Obituaries

Fernand Bolduc

VERGENNES — Fernand “Fred” Bolduc, 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at Alden Place Residential Care in Vergennes.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Saturday, Oct. 31, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes, with interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery. There were no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 11, Vergennes, VT 05491, or Alden Place Residential Care, 1 Alden Place, Vergennes, VT 05491.

He was born Dec. 10, 1918, in Montreal, Canada, the son of Evariste and Clementine (LaBelle) Bolduc.

Kenneth Phillips

MORETOWN, Vt./BEND, Ore. — Kenneth Elwin Phillips, 84, died peacefully at Partners in Care, Hospice House on Oct. 1, 2009, following a short illness with brain cancer.

He was born in Moretown Aug. 9, 1925, son of Clyde G. and Susannah (Corliss) Phillips. On Aug. 5, 1989, he married Virginia Heft.

A special remembrance service will be held Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the Waterbury American Legion at 16 Stowe St. Prior to the remembrance service, a short burial service will be conducted with military honors at 10 a.m. at the South Duxbury Cemetery.

Obituaries 10/29/09

Jean Barnard

NEW HAVEN — Jean Barnard, 90, of New Haven passed away peacefully on Oct. 25 at the Fletcher Allen Medical Center following an accident sustained on Oct. 17.

Jean was born on Oct. 29, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the oldest of four daughters of Flora Mae (Weaver) and Willard Clarke Ackerly. Her father built a family cabin on Lake Hortonia in Hubbardton in the 1920s, and thus began the gradual migration of her family to Vermont.
She received her nursing education at the Brooklyn Hospital School of Nursing, and proudly served her country as a lieutenant in the Army Nursing Corps during WWII.

Jean married William H. Barnard in 1944, and raised six children. During her earlier years, Jean and Bill lived in New Jersey and Long Island, then moved to Shoreham in 1960. There they lived for 20 years until moving in 2000 to New Haven.

She was a talented artist, specializing in oil paintings, and a maker of hand-braided rugs.

After losing her 6-year old son in an accident, Jean began her ministry of compassion to others who have lost a child. She authored a pamphlet entitled “Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me.” It was published and reprinted into 2 million copies, giving hope to grieving parents, many of whom she continued to correspond with for years.

Jean was also a musician, playing piano and organ. She had a passion for missionary work both at home and abroad, and fulfilled it by shopping with coupons to help fill the local food shelf and gathering Christmas gift boxes for children through the Samaritan’s Purse program. Jean also co-produced an inspirational radio program with her husband called “Sunday Afternoon with You.” It was broadcast for 14 years, including reaching the 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War.

She was a member of the DAR and NAMI.

Jean and Bill were a model of devotion to all who observed them. Besides her husband of 65 years, she leaves two sisters: Merle Wolfe of Burlingame, Calif., and Claire Sebald of San Carlos, Calif.; five children, William Barnard and his wife Susan of Northfield, Cheryl Weseman and her husband Wayne of Orwell, Brenda Adams of Conover, N.C., James Barnard of Bristol, and Nancy Craig and her husband Dave, of Millersville, Pa. She also leaves 10 grandchildren, Craig and Ethan Barnard, Katherine McManners, Matthew Eisenhower, Rebecca Leach, Brendyl Smith, Sam Adams, and David, Sean and Brian Craig; as well as seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Jean was predeceased by her sister, Elaine Ackerly, and her son, Craig Willard Barnard.
Visiting hours are on Friday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes, and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. at the United Reformed Church, 1660 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7), New Haven. Interment will be at a later date, at the family cemetery in Clifton, N.J.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Champlain Valley Christian School, 2 Church St., Vergennes, VT 05491, or the Salvation Army, PO Box 218, Rutland, VT 05702.

George Beck

BRANDON — George Charles Beck, 90, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Rochester on Jan. 27, 1919. He was the son of John and Stella (Morgan) Beck. He received his early education in local Rochester schools and attended Rutland High School.

In his earlier years he worked as an orchardist for his stepfather Ralph Wiggin’s orchard in Shoreham. He later worked as a tree surgeon for Bartlett Tree Expert Company in Massachusetts for several years.

He entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a motor machinist’s mate aboard PT boats in the Mediterranean Sea. Following his honorable discharge in 1946 he returned to Brandon and work for the Grange Silo Co. until his recall to active duty during the Korean War.

Following his second discharge he returned home and began a career as a pneumatic driller and high explosives blaster. He worked as a blaster for several construction companies building highways and other various projects. He later worked as a blaster for Rowe Construction Company, opening many quarries around the state for Vermont Marble Company.

He was a member of the Brandon American Legion Post 55 and recently received a 60-year plaque recognizing his many years of service. His family says he enjoyed fishing and hunting and was an avid card player.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Beck of Brandon, whom he married July 8, 1940, at St. Mary’s Church in Brandon; a son, Wayne C. Beck of Northville, N.Y.; a daughter, Maean O’Keefe of West Rutland; two brothers, Charles Wiggin of St. Johnsbury Center and Wallace Wiggin of Chicopee, Mass.; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by five brothers, John Beck, Edward Wiggin, Frederick Wiggin, Ralph Wiggin and Stanley Wiggin; and two sisters, Virginia Hyland and Ardele Blood.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 28, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brandon. The Rev. Albert “Skip” Baltz, pastor, was the celebrant. The graveside committal service and burial, with military honors, followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733, or to the Brandon American Legion Post 55, Building Fund, PO Box 25, Brandon, VT 05733.

Harold Butler

BRISTOL — Harold J. Butler, 88, died Saturday evening, Oct. 24, 2009, at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington.

He was born Aug. 13, 1921, in Starksboro, the son of the late William and Edith (Emerson) Butler.

Harold served three years in the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He began farming after the service and farmed for 63 years in Bristol.

He married Avis Warren Feb. 20, 1949, in Bristol; they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Harold’s passion was elk hunting in western Montana with his family. He enjoyed ice fishing, snowmobiling and being on Lake Dunmore at their camp. He was active in maple sugaring and running his sawmill. His family enjoyed gathering on Monkton Pond and Little Ireland.
Survivors include his wife Avis of Bristol; his children, Jerry Butler and his wife Bernadine of Bristol, Larry Butler and his wife Lee Ann of New Haven, Janet Piper and her husband Dennis of Bridport, Judy Stegner and her husband Michael of Happy Valley, Ore., and Jayne Marsh and her husband Robert of Cumberland, Maine; his grandchildren, Alexis Lathrop of Bristol, Calihan Butler of Bristol, Jeromy Piper of Bridport, Melinda Piper of North Clarendon, Crissandra Jarrett of Fowlerville, Mich., Brian Stegner of Milwaukie, Ore., Darren Stegner of Snowqualmie, Wash., Jason Stegner of Gresham, Ore., Tera Stegner of Corvallis, Ore, Travis Marsh of Portland, Maine, and Austin Marsh, of Jamaica Plain, Mass.; his six great-grandchildren; his sister, Bertha Sherman; brothers Arthur and Ralph Butler; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother Lawrence, who died 10 hours earlier, and his sister Dorothy Lafountain.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home located at 117 South Main St. in Middlebury. The Rev Stephen Payne will officiate.

A reception will follow the service at the home of Jerry and Bernadine in Bristol.

Donations may be made to the Vermont Veteran’s Home, 325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Homes, www.sandersonfuneralservice.com

Lawrence Butler

MIDDLEBURY — Lawrence Edward Butler, 84, of Middlebury passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, with his children by his side.

He was born on May 30, 1925, in Rocky Ford, Colo., son of William and Edith (Emerson) Butler. He was the devoted husband of the late Ruth Mary Pierce, also of Middlebury. They were married for 56 years and he always called her “his bride.”

They vacationed every winter for 17 years in Hilo, Hawaii, spending their days golfing and socializing with their friends Cathy and Don. Lawrence was one of the founding members of the Otter Valley Bowmen and the Moonlight Riders, a snowmobile club.

His farm was his home for 83 years and he dearly loved to reminisce about his experiences growing up on the farm. His family and hunting meant everything to him. He enjoyed hunting in the woods of Vermont, Wyoming, Ontario and Maine for whitetail deer, elk, antelope, black bear and moose.

He was known by family and friends as the Spike Horn King of Munger Street. He enjoyed fishing at his family’s camp on Monkton Pond. You could always find Lawrence watching his sons’ and grandsons’ softball games with his good friend and hunting buddy, Dave Peck. His home and Roosterville were treated as a place where people gathered for a good time, good food, and to enjoy the company of good friends.

He is survived by his two brothers, Arthur and Ralph; a sister Bertha (George) Sherman; a sister-in-law, Avis Butler; five children, Stephen (Cathryn) Butler, JoAnn (Jeep) Madison, Douglas (Deborah) Butler, Earl Butler (Carol Bogren) and Timothy (Brenda) Butler; 10 grandchildren, Matt, Greg, Morgan, Casey, Nick, Devin, Erin, Caitlin, Darcie and Will; and two great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Marek.

He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Lafountain. His brother Harold also passed away on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009.

Services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. at the Middlebury United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jill Robinson officiated. Memorial contributions in Lawrence’s memory may be made to Addison Home Health and Hospice at PO Box 754, Middlebury VT 05753.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Homes, www.sandersonfuneralservice.com

We miss you, Dad. With love, your children.

Gerald Kandzior

LINCOLN — Gerald F. Kandzior, 65, of Lincoln died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury.

He was born June 1, 1944, the son of Henry and Frances Abair Kandzior.

He was a member of American Legion Post 19 in Bristol and the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department. His family says he enjoyed being a CB radio operator; his handle was “Moonshiner.” He also enjoyed tractor pulls and lawn sales. He worked on the family farm for many years.

He is survived by his daughter, Mandy Boisjoli and husband David and their two children of Williston; his siblings, Beverly Ross, Reginald Kandzior, Theresa and Harold Charbonneau, Henry and Diane Kandzior, Karon and Richard Ethier, Florence and John Jerdo, Loren and Debbie Kandzior, and Sheryl and Carl LaVigne; many special nieces and nephews; a very close friend Cheryl Ballard; and many other friends.

A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 26, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes, with interment in Prospect Cemetery in Vergennes. There were no public calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 12 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495, or Bristol Rescue Squad, PO Box 227, Bristol, VT 05443.

Leonard Kimball

BRISTOL — Leonard C. Kimball, 74, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at his home in Bristol.

He was born July 16, 1935, in Middlebury, the son of Harold and Evelyn Gordon Kimball.

He was a member of American Legion Post 19 in Bristol and a past member of the Eagles. He served in U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

He is survived by a daughter, Roxiann and Randy Hallock of Bristol; two grandchildren; a brother, Allen Kimball of Lincoln; sisters-in-law Rita Kimball of Bristol and Glenna Emmons of Bristol; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Richard, Robert and Edwin.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753, or the Addison County Food Shelf, St. Ambrose Parish Hall, 11 School St., Bristol, VT 05443.

Dino Masotti

WHITING — Dino Masotti, 61, of Whiting died peacefully at Vermont Respite House on Oct. 23, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Claire Seminario of Whiting and his sister, Manuela Masotti of Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy. Both were with him when he died.

Burial arrangements are private.

Memorial gifts may be made to Vermont Respite House in Williston or to Hope Lodge in Burlington.

Gunvor Oxley

NAPLES, Fla. — Gunvor Dorothea Vik “Vikki” Oxley, 91, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Middlebury, died en route to the hospital on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009.

She was born Sept. 19, 1918, in Stavanger, Norway. She came to America at the age of nine.

Her family says she was a woman of a creative turn of mind, with a flare for interior design and a love of flower arrangement. She was a member of the Middlebury Garden Club many years ago. Relatives say she will be remembered for her astounding beauty, her gaiety and charm, her love of music and her financial acuity.

She is survived by her children, Carol Reed, Laureen Oxley Carson, John Richard Oxley, Richard Rasmus Oxley and Joy Dorothea Oxley; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her sister Aggi Vik Noon and by her husband, the one true love of her life, former Middlebury Union High School and Middlebury College music teacher and musician, Richard Oxley.

Friends may call at Sanderson’s Funeral Home at 117 South Main St. in Middlebury from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2009. A service will follow at 11 a.m. The burial will directly follow at the Middlebury Cemetery across from the Center for the Arts.

Obituaries 10/22/09

Lena DeLage

MIDDLEBURY — Lena E. (Lapierre) DeLage, 101, died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury. She took her last gentle breath in the presence of her physician Dr. Diana Barnard, her niece Janet McKinnon, and Ron McKinnon.

Lena was born in Central Falls, R.I., Feb. 16, 1908, the daughter of George and Delia (Brousseau) Lapierre.

In her youth, she attended the Convent of Jesus Marie School in Woonsocket, R.I., and the Garden Street School in Pawtucket, R.I. At age 16 she became employed in the textile industry as a “warper.” She retired from the Valley Warping Co., Valley Falls, R.I., after a very long career. Later in life she would often say, “I loved my work so much. You know, I still dream about searching for and fixing the broken fiber ends of the warp.”

Lena married William N. DeLage on June 28, 1963, in Wrentham, Mass. They resided in Pawtucket throughout their marriage. Bill predeceased her on Aug. 23, 1974.

In her 80th year Lena moved to Middlebury to the home of her sister Cecile’s daughter, Janet McKinnon, where she lived for 22 years until recently when she suffered a serious fall and was hospitalized at Porter.

While she was able, she loved to go to the Russ Sholes Senior Center. She was a member of the Wednesday gathering of the Sew-Sew Girls. There she was able to continue practicing her lifelong skills of sewing, crocheting, embroidering and knitting. She loved making baby quilts, which were big sellers at the center. Since those days, she kept in contact with Edna Holzschuh and Lois Thorpe, who were among the many Sew-Sew Girls who became her friends.

Lena loved word games — especially crossword puzzles and Wheel of Fortune. She was an ace at cribbage as well, earning the name of “Lucky Lena” from her grandnephew Roy McKinnon. She also had a special affection for the three household Scottish terriers — Angus, Brindle and Kyle, all of whom were affectionately nicknamed “My Patooties.”

Although Lena never had children, and all of her siblings passed away long ago, she is survived by many nieces and nephews. She especially enjoyed visits from her nieces Alice Corcoran, Dorothy Lubera and Claire Gerrard. Many local folks who have befriended her have all come to call her affectionately “Aunt Lena.”

Lena will be interred at a later date where her late husband rests at the Notre Dame Cemetery in Pawtucket, R.I.

Contributions in memory of Lena may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice Inc., PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Donna Gaboriault

BRIDPORT — Donna M. Gaboriault, 45, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at her home in Bridport.

She was born May 28, 1964, in Middlebury, the daughter of Clement and Joyce Sunderland Gaboriault.

She was a member of Town Line First Response. She worked as a mail carrier for U.S. Postal Service in Bridport, Shoreham and Orwell for 10 years and she worked with her father for many years. She was a member of St. Bernadette Church in Bridport.

Donna is survived by her son Michael C. Gaboriault; her parents, Clement and Joyce Gaboriault; her sisters, Mary Jane and Dan Ingram and their children Bryan and Sarah (Blondie) Andrews, Brenda and Paul White and their children Kyle, Courtney and Adam; a brother, Paul L. and Lisa Gaboriault and their daughter Kaitlyn; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury. Interment will be in Bridport Central Cemetery. Friends may call at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Town Line First Response, Addison, VT 05491, or American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495-1460.

Iola Griffin

SUDBURY/HONEA PATH, S.C. — Iola Frances Griffin, 85, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, in Anderson, S.C.

She was born in Shoreham on April 19, 1924. She was the daughter of Dayton and Cecil (Guyette) Dumas.

She married Richard Henry Griffin on June 25, 1944, in Orwell.

She received her early education in Shoreham and Orwell schools and attended Brandon High School. In her earlier years she worked at the Shoreham Apple Co-Op. She worked many years at Standard Register in Middlebury, retiring in 1988.

Her family says she was an avid CB operator. Her handle was “The Mule Skinner.” She enjoyed cooking, sewing and camping.

She resided in Honea Path, S.C., since retiring in 1988.

Surviving is her son Michael Griffin of Sudbury; two daughters, Jane Griffin and Mary Anne Roberts both of Honea Path, S.C.; a brother, Arnold Dumas of Randolph; two sisters, Nancy Forguites of Burlington and Barbara Townsend of Randolph; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard Henry Griffin, on July 6, 1994, and a grandson, Richard “Rick” Griffin, on Nov. 2, 2007.

The graveside committal service and burial will take place on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the family lot in Pine Hill Cemetery. Family and friends will share in the service.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733.

Peter Holm

CORNWALL — Dr. Peter J. Holm died peacefully on Oct. 14, 2009, at his home in Cornwall after a brief illness.

He was born in Cadillac, Mich., on Sept. 16, 1941, the son of Dr. Benton and Miriam (Lorimer) Holm.

He attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., and then entered the medical school at the University of Iowa. He completed his surgical internship at the University of Vermont, after which he was drafted into the U.S Army, where he served a year as a battalion surgeon in Vietnam and a year as an army doctor at the Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland.

He returned to Vermont for a residency in radiology at UVM after which he became the first full-time radiologist at Porter Hospital.

He lived with his family in Cornwall, where they say he enjoyed gardening and many other outdoor activities, including working with his horses.

He was a staunch supporter of Porter Hospital and was dedicated to the care of his patients and helped provide the radiology department with new technology. He also worked tirelessly for several years for the Addison County Humane Society and was instrumental in the campaign to build the new animal shelter on Boardman Street in Middlebury.

He was a firm believer in self-sufficiency and renewable energy. In addition to his attempt to resurrect an abandoned hydroelectric facility in downtown Middlebury, his Icelandic horse farm was a pilot site for Earth Turbines prototype windmill and tracking solar panel array.

He is survived by his wife Elisabeth; his sons, Anders and wife Andrea Fossati, and Erik; his brothers Lory and Brian, his sister Gretchen and their spouses; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their children.

A memorial celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be addressed to Porter Hospital or the Addison County Humane Society.

Mary McHugh

LEICESTER — Mary Valentine McHugh, 76, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at her home in Leicester.

She was born in Jersey City, N.J., on Sept. 22, 1933. She was the daughter of Valentine and Sally (Frangillo) Meisse.

She grew up in Dumont, N.J., where she graduated from Dumont High School, class of 1951.

She worked in New York City in the banking industry before her marriage. She and her husband Bill initially made their home in Dover, N.J., then Berkshire Valley, N.J., and finally Wharton, N.J.

She retired to Vermont in 1999 moving from Wharton, where she had lived since 1958. She had driven a school bus for special needs children in the Roxbury, N.J., school district and also had provided home child care for many years. She enjoyed traveling, hiking, gardening and cooking and was also involved in community service, philanthropy and political activism.

Surviving is her husband, William Joseph McHugh of Leicester, whom she married Nov. 19, 1955, in Haworth, N.J.; children Kevin McHugh of Winthrop, Maine, Teresa McHugh-Bevis of Columbus, Ohio, Sharon Riccio of Manlius, N.Y., Katheline Lauffer of Shepherdstown, W.V., Stacie Swierczyna of Hamilton, N.J., Mary Iman of Greensboro, N.J., Billy McHugh of Sparta, N.J., Gary McHugh of Wantage, N.J., Michael McHugh of Succasunna, N.J., and Nicole Schubert of Basking Ridge, N.J.; two sisters, Ida O’Brien of Vineland, N.Y., and Ann Halvorsen of Barnegat, N.J; 24 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service “In Celebration of Mary’s Life” was held Monday, Oct. 19, at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.

Additionally, a service and celebration will take place in New Jersey on Friday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. at St. Francis, at 19 Pocono Rd. in Denville, N.J. For more information contact Nicole Schubert at (908) 295-5973.

Memorial gifts may be made to The Addison County Food Shelf, 282 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

Norma Miner

HINESBURG — Norma Dwyer Miner, 80, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury.

She was born July 10, 1929, in Bristol the daughter of Dayton and Abbie Gove Dwyer.

She is survived by her husband, Lee A. Miner of Burlington; six children, Craig Miner and wife Susan of Vergennes, Sherry (Miner) Yandow and husband George of Williston, Kirk Miner and wife Annemarie of Colchester, Cindy Rickes and husband Lee of Essex Center, Steven Miner and wife Claudette of South Burlington, Vonda Cunningham and husband Brad of New Hampshire; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Gladys Hunt of Colchester.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hinesburg United Church. Interment will be in Maple Cemetery in Lincoln. Friends may call at Hinesburg United Church on Saturday from 1 p.m. up to the hour of the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bixby Memorial Library, 258 Main St., Vergennes, VT 05491, or Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 30 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Genevieve Nuttall

ADDISON — Genevieve A. Nuttall, 78, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury.

She was born May 1, 1931, in Shoreham.

Genevieve is survived by her three children, Robert A. Nuttall and wife Lilliane of Vergennes, Barbara Provencher of Vergennes, and James Nuttall and wife Sandra of St. Albans; seven grandchildren; a sister, Veda Haskins of New York; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Arthur Nuttall in 1994; three sisters, Geraldine Trudo, Ruth Jerome and Bonnie Abbey; and two brothers, Harry Newvelle and Kenneth Newvelle.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 19, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes with interment in Lakeview Cemetery in West Addison.

Memorial contributions may be made to Addison Volunteer Fire Department, Addison, VT 05491, or Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 11, Vergennes, VT 05491.

Eileen Smith

BRISTOL — Eileen R. Smith, 88, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury.

She was born March 20, 1921, to Daniel and Sadie Root. She attended Bristol schools and graduated from Bristol High School and Burlington Business College.

She married John Carl Smith June 17, 1943. She spent several years in Burlington while he was serving with the military as a secretary in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They later moved to Bristol.

She worked 33 years at First National Bank of Bristol, then the Merchants Bank. She was a member of the Federated Church.

She is survived by a sister, Beatrice R. Speer of Richford; a sister-in-law, Rosamond Shepard of Bristol and her family; two nieces; and two nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband John and a sister, Helen R. Tatro of Hartford, Conn.

There will be no calling hours. Private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Federated Church of Bristol.

Donald Stearns

MIDDLEBURY — Donald Roy Stearns, 76, of Middlebury, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Oct 16, 2009.

The son of Roy J. and Gertrude (Hanmer) Steams, he was born on the family’s farm on Chipman Hill on July 23, 1933.

After graduating from Middlebury High School in 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan, where he met his first wife, Yaeko (Ueno). They moved back to Middlebury in 1955 and started a family. Together they had four children: two daughters and two sons.

He started his career in 1956 at Simmonds Precision’s aerospace division, where he worked his way up from stockroom clerk to contracts manager. He left Vermont in 1969 with his family to further his career.

After several moves throughout the U.S., he returned to Middlebury with his second wife, Janice (Delaney) and their son. It was at this time that he also returned to work for his former employer, Simmonds Precision. He retired from Simmonds (now BF Goodrich) as a senior contracts manager in 1994.

Throughout his adult life, he continued to serve his country as a member of the National Guard for 22 years, including the Vermont NG 5l1h Eng Battalion, the Arkansas NG 10rJh Army Band, and the Vermont NG 4dh Army Band.

He was called back to active duty from 1961 to 1962 during the Berlin crisis. For his service he received the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

He had a great passion for music, particularly jazz. He spent a good deal of his military career in the army band but his family says for him “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.” He was involved in music his entire life and was a well-known and respected saxophone player throughout the Northeast.

He performed professionally in numerous bands, most recently the popular Dick Forman Jazz Group. Even though he was a successful businessman, when asked what he did for a living he always answered, with a big smile, “I’m a horn player, wanna hire a band?”

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, and the love of his life, Janice (Delaney); daughters Amy Langston and her husband Randy of Memphis, Tenn., and Julie Hoffman of Portland, Ore; sons Richard Stearns and his wife Dana of Little Rock, Ark., James Stearns of Englewood, Colo., and Robert Stearns of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a brother, Melvin F. Stearns and his wife Linda, of Lincoln; and a sister-in-law, Augusta (Ginger) Stearns of Middlebury. He is also survived by his mother Gertrude Irene (Hanmer) Stearns, as well as eight grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a brother, Carroll Lynn Stearns, and a grandson, Eric Langston.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Commemorations can be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753; Hospice Volunteer Services, PO Box 772, Middlebury, VT 05753; or Project Independence, PO Box 581, Middlebury, VT 05753.