Author: Canaan Town Library

Robert “Brian” Williams

From the March 27, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Robert “Brian” Williams, 42, died on Sunday March 19, 2000 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center following a long illness.

He was born on May 8, 1957, in Proctor, VT, the son of William H. and Laura (Migliavacca) Williams. He attended East Montpelier schools and Johnson State College. He came to the Upper Valley in 1981 and had been employed as an orderly at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He then married Doris A. Chouinard on October 1, 1983. In 1996 he went to work for the United States Postal Service first in White River Jct., VT and for the last few years as the Postal Clerk in the Enfield, NH Post Office. He was an avid golfer, bowler, and New York sports fan.

Friends were able to call on Tuesday night, March 21 at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral Services were conducted on Wednesday morning at 11 am in the funeral home with Rev. Roland Nadeau M.S. officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield, NH.

The family suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Robert Brian Williams Fund, c/o Mascoma Saving Bank, PO Box 435, Lebanon, NH 03766 to benefit his children’s education.

Predeceased by: William Harry Williams, father.

Survived by: Laura (Migliavacca) Williams, mother; Doris A. Williams, wife, Canaan, NH; Eric C. and Matthew B. Williams, sons, Canaan, NH; Stephanie M. Williams, daughter, Canaan, NH; Willian H., III of NY and Dana Williams of ME, half brothers. Several close friends, in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Didace G. LaCroix, Sr.

From the May 28, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Didace G. LaCroix, Sr., 83, died Friday, May 25, 2001 at his home in Enfield, following a long illness. He was born in St. Germaine, PQ Canada, on September 9, 1917, a son of the late Zephirin & Leontine (Bellavance) LaCroix. He was an U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, and had been a resident of the Upper Valley for over 60 years. Mr. LaCroix had been employed at Dartmouth College in the Buildings and Grounds Department 6, and was a longstanding member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks. He enjoyed old cars, music, and playing his harmonica.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years: Loretta (Dube) LaCroix of Enfield, NH; 1 daughter: Linda LaCroix of Enfield, NH; 3 sons: Didace LaCroix, Jr. of Bethel, VT; Norman LaCroix of Lebanon, NH; and Robert LaCroix of Enfield, NH; 2 brothers, Antonio “Tony” LaCroix of Wilder, VT and Fernidand “Joe” LaCroix of Littleton, NH: 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday morning May 29 at 11:00 am in the Ricker Funeral Home, Rte 4, Enfield, NH. The Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. will officiate. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. LaCroix may be made to: The Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT and NH Inc., and Hospice, VNH, 46 S. Main St., White River Junction, VT 05001 to be directed to the Lebanon, Enfield and Canaan service areas.

William F. Huntley

From the May 7, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH–William F. Huntley, 84, died Wednesday May 2, 2001 at Concord Hospital in Concord, NH. HE was born in Lowell, MA December 18, 1916, a son of the late Joseph S. & Ethel F. (Adams) Huntley. He grew up in Lowell and attended local schools. Following his graduation from college, he was employed as an electrical engineer for Raytheon Corporation for 37 years retiring in 1977. He was married to Anna L. “Nan” (Cadigan) Huntley who died Oct 7, 1998. Mr. Huntley was a former active member of the Grafton Center Congregational Church, and the Masonic Lodge in Canaan, NH. He was an accomplished woodworker, lapadariast and jewelry maker. He and his wife had operated the HOPOLO Gift Shop in Grafton.

He was predeceased by his wife: Anna L. “Nan” (Cadigan) Huntley who died October 7, 1998; and a sister Margie.

Survivors include a sister: Alice White of Cincinnati, OH; a brother: Forrest “Mike” Huntley of West Yarmouth, MA; several nieces & nephews, and seven great-nieces & nephews.

Friend may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, Rte 4, Enfield, Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 4 pm in the Grafton Center Congregational Church. The Rev. Thomas Warner will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Huntley may be made to the Grafton Ambulance Squad or the Grafton Fire Dept.

Majorie L. Hines

From the April 23, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Marjorie L. Hines, 75, died at her home Sunday morning Sunday morning April 15, 2001. She was born in Plainfield, NH March 7, 1926, a daughter of the late Doris L. (Hazelton) and Fred O. Stearns Sr. A resident of the Upper Valley all her life, she was married to Roger Hines in 1946. They made their home in Canaan. Mr. Hines died in 1999. Majorie was employed for 30 years at Split Ballbearing as a supervisor in the white room. She enjoyed knitting, feeding birds, and spending time with her family.

Survivors include two daughters: Gail Moffat and Patricia Eastman, both of Canaan, NH; three brothers: Fred Stearns Jr. of Orford, NH, Eli Stearns of Fairlee, VT, and Paul Stearns of Grantham, NH; four sisters: Madeline McGonis, Maxine Preston and Jean Arsenault, all of Lebanon, NH and Beverly Elliot of Marlow, NH; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Roger Hines, in 1999; also four brothers: Raymond, Ralph R., Reginal and Robert; and two sisters: Ruth Auclair and Bernita Plume.

There were no calling hours. Graveside committal services will be held at a later date in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan, NH. The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.

Francis J. Bushee

From the April 16, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Francis J. Bushee, 84, died Friday April 6, 2001 at the Brookside Nursing Home in White Rive Jct., VT following a long illness. He was born in Boston, MA June 11, 1916, a son of the late John & Celia (Callan) Bushee and moved to Lebanon, NH that same year. In November 1940 he joined Co.G. 172nd Infantry of the National Guard in Windsor, VT which became federalized in 1941. He stayed with Co.G. for the duration of WWII being stationed at Camp Blanding, FL; Camp Shelby, MS; Camp Perry and Fort Ord, CA; and three years of service in the South Pacific. He received a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and other citations. He was discharged in August 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He worked for 28 years as a mail clerk at the Veterans Administration in White River Jct., VT. Following his retirement he worked for five years as a Lebanon Police Crossing Guard on Hanover Street in Lebanon…a job he thoroughly enjoyed.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion of White River Jct., VT, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Hartford, VT Elks.

Survivors include his wife: Ruth (Dion) Bushee of Lebanon, NH whom he married in 1949; one daughter, Francine Lozeau of Enfield, NH; one son, Stephen Bushee of Wayland, MA; two sisters, Dorothy Andrews of Lebanon, NH and Margaret Germain of Leicester, MA; four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Bushee in 1978.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm at the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon. Burial will be at a later date in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to establish a scholarship fund at Lebanon High School and Mascoma Valley Regional High School be made to: The Francis J. Bushee Memorial Fund, c/o Mascoma Savings Bank, PO Box 435, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Florence A. Garnhum

From the April 16, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Florence A. Garnhum, 80, died Tuesday morning April 20, 2001 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Enfield Center, NH December 8, 1920, a daughter of the late Harry L. & Bertha M. (Lewis) Bailey. A lifelong resident of Enfield Center she was a longtime member of the Earnest Workers Club, and enjoyed plants, flowers, knitting and art. She was married in May 1941 to Charles W. Garnhum who died April 29, 1980.

She was predeceased by her husband and a brother, Oscar Bailey.

Survivors include three daughters: Diane White and Jean Williams, both of Enfield Center, and Deborah Truman of Grafton. One son, Scott Garnhum of Kokomo, IN. A sister, Dorothy Emerson of Enfield Center. Seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four nieces.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home. Rte 4 in Enfield, Friday evening from 7-9 pm. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 pm in the funeral home with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Montcalm Cemetery in Enfield Cemetery.

The family suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: The Enfield Center Fire Dept., Enfield Center, NH 03749.

Elizabeth L. Orcutt

From the March 20, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Hanover, NH–Elizabeth (Betty) Orcutt died March 4, 2000 after a long and satisfying life. She was in her 90th year.

Betty came to Hanover in 1932 from Berlin, NH, after studying elementary education at Keene Normal School.

She married her husband Stan in 1935 and had a son, William S. Orcutt of Manchester, NH; and a daughter, Sally Page of Hanover, NH; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Betty taught first grade in Hanover for 42 years and touched the lives of well over 1200 children. She was particularly renowned for easing out those first loose teeth of her students.

Betty was a lifelong lover of the ocean and became known as “Betty Beach” by her friends in Ogunquit, ME where she and Stan spent their summers.

A memorial service will be held for Betty at St. Thomas Church, Wheelock St., Hanover, NH on Saturday March 25th at 2 pm.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT and NH, Old Court House, Main St., White River Junction, VT 05001.

Eva M. Paquette

From the March 20, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Eva M. Paquette, 85, died Thursday March 16, 2000 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Rochester, VT on April 28, 1914, a daughter of the late Dennis and Ella (Asbury) Murphy. An Enfield resident for most of her life, she was a communicant of St. Helena’s Parish. She was married to Joseph T. Paquette, Sr., who died Feb. 5, 1978. For many years she was employed by the Baltic Woolen Mills in Enfield, and later in the housekeeping dept. of Dartmouth College in Hanover. She enjoyed crocheting and had made many intricately designed doilies.

Friends were able to call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH on Sunday evening. Funeral services will be conducted Monday morning at 10 am in the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Lakeview Cemetery in Enfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Lebanon Senior Citizens Center, 10 Campbell St., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Predeceased by : Joseph T. Paquette, Sr., husband; Dennis Murphy, father; Ella (Asbury) Murphy, mother; Richard Paquette, son; Dora Ryan, daughter; Dan Murphy, brother; Dennis Murphy, brother.

Survived by: Joseph Paquette, Jr., son, Claremont, NH; Betty Chase, daughter, Enfield, NH; Joyce Peck, daughter, Paris, CA; Lillian Dickerson, sister, Barre, VT; 13 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lettie E. Barbour

From the March 20, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Lettie Barbour, died in the Mt. Ascutney Hospital on March 1. She was born on August 5, 1915 in West Canaan. She was the daughter of Truman and Lottie (Austin) Clark. She attended schools in West Canaan and Canaan. Also attended Wilfred Academy of Cosmetology in Boston, MA.

She married Harold Barbour on August 27, 1948 in Grace Chapel on Goose Pond Rd. They lived their married life in Hartland, VT. She volunteered helping with church and fire dept. suppers.

She was a member of the Darn It Woman’s Club, Emblem Club, and American Legion Auxiliary.

She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and playing bingo. Many tiny hats were knitted by her for premature babies.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1986 also, John, Theodore, Horace, Raymond, Elwin, Clayton and Calvin – her seven brothers. Three sisters; Gertrude, Rena and Arleen..

She is survived by her sister Gladys Chesser of Morriston, FL and Grace Reney of Enfield. And many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service was conducted at the Congregational Church in Hartland on March 6 by Rev. Robert Moyer. Donations may be made in her memory to the Hartland Memorial Library, for Children’s Books, PO Box 137, Hartland, VT 05048.

Leslie Paul Mansur

From the April 9, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Leslie Paul Mansur, 73, of Canaan died on Wednesday at the Veterans Administrative Hospital in White River Jct. He was born in Lawrence, MA on October, 29, 1927 a son of John & Agnes (Rugh) Mansur. He attended schools in Bristol, NH and had been a resident of Canaan most of his life. He was a US Army Veteran of WWII. Prior to retirement he had been employed for many years with the State of New Hampshire as a bridge repairman. He was a member of the Foreign Wars in White River Jct., the American Legion in Canaan and served on the Town Budget Committee and was currently serving on the Planning Board. He also served the town of Canaan as a Volunteer Firefighter for over 20 years retiring as a Captain. Mr. Mansur was a State of New Hampshire Forest Fire Warden. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trips to his family’s camp in Errol, auto racing, watching his grandsons play baseball and was an avid Mascoma Royals fan. He had also worked as a volunteer at the Canaan Speedway Racetrack and the Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, VT.

He is survived by two children, Duane W. Mansur of Canaan and Kathie P. Towery of Canaan. Two grandsons, Leslie Paul Mansur and Keith Allen Mansur. A great-granddaughter, Raleigh May Mansur, a brother, Arthur J. Mansur, Sr. of Methuen, MA and a sister, Peggy Woodward of MA, plus many nieces and nephews.

Parents called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Sunday evening from 5-7 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the St. Mary’s Church in Canaan on Monday at 11:00 am with the Rev. Paul Rainville, M.S. officiating. Burial will be later in the spring.