Philip B. Gonyaw
Philip B. Gonyaw, 68, a resident for more than 30 years of Westfield, died early Saturday morning, February 8, 2014, at the Bel-Aire Nursing Home in Newport. His wife, Alice, was at his bedside.
He was born in Newport on August 18, 1945, son of Maynard and Erdine Gonyaw.
He attended school in Albany and graduated from Orleans High School in 1963.
He was married to Alice (St. Jacques) Vezina on July 6, 1974, in Albany. They would have celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary later this year.
Mr. Gonyaw worked at the Ethan Allen plant in Orleans early in his career, farmed for a number of years in Westfield, worked at Jay Peak, was a salesman for Vermont Country Campers and later for DelaBruere Auto, and he owned and operated North Hill Self Storage with his wife.
He was a proud Army veteran having served in Vietnam, and was a longtime member of the Vermont National Guard, retiring with the rank of first sergeant in 2005. He always made a special effort to reach out to returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan to thank them for their service and to let them know how appreciated they were.
Mr. Gonyaw unselfishly gave of his time and talents to many local groups. He was a charter member of the Troy Area Lions Club and served as president of that organization three times. As part of the Lions outreach, he volunteered each Thursday to help prepare and serve meals at the senior meal site in Westfield. He also helped run weekly Lions bingo events with proceeds of these activities being used to financially support eye programs for youngsters, programs to test and assist hearing impaired individuals, and scholarships for college bound students.
He was a 30-year life member of Post #28 of the American Legion and served as its treasurer at one time. He was a member of the American Legion Riders, a group that enjoyed motorcycling together.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #7943 and was a fourth degree Knight and served as trustee. He was a longtime and highly faithful member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish of Troy, and he served on the church’s finance committee.
He was also serving as co-chairman of the town of Westfield’s Emergency Management Committee.
He enjoyed traveling, camping, motorcycling, the annual trek to the Fryeburg Fair, and good-natured bantering — activities all to be done with his many friends. He also enjoyed his daily walks with his faithful dog, Zelda.
Apart from his humor, his smile and warm demeanor, he will most likely be remembered for being an extremely kind, caring, and compassionate person who would do whatever he could to help a friend or a family member in need. He took time to listen and give counsel and guidance to those who might seek his advice.
He is survived his wife, Alice; and by his stepchildren: Marie Breault of Glens Fall, New York, John Vezina of Belleview, Florida, Debbie Vezina of Irasburg, and Douglas Vezina of Newport. In addition, he is survived by 14 step grandchildren and 11 step great-grand children. He is also survived by his sister Phyllis Bottamini and her husband, Bruce, of Adamant; his brother Ronald and his wife, Edith, of West Charleston; his sister-in-law Rose Blais of North Troy; his special friends: Roland “Butch” and Jessie Barney of Island Pond; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His parents predeceased him.
Calling hours will be on Sunday, February 16, from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. Funeral services will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Troy on Monday, February 17, at 11 a.m., where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Gonyaw may be made to the Troy Area Lions Club, P.O. Box 175, Westfield, Vermont 05874; or to Sacred Heart Church, for the Stained Glass Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 109, Troy, Vermont 05868.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Mr. Gonyaw perhaps can be best remembered by the following verse:
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye
Ardys L. Goodwin
Ardys L. Goodwin, 82, of Newport died peacefully on February 1, 2014, in Newport.
She was born on July 13, 1931, in Albany, to Preston and Doris (Clegg) Smith.
On June 17, 1952, she married Glendon Goodwin, who predeceased her on December 12, 2011.
Mrs. Goodwin was a volunteer at North Country Hospital for many years. She was a member of the Newport Women’s Club, Homedem, and she enjoyed attending the baseball and softball games of her children and grandchildren.
She enjoyed listening to music, singing and dancing.
She is survived by her children: Karleen Lanoue of Barton, Kerry Goodwin and his wife, Carmen, of San Diego, California, Karen Goodwin of Newport, Kim Chamberlin and her husband, Ronald, of Albany, and Karl Goodwin of Newport; her grandchildren: Andre Lanoue and his friend, Jessica, Amy Braun and her husband, Bill, Donnie Goodwin and his wife, Karen, Arthur Hull and his wife, Cindy, Nanette Duckless, Ryane Davis and her partner, Matt Lessard, Thomas, Shane, and Cameren Goodwin; 15 great-grandchildren; her sister Martha Hilliker of Newport; and by her brothers-in-law: Philip Goodwin of Albany, and Waldo Potter of Albany.
She was predeceased by two sisters: Priscilla Goad and Beverly Potter.
A graveside service in the spring will be held at the Albany Cemetery with the Reverend Nathan Strong officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Newport Health Care Center Activities Fund, 148 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Woodrow “Woodie” J. Harper
Woodrow “Woodie” J. Harper, 66, of Barton died on February 6, 2014, at his home.
He was the beloved husband of Rose Harper.
He was born on February 11, 1947, in Barton, the son of Alexander and Avis (Pike) Harper.
On July 13, 1968, he married Rose Mossa, who survives him.
He graduated from Barton Academy in 1965 and from Champlain College in 1967.
He served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve.
He owned and operated Barton Motor Company, a Ford dealership, in Barton for many years. Recently, he was also a salesman for Hayes Ford in Newport and a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker All Seasons Reality.
He held memberships with the Orleans Country Club, the Newport Elks Club, the American Legion, and the Orleans Lions Club. He was a member of the Barton Fire Department for 45 years and retired as fire chief.
Mr. Harper enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, cooking and playing cards with friends and family.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Harper, of Barton; his children: Sean Harper and his wife, Stephanie, and grandson Gavin, of Irasburg, and Alexis Harper of Barton and her significant other, Jonathon MacFarlane; his mother Avis Harper of Glover; a brother, Winston Harper, and his wife, Rachel, of Glover; a nephew, Jeff Harper, and his wife, Amanda, of Barton; and by his nieces: Melissa Harper of St. Johnsbury, and DeeDee Lussier and her husband, Dan, of Barton.
He was predeceased by his father Alexander Harper; and by a sister, Michelle Harper.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, February 12, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. Friends may call at the funeral home on February 12, from noon until the hour of the funeral. Spring interment will be in Irasburg Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Junior Golf Fund at the Orleans Country Club, P.O. Box 8, Orleans, Vermont 05860; or to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 4473 Barton-Orleans Road, Orleans, Vermont 05860.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Mary Elizabeth Houghaboom
Mary Beth Houghaboom of Orleans died on February 2, 2014, at her home. She was 90 years old.
Born on September 6, 1923, in Newport, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Jessie (Ferguson) Litchfield. She was married to Lloyd B. Houghaboom for 43 years.
She greatly enjoyed her childhood years in Newport and graduated from Newport High School. Many stories of Prouty Beach, Glenn Miller Band concerts and adventures with her late sister, Hazel, and late brother, Mark, were told and retold.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Farmington Teachers College, Ms. Houghaboom embarked on a 39-year career teaching home economics in Orleans, Newport, and at North Country Union High School. Over the years, her dedication and commitment to her students touched hundreds of lives. It was common for former students to stop her on the street with the “Do you remember me, Mrs. Houghaboom?” greeting. She proudly recalled having a few young men request a cooking class with her while at Orleans High School. This was an unheard of event in the early 1960s, but one she enthusiastically embraced.
On May 29, 1948, she married a young World War II veteran, Lloyd Houghaboom, and they made their move to a life and family in Orleans. Here she was able to fulfill her final wish, to remain in her home of 60 years to the end.
She was a longtime and active member of the Orleans Federated Church, and will be remembered for her famous cream puffs, sold at many a church bazaar. Her baking skills were unmatched and those memories remain with many nieces and nephews, as well as her immediate family.
She was predeceased by her husband Lloyd Burton Houghaboom; and by her daughter Joanne Elizabeth Houghaboom.
She is survived by her loving daughters: Judith Hawkens and her husband, William, of Warwick, New York, Jean Perry and her husband, Dennis, of Brownington, and Janet Houghaboom and her husband, John Quackenbush, of Orleans; and by her granddaughters: Jessica Cardella and her husband, Christopher, of Warwick, and Sarah Hendry and her husband, James, of Port Jervis, New York. Four precious great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Ellyn Cardella, and Olive and Charles Hendry, will continue to hear stories of their loving Great Grammie.
A graveside service of death and resurrection will be scheduled for the spring at Pleasant View Cemetery. Details will be made available at that time.
Perlie G. Jones Jr.
Perlie G. Jones Jr., 84, of North Troy died peacefully on February 4, 2014, in Newport, surrounded by his family.
He was born on November 7, 1929, in Morrisville, to Perlie and Ila (Laird) Jones Sr. On June 25, 1949, he married Frances Johnson, who survives him.
He worked at the Veneer Mill in North Troy and for many years at the House of Troy in North Troy and Morrisville, as well as a lift attendant for Jay Peak before retiring.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his earlier years and telling his many stories of hunting and fishing to his grandchildren and children. He enjoyed spending time with his canine companion “Buddy.”
He is survived by his wife Frances (Johnson) Jones of North Troy; his children: Sandra Spurling of Massachusetts, Louise Handy and her husband, Louis, of Troy, Pauline Bergeron and her husband, Roland, of Derby, Joyce Caples of Newport, Mary Jones of Eden, Barbara Davis and her husband, Larry, of North Troy, and Donald Jones of Newport; and by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers: Fred Jones and his wife, Judy, and Kenneth Jones and his wife, Gloria, all of Morrisville.
He was predeceased by his sons-in-law: William Spurling and Richard Caples; and by his brothers and sisters: Phillip, Maynard, Wayne and Elroy Jones, Marilyn Yandow and Shirley Jones.
A graveside service in the spring will be held in North Troy Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division, Inc., 55 Day Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Gerard R. “John Ti-loup” Lacroix
Gerard R. “John Ti-loup” Lacroix, 83, of Newport died on February 8, 2014, in Newport.
He was born on August 13, 1930, in Beebe, Quebec, to Wilfred and Marie Louise (Bedard) Lacroix.
On February 3, 1951, he married Beatrice Julien, who predeceased him on April 24, 2013.
Mr. Lacroix was a master electrician in both Canada and the United States and was employed by Butterfields Union Twist in Derby Line for 45 years, where he retired in 1993.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He also spent time in his workshops helping the women in his life with their projects. He was always ready to help a friend or neighbor in need and he had a huge heart and smile to go with it.
He spent the last few years in the Newport Health Care Center where his extended family enjoyed his contagious smile on a daily basis. His caregivers cared very much for him — he was blessed.
He is survived by his children: Richard Lacroix and his wife, Francine, of Beebe, and Annette Lantagne and her husband, Dennis, of Newport; his grandchildren: David Lacroix and his companion, Annie, of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Rachel Lacroix of Calgary, Canada, Charles Lacroix and his companion, Ariane, of Levis, Quebec, Crystal Haselton of Boulder, Colorado, Nathan Haselton of Vermont, and Katelyn Lantagne of Newport; his great-grandchildren: Gabrielle, Elliott, Felix Antoine, Lohann, and Beatrice; and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: LeoPaul Lacroix of Stanstead, Quebec, Roger Lacroix and his wife, Delia, of Montreal, Quebec, Jeaninne Lacroix of Sherbrooke, and Yolande Lacroix of Stanstead.
He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Pauline Lacroix.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, February 14, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Spring interment will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 24, at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Newport Health Care Center Activities Fund, 148 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Barbara Smith Maxwell
Barbara Smith Maxwell, 80, of Island Pond died peacefully on February 7, 2014, in Littleton, New Hampshire, surrounded by her family.
She was born on October 2, 1933, in Georgia, to Lawrence and Eunice (Donna) Smith.
She graduated from Newport High School in 1951 and was married to Blaine Richard Maxwell on April 24, 1953.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her passions revolved around her home and her family. She loved gardening, sugaring, baking, and a variety of crafts. She loved the Lord and was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Brighton.
She is survived by her husband and three children: a son, Ronald Blaine, and his wife, Debra Maxwell, of Bangor, Maine; daughters Linda Maxwell Sykes and her husband, David, and Sherry Lynn Kocis and her husband, Jacob, all of Island Pond; as well as by 16 grandchildren: Crystal Maxwell and her fiancé, John Stewart, Carl Maxwell and his fiancée Merrit Neptune, Justin Maxwell and his wife, Leslie, Jessica Maxwell Bliss and her husband, Travis, Ryan Maxwell and his fiancée, Haley Donaghy, Kyle Sykes and his wife, Jessica, Erin Sykes and her friend, Chris Roese, Katie Sykes, Sarah Kocis Sanville and her husband, James, Rebekah Kocis Spicer and her husband, Joshua, Hannah Kocis, Ruth Kocis, Jacob Kocis, Josiah Kocis, Joshua Kocis and Jonathan Kocis; and by 17 great-grandchildren: Brandon, Kellsea, Gasper, Zachery, Brendon, Justin, Aaron, Isabella, Abigail, Elizabeth, Lincoln, Lucy, Lacey, Carter, Emma, Isabella, and baby Sanville.
She was predeceased by her brother Lawrence Smith; and by an infant son.
A service celebrating her life was held on February 11, in Brighton. Spring interment will be held at the Derby Pond cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to her church in her memory at 21 Middle Street, Island Pond, Vermont 05846.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Ralph Eugene Perkins
Ralph Eugene Perkins, 96, of West Charleston died peacefully on February 4, 2014, in Newport.
He was born on August 17, 1917, in Westmore, to Alvah and Carrie (Smith) Perkins.
On June 17, 1939, he married Mabel Jennie Holmes, who survives him.
Mr. Perkins was a dairy farmer in West Charleston for many years. He also worked for the town of Charleston, Pratt & Whitney, and he drove school bus for Charleston and North Country Union High School.
He was a past member of the Newport Elks Club and he enjoyed cooking, snowmobiling, going to camp, playing cards, dancing the polka, practical jokes, and he was loved by all, and a friend to many.
He loved his dog and he always looked forward to spring and sugaring.
He is survived by his wife Mabel Perkins of West Charleston; his children: Dorothy Brainard and her husband, Myron, Janice Bowen and her husband, Wayne, Gerald Perkins and his wife, Margaret, and Blaine Perkins and his wife, Norma; his grandchildren: Dawn Brainard and her husband, Tim, Ricky Brainard and his wife, Donna, Pam Brainard and her husband, Dennis, Lindsay Brainard and his wife, Nikole, Cindy Lewis and her friend, Stuart, Cathy Etheze and her husband, Jim, Dwayne Bowen and his fiancée, TammyLee, Scott Perkins, Steven Perkins and his wife, Cresta, Tammy Kroyman and her husband, Phil, and Angel Graves; and by his 22 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Catherine Perkins; and by several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter Elizabeth Perkins; two great-great-granddaughters: Rita and Tyra Ladue; his brothers: Gerald, Joe, Clifton, Randolph, Earl and Harvey; and by two sisters: Thelma Cole and Eva Randall.
Funeral services were held on February 8, in Newport. Spring interment will be in West Village Cemetery, in West Charleston.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Derby Line Ambulance Service, care of Brian Fletcher, P.O. Box 105, Derby Line, Vermont 05830; or to the Mary Wright Halo Fund, in care of Hilarie Wright, 1071 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
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