Joseph “Joe” Stefanski
Joseph “Joe” Stefanski, 82, was born April 27, 1944, in Passaic, New Jersey, son of the late Edward and Julia Stefanski and stepson of Cornelia (VanDruten) Stefanski.
From the time he was a young boy, Joe had a passion for music, particularly the trumpet, which he began playing at just four years old. His natural talent and dedication became evident at an early age. By the time he was in eighth grade, he had already advanced beyond what his school music program could offer and was invited to play with the high school band. He also developed a lifelong love of hunting and fishing after receiving his first rifle as a young boy.
Following his graduation in 1962 from Wayne High School in Wayne, New Jersey, Joe attended night school at Juilliard for the performing arts before joining the United States Air Force. While serving, he performed with the Air Force Band, where he played first chair in Newburgh, New York, and traveled to various places, including Germany. He also had the opportunity to play for notable figures, including President John F. Kennedy.
After having a serious automobile accident, Joe was honorably discharged from the service and began a career in finance. Around that time, Joe married JoAnn, whom he had begun dating after graduating from high school. After their marriage, they decided to make New England their home. They made several moves between southern New Hampshire and Vermont before eventually settling in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, where they spent 35 years and raised two sons.
While advancing his career in banking and eventually becoming vice president of Monadnock Bank, Joe also became part owner of Environmental Systems, the company behind the popular Bug Popper product. His passion for aviation led him to purchase his first floatplane, a Cessna 206. Eventually, deciding that life behind a desk wasn’t for him, Joe left banking to run the company full-time.
Around 1981, Joe was bought out of his ownership interest in Environmental Systems, but remained with the company as an employee. He then embarked on another successful business venture, franchising a yellow pages consulting company, Directory Advertising Consultants, from one of his closest friends in New Jersey. His success throughout the 1980s eventually led him to become part owner of Lac Ternay Lodge in Quebec, Canada.
During the summers, when he wasn’t consulting, Joe would bring guests to the lodge to experience hundreds of miles of pristine, untouched waterways, fishing for prized brook trout and other cold-water fish. He also enjoyed caribou hunting, another pursuit that reflected his love of the outdoors and adventure.
In 1990, after bringing his consulting career to a close, Joe turned his attention to the outfitting business full-time. He expanded his operations by adding Diana Lake Lodge and founded High Arctic Adventures, a highly successful outfitting company. He continued building and operating the business for nearly 30 years, until 2019. He then spent his remaining years enjoying life at home in Barton, where he died peacefully on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with his family by his side.
Joe was incredibly proud of what he had built with High Arctic Adventures. Whether attending trade shows to promote the business or simply talking with someone about his experiences, he always displayed tremendous enthusiasm and excitement.
To say Joe was a risk-taker who loved adventure would be an understatement. His interests were as diverse as his experiences. He had a deep appreciation for modern jazz in the likes of Bobby Shew and Chet Baker, hunting, fishing, floatplanes, and the great outdoors. He also enjoyed good, clean comedy, such as Johnny Carson, and a great adventure movie, with Northwest Passage and Raiders of the Lost Ark among his favorites.
Above all, Joe was a loving husband and father, and a loyal friend to many. His adventurous spirit, entrepreneurial drive, and love of life will be remembered by all who knew him.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn; his two sons Scott and Jason; his grandchildren Willa and Clara; his brother Michael and wife, Karen; his two sisters Carol Pelle and Susan and William Amann; cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held privately at a later date.
Archie Lee Hilliker
May 25, 1945 – October 25, 2026
Archie Lee Hilliker, 81, of Newport, Vermont, died on October 25, 2026, at Copley Hospital in Morrisville following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Archie was born on May 25, 1945, to Alton and Francese Hilliker of Albany, where he grew up on the family farm.
On July 20, 1968, he married his wife, Martha (Marty) Smith. Archie proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973 as a missile mechanic. During his four years of service, Archie and Marty lived in Minnesota and North Dakota, where their only daughter, Laura, was born. After returning to Vermont, they settled back in Albany for a few years before making Newport their home.
Archie spent most of his career working at Ethan Allen in Orleans. Retirement didn’t slow him down, as he went on to spend another 18 years working at Tree Corner’s Campground for his dear friends, Paul and Korena Poirier.
Archie was a genuinely kindhearted man who never hesitated to lend a hand. He was the kind of person who would quietly show up when someone needed help, never expecting anything in return. Always on the move, he was never one to sit still and remained that way right up until the end. His warm smile and genuine laugh were simply part of who he was, and those who knew him will remember both fondly.
In his younger years, Archie enjoyed teaching his grandson Drew to hunt and golf. He treasured time spent with family at the family hunting camps and enjoyed playing golf with several of his longtime friends. He found happiness in life’s simple pleasures, spending time with those he loved and lending a helping hand whenever he could.
Archie is survived by his daughter, Laura, and her husband, Larry Gage Jr., of Newport Center; his grandson, Drew Stone, his wife, Laney, and their son, Easton; his granddaughter, Caitlyn Sharpe, and her family; and his grandson, Damion. He also leaves behind his beloved grand-dog, Roxy, who was his faithful daily companion.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Martha (Smith) Hilliker; his parents, Alton and Francese Hilliker; his brother, Alden Hilliker; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family at Albany Village Cemetery.
Alzheimer’s took your memories, but death gave you back your peace.
Andrea G. Fournier
Andrea G. Fournier, 80, of Morrisville, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, surrounded by family and her wonderful caregivers.
She was born June 15, 1946, in Newport; she was the eldest daughter of the late Lloyd and Shirlene (Warner) Dolan. She grew up in Lowell and spent quiet summers on South Pond. Andrea graduated from Peoples Academy in the class of 1964, where she cultivated many lifelong friendships. She continued her education at Johnson State College, where she met the love of her life, Phil Fournier, and graduated in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in English.
She married Philip J. Fournier on October 16, 1971, in Lowell. During their almost 50-year marriage, they enjoyed camping, watching their daughter’s sporting events, home maintenance, Sunday drives including ice cream outings, being outstanding grandparents, traveling, and celebrating birthdays and Christmas.
Andrea taught English at Peoples Academy in Morrisville for 20 years. She had the heart of a teacher and was known for her organization, feisty personality, clean classroom, and her intuition for knowing when a student needed a hug.
Over the years, she loved tending her many flower gardens, reading books by the pool, spending time with her grandchildren, shopping, collecting various antiques, and caring for her many cats.
In her late fifties, she was thrilled to reconnect with her daughter Kelly, who lives in Florida. Andrea chose to spend winters in Florida as she loved spending time with family, the ocean, and the sunshine.
The family is grateful for all who cared for their Mom over the last few years. The family would also like to give special thanks to her long-term caregiver, Tonya, who was a loving, consistent companion to Mom, providing endless care, patience, and a beautiful sense of humor.
Survivors include: a daughter, Erin Boxer, her husband, Andrew, and their sons, Samuel and Eli, all of Ludlow; daughter Kelly Ochs, her husband, Chris, of Jupiter, Florida, and their six children: Courtney, Cody, Kaitlyn, Colten, Carter, and Kassidy; three great-grandchildren; two siblings: Byron Dolan of Eden Notch and Daphne Christianson of Eden Notch; three sisters-in-law: Vanessa, Diane, and Carole Fournier, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Andrea was predeceased by her husband, Phil, in 2019, and by her parents.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, November 21, at the Second Congregational Church in Hyde Park, with Pastor Sonia Dunbar officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.
Online condolences are welcome at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com.
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