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STEPHEN J. WALTER
WORCESTER, Vt. -- Stephen J. Walter died Oct. 24, 2003, in Puyallup, Wash., following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 11, 1957, in Norwood, Mass., the son of Jackson and Evangeline (Ladd) Walter of Worcester, Vt.
Most of his adult life was spent working at IBM in Essex, and the Burlington and St. Albans areas. He had been married to Marie Martel of Highgate Center.
He is survived by his parents and three sisters, Karen Walter of Seattle, Wash., Stephanie Smith of Ottawa, Ill. and Wendy Scharpf of Graham, Wash., with whom he had been living for the past two years. He loved Vermont and spent many happy hours fishing its lakes and rivers. He will be remembered for his gentle, kind and loving ways. There will be no funeral service at this time. A memorial service for the family will be held next summer.
KEITH E. FLETCHER
RICHFORD -- Keith E. Fletcher, age 73, passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at his home. He was born Nov. 25, 1929, in Waterville, the son of the late Homer and Gladys (Gross) Fletcher.
Keith was a resident of Richford since 1953 and was a member of the Richford United Methodist Church. He was employed at H.K. Webster since 1950 retiring in 1994. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion Post 12 of Richford.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Warner) Fletcher of Richford; three daughters, Kathleen Fletcher and her partner Jon Gersh of Arlington, Mass., Lucinda Hammerslough and her husband Philip of Essex Junction, and Laura Peters of Franklin; seven grandchildren, Lathan and Dana Gravelle, Ira and India Hammerslough, David and Devin Peters, and Dylan Clark. He is also survived by three brothers and their wives, Vern and Dorothy Fletcher of Carmel, N.Y., Lynn "Buster" and Joyce Fletcher of Richford, and Noel "Buddy" and Janice Fletcher of Richford; a brother-in-law, James Todd of Richford; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Fay and Garth Fletcher; and a sister, Iris Todd.
Keith loved singing and listening to country music, telling jokes and stories, and picking wild berries to give away. He was a wonderful husband, and father and will be missed greatly.
In keeping with Keith's wishes there will be no funeral services or calling hours. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in the Richford Center Cemetery.
For those who wish, contributions in his memory may be made to the Richford Center Cemetery Assoc., C/O Sharon Tracy, 170 East Richford Slide Rd., Richford, Vt. 05476.
FRANCIS ALFRED LAROCQUE
SWANTON -- Francis A. Larocque, 72, a resident of this community for most of his lifetime, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at the Fletcher Allen Health Center in Burlington.
Francis was born in Swanton on Dec. 2, 1930, the son of the late Ernest and Georgianna (Hamel) LaRocque. He attended Swanton schools and BFA St. Albans. After graduating from high school he attended college for one year in Kansas City, Mo. On Sept. 29, 1951, he married the former Cecile Beauchemin, who survives him.
During the 1960s Francis, owned and operated LaRocque's Sports and Marine-First in Outboard Motors in Swanton, after his fathers passing. He later was associated with General Electric Co. in Burlington and spent several years as a self-employed carpenter. After ill health forced him to retire, he remained active operating the Swanton Gun Shop on Merchants Row for eight years and then doing custom haying for area farmers. In the early 1980s he began developing the Swanton Tree Farm which opened in 1994 and which continues to be operated by his son, Ernest. An avid hunter and sportsman, he was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the NRA. In his very early years, Francis served in the United States Army Reserve. He was a lifelong member of the Church of the Nativity in Swanton.
In addition to his wife, Cecile of 52 years, Francis is survived by two sons, Ernest of Swanton and Daniel and his wife Carrie of Cambridge; four daughters, Lynn Bacon and her husband Stephen of Keeseville, N.Y., Gale Conte and her husband Chris of Sheldon, Bonnie Mohr and her husband Robert of East Islip, N.Y., and Lisa Brahmstedt and her husband Erich of Highgate Springs; a brother, Bernard and his wife Therese of Swanton; and a sister, Gloria Hoague of Hopedale, Mass. He also leaves 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Francis was predeceased by his parents; and a sister, Sylvia LaRocque in 1998.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at 11 a.m. from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 65 Canada St., Swanton with the pastor, Father John J. Meagher, SSE, celebrant and homilist.
Friends may call at the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Ave. Swanton on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, from 5 to 8 p.m. Interment will follow in the LaRocque Family Lot in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Gifts in Francis' memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 12 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vt. 05495.
PHYLLIS J. TATRO
MONTGOMERY CENTER -- Phyllis J. Tatro, 77, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at her home. She was born July 11, 1926, in Newport, the daughter of the late Harold and Constance (Bronson) Clifford.
She was a resident of Montgomery most of her life and was a member of St. Isidores Catholic Church in Montgomery Center. She was employed for several years as a custodian at the Enosburg Falls High School.
Phyllis enjoyed her family and was a devoted mother and best friend to her daughter, Donna Tatro and her boyfriend Lee Meunier of Montgomery Center; she was the best grandmother anyone could ask for and would do anything for her grandchildren, Ricky Tatro and his fiancee Keri Jordan of Hinesburg, and Angela Donna and her husband Joseph "JJ" of Richford; three great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Jean Donna, Meghan Marie Donna, and Haley Marie Tatro. She is also survived by one brother, Richard Niles of Richford; several nieces and nephews; and her dog, Teddy. She was predeceased by her husband, Orson C. Tatro on April 17, 1992; two brothers, Donald Clifford, and Robert Niles; and a sister, Barbara Niles.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2003, at 11 at St. Isidores Catholic Church with Reverend Frank Eksterowicz celebrating the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be held at a later date at St. Isidores Cemetery in Montgomery Center.
Visiting hours will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.
For those who wish, contributions in her memory may be made to the Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, Vt. 05478, or to the Montgomery Rescue Service, P.O. Box 309, Montgomery Ctr., Vt. 05471.
ORIGENE "GENE" P. ROBITAILLE
SWANTON -- Origene P. Robitaille, 80, a longtime resident of the Swanton community, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at the Haven Health Center, St. Albans (Town), surrounded by his loving family.
Gene was born in L'Ange Gardien, Quebec, Canada on Sept. 8, 1923, the son of the late Leandre and Emerilda (Beauvais) Robitaille. He attended school in Canada and on June 8, 1948, married the former Gisele Gemme.
As a young man in Canada, he would deliver bread with a horse and wagon. It was on his bread route that he met his wife of 55 years, Gesile. They moved from Canada to a small farm on West Hill in Montgomery. Gene and Gesile later rented and purchased a farm in West Swanton. Gene loved working the land and was happiest on his tractor or bulldozer. He had that special love for animals, which made him a great farmer. He never learned to speak English fluently, but those in the farming industry, all knew him and could understand what he wanted. His love of the land and beautiful Lake Champlain prompted him to build a campground on his farm so that others could enjoy the beauty. He worked long hours and opened Lakewood Campground in May 1971. His campground community became his extended family and many remember him as a "workaholic."
Gene enjoyed maple sugaring for many years. He enjoyed fishing, but mainly ice fishing as tending of the animals and crops took care of the ability to have any leisure time during the summer. Gene and Gisele enjoyed ballroom dancing and later a few memorable vacations to other countries. After retiring, Gene and Gisele purchased a home in Florida where they spent the winter months. A good card game could never be passed up for Gene.
Gene was a member of the Knights of Columbus in St. Albans and Farnham, Quebec, Canada. During his 37 years of farming, he belonged to the St. Albans Co-op Creamery.
Gene is survived by his wife, Gesile; a daughter, Collette Case and her husband Ron of Swanton; a sister, Rita Tessier of Farnham, Quebec; four grandchildren, Melanie and Richard Levesque, Stephanie and Jonathan Case, all of Swanton; and two step-grandchildren, Ronald Case of Florida and Amanda Case of Connecticut.
Gene was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Maurice and Aime Robitaille; and three sisters, Rachel St. Jules, Laurette Vachon and Suzanne LeFebvre.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at 11 a.m. from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Swanton. Father Maurice U. Boucher, SSE, pastor of St. Amadeus Church in Alburg will be the Celebrate and Homilist. Interment will follow in the Robitaille family lot in St. Mary's Cemetery in Swanton.
Friends may call at the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today, Nov. 17, 2003.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Gene's memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, or to the charity of ones choice.
PEARL LOUISE BROTHERS
ALBURG -- Pearl Louise Brothers, 42, died unexpectedly Nov. 14, 2003. Pearl was born Feb. 3, 1961, in Lowell, Mass.
She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Pearl is survived by her husband of 24 years, James; daughters Melissa and Danielle; and two grandchildren, Jason and Brionna Bessette; her mother Lorraine Auger; sister Elizabeth Rawlings and husband David; sister Barbara Hebert; sister Diane Deleo and husband John; brother Richard Hebert and wife Bonnie; sister Lisa Quinn and husband Buddy; brother Jeff Hebert and wife El; brother John Kesick; sister Texann Benjamin and husband Kirk; and brother Darrell Lasley.
She will be loved and missed by family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at 2 p.m. from the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton. Pastor Bruce Patterson of the Northside Baptist Church in St. Albans Town will officiate.
Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1 p.m. until the hour of the funeral.
ALAN G. PHILLIPS, JR.
MONTGOMERY CENTER / ST. ALBANS -- Mr. Alan G. Phillips, age 47, died Saturday evening, Nov. 15, 2003, at his home surrounded by his loving family, following an illness of several months. He was born in St. Albans March 31, 1956, son of the late Alan G. and Dorcas (Jerry) Phillips.
Alan was an artist welder and was employed by Lussier Sawmill and Bonnette's Welding Shop. He served in the U.S. Marines in Vietnam and was a member of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation, Vermont Vietnam Veterans of America and Green Mountain Post 1 of the American Legion. He was also a former St. Albans City Firefighter.
He married Cheryl Bessette June 16, 1986. Besides his wife Cheryl, he is survived by his children, Brandy Phillips of Highgate, Jason Bessette and his companion Melissa Brothers of Richford, Tawnya and her husband Shawn Fiske of St. Albans, Angie Phillips and her companion William Washington, Jr., of Montgomery Center, Jeremy Phillips of Montgomery Center, and Dorcan Phillips and her companion Chris Ott of Richford; seven grandchildren, including his special grandchildren, Jason N. Bessette, Brianna Bessette, Javonte Phillips, Elijah Washington and Kyly Marie Ott; his sisters and brothers and their spouses, Abraham Tatro of Berkshire, Susan and Allard "Butch" Hakey of St. Albans, Peggy and Richard Wimble of Fairfax, and Richard and Shelly Phillips of St. Albans; his mother and father-in-law, George and Elsie (Tyrell) Bessette of Swanton; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his sister, Bonnie Phillips.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Brady & Levesque Funeral Chapel. Friends may call at the funeral home, 86 South Main Street, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Interment will be in the Phillips family lot in Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family through the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, St. Albans, Vt. 05478. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.
RICHARD H. BENJAMIN
LARGO, Fla. / RICHFORD, Vt. / MILTON, Vt. -- Richard H. Benjamin, 76, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003, at Largo Medical Center in Largo, Fla. He was born in Dunham, Canada and resided in Richford and Milton, Vt. before moving to Largo, Fla. in 1989.
He was a plumber and member of Union Local 693 and he was also a Catholic.
Survivors include a son, Wayne; and daughter, Marie-Paule Benjamin, both of Fort Myers, Fla.; two grandchildren, Christopher and Natalie; a brother, Roger of Swanton, Vt.; and companion Marilyn Vail.
Gravesite services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, at the Richford Center Cemetery.
EVELYN WHITING PUTNAM
ST. ALBANS -- Evelyn Whiting Putnam, 92, a resident of this area all of her life, passed away Thursday afternoon, Nov. 13, 2003, at Haven Health Center. She was born in Sheldon, Dec. 23, 1910, the daughter of the late Wallace and Ethel (Rice) Whiting. She was the widow of Ralph E. Putnam Sr., who died March 4, 1982.
Evelyn was employed for 14 years at Verdelle Village Nursing Home (now Haven Health Center). She was a longtime resident of Sheldon Springs, moving to St. Albans in 1984. She was a former member of the Martha Washington Chapter, Order of Eastern Star in Enosburg.
Survivors include four sons, Clinton and his wife Elaine of Springfield, Mass., Ralph, Jr. and his wife Mary of Burlington, Richard and Clifford Putnam, both of St. Albans, a daughter, Reba and her husband, Lewis Meunier of South Burlington; and a sister-in-law, Libby Whiting of St. Albans. She also leaves 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents and husband; a daughter-in-law Edna; and two brothers, Schuyler and Hayden; and a half-brother, Werton W. "Red" Whiting.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Heald Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington.
Evelyn had asked that in lieu of flowers, please say a prayer or do something kind for someone.
Arrangements are by the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main St., St. Albans.
