NEKG - 2006 Obituaries

, 93, better known as "Bunny," of Woodsville, N.H., died Nov. 21, 2006, at the Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill. He was born in Ryegate, Vt., on Oct. 3, 1913, the son of Nelson G. and Edith (Turnbull) Cochran. Lawrence lived most of his life in the Wells River, Vt., and Woodsville, N.H., area. He was a sergeant in the 8th Air Force, having served during World War II in the United States and England. He worked for Railway Express Agency for 30 years and also worked as a fireman on the Boston Maine Railway, retiring in 1976. He was a past member of the American Legion Ross-Wood Post 20, Woodsville, N.H. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Mary (Battey) Cochran of North Haverhill, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the Blue Mountain Cemetery, Ryegate Corner, Vt., at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be given to the Home Association, Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill, NH, 03785.

, 80, died early Saturday morning, Nov. 18, 2006, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. Hildegarde was born Feb. 12, 1926, in Allenstein, Germany, the daughter of Erich and Elizabeth Mueller. She is survived by her sister, Frau Liesel Walter and her family of Gruna, Germany; a niece, Frau Kathrein Eichelkamp and her family of Muhlau, Germany; and a cousin, Herr Jaochim Wollner and his family of Sassnitz, Germany. As a young woman, Hildegarde followed the Russian army west until it met up with the American Army in war-torn Europe. In 1946, she emigrated from England to Canada where she served as a nurse on an Indian reservation. She became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in 1969, when she lived in Monroeville, Pa. She worked in greenhouses, assisting the botanists at a university in Pennsylvania until she retired and moved to Vermont. She built and made her home in Lyndon in 1981. Hildegarde possessed a great love and respect for soldiers, leaders such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan, and for the country of the United States. She was well read and a free thinker. She greatly enjoyed wildlife, especially the birds who frequented her feeders, and she kept lovely flowers and vegetable gardens. She turned her little piece of Vermont woodland into a enclave of beauty. Friends of Hildegarde's are invited to gather Dec. 2, 2006, at 7 p.m., for an evening of remembrance at the home of David and Judy Allard 172 Allard Drive, Lyndon, Vt. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57326; or to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, 29 Perkins St., P.O. Box 190, Boston, MA 02130

, 79, of Barton, passed away in Barton on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. He was born in Boston, Mass., on Sept. 4, 1927, the son of Wilfrid and Ruth (Kimball) Chapdelaine. Chappy served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a service technician for Converse Company in Orleans for 25 years, retiring in 1991. He also owned and operated Chappy's Greenhouse in Brownington for many years. He was commander at the American Legion Post 76 in Barton. He enjoyed building and working with wood, and harness racing at the county fairs. On Aug. 12, 1947, Chappy married Beverly Barry, who survives him. He is also survived by his children, Katheryn Young and her husband Edward of Newington, Conn., Iris Girard and her husband Tom of Newark, Gerard Chapdelaine of Brownington, Merri Boisvert and her husband Robert of Orleans, and Shari Aldrich and her fianc? Trini Vasquez of Santa Clara, Calif.; his brother, Leo G. Chapdelaine and his wife Diane of Hillsdale, N.J.; his sisters, Phyllis Chicoine of Falmouth, Mass., and Patty Dean and her husband Elwin of Derby Line; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild on the way. He was predeceased by his sons, Wilfrid, James and Michael; and by his grandson, Anthony Boisvert. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Orleans Federated Church, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Gerry Piper officiating. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow at the Brownington Village cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in Chappy's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division Inc., P.O. Box 1460, Williston, VT 05495.

, 53, of Claremont, N.H., formerly of Littleton, N.H., departed from this world on Nov. 13, 2006, after being in a coma following a tragic automobile accident on Aug. 7, 2005. He has been cared for by the staff at Sullivan County Nursing Home in Claremont, N.H. Carlton was born on Feb. 13, 1953, in Athol, Mass., a son to Frederick and Hazel Jewett. He attended area schools. Carlton started doing masonry work at the age of 12, and spent his life as a mason doing stonework and bricklaying from New Hampshire and Vermont to Colorado. He worked with his favorite uncle, Armand Young of St. Johnsbury, for many years. Topper had many friends from all over the country, and they will truly miss him. Carlton was so proud of his daughters, Jovaun and Whitney, and so happy that Whitney was planning to attend college. His daughter, Whitney Jewett (in care of Steve Murphy, 49 Morgan Circle, P.O. Box 181, St. Johnsbury, VT), who graduated from Littleton High School in June 2006, survives Carlton. He is also survived by his mother, Hazel Powers and her husband Richard (2773 Lakeview Drive, North Hero, VT 05474); his brother, Fred and his wife Tilly Jewett of Milton, Vt.; a sister-in-law, Linda Lewis Jewett of North Hero, Vt.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Carlton was predeceased by his daughter, Jovaun Jewett; his brother, Roger Jewett; a niece, Tishara Lindorff; his first wife, Brenda Thompson Jewett; and his father, Frederick Jewett. A committal service for Carlton and his daughter Jovaun will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, at 1 p.m., at the Glenwood Cemetery in Littleton, N.H., with the Rev. Ernest Wilkins officiating. In lieu of flowers, Carlton would have wanted donations sent in his memory to Whitney Jewett for her scholarship fund, in care of Irene Yeargle, 105 Pleasant St., Littleton, NH 03561.

, 76, of Canaan, Vt., passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 22, 2006, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital. Mr. Hughes was born Aug. 10, 1930, in Columbia, N.H., son of the late Wendell and Mae (Moriatty) Hughes. Mr. Hughes graduated from Colebrook Academy and later joined the United States Air Force, serving honorably for four years in Washington, D.C., during the Korean War. He returned home and continued serving his country in the Army Reserves for 10 years. During this time, he began working for Beecher Falls Division of Ethan Allen and he continued working for Ethan Allen for 42 years, finishing his career as a Quality Control Manager. He also served as a selectman for the town of Canaan for 13 years. His greatest passion was his tree farm and spending countless hours outdoors. He loved spending time with his family and friends, while also enjoying dancing and socializing. He will be remembered as a man with a big heart who was very proud of his children and grandchildren. Mr. Hughes is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Betty (Wheeler) Hughes; seven children, Catha Bubas of Boston, Mass., Constance Morze of Canaan, Vt., Daniel Hughes of Canaan, Vt., Karen Irvine of Oceanport, N.J., Michael Hughes of Canaan, Vt., Wendell Hughes of Montgomery Center, Vt., and Tina Riley of Canaan, Vt.; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Hughes was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Maxine (Bunnell) Hughes; and three sisters, Ruth Ramsdell, Marion Paquette and Roberta James. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m., at the funeral home with the Rev. Albert Bellefeuille officiating. An interment service will immediately follow at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Hughes' memory may be made to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital Hospice, in care of Laurie Cotnoir, Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576.

, 79, of Littleton, N.H., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, following an extended illness. She was born in South Boston, Mass., daughter of Patrick and Ann (Callanan) Culkin and grew up in the Boston area. She married John F. Goodrich in 1947, and has been a resident of Littleton since 1953. She devoted her lifetime to her family as a wife, mother and grandmother. She belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America for more than 50 years and volunteered for 23 years at Littleton Hospital. Along with her husband, she was active in the Littleton, state, and national levels of the Knights of Columbus, and the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She loved being with her family and the music that often accompanied family gatherings. She is survived by her husband, John F. Goodrich of Littleton; three sons, John M. Goodrich and Paul Goodrich, both of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and James Goodrich of Lebanon, N.H.; two daughters, Ann Lyons of Plant City, Fla., and Jane Paddock of Lithia, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Alice Brooks of Provincetown, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to New Hampshire Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle St., P.O. Box 686, Manchester, NH 03102-0686. Friends may call at the Ross Funeral Home, Littleton Chapel, on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the St. Rose of Lima Church on Monday, Nov. 27, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. Rose Cemetery.

, of Lyndon, died suddenly Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at The Pines Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndon, at the age of 84. He was born June 18, 1922, in St. Johnsbury, a son of the late Clarence H. Sr. and Josephine (Ferris) Barrett. Bill served his country during World War II in the European Theatre as a tank operator. When he returned from duty he worked on Forrest Grapes Dairy Farm in St. Johnsbury for several years. He then worked for Caledonia Construction in Waterford for 24 years as a heavy equipment operator, building and improving many roads and highways, including Interstate 91. He had also worked on the building of Moore Dam. He then worked for the town of Lyndon on the highway department for eight years, and later spent three years working for Durwood Leach Construction Co. Bill also repaired lawn mowers from his Lyndon home for many years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge 1343 in St. Johnsbury. Survivors include his daughter, Sharon Locke of Concord, N.C.; two sons, Wayne "Buzz" Barrett of St. Johnsbury, and William "Ricky" Barrett Jr. and his wife Barbara of Lisbon, N.H.; seven grandchildren, Bill Locke, Eric Locke, Wayne Goodwin, Billy Lewis, Carrie Barrett, Brittney Barrett and Meagan Berry; five great-grandchildren, Brandon, Samantha and Kelsey Locke, and Dillion and Courtney Locke; three sisters, Katherine Hill and her husband Charles of Williston, Betty Minshull and her husband William of Waterford, and Mabel Barrett of St. Johnsbury; three brothers, Herbert Barrett of Lyndon, Kenneth Barrett and his wife Helen of Sutton, and Clinton Barrett and his wife Lora of Marlbough, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his wife, whom he married on June 28, 1947, Alberta (Lowrey) Barrett, on June 26, 1999; his son in-law, Raymond "Butch" Locke; his brother, Clarence Barrett this past May; and seven sisters, Audrey Blain, Margaret Smith, Louise Lundstrom, Marion Stone, Ruth Friend, Bertha Barrett and Patricia Barrett. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, at 11 a.m., at the Guibord Funeral Home with pastor Paul Powers officiating. Spring burial will be in Lyndon Center Cemetery. Friends may meet with the family at 10 a.m. Thursday, prior to the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Bill Barrett's memory may be directed to The Pines Patient Activities Fund, 601 Red Village Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851.

, of Danville, passed away Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with heart disease. He was born Oct. 19, 1924, on the family farm in East Haverhill, N.H., to Peter and Roseanna (Beaulieu) Dargie. He was the youngest of nine children. In December 1942 he entered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and served in the South Pacific Theatre during World War II. On May 17, 1947, he married Gloria Faufaw and had a family of four children. He worked for the First National Grocers in North Haverhill, N.H. In 1968, he moved to Danville and worked for Loren Phelps Enterprises. He had been a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Woodsville, N.H., and was a member of Queen of Peace Church in Danville, Vt, at the time of his death. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 53, and was a 1,000-hour volunteer at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. He was a devoted and loving husband, a proud and great Dad and Grandpa, and a good man. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Gloria; his parents; his brothers, Peter Wright, Phillip, Clifford and Albert Dargie; and his sisters, Emma Buskey, Ida Demers and Lena Dargie. He is survived by his children, David Dargie and his wife Tamela of Londonderry, N.H. (9 Wimbledon Dr. 03053), Michael Dargie of Danville (34 North Danville Rd. 05828), Cynthia Ruggles and her husband Larry of Barnet (P.O. Box 156 05821), and Suzanne DeMasi and her husband James of Danville (P.O. Box 136 05828); grandchildren, Jillian Dargie, Andrew, Katie, Douglas, Amber, Tanya, Destiny and Trinity DeMasi, and Samantha Dargie; stepgrandchildren, Matthew and Meaghan Laferriere; great-grandchildren, Sophia and Renee Payton; his sister, Elizabeth Cusson of Concord, N.H.; several nieces and nephews; and his constant canine companion, Duke. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in Danville on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m., at Queen of Peace Church. Burial will be in May at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Bath, N.H. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Wednesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to either the West Barnet Senior Meals Site, 150 Whitehill Road, East Ryegate, VT 05042, where he shared many good meals with many good friends; or to Danville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 255, Danville, VT 05828, who were always there when he needed a lift.

, 65, South Main St. Lisbon, N.H., died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at Littleton Regional Hospital after a long courageous battle with emphysema. She was born in Littleton, N.H., the daughter of Harry and Elizabeth (Besaw) Sweet. She attended school in East Concord, Vt., and Franconia and Littleton, N.H. She enjoyed working with people and was a waitress at Parkers Drug Store in Littleton prior to opening her own restaurant, Nancy Lee's, also in Littleton. She spent most of her life being a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and her friends. She also enjoyed riding her scooter up and down Main Street, Lisbon. She was predeceased by her father, Harry, in 1976; a brother, Richard, in 1944; her son, Jon, in 1985; and her brother in-law, David Abbott, in 1988. She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth (Besaw) Sweet of Mount Vernon, Va.; a son, Kevin Bilodeau of Littleton; two daughters, Tammy and Doug Heath of Landaff, and Lori and Ron Williams of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Elizabeth Abbott of Peterborough; her grandchildren, Tiffany Presby of Mesa, Ariz., Courtney, Michael and Lindsey Heath of Landaff, and Kayla and Cody Bilodeau of Littleton; a niece, Lisa Brogan of Milford; a nephew, Michael Abbott of Nashua; her cockatiel, Mikey; and her many friends of Lisbon and Littleton. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 1-2:30 p.m., at the Ross Funeral Home, Lisbon Chapel, with a Celebration of Life at 2:30 p.m., with the Rev. Lyn Winter. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Lisbon Life Squad, in care of Laurie Guilmette, 10 Lincoln Ave., Lisbon, NH 03585.

, 97, a Lyndonville resident, passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. The daughter of Jeff R. and Lois P. (Schooley) Marsh, she was born Sept. 4, 1909, in Cale, Ark. The oldest of seven children, Verginia worked as a nanny between 1935 and 1939 for Bill Dickey (the New York Yankee Hall of Fame Catcher). She married Francis Joseph Walsh. From 1939 until 1974 she worked for Walgreens in the Empire State Building in New York City. Verginia is survived by a daughter, Jen Walsh and her partner Phyllis Perkins of Lyndonville; a brother, Jeff Roland Marsh of Fayetteville, Ark.; and a sister, Mildred Mauldin of Portland, Texas. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 55 years, Francis; and four siblings. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Verginia's name may be made to Umbrella, 1222 Main St. Ste. 301, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

, 66, 430 West Main St., Tilton, N.H., formerly of Littleton, N.H. died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at Littleton Regional Hospital. She was born in Littleton, the daughter of Joseph and Ellen (O'Leary) Cullen. She graduated from Littleton High School, Class of 1959. She had worked for 30 years at the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers. She liked to play tennis, skiing and bowling. She enjoyed going out for Sunday dinner and driving around the North Country. She loved her family most of all. She is survived by her brother, Daniel Cullen of Littleton; two sisters, Ann Barbara Way of Littleton, and Helen Therrien of Tilton; and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 6-8 p.m., at Ross Funeral Home, Littleton Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m., at the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Northern New England Region, 360 Route 101, Unit 8, The Gail Singer Memorial Building, Bedford, NH 03110.

, St. Johnsbury has lost one of its hardest working and most dedicated citizens. 1982 Citizen of the Year, bank director, Democratic activist, and businessman William T. "Billy" Costa Jr., 74, passed away of congestive heart failure in Ft. Myers, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006. He was born in St. Johnsbury on June 9, 1932, the elder of two sons born to William Sr. and Almina (Bottazzi) Costa. He married Gay Buttura on Jan. 25, 1964. He is survived by his wife, Gay, of St. Johnsbury (1248 Hospital Dr. 05819); his brother, Orlando Costa and his wife Francine of Naples Fla.; three daughters, Kelli Costa and her husband Nick Johnson of Maynard, Mass., Kara Nichols and her husband Mark of Waltham, Mass., and Kiersten Ely and her husband Stefan of Spartensburg S.C.; two grandchildren, Quinton and Sheridan Ely; and Kara's stepchildren, Darren, Cassandra and Rebecca Nichols. A graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1951, Billy graduated cum laude from Notre Dame University in 1956 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. At Notre Dame he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1956-58, stationed in Metz, France, as commanding officer of the Property Disposal Unit. In Mr. Costa's business career, he was president of Costa Realty, Inc. d/b/a Gold Crown Lanes (1962-present); and of Recreation, Inc., the commercial building housing The Star Theater (1973-present). Billy entered the family business, the former Green Mountain Fruit IGA store on Railroad Street; the store closed Oct. 1, 1995. He was a partner with Harvey Caplan 1968-1978, and Harvey's father before him, Joseph Caplan 1959-1968. Mr. Costa also was a trustee and partner of Green Mountain Realty Trust d/b/a/ Green Mountain Mall. He was an extremely active director of Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company and, since 1999, had served on the Union Bank's board of directors. Civically, Mr. Costa was instrumental in the formation and operation of the St. Johnsbury Development Fund Inc. of which he was president from 1988-99. He served on various boards with the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Fairbanks Museum, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and the Vermont Retail Grocer's Association. Billy served as tri-chairman of the Fairbanks Morse Drive, a community drive in the 1960s that raised over half a million dollars to keep Fairbanks in St. Johnsbury. He was a member of the administrative board of St. Johnsbury/Lyndon Industrial Park, director of Lyndon State College 1985-91, St. Johnsbury school director 1986-87, and a trustee of the village of St. Johnsbury 1964-66; he helped consolidate the town and village into one political unit. Politically a strong Democrat, Billy served as Democratic Committeeman from Caledonia County from 1965-71 and Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee from 1965-69. He served as Northeast Kingdom campaign manager for Gov. Philip Hoff (1962 and 1964) and for Gov. Thomas Salmon (1972 and 1974). Gov. Salmon appointed him to the Vermont State Highway board, then reappointed him as a member of the Vermont Transportation Board. He fought hard for the completion of I-91 and I-93 and for a better route to Montpelier. Gov. Snelling appointed him to the Vermont Community Development Board, agency of development and community affairs. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Johnsbury on Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, located on Main Street. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Johnsbury Academy, P.O. Box 906, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.

, 85, of Park Street, Barre, died peacefully Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, where she had been a resident since March of this year. Born June 12, 1921 in St. Johnsbury, she was the daughter of Elmer and Vera (Drew) Hooker. She graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1939 and from Lasell Junior College in 1941. On June 21, 1947, she married William Arthur Paterson in St. Johnsbury. Since their marriage they had made their home in Barre. Her husband died Jan. 26, 2002. Following her college graduation, she was a medical secretary in a physician's office in Springfield, Mass., and later for the Selective Service in Montpelier. She then was employed for many years in the guidance department at Spaulding High School. Her special interests were playing Bridge, the family cottage at Woodbury Pond, reading and entertaining her grandchildren. Her memberships included the Barre Congregational Church, the CO-AD's of the Church, the Woman's Fellowship, and the Vermont "251" Club of which she and her husband were fully documented visitors. She is survived by her daughter, Joanie Rose and her husband Wendell of Barre Town; her son, William Paterson of Castleton; four grandchildren, Kristyne and Juliet Rose and Robert and Kristin Paterson; a sister, Captain Doris Hooker, U.S. Navy Nurses Corps (Retired) of California, Md.; a niece, Nancy Dickey; and a nephew, Edward Kingman. Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Margaret Kingman. A service of remembrance will be held Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, at 2 p.m., in the Barre Congregational Church. Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in Barre. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Patient Activity Fund, Woodridge Nursing Home, P.O. Box 550, Barre, VT 05641; or The Book of Remembrance, Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church St., Barre, VT 05641.