NEKG - 2004 Obituaries

, 91, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. Born in Barre, Vt., of Spanish parents Sept. 15, 1912, she moved to St. Johnsbury at the age of 16 to care for her aunt and uncle. The home of her uncle, Joe Barquin, on Railroad Street, has been lived in by Della for over 65 years, some of which she ran a boarding home. She was a member of St. Johns parish and the American Legion Auxiliary (life member), and was always happy around people and animals, especially dogs. Survivors include her son and his wife, Ronald and Virginia Cross of St. Johnsbury; two sisters, Pauline Destroismaisons of Sugar Hill, N.H., and Lucinda Maluati of Newbury, Fla.; a granddaughter and her husband, Tara and David Gibson of Burlington; and great-granddaughter, Greta Gibson of Burlington. She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest "Stub" Cross, Oct. 20, 1994; and two brothers, A. Pena and Eto Pena. Graveside services will be held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Friday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Lynn Burgess officiating. There will be no calling hours. Contributions in her memory may be made to CALEX, P.O. Box 570, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

, 53, of 194 Main St., Concord, Vt., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at the Pine's Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndonville, Vt. She was born Jan. 31, 1951, in Norwalk, Conn., the daughter of Thomas Wells and Jacqueline Bell. She graduated from Middlebury High School. She was a member of the New Beginnings Christian Church in St. Johnsbury, Vt. She is survived by her mother, Jacqueline (Bell) Burton of North Grantham, N.H.; her brother and his wife, Peter and Jane Burton of Weybridge, Vt.; and her sister and her husband, Geardie and Josef Nueller of Burgenland, Austria. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m., at the Lyndon Bible Church at 250 Brown Farm Road in Lyndonville, Vt., with Pastor Richard Menard officiating. Burial will be in Lyndon Center Cemetery. Those who wish may send contributions to the Jacqueline Burton Mission Fund, in care of New Beginnings Christian Church, 72 Moose River Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

, 74, of 71 Burke Mountain Rd., East Burke, Vt., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vt. She was born Aug. 9, 1929, in Newark, Vt., the daughter of the late Herman and Shirley (Hackett) Legacy. She was a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert H. Chapman Sr.; her sister, Mabel Chapman; and her brother, Robert Legacy. She is survived by her four children, Robert Chapman Jr., Gary Chapman and Ruth Chapman of East Burke, Vt., and Marcia Chapman of Ocoee, Fla.; her granddaughter, Heather Chapman of Ocoee, Fla.; her sister, Virginia Greer of East Burke, Vt.; her sister-in-law, Carleta Legacy of East Burke; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in West Burke, Vt. Those who wish may send contributions in her memory to either the Lyndon Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 401, Lyndonville, VT 05851; or to the East Burke Fire Department, East Burke, VT 05832.

, of Waterford, died Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2004, at his home at the age of 48. He was born May 13, 1956, in St. Johnsbury, Vt., the son of Leo J. Desrochers and A. Dorothy (Traynor). Tom was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1974. He later attended Vermont Technical College and graduated from New Hampshire Technical College in Berlin, with an associate's degree in applied science and majoring in industrial electricity. An electrician since school, Tom worked for Morgani Electric for three years, Broughton Electrical Contractors for 10 years, was self-employed for a year, worked at High Reach Farm with Steve Parker in Tampico for a year, and in 1991, he began a career with St. Johnsbury Academy as their electrician, working until recently. He also helped numerous friends and associates in need of electrical work. Tom enjoyed skiing, fishing, gardening and landscaping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He also truly enjoyed working at St. Johnsbury Academy and with his associates there. Survivors include his wife, Patty I. (Piotrowski) Desrochers of Waterford, whom he married Aug. 1, 1992; two stepsons, Benjamin J. Lomasney and his fiancee Melissa Bourque of St. Johnsbury, and Matthew Lomasney of St. Johnsbury; two grandchildren, Mariah Bourque and Killian Lomasney; his mother, Dorothy Desrochers of St. Johnsbury; a brother, Jim Desrochers and his wife Karen and their family Laura and Kristen of Houston, Texas; a sister, Susan MacLaughlin and her husband Jim and their family Jill and Benjamin of Wallingford, Conn.; and many friends. He was predeceased by his father, Leo J. Desrochers. Visiting hours will be held Sunday evening, Aug. 8, from 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home in Lyndonville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Church in St. Johnsbury, with the Rev. Patrick Foreman, celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Tom's memory may be directed to Caledonia Home Health Inc., P.O. Box 383, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

, 91, of Lyndonville, Vt., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at the Pine's Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndonville. Maria was born Dec. 30, 1912, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Louis and Lottie (Ajello) Esposito. She attended Adelohi College in Garden City, N.Y., graduating in 1934. On June 15, 1940, she married Vincent Matteis Sr. at St. Bernadette's Roman Catholic Church in Bayridge, Brooklyn, N.Y. Before moving to Vermont, Maria was a resident of Rosedale, Queens, N.Y., for over 40 years. She was an active member of St. Clare's Altar Society, choir, and was a Eucharistic minister. During these years, she also taught English at JR High School 172 in Queens and later became a literacy volunteer. She later moved to Valley Stream, N.Y., where she was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church. During this time, she worked with learning disabled children, instructing them in CCD. Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, Vincent M. Matteis Sr.; and brothers, Frank, Michael and Louis Esposito. She is survived by sisters, Gloria Moreno and Juliet Windvand; as well as her son and daughter and their spouses, Vincent and Lorraine Matteis of Lyndonville, Vt., and Valerie Marie and Stan Spotkill of Lunenburg, Mass. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Michael (Michelle) Matteis, Aime (Christian) Cedrone, John S. Spotkill and Anthony Matteis; as well as her great-grandchildren, Olivia and Nicholas Matteis. She also is survived by her nieces and nephews, Louis Esposito Jr., Joanne Welsh, Linda Esposito, Michael, Dean and Bruce Esposito, Betsy, Marilu and Brian Windvand and Phillip Ingoglia. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home Friday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Saturday, Aug. 7, at noon, with Fr. Stephen Nichols officiating. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Lyndonville, Vt. Those who wish may send contributions in her memory to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, P.O. Box 141, Lyndonville, VT 05851.

, 83, of 557 Old Partridge Lake Road, Littleton, N.H., passed away peacefully at his residence surrounded by family and friends, Wednesday, Aug. 4. He was born in Walpole, Mass., son of Fioravanti and Mary (Granchelli) Collichio. He grew up in Berlin, N.H., lived many years in Newington, N.H., and worked in the Portsmouth area prior to coming to Littleton in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He and his wife operated Tony's Pizza House in Littleton for several years, and until his retirement he operated the Lake Side Sales & Service Radiator shop and small engine repair, also in Littleton. In his younger days he was an avid pilot and owned several aircraft, and a stock car driver. He was most popular at the Norwood, Mass., Oxford Plains, Maine, racetracks, and was a founder of the original Waterford Raceway, Waterford, Vt., and was one of the original drivers at Thunder Road Raceway, Barre, Vt. During the early construction of I-93 through Littleton, he operated a Tony's Chow Cart that was a welcome sight to construction workers, and also the local shoe factories. Tony was also an ardent golfer, and worked many years at the Bethlehem Country Club, serving in many capacities. For the past several years, he and his wife have wintered in Bradenton, Fla., where he was also employed as a school crossing guard for the Manatee County Sheriff's Department, a position he held until returning to Littleton in June. He was very active in the organization and operation of the Partridge Lake Property Owners Association and for many, many years was lovingly referred to as the "Mayor of Partridge Lake." He is survived by his wife, Myrna (Buck) Colicchio of Littleton; a son, Ralph Colicchio of Philadelphia, Tenn.; two daughters, Laine Lucenti of Berlin, Vt., and Kathen Lynch of Chesapeake, Md.; three grandchildren; and a sister, Josephine Delphino of Concord, Mass. An informal gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, from 2-3 p.m., at the Ross Funeral Home, Littleton Chapel. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Partridge Lake. Burial will take place in the St. Rose Cemetery, Littleton. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to the North Country Home Health & Hospice, 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH 03561, or to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.

, 40, of Groveton, N.H., died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, the result of an untimely accident. Robby was born Feb. 28, 1964, in Lancaster, N.H., the son of Robert Clyde and Zelda (Nadeau) Gonyer. He graduated from White Mountain Regional High School in 1982, and from Berlin Vocational Technical College in 1984 with an associate's degree in accounting. He was employed with the state of New Hampshire Department of Transportation as a foreman of Patrol Shed 104 based in Groveton. Mr. Gonyer was a member of the American Legion Post 17 in Groveton. He coached his son's Knights of Columbus baseball team, was a member of the Col. Town Adult Softball Young Guns team, and enjoyed playing darts with the Kaching team. He was an avid outdoor sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping with his sons, father and brothers. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and his yearly trips to Loudon, N.H. Carpentry and working with wood were also favorite pastimes. He was skilled in finish carpentry and recently completed his own camp on Page Hill Road with the help of his brothers, sons and several special friends. He also enjoyed working on the family sawmill. Robby was a responsible, caring, thoughtful man who was devoted to his wife of 12 years and his young sons. He was fortunate to have many friendships in the surrounding communities, he will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Surviving family members include his wife, Cassanna (Hill) Gonyer of Groveton; three sons, Benjamin, 9, Zachary, 8, and Hayden, 8, all of Groveton; his parents, Robert and Zelda Gonyer of Lancaster; his two brothers, Steven Gonyer of Lancaster and Kirby Gonyer of Groveton; his niece, Separta of Lancaster; an aunt, Irene Nadeau and her husband Robert Decker of Guildhall, Vt.; his mother- and father-in-law, James and Merry Hill of Lancaster; brothers- and sisters-in-laws, Jeff and Joyce Ball, Clarence and Michelle Dingman, all of Lancaster, and Barbara McLaughlin of Berlin; and eight nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved cousin, Benjamin Nadeau in 1991. Visiting hours will be held Sunday afternoon and evening, Aug. 8, from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m., at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster, N.H. A funeral service will be held Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church, Lancaster, The Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Bentum, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Northumberland Cemetery, Groveton. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Robert D. Gonyer Memorial Fund, 1 Middle Street, Lancaster, NH 03584, for future needs of his sons, or to the Groveton Ambulance Corp., Groveton, NH 03582.

, 74, of 71 Burke Mountain Road, East Burke, Vt., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vt. She was born Aug. 9, 1929, in Newark, Vt., the daughter of the late Herman and Shirley (Hackett) Legacy. She was a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert H. Chapman Sr.; her sister, Mabel Bandy; and her brother, Ralph Legacy. She is survived by her four children, Robert Chapman Jr., Gary Chapman and Ruth Chapman of East Burke, Vt., and Marcia Chapman of Ocoee, Fla.; her granddaughter, Heather Chapman of Ocoee, Fla.; her sister, Virginia Greer of East Burke, Vt.; her sister-in-law, Carleta Legacy of East Burke; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in West Burke, Vt. Those who wish may send contributions in her memory to either the Lyndon Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 401, Lyndonville, VT 05851; or to the East Burke Fire Department, East Burke, VT 05832.

, 72, of 63 Novack Road, South Cairo, N.Y., died suddenly Aug. 4, 2004, at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson, after a brief illness. He was born in Canada, Aug. 19, 1931, and was the son of the late Alcide and Marierose (Ellie) Auger. A Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church of Cairo with the Rev. J. Nunam, pastor, celebrant. Private cremation will take place Monday afternoon at the Albany Rural Crematorium in Menands, N.Y. Burial of his cremains will be announced at a later date. Emile has been an area resident since 1980, he formerly was of Evansville, Vt., he was a well-known tree logger in the area. He was a communicant of the Sacred Heart Church of Cairo, and loved dirt track racing at Lebanon Valley and the outdoors. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Estelle M. (Lussier) Auger of South Cairo; six children, Linda Blakslee and her husband Brian of Concord, Vt., Carole Selner and her husband Joe of Round Top, N.Y., Doris Shastany and her companion John Fabrizio of Acra, N.Y., Allen Auger and his wife Barbara (Voulo) Auger of Cairo, N.Y., Diane Auger and her fiancee Steven Bartholomew of Cairo, and Rachel Campbell and her husband Gary of Round Top; two sisters, Alma Boudreau and Mathilde Lareau, both of Canada; 11 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his loving dog, Flash. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Monique Paradise. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at the Richards Funeral Home, Bross Street, Cairo, N.Y., Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Memorial Fund of the Sacred Heart Church of Cairo, Mountain Avenue, Cairo, NY 12413.

, of St. Johnsbury, died Thursday Aug. 5, 2004, at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 84 years. She was born in Barton, Vt., Aug. 11, 1919, the daughter of Clyde and Abby (Jackman) Nutting. Beulah had lived in the St. Johnsbury House since 1986 and was a member of the Union Baptist Church. A former member of the Grange, she loved her friends and family. Survivors include her son, Raymond "Butch" Johnson Jr. and wife Mary Ann of Rockville, Md.; a brother, Wayland Nutting and wife Debbie of Lancaster, N.H.; a sister, Marilyn McCorkill and husband Robert of Williamstown, Vt.; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Alcide Berard in 1990; and a son, Lee Johnson on Dec. 18, 2000. Funeral services will be held at the Union Baptist Church Saturday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Paul Powers officiating. Burial will follow at Danville Green Cemetery. Friends are invited to meet the family Friday, Aug. 13, from 6-8 p.m. at Sayles Funeral Home. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Caledonia Home Health Care Agency, Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT. 05819.