Vivianne “Breezy” Bresette Gannon
Vivianne “Breezy” Bresette Gannon, 101, died on May 3, 2016, at Newport Health Care Center.
She was born on March 6, 1915, in Montpelier. Later she worked as a nurse in River Vale, New Jersey, where she met Frank Gannon. They were married on December 20, 1947.
Later they retired to Flint Hill, Virginia, and Ms. Gannon was the president of the Rappahannock Garden Club.
She enjoyed restoring antiques and cooking. She was a devoted wife, a loving aunt, a very special sister, and a fun-loving friend. Her kindness and laughter will be remembered by many.
She is survived by, and will be missed by, her nephews: Michael Bresette, Ronald Bresette, and John Henry Williams; her niece Betsy Cisson; her great-niece Katie Cisson; and by her cousin Mary Prouty.
She was predeceased by her parents, Marjorie and Wilbert “Charlie” Bresette; her husband, Frank Gannon; her sister Olive “Shorty” Williams; her brother Elwin “Bunky” Bresette; and by her nephews: Elwin Joseph Bresette and Douglas Bresette.
A graveside service will be held at the Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier on May 23, at 3 p.m.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Raymond Joseph “Ray” Geoffrey
Raymond Joseph “Ray” Geoffrey, 70, of Newport Center died on May 5, 2016, at his home.
He was born on February 18, 1946, in Barton, to George and Pauline (Sicard) Geoffrey.
On October 5, 1968, he married Shirlene Willey, who survives him.
He attended Derby Academy. He was owner and operator of Ray’s Auto and Ray’s ATV.
He held membership with the ATV club, Border Ridge Runners, Ducks Unlimited, the Benevolent Order of the Elks, and Trout Unlimited. He enjoyed playing guitar with his brother Andre, hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, going to his hunting camp with his buddies and family, playing cards, the company of his dogs during his lifetime, and most especially getting into mischief.
He is survived by his wife, Shirlene Geoffrey, of Newport Center; his children: Heath Mark Geoffrey and his companion, Stacey, of Derby Line, Heather Geoffrey and her companion, Wolf Luman, of Espanola, Minnesota, and Jarrod Geoffrey and his wife, Dawn-Rae, of Ashville, North Carolina; his grandchildren: Hanna Jacobs, Pride Geoffrey, Ronan and Grace Geoffrey; his siblings: Florence Coogan of Schenectady, New York, Jeannine Besaw and her husband, Gene, of Derby, Leo Geoffrey and his wife, Evelyn, of Derby, Claire Lavoie and her husband, George, of Newport, and Marcel Geoffrey and his wife, Darlene, of Newport; his sisters-in-law: Lucy Laframbroise of Derby Line, and Helen Willey of Fruita, Colorado; his brothers-in-law: Leo Willey and his wife, Rachel, of Newport, and Keith Willey and his wife, Melanie, of Newport Center; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother Andre Geoffrey; and by his brothers-in-law: Jack Coogan and Neil Willey.
Friends may call on Friday, May 13, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 37 Lake Road in Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on May 13, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Dennis Gonyaw
Dennis Gonyaw, 68, died on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Newport.
He was born on November 23, 1947, in East Charleston, a son of Marvin and Donna Gonyaw, who predeceased him.
He married Veda Ellam on May 16, 1975, and she survives him. They resided in East Charleston for over 40 years.
Mr. Gonyaw was a Vietnam veteran. He worked in construction his entire life, primarily as a heavy equipment operator for Gervais Construction and later Munson Construction. He enjoyed his work with his excavator, repairing snowmobiles, and tinkering in his garage.
He is survived by his daughter Jodi Gonyaw-Worth and her husband, Michael Worth, and their children Cara and Colby Worth; his brother Don Gonyaw and his wife, Joan; his sister Ann, who was a great caregiver to him, and her sons Sky and Luke and his wife, Jessica, and daughter Mabel; and by many other nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister Gloria O’Keefe and her companion, Richard Berry.
A private gathering will be held in his remembrance at a later date at their home in East Charleston.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be sent to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
A tribute to Dennis Gonyaw
by Sky Shover
If you were a boy growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, you were very likely to be in awe of what appeared to be real-life supermen: They were called Rocky, Rambo, or the Terminator himself, Arnold. But for me, at the top of that list was my Uncle Dennis.
He was big and strong and everyone knew it was unwise to tangle with Big D. A Vietnam veteran and construction worker, Dennis was known for being a hard worker and his no-nonsense approach to life. Spending any time with him meant a few things: you were likely to learn something new, you would probably hear some great story about his great adventures, and you would absolutely hear him laugh. Some of my fondest memories are of sitting and listening to him tell his stories — stories that only made him that much larger than life. 🙂
But as we all know, no one is indestructible and Superman does not exist. But in my world, my Uncle Dennis was as close as it gets.
Love you Uncle, see you soon — rest in peace.
Stanley Gray
Stanley Gray died on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the age of 93. He lived at Sunrise Manor in Island Pond.
He was born and raised in East Charleston, where he grew up on the family farm. He worked on the farm most of his life. He knew everyone in the area and had a remarkable memory. He loved to tell old stories about his family and friends.
He is survived by his nieces: Nancy Goulet, Carol Jackson, Elleanor Powers, Cynthia Morse, Brenda Allen, Linda Muldoon, and Virginia Robinson.
He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Vera Gray; his siblings: Neil Gray, Hervie Gray, George Gray, Hattie York, Christina Royce, and Rose Weymouth; and by his nephew Rodney Royce.
Graveside services were held on May 4, at the Alice Hunt Cemetery in Canaan.
Alexander R. Macie
Alexander R. Macie, 82, of Hudson, New Hampshire, and Davenport, Florida, died on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, Florida, after a period of declining health.
A resident of Hudson for many years, Mr. Macie was born in Irasburg on August 21, 1933, a son of the late Victor and Florence (Gerow) Macie. Educated in Vermont schools, “Al” served as a corporal with the Army during the Korean War from July of 1953 to June of 1955.
On June 20, 1959, he married Judith Inez Rowe, the love of his life. They shared 48 wonderful years together, until her death on June 9, 2007.
Mr. Macie was employed as a machinist with W.H. Bagshaw Company in Nashua for over 40 years.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed traveling to Florida for the past 15 winters. He loved the Citrus Ridge Community, and enjoyed participating in all of the activities. He was an avid sports fan of the New England teams, particularly the Patriots and Red Sox. Mr. Macie was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church in Nashua.
Members of his family include two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan J. and Mark Chase, and Sandra L. and Glenn Trowbridge, all of Hudson; two grandchildren: Samantha Chase and Nicholas Trowbridge; a brother and sister-in-law, Maurice and Alice Macie, of Newport; and also many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by four sisters and two brothers.
Funeral services were held in Nashua. He was interred in the mausoleum of Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashua.
Donations may be made in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, 814 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101.
Solange M. Maclure
Solange M. Maclure, 75, of Newport died peacefully on May 5, 2016, in Newport.
She was born on August 5, 1940, in St. Hyanite, Quebec, to Anatole and Irene (Angers) Houle.
She was married on June 24, 1961, to Jean Pierre Maclure, who survives her.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family very much and all the time she spent with them.
During her lifetime, she was employed by Columbia Forest Products. Her hobbies included camping and crocheting.
She is survived by her husband, Jean-Pierre Maclure, of Derby Line; her children: Roger Maclure, Andre Maclure, Marcel Maclure and his wife, Mary, Francine Maclure, and Sylvie Mathieu and her husband, Philip Sr.; her grandchildren: Brandon Maclure, Nicholas Maclure, Jonathan Maclure and his wife, Tia, Philip Mathieu Jr. and his wife, Brittany, Nathan Mathieu, and Kaylee Maclure; her great-grandchildren: Alexander Maclure, Evan Mathieu, and Levi Mathieu; her sisters: Sue Bridges and Pauline Cota and her husband, Gary; and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her son Raymond; her parents, Anatole and Irene Houle; her brother Paul Houle; and by her sister Denise Houle.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery on Coventry Street in Newport, with the Reverend Charles Davignon officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont, 300 Corner Stone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, Vermont 05495.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Dorothy Leona Metcalf
Dorothy Leona Metcalf died on April 27, 2016, at the Derby Green Nursing Home in Derby.
Dolly, as she was known by her friends and relatives, was born on July 9, 1914, in Canada, to Clarence and Edith Coapland. She moved to Vermont along with her parents and siblings at the age of six. She remained a Canadian citizen while living the rest of her life in the states, nearly all of that time as a resident of northern Vermont.
She married John Metcalf in 1939 in Irasburg. He died on April 3, 2004, in Visalia, California. They were dairy farmers for much of their marriage. She was employed by Ethan Allen Manufacturing in Orleans for about ten years. Her favorite job would always be driving a school bus for Coventry graded school children during the 1950s and 1960s.
She was a high energy person, always on the go. As a child, she was always on the go on a pair of snow skies that her father made for her. As an adult, she was always on the go in her car until she was well into her nineties. Relatives often complained that she was never at home. When it came time for her to move into a nursing home due to declining health issues, she simply traded in her car for a walker. Nursing home attendants will attest to the fact that she remained actively on the go with her walker.
She had a natural affinity for music and dancing. She played the piano without ever having had a lesson but dancing was her favorite activity. Any kind of dancing would do but square dancing was her first choice, probably because her gregarious nature was well suited for that style of dancing. Another favorite activity was attending yard sales. Basically, she liked anything that involved being around people and when she could no longer dance due to bad knees, meals at the senior center satisfied many of her social needs. Somewhere in that progression, she became an avid fan of word searches and it occupied much of her time in the nursing home.
She is survived by her two sons: Laurence Metcalf of Hallsville, Missouri, and Donald Metcalf of Roanoke, Virginia; her granddaughter Amber Howard of Roanoke; her grandson Troy Metcalf of Roanoke; her great-grandchildren: Keon and Kendal Howard and Brady Metcalf, all of Roanoke; and by her niece Linda Herman of Newport.
The youngest of four children, she was predeceased by her older brothers: Howard and Clifford Coapland, and her older sister, Lillian Macie.
A graveside service will be held on May 20, at 11 a.m. at the Coventry cemetery located near the town of Coventry, the same cemetery where her parents are buried.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Death Notice
Don E. Willis
Don E. Willis, 74, of Newport Center died on May 7, 2016, in Newport.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Services
Committal services for Henry Thomas Sr. will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery in Orleans, with full military honors.
Committal services for Ruth Perron will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 13, at Westlook Cemetery in Glover.
Funeral services for Mary-Ann Shamlian will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 13, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Friends may call at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill in Newport, on Friday, May 13, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Edward’s Cemetery in Derby Line.
Committal services for Marie Basil will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at St. James Catholic Cemetery in Island Pond.
Committal services for Yves Brasseur will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.
A graveside service for Joyce Wilson will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Derby Line Cemetery, with the Reverend Fred Barker officiating.
Funeral services for Mary Ann Moore will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Reverend Scott Gratton. Friends may call from 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the church. Interment will follow in St. Edward’s Cemetery.
A graveside service for Robert Carter will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 16, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport, with full military honors, with U.S. Army Chaplain Captain Eric Stuepfert officiating.
Funeral services for Roger Norbert Beauregard will be held at 10 a.m. in Saturday, May 21, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. His burial will follow at St. Edward’s Cemetery in Derby Line, where both his parents and his wife’s parents rest.
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