NEKG - 2006 Obituaries

, 81, died Wednesday morning, May 24, 2006, at his home in Barton with his wife, Pat, by his side. Mr. DiPietro was born in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, on October 1, 1924, the only son of Jean Cinelli and Philip DiPietro. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II where he served as a member of the First Marine Division (B-17) during the first battle on Guadalcanal. He was in subsequent battles in the Pacific and served in China and the United States until his discharge in 1946. For many years he worked at his family's restaurant, Cinelli's Country House, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He realized his lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant in 1981 when he established the Lincoln Covered Bridge Inn in West Woodstock. He was an avid golfer, skier and hunter and was an incredible cook. He died as he lived, a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his wife, Pat. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hallowell DiPietro, of Albany; by his daughter Diane DiPietro; by his grandchildren: Paul, Victoria, and Katherine Giblin of May's Landing, New Jersey; by his son Philip DiPietro of Florida; by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Catherine and Alden Sheehan of Albany; and by his loving family of caregivers at Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton. A graveside memorial service was held May 27 at the Albany Village Cemetery with the Reverend Walter A. Quigg of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Green Mountain Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 172 North Main Street, Barre, Vermont 05641.

, 60, of Derby died suddenly in East Charleston on Wednesday, May 31, 2006.Mr. Warner was born in Lowell on November 7, 1945, a son of Marie (Mackenzie) and Melvin Warner. He graduated from Newport Center High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biblical studies from Liberty University in Virginia and his master's degree in church ministries from the Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. He was a member and elder of the Grace Brethren Church in Island Pond and a leader at the Word of Life Club at the church. He loved sharing Christ with others and loved people. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. He worked as a clerk for the United States Post Office, retiring in 2002. On January 24, 1970, he married Greta Davis, who survives him. He is survived by his children: David A. Warner Jr. and his wife, Nicole, of Warsaw, Indiana, Aaron Warner of Lyndon Center, and Michelle Badertscher and her husband, Peter, of Walkerton, Indiana; by his grandchildren: Allison, Ajay, and Hannah; by his mother, Marie Warner, of Lowell; by his brother Patrick Warner of Evansville; by his sisters Janet Jones of Orleans and Joanne Dawson of Bellows Falls; and by nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Melvin, on July 15, 2005. Funeral services were held June 5 at the Grace Brethren Church in Island Pond with Pastor Jake Kosis officiating. Interment followed at the Derby Center Cemetery. Contributions in Mr. Warner's memory may be made to the Grace Brethren Church, outreach fund, P.O. Box 432, Island Pond, Vermont 05846.

, 84, of Barton died peacefully June 4, 2006, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Valley was born December 21, 1921, in Westmore, a son of Perley and Rose (Mailhot) Valley. On June 8, 1942, he married Elizabeth Robinson, who survives him. He graduated from Orleans High School. He farmed for over 40 years in Westmore. For over 50 years he played the piano and was involved with several area bands including the Down Beat Trio. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Valley, of Barton; by his children: Kenneth L. Valley and his wife, Susan, Donna R. Poginy and her husband, Peter, and Terrance P. Valley and his wife, Alison; by his mother, Rose Valley, of Newport; by the following grandchildren: Jeffrey Poginy, Angela Poginy, Erica Ingalls and her husband, James, Derrick Poginy and his fiancée, Emily Russell, Erin Dawson and her husband, Paul, Pamela Major and her husband, Chris, and Megan, Tyler, Morgan, and Jeremy Valley; by great-grandchildren: Noah Dawson, Nicole Dawson, Michaela Poginy, and Aidan Poginy; by a brother, Percy Valley, and his wife, Jeanine; and by a sister-in-law, Denise Valley. He was predeceased by his father, Perley Valley; by a son, Richard Dean Valley; and by a brother, Roger Valley. Funeral services were held June 6 at St. Paul's Church in Barton with the Reverend Daniel Rupp celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Valley's memory may be made to the Alzhiemer's Association, Green Mountain Chapter, P.O. Box 1139, Montpelier, Vermont 05601; or to Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 78, of North Troy died suddenly in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday, May 26, 2006. Mrs. Starr was born in Granby, Quebec, on August 19, 1927, a daughter of Henry and Delima (Beaudry) Martel. She was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne. She loved her husband and family members above all other interests and especially enjoyed having them all together. She enjoyed working with her husband, Urban, as office manager and co-owner of Starr's Transportation for over 40 years. She liked to travel and go to the ocean. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and giving a helping hand to anyone who needed help. She also made many, many gifts for family members and friends. She loved life and was a very giving person. She especially enjoyed going to their small farm with the pond on Route 105. Over several years she just loved her many different animals, the latest being her dog Lady. On October 25, 1947, she married Urban Starr Sr., who survives her. She is also survived by her children: Urban Starr Jr. and his companion, Ruth Place, of North Troy, Linda Alberghini and her husband, Tom, of Rochester, New Hampshire, Sally McAllister and her husband, Tom, of Durham, New Hampshire, Jane LeBlanc and her husband, Brian, of Lakeland, Florida, George Starr of Zephyrhills, Florida, and David Starr and his wife, Kim, of Tucson. She is survived by her special "family" member, Denise Pigeon. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Trevor Starr and his companion, Marie, Katie Starr and her son Bailey, Bianca and Bryan Begin and their children Max and Mallie, Jared Alberghini and his companion, Karen, Vanessa and Andy Rosenberger and their children Cody and Paige, Bridgitte and John Jones and their son Jonathan, Brian J. LeBlanc, George and Mindy Starr and their children Brandon and Kameron, Jenna Starr, Stacey and Karson Clark and their children Taylor, Grace and Karson, Tabitha McAllister and her children Brittany and Michaela, Lee-Ann Starr, and Tyler Starr; by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Durward and Lorraine Starr, John and Ida Cadieux, Ila Starr, and Dorothy Westerburg; and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was also predeceased by her son Jay Starr; by three brothers; and by four sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 3 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in North Troy with the Reverend Jerome Mercure officiating. Interment followed at the North Troy Village Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Starr's memory may be made to the Jay Starr Scholarship Fund, North Troy High School Alumni Association, in care of Donald St.Onge, 77 Pleasant Street, North Troy, Vermont 05859.

, 94, of Glover and Apache Junction, Arizona, died on Tuesday, January 3, 2006, at Mesa General Hospital in Mesa, Arizona, after a brief illness. Mr. Miller was born on August 15, 1911, in Beverly, Massachusetts, to the late Albert F. Miller and Blanche (Bardon) Miller. He was the beloved husband for more than 60 years of the late Anne (Talarski) Miller, who predeceased him in July 2002. He resided in Bloomfield, Connecticut, for more than 50 years before moving to West Suffield. In 1973 he retired from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut, after more than 25 years as an aircraft engine inspector. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Merchant Marines. He was a member of Hiram Lodge No. 98 in Bloomfield. He was the last living charter member of the Bloomfield Fish and Game Club, serving as its president and holding continuous membership in the club since its inception. He was active in the Lions Club, including past president of the Bloomfield Lions Club and district governor for Connecticut Lions Clubs. A man with many interests and talents, he enjoyed playing soccer and baseball and skiing in his youth. He loved music, singing, playing several instruments including the clarinet, saxophone and violin, and working the sound system at his retirement community in Apache Junction. He was an avid sportsman and loved playing cards, ballroom dancing, doing crossword puzzles, creating crafts, carpentry (including building his own motor boat), and traveling around the world with his wife, Anne. His favorite place was his summer home on Shadow Lake in Glover where he enjoyed the lake, the sunsets, and the peaceful beauty of the area. He is survived by daughter Nancy Wells and her husband, Stanley, of Noank, Connecticut; by son Russell Miller and his wife, Mary, of Golden, Colorado; by daughter June Grossman of Apache Junction; by son Robert E. Miller Jr. of Tampa, Florida; by eight grandchildren and their spouses: Sean and Jeanne Kelly, Stephen and Debbie Butryman, Robert and Patty Butryman, James and Devon Miller, all of Connecticut, Kristine and NevinChitkara of Massachusetts, William and Nancy Butryman of Vermont, Sarah A. Miller of Colorado, and Robert and Denise Miller of Colorado; by 17 great-grandchildren; by a brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Annamae Miller, of Vermont; by a sister, Frieda Greiner, of Massachusetts; by a son-in-law and his wife, Richard and Beverly Grossman, of Arizona; by his wife's family; by his many nieces and nephews; and by his many friends. His brothers Albert and Carl predeceased him. He was a kind, loving, and honest man who will be greatly missed by all. Burial will be private, and to honor him, a celebration of his life will be held in Connecticut. Arrangements are by Talarski/Maple Hill Chapels of Hartford, Connecticut. Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, 855 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06105.

, 78, of Newport died June 3, 2006, in Derby, following a long illness, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Gilson was born in Gilman on October 14, 1927, a son of Clyde and Anna (Wheeler) Gilson. On May 25, 1952, he married Muriel Noble, who survives him. He was a member of the Orleans Fire Department, a 57-year member and past master of the Masonic Moose River Lodge in Concord and a member of Orleans American Legion Post No. 23 for 60 years. He attended Mt. Herman High School in Mt. Herman, Massachusetts, and graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1948. He entered the U.S. Navy on July 11, 1945, and was honorably discharged on August 17, 1946. He served his country during World War II. He was a devoted family man and enjoyed gardening and croquet. Besides his wife, Muriel, he is survived his children: Kathleen Eastman and her husband, Randy, of Bryant Pond, Maine, Nancy Carter and her husband, Randy, of Derby, Lori Ghelli and her husband, David, of Newport Center, Lynne Hall and her husband, Ted, of Naples, Florida; by grandchildren: Todd and Kim Leadbetter, Austin and Amber Hall, Chasity and Jamie Carter, Sean Gilson, and Anna Ghelli; by great-grandchildren: Samatha and Evan Pinan, Brooklyn and Clay Carter, Jordan and Reagan Gilson, Mackenzie Carter, and Colby Leadbetter; and by nieces and nephews: Claudia Carson, Wesley Gallagher, Clyde Gilson, Alan Schneider, Heidi Jackson, and Melanie Lui. He was predeceased by a son, Leonard Noble Gilson; by a brother, Atwood Gilson; and by sisters, Colleen Ryan and Kathleen Gilson. Funeral services were held June 6 at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport with the Reverend Martha Peck officiating. Family interment will take place at the Lyndon Center Cemetery in Lyndonville on Wednesday, June 7, at 11 a.m. with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions may be made in Mr. Gilson's memory to the Orleans Fire Department, 102 Main Street, Orleans, Vermont 05860.

, 64, of Barton died peacefully in her home on Saturday June 3, 2006. Mrs. Ehrisman was surrounded by family and friends when she died. She was born Karin Johanna Wally Hubert on March 31, 1942, in Berlin, Germany, the fourth child of the late Karl and Wally Hubert. She grew up in East Berlin and in 1961 moved to West Berlin with her parents and siblings. She immigrated to the United States in 1964, living in Maryland until 1995 when she moved to Barton. In addition to raising her children in Maryland, she was owner of Video Galleries in Salisbury. Once in Vermont, she was owner of the Pine Crest Motel and Cabins in Barton. She possessed an indominatable spirit from the moment of her birth during an Allied bombing attack in 1942 on her family's home. Throughout her years, she touched thousands of lives, bringing smiles and laughter to many sad faces. Her sense of humor combined with her work ethic made her two businesses most enjoyable for both her friends and family. Whenever she had time to herself, she would most likely be found fishing, her favorite spot being Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. She will be sorely missed. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Karl-Heinz Hubert and Hans-Joachim Hubert of Berlin. She is survived by her sister Erika de Wit-Huissteden and her husband, Eddy, of Chateaguay, Quebec; by her two daughters, Michele Hubert and Karin Groff of Barton; by her two sons, Richard Ehrisman of Parsonsburg, Maryland, and Karl Hubert of Courtdale, Pennsylvania; by her three grandchildren; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins spanning the globe from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Berlin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Barton. In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to the Barton Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 364, Barton, Vermont 05822; or to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 90, a longtime resident of Newport and well-known businessman, died peacefully at North Country Hospital on Thursday, June 1, 2006, following a brief illness. Known by most for his quiet, friendly demeanor, Mr. Doubleday, in all his endeavors, strictly adhered to his conservative values and his preservationist attitudes, ever mindful of his concerns over the environment and his love for small town America. He truly was a "Vermont's Vermonter" in every way. He was born in Montpelier on June 6, 1915, the first child of Glenn Azro and Alice (Sherburne) Doubleday. Some years later, the family moved to St. Albans where Sherb and his brother, the late Glenn Azro "Jack" Doubleday, assisted their father in the operation of G.A. Doubleday Furniture Store, a fixture business in town for many decades, while enjoying their many summers swimming, boating, fishing, and frequenting nearby girls' camps while at their home at Hathaway's Point on Lake Champlain. He graduated from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans in June 1933, and in the fall of 1934 he entered the University of Maine at Orono from which he graduated in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in forestry. While there he was elected to membership in the highly selective Xi Sigma Pi National Forestry Society. It was there, perhaps, that he was first made aware of the definition of a virgin forest - "One in which the hand of man has never set foot." It may also have been the place where he developed his own personal Will Rogers paraphrased motto: "I never met a maple tree or sugar maker I didn't like." With his college degree well in hand, he entered the work force, first as a field supervisor, highway beautification for the Vermont State Highway Department, and later as an engineering draftsman for Jones and Lamson Machine Tool Company in Springfield. On June 27, 1942, he married Olive Jenne at the Episcopal church in Newport. He and Olive were the loves of each other's lives, soul mates, confidants, and inseparable friends throughout their 47 years of marriage, until "death do us part" became a sad reality with Olive's death in November 1999. They were blessed with two daughters, Gail and Joan. In 1946 Olive, Sherb, and Gail moved to Newport where he began work as vice president of American Maple Products Corporation, working alongside a man he admired greatly, his father-in-law Frank Jenne, founder and president of the company, former mayor of Newport, and highly respected member of the Newport community. In 1965 he assumed the presidency of the company and operated it most successfully until his retirement in 1985. It was in Newport that Olive and Sherb's second child Joan was born. He believed emphatically in giving to the community and its citizens. He was a former member of the Newport Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge, past chairman of the Newport City Elementary School Board, a charter contributor to the initial development of Jay Peak, and trustee of the Orleans County Historical Society. In his characteristic quiet way and without a great need for recognition or fanfare, he was a frequent contributor to many of his favorite entities and institutions, such as North Country Hospital, the United Church of Newport, the Salvation Army, Orleans County Historical Society, the Alzheimer's Association, and the American Red Cross. His contribution of several maple trees to the city of Newport bore witness to his love of forestry, the maple industry, and the environment. He and Olive contributed the carved granite marker, which stands high over the cemetery on East Main Street. He was a member of the Vermont Maple Industry Council, the Vermont Maple Sugarmakers Association, and the North American Maple Syrup Council. He was also the New England editor and contributing columnist to the Maple Syrup Digest, the official publication of the North American maple industry. In May 1992, he was elected to the American Maple Museum Hall of Fame in Croghan, New York. Other than his family and his work, he had two abiding loves, boating on his beloved Lake Memphremagog and the American railroad system. For many years he was a director of the Newport and Richford Railroad Company, a division of the Canadian Pacific Railway. On repeated occasions, he and Olive took cross-country railroad journeys through the American and Canadian Rockies and on to California or British Columbia. One of his favorite things to do was to journey far and wide to photograph vintage steam engines and passenger coaches. Such was his love for this wonderful American transportational institution. He was the consummate family man, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His most cherished moments came at holiday times when his entire family was gathered around him. His warm charm and true Vermont persona never emerged more vividly than at those times. His first function at a holiday feast was to say the blessing, which he did with sincere joy and humility, always ending, not with a customary "Amen," but with a questioning and deferential, "Okay?" as if he were saying, "God, we know you're awfully busy with all you have to do, so if we're asking too much, we're really sorry." His simple "okay" was a never-ending source of grandchildren's and even great-grandchildren's giggles of joy. After the feast, he would be coaxed into doing a rendition of the "Railroad Song," which always brought a raft of laughter no matter how many times it had been heard before. "Grandad" and "Great-grandad" was much loved by those whom he loved so dearly. His philosophy, developed through his innate fondness of nature and his work, was simple, yet profound: "I believe that all human and financial resources available to the maple industry should be directed toward protecting the earth's environment from man's polluting ways. Otherwise, the habitat for man, maple trees, and all other living things will be destroyed and discussion of all other problems will be merely academic." He is survived by his daughters Gail Ames and her husband, Roger, of Newport and Joan Kelly and her husband, Timothy, of East Freedom, Pennsylvania; by grandchildren: Jennifer (Ames) Bailey and her husband, Russell, of Delmar, New York, Edward Ames and his wife, Helen, of New York City, Christopher Ames and his wife, Darcy, of Fort Myers, Florida, Matthew Kelley of Alexandria, Virginia, and Jeffrey Kelly of Sherman, Texas; by his beloved great-grandchildren: Michael Bailey, Katie Bailey, Maggie Bailey, Jackson Ames, and Harrison Ames; by his sister-in-law Jean Doubleday of Arlington, Virginia; and by his nieces, Nancy (Doubleday) Demerit and her husband, Christopher, of Arlington, Virginia, and Sally (Doubleday) Endriz and her husband, John, of San Francisco, California. A memorial service will be held at the Gateway Center in Newport on Friday, June 16, at 2 p.m. A reception will be held immediately following the service. This is a place Sherb would have selected himself with its nearness to his beloved Lake Memphremagog and to the tracks he often rode upon in his younger days and, later on, a part of the scenery he used for his great railroad photography. Burial will take place at the East Main Street Cemetery at 4:30 p.m. following the service. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Doubleday's memory may be made to North Country Hospital, Ron Holland M.D. Dialysis Center, in care of Wendy Franklin, development office, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 89, of Albany died peacefully at Union House Nursing Home in Glover on Sunday, May 28, 2006. Mrs. Whipple was born in Lyme, Connecticut, on October 18, 1916, a daughter of Joseph and Rosa (Latham) Rand. She graduated from Pratt High School in Essex, Connecticut. A self-taught musician, she and her brother and a sister formed a band and played locally at Grange suppers, fire house suppers, etc. until they got pretty good and won a radio contract at a talent show. They played at various venues for several years and traveled with a rodeo. They played in Nashville on the radio. She grew lonesome, so she and her former husband moved back to Connecticut. Music being an integral part of her life, she played bass with her former husband and his sister in a band and later opened a piano and organ store, which they operated for 20 years. She was a school bus driver in Lebanon, Connecticut, for 18 years before following her daughter and family to Vermont in 1989. She made her home in Albany for many years where she was active in the Albany Historical Society and attended the Albany Methodist Church. In her seventies she took courses and earned a library degree. She was the librarian at the Albany Town Library for 11 years. She again formed a band with her family, including her daughter, grandson, and her sister, and took up her music, which had been dormant for a number of years. It was the music that kept her happy and healthy in Vermont for so long. She leaves her daughter, JacalynTollmann, and her husband, Robert; a grandson, Chad Tollmann, and his wife, Jennifer; and a great-grandson, Zachary, all of Albany; two sisters, Harriet Champlin of Barton and Rosa Cunningham of Union House; and two nephews. A graveside service was held June 1 at the family lot in the North Lyme Cemetery in Hamburg, Connecticut. Contributions in Mrs. Whipple's memory may be made to the Albany Town Library, P.O. Box 512, Albany, Vermont 05820; or to the Albany Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Albany, Vermont 05820.