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Fenton and Hennessey funeral home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT (2025)

10/29/2025

Edward G. Hindes of Westminster passed away on October 26, 2025, in Ascutney. Edward was born in Bellows Falls, VT on January 26, 1941, the son of George and Gladys (Bushway) Hindes. He was a 1959 graduate of Bellows Falls High School and went on to serve in the Vermont National Guard. Edward was a lifetime member of the DAV and was also a member of the Bellows Falls Senior Center.

Edward is survived by longtime friend, Millie Williams and survived by nieces and nephews, Michael, Bernard, Heidi and Lisa. He is also survived by great-nieces and nephews along with great-great-nieces and nephews. Edward was predeceased by his parents and brother, Bernard and half brother, Ernest Hogan.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 AM at Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:30 AM at St. Charles Church on Cherry Hill in Bellows Falls. The burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Drewsville, NH.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.

10/28/2025

On October 25, 2025, Walpole lost a lifelong resident and icon. Marjorie Ann Rogers lived peacefully surrounded by love, family, friends and animals. Born February 6, 1934, to Paul Canning Rogers and Marjorie Alice Rhodes.

Graduating in 1956 from Keene State College, Ann began her 35 year teaching career in Hanover, NH, from Hanover she taught in Chester, VT and onto Walpole where she retired in 1995. Through her dedication and enthusiasm, Ann built lasting and meaningful connections with her colleagues and students. Innovative teaching led to a cultural exchange with a fifth grade class from Houston, TX which had begun as pen pals. Her unique compassionate teaching earned her New Hampshire Teacher of the year in 1981 in which she was invited to Washington to attend a luncheon with Ronald Reagan. To this day, if Ann encountered a former student, she would often joke that they still owed her homework. If you have unreturned schoolwork, it may well be in a box in her attic still! Yearly letter writing was taught in her class where thank you notes took precedence. You could only be fortunate enough to receive a handwritten note from Ann. Her handwritten notes were genuine and filled with gratitude and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Noah Osgood Scholarship, PO Box 1600, Claremont, NH 03743 which emphasizes kindness and gratitude.

Ann had great attachment to her community, a community she loved, a lifelong Walpole resident. If you tour the historical society, there's a picture of her modeling a dress as a child, she also devoted time to the Historical Society. Her deep faith kept Ann a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Walpole as well where she and her seven other siblings were baptized when Ann was eight. Occasionally, you could see a little fast stepped lady headed uptown delivering her homemade lemon squares or ginger cookies to local businesses. Blessed with her warmth there was not a person or animal that didn't receive a smile if greeted by Ann. If you choose to forego flowers, donating to the First Congregational Church of Walpole would be a building she has loved since childhood.

Ann loved animals as well receiving her first pony at age 10 and then there are many more to come. It was not only Ann that believed in community support she also incorporated her donkey, Patrick who made a yearly appearance in the live nativity scene on the common at Christmas. Dogs and cats also filled her house and heart, carrying love for animals and children came naturally and abundantly. Ann's pockets were deep with thought for others and usually contained dog cookies just in case she encountered town dogs while out on her walk.

Referred to as the family rockstar she will always be our Mount Rushmore. She leaves behind a family she deeply loved. Ann's three children, Douglas Faxon, Susan Faxon (Brendon Jones) and Edward Faxon, ten grandchildren, Shannon Faxon (Shaun), Michael Brodeur (Cynthia), Robbie Brodeur (Caroline), Lyle Faxon, Kayla Munukka (Dave), Luke Joslin (Lilly), Drew Joslin and Bo Schadler, Tiffany Vigneau (John) and Paige Putnam (Ben). More great joys are her great-grandchildren, Quinlyn, Finnegan, Ella, Sawyer, Olly, Oprea, Izzy, Mariah, Neil, Maddy and Aurora.
Ann is survived by her two sisters, Katie Kittredge of Palm Beach, FL and Joan Sylvester of Walpole and one brother, Gus Rogers (Sally) of Crossville, TN. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews. Her predeceased brothers are Robert Rogers, Richard Rogers, Paul Rogers and Phil Rogers. Ann also leaves behind an almost century long friendship with her best friend, Hazel Green in Vancouver, WA.

If you knew Ann, you loved her, she would make you want to be a better person. Her final thank you would be to all the people that have been so kind to her and touched her heart especially in her time of need. She also would say God bless you all. So, write thank you notes, smile, be kind to animals and children, bake for people, say nice things, enjoy the beauty of your town and her favorite saying is: "short visits make long friends."

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Walpole in Walpole, NH. Burial will be held privately for the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.

10/28/2025

Charles W. Aron of Westminster, VT passed away on October 25, 2025, at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Charles (Charlie) was born on October 22, 1950, in Keene, NH, son of Edwin and Ruth (Beard) Aron. Charles received his Associates degree and owned and operated his own printing business. Charles enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking and was a professional jokester. Charles was a member of the First Congregational Church in Westminster, VT.

Charles is survived by his wife, Ellen (Rhoades) Aron, and children, David and Felicia King, and Michelle Aron. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Kristi Cambell, and Lucas Aleman-Aron, as well as, his brothers, Bruce, John and David Aron and sister, Nancy Wright. Charles is also survived by two great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church on Rt 5 in Westminster, VT. Burial will follow at the Westminster New Cemetery on Kurn Hattin Rd in Westminster, VT. Reception will follow at the Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First Congregational Church of Westminster, PO Box 122, Westminster, VT 05158.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.

10/08/2025

Lawrence Clark of Stueben St, passed away on October 4, 2025. He was 74 years old. Larry was born on November 12, 1950, in Bellows Falls to Lewis and Virginia (Fontaine) Clark. Larry graduated from Bellows Falls High School and continued his education at the University of Vermont. During his time there he was active in ROTC. After graduation, Larry enlisted in the Army; his service to his country he took great pride in. Larry began his career at the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union working at the Bellows Falls Union High School and the Bellows Falls Middle School for 35 years. During this time he also earned a Masters Degree. Larry also proudly served his community as a Firefighter for the Bellows Falls Fire Department for over 58 years achieving the rank of Captain. Larry was also involved in the Historical Society.

Larry is survived by his brother, Richard Clark of California and by cousins. Larry also leaves many friends and former co-workers from the community that he loved.

Visitation will take place on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT. A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 9:00 AM at St. Charles Catholic Church, Cherry Hill, Bellows Falls, VT. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.

09/26/2025

Betty Joan (Johnson) Rounds died September 23, 2025, after a brief illness at the age of 82.

Born on March 5, 1943, the youngest of five children to Olin and Esther Johnson, in Springfield, VT. She attended school in Springfield and graduated from Thompson School of Nursing in 1972 as an LPN.

On December 26, 1958, she married the love of her life, Henry Rounds Sr. They were happily married for 64 years and raised four children during that time. Henry died July 16, 2023.

Betty worked as a nurse for over 15 years, where pediatrics held her heart. After leaving nursing, she continued to help children by working in the Rockingham School District as a Paraprofessional helping her students become kind, productive adults. She also worked at the Bellows Falls Senior Center where she taught a class on knitting. She welcomed anyone in to her class. The theme of her group was to always have fun.

Betty loved to be social. She and Henry learned to square dance, and had so much fun and mischief with their group of friends. She also loved to travel and see new places. Together with Henry, they crossed the country more than once in their RV, took many summer trips to Holland Pond, and their Bucket List trip to Alaska will never be forgotten.

Betty learned to knit at a young age and never stopped. She made countless sweaters, hats, mittens, and scarves, not just for those she loved, but also for sale at craft fairs and specialty shops. If you got a sweater from Betty, you got a treasure. Betty was very proud of her family. She leaves behind her four children; Hank and Cindy Rounds, De and Dennis Haskell, Lisa Rutkowski, and Deborah and Rodney Lique; nine grandchildren: Andrea Lafortune, Adam Rounds, Nathan Rounds, Nicholas Haskell, Henry Haskell, Roger Rutkowski, Randy Rutkowski, Parker Cook, and Ashley Cormack, along with their spouses; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two brothers, and her son-in law, Tom Rutkowski.

A family burial was held Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Burgess Cemetery in Grafton, VT.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls.

09/23/2025

Pearson Hill Dawkins Jr also known as “Junior, Red, Daddy, Diddy Dawkins, Pa and Darl’in” recently of Springfield, VT passed away peacefully on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He was 90. Red was born June 17, 1935, in Rockingham, NC son of Pearson Hill Dawkins Sr and Gladys Pierce Dawkins. After graduating high school in 1953, he served in the Navy Reserves. He married Doris (Little) Dawkins on October 30, 1955, who survives. Later on, he worked as a Mill Tender; General Manager, and then owner of Green Mountain Specialties.

Red was a cherished dad to his family and looked upon by many others especially in the Westminster neighborhood. In his younger years, he was known for being an avid water skier, taking home trophies and doing traveling shows in their local area. Always community minded from jumping on the trampoline with the kids letting all the kids know they could go swimming, having large cookouts with “Red’s chicken and spearheading the luminaries that lined the village of Westminster on Christmas Eve.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Westminster, the West Rockingham Church and the Oak Island Church. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks #1619 and the Loyal Order of the Moose.

Red is survived by his wife, Doris L. Dawkins, son, Gary Dawkins (Cathy), daughters, Virgina (Ginger) Cook (Mike), and Marsha Dawkins, grandchildren, Ryan Dawkins (Tacey), Caroline Powers (Rob), Benjamin Cook (Marie), Shawn Pollard (Lindsey), Elizabeth Smith (Dan), Travis Cook (Kayla), great-grandchildren, Kannon, Ember, Blaze, Nolan, Maxton, Zoe, Layla, Mina, Genevieve, Morgen, Travis, Marilyn, Temperance, Kalliope, Riley, and Olivia.
He is also survived by his sister, Cheryl Lampley (Wilson), sister-in-law, Judy Dawkins, as well as many nieces, nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Pearson Dawkins, Sr and Gladys Dawkins, brothers, Edward Dawkins and Larry Dawkins and sister, Elaine Shelton.

Visitation will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Westminster on Rt 5 in Westminster, VT. A reception will follow at the Moose Club on Westminster Street, Bellows Falls. Burial will be at a later date in Rockingham, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to The First Congregational Church of Westminster, PO Box 122, Westminster, VT or The West Rockingham Methodist Church in Rockingham, NC.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.

09/23/2025

Michael (Mike) Leroy Sprague Sr of Springfield VT, passed away at the age of 66 on August 12 after a short battle with cancer. Mike was born March 4, 1959, in Bellows Falls, VT. The son of Barbara (Simonds) Sprague and Leo Sprague who both predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene (Merrill) a Sprague, whom he started dating on February 25, 1975. They were married on August 2, 1980. They had three children together. Michael Sprague Jr, Clifford Sprague and Samantha Sprague and he also had a daughter-in-law, Rachel Stratton who was also like a daughter. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Sprague and his two sisters, Christine Riendeau and Debbie Colgan. He was predeceased by his brother, Jonny Sprague.

Mike loved the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. Although he would never actually shoot a deer because more than he loved hunting, he loved the wildlife.

He worked for many places in his life, but the place he spent most of his years working for was White Metal Rolling and Stamping Co. until they moved to Warsa. After he retired, he spent most of his time surrounded by family. He really enjoyed his grandchildren, which he had 12 of, along with four great-grandchildren, his fifth grandchild is due September 24. He also had two cats which he loved very much, Sassy and Shiloh.

Mike wasn’t the type to sit still for very long. He was always doing something. Whether it was working on a vehicle, mowing the lawn, walking in the woods or fixing something that was broken, he always kept busy.

Mike loved his family more than anything and they loved him just as much. He will be missed every single day.

For anyone that would like to attend, there will be a Celebration of Life held for Mike on September 27 from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Hit or Miss Gun Club on Route 5 in Rockingham, VT.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101

09/18/2025

Elisse A. McGuirk passed away on September 13, 2025, at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH. Elisse was born on November 30, 1933, in Bellows Falls, the daughter of Vera Beckwith. She was raised by her aunt, Ruby Howard and her uncle, Matt Nash. After high school, she married William R. McGuirk who predeceased her in 2000. Together they had five children.

Elisse was a member of the Moose Club. She was a Girl Scout troop leader where she enjoyed crafting and camping with the troop. Elisse loved to cook, bake, sew, quilt and garden. She also loved to go bowling, play cards, ride her bicycle while in Florida and travel. She played the violin and piano. Elisse helped her husband, Bill with the business and in her early years she worked as a waitress. She ran a food coop while her children were growing up. Sewing was her passion, and she made custom wedding dresses. Elisse loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Elisse is survived by her son, Mark McGuirk of Walpole and his son, Jason McGuirk and his wife, Diane of Billings, MT and their children, Wren and Finnian; and his son, Colby McGuirk of St. Petersburg, FL, her son, Robert McGuirk of Walpole and his son, Matthew McGuirk and his wife, Shandi of North Walpole and their children, Mina and Sawyer; and his son, David McGuirk of Keene; and his daughter, Kristina Schillinger and her husband, Jacob of Marlborough and their children, Andrew and Emelia. Her daughter ,Kathleen Dustin of Alstead and her husband, Alan. Her daughter, Lauria Smith of Alstead and her husband ,Roger and their son, Kyle Smith and his wife, Jessica of North Walpole and their children, Oliver and Rosemary; and their son, Dylan Smith and his wife, Melanie of Deltona, FL and their son, Julian. Her son, Marshall McGuirk and his longtime partner, Ashley Adams of Walpole and his son, Cole McGuirk and his wife, Emma of Springfield, VT and their children, Evelyn and Mason.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at St. Peter's Cemetery in Walpole. Following the service, friends and family are invited to Elisse’s home for refreshments and to share time together.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fall Mountain Food Shelf, Walpole Ambulance or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

09/17/2025

Yvette Theresa Van Etten

Yvette Theresa (LaCroix) Van Etten, 90, formerly of North Walpole, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully with her children and grandchildren by her side, in Watertown, New York on August 26, 2025.

Yvette was born on November 5, 1934, in Gilman, Vermont, the daughter of Henry LaCroix and Emelina Drouin. Yvette would move to Littleton, New Hampshire as a teenager to work for a local, prominent family as an Au Pair. This enabled her to not only help her mother financially with four other siblings, but it also taught Yvette discipline and work ethic at an early age.

After graduating from Littleton High School in 1952, Yvette attended beauty school and pursued a career as a beautician. Upon graduation, she was placed in Bellows Falls, Vermont, where she worked as a beautician in a salon owned by Joe Lyons. Soon after, Yvette opened her first beauty salon at 115 Rockingham Street, in the fall of 1959. It was in Bellows Falls a year earlier, where Yvette met James Van Etten, who was working for a finance company. They were married at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls on October 18, 1958, which was also Jim’s birthday. The couple picked that day because Jim never wanted to forget the date of their anniversary. Yvette and Jim would be happily married for 53 years.

That same year, 1958, the Van Ettens bought a house in North Walpole on Mountain View Road, and moved “up on the hill” where Yvette would open a salon in her home, which also allowed her to closely raise her three children.

Yvette would work long shifts, quickly develop a loyal clientele and built a successful salon over four decades. Through the years, she employed several other stylists who would also become lifelong friends, as well as developing countless friendships with patrons of all ages with her kindness, quick wit and sense of humor.

When she wasn’t working, Yvette really enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. Nothing pleased her more than cooking a delicious dinner for all to enjoy, as her motto was always “The more, the merrier!” Yvette also enjoyed being entertained, and was often known to say “If you don’t really want me to go, don’t invite me, because you know I am going to say ‘Yes!’”

In 2001, Yvette and Jim moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, and in retirement, enjoyed a decade of “living their best lives,” before Jim passed away on May 22, 2011. After her beloved husband’s passing, Yvette continued to enjoy her life in Lafayette, spending another decade with her children and grandchildren down south, before moving back north, to Chaumont, New York, in 2021, to happily spend her days with her “northern” family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Yvette was predeceased by her husband, Jim, her parents, Henry LaCroix and Emelina Drouin, her younger brothers, Paul and Leo LaCroix, younger sister, Ida LaCroix, and granddaughter, Caitlyn Grace Van Etten. Yvette is survived by her younger brother, Albert LaCroix, sister, Gisele Lugar, daughter, Gisele Perry of Chester, Vermont, son, James Van Etten of Watertown, New York, son, Michael Van Etten of Lafayette, Louisiana, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family has planned a graveside service for both Yvette and James on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10 AM at the Glenwood Cemetery in Littleton, New Hampshire. Following the service, there will be a celebration of “two wonderful lives” at the American Legion Hall, also in Littleton.

09/15/2025

Bellows Falls, VT

Henriette Maria van Oord Swarts went to be with the Lord at the Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, NH on Thursday, September 11, 2025. She was born to Marius and Wilhelmina (Segers) van Oord, on September 22, 1930, in Werkendam, Holland. She married Michiel Swarts of Groningen, Holland on May 29, 1952.

A longtime resident of the area, Henriette was an exceptionally active member of the community since her family's arrival more than 60 years ago. Originally from the Netherlands, the Swarts family, including husband, Michiel, and children, Hans, Helma, Trudy, and Micheline, settled in Bellows Falls in 1962.

It wasn't long before Henriette became a volunteer, collecting money door-to-door to build the town pool. By 1964, she became the local chairman for the Fresh Air Fund, a non profit organization based in New York City that brought city kids to the country for a couple of weeks each year. She volunteered for them, eventually becoming the Windham County fund representative, until 1991.

In 1969, Henriette became an American citizen and thereafter became an active member of the local Democratic Committee serving at times as a poll worker and a campaigner. She served as a Justice of the Peace and later was appointed to serve as a member of the Vermont Dental Board.

In the early 1970s, Henriette owned and operated Henriette's Gift Shop located on the Square in Bellows Falls memorable for its interesting window displays and unforgettable yellow bags with the bright green dandelion logo.

With the arrival of her first grandchild, Jurrien in 1976 she started a new career as a childcare provider, which soon earned her the moniker "Oma" (which is Dutch for grandma). For the next 30 years Oma helped raise over 70 local children including seven of her nine grandchildren. Often she cared for them from infancy to kindergarten age, and many of them continued to spend school holidays and vacations with Oma as well.

Henriette, herself a cancer survivor, reached out to countless community members by helping to raise money for the American Cancer Association and the American Red Cross and serving as a hospice volunteer for several years. She also become known for her generous donations of exquisitely baked cookies, almond-filled tarts, cheesecakes, and pound cakes to friends, neighbors, deployed troops, her church, and even as a "thank you" to the town road crews who kept her sidewalks cleared in the winter as well!

Henriette is survived by her sons, Hans and Jurrien Swarts, daughters, Helma Holton (Joe), Trudy Byington (Rob), and Micheline Canty (Chris); nine grandchildren; and 18 (+) great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held at the New Westminster Cemetery on Sunday, September 14 attended by the extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to North Star Health, Attn: Charitable gifts, 100 River Street, Springfield, VT 05156.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.

09/05/2025

Michael (Mike) Leroy Sprague Sr of Springfield VT, passed away at the age of 66 on August 12 after a short battle with cancer. Mike was born March 4, 1959, in Bellows Falls, VT. The son of Barbara (Simonds) Sprague and Leo Sprague who both predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Arlene (Merrill) a Sprague, whom he started dating on February 25, 1975. They were married on August 2, 1980. They had three children together, Michael Sprague Jr, Clifford Sprague and Samantha Sprague and he also had a daughter-in-law, Rachel Stratton who was also like a daughter. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Sprague and his two sisters, Christine Riendeau and Debbie Colgan. He was predeceased by his brother, Jonny Sprague.

Mike loved the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. Although he would never actually shoot a deer because more than he loved hunting, he loved the wildlife.

He worked for many places in his life, but the place he spent most of his years working for was White Metal Rolling and Stamping Co. until they moved to Warsa. After he retired, he spent most of his time surrounded by family. He really enjoyed his grandchildren, which he had 12 of along with four great-grandchildren, his fifth grandchild is due September 24. He also had two cats which he loved very much, Sassy and Shiloh.

Mike wasn’t the type to sit still for very long. He was always doing something. Whether it was working on a vehicle, mowing the lawn, walking in the woods or fixing something that was broken, he always kept busy.

Mike loved his family more than anything and they loved him just as much. He will be missed every single day.

For anyone that would like to attend, there will be a Celebration of Life held for Mike on September 27 from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Hit or Miss Gun Club on Route 5 in Rockingham VT.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.

08/28/2025

Richard was born June 10, 1934, in Randolph, VT to Marguerite (Harrington) and Robert L. Gay Sr. He was predeceased by his beloved parents and his seven cherished siblings, Helen, Robert, Jean, Anne, Nancy, Gilbert and Gloria.

Richard was a proud graduate of the Class of 1953, Bellows Falls HS and was an active alumnus. He wore #14 for the Terriers football and baseball teams. He was a distinguished member of the US Air Force which included a tour of Japan.

His grit and business acumen were paramount in establishing two successful businesses in Bellows Falls. He and his brothers, Robert and Gib started Gay Brothers Fuel Service. Subsequently, Richard and Gib followed in their father's footsteps and purchased BDR Transportation, a coast-to-coast trucking firm. Richard loved driving cross-country. His enthusiasm for trucking prompted his son, Doug to join the BDR team and successfully continue the family trucking business.

Richard spent several winters in Fort Myers, FL where he became an avid golfer. Even with his unorthodox swing, he was able to get a hole-in-one.

During his life, he enjoyed watching his children and their progeny grow and avidly supported their interests. He enjoyed playing baseball, cheering for his beloved Red Sox and Patriots, being outdoors, hunting, and cutting down trees. He was passionate about animals, especially raising them on farms. He generously donated to charity and donated gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. He was an expert gardener who relished putting smiles of the faces of his family, neighbors and friends when donating his home-grown produce to them and the Bellows Falls Food Bank. He would give the shirt off his back to those in need.

He is survived by his partner and caregiver, Shirley Frost, his children, David Gay (Barbara Peck) Douglas Gay (Deb), Donna Gay, Dean Gay (Theresa O'Hearn). Richard's grandchildren; Chelsea (Devin), Kyle (Alexis), Trevor, Michael, Brandon, Patrick, and Brian. Richard's two great-grandchildren; Benny and Sophie.

A special thank you to those who lovingly cared for Richard at his home during his final days, most notably Jessica Cobb who helped him peacefully transition.

There will be no calling hours. A Graveside Service will take place Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM St Peter's Cemetery in Walpole, NH.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in remembrance of Richard Gay to the Bellows Falls Alumni Association, PO Box 172, Bellows Falls, VT 05101 and/or to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N Michigan Ave FL #17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.

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