Obituaries

Obituaries January 16,2013

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Nicholas Bliven
Nicholas Bliven

Nicholas A. Bliven

 Nicholas A. Bliven, 29, beloved son of Laramie Bliven and George Bliven, was suddenly called to heaven to be a special angel on Thursday, January 10, 2013.

He was born in Miami, Florida, lived in Lowell as a child, and came home in February 2012 to start anew with his family in Derby Line.  Although Mr. Bliven had experienced many difficulties in his life, he remained strong, never gave up, and was determined to get well and have a happy life.

He was a kind, loving, gentle man who loved to cook and was hoping to attend the New England Culinary Institute and eventually own his own restaurant.  He also loved to draw and spent much of his time honing those skills.  He had a special connection with his niece Hailey, and they enjoyed playing Xbox, being artistic and just spending time together.

Mr. Bliven had four beautiful children who he loved dearly and two others who he also loved and embraced as his own.  His heart ached every day that he was not with them.  Unfortunately, he had to leave them in Tennessee to get well with the goal of providing them with a better life.  He loved the outdoors, had hiked part of the Appalachian Trail, and always wanted to return and complete the trail from start to finish.  Anyone who really knew him knew they were blessed that he was their friend.

Mr. Bliven is survived by his beautiful children:  Ryleigh, three months; Tristan, two years; Dante, four years; Jaelynn, six years; Trinidee, 13 years; and Andree, 14 years; by his partner, Sabrina Proffitt, of Morristown, Tennessee; by his mother, Laramie Bliven, of Derby Line; his father, George Bliven, and his wife, Cathy, of Port Angeles, Washington; two loving sisters:  Hilary Bliven and her partner, Courtney Forbes, of Homestead, Florida, Sydney Bliven and her partner, Anthony Columbia, of Newport Center; his special niece Hailey Bliven of Derby Line; his maternal grandparents Beryl and Clayton Foss of Sebastian, Florida; his paternal grandfather, Seth I. Bliven, of Sebring, Florida; his uncles:  Glenn Foss, Dale Foss, and Steve Greenbaum; his aunts: Chris Ellen Bliven and Margaret Gandee; his nieces:  Sanya and Gemyah Allen; his nephew Joshua Allen; and a few very special close friends.

There will be no calling hours and a private memorial will be held at a later date for the family.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Vermont (NAMI) 162 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont 05676-1519.

We will miss you until we meet again, but we are at peace knowing that you are at peace.  We know you will be watching over us from heaven.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit bolducFernand O. Bolduc

 We have a lot to be thankful for.  After 95-plus good years, Dad died on the morning of January 3, 2013.

He was born on June 2, 1917.

Although his family was from Cookshire, Quebec, Canada, Dad was actually born in Auburn, Maine, on June 2, 1917.  His parents had come to the U.S. looking for work, leaving the family farm behind for now.  When our dad was approximately age two, they went back to the family farm in Cookshire.  There was one more trip back and forth within a couple of years, but only for a short time.  Dad left school in the seventh grade.  Like his father used say, “that was enough education and there was work to be done on the farm.”  So there was mostly farming in the warmer months and logging in the winter.  Dad even spent time logging in the U.S. over the years.

Sometime during this period of his life, the girl on the farm down the road, our mother Jeanne Carrier, must have caught his eye.  In the late thirties, he went to Hartford, Connecticut, to live with an uncle and work in a factory there.  While he was in Hartford, World War II broke out, he was drafted into the American Army in 1942, and was honorably discharged in 1946.  He didn’t waste time going back to Canada and finding our mother who had been working at a hotel cooking and waitressing.  They were married on June 24, 1946.

Our Mom working at a hotel must have given them the idea because that same year, they purchased a hotel in Lyndonville with another couple.  Within a year, they sold their share and purchased the Valley House Hotel, later called the Valley House Inn, in Orleans, in 1947.  Over the next 33 years, they build many lifelong friendships and memories too numerous to mention.  They would continue to play a part in the Valley House until it was destroyed in a tragic fire in January 1998.

While at the Valley House, they had three boys:  Michel, Frank, and David.  David and Frank would purchase the hotel from them in 1980 with David as manager and Frank as silent partner until its loss in 1998.  Dad and Mom moved back to her family farm in Cookshire and they lived in that area until their passing.  They made frequent trips to Orleans and to many places in Europe and the U.S. visiting their children and family over those retirement years.

Fern and Jeanne would spend 64 years together prior to Mom’s passing at the age of 92 in September 2010.  Both folks lived good lives right up to their passing, so we feel truly blessed.

Dad was predeceased by his brother Raymond and sister Therese.

He has one surviving brother, Noel, who lives in Sherbrooke.  He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Dolores Reid, in Scotland.  He leaves behind his son Michel and daughter-in-law Elaine who live in Texas; their daughters Cynthia and Jessica, as well as Pamela; son Frank who lives in Florida; and son David and daughter-in-law Louise who live in Orleans; and their children Rance and Celeste.  He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren.

There will be no calling hours.

A Mass was celebrated on January 12 at St. Camille Catholic Church in Cookshire, Quebec, with plans to have a family gathering at the spring interment in celebration of their lives.

Glenn Bowen
Glenn Bowen

Glenn M. Bowen

Glenn M. Bowen, 80, of Newport Center died peacefully on Monday, January 7, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born on August 30, 1932, in Newport Center, a son of Frederick and Asenath (O’Brien) Bowen.  In 1950, he graduated from Newport High School.

On July 2, 1955, he married Helen Armstrong, who survives him.

Mr. Bowen was a self-employed farmer for many years and he also drove a school bus for North Country Union High School.  He was a member of the Newport Center Methodist Church.  He loved gardening, maple sugaring, and in his younger years he enjoyed fishing, including ice fishing, camping, traveling, and tinkering around his home, and he did many projects for his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Helen Bowen of Newport Center; by his children:  Jean Hammond and her husband, Charles, of Newport Center, and Debra M. Bowen and her fiancé, Steve Register, of Live Oak, Florida; by his grandchildren:  Jesse Hammond of North Troy, and Chris Hammond and his wife, Emily, of Newport Center; by his great-grandchildren:  Madison and Tyler; by his sisters:  Lois Rockwell of Newport Center, and Nelda Hodek and her husband, Hank, of Florida; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was predeceased by his sister, Eunice Koniezny.

Funeral services were held on January 12 in Newport.

Spring interment will be in Newport Center Cemetery on May 25 at 11 a.m.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Newport Center Methodist Church, care of Charles Drown, 334 Cross Road, Newport Center, Vermont 05857; or to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Niles Gray
Niles Gray

Niles O. Gray

Niles O. Gray, 67, of Coventry died peacefully on January 8, 2013, in White River Junction.

He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior in June 2012 and is now present with the lord.

He was born July 29, 1945, in West Stewartstown, New Hampshire, a son of Earl and Margarett (Edwards) Gray.

On February 10, 1990, he married Monique Boutin, who survives him.

He enlisted into the United States Army where he received the Purple Heart, serving his country during the Vietnam War.  Mr. Gray was an inventory clerk for Ethan Allen Manufacturing for 35 years.

He enjoyed the small farm and the animals that were on it.  He really liked his tractor. He was a family man who enjoyed his children and grandchildren.  He was loved by everyone and always enjoyed the company of his family.

He is survived by his wife, Monique Gray, of Coventry; by his children:  Paul Gray and his wife, Kathy, of Island Pond, Travis Gray of Hawaii, Steve Belley and his companion, Danielle, of Quebec, Gaetan Belley and his wife, Trisha, of Quebec, and Johanne Collins and her husband, Cliff, of Newport Center; by ten grandchildren; by his sisters:  Gleigh Heath and her husband, William, of Island Pond, Anna Johnson of Orleans, Charlotte Gunn of Island Pond, Patricia Gray of St. Johnsbury, Ginny Wing and her husband, Alan, of Island Pond; by his sister-in-law Gunda Gray of Danville; by dear family friend Diane Brindley; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter Wendy; by his brothers Earl and Glenn Gray; and by his sister Marilyn Wade.

Funeral services were held on January 11 at the Grace Brethren Church in Irasburg with the Reverend Scott Libby officiating.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the VA Medical Center for the Hospice Suite, Building 31, Ground Floor, 215 Main Street, White River Junction, Vermont 05009.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

 Award of the Army Commendation Medal

The following award is announced: US51546346 Private First Class E3 United States Army Company A 2d Battalion 18th Infantry; Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device August 1966: July 2, 1966: Gray-Niles

Republic of Vietnam

For Heroism: While conducting search and destroy operations in Loc Ninh Province near the Cambodian border, his unit was attacked by a numerically superior insurgent force armed with automatic weapons, small arms, grenades, rocket launchers and mortars.  During this action, he displayed outstanding valor and exemplary courage while inflicting heavy casualties upon the Viet Cong.  With complete disregard for his personal safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile fire in order to place highly effective fire upon insurgent positions.  During the entire engagement, the only concern of this outstanding soldier was for successful completion of his mission.  The rapidity and aggressiveness with which he followed the orders of his superiors were in large measure responsible for his company’s achievement.  In repelling the repeated insurgent assaults, he gave material aid to the overwhelming success with which the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry accomplished its mission. Private First Class Gray’s actions are keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.  By direction of Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of AR 672-5-1.

Fratia Marsh
Fratia and Bill Marsh

Fratia L. Marsh

 Fratia L Marsh, 84, of North Troy died on January 14, 2013.

She was born May 17, 1928, in North Troy to Melvin Dunn and Mary E. Dunn.

She graduated from North Troy High School and the University of Vermont School of Nursing.  She was a clinical instructor for UVM’s school of nursing before moving back to North Troy after marrying William “Bill” Marsh in July of 1955.

Mrs. Marsh was a nurse at the Orleans Hospital before becoming a school nurse responsible for the schools of North Troy, Troy, Jay, Lowell, Westfield, and Newport Center for many years.  She was also a longtime member of the Troy School Board.  She loved her job and cared deeply for her students and her community. She was always willing to help others in the community in any way she could.

She is survived by her son Peter and his wife, Eleanor (Evans) Marsh, of Huntington; her grandchildren Megan and Christopher also of Huntington; her sister Lois Guyette and children David, James, Carol, Robert, and John; her brother James Dunn and his wife; her sister-in-law Muriel Dunn and children Dennis, Cheryl, Robert, Terri, and Judy; several grandnieces and -nephews; her husband’s nephews and nieces Carolyn Marsh, Carmi Michael Marsh and his wife, Pierrette, and Judy Hughs.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, less than a week ago.  She stayed strong for him for many years but was ready to leave this earth with him.  Their bond was strong and apparent to all who knew them. Mrs. Marsh was also predeceased by four siblings:  Grover or “Buddy,” Dorothy, Roberta, and Jimmy.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that contributions in Mrs. Marsh’s name be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855, or to North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Funeral services for both Mr. and Mrs. Marsh were scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday January 16, 2013 from 9 a.m. until the hour of the funeral. Spring interment will be in Newport Center Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit Marsh
William Marsh

 William K. “Bill” Marsh

William K. “Bill” Marsh, 89, of North Troy died on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

He was born on July 23, 1923, in Morrisville, to Carmi R. Marsh and Louise E. Marsh.  He graduated from North Troy High School in 1941.  He was a member of the 1938 North Troy High School state baseball championship team.

Mr. Marsh enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, where he served in the 268th Field Artillery Battalion.  He was wounded in Germany in 1944 and discharged in 1945.  He went on to graduate from the Boston University College of Business Administration in 1949.  He held several positions:  cost accounting clerk for Owens Illinois Plywood Company and Green Mountain Power Corporation; a comptroller for Owens Illinois Plywood Company; business manager for the Vermont Department of Forests and Parks; and he also served as Deputy Finance Commissioner and Director of Financial Operations for the state of Vermont from 1961 to 1978.  He retired in 1978 due to ill health.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his wife Fratia, who he married in 1955; his son Peter and his wife, Eleanor (Evans) Marsh, of Huntington; his grandchildren:  Megan and Christopher, also of Huntington; his nephews and nieces:  Carolyn Marsh, Carmi Michael Marsh and his wife, Pierrette, and Judy Hughs and husband, Mark; his sister-in-law Lois Guyette and her children:  David, James, Carol, Robert, and John; his brother-in-law James Dunn and his wife; his sister-in-law Muriel Dunn and her children:  Dennis, Cheryl, Robert, Terri, and Judy; and by several grandnieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by two brothers:  Frederick and Carmi W. Marsh.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill Road, in Newport.  Friends may call at the funeral home on January 16 from 9 a.m. until the hour of the funeral.

Spring interment will be in Newport Center Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Mr. Marsh’s name be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Ken Powers
Ken Powers

Kenneth John Powers

 Kenneth John Powers, 90, of Newport died peacefully on January 10, 2013, at his home.

He was born April 5, 1922, in Derby, a son of Claude and Lena (Ellis) Powers, and also of his stepfather, Ernest Baraw.

He was a veteran of World War II and served in Germany and France in an infantry unit, where he met and married the love of his life, Jacqueline.  They were married for 68 years.  He was an office manager for Nadeau’s Auto Parts and Salvage.  He was employed for H.P. Hood and Sons, and he retired from Waste USA.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, going to hunting camp with his son Richard and grandson Scott.  He was known as the Old Man of the Mountain.  He also enjoyed gardening, reading on his porch, taking care of his house, and visiting with family.  He would help anyone in need.  Mr. Powers held memberships with St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #798, both of Newport.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Powers, of Newport; by his children:  Shirley McFadzean and her husband, Verne, of Alburg and Richard Powers and his wife, Rachel, of Coventry; by his grandchildren:  Julie Terrazzano of Georgia, Deanna McFadzean of St. Albans, Kathleen Shedd and her husband, Jay, of Fairfax, and Scott Powers of Atlanta, Georgia; by his great-grandchildren:  Garrett, Abby and Val, Jenna, Olivia, Ricky, Nichole and her husband, Landon, and Chloe; and by his great-grandson Brantley.

He was predeceased by an infant brother, John, and infant daughter, Linda Lee.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855, or to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Vida Powers
Vida Powers

Vida Mary Powers

Vida Mary Powers, 84, died on Tuesday morning, January 8, 2013, in her home in the village of West Charleston, after a short battle with cancer.

She was surrounded by her family in her final weeks and did not suffer thanks to the services of the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice care, with her granddaughter Summer Brunelle serving as her care provider.

She was born on February 17, 1928, at the Doncaster farm on the shores of Little Salem in Derby.  Her parents were Vernon Doncaster and Annie (Aiken) Doncaster.

She grew up on the Doncaster farm on Little Salem in Derby, and often told stories from the old days of doing the farm chores, living off the land and attending the one-room schoolhouse.  A few of her favorite stories were about her father making her clean and eat Salem horn pout (which she hated), being tricked by her brother Wayne into doing his work, and how her brothers taught her to swim across the “neck” between Little and Big Salem by telling her to watch the dog and do as he did.

She lived in the village of West Charleston her entire adult life.  Her white house on the hill was known by most in the community and was a common gathering point for family and friends over the past many decades.  She loved gardening and working in her flowers every day, never resting if a weed or grub was in one of her beds.  She was the family matriarch who gladly opened her home as the focal point for the extended family and friends.  She was not shy about giving her family advice and often drilled the lessons of living frugally and within your means.  Many recall the traditional Sunday gatherings at the home place to gossip and play cards while enjoying her delicious culinary creations that became know as the “Sunday Special.”  She was proud of her associate’s degree in teaching that she earned at night while raising a family, making many long drives to New Hampshire to attend classes.  She enjoyed teaching Head Start in Island Pond and Newport for many years and often ran into her old students when she was out shopping or yard-saleing.  She discovered traveling when her son Gary moved away, and enjoyed many trips to Florida, Arizona and Indiana.

In recent years, she enjoyed getting back to Salem Lake to enjoy pontoon rides and family visits on the deck.  She also loved to go to the local restaurants with her daughter Beth, her husband, Clifford Crowe, and his mother, Kitty.

She is survived by her children:  Beth Crowe and her husband, Clifford, of West Charleston, Marsha Brunelle and her husband, Victor, of West Charleston, and Gary Powers and his wife, Jennifer, of Lafayette, Indiana; her brother Wayne Doncaster and his wife, Betty, of Irasburg; her seven grandchildren:  Jeffrey Powers, Summer Brunelle, Gabriel Brunelle, Megan Timmons, Casey Powers, Marshall Powers and Annie Powers; and by her great-grandchildren:  Kylie Monfett. Ricky Mislick, and Jacob Brunelle.  She also had many nieces and nephews, and was especially close to Cheryl Lawson, Keith Austin and Kathy Currie, whom she helped raise after her sister Vivian’s early passing.  She was predeceased by her husband Ray Powers in 2005; and by her siblings:  Wendell Doncaster, Vivian Austin, Joyce Jennesse and Otis Doncaster.

A memorial service was held on January 11 in Newport.

Memorial donations may be made to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit Talbot
Richard Talbot

Richard D. Talbot

Richard D. Talbot, 76, of Jay, died suddenly on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at his home.

He was born on June 3, 1936, in Springfield, Massachusetts, a son of William and Ruth (Johnson) Talbot.  On June 14, 1962, he married Shirley Riendeau who survives him.  The couple celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 2012.

Mr. Talbot entered the United States Marines, where he served his country during the Korean War.  During his lifetime, he was a traffic manager for General Instrument Corp., from where he retired.  He was an NRA patron member, PVA life member, DAV life member, and a member of the American Legion Post #28 of North Troy.  He graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, and from the Hartford School of Criminology in Hartford, Connecticut.  He loved his family, especially his grandchildren and their visits.  He enjoyed woodworking, landscaping, and carpentry.

He is survived by his children:  Luke Talbot of Island Pond, John Talbot and his wife, Kasey, of Newark, Matthew Talbot and his companion, Amber Lyon, of Westmore, Janelle Light and her husband, Robert, of Morrisonville, New York, and Beth Fitzgerald of Westfield, Massachusetts; his grandchildren:  Travis, Abel, Robert (R.J.), August, Molly, Savannah, and Kaeleigh; a great-granddaughter, Evelyn; and by several nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his sisters:  Eleanor McNulty and Mary Agnes Funai and her husband, Fran.  He was predeceased by a son and daughter, and by two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were held on January 12 in North Troy.  Spring interment will be in Jay Cemetery with full military honors.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Shriners’ Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit whippleDorothy E. Whipple

Dorothy E. Whipple, 83, of Newport died on January 12, 2013, in Newport.

She was born October 3, 1929, in Orleans, a daughter of Elmer and Greta (Dunham) Hilliard.  In 1950 she married Leland Whipple, who predeceased her in 1986.

Mrs. Whipple worked as a nurse’s aid at the Maple Lane Nursing Home for over 20 years.  She also was employed at the soup kitchen at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Newport.  She held memberships with the American Legion and VFW auxiliaries and the Orleans Senior Center.  Her hobbies included knitting, fishing, crocheting, doing puzzles, playing bingo, and attending to her houseplants.

She is survived by her children:  Barbara Jean Bushaw of Burlington, Bruce Whipple and his wife, Darlene, of Newport, Karen Conley and her husband, Jesse, of Barton, Kim Whipple and companion, Debbie, of Orleans, Mark Whipple and companion, Kerry, of Orleans, Chris Whipple and his wife, Kris, of California, and Colby Whipple of Brownington; by her 11 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and by several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by four brothers:  Warren, Clayton, Marvin, and Maynard (Stub); and by two sisters:  Verna Coburn and Verla Drake.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

A tribute:

Farewell to Merle Benway, an old friend

 by Roland K. Bickford

First of all, I would like to apologize for not speaking at Merle’s day of celebration.  Valerie asked me to speak, but I was speechless.

Yes, I could say a lot about Merle.  One thing he did was always give me a chance at things, like plowing and sanding Dexter Mountain with bald tires on the truck.  What an experience it was sliding down backwards three times.  Then he’d say, “Come with me, sonny,” and up the hill we’d go.  No problem.  He knew how to make them old town trucks plow and how to break them, too.

I’d like to thank his daughter Valerie and son-in-law Larry for calling Gary and I to go and see Merle for the last time, and also for everything they did for him until the end.

Merle and I had  our ups and downs, but whenever either one of us needed a helping hand we were always there for each other.

Farewell for now, Merle, until we meet again.

 

 

 

 

 

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