James W. Chapman Sr. of Holland died on December 24, 2011.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1937.
Passionate and loving, he was the band director and music teacher at North Country Union High School for 17 years. He retired in March 2011 due to a massive stroke in August 2010, from which he had recovered quite well. In addition to teaching, his local activities included directing the Newport Community Band during those years, and he was the founder and conductor of the International Wind Symphony which evolved into a solid entity in the community.
He served in the Air Force and played in the Military Band. Returning to Vermont (he graduated from high school in Windsor) was the highpoint of Dr. Chapman’s teaching career, as he considered preparing young students for future success vital.
Early in his career, Dr. Chapman taught at Missouri Southern State College and was a visiting professor at other institutions. He held positions as professor and chairman of the Performing Arts Division of Alfred University in New York for about 13 years. During that time, he raised the Division to an impressive level, hiring noted artists to teach and perform.
While at Alfred University, he enhanced the function of the beloved old carillon and initiated the rebuilding of it to great success. It resulted in becoming a desirable venue for visiting carillonneurs of international renown. Single handedly, he designed and constructed a memorial park at the site and personally maintained it. That chapter of his life reflects the verve, determination and success of his endeavors, as did the chapters that followed.
Dr. Chapman was the founder, director and conductor of the Juilliard Summer Chamber Music Institute which he placed in residence at Alfred University for several years. At that time, he employed an acclaimed New York concert pianist, Pina Antonelli, whom he later married, and who survives him.
During his married life with Pina, he hosted a Sunday afternoon radio program in New York for several years, presenting big band music exclusively, especially that of Glenn Miller. He was regarded as an authority on the subject, giving lectures including one for the University of Vermont Osher Series. Also during that time, he wrote a weekly newspaper column, “Bravo,” for The Evening Tribune of New York, reporting on local events and visiting celebrities, another outlet for his vast knowledge.
Dr. Chapman held membership in many musical societies and served in administrative capacities as well. His educational background was broad and diverse which resulted in a unique approach to teaching, garnering excellent results. He held a master’s degree in music history from the University of New Hampshire, completed his doctoral studies in psychology of teaching young children at Temple University, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in musicology from Alfred University.
His students at North Country assembled many of his classroom axioms and quips into booklet form for posterity and amusement, revealing a charming sense of humor. The students even had T-shirts emblazoned with “knowing things is good,” one of his favorite expressions. Dr. Chapman was truly loved and appreciated by them, receiving visits and letters of thanks from former students. They attributed much of their success to his love of teaching the “whole person,” as was evidenced by their seeking his advice on academic and personal problems.
While working toward his advanced degrees, he married Lorena Titcomb of Maine, who survives him. Both received their B.S. in music education from the University of Maine. They were married for 18 years and had three children. Their son, James W. Chapman Jr. of Florida, died suddenly in October 2011, leaving a wife, Angela, and their daughter and son.
Dr. Chapman is survived by his daughters: Lois Olds Crandell and her husband, Christopher, and her son, of Ohio, and Rebecca Chapman Cole, and her son, daughter, and companion, Mike Wilson, of Texas; by two brothers: John and his wife, Margaret, of Maine, and Joel and his wife, Ngam, of California and Thailand; a sister, Sarah Eastman, and her most recently deceased husband, Conrad, of Maine; and by several nieces and nephews, and five grandchildren. Dr. Chapman leaves his adoring wife of 27 years, Pina, with whom he shared musical performance and a life of inspiration and beauty. Dr. Chapman’s parents were Stuart and Lois (Olds) Chapman, who predeceased him.
His beloved children, grandchildren, students, friends and colleagues will feel the loss of a “Renaissance Man” but will remember and delight in what he left behind.
A memorial service with musical tribute to Dr. Chapman is being planned for March 2012.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the North Country Union High School Band Fund for a music scholarship to be established in his name.
Claudette Desrochers Chaput
Claudette Chaput, 76, of Newport Center died on January 7, 2012, surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, family and friends.
She was born on September 19, 1935, to Oscar and Yvonne Arel Desrochers in Newport Center.
She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, and married Leo Paul Chaput on September 1, 1956.
Mrs. Chaput will be remembered for many things but foremost the most important thing was her family and friends. She was able to spend her favorite holiday, Christmas, home with her family for several days. Oh, how she loved that. Any time anyone needed some help, she was there. She will be also be remembered for her home cooking which many people enjoyed. She could put a whole meal together for very large gathering in no time at all.
Her favorite past times were watching Boston Red Sox games and seeing them win the World Series, and she was especially excited that she attended a couple of the games in Boston. She enjoyed reading, especially her cooking magazines, and cutting out new recipes. You could always go to Mom’s and find her watching the cooking channel. If she could have a family gathering every day, she would have loved it. As many know, her greatest joy was working in her flowers and mowing the lawn. As recent as this summer, she was on her lawnmower with her baseball cap, going to her flower gardens. She was in heaven then. She would have woodchucks eating all of the flowers she planted and painstakingly tried to trap them. This was a running joke within the family.
She belonged to the Daughters of Isabella and was a member of the Community Circle. She loved to travel. She and her husband traveled extensively. Several of the places were Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Nashville, Tennessee, and overseas. She was also a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea parish. Her religion was a very important part of her life. She was employed for many years at Sacred Heart High School and then North Country Union High School as a cook.
She leaves behind her loving children: Reg and his partner, Kim, Diane, Mike, Brian and his husband, Jonathan, Roger and his wife, Nicole, and Caroline and her partner, Colleen; her cherished grandchildren: Derek Royer, Dustin Royer and his wife, Shawna, Danielle Weisz and her husband, DJ, Melissa, Miranda, Mallory, and Nathan Chaput, Megan Oxford and her husband, Justin, Cody, Logan and Adrianna Chaput, and Sasha Morton; three great-grandchildren: Aiden and Liam Oxford, and Hunter Royer; and by her siblings and her sister-in-law Connie Desrochers, Roland and his wife, June, Rita LeBlanc and her husband, Rejean, Real Desrochers and his wife, Denise, and Joe Desrochers and his partner, Donna. She also leaves behind her closest and dearest friends: Audrey Bean, Judy Bean, Harriet Trottier, and Judy Roberge. She will always cherish her “girls’ night out.” She was predeceased by her husband on September 2, 1994; her parents, her brother Claude, and by several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, at the St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport. Spring interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery on May 12, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dr. Ron Holland, North Country Hospital Dialysis Unit, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Iva Josephine Labounty
Iva Josephine Labounty, 100, of Newport died on January 5, 2012, in Lyndonville.
She was born on March 9, 1911, in Lowell, a daughter of Eldon and Agnes Besaw. She spent most of her life in the area and married her late husband, Alfred H. Labounty, on February 18, 1938. Mrs. Labounty was a former member of the Clermont Circle Daughters of Isabella and a past Regent. During her life, she was a former member and attended services at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Edward’s Catholic Church. In her younger days, she liked to knit, crochet, play cards, do word puzzles, cook, and garden. She loved to go dancing with her husband or just go to where he was playing in his band, the Moonlighters, as well as to listen to the Newport Concert Band. Mr. and Mrs. Labounty owned the Labounty’s Jewelry Store on North Avenue in Newport for over 25 years.
Mrs. Labounty is survived by her son David Labounty and his wife, Gloria; her two granddaughters: Lisa Labounty and Brenda Carpenter and her husband, Bill; her two great-grandchildren: Thomas and Emma Carpenter; a sister, Gabrielle Turner; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Trudy Labounty; her brothers: Seldon, Roger, Elbridge, Maylon, and Lawrence Besaw; and by two sisters: Irene Roland and Lorene Gibney.
Friends may call on Thursday, January 12, from 9 to10:30 a.m. at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, in Newport. Funeral services will be held on January 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Spring interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Clermont Circle Daughters of Isabella, care of Rosemary Hartley, 354 Memphremagog Views, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Janet Earl Miller
Janet Earl Miller died on January 6, 2012, in Greensboro.
Born in 1913 in Oregon, she was raised in Iowa with her sister, Eleanor Earl, who predeceased her. Mrs. Miller enjoyed travels with her family, celebrations at the Indiana family homestead, The Elms, and her years at Duke University in North Carolina. Her upbringing inspired a lifelong love of travel and people’s stories.
Mrs. Miller and her husband, Cornwall “Cornie” Miller, raised their two daughters in Essex, Connecticut. They warmly welcomed a constant stream of visitors. Known for her gourmet cooking, Mrs. Miller hosted numerous parties whether at home or on board their beloved wooden boat, Happie. There was not even a protest when Cornie invited groups of children on the boat for blueberry pancakes, whether or not she had blueberries! Before Mrs. Miller became a full-time mother and hostess extraordinaire, she edited The Quaker Oats’ company magazine, taught dancing with Arthur Murray, and wrote radio Lone Ranger tales, among other pursuits.
Her first husband, Phil Ray, was her Clinton, Iowa, high school sweetheart and co-author of a book they wrote about that school. He died while in the army during World War II. Meeting Cornie in 1944 led to a whirlwind romance and 58 years of happy marriage, living in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. After his death in 2002, she spent time in East Haddam, Connecticut, with her daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Paul Varkala, and in Craftsbury Common with her daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and John Patterson. She enjoyed her grandsons, Peter and James Varkala, and Tim and Luke Patterson.
One of her earliest memories was of a parade at the end of World War I. Her father held her up and said to remember this celebration because there’d never be another war. Perhaps that vivid memory is why she followed news with passion and sometimes fury. She had a strong love and devotion for her family, but never lost sight of lives and events in the greater world.
Mrs. Miller’s daughters plan to have remembrance gatherings in Connecticut in July, and in Vermont in August. The Malcolm R. Davis Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Mary Shelby Telford Paull
Mary Shelby Telford Paull, 71, died on January 4, 2012.
She was born on August 23, 1940, in Fort Benning, Georgia, the daughter of Sidney Thompson Telford and Virginia Allen Telford.
Ms. Paull attended Derby Academy, graduated from Newport High School, and attended Burdett College in Boston.
She enjoyed living and traveling to many states and countries during her formative years.
In 1972, she returned to Newport and was employed by North Country Union High School, North Country Hospital, the Greater Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Northeastern Vermont Development Association. She served two terms in the Vermont Legislature.
During her years in Vermont, she was a member of the Vermont Small Business Region I Advisory Council, the Vermont Aviation Council, the Newport Airport Commission, the Vermont Travel Information Council, the Orleans County Development Committee, the North Country Career Center Regional Advisory Board and the North Country Business and Cooperative Committees, the Vermont Interactive Television Committee, the Newport Rotary, the Border Crime Stoppers, the Newport City Charter Committee, and the Newport High School Alumni Committee.
Her survivors are her son James Paull of Malaysia; a niece, Rosanna Telford, of Costa Rica; a nephew, Andrew Telford, of California; and a niece, Carla Telford, of Virginia. Ms. Paull was pre-deceased by her parents and her brother, Sid Telford.
There will be no calling hours. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family.
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-converse-rushford.com.
Valmore Routhier
Valmore “Val” Routhier, 93, of Lantana, Florida, died December 29, 2011, after a long illness.
He was born on February 8, 1918, in Stanhope, Quebec, the son of Joseph and Bertha Crete Fouthier.
On June 17, 1944, he married the love of his life, Helene De La Bruere. He operated his own dairy farm from 1945 to 1972 in Troy. The next phase of his life was to travel with their camper and spend many days at different campgrounds and eventually settle in sunny south Florida.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved to be surrounded by his family and friends. He participated in many sports such as playing cards, shuffle board, bowling, boating, etc. Not too many days went by that Mr. Routhier didn’t sing us a few songs, which always terminated with a beautiful smile. Even towards the end, he saved some energy for a last song. Your smile and kindness will be truly missed.
For many years he was a member of the Elks and Knights of Columbus.
His memory will be cherished by his loving and devoted wife, Helene, of 67 years; by his son Raymond and his wife, Colette, of Newport; his son-in-law Normand Prive and his wife, Noreen, of Morrisville; his six grandchildren: Lisa, Alan, Angela, Michelle, Josee, and Joel; his two step-grandchildren: Kim and Kathy; his 11 great-grandchildren; his two brothers: Bernard and his wife, Angele, of Bloomfield, and Maurice and his friend, France, of West Palm Beach, Florida; his three sisters: Marieange Sage of Burlington, Madeline Routhier of Troy, and Rejeanne and her husband, Arnold McAllister, of Lowell; his in-laws: Gerry De La Bruere of Derby, Eugene, Gilles, and John De La Bruere, all of Newport, Jeanne Harvey of Canaan, and Louise Boutin of Sherbrooke, Quebec. He was predeceased by three brothers: Lucien, Camille and Conrad; by two sisters: Lucienne and Mari Paul; and by his daughter Pierrette “Penny” Prive, who predeceased him in 1981.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated in Vermont this coming spring. Funeral arrangements are by Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport, and Gary Panoch Funeral Home in Boca Raton, Florida.
John Simpson
John A. Simpson, 45, of Sutton died on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at the Pines Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndon, surrounded by his wife and family, following a long illness.
He was born on January 9, 1966, in St. Johnsbury, the son of Donald and Connie (Elliott) Simpson. He graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1984 where he played football.
On July 14, 1984, he married Daniele Kelley. They operated the Burke View Dairy Farm for many years in Sutton until Mr. Simpson’s illness forced him to retire. Working the land, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, hunting, shooting skeet, spending time with his family, and attending church brought him great pleasure.
Following Mr. Simpson’s illness, his nephew, Ryan Simpson, developed a special relationship with him and now operates the farm with his family and longtime employees.
Survivors include his wife Daniele Simpson of Sutton; four daughters: Jaclyn Simpson and her son, Brayden, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Amanda Simpson of Lyndon, Stephanie Simpson of Sutton, and Melissa Riendeau and her husband, Kevin, of Wheelock; his father Donald Simpson and his wife, Susan, of Sutton and Florida; two brothers: Tim Simpson and his wife, Dianna, of Sutton, and Bruce Simpson of Essex Junction; his friend Kathy Armstrong of East Burke; a sister, Karla Barrett, and her husband, Mark, of Sutton; his mother in-law Diane Kelley of Derby; two brothers in-law: Larry Kelley and his wife, Peggy, and Shawn Kelley and his fiancée, Chantel Robert, also of Derby; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, and many friends. He was predeceased by his mother Connie Simpson in 1996, and a baby sister, Susan Simpson, in 1955.
Funeral services were held on January 7, in Sutton. Spring burial will be in Sutton Village Cemetery on Tuesday, May 22, at 2 p.m.
Donations made in his memory may be directed to Lyndon Institute, Football Program, care of Paul Wheeler, P.O. Box 127, Lyndon Center, Vermont 05850.
Private online condolences may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com.
Merrill (Manny) Thompson
Merrill (Manny) Thompson, 87, of Glover died on January 3, 2012, after a short illness in Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut, with family near.
He was born on May 13, 1924, in Glover, a son of the late Benjamin and Lillian Thompson.
After eighth grade, he attended the National Youth Administration Machine Shop Program in Barton from 1941 to 1942. This program was funded by the U.S. government to train individuals to produce products for war time use. He remained in the machine shop training others until he was called to active duty on May 16, 1943. Mr. Thompson was a veteran of World War II, European Campaign.
In 1946, he married Rachel Elizabeth McNamara of Orleans and they spent the next 24 years living in various locations while Mr. Thompson worked in heavy construction as a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #98. In 1970, he returned home to Glover with his family, building their permanent home and eventually retiring. But he never really retired; he was always fixing or building something for someone. He looked forward to the Boy Scouts visiting his woodworking shop every winter to cut out the design for their cars for the derby.
Since the passing of his wife in 2003, he could be found most afternoons at Shadow Lake. He loved to be out on the lake in his pontoon boat fishing or relaxing in front of his camper on the deck, holding his dog, talking to friends. Sometimes the big one didn’t get away!
Survivors include his three sisters: Virginia Gray of Greensboro, Katherine Dean of St. Albans, and June St. Louis of Greensboro; his two daughters: Rebecca Twombly of Shelton, Connecticut, and Jacalyn Bennetta and her husband, Joseph, of Stratford, Connecticut; his three grandchildren: Judith Richard and her husband, Jeff, of Oxford, Connecticut, Chad Benjamin Twombly and his wife, Teresa, of Oxford, and Carolyn Murphy and her husband, Patrick, of South Burlington; six great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Brian Richard, Kaitlyn and Christopher Twombly, and Taylor and Colton Murphy; and by his numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and -nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Rachel Elizabeth McNamara of Orleans.
Funeral services were held on January 7 in Barton.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the Glover Community Church’s Steeple Fund, and can be sent to: Roland Woodard, care of Glover Community Church, P.O. Box 198, Glover, Vermont 05839.
Cecil Wright, 92, of Sanford, Florida, died on January 4, 2012, after a short illness at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford.
He was born on July 31, 1919, in Newport Center, the son of the late Will and Lena (Davis) Wright. He grew up on the family farm with his two brothers, Milton and Kenneth, and attended Wright School District #4 near the farm. He learned to fly and kept an airplane on the farm, giving airplane rides to many locals. He volunteered into the U.S. Navy in March of 1941 before the war was declared. He served in the Pacific Theater until being honorably discharged in March of 1947. After spending six years in the Navy, Mr. Wright returned to the family farm in Newport Center where he furthered his education by receiving his A&P license to work on aircraft as well as upgrades in his pilot’s license to teach people to fly.
On September 24, 1949, he married Beverley LeBaron and they shared the last 62 years together. At the request of the Newport City fathers, Mr. Wright was asked to run the local city airport in Coventry. He ran the airport for 17 years and taught many people in the area how to fly. He also owned a successful airfreight business serving southern Quebec, northern New Hampshire, eastern New York, and most of Vermont for another 18 years. When he retired, he and his wife spent winters in Florida and summers in Vermont for many years. His love for aviation was always there. He rebuilt many aircraft in the big white house next to the airport drive and received an Aviation Maintenance Safety Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association for many years and built a couple airplanes from plans. He continued his love of aviation after he moved to Florida by building a hangar and collecting several aircraft. He lived for the love of his family, the Lord, and aviation.
He is survived by his wife Beverley; and two children: Patty Ames and her husband, Terry, and Duane Wright, all living in Sanford, Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, Will and Lena Wright; two brothers: Milton and Kenneth Wright; and by his mother-in-law, Esther LeBaron.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Lake Region Senior Center, care of Irene Lanoue, 15 Main Street, Orleans, Vermont 05860; or to the United Christian Academy, 65 School Street, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
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