Stephen Craig Aldrich
Stephen Craig Aldrich of Brownington died on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, while in the caring hands of his immediate family. He fell asleep in death peacefully, and with dignity.
He was born on October 4, 1951, and raised in Brownington. He is survived by his wife, Linda, whom he married in 1970. They wasted no time starting a family, and in their marriage of 45 years, he was steadfast in his love, compassion, patience, and loyalty.
Mr. Aldrich had a long career in the field of construction. He was well respected for his vast knowledge in the many avenues of public infrastructure, road building, and all around problem solving in the dirt work and facilitation of projects, great and small. He was a loyal employee of Dan and Kory Scott through several stages of their construction business endeavors, having a working relationship that spanned 45 years. He was always grateful for having a good job to provide for his family, and in that he never wavered.
He will be missed for his calm and friendly demeanor, his trustworthiness, his wisdom, and his humor. He taught his children by example the importance of humility, respect, generosity, and thinking before you speak. He enjoyed hard work, loved a challenge, and made himself a friend to many. His closest lifelong friends were Rodney Beal and Jerry Fitz.
His love for hunting, and knack for shooting on the wing, were overshadowed only by his love for fishing.
Those that knew Stephen Aldrich will understand that his accomplishments, reputation, and fine persona cannot be summed up in so few words.
He is survived by his siblings: his brother Michael and his wife, Claire, of Isle La Motte, his sister Gail and her husband, Timothy McKenna, of Jericho, his sister-in-law Neta Aldrich of East Charleston, and his sister-in-law Lynn Beal of Glover; his wife’s siblings from Connecticut: Michael Brown, William Brown and his wife, Pat, Nancy and her husband, William Denny; his mother-in-law, Alma Brown; his daughter Katie and her husband, Matthew Hadvab, of Brownington; his son Roderic and his wife, Christine, of Brownington; his grandchildren: Kaleigh and her husband, Jordan Noyes, Spencer Hadvab, Carter Aldrich, and Bryce Aldrich; his step-grandchildren: Troy and Natalie Norton; and his great-grandchildren: Parker and Greyson Noyes. He had an incredible fondness of them all, and loved them each for their individual qualities.
He was predeceased by his mother, Marion, in 2015; his father, Roderic, in 1999; his brother John in 2003; and by his brother-in-law Rodney Beal in 2014.
Please join his family as they reflect on his life and their love for him on Saturday, January 30, at 1 p.m. Services will be held at the Newport City Motel conference room, 444 East Main Street in Newport.
Instead of flowers, please send donations to Leslie Lockridge’s Oncology Caring Patient Fund, P.O. Box 838, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Lois Bennett
Lois Bennett, 89, of Brownington, died on January 19, 2016, at the Union House in Glover, where she more recently resided.
She was born at Hovey Sanitarium in Barton, on March 27, 1926. She was the youngest child of John and Effie (Crawford) Hancock.
After the death of her mother in 1937, she went to New England Kurn Hattin Home in Saxtons River, and then spent a year at Bellows Falls High School. The last three years she lived with a loving family in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, as a mother’s helper and she later graduated from Deerfield High School.
With a shortage of nurses due to World War II, the government established the United States Cadet Nurse Corps for training young ladies in their three-year program. She entered this program and graduated from Brockton Hospital School of Nursing in 1947 and worked part time while raising her family.
In 1949 she married Norman A. Bennett, who predeceased her in 1989.
The family moved back to Brownington in 1966 and she worked nights at Orleans County Memorial Hospital. Starting in 1968, she worked at Maple Lane Nursing Home for 20 years. After retiring from there she took care of people in their homes for another ten years. She gave many hours volunteering at homes needing hospice. She received several community service awards for quality of life through RSVP.
She loved to knit and supplied North Country Hospital with newborn hats and booties for several years. She also made mittens for local schools and Kurn Hattin.
She was an active member of the Brownington Village United Church of Christ Ladies Aid and was a member of the Brownington Grange #279.
She is survived by her sons: Norman Bennett and his wife, Linda, of Coventry, and Donald Bennett and his wife, Laura, of Coventry; her grandchildren: Kathy and her husband, Chuck Bowman, Dale Bennett and his partner, Kim Nolan, Scott Bennett and his partner, BilliJo Reyea, Laurie and her husband, Mike Desautels, and Rita and her husband, Matt Perreault; her great-grandchildren: Taylor Lawson, Saige Bennett, Ashley Papp, Heather Sanchez, Noah Desautels, and Kristen Bennett; many nieces and nephews, including her special niece, Rona Bruneau; and by her special friends: Yvonne Mandeville, Jana Parker, and Kurt Palmer.
She was predeceased by her sons: George and Andy; her great-granddaughter Jordan Lawson; and by her siblings: Roy Hancock, Robert, Charles, Kenneth, Lee and Ruth Darling, and Lillian Raimer.
Funeral services were held on January 23, in Newport.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Brownington Church, in care of Yvonne Mandeville, Coventry Station Road, Orleans, Vermont, 05860; or to the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Juliette M. (Champigny) Boisvert
Juliette M. (Champigny) Boisvert, 98, lifelong resident of Newport, died peacefully at home in Newport on January 22, 2016.
She was born on September 29, 1917, in Newport to Calixte and Exilper (Labonte) Champigny. On August 16, 1941, she married Armand Boisvert, who predeceased her.
Mrs. Boisvert was a devoted wife and mother, whose skill for baking French-Canadian cuisine was mastered at a very early age. She was affectionately known as “The Donut Lady” to the neighborhood children. As a pastime, she quilted and produced many beautiful pieces. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Newport.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters and son: Madeleine Temple of Lake City, Florida, Lucille LaRue and her husband, Michael, of Harrisonville, Missouri, Monique Yeigh of Midland, Ontario, Canada, and Larry Boisvert of Newport. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: John Joseph Temple, Linda Temple, Thomas Boisvert, and Andrew Boisvert and his wife, Corey; her great-grandchildren: John James Temple and Shauna Boisvert; two of her sisters: Anita Folsom of Brownington and Laura Ida Marineau of Montpelier; and by several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her grandson Norman Temple Jr.; her son-in-law Norman Temple Sr.; her daughter-in-law Donna Boisvert; her son-in-law David Yeigh; and by her siblings: Wilfred Champigny, Camille Champigny, Lillian Brien, Germaine Moeykens, Rosa Nadeau, Lena Jacques, Pauline Champigny, and Marie Champigny.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Spring interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Mary Wright Halo Foundation, 1071 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Dr. Ralph N. Buck
Dr. Ralph N. Buck, 94, of Bellows Falls, formerly of Westminster, died on December 22, 2015, at Springfield Health and Rehab Center, after a brief illness.
Known as “Doc Buck,” he was born in Glover to Dr. Percy and Grace (Dow) Buck. He attended school in Glover, Barton, and Vermont Junior College. Following his 1945 graduation from Tufts Dental School in Boston, Massachusetts, he served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy. In 1947, he acquired a dental practice in the Old Arms Block in Bellows Falls where he practiced for many years. He later built an office building in Westminster where he practiced until his retirement in 2007 at the age of 86.
After 60 years in dentistry, his last patient was his great-grandson John, who was then seven months old, having his first dental checkup.
Besides his love of his family, his interests included baseball and horses. He played ball in college and on several local teams in the area. It was at a ball game in Alstead, New Hampshire, that he met Signa Owens, whom he later married on November 20, 1948, and who predeceased him in 2012.
His early interest in horses was a throwback from his father, a country doctor who would visit his patients in northern Vermont by horse and sleigh when unpaved roads were impassable in the winter. Then on weekends there would be Sunday afternoon races through the streets of Glover, Barton, and Lyndonville. His love for “The Trotters” remained and over the years he owned, trained, and raced several of his own at many New England tracks and fairs. He was a presiding judge at the harness races at the Orleans County fair for over 50 years. We don’t believe he missed one over the years — he loved fair time. He felt very lucky to have been able to see his two great-grandchildren, John and Payton, enjoy his favorite sports. “Old Pop” would be seen at almost every baseball and basketball game of John’s and got to see Payton (who has acquired his love of horses) ride, show, and have a horse of her own. He enjoyed going to the senior center and had many nice friends at Riverview Apartments who would stop in and say “Hi” or to help out — to all of them, thank you! He was fortunate to have enjoyed his horses, good friends, good health, and his family over so many years. He was friendly, outgoing, and always on the go looking for something to do. Whether driving up to Bucky’s shop to hang out or to Stickney’s farm, his driving skills were always a little sketchy. It was fast, straight ahead, and no looking back. Luckily his white caddy was recognized and people would pull over and let him go by. At the age of 92, by popular demand, he did give up driving.
He was a member of the Moose, Legion, and Masons, and served on many local boards and committees in the area.
He is survived by his son Dr. Owen Buck and his wife, Donna, of Maine; his daughter Nancy Adams and her husband, Don, of Westminster; his grandchildren: Naval Chief Petty Officer Peter Buck of Washington, D.C., Samantha Sirois and her husband, Ben, of Maine, Buck Adams of Westminster, and Judd Adams of Weathersfield; his great-grandchildren: John Adams and Payton Adams; his nephew Ralph Vincent of Sutton; his niece Laurel Vincent of Danville; and by longtime friend and helper to both Signa and Ralph, Priscilla Parrott.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister Rachel Vincent.
There will be a service in the spring, date to be announced.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Bellows Falls Senior Center, Westminster Cares, or Kurn Hattin Homes.
Harvey Dunn
Harvey Dunn, 86, of North Troy died suddenly on January 21, 2016, at his home.
He was born on January 13, 1930, to Walter and Yvonne (Letourneau) Dunn. On October 5, 1954, he married the former Marie Lepage, who predeceased him on September 23, 1995.
Mr. Dunn owned and operated a dairy farm in North Troy for many years and later was a bus driver for North Troy schools — the children loved him and he loved the children.
His hobbies included snowmobiling, bowling, riding his horses, and gardening, especially growing watermelons. He loved being around people and was a jolly person.
He is survived by his sister Madeline Poulin of North Troy; his sisters-in-law: Shirley Dunn of North Troy, and Lena Murphy of Lowell; and by several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers: Raymond, Rudolph, and Richard Dunn.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, at the St. Vincent de Paul Church in North Troy, where a Mass will be celebrated. Spring interment will be in Notre Dame Cemetery in North Troy.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Janet L. Lemieux
Janet L. Lemieux, 58, of Irasburg died on January 20, 2016, in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
She was born on August, 25, 1957, in Morrisville, a daughter of Philip and Barbara (Colby) Touchette.
Ms. Lemieux enjoyed baking, cooking, knitting, listening to country music, and being with her family.
She is survived by her two children: Eric Lemieux and his wife, Chelsea, of Morrrisville, and Lori Lemieux and her boyfriend, Bill Schneider, of Irasburg; four grandchildren: Natasha Lemieux and her boyfriend, DJ Peters, of Irasburg, Taylor Schneider of Irasburg, Christopher Schneider of Irasburg, and Ashley Schneider and her boyfriend, Joshua Elliott, of Sheffield; three great-grandchildren: Mykenna Schneider, Kayleeona Sanders, and Rhea Harmon; two brothers: Ron Touchette of Virginia and Wayne Touchette of Stowe; a sister, Cindy Norton, of Hyde Park; three nieces: Andrea, Michelle, and Trista; and by two nephews: Andrew and Ronald.
She was predeceased by her parents, Philip and Barbara Touchette; and by a brother, Robert Touchette.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the North Hyde Park Eden Fire Station, at Route 100 in North Hyde Park. Interment will be held at a later date in Riverbank Cemetery in Stowe.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 8th Avenue, Suite 902, New York, New York 10018.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Alice Rexford
Alice Rexford, 61, of Barton died on Monday January 18, 2016, at North Country Hospital in Newport.
She was born on April 28, 1954, in Glover. She was the daughter of Gerard and Theresa (Chicoine) Carrier.
She graduated from Lake Region High School in 1972. Her bright smile will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter Crystal Horn and her husband, Ronald, of Kannapolis, North Carolina; four grandchildren: Adrian, Jacklynn, Elizabeth, and Rebecka Horn; and by three brothers: Roland, Alfred, and Peter Carrier.
She was predeceased by her husband, Allen Rexford; and by her brother Paul.
A memorial talk was given on January 23 in Newport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be marked in her name online at jw.org.
Gordon James Samson
Gordon James Samson, 93, of Newport, and formerly of Island Pond, died in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on January 16, 2016.
He was born on the family farm on Meadow Street in Island Pond to Archie and Gertrude (Paterson) Samson on April 12, 1922.
Mr. Samson received his education in Island Pond and then went on to work for the state highway department caring for the highway between Island Pond and Bloomfield.
On November 11, 1942, he went to Portland, Maine, to enlist in the Navy. He was sent to the Navy Recruiting Station in Newport, Rhode Island. He was then assigned to the battleship U.S.S. Iowa. This was a new battleship at the time and was the lead ship of the U.S. Navy and one of the most powerful and fastest of its class. She was launched on August 27, 1942, and was commissioned on Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 1943. She was 990 feet long and 108 feet wide. She was built to go through the Panama Canal. One incident that Mr. Samson enjoyed talking about was from November 12, 1943, when the battleship took President Roosevelt and his party to North Africa to the Teheran Conference to meet Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill, always speaking of the round about way they had to do this for the President’s safety. This battleship was the only one with a bathtub put in especially for President Roosevelt. The U.S.S. Iowa earned nine battleship stars for World War II service and two for Korean service.
After being discharged from the Navy, Mr. Samson went back to work for the state highway department. He married Thora Rivers in 1947. In 1950 he went to work for the Canadian National Railway’s Grand Trunk division. He worked in the shop servicing the engines. While doing this he decided that he wanted to be a fireman and was transferred to Montreal, Quebec, in 1955.
He was often called back to Portland, Maine, in the fall to cover jobs when other men were on vacation. He was promoted to engineer in 1961, In 1972, he was transferred to Portland, and in 1978 he was called back to Island Pond.
He and his wife moved to Derby. Mr. Samson worked from Island Pond to Portland until he retired in 1987 with 37 years of service.
He enjoyed his railroad life. Anyone who visited him at the Bel-Aire Center in Newport saw his wall covered with pictures and clippings of his railroad and Navy life.
Mr. Samson and his wife went to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, by rail, and also drove to Prince Edward Islands and to Nova Scotia. After his retirement they went to two of his U.S.S. Iowa battleship reunions. One that he especially enjoyed was is Pascagoula, Mississippi, where there was a tour of the ship. He had forgotten how small his quarters were on the ship.
After retirement they bought a home in Newport, where he enjoyed his retirement years. He liked a good snowstorm where he could get out with his tractor and snow blower and clean out his neighbors’ yards.
Due to declining health, in 2012, he went in to the Bel-Aire Center.
He was a life member of the American Legion Post #80 in Island Pond and a member of the U.S.S. Veterans Association.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Thora; and by his nieces and nephews: Lorraine Glasson, Maynard Rivers and his wife, Pam, Gary Rivers and his wife, Sheryl, Robert Rivers and his wife, Rita, Douglas Bumps, Jim Bumps and his wife, Chris, Elizabeth “Betsy” Bumps, and their families.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sisters: Elsie Bumps and her husband, Cecil, and Ethel Rivers and her husband, Edward; a brother-in-law, Gordon Rivers; two nephews: Bruce and Steve Rivers; and by his wife’s parents, Coral and Grace Rivers.
A graveside service will take place in the spring at the Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond, with full military honors. The date and time will be announced.
Memorial contributions may be marked in his name to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Bel-Aire activities fund, 35 Bel-Aire Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
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