Janet Rollins

On a sunny afternoon in Rutland, Vermont, March 18, 2018, two days after her 70th birthday and surrounded by her loving family, Janet Rollins took her last breath in this life as she journeyed into her next life to join her parents, and grandson.

Janet was born in Springfield, Vermont, March 16, 1948, to Charles and Thelma Cole (Curtis). She was raised in Andover, Vermont, and graduated from Springfield High School.

Surviving are her four children: a son, Dan Pelkey, his partner, Cindy Pelkey, and their son, Ben Pelkey, of Wallingford, VT; a daughter, Kim Denis, her husband, Kipp, and their sons MJ Denis and Jared Denis, of Proctor, VT; a son, Kevin Pelkey, his wife, Wendy Pelkey, and their daughters Devyn Pelkey and Alissa Pelkey, of Mount Dora, FL; a son, Craig Pelkey, his wife, Laurie Pelkey, and their children Spencer Pelkey, Kaitlyn Pelkey, Evan Perry and Emily Perry, of Pittsford, VT. Also surviving are a sister, Christine Quinn, her husband, Hollis Quinn, and their daughter, Jill Sandonato, of Cavendish, VT; her first husband and father of their children, Steve Pelkey, of Proctor, VT; and second husband, Mark Rollins.

She is also survived by the wonderful staff of nurses at The Pines Nursing Home who cared for her in her last four years of life and who became an extension of her family. Janet's family would like to express their deep gratitude to the nursing staff at The Pines for their dedication and compassion.

Janet was predeceased by her parents; stepfather, Ralph Gamble; and grandson, Samuel Pelkey, son of Dan and Cindy Pelkey.

Janet will be remembered for her spunky, no-nonsense personality and sense of humor, she loved to tease and be teased, and held onto her witty humor until her final weeks. She loved music, pink carnations, hummingbirds and maple trees. She enjoyed swimming, playing Cribbage and Yahtzee, family gatherings and a good visit over coffee. When her home was filled with her loved ones, you would find mom in her kitchen cooking up a storm and it's when her heart was most content. She will be missed.

There will be no calling hours. The family will have a private celebration of her life in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Richard Hamilton

Richard Hamilton, known a s “ Dick,” of Rutland, died Feb. 8, 2018, with his family by his side.

He was born on Sept. 15, 1928, in Summit, N . J . , t h e youngest son of five children of Harry Thomas and Dorothy Crawford Hamilton, where he grew up until his marriage to Ann “Winkie” Bigelow Hamilton in 1954.

He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1946, and Yale University in 1950, where he was a member of the Whiffenpoofs, the renowned university a cappella group, in both his junior and senior years. This affiliation brought him great singing opportunities and marvelous friends in his ensuing years. While living in Rutland, Dick continued his love for singing with the Curbstone Chorus.

In December1950, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the Army Counterintelligence Corps in Wurzburg, Germany, subsequently returning to civilian life in 1953.

After they married, Dick and Winkie moved to western Canada where he was in the construction business with one of his brothers until 1960. In the summer of 1960, they moved to Seattle where Dick joined Larry Smith & Co., real estate consultants. He was transferred to Toronto, Canada, in 1963 to build the Canadian division of the company. After serving successfully in this capacity until 1967, Dick took ownership of W-W Urban Consultants Limited, primarily specialist consultants to shopping center developers and urban planning and development offices across Canada.

In 1974, the family returned to the U.S. and lived for the next 25 years at their beloved farm in Springfield, VT. From 1974 to 1984, Dick continued his Canadian consulting work by “commuting” from Springfield to Toronto and back every alternate week. He had sold the firm in 1980 to a commercial real estate firm, A.E. LePage Limited, and worked with that firm until returning to the U.S. on a full-time basis in 1984.

Fishing was his great love, and he was fortunate in being able to cast his flies on many of the revered trout and salmon rivers and lakes throughout the world. Along with many U.S. waters, his fishing travels extended to the Gaspe Peninsula, Patagonia, Kamchatka, Russia, New Zealand, Tibet, Iceland, Norway, British Columbia, Alaska and the U.K.

Survivors include his wife, Winkie; and his sons Thomas B. Hamilton, his wife, Gillian, and children Jamie, Ben and Oliver, of Chittenden, VT, Matthew S. Hamilton, his wife, Rosemarie, and children Katie and Elizabeth, of Wentzville, MO, John C. Hamilton, his wife, Pamela, and children Stephen, Sarah and Meghan, of Rutland Town, VT.

His oldest son, Richard “Rick” Jr., died of a brainstem tumor in 1987. Dick was also predeceased by his three brothers and his sister.

His family will welcome friends at the Tossing Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m at the Rutland Country Club.

At Dick’s request, there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to: Green Mountain Fly Tyers Club, c/o Charles Whitehair, 205 North Church St., Rutland, VT 05701; or Mendon Fish & Game, c/o Rick Putnam, P.O.Box 752, Rutland, VT 05702.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Diane L. Stocker

Diane L.( Dennis) Stocker, 50, of Springfield, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Mineral Street October 6, 2016.

Born February 28, 1966 at the Glens Falls Hospital, Diane was the daughter of Dorothy (Day) Dennis and the late Leslie Dennis. She grew up in Whitehall where she graduated with the Class of 1984.

After high school, Diane got her degree as an Administrative Assistant from CCV in Rutland, where she lived for several years. Diane spent most of her adult life in New Hampshire, where she loved being near the ocean.

Most important to Diane was her family who will miss her dearly. Diane is survived by her mother, Dorothy her brother, Jim Dennis of Whitehall, her sister, Karen (Dennis) Tommasino and brother in law, Ralph of Hoosick Falls and her favorite nephews Philip (Alicia) Tommasino of Latham, Michael (Amanda) Tommasino of Clifton Park, Christopher (Jhordyn Edwards) Tommasino of Albany and Steven Tommasino of Hoosick Falls. She is also survived by several aunts and cousins.

There will be a burial service at Greenmount Cemetery on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at a time to be listed Arrangements have been entrusted to Jillson Funeral Home, William Street, Whitehall, NY.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Theresa A. Pierce

Theresa A. Pierce, 88, of Springfield, died Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016.

She was born Jan. 2, 1928, the daughter of Pasquale and Agnes (Valente) Palluotto. Raised in Rutland, she graduated in 1945 from Mount St. Joseph Academy, then attended the American Seminary of the Bible in Brooklyn, New York. She returned home to take care of her mother who was ill.

On April 2, 1955, she married Paul Pierce and moved to Ludlow. Together, they owned Pierce’s Gulf Station and then worked at Manchester Spinning. She was the chef at the Cafe on the Farm in Grahamsville until her retirement in 1989. After her husband died in 1990, she volunteered at Ludlow Elementary School and then ran Pierce’s Book Emporium.

Mrs. Pierce was a member of South Reading Old Stone Church where she participated in Bible study and the choir. While at the Whitcomb Building in Springfield, she was active writing for the tenants’ newsletter, leading a Bone Builders exercise class, serving as secretary of the tenants’ association and party planning. She also joined the Senior Center and was featured with the Senior Songsters.

She was known for her homemade pizza, her flower gardens and being a Boston Red Sox fan. She also enjoyed traveling, games, reading and music.

Survivors include her daughter, Dee Sheldon, several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Davis Memorial Chapel, 99 Summer St., followed by a reception in the Community Room of the Whitcomb Building, 1 Mineral St., both in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Senior Songsters, in care of Springfield Senior Center, Main Street, Springfield, VT 05156.

 

Read More »

Roger Kevin Clark, 53

Roger Kevin Clark, age 53, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at Rutland Health Care Center. Mr. Clark was born in Rutland on June 30, 1962. He was the son of Roger and Mary (Judkins) Clark. He grew up in Rutland where he received his early education and had attended Rutland High School.

In his earlier years he had worked at Malay’s Service Station in Springfield. He later farmed with his family and learned automotive mechanics and auto detailing. He was very mechanically inclined and loved working on cars. He was forced to retire in 2008 due to a disability. He enjoyed NASCAR.

Surviving are his mother and stepfather; Mary and Chet Cooper of Pittsford; his son, Trevor Clark of East Middlebury; a brother, Mark Clark of Rutland; and 2 sisters; Evelyn Devoid of Shoreham and Debi Wade of Warren. Several nieces, nephews & cousins also survive him.

The memorial service In Celebration Of His Life will take place at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.

Read More »