Regent Edward Choquette
Regent Edward Choquette, 78, of Derby died peacefully on August 13, 2009, in Newport.
Mr. Choquette was born June 24, 1931, in St. Sabine, Quebec, a son of Edeas and Rosa (Jette) Choquette.
Because he could neither hear nor speak, he attended a specialized school for deaf people in Montreal at age seven, where he continued his studies for eight years. He pursued learning throughout his life, driven by his curiosity and zeal for knowledge. He was never afraid to ask questions about anything with which he had little familiarity or experience.
On April 1, 1978, he married Jacqueline “Jackie” Boudreau, who predeceased him on August 31, 2008.
He worked in many aspects of production at the Kraft Cheese factory for 37 years before retiring.
He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Parish in North Troy for 40 years before transferring membership to St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church in Newport. He was a member of the Newport Council of the Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed participating in the Newport McDonald’s weekday 9 a.m. coffee club, playing cards with family and friends. He enjoyed playing bingo.
He is fondly remembered as someone willing to lend a hand to family and friends whenever needed.
He and his wife loved to travel in the Canadian Maritime Provinces and to many parts of the United States.
He is survived by two brothers, Donat Choquette and his wife, Jeannine, of Newport and Ernest Choquette and his wife, Louise, of Newport Center; by three sisters: Martha Fournier and her husband, Paul, of Irasburg, Rita Raboin and her husband, Robert, of Lowell, and Gervaise Raboin and her husband, Norman, of Newport Center; and by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members, including Diane Choquette, who was more of a “daughter they never had” than a niece to both Regent and Jackie. He was predeceased by one brother, Ulysse.
Funeral services were held August 17 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church with the Reverend Michael Reardon celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Choquette’s memory to the Vermont Council of Independent Living, 11 East State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602-3008 or www.vcil.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Tamie L. Coderre
Tamie L. Coderre, 48, of Barton died suddenly on August 13, 2009, in Newport.
Mrs. Coderre was born January 28, 1961, in St. Albans, a daughter of Arthur and Abbie (Clapper) Ashline.
She became the beloved wife of Raymond Coderre Sr. when they married on September 12, 1981. Together they raised two children, Raymond Coderre Jr. and Tara-Lynn Coderre.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, gardening, and knitting.
She is survived by her husband, Raymond Coderre Sr., of Barton; by her son Raymond Coderre Jr. and his girlfriend, Jessie Bushey, of Orleans; by her daughter Tara-Lynn Coderre of Barton; by brothers: Donald Ashline, Philip Ashline, and Steven Ashline and his wife, Mary Jane, all of St. Albans; by sisters: Arthea Lafoe and her husband, Roland, of Barton and Robin Ashline and Diane Adams and her husband, Bob, all of St. Albans; by her brother-in-law Eugene Coderre of Orleans; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Paul Ashline; and by her sister Rosalie Coderre.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 19, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Cemetery with Father Taurinus Muchunguzi officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Coderre’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Paul W. Drew
Paul W. Drew, 47, of Albany died suddenly at his home on Wednesday afternoon, August 12, 2009.
Mr. Drew was born in Rutland on June 9, 1962, to Freeman and Bernadette (Reynolds) Drew.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 15 years, Renee M. (Collins) Drew, whom he married December 3, 1994. His former wife and her husband are Cheryl and Steve Heath of St. Johnsbury. He is survived by his children: Paul F. Drew and his companion, Melissa Wheelock, of Newport, Lance St. Arnault of St. Albans, Shawn Gero-Drew of Albany, Tabitha St. Arnault of Albany, and Stephanie Gero-Drew of Jay, New York; by adopted son Robin Nolan and his friend, Christina Dupree; by eight grandchildren; by sister Delores Drew of St. Johnsbury; by two brothers, Bill Drew of Lyndonville and Garth Drew of St. Johnsbury; by adopted brother Randy Lakin of Albany; by sisters-in-law: Jullie Barnier and her companion, Jimmy, of Essex Junction, Shellie Partlow and her husband, Jeff, of St. Albans, and Kellie Baker of New York; by his mother- and father-in-law, Jean and Darrence Hakey, of Swanton; and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Freeman and Bernadette Drew; by two special friends, James and Caitlin Flannery; and by mother figure Ardelle Newland.
He worked as a logger all of his life. He was an avid fisherman of all seasons. He was the first one on the ice and the last one off. He loved the outdoors, hunting, and NASCAR, his favorite car racer being Jeff Burton. He loved spending time with his family, running in the demolition derby, and watching football, especially the Green Bay Packers.
He was ten years sober, and all his family and friends are very proud of him for his choice in life. His spirit will be felt by all who loved him and understood his plight in life.
He entered the United States Army and was stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he obtained rank as sergeant.
A celebration of his life was held August 18 at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport. Interment with military honors followed in the Lyndon Center Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Drew’s memory may be made to the Vermont Lung Association, 372 Hurricane Lane, Suite 101, Williston, Vermont 05495.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
R. Sherwin Drury
R. Sherwin Drury, 91, of Leominster, Massachusetts, died in his sleep Sunday evening, August 9, 2009, in his home surrounded by family.
Before his death, Mr. Drury wrote the following notes contributing to his own obituary:
“He was born at home at 790 Main Street in North Leominster to parents Ralph S. and Florence M. (Farnsworth) Drury, January 9, 1918. He attended Leominster schools through high school class of 1936 and graduated in 1941 from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted, however, his stay in the Army lasted only nine months because of asthma.
“He worked for 40 years at the former Simonds Saw and Steel Co., mostly as a cost estimator in the office of the Fitchburg plant. He was a fourth generation member of the First Church in Leominster Unitarian Universalist. Always very interested in his family genealogy and in local history, he was chairman of the historical committee of his church and produced a two hundred and fiftieth anniversary book for it in 1993, plus a Troop 1 of Leominster Boy Scout history book. He was formerly a member of the planning board of the city of Leominster and for many years had been a member and secretary of the city of Leominster Historical Commission. More later.”
Mr. Drury went on to become historian for the city of Leominster Historical Commission, where he was a member for 30 years, until his death. He was instrumental in and a contributor toward the 2006 publication of Combing Through Leominster’s History, the first history book of Leominster since 1853. One particular interest was in the history of the Houghton family of Leominster, and of the renaming of Houghton Street to North Main Street in 1874. In 2008 the square at the corner of Main Street and North Main Street was named Houghton Square, and a dedication was held this May to honor the efforts made by Mr. Drury.
Mr. Drury was a unique and beloved man who lived his life, to the very end, with intent and particular attention to detail — in his conversations, his actions, and even his wardrobe. He loved music, particularly the big band era. He was always excited to try anything new, whether a new gadget or an interesting food. He was proud to be a lifelong Republican. Most important to him were the members of his family and the history each is creating. As he said recently while reflecting upon his life, “I am proud of all the things I have done.”
He is survived by three daughters: Ann Drury of Leominster, Judy D. Young of Glover, and Barbara Drury of Westminster, Massachusetts; by two grandchildren, Sherwin A. Young and Emily J. Young, both of Portland, Maine; by cousin Florence “Buddy” (Enholm) Tainter of Leominster; by brother-in-law William Hart Jr. and his wife, Mavis, of Hanover, New Hampshire; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Doris M. Drury, in 2003; and by his sister Jane Graffagnino of Columbus, Georgia, earlier this year.
A memorial service was held August 15 at the First Church Unitarian Universalist Leominster.
Gifts in his memory may be made to the Stained Glass Window Restoration Project at First Church Unitarian Universalist of Leominster.
Online condolences, stories, or other memories to offer his family additional historical retrospective of Mr. Drury may be sent to [email protected] .
Herbert Otto Schuffenhauer
Herbert Otto Schuffenhauer, 77, of River Edge, New Jersey, died August 4, 2009, at his summer home in Barton.
Mr. Schuffenhauer was born in Brooklyn on June 22, 1932. As a child, he vacationed in Vermont with his parents.
After serving as a Naval photographer during the Korean War, he graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and went on to a successful career as a printing production manager.
He became a summer resident of Barton in 1974 and spent the next 35 years enjoying the Northeast Kingdom with his wife and family. He enjoyed attending auctions and collecting vintage postcards of the area.
He was the beloved husband of Gail (Ridley) Schuffenhauer; the loving father of Kenneth and his wife, Nora, of River Edge, and Glenn and his wife, Susan, of Decatur, Georgia; and the adored grandfather of Kelsey and Steven.
Funeral services were held at Beaugard’s Funeral Home in River Edge. He was interred in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.
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