Obituaries

Obituaries June 4, 2014

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obit cooksonLogan Allan Cookson

Logan Allan Cookson of Cabot died on May 24, 2014.

He was born on May 11, 2004, in Berlin, the youngest child of Scott and Tammy Cookson of Cabot. He formerly resided in East Barre and attended Central Vermont Catholic School. The last two years, he attended Cabot School.

Logan touched many people in some small way throughout his short yet memorable life. His life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by him understand that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.

He was a country boy at heart. He loved everything from exploring the woods, to hunting, camping, mowing the lawn, and stacking wood with his Dad. He always looked for something to fix or take apart. He also enjoyed playing basketball, soccer, hockey, and chess. Since moving to Cabot, he enjoyed guiding his mom through the woods, showing and teaching her the wonders of nature. Logan and his brother, Brock, mentor and best friend, were inseparable. They enjoyed animals, farming, and playing outside. He spent many hours on the floor playing with his Army men and wrestling figures. Logan also loved to talk on the phone. He had a passion for party planning. He would often make calls to family and friends to arrange get-togethers. Logan was especially proud of his greatest accomplishment, passing the hunter safety course.

Family members that live on to honor and remember Logan’s life include his parents, Scott and Tammy Cookson; his best friend and brother, Brock “Brockie”; his brother Shayne of Burlington; his sister Shantal Cookson of Barre; his maternal grandparents, Kenneth Allan Adams and Jacqueline Bissonnette Adams of Berlin; his paternal grandmother Connie Martin Murray of Waterbury; and his great-grandmother, Elva Martin of Waterbury. Aunts and uncles include Maureen Adams and her companion, Ron Lackey, of Stowe, Jody and Jaime Fewer of Barre Town, Andrew and Karen Adams of Cabot, Nancy McLaney of Crestview, Florida, John Cookson and his companion, Shannon Buziak, of Cabot, Dan Cookson of Waterbury, Tammy and Kevin Johnson of East Calais, Dawn Cookson of New Hampshire, and Angela and Gary Ward of Cabot; a nephew, Trenton Cookson, of Plainfield; and his cousins include Spencer, Camryn, Julia, and Seth Fewer of Barre Town, Karissa, Lindsay, and Kaden of Crestview, Courtney Cookson, Christopher, and Kyle Johnson of East Calais, and Garan Ward of Cabot.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, John Cookson. He also left behind his pets, three chickens and a bunny.

With Logan’s death, we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss him every day, he will forever remain in our hearts. In his short ten years, we were able to create many wonderful memories and it has been a privilege and a blessing from God to be his parents.

A Mass of celebration in honor of Logan’s life was held on May 31, at Saint Monica Catholic Church in Barre.

Those who wish to make donations in Logan’s memory may contribute to the Cabot School, Main Street, Cabot, Vermont 05647; or to the Central Vermont Catholic School, 79 Summer Street, Barre, Vermont 05641; or to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3702.

obit cummingsWilliam J. Cummings

William “Bill” J. Cummings, 64, of East Albany died peacefully on Monday, May 26, 2014, at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on September 10, 1949, in Norwich, Connecticut, the son of the late Harold and Pauline (Kampf) Cummings.

He graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1967 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1972.

He worked at Ames Electric and Vermont Interactive Television.

He traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States before settling down in Canaan to raise his family.  He recently wrote, “I truly believe that life is for learning and that is what I have experienced in my life.”  He lived what he believed, with interests in astronomy, the outdoors, planes, games, athletics, Star Trek, and everything else.

The last eight years of his life, he shared a loving home with Cherie Lowry and her daughter, Caroline, in East Albany.

He is survived by his two daughters, Kara Wildflower Cummings of Boston, Massachusetts, and Airole Sage Cummings and her fiancé, Justin Warden, of Canaan, and their mother, Roberta Bunnell of Canaan; his sister and brother-in-law, Betsey and Chuck Clarke; his niece Heather and her husband, Michael Anderson; his nephew Adam Clarke; and by his cousin Marie Fitzgerald.

He was predeceased by his favorite uncle, Gilbert Kampf.

A graveside service was held on May 31, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Norwich, Connecticut.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to Summer House of Northeast Kingdom, Inc., care of Community National Bank, Barton, Vermont 05822.

obit FontaineCharlotte Benware Fontaine

Charlotte Benware Fontaine, 81, of Lowell died on May 29, 2014, at her daughter’s home, with her loving family at her side.  She is finally at peace after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on October 28, 1932, in Lowell, to Asa and Gladys (Swett) Morse.

Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family.

Her hobby was working in her flower garden and she was a member of the St. Ignatius Church in Lowell.

She is survived by her husband Leo Fontaine of Lowell; her children:  Larry Benware and his wife, Sandra, of Derby, Roger Benware and his wife, Bonnie, of Lowell, Laura Santaw and her husband, James, of Lowell, Gordon Benware of Troy, and Roland Benware and his wife, Linda, of Coventry, Alan Benware and his wife, Janet, of Lowell, and Michael Benware and his wife, Judy, of Newport Center; her 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; her brother Robert Morse and his wife, Rita, of Derby; her sisters:  Anita Cornish of Connecticut, Eleanor Derocher of New Hampshire, Shirley Clifford of Tennessee, Barbara McAllister of Newport Center, and Sally McAllister and her husband, Ronald, of New Hampshire; her sister-in-law Annette Morse of Lowell; and by several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her first husband Gordon Benware Sr., in 1981; her infant daughter Karen Lynn; her brothers:  Asa Morse Jr. and Roger Morse; and by her sisters:  Madeleine Laramee, Faye Stentson, Betty Verge, and Gloria Geoffroy.

Funeral services were held on June 3, in Lowell.  Interment followed in St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Mary Wright Halo Foundation, 1071 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Mississquoi Valley Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 131, Troy, Vermont 05868.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit GriffinValerie J. Griffin

Valerie J. Griffin, 62, of Derby died on May 30, 2014, at her home in Derby.

She was born on June 23, 1951, in Newport, to M. Jeanne (Chainey) Griffin and the late H. Dean Griffin.

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in the Class of 1969.  She was in the first madrigal singing group started by Sister Edmund of Jesus.  She was also in the first folk group at St. Mary’s Church.  She was the concert pianist for many of the musicals at Sacred Heart School.

She attended nurses’ training at Fanny Allen in Burlington and later worked as an LPN at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for a few years and in the Tacoma, Washington, area for nearly 30 years.  Her nursing and compassion encompassed more than just in a working situation.  She took care of two young boys in Tacoma, while their mother was unable to care for them.  She loved animals and was always supplying them with food and care, especially chipmunks.

She moved back to the Derby in November of 2006 after the death of her brother, whom she cared for for ten years.  She joined the senior choir and folk group at St Mary’s Church until her lungs no longer allowed her to sing.  She organized the Sunday adorations and the veterans adorations with her best friend.  She was also co-founder of the Cenacle of Life group at St. Mary’s Church.  She was a Eucharistic minister for Mater Dei Parish and visited the sick, bringing them the holy Eucharist.

Cancer is a monster but Ms. Griffin never gave up helping others and doing the things she enjoyed the most.  She spent most of the summers along brooks fishing for trout with Neena.  She planted a blueberry, raspberry and strawberry patch on her land along with a small fruit tree orchard and still made time for a vegetable garden.

She is survived by her best friend Neena Gratton of Derby; her mother M. Jeanne Chainey of Hyde Park; and by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her daughter Kellie Marie; her father H. Dean Griffin; and by her brother Robert Griffin.

Friends may call from 6 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, June 4, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at St. Mary’s Star of Sea Catholic Church in Newport, with Monsignor Peter Routhier celebrating a Mass of Christian burial.  Interment will follow in Lake Road Cemetery in Newport Center.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the NEK Spay-Neuter Program, 172 Sias Avenue, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit karasinskiAlexander Karasinski

Alexander Karasinski died on May 29, 2014.

He was a peaceful, thoughtful man.

He was born on July 31, 1922, the son of John and Theresa Karasinski.

He served in the Navy and the Sea Bees.

He was a mechanic for many years at Healey’s in Connecticut, before retiring to Vermont with his wife, Anna.

He liked sports and he loved to fish.  He loved to talk about the world and how things work in the universe.  He was forever curious about the world.  He knew human nature.  He loved his family deeply and his family was devoted to him.

He is survived by his daughter Pam Micknak and her husband, Robert, and their children:  Susan Rivard and her husband, Joe, and Chris Micknak and his wife, Emily; and great-grandchildren:  Tyler and Kelsie, and Gage and Cayden.  He is also survived by his son Jim Karasinski and his wife, Leta, and his grandchildren:  Erin and Elizabeth; and his great-grandchild Presleigh.  He is also survived by his son John Karasinski and his wife, Cindy, and grandchildren:  Michael and Jared and his wife, Danielle.

His wife, Anna Sally Saroka Karasinski, predeceased him on May 30, 2002.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in his name to the American Heart Association, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.  There are no calling hours.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit lagueAlbert E. Lague

Albert E. Lague, 69, of Derby died peacefully on May 26, 2014, at his home, after a long illness.

He was born on November 28, 1944, in Newport, to Thomas E. and Lucia (Tetreault) Lague.

On August 19, 1967, he married Wanda M. Willard, who survives him.

Educated at Sacred Heart Schools, he graduated in 1963.  After a stint in the National Guard, he was employed by C.H. Willard’s Plumbing and Heating, and Butterfields Corp. in Derby Line.  In 1966, he was hired by I.B.M. in Essex Junction and worked there until he took early retirement in 1995, retiring as a senior computer engineer.  He then worked for Orleans Office Products until he started his own business, Al’s PC repair, in 1996.

He enjoyed many things.  In the spring it was maple sugaring.  Summers were spent fishing, cutting wood, and tending his garden.  In the fall, everything stopped for hunting camp.  Winter, it was snowmobiling and ice fishing.  He loved to tinker on things, and he reloaded shells for lots of his friends and hunting buddies.  He served his community as both an usher and member of St. Mary’s Council for several years.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Wanda M. (Willard) Lague; his son Thomas C. Lague and his wife, Merry Jane E. (Emmons), of Derby; his daughter Michelle D. Whalen and her husband, Matthew, of Washington; his sisters:  Jane Triaureau and her husband, Patrice, of L’Epine, France, Lorraine Towle of West Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Anita Fleming and her husband, Jim, of Prescott, Arizona; his brother George H. Lague and his wife, Shirley, of Brownington; his sister Theresa Patenaude and her fiancé, Mike O’Malley, of Falmouth; his grandchildren:  Kedron and Keirstan Lague, Matthew, Lily, and Jamie Whalen; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held on May 30, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport.  Interment followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Nongame Wildlife Fund, care of Charlee Drury, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3702.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit pageRachel Marie (Bonneau) Page

Rachel Marie (Bonneau) Page, 70, died on May 30, 2014, in Lakeland, Florida, following a sudden illness.

She was born on January 1, 1944, in Lowell the daughter of the late Ange Marie and Idel (McAllister) Bonneau.

During her husband’s career in the U.S. Navy, she lived in various locations in the U.S. and the Philippines.

She received a kidney transplant from her sister MaryAnn in July of 1975 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center before returning to Vermont in 1978.  She relocated to Florida in 1990.

She retired after working many years in the retail field.

She loved to read, work jigsaw puzzles, cuddle with her cats, and enjoy a good laugh with family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Page of Lakeland; her son James Page of Phoenix, Arizona; her sister MaryAnn Capetz and her husband, Larry of Lakeland; her brother Armand Bonneau of South Paris, Maine; her brother Leonard Bonneau and his wife, Rhoda, of Sheridan, Wyoming; her brother Martin Bonneau and his wife, Kathy, of Williston; and by many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Dale Page; and by her brother Raymond Bonneau.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 37 Lake Road in Newport.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 16, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport, followed by burial at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org; or to support organ donation at www.lifelinkfoundation.org or www.organdonor.gov.

obit ProvonchaHolly A. Provoncha

Holly A. Provoncha, 36, of St. Albans died on May 20, 2014, in Burlington.

She was born on March 24, 1978, in Newport, to Victor and Margaret (Heath) Provoncha.

She graduated from North Country Union High School in the Class of 1997 and on May 17, 2014, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Johnson State College. She had received two associate’s degrees before that from the Community College of Vermont.

Ms. Provoncha battled cystic fibrosis all of her life and she didn’t let it get her down as she always had a happy outlook on life.

Her hobbies included going fishing and riding ATVs.

She is survived by her parents, Victor and Margaret Provoncha of Newport; her brother Barry Provoncha of Troy; her fiancé Steven Lagasse of St. Albans; and by several aunts and uncles.

She was predeceased by her sister Cindy Provoncha; and by her brother Randy Provoncha.

Funeral services were held on May 25, in Newport. Interment will take place at a later date at Griffin Cemetery in Stanstead, Quebec.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Northern New England Chapter, 114 Perimeter Road, Unit G&H, Nashua, New Hampshire 03063.

On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit ronkBeverly Norton Ronk

Beverly Norton Ronk, 87, died on May 22, 2014, after a period of declining health, at her daughter Judy’s home in Lake Worth, Florida.

She was born on May 18, 1927, in East Liberty, Pennsylvania, to Winston and Roxie (Hall) Hunt of Morgan. She had one sister, Geraldine, who died at three months old.

She was first married to Robert Norton on May 18, 1949, and they had six children who they raised in Morgan: Charlie Norton of Morgan (his children are Charlie Jr., Tristan, and Julia), Robert Norton Jr. and Meredith of Parker of Colorado (their children are Christopher, Thomas, Jennifer, and Allison), Susan and Charles Leavitt of Newport (their children are Heather, Kevin, and Kristie), Debi and Brian Kerr of Morgan (their children are Fae, Ericka, and Tyrel), Johanna and Steve Millheiser of Naples, Maine (their children are Kyle and Kelley), and Judith and Pat Love of Lake Worth (their children are Hannah and Dylan). She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

She graduated from Newport High School in 1947. She was one of the first phone operators and worked as one until her retirement. After she retired, she worked a few years per-diem at Orleans Essex VNA and Hospice because she liked to keep active and help others.

After her divorce, she moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. She ended up finding love again with someone she met at Bible study, Paul Ronk. They married on March 7, 1984, and later moved back to Vermont in 1990. Unfortunately, he died in 2008.

The last few years, she had the enjoyment of living with her daughter in Florida and then spending vacations at her daughter’s home in Morgan where she couldn’t wait to see every one of her grandchildren and to do something with them — shopping, or going out to eat. She was always on the go when she was still able to drive herself. You would almost have to schedule an appointment to see her.

She had many interests and hobbies, many activities and youth groups through church, and she liked painting, sewing, knitting, and shopping, but her grandchildren she loved deeply and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and loved researching her family tree. She said we should always be proud of who we were because we came from good stock — William Bradford from the Mayflower.

She was predeceased by her granddaughter Erin Norton.

Funeral services were held on May 29, in Morgan. Interment followed in Mead Hill Cemetery.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Vermont Heart Association, Vermont Affilitate, Inc., 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.

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

obit TurbiniJoseph D. Turbini

Joseph D. Turbini, 85, died on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at his home in Stoughton, Massachusetts, after a period of failing health.

He was the husband of the late Linda L. (LeBeau) Turbini.

Born and raised in Watertown, Massachusetts, he was a graduate of Watertown schools.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean Conflict.

He was a resident of Stoughton for over 30 years.  He worked for Dole & Bailey in Massachusetts for over 40 years as a longtime salesman and he retired as the vice-president of purchasing, at age 65.  He later worked for the John Dewar Company in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Turbini was a longtime fan of the Red Sox and Patriots.  He enjoyed spending winters in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, summers in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and hunting and fishing at his home in Barton.  He loved to travel, spend time entertaining family and friends, and was the “Number One Meat Man.”

He is survived by his children:  Damien J. Turbini and his wife, Wendy, Victoria L. Turbini and her husband, Dean Hashimoto, and Laura M. Lafleur and her husband, Rene, all of Massachusetts, and Leonard L. Turbini and his partner, Judy Doyle, of New York; his sister Eda Doherty and her husband, Richard, of Massachusetts; and by his grandchildren:  Joseph Lafleur, Robert Lafleur, Gary Hashimoto, and Sachi Hashimoto.

Funeral services were held on May 31, in Stoughton.  Interment took place at VA National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.

Due to floral restrictions at the cemetery, the family has asked that donations in his memory be made to the Care Dimensions Hospice, 70 Walnut Street, Suite 301, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481.

obit WarnerMarie Gwendolyn Warner

Marie Gwendolyn Warner, 95, of Barton died on May 30, 2014, in Newport.

She was born on January 27, 1919, in Medford, Massachusetts, to Donald and Louise (Malo) MacKenzie.

She graduated from Newport High School in 1936.

On July 24, 1937, she married Melvin Warner, who predeceased her.

She was a custodian along with her husband for four years at the Lowell Elementary School.

Her hobbies included gardening, working in her flower beds, cooking, baking, and writing short stories for the Green Mountain Trading Post.  She and her husband loved to go to dances and bingo.

She is survived by her children:  Joanne Dawson of Bellows Falls, and Patrick Warner of Evansville; her daughter-in-law Greta Scott and her husband, Gaelen, of St. Johnsbury; her brother-in-law Lionel Carbonneau of Derby; her sister-in-law Eleanor (Penn) Mackenzie of Gardner, Massachusetts; and by her 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two children:  Janet Jones in 2009, and David Warner in 2006; and by her siblings:  Robert MacKenzie, Donald MacKenzie, Geraldine Higgins, and Elaine Carbonneau.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, June 4, at St. Ignatius Church in Lowell, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated.  Interment will follow in Mountainview Cemetery in Lowell.

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 at curtis-britch.com.

obit wesenRuth Louise Mabon Wiesen

Ruth Louise Mabon Wiesen, 93, of Holland died peacefully at her home on May 27, 2014.

She was born on January 23, 1921, in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

On June 1, 1943, she married her loving husband, George William Wiesen Jr.  Together they traveled to many destinations taking beautiful photos and making a lifetime of memories.

Ms. Wiesen enjoyed caring for others, traveling, baking, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son Kurt, and her son Bard and his wife, Tammy; her grandchildren:  Scott, Tyler, Matthew, Joshua and his wife, Brittany, and Nicole and her fiancé, Joe; and by her great-grandchildren:  Hayden, Aubry, and Reagan.

She was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Leslie Glenn Mabon; her brothers:  Dick and Don; her sister Doris; and by her husband George.

Service arrangements for Ms. Wiesen will be made at a later date by her family.

Services

Aline Raboin

Committal services for Aline Raboin will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, June 7, at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

Michael Meunier

Committal services for Michael Meunier will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, June 7, at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

Brenda Colburn

Committal services for Brenda Colburn will be held at 1 p.m., on Sunday, June 8, at the Westlook Cemetery in Glover.

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