Obituaries

May 18, 2011 Obituaries

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Frank Arthur Brunelle

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Frank Arthur Brunelle, 72, of Barton died on May 10, 2011, in St. Johnsbury.
He was born February 5, 1939, in St. Johnsbury, a son of Alfred and Viola (Bean) Brunelle.
On August 23, 1958, he married Lorraine Giguere who survives him.
Mr. Brunelle graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1957 and attended one year at the University of Vermont.
He was a merchandiser for Nabisco for 20 years.  He was also a manager for the A&P in Barton, the Grand Union and Shop and Save stores in St Johnsbury and Newport, and the former Butson store in Lancaster, New Hampshire.  He also worked at Shaw’s in Lebanon, and Littleton, New Hampshire.  More recently he was working part-time for Price Chopper in Derby.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Barton Bishop Ryan Council #2933 of Barton.  He and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lorraine Brunelle, of Barton; his children:  Frances Marie Sargent and her husband, William, of Christianburg, Virginia, and Michael Brunelle of Barton; by his grandchildren:  Christopher  Sargent of Madisonville, Kentucky, and Andrea Farmer of San Diego, California; and by his great-grandchildren:  Jazzelle Roberts, Donovan Farmer, and Michael and Anthony Sargent.
Funeral services were held on May 16 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Barton with the Reverend Dwight Baker celebrating a Mass.  Interment followed in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Johnsbury.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1080 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Cecile Bussiere
Cecile Bussiere, age 91, and previously of Stratford, Connecticut, died on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
She was the devoted wife of the late Gaston Bussiere.  Mrs. Bussiere was born in Canada September 1, 1919, daughter of the late George and Marie Ann (Mastae) Geoffroy.
She enjoyed gardening and was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church in Stratford, and later St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton.
She was the beloved mother of Shirley E. Orfino and her husband, Philip, Rachel Harper and her husband, Winston, Georgette Mackey, Lucille Zeglen, and her husband, Ronald, and the late Robert Bussiere.  She was the sister of Oscar Geoffroy, Emilia Labor, and Jean Perkins.  She also leaves several grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were held on April 24, 2011, in Shelton, Connecticut.  At the request of her family, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 279 New Britain Road, Suite 5, Kensington, Connecticut 06037.  Please visit www.riverviewfh.com to leave condolences for the family.
Harold James Cahill
Harold Cahill, 81, died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, at Maple Lane Nursing Home in Orleans.  He was born on May 14, 1929, in Island Pond.  He was predeceased by ten siblings, six brothers and four sisters and was the last surviving son of John and Katherine (McNamara) Cahill.
Mr. Cahill was also predeceased by his wife, Barbara, of Island Pond and their son James Cahill, of Brockville, Ontario, who fought a valiant battle with ALS.  He is survived by a second son, Sean Cahill, and a daughter, Catherine Brouwer, both of Brockville, Ontario.  He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Lanie Gerkin-Cahill, seven nieces and four nephews.
During the Korean Conflict, Mr. Cahill discovered that his acute hearing and perfect vision often got him chosen to lead night patrols.  “I didn’t realize being fit could be that dangerous,” he said.  Following his military service in 1951, he became a fireman on CNR-Grand Trunk New England line railroad.  The consummate railroad man, Mr. Cahill worked his way up and eventually became an engineer in Montreal, Quebec, Pembroke, and Brockville, Ontario.
“I’d been riding on trains for fifteen years,” he said.  “I decided I wanted to drive one.”  Drive them he did.  Not only did he drive one of the last passenger trains into Island Pond for a foliage tour, he was proud to be chosen to bring the last train into Island Pond, May of 1989, which ended 136 years of continual Portland to Island Pond train service by the Grand Trunk Railway.  He was the last Grand Trunk locomotive engineer on the Portland to Island Pond line who had experience operating both diesel and the old steam engine.  This not only marked his retirement but also the era of steam know-how became history.
Mr. Cahill loved to travel and made a number of trips to Ireland tracking down his heritage.  He constantly entertained family audiences with stories embellished with Irish facts.  With his steel blue eyes and rugged good looks, combined with his clever wit and Irish humor, he continued to be a popular figure at the many social events he attended.
An interment ceremony will be held at the Island Pond Lake Side Cemetery on Pleasant Street on May 28 at 2 p.m.  An informal celebration of his life will follow at the American Legion.  All are welcome.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of choice plus a toast in his memory would be appropriate.
Eugene A. Coderre Sr.
Eugene A. Coderre Sr., 70, of Orleans died May 12, 2011 in Newport.
He was born May 19, 1940, in North Troy a son of Eddie and Fabiola (Vachon) Coderre.  On October 1, 1960 he married  Rosalie Ashline who predeceased him on February 5, 1981.
He was a construction worker for Blow and Cote Construction Company.  He was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans.
He is survived by his children: Eugene Coderre Jr. of Canaan, Mitchell L. Coderre of Canaan, Penny Coderre of Irasburg; five grandchildren; and by the following brothers and sisters:  Marcel Coderre of Irasburg, Donald Coderre of Lowell, Gisele Damond of Morgan, Cecile Damond of Newport, Estelle Wheeler of Newport, and Desneiges Geraw of Barton; and by several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a daughter Lorraine; two brothers Gaetan Coderre and Raymond Coderre; and by two sisters Jeannette Geraw and Rita in infancy.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Newport.  Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans with the Reverend Sixmund Nyabenda celebrating a Mass of Christian burial.  Interment will follow in St. Theresa’s Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Norma Jean Elie

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Norma Jean Elie, 65, of Lowell died on May 9, 2011, in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
She was born on July 29, 1945, in Burlington, a daughter of George and Marilyn (Pecor) Granai.
Ms. Elie was the president and the founding member of the Orleans County Foster Parent Association and past president and vice-president of the Vermont Foster Parent Association.  She enjoyed hunting and gardening.  She loved going to the ocean and delighted in seeing the dolphins, and going to Foxwood.  She especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and seemed to spoil them just a little every chance she had.
She was a foster parent to over 400 children after raising children of her own, and she gave them the same amount of love as she did her own children.
Ms. Elie is survived by the love of her life, Merrill Crawford Sr. of Troy; her five children:  Kimberly Rappold and her husband, Mark, of Troy, Timothy Elie and his wife, Dana, of Georgia, Perry Elie and his wife, Amanda, of Troy, Mickey Judd and her husband, Glenn, of Holland, and Merrill Crawford Jr. and his wife, Emily, of Barton; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers:  Bruce Granai and his wife, Sandi, of Florida, George Granai and his wife, Carolyn, of Coventry, and Robert Granai and his wife, Theresa, of Georgia; three sisters:  Elvira LaBlond of Lowell, Laura Durkee of New York, and Sherry White and her husband, Brian, of Derby.
Funeral services were held on Friday, May 13, at the funeral home with the Reverend Larry Wall officiating.  Interment will be held at a later date.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Orleans County Foster Parent Association, 100 Main Street, Suite 230, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Hilda J. (Weber) Morrison
Hilda J. (Weber) Morrison of Watertown, Massachusetts, died at her home on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at age 79.
Born in Kentucky, she was raised and educated in Louisville and lived in Tampa, Florida, and Newport before moving to Watertown ten years ago.  Before retiring she worked as a registered nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The beloved wife of the late Donald L. Morrison, she was the loving mother of Donna J. Morrison of Milton, Massachusetts, Michael S. Morrison and his wife, Peggy, of Tampa, and Laura L. Morrison and her husband, Richard Pels, of Newton, Massachusetts; dear grandmother of Zoe and Bob, Caleb and Sophie, Anna and Brian, and Sarah; and great-grandmother of Connor and Molly.
A burial service was held on May 21 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Orleans.
Donations in Mrs. Morrison’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
David Edward Phinney
David Edward Phinney, 54, died unexpectedly on May 5, 2011, at Exeter Hospital after a sudden illness.  He was from Exeter, New Hampshire.
He was born December 15, 1956, in Taunton, Massachusetts, a son of the late Edward and Emma (Diette) Phinney.
Mr. Phinney grew up in Taunton, and received his bachelor of music degree with a specialization in composition and education from the University of Lowell in 1979.  He was a vocalist and could play any instrument, but specialized in woodwinds and brass.  He taught music in public schools as well as private lessons in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire for more than 25 years and composed 19 pieces for instrument and voice.  He founded the Seacoast Wind Ensemble in 1984 and was a member of the Exeter Brass Band and Vocalocity.
Mr. Phinney was a diehard Red Sox fan, an avid reader, and a talented woodworker.
His children and family meant the most to him and he will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Stead) Phinney; a sister, Debra Phinney of Newport; his three children:  Elisabeth Phinney, Benjamin Phinney, and Christian Phinney; their mother, Melody Chartier; two stepchildren; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation at www.vh1savethemusic.com/donation to help keep music in the schools.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com.
Conrad Valentino Taber

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Conrad Valentino Taber, 84, of Westport, Massachusetts, died peacefully in Fall River, Massachusetts, on May 13, 2011.
Born March 7, 1927, in Westport, he was a son of the late Elliot H. and Alberta L. (Sherman) Taber.  A veteran of World War II, he served his country in the United States Navy upon the U.S.S. Wasp.
Mr. Taber was a self-employed stone-wall builder, working every day up to 80 years of age.  He had also been a master carpenter and roofer.  He enjoyed gardening, traveling and the ocean, putting out his own lobster pots, digging quahogs and fishing.  An extremely strong man, physically and personality wise, he was sure to catch people’s attention wherever he went — a bit of a devil with a big soft heart.  The stories he told from a lifetime of adventures were guaranteed to amaze and amuse.
Including his wife, Constance P. (Beliveau) Taber, he is survived by a daughter, Sonya Curtis and her husband, Leigh, of Irasburg, and their son Nigel Curtis of Brownington; a son Shaun K. Curtis, and his wife and son, Amber and Kaden, of Irasburg; and a daughter Jaime L. Curtis and her companion and son, Doug and Liam, of Sheffield.  He is also  survived by a stepdaughter Lori L. Medeiros of Fall River, two brothers, Donald L. Taber of Bradford and Elliot H. Taber Jr. of Westport, a sister Patricia C. DeAndrode of Assonet, Massachusetts, and several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews in Vermont and Massachusetts.
He was predeceased by his son Wayne Taber and brother of the late Evelyn (Peggy) L. Cornell.
A celebration of his life will be held in Westport at a later date, at the convenience of the family.
Mary Ellen Wright

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Mary Ellen Wright, 62, of Derby died on May 9, 2011, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born September 7, 1948, in Orleans, a daughter of Florence (Elliott) Jensen and the late Harry Jensen.
She graduated from Orleans High School and on July 8, 1967, she married Ulric Wright Sr. who survives her.
She and her husband owned and operated a dairy farm for several years and then owned and operated Mary’s Canteen for over 20 years.  They attended auctions and gatherings all over the North Country until their son Benjie took over. The business is now run in the name of Wright’s Catering.  Mr. and Mrs. Wright enjoyed several trips to different locations and had many pleasant memories.
Mrs. Wright enjoyed cooking and was famously known for her whoopee pies.  She also enjoyed gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.  Among the things that she derived great pleasure from was her little dog, who she loved dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Ulric Wright, Sr. of Derby; her mother, Florence Jensen, of Barton; her children:  Benjie Wright of Derby, Chad Wright and his wife, Amanda, of Monkton, Todd Wright and his wife, Hilaire, of Derby, and Matthew Wright and his companion, Cassy Moulton, of  Derby; her grandchildren:  Paris, Camry, Addison, and Chase; by half brothers Nicky Jensen and his wife, Priscilla, of Brownington, and Earl Jensen of Newport.  She was predeceased by her half sister Alice Lafoe.
She is the beloved daughter-in-law of Annette Wright of Derby and the late Ulric “Bob” Wright; sister-in-law and dearest friends Joyce and Fred Oeschger of Derby; sister-in-law to Ronald Wright of Derby, Ernie and Donna Wright of Charleston, Walter and Carol Wright of Derby, Steve Wright of Derby, Roy and Sue Wright of Derby, Faye and Bobbi Morin of Derby and aunt of many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held on May 12 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport where a Mass was celebrated.  Interment followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Mary Wright Halo Foundation, care of the Community National Bank, P.O. Box 259, Derby, Vermont 05829.  The foundation will benefit Orleans County area residents who are caring for sick or terminally ill family members during their time of need.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Graveside Service
Spring graveside services for George H. Stone, 70, of  Sheffield, who died January 6, 2011, will be held on Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m. in the Cabot Plains Cemetery in Cabot with the Reverend Robert Sargent officiating.
Committal Notices
Committal services for Muriel Turenne will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011, at noon at the Westlook Cemetery in Glover.
A graveside service for Margaret Abel will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport.
Committal services for Elizabeth Labrecque will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Westlook Cemetery in Glover.
Committal services for Carlton Hunt will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, at North Troy Village Cemetery with military honors.
Committal services for Brenda Billado will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at St. Theresa’s Cemetery in Orleans.
Committal services for Ila Coapland will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Irasburg Cemetery.
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