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Peter B. Mercer
BRISTOL, N.Y. — Peter B. Mercer, 61, formerly of Randolph, died unexpectedly April 1, 2005.
The son of Maurice and Audrey Mercer, he was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1943. He graduated from Braintree Randolph Union High School in 1961. He proudly served his country from 1962-1971 in the U.S. Navy, In 1981 he moved to the Rochester, N.Y. area.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Janet Mercer; a son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Deby Mercer Jr. of Minnesota; a daughter and son-in-law, Renee Conte and Chuck Sprague of New York; a sister, Ann Wheatley of Randolph; four grandchildren, Christina, Steven, Anthony, and Autumn; and nieces Kristen Gilman of Randolph Center and Jan Wheatley of Maryland.
He was predeceased by his parents and a son, Steven.
A memorial service was held Thursday, April 7, at the Kennedy and Son Funeral Home in East Bloomfield, N.Y.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Rochester Chapter, 595 Blossom Road, Suite 208, Rochester, N.Y., 14610.
Alice E. LaFrance
RANDOLPH CENTER — Alice Eddy LaFrance, 76, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
She was born May 20, 1929 in Brandon, the daughter of Guy and Viola (Churchill) Eddy. She attended Brandon schools, graduating from Brandon High School in 1947. She attended Becker Junior College in Leicester, Mass.
She married
Paul LaFrance June 2, 1948 in Brandon, and they moved to the Randolph area in 1951. They bought a Randolph Center farm in 1954, which they operated as a dairy farm until the mid 1970s.
She was active in the Randolph Center PTA and the Randolph Center Congregational Church, where she sang in the choir. She was active in community affairs, and served as treasurer for the Randolph Center Fire District for many years. She worked part time at Floyd’s Store and Lake Champagne Campground, both in Randolph Center.
She and her husband often took in students from Vermont Technical College. She was a member of the Bridge Club and enjoyed cooking, entertaining family, singing, and playing the piano. After the death of her husband in 1988, she pursued her education by taking courses through the Vermont Community College program.
Survivors include two sons: Craig P. LaFrance of Newport Beach, Calif.; and Gary LaFrance of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters: Linda Guiguizian of Rochester, N.Y.; and Lisa M. LaFrance of Boston, Mass.; a brother, Robert W. Eddy of Shelburne; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Randolph Center Congregational Church with Pastor Tom Harty officiating. Burial will follow at the Randolph Center cemetery. Calling hours will Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Randolph Center Congregational Church, P.O. Box 14, Randolph Center, Vt. 05061; or to the Randolph Center Fire Dept., P.O. Box 215, Randolph Center, Vt. 05061.
Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home.
Harold H. Lary
ROCHESTER — Harold H. Lary, 82, died Sunday morning, March 27, 2005, at Rowan Court Nursing Home in Barre.
He was born Nov. 24, 1922, in Brandon, the son of Wilber E. and Ethel (Flanders) Lary. He attended Rochester schools, graduating from Rochester High School in 1941. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1944 and earned a Master’s Degree from Breadloaf.
He taught English and history at Randolph High School, North Stratford (N.H.) High School, and Hanover (N.H.) High School until retiring in 1980 to care for his aging mother. He enjoyed traveling and keeping up with current affairs.
Survivors include his brother, Hubert "Mickey" Lary of Rochester; sister Christine Laffan of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family, with burial to take place at Woodlawn cemetery in Rochester. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 131, Rochester, Vt., 05767. Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.
Philip A. Osgood
CORINTH — Philip "Phil" A. Osgood, 45, died of an undetected heart condition, Monday morning, Sept. 12, 2005 while operating his bulldozer in Washington.
He was born January 21, 1960 in Woodsville, N.H., the son of Robert S. and Virginia E. (Davis) Osgood. He attended schools in Corinth, and graduated from Oxbow High School in Bradford, Class of 1978. He was previously married
to Carol Gordon.
Growing up, he helped his folks with the family dairy farm. After high school, he started farming full time with his dad. For several years following his father’s death on August 13, 1984, Phil ran the farm. Later he went to work for the Button Farm in Chelsea, where he worked for a few years. More recently he had been employed as a dozer operator by Earth Works Limited, Construction company out of Corinth.
He filled his life with the things that he loved most, hunting, fishing, working and especially spending time with his two sons and his mother. He felt he had everything he ever wanted and his kind spirit led him to help anyone who needed it.
Survivors include his two sons, Derrick R. Osgood and Patrick A. Osgood, both of Corinth; a sister, Sherry O. Kennedy of Barre; five brothers: Robert M. Osgood, Bryce N. Osgood, Paul S. Osgood, George A. Osgood, and Matthew J. Osgood, all of Corinth; and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
There will be no visiting hours. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross of America, c/o Randolph National Bank, Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, P.O. Box 669, South Royalton, Vt. 05068.
Services are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Gile S. Kendall
STRAFFORD — Gile S. Kendall, 91, life-long resident of Strafford, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at his home. He was born Jan. 21, 1914, on Kendall Hill in Strafford, the son of Homer and Cassie (Druge) Kendall. He attended school in Strafford.
At an early age, he worked with his dad on the family farm, where he met a young girl named Margaret, who was hired to do house chores. He was quite taken by this young lady and on Sept. 22, 1934, he married
Margaret E. Bullard. They farmed on the Hayes Farm until the early 1940s when they bought the Moore Farm located on the Justin Morrill Highway. Together they farmed there for the rest of their lives. They milked cows for many years, before switching over to raising beef cows. They shared 69 wonderful years together. She died May 7, 2004.
Like his family before him, he was prominent in public affairs. After attending various Public Safety Schools, he served for over 30 years as a Deputy Sheriff for Orange County. He held different town offices, including selectman for six years, lister for 12 years and road commissioner for 23 years.
He was one of the founding members of the Strafford Volunteer Fire Department and, at the time of his death, held positions on the Strafford cemetery Association and the Historical Society. He also held the office of First Constable, a position he had had for several decades. He was a member of Temple Lodge #54 F&AM.
He loved to coon hunt. He also loved his farm animals, especially his horses and his dogs. During the summer months, he enjoyed cutting hay on his farm or for any neighbor who needed to keep their fields clear. Anyone driving through Strafford has most likely seen him riding around, either on his tractor or in his patrol car.
Survivors include a son, Gile D. Kendall of Strafford; a daughter, Janet Vaughan of East Thetford; 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Madeline Jeffrey of Norwich; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife; and a son, Dean "Ike" Kendall; two brothers, Stanley and Watson Kendall; a sister, Lillian; and a half-brother, Aubrey Kendall.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 4, at the United Church of Strafford with the Rev. Mary Luckey officiating. As friends and family neared the church they were greeted with the familiar sight of Gile’s "cruiser" and his tractor. There at the head of the village green sat the old red Farm-All ready to go, the mowing machine attached and his favorite straw hat sitting on the driver’s seat. At the other end of the common was the First Constable’s "cruiser, " a black pick-up truck with a small blue light resting on top. A few of the people entering the church commented how appropriate it was to see the two familiar sights and how sad it was to think Gile wouldn’t be with them any longer. That seemed to be the general mood of the very large crowd who gathered to say good-bye to this Strafford legend.
The congregation of family, friends, town folks of both old and new, firemen, fellow Masons, farmers, law enforcement officers, and town officials filled the church, the outside hallways and the fellowship hall. Rev. Luckey opened the service with a prayer. Fellow Masons from the local Lodge offered their Masonic service. Rev. Luckey shared a poem requested by the family, read scripture readings and led the congregation in a hymn.
Long-time friend and fellow Orange County Deputy Bob Nutting stood in front and shared some of his fondest memories of Gile, ending his short reflection by reminding everyone that Gile was truly one-of-a-kind: "In the past few weeks and days, the world and this country has seen some famous people pass on, but today, here in Strafford, we are saying good-bye to a pretty famous guy in his own right." Other friends also shared a few remembrances of Gile. Some were fact, some were legend.
Rev. Luckey had a short reflection and then asked organist Maureen Burford to lead the congregation in singing "Amazing Grace." Following the benediction, everyone was escorted out of the church by a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace." Members of the Strafford Volunteer Fire Department flanked each side of the walkway as the pallbearers, Greg Kendall, Jim Kendall, Dave Kendall, Richard Vaughan, Dean Vaughan, and Carl Johnston, carried Gile’s casket to the hearse. Family and friends gathered in the church hall for fellowship, hosted by the United Church Women. Burial will be held at a later date in the Strafford cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice, 46 South Main Street, White River Junction, Vt., 05001; or to the Strafford Volunteer Fire Department, Strafford, Vt., 05070.
Funeral services were under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Priscilla Emerson
CHELSEA — Priscilla D. Emerson, 69, died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph. She was born April 15, 1935, in Manchester, Vt., the daughter of Harold and Lucille (Coburn) Davis. She attended elementary school in Strafford and then attended the Thetford Academy.
She married
Edward Emerson in 1952. They lived for a short time in Strafford, before moving to East Thetford, where they lived most of their married
lives. She was a pastry chef at the County Fare Restaurant in East Thetford until its closing in 1973. She continued her cooking career at the Rutledge Inn located in Fairlee, as well as at the Holiday Inn in White River Junction. Later she worked for the hot lunch program in the Thetford School System.
Her husband died in 1977. During her retirement she served as a "nanny" for several area families. She lived at the Chelsea Court for the past seven years.
She will be remembered for her love of both animals and children. She will also be remembered for her fine cooking, which satisfied countless appetites and her sincere friendship, which warmed many hearts.
Survivors include two sons: Bruce A. Emerson of Gaysville and Anthony E. Emerson of Chelsea; two daughters, Jo-Ellen Emerson of Princeton, N.J., and Mary Emerson of Chelsea; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, George Davis of Kennewick, Wash.; two sisters, Betty Olson of Odrery, N.C., and Lucy Miller of Apache Jct., Ariz.; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Saturday, April 9, at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea. Burial will be held at a later date in the Pleasant Ridge cemetery in North Thetford.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice, 46 South Main Street, White River Junction, Vt., 05001.
