System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Archie J. Gillis
Archie J. Gillis, 78, a longtime resident of Island Pond, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at his home.
Mr. Gillis was born in Island Pond on March 29, 1925, the son of George and Maria (St. Pierre) Gillis. He attended St. Mary’s School as a youth.
He served his country during World War II in the Philippines as a harbor craft operator for the U.S. Army. As a private first class, he was responsible for transporting men and supplies from ship to shore. He worked for the Canadian National Railroad for over 30 years as a bridge and building engineer.
He was a member of American Legion Island Pond Post No. 80 and of Veterans of Foreign Wars Island Pond Random Post No. 2309. He enjoyed trips to Alaska and North Carolina with his wife, hunting and fishing locally and in Alaska, and riding around on the back roads and woods watching the wildlife. He loved working with wood, making many gifts for family and friends.
On February 2, 1952, he married Alice R. Carr, who survives him. He is also survived by his children: Dave Gillis and his wife, Linda, of North Carolina, Betty Biggs and her husband, Paul, of Barre, Brian Gillis of Shelburne, Steve Gillis and his wife, Laura, of Alaska, and Donna Chesney and her husband, Roger, of Island Pond; by his brother J. Albert Gillis of Burlington; by 14 grandchildren; by six great-grandchildren; and by nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Scott; and by his sister Gertrude Bulakites.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 26 at St. James Catholic Church with the Reverend William Morgan officiating. Interment followed at Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond with military honors.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Gillis’ memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division Incorporated, 12 Loomis Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Dale Shaffer
Dale Shaffer, 62, died Sunday, February 6, 2005, in Barton after a long struggle with peritoneal cancer. A woman of firm faith, Dale is at peace.
Besides her husband, Roger, she leaves her children: Sam and his wife, Lu, Laurel and Heather Kilbourn and their father, Larry, and Jesse Allen and his father, Tom; Roger’s children Erik and Wendy Shaffer; and several grandchildren.
Dale Phinney was born in Manhattan on October 1, 1942. She studied design at Pratt Institute, and after moving to Connecticut, embarked on a variety of careers among which were teaching computer skills and acting as a doctor’s assistant at Yale University.
Her lifelong interest in all aspects of the theater led her to the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, Connecticut, where she not only designed and made costumes but trained as a clown and was soon leading improvisation workshops in area schools.
When she and her husband moved from Branford, Connecticut, to Barton in July 1999, they opened Rogersdale B&B and took a look at their new community to see how they could contribute. The rundown beauty of the Barton Memorial Building caught their eyes, and its neglected theater was clearly the right project for their backgrounds. They soon established the BMB R&R (Barton Memorial Building Restoration and Revitalization) committee, and efforts during the last five years have led to many improvements which will continue until the restoration is complete.
Mrs. Shaffer was a woman of many talents and boundless energy and enthusiasm, which she gave unstintingly to her adopted home. A strong leader, she was able to make tough decisions when necessary. She spent long hours writing grant proposals to help raise funds for the BMB R&R. As president of the Barton Library Club and Board of Trustees she led through a difficult transition period. She and Roger volunteered regularly at Barton senior meals, and she was instrumental in the revival of the Moonlight Madness holiday fairs.
Although her many volunteer activities and her newly acquired enthusiasm for quilting took up much of her time, she found a perfect fit when she took on the job of assistant to the director at the Vermont Leadership Center (now the NorthWoods Stewardship Center). Her colleagues at work praised her as the face and voice people first met when they contacted the center.
But she was never afraid to let her silly side show. Last summer, even though her health had begun to fail, she had great fun helping with a fund-raising dinner theater making original props, advising on costuming and makeup, and even stepping in at the last minute to take tickets in the role of a gum-chomping New York restaurant hostess.
She was concerned that other women learn from her illness to ask their doctors about early detection and prevention of ovarian cancers. Those wishing to make contributions in her memory are encouraged to donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, attention: Dr. Thomas J. Rutherford, Yale University School of Medicine, Department OB/GYN, P.O. Box 208063, New Haven, Connecticut 06520.
A memorial service will be held at the Barton United Church on Thursday, February 17 at 7 p.m.
Mark A. Prue
Mark A. Prue, 47, of Troy, well-known businessman and beloved husband of Linda (Blais) Prue, died suddenly February 12, 2005, in Newport.
Mr. Prue was born September 19, 1957, in Newport, a son of Wilbrod and Cora (Nourie) Prue. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1975. On December 31, 1993, he married Linda Blais.
He worked for the former Fedele Store while he was in high school and later for Grand Union for 24 years before buying the Troy General Store in 1998.
He gave generously to the area organizations such as the fire departments, church, local schools, Special Olympics, local sports teams, and many other charities. He participated in the Penguin Plunge in both Newport and Burlington.
He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and telling jokes. He loved his family, grandchild, and animals. He took great pride in his store and truly enjoyed bringing laughter into other people’s lives. He will be dearly missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Prue, of Troy; by his children: Sarah Braasch and her husband, Njama, of Richmond, Sally Prue and her fiancé, John Guebara, of Lowell, Joshua Prue of Newport, and Ali Waters of Troy; by a grandson, Aiden Guebara, of Lowell; by brothers and a sister: Paul Prue and his wife, Kathy, of Newport, Richard Prue and his wife, Janice, of Virginia, and Mary Ann Lucas and her husband, Bill, of Derby; by several nieces and nephews; by aunt Clair Riel of Palmer, Massachusetts; by uncle Armand Nourie of Nashua, New Hampshire; and by his mother- and father-in-law, Joseph and Carmen Blais, of Derby Line.
Funeral services were held February 15 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport with the Reverend Jerome Mecure celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Prue’s memory may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation, 9221 Ward Parkway Suite 400, Kansas City, Missouri 64114; or to North Country Hospital, renal dialysis unit fund, in care of Wendy Franklin, development office, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
