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FLOYD CLINTON GATES
SWANTON, Vt. / MERRIMACK, N.H. -- Floyd Clinton Gates, 84, formerly of St. Albans, Vt. and more recently a resident of Merrimack, N.H., passed away, Monday morning, Sept. 13, 2004, at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans City.
He was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on Dec. 13, 1919, the son of the late Fred and Magdalena (Barth) Gates.
He leaves his wife, Elizabeth Brault Gates, whom he married on Nov. 2, 1946, and their two children, John C. Gates and his wife Laura of Conway, Mass., and Nancy Jane Read and her husband John of Merrimack, N.H. He leaves five grandchildren, Erin Read Source and her husband, Damian, Matthew Read and his special friend Karen Petho, Christopher Read and Clinton and Michael Gates. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Nancy Darnell of Agawam, Mass., many special nieces, nephews and loved ones. His sister-in-law, Judith Burgess of Agawam, Mass., predeceased him in 2001.
Floyd (Bud) graduated from Technical High School in Springfield, Mass. and faithfully served his country in World War II as a Flight Engineer in the United States Army Air Corps. He was employed in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont for the Defense Supply Agency, retiring in 1982.
Floyd (Bud) was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in St. Albans for the past 25 years, where he served on the Board of Finance and Board of Trustees. He belonged to the Phi Alpha Group and served on the budget committee for many years. He belonged to the "251" Club of Vermont and the American Legion, Green Mountain Post 1 of St. Albans.
At his request there will be no public calling hours. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, at 11 a.m. from St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Church Street, St. Albans City. The Reverend Herman Benjamin and The Reverend Oren Lane together will officiate.
A luncheon reception will immediately follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Private interment will take place at the Gates family lot in Riverside Cemetery in Swanton.
Gifts in Floyd's memory may be made to: the music program at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, in care of, Mary Barker Roby, Church Street, St. Albans, Vt. 05478; Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, Vt. 05478; or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton.
MICHAEL RENE GARDNER
ALBURG -- Michael Rene Gardner, 55, a recent resident of Vantine Avenue in Alburg Village, died Thursday afternoon, Sept. 9, 2004, in the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility in Burlington.
Born in Burlington, May 22, 1949, he was the son of Kenneth and Ruth (Pecor) Gardner. He attended schools in the Burlington area and was married to the former Joan Morits, who survives him.
For most of his working life, Michael traveled throughout the New England area working for various carnivals and fairs. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era and was honorably discharged on Oct. 31, 1967.
He loved children and will be best remembered for playing the role of Santa Clause for the St. Albans Rotary Club Santa Train and also at Advantage Rental in St. Albans, and Kim's Day care in Enosburg.
Besides his wife Joan of Alburg, Michael leaves his step-father, Henry Moquin of Burlington; his daughter, Christina Raymond and her husband Larry Jr. of St. Albans; three sons, Collen Gardner and his wife Dawn Tevyah and Michael Gardner Jr. both of Alburg and Oscar Gardner of Middlebury; two very special grandchildren, Kysta and Caleb as well as seven other grandchildren. Also surviving are four sisters, Debbie Crosby, Lisa Luchine and her husband Mark, Pauline Reynolds and her husband Roland all of Burlington and Marsha Gardner of South Burlington; seven brothers, Clifford Gardner of Burlington, Gary Gardner and his wife Julie of Florida, Henry Gardner of Springfield, Vt., Danny Gardner and his wife Sharon of Colchester, Henry Moquin and his wife Lisa of St. Albans, Steven Moquin of Huntington, and Ricky Moquin of Burlington; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. from the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton. Father Maurice J. Roy, pastor of Holy Angels Roman Catholic Parish in Saint Albans City will officiate. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Morits family lot Riverside Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the hour of the funeral.
Gifts in Michael's memory may be made to his family in care of Susan Lefebvre, 497 Poker Hill Road, Underhill, Vt. 05489.
VIVIAN B. WOODEN
ST. ALBANS -- Vivian (nee Beam) Wooden died Sept. 7, 2004, at the Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington following a brief illness. She is survived by her four children, four grandchildren, and a dozen nieces and nephews.
Vivian, called Bonnie since childhood, was born on Nov. 14, 1927, in Louisville, Ky., the second of two children, to Wilhelmina Slattery and Archibald Beam. She grew up in Baltimore, where she attended Seton High School, where she met Patricia Benson. Bonnie introduced Pat to her older brother John Beam, who became Pat's husband in 1946. Pat, it turned out, was present when Bonnie met Donald G. Wooden at a dance at Gwynn Oak Park in Baltimore during the war. Bonnie and Don were married on Sept. 18, 1948.
They resided in Maryland until 1971, during which time their four children were born, making them tenth generation Marylanders on their father's side. During those years Bonnie and Don were active in liberal causes, ranging from the Unitarian Universalist Church to CORE, to the ACLU to the Sierra Club.
In 1971 they moved to the Detroit area until August of 1974, when they relocated for the last time to St. Albans, where Donald served as the last General Manager of the Central Vermont Railroad. They decided to remain here after his retirement, becoming the hub for their farflung children, who have lived in places as various as Texas, New York, New Mexico, Belgium, Washington DC, Mexico and Michigan.
Bonnie was active in social and political circles, active in the Autonoe Club, Owl Club, and in later years on the St. Albans City Planning Board. She operated two businesses from her home on 105 High Street, an antique store and later a Bed & Breakfast. She became an avid gardener, transforming the yard at the corner of High and Brainerd into a genuine landscape. And throughout it all she remained an enthusiastic bridge player, and her partners some of her longest and best friends.
What pleased her most was welcoming her family home, whether it was wandering children, visiting cousins, old friends, or stray cats. She was never more pleased than when surrounded by those she knew best in the house she loved most, in the town and state that had become her true home.
A private service will be held in the near future. Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory are invited to send it to the Nature Conservancy, Vermont Chapter, 27 State Street, Montpelier, Vt. 05602, an organization long important to both Bonnie and Don.
She is survived and honored by her four children who live the values and lives that she and Don cherished: W. Frederick Wooden, a Unitarian clergyman in Brooklyn, N.Y.; R. Howard Wooden, member of "Woods Tea Company, " of South Burlington; Regina A. Wooden, teacher and Reiki practitioner in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and W. Caroline Wooden, graphic designer for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. She is also survived by one granddaughter, Sarah E. Wooden of Paris, France; and three grandsons, William D. Wooden of South Burlington, Aaron R. Wooden of Ottawa, Ontario, and Stephen F. Wooden of Brooklyn, N.Y.
VIRGINIA HUGHES WHITCOMB
SWANTON -- Virginia Hughes Whitcomb, a resident of Spring Street in Swanton Village for nearly 40 years, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, Sept. 7, 2004, in the Haven Health Center in St. Albans Town.
Born in Springfield, Vt., March 13, 1913, she was the daughter of the late John Henry and Betsy (Crane) Hughes. She graduated from Springfield High School in the Class of 1931 and attended Keene (NH) Normal School before graduating from Castleton State College in 1935. On Aug. 24, 1940, she married Fay G. Whitcomb who predeceased her on Jan. 24, 1986.
Active in the Swanton and surrounding communities, Virginia was a longtime member of the Golden Rule Circle of the Kings Daughters and Sons, Swanton Chapter 11, Order of the Eastern Star, Franklin - Lamoille Retired Teachers Association, Northwestern Medical Center Auxiliary and a communicant of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She was a former member of the Zeta Chapter Delta Gamma Sorority.
In the Swanton, St. Albans and Highgate areas Virginia will be best remembered for her love of music. She was a professional organist and pianist playing for funerals, weddings and Sunday services in nearly every church throughout these communities.
An educator for all of her working life Virginia's teaching career began in the Town of Lincoln where she taught 25 students in eight grades. She later accepted positions in Enosburg Falls, Townsend, Essex Junction, West Fairlee Center, Thetford, Newbury and retired after serving as a remedial education teacher at the Swanton Elementary School.
In earlier years she also served as organist and choir director at the Newbury Congregational Church, and also as organist for the Bradford Congregational Church as well as assisting at several other parishes in Northeastern Vermont.
Survivors include a son, John Whitcomb and his wife Charlotte of Sante Fe, New Mexico; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Merrigan and her husband James of Vergennes; five grandchildren, Erin Whitcomb Jones and her husband Sean of Jeffersonville, Fred Whitcomb of Morrisville, Dr. Katheryn Whitcomb and her fiance Reese Baker of Sante Fe, New Mexico, Karleen Whitcomb and husband Eric Biderman of Ribera, New Mexico and John Quincy Whitcomb of Shangai, China. Virginia also leaves many special friends throughout the Franklin County area.
Besides her husband Fay, Virginia was predeceased by a son, Philip Hughes Whitcomb in 1982; and a brother, LTC John William Hughes USMC retired in 1996.
A Funeral Eucharist will be celebrated Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at 11 a.m. from Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Grand Avenue, Swanton Village. The Reverend Donald Morris will be the celebrant and homilist. Interment Services will take place at 2 p.m. at the Whitcomb family lot in the Enosburg Center Cemetery, Boston Post Road, Enosburg Falls. Friends may call at the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Gifts in Virginia's memory may be made to the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, Vt. 05478.
GEORGE DECKER TAYLOR
SWANTON -- George Decker Taylor, 97, a lifelong resident of the Swanton Community, died Sunday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2004, in the Franklin County Rehabilitation Center in St. Albans Town.
Born in Swanton, March 25, 1907, he was the son of the late Wilbur A. and Frankie M. (Decker) Taylor. He attended Swanton schools and was married to the former Frances Martin who predeceased him in 1986 after 62 years of marriage.
A Master Carpenter for most of his working life, George was responsible for the building of Taylor Drive in Swanton Village as well as many other homes throughout the Franklin County area, which also included building the homes of all of his children. In his earlier years George participated in the construction of the original Missisquoi Bay Bridge connecting Swanton and Alburg, worked for the Swanton Marble Mill, was associated as a builder for Earl Johnson, and during World War II worked in a machine shop in Springfield, Vt. Until his retirement he also had a long association with Taylor Marine.
He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and a member of Seventy-Six Lodge 14, F&AM for more than 50 years.
George leaves a daughter, Norma Lemire of Swanton; four sons, and their wives, Earl and Betty Taylor, Donald and Anita Taylor and Kenneth Taylor and his companion Shirley Burt all of Swanton and Arnold and Judy Taylor of Deland, Fla.; three sisters-in-law, Rose Barratt, Gloria Giroux and her husband Bernard and Eva Bates all of Swanton; 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Linda Edwards; a sister, Grace Fanton; and a brother, Harold Taylor.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. from the Kidder Memorial Home. 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton. The Reverend Reid Farrell, Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will officiate. Interment will follow in the Taylor Family Lot in Riverside Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, Sept. 8, 2004, from 7 to 9 p.m. Members of Seventy-Six Lodge 14 will conduct their Ritualistic Service at 8 p.m.
Gifts in George's memory may be made to Missisquoi Valley Rescue, P.O. 22, Swanton, Vt. 05488.
PHILIP "FUZZY" VERCHEREAU
GRAND ISLE -- Philip "Fuzzy" Verchereau, 67, of Bell Hill Road, died early Monday morning, Sept. 6, 2004, at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Phil was born April 25, 1937, in Colchester, the son of Arthur and Hortense (Senesac) Verchereau.
Fuzzy served in the U.S. Air Force in Special Services from 1954-1956.
On March 2, 1957 he married Carol Hurlburt in St. John Vianney Catholic Church in South Burlington.
He was a resident of Grand Isle for over 40 years. Phil worked for Green Mountain Forest Products in Highgate, and for Pike Industries as well as on various construction projects for several years prior to retirement.
Phil is survived by his wife, Carol of Grand Isle and their children, Lisa Marie Boie and her husband Paul of Swansea, Mass., Laurie Ann Robare and her husband Jim of Alburg and James Arthur Verchereau of Grand Isle; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his brother, Emile "Mike" Verchereau and his wife Dorothy of South Burlington; and his sister, Lucille Wolbach and her husband Robert also of South Burlington; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
He was predeceased by a daughter at birth, Robin Marie Verchereau on March 15, 1958; his sister, Rose-Ami Poissant; and four brothers, Arthur, Alexander, Edmund, and Louis.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Isle. Burial will take place at a later date in the Grand Isle Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Champlain Valley in care of the Visiting Nurse Association, 1110 Prim Road, Suite 1, Colchester, Vt. 05446.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Minor Funeral Home, Route 7 in Milton.
NORMAND PAUL BENOIT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Normand Paul Benoit, age 78, died Sept. 2, 2004, at his residence in Daytona Beach, Fla., after a long illness.
Born in St. Albans on July 18, 1926, he was the son of the late Emile and Georgiana Benoit. He was married to the former Shirley Unwin in 1949.
Prior to his retirement, Normand had a distinguished career as an investigator with the U.S. Border Patrol. In earlier years, he had worked with his brothers Albert and Omer, both now deceased, at Benoit Motor Sales in St. Albans. He faithfully served his country in the United States Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion, Post No. 1, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Federal Criminal Investigators Association.
Normand leaves his beloved wife, Shirley, of Daytona Beach; a son, Marc Benoit and his wife Debra, of Brattleboro; a daughter, Joan Benoit Fish and her husband Jay, of Galveston, Texas; four grandchildren, Christopher and Robert Benoit, Carolyn Stock and her husband Craig, and Kathleen White and her husband Robert; three great-grandchildren, Ethan and Sadie Stock and Caroline White; a sister, Jeanette Jarvis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
At Normand's request, there will be no public services. A private graveside service will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date with The Reverend Maurice J. Roy officiating.
Gifts in Normand's memory may be made to FCHHA - Hospice, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, Vt. 05478.
ROBERT "BOB" BOUTIN
FAIRFAX -- Robert Joseph Boutin, age 55, passed away unexpectedly in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass. on Oct. 23, 1949, son of Isabel (Larche) Boutin and the late Donald Boutin.
Robert graduated from BFA-Fairfax, class of 1967. He married the former Donna Ryan on July 29, in East Montpelier and have been together for 29 years. Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of SP5. Bob was a member of the Local 693 United Association of Pipe Fitters. He was a member of the United Motorcyclist of Vermont, the National Hog Club, the National Harley-Davidson Association, and he was a lifetime member of the N.R.A. He was also the proprietor of Boutin Sales and Service.
Bob loved life and loved riding his Harley traveling across the countryside. He always had a story to tell and a smile to share. Bob was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his mother, Isabel Boutin of Fairfax; his wife, Donna Boutin of Fairfax; two sons, Robert D. Boutin and Heather Streeter of Fairfax, and Scott Mobus and wife Chandra of Missouri, and one grandchild, Mckenna; a daughter, Angela Rodgers and husband John of Michigan; four brothers, Kenneth Boutin and wife Melanie of Georgia, Vt., John Boutin and wife Merivic of Virginia, Neal Boutin and wife Cathy of Florida, and Alan Boutin of Fairfax; six sisters, Lorraine Garland of Texas, Joan Ross of Fairfax, Pauline Boutin of Fairfax, Pamela Vecchitto and husband William of Huntington, Patricia Merritt and husband Wade of Alburg, and Mary Combs and husband Orval of Fairfield; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; his good friend, Leon Dunbar; and his loving in-law family.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hayes-Rich Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the United Methodist Church, Fairfax with Reverend Elizabeth Griffin officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Leona Burleson, P.O. Box 307, Fairfax, Vt. 05454. Friends who wish, may forward online condolences by visiting www.hayesrichfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements made by Hayes-Rich Funeral Home, 1176 Main St., Fairfax.
