Obituaries

February 24, 2010 Obituaries

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Lester W. Anderson
Lester W. Anderson, 97, of Hyde Park died peacefully Friday, February 19, 2010, at Copley Hospital in Morrisville with his family by his side.
Mr. Anderson was born in Glover on September 20, 1912, a son of Clyde E. and Nina (Wylie) Anderson.
He was a graduate of Craftsbury Academy and Burlington Business College.  He was employed briefly by the Vermont Asbestos Mines before being employed by Lamoille County Savings Bank in Hyde Park where he became executive vice president.  He continued with the Franklin Lamoille Bank until his retirement in 1977 and remained on the board of directors until 1982.  He was president of the Vermont Bankers Association from 1969 to 1970.
He served in the 8th Army Air Force with a secret group call the Carpetbaggers.  A specially designed B-24 Liberator aircraft was used to parachute people who worked with the underground in France, Belgium, and other European countries.  Supplies were dropped to support those who were working in this effort.  This group was part of the 801st to 492nd Bombardment Group, based in England.  After his tour of duty of 30 missions, he returned to the United States where he was assigned to various bases before ending his service at the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, air base.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Air Badge with three oak leaf clusters.
While in Sioux Falls he met his future bride, Arlene Strait.  They were married on May 20, 1945.
He volunteered his time to many organizations in the community.  He was a member of the Second Congregational United Church of Christ in Hyde Park, trustee of Craftsbury Academy for 35 years, trustee of the Sterling School, past president of the Morrisville Rotary Club, member of Morrisville Veterans of Foreign Wars 9653, 65-year member of American Legion Post 33, member of Mt. Vernon Lodge 8 of Free and Accepted Masons, and member of Bliss Lodge 44 of the International Order of Odd Fellows since 1940.
The village of Hyde Park dedicated its 1996 annual report to Lester and Arlene Anderson “for all of the work, time and service they have given to this community.”  The town of Hyde Park dedicated its 1998 annual report to him “in appreciation of his service to the town and community.”  The secretary of state presented him with a certificate of appreciation “in recognition of many years of service to the town of Hyde Park.”
Golf was his favorite pastime, and he continued to enjoy the game whenever it was possible.  He was a member of the Vermont Senior Golf Association.  He was an avid bowler and later in life enjoyed bowling with a regular group of friends.
He is survived by two sons, Gary of Hyde Park and David and wife, Sherry, of Morrisville; by grandsons Gregory Anderson and his wife, Mayerling, of Rutland and Matthew Anderson and his wife, Kari, of Merritt Island, Florida; and by great-grandchildren:  Diego, Alejandro and Zoey.  He was predeceased by his wife, Arlene, in 2001; by his brothers Clarence and Dwight; and by his sister Doris.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 24, at 2 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church in Hyde Park.  Interment will be in the spring at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Anderson’s memory may be made to the Second Congregational Church, P.O. Box 216, Hyde Park, Vermont 05655; or to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.

 

 

Donald W. Boomer
Donald W. Boomer, 81, of Glover died peacefully February 22, 2010, in Barton.
Mr. Boomer was born January 17, 1929, in Keene, New Hampshire, a son of Lawrence and Marion (Baldwin) Boomer.
On November 17, 1950, he married Margaet Malloy, who survives him.
He was a veteran of the Korean War.
He was a machinist for Chamberlin Machine in Bellows Falls; he retired after 20 years of service.
He was an avid dear and turkey hunter, and he enjoyed fishing.  He and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor home, going from Maine to Florida and many spots in between.  He loved his family and friends and enjoyed their visits.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Boomer, of Barton; by his children:  Donald Boomer and his wife, Wanda, of Irasburg, Deborah Lowe and her husband, Richard Lobdell, of Chester, and Diane Laware and her companion, Christopher Gramling, of Sharon; by grandchildren:  Laura Houle and her husband, Denis, David Boomer and his wife, Amy, of Irasburg, Robert Lowe and his wife, Michelle, of Bellows Falls, and Heidi Ploof and her husband, Jeff, Jessica Wright and Heath Laware, all of Hartland; by nine great-grandchildren; and by sister-in-law Marceline Boomer of Campton, New Hampshire.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport.  Friends may call from 12:30 p.m. on Friday until the funeral.  Spring interment will be in the Irasburg Cemetery with full military honors.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Boomer’s memory may be made to the Ronald Holland MD Community Dialysis Center, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Glover Ambulance Squad, in care of Suzanne Gibeault, secretary, P.O. Box 64, 48 Country Road, West Glover, Vermont 05875.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.

 

 

Hector D. Diette
Hector D. Diette, 91, of Easthampton, Massachusetts, died February 14, 2010, at Cooly Dickenson Hospital.
Mr. Diette was born in Lowell on October 22, 1918, a son of Wilfred and Josephine (Carl) Diette.  He grew up in West Glover and later moved to Massachusetts.
He was a factory worker and a farmer.  He retired from the Strong Bus Corporation in Easthampton as a bus driver for special needs individuals.
He is survived by his sisters Gertrude Sanville of Coventry and Theresa Taylor of West Glover; and by many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents; by his brothers Albert and Ernest Diette; and by sisters:  Eva Diette in infancy, Corinne Before Reil, Beatrice Anderson, and Emma Phinney.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family and will take place in St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery in Lowell.

 

 

Keith Alan Fuller

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Keith Alan Fuller, 48, of Newport died suddenly February 15, 2010, in Newport.
Mr. Fuller was born April 7, 1961, in Port Jarvis, New York, a son of Walter and Jean (Decker) Fuller.
On March 19, 1994, he married Claire Berard, who survives him.
He was a painter for Memphremagog Rentals in Newport.
His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and bowling.  He enjoyed spending time on his computer.  He loved spending time with his friends and being a mentor for the neighborhood children.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children:  Desiree of Charleston, Jasmin of Brownington, Christopher, who serves in the military, Brandi Lee of Warwick, New York, and Anne, Edna, and Eddie Staples of Derby; by his mother, Jean Fuller, of Port Jarvis; by four brothers:  Walter Fuller III, Mike Fuller, Mark Fuller, and Joseph Fuller of Port Jarvis; by his sister Daphne Fuller of Port Jarvis; by his special nephew Ryan; by many other nieces and nephews; by aunts and uncles, including Ed and Marge; by many grandchildren, including his special grandchildren Richie Theriault III and Timothy Staples; and by special friends Doug and Vivian Spates.  He was predeceased by his father, Walter Fuller, on December 18, 2007.
Funeral services were held February 20 at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport with the Reverend Martha Peck officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Fuller’s memory may be made to North Country Union High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, attention: CSM Lane, 209 Veterans Avenue, Box 725, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
David Clinton Graveline

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David Clinton Graveline, 52, of Newport died suddenly February 19, 2010, at home.
Mr. Graveline was born June 15, 1957, in Newport, a son of Norman Graveline and Ellen (Fairbrother) Graveline.
He graduated from North Country Union High School in Newport in 1976.  He was part of the family business, Graveline’s Marina, located at Farrant’s Point for many years.  He was employed by the city of Newport and Columbia Forests Products for several years.
He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter.  He loved to snowmobile and ride motorcycles.  He loved his beloved cat Goldie and many other animals.
He is survived by two children, Jennifer Deyo and her husband, Zachary, of Orleans and David Nelson; by his parents:  his mother, Ellen Faribrother Graveline of Newport, his father Norman Graveline, and his stepmother Simone Graveline of Newport; by two brothers, James Graveline and his wife, Marie, of Concord and Duane Graveline and his wife, Jean, of Derby; by his niece Jaime Collins and her husband, Travis; by stepnieces and stepnephews:  Paul of Charlotte, North Carolina, John of Derby Line, and Matthew McVeigh of Derby; by great-niece Olivia Joy Collins; by a special friend, Delores; by his aunt Nancy McGivern of Westfield; by his uncle Dr. Duane E. Graveline and his wife, Suzanne, of Merritt Island, Florida; by his stepsister Monique Lanoue; and by his stepbrothers Bernie and Patrick Lanoue.  He was predeceased by his grandparents:  Edgar Graveline, Tina Graveline Hummers, and Marion and Clinton Fairbrother.
Funeral services were held February 22 at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport with the Reverend Richard Whitehill officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Graveline’s memory may be made to Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.

 

Silas Milo Houghton Jr.

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Silas Milo Houghton Jr., 83, died peacefully at his home on Lake Salem in Derby on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.  His beloved caregiver and dear friend, Barbara Norton, held his hand as he died.
Mr. Houghton was born in Lyndon on August 8, 1926, to Silas Milo Houghton Sr. and Mary (Davidson) Houghton.
He attended the Red Village School, a one-room schoolhouse, and Lyndon Institute.
After graduation he joined the Navy and served until the end of World War II.
He met his first wife, Pearl M. Day of Newport, while she attended Lyndon State Teachers College.  They were married on Christmas Eve in 1945.
In 1948 he and his wife made their home on the shore of Lake Salem in Derby, a place they loved and where he requested that he spend his last days.
When first married he worked for a year as both a farmhand and gas station attendant in Derby Line.  He joined Butterfields Division of Litton Industries in 1947.  He began as a machine operator and retired in 1967 as plant manager.  In the inaugural year of North Country Union High School, he taught machine shop and mechanical drawing in the vocational education department.
After 26 years of marriage, Pearl Houghton died in 1972.
After her death, he left North Country to become a full-time, dorm-residing, 46-year-old student at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, where he earned an associate’s degree in civil engineering with honors in 1975.  He returned to North Country’s vocational education department.
In 1978, while teaching, he attended the University of Vermont, graduating with a bachelor of arts in education.
He met his second wife, Deane (Moore) Hamilton, at North Country; they were married in 1979.
He retired as director of vocational education in 1988.
After 25 years of marriage, Deane predeceased him in 2004.  After her death, he said that he had been blessed to have been married to two of the most wonderful women in the world.
He was generous with his time, serving as a literacy volunteer in the prison system, a guardian ad litem, a volunteer at the United Church of Newport food shelf, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Area Agency on Aging in Newport.  He was a member of the Derby Lions Club, serving as president for several years.
He was once a hunter and became a guy who loved to walk in the woods in deer season while carrying a rifle.  As a younger man he enjoyed curling and water-skiing, and he was quite the ping pong player.  He loved to fish, canoe, kayak, and hike, and he was a prodigious organic gardener.
After he retired he made high-quality furniture for Deane and their children.  For several years he operated his own maple sugarhouse in Lyndon on land he inherited from his parents.
He enjoyed travel, politics, playing bridge, chopping wood, and driving his tractor.
He was a lifelong resident of Vermont and a great storyteller who could tell a joke with what can only be characterized as a Vermont sensibility.
He is survived by his daughters M. Leslie Klisz and her husband, Stephen, of Marcellus, New York, and Carolyn Houghton and her husband, David Sodano, of Medford, Massachusetts; by his grandson Jeffrey Klisz of Marcellus; by his sister Carolyn Johnson and her husband, Ted, of Ascutney; by his brothers Walter “Joe” and his wife, Ruth, and Nathan and his wife, Fran, of Lyndonville; by stepchildren:  Frank and John Hamilton and Linda Oliver; by nieces:  Judy Block, Vicky O’Keefe, Robin Hartsock, Alison Raymond, Carmen Houghton, and Margaret Streeter; by nephews:  Burkett, Bruce, and Brian Houghton and Howard and Jonathan Day; by many beloved great-nieces and great-nephews; by stepgrandchildren:  Douglas, Andrew and Peter Oliver, Cory Whelihan, and Scott, Reese, Ruth, Troy, and Ben Hamilton; by many treasured great-grandchildren; and by his dear friend, Ingrid Christman.  His niece Penelope (Day) Yakubek and nephew Silas Houghton predeceased him.
A memorial service to celebrate his life was held at the United Church of Newport February 20.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Church of Newport food shelf or the Salvation Army.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.

 

 

William Ross Lockwood

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William Ross Lockwood, 85, of Westmore died February 17, 2010, in Barton, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Lockwood was born June 5, 1924, in Springfield, a son of Dexter and Alice (Ross) Lockwood.
On June 12, 1943, he married Willie Mae Connelly, who survives him.
He entered the United States Air Force, and he served his country during World War II.  He was a master electrician for Ethan Allen and factories in Springfield.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Barton and American Legion Post 23 of Orleans.  He was a 49-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
His hobbies included fishing and boating.
He is survived by his wife, Willie Lockwood, of Barton; by two daughters, Betsy Victoria Lockwood Fecteau of Holland and Linda Lockwood of Westmore; by grandchildren:  Corena Mae Parenteau, Raymond Paul Parenteau and his wife, Linda, Scott Dexter Parenteau, Linda Claire Parenteau, Michael Scheidt and his wife, Gigi, Steven Scheidt and his wife, Beverly, and James Hamel and his wife, Tina; by great-grandchildren:  A.J., Skye, Jade, Abbey, Casey, Steven, Jason, Michael, Konnor, Kristan, and Ponette; by four great-great-grandchildren; by his brother Dexter Bates Lockwood and his wife, Evelyn, of Proctor; by his sister Eris Lennerton of Burlington, Massachusetts; and by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held February 22 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Sixmund Nyabenda celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial.  Spring interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Westmore with full military honors.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Lockwood’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont and New Hampshire, 172 North Main Street, Barre, Vermont 05641-4124.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
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