, 73, of Lancaster Road, Whitefield, N.H., passed away Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at the Weeks Medical Center. John was born a son to George and Dorothy (Vickory) Gilbert, on June 25, 1931, in Boston, Mass. John attended school in Randolph, Vt., and enlisted into the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. He was captured at the age of 19 and became a POW for three years. John also served in the Vietnam War and had over 20 years of active service in the Army. He was a member of the VFW Howard Shawney Post 816. John was employed at the Littleton Regional Hospital for 10 years in the maintenance department. He loved to fish and hunt in the North Country. Surviving relatives include his wife, Jacqueline Gilbert of Whitefield, N.H.; four sons, John Gilbert Jr. of Willoughby Lake, Vt., Brian Gilbert and Sean Gilbert, both of Sacramento, Calif., and Michael Gilbert of Chino, Calif.; four daughters, Sheldon Carmen of Morrisville, N.C., Holly Carmen Kachmarik of Maidstone Lake, Vt., Helen Carmen Munroe of Twin Mountain, N.H., and Hope Carmen Andrews of Littleton, N.H.; one brother, Phillip Gilbert of Springfield, Vt.; two sisters, Louise Burnell of Brockton, Mass., and Barbara Gilbert of Whitefield, N.H.; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. One brother and one sister, as well as his parents, predeceased John. A calling hour will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, from 1-2 p.m., at the Pillsbury Funeral Home, 101 Union St., Littleton. Funeral services will follow in the Maple Street Cemetery in Bethlehem with full military honors presented by the VFW Howard Shawney Post 816.

, 78, of Dover, N.H., passed away Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at the Riverside Rest Home. Born April 14, 1926, in North Conway, N.H., she was a daughter of the late Robert C. and Gladys (Parker) Fearon. She was raised in Colebrook, N.H., and moved to Whitefield, N.H., in 1949, where she and her late husband raised their family. She later resided in a number of places, including Maryland and Sarasota, Fla. She moved back to New Hampshire in 1994 after suffering a debilitating stroke. In each place she resided, she volunteered in agencies that benefited people in need. She was a generous and kind woman who enjoyed trivia, word games and cats. She was a member of the Riverside Chapter of The Red Hat Society, the Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group, and a volunteer "grandmother" at Dover Middle School. The family is deeply grateful for the care and friendship given to her by the residents and staff of the Riverside Rest Home. They made it a real home for her for the last four years. Among the many friends she had there were Toni Bickford and Harriet Brown. Survivors include six children, Richard F. Dufour and his wife Sylvia of Bethlehem, N.H., Bonnie D. LaBrack and her husband Jean of Dover, N.H., Betty J. Campbell and her husband Donald of Rochester, N.H., James R. Dufour and his wife Caryl of Canterbury, N.H., Francis X. Dufour III and his wife Paula of Westminster, Md., and Daniel K. Dufour of Belmont, N.H. She also leaves three brothers, Robert C. Fearon and his wife Phyllis of Hebron, Conn., Russell E. Fearon and his wife Claudette of Westbrook, Maine, and Fred P. Fearon and his wife Darlene of Santa Ynez, Calif. In addition, she leaves 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Francis X. Dufour II, who died in 2001; her sister, Esther Placey, who died in 1957; and her brother, Ralph K. Fearon, who died in 1998. Calling hours will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Pillsbury Funeral Home, 101 Union St., Littleton, N.H., with funeral services immediately following at the funeral home with the Rev. Lyn MacIntosh officiating. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Riverside Rest Home Activity Fund, 237 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820; or to The Seacoast Hospice, 10 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833.

, of St. Johnsbury, died suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004, at his home at the age of 84. He was born in Brooks, Maine, April 5, 1920, the son of Edward and Lettie (Tarr) Cox Sr. Mr. Cox served his country during World War II in the United States Army in the Pacific, Philippines and Japan. A graduate of the University of Maine at Orono (1941), Ed worked for Swift and Co. from 1941 to 1976, starting in Bangor, Maine, and retiring in St. Johnsbury as manager. In 1967, he was the Manager of the Year. Mr. Cox later went to work for the Department of Agriculture, employed by both the state of Vermont and United States Government. He was a member of the North Congregational Church and a life member of the VFW. On Oct. 11, 1940, he married Henrietta (Twombly), who survives him in St. Johnsbury. Other survivors include two sons and their wives, Henry and Nancy Cox of Thurman, Iowa, and James "Jim" and Carleen Cox of St. Johnsbury; two daughters and their husbands, Brenda and Robert McLaughlin of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Cindy and Larry Hatch of West Danville; a brother, Albert Cox, MD, of Los Alamos, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Lee and Raymond; and two sisters, Grace Johnson and Opal Gray. Services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. Contributions in his memory may be made to the North Congregational Church UCC, 1325 Main St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

74, of Cottage Street, Bethlehem, N.H., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, after a brief illness, at the Littleton Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family. Walter was born a son to the late Jasper Walter Blandin and Hazel Jesseman (Blandin) O'Keefe on Dec. 17, 1929, in Lawrence, Mass. He graduated from Littleton High School in 1948. Walter served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952 as a staff sergeant in the Korean War. He was a rural carrier for the Postal Service and afterward as a toll testman for the New England Telephone Company for 22 years. Walter served as the district water commissioner for the town of Bethlehem for 26 years, assisting the townspeople to ensure their welfare. He was a member of the American Legion as well as the Burns Lodge. He enjoyed antique cars and had a great love for woodworking, including construction of furniture. Walter is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia (Peters) Blandin of Bethlehem, N.H.; two daughters, Sheryl and her husband Richard Loveland of Littleton, N.H., and Stephanie and her husband Kent Fraser of Williston, Vt.; three grandchildren, Sarah Loveland, Hannah Loveland and Abigail Fraser; his mother of 99 years, Hazel O'Keefe; and two sisters, Nadine B. Boyle and Jacqueline Blandin. His son, Michael Blandin, and infant daughter, Jennifer Rose Blandin, predeceased him. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, Oct. 3, 2004, from 6-8 p.m., at the Pillsbury Funeral Home, 101 Union St., Littleton, N.H. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, at 11 a.m., at the Durrell United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, N.H., with the Rev. Stephen E. Bascom Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Maple Street Cemetery in Bethlehem. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the Hospice of the Littleton Area, 600 St. Johnsbury Road, Littleton, NH 03561.

, 51, of Greensboro, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at the Fletcher-Allen Medical Center in Burlington. He was born Jan. 24, 1953, in Newport, the son of the late Orvin and Doris (Haskins) Marsh Sr. He attended Lake Region High School, and graduated from North Country High School. He continued his education at Randolph Technical College. He entered the U.S. Air Force on June 19, 1972, in Manchester, N.H. He served his country at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and was honorably discharged May 24, 1974. In his earlier years, he was employed by the Cabot Creamery, St. J & LC Railroad Co., and the Mt. Mansfield Co. in Stowe. For more than 20 years, he was employed as a janitor at Hazen Union in Hardwick. He retired in 2003 due to failing health. Guilbert was an avid Red Sox fan. Other enjoyments included fishing, camping and the outdoors. Survivors include a son, Isaac Marsh of Greensboro; a daughter, Kimberly Mayo of Cabot; a granddaughter, Victoria Mayo of Cabot; two brothers, Orvin Marsh Jr. of White River Jct., and Raymond Marsh of Troy; five sisters, Madeline Hitchcock of Glover, Ilene Hodgdon of Greensboro, Gladys Millett of Portsmouth, N.H., Rose Cote of Derby, and Carol Colbeth of South Walden; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one sister, Geraldine Reynard; and two brothers, Lewis Marsh and Merle Cote. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m., in the North Troy Cemetery with the Rev. Ernest Machia of the Hope Community Church in Walden officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Hardwick Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 837, Hardwick, VT 05843.

, 84, of West Charleston, Vt., and Edgewater, Fla., peacefully passed away at North Country Hospital in Newport, Vt., Sept. 29, 2004, with his children at his bedside. Mr. Morin was born in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, in 1920, the eldest son of Alice and Joseph Morin. He is survived by four children, Patricia Preseault and her husband Paul of Burlington, Bonnie Tasha of Edgewater, Fla., Marguerite Tyrell of San Diego, Calif., and David Morin of West Charleston; grandchildren, Laurie Tasha of Anaheim, Calif., Gene Tasha of Phoenix, Ariz., Christyne Poage of Houston, Texas, Holly Hammond of Dallas, Texas and Maui Hi, Todd Preseault of Maui Hi, J.P. Preseault of Seattle, Wash., and Heather, Amber and Victoria Morin of Shelburne, Vt.; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was involved in numerous business ventures including freezer lockers; tractor dealership; turkey farm; Lyn-Burke Motel in Lyndonville, Vt., and Continental 93 Motel in New Hampshire; Village Market; Tap and Die in Derby Line; and farming, including trees, dairy, beef cattle and experimental beefalo. In the early 1990s, he and his wife Norma, who predeceased him in 2003, lived in Florida for six months a year to be near his brother Marcel and his wife Emma, and his sister Pauline of Leesburg, Fla. Armand's life was a colorful array of entrepreneurial adventures. He had a dry sense of humor, good wit, and enjoyed gardening, hunting, speculative ventures, golf and enjoyed creating dreams and seeing them through to fulfillment. He was also a connoisseur of fine food and was on a constant quest for the perfect martini. He will be greatly missed. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, at St. Edward's Cemetery with the Rev. Yvon Royer officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Armand's memory may be made to the ICU Unit, North Country Hospital, Prouty Drive, Newport, VT 05855.

, 79, of Lunenburg, Vt., died Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 2004, at Country Village Health Care Center, Lancaster. Mrs. Halpin was born in Lunenburg, March 26, 1925, the daughter of Alfred J. and Malvina L. (Bilodeau) Sivegny. Irene was a lifetime resident of Lunenburg. She was a graduate of Lancaster High School and was employed for Cellucord in Gilman from 1944 to 1961. For many years she also worked at the Mary Elizabeth in Lancaster. She enjoyed making dolls, sewing, needlecraft, and gardening, especially flower gardens. She was a communicant of St. Leo's Church, Lunenburg. Family members include her husband, Glenn J. Halpin of Lunenburg; a daughter, Bette J. Robinson and her husband Edmund of Groveton; a sister, Beatrice Timson of Lunenburg; two granddaughters, Casey Robinson and Kimberly Robinson, both of Groveton; and a very special great-grandson, Dakotah Guerin, who she affectionately called "Little Man." She was predeceased by her parents and other brothers and sisters. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 6-8 p.m., at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at St. Leo's Church, Lunenburg. The Rev. Patrick J. Forman will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to St. Leo's Church, Lunenburg, VT 05906.

, Sr., 77, passed away at his home Friday, Oct. 1, 2004. Tom was born a son to Irving W. and Mary Helena (Lillis) Pillsbury on Dec. 3, 1926, in Nashua, N.H. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served on the newly commissioned Destroyer USS Putnam 757 based out of Pearl Harbor. The crew of the USS Putnam assisted in the Philippine Liberation, the Battle of Okinawa, and was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered and the peace treaty with Japan was signed. He was presented with three battle stars and concluded his tour as a Chief Gunners Mate 2nd Class. He remained active in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was later recalled to serve in the Korean War aboard the USS Blue 744 in the 6th Destroyer Squadron. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy after World War II, Tom returned home and attended the New England Institute of Anatomy, graduating in 1948. He followed in his father's footsteps, working with him at the Pillsbury Funeral Home in Pepperell, Mass. During this time he also assisted various other funeral homes in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. In 1950 he married Natalie (Blood) Pillsbury. In 1951 they moved to Lisbon, N.H., and opened The Pillsbury Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. In 1958, Tom purchased the Heald Funeral Home on Union Street in Littleton and formed Pillsbury Funeral Homes, Inc. Tom was active in many businesses and civic organizations. In the 1960s he and the late Harry C. McDade purchased a large tract of land on Mann's Hill and in 1968 he purchased Walker Motors and formed Northland Motors, Inc. He served on the board of directors for Peoples National Bank in the early 1970s. Tom and his three sons, who all became third-generation funeral directors, were very active in snowmachine racing for many years. Tom was a past member of the Lisbon Grange, the Lisbon Lions Club, a 32nd Degree member of the Littleton Masonic Lodge, a member of the VFW Howard Shawney Post 816, and a member of the American Legion Post 68. One of his favorite charities was the Lisbon and Littleton Lions Clubs Christmas Santa Claus program which he took part in for numerous years. Tom was a NASCAR/Nextel race enthusiast and attended many races. He enjoyed the outdoors and landscaping his homes, which he kept very meticulous. In his 53-year career in funeral service, he served countless numbers of families with compassion, dedication and kindness during their times of need. During his career, he was a member of both the New Hampshire and National Funeral Directors Association. Surviving family members include his wife, Natalie A. Pillsbury of Littleton, N.H.; three sons, Michael C. Pillsbury Sr. of Manchester, N.H., Thomas I. Pillsbury Jr. of California, and Todd A. and his wife Sue E. Pillsbury of Littleton; six grandchildren, Michael Pillsbury Jr., Nicole Pillsbury, Casey Pillsbury, Kyla Pillsbury, Cima Pillsbury and Dylan Pillsbury; two great-grandchildren, Kaycey Guertin and Connor Pillsbury; two sisters, Betty and her husband Joe Cleary, and Mary Jane Pillsbury, all of Pepperell, Mass.; six half sisters; three half brothers; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday evening, Oct. 5, from 6-8 p.m., at the Pillsbury Funeral Home, 101 Union St., Littleton. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Stephen E. Bascom Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery with full military honors presented by the VFW Howard Shawney Post 816. The family suggests donations be made in his memory to the North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency, 536 Cottage St., Littleton, NH 03561.

, 84, of Pinewood Avenue, Bethlehem, N.H., passed away at her home Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004. A native of Littleton, Margaret was born a daughter to Prosper and Maude (Cassidy) Cotnoir on July 9, 1920. She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School as well as Bethlehem School. Margaret served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later attended college in Alabama. Upon returning to New Hampshire, she was employed for many years at the Notchway and Cannon Mountain. She was a world traveler including such places as Europe, Russia, Australia and Africa. Margaret loved all animals, especially her seven cats. Margaret is survived by her brother, George and his wife Dorothy Cotnoir and her niece Jeanelle and her husband John Jahanbakhsh. Graveside services will be held at a later date in St. Rose Cemetery.

, 83, of Brown Road, Groveton, N.H., died Oct. 3, 2004, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a lengthy illness. Born Nov. 7, 1920, in Groveton, a daughter of James L. and Margaret (McMahon) Emery, she was a lifelong resident. She was a graduate of Groveton High School, Class of 1937. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church; the Daughters of Isabella; the American Legion Post 17 Auxiliary and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Groveton Fire Department. She used to work on the town check list. She loved to cook, spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was very active in community service. Before retiring, over the years she worked for Hinkley & Donovan, Attorneys at Law; Ryan Fuel's; and Groveton Paper Company, doing secretarial work. Gram is survived by four sons, William "Bill" Sanborn and his fiancee Linda Laverty, Stephen and his wife Debra Sanborn, and Craig and his wife Lori Sanborn, all of Maidstone Lake, Vt., and James "Jim" and his wife Harriet Sanborn of Groveton. She has 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Stanley "Joe" Emery of Groveton, and Hollis Emery of Essex Junction, Vt.; one sister, Jane Durnan of Exeter, N.H.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, C. Dean Sanborn, on Oct. 3, 1994. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., at the Main-Armstrong Funeral Home, 59 State Street, Groveton. The women of the church will recite the Rosary at 7:15 p.m. and the Legion Auxiliary will say prayers immediately after. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at St. Francis Xavier Church, 10 State St., Groveton, with Fr. Daniel Deveau, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Francis Cemetery. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Arline's name to the Lancaster Dialysis Center at Week's Memorial Hospital, in care of Linda Ackillies, 173 Middle St., Lancaster, NH 03584.

, of Lancaster, N.H., infant daughter of Paul David Grimard and Amanda Ariel Rainault, died Monday evening, Oct. 4, 2004, at Weeks Medical Center, following her birth. Family members include her parents of Lancaster; paternal grandfather, Michael Grimard Sr. of Whitefield, N.H.; two paternal uncles, Michael Grimard Jr. of Whitefield, and Ed Grimard of Littleton, N.H.; her maternal grandfather Gilbert Rainault of Guildhall, Vt.; three maternal uncles, Jason Rainault and Ben Rainault, both of Colebrook, N.H., and Travis Rainault of Berlin, N.H.; two maternal aunts, Angel Rainault of Orleans, Vt., and Amanda Kelly Rainault of Portsmouth, N.H. Her maternal grandmother Ruby Rainault predeceased her in 2003. Visiting hours will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10-11 a.m., at the Bailey Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held immediately after visiting hours. Sandra MacKillop of Lancaster will officiate.

, 56, of Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Groton, Vt., passed away June 8, 2003, surrounded by his family. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Zane and Marjorie Heath; and his older sister, Gretta Derosa. Barry is survived by his wife, Robbie; son, Brian; daughters, Nicole and Megan; and grandchildren, Gabrielle, Jayla and Christopher. Barry was an Army veteran that served 20 years for his country including two tours in Vietnam. Barry loved his family, country and sweet memories of growing up in Vermont. There will be a graveside service at the Groton Cemetery, presided by Pastor Chris Hatten on Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a get-together at the First Baptist Church in Groton to share thoughts and memories of Barry's short time with us.

, 81, of St. Johnsbury Center, died early Wednesday morning, Oct. 6, 2004, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Sept. 19, 1923, son of the late Howard W. and Norene S. (Jones) Coombs. Don was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1941. In 1942, he graduated from Aero Industries Technical Institute in California as a combination airplane craftsman. he then served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy, on the Navy Construction Brigade. On July 18, 1955, he married Dorothy Morrison. Don worked for New England Telephone for 40 years, retiring in 1985 as the central office repairman in the St. Johnsbury office. He was active in the Telephone Pioneers of America Club. An avid reader, Don kept up with current events and local history. He enjoyed feeding and watching the local ducks and wild birds. He was a strong Red Sox fan as well as a Bruins, Patriots and Celtics fan. He also enjoyed keeping up with his children's and grandchildren's activities. For the last six years, Don's daughter Diane provided cared for him so he could maintain his independence at home. Survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Dorothy M. Coombs of St. Johnsbury Center; three children, Lynn Root and her husband Terry of Lebanon, N.H., Diane Coombs and her friend Randy LaLonde of St. Johnsbury, and Ken Coombs and his wife Sheryl of Concord, N.H.; seven grandchildren, Justin, Patrick and Megan Root, Blakely Jenkins II, Michael Sumner, and Justin and Allie Foy; a sister, Lorraine Laurin and her husband Richard of Star Lake, N.Y.; two brothers-in-law, Carl Morrison and his wife Loraine of Lebanon, N.H., and Herbert Barrett of St. Johnsbury; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by an infant sister, Narene Coombs; a brother, Kenneth Coombs; and his sister-in-law, Martha M. Barrett. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home with longtime family friend, the Rev. Sally Chamberlin, officiating. Friends may call on the family beginning one hour prior (10 a.m.) to the start of the service. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Don's memory may be directed to Caledonia Home Health Inc., P.O. Box 383, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.