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Ernest A. McGinn
MIDDLEBURY — Ernest A. McGinn, 93, a resident of Middlebury for the past four years and formerly of Brandon, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 at Porter Hospital.
Born in Alstead, N.Y., on Jan. 30, 1915, he was the son of the late George and Helen (Shandrow) McGinn.
A resident of North Oxford, Mass., for several years, he had previously farmed and worked in several factories.
He was married to Ella (Tatro) McGinn, who predeceased him.
Survivors include three nieces, Joan Palin and her husband Noel of Whiting, Norma Smith of Brandon, and Barbara Mescier and her husband Andre of Bridport; one nephew, Francis Bronson of Bridport; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted in the spring at Bridport Central cemetery.
Pauline A. Hunt
DUXBURY, Mass. — Pauline A. Hunt, 79, a resident of Duxbury, Mass., and a former resident of Middlebury, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass., following a brief illness.
Born in Woodsville, N.H., Sept. 9, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Violet (Henderson) Weden.
Polly was a homemaker and had done secretarial work. She enjoyed knitting and once knit mittens for her daughter’s entire first-grade class. She also enjoyed cooking for her family and insuring everyone had plenty to eat.
She formerly attended the Middlebury Congregational Church.
Family members include one son, Mark F. Hunt and his wife Alicia of Duxbury, Mass.; two daughters, Gail H. Rathbun and her husband William of Shoreham and Sally J. Hunt of Boxborough, Mass.; four grandchildren, Heather Stafford of Bristol, Jeremy Rathbun of East Middlebury and Cullen Hunt and Keegan Hunt of Duxbury, Mass.; two great-grandchildren, Gwen and Abby Stafford of Bristol; and many nieces and nephews.
Pauline was predeceased by her husband, Ray F. Hunt, whom she married in 1951 in Littleton, N.H., and who died Jan. 16, 1995. A sister, Dorothy Judge, and a brother, Norman Weden, also predeceased her.
Friends may call Saturday, Dec. 20, from 2-3 p.m at Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, 117 South Main St., Middlebury. Services will be conducted at the funeral home at 3 p.m. with Rev. David Andrews, officiating.
Spring burial will take place at Middlebury cemetery.
Virginia Goodale
IVORYTON, Conn. — Virginia Goodale, 89, formerly of Middlebury, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
She was the valedictorian of her graduating class in Deep River, Conn. She was a longtime member of the Ivoryton Congregational Church in Conn. She loved reading the Bible and other books, as well as watching birds and flowers and learning about them. Family says she was very witty and loved to joke around.
A loving wife and mother, she is survived by her children and their spouses, Harold and Pat Goodale, Cathy and Richard Hilt, Richard and Holly Goodale, and Amy and Scott Prevost; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leon Goodale, and two sons, John Goodale and Gerald Goodale.
A memorial service was held on Dec. 11 at the Ivoryton Congregational Church.
Gregory A. Codding
MIDDLEBURY — Gregory A. Codding, 81, of Middlebury, died on Dec. 13, 2008. He was born in St. Albans on Jan. 15, 1927, the son of Frederick and Alphegina (Houle) Codding.
Gregory graduated from Bellows Free Academy of St. Albans and was a two-year Navy veteran of World War II, having served on board the U.S.S. Amick (DE-168) in the South Pacific.
He worked 12 years as a bookkeeper, then manager, for the Wirthmore Feed Co. in Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was also with the G.A.F. Corp. for 14 years as a sales representative covering Vermont and New Hampshire. He took early retirement in 1977 with an eyesight disability suffered in a fall.
With the guidance of his golf partners and friends in Vermont and Florida, he was able to continue his great love of golf, and was the envy of them all, having earned the honor of five holes-in-one during his lifetime. He was called “the Legend” by his fellow golfers. He was a former member of the Kiwanis Club; a lifetime member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Masonic Lodge of Middlebury; a Shriner for 59 years with Cairo Temple of Rutland; and a member of the Ralph Mhyre Golf Club.
He married Rachel (Bourdon) on August 5, 1950, who survives him. Also surviving him are a sister, Madeline Howard of St. Albans, as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and several cousins. He also leaves six brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.
He was predeceased by his parents and his twin brothers, Roger and Richard.
A military and Shriner’s service will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church with burial in Evergreen cemetery in West Cornwall in the spring. There are no calling hours.
Donations may be made to the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Service or the Middlebury Volunteer Hospice Services in Gregory’s memory.
William Emery Simmons
LINCOLN — William Emery Simmons died at home on Dec. 5, 2007, in the loving company of his family and friends. Bill was born on Feb. 11, 1930, in Rockland, Maine, to William Adelbert Simmons and Margaret Harris Simmons.
On Jan. 12, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Mary Watts. Darlene, their three children and spouses (William M. Simmons and Jessica Albrecht of New Haven, Janie Simmons and Eric Metcalf of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., Barbara Olesen of Castaic, Calif.); seven grandchildren (Danny, Billy, Dusty, Belen, Matias, Mikkel, and Mika); as well as Ken Schoen, honorary son; hold him in our hearts. He is also remembered by many close friends too numerous to mention.
After growing up in the seacoast town of Port Clyde, Maine, Bill eventually returned to the sea as the captain of the Galatea, and then the Tioga, a 70’ research vessel designed to his specifications and built with the aid of a shipwright and many loyal friends.
His love of Vermont was a result of his earlier excursions selling electronics throughout the state. These experiences ultimately brought him back to Vermont during the late ’80s. In Lincoln he built a beautiful house on a hill with the assistance of local craftsmen who also became close friends.
After completing his home, Bill decided to try his hand at carving. Following the tradition of his grandfathers and great-grandfather, who had all built scale models of the sailing vessels of their time, Bill also knew his passion was to make things that were “not square.”
He expertly carved sea birds and sea creatures, combining his knowledge of the ocean and his love of wood. He enhanced his interpretive work by using the wood’s grain and was skilled at making invisible joints. His creations of exciting sea life with a velvety finish always invited a touch.
Bill was “old school” in the sense that he was a jack of all trades and master of most. He shared his “how-to” knowledge humbly and freely with friends of all ages. His gift of knowing the opportune moment to impart his skills and teachings enabled an enthusiastic and thankful reception.
Bill was a member of the United Church of Lincoln; the Green Mountain Woodcarvers, where he served as president; and Birds of Vermont, where he served on the board. He had also been a volunteer fireman and a Boy Scout leader for many years prior to moving to Vermont.
Bill was loved for so many qualities. He was a mentor and true friend who touched the hearts of people through his generosity, sense of humor, and willingness to teach his many skills. His selfless example of his essential human goodness allowed his family and friends to love him “as is” which serves as a guiding light for all of us.
A memorial service will be held at the Lincoln United Church on Friday afternoon, at 2 p.m., Dec. 21. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to contribute, please donate to Hospice of Addison County. Their love and compassionate support went beyond all our expectations.
Harley G. Shepard
FLETCHER, N.C./BRISTOL — Harley G. Shepard 81, died Friday Dec. 7, 2007, in Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher, N.C. He was born in Burlington on Dec. 26, 1925, the son of Mary Grupe Shepard and George Shepard.
Harley graduated from Burlington High School in 1943. He served three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He graduated from the University of Vermont Medical School in 1951.
Harley married Adelaide Parent of Richmond in August 1950.
Harley started his medical career in Bristol in 1953. He moved with his family to New Jersey in 1958 to continue his career in industrial medicine. He served on many civic and professional boards and committees during his 30 years in New Jersey.
He was a member of the Bristol Libanus Lodge 47 F&AM and Shrine and Shrine Clown Club.
Harley and his wife raised five sons who all became Eagle Scouts and he was made an honorary Eagle himself. He retired in 1986 and resided in North Carolina, where he was a member of Fletcher United Methodist Church.
Harley is survived by his wife; his five sons, Michael Shepard of Uniontown, Pa., Gary and Janet Shepard of Easton, Conn., David and Stephanie Shepard of Brooklyn, N.Y., Steven and Barbara Shepard of Lewisville, N.C., and Timothy Shepard of Atlanta, Ga., eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; his sister Marion Crowe of Summerfield, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Bristol Federated Church. Interment was in Greenwood cemetery in Bristol.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Libanus Lodge 47, Bristol, VT 05443.
Christine “Gussie” Levarn
BRISTOL — Christine “Gussie” Levarn, 89, of Bristol died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, at the home of Mike and Deb Orvis. She was born with her twin brother Bill on June 15, 1918, the daughter of Carlton and Annabelle (Hannon) Bostwick of Hinesburg.
She joined the Army Nurse Corps after graduating from the Mary Fletcher School of Nursing in 1943. She served extensively in the European Theater of War with the 59th Army Field Hospital, seeing service throughout the U.K., France, Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Her twin brother was killed during the invasion of France.
After returning from the war, she worked briefly in California then returned to Bristol and married Leonard “Rosie” Levarn on Aug. 10, 1948. She was a fixture at Porter Hospital and the Helen Porter Nursing Home.
She also did private duty nursing. Two of her more notable patients were Mrs. Swift and Mrs. Gibb of Middlebury. But first and foremost, she was noted for her volunteering and never-ending service to Bristol and the surrounding community.
According to friends, she was an icon of the Bristol community. She participated in over 50 years of Fourth of July celebrations, including floats with her sister Juna, to her Apple Head Dolls and Teddy Bears. She also told astonishing stories of her life and life experiences.
She was a member of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She was also a founding and lifetime member of American Legion Post 19 in Bristol and a member of VFW Post 7823 in Middlebury.
Gussie is survived by her son Dana and his wife Terry of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; two grandsons; two sisters, Juna Perlee of Bristol and Georgia Jimmo of Salinas, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years; her brothers, Bill, Carlton, and Edric; her half-brother Harlan; and her sisters, Flora and Mae.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 11, in St. Ambrose Catholic Church, with burial to follow in Mt. St. Joseph cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Bristol Rescue Squad or the Addison County Humane Society Shelter.
Arlene Johnson-Delliveneri
ELLENTON, Fla. — Arlene Johnson-Delliveneri, 94, died on December 10, 2007, at her home in Ellenton, Fla. She was born in Middlebury on June 25, 1913, the daughter of John and Pearl Morcombe.
She was the oldest of four siblings, so when her mother came down with tuberculosis she dropped out of high school to care for her family. Later Dr. Phelps, the family physician, taught her the basics of nursing. She passed the state nursing exam and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Next she went to work for Dr. Frost of Brandon, who cared for the sick and poor of the early Great Depression. She delivered babies and cared for the sick and dying.
After than she went to work as a staff nurse at the Preventorium in Pittsford, a facility for indigent children with life-threatening diseases. When she married Maurice Johnson and moved to his farm in Weybridge, Arlene turned their large farmhouse into a maternity nursing home. Later on it became a geriatric nursing home.
In the early 60s she bought a 30-bed nursing home in Poultney. The Poultney facility eventually became difficult to maintain under new bureaucratic regulations. She sold the nursing home and moved back to Middlebury where she opened and operated the Johnson Community Care Home on North Pleasant Street. She stayed there until she retired.
For the past 20 years she has lived in Florida, and for the past several years has been declining in health. Her daughter Jacquie, a retired Registered Nurse, has been her personal caregiver.
She is survived by her sons, Robert and Larry, both of Vermont; her daughter, Jacquie of Ellenton, Fla.; her sister, Patricia Pratt of Bridport; six grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Wayne R. Hobbs Sr.
VERGENNES — Wayne R. Hobbs Sr., 72, of Vergennes died Dec. 8, 2007, in his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Pittsford on Sept. 4, 1935, the son of Fred and Edith (Hier) Hobbs.
Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1953 and served for five years in Fort Dix and Japan. Upon his discharge from the Army he returned to Vermont and began work at Simmonds Precision in Vergennes. On Oct. 27, 1962, he married his wife of 45 years, Constance (Tucker) Hobbs. He retired from Simmonds/Hercules/Goodrich after 35 years of employment.
After retirement, his first part-time job was at the Addison County Transfer Station in Middlebury. He also worked part-time for the Addison Independent, delivering papers to the local businesses. He also worked for the Saint Peter’s cemetery Association, maintaining the Catholic cemetery in Vergennes. He then worked for Bet-Cha Transit driving a school bus for the Addison Elementary School.
Wayne was also a longtime member of the Vergennes Volunteer Fire Department. At the time of his death he was also a member of American Legion Post 14 of Vergennes and the Eagles Club, Aerie 3801. He played in the Bristol softball league, pitching for the C & F LeBeau team. He later became an umpire for the league. He was also a member of The Otter Creek Choral Society.
Wayne leaves his daughter, Maria Brown and her spouse Lance; his son, Wayne Hobbs Jr. and his partner Frank-Philipp Graner; four grandchildren; his siblings, June Dragon of North Swanzy, N.H., Lydia Dragon of Winchester, N.H., Barbara Loomis of Hydeville, Maureen Lussier of Gansevoort, N.Y., Burton Hobbs of Pittsford, Bernard Hobbs of Rutland, and Albert Hobbs of Middlebury; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Carolyn, Fred and Stewart.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Vergennes Congregational Church. Interment was in Prospect cemetery in Vergennes.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 77 Hegeman Ave., Colchester, VT 05449, and Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753, and St. Peter’s cemetery Association, South Maple St., Vergennes, VT 05491.
