, 51, of Walden, Vt., passed away in Glover on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 16, 1953, the daughter of Ernest and Patricia (Mauro) Keher. Patricia worked for New York Telephone, retiring in 1998; at that time moving to Walden with her husband, Kurt. She enjoyed the relaxed easy life that the Walden area provided to her and Kurt. Before moving to Vermont, they enjoyed taking many camping trips. Patricia is survived by her husband, Kurt Bos of Walden; her son, Scott of Georgia; her brothers, Michael Keher of California, Robert Keher and his wife Carole of California, and Edward Keher of Maryland; and by her sister, Margaret Ralph and her husband Paul of Virginia. She was predeceased by her son Chris, and by her parents. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Glover Community Church at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Christine Osowski officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Patricia's memory may be made to the Union House Nursing Home, Glover, VT 05839.

, 69 years old, of Middletown, N.J., died Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, after a courageous two and a half year battle with bile duct cancer. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., and was a graduate of St. Michael's College in Vermont, where he was recently selected as the Alumnus of the Year. He was employed by the city of New York, Human Resources Administration, Finance Office as a systems analyst. He was also formerly employed part time by Academy Bus Lines. At St. Mary's Church in New Monmouth, Bernie was a lector, choir member, and a member of the Mother of God Prayer Community. He was also a lector, Eucharistic minister, server and a member of the prayer group at Our Lady of Victory Church in downtown Manhattan. Bernie was past president of the New York City Jaycees and vice president of the New York State J.C.I. Senate, member of the Knights of Columbus Vincent T. Lombardi Council 6552 in Middletown, and an Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 47 in Leonardo. He was the keynote speaker for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in May 2005. Bernie loved his family most of all. He loved to ski; and recently, despite his illness, he spent two days skiing with the Boy Scout troop. He was survived by his best friend and loving wife of 32 years, Harriet; his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Richard Duszczak of Edison; and his son and his fiancee, Brett Landry and Stephanie Waite of Old Bridge; his granddaughter, Karissa Bernadette Duszczak; his brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Rosalie Landry of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; his sister and brother-in-law, Fran and John Gingue of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; his sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Marcel Plouffe of Williston, Vt.; his sister-in-law, Joan Landry of Wharton, N.J.; and 29 nieces and nephews.

, 63, of 234 Bayley-Hazen Drive, Wells River, Vt., died Nov. 10, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born in Burlington, Vt., Aug. 5, 1942, son of David C. and Dorothy (Gibson) Stevens. He graduated Wells River High School, Class of 1960, as valedictorian and class president. Al married Barbara Brothers on July 13, 1963. He graduated in 1964 with honors from the University of Vermont and in 1983 from St. Michael's College with a master of science in administration. Al and his father owned and managed a 350-acre dairy farm for 21 years. He was also the executive director of Common Cause/Vermont; coordinator of Cooperative Vocational Education, at Oxbow Vocational Center in Bradford, Vt.; and adult services coordinator at River Bend Career & Technical Center in Bradford from January 1989 to 2004. At the time of his death he was serving as the executive director of Bradford Area Workforce Investment Board (BWIB), and executive director of the Lower Cohase Chamber of Commerce. Al served the town of Newbury as a selectman from 1973 to 1979, was currently serving as the town moderator, was president of the Oxbow Senior Independence Program; chairman of the board of trustees for the Baldwin Memorial Library; member of the Vermont Valuation Appeals Board. He was appointed in 1978 by Gov. Snelling to the Vermont State Library Board and served as chairman. In 1999-2000 Al was elected Vermont state representative from the towns of Newbury, Topsham and Groton and served on the Housing and Military Affairs Committee. Currently he was serving as president of the Wells River Village Trustees, member of the River's Reach Advisory Board, Wells River; co-chairman of the Wells River Action Program since 1993; chairman of the Newbury Planning Commission since 1995; and chairman of the Little Rivers Health Care Inc. He was also a member of the Wells River Congregational Church. Al received numerous awards during his public career including the Miles Jensen Award, William E. Parker Award, 2005 Vermont Community Leadership Award, and Vermont Governor's Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2005. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Barbara of Wells River; three daughters: Mary Stevens of Madison, Wis., Nancy Hauser and her husband Rockey of Hamptonville, N.C.; and Carolyn Robinson and her husband Ken of Northfield, Vt.; one son, Scott Stevens and his wife Hilary of Pelham, N.H.; four grandchildren, Jaimie Daniels, Amanda Hauser, and Sarah and Kate Stevens; his parents, David and Dorothy Stevens of Wells River, Vt.; one brother, Philip Stevens and his wife Sonja of Williston, Vt., and a sister, Susan Lemmon of Newfane, N.Y.; an aunt, Ruth Wilmes of East Haddam, Conn.; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. in the Wells River Congregational Church with the Rev. Betty Ann Shapiro and the Rev. Yorke Peeler officiating. Burial will follow in Wells River Cemetery. Following the burial, everyone is invited to the Happy Hour in Wells River for a period of fellowship. Memorial contributions can be made to the Baldwin Memorial Library, Wells River, VT 05081

, of Spear House Apartments, Wells River, Vt., a former 45-year West Groton, Vt., resident, died Nov. 11, 2005, at her residence following a brief illness. She was born in Corinth, Vt., on March 28, 1931, a daughter of Howard Bennett and Clara (Hood) Bennett. Hazel graduated from Randolph High School in 1951. She worked for the Van Raalte Company until she married Albert Achilles on June 1, 1952. In 1959, they moved to West Groton, Vt., where they raised their six children. For several years, she made the chicken pies for the Groton Fall Festival Supper. Hazel enjoyed growing flowers, caring for her vegetable garden and making many Christmas crafts for family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Mrs. Achilles was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Albert; a daughter, Hazel; a son, Neil; two brothers, Darold and Gordon Bennett; and two sisters, Dorothy Caswell and Velma Larocque Chase. She is survived by two sons, Albert and his wife Diane Achilles of North Danville, Vt., and David and his wife Penny Achilles of Groton, Vt.; three daughters, Donna and her husband Cliff Batchelder of Haverhill, N.H., Nancy Ordway of Fairlee, Vt., and Caroline and her husband Marco Salcido of Tucson, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one brother, Lynford Bennett of Springfield, Vt.; three sisters, Amber Beard of Sacramento, Calif., Marjorie Lacalaide of Citrus Heights, Calif., and Lois Boles of South Royalton, Vt.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at 11 a.m., at the Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch St., Woodsville, N.H. The Rev. Elizabeth Upton will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Randolph, Vt., at 1:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Woodsville Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 50, Woodsville, NH 03785.

, of Benton, N.H., died Nov. 9, 2005, at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, N.H. He was born in Woodsville on Nov. 9, the son of Jamie Winget and Seth McKean of Benton, N.H. Owen is survived by his parents; and his maternal grandparents, Lisa (Elliott) Avery and her husband Joe, and Jackie of Monroe, N.H., and James Winget and his wife Kelly, Sara and Samantha of Groton, Vt.; his paternal grandparents, Shawn and Debra (Wyman) McKean and Chelsea of Benton; his maternal great-grandmothers, Beverly (Moses) Elliott of Bath, N.H., and Ruth Leonard of Monroe, N.H.; and his paternal great-grandparents, Jean Coulstring and her husband Ed of Bath, Rupert McKean and Carol Belyea of East Haverhill, N.H., and Patricia Wyman of North Haverhill, N.H.; and paternal great-great-grandmother, Mildred Pero of Rutland, Vt.; also several cousins. There will be a calling hour on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch St., Woodsville, N.H. A graveside service will be on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005, at 1 p.m., in Mt. View Cemetery, Route 116, Benton, N.H., the Rev. Wayne Chevalier officiating.

, 59, of Richmond, Vt., passed away peacefully after a long illness Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, at Vermont Respite House, Williston, Vt. She was surrounded by her husband and four daughters. Judy was born June 5, 1946, to the late Roland Ernest and Norma (Hilliard) Wagner in Methuen, Mass. She graduated from Methuen High School. She received her RN license from New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. In over 40 years of nursing, she has worked at Mary Fletcher Hospital, Fanny Allen Hospital, Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt., Professional Nursing Services and the VNA. Most recently she worked at Fletcher Allen Health Care, rehab unit at the Fanny Allen campus. This was her favorite area of nursing because of the positive attitude on the unit. Judy was also a member of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professional Local 5221. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Bryant K. Gile. Bryant and Judy were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 5, 1974. She is also survived by their children, Norma Jean, Lorelei and Scot Ferre, and Loretta, all of Logan, Utah, and Martha and Daniel Muster and granddaughter Lydia of Richmond, Vt.; her brother and his wife, Paul and Barbara Wagner of Bridport, Vt., and their children, Jeff and Karen Wagner and their children, Brendan and Anna, of Bridport, Vt., Philip and Kate Wagner and their son Liam of Shelburne, Vt., Sarah Davis and her husband Gordon Davis, DMD, of Peru, N.Y.; her cousin, Jane Wilson of Kansas City, Mo.; several nieces and nephews; her godparents, Robert and Millie Zeiner of Methuen, Mass.; and her childhood friends, Pat Corey and Donna Berube, of Methuen, Mass. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005, from 5-7 p.m., at the Gifford Funeral Home, 22 Depot St., Richmond. The funeral service will be Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 400 Swift St., South Burlington, VT. Interment to follow after the services at the Richmond Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, VT. Donations would be welcome to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495; or the LDS Church Flower Garden Fund, in care of Bishop Britt Cummings, 2879 Main Road, Huntington, VT 05462.

, of Lisbon, N.H., passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 7, 2005, four days shy of his 87th birthday. Jim was born on Nov. 12, 1918, in Arbroath, Scotland, the eldest son of William and Clementine (Skea) Liveston. Jim attended Spaulding High School in Barre, Vt., and joined the U.S. Army in August 1942; Company A, 182nd Infantry Regiment, serving in New Guinea, the East Indies, the Philippines and Japan. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star. After World War II, Jim joined his family in Lisbon, working as a machinist at the former Sugar Hill Furniture, as a cutter at Lisbon Shoe Corp., and ultimately retiring as a machinist/toolmaker at New England Wire. He was a very creative man and many of his jigs and fixtures are evident today at work and at home. Those who knew Jim inevitably witnessed his creative talents and obstinate perseverance, and his family is eternally grateful that we were able to make his final two years of life comfortable and safe while allowing him to live as independently as possible. Jim is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Gerri, Bob and Bette all of Lisbon, and son, Brian, of Florida; a brother, Fred of Washington; a sister, Tina, of Arizona; five grandchildren, Scott, Jason, Jeremy, Mike and Jolene; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, his wife, Kathleen; son, Bruce; brother, Bill; and sister, Norma, predeceased him. At Jim's request, services will be private with burial in the Grove Hill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Jim's memory to the Littleton Area Hospice, 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH 03561.

, 89, of Newport, Vt., passed away in Glover on Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. He was born in Newport on March 29, 1916, the son of Hiram and Melissa (Britch) McKinney. Milton served in the National Guard. He worked for 35 years as a brakeman and conductor for CP Railroad, retiring in 1976. He was a 50-year member of the United Train Union, and a member of the Newport Baptist Church. On Dec. 23, 1958, Milton married the former Pauline Hawkins, who survives him. He is also survived by his children, Sandra M. Valley and her husband Edgar of Barton, Ronald J. McKinney and his wife Alice of Lyndonville, Garth McKinney and his wife Joni Marie of Glover, and Jean Fawcette of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m., at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport with the Rev. David Lisner officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Milton's memory may be made to the VFW Newport Post 98, 141 Central St., Newport, VT 05855; or to the Union House Nursing Home, 3086 Glover St., Glover, VT 05839.

, a 2004 graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, died as the result of an automobile accident Nov. 13, 2005, at the age of 19. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on Main Street in St. Johnsbury. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Memorial contributions, which will be directed to Habitat for Humanity, may be sent to St. Johnsbury Academy, P.O. Box 906, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. A complete notice will follow in Wednesday's edition of this newspaper.

, 47, of Silver Circle, Barre Town, Vt., passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, in Marshfield, Vt. Born in Barre, Vt., on May 4, 1958, he was the son of Richard Merrill and Barbara (Dudley) Mears. He attended Barre Town School and was a graduate of Spaulding High School, Class of 1976. After graduation, he went to Roseburg, Ore., where he spent a year enjoying the outdoors and working with friends. He then returned to Barre, where he built a career with Schwan's Food Sales. On June 2, 1979, he married Ann-Marie Chouinard in St. Monica's Catholic Church in Barre. Gary was an avid motorcyclist and enjoyed motor sports, kayaking, camping, music and working around his home. Spending precious time with his family was very important. As an avid enthusiast of motocross, he influenced both young and old throughout the New England area. He was a longtime member of the V.M.A. Survivors include his wife of 26 years of marriage, Ann-Marie Mears of Barre Town; one daughter, Stephanie Mears of Barre; and one son, Nathaniel Merrill Mears of Dover, N.H.; his parents, Richard and Barbara Mears, and one brother, Scott Mears and his wife Gina, all of Barre; two sisters, Susan Dukette and her husband Steven of Troy, Vt., and Shellie Beauparlant and her companion Brian Wright of West Danville, Vt.; his mother-in-law, Laurette Chouinard of Barre; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Irl Merrill and Ruth H. Mears, and Roy and May Dudley; and his father-in-law, Roger Chouinard. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., in St. Monica's Catholic Church in Barre. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St., Barre. Entombment will be in the Wilson Vault. A later spring burial will be in Wilson Cemetery in Lower Websterville, Vt. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gary's memory may be made to Make A Wish Foundation, 100 Dorset St., Burlington, VT 05403.

, of Danville, passed away Saturday, Nov. 13, 2005, as the result of a hunting accident. He was 23. Born in St. Johnsbury on Aug. 4, 1982, he was the son of Brent Lumbra and Sheila Fenoff. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather Paul Lumbra. Chad was a hard worker and had been clearing a piece of land in Peacham with hopes of building a home. He was especially happy this past September to have gone deep-sea fishing off the coast of Maine. His family will always remember him as a giving, sensitive and fun-loving kid with a great sense of humor. Chad attended Arlington graded school in St. Johnsbury and later the Waterford School, graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in 2000. From 4 years old until age 9, he played hockey at the Fenton Chester Ice Arena. Chad played basketball and played the drums by ear at the Waterford School; he continued his drumming at St. Johnsbury Academy. He was employed at Vermont Heating and Ventilation in Winooski and was within a year of obtaining his national certification. He took great pleasure in restoring his 1964 (1/2) Mustang. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his friends. He is survived by his sister, Tiffany Lumbra of Lyndonville; his mother, Sheila Fenoff-Willett and her husband Jeff Willett of Williamstown; his father, Brent Lumbra and his girlfriend Deborah Davis of Danville; maternal grandparents, Charles "Bob" Sr. and Janet Fenoff of St. Johnsbury; maternal great-grandparents, Robert and Meryle Leithead of St. Johnsbury; paternal grandmother, Teresa Lumbra of St. Johnsbury; aunts and uncles and their families, Charles "Bob" Fenoff Jr. and his wife Kathy of Waterford, Ron Fenoff and his wife Marilyn of Waterford, Kirk Fenoff and his wife Mary of Danville, Rodney Lumbra and his wife Janet of North Danville, Susan Lumbra of St. Johnsbury, Dennis Lumbra and his wife Connie of St. Johnsbury, and Debra Densmore and her husband Gary of Wells River. Funeral services will be held this Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m., at South Congregational Church on Main Street in St. Johnsbury. The pastor, the Rev. Bonnie Haase, will officiate. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home Friday from 5-8 p.m. The Chad Lumbra memorial fund has been established at the Passumpsic Savings Bank. Those who wish to honor Chad's memory may direct checks payable to "Chad Lumbra Memorial Fund," in care of Passumpsic Savings Bank, P.O. Box 38, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.

, 76, of Joe's Pond, West Danville, Vt., died peacefully Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at her home after a courageous battle against cancer. Her love of family, strong will and determination carried her through the last 31/2 years. Born on Sept. 12, 1929, in Graniteville, she was the daughter of Alexander G. and Elsie (Pirie) Riddle. She graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre in 1947. On Oct. 8, 1948, she married Homer R. Fitts. They shared 57 years of marriage and experienced much joy and pleasure with their family, friends, and many others whose lives she touched through various community and charitable affiliations. Elsie lived her life as a true "Vermonter." Her love for the state, Joe's Pond and the seasons was no more evident than in her love of decorating for the holidays and sharing her gifts of life with family and friends. She took great pride in her family and their accomplishments. As an avid sports fan, she loved to watch her "boys" participate in athletics, but was also proud of her "girls" in their activities. She is survived by her husband, Homer Fitts of West Danville; a son, Douglas Fitts and his wife Jean of Keene, N.H.; daughters, Susan Martin and her husband Eric of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Ellen Cooper and her husband Cliff of Burlington; her grandchildren, Michael and Karen Fitts, Kallie and Kipp Martin, and David and Jeffrey Cooper; her sisters, June Clark and her husband Tom of Port Charlotte, Fla., Daisy Carpenter and her husband William of Montpelier, and Beverly Tanguay and her husband Donald of South Burlington; her brothers, Douglas Riddel and his wife Sherwood of St. Louis, Mo., Allan "Noonie" Riddel and his wife Elise of Barre; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In her later years, Elsie loved her time at Joe's Pond with family and friends. She really enjoyed her crossword puzzles, game shows, the Red Sox and football, but it was her love of card games, especially winning, that filled her spare time. Her family would like to thank everyone who supported Elsie with deeds and prayers through her illness, especially Dr. Paul Unger, Marty Byrne and the entire staff at the Vermont Center for Cancer Medicine for years of excellent quality care. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, at 1 p.m., at the Barre Congregational Church. At her request, there will be no calling hours. Interment will take place at the Wilson Cemetery in Websterville in the spring. Contributions in her memory may be made to Hope Lodge, in care of Bill Lloyd, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, VT 05495-1460; or to the Vermont Cancer Network, 40 Wright Court, South Burlington, VT 05403.

, 84, of 1306 Forest Hills Drive, Aiken, S.C., and formerly of St. Johnsbury, Vt., went home to be with God Nov. 10, 2005, after a brief illness. A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Aiken, S.C., and a memorial Mass will be held in St. Johnsbury, Vt., Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Mrs. Bessette is survived by a daughter, Carol (Edward) Zuccaro of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; four sons, Bernard J. (Ann) Bessette, 1306 Forest Hills Drive, Aiken, S.C. 29801, Ronald (Sherry) Bessette, 252 Central Ave., Lewiston, Maine 04240, Dennis (Bernadette) Bessette, 36 North Ridge Road, West Burke, VT 05871, and Jeffrey Bessette, 202 Gethsemane Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29611. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, James Zuccaro, a Catholic seminarian at Mount Saint Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md.; Gina (Capt. Wyeth) Towle; Andrea (Jasen) Clutts; Karen (Jay) Henderson; Joseph (Jessica) Bessette; Theresa M. Bessette; Pastor Bryan (Hannah) Bessette; Penny (Josh) Young; Nicholas (Jennifer) Bessette; Shawna (Alan) Beauregard; Dylan Bessette; Elizabeth, Sarah and Ilia Bessette; and five great-grandchildren, Ethan, Noah, Caleb and Tyler Bessette, and Eli Beauregard. She was predeceased by her husband, Roger Bessette, in July 2004; and a son, Reginald, in 1980. Mrs. Bessette was the eldest of five children and leaves two sisters, Yolande (LaRose) Bates and Jacqueline (LaRose) Greenwood; and two brothers, Paul and Maurice LaRose; and many nieces and nephews. The family requests that no flowers be sent, but memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd School Foundation, P.O. Box 146, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.