Florence “Flossie” Catherine Boucher
Florence “Flossie” Catherine Boucher, 85, of Newport died on Friday, February 26, 2016, at North Country Hospital in Newport.
She was born on April 2, 1930, in Burlington, to Wilmer and Della (Hayward) Knowles.
She graduated from Derby High School. She married Ernest Boucher on October 5, 1946. She worked at the American Maple for most of her career.
She cherished her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was exceptionally supportive of her grandchildren’s activities and events that made for many special memories. She loved her dogs, Tanner and Colby. She had a large circle of friends, many lifelong, whom she visited weekly to play dominos and enjoy conversation. She enjoyed her flowers and was a wonderful cook. She was a vibrant, giving, social person and had a special knack for engaging conversation. We will miss her dearly and “love her to the moon and back.”
She is survived by two sons: Dean Boucher and his wife, Bonnie, of Derby and New Mexico, and Ron Boucher and his fiancée, Cindy, of Newport; her five grandchildren: Meghan Wilson and her husband, Winn, of Derby, Emily Nagengast and her husband, Dave, of Reno, Nevada, Kayla Horacek and her husband, Sandy, of Los Angeles, California, Mitchell Lahar and his wife, Kelly, of Rochester, New Hampshire, and Sophia Congdon of Newport; her three great-grandchildren: Benjamin Wilson and Trey and Benn Horacek; her brother Dale Knowles and his wife, Connie, of Newport; her sister-in-law Charlotte of Florida; and by many nieces and nephews. She remained close with Carol Boucher of Derby and Susan Catalano of California.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Boucher; and by her siblings: Leonard, Robert, Pearl, and Dorothy.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 20, at 4 p.m. at the Derby Center Cemetery, Derby.
In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, contributions may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Douglas M. Bowen
Douglas M. Bowen, 69, of Albany died on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, following a short illness.
He was born December 10, 1946, in Newport, son of Merle and Josephine Horner Bowen. He attended Peoples Academy in Morrisville.
He married Sandy Rooney in 1965 and they had a daughter, Michalla, and a foster daughter, Penny Herman. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen ran the Albany General Store for several years before divorcing.
In 1986, Mr. Bowen met Ione Armstrong, his partner for the last 29 years. Together they enjoyed camping, going out to dinner, going for rides, and spending time with their families and their cat Sammy.
Mr. Bowen worked for the state of Vermont Highway Department for 30 years. He was the caretaker at the Albany Cemetery for the last 16 years, and he took care of private lawns around Albany.
He is survived by his partner, Ione Armstrong, of Albany; his mother, Josephine Bowen, of Morrisville; his brother Gordon Bowen and his wife, Hazel, of Morrisville; a sister, Mildred “Millie” Merriam, and her husband, Bert, of Morrisville; his stepchildren: Sheila, Dennis, and Sherry; his grandchildren: Scott Nelson and his wife, Tasha, of Hyde Park, Hillary Braun of Morrisville, Chasity and Jason Herman of Brownington, Ryan and Zachary Chayer, and Jordyn and Corey Cowles of Albany; three great-grandchildren: Kailee, Brianna, and Trent; and by several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Merle Bowen; his daughter Michalla “Micky” Nelson; and by his grandson Corey Nelson.
There are no services planned at this time. Interment will be in the spring in the Albany Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lamoille Area Cancer Network, 198 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.
Online condolences at faithfh.net.
Ellis A. Gray Jr.
Ellis A. Gray Jr., 54, of Derby died on February 25, 2016, in Burlington.
He was born on January 29, 1962, in Newport to Judy Batchelder Gray and the late Ellis Gray Sr.
On August 3, 1996, he married Angela Graves, who survives him. He was a truck driver for Barrup Farms and previously was a sign painter and lettered cars. His business was known as “The Sign Guy.” He formally worked at Gray Transport, Karl Johnson Trucking, Tivoly Manufacturing, and Thibodeau Machine Shop.
At the age of 15, he started on Jim Lamothe’s race car team. He was a driver and crew member. He later worked on Wally Watson and Mike Gosselin’s racing team.
He enjoyed watching hockey, football, NASCAR races, his children’s sporting events, and music and dance concerts. He enjoyed traveling to Watkins Glen, New York, every August for an annual family vacation for the NASCAR race. He was a very devoted family man.
He is survived by his wife, Angela Gray, of Derby; his children: Alan, Kristin, Elliott, Timothy, Adam, and Charlie, all of Derby; his grandchild Kerrighan Rose Gray of Newport; his daughter-in-law Kari Maxham of Newport; his mother, Judy Gray, of Derby; his half-sister Melanie Gray of Lyndonville; his sisters: Candy Patenaude and her husband, Paul, of Derby, and Wendy Hamelin and her husband, John, of Westfield; his brother Scot Gray and his friend, Sheila Carpenter, of Derby; his three “adopted” children: Rebecca Greenleaf of Island Pond, Tyler Brown of Derby, and Kylie Monfette of Holland; his stepfather Robert Brosseau Sr. of Barton; his stepbrothers and stepsisters: Robert Brosseau Jr. of Derby, Joseph Brosseau of Hardwick, and Andre Brosseau and Tammy Huntington of Glover, Theresa Quinlan and her husband, Dan, of Ellsworth, Maine, and Debbie Messier and her husband, Shawn, of Hardwick; his in-laws: Carl Mears Jr. of Ascutney, Sandra and Richard Carter of Granby, Connecticut, Linda and Lance Bowen of Arizona, and James Graves of Holland; and by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by two sons: Ellis III and Denis; his father, Ellis Gray Sr.; his nephew Paul McKee; his in-laws: James and Mildred Graves; and by his sister-in-law Sheryl Mears.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport, with the Reverend Mike DeSena officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on March 19 from 10 a.m. until the hour of the funeral. The family requests a “dress down” service of jeans and any sports related clothing to honor what Mr. Gray loved.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Claire Alice Brosseau Greaves
Claire Alice Brosseau Greaves, 88, of Walden died on February 27, 2016, at her home, with her loving husband and family by her side.
She was born in Roxton Pond, Quebec, on October 18, 1927, to Leo and Albertine Brosseau. The family moved to Vermont in 1929.
On April 18, 1953, she married John Greaves and they began their life on the farm in Walden Heights.
She loved caring for her family, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, cooking and canning, knitting, crocheting, and in her later years, painting. She worked on the farm for many years doing the hard work that needed to be done each day. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was a devout communicant of St. Norbert’s Church in Hardwick.
She is survived by John, her devoted husband of 62 years, and their children: Tess Greaves, Den Greaves, Jan Greaves and her partner, Tom McFarland, Bit Carlson and her husband, Wendell, and Perley Greaves and his wife, Carolyn; her nine grandchildren: Kara Greaves, Jim Ackermann and his wife, Sara, Ryan Greaves, Kirby Parker, Phil Greaves, Ian Ackermann and his fiancée, Caitlin Celley, Brad Greaves and his wife, Jackie, Alex Parker, and Dan Greaves and his fiancée, Anna Laggis; as well as her two great-granddaughters, Allie and Andee Ackermann.
She also leaves behind her siblings: Georgette Greaves, Guy Brosseau and his wife, Mona, Lucy Royer and her husband, Raymond, Robert Brosseau, Denise Dewing, Paul Brosseau and his wife, Nicole, Norman Brosseau and his wife, Aline, and Susan Aste and her husband, Forrest; her sisters-in-law: Claire Brosseau, Jane Greaves, and Marjorie Greaves; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents; her sister Mary Strong; her brothers: John, Lawrence, Dennis, and Raymond; her brothers-in-law: Edgar Strong, Marvin Greaves Sr., Wendell Dewing, Clarence Greaves, and Frank Greaves; and her sister-in-law Marjorie Norman.
Calling hours will be held at des Groseilliers Funeral Home in Hardwick on Friday, March 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 5, at 11 a.m., at St. Norbert’s Church in Hardwick. Spring interment will be held at the Walden Heights Cemetery in Walden.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Caledonia Home Health and Hospice Care, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819; or to St. Norbert’s Church, P.O. Box 496, Hardwick, Vermont 05843.
Armand Gerard Nadeau
Armand Gerard Nadeau died unexpectedly on January 13, 2016.
He was born and baptized in the small village of Dover Fox Croft, Maine, in 1930. It was here and in northern Vermont that Emmanuel and Celinda raised Mr. Nadeau, four brothers, and two sisters.
What he learned in his childhood, he would carry with him for life! One, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church, and a special spot for the blessed Virgin Mary, and to pray the rosary. Two, the love of family, to pray together, to stay together, and to fight for your family’s protection and honor. This is where his dream was answered. On August 30 1958, he married the love of his life, Theresa Ann Besaw. Three, the love of work; from the time he was a young boy he worked like a man; hard labor is just a challenge. Always watch another craftsman or engineer to learn a new job or technique. As the teacher and foreman show doing the job and let your man decide the best way to complete the task. Work hard, make it fun, and it leads to success.
Mr. and Mrs. Nadeau’s pride and joy are their lovely family of six children: three boys and three girls: Ann Marie, Andrew, Mary Ann, Robert, Rosalie, and Rodney. The family traditions of religion, family, and hard work were joyfully passed on to the next generation. The Nadeau family blossomed with 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Mr. Nadeau loved being with his wife and nothing was better than a picnic or party with their family. Being a builder, he gave the greatest gift a man could give to his young adult children — he helped them build their first homes. This was a great bonding experience, a huge savings, and got them in beautiful houses. And, of course, it was fun working with the family. Mr. Nadeau started working as a young boy in the wood mill and family farm to help his family with expenses. When he was old enough, he took a full-time job at the furniture mill working his way up the ladder. At the age of 22 he purchased his first dairy farm, and with a lot of hard work he sold and purchased a larger farm in 1956. The Nadeaus started building barns, so Mr. Nadeau did that during the day and chores before and after work. Soon barn construction was too busy, the farm was sold, and a new house was built in Orleans for his young family. Soon Nadeau Brothers construction was building mostly houses, and this led them to Essex, where hundreds of houses were built by the boys. In 1974 it was time for another career change, and after getting the permits he and his brothers built Nadeau Lumber. With the blood, sweat, and tears of all the family members, a successful lumber store in Jericho grew quickly.
At the young age of 54, Mr. Nadeau retired in 1984. It was time to start spending winter in the warmth of Florida. The house was all set up to have Mr. and Mrs. Nadeau’s parents spend as much time as possible. There was time for cards, puzzles, crosswords, bikes, motor scooters, and little pleasures that there was never time for while working. There was time to restore a car, and best of all there was plenty of time for all kinds of different campers and camping. Retirement allowed for the pleasure of daily Mass and extra time for prayer, shared with his wife each day. Summer was a change of scenery, heading to Vermont to be with his boys building and looking forward to the big family gatherings.
As a generous man, Mr. Nadeau loved to give, to all, through money and his services. He donated an unbelievable amount of hours to each parish to which he has belonged — fixing, repairing, and maintaining — which includes ten years at St. Thomas Aquinas, before actually being employed there for two years.
He was a proud life member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Eucharistic minister and minister of the sick, bringing Jesus, love, hope, and joy to the two nursing homes and homebound Catholics of St. Cloud, Florida, for 23 years. If somebody needed handyman work done, they could call Mr. Nadeau; he could fix anything, for anybody. Call him husband, call him dad, call him grandpa, great-grandpa, or brother, uncle or friend. No matter what you call Mr. Nadeau, make sure to listen to the most important lesson he lived by: “Don’t hold grudges, always forgive.”
Burial will be in the spring in Underhill.
Henry C. “Hecky” Oman
Henry “Hecky” Carl Oman died at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, on February 12, 2016, after a valiant fight against ALS.
He was born in Holden, Massachusetts, on January 10, 1955, to Henry S. Oman and Lillian (Jappinen) Oman, and lived most of his life in Massachusetts and Vermont.
He was an avid fisherman and spent the last of his healthy years restoring a boat and motor which were his pride and joy. His interests included camping, fishing and canoeing adventures with his friends, and, later on, spinning tales about these happy and story-worthy times. A bit of a MacGyver, he also enjoyed tinkering to the musical sounds of Bonnie Raitt and Little Feat. Friends and family spent many a fine hour “appreciating” his detailed descriptions of his projects; with love, of course.
He is survived by his sisters: Nancy Shepard and her husband, Dennis, of Boise, Idaho, and Polly Hakala of South Burlington; his brother Richard Oman of Twin Falls, Idaho; and by his sister-in-law Carol Oman of Acton, Massachusetts. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and their children and his posse of lifelong friends.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother John Oman of Acton.
A private graveside service will be held at a future date.
Contributions in his name may be made to the ALS Association.
Richard Scott Perry
Scott Perry of Irasburg died on February 23, 2016.
Holding his wife’s hand on that morning, he was “promoted to glory.”
He was born on a snowy day in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 28, 1940, to Vergil Mize Perry and Frances Louise (Betty) Boggs Perry. He graduated from Bethesda/Chevy Chase High School in Maryland, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.
He was an editor by trade — a wordsmith — and he specialized in educational publications. He wrote and edited reading labs for Science Research Associates, Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Division, the W. Clement Stone Foundation, Harper and Row, Ener-Gem Success Systems with J. Warren McClure, ASP & Associates, varied freelance projects, and for over 20 years with the Stephen Ministry Series. He always said, “Everybody needs an editor!” He spoke at workshops around the country and Canada teaching leadership workshops in Christian caregiving by the laity. He was a program leader for “Christian Caregiving A Way of Life,” “Ministry to Inactive Members,” and other similar programs, and was an occasional guest preacher at area churches.
In 1961, he married Lynn Elena Shearer at Grace Lutheran Church in Queens Village, New York, and is survived by her. He is survived by his children: Amy Suzanne Waters and her husband, Andy, the Reverend Bonnie Ruth Forsman and her husband, Bill, and Andrew Scott Perry and his wife, Lee; his grandchildren: Stephanie Lynn Waters, Austin Thomas Waters and his fiancée, Alyson Germinder, Chester Andrew Forsman, John Chandler Forsman, Corwin Scott Perry, Cameron Vergil Perry, Jacqueline Lee Perry, and Jewel, Jacob, and Jessica Mason. He is also survived by two sisters: Sally Estes and her husband, Tom, and Ellen Perry; and by his nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Carole; and by a niece, Lynn Allison Bernhardt.
He was a writer by profession and a reader for pleasure. He was a playful person and enjoyed games — croquet, Monopoly and card games with the grandchildren, and he was a regular at the bridge table with various local duplicate bridge games. He also greatly enjoyed reading everything about Abraham Lincoln and dinosaurs, Bible study, and he always loved having a dog by his side. He was a friend of Bill W’s for a few months short of 50 years.
He served on the board of North Country Hospital, was an Irasburg firefighter in his early years in Vermont, and was a communicant member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on in Newport on March 12 at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow in the parish house.
Michael R. “Cowboy” Preseault
Michael R. “Cowboy” Preseault, 62, of St. Albans died on February 22, 2016, in Burlington.
He was born on March 25, 1953, in Newport to Alice (Paradis) Preseault and the late Fernand Preseault.
He graduated from Lake Region Union High School in Orleans and entered the United States Navy, where he served from 1971 to 1974.
He was a supervisor for Peerless Clothing in St. Albans. He was co-owner of the former Newport Beverage and Redemption Center with his dad in the 1980s.
He loved his family and friends, the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Red Sox, and watching NASCAR races. He also loved softball as he followed, played, coached, and umpired games in the Northeast Kingdom.
He is survived by his mother, Alice Preseault of Irasburg; his brother Francis Preseault and his wife, Patricia, of Arlington; his sister Lori LeBlanc and her husband, Rene, of Irasburg; his sisters-in-law: Carmen (Gaudreau) Preseault of Bradenton, Florida, and Celeste (Pepin) Preseault of Bradenton; his 12 nieces and nephews; and by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends like Pat Parks of St. Albans.
He was predeceased by his father, Fernand Preseault, in 2000; and by his brothers: Dennis in 1996, and Brian in 2005.
Funeral services were held on February 27, in Newport.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, Vermont Affiliate, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495; or to St. Paul’s School, 54 Eastern Avenue, Barton, Vermont 05822.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Preston Augustus Taylor
Preston Augustus Taylor, 91, of Meridian, Idaho, died on February 21, 2016, with his family by his side. He was residing at Grace Assisted Living in Meridian.
He was born on May 6, 1924, in Irasburg. He attended South School in Newport until he reached eighth grade, when he was needed on the family farm. He obtained his high school diploma many years later by going to night classes at Spaulding High School in Barre.
On October 2, 1944, he married Helen Catherine Conner in St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Winooski. They made their home in Barton. Through the years they also lived in Barre and Montpelier, and in 1977 they moved and made their home in Meridian.
He was a loving, devoted father to his 12 children. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and coin collecting. He also enjoyed traveling. His favorite place was Yellowstone National Park. He enjoyed spending time and reminiscing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he loved very much.
He belonged to the Meridian Senior Center, Young at Heart, and Morning Light Community. He was also a member of the Holy Apostles Catholic Church.
He was an independent trucker, hauling milk, sawdust, and gravel to help build the road in Jay Peak. When they moved to Barre he worked as a derrick operator at Buttura & Sons. When they moved to Meridian he helped run a daycare with his wife, and had rental properties.
He is survived by his children: Marilyn (Taylor-Reynolds) Bisson and her husband, Rosaire, of Barre, James Taylor and his wife, Maureen, of Nampa, Idaho, Wayne and his wife, Cathy, of Meridian, Gary and his wife, Jeanne, of Meridian, Joyce (Taylor) Dutil and her husband, Leo, of Barre, Michael and his wife, Debbie, of Boise, Jeff of Emmett, Idaho, Tim and his wife, Denise, of Meridian, Carole (Taylor) Tucker and her husband, Brent, of Boise, and Cathy (Taylor) Pruett of Meridian. He is also survived by 28 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his brothers: Richard of West Glover, and Adlord and his wife, Lois, of Barton; his sister R. Marion Taylor of Hyde Park; his sister-in-law Betty Taylor of Morrisville; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Helen; two children: Joseph and William Taylor; a granddaughter, Dolly Taylor; and by his brothers: Wilfred and Edwin Taylor.
Funeral services were held on February 27 in Meridian. He will be interred in the Columbarium at Holy Apostles Catholic Church at a later date.
Online condolences at accentfuneral.com.
Evelyn Pearl Valley
Evelyn Pearl Valley, 88, of Newport, a kind and gentle soul, died on February 25, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born on October 29, 1927, in Barton, to Walter and Gladys (Bushaw) Barton. She attended Barton Academy and later worked at International Shoe in Claremont, New Hampshire, where she was awarded the title of “Queen” at an annual beauty contest.
On January 12, 1954, she married Rene C. Valley, also from Barton. He predeceased her on April 7, 1998. In 1961 they moved to Enfield, Connecticut, and started a family, which was her passion and delight.
Her Aunt Eva taught her to sew and she artfully stitched love into many britches. She was a remarkable cook and baker. When she returned to the Northeast Kingdom in 1981, after she and Rene purchased the Long Branch Restaurant, she became highly regarded for her creative birthday cakes. At Valley’s Steakhouse/Dug Out and Cafe she crafted all the baked goods for the well-known Sunday brunch.
Affectionately known as “Ma Valley” to the many she adopted as her own, she always offered an interested ear and caring heart. For her grandchildren, “Gram” was a devoted and loyal confidant who held a special place in her indulgent heart for each one of them.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport.
She leaves loving memories to be cherished by her daughters: Cathy Valley of Essex Junction, Ellen Stanley and her husband, Michael, of Newport, and Ella Barry and her husband, Daniel, of Newport; her grandchildren: Danielle, Travis, Michaela, Hunter, Jacob, and Christopher; her great-grandchildren: Jayden and Kairin; her sister Marilyn Beauregard of Derby; her brother Cecil Barton of Maui, Hawaii; and many nieces and nephews who were so very dear to her.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport, where a Mass will be celebrated. Spring interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Bel-Aire Nursing Home Activities Fund, 35 Bel-Aire Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
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