PAGE 6A — Addison Independent, Thursday, January 26, 2017
ADDISON COUNTY
Obituaries Robert Fuller, 92, Vergennes
VERGENNES — Robert Weeks Fuller, University of Vermont Emeritus Professor and well-known Wildlife Biologist, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017. He was born May 12, 1924, in Center Conway, N.H., the son of Mildred Ellen Weeks and John Isaiah Fuller. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942, and was awarded his pilot’s wings and a lieutenant’s commission. He served as pilot instructor in single engine aircraft and later as a pilot of a B-17 bomber. He married Beverly Edith Barden of Gorham, Maine in January 1945. Bob and Beverly moved to Burlington, Vt., where he entered the University in 1946 as an engineering student. He transferred in 1948 to the University of Maine, Orono, and a curriculum in wildlife conservation. After receiving his B.S. degree in 1951, Bob and family moved to Logan, Utah, where he completed a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Management. From 1953 through 1965 he worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the VT Fish & Game (later Fish & Wildlife) Dept. developing and managing the Dead Creek Waterfowl Area and as Waterfowl Project Leader for the entire state. His work in restoring wetlands and waterfowl numbers, and establishing Vermont’s first-ever breeding populations of wild Canada geese, received recognition from the Atlantic Waterfowl council through the prized Charles Banks Belt Award in 1957 and the wildlife Conservationist-of-the-year Award from the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Club in 1969. The international Wildlife Society recognized him as a Certified Wildlife Biologist in 1982 and the Northeast Section of the Wildlife Society honored him in 1988 with its
highest recognition, the John Pearce Memorial Award for outstanding professional achievements. Bob joined the faculty of the University of Vermont in January 1966, developing a Wildlife Management Concentration within the Department of Forestry. He became first Chairman of the Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Program when the UVM School of Natural Resources evolved in 1974. By action of the UVM Board of Trustees, Acting President Thomas Salmon conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws on him at UVM Commencement exercises in 1992. Bob retired from UVM on Dec. 31, 1988, but continued as Emeritus Professor to teach an occasional class in his area of expertise and to serve on University committees. He was one of two honorees for significant contributions to waterfowl conservation in Vermont at a special 25-year Vermont Ducks Unlimited Banquet in 1994. Bob was a faithful and dedicated member, a past master and Secretary of Dorchester Lodge No. 1, F&AM, Vergennes, a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Vermont Consistory, and a member of Cairo Temple, A.A.O.N.O.M.S. His dedication was recognized by presentation of the honorary John Barney Medal in 2002. Bob loved canoeing, square dancing, quiet walks with Bev and touring many national wildlife refuges. Bob was also an ardent hunter and fly fisherman. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Beverly and by his sister, Alice Wright of White River Jct., Vt. He is survived by his three daughters, Patricia and husband Stewart
William Sullivan, 71, Starksboro
ROBERT WEEKS FULLER Marsh of Ferrisburgh, Vt.; Robin and husband Ralph Torrey, Jr. of Waltham, Vt.; and Kathryn Fuller of Vergennes, Vt.; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one brother Francis Fuller and wife Olive of Keene, N.H.; one brother-in-law, Richard Barden and wife Rosalie of Gorham, Maine; and several nieces and nephews. Bob’s family wishes to express their love and extreme gratitude to all of Bob’s caregivers. Their dedication, caring, compassion and love guided us all through a very difficult time. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at Vergennes Congregational Church on Water Street in Vergennes. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT.◊
Kiefer and Susan Marie. She was also a caring and concerned grandmother to her granddaughter Jodie Lee Barber. Marie cared deeply for her three sisters and all of her nieces and nephews. Marie is survived by her daughter Susan Davis and husband Gerald Davis of Delhi, N.Y.; her granddaughter Jodie Lee Barber and husband Troy Covill of Niskayuna, N.Y.; her sister Marion Fish of Rutland, Vt.; her sister Joyce Lowe and husband Ray of Waterbury, Vt.; her sister Arlene Owen and husband Elton of Brandon, Vt.; her niece and goddaughter Lynn Well and husband Robert of Essex Junction, Vt.; her
WILLIAM SULLIVAN touched so many lives and will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, The Mental Health Association of Essex County, New York, or the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Burlington. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 5-8 p.m. at Brown-McClay Funeral Home, 4 South Street, Bristol, Vt. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Ambrose Church, Main Street, Bristol, Vt.
Erma Lowd, 81, formerly of New Haven
2017. A full obituary will appear in Monday’s Addison Independent. More details will appear on Sanderson Funeral Home website.
Chapel in Vinalhaven, Maine and was a member of the Vinalhaven Congregational Church. When Erma and Fred moved back to Vermont they resided in New Haven, and became members of the New Haven Congregational Church and the Order of Eastern Star Libanus Chapter #47. She enjoyed crafting, sewing, quilting, knitting, puzzles and spending time with her family. At Christmas her sewing room was a whir of activity! Survivors include her children: son Rick Lowd and wife Deb of Salisbury; daughters, Sally Conway and husband Charlie of Addison; and Hilda Costello of St. Albans; her grandchildren: Jamie Conway, Erin Conway Knight, Alicia Costello and Chris Costello; a great-grandchild Jayce Costello; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband in 2015; an infant son Billy; her parents; siblings Catherine, Larry, Jane and her twin Paul; her daughter-in-law Kelly Wetmore; and son–in-law Steve Costello. A Celebration of her life will be held in the spring of 2017 at
the New Haven Congregational Church. Memorial contributions in memory of Erma may be made to the Porter Hospital Birthing Center at 115 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753, attention Development Office please reference Erma Lowd. Online condolences at www. sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊
to level-fund budgets, he should have made that a central piece of his election campaign,” Honigford said. Bringing this proposal forward after most boards have completed the difficult task of budgeting shows disregard for the elected officials overseeing Vermont’s public school system.” Scott begged lawmakers in the House and Senate, the majority of whom are Democrats, to be courageous and resist the urge to block his reforms. “Vermonters asked us to put the state on a more sustainable path and this is one of them,” he said. Scott said the state needs to align spending with the number of students in Vermont schools. “Remember: Vermonters need this,” he said. “Please don’t instinctively lock up with resistance to change. I promised to make the difficult choices to put Vermont on a more sustainable path. And this is one of them.” “If we don’t, we will have to
settle for higher taxes and fewer educational options,” Scott said. “And I refuse to settle for either.” “Believe me when I say I know these are incredibly strong measures,” Scott said. “But over the last 20 years, student counts have continuously dropped. Costs have continued to rise faster than our ability to pay. And property taxes have become one of the biggest contributors to our crisis of affordability.” Rep. Lanpher was skeptical. “The question is — Why would the governor present a grand reform, which many Vermonters are looking to Montpelier for leadership and guidelines, then set a timeframe that all but guarantees failure,” Lanpher said. “I do not understand why he chose politics over good policy development.” A large chunk of savings from K-12 education — $9.6 million — will be used to expand early childhood education programs for low-income families and improve
childcare programs. Let’s Grow Kids Campaign Director Robyn Freedner-Maguire said the investment in early education is a “game changer.” Middle class families where both parents work spend nearly 40 percent of their income on child care, according to the advocacy group. At the same time, child care workers are poorly paid. “Significant investment is long over-due and frankly, our kids, families, providers and Vermont businesses that rely on a dependable workforce are counting on us to start solving the problem,” Freedner-Maguire said in a statement. Higher education gets a boost of $6.5 million under the Scott proposal. The governor wants to increase base appropriations to the Vermont State Colleges by $4 million and the state contribution to the University of Vermont budget by $1 million. The money at UVM is to be used to support
low- and middle-income students. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation would also get $1 million for a need-based grant program for workforce training. In addition, $500,000 would be set aside for military scholarships. Major General Steven Cray, the adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, said the military scholarships will bring Vermont up to speed with neighboring states. Vermont State College System Chancellor Jeb Spaulding lauded the governor’s attention to the “cradle to career” continuum of education from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary training and college. “The $4 million in additional funding will allow the Vermont State Colleges to turn the corner on years of stagnant state support,” he said. The colleges will use the money in 2018 to keep tuition rate increases down. Independent reporter John Flowers contributed to this story.
nephew and godson James McKeon and his wife Lori of Rutland, Vt.; as well as many much loved nieces and nephews in Vermont, Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Colorado to name a few. Marie was predeceased by her father William Carl, her parents Arlene and Lawson Hammond, her daughter Victoria Ann, her son Philip Kiefer, her nephew Brian McKeon and her husband Nils. The burial will be in Bristol, Vt. at the discretion of her family in the spring along with a church service and luncheon to follow, which will be announced at future date.◊
Bartley Nourse Sr., 91, Middlebury MIDDLEBURY — Bartley Bonfield Nourse Sr., 91, of Middlebury, died peacefully at home of natural causes on Jan. 25,
After Boston College, he enlisted in the USMC from 1967 to 1969. In 1972, after completing Boston College’s graduate degree in Special Education, Bill moved to Vermont to teach at the Brandon Training School. Bill served ten years as Executive Director for the Vermont Association for the Blind. In 1988, Bill and family were off to the South Pacific, training nationals in Papua New Guinea (where Lincy was adopted), and Vanuatu. Returning to Vermont in 1992, Bill was Executive Director of Vermont Protection and Advocacy later known as, Disability Rights of Vermont, and subsequently at the Mental Health Association of Essex County, New York. Upon retirement in 2009, he became a Guardian ad Litem in Addison County, advocating for the best interests of children and adults. Other volunteer efforts include serving as Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol, Vt. where he was a former member of the Finance Committee; treasurer of the Starksboro Cooperative Pre-School. Bill was a skier, golfer, avid reader, season ticket holder for Boston College Football games, an advocate and educator. He lived his life with passion, verve, integrity, professionalism and principle. He
NEW HAVEN — Erma J. Lowd, 81, passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. She was born Aug. 6, 1935 in Greenfield, Mass. to Frederick and Hannah (Landstrom) Burrington. Erma spent her childhood growing up on the family farm in Heath, Mass. Upon graduating from high school, Erma attended the Franklin County Public Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1956 as a Registered Nurse. While there, she married Frederick Lowd, Sr. on Feb. 25, 1956 in South Easton, Mass. Erma lived with her family in Middlebury for 30 years and was a Registered Nurse at Porter Medical Center working as a main floor supervisor and then moving into the OB/GYN Department. She and Fred moved to Vinalhaven, Maine upon Erma’s retirement from Porter Medical Center. She kept busy during retirement by working at the Islands Community Medical Services parttime and volunteering for the Wind Newspaper in Vinalhaven. She loved attending the Pleasant River
Marie Johnson, 82, native of Bristol STAMFORD, N.Y. — Marie Anna Carl “Peanut” Johnson was born June 7, 1934 in Bristol, Vt. and passed away on Jan. 21, 2017 at Robinson Terrace in Stamford, N.Y., her home of 17 years. Marie was well known and will be remembered for her sense of humor, her love of music and singing, her love of animals and her compassionate care both as a nurse and an X-ray technician. She was a good friend to many through the years and was always willing to lend a helping hand or words of encouragement to anyone in need. Marie was a loving mother to her children Victoria Ann, Philip
STARKSBORO — William Charles Sullivan, 71, of Starksboro Vt., was born March 21, 1945 to Ruth Stewart Livingstone Sullivan and Thomas Sullivan of Stamford, Conn. Bill leaves his spouse and partner of 37 years, Marilyn Barbato; his daughter Anne C. Sullivan of Brandon, Vt. and her partner, John Lincoln of Middlebury, Vt.; two beautiful granddaughters, raised in Addison County: Alexandra Nauka Dorce, 16, now living with her father Phyllip Dorce, his wife Cynthia, and daughters, Dee Dee, Amaya and Arianna, in Norwalk, Conn.; and Ava Ruth Quinlan, 4, living in Panton, Vt., with her father, Michael Quinlan, his partner, Katie Rotax, and Ava’s siblings, Kassidy and Gavin. His beloved daughter, Lincy Nauka Sullivan passed away in October of 2014. He also leaves behind his sister-in-laws Linda Silkworth of New Orleans; and Fran Bauer of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; niece Karen Duffy of Fla.; and nephews, Mark Duffy, and his partner Donnie Tessatore, of New York; Joe Duffy of Ariz.; John Duffy of New York; as well as, Will Silkworth of Los Angeles, and Jesse Silkworth of New York. Bill attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and St. Basil’s Prep School in Stamford, Conn.
ERMA LOWD
Scott In Loving Memory of
Scott Alan Cousino Oct. 6, 1970 – Jan. 28, 2005
The moment that you died Our hearts split into two. One side filled with memories, The other died with you. We often lie awake at night When the world is fast asleep, Walking down memory lane With tears upon our cheeks. Remembering you is easy, We do it every day. But missing you is a heartache That never goes away. Our hearts hold you tightly And there you will remain. Life has gone on without you. But it will never be the same. “ A lot has happened in the past 12 years, but we still love you and miss you more and more every day! Until we all meet again, All of our love ( To ALL of You ) Your family and friends
New Obituary Guidelines The Independent will publish paid obitu‑ aries and free notices of passing. The free notice of passing is up to 100 words, sub‑ ject to editing by our news department. Paid obituaries cost 25 cents per word and will be published, as submitted, on the date of the family’s choosing. Paid obituaries are marked with ‘◊.’ Photos with either paid obituaries or free notices cost $10 per photo. Obituaries may be emailed to obits@ addisonindependent.com, or call 802‑388‑4944 for more information.
(Continued from Page 2A) premiums and higher copays at the end of this year. The changes could result in more than $26 million in savings for taxpayers, according to the Vermont School Boards Association. That estimate includes an 80/20 split on the premium and an assumption that school districts would add money to health savings plans to help teachers cover their increased out of pocket costs. Geo Honigford, the president of the Vermont School Boards Association, strongly objected to changing the rules for budgeting so late in the game and said it was a slight against boards that have already put many hours into this year’s budgets. “If the governor wanted boards
I would like to take a moment and thank the Bristol Legion, Post #19 for their love and support after the loss of my son, Jody Cousino. I would also like to thank the members, family and friends for furnishing all the food and setting up the hall. I received many cards and prayers. It was all greatly appreciated at the time of my loss.
FUNERAL MEMORIAL SERVICE CREMATION PRE-PLANNING SERVICES
BROWN-McCLAY FUNERAL HOMES
BRISTOL
Jane Coffin
453-2301
VERGENNES
877-3321
brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com