Obituaries

Obituaries March 27, 2013

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Gertrude Austin
Gertrude Austin

Gertrude Austin

Gertrude Bessie (Randall) Austin, formerly of East Haven, died at Maple Lane Nursing Home on March 24, 2013.

She was born on October 13, 1918, in East St. Johnsbury, the daughter of Lelia (Dunn) and George Randall.

In 1940, she married Trueman “Vern” Austin who predeceased her in 1994.  They had four children who all survived them.

She was brought up by her maternal grandparents in Victory.  Those years were very special to her and she had many good memories she loved to share with her family.  She loved horses and working outdoors.  She had a horse a good share of her life and was proud to be able to ride a horse on her eighty-seventh birthday.

She did a lot of sewing, which included wedding dresses and handiwork, which included knitting, crocheting and tatting.  In later years, she did a lot of beautiful artwork with plastic canvas.  She also loved to read, write and work in her flower gardens.

She loved when her grandchildren came to visit and filled them with her stories and homemade goodies.  She also loved music and played both the piano and guitar.  She played the organ for the East Haven Church for many years.

She spent many years living in East Haven but in later years lived with both her daughter Carol and daughter Irene.  Just the last two-plus years she needed more care and moved into Maple Lane where she received great and loving care by their staff.  The family appreciates very much all they did for her to make her last time with us comfortable.  She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son Truman “Eugene” Austin and his wife, Anita; her daughters:  Irene Badger and her husband, John, Gail Ruggles and her husband, George “Punk,” and Carol Brisson and her husband, David; eight grandchildren:  Pamela, Stephen, Jennifer, Larry, Toni, Lonny, George, and Nichole; several step-grandchildren:  John, Debbie, Diane, Steve, Jackie, Dave, Stacey and Dan; her great grandchildren; her great-great-grandchildren; two sisters:  Bernice Austin and Elaine Deth; her sister-in-law Cora Eddy; and by several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Vern on March 12, 1994; her parents; her sisters:  Ramona Drown and Nessa Smith; her brothers:  “Tom” Smith and Reginald Smith; an infant granddaughter; and by her granddaughter Tina Ruggles.

Visiting hours will be held in Lyndonville on Wednesday, March 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Guibord Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held in East St. Johnsbury, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Third Congregational Church, with the Reverend Ann Hockridge officiating.

Contributions made in her memory may be directed to The Employee Activity Fund, Maple Lane Nursing Home, 60 Maple Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822.

Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.guibordfh.com.

Beverly Ballard
Beverly Ballard

Beverly Ballard

Beverly Ballard, 60, died on March 20, 2013.

She was born on December 22, 1952, in Presque Isle, Maine, daughter of Frederick McIsaac and Dorothy McIsaac Saucier.

She was a graduate of Caribou High School, Class of 1971.  She then went on to earn a degree as a registered nurse from Northern Maine Technical College.

She lived in Irasburg on Burton Hill Road for about 12 year, starting in the early 1990s.

She loved life outdoors:  snowshoeing, fishing and kayaking.  Her favorite saying rain, snow or sunshine, was “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”

She is survived by her mother Dorothy of Caribou; and by two children:  Allen Ballard and his significant other, Lindsey Singley, and Abigail Singley of Clermont, Florida; and Katie Ballard and her significant other, John Willard, of Flint Hill, Virginia.  She also leaves behind a brother, Skip McIsaac, and his wife, Brenda, of Plant City, Florida; and a sister, April McIsaac of Caribou.

She was predeceased by her father Frederick McIsaac; and by her sister Althea Despres.

William F. Clark

William Clark
William Clark

William F. (Bill) Clark, of Hingham, Massachusetts, and formerly of Jay, died peacefully on March 19, 2013, after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, to William H. and Evelyn A. Clark in 1926 as a second generation Scot.  Ever the prankster, he grew up in Winthrop busy with sailing, hockey, baseball, and playing the coronet for the Salvation Army Band.

Sailing since the age of four in Hustlers, Thistles, Indians, Stars, 505s and finally in his favorite 210s, he won several national championships and traveled about the country to race.  Once “retired” at 75 from the rigors of competitive sailing, he set course and worked the starting gun for the Hingham Yacht Club Race Committee for several more years.  He was recognized in 2011 by the 210 Association with the 2010 Corinthian Spirit of Sailing Award for his lifetime of work for the group.  His love of sailing is carried forward today by his children and grandchildren.

Schooled in Winthrop and the Mount Herman Prep School, he went to Bowdoin College playing baseball and hockey and he earned the nickname “Muscles” for playing the coronet while doing chin-ups.  Once of age to serve, he interrupted his studies and entered the Army Air Corp as a B24 gunner and entertained the troops, traveling to play baseball at U.S. bases.  He graduated with the Bowdoin Class of 1947, and worked for Graybar Electric Company, retiring after 44 years as regional manager of the Summerville office in 1990.

Ever the athlete, he picked up skiing late to keep up with his children.  Being thrifty, he joined the Pinnacle Mountain Ski Patrol in Randolph, often the only patroller on the hill during busy vacation weeks.  He skied in Europe with the patrol and through the years gamely kept up with his children skiing the deep powder of the West as well as the Eastern hardpack and ice.  He continued skiing at Jay Peak well into his retirement.

He was especially fortunate with his family.  He married Alice O’Barr in 1951 and taught their children the love of sailing, bagpipes and his Scottish thrift of leaving no penny unpinched.  Three years after Mary Alice’s death, he fell in love with Beth Beale of Hingham, on a blind date set up by their children, and married in 1984.  His stepchildren shared his love of Vermont, taught him sugaring, how to drive a tractor and brought him the large family he always wanted.  His remarkable memory kept track of cribbage hands, point spreads and RBIs.  His life was filled with joy, sports and family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Beth; his children:  Virginia and her husband, Ray Kent, Bill Clark, and Barbara and her husband, Ken Wilson; his grandchildren:  Kelly and Matthew Kent, Ryan and his wife, Mandy Wilson, and Brette and her husband, Ben Martin; his great-grandchildren:  Clark and Liam Wilson, Avery Martin; his stepchildren:  Jon and his wife, Carol Beale, Billy and his wife, Nancy Beale, and Susan and her husband, Bryan Davis; his grandchildren:  Jonny and his wife, Emily Beale, Ryan Beale and his friend, Jenny, Brittany and her husband, Alex Hampton, Karen Watts, David Watts, Tina Pratt, Jeremy and his wife, Jen Davis, Brandy and her husband, Nick Flynn, and Hillary Davis and her friend, Chris; and by his great-grandchildren:  Brody Beale, Molly Beale, Lauryn Flynn.

His large family brought him much happiness and gathered after his death, telling tales of his pranks and accomplishments, bringing comfort to all.

His wishes were to be cremated and have a small family celebration of his life.  Out of love and respect for a brave loving man, his directions were fulfilled.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of one’s choice in Mr. Clark’s honor.

A lifelong friend of his from Winthrop tells the story that after winning a sailing championship, Mr. Clark turned to him and said “we had a good run.”  He has had a good long run and leaves his family many stories to enjoy and remember him by.  In his memory at sunset, raise a glass of scotch, tell a story and toast his life, with your love being the wind in his sails taking him home

Freda E. Judd

Freda E. Judd, 69, of Orleans died on March 20, 2013, in Barton.

She was born on January 10, 1944, in Derby, a daughter of John and Florence (Marcotte) Wagner.

She enjoyed gardening, especially caring for her flowers.  She also enjoyed reading, ceramics, yard sales, and tending to her many dogs and cats that she had over the years.

Her greatest joy in life were her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children:  Ronald Judd and his wife, Darlene, of Hyde Park, and Terry Cole and his wife, Tammy, of Coventry; her granddaughter Amber Judd; and by her great-grandchildren:  Hunter and Gavin Denis.

She was predeceased by her son Donald Cole; her grandchildren:  Lynn Rose and Joshua Cole; and by her brothers:  James, John, and Larry Wagner.

Services will be held at a later date.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to 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.

Richard Locke
Richard Locke

Richard Lee Locke

Richard Lee Locke, 83, of Irasburg died on March 22, 2013, in Morrisville.

He was born on March 6, 1930, in Albany, a son of Arthur and Mildred (Everson) Locke.  On September 29, 1957, he married Norma Hinton who survives him.

He grew up on a dairy farm in East Albany.  When he and his wife first married, they purchased a milk route from his best friend Harold Daniels and picked up milk in cans up and down the Creek Road, from Irasburg to East Albany.  Times changed and milk was no longer picked up in cans, so Mr. Locke had to find other work.  He worked on the construction crews, helping build Lake Region Union High School, Lyndon State College and Interstate 91 from Derby to Lyndonville.  In the winters, while laid off from construction work, he logged in the woods on the family farm.  He retired from Ethan Allen Manufacturing in 1995.  Retirement was short lived, however; he had a passion for working in the garage, and went to work at Parkview Garage for his close cousin Marcel Locke.  Every spring, he and his cousin would leave the garage for a short while and head off into Marcel’s sugar woods to open trails, and go to making maple syrup, until it was time for them both to finally retire.

For Mr. Locke, there was no real retirement.  Keeping an eye on the horse still roaming the pasture, and feeding the great-granddaughters’ chickens, and teaching them how to be farmers kept him busy.  He never stopped tinkering on cars in his own garage and at home.  He was a volunteer fireman in Irasburg.  He enjoyed raising turkeys, chickens, pigs, and horses.  He was very fond of his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was very proud of his sobriety of 24 years and he was always available when someone needed a hand.

He is survived by his wife Norma Locke of Irasburg; his children:  Sandra Lincoln and her husband, John, of Jay, Valerie Kreutz and her husband, Lawrence, of Tehachapi, California, Kathy Whitehill and her husband, Bradley, of Troy, and Cindy Chaffee and her husband, Gordon, of Barton; his eight grandchildren; his seven great-grandchildren; his brothers:  Eugene Locke of Gladys, Virginia, and John Locke of Caribou, Maine; his sister Barbara Lebrea of New Hampshire; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother Gordon Locke, and by his sister Viola Mayo.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 29, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road in Newport, where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, with the Reverend Richard Whitehill officiating.  Friends may also call at the funeral home on March 30 from 9 a.m. until the hour of the funeral.  Spring interment will be in Hillside Cemetery in East Charleston.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Irasburg Fire Department, 161 Vermont Route 58, Irasburg, Vermont 05845; or to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

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

Ervin F. Moffit Jr.

Ervin F. Moffit Jr., 81, of Coventry died on March 22, 2013, at his home.

He was born on June 9, 1931, in Arlington, a son of Myrtle (Turner) and Ervin Moffit Sr.

Mr. Moffit was a veteran of the Korean War.  On December 31, 1951, he married Grace Carey who survives him.

He was a truck driver all of his life and he held membership with the American Legion Post #21 of Newport.  His hobbies included fishing, hunting, working in his garage and visiting with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Grace Moffit of Coventry; his children:  Ervin Moffit III of Newfane, Michael Moffit of Barton, Susan Johnson and her husband, James, of Coventry, and Shirley Raymond of Newport; his nine grandchildren; and by 15 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by two sons:  Gregory and Monte; a grandchild; and by three sisters and three brothers.

A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring at the Williamsville Cemetery in Williamsville.

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

obit Rivers
Gordon Rivers

Gordon Rivers

Gordon (Corkey) Rivers died on March 18, 2013, in Newport.

He was born In Island Pond on October 19, 1931, at the family home, “Cosey Corner,” to Coral and Grace (Birch) Rivers.

He was very close with his sister Thora.  They would call each other every night and share time with each other every Sunday for dinner.  After his father died in a tractor accident in 1961, it was a blessing he still lived at home.  He and his mother enjoyed each other’s company.  He was a great son to her.  In his younger days, he worked for Blow and Coty Construction, and also for George and Vanderburgh Construction and Albert Lalibery.  Then he started working at the Ford garage for Fernand Poutre.  After Mr. Poutre sold the garage, he worked for John Hayes and his sons, Mark and Mike.

He loved driving wrecker, which he did for 25 years, and he also did some maintenance work.  He also worked for Ruskaup Motors from 1976 to 1980.  He always said there’s no other car like a Ford.  He then retired at the age of 70.  He missed working, and all the people that he made friends with along the way.  These last few years, he hadn’t been in the best of health so his good friend, Roy Caples, who was more like a son, started to take care of him.  They would go on many short trips with each other.  He had watched Roy grow up from a teenager and eventually took a fatherly role, and when Roy had kids of his own, Mr. Rivers was like a grandfather to Savannah, Ross, Heather, Patrick, Johnny and Nicholas Caples.  He enjoyed watching the kids grow up into young adults and start families of their own.  He will truly be missed by many but never forgotten.

He is survived by his sister Thora Samson and her husband, Gordon; and by a sister-in-law, Ethel (Samson) Rivers.  He is also survived by a niece, Lorraine Glasson; and by his nephews:  Maynard Rivers and his wife, Pam, Gary Rivers and his wife, Sheryl, and Robert Rivers and his wife, Rita.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Lillian Rivers; his brother Eddie Rivers; and by two nephews:  Bruce Rivers and Steve Rivers.

Funeral services were held on March 21 in Newport.  Spring interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Island Pond.

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 Activities Fund at the Newport Health Care Center, 148 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

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

Tammy Jean Simpson

Tammy Simpson
Tammy Simpson

Tammy Jean Simpson, 40, of Newport died suddenly on March 18, 2013, in Newport.

She was born on June 1, 1972, in New Haven, Connecticut.  She was the daughter of Mary and Irving Sylvester Sr.

She married Joseph Simpson, who survives her, on December 26, 1992.  She graduated from North Country Union High School in 1991 and later from the Salon Professional Academy in Burlington.  She also attended Community College of Vermont in Newport.

Ms. Simpson was a friendly, kind-hearted, happy-go-lucky person.  She was willing to help anyone in need no matter what.  She loved her family dearly — her boys and her husband were her life.  She also took care of her adopted kids of Newport.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Simpson, of Newport; by her children:  Nicholas, Matthew, and Brandon Simpson, and her daughter Rebecca Kelton of Arizona; by her mother Mary Sylvester of Newport; by her sister Crystal and her husband, Henry LeClerc, of Coventry; her brothers:  Keith and his wife, Heather Sylvester, of Coventry, and Irving Sylvester Jr. of Newport; and by her brother Ricky Sylvester and his wife, Jeannie, of Fort Worth, Texas.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father Irving Sylvester Sr.; and by her brother Mark Sylvester.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

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

L. Jane (Jacobs) Tabor

L. Jane (Jacobs) Tabor, 76, of Derby Line died peacefully on March 22, 2013, at her home, with family members at her side.

She was born on June 11, 1936, in Hyde Park, and grew up in Holland and Derby Line.  She graduated from Derby Academy and studied nursing at the Fannie Allen School of Nursing.  On December 29, 1955, she married Gilbert C. Tabor, who predeceased her in 2011.

After raising her children, she returned to nursing, and worked at North Country Hospital as an operating room technician.  She enjoyed the job and her co-workers immensely.  But her greatest joy by far were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Until the end, they brought a smile to her face.

She is survived by her children:  Gilbert C. Tabor Jr. and his companion, Beth, of Derby Line, Shayne Cadieux and her husband, Rick, of Fairfield, and Andrea Allen and her husband, Dean, of Derby Line; her eight grandchildren:  Cassie, Kylie, Owen, RD, Amanda, Courtney, Brittney, and Kassidee; her six great-grandchildren:  Noah, Jared, Ryker, Eden Mae, Dahlia Rae, and Tabor Lennon; and by two sisters:  Shirley Rivard and her husband, Richard, of Derby Line, and Nancy Sisson and her husband, Larry, of Newport.  Others who were very close to her include her cousins:  Florence Joyal of Derby Line, and Beulah Shattuck and her husband, Roy, of Derby; and by her sister-in-law Nathalie Whitney and her husband, Roland, of Ascutney.

She was predeceased by her brother Robert Jacobs.

As per her wishes, there will be no wake, no memorial, nor a funeral service.  A private gathering of family and friends will be held later.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a contribution in her memory may do so by contributing to the Cardio-Pulmonary Fund at North Country Hospital, Attention The Development Office, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

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

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