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Michael Johnson
BRADFORD — Michael W. Johnson, 39, of Bradford, a 16-year veteran of the Vermont State Police, died Sunday, June 15, 2003 in the line of duty.
He was born Dec. 11, 1963 in Newark, N.J. the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson. In 1970, the family moved from New Jersey to Ascutney, Vt. where he received his early schooling. As a sophomore in high school, he attended Oxbow High School in Bradford, before graduating from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans.
He attended Norwich University, graduating in 1986 from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Penna., with a degree in criminal justice. During summer vacations of his college years, he served as a Vermont auxiliary state policeman patrolling Lake Champlain.
In 1986, he was hired as a Vt. State Police trooper and assigned to the Colchester barracks. He later served in the Lamoille and Killington outposts until 1997, when he earned the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the Bradford Barracks.
An avid basketball player and sports enthusiast, he was a 1, 000 point scorer in boys’ varsity basketball at Bellows Free Academy, and the University of Scranton. He was a Senior Basketball All-Star at the 1982 Alhambra game between Vt. and N.H., earning Most Valuable Player of the Vermont team. For several years, his team, "Dawg Meat" was a regular participant in the Karp Klassic Basketball Tournament in Lebanon, N.H.
He was former boys’ basketball coach at Mount Mansfield High School, and for three years at Whitcomb High School in Bethel where his team won the state championship in 1997. Active in the Bradford Youth Sports Program, he also coached the Oxbow boys’ 7th grade basketball team, the 3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball team, and local soccer and ski teams. He regularly visited Bradford Elementary School and other local schools to provide demonstrations to faculty and children.
The "Mayor of Bradford, " as he was affectionately known, he loved serving the youth in local communities. He never missed an opportunity to interact with young people, and only days ago, had been selected by Oxbow High School to serve as boys’ varsity basketball coach for the coming season. He was a regular performer at dances, weddings and anniversary parties with his disc jockey business, "Magic Mike DJ."
Survivors include his wife, Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, whom he married
July 27, 1991 in Jericho; a daughter, Reilly Johnson and two sons, Grady and McKendrick Johnson, all of Bradford; his parents of St. Albans; two sisters: Patricia Smith of Weybridge and Linda Lewis of St. Albans; three brothers: Glenn of St. Albans, Matthew of Burlington, and Daniel of Penna.; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 20 at noon at the Oxbow High School gymnasium in Bradford, with Rev. Harvey Bartlett officiating. A private burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Hale Funeral Home in Bradford.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Johnson Family Fund, in care of Patti Clark, Wells River Savings Bank, PO Box 637, Bradford, Vt. 05033.
Robert C. Brown
BRAINTREE — Robert C. Brown, 71, died early Friday morning, Sept. 1, 2006 at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph.
He was born Aug. 24, 1935 in Morrisville, the son of Glen and Grace (Lenhart) Brown. He was raised in Morrisville, and graduated from People’s Academy. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
He received his Master’s degree in Plant & Soil Science from the University of Vermont, and taught high school in Highgate Springs. He was a professor at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, where he taught agriculture from 1969 until re-tiring in 1990.
He was an elder at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Royalton, and enjoyed snowshoeing, bicyling, hiking, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife Susan Brown of Braintree; and two sisters, Dorothy Mason and Mable Sulham, both of Morrisville.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Edward and Donald.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Royalton. There were no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, 47-1 Perley Farm Road, South Royalton, Vt. 05068. Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.
Louise C. Rand
SOUTH RANDOLPH — Louise C. Rand, 79, died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006 at her home.
She was born Oct. 10, 1926 in Royalton, the daughter of Clarence and Hattie (Luce) Rand. She graduated from South Royalton High school in 1945, moving to South Randolph in 1959. She worked as a secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Chelsea office from 1945 until retiring in 1979. She enjoyed tending to the farm and her cattle, and in earlier years, loved to roller skate.
Survivors include her nieces Babara English of Royalton, Rachel Wight and Marion Whitney, both of South Royalton; Carol LaFramboise of Bridport, Martha Stetson of Norwich, and Dorothy Needham of Rochester; nephews: Walter Benson and Leon Benson, both of South Royalton; and Arden Edmunds of West Braintree.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Frank Rand and Preston Leroy Rand; and sisters, Hazel Edmunds and Ruby Edmunds.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the East Randolph cemetery, with Pastor Thomas Harty, officiating. There are no calling hours.
Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.
Durward Andrews
PITTSFIELD — Durward "Joe" E. Andrews, 90, died Monday evening September 4, 2006 at the Eden Park Nursing Home, following a brief illness.
He was born in Bloomfield, September 2, 1916, the son of Roy C. and Etta (Shattuck) Andrews.
He was a member of the Pittsfield Federated Church, where he served for a long time as a deacon. When he announced his retirement from being a deacon, he was honored by the church by being elected Deacon Emeritus.
He was employed for over 20 years by the Stanley Tool Company, prior to his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, flowers, woodworking, stained glass painting and reading.
Survivors include a daughter, Wanda Mock of Rutland; two sons, Nioka Andrews of Pittsfield and Anthony Andrews of Lexington, Okla.; a sister, Geraldine Blanchard of Cavendish; a brother, Roy "Eddie" Andrews of Dallas, Texas; 16 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Marie Sanders Andrews; his second wife, Katherine (Terry) Andrews; a daughter, Caroline Cooke; a son, Durman Andrews; a sister, Elva Delong; and four brothers: Clifford "Andy" Andrews, Bertram "Muggs" Andrews, Alfred Andrews, and Garland Andrews.
Funeral services will take place Friday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Pittsfield Federated Church. Burial will follow at the Pittsfield cemetery.
Friends may call Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the Aldous Funeral Home at 44 North Main St. in Rutland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsfield Federated Church, Rte. 100, Pittsfield, Vt. 05762.
Paul A. Farnsworth
Spartanburg, S.C. — Paul Alton Farnsworth, 78, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice House in Spartanburg, S.C., in the comfort of his family and friends.
Paul was born June 13, 1932 in Randolph, Vt.; the son of the late Alton and Vera (Jones) Farnsworth.
In 1956, Paul married
Eleanor Braley of East Randolph, Vt. Together, they had three sons, William (Bill), Gary, and Scott, and made their home for most of their married
life in the village of South Royalton, Vt.
Paul was a trucker by trade, a tinkerer by passion, and a woodworker by craft. He was a hard worker who was not afraid to take on whatever necessary to support his family. He was a meat cutter, milk tester, he delivered bulk milk, drove big rig trucks across the country and was an entrepreneur. His entrepreneurial spirit became evident as he opened a tractor and snowmobile sales and repair shop in South Barre, Vt., the initial beginnings of Paul Farnsworth and Sons.
He was proud, though modest, about a number of accomplishments in his life. Working the land, he turned a weekend retreat on Dairy Hill into a 10-acre playground, residence, and campground for family and friends on land that once belonged to his Uncle Robert Jones. When he and Eleanor semi-retired to South Carolina, he continued his craft of woodworking, where he produced beautiful pieces of indoor and outdoor furniture amongst other Farnsworth originals.
Not unlike a child with a new toy, Paul was enamored whenever he procured another machine tool — especially a lathe on which he created writing pens and bowls of cherry and Cyprus wood. He loved sharing stories and pictures with his sons and brothers of his latest “projects” and relished as each shared the stories of their latest project. Their father, Alton, was ingenious in his early creations with farm machinery and postal delivery equipment from the early 1930’s. Farming was always a part of the Farnsworths of Randolph Center, and the tradition continues today with sister Idella and her family in Randolph Center.
An early member of the South Royalton Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Paul was also a member of the Sugar House Swinger’s square dancing club in Woodstock, Vt. and the Foot Hills Antique Tractor club in South Carolina. Aside from his diligence with woodworking, he was steadfast with his welding skills — from pony trailers and machinery to his restoration of gas engines and antique tractors — his prized restorations included a 1948 John Deere ‘B’ as well as a 1955 John Deere Bulldozer.
Paul was predeceased by his parents (Alton in 1982 and Vera in 1936), and his two brothers, Herbert and Robert.
Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Eleanor of Spartanburg, S.C., son Bill and his wife Jill of Spartanburg, S.C., Gary and his wife Kim of Bristol, Vt., and son Scott and his wife Barbara of White River Junction, Vt. He also leaves a sister, Idella and brother-in-law Warren Preston of Randolph Center, Vt.; a sister-in-law, Verlie Farnsworth of Braintree; brother and sister-in-laws, Robert and Mary Braley of Randolph; nine grandchildren: Tyler, Corey, Brady, Stephanie, Leslie, Taylor, Carter, Emma and Gavin; four great-grandchildren: Audrey, Gabriel, Jackson and Riley; and many, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Never far away was his Jack Russell terrier, Trixie, who loved camping, trucking and napping, as much as he did.
A memorial service will be held on January 29, 2011 in Spartanburg, S.C. Graveside services in Vermont will take place at a later date in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spartanburg Regional Hospice House at the Regional Healthcare System Foundation, 101 E. Wood St., Spartanburg, S.C .29303.
The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea is in charge of services for the family.
