Obituaries

Obituaries March 19, 2014

• Bookmarks: 85


obit BlaisRachel F. Blais

Rachel F. Blais, 81, of Derby Line died on March 12, 2014, in Derby.

She was born on October 1, 1932, in Frampton, Quebec, to Thomas and Rosanna (Audet) Ferland.

On September 7, 1957, she married Gilles Blais, who survives her.

She was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line.

She traveled with her husband throughout the United States and she enjoyed family gatherings and playing cards.

She is survived by her husband Gilles Blais of Derby Line; her children:  Donald Blais and his companion, Francine Brandolino, of New York, Bernard Blais and his wife, Bernadette, of Randolph, New Jersey, Paul Blais and his wife, Diane, of South Burlington, David Blais and his wife, Dale, of Danville, New Hampshire, and Patrick Blais and his wife, Cynthia, of Hudson, Massachusetts; her grandchildren:  Brian, Brittany, Daniel, Benjamin, Molly, Samantha, Mark and Isabella; her siblings:  Gerard, Raymond, and Real Ferland all of Quebec, Rose Gagnon, Rita Bulduc and Rolande Tremblay and her husband, Roger, all of Quebec, and Regina Provost and her husband, Richard, of Derby; and by many nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law:  Gerry Blais, Doris Porier, Pauline Sanville, and Sylvia and Philip Lauzon.

She was predeceased by her brothers:  Rosaire and Robert Ferland.

Funeral services were held on March 17, in Derby Line.  Spring interment will be in St. Edward’s Cemetery in Derby Line.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Vermont Chapter, 75 Talcott Road, Williston, Vermont 05495.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit ChaffeeDale Erton Chaffee

Dale Erton Chaffee, 95, of Albany died on March 13, 2014, in White River Junction.

He was born on January 11, 1919, in Greensboro, to Reuben and Josephine (Huntoon) Chaffee.

On November 26, 1945, he married Ida Honsinger, who survives him.

Mr. Chaffee grew up on a farm and after he married he worked as a carpenter.

He entered the United States Army where he served his country during World War II.

He retired from Ethan Allen Manufacturing in Orleans, where he was a furniture inspector.

He held memberships and was a life member with the American Legion Post #23 of Orleans, and the Brown-Johnson VFW in Montpelier.  He was also past commander of the American Legion Post #23.  He was a member of the Albany Methodist Church where he was the church trustee emeritus.

His hobbies included reading, maple sugaring, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Ida Chaffee of Albany; his children:  Ida Burdick and Mark Chaffee, both of Albany; his grandchildren:  Willard “Andy” Burdick of Woodsville, New Hampshire, and Jonathan Dale Burdick and his wife, Joanna, of Claremont, New Hampshire; his great-grandchildren:  Alyssa, Matthew, Austin, Peyton, Davan, Jacob, and Logan; his sister-in-law Beverly Chaffee of Montpelier; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings:  Lee, Arland, Carroll, Captola, and Reuben Chaffee, and Myrtle Dunbar and Velma Hale.

Friends may call at the Curtis-Britch & Davis Funeral Home in Craftsbury Common on Sunday, March 23, from 2 to 4 p.m.  A graveside service will be held in the spring in Albany Village Cemetery.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Vermont Legionaries Temporary Assistance Fund, care of Milt Willis Jr. (American Legion), 215 N. Main Street, White River Junction, Vermont 05009.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit cornellCheryl Cornell

Cheryl Cornell died in Newport, on March 9, 2014.

She was born on February 21, 1946, daughter of Charles A. and Myrtle Bacon of Derby Line, who are now deceased.

She graduated from Derby Academy in the Class of 1964, and attended Burdett College and the Community College of Vermont.

She worked in several states including Massachusetts, Delaware, California, and Arizona, but always returned to Vermont where for the last 30 years she has worked mainly as a bookkeeper.  Her most recent position was office assistant at Northeast Kingdom Homecare in Newport.

She enjoyed reading, gardening and local area history.  And when she wasn’t voicing her opinion in her famous letters to the editor, in the summers she could be found every weekend checking out yard sales in her little red sports car.

Survivors include her daughter Terri Anne Cortes and her boyfriend, Casey Wheeler, of Derby; her grandson Nicholas Brock; her sister Terry Sudol of Montpelier and her children and grandchildren; her brother Dale “Bart” Bacon of Jeffersonville and his children and grandchildren; as well as several cousins and special friends.  She is also survived by her two cats:  Emma and Bella.

According to her wishes, there will be no funeral service and burial will be private.  A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit DawberWinston Franklin Josef Dawber

Winston Franklin Josef Dawber, 71, of Barton died suddenly on March 12, 2014, at his home in Barton.

He was born on August 26, 1942, in Lyskeard, Cornwall, England, to Alexander and Constance (Davis) Dawber.  His adoptive parents were Philip and Gladys (Davis) Dawber.

Mr. Dawber grew up in Charlton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Charlton High School in 1961.

He worked at Charlton Woolen Mill until his family moved to New Hampshire and eventually Barton, where he started his own business, W.F. Dawber Insulation.  He also owned the Barton Mini-Mart and Barton Redemption.  After selling the mini-mart, he worked at Columbia Forest Products for several years, and then became a contractor for Memphremagog Rentals, where he was still enjoying working part time.

The world has lost a very special man, and heaven has gained one.  Dad was a man of integrity, honor, great kindness and generosity, and a quiet faith.  He was the man you could count on.  The man who kept his word.  The man who was ready to help family, friends, and strangers.  The man who did the right thing because it was the right thing to do.

He loved trains.  He loved woodworking, creating special projects for his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.  He enjoyed working in his vegetable and flower garden.  He enjoyed watching the birds and wildlife around his home and taking care of the family alpacas.  He loved sugaring with Stacy and Wade.  He looked forward to taking road trips with Heather and Winston.  He didn’t miss his Sunday afternoons watching NASCAR and eating snacks with Sherry and Brian.  He was learning how to be a beekeeper from his nephew Jimmy.  He enjoyed his trips to visit his sister-in-law Jeanne.  However, he found the most joy, and was happiest in the time he spent, with his grandchildren, whether it was helping them with home projects, taking them camping, on vacations, or just visiting.  He was so full of love and pride for each of them.  He absolutely loved and adored his great-granddaughter Kennedy.

Dad was a family man in the truest sense.  He was happiest when he was with his children and grandchildren.  He was there for any event, big or small — “I wouldn’t miss it” is what he would say and he didn’t.

Dad is our hero.  Gramps is our hero.  Our greatest blessing is that God gave him to us to be our dad and grandfather.  Our greatest gift from him is the legacy of how he lived his life, that we would all do the same.  In our sorrow, we find the joy of being so loved by him.

He is survived by his three children:  Sherry and Brian Montminy of Glover, Stacy and Wade Wright of Barton, and Heather and Winston Dowland of Holland; his grandchildren:  Ashley Montminy and Justin St. Pierre of Essex Junction, Brian and Christie Montminy of Barton, Addie and Tanner Atwood of Albany, and Wade Jr. and Amber Wright of Barton; his great-granddaughter Kennedy Rose Atwood; the mother of his children Katie Labor; his special sister-in-law Jeanne Dawber; and by several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the South Barton Cemetery on Nault Road.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; or to the Disabled American Veterans, care of Winston Dowland, 1461 Whittier Road, Derby Line, Vermont 05830.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

obit rinesStephen Wesley Rines

Stephen Wesley Rines, 58, of Derby died on March 13, 2014, in Newport.

He was born on August 6, 1955, in Waterville, Maine, to the Reverend Paul Wesley Rines and Maxine Russell Rines.

Mr. Rines was a gifted musician, and served as music director, and as an elder at the Lowell Congregational Church.  He began piano lessons at an early age from his mother at their home and brought his gift and love of music to his home, his friends and his community.

He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 29 years.  He served as postmaster in Irasburg, Morgan and the last several years in Barton.

He was an avid sports enthusiast, and played soccer, baseball, basketball and volleyball and enjoyed walking in quiet and beautiful places.

He graduated from Waconah High School in 1973, then attended Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1977, with a BA in religion.  He was an ordained minister and preached at the Newport Nazarene Church for several years.

He leaves behind his wife, Patricia; and his children:  Amy Jacobs and her husband, Bart, of Derby Line, Tara Chaffee and her husband, James, of Dover, New Hampshire, Jennifer Oney and her husband, Justin, of Centennial, Colorado, Stephen Paul Rines of Wesley Chapel, Florida, and Adrienne Haglin and her husband, Andrew, of Salem, New Hampshire; his mother Maxine Russell Rines; his brother Doug and his wife, Faith Rines, of Hartford, Maine; a sister, Sharon Baker, and her husband, Jim, of Largo, Florida; his six much-beloved grandchildren:  Nathan, Abby Rae, Noah, Molly, Sweet Baby James and Kai; as well by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and one nephew.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Church of God, at 295 Crawford Road in Newport, at 1 p.m., on Saturday, March 29.

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to Special Olympics, attention:  Wendy Kelley, 16 Gregory Drive, Suite 2, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.  If checks are sent, be sure to put “Orleans/Essex Program” to be routed to the local chapter.

Share
85 recommended
394 views
bookmark icon