Charles R. Averill
Charles R. Averill, 88, died peacefully at Harris Hill Nursing home, in Concord, New Hampshire, on February 7, 2017.
He was born May 12, 1928, to Paul L. and Margaret (Daley) Averill in Concord. “Charlie” graduated from Concord High School in 1947 then served in the naval reserve for eight years. He worked for Greenland Services where he learned small engine repair. He became a salesperson for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, which led him to Hoagland’s Autobody where he worked for 30 years. He enjoyed acquiring the skills to repair horse drawn carriages and antique automobiles, and used those skills to stripe the Concord Coach. He spent his spare time restoring his 1923 Model T Ford Touring Car and was a longtime member of the Profile Automobile League.
His background in the automotive industry transitioned into working for the Concord Group Insurance. There he became a state and provincial chairperson representing New England and Quebec for the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (ICAR), meeting with the three major automobile manufacturers regarding safety and proper repairs of the new unibody automobiles.
Mr. Averill was a Concord Kiwanian since 1974, serving on the board of directors, and receiving the George F. Hickson Fellow Award. Through his inspiration, the annual antique and classic car show was launched. Also, through his efforts, the city of Concord installed a sign indicating the area behind Everett Arena as Kiwanis Waterfront Park. He assisted the 20/20 vision committee in acquiring a public boat ramp for launching kayaks and canoes as well as developing the annual Riverfront Jamboree. Mr. Averill was also chairman for maintaining the grounds of the Kiwanis Waterfront Park, where he enjoyed participating in its upkeep.
Mr. Averill had a love of music — especially the classics and opera — and played the drums during his school years, forming his own band. He enjoyed golf, was an avid walker and loved woodworking and carpentry. He built his own summer cottage on Willoughby Lake in Westmore. He had a tireless passion for helping others. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida and summers at the cottage.
He was predeceased by his sister Pauline Clancy and her husband, Richard. He leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Eleanor (Meadows); two daughters: Pamela Wolfstone of Farmington, Maine, and Beth Beaugeard and her husband, Larry, of Dunbarton, New Hampshire; and a son, Paul Averill and his wife, Chrys, of Concord; five granddaughters: Stacy, Lexi, Alyssa, Bronwyn, and Shaylah; and one grandson Jared; one great-granddaughter Ella Rose; many nieces and nephews of the Clancy, Davis, and Meadows families; and cousins of the Daley family.
Mr. Averill will be missed; through it all he never lost his sense of humor.
Visitation was held on February 19, in Concord. Burial will be private.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.bennettfuneral.com.
Robert O. French
Robert O. French, 71, of Springfield, Massachusetts, died on February 7, 2017, surrounded by his children.
Mr. French was born in Newport on February 22, 1945, the son of the late Ovila and Blanche (Prue) French. He was a graduate of Cathedral High School, class of 1963. He proudly served our country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and spent most of his career working at Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut. He was a communicant of St. Michael’s Church in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary (Cunningham) French on July 7, 2014; and a sister, Donna Boisvert.
He is survived by his three devoted children: Karen Chapin and her husband, Michael, of Hampden, Massachusetts, Daniel French and his wife, Mary, of Springfield, and Christopher French and his wife, Jenny, of East Longmeadow; and he leaves five cherished grandchildren: Lauren, Stephanie, Danielle, Emily and Anna. He also leaves two brothers: David French and his wife, JoAnn, and James French and his wife, Patricia; three sisters: Katherine French, Aileen Coulombe and her husband, Gerald, all of Newport, and Julie Farioli and her husband, David, of Melbourne, Florida; and a brother-in-law Laurent Boisvert of Newport.
His funeral was held on February 13 at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home in Springfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Michael’s Church in East Longmeadow. He was buried with full military honors in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, in Agawam, Massachusetts.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. French’s memory to the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, 280 Chestnut Street, Sixth Floor, Springfield, Massachusetts 01199.
Online condolences can be shared at www.byronkeenan.com.
Basil G. Kokoletsos
Basil G. Kokoletsos, 81, of Barton died on February 11, 2017, in Newport.
He was born on June 15, 1935, in Thessaloniki, Greece, and was the son of George and Olympia (Rodopoulos) Kokoletsos.
Mr. Kokoletsos came to the United States to attend Illinois Institute of Technology on a scholarship and received a degree in electrical engineering. On December 23, 1957, he married Marcella Nobile in Chicago.
Besides his wife he is survived by his two daughters: Nicole Akiki and her husband, Sam, of Allendale, New Jersey, and Noelle Crane and her husband, Marshall, of Ridgewood, New Jersey; and by his grandchildren: Athena, Christiana, Anthony and Christian Akiki, and Mitchell and Nicholas Crane; his brother Theodore Kokoletsos; and his wife, Soula, of Vouliagmeni, Greece; and nephews George and Gus.
Mr. Kokoletsos served in the United States Army in Korea. In the 1970s he founded Strongwall Industries in Ridgewood, retiring in 2005. He vacationed in Barton and retired here in 2010. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, skiing, and hiking.
A Mass will be celebrated in the spring at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Barton, with the Reverend Timothy Naples officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Kokoletsos’ name to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, New York 10018, or at https://www.parkinson.org/get-involved/ways-to-give.
Online condolences may be made at www.curtis-britch.com.
Louise Annette Helen McElroy
Louise Annette Helen McElroy, 89, of St. Johnsbury, died at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center on February 9, 2017.
She was born on September 16, 1927, in Albany, a daughter to the late Edward and Josephine (Bo) Gile. She grew up in Albany. She worked as a sales clerk at Grant’s and Hovey’s in St. Johnsbury for many years.
Mrs. McElroy loved to go on walks and go shopping. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and working in her flower garden at her home on South Main Street in St. Johnsbury. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast. She was a quiet presence, kind and dependable. She always put her family first, spending many days with her sisters and brother and at family gatherings.
Mrs. McElroy had no children but did take a strong liking to her neighbor’s children, Lisa Stuart and Jerry Cote, and they enjoyed spending time with her and her husband, Armond.
She is survived by her sisters: Margaret Wright of St. Johnsbury, Laura Gonyaw of Barton, and Rena Young of Connecticut. She is also survived by her long-time best friend Marion Bennett of Lyndonville.
Mrs. McElroy was predeceased by her husband, Armond McElroy; brothers: John and Ernest Gile; and sisters: Marie Chiovetti, Rose Sanville, Bertha Shortsleeve, and Alice Voyer.
A graveside memorial service will be held at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25.
Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. McElroy’s name to the NEK Council on Aging, 481 Summer Street, Suite 101, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.
Rene P. Perrault
Rene P. Perrault, 90, died February 5, 2017, in Newport.
He was born January 9, 1927, in Green Valley, Ontario, the son of Rene A. Perrault and Adrienne Phaneuf of St. Johnsbury. He was one of three sons. He graduated with two years of business college in St. John, Quebec, and entered the employment of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, where he worked in different capacities and vicinities for 20 years. He retired in Newport, in 1986 with an early pension.
He married Micheline Courchesne, in St. John, Quebec, in 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Micheline; and by his brother Robert Perrault of Newport Center. He was predeceased by his brother Raynold Perrault of Concord, New Hampshire. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were made by Urgel Bourgie, of Montreal, Quebec.
Charles Arthur Plante Sr.
Charles Arthur Plante Sr., 79, died peacefully on the morning of Saturday, January 21, 2017, at his home in Lyndonville.
He had a love of the outdoors and many hobbies including hunting, fishing, and gardening. He also enjoyed brewing his own beer, singing, whistling tunes, and telling jokes. Spending time with family and pets was one of his favorite things to do.
He sadly leaves behind his wife Nancy Plante of Lyndonville; his son Gregoire Plante of West Newbury; his grandchildren: Joseph Plante and his wife, Katie, of Newbury, Charles Plante III of San Francisco, California, Adam Plante and his husband, John, of Manchester, New Hampshire, Brook Robillard and her husband, Chris, of Epsom, New Hampshire, Daniel Hawkins of Portland, Oregon, and Timothy Labor Jr. and his wife, Lahanah, of Sanford, Maine; his six great-grandchildren; his brother Robert Plante of Bradford; and sister Janeane Bruno of Bradford; and his dog Peanut.
He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Gabrielle (Viviers) Plante; his sons Charles Plante Jr. and Guy Plante; and two of his siblings.
A celebration of life will be planned for the spring. Friends and family will be notified of the date and time.
Nelson C. Stevens III
Nelson C. Stevens III, 72, a beloved son, father, husband, and friend to many, died suddenly on February 10, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with his daughters by his side.
He was born July 12, 1944 at Cottage Hospital in Barton, the son of Nelson II and Barbara (Leno) Stevens.
Mr. Stevens received his high school diploma from the Barton Academy in 1962, and furthered his education by attending two years of college at Johnson State College. He was a mason by trade, taught by his father Nelson C. Stevens II, with many displays of his craft throughout homes all around the county. He was also was an independent used car salesman, who enjoyed driving a newly purchased Cadillac around town himself before finding a buyer. For over 40 years he was employed by the Chronicle, performing a variety of tasks, from working in the printing room, to delivering the papers to local stores.
On August 13, 1990, he married Rachel Archer who survives him.
Mr. Stevens was raised on a farm in West Glover. Growing up, and through the years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, along with a round or two of golf. He loved spending time with family and friends, sharing stories and laughing over jokes.
He bowled for several years on a league, at the Candlepin in Barton; shot pool at all of the local bars, taverns, and pool halls — in fact, he was well known for his pool playing skills; and played horseshoes, especially at the annual Willoughby Lake tournament.
He is survived by the mother of his daughters, Linda Butler Stevens; his mother Barbara Stevens; and his daughters Carole Briere and her husband, Scott, and Tracie Stevens; and by his grandchildren Oakley Stevens, and Katelynn Briere; by his brothers Gary Stevens, and Jeffrey Stevens and his wife, Pam; by his sister Rebecca Griffin and her partner, Ronald Moss; by his stepdaughter Melissa Archer and her husband, Daniel Border; and his stepson Vercil Warner; as well as, several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind Squeaky and Bubbles, the kitties he adored.
He was predeceased by his father Nelson C Stevens II.
He will be grievously missed by all who knew and loved him.
For those wishing, donations in Mr. Stevens’ memory may be made to zerocancer.org/donate, or mailed to ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer, 515 King Street, Suite 420, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
A memorial and celebration of Mr. Stevens’ life is planned for Saturday, March 25, at the American Legion Post #21 on Veterans Avenue in Newport at 4 p.m.
Online condolences may be made at: www.curtis-britch.com.
Lorraine D. Tolman
Lorraine Delores Tolman, 72, of Greensboro, died Sunday, February 19, 2017, at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury with her loving family at her bedside.
She was born September 15, 1944, in Hardwick, the daughter of the late Emile and Jeanne (Bellavance) Dufresne. She attended Glover public schools, Catholic school in St. Johnsbury, Hardwick Academy, and graduated from Craftsbury Academy in the class of 1962. She married Harold George Tolman later that same year, on December 29, 1962. They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage.
Mrs. Tolman was a hard worker and was employed at the Come and Eat Restaurant in Hardwick, the Charlmont Restaurant in Morrisville, and cleaned camps to support her future endeavors as a payroll professional. She received her real estate license, working with Strout Realty, and was proud to have worked as the payroll tax administrator in the payroll department at National Life Insurance Co. in Montpelier for more than 15 years. She retired in 2000.
Mrs. Tolman was an active volunteer in her community. She was a member of Mary Queen of all Saints Parish, treasurer and member of Court St. Veronica Catholic Daughter in Hardwick, past member of the Hazen Union school board from 1981 to 1989, auditor of accounts for the town of Greensboro, Lake View Union School treasurer, founder and past president of the Green Mountain Payroll Association for 20 years, and a member of the New England Payroll Association. She taught catechism at St. Michael’s Church for a few years. As a coach’s wife, she spent countless hours helping to raise funds for the baseball and basketball teams, washing uniforms, and watching and supporting many games. In 2006, Mrs. Tolman and her husband received the Greensboro Award for their many years of service to the Greensboro community. She personalized storybooks and letters for children called, “Grams Choice Books.” For more than 31 years, Mr. and Mrs. Tolman would gather with their family on the Maine coast. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, glass etching, and crafts, moose hunting, and outdoor activities. She was especially fond of capturing photos of wildlife with her camera systems and sharing the excitement of those with her family.
Survivors include her husband, Harold, of Greensboro; a son, Jefferson Tolman and his wife, Jacquelyn (Ramsay), of Greensboro; three daughters: Laurie Hodgdon of Stowe, Annette Jones and her husband, Jim, of Craftsbury, and Penny Jones and her husband, Andy, of Elmore; ten grandchildren: Chris, Brent, Hannah, Nicole, Logan, Emily, Alysha, Kaitlyn, Abigail, and Meghan. She was also survived by nine great-grandchildren; three brothers: Leonel Dufresne of East Albany, Lucien Dufresne of Williamstown, and Roger “Pudge” Dufresne of Fairfax; three sisters: Doris Voyer of Calais, Jeannine Young of Craftsbury, and Diane Leslie of Zephyrhills, Florida; and by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents; and by siblings, Pauline Smith, Rita Davis and two infant sisters.
Visiting hours will be held Friday evening, February 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Northern Vermont Funeral Home at 60 Elm Street in Hardwick.
A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 25, at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardwick. Spring burial will be in the Tolman family lot in the Greensboro Village Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, 198 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service.
Beatrice Young
Beatrice Young, 80, of North Troy, died on February 10, 2017, in Newport.
She was born on July 28, 1936, in Troy, to Sanford and Agnes (Gilbrault) Cota. She married Robert Young who predeceased her.
She was a furniture maker for Ethan Allen Manufacturing in Orleans. Among her hobbies, she enjoyed cooking for large gatherings, being with her family, and having company at her home. She appreciated Sara her caregiver who did many things to help her out.
She is survived by her children: Debra Merrill and her husband, Stanley, of North Troy; by her grandchildren: Scott, Paul, Ryan, Chesley, and Brent; and by her great-granddaughter Olivia. She is also survived by her brothers: Sanford Cota Jr. and his companion, Sandra Peters, of North Troy, and Marvin Cota and his wife, Sandy, of Colchester; by her sisters Margaret Willis of North Troy, and Shirley Alix and her husband, Tony, of Florida; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Robert; by her parents Sanford and Agnes Cota; by her son Randy Young; by her brother Floyd Cota; and by her sisters Betty and Madeline.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, at the North Troy Village Cemetery with Pastor Micky Richards officiating. Friends may call at the cemetery from 1:30 p.m. until the hour of the service. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center North, 1080 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819. Online condolences can be made at www.curtis-britch.com.
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