Obituaries February 18, 2015

Wayne E. Doncaster Sr.

Wayne E. Doncaster Sr., 89, of Irasburg died peacefully on February 10, 2015, in Newport.

He was born on April 7, 1925, in Derby, to Vernon and Annie (Aiken) Doncaster.

In 1952, he married Elizabeth Rhodes, who survives him.

As a young farmer on the home farm in Derby on Salem Lake, he milked cows by hand, worked with horses in the hayfield, and in the woods logging. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, and left high school early to work on the family farm with his mother while his father was away working as a master machinist. When tractors came to the area he was one of the first to have a hay baler and worked as a custom baler for many farmers. He ran a successful Christmas tree business with his father. After he married, he was hired as herdsman at Eagle Point Farm.

In 1956, he and his wife purchased Hillandale Farm and have lived and worked there ever since. He was an avid gardener and he loved music. He played the steel guitar, accordion, guitar, the bones, and piano. He loved calling square dances and playing music with family and friends. He also loved family gatherings, being outdoors, fishing as a young boy on Salem Lake, and he was a history buff, especially about World War II. Education was important to him. He earned his GED diploma, took a course in animal husbandry at the University of Connecticut, and studied music later on in life.

He was a member of the Vermont State Guard, Company B, 3rd Division. He was active in 4-H as a club leader, the Parent Teacher Association, the Grange, and he was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. He was a maple sugar maker for many years. With his wife, they established Warebrook Kennel, during which time they bred champion St. Bernards. He had a robust sense of humor and was well known for his wisdom, patience, fairness, and generosity. He was an excellent herd manager and developed a registered herd of Jerseys that are descended from the original animals that came with Hillandale Farm. He took great joy in his farm — his cows, the land, and the historic buildings. He carefully retrofitted the 1875 barn for use as a modern dairy and was recognized by the Vermont Department of Historic Preservation and the Vermont Department of Agriculture with a “Barn Again” award for his work. Hillandale Farm and Waybee Jerseys will continue under the care of Wayne Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, and family.

Most of all, he was proud of his family. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Doncaster, of Irasburg; his children: Colleen Goodridge of Albany, Rebecca Doncaster and her husband, Reginald Gilbert, of Maine, Barbara Ross and her husband, Warren, of Coventry, Sara Doncaster of Coventry, and Wayne Doncaster Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, of Irasburg; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and by many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings: Otis and Wendell Doncaster, Vida Powers, Vivian Austin and Joyce Jenness.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. A celebration of his life will be held at Hillandale Farm this summer for extended family and friends (date to be announced).

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to Respiratory Therapy, North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Mary Wright Halo Foundation, 1071 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

Roy Eugene George

Roy Eugene George, 79, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Orleans, on February 15, 2015, following a two and one-half year battle with cancer.

He was born in Cabot, on December 2, 1935, to the late Raleigh and Mary (Smith) George.

He was educated in Calais and Montpelier schools, entered the U.S. Marine Corps in January of 1954, and served during the Korean Conflict, until he was honorably discharged in 1957.

He married Deanna Davis of Northfield on September 7, 1957, in Washington, D.C., and it was there he began his life-long career in the plumbing and heating field, having worked as a journeyman plumber before becoming a master plumber. He worked for Wiggett Brothers Plumbing & Heating in Northfield Falls and Randolph for several years, as well as Gillespie Fuels of Northfield. He then went to work for Mahaney Company of Biddeford, Maine, as mechanical foreman on several hospitals and schools throughout Vermont. He was self-employed from 1972 to 1974, then he began a 20-plus year employment with Pizzagalli Construction Company of South Burlington as mechanical foreman and superintendent, working on various industrial jobs in Vermont, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and South Carolina, before retiring in 1998.

He returned to Vermont in 2000 and made his home in the Northeast Kingdom. He was caretaker for several cottages at Lake Willoughby in Westmore, and surrounding areas, and continued to enjoy his trade by doing occasional maintenance and repair work for several family and friends in the Northeast Kingdom, until his declining health forced him to retire completely. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post #23 in Orleans.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Deanna; his sons: Michael George and his wife, Keri, of Warner Robins, Georgia, David George and wife, Lolita, of Orleans, and Allan George of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his daughter Rhonda Hernandez and her husband, Hugh, of Midlothian, Virginia; nine grandchildren: Tamara George of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Alexander Hernandez and his wife, Lindsay, of Lynchburg, Virginia, Sean George of Chelsea, Massachusetts, Matthew Hernandez of Citrus Heights, California, Kaitlyn George, Kyle George, and Kolby George of Orleans, Mitchell George of Oklahoma City, and Liam George of Warner Robins; his sister-in-law Andrea Goodrich of Northfield; his nieces: Judith Kellogg of Chicopee, Massachusetts, Barbara and Gary Brown of Northfield, and Shari Lokey and her companion, Jimmy Nowakowski, of Ware, Massachusetts; three great-grandchildren; several great-nieces and -nephews; as well as by many cousins.

He was predeceased by his only sibling, Betty Doney.

If there was a quote we were to attribute to him, it would be this one from Will Rogers: “I never met a man I didn’t like.” That, was Roy George.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, February 21, at 11 a.m. at the Kingston Funeral Home in Northfield. Immediately following the memorial service, the family invites everyone to a gathering to continue the celebration at Sorrell-Maynard American Legion Post, on Depot Square, in Northfield. Stories and photos would be most welcome. A graveside service will be conducted in the spring in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored with memorial donations to one of the many organizations furthering cancer research or helping United States veterans.

Louise Marilyn Kennison

Louise Marilyn Kennison, 76, of Newport died peacefully on February 15, 2015, in Newport.

She was born on June 11, 1938, in Newport, to Henry and Loretta (Rivard) Lunna.

On December 11, 1956, she married Donald Kennison, who predeceased her on November 13, 1995.

She was a librarian for 16 years for the Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport, from where she retired on June 12, 1999.

She was a member of the Newport Center Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, gardening, canning, spending time with her family, and she loved her dog Ginger.

She is survived by her children: Donna Annis and her husband, Tim, of Newport, John Kennison and his friend, Jeannette Pare, of Newport, Michael Kennison and his wife, Donna, of North Troy, and Donald Kennison of Kittery, Maine; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; her siblings: Claire Wright of Orleans, Albert Lunna and his wife, Linda, of Bristol, and Henry Lunna and his wife, Sue Mary, of Newport; and by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 20, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 37 Lake Road in Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, at the Newport Center Methodist Church. Spring interment will be in Westfield Cemetery.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont, 300 Corner Stone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, Vermont 05495.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

Raymond “Ray” W. Ladue Jr.

Raymond “Ray” W. Ladue Jr., 82, of Newport died peacefully on February 10, 2015, in Newport.

He was born on July 24, 1932, in St. Albans, to Raymond and Marion (Delaney) Ladue.

On August 27, 1954, he married Elsie Story, who survives him.

He attended elementary schools in Sheldon, and graduated in 1951 from BFA High School in St. Albans. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from Johnson State College in 1955 and a master’s degree in administration from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, in 1963.

He taught and was a principal from 1955 to 1992. He started at South School, then West School and the junior high in Newport, math at North Country Union High School, and he was supervising principal at Newport City Elementary School.

He once belonged to the Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star, and he was a charter member of the Jaycees. He was on the Newport Recreation Committee for 18 years and he coached Little League. He was also a member of the local Retired Teacher’s Association and State Retired Teacher’s Association.

His great love was being a member of the Newport Elk’s #2155. He served as exalted ruler and later as state president and district deputy grand exalted ruler north, and Hoop School chairman for many years, and he was in charge of renting the Elks for functions for many years.

He enjoyed hunting, golfing with John D. and Rene P., and working on building projects until his decreased vision became an issue.

He and his wife spent many years camping and going to St. Martin’s with Dave and Donna.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elsie Ladue, of Newport; his son James Ladue of Newport; his sister Betty Hubbard of New York; his daughter-in-law Donna Ladue of Derby; his grandsons: Tory and Cody Ladue and Jamie Longley; and by his sisters-in-law: Leona Brook and Pearl Belanger.

He was predeceased by his dear son David in 2011; his parents, Ray and Marion Ladue; his brother Bob Ladue; his brothers-in-law: Mark Brook, Robert Belanger, and Clark Hubbard; and by his mother- and father-in-law, Delmar and Eschol Story.

Funeral services were held on February 14, in Derby. An Elks service was held on February 13, in Newport.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Elks Silver Towers, 56 Silver Towers Road, Ripton, Vermont 05766.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

Carolyn Edna Lorman

Carolyn Edna Lorman, 84, died peacefully in her recliner at home, on Thursday, February 12, 2015.

She struggled with pulmonary fibrosis for over three years. Even in her decline, she had a sweet spirit and never complained. Her dear friend was by her side.

She was born on June 7, 1930, to Beatrice (Neal) and Walter Lorman, in Lowell, Massachusetts. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1948. She received her bachelor of science in physical education from Bridgewater State College, in Massachusetts, in 1952.

She began her distinguished career in Newburyport, Massachusetts, before moving to New York State, where she taught in Cooperstown and Saranac Lake. During that time, she earned her master’s degree at Cortland State College, in New York.

Her love of skiing (Killington) brought her back to Springfield in 1963. In 1970, she moved to Newport, to begin the physical education programs for the new school, North Country Union High School. She retired from there in 1992.

She was a member, and held offices, in the Association of Women in Physical Education of New York State, and the Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She was very active in these associations, planning conferences, workshops, and other programs for the advancement of women, and physical education in general. She was a former member of the Delta Kappa Gamma, Epsilon Chapter, an organization for women in education.

She was well regarded by students and peers. She liked each and every student she ever had. Some of her greatest accomplishments and joys were her successful state championship field hockey teams. She also had good basketball and track and field teams. She loved her home on the lake, and enjoyed many wonderful rides as captain of her party boat. Skiing was her passion until she developed heart trouble in 1984. She had skied every challenging mountain in the East. She was first on and last off the mountain.

She loved people, a good party, laughter, and good stories. She loved her birds, and they loved her for feeding them! She spent 22 wonderful winters in Arizona to be near her sister Frances. Both were political junkies and had lively discussions. She loved her church friends in Arizona.

She was a devoted Baptist. The Lord had blessed her with a kind heart. The Lord blessed us with her presence in our lives. She will be missed. Now, the Lord is pleased with her life and has called her home to be with him and her family.

She is survived by her dear nieces: Andrea Dwyer of Newport, Rhode Island — she and Andie had fun in Arizona and shared a love of sports, especially the baseball games — and Sherry Hagearian of Acton, Massachusetts — where visits to see Auntie were welcome and so special, and York Beach, and her New York Giants versus Patriots, and Red Sox, and strong faith in common — Cynthia Murphy of Concord, Massachusetts, and Karen Wilbur; her nephews: David and Paul Wilbur, all of Jacksonville, Florida; several grand-nieces and –nephews; and by her brother-in-law Arthur Tiffany of Arizona. She is also survived by her good friend Jean, who was like a sister. They were longtime friends from way back in the 1960s. They enjoyed camping, boating, working in summer camps in Maine, including at York Beach, and maintaining their lake home.

She was predeceased by three beloved sisters: Frances Tiffany, Phyllis Doherty, and Charlotte Wilbur; as well as by her parents.

Per her wishes, there will be no service. The family will have an interment service in the spring at the family cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts. However, there will be a celebration of her life, open house, on Saturday February 21, at The East Side Restaurant in Newport, from 4 to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Newport, 63 Third Street, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

Mary “Lorraine” Lussier

Mary V. Lorraine Bertha Lussier, 80, formerly of Hardwick, most recently of the Greensboro Nursing Home, died on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Copley Hospital in Morrisville.

She was born on August 26, 1934, in Albany, daughter of the late Antonio P. and Georgianna (Letourneau) Lussier. She attended East Albany public school.

She was a member of St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardwick. She loved animals and enjoyed training them, horseback riding, and long walks. Most of all she enjoyed music, playing records, dancing, and she had mastered the lost art of playing the spoons.

Survivors include five siblings: Lucille Sanville of Craftsbury, Yolande Bracci of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Noel Lussier of Greensboro, Bert Lussier of Berkshire, and Bernard Lussier of Craftsbury; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by three siblings: Muriel Stone, Laurent Lussier, and Roger Lussier.

Funeral services were held on February 16, in Hardwick. Spring burial will be in the family lot in the Fairview Cemetery in Hardwick.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Greensboro Nursing Home, 47 Maggies Pond Road, Greensboro, Vermont 05841.

Jesse Brooks Nichols III

Jesse Brooks Nichols III, 80, longtime resident of the Pomfret Valley and Lake Seymour, died on February 3, 2015.

He loved the life he had and he lived it fully and well. To family and friends he had a large personality in a large frame and there was no doubt when you were in his presence.

Even as his health declined, he was never one to complain. There was no grief, no bouts of anger or denial. It was as if, for him, it would sound ungrateful given the life he’d led and the love he shared with his wife and family.

Lumberman, entrepreneur, specialty knife distributor and collector, railroad aficionado, cartoonist, lord of the limerick, storyteller, and consumer of big bellied fried clams at Tozier’s, he led a life of quiet accomplishment. When he was running Vermont Pacific, a veneer and plywood business, he was in his element in the company of loggers and the smell of freshly cut timber. Always on the prowl for a “new” diner, his all-time favorite was The Wasp. He was a skilled fly fisherman. It was a passion he shared with his family. He wet lines in the wild rivers of Alaska, Wyoming, and Canada, the bonefish and permit flats of the Bahamas and Mexico, as well as the rivers, lakes, and streams of his beloved Vermont.

On October 10, 1954, he married Lee Lonegren. They had five sons: Jesse IV and his wife, Amy, David, Brad and his wife, Dorothy, Stephen, and John. He has four grandchildren, Jesse V and his wife, Lorren, Benjamin, Mara, and Ella Nichols, who have been blessed with wonderful memories and the storytelling of “Poppie.” He leaves two brothers, Ashton Nichols and John Hopkins, and one sister, Suzie Hopkins.

He was predeceased by a sister, Nikki Clifford.

On June 27, 1980, he married Janice Gramling, his loving and devoted wife. She was his selfless caregiver and best friend until his death. Dad would often say how blessed he was to have her in his life. With their four-legged fur ball Music, they were inseparable. Thank you, Janice, for loving our father.

Private memorial.

Donations may be made to Mertens House, 73 River Street, Suite 2, Woodstock, Vermont 05091.

Hilda B. Pion

Hilda B. Pion, 83, of Lowell died on February 15, 2015, in Newport.

She was born on October 21, 1931, to Floyd and Mable (Snider) Norway.

In 1948, she married Anselme Pion, who predeceased her in 1996.

She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church and the St. Ignatius Ladies Society. She enjoyed knitting, much to the delight of her family and friends. She was very active in the Ladies Group, including working on meals for weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. She also enjoyed gardening and traveling with her husband.

She worked with her husband for over 40 years on their farm, including sugaring.

She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

She is survived by her children: Richard Pion and his wife, Sherry, of Lowell, Maurice Pion and his wife, Mary, of Lowell, Annette Baraw and her husband, Fred, of Newport Center, Armand Pion and his wife, Linda, of Newport, Albert Pion and his wife, Cindy, of Lowell, Laurette Palin and her husband, Jim, of Newport, Reginald Pion and his wife, Karen, of Lowell, Norman Pion and his wife, Missy, of Lowell, and Sam Pion of Lowell; 31 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and by her siblings: Velma Colburn of Newport, Ami Gray and her husband, Lyle, of Coventry, Arlene Pettingill and her husband, Denny, of North Carolina, Flo Verge and her husband, Roger, of Coventry, Betty Farazzie and her husband, David, of Massachusetts, and Bruce Norway and his wife, Laurie, of Massachusetts.

She was predeceased by her son Ernest; her grandsons: Armand Pion Jr. and Tim Pion; her great-grandson Cody Cole; her sister Donna Norway; and by two brothers: Marvin and Edwin Norway.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport, on Wednesday, February 18. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 19, at 11 a.m., at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Lowell, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Spring interment will be in St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the St. Ignatius Ladies Society, 151 Hazen Notch Road, Lowell, Vermont 05847.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

Theresa M. Van Zile

Theresa M. Van Zile, 70, died on January 23, 2015, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire after a courageous 13-year battle with cancer. She was a long-term resident of Westmore.

She was born in Newport on July 13, 1944. She was a daughter of Ulric and Clara (Laroque) Choiniere. She grew up in Brownington.

She was a sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a wonderful, devoted, loving mother raising four kids, while working full time, going to college full time, and earning a master’s degree in education. Family was always very important to her. She was very involved with her children, and later her grandchildren, often attending many school events when she could. She loved to have her family around and every year she would plan and organize several gatherings, in which all her adult children, grandchildren, and, if able, other relatives, would attend. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed feeding people.

She worked at University of Vermont for over 25 years, where she started at the cashier’s office and worked her way up to become associate director of financial aid. Then she worked at Lyndon State College in the financial aid department, until she retired. While working at Lyndon State College, some of the employees donated their time off so that she could continue seeking cancer treatment in Florida during winter months. Throughout the years while working in financial aid, she made many lifelong friends. She was always very dedicated to helping students in any way she could.

She is survived by her children: Robert Jr. and his wife, Kelly Van Zile, of Georgia, Tracy and her husband, Bernard Houle, of Irasburg, Suzette and her husband, Alan Garey, of Georgia, and Bradley Van Zile of Westmore; her grandchildren: Rennie, Christian, and Cody Van Zile of Georgia, Erica Houle and her fiancé, Robert Shangraw, of South Burlington, Courtney Bowen and her husband, Billy, of Enosburg Falls, Nicole Garey of St. Albans, and Ethan Garey of Georgia; her step-grandchildren: Morgan and Skylar Gagne of St. Albans, Samantha Houle of North Troy, and Melissia Houle of Newport; her great-grandchildren: Landon Domina, Harrison Shangraw and Jackson Bowen; her sister Clarabelle and her husband, Robert Jannetti, of Stony Creek, Connecticut; her brothers: Reynold Choiniere of Newport, and Lionel and his wife, Doris Choiniere, of Louisville, Kentucky; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Van Zile Sr.; her parents, Ulric and Clara Choiniere; and by her brothers: Harvey, Victor, Alton, Alcide, Ovide, and Raymond.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Westmore Community Church on May 30 at 11 a.m., with interment at the Westmore Lake View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, please submit donations to the Salvation Army in your own community.

James W. Whitehouse Jr.

James W. Whitehouse Jr., 90, formerly of Derby, died on February 10, 2015, in Barton.

He was born on November 26, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, to James and Gertrude (Hoffman) Whitehouse Sr.

In September of 1948, he married the former Britta Poulsen, who predeceased him in July of 2011.

He worked in England and Europe for the American Bureau of Shipping, where he also raised his family for many years, before moving to Connecticut and working for Castrol Oil Company. He then moved to Derby, to retire.

He loved hunting, fishing, and marquetry.

He graduated from Kings Point New York Merchant Marine Academy and was a veteran of World War II.

He is survived by his loving and devoted children: Annabella Wakefield of England, Gail Martin of West Charleston, James Whitehouse and his wife, Maria, of Huntington, and Eric Whitehouse and his wife, Joanne, of Freedom, New Hampshire; and by 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and three nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister Ruth Black.

Funeral services were held on February 14, in Newport.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Maple Lane Nursing Home, 60 Maple Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.