his grandson Peter Carey and granddaughter Sara Baron officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.