Obituaries: Week of 4-6-17
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Jean-Maurice Bechard
GEORGIA/ COCO, FL: Jean-Maurice Bechard, AKA Maurice, 69, passed away on April 2nd, 2017, at Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge, Florida after a long and difficult battle with cancer.
He was born on February 21st, 1948, in St. Albans, Vermont the son of the late Jean-Paul and Florence (Cadieux) Bechard.
• On December 14th, 2002, he married the love of his life, Isidra Vergara, who survives him.
Maurice grew up in Georgia, Vermont on the family farm. As a young man, he worked as a parts person for automobile dealerships. He decided to work at Farrington Construction as a carpenter alongside his father. He ran a successful business, Mastercraft Builders for many years building new houses and renovating many others. He moved to Florida in early 2000 and continued his love of carpentry as a home renovation specialist.
Maurice was an active and hardworking person. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, singing, attending church and loved to travel. He had a kind heart and cared deeply for his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Maurice is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Isidra, his son, Andrew Bechard (JoAnne) and their children, Alyssa Bechard (Torianno), Codie Gauthier (Katie), Aliviah Bechard, Alayna Bechard, Hannah Tessier, Wyatt Rocheleau and Reid Tessier; daughters, Debbie Bechard and her children, Kristy Raymo (John), Jamie Raymo, Natasha St. Francis and Shane Hojaboom; Chelsee Bechard (Dustin Wetherby) and their children, Keelie Gilbert, Kaelynn Gilbert, Kylah Gilbert, Izabella Wetherby and Dekota Wetherby and step-daughter, Crisid, as well as great-grandchildren, Jalen, Carson, Taleigh, Logan, Kayden, Jayden, Jamie, Jr., Kaydence and Danica.
He is also survived by his sisters, Jeanne Valley (Rod), Jeannette Messier (Eric), Deanne Morin (Ron), Bernadette Levick (Gary), Carmen Begins (Brad); brother, Michel Bechard (Phyllis) and many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will be greeting friends and relatives at the Heald Funeral Home 87 S. Main St. St. Albans on Friday, April 7th, 2017, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Angels Church at 245 Lake St., St Albans, VT on Saturday, April 8th at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held at a later date at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Messages of condolence to the Bechard family are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
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Ellen Weir Chamberlin
ST. ALBANS: Ellen Weir Chamberlin, age 101, passed away on March 30, 2017, at Franklin County Rehab Center in St. Albans VT. She was born April 18, 1915 to Jean and Gertrude Weir in Chattanooga TN and grew up in Erie PA.
She will be dearly missed by her family: daughter, Gail Salzman and husband Al (Fairfield VT), son John Chamberlin and wife Marty (Denver CO), son Stephen Chamberlin and wife Gerry (Cedar Falls, IA); sister Deedee Ramsey (New Sharon ME); grandchildren Jonah and Eli Salzman (and partner, Liina Tael), Zoe Chamberlin (and husband Coury Coates), Jennie Chamberlin (and partner Jess Firestone), Jeff Chamberlin (and partner Melissa Gowdy) and Livia Chamberlin, and great-granddaughter Eliot Coates, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, John, and her sister, Mary Len Runser.
Ellen lived a full and active life. She graduated from Wilson College in Chambersburg PA where she majored in Biology. One of the enduring legacies of Ellen’s years at Wilson was the intimate group of classmates, known as “The Old College Chums,” who became lifetime friends and, with their growing families, saw each other for over seventy years to reminisce, play bridge, and sing close harmony.
After college, she worked in New York City, where she met her future husband, John H. Chamberlin. They married in 1939, and, after the war, moved to Syracuse NY, John’s hometown, where they raised their three children.
Although Ellen was, first and foremost, a mother and housewife, she was also a social activist. She served as a volunteer with disabled adults, advocated for civil rights, and headed the Syracuse branch of Planned Parenthood. In the 60’s, she went back to work as a medical research assistant at Syracuse University, and later, as deputy administrator of alumni affairs at Cazenovia College.
She had a wide range of interests. Bridge was a passion, as was music, especially opera. For decades she sang in the choir at May Memorial Unitarian Church. But, above all, Ellen was a word person. She wrote witty celebratory poems and graceful reminiscences. She was an avid reader and patron of the Cazenovia NY public library, where, as Board President, she led a major expansion of library facilities.
In 2008, Ellen moved to Vermont to be near her daughter Gail and family, first to the Converse Home in Burlington, then, in 2011, to the Franklin County Rehab Center, where music, flowers, dancing toys, adoring staff, and chocolate ice cream were her constant companions.
Her family cherishes the loving care she received at the Converse Home, and especially at the Rehab Center in her final six years.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held in St. Albans at a future date.
Expressions of condolence to be shared with Ellen’s family may be sent by visiting the Heald Funeral Home on line guest book at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
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Robert Arlie Creller, Jr.
ALBURGH: Robert Arlie Creller, Jr., age 66 years, died Monday evening, April 3, 2017 in the Northwestern Medical Center in St Albans with his loving family by his side.
Bob was born December 20, 1950 in Alburgh, VT. He was the son of the late Robert Arlie Creller, Sr. and Beverly (Prime) Creller. He attended school in Alburgh and graduated from Alburgh High School in the class of 1969. He was a longtime member of the Alburgh Select board, Alburgh School Board, Ducks Unlimited, NRA, Alburgh Center Cemetery Commission. He coached basketball for many years. Bob owned and operated “The Boatsmith” in Alburgh that sold, serviced and installed boats and docks throughout the area.
He is survived by two sons; Trevor Creller and his wife Renee of Alburgh and Robert Creller III also of Alburgh, a stepson Michael Kellem of St Petersburg, FL.
One daughter; Amber Creller of South Windsor, CT; six brothers; James Creller of Alburgh, Shawn Creller & wife Jill of Alburgh, Gene Creller & companion Lynn of Alburgh, Dana Creller & wife Teri of Sheldon, Beau Creller & wife Roxanne of Alburgh.
His sisters Donna & husband Jean Paul LaRocque of Rouses Point, NY., Beverlee Poquette & husband Joe of North Hero, Kathleen Cheney of Swanton and Beth Dutton & companion Alan Brown of Alburgh; sister and brother-in-law; Joan & Ray Boire of Tolland, CT. Grandchildren; Ethan, Brady, Alexa and Maya.
He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Diane, brother; Jon Creller and brother-in-law Marcus Cheney.
A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. from The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, in Swanton. The Reverend Molly Comeau will officiate. Interment will follow at the Creller family lot in Alburgh Center Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Gifts in Robert’s memory may be made to The Alburgh Recreation Department in care of Renee Creller, 449 US RTE# 2, Alburgh 05440 or Alburgh Vol. Fire & Rescue, 4 Firehouse Road, Alburgh 05440.
To offer private online condolences please visit: www.kiddermemorialhome.com
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Mary E. Greenia
ST. ALBANS: Mary E. Greenia, 93, formerly of Essex, passed away peacefully at home on March 31, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born in Swanton, on September 1, 1923, the daughter of Russell and Bertha (Martin) Maskell.
She was the oldest of 11 siblings.
Mary was happily married to the love of her life James “Larry” Greenia, for 42 years until his passing in 1989. They raised three children together. Mary and Larry enjoyed spending their time together dancing, especially the waltz. She took pride in taking care of their home and family and loved to sing, cook and bake. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren brought much joy to her life. Mary was young at heart and would often join in playing with all of her grandchildren, even in her last days.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Judy Sorrell and husband, Ed, Jean Barr and husband, Briane, her son James Greenia II and wife, Rita, grandchildren, Rob Kimball and wife, Tina, Jennifer Greenia-Kelley and husband, Shane, Julie Greenia, Eric Barr, Joshua Barr and wife Heather, as well as five great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 11 to 1pm. with services following at 1 pm in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center, Milton.
Burial will be at a later date in Essex.
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Martha Haggerty
ESSEX JCT. / RICHFORD: Martha Haggerty, age 68, passed away on Wednesday March 29, 2017 at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH with her loving family by her side.
She was born March 22, 1949 in St. Albans, VT, the daughter of the late Milton “Mit” & Laura (Towne) Parsons.
Martha was a 1967 graduate of Richford High School. She continued her education at the University of Vermont School of Nursing, graduating in 1971. While there, she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Her nursing career started at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA. She then came back to Vermont to work for the Franklin County Home Health Agency, during this time she was part of the first class of Nurse Practitioners to graduate from UVM. She returned to this passion later in life, by recertifying in 2009, at the age of 60. In that same year she found true love when she reconnected with fellow Richford native Allen Haggerty. Martha was a devoted wife who cherished family and embraced her expanded family.
The greatest joy of Martha’s life was being a Mother. Her children were her everything. While raising her family, she blessed everyone with her cooking through the family business. Martha’s famous baked beans, apple pies and carrot cake are among the many dishes that will be greatly missed.
Throughout her life she was always a caregiver. She spent countless hours helping others. She was known for having an open door for anyone in need. It didn’t matter if you were family, a friend or a friend of a friend; you were always welcome in her home. Her dinner table was ever expanding but always had room for one more.
Martha was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church in Essex Jct., where she sang in the choir and belonged to the UMW. She also recently joined the Vermont 251 club and was excited to see all of Vermont’s beauty. Martha loved being outside, working in her flowers, tending to her vegetable garden or relaxing by the babbling brook at their camp on the Stevens Mills Slide Road. Martha loved all types of music and was always ready to sing and dance. She loved getting her family together and having fun with good food, laughter and love. The size of her heart is evident by the lives that she touched.
She is survived by her husband Allen Haggerty her children and grandchildren; Michael Wetherbee and his fiancé, Kara Andrek of Howell, MI, Katharine “Katie” Wetherbee and her husband Josh Houghton of Manchester, NH, Justin Haggerty and his wife Treah and their children, Jude & Jett, and Ryan Haggerty and his wife Maggie and their children, Jackson, Brooklyn & Dylan. Her siblings and their spouses, Chester & Kathleen Parsons of Richford, Susan Mazer and her partner Craig Helfrich of Westford, Daniel & Pamela Parsons of Richford and Nora Parsons and her husband Tim Foley of Bennington, many loved nieces and nephews who were all very important to her as well as cherished extended family. Martha was predeceased by her parents Mit and Laura Parsons, her step-father, Leland Stanley; and her adored nephews, Milton “Mit” Parsons and Trevor Parsons.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 7, 2017 from 4-7 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct. Interment will be held later this spring at the Hillside Cemetery in Richford.
In lieu of flowers we ask that you reach out to someone in need and make the world a more beautiful place, as Martha did throughout her life.
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Herbert “Skip” LaFrance
HIGHGATE SPRINGS/ FORT JACKSON, NY: Herbert “Skip” LaFrance, age 68 years, a native of Highgate Springs and more recently of Fort Jackson, New York, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.
Born in Highgate Springs on, May 14, 1948, he was the son of the late Herbert Sr., and Mary (Morris) LaFrance. He attended Highgate schools and faithfully served his country in the United States Navy during the Viet Nam Era. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 514 in Winthrop, New York.
Skip worked as a carpenter for most of his life and loved hunting, fishing gardening and collecting guns.
He leaves his son, Joel LaFrance and wife Sarah of Dover, New Hampshire; a good friend Beverly LaFrance of St. Albans; two brothers and their wives, John and Bonnie LaFrance of Highgate and Dana and Pamela LaFrance of Corinth, New York; two sisters, Dorothy LaFrance of California and Joan Bonyea of Roanoke, Virginia; three grandchildren, four step children and several nieces and nephews and his best friend, Earl McBride and family from Fort Jackson, New York.
Funeral Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
There will be no calling hours.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton 05488
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Gregory J. Martell
JEFFERSONVILLE: Gregory J. Martell a lifelong area resident passed away unexpectedly Thursday March 30th, 2017, while at the Casino de Montreal.
Born in St. Albans, on January 3rd, 1954, he was the son of the late Leonard and Arlene (Jordan) Martell. Greg was 63 years old.
• On September 29th, 1973, in Holy Angels Church, he married Deborah Jacques, who survives him.
Greg was a 1972 graduate of Bellows Free Academy, following which he had his own band “66 City Band”. More recently he was owner and operator of Martell’s at the Red Fox in Jeffersonville. He also was a member of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
“Husband, father, grandfather, singer, keyboard player, coach, songwriter, beatlemaniac, tour guide, fishing guide, history buff, driver, avid hunter, restaurateur, caring community member, and friend. You will be missed and you will be remembered.”
Greg is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah, of Jeffersonville; their sons, Michael Martell, Matthew Martell and his wife, Melanie, and Mark Martell and his fiancé, Emily Boek, as well as his six grandchildren, August, Francis, Charles, Dylan, Evelyn and Lillian.
He is also survived by his brothers, John, Steve, Anthony and their families; his sister, Donna Peacock and family; his mother-in-law, Jane Jacques; his brother-in-law, Doug Jacques and his family and his sisters-in-law, Donna Corrigan and family, Diane Walsh and family and Darlene Durett and family.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, April 5th, 2017, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans.
Please join us for a celebration of life honoring the legacy of Greg Martell which will be held on SATURDAY, JUNE 3rd, 2017, at Martell’s at the Red Fox.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cambridge Arts Council, P.O. Box 436, Cambridge, Vermont 05444.
To send Greg’s family a written expression of sympathy, please go to his on-line guest book at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
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Frederick Edward Murray Jr.
FAIRFAX: Frederick Edward Murray Jr., 88, died unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, March 29th, 2017 at his home.
Frederick was born on August 27th, 1928 in Jericho, the son of Fred Murray and Virginia (Bolduc) Murray.
He worked as a forman at the Drury Brickyard (later Densmore Brickyard) in Essex Junction for over 25 years and then for Swanton Limestone for over 20 years where he was a truck driver.
Frederick was married to Dolly Shambo who blessed him with three children and then Leona Larmay, who both predeceased him. He is survived by his daughter Darlene (Murray) Marrier and her husband Gary of Montgomery Center VT., his son Mike Murray and his wife Kathy of Fletcher VT., by his five stepchildren Robert, Dawn, William, Bruce and Karen Lefebvre, his grandchildren Vicky Gratton, Philip Russell, Chastity Marrier, Jesse Marrier, Michelle Morin, Joanne Russell, Frederick Murray IV, Hunter Murray and Chase Murray, 19 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, many step grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Murray is also survived by his brothers Louis and Armand Murray, his sister Leona (Murray) Tanielian and brother in law Charles Tanielian and his longtime companion Geraldine Siple.
Frederick was predeceased by his son Frederick Murray III, his mother Virginia (Bolduc) Murray, father Fred Murray, his sister Elizabeth (Murray) Gokey, brother Levi Murray and brother in-law Stanley Gokey.
Frederick enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Getting together for a bit to eat as he would say or for coffee and doughnuts on any morning, that was his favorite, where he would relive stories of earlier times at work before he retired, when he hunted with his father, brothers and later his children, fishing trips and camping with his travel trailer. He loved to talk about sugaring with his father at the family home in Westford. Using horses to pull them through the deep spring snows, then returning for lunch and the smell of the doughnuts made by his mother.
For many years he and his second wife Leona went to Florida for the winter in their travel trailer, where he would scout out flea markets to buy items for his return to Vermont in the spring to resell. He was very handy at making bird houses and feeders, bat houses, wishing wells and many other wooden lawn ornaments that he sold at yard sales and the harvest market in Underhill.
He was very proud of being a foreman at the brickyard and later a very large dump truck driver at the quarry. That love of being a truck driver carried over to the pickup trucks he owned over the years always joking that whatever brand he was driving was the best.
But the thing Frederick loved the most was spending time doing anything with his children, they were the light of his life.
Memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be made to either the Fairfax Rescue P.O. Box 428, Fairfax, VT 05454 or to the American Heart Association,Vermont Affiliate,Inc., 434 Hurricane Lane,Williston, VT 05495.
Visiting hours were held on Sunday April 2nd, 2017 from 3-6 pm at the Minor Funeral Home in Milton.
A Funeral Service was held on Monday April 3rd, 2017 at 11:00 am in the United Church of Fairfax.
Burial will be in the Fairfax Plains Cemetery in the spring.
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Jane Irene Page
MILTON: Jane Irene Page, 89, died peacefully Friday March 31, 2017, with her loving family by her side.
Jane was born in Worcester, MA on August 18, 1927, the daughter of James and Mary (O’Donnell) Quinn.
Jane spent her early years in Worcester, MA.
She moved to Troy NY. and graduated from Cathedral Catholic High school in 1945.
She went to work at Norton Industries and on Sept 1, 1951, She married Robert Page and was always known as Jane Q. Page.
She enjoyed gardening cooking and golf.
She traveled to Germany to join her husband shortly after the war. They moved to Corning , Staten Island, and Huntington NY. She supported her husband’s career as an Electrical Engineer.
She made many friends in those places and worked hard to make a great home and she was the life of the party where ever she was.
In 1966 they moved to Osgood Hill Rd in Essex and bought a former dairy farm.
She loved animals. It was a very busy time,
In 1989 they moved to Pine Knoll Shore N.C. and built a house by the ocean.
In 2012 She moved to Milton VT.
Jane loved her dogs, especially her last two -Beckett and Teddy Bear..
She spent her last St Patrick’s day smiling her Irish eyes, she will be missed.
Jane is survived by her children Marta Page of Milton, James “Jimmy” Page and his wife Lucy of Westford, Beth Page and her husband Stephen LaMonda of Milton, Susan Sweet and her husband David of Deland, FL, Anne Page and her spouse Priscilla Drake of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the proud grandmother of her grandchildren Ethan, Robert, Seamus, Andrew and partner Chelsea, Christina, Jessica and partner Matt, Besset and wife Jenny, Sy, Toby, Satchel, Mookie Jane, Connor and Jane. Her great grandchildren Maxwell, Ellie, her sister Anne Decataur and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Robert, Jane was predeceased by her daughter Amy Page – Derosia in 2013, and her son Bobby in 1963 and by her sister Mary Burch in 2016.
Donations in Jane’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., VT Chapter, 300 Cornerstone Dr., Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.
Special thanks to the Georgia Health Center and VNA Staff’s and the Green Mountain Nursing Home Staff for their care and support during these last four years.
She spent the last week of her life at Green Mountain Nursing Home with end stage Alzheimer’s disease. Their care and support were above and beyond, which the family will always be grateful for.
Visiting hours were held on Wednesday April 5, 2017 from 4 to 6 with a funeral service following at 6 in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton.
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Esther Wells Kenney
TORRINGTON, CT. Esther Wells Kenney, 91, died on March 28, 2017. Born in Bakersfield, VT on February 27, 1926, she was the daughter of Arthur and Elsie (Camp) Wells. She was a graduate of Brigham Academy (1943), Johnson Normal School (1946), and Boston University (1952). She taught in public schools in W.Topsham, VT, the suburbs of Boston (Hopedale, Westwood, and Natick), a U.S. Air Force base in France, St. Lambert, Quebec, and lastly as the reading consultant for the schools of Natick, MA. She married Michael John Kenney of Parkgate, England on September 1, 1962.
She enjoyed flower gardening, travel, dancing, reading, games, good friends, a cat on her lap, and especially time with her family. She and her husband retired to Bradenton, FL in 1989 after many years in Franklin, MA. In retirement, she gave hours of service in her volunteer role as a tutor, evaluator, and placement specialist with Literacy Volunteers in Bradenton and was honored as Florida’s Volunteer of the Year by the Florida Literacy Council. Literacy was her passion, though she also supported other humanitarian organizations. She also helped many of her literacy students study to pass their naturalization test to become U.S. citizens. In her last years she returned to New England to be closer to her family.
She is survived by her daughter Christine Toste and her husband James of Tiverton, R.I. and her son Gregory Kenney and his wife Margie of Torrington, CT, by her six grandchildren: Jason, Jeremy, Joseph, Erin, Kristen, Gregory and by her six great-grandchildren as well as by her sister Ruth Wells Baxter, several nieces and nephews, and cousins. She enjoyed family reunions in Bakersfield as she was a part of a large extended family.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Michael John Kenney, her brother Lynford Wells of Newport and her sister Dorothy of Swanzey, N.H.
A family memorial service will be held in Bakersfield, VT in early summer. Memorial gifts to the Bradenton Literacy Council may be made to “Manatee Reads!,” 1701 Tamiami Trail, Suite 5, Bradenton, FL. 34205.
If you have an unfortunate passing of a loved one in your family contact https://riemannfamily.com/, they are a very reputable funeral home and can help you every step of the way during this very sad time.[bar group=”98″]
