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GERTRUDE M. O'NEIL
ST. ALBANS -- Mrs. Gertrude M. O'Neil, age 97, died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, in Haven Health Center. She was born Dec. 25, 1905, daughter of the late Levi and Emma (Ladue) Bouchard, in Malone, N.Y.
She married John J. O'Neil, who predeceased her in 1976. She worked as a strap machine sewer at Willard Manufacturing until 1931. She then worked as a saleslady at Candyland from 1931 to 1950, and at Sander's Drug Store with Jack Rixon and Irene (Goldsbury) Bouchard from 1950 to 1963. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of Americas-Court of St. Mary's, and the Ladies of St. Anne.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her four brothers, Henry, Harold, Leo and Francis Bouchard; and her sister, Irene Mossey.
Funeral services will be held in the Brady & Levesque Funeral Chapel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, at 10 a.m. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9:15 a.m., until the time of the funeral. Interment will follow in the O'Neil family lot in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the St. Mary's Parish, 45 Fairfield St., St. Albans, Vt. 05478.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.
ROBERT J. CAMPITELLI
PORTLAND, MAINE -- Robert J. Campitelli, 50, of Portland, died peacefully early Jan. 7, 2003, following a struggle with cancer. Bob was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., grew up in Burlington, Vt., graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and was a longtime resident of Portland. He was a talented photographer and writer, a voracious reader, a scholar of international and American filmmaking, and a lover of many types of music. He had been employed by the Portland Schools and was the co-publisher of a poetry/art magazine, "Technology of the Sun."
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; mother, Honey, of Burlington; brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Stephanie of Georgia, Vt.; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Heather of Florida, along with his nephew and niece, Adam and Julia; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Pat, along with nephew and niece Jason and Melissa; and his in-laws, Henry and Helen Rouba. Bob was predeceased by his father, Robert A. Campitelli, and his brother, Steven.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 1251 North Ave. in Burlington, on Jan. 25, at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow in the St. Mark's Family Center.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob's memory to Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland, ME 04101,
or Sierra Club -- Maine Chapter, 1 Pleasant Street, Portland, ME 04101.
WINIFRED "BUNNY" PIERCE
FRANKLIN -- Winifred "Bunny" Pierce, age 89, died Sunday morning, Jan. 12, 2003, at the home of her daughter, Diane Pierce. She was born Feb. 7, 1913, in Phillips, ME, the daughter of the late Saymie (Barden) Bunnell and Able Bunnell.
She attended schools in Phillips, ME, and graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a BA in Home Economics and a concentration in English. After moving to Vermont she completed her teachers training in Franklin and then taught in Danville and later in Newbury, Berkshire.
In 1945, she married Elbridge Pierce and they made their home on the Pierce Family Farm in Franklin. Bunny found great happiness in raising her five children and counted their happiness as her greatest success. She enjoyed lending a helping hand to anyone in need, and spent countless hours traveling the roads, giving rides to friends and neighbors.
She had a most positive and optimistic outlook on life and was unfailingly able to see the bright side of any situation and the redeeming quality in any individual. As one son put it, "She gave denial a good name."
Bunny was ahead of her day in many ways. She was always eager to learn new things and was willing to give everything from homemade yogurt to peanut butter soup a try. After retirement from farming, Winifred and Elbridge traveled (sometimes with other family members) throughout the country. On every organized tour, Winifred would take notes about the history and culture of the locations visited. Throughout her nearly 90 years, she met life, the easy and the difficult, with a great blend of humor, selflessness and strong principle.
She was always willing to open her home, her heart and her pocket book to those in need and took pleasure in sponsoring a succession of children from the Christian Children's Fund. Bunny also looked after local children and welcomed a considerable collection of cats, dogs, rats, raccoons, etc. into her home, any and all of which were "just as smart as they could be." Bunny also provided long-term care for one child who was fortunate to be included as a member of the family and count Mummy Bun as her second mother.
Bunny was a great collector of all sorts of things that might be useful (someday) and loved a good bargain. She believed strongly in the value of lighting a candle for a cause and lit many over the years for friends and family, all of whom swore by the candle's success. She had an uncommon spirit and we are lucky to have known her. Perhaps we should all light a candle to that.
Bunny was a member of a number of organizations, including the Danville Teachers Association, the Vermont Retired Teachers Assoc., the Franklin Grange #553 where she held several offices, the Rebecca Guild, The United Church Women, Franklin Home Dem Group, Franklin Senior Citizens and the Modern Woodsman of America.
She is survived by her children, Kenton Pierce of Franklin, John Pierce of Williston, Diane Pierce and her husband Robert Irish of Franklin, Margaret Pierce and her husband Jeffrey Teitelbaum of Bakersfield, and Terrance "Chip" Pierce and his wife Linda Pierce of Franklin. Her grandchildren, Zoe and Allison Pierce, who were great help and support to Bunny late in her life, and Ben Pierce, William Bright and Caroline Winanna Bright, and several nieces and nephews also survive her. She was predeceased by her husband, Elbridge Pierce; her siblings, Phillip, Claris, Helena, Mattie, Ellen and Emma.
Visiting hours will be held one hour prior to the funeral, which will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 at the Franklin United Church with Pastor Mike Long officiating. Interment will be next spring in the Franklin Village Cemetery.
For those who wish, contributions in her memory may be made to the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, Vt. 05478.
Spears Funeral Home in Enosburg Falls is in charge of arrangements.
FRANCES M. LUSIGNAN
READSBORO -- Frances Margaret Lusignan, age 77, a resident of Tunnel Street in Readsboro, died on Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.
She was born in Hartford, Conn. on Aug. 19, 1925, and was the daughter of the late Raymond and Mary (Mayo) Dowd. She received her early education in Warehouse Point (Conn.) Schools and is a graduate of Ellsworth High School in South Windsor, Conn.
Mrs. Lusignan has been employed as a nurse and also a school bus driver in Windsor, Conn., and has done private duty nursing in Suffield, Conn. She was a past member of the Warehouse Point Fire Department Auxiliary. She moved from Connecticut to East Fairfield several years ago, and had been living in Readsboro for the last 10 years. Her husband, Norman, died in October of 1997. Mrs. Lusignan enjoyed crocheting and other hand crafts.
Mrs. Lusignan is survived by one daughter, Frances Margaret Wehrli of Montreal, Mo.; her grandchildren, Raymond and Donald Lempitsky, both of Enfield, Conn., Chester Lempitsky of Chantilly, Va., Bryan Lempitsky of Buckley, Wash., Joseph Cooney of Delton, Mo., Arthur O'Connor and Veronica O'Connor, both of Auburn, Maine. Mrs. Lusignan also has 17 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Veronica Morin, and her two brothers, Joseph Dowd and Philip Dowd.
Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours scheduled.
Arrangements are under the care of the Covey & Allen Funeral Home, a Selected Independent Funeral Home, at 44 East Main Street in Wilmington, Vermont.
To offer e-mail condolences, contact the funeral home at www.nsm.org/covey.
MARJORIE H. MESSIER
BERKSHIRE -- Marjorie H. Messier, age 83, widow of J. Wesley Messier, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, 2003, at Our Lady of the Meadows in Richford, with her family at her side.
She was born May 9, 1919, in Dunham, Quebec, Canada, the daughter of the late Oscar B. and Lillian N. (Lafleur) Harvey.
She was a resident of Berkshire most of her life, and was a member of the Second Congregational Church of Berkshire Center, the Berkshire Historical Society, and the Dorcas Society. Marjorie enjoyed gardening, playing Scrabble, and her piano.
She is survived by her son and his wife, Jeffrey and Cheryl Messier of East Berkshire; her grandchildren, Tara Messier of Burlington, Hilary Messier and her companion Larry Wells of Richford, and Ian Messier and his companion Kristina Pond of Wilder; a brother and his wife, Garnet L. and Dorothy Harvey of Enosburg Falls; a sister, Doris Hull of West Enosburg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Hubert "Steve" Messier and his wife Phyllis, Bernolene Roddy and her husband Terrance, Natalie Guilmette, all of Enosburg Falls, and Audrey Barry and her husband Rolla of Waterville; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers-in-law, Wendall Hull and Richard Guilmette.
Visiting hours will be held one hour prior to the funeral, which will be held Saturday at 11 o'clock at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls, with Pastor Lyle Willey officiating. Interment will be next spring in the Berkshire Center Cemetery.
For those who wish, contributions in her memory may be made to Our Lady of the Meadows CCH, 1 Pinnacle Meadows, Richford, Vt. 05476.
BRIAN RUSSELL AMUNDSEN
UNDERHILL -- Brian Russell Amundsen, 60, died Jan. 7, 2003, at home, in the presence of is wife Linda, son Joel, best friend Alex, and Linda's sister Pat. Brian had fought a rare blood disease, Amyloidosis, for a year and a half. He went through the Amyloid Treatment program at Boston University School of Medicine in October of 2001. Complications from the disease led to his final goodbye.
He was born on March 15, 1942, in Norwalk, Conn. to Russell and Catherine (Armatis) Amundsen. He completed school in Norwalk, then worked as a draftsman at Nash Engineering, continued as such when he first began at IBM in 1968. He retired from IBM in 2002 as Advisory Scientist Engineer. To his friends and co-workers at IBM, he was affectionately known as "Bear."
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 38 years; his sons, Kirk of Harwichport, Mass., Joel of Underhill; his daughter Sarah and son-in-law, Mike Barsky of Herndon, Va.; his sister, Donna Zemo of Newtown, Conn. Brian is also survived by his special sisters-in-law, Pat and her husband Alex Pleasic, Jerry and her husband Ross Carley, Deirdre and her husband Chris Miller, and Lisa and her husband Andrew Susslin; his nieces and nephews, Chris and Lindsay Carley, Kaileen and Jordan Miller, and Meghan and Ryan Susslin, who dearly loved their Uncle Bri-Bri.
Brian was a very funny, caring man, who could always tell a good joke. He loved working in his woods and garden, and was an avid weather and time buff. He appreciated history, especially the Civil War era. Some of his most special times were spent at Popham Beach, Maine, with his family.
We especially thank Dr. John Fitzgerald and his wife Donna for their gentle caring. Special thanks also to Paul and Joan Chamberlin, and Jack and Roberta Courtney, as well as many other dear friends.
At Brian's request, there will be no visiting hours or services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Amyloid Treatment Research Program, c/o Martha Skinner, MD, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street EB-33, Boston, Mass. 02118.
Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral Home, Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Junction.
WILLIAM GREENLAW TESSIN
FAIRFAX -- William G. (Bill) Tessin, 86, died at Northwest Medical Center in St. Albans, on Jan. 5, after a short illness. He was the husband of Lorraine (Bradley) Tessin.
Born in Boston, the son of the late Fred G. and Laura Tessin, he was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and attended Babson College. After a 25 year career as manager of the family music business, C.W. Homeyer, Co. in Boston, he later worked in various sales management positions for the B.F. Goodrich Company before retiring in 1978.
Mr. Tessin was a longtime resident of Plymouth, Mass. before moving to Vermont in 1993. Besides his wife, Mr. Tessin is survived by his sons, W. Wayne Tessin (Judy) of Plymouth, Mass. and Dana B. Tessin of Fairfax; and grandchildren, Lt. Craig (Elizabeth), Heather (Simon Hajnasr) and Trevor (Lisette); along with 4 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Fred G. Tessin Jr.
A private memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 8 Town Square, Plymouth, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Heifer Project International, 1015 Louisiana St., Little Rock, AR 72202.
BEVERLY A. BENJAMIN
ST. ALBANS -- Mrs. Beverly A. Benjamin, age 81, died Sunday evening, Jan. 5, 2003, in the Northwestern Medical Center, after a lengthy illness. She was born in Vershire on Dec. 16, 1921, daughter of the late Alvah and Mildred (Clough) Hastings.
At the age of five, her father became the supervisor at the Vermont State Prison Farm, where she was raised and lived for 20 years. She graduated from Lyndon State Teachers College, class of 1941, and became an elementary school teacher at Hartland Grade School. Later, she was employed for 17 years at Dartmouth College. Feb. 6, 1942, she married the late Louis Benjamin. She has been a member of the Rachel Harlow Methodist Church of Windsor for many years.
She is survived by her daughter, Danielle LeBel, who has lost her best friend, of St. Albans; two grandchildren, Teresa Longway and her husband George, and Travis LeBel; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Wade Longway; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Guy LeBel in 1999, and her sister Ruth Duphey in 1977.
Funeral services will be held in the Brady & Levesque Chapel, 86 South Main St., St. Albans, at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2003. Friends may call from 9:15 a.m., until the time of the funeral. Interment will be at a later date in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.
