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ERNEST R. "DEERHAWK" LAVIGNE
GEORGIA -- Ernest R. "Deerhawk" Lavigne, 55, died in Rouses Point, N.Y. on Oct. 2, 2002, as a result of an accident on his boat.
He was born in Burlington on Oct. 12, 1946, the son of Lucien and Lucille (Paquette) Lavigne.
Ernie served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1968. He earned an Associates Degree in Orthotics from CCV. He was a member of the Church of the Rock. He served as a missionary worker in Africa, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Mexico and during hurricane Andrew. He was an avid sailor, hunter, craftsman, mountain man and artist.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Judith A. (Martell) Lavigne; his daughters and their spouses, Kellie and Tim King of Swanton, Renee and Chris St. Cyr of St. Albans, Sara Lavigne and Trevor Hunt of Georgia. He was the proud "Pappa" of Jordan King and Isaac St. Cyr. Ernie is also survived by a sister and her husband, Rose and Henry Boucher of Winooski; his five nieces; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; his father-in-law, Donald A. Martell of Burlington; a sister-in-law and her husband, Karen and John Barry, and their sons, Kevin and Christopher, all of Burlington; and Julie and Gerry Plouffe and their children, Aimee and Bryan of Addison. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Gerald.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday at the Church of the Rock, Rte. 104, St. Albans, with interment to follow in Georgia Plains Cemetery. Friends may call at the Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Home, 85 North Winooski Ave., Burlington on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent according to the discretion of the family, Judy Lavigne, 276 Georgia Mountain Rd., Fairfax, Vt. 05454.
Arrangements are by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors.
ELIZABETH "ANN" MAGILL-MASSE
HIGHGATE - Elizabeth "Ann" Magill-Masse passed away Sept. 22, 2002, following a short illness. She was born on Dec. 17, 1927, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Ivan; three daughters, Colleen McConachie, Patricia Magill and Kathleen Lynn Schalko and their families; and her beloved pets.
Ann spent many years as a model and in community affairs. She spent her entire life being a good friend and neighbor.
Burial service was held on Sept. 27, 2002, at the Highgate Cemetery with Pastor Townsend offering prayer. Special readings were provided by stepdaughter Susan Langan and close friend Darlene Cooper.
Following the burial, friends and relatives gathered at the cottage by Ann's lake.
DAVID L. BESSETT
ENOSBURG FALLS - David L. Bessett, age 55, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002. He was born Aug. 4, 1947, in South Burlington, the son of the late Harold and Meta (Jamison) Bessett.
Dave was a respected musician, songwriter and artist. Though his trade was carpentry and cabinet making, he was noted for his originality and creativity.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen Thompson of Bakersfield; his son, Jesse Bessett of Boston, Mass.; his daughter, Olivia Thompson-Bessett of Bakersfield; two brothers and their wives, Wally and Jeanette Bessett of Williston and Tim and Jeanette Bessett of Lakeland, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; his former wife and mother of his son, Michelle Bessett of East Fairfield.
Memorial services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. There will be no visiting hours.
For those who wish, contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of ones choice.
Spears Funeral Home in Enosburg Falls is in charge of arrangements.
NOEL L. SMITH
ST. ALBANS -- Mr. Noel L. Smith, age 69, died late Monday evening, Sept. 30, 2002, in the Fletcher Allen Health Care Center following an extended illness. He was born in Franklin, Dec. 23, 1932, son of the late Hubert and Rose (Bourgea) Smith.
For several years, he was a mechanic and auto detailer for Frank DeLauriers & Sons Mercury Dealership on South Main Street. After retirement from DeLauriers, in 1976, he was a deliveryman for the Buyers Digest until 1997. Noel enjoyed ice and fresh water fishing, hunting, gardening and card games.
Noel's survivors include his fiancee, Madeleine Beauregard of St. Albans; his son, Gary, and his wife Joan Smith of Milton; and his daughter, Lucy Smith of St. Albans; his brother, Lionel Smith of St. Albans; three sisters, Mary St. Pierre of Fairfield, Eva and her husband Hubert Rheaume of Georgia, and Noella Raymond of Swanton; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Alice Desrochers, Virginia Desrochers, and brother, Joseph Smith.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 am. in Holy Angels Church. Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Vermont Heart Association, P.O. Box 485, Williston, Vt. 05495.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.
JAMES A. BOVAT
GEORGIA -- James A. Bovat, 66, died Monday evening, Sept. 30, 2002, at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, following a long illness, with his family by his side. Jim was born on Jan. 15, 1936, in Colchester, the son of Harold and Clarice (Lafayette) Bovat.
On July 8, 1978, Jim married Flora Demag Sargent in Milton. He was a member of the Milton Eagles Club 4218 and was an avid hunter. He loved playing cards -- especially 500 and Cribbage, which he won many tournaments playing.
Jim was a crane operator for Central Vermont Railway, later becoming New England Central. He retired in 1996, following 40 years of service.
In addition to his wife, Flo, he is survived by his step-daughters, Barbara Tennien and her husband Michael of Milton, and Penny Sue Hammond and her husband Wayne of Morrisville; by his step-grandchildren, Michael, Melissa, Russell and Tammy; his brother, Wendell Bovat of Georgia; and his sister, Pam Blair and her husband Allen of Milton. Jim is also survived by a special Aunt Vera Ashline of Colchester; his close friends, Larry Mayo of Westford and Paul Dutil of Milton; by several nieces and nephews; and his special buddy Abbey, his five-month-old golden retriever.
He was predeceased by a brother, Bob, and a stepdaughter, Patricia Sears.
Flo would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. James Bergmann of the Milton Family Practice for the excellent care given to Jim during his illness, and a special thanks to all his friends at the Milton Diner for all their love and support.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. in the Minor Funeral Home in Milton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, Vt. 05495.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Father Feltz will offer prayers at 8:45 p.m. in the Minor Funeral Home, located at 237 Route 7 South in Milton.
LEONA BEVINS
ST. ALBANS -- Leona Bevins of St. Albans passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Northwestern Medical Center. She was 86 years old.
Leona spent her life devoted to her family and friends. She took pride in her reputation as a superb cook and homemaker, and enjoyed fashion and decorating, along with music and ballroom dancing with her husband. Leona was a talented painter.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Kenneth Bevins; and a grandson, Christopher Cote.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet Cote and partner Ellen Bardin; grandson, Colin Cote; great-grandchildren, Jennifer Cote, Samuel Cote and C. Thomas Cote; friend Karen Epranian; sister Lucille Bevins; and many step-brothers and sisters.
Leona was loving and caring in every sense of these words and will be dearly missed.
There will be a graveside service, open to all, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Georgia Plain Cemetery.
BETTY ANN LeCLAIR
SWANTON -- Betty Ann LeClair, 60, of Grand Avenue, died Thursday morning, Nov. 28, 2002, in the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility in Burlington, following a lengthy illness. Betty was born Nov. 16, 1942, in Burlington, the daughter of the late Kenneth C. and Angeline Sweeney Robinson.
She was married to Raymond W. LeClair on Aug. 5, 1967, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington. She was employed for many years as a bank teller, most recently with the Franklin Lamoille Bank until 1990, when her health forced her to take early disability retirement.
Betty was active with several community projects. She served as trustee and board member for the Franklin and Grand Isle Court Diversion program, as well as being a former member of the Bennington County Diversion program, she also served on other Associative Boards relating to court ordered reparations.
Betty loved her grandchildren and will be missed by all. She is survived by her husband, Raymond of Swanton, and their children, Michael R. LeClair and his wife Darcey of Swanton, Joseph W. LeClair and his fiancee Lee Ann Young of Marlton, N.J., and Roberta (Robin) Beaulieu and her husband Daniel of Swanton; her four grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, Cody and Joseph; her sister, Marion Paris; and niece Maria, both of Charlotte; three aunts; two brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; as well as a wealth of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Dec. 2, 2002, at 11 a.m. in The Church of the Nativity, Canada Street, Swanton, with the Father John Meagher as the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Heart Association, New England Affiliate, 20 Speen St., Framingham, Mass. 01701-4688, or to the Franklin County Court Diversion Program in Betty's name at 45 Kingman St., in St. Albans, Vt. 05478.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Minor Funeral Home, Route 7, Milton.
O. JOSEPH "BABE" GRATTON
ST. ALBANS -- Mr. O. Joseph "Babe" Gratton went on to occupy his mansion in Heaven, to be with his beloved wife, Gloria, for all eternity, on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002, at the age of 78, with his loving family by his bedside, at home. Joe was born in St. Albans Feb. 23, 1924, to a family of 12 brothers and sisters, the son of Alphonse and Alma (LaRocque) Gratton.
Joe was known by many as "Babe." He will always be remembered for his unending and refreshing sense of humor. He brought laughter to so many friends and family, as well as hospital patients and staff members. Joe had a passion for life and lived every day to the fullest. He particularly enjoyed hunting in Montgomery, with his brothers, family and friends. He was the hunting camp "Chef." He loved ice fishing with his family and took great pride and pleasure in his gardening. His harvest was always shared with everyone.
Joe adored his family and will be greatly missed by every one of them. Lots of great times were spent at his son Joe's camp at Fairfield Pond. Joe loved family gatherings, no matter what the occasion. There will be a large gap in the family circle without him.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion Post 1, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 758, the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 1090, the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge, 1566, all in St. Albans.
Joe married Gloria Angelopoulos Feb. 14, 1947, in Dover, N.H. She died Dec. 18, 1996. He met his wife at the Independent Lock Company, in Fitchburg, Mass., where he worked for 20 years. They moved back to his home in Vermont and he began work at Kerbs Memorial Hospital. He was the chief maintenance engineer for 25 years, continuing even after the merger of the hospitals, now known as the Northwestern Medical Center.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Ann and her husband Clyde Bovat of St. George, and Elaine and her husband Larry LaRocque of Swanton; son Joseph O. Gratton and his fiancee Linda Lemery of St. Albans; grandchildren Melissa Bissonette, Ron Bovat, Travis Fraties, Kyle Gratton; great-grandchildren, Samara and Spencer Bissonette; his faithful and devoted companion, Eunice Cross and her family; three sisters and their husbands, Lillian and Maurice Rocheleau, Pearl and Francis Lumbra, and Theresa Garceau, all of St. Albans; five brothers and their wives, Raymond and Lorraine Gratton of Montgomery, Leo "Butnut" and Charlotte "Skipper" Gratton of St. Albans, Girard "Buddy" Gratton of Sheldon, Ernest and Helen Gratton of St. Albans, Henry Gratton of Largo, Fla.; his sisters-in-law, Helen Mellonas of Leominster, Mass., Alice Seeney of Honolulu, Hawaii, Fannie Loumis of Fitchburg, Mass., Aphrodite O'Niel of Fitchburg, Mass.; several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Maurice "Baldy" Gratton; and sisters, Jeannette Leadbeater and Lucille Racette; and his faithful dog, Coy, who will always be with him.
"We will see you again one day, DAD."
The family wishes to express grateful appreciation to Dr. Thomas and his wonderful staff at the oncology clinic, Northwestern Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Holy Angels Church. Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., from 7 to 9 this evening (Friday).
Memorials may be made to the Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, Vt. 05478.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.
