Michael D. Atkin, 79, formerly of Derby Line, died peacefully after several years of failing health on November 5, 2010, at the Broadview Nursing Centre in Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, Mr. Atkin graduated from the University of Manchester, studied Russian at Cambridge University as a member of the British Army’s Intelligence Corps, and worked for a time for the Bank of England in Egypt and Iraq. He immigrated to Canada in 1956 and lived in Vermont from 1969 through 1982, where he worked for the Butterfield Division of Litton Industries.
He was a kind, gentle, scholarly man who loved his family, his pets, history (he was an active member of the local historical society in the towns in which he lived), reading, and his church.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Jacqueline (DuBois) Atkin; three children: Susan McGinn and her husband, John, of Texas, Jennifer Vinkler and her husband, Randy, of North Carolina, and Michael Atkin and his wife, Julie, of Ontario; six grandchildren: Colin McGinn, Sarah McGinn, Brett Vinkler, Rachel Vinkler, Meagan Wychopen, and Aly Wychopen; and four siblings: Mary Falvey, Tessie McSherrie, Monica Hill, and Francis Atkin. He was predeceased by his parents and by his sister Margaret Coyle.
A Mass was celebrated on November 23, at St. Francis de Sales Church in Smiths Falls, and burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario.
In memoriam donations to the Smiths Falls Historical Society, or to L.A.W.S. (Lanark Animal Welfare Society) would be appreciated by the family.
Arrangements by the Blair and Son Funeral Directors in Smiths Falls.
Alice (Whitney) Beadle
Alice Whitney Beadle, 93, of Derby Line died peacefully on November 16, 2010, in Newport.
She was born on January 9, 1917, in Springfield, a daughter of Philip and Sarah (Stafford) Whitney.
On June 29, 1946, she married Roger Beadle who predeceased her on May 15, 2003.
Mrs. Beadle graduated from Springfield High School, and in 1940 she graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor of science degree in education. She was a home economics teacher at the former Newport High School, Derby Academy, Hinesburg High School, North Troy and Newport Center High School. She retired from North Country Union High School and North Country Union Junior High School.
She led a very active life and was a volunteer at North Country Hospital for over 20 years. She also volunteered at the Derby Elementary School kindergarten class and at the Old Stone House Museum for several years. Mrs. Beadle enjoyed sewing, gardening, downhill and cross-country skiing, and she was always cooking. She enjoyed her family and friends very much.
She is survived by two children: Keith Beadle and his wife, Diane, of Derby Line, and Janice Beadle of Troy; two grandchildren, Gregory Beadle and his wife, Jaime, of Somerville, Massachusetts, and Jessica Dutter and her husband, Michael, of Negaunee, Michigan; by a great-granddaughter, Faith Dutter; by a brother, Donald Whitney, of Springfield; by a sister, Harriet Dodge, of Boca Raton, Florida; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Carol Beadle, in 1968; a brother, Rollin Whitney; and by two sisters, Margaret “Peg” Bazenbrook and Mildred Massello.
Funeral services were held at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport on November 19, with the Reverend Martha Peck officiating.
Interment followed in the Newport Center cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Red Cross, 29 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401-3323.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
John D. Sinon
John D. Sinon, 85, of East Albany died peacefully in Morrisville with his family by his side early Sunday morning, November 21, 2010.
He was born February 7, 1925, to John J. and Ann (Dennison) Sinon. He was the youngest of nine children and was born in the house in which he lived all of his life and where he raised his family. He was a communicant of St. John of the Cross Church.
On June 26, 1952, he married “the girl next door,” Pauline Daniels, at St. John of the Cross, a church that he loved dearly.
Besides his wife of 58 years, he was blessed with four daughters who survive him: Beverly Duchesneau and her husband, Phil, of East Albany, Donna Willoughby of Newport, Kathy Lay and her husband, Doug, of Newport, and Madelyn Sinon and her boyfriend, Mike Manning, of Morrisville. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Steven Martineau and his wife, Toni, of Virginia, Ann Gonyaw and her husband, Steve, of Derby Line, Heidi Willoughby of Alaska, Devin Lay of Newport, Derick Lay of Newport Center, and Aaron Duchesneau of Jericho; by two great-grandchildren: Abigail and Benjamin Gonyaw; brothers-in-law Paul Daniels and his wife, Nancy, and Alfred Daniels; sisters-in-law Marie Ferguson and Alice Locke; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, John J. and Ann Sinon; four brothers: Charles, Ralph, Walter, and James Sinon; and by four sisters: Alyce, Florence, Lena, and Madelyn and their spouses.
Although Mr. Sinon had to struggle daily for the last several years, he was a proud Irishman who lived a very rich and full life. He worked hard and shared his wit, wisdom and Irish humor with everyone he met. He often proclaimed, “I’m going to be buried in my dump truck.”
He was a strong pillar of his community. He had more than enough love to share with everyone, including his many cherished friends. Through the years, Mr. Sinon also “adopted” as family members Kevin Pope and Lucy Lahue.
He loved his homestead, traveling, which included going twice to Ireland, snowmobiling, driving along any unexplored back road, and sharing long visits with his many friends.
After many years on the family farm, he worked as an auto mechanic, insurance agent, milk truck driver for his brother, and a bulk syrup buying agent. He ran his own excavating, plowing, and paving business for many years.
After retiring in 1980, he began a new hobby with a small fleet of school buses which he had for eight years. He held memberships with the 251 club, the 4-H camp board, an Orleans County fair director, a member of Tops, and the Creek Runners Snowmobile Club.
Some of Mr. Sinon’s proudest accomplishments were acquiring his GED as an adult, serving as treasurer of the Vermont Democratic Committee, receiving an invitation to President John Kennedy’s inaugural ball, and attending Governor Philip Hoff’s inaugurations. In recent years he enjoyed his winter home in Florida, but he was also always anxious each spring to come home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 24, at St. John of the Cross Church in East Albany with the Reverend Sixmund Nyabenda and the Reverend Charles Davignon celebrating a Mass. Interment will follow in St. John of the Cross Cemetery in East Albany.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Paul’s School, St. Paul Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822.
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