2015 Obituaries


Today's Rutland Herald Obituaries




Deaths in 2015 having some connection to Springfield, Vermont

Click on any name to bring up the full obituary


Frances O’Neill, 95, of Springfield, died December 24, 2015.

Lawrence E. Cross, 68, of Springfield, died December 25, 2015.

Ida Mae Nelson, 98, of Springfield, died December 27, 2015.

Kenneth O. Balch, 89, of Springfield, died December 11, 2015.

Raymond G. Severance, 66, of Ludlow, died December 1, 2015.

Ina Belle Lagro, 102, of Rutland, died November 26, 2015.

Mary Ann (Fontaine) Chin, 55, of Rutland, died November 23, 2015.

Carla J.(Eastman) Fletcher, 73, of Springfield, died October 17, 2015.

Clement J. Pelletier, 42, of Perkinsville, died November 20, 2015.

Jordan Pfenning, 23, of Springfield, died November 11, 2015.

Geraldine G. Johnson, 76, of Springfield, died November 11, 2015.

Priscilla R. Bean, 92, of Springfield, died November 6, 2015.

Mary K. Bradeen, 49, of Bennington, died November 4, 2015.

Doris H. Whitcomb, 96, of Windsor, died November 1, 2015.

Amy G. Horton, 54, of San Louis Obisbo, Calif., died October 31, 2015.

Jean L. Dunham, 84, of Springfield, died November 4, 2015.

Thomas P. Robinson, 41,of Springfield, died October 2, 2015.

Nancy K.(Stevens) Narducci, 75, of Waterloo, N.Y., died July 30, 2015.

Susan W. Hunter, 67, of Springfield, died September 23, 2015.

Richard Hewey, 68, of Springfield, died October 22, 2015.

Shirley J. Hatt, 79, of Springfield, died October 24, 2015.

Kenneth A. Neal, 62, of Springfield, died October 22, 2015.

Rip. E. Quimby, 46, of Springfield, died October 15, 2015.

Kevin E. Jones, 65, of Springfield, died October 6, 2015.

Alexander W. Bennett, 91, of Springfield, died October 15, 2015.

Arthur Huston, 60, of Springfield, died October 14, 2015.

Ray P. Austin, 89, of Springfield, died October 16, 2015.

Donald I. Gurney Sr., 86, of North Springfield, died October 17, 2015.

Shirley M. Lambert, 83, of Springfield, died October 12, 2015.

Geraldine (Jeri) Riel, 89, of Springfield, died October 9, 2015.

Rita G. Dufield, 82, of Springfield, died October 7, 2015.

Virginia W. Blake, , of Springfield, died October 24, 2015.

Westney P. Turner, 87, of Ocala, Fla., died September 26, 2015.

David Walter Tucker, 66, of Perkinsville, died September 29, 2015.

Bonnie L. Barnum, 66, of Springfield, died September 29, 2015.


Alden R. Spurr Jr., 90, of Cavendish, died September 22, 2015.


Mary Aiello Seymour, 84, of Springfield, died September 20, 2015.

Janet M. Liberty, 85, of Springfield, died September 20, 2015.

Douglas W. Blanchard, 59, of Lander, Wyo., died September 8, 2015.

Gary G. Goodrich, 58, of Springfield, died September 17, 2015.

Mary Beardsley Fenn, 97, of West Windsor, died September 11, 2015.

Bruce E. Perry, 58, of Cavendish, died September 13, 2015.

Viona G. Carr, 91, of Springfield, died September 13, 2015.

Carroll V. Bostwick, 81, of Springfield, died , 2015.

Sandra J. Thurber, 78, of Springfield, died September 8, 2015.



Sylvia W. Kogut, 79, of Springfield, died September 1, 2015.



James M. Glidden Sr., 58, of Baltimore, died August 28, 2015.



Mary S. Ely, 92, of Springfield, died August 26, 2015.



Sonya R. Blaisdell, 37, of Springfield, died August 21, 2015.



Mary D. Godfrey, 80, of Campton, N.H., died August 22, 2015.



Ruth E. Kennett, 54, of Charlestown, N.H., , died August 18, 2015.



Claire L. Blais, 81, of Springfield, died August 16, 2015.



Clifford R. Doughty, 65, of Springfield, died August 12, 2015.



Percival B. Woods, 99, of Bridgewater Corners, died August 12, 2015.



Benjamin J. Watkins, 26, of Springfield, died August 9, 2015.



Rosemary L. Watkins, 94, of Springfield, died August 5, 2015.



Marilyn Brochu, 85, of Springfield, died August 7, 2015.



Lynda R. Frost, , of Springfield, died July 30, 2015.



Casey Ann Wing, 15, of Springfield, died July 25, 2015. Casey was an energetic, fun girl who loved people. She played soccer for nine years, baseball for two years, track and attended soccer camps, art camps, and band camps. She loved art, music, poetry and painting.



Edward E. Battles, 75, of Springfield, died July 25, 2015.



Forrest C. Shattuck, 77, of Springfield, died July 20, 2015.



Mark A. Schoff, 51, of Springfield, died July 19, 2015.



Robert Lawrence, 85, of Proctorsville, died July 18, 2015.



Elizabeth B. Ward, 91, of Springfield, died July 13, 2015.



Arthur F. Fournier Sr., 86, of Springfield, died July 13, 2015.



Charlene R. Albee, 56, of Springfield, died July 9, 2015.



Marilyn L. Peltier, 84, of Springfield, died July 5, 2015.



Barbara A. Stankevich, 66, of Springfield, died July 5, 2015.



Goldie May, 80, of Springfield, died June 30, 2015. She was born in Cabot. She graduated from East Bridgewater High School in East Bridgewater, Mass., and from Paier College of Art in New Haven, Conn. She lived in Springfield for many years, working as a photographer and videographer, and volunteered filming for SAPA TV for 15 years. She was on the board of Friends of the Springfield Library. She took many photos of Springfield and was the photographer for the book, “History of Springfield.”



Elmer F. Bates, 83, of Springfield, died June 27, 2015. Elmer was born July 23, 1931, in Dunham, Canada. He attended school in Canada. Following school, Elmer worked for himself as a logger in Vermont and New Hampshire. Elmer enjoyed refurbishing antique wood stoves and selling them.



Ronald “Rocky” Dwyer Pellerin, 49, of North Springfield, died June 25, 2015. He was born in Rockingham, the son of Ronald D. Sr. and Marie Louise (Lynch) Pellerin.






Teena M. O’Hara, 62, of Rutland, died June 24, 2015. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of William and Elaine O’Hara. Ms. O’Hara lived for several years at the Brandon Training School relocating to a private home in 1992 with the help of CAP services.



Gertrude G. Brown, 94, of Weathersfield, died June 24, 2015. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of Roy and Hazel (Butterfield) Crary. She grew up near the Riverside School and graduated from Springfield High School in 1938. In 1940, she married Ralph Brown and together they had four children.



George R. Fraser, 83, of Chester, died June 22, 2015. He was born in Amherst, N.H. He lived as a child in Lyndeboro, NH, then Milford, NH. He graduated from Milford High School in 1951 where he was a star athlete. He entered the Navy achieving the rank of Machinist Mate 2nd class, serving aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. In 1954, he married Mary Drew. Honorably discharged from the Navy in 1955, he spent the next four years at Keene State Teacher’s College. He began his teaching career in Hollis, NH, and after five years relocated to the Industrial Arts Department at Riverside Junior High School in Springfield, VT. In the 1960s Bob and Mary began an antiques business. They managed several successful antiques shows in Vermont. Bob was interested in the restoration of early houses and barns. In the 1970s, he saved a 1735 Cape from Concord, N.H., by dismantling and moving it to Springfield. In 1986, Fraser’s Antiques became a full-time business.



Nellie K. Austin, 96, of Springfield, died June 11, 2015. She was born in Mount Holly. Nellie graduated from Wallingford, VT, High School in 1938. She married Carl E. Austin in 1940, and moved with her husband to Springfield in the early 1940s. In 1955, she and her husband established Austin Memorials in Springfield, retiring from that business in 1980 at which time one of her daughters and sons-in-law bought the business.



Pina Pilaro, 76, of Ashburn, Va., died June 10, 2015. Pina was born Thursday, April 20, 1939, in Castellammare Del Gulfo, Italy. She arrived in the United States in 1948, returned to Italy as a student in Florence in 1953 until 1962, when she enrolled in New York University. She received a Master’s Degree and worked as a college instructor in foreign languages at NYU and Rutgers University. In 1965, Pina and Joseph P. Pilaro, M.D., were married in St. Aloysius Church in Queens, N.Y. They spent 50 happy years together and made their home in Springfield, Vermont, for more than 30 years.



Jack E. Taylor, 93, of Grafton, died February 25, 2015. Born in Cody, Nebraska to homesteader parents, he grew up ranching in the Black Hills of S.D., moving east to New England in 1939. He attended Northeastern University prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He completed officer’s training as a 2nd Lieutenant, assigned as aerial Navigator on a B-29 combat crew. Jack retired from Waterbury Farrel, J & L Machine Co., Springfield, VT, in 1983. He leaves his wife of 39 years, Marie (Gilman) Taylor.



Isabella Erickson, 96, of Springfield, died June 10, 2015. She was born in Bennington. She married Virgil Erickson in 1962. Their married life was spent in Springfield, where she taught vocal music in Springfield Public Schools for 37 years at the elementary and high school levels. Before her marriage, she began her career in Essex Junction and New York City Schools, where she taught vocal music for six years. Mrs. Erickson attended St. Francis de Sales School in Bennington and graduated in 1940 from Bennington College. Later, she received her master’s degree in music from Columbia University.



Doris S. Zaleski, 91, of Springfield, died June 10, 2015. She was born in Windsor, the daughter of Alva P. and Marion A. (Pratt) Estey. She attended elementary school in Plainfield, N.H., and middle school and high school in Springfield. In 1941, she married Steven Zaleski. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved caring for and spending time with her family.



Paul Putnam, 62, of Springfield, died , 2015. He was born in 1961. Son of Roberta and Arthur Putnam, Paul graduated from Green Mountain Union High School, class of 1979. Paul was a self-employed carpenter for over 25 years.



Theresa Speight, 82, of Springfield, died June 16, 2015. She was born in West Newton, Mass. She graduated from Newton High School in Newton, Mass., Lasell Junior College and Lawrence General Hospital School of Medical Technology. She was a registered medical technologist and worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Jamaica Plain, Mass. In 1965, she married John L. Speight. With her husband she owned and operated Mount Kilburn Office Supplies in Springfield for many years.



Doris L. McNamara, 89, of Springfield, died June 16, 2015. She was born in Rutland. She attended elementary school in Bridgewater and graduated from Woodstock High School in 1944. She later graduated from the Rutland Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She married Robert A. McNamara in 1947. She was employed as a nurse with the Rutland Hospital, taught at the Thompson School of Nursing, was employed as a nurse at Jones & Lamson Machine Tool Co. in Springfield and Springfield Hospital in Pediatrics, Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, N.H., and with the Visiting Nurse Association. She retired at age 78.



Russell K. Warren, 81, of Springfield, died June 1, 2015. He was born in Springfield to Verna (Kendall) and James Warren. He received his early education in Baltimore and was a 1951 graduate of Springfield High School. He married Cora Bannister in 1951. He was employed by Fellows Gear Shaper until 1966, when he went full time into his furniture moving and Warren’s Tree Service businesses.



Thomas E. Hays, Jr., 86, of South Burlington, died May 17, 2015. He was born in Wilkes-Barre Pa., He moved to Burlington as a young child. He played baseball and basketball at Burlington High School. He had several jobs throughout his life, but his favorite job was Sportswriter for both the Burlington Free Press and later for the Springfield Reporter. He loved coaching! He coached basketball in Burlington, and American Legion Baseball in Springfield for many years. The boys he coached became extended family members to the family. He was a member of the Springfield Elks Lodge for 53 years.



Rodney A. Tulonen, 67, of Springfield, died May 30, 2015. A former principal of Riverside Middle School in Springfield, Rod was fair to every child, but he was particularly protective of the children who needed extra attention. He was the kind of man who trained kids for the Special Olympics, stood up to abusive parents and bullies, fought fiercely for his students and teachers and made every school he worked in a safe, positive place where everyone could thrive. He was the kind of man who went the extra mile for anyone who needed his guidance and his strength. Rod’s family, friends and colleagues called him The Principal of the World because he exuded strength, courage and honesty. In his earlier years, He was an athlete winning a state championship in cross-country and track at Fitchburg, Mass. High School and a record-setting runner in the two mile at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he was captain of the Bowdoin cross-country team. He was a scholar. Rod was valedictorian of his graduating class at Fitchburg High in 1965, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English with honors from Bowdoin College; a Master’s Degree in Secondary School Administration at Antioch College and a Master’s Degree in Internet Strategy Management from Marlboro College..



Frank Haven, 99, of North Springfield, died June 3, 2015. e was born in West Haven, Vt. Frank ran an electric motor repair service for many years helping out friends and strangers. On retirement from J&L, he started a tire business which he ran until he was 85. Frank was a loving father and man’s man. Frank was often seen on WCAX TV as one of the super seniors.



Marilyn K. Call, 84, of Noblesville, Ind., died June 1, 2015. She was born in Springfield, to E. Hugh and Bertha (Peterson) Kendall. Marilyn had been the secretary at various schools in Connecticut. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Noblesville, as well as the Homemakers Club in Noblesville.



Judith M. Skinner, 77, of Chester, died June 2, 2015. She was born in Brockton, Mass. She attended schools in Whitman, Mass., and graduated from Whitman High School. In 1959, she married Kenneth B. Skinner. She lived most of her life in Whitman, Mass., moving to Vermont in 2000. She was a musician and performed as Judy the Musical Clown for many years, singing and playing guitar, piano and violin in Massachusetts, Springfield and Ludlow. She was a member of the Springfield Assembly of God Church.



Sandra J . Knight, 73, of Springfield, died May 29, 2015. She was born in Hanover, N.H., the daughter of Ivan and Grace (Leclair) Larabee. She attended Springfield schools and graduated from Springfield High School. She worked for the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles in Montpelier for several years, and was owner-operator of Sandi’s Taxi in Springfield for several years.


Gerald W. Nickerson, 79, of Skaneateles, N.Y., died May 21, 2015. Born in Springfield, he was the son of Marguerite Gavin. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Mary Butterfly Nickerson.



Patricia A. Morrill, 70, of Randolph, died May 21, 2015. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of Edward G. Morrill and Judith M. (Rash) Morrill-Billings. While living in Ludlow, she attended schools for the developmentally disabled in Vermont and Massachusetts and participated in Special Olympics of Vermont for several years. She resided in Waterford, Vt., for several years before relocating to Springfield in 1985 when she joined the Lincoln Street Inc. (LSI) group. She was employed by ThermaDyne in West Lebanon, N.H., for more than 15 years and retired in 2009. She volunteered at the Good Neighbor Free Health Clinic and the Bugbee Senior Center, both in White River Junction,



David O. Morse Sr., 85, of Springfield, died April 23, 2015. He was born in Waterbury. David married Jane E. White in 1949. He is survived by five sons.



Robert F. Luther, 94, of Norfolk, Va., died May 18, 2015. He was born in Hubbarton. Mr. Luther was married to the former Barbara Ruth Gilmore of Tinmouth, Vermont, for nearly 69 years. He had been employed by Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, Vermont, as a machinist and foreman for many years prior to his retirement.



Jeanne L. Smith, 84, of Rutland, died May 17, 2015. She was born in Rutland, daughter of Harmon and Dorothy (Todriff) Langdon. She was a graduate of Springfield High School and Albany Medical College, where she earned her registered pediatric nursing degree. She practiced in Albany, N.Y.



Gerald L. Russell, 72, of Ascutney, died May 12, 2015. He was born in Montpelier. He attended grade school in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Weathersfield. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1960. He married Prudence Stillson in Ascutney in 1962. Mr. Russell went on to become a journeyman electrician and was employed by Hamblet Electric in Keene, N.H., for more than 20 years until his retirement.



Nellie C. Tarbell, 101, of Springfield, died May 13, 2015. She was born in Bellows Falls. She attended schools in Saxtons River and Bellows Falls. On Feb. 8, 1930, she married Sidney F. Tarbell in Bellows Falls. He predeceased her May 29, 1974. She lived in Saxtons River for 20 years, moving to Springfield in 1950. She was employed with the Keil Lock Co. in Charlestown, N.H., for 18 years, retiring in 1972 .



Frank W. Cook, 77, of Springfield, died May 10, 2015. He was born in Hanover, N.H. He was employed for 32 years at Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield. In 2003, he married Ann E. Gauthier in Perkinsville.



Roy L. Aldrich , 74, of Chester, died May 5, 2015. Roy was born on in Springfield, the son of John and Irene Aldrich. Roy lived in Gassetts, VT, since he was two years old. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era as a tank driver in Germany. An accomplished carpenter, he worked for All Seasons Construction. He then worked for Lovejoy Tool for many years until retirement.



Franklin Rounds, 94, of Rockingham, died April 28, 2015. Mr. Rounds was born in Grafton. In his younger years, he worked as a logger, farmer and for Chester Wood Products. Before and after the war, he worked as a machinist for Bryant Grinder in Springfield, setting up internal grinders in cities such as Chicago. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was very proud of his ship, the USS General H.W. Butner, on which he was a machinist. He was owner/operator of Rounds Trucking Company, driving coast-to-coast for well over 25 years. Always needing to have a set of wheels under him, he also worked as a U.S. Mail carrier for many years and enjoyed traveling with his longtime companion, Elizabeth Eckler, in his motorhome out West, to Vermont and down to Florida.



Mary Senna Singleton, 91, of Springfield, died April 21, 2015. She was born in St. Albans to Charles and Ellen Kelly Senna. She graduated from Springfield High School, class of 1942. She later met and married Harold “Bud” Singleton, her husband of 71 years. The couple owned and operated Singleton’s Store in Reading for 27 years. Together, they had six children. Mr. and Mrs. Singleton went on to build another store in Proctorsville and were honored in 1993 as Vermont Retail Grocers of the year. They retired in 1999 to their home on “Oak Ridge“ in Reading.



Howard Gale Peck, 103, of Springfield, died April 17, 2015. Born in Springfield, Mass, to Gale P. Peck and Marion (Shepard) Peck. In 1915, the family moved to Chester, VT, where he graduated from Chester High School in 1929. Howard attended Bay Path College in Springfield, MA, graduating with a degree in Accounting-Finance. In April 1933, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and served until July 1934, stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, VT. From August 1934 to April 1936, he was with the Quartermaster Corps, splitting the time between Fort Ethan Allen and Boston Army Base, MA. After leaving the Quartermaster Corps, Howard joined the Vermont Savings Bank in Brattleboro/Springfield, VT, and then worked for the First National Bank of Springfield April 1, 1942 - April 1, 1977, retiring in the position of Senior Vice-president. During his early retirement he worked for 12 years for the P & C/Price Chopper food chain in Springfield. His greatest joy was spending time at the controls of an airplane. He received his single-engine private pilot’s license in 1959 and through 2003 logged over 1,500 hours. Howard was an active member of the Springfield Flying Club



Wesley John Wing, 37, of Springfield, died April 19, 2015. He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, father, his two brothers and several extended-family members. He was a loving husband, father, son and brother. He was a hard-working construction man, avid fisher and hunter, and had a love of fixing vehicles.



Leola Elizabeth Barwood Bates, 91, of Springfield, died April 14, 2015. Born in Hanover, N.H. She grew up in Norwich, attended Norwich Elementary School and graduated from Hanover High School in 1941. She married Keith B. Bates of Hanover, N.H. in 1942, before his enlistment in the U.S. Army. They moved to Chester and then, in 1945, to Springfield, where they spent the rest of their lives.



Marshall Allen Dutton, 88, of Springfield, died April 10, 2015. He was born Aug. 30, 1926, to Derrick Allen and Ruth (Williams) Dutton. Marshall graduated from Springfield High School in 1945. In August of 1950, he married his wife of 64 1/2 years, Betty (Little Red Hen) Putnam. He worked on the family farm with his father, brother and brother-in-law, Dave Putnam. He began his 61-year career driving a school bus at age 15, retiring in 2003. He was actively involved in Ottauqueechee Soil Conservation, Farm Bureau, FHA and Tri-County DHIA.



Larry Grover, 68, of Springfield, died April 10, 2015. He was born January 1, 1947, the son of Charles and Gertrude (Massey) Grover. He attended Springfield schools, graduated from Springfield High School and attended Julliard School of Music in New York City. Mr. Grover was an accomplished piano player and performed many concerts and recitals. He also wrote musical compositions, some of which he performed in public.



Hugh H. “Chick” Hammond, 65, of Baltimore, died April 9, 2015. Born in Springfield to Homer H. and Elizabeth (Toth) Hammond, he attended elementary school in Baltimore and graduated from Chester High School in 1967. He served in the United States Air Force Reserves after graduation. Chick had a long and accomplished career in the power/safety industry, having been employed for 36 years at the Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. He started out as a lineman and rose to the position of Health and Safety Director for the company. Married to Karen Frizzell since 1993. Chick was dedicated to others, serving as a member of the St. John’s Free and Accepted Masons Lodge #41 in Springfield and a member of Shriners International.



Frank L. Krohn, 84, formerly of Springfield, died March 10, 2015. Frank was raised on the family farm in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and graduated from Great Barrington High School. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts and was accepted into the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated in 1955 with a DVM degree. After graduation from Cornell, Frank taught veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1958, Frank and his wife, Carole, moved to Springfield, Vermont. He built the Springfield Animal Hospital, where he practiced both large and small animal veterinary medicine until 1986. He also worked in Sarasota, Florida, as a veterinarian for many years.



Carl F. Goodrich, 86, of North Springfield, died March 28, 2015. He was born in Gassetts. After attending local schools, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17. Carl was a veteran of the United States Army. Training in Germany, he was part of the Occupational Forces from 1946 to 1950 as an instructor of the motor division at both the Constabulary School and the Basic Training Center. Upon discharge he returned to Vermont, and worked in the granite sheds in East Barre. He moved back to his hometown to work for CVPS for 36 years, retiring as a chief linesman in 1988. He married his wife of 61 years, Arlene (Newton) Goodrich in 1953, and raised five children.



Shirley P. Hurd, 94, of Plainfield, died March 26, 2015. Shirley was born in Springfield to Gladys (Daggett) and Redfield Proctor. After graduating from Springfield High School, she worked for the Springfield Telephone Company before becoming the private secretary for Ernest V. Flanders, President of Jones and Lamson Tool and Die Company. Shirley married Richard Hurd in 1944. When Richard left active duty from the Air Force, they bought a home in Plainfield. Richard was called back into service during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. After six months, he was able to retain housing so Shirley could join him. They had 5 children. Shirley was a stay at home mother, but she volunteered as a Cub/Boy Scouts and 4-H leader and was an active member of her church group at the Grace Methodist Church and taught Sunday school. She volunteered as a “Gray Lady” for Barre City Hospital and the Central Vermont Hospital as a TV volunteer. In retirement, Shirley and Richard enjoyed traveling around the country with “The Liberandos,” Richard’s veterans association of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group.



Robert C. "Bobby" Childs Jr., 61, of Springfield, died March 21, 2015. He was born in Springfield, the son of Priscilla "Perk" (Chandler) and Robert C. Childs Sr. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1971. Mr. Childs was employed for many years as maintenance manager at Whitney Blake Co. in Bellows Falls. He was a member of the Springfield Elks Club.



Richard S. Nelson, 85, of Springfield, died March 20, 2015. He was born in Guilford. He attended schools in the Guilford area and attended Brattleboro High School, leaving school early to work on the family farm. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1950, he married Jeanne A. Sechrist. He made his home in Springfield for many years, working at Fellows Gear Shaper, and later owning and operating Dick’s Travel Center and Dick’s Shell Station, retiring from the service station in 1996. He wintered in Florida for many years, moving full time after his retirement, residing in Florida until 2009 when he returned to Springfield.



Shepard T. Thomas, 74, of Baltimore, died March 14, 2015. Shep was the oldest son of the late Elbridge C. and Anna Shepard Thomas. Shep grew up on the family farm in Baltimore and attended Springfield schools graduating in the Class of 59. Many class floats were built at his home. He served his community in many capacities including serving as Selectman, Lister and Road Commissioner for the Town of Baltimore; St. Lawrence County Farm Bureau, NY Board President and lobbyist; Connecticut River Development Corporation Chairman of the Board; Southern Windsor County Transportation Advisory Commission; Windsor County and VT Sugarmakers Associations; and 4-H member, National Club Congress Delegate and leader. He was an avid outdoorsman. He worked at Bryant Grinder for several years before beginning a career as a dairy farmer in Vermont and Northern New York. He owned and operated Fire Control/Advanced Fire and Safety where he made many friends around the state. In 1983 he bought his first sawmill. He continued to saw custom orders, and make more friends, until just before his death. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Judith Abbott Thomas.



Lucinda Dorcas Fournier, 100, of Springfield, died March 10, 2015. Mrs. Fournier was born in Richford, the daughter of Andrew and Ida (LaPlant) McAllister. She was raised and educated in Richford and had attended Richford High School. She was a caring and dedicated licensed nursing assistant employed for several years at the former Waterbury State Hospital. She also worked at the former Cutler Nursing Home in Springfield. Mrs. Fournier retired in 1979.



Clara E. Woodard, 92, of Springfield, died March 12, 2015. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of George and Charlotte (Martin) Snide. She attended school in Springfield and married Delmer Carl Woodard in 1952. In addition to raising her own family, Clara was a home health care provider for 50 years. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.



Elizabeth “Betty” Weeks, 96, formerly of Springfield, died February 26, 2015. She was born in Dixville, Quebec, to the Rev. Allison M. Watts and Ida (Duston) Watts and moved to Vermont with her parents after her father obtained a ministry there. She spent her school years in Vermont graduating from UVM with a degree in education. She taught first grade for many years in Springfield at both Union Street and Elm Hill Schools, and was a Girl Scout Leader. She and her husband spent many days on the road traveling in their motor home throughout the United States and Canada. She was an avid birder and a Long Trail End-to-Ender.



James Alan Hewett, 50, of Springfield, died February 19, 2015. He was born in Claremont, N.H. Mr. Hewett attended Green Mountain Union High School in Chester and graduated from Springfield High School in June 1982. He was very active in his community and spent much of his time serving others through volunteer work at the Springfield Hospital, Meals on Wheels, the Springfield Rehab Center and the Springfield Humane Society. Survivors include his mother and father, Judy and Vincent Wallen, of Springfield.



Franklin “Frank” Albert Silfies Sr, 71, of Windsor, died February 17, 2015. He was born June 3, 1943, in Northampton, Pa. Frank graduated from Norwich University in 1965 with a BA in English. He was Program Coordinator for Crisis Services at HCRS in Springfield, VT, where he had worked for 35 years. Frank was a member of the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department where he served as President for several years. He also served as a part-time member of the Weathersfield Police Department and was director of the Weathersfield Ambulance Service. Well known to First Responders in Vermont and New Hampshire, Frank founded the Green Mountain Critical Incident Stress Management team. His family includes his wife of 51 years, SallyAnn.



Cynthia Crockwell, 54, of Springfield, died February 12, 2015. She was born in Cambridge, Maine. he attended schools and graduated high school in Maine, and later attended Gordon College. She worked as a registered nurse at Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield for 15 years, and later as a private in-home Nurse. For the past 10 years, she was employed with Baba A Louis Bakery in Chester.



Ronald F. Kennett, 57, of Hartland, died February 10, 2015. Ron was born in Springfield, the only son of Francis and Helen Kennett. He grew up in North Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School in 1975.



Richard Allen "Rick" Petrin, 65, of Hinsdale, N.H., died February 6, 2015. He was born in Montague, Mass. He was a graduate of Turners Falls High School, Class of 1967. Richard proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sargent. One year after returning home, he began his three year apprenticeship to become an optician. An optician for 43 years, he started his career at Schaff Opticians and recently retired after 18 years from Lane Eye Associates in Springfield, VT. Richard served as past President of the Opticians Association of Vermont. He married Cheryl Mayrand in 1971.



Carolyn Edna Lorman, 84, of Newport, died February 12, 2015. She was born in Lowell, Mass. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1948. Carolyn received her B.S. in Physical Education from Bridgewater State College, Mass., in 1952. She began her career in Newburyport, Mass., 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, N.Y. Her love of skiing (Killington) brought her back to Springfield, Vt. in 1963 where she taught physical education at Springfield High School. In 1970, she moved to Newport, Vt. to begin the Physical Education Programs for the new school: North Country Union High School. She retired from there in 1992.



Mary F. Austin, 89, of Springfield, died February 14, 2015. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of Roswell and Mary Ann (McGrail) VanOrnam. She attended Springfield Schools and graduated from Springfield High School class of 1944. She married Ray P. Austin in 1946. Mary was a mother and homemaker, very active in her church choir, she enjoyed music and played piano.



Richard A. Gilcris, 78, of Proctorsville, died February 14, 2015. He was born in Benton, N.H. He went to Proctorsville grade school and Springfield High School, graduating in 1956. Also that year, he married Joanne Mack. He served in the National Guard. Richard worked at General Electric for 12 years, first in Ludlow and then in Rutland from 1956 to 1966. Richard than went in to the lumber and log home business for himself and with his brother Douglas for 50 years from 1962 to 2012. He served as the inspector of lumber, shingles and wood for the town of Cavendish.



Anthony R. Izzo, 72, of Springfield, died February 5, 2015. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn. He graduated from Bunnell High School in Stratford, Conn., and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Conn. Initially employed as a journalist and photographer with the Connecticut Post, he later taught high school English at Wilbur Cross High School. In 1973, Mr. Izzo married the former Janice Meehan. They lived in New Haven, Conn., for 30 years, retiring to Springfield in 2003.



Theda A. Carlisle, 75, of Charlestown, N.H., died February 7, 2015. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of Ernest V. and Lena J. (Coburn) Stevens. She attended schools in Perkinsville and Chester, Vt. She married Jack L. Carlisle in 1977.Before her marriage she was employed at Readex in Chester, Vt., and also at a nursing home in Chester. Survivors include a brother, Burt Stevens of Springfield.



Jean I. Lewis, 91, of Springfield, died February 1, 2015. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She graduated from John Adams High School in Queens, N.Y. She worked in banking and insurance in New York City. Her first husband, Edward Brick, was deployed to England days after their marriage and died on a training flight that crashed. In 1946, She married Franklin Lewis, also a World War II veteran. Mrs. Lewis worked several years as credit manager in Britt's Department Store when the Springfield Plaza first opened, later for the law firm of Whitcomb, Clark and Mosher. After retirement in 1979, she assisted her husband with his volunteer work for the Red Cross and Friends of Springfield Library.



Hildreth “Hilly” W. Finn, 100, of Springfield, died January 23, 2015. She was born in Springfield, to Fredrick W. Wheeler and Mary J. Richmond. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1932. She graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, in 1936. She married Howard R. Finn also of Springfield in 1940. She and Howard raised three children. Mrs. Finn loved being a homemaker, knitting, sewing, volunteering in the Visiting Nurse and other organizations.



Gregory D. Estey, 67, of Meriden, N.H., died February 3, 2015. He was born in Springfield, the son of Alva P. (Bill) Estey and Eda (Bickford) Estey. He attended Springfield schools, graduating from Springfield High School in 1966. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966, working in computer technology, serving until 1971. After the Air Force, he enrolled at Castleton State College in Vermont, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and public administration in 1975.At Castleton, he met Lori DeFreitas, whom he would marry in 1977. Mr. Estey started his career managing the Champlain Valley work and training program. He would spend the majority of his work life in computer sales and technology until he retired in 2012. Most recently, he worked part-time as the assistant town clerk at the Plainfield Town Office, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. He also served on the Plainfield Planning Board.



Cole Michael Rapini, 6, of Springfield, died February 6, 2015. Cole was born in Springfield, the son of Christopher Rapini and Hanna (Welch) Rapini. He attended first grade at Elm Hill School, where he enjoyed playing with all of his classmates. Though Cole’s time on Earth was short, the impact he had on others was huge. Cole’s laugh and contagious smile captivated the hearts of all those he encountered. His story of perseverance and strength traveled all over the world, inspiring thousands.



Richard C. Chadwick, 83, of Springfield, died February 6, 2015. He was born in Framingham, Mass. He graduated in 1949 from Springfield High School. Mr. Chadwick served in the U.S. Army during the Korean era, stationed in Germany. He was employed with Vermont Foundry for 22 years, Lucas Pattern Shop in Springfield for 22 years, Springfield Hospital in maintenance and later worked at Ames Department Store in Springfield, retiring in 2000. He was a lifetime member and former master of Hawks Mountain Grange, and a member of VFW Post 771 in Springfield.



Antoni J. Janowski, 99, of Springfield, died January 29, 2015. He was born in Cavendish. He was a 1934 graduate of Black River Academy. Mr. Janowski was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Guam in World War II. He married Emily Wilk in 1946. They owned Tony’s Market in Cavendish for 35 years, retiring in 1981 to Springfield.



Brian Martin, 63, of Newbury, died January 29, 2015. Brian was born in Springfield. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1969. He then attended Paul Smith's College for two years. He received an associate degree in applied sciences in forestry. He married Barbara Titus in 1985. He worked at Skyline Nursery in Springfield for many years. He then worked for a builder for two years until his health prevented it.



Carol B. Koledo, 76, of Springfield, died January 25, 2015. Carol was a 1956 graduate of Springfield High School. She was employed at WNIX radio (which later became WCFR) and at Bryant Computer Products until 1974. She then worked with her husband Frederic Koledo as co-owner of their real estate and investment business until their retirement in 2002.



Dr. Paul William Temple, 64, of Rome, N.Y., died January 18, 2015. He was born in Springfield, the son of Orza and Ruby Armstrong Temple. He was a graduate of Springfield High School Class of 1968, University of Connecticut Class of 1972, and University of Vermont Medical School Class of 1976. He did his internship and residency in Akron City Hospital in Akron, OH, from 1976-1980. In 1976, he married Diane Carlisle in Springfield. Growing up in Springfield, Paul was a paperboy, worked at a cider mill, and was a beekeeper. As an Eagle Scout, he was honored to have achieved the Order of the Arrow, one of the highest ranks of the Boy Scouts of America. He worked at Wheelers Drugstore and was an orderly at Springfield Hospital, before deciding to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Temple came to Rome in 1980 and joined 101 Associates as an OB/GYN. In 1987, he opened his own practice. Paul was instrumental in including fathers participation in their childrens deliveries.



Elmer Arthur Lawrence, 87, of Springfield, died January 16, 2015. He was born in Springfield and attended Springfield schools. Mr. Lawrence served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was employed with Fellows Gear Shaper, and Jones & Lamson Machine Tool Co. in Springfield for many years. He worked as a movie theatre manager and a taxi cab driver.



Erla Ilene Olney, 96, of Springfield, died January 13, 2015. Born in West Windsor, she was a graduate of Windsor High School, class of 1936, and then Concord Business School in Concord, N.H. In 1941, she married Harry Olney. They started a real estate business, Harry F. Olney Realty, in 1945. She was active in the Springfield Association of Special Needs Children.



Sheila R. Poole, 78, of Springfield, died January 11, 2015. Sheila was born in Springfield. She was a 1954 graduate of Springfield High School where she excelled in athletics. She contributed much to the youth of Springfield as a playground instructor, lifeguard and swim team coach. She served as Director of Recreation in Springfield and Middlebury, VT. Sheila was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the Women’s Army Corps. She received her BS and Master of Arts from Castleton State College. Sheila’s teaching experience includes years in Springfield, Pulaski, NY, and Fair Haven Union High School, retiring from there after 30 years.



Katherine M. Peck, 95, of Springfield, died January 11, 2015. She was born and raised in Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School. She was employed as a secretary with Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield for many years. She enjoyed golf, swimming, skiing at Okemo, cross-country skiing and reading.



Theodore Call, 84, of Noblesville, Indiana, died January 13, 2015. He was born in Springfield. Theodore was a manufacturing regional sales manager and past VP for Jones & Lamson, a division of Waterbury Farrel, traveling extensively overseas. He was an avid golfer and past president at Crown Point Country Club in Springfield. Theodore was also a member of Stony Creek Golf Club, Noblesville, where he won the senior divisional title.



Chester “Buddy” Scott III, 62, of Springfield & Ocala, Fla., died December 29, 2014. He was born in Claremont, N.H., son of the late Sen. Chester P. Scott Jr. and Willo T. Scott. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1971. He served in the Navy on the USS Sterrett during the Vietnam War. He returned and lived in Springfield until he moved to Florida where he worked as a truck driver.



John F. Penney Sr., 84, of Springfield, died January 7, 2015. He was born in Arlington, Mass. and graduated from Newton High School in Newton, Mass. He spent his working life as a salesman, first in the record industry, as branch manager of Mercury Records in New England, and later as a real estate broker. He and his wife lived in Massachusetts most of their lives before moving to North Springfield in 2010 to be closer to their sons.



Alan Sprague , 56, of Warren, N.H., died January 6, 2015. Born in Springfield, Vt., he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was a 1976 graduate of Springfield High School. Alan worked as a dairy farmer all of his life. He has served on various fire departments as a firefighter and EMT, including the Warren Fire Department, the Reading, Vt. Fire Department and FAST squad and the West Weathersfield, Vt. ambulance service.



Viola M. Quelch, 70, of Springfield, died January 5, 2015. Viola was a loving homemaker who raised eight daughters, most of whom still live in the Springfield area. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, crocheting.



Gordon K. Ringquist, 84, of Fair Haven, died January 4, 2015. Gordon was born and raised in Fitchburg, Mass. and attended Fitchburg State College. After serving 4 years in the Air Force, he began a career in the food service industry. He worked for Idlenot Dairy in North Springfield and later was the Food Service Director at Castleton State College. He and his wife owned and operated Ringquist’s Dining Room in Bomoseen for over 20 years.



Marion C. Ballard, 92, of North Springfield, died January 4, 2015. Marion graduated as valedictorian of Springfield High School in 1940. For more than 30 years, she operated the North Village Kindergarten and Nursery School in North Springfield. Then, after retirement, she volunteered at elementary schools in Springfield for over 20 years.



Dennis C. Hryckiewicz, 56, formerly of Springfield, died January 2, 2015. Dennis graduated Springfield High School in 1976. He was employed at North East Riggers in Springfield, Cone Blanchard Machine Tool Co. in Windsor and, most recently, at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. He was a member of the Springfield Elks and VFW.






2014 Obituaries | 2013 Obituaries | 2012 Obituaries | 2011 Obituaries

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