, 91, died on July 24, 2006, at her home in Westfield. Mrs. Wursthorn was born in Hardwick on February 16, 1915, daughter of the late Elizabeth (Dauphin) Maxwell and Ralph Maxwell. She grew up in Sheldon and graduated from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans in 1932 and Johnson Normal School in 1934. She then embarked on a teaching career that spanned four decades and included a one-room, eight-grade school at the south end of Troy, Westfield Grammar School, and Newport Center Junior High School. On June 26, 1940, she married Roger Wursthorn and moved with him to Connecticut, where they remained during World War II. After the war, she returned to Vermont and resided with her husband on a farm in Troy where she raised four children and nurtured a family. She was a member of the Vermont Retired Teachers Association. She was an avid reader, loved cooking for her family, and loved all animals. She is survived by her four sons and their wives: Peter and Anne Wursthorn of Marlborough, Connecticut, John and LiseWursthorn of Underhill, Karl and VickeyWursthorn of Troy, and David and Joanne Wursthorn of Troy; by her grandchildren: Karla, Sara, Valerie, Mark, and Justin; by her great-grandchildren: Anthony, Benjamin, Thomas, Kenan, and Karena; by two nephews; and by one niece. She was predeceased by her husband on September 16, 2005, and by her brother Reginald Maxwell. Funeral services were held July 28 at a Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend Yvon Royer and the Reverend Henry Mlinganisa officiating. Interment followed at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Wursthorn's memory may be made to Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 41, of Morgan sadly report his sudden death caused by heart complications on Sunday, July 23, 2006. Mr. Spicuzza will be remembered for his fun-loving and zestful approach to life, always with a twinkle in his eye, his love of nature and reading, and his creativity and style as an artist, a carpenter, a painter, and a gardener. Fostered by a family trip to Africa as a teenager, throughout his short life he had a particularly deep love for animals. He also loved all types of music and enjoyed playing his guitar. Among the many who have fond memories of him are his beloved companion, Pam Parenteau, of Morgan; his loving mother, Carol, and wonderful stepfather, John Larson, of Lamoine, Maine; his father, Thomas Spicuzza, of Richmond, Virginia; his brother Richard Larson of West Melbourne, Florida; his stepbrother Jonathan Larson and his wife, Tamara, of Connecticut; his stepsister Michele Santos and her husband, John, of Connecticut; his uncles David C. Knight and his wife, Margo, of Maine and Stephen W. Knight and his wife, Cathy, of Connecticut; several loved cousins; and extended family. His family and friends ask that in lieu of flowers people please consider giving financial support in memory of Mr. Spicuzza to the Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 82, of Newport, Rhode Island, died Monday, July 24, 2006, at Newport Hospital. Mr. Spaulding was the husband of the late Christina (Woodard) Spaulding. Born in Newport, Vermont, on February 21, 1924, he was a son of the late Benjamin S. and Alda (Larabee) Spaulding. He was in the United States Navy for 20 years. He later worked for the former DeBlois Gas Station as a manager in Middletown, Rhode Island, for 17 years. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars Middletown Post No. 2284, and the Calvary United Methodist Church. He is survived by his sons: Charles Spaulding of Middletown, Edward D. Spaulding of Newport, Vermont, Andrew T. Spaulding of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Barry J. Spaulding of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; by his daughter Sarah K. Free of Pensicola, Florida; by his sister Marilyn Forbes of Vermont; by 12 grandchildren; and by four great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Florin Spaulding, Harold Spaulding, and Zilpha Robinson. A memorial service was held July 28 in the Memorial Funeral Home in Newport, Rhode Island. Burial will be private. Donations in Mr. Spaulding's memory may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church, Turner and Wyatt Road, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842.

of Titusville, Florida, died July 29, 2006, after a long illness. Mr. Percy was born in Derby Line on July 8, 1918, a son of Rufus and Ena Mae Waldron Percy. He graduated from Newport High School in 1938. He retired as sergeant from the U.S. Air Force in 1961 and from civil service in 1974. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Geraldine Aldrich Percy; by four sons and their wives: James and Jean of Titusville, Donald and Meg of Cataumet, Massachusetts, Ellis and JoAnn of Jefferson, Maine, and Kenneth and Diane of North Easton, Massachusetts; by daughter Mary R. Mysona of East Falmouth, Massachusetts; by nine grandchildren; by three great-granddaughters; by his brother Basil of Florida; his sister-in-law Lucille Bresse of Island Pond; and by many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and by four sisters. Donations in Mr. Percy's memory can be made to Hospice of St. Francis, P.O. Box 5563, Titusville, Florida 32783; or to My Brothers Keeper, P.O. Box 3552, Brockton, Massachusetts 02540. Memorial services will be held at the Veterans Administration National Cemetery of Massachusetts in Bourne on August 11 at 11 a.m.

, 90, died and went home to be with her Lord at her home in Coventry, with her loving family at her side, on Tuesday, July 25, 2006. Mrs. Hodgdon was born at home in Berlin on August 6, 1915, the second youngest of ten children of Daniel A. Perry and Maude (Crossett) Perry. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1933. She worked for four years in the bookkeeping department of her father's Perry Ford Dealership, earning $7 per week. She learned how to drive with her father, who would pick her up for lunch and make her practice with the standard shift on a hill. She attended Baypath Institute to learn secretarial skills from 1937 to 1938, leaving early due to times being tough. She then took a job with lawyer and former Governor F. Ray Keyser Sr. and met Wilfred Hodgdon at a Chelsea Church youth group during this time. Later, her job with the Selective Service Board involved having to call up her then boyfriend, Wilfred, for military service. She married Wilfred N. Hodgdon in Chicago, while he was on leave on October 24, 1942. Living briefly in California, where their first child, Lynette, was born, her sister Dulcina helped her with the baby for a time after her husband was deployed for World War II, after which the ladies returned to Vermont. After Mr. Hodgdon finished his World War II service, the growing family lived in Barre and later Coventry. Six devoted children resulted from this happy union: Lynette, Doug, Bill, Paula, Brad, and Lois Louise. She was well-known in the area. She served as Coventry town clerk from 1960 to 1975; in addition, she was town treasurer from 1960 to 1991. She was executive secretary at the John Campbell Real Estate office for many years and clerked at many auctions. She is survived by their children and their spouses: Lynette and Don Cutting of Irasburg, Doug and Sharon Hodgdon of Williamstown, Bill Hodgdon and his wife, Hong Yin, of Arlington, Massachusetts, Paula and Scott Rafferty of Newport, Brad and Pauline Hodgdon of Waterbury, and Lois and Lester Carbonneau of Coventry; by 14 grandchildren; by 14 great-grandchildren; by special nieces and nephews; by cousins; and by her sister Dulcina Perry. She was predeceased by her parents, D.A. and Maude Perry; by her husband, Wilfred Hodgdon; by her infant sister Esther; by her sisters: Betty, Grace, Beatrix, and Marjorie; and by her brothers: Courtland, Harold, and Morris. Funeral services were held July 29 at Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with Pastor Scott Libby and Pastor Ethan Kallberg officiating. Interment followed at Coventry Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Hodgdon's memory may be made to the Grace Brethren Church, P.O. Box 41, Coventry, Vermont 05825.

, 84, of New York City and Island Pond died in Barton on Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Mr. Goulet was born in Newport on January 1, 1922, a son of Charles R. and Goldie Pearl (Canning) Goulet. He attended St. Mary's School, and when it closed, he finished his education and graduated from Brighton High School. The following summer he had a large riding stable in Colebrook, New Hampshire. He then moved to New York City and worked for Remington Rand for 22 years. When it closed he started his own business called Remagan Sales, servicing typewriters and calculators, which he did for 15 fifteen years. He then sold his business and retired. After retirement he found himself with too much time on his hands and went to work for the Catholic Daughters of Americas in the shipping department until 1999. "Buddy," as he was known to his family, and "Ducky," as he was known to old school friends and cousins, was well known for being a true bird farmer in Island Pond, having well over 100 ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, and pheasants as well as goats. He was also well known for being an accomplished horseman, having some beautiful Morgan saddle-bred horses and showing in horse shows all over during summers. He designed and handmade silver parade outfits, which were unsurpassed. He also enjoyed tending to flowers. He is survived by his sister Vanessa Goulet of Island Pond; by his very dear friend John Lund of New York City; by friends: Barbara Avery of Newark, Marjorie Cooper of Texas, Beverly Gabhanski of Ludlow, and Glen Doyon of Florida; and by uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Goldie Canning Goulet; and by his niece Cindy Goulet. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 31 at St. James Catholic Church in Island Pond with the Reverend William Morgan officiating. Interment will take place at a later date.

, who died on June 16, 2006, will be held on Saturday, August 5, at St. James Catholic Church in Island Pond at 11 a.m. with the Reverend William Morgan officiating.

, 88, of Derby Line died August 14, 2006, in Newport. Mr. Blais was born April 16, 1918, in St. Hubert, Quebec. When he was five years old, his family, which would eventually include 14 children, moved to Vermont and established the farm in Holland. His first significant venture from home came in 1943 when he was deployed to the European Theater of Operation as a combat engineer with the United States Army. During his four years in the Army, he was awarded four battle stars. Upon his return to the Northeast Kingdom following the war, he married Floride Lagueux of Stanstead, Quebec. They soon set up residence at their home on Elm Street where they lived together for 58 years. His wife predeceased him on April 14, 2004. He worked at Butterfield's in Derby Line for 43 years, for most of that time as a machine operator. When he retired, he had been a supervisor for ten years. His devotion to his community knew no bounds. He served as a trustee for the village of Derby Line for 20 years, seven years less than the time he was on the Derby Board of Civil Authority. He was a member of the Derby Line Fire Department for 28 years, 18 of those as fire chief. For the time that he was fire chief, he was also a member of the Derby, Holland, and Morgan rescue squad. For four years, he was a director of the Orleans-Essex chapter of the American Red Cross. He was president of the International Water Company for six years and for a decade was Derby Line's representative to the Vermont Electric Cooperative. Along the way, he found time to help coach the Little League Derby Line Dodgers and to serve in various roles for the town and county Democratic Party. He was appointed head of civil defense for the town of Derby during the Cold War. As such, he successfully averted any hostile military incursions into northern Vermont during those stressful years. For the entire time he lived in Derby Line, he was a parishioner at St. Edward's Catholic Church. He was president of St. Edward's Cemetery for 22 years. The highlight of his public service came after his retirement from Butterfield's when the good people of his community elected him to serve in the Vermont House in Montpelier. He served in that position for three terms. While he was in the House, he and his wife stayed in Montpelier during the legislative sessions. He was provided the opportunity to argue politics during the day, play cards during the evening, and sleep with his wife at night. If Heaven can only be so glorious! The couple had four children, all of whom survive him: Maurice and his wife, Debbie, of Carlsbad, California, Norman of Burlington, Claude of Killington, and Lena who, with her husband, Larry, is in the process of returning to Seattle, Washington. He is survived by his grandchildren: Wendi, Kyle, Jessica, and David; by four great-grandchildren: Sebastian, Cordelia, Madelena, and Fiona; by his brothers Alphonse Blais and his wife, Jacqueline, of Marlboro, Massachusetts, and Joseph Blais and his wife, Carmen, of Derby Line; by his sisters Therese Blanchette of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and Marianna Paquette of Derby; and by a host of nephews and nieces. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Edward's Catholic Church at 2 p.m. on August 17. Visiting hours will be at Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport from 5 to 8 p.m. August 16. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Blais' honor to the Derby Line Fire and Ambulance Squad, 67 Beech Street, Derby Line, Vermont 05830; or to whoever secures the Democratic nomination for United States President in 2008.

, 66, died Sunday, August 6, 2006, in Montgomery. Mr. Haselton was born November 10, 1939, in Newport to the late Lyman and Edna (Blay) Haselton. He attended schools in Newport and Rochester, New Hampshire. He will be remembered for his love of skiing, scuba diving, boating, hunting, and fishing. He served in the U.S. Air Force and owned several businesses over the years in Massachusetts, Florida, and Vermont. He was predeceased by his brother Lieutenant John H. Haselton; and by his son Jeffery Daniel Haselton. He is survived by three of his children: Jamie Haselton of Switzerland and Judith Haselton and Jonathan Haselton Stewart of Burlington; and by a sister, Sandra McKenny, and her husband, Ronald, of Newport. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Haselton's memory may be made to the Goodrich Memorial Library, 202 Main Street, Newport, Vermont 05855. Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

, 96, of Derby Line died peacefully August 13, 2006, in Barton surrounded by her family. Mrs. Blais was born May 1, 1910, in St. Cecile, Quebec, a daughter of Joseph and Marie (Gosselin) Duquette. On June 23, 1931, she married Antonio Blais, who predeceased her in 1978. She was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line and the Altar Society. At one time she was employed at the Tice School in Holland where she was the hot lunch cook. She also worked as a clerk at Gilman's Five and Ten in Derby Line. She will be remembered as a very warm, caring lady with a contagious smile, always hospitable to all who came to visit. Her home was a haven to many nieces and nephews who needed her tender, loving care. To the younger members of her husband's family she was known as "Sa Mere," for being there for them after their mother died and went to her heavenly reward. "Memere" had an open door policy. The warmth of her home was enhanced by the aroma of her French cuisine - tourtieres, soups, and pies. Her delicious doughnuts served with caramel spread were always a treat, especially to her many grandchildren. She lived on the farm in Holland until 1960. She then moved to Derby Line, living there until 2004. She spent 15 years at Michaud Manor and the last 18 months at Maple Lane, where she received special tender, loving care from the devoted staff at both locations. Her faith was evident in her prayers especially the rosary, offered for anyone undergoing the hardships of life. She also enjoyed visits from her family, music, dancing, knitting, and playing cards and bingo. She is survived by her children: Gilles Blais and his wife, Rachel, of Derby Line, Doris Poirier of Barton, Pauline Sanville and her husband, Ronald, of Troy, Sylvia Lauzon and her husband, Philip, of Fort Covington, New York, and Gerald Blais and his friend, Joanna Forcier, of Newport; by a stepdaughter, Pauline Nadeau, and her husband, Roland, of Lyman, Maine; by 42 grandchildren; by 76 great-grandchildren; by nine great-great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Therese Lussier, of Magog, Quebec. She was predeceased by ten brothers and sisters. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line with the Reverend Yvon Royer celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Interment will follow in St. Edward's Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Blais' memory may be made to the Derby Line Ambulance Squad, in care of Brian Fletcher, P.O. Box 15, Derby Line, Vermont 05830; or to Sister Carmen, Daughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 226 Grove Street, Littleton, New Hampshire 03561.

will be held on Monday, August 21, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Joy Toll-Chandler officiating with full military honors.

, 88, of Orange City, Florida, died July 9, 2006, at Hospice of Volusia-Flagler Care Center. Mrs. Smith was born in Barton on April 10, 1918, to Clyde and Gertrude (Folsom) Cassidy. She attended Barton Academy and graduated in 1936. Following graduation she attended the Sherbrooke School of Nursing and graduated in 1940. In 1944 she married Lloyd Perkins Sr., and in 1951 they moved to Florida where she had a career in nursing. She also held a real estate license and had a tile and cabinet business. Her husband, Lloyd Perkins, died in 1971. She later married McFerrin Smith who predeceased her as well. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and a member and past president of the American Business Women. She is survived by a son, Lloyd E. "Skip" Perkins, and his wife, Jeanene, of Toledo, Ohio; by a stepson, McFerrin Smith, of Deland, Florida; by a stepdaughter, Martha Claire, of Connecticut; by two brothers, Robert Cassidy and his wife, Mary Lou, of Naugatuck, Connecticut, and Clyde Cassidy and his wife, Pauline, of Calais; by two granddaughters, Michele Jackson and her husband, Chris, and Lisa Nixon and her husband, Douglas, all of Atlanta, Georgia; by six great-grandchildren; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Bernard Cassidy, of Deland. There was a service on July 12 at the Lankford Funeral Home in Deland, and burial was at the Deland Memorial Gardens.

, 53, a longtime resident of East Albany, died Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at her home in the loving care of her family. Mrs. Niles was born in Newport on August 6, 1952, a daughter of Gerard and Denaige (Casavant) Tremblay. She attended grade school in Albany and was a graduate of Lake Region Union High School in 1970. She trained as a beautician in Manchester, New Hampshire, and was employed at Iola's in Newport for a few years. On October 2, 1971, she married Ronald Niles in East Albany. They made their home on her family farm on the Creek Road. When her daughters were in school she went to work as a janitor at the East Albany school, later becoming the elementary school secretary. She held that position for about 20 years. A loving farm wife, she enjoyed her family, her garden, sewing, dancing, and listening to music. Survivors include her husband, Ronald; four daughters: Nicole Libby and her husband, Monte, and Courtney Farrar and her husband, Tim, all of East Albany, Nannette Lantagne and her husband, Bryan, of West Glover, and Casee Niles and her fiancé, Matthew O'Brien, of Springfield, Massachusetts; a brother, John Tremblay, and his wife, Carolyn, of East Albany; four sisters: Gertrude Brien and her husband, George, of Georgia, Yvette Lamarche and her husband, Ronald, of Corinth, Maine, Jeanne Smith and her husband, Robert, of Lunenburg, and AlineMierjewski and her husband, Edward, of Lutz, Florida; six grandchildren: Preston and Peyton Libby and Brittney, Nicholas, Noah, and Bailey Lantagne; and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass was celebrated August 5 at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in East Albany with Father Dan Rupp officiating. Interment of her ashes will be in St. John of the Cross Cemetery in East Albany. Contributions in Mrs. Niles' memory may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Vermont-New Hampshire Affiliate, P.O. Box 2496, Manchester Center, Vermont 05255.

, 78, of Holland died on July 31, 2006, at his residence. Mr. Miller was born August 9, 1927, in Troy, New York, a son of John and Elizabeth (House) Miller. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a burner technician for Fred's Plumbing and Heating in Derby. He retired in 1992. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 798 in Newport, the North Troy American Legion, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He is survived by his children: William Miller of Marathon, New York, Gloria Babcock and her husband, Terry, of San Diego, California, Toni Huber and her husband, Duane, of Dendron, Virginia, Gina Miller of Holland, and John Miller and his wife, Joanne, of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire; by ten grandchildren; by a brother, John Miller, and his wife, Jean, of Holland; by a sister, Sally Davin, of Watervliet, New York; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services were held August 4 at 2 p.m. at the Veterans Cemetery in Randolph with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Miller's memory may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 798, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 77, of North Troy died in Newport on Friday, August 4, 2006. Mrs. Merritt was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 20, 1928, a daughter of the late Eileen (Mattson) and Aulis Hill. She was a graduate of Yuba City Business College in California. She loved helping her friends and people in need. On September 17, 1977, she married William Merritt, who predeceased her in October 1995. She is survived by her daughter, Norma Jean Green of Troy, New Hampshire; by her grandchildren Melissa R. Howe of Chester and Heather R. Deem of Richmond, New Hampshire; by her great-grandchildren: Skylar Howe, Alyssa Deem, and Brie Howe; and by her sister Marguarite Roy of Arizona. She was predeceased by her grandson Mitchell R. Howe; and by her sister Lila Barnard. A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 11, at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell at 2 p.m. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Merritt's memory may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 100 Dorset Street, Suite 4, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.

, 65, of Newport died at her home on August 2, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Laforce was born on December 2, 1940, in Drummondville, Quebec, a daughter of Napoleon and Yvonne Lacharite Daigneault. On August 5, 1961, she married Jean-M. Laforce. They moved to Newport in 1964 when Jean and his partner bought Newport Furniture Parts. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, and for the last 12 years spent winters at their home in Florida. She enjoyed bowling, cooking, doing arts and crafts, playing cards with family and friends, and dancing. She especially enjoyed family gatherings and her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Jean, of Newport; by her children: Maryse O'Brien and her husband, Jay, and his daughter Paige of Jericho, Nancy and her companion, David Graves, and his daughter Brianna of Coventry, and David and his wife, Julie, of Derby; by her grandchildren: Kaylee Jean Graves, Justin Laforce, and Trevor Laforce; by her brothers Gilles Daigneault and his wife, Murielle, of Quebec and Larry Daigneault and his wife, Claudette, of Newport; by her sisters Nicole Lefebvre and her husband, Yvon, of Quebec and Suzanne Poisson and her husband, Daniel, of Quebec; and by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many close friends. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 4 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport with the Reverend Yvon Royer officiating. Interment followed at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Laforce's memory may be made to Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to Sacred Heart School, Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vermont 05855.