Leo Emile Robillard
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Leo Emile Robillard died of Parkinson’s at the Genesis Rest Home in Saint Johnsbury, at the age of 77. He was born in Newport on May 7, 1947, to Joseph and Marie Angle Brasseur Robillard of Derby.
He graduated from Derby Academy in 1965. He also took a post-graduate course there. Then he went to Boston City Hospital to be an x-ray technician. From there he went to Vermont Technical College (VTC), where he graduated with an agriculture degree.
After graduation, Leo worked at the family farm for many years. Later on, he worked at Columbia Forest Products for a short time. Throughout his life he suffered from schizophrenia and because of his health, it led to his early retirement.
While in school, he was active in basketball and soccer. At VTC, he was on the varsity basketball team. He always loved any competitive game.
Leo is survived by his brothers: Guy and his wife, Helen Couture Robillard, of Irasburg, and Denis and Helen Thayer Robillard of Derby Line. He is survived by his sisters: Raymonde Roy of Stanstead, Canada, Armande Boright of White River Junction, and Louise and Ernest Choquette of Newport Center. He is survived by his sister-in-law Yvone Robillard, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Emile and Elida Demers Brasseur; by his paternal grandparents, Hilare and Dorilda Gravel Robillard; by his parents, Joseph and Marie Robillard of Derby; by his brothers: Hilare, and Real and his wife, Dorothy McFarlane Robillard, and his second wife, Marie Price Robillard. He is also predeceased by his sister Mercedes and her husband, Leo Patenaude, of Newport Center; and by brothers-in-law Malcolm Boright of White River Junction, Vincent Amyot of Glover, and Roger Roy of Stanstead.
The funeral was held on Saturday, August 3, at Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport.
Alice Eugenia Orthey MacKellar
Alice Eugenia Orthey MacKellar, 96, died at Belaire Center, Newport, on June 19, 2024, with her daughter Peggy and son Bruce in attendance.
She was born on May 20, 1928, in Jamaica, Long Island, New York, the daughter of George and Alice (Downer) Orthey. Her childhood was in Rutherford, New Jersey, with summers in Vermont on the Lake Road, Newport. While her father was commander of the New York City Harbor Entrance Control Post on Staten Island, New York, she graduated from Tottenville (S.I.) High School as valedictorian. She received a bachelor’s of science, pre-med, summa cum laude, from Bethany College, West Virginia, and did graduate work at Rutgers University and New York University. After teaching at Bronx High School of Science (New York), she went to Cornell University to carry out research at the college of veterinary medicine.
While in Ithaca, New York, Genie first felt her calling to help young people investigate what it means to be a servant of Jesus Christ. She spent 26 years as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and “Mother Hen” to high school students in every community and the church where she and her husband served.
Genie met her husband, James MacKellar, at the Presbyterian student group at Cornell. They were married in the Methodist (now United) Church in Newport in August 1955. The wedding reception was on the lawn of “Baybrook,” the Orthey family homestead on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. They served Presbyterian churches in Dryden, New York, Waverly, New York, Stirling, New Jersey, and Lyons Falls, New York. In retirement they were faithfully active in the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church. Jim predeceased her in 2017.
Genie made flower gardens in each place she lived and continued at “BayBrook,” where her extensive plantations were enjoyed by many. From her flower gardens she often supplied floral arrangements for the church. Genie had many pursuits. She painted landscapes, two of which were voted “Best Vermont Landscape” at the state show at Northfield. She did the drawing for the picture on her grave marker in the Lake Road Cemetery. She enthusiastically aided and abetted many family get-togethers by the lake and happily welcomed guests. She restored antiques, spun, and knit. Above all, she had a consuming passion for her commitment to raising and training 19 guide dog puppies for the Seeing Eye over 36 years.
Genie is survived by her children: Dr. Ian J. MacKellar, a veterinarian in Canton, New York, and his wife, Rebecca, Margaret A. “Peggy” MacKellar a dental hygienist in Lake Placid, New York, and her partner, Richard Preis, and Dr. Bruce W. MacKellar, a family practitioner in Hornell, New York, and his partner, Kris Dineen. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Shane and Gavin MacKellar, Katie M. Hart, Avery MacKellar, and Kelsey R. MacKellar. Her brother George predeceased her.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, at the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Seeing Eye, P.O. Box 375, Morristown, New Jersey 07963, or East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, 1097 Ketchum Hill Road, Craftsbury, Vermont 05826. Online condolences are welcome at curtis-britch.com.
Dorothy I. (Percoski) Larocque
Dorothy I. (Percoski) Larocque, 85, of Somers, Connecticut, died peacefully at home in the presence of loved ones on July 18, 2024. Dorothy was born in Stafford, Connecticut, on November 23, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Constanty and Doris (Sinkitis) Percoski. She was a graduate of Rockville High School Class of 1956.
In 1958, Dorothy married Wayne Larocque of Barton. Before starting a family, Dorothy worked as a secretary in Hartford, Connecticut. When her youngest of four started school, she yearned to get out of the house and earn her own money. So, she took a job in the Somers school system in food service, where she worked for 28 years, before retiring in 1998.
Dorothy was independent, strong willed, and always busy. She took care of her home and Wayne until she could no longer. She enjoyed playing bingo, puzzles of all kinds, knitting, and craft work. Many family and friends were the recipients of her handiwork over the years.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters: Deborah Bugden and her husband, Robert, of Westmore, and Tina Levesque and her husband, Christopher, of Ellington, Connecticut; and by her grandchildren: Samantha Piette and her husband, Jason, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Erin Bugden of Westmore, Audrey Levesque of Willimantic, Connecticut, and Christopher Levesque Jr. of College Park, Maryland. She also leaves behind three great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Cece Piette, and Ariana Roy. Dorothy is also survived by her siblings: Theresa O’Connor and Richard Percoski and his wife, Janet; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 66 years, Wayne Larocque, in June of 2024; by her sons: Kenneth “Kenny” Larocque and Brian Larocque; her great-granddaughter Alice Piette; her parents; and her brother Timothy Percoski.
Services will be at the convenience of the family.
Dorothy was a dedicated mother and grandmother who loved children. As a lunch lady she often would buy meals for kids in need. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food shelter or to Connecticut foodshare at www.ctfoodshare.org.
For online condolences, please visit www.somersfuneralhome.com.
Richard Joseph Lafleur
His family regrets to announce the passing of Richard Joseph Lafleur, 98, who died and left his family peacefully on July 24, 2024, at the Bel-Aire Center in Newport, in the company of his loving family.
Born on February 4, 1926, in Irasburg, to Albert and Donalda (Berlinguette) Lafleur, Richard was the eldest son, and the third eldest sibling of his family. He was also the sole survivor of his immediate family, following the passing of his brother Maurice Lafleur in February 2024.
Richard grew up on the Irasburg family farm and attended graded school, but unfortunately was unable to complete eighth grade, as his father suffered a stroke, and thus, being the eldest son, at 14 years of age, was tasked with a majority of the responsibilities of maintaining the family farm, along with his mother and other siblings.
At the age of 17-18, Richard began what would be his lifelong career at Ethan Allen, Inc. in Orleans (in between military assignments), before finally retiring in 1992, as the yard supervisor. Richard had an amazing work ethic, for which he expected from his employees as well, thus, sometimes perceived as being a strict boss, also one who in the end, was respected and appreciated by many.
In 1944, Richard enlisted as a Merchant Seaman in the U.S. Navy for approximately one and a half years. His responsibilities on the ship, as a fireman and primarily a ship’s gunner’s mate, (with a .50 caliber machine gun), was to protect the oil tankers while transporting fuel from England to all U.S. ports, supplying fuel for air bases and naval shipyards.
His next military stint was in 1946, in the regular Army where he was sent to Japan for the post WWII occupation for one and a half years, as a heavy truck driver. Medals earned for this service included: the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, and the National Defense Service Medal. Once home, he joined the Army National Guard, and in 1950, was called to report for the Korean War, where he spent 12 months in South Korea as a combat soldier. For this, he received numerous accolades: the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Citizens Badge.
Once permanently back in the States, Richard eventually met the love of his life, Genevieve Pollander, at a Street Dance in the village of Orleans. After four and a half years of courtship, they were married on May 24, 1958, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans. Richard and Genevieve went on to have five children, and in 1972, moved to their final family dwelling in the village of Irasburg. It was here where Richard would be known for his extremely bountiful vegetable gardens and maintaining the very delicious and lucrative raspberry patch. As a beloved, devoted community member, Richard served on the Irasburg Village Water Board until 2007, when he and Genevieve sold their home to enjoy retirement and the rest of their days, residing in Orleans.
Richard also held numerous handyman side jobs to support and raise his loving family of seven. He was the Irasburg Village Catholic Cemetery maintenance person (along with his children) for many years, and also helped with summertime haying for relatives and friends.
Other community associations were being a member of the Knights of Columbus, the VFW, and the American Legion.
In his free time, Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing, for which such passion and skills trickled down to his children. No greater joy was had when he was enjoying these hobbies with his brothers and sons. Many stories and pictures document these wonderful adventures.
Richard was predeceased by his wife, Genevieve; by his parents, Donalda and Albert Lafleur; by his in-laws, Irene and Stanislas Pollander; by his siblings: Clarice and her husband Lucien Messier, Rose and her husband, Eddy Vachon, Jean Paul and his wife, Anita Lafleur, Michael and his wife Yvette Lafleur, Dolores and her husband, Andrew Harbec, Maurice Lafleur, Gertrude and her husband, Ernest Beauregard, little brother Andrew Lafleur; and by and his grandson Christopher Lafleur. Richard was also predeceased by brothers-in-law: Aldie Pollander, Philip Pollander, Francis Pollander, Greg Cresswell, Joe Souliere, and Richard Ryan; and by sister-in-law Joan Souliere.
Richard is survived by his children: David Lafleur and his partner Tani Breitenbach, Wayne and his wife, Cheryl Lafleur, Paul Lafleur, Bryan and his wife, Laura Lafleur, and Colleen Lafleur Doty.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jennifer and her husband, Daniel Pirillo, Shane and his wife, Katelyn Lafleur, Amelia Lafleur, Mitchel Pion, Colby Lafleur, Joel Lafleur and his partner, Whitney Wright, Nathan and his wife, Aubrey Lafleur, Andrew Lafleur, David Lafleur, Isaac Lafleur and his fiancée, Natalie Roberts, Emily Doty, and Brianna Doty (aka “Chipmunk” per her grandpa); as well as many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Also, a dear friend, who began his acquaintance with the Lafleur family as a childhood friend of the twins, which grew to a lifetime bond and was also special to Richard, as close as a stepson could be, David Montague.
A special thanks goes out to his dear neighbor and amazing friend Brigitte Moulton. Her watchful eye and loving care were greatly appreciated by his children, and she will forever hold a special place in their hearts.
Other special friends in Richard’s later years, once retired, include Nelly Curtis, Maurice “Moe” Ingalls, Ray Decelles, and Lisa Gaboriault. Also, thank you to the employees of the Orleans Family Dollar and Thibault’s Market who always kept a watchful eye on Richard, even when he was still driving and doing errands in his 90s.
Richard, Dick, Dickie, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Super Pepe, Uncle Richard, will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on through his family, friends, and colleagues.
A funeral service will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated, on Saturday, September 28, at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Irasburg Village Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the St. Theresa’s Hall in Orleans.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the local VFW 798 Auxiliary, who always accommodated Dad’s requests for holiday meals. Thank you, Annette and Gordon Brown. Address: VFW 798 Auxiliary, 141 Central Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Susan Ginnett
Susan Ginnett, 82, of Daytona Beach, Florida, formerly of Newport, died on July 19, 2024, in Daytona Beach. She was born on June 12, 1942, in Newport, to the late Leonard and Hazel (Leonard) Currier. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Charles Ginnett, who she married on August 24, 1963.
Susan graduated from Lyndon State Teachers College and subsequently graduated from the University of Vermont with a master’s degree in education. She went on to be a science teacher for many years before becoming principal at North Country Union High School in Newport.
Susan was an avid golfer throughout her life and especially enjoyed her time golfing with her women’s league every summer. She was very proud of the four hole-in-ones she recorded over her golfing career. She also took great joy in playing Mahjong for hours on end with her friends in Daytona, as well as had an ardent love of reading, a passion she inspired in some of her grandchildren.
She is also survived by her children: Michael Ginnett and his wife, Donna, of Essex Junction, Marc Ginnett and his wife, Allie, of Columbia, Connecticut, and Jeremy Ginnett of Edgewood, New Mexico. She is further survived by grandchildren: Joshua Ginnett, Ryan Ginnett, Oliver Ginnett, Megan Ginnett, Sarah Ginnett, and Isabelle Osborn, as well as step-grandchildren Althea Osborn, Miles Osborn, and Hayden Kapinos. Her brother Peter Currier and his wife, Claire, of Newport, sister Jane Wailting and her husband, Greg, of Allen, Texas, also survive her.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, at the Curtis-Britch and Bouffard Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road, Newport. Interment will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport at a later date. If friends desire, memorial contributions in Susan’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
