A Champlain Valley Union High School graduate who went on to long careers with both St. Michael’s College and FedEx has died while paddle-boarding in Florida.
Lawrence “Larry” LaClair, 64, of Middleburg, Fla. passed away June 18.
LaClair was an accomplished mechanic and achieved certification as an ASE Master Mechanic for over 25 years. He worked in the physical plant division at St. Michael’s College for more than 20 years, followed by more than 10 years with FedEx in both Vermont and Florida.
He enjoyed the outdoors, in particular boating and fishing. LaClair was paddle-boarding at Huguenot Park in Jacksonville, Fla., when the accident happened.
LaClair was born in Burlington on September 7, 1952, to Norris and Arlene (Wooster) LaClair. He grew up in Shelburne and Charlotte and graduated in 1970 from CVU. LaClair also trained as an auto technician at Burlington Technical Center. He served in the U.S. Army from 1972-1975 in Germany.
He was married for 38 years to Linda (Jennings) LaClair until her passing July 26, 2015. He was also predeceased by his parents and his sister, Kathy (LaClair) Whittemore.
LaClair is survived by his daughter, Kathrine, her husband Nicholas Schwab, and their son Luke; his son, Michael and girlfriend Aimee Rheaume; his brothers Norris Jr. and wife Kathleen; Steven and wife Nilda; Charles; Glenn and wife Cindy; his sister Lisa (LaClair) and husband Michael Henry; his dear friend Jill Kiefer and his loyal yellow lab, Sadie.
Memorial contributions may be made in LaClair’s memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation, P.O. Box 50008, Studio City, CA 91614-5001.
Pamela Estelle Price, 24, was taken from her family and community at her home in St. George unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 4. Born in Burlington to Carl and Kimberly Price (now Davis) on May 4, 1993, she traveled to Hawaii, Florida, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio and New England throughout her young life.
Pamela had a joyful heart and loved many. She adored her children, Aubrie Estelle, 4, and J. William, 2 months.
In addition to her parents and stepparents, Lisa Price and Thomas Davis, Pam is survived by her immediate siblings: Analeigh Shepherd, Cassidy Price, Vincent Cataloni, Joclyn Davis, Victoria Davis, Gabrielle Davis, and Rees Price. She is also survived by grandparents Deborah and John Drury, and Bruce and Barbara (predeceased) Simard, and a great-great-grand mother, Barbara Boucher, of Rhode Island. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins will dearly miss and remember her. She also loved her cats Piggy and Lulu.
Early in her schooling, she attended Lake Champlain Waldorf school, learning multiple languages and musical instruments. In 5th grade, she was competitively selected as a member of the Rhode Island Youth Orchestra; in 8th grade she was chosen as a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She was a cheerleader from 7th grade through high school and graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2011, with four college scholarship offers. Most recently she was enrolled at Champlain College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration.
Pam previously worked for the University of Vermont Medical Center in the billing department and had moved on to an assistant manager position at Aspen Dental, which she loved.
Pam also loved the outdoors and target-shooting, archery, and fishing. She often assisted her grandmother at international fairs and festivals. The 4th of July was her favorite holiday. She was a member of the Hinesburg Fire Department where she thrived on the camaraderie and was very proud of her hard work and commitment there. She earned her five-year pin last year and that was very special to her.
Pam was a trusting, generous, kind and loving soul to most she met.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to please consider donating towards funeral and legal expenses for her estate settlement. The link is http://givebutter.com/t5v605.
Her complete obituary and guestbook to leave messages, memories and condolences is online at http://corbinandpalmer.com.
Barbara (Williams) Madden passed away on July 15, 2017 at Wake Robin, in the loving embrace of her family, at the age of 96. Barbara was born on December 27, 1920, to Ruth Brown Williams and Frederick Edward Williams in Springfield, Mass.
Barbara grew up in Springfield through her high school years and was busily involved in a variety of interests: family, church, school, and community. Living on a lake she swam and canoed. At school, she played tympani in the orchestra that performed an oratorio each year, was a drum major in the marching band, played percussion in the concert band, and sang in the chorus. Hearing the Souza Band play annually at the Eastern States Exposition was a highlight of her year which she enjoyed with her family along with reading, gardening and exploring the area. In Girl Scouting she made the rank of Golden Eaglet, the highest award in scouting at that time and served as counselor at camp and for trips by several troops. She was also a Brownie and Mariner Girl Scout. She loved ballroom dancing, its dressing up, and had no difficulty finding partners. The young people’s program of her church home provided many of these programs. At 15, she along with three other girls bicycled around New England using American Youth Hostel Centers. It is not surprising that through the years she continued to be active physically, mentally and socially with wide interests and the daring to pursue them.
Barbara entered nursing, graduating from Boston Children’s Hospital School of Nursing, Teachers College Columbia University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked in clinical practice in pediatric orthopedics, taught in basic and graduate programs with clinical appointments at three universities, was a consultant in a program financed by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to the National League for Nursing. During these years she taught nursing care of the patient with poliomyelitis in about 40 states and gave nursing presentations at an International Polio Conference in Rome. She helped develop and acted in three documentaries on polio nursing care, one of which received a special award at the Venice International Film Festival in 1953. These films were widely used in schools of nursing, hospitals, public health agencies. Her last job was as Director of Nursing at a large rehabilitation center in California with the reputation of being the best in the country. Her staff was over 1000 people. She received teaching and research grants that made it possible to enrich the nursing service. One (1968-71) studied an expanded role of experienced nurses, certainly an integral part of the health care team today. During these ten years, Barbara became a wife, stepmother, and widow. Her stepson and grandson live in northern California.
Barbara served on 17 national health related committees such as the National Academy of Science and Veterans Administration Nursing Advisory Committee. She was a popular speaker and her favorite paper was “Breaking the Traditions for Nursing Practice,” a compilation of ideas from the nurses on her staff. Following retirement, she gave a series of lectures in five major health centers in South Africa at the invitation of the South African Cancer Society, the initial one being the first time black and white nurses shared a program together. At the time of the hostage crisis in Iran, she was fortunate to be home on a break. Her assignment was to develop a program on rehabilitation nursing for the Shah’s wife which was also to extend to Egypt and Jordan. Her lack of familiarity with the cultures made this a daunting task.
Barbara always had an active personal life taking advantage of what was available. Her itchy feet and adventurous spirit took her to many out-of-the-way places in our world. Being articulate, her sharing of her experiences gave great pleasure to others.
Retired again she lived on an old Long Island rural estate with close friendly neighbors where she gardened and sailed. A travel agent course did not fill her needs, so she volunteered at a U.S. Park Service museum, the home of William Floyd, the Long Island signer of the Declaration of Independence where she catalogued, inventoried and became a docent. Another move took her to Tennessee for 10 years where she helped build a log home, was cataloger and docent in a Victorian house museum and assisted in teaching computer skills in a senior center. She became an avid square dancer dancing locally, across the country and even internationally, earning a pin showing she danced to 238 callers.
Being closer to family became of major importance so she moved back to Vermont. Throughout these and the previous years she had the privilege of being caretaker to several beloved people. At 85, she moved to Wake Robin considering it the perfect place for her because of the interesting residents, variety of activities, quality of staff and facilities. She was an active member of the community, swimming, dancing, ringing bells, attending music and lectures, as well as participating in making it a rich warm place to live.
Barbara is survived by her niece, Lynn Kuralt, and nephew, Jason Peter Doubleday, both of Brattleboro, her great-nieces and nephews, and great-grand-nieces and nephews spread across the country. Her love of life and spirit of adventure will be missed by all.
Rudyard M. Colter died on July 17, 2017, in Shelburne. At 99 years, Rud’s long life was characterized by immense intellectual curiosity, professional achievement, a sense of adventure, concern for community, and personal kindness. Since he experienced a broken home as a child, he was determined to raise a family in a loving, supportive environment—something he regarded as his greatest accomplishment.
Rud and his wife Janet grew up and met in South Orange, N.J. Their 70-year marriage was remarkable for its mutual devotion. After teaching flying for the U.S. Navy during World War II, Rud found success as the prime salesperson for New York Subways Advertising. His love of flying turned to a love of boating with his family.
In 1976, Rud and Jan moved to Vermont where he contributed his marketing expertise to Vermont Public Television, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Peru Country Fair, the Wake Robin Tag & Book Sale, and several political campaigns in the state. He was a tireless advocate for Vermont’s death with dignity law and took much satisfaction in its adoption.
Although he never finished college, Rud was passionately drawn to literature, theatre and music. Rud and Jan traveled extensively and sampled many educational travel tours. They found a final home at Wake Robin Life Plan Community, where Rud volunteered in the woodshop, teaching women skills they’d been denied the opportunity to learn in the days when “shop” was restricted to school boys. He and the “Sawdust Sisterhood” made furniture and displays for Shelburne Farms and for refugee housing in Burlington. He also assisted Jan in producing live musicals acted by Wake Robin community members, bringing much fun and laughter.
He is preceded in death by his wife Janet Colter, and brothers Carter and Henry Colter. He is survived by his children, Carter, Carolee, and Christopher Colter; grandchildren Elissa, Evan, and Lilia; and great-grandchildren Isabella, Hadley, Zoe, Violet, and Treysen.
Contributions in the name of Rudyard Colter can be sent to Vermont PBS or the American Civil Liberties Union.
Arthur S. Paré of Shelburne died Wednesday afternoon, July 19, at Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was 85.
Born and raised Burlington, he was the only child of the late Armand and Mary (Stone) Paré. Mr. Paré attended Pomeroy-Taft Elementary School and graduated from Cathedral High School. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree magna cum laude in music from the University of Vermont in 1954.
After graduating, Mr. Paré moved to Tupper Lake, N.Y. to become the music teacher at Tupper Lake Elementary School where he spent two years before relocating to Owego, N.Y. where he taught music at the Owego Appalachian Central Elementary School for 31 years. Arthur took early retirement in 1987 to be able to care for his aging parents. He then maintained residences in Owego and Shelburne.
A devout Catholic, he was an active member of St. Catherine of Sienna parish in Shelburne where he participated in the music ministry as an assistant organist. He had also been the choir director at his parish in Owego during the late 1960s.
An accomplished musician, Mr. Paré played the piano, organ, and guitar, and was a vocalist.
Mr. Paré was an avid collector of vintage records of all types. He has amassed a collection that fills seven storage units. His entire collection will be going up for sale and all of the proceeds will go to benefit three charities that Mr. Paré has chosen. If you are interested in purchasing any collectibles please email arthur.pare.collectibles@gmail.com.
Mr. Paré is survived by several cousins and many dear friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 72 Church Street, Shelburne, on Friday, July 28, at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Burlington. Those who wish may make donations in Arthur’s memory to St. Catherine of Sienna Parish. The Ready Funeral and Cremation Service, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, is assisting with arrangements. To share condolences online please visit www.readyfuneral.com.
William (Will) Preston Dubuc, 24 years old, of Charlotte, died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 13, surrounded by loved ones and friends, after successfully defeating brain cancer for seven years.
William was born in Burlington on Aug. 26, 1992, and immediately began to steal the hearts of all those he came into contact with. He attended Charlotte Central School before graduating from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2010.
William worked for many years at the Shelburne Supermarket, before completing the Correctional Academy in 2014 and working briefly for the Department of Corrections. He attended the Community College of Vermont, where at the time of his death, he was working on completing prerequisites for the Vermont Technical College’s Nursing Program. In fitting selfless form, Will hoped to pay it forward for the years of help he received from the many amazing nurses who crossed his path.
His free time was joyfully spent with his many cherished friends (especially Ryan Costello and Alex Farrell). He loved his yearly visits to Mammy Farrell’s in Marco Island, Fla., and weekend trips to Boston for Red Sox games or to hang with friends. Will loved to cook, and was quite good at it. He perfected many a recipe hosting dinner parties for his Isham Street crew. He was a fan of movies, particularly the horror genre, and loved collecting and watching all the old classics.
Throughout the years of various treatments William could not be slowed down. You would often find him traveling from the Chemotherapy Infusion Bay directly to the gym, and from the gym directly downtown to sing karaoke with anyone who would be brave enough to take the stage with him. (Creed anyone?) He was not afraid to sing loudly and often.
William is survived by his parents, Brian and Suzanne (Battista) Dubuc, also of Charlotte, who both treasured the years they had with him. They were very proud of the young man he grew to be.
He also leaves behind his two brothers, John (and wife Courtney), Nicholas (and partner Tessa), and his two young nieces Sophia and Genevieve. William was an amazing brother and proud uncle; he adored them all very much.
Will is survived by his maternal grandmother Anna Battista, whom he loved to visit in Connecticut. He was fond of the time he spent with her learning to cook. His paternal grandparents John and Beverly Dubuc and maternal grandfather Vito Battista predeceased William. Many aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family–all of whom he held a special place for in his heart–also survive him.
His bulldog Doug, his faithful buddy and companion, also survives William.
William will be remembered for his selfless, loving and giving attitude and his “old soul.” His strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried him through a brave and courageous battle that many would have succumbed to much sooner. Although physically affected by the disease, the cancer was unable to damage his spirit.
William’s family would like to send out many thanks, first to the dedicated and considerate staff at the Respite House, especially Tom Paquette and Dr. Jaina Clough.
A very special thank you must also go out to the staff at the UVM Children’s Hospital, mainly Dr. Heather Bradeen, who cared for William during his early years. They would also like to thank Dr. Alissa Thomas, whose kindness, caring, and compassion was instrumental in his long-term success.
Lastly, the family would like to thank Father David Cray of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church. Father Cray was a great friend and confidant to William, and helped both him and the family through the trying times.
William was, and will always be, the embodiment of strength and courage. May those who face a difficult challenge take inspiration from the example he provided for us all. #DUBUCSTRONG
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Jude Catholic Church in Hinesburg.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Ready Funeral & Cremation Service South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. To send online condolences to his family please visit readyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UVM Children’s Hospital or the Vermont Make a Wish Foundation in his honor.
“William, I now know that we were both praying for different miracles. I prayed for healing and you prayed for an end to your suffering. God granted your miracle, and for that, I am truly grateful. I love you, Mom”.
Connor Oliver Lewis, son of Marc and Tina Lewis of Shelburne, will be laid to rest Friday at 2 p.m. at the Shelburne Village Cemetery. Friends are welcome to attend the ceremony. Connor passed away June 2 after a battle with brain cancer.
Shelburne Poet Laureate Rick Bessette wrote a poem in memory of Connor (2002-2017).
On Angels Wing
by Rick Bessette
On angels wing you left us
Your work now completed here.
We carry you in our hearts,
In our thoughts, you’re always near.
So many things you taught us
In the short time you were here.
To share our love and laughter,
Take time to listen and hear.
We see you in the sunsets,
Hear you in the gentle breeze
That touch the wild flowers
In meadows beyond the trees.
We look up to the night sky,
And the brightest star;
A place of peace and comfort
Knowing that is where you are.
Your YELLOW BENCH comforts us
For your spirit lingers there.
We understand your mission
Was to love, to laugh and care.
Greta Pedersen Krag passed on peacefully in her home in Shelburne on Aug. 31 at age almost-93, surrounded by family.
Although born in Lynn, Mass., she spent decades creating and managing one of the first retirement care facilities in California with her husband, Cletus Krag, M.D. When he passed on 18 years ago, Greta moved to Shelburne to be with and support her family.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Risë, Janet (and Edwards), Martin, James (and Linda), and David (and Jesusa); grandchildren Ellen, Emily, Erik, Peter, Christopher, and Amara; great-granddaughter Claire, and numerous U.S. and Danish cousins and their families.
She was truly the matriarch of a close-knit group whose relatives emigrated from Denmark a century ago. She was the huge heart that held this now extended family together.
Always providing service to others, Greta was active with Ascension Lutheran Church and the Lake Champlain Waldorf School. She deeply enjoyed the connections made through the local Newcomers and Red Hat groups. She was also a strong advocate for cancer research. Throughout her long life she affected many through her acts of kindness, appreciation and generosity. She lived her faith and encouraged us to love each other, enjoy life, and give to our communities.
Well-wishers are welcome to attend her memorial Sunday, Sept. 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington. Donations in her memory may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church at alcvt.org; or the SD Ireland Cancer Research Fund at sdicancerresearch.org; or the Vermont Transcendental Meditation Center at tm.org/friends/.
Glen Paul Welch, 54, of Hinesburg, passed away at his home on Nov. 17.
Glen was born in Burlington on June 25, 1963 to Edgar Allen Welch and Bette Ann (Lyman) Welch. He attended Iowa Tech in Sioux City, Iowa. He was skilled in computer science and technological applications. During the 1980s, Glen was the owner of Rent One Plus in South Burlington and in recent years he was self-employed.
Glen was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Bette Ann Welch.
Glen is survived by his father, Edgar Welch; sons Paul Welch and Alexander Welch and daughter, Shanna Welch, all of Ocala, Fla.
A private family prayer service was held recently at Lavigne Funeral Home in Winooski. The family will hold a private service in Florida at a later time.
Rollin “John” Hunter
HINESBURG – John Hunter passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, surrounded by his family. John was born April 28, 1939, the oldest child of Charles and Helen Martin, and was a lifelong resident of Hinesburg.
John was a member of the Hinesburg Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years, and was a member of the National Guard 131st Engineers for six years. He was employed by Hinesburg Sand and Gravel, Giroux’s Body Shop, Burlington Grocery, and then retired after a 30-year career at G.S. Blodgett. John was an avid outdoorsman and hunter.
John leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Mary (Zeno) Hunter. He is also survived by his two sons, Howard (Christine) and Todd (Starlene), seven grandchildren, eight greatgrandchildren, three brothers, three sisters, six brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
John’s family would like to thank the staff of the Oncology Department at UVM Medical Center, as well as the staff of the VNA Hospice, who cared for him during his illness.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Gifford Funeral Home, 22 Depot St., Richmond. A church service will be held at 2 p.m. today (Dec. 14) at Community Alliance Church, 190 Pond Road, Hinesburg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hinesburg Fire Department, P.O. Box 12, Hinesburg, VT 05461.
On Jan. 2, Howard Neil Verman of Charlotte died after a long struggle with brain cancer.
The Verman family is grateful to the loving community of friends and family who supported them during his illness and for the care by Dr. Alissa Thomas and the McClure Miller VNA Respite House.
Howard was born Jan. 13, 1950, in Newark, N.J. to Michael and Rose Verman. He attended Middlebury College and was a lifelong educator. Above all, he was a sweet and funny man who loved family, friends and fishing.
There will be a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Kidsafe Collaborative or the Lake Champlain Waldorf School.
Dr. Huntington “Skip” Sheldon of Shelburne died unexpectedly after a brief illness at his home on Friday, Dec. 29. He was born in New York City on Jan. 14, 1930. Skip and his family moved to Amagansett, N.Y. when he was 6 years old; the property there has remained a keystone throughout his life and formed the foundation for his lifelong passion for agriculture and conservation.
He was educated at Brooks School in Andover, Mass., and completed his undergraduate studies as a Markle Scholar at McGill University. He earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University and did his residency there in pathology. He was a pioneer in the study of electron microscopy at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. He returned to McGill in 1959 and remained there as a legendary lecturer, Strathcona Professor, and researcher for the next 25 years. The Sheldon Biotechnology Center at McGill is named in his honor.
Dr. Sheldon’s academic awards include Distinguished Brooksian, JHU Society of Scholars, JHU Distinguished Alumnus, JHU Distinguished Medical Alumnus, and an honorary LLD from McGill. He served on the JHU Board of Trustees from 1995 until his death. He was also a founder of the Institute of Basic Biomedical Sciences at Hopkins. He was a 60-year member of the University Club of New York.
While living in Montreal, Dr. Sheldon devoted much of his recreational time to cross-country skiing in the Laurentians. He was president of the Viking Ski Club and chairman of the Canadian Ski Association. He participated as coach in the winter Olympics in Innsbruck and Lake Placid in ’76 and ’80. He competed in three iconic cross-country races: the Vasaloppet, the Finlandia and the Birkebeiner.
Dr. Sheldon was a consummate renaissance man who applied his considerable intellect and force of character to achieve success in many fields. Having taken early retirement from McGill in 1985, he moved to Shelburne where he spent the next 25 years raising purebred Suffolk sheep. He was one of the area’s first certified organic farmers, and was key in forming the Charlotte Land Trust in the early 1990s.
Another of Dr. Sheldon’s lifelong passions was sailing. He first learned to sail at the Devon Yacht Club on Gardiner’s Bay on Long Island as a young boy, and continued to sail while he lived in Montreal. After his move to Vermont, he was able to focus more of his energies on sailing, and competed in and won many of the world’s classic ocean races: Transatlantic, Fastnet, Newport-Bermuda, Middle Sea and the Sydney-Hobart. He also spent several summers cruising in the high latitudes of Scandinavia with his family, including a sail above the Arctic Circle to Spitsbergen in ’96. He was a member of the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and was an honorary Commodore of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club.
Skip was a remarkable man who lived his life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 32 years, Del, and his daughters Greta and her husband David Rose of California; and Zoë, her husband Matthew Kling, and their son Wylie, also of California. He also leaves daughters Karan Sheldon and Jennifer Sheldon and their children: Catherine and Martin Weiss, Oren, Kira and Geneva Gersten and Connor and Nikolas Crabtree.
Skip will also be greatly missed by his community of friends and colleagues worldwide.
There will be a private family burial in the spring. In place of flowers, kindly send contributions to the Charlotte (Vermont) Land Trust. Ready Funeral Home 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit readyfuneral.com to place online condolences.
Professor John W. Hennessey Jr, age 92, of Shelburne, Vt., and formerly of Hanover, N.H., died of natural causes on January 11, 2018 at the Wake Robin Continuing Care Retirement Community.
A much beloved and respected professor and administrator, John Hennessey was a scholar, a feminist, a democrat, and an ethicist, with an exceptional academic career.
Despite his myriad commitments, he always made time for his family. He and his wife Jean took each of their three grandchildren on cross-country trips to all 50 states; the couple spent 10 weeks with their grandchildren in the Cotswolds of England. His family called him “Super,” short for “Super Pal,” an apt description of his special friendships with all children. More recently, he became the proud great-grandfather of five great-granddaughters, a new joy in his life.
Born on March 25, 1925, in Danville, Pa., to Martha Scott Braun and John W. Hennessey, he attended public schools in York, Pa., before entering Princeton University’s Class of 1945, at the age of 16. His college education was interrupted in 1943, by World War II, when he enrolled in Officer Training School at 18.
By the age of 21, Hennessey achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and managed more than 200 men in the Philippines Ordinance Department. He returned to Princeton in 1946, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1948 with a degree in economics and social institutions after writing a senior thesis on universal health care.
Soon after, John married Jean Marie Lande of Seattle, at Vassar College. They moved to Cambridge, Mass. where John entered Harvard Business School, receiving his M.B.A. in 1950. They moved to Seattle where he earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the College of Business Administration at the University of Washington. In Seattle, the couple had two children, John William Hennessey III (1952) and Martha Scott Hennessey (1954). Jean was admired as a leading environmental and Democratic activist. She died in 2004.
In 1957, Hennessey accepted a full professorship, teaching organizational behavior at Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business Administration; he took short-term academic positions in Switzerland, Turkey, the USSR, and the People’s Republic of China.
Returning to the U.S., he became Associate Dean of Dartmouth College’s Tuck School and in 1968, its sixth dean. Hennessey accepted the post with the conditions that he continue to teach and that the trustees admit women to the business school. The first women were admitted to Tuck in September 1968. Three years later, Dartmouth began admitting undergraduate women. Also as dean, he launched the Tuck Executive Program, the Tuck Education Loan Program and the alumni magazine, Tuck Today.
Retiring in 1976, Hennessey was awarded Dartmouth’s Third Century Professorship; he co-founded the Dartmouth Ethics Institute and continued to teach business ethics classes. He had a passion for teaching and was a mentor and advisor to many who frequently describe how he “changed their lives.”
In 1986, Hennessey was named provost at the University of Vermont, and in 1989 served as UVM’s interim president for a year.
Hennessey served on more than 30 non-profit and corporate boards including UVM and Vermont Law School. He twice chaired the board of Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital / DHMC, oversaw the hospital’s expansion and was instrumental in its move from Hanover to Lebanon, N.H.
He chaired the Educational Testing Service, Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance, Encyclopedia Britannica Educational, among many others. More recently, he served on the board of Americans for Campaign Reform and Patient Choices at End of Life.
In 1981, Hennessey received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of New Hampshire. On March 25, 2005, Hennessey’s 80th birthday, N.H. Gov. John Lynch proclaimed it “John W. Hennessey Jr. Day” in the state.
Hennessey moved to Vermont in 2006 when he married former Vermont Gov. Madeleine May Kunin. At Vermont Law School’s 2008 commencement, Kunin was speaker and both he and Madeleine were awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degrees. He received another honorary LL.D. degree at UVM’s 2012 commencement.
John Hennessey is survived by his wife, Gov. Madeleine May Kunin; his son, John W. Hennessey, III, of Weston, Mass.; his daughter Martha S. Hennessey and her husband, Stephen D. Severson, of Hanover, N.H.; his three grandchildren, Kristina Hennessey Hill (Greg Hill), Tucker Severson (Sarah Persing), Elizabeth Scott Hennessey (Tamara Iwanski); five great granddaughters; four stepchildren, Julia Kunin, Peter Kunin (Elizabeth), Adam Kunin (Jane), and Daniel Kunin, (Chantal Gauvin); and six step-grandchildren.
A public Circle of Remembrance will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m., at Wake Robin. A service will also take place in Hanover at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Patient Choices Vermont, P.O. Box 671, Shelburne, VT 05482 or Common Cause, 805 15th Street NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005.
Arrangements are by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors.
Sue Wyman Fox (50) of Charlotte died peacefully at the Vermont Respite House on Friday, June 26, 2015, from complications from Gliobastoma Multiforme. Sue was born October 15, 1964 in Westfield, MA, to Duane and Joanne Tucker Wyman. She attended Gateway Regional High School in Huntington, MA, where she was active in music, theater, and cheerleading. Sue graduated from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University) with a double major in Accounting and Computer Science, after which she became a CPA with Ernst & Whinney. She was later hired by Price Waterhouse, LLP (now PwC), where she worked as the Manager of the Burlington, VT office, and was a Director and Project Manager within the Global Procurement Group when she was diagnosed with the condition that took her life. She moved to Vermont in 1993, and in 1996 joined Lyric Theatre Company, first as a cast member in Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz, and later became a more integral part of the organization as a Board Member, Chair of the Education Comittee, Production Supervisor (A Chorus Line, Fiddler on the Roof, and Titanic), and finally as Director of the 2014 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat. Sue also appeared on stage with Stowe Theatre Guild (and directed their 2010 production of The Sound of Music), Essex Players, Bristol Gateway Players, and Little City Players (where she directed her daughter, Josie, in The Diary of Anne Frank, and appeared in her last stage production as Don John in Much Ado about Nothing in April 2014).
She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Fox (Pizzaiolo with Pizza della Volpe), and two children, Josie (15) and Benjamin (11), as well as her mother, Joanne Wyman Koester of Palm Harbor, FL; and three sisters: Debra Denette of Goodyear, AZ; Sheryl Baine of Colchester, CT; and Diane Nadolny of Mechanicsburg, PA.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the Lyric Theatre Company facility at 7 Green Tree Drive in South Burlington. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sue Fox Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 367, Charlotte, VT 05445.
Robert, 50 died on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the Vermont Respite House in Williston after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on June 15, 1965 in Lubondja/Fizi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The son of Feston Achinda and Suzanne Walingamina. Robert graduated high school in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Class of 1983. On July 16, 1994 Robert was married in Camp Mulimbi Church in Uvira to Anna Nyassa Samuel. Reverend Achinda together with his wife Anna pastured two churches, one in Uvira, DRC and Kigoma, Tanzania.
In Tanzania, Robert was the General Secretary of the Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa. Robert came to the USA in 2004 in pursuit of the American Dream for himself and his family. After working hard for years, his wife and their eight children joined him in January 2013 in Vermont. It was Robert’s passion to get his family here and offer them the opportunities to education and to fulfill their individual dreams. Robert had an amazing ability to make friendships and relationships wherever he went. He was known by all to have a warm heart, big smile, profoundly proud parent and to always have God as the focus of his life. Previously, Robert was employed by Fletcher Allen Health Care. Due to his illness, he had to leave the long hours. He then started his own cleaning business Alpha Green Cleaning Services.
Robert is survived by his spouse Anna, his children Fadhili and Faraja, 20, Fahari, 19, Faibe, 18, Feston, 16, Fanuel, 14, Fabien, 12 and Faida, 10, his mother Suzanne, his three brothers Richard, Kisindja and Musoshi and his sister Rebeca. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Robert was preceded by his father, Feston, in 1967, his two older sisters, respectively, 1961 and 2003.
The family would like to thank Dr. Steven Ades and his staff at the hospital and the Vermont Respite House in Williston. Their support, expertise and caring during a very difficult time has been exceptional.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, Aug. 8, at The Community Bible Church in South Burlington with a burial in Hinesburg and luncheon at the United Church of Hinesburg. If you want to help the family in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to www.gofundme.com/ma6lh0.
Leah and Jeffrey Manzella were united in marriage on June 27, 2015 at the Old Lantern Barn in Charlotte, VT. Laura Carney, a friend and colleague of the bride and groom officiated the ceremony. The bride’s attendants were Kaitlin Scorzella, Jodi Walters and Julie Bickford. The groom’s attendants were Mark Manzella, Tim McDonald, and Steve Zukoff. The bride’s brother, David Zenaty, performed a reading at the ceremony.
The bride’s parents are Jane and Thomas Zenaty of Shelburne and the grooms parents are Diane and Anthony Manzella of Ashland, MA.
Leah graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School, received her BS from Plymouth State University and her MSW from Springfield College. Jeffrey graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, MA, received his BS from Bridgewater State University and is currently enrolled in a master’s program at Framingham State University. The couple are both employed at the Learning Prep School in Newton, MA and reside in Southborough, MA.
Leah and Jeff were surrounded by many of their friends and family on this beautiful summer day.
John O. Casey, 74 of Shelburne – John O. Casey died suddenly of a heart attack at his home on Sunday evening, December 27. He was born in Montpelier on February 15, 1941, the son of Daniel R. and Anne M. Casey who predeceased him. He was the loving father of Daniel J. Casey of Shelburne, Laura Reynolds of Southborough, MA, and Katherine A. Gerrish of Barre, and proud of his six grandchildren, Abigail Reynolds, Lindsay Gerrish, Casey Reynolds, Kaleigh Reynolds, Amanda Gerrish, and Maxwell Casey. He is also survived by his brother Richard M. Casey and his wife Marjorie of Green Valley, AZ and his sister Carol F. Casey of Shelburne.
Apart from his family, his life-long passion has been cars. He was an automobile dealer in Burlington, Barre, Rutland, and Williston, most notably with The Automaster and Imported Auto Cars. As a young man, he won many trophies at the Milton drag strip and later promoted races at Thunder Road as part of the ACT staff. He attended the Daytona 500 twenty-three times in his life and avidly followed NASCAR races.
John cherished his family and extensive network of friends.
Visiting hours will be at the Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington on Sunday, January 3 from 4 pm to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Vianney Church, 150 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington on Monday, January 4 at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow in Resurrection Park.
Bruce and Sharon Howard of Rutland are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Courtney Elizabeth Howard to John Vito Dubuc, son of Brian and Suzanne Dubuc of Charlotte. Courtney earned her BA and MBA degrees from the University of Vermont, and is employed by Fletcher CSI in Williston. John is currently attending Burlington College, and is employed by the State of Vermont DCF in Colchester. A summer 2016 wedding is planned.
Constance Marie DeMarse Morrill, 86, of Upper Old Town Trail, Charlotte, Vt. passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2016.
Connie was born on Oct.14, 1930 in Isle La Motte, Vt., the daughter of Edward and Adreal (Mitchell) DeMarse.
Connie received her bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Burlington, Vt. and her Masters of Education from the University of Vermont. Mrs. Morrill dedicated her life to molding and developing young minds for 38 years in the parochial and public school systems of the Chittenden County area.
Connie is survived by many nieces and nephews. Her niece Jane Gauthier, great-nephew Tyler Gauthier, and great-niece Tess Gauthier were her close family for many years. She leaves behind her best friend of 70 years, Jean Wagner.
Connie was predeceased by her husband Russell Morrill, a brother Edward DeMarse, and sister Harriet Wright.
Services will be private. Donations in Connie’s memory may be made to Mercy Connections, 255 South Champlain Street Burlington, Vt. 05401 or at www.mercyconnections.org/donate.html
Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service. To send online condolences to her family, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.
Beatrice (Betty) Elaine Julian Nowocienski died on Feb. 7, 2017 at the VNA Respite House in Colchester, Vt. following a long illness. She was 92 years old.
Betty was born on Jan. 5, 1925 to Milton and Beatrice (Goslant) Julian in St. Johnsbury, Vt. She attended public school until 1938 and then the St. Johnsbury Academy, graduating in 1942. Betty received musical training at the Jr. Conservatory of Music from 1930 until 1942 and gave a graduate recital in piano and voice in June of 1943. She enrolled in Syracuse University in the fall of 1943 and graduated in June of 1947 with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano and voice. Betty was a former member of the NEA, the MENC, and the VMEA.
During the time of Betty’s studies at Syracuse, she met her husband, Stanley Francis Nowocienski; they married on Oct. 4, 1947. In 1951, Betty and Stan moved to Shelburne, Vt. where they built their home on Mount Philo Road. Together they were the proud parents of four daughters: Mary, Katherine, Patricia, and Juliann.
Betty taught private music lessons in voice and piano from 1951 to 1958. She taught music in the Shelburne school system for many years, retiring in 1983. Mrs. “No-vo-chin-ski” loved her work and the children. After retirement, Betty continued to share her love of music, teaching privately in her home until 1989.
Betty was always thinking of others and enjoyed helping whenever she could. She was a much-valued volunteer at the SCHIP’S resale shop in Shelburne, as well as at the Charlotte Central School where she spent many hours working in the library. Betty was a communicant of St. Catherine’s Parish and was a former choir director and organist.
Betty enjoyed gardening, spending time with her family, and traveling. She loved a good jigsaw puzzle and would spend hours working on them. She maintained a close friendship with her retired Shelburne teachers birthday group, always looking forward to the next party, even into her 90s! A true party girl, she loved a good strawberry daiquiri.
Betty touched many lives during her time on earth and leaves behind many friends and family. She was predeceased by her husband Stan, daughters Mary and Margaret, and son-in-law Andrew Mathews. Betty is survived by her daughters: Katherine (James) Chase; Patricia (Stefan) Zuber; and Juliann Mathews (Matthew Burgess); grandchildren Jamie Chase (Alyssa); Jeremey Chase (Joe Major); Jason Chase (Sarah McIntyre & daughters ReBecca and Allison); Sarah Mathews; Anna Matuschka (Thor); and Lauren Zuber; and great-grandchildren Hailey and James Chase; and Emma Matuschka. Betty is also survived by her dear brother, William (Audrey) Julian, nieces Carol Julian and Debra VanDemark, and nephew Allen Julian and their children.
A joyful celebration of Betty’s life will take place on Sunday, May 7 at 1pm at the All Souls Interfaith Gathering Center, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne, Vt. Please come and share a story or a song; a piano will be available. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Shelburne Food Shelf, the Humane Society of Chittenden County, or the VNA Respite House.
