Alfred N. Diette
The Eagle and Vail valleys in Colorado lost a lot of character on March 22 with the loss of a valley favorite, Fred “Bullit” Diette, due to a stroke.
He left this world surrounded by a room full of equally big characters telling old-day Vail Ski Patrol tales. “Bullit”, so nicknamed because of his famous speed down the hill while being probably one of the smallest men in the patrol, was well remembered for various colorful events – things that could have only happened in a bygone time when rules of the mountain were few.
Fred was born May 4, 1934, in Lowell, grew up on a farm, learned to ski at Jay Peak, became an instructor, and after a successful skiing career heading the ski school at Okemo and patrolling at the Camel Back Ski Area in Pennsylvania, he ventured to Colorado to join the young skiing community of Vail. While he deeply loved this valley, he remained a staunch and real Vermonter through every part of him.
A good friend to many in the area, his closest friends were his hunting friends, those he worked with in construction, and his ski patrol and ski school comrades. His stories almost always included all of them, as well as his fierce pride in being raised on a Vermont farm, developing a great love for tractors and draft horses that began as a young boy handling a team in the fields. He held a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying for many years. His beloved pets of many years were Choco (a lab) and his horse, Jim Beam.
He was also a chef, an expert at the grill, and took pride in being part of the annual elk steak barbecue held at patrol headquarters atop Vail Mountain in honor of President Gerald Ford who used to winter in Vail.
And loyal to the end, Fred’s wishes were that his ashes be returned to the St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell, where many of his family rest. It was his wish that his funeral service be held there.
Fred is survived by his sisters, Connie Daigle and her husband, Conrad, of Newport, Claudette Hall and her husband, Tom Gleason, of Zephyrhills, Florida, and Poughkeepsie, New York, and Paulette (Vincent) Vitale of Moore, Oklahoma; a brother, Maurice Diette, and his wife, Sandra, of Colchester; a daughter, Patricia Miles; and a granddaughter, Madyson Taylor, of Connecticut, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Because of his love of children, donations may be made in his name to the Masonic/Greater Eagle Fire Toy Drive at P.O. Box 783, Eagle, Colorado 81631.
A memorial service will be held May 29 at 11 a.m. at the St. Ignatius Church in Lowell. Burial will follow.
Gary Frank Rowe
Gary Frank Rowe, 57, of Newport died suddenly on April 15, 2010, at his home.
He was born September 4, 1952, in Newport, a son of Frank and Rachel (Brault) Rowe.
He graduated from North Country Union High School in 1971 and entered the U.S. Air Force where he was with the military police stationed in England and Italy.
For 20 years he was employed by North Country Hospital in Newport.
Mr. Rowe was a volunteer for the Newport Rotary Basketball Tournament and he was president of the Orleans County Babe Ruth/Softball Cal Ripken League. He was a member of the North Country Football Booster’s Club, and he also volunteered for many kids’ sporting events.
He is survived by his sisters and brother: Gail Rowe of Newport, Susan Roberge and her husband, Jacques, of Newport, Joyce Hilson of Newport, and Ricky Rowe of Newport; also by several nieces and nephews: Cliff Roberge, Megan Hilson, Shelby Hilson, Jeremy Rowe, and Jessica Rowe; and by great nephews Owen Roberge and Carver Maxwell. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rachel Rowe; by a sister Carolyn Rowe in 1967 and by his brother-in-law Don Hilson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend Richard Whitehill officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of the funeral. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport with military honors.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to Little League, in care of Jared Gonyaw, 179 Northern Avenue, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Arrangements by Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Theresa M. Snider
Theresa M. Snider, 85, formerly of Derby and Lowell, died peacefully on April 14, 2010, in St. Albans.
Mrs. Snider moved to St. Albans to be with her daughter Dianna.
She was born February 15, 1925, in Lowell, a daughter of Willie and Rose (Comtois) Beaulieu.
On June 7, 1945, she married Raoul Snider who predeceased her on March 19, 2000.
Mrs. Snider’s hobbies were bowling, sewing, flower gardening, dancing, playing bingo and cards.
She is survived by her children: Carmie Snider and his wife, Christine, of Bradenton, Florida, Dianna Baraby and her husband, John, of St. Albans, and Shermie Snider of Wichita Falls, Texas; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two brothers: Leo and Phillip; and two sisters: Mary Jane Ferland and Gracia Choquette.
Funeral services were held April 17 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line where a Mass was celebrated. Interment followed in St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimers Association of Vermont and New Hampshire, 172 North Main Street, Barre, Vermont 05641-4124.
Arrangements by the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Lawrence C. Thompson
Lawrence C. Thompson Sr., 84, of Newport died peacefully April 11, 2010, at his home.
He was born August 27, 1925, in Newport, a son of Raymond and Nell (Clark) Thompson.
Upon graduation from Derby Academy in 1942, he joined the U.S. Marines Corp and attended officers candidate school at Duke University, earning the rank of 1st lieutenant. While serving in WWII and the Korean War he moved to the rank of captain before his honorable discharge in 1954.
Mr. Thompson went on to pursue a career with Ethan Allen, Inc., moving from Orleans to Danbury, Connecticut, and retiring as an executive officer.
He and his wife, Eleanor, enjoyed many winters in Florida and summers in Vermont while taking time to travel the country and abroad. Mr. Thompson was an avid golfer and bridge player, and he enjoyed antiquing and collecting banks.
On October 2, 1947, he married Eleanor Dean Wolcott who survives him. He is also survived by his son Lawrence “Butch” Thompson Jr. and his wife, Anne, of Derby; his daughter Cynthia Paula and her husband, Ron, of Derby; by four grandchildren: John and James Scott, Raymond Thompson and Jeffery Thompson and his wife, Maya; a great-grandson Kai Thompson; and by nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a sister, Pansy Morgan. Graveside services were held on April 16 at the Derby Center Cemetery with the Reverend Fred Barker officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurse’s Association and Hospice, Inc., at 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855, or to the North Country Hospital Oncology Department, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Arrangements by the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Elizabeth A. Valley
Elizabeth A. Valley, 87, of Barton died peacefully on April 14, 2010, in Newport.
She was born July 29, 1922, in Glover a daughter of Charles and Rogean (LeClair) Robinson.
On June 8, 1942, she married Paul A. Valley who predeceased her.
She and her late husband owned and operated their farm in Westmore for more than 40 years until retirement in the 1980s at which time their son Terrance bought the farm.
Mrs. Valley was active in running the farm as well as bringing up the family, and she still found time to work at the Franklin Store in Barton for 26 years. She always enjoyed having the family over to visit and especially enjoyed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing bingo and dominos.
She is survived by her children: Kenneth Valley and his wife, Susan, of Connecticut and Florida, Donna Poginy and her husband, Peter, of Barton, and Terrance Valley and his wife, Allison, of Westmore; grandchildren Jeffrey Poginy and his wife, Jessica, Angela Poginy, Erica Ingalls and her husband, James, Derrick Poginy and his wife, Emily, Erin Dawson and her husband, Paul, Pamela Major and her husband, Chris, Megan and her fiancee, Kevin Choquette, Tyler, Morgan, and Jeremy Valley; and by great-grandchildren Noah and Nicole Dawson, Michaela and Aiden Poginy, Ciara Major, Bailey Ingalls, Jacob Poginy, Ava Clarkson, and Benjamin Choquette. She is also survived by two brothers, Wayne Robinson and his wife, Lynn, of Maine, and Graydon Robinson and his wife, Virginia, of Maine; and a sister-in-law, Effie Robinson of Idaho.
She was predeceased by an infant son, Richard Dean Valley, a sister, Charlotte Gravel, and by a brother, Llewellyn Robinson.
Funeral services were held April 19 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Sixmund Nyabenda celebrating a Mass. Interment for Mrs. Valley and her husband, Paul, followed in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Barton.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division, 55 Day Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495. Arrangements by the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
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