Henry Laszlo Ecker-Racz
February 16, 1989 — July 5, 2016
Our son Laszlo was given the names of his grandfathers, who died within a few days of each other in 1988. Somehow life threw many curve balls at our beautiful son, who scrambled hard to find his footing. Prolonged bullying in school, a lack of self-confidence despite magnificent physical and mental capabilities, and eventually ten years of drugs and alcohol with the accompanying petty crime drove him and his family to despair. However, before the end of his life he found peace. Never was he more thoughtful, wise, and capable. We are grateful that he was finally realizing his potential.
Las was always kind, helping anyone in need. When he was 12 he organized a house-painting expedition to help his elderly neighbor, whom he had come to love as a surrogate grandmother. It took days to accomplish, but he stuck with the project until it was finished. When he became a driver, he never passed someone who needed assistance. A good neighbor, he would always stop to help get in the hay bales. He was a gifted athlete, always going like bejesus in the woods and on the black diamond ski trails. His capable mind was second to none. He had an old soul.
We can’t begin to understand how he could be working with his father happily one moment, and an hour later dead after drowning in a small brook. Neighbors and Glover Ambulance did their best to resuscitate him to no avail. We are grateful for their efforts.
If you are a friend or acquaintance and wish to visit with his spirit, he will forever be near the small cemetery in the woods above Nick’s house. He loved his family and friends, the woods, hard work, sweet corn, chicken roasted over a fire, pie, music and hearty laughter. Oh my, how he loved to fish and hunt. He was expert. He played and worked with equal zest. You will find those echoes of his short life lived with goodness and kindnesses, large and small, near his spirit. You are welcome to visit.
He is survived by his mother and father; maternal grandmother; their families; his two small children Odin and Ellyeana; their mother, Michelle; and his many, many friends and neighbors.
You are invited to a celebration of his life on July 30 at 3 p.m., at 3336 Perron Hill in Glover. There will be food (catered plus potluck), drink, music, and a quiet time to help his spirit rest. It will be a beautiful day. — Nick Ecker-Racz and Heidi Ecker-Racz
Avis Pike Harper
Avis Pike Harper, 100, of Barton, died on July 5, 2016 in Glover. She was born in Irasburg on July 19, 1915, the daughter of Clement Eugene and Nettie (Healey) Pike.
She married Alexander Harper of Craftsbury on June 24, 1939, who predeceased her in 1991.
Mrs. Harper graduated from Craftsbury Academy in 1934, and in 1938 from the University of Vermont with a major in home economics, and then taught school in Addison.
Mrs. Harper was very active in her community of Barton by teaching school, serving as president of the Barton Ladies Improvement Society for about 50 years, secretary of the Barton Chamber Apartments, Inc., for many years, first board secretary of Lake Region Union High School, and helped start the Barton Medical Clinic. She was also a member of the Lakeside #27 Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, member of the North Country Hospital Auxiliary, Barton United Church, Daughter’s of the American Revolution, and the Crystal Lake Falls Historical Association. Mrs. Harper retired after many years as a real estate broker.
Mrs. Harper leaves her son: Winston Harper and his wife Rachel, of Glover, and her daughter-in-law Rose Harper of Barton. She also leaves her grandchildren: Jeffrey Harper and his wife, Amanda of Barton, Deborah Lussier and her husband, Daniel, of Barton, Melissa Doyon and her husband, John, of Venice, Florida, Sean Harper and his wife, Stephanie, of Irasburg, and Alexis Harper of Barton; by her great-grandchildren: Jon Lussier and his wife, Jaime, Nicholas Lussier, Celeste Lussier, Mia Lussier, Emily Grass, Alexander Rainville, Logan Harper, Sydney Harper, and Gauvin Harper; her great-great-granddaughter Ava Lussier; her siblings: Lucy Anderson of Rutland, and Elizabeth Dudley of Newport; her sister-in-law Annette Pike of Newport; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her children: Michelle Harper, and Woodrow Harper; and by her brother Woodrow Pike, and her brothers-in-law Richard Dudley and Stuart Anderson.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Crystal Lake Falls Historical Association, in care of Elizabeth Reddington, P. O. Box 148, Barton, Vermont, 05822, or to the Barton United Church, in care of David Hathaway, P. O. Box 306 Barton, Vermont, 05822.
On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com.
James Edwin Hildebrandt
James “Jim” Hildebrandt, 93, of Topsham died peacefully on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.
He was born on March 13, 1923, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Carl A. and Adelaide D. (Avey) Hildebrandt.
He was a graduate of Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills High School, the class of 1941. He attended the University of Cincinnati for 18 months and then served as an aviation cadet for nine months before attending West Point from 1943 through 1946. After flight training he flew in various operational assignments including the Air Rescue Service in Alaska. After completing his master’s degree in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University, he taught aeronautics at the U.S. Naval Academy before spending the rest of his career in research and development for the Air Force. Projects included the F-102, F-106, standard arm missile, SR-71 and B-1A. The capstone of his career was being the original program director for the A-10 attack aircraft in the early 1970s. His 4,000 flight hours were as a pilot in the B-29, B-17, C-47, B-25 and T-33. He retired as a colonel in 1975.
After moving to Westmore, he became active in civic life as town selectman and town meeting moderator until moving to Brunswick, Maine, in 1988. He enjoyed golf, travel, building things, and was active in church life. He was dedicated to his spiritual life, his family, and to the core principles of West Point.
On April 9, 1949, he married Helen Motsinger of Cincinnati who lives in Topsham. They had two children, Karen Mailey and Roger Hildebrandt. Karen is married to Tom Mailey and they have a son Kyle. They live in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Roger is married to Heidi Rutz and they live in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Their son Scott Hildebrandt and his wife, Melanie, live in Birmingham, Alabama. Other relatives include Ellen Gribell and Peggy Walker.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CHANS Home Health Care, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, Maine, 04011, or Brunswick First Parish Church Music Program, 9 Cleveland Street, Brunswick, Maine, 04011.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 6, at 11 a.m. at Brunswick First Parish Church. A committal service will be held the following Monday, August 8 at 12 p.m., at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery on Civic Center Drive, Augusta, Maine.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.FuneralAlternatives.net.
George J. Paquette
George J. Paquette Jr., 82, of Barton, died on June 25, 2016, surrounded by his loving family and care-givers at the Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton.
He was born on May 21, 1934, in Barton. He was the son of George Sr., and Mildred (Hoyt) Paquette.
Mr. Paquette served in the United States Army from 1954 through1956, spending 18 months in Germany, and was honorably discharged. He married Yolande St. Onge on May 28, 1956.
He was a member of the American Legion Post #76 in Barton, and a member of the Newport Elks Lodge #2155.
He worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles for 26 years and became the director of field services.
He loved deer hunting, fishing, reading (especially newspapers), working in his vegetable garden, and riding on his Kabota tractor.
Mr. Paquette is survived by his wife, Yolande; their three daughters and their children: Carol Paquette of Montpelier, Carmen Billings and her husband, Roland, of Morrisville, and Cheryl Lafleur and her husband, Wayne, of Barton; by six grandchildren: Jordan and Jasmin Billings, Mitchel Pion, Isabelle Banse, and Colby and Amelia Lafleur; by one great-grandchild, Zoe Warner; one sister, Marie Letourneau of Barton; two sisters-in-law: Garde Paquette of Barton, and Rita St. Onge, Enosburg Falls; one brother-in-law, George St.Onge, and his wife, Line, of Quebec; and by many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Carl and Howard Paquette; and by two sisters and their husbands: Margaret Bartlett and her husband, Dale, and Theresa Ingersoll and her husband, Arthur.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Paquette’s memory to the: Mary Wright Halo Foundation, (for families of cancer victims) 1073 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont, 05855.
Online condolences may be made at www.curtis-britch.com
Blanche Dimick Pierce
Blanche Dimick Pierce, longtime resident of Morrisville, died at the Greensboro Nursing Home at the age of 102 on July 10, 2016.
Mrs. Pierce was born February 28, 1914, in East Hardwick, the daughter of Harry and Cora (Felix) Dimick. She attended schools in East Hardwick and graduated from Hardwick Academy in 1933.
On February 6, 1934, she married Raymond Pierce Sr. of Lyndonville. They lived in Fairfield Station for seven years, and in 1941 moved to Montpelier. Then in 1942 they moved to Morrisville, where Mr. Pierce was station agent for the St. J&LC Railroad.
Mrs. Pierce worked at the Copley Hospital, then she cooked at the Morrisville graded school for a few years. She worked at Paine’s Restaurant for George Paine, her former schoolmate, for years, then finally worked at Houle’s Restaurant.
She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Eastern Star, and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.
Survivors include her sons Maurice Pierce and his wife, Carlene, of Albany and West Palm Beach, Florida, Frederick Pierce of Morrisville, and Raymond Pierce and his wife, Janet, of Pittsford and Fort Pierce, Florida; grandchildren Ronda LeBlanc and her husband, Norman, of Orleans, Randy Pierce and his wife, Robin, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Raymond Pierce and his wife, Linda, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Pamela Pierce and her husband, David, of Morrisville, and Charles Pierce and his wife, Heather, of Morrisville. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren: Travis and Amber LeBlanc, Richmond and Reannah Pierce, Olivia, Paige, Nicholas Pierce, and Jamison Early; plus several nieces and nephews; and one great-great-grandson, Hudson LeBlanc of Newport Center.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1971; by her parents; by brothers Burton and Robert; her sister Mabel; and her daughter-in-law, Frances (Peggy) Pierce; and her granddaughter, Paula Pierce.
There will be no visiting hours. There will be a graveside service at the Lyndon Center Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, or Meals on Wheels in Morrisville.
Gordon Marshall
Richardson
Gordon Marshall Richardson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Greensboro, died peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was 86 years old.
Born in Hardwick on June 27, 1930, Mr. Richardson was the son of the late Robert Richardson and the late Mary Marshall Richardson. He graduated from Greensboro High School and attended the University of Vermont. Mr. Richardson was employed by the Ralston Purina Company and was a licensed realtor. He specialized in, and later retired from, selling land rights-of-way for various public utility companies.
Mr. Richardson was the third generation to reside on the Robert Richardson farm in Greensboro. He especially enjoyed harvesting wood, tending the fields and driving the farm tractor during the spring and summertime. The farm, was where he could relax and enjoy the natural beauty of its landscape. He especially loved the side hill, the waterfall and Mt. Sara locations on the property.
He was a proud 60-year member of the Freemason Meridian Sun Lodge #20 F&AM in Craftsbury.
He was the beloved husband for 65 years of Patricia Vigneault Richardson; father of Donald and his wife, Antoinette, John and his wife, Cecelia, Robert and his wife, Marta, Shari and her husband, Robert, and Thomas and his wife, Barbara; brother of the late Kathleen Richardson Messier; grandfather of eight; great-grandfather of four; and uncle of Robin, Patrick, the late Thomas, and the late Peter Messier.
Mr. Richardson’s memorial service will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, at the Longwood Funeral Home of Matthew Genereux, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Visitation with the family will be at the funeral home from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Burial in East Craftsbury will be private.
Memorial donations would be appreciated in Mr. Richardson’s memory to: Neighborhood Hospice, 795 East Marshall Street, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, 19382.
Raymond Morris Sheltra
Raymond Morris Sheltra, 93, of Westfield, died on June 24, 2016.
Mr. Sheltra was born July 28, 1922, in Westfield. He was predeceased by his father, Forrest, and mother, Bertha Verge; by his wife, Alice Roy Sheltra, and by their sons Robert and Craig.
Mr. Sheltra worked in Lowell, Massachusetts, and, in 1943, returned to Vermont to work at the Bobbin Mill in Westfield. Mr. Sheltra also owned and operated a milk route and worked at the Kraft cheese factory in Troy. He was then employed as a machinist by Carpenter and Marsh Tap and Die shop in Newport, until his retirement.
Mr. Sheltra is survived by his sister, Delpha Coulter, of Westfield; and by grandsons Robin and Todd Sheltra, of Pulaski, New York.
“Ray” as everyone called him, was an avid outdoorsman and was known as one of the best houndsmen in the state of Vermont. Mr. Sheltra owned many coon, bear and rabbit hounds over the years. He was known also for his knowledge of firearms, and was an excellent marksman.
A graveside service is planned for July 18, at 11 a.m., at the North Hill Cemetery on North Hill Road, in Westfield, with the Rev. David Dizazzo officiating.
Patracia Alice (Sheltra) Thompson
Patracia Alice (Sheltra) Thompson, 77, died peacefully on July 4, 2016, with family by her side.
She was born on October 25, 1938, to Philip Sheltra and Tharon (Spiller) Sheltra in Lowell.
She is survived by her children: Ramona and Tom Letourneau, William Jr., Della Racine, Philip and Bonnie Thompson, Bernard Thompson, and Connie Prior; by 18 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; seven siblings, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Mrs. Thompson is predeceased by both parents; her brother Glen; her husband, William Thompson; longtime companion Jean-Guy Rodriguez; a daughter Tina; and a great-grandson Chase.
Her love of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and bingo was known to all who knew her. She was a lifetime member of both American Legion Post #30 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #793.
Calling hours will be on Thursday, July 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sayles Funeral Home in St. Johnsbury.
Graveside services will be on Saturday, July 16, at 10 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury. There will be a luncheon at the VFW on Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Caledonia Home Health, Attention: Hospice Program, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.
Online condolences may be made at www.curtis-brtich.com
0 shares
