George S Haynes met his Lord and Savior on February 27, 2024, passing away following a brief illness and surrounded by his wife Rose and his children. Born in Brooklyn, New York on May 8, 1943, and raised in Bay Ridge, he forever carried fond memories of his childhood days growing up near Fort Hamilton and watching the ships sailing by the bay and soldiers marching in step. These memories were strong, despite his tender age. His family moved to North Bennington, Vermont in December of 1946 where they remained and where George and his brother Rick were raised.

In 1961, he began what would become a lifelong banking career, working in the bookkeeping department at Vermont Bank and Trust Company (now TD Bank). He quickly rose through the ranks, and by the age of 21 was named assistant manager. In 1967, at the age of 24, he became a branch manager and assistant treasurer, becoming the youngest to achieve an officer’s position in the bank’s history.

In 1977, George embarked on an endeavor that would define his style and compassion for the rest of his life, helping people financially by establishing an office of Consumer Credit Counseling, a nonprofit whose only concern was to help people manage debt without family or personal disaster. He initially served as Advisory Board Chairman and later was elected to serve on the board of directors. In 1985, he became President of the organization and remained in this position until 2008.

In 1982, George was asked to cover the retail credit department in Brattleboro. While this was intended to be a short term assignment, he remained for ten years, moving to Brattleboro and making it his forever home. During these ten years he rose through the ranks once again, eventually becoming Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Vermont Mortgage Group, and Senior Vice President of First Vermont Bank, both part of what is now TD Bank.

In 1991, George was approached by the search committee of The Brattleboro Savings and Loan and on January 27, 1992 he became President and Chief Executive Officer, serving until his retirement on December 31, 2007. Under his stewardship, the bank experienced unprecedented growth and received numerous awards and recognition, including two Community Bank Awards (in 2006 in recognition of its Community Person of the Month program, and in 2007 in recognition of Project Feed the Thousands). BS&L was voted the Best Bank in Brattleboro in the Brattleboro Reformer Readers Choice Awards in both 2006 and 2007 and was recognized by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility as the 2007 recipient of its socially responsible Small Business of the Year.

George was very proud of the programs that he instituted during his tenure at BS&L, including Community Appreciation Day, the Community People Award, the establishment of a living wage policy for all employees, the commitment to donate 10% of net profits to local organizations, and first and foremost the establishment of Project Feed the Thousands in 1994. A stalwart of the Brattleboro community, George served on numerous boards and donated his time to a number of community organizations and services.

George’s retirement was predicated by a trip to China in April 2007, sponsored by the UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program. George was invited to join educators and students to learn more about education in China and to share his insights based on his commitment and experience with the bank branch at BUHS and Windham Regional Career Center. He suddenly gained new perspective and realized that there was a whole world out there waiting to be explored and he wanted to be a part of it.

A lifelong baseball and sports fan, George played semi-pro ball as a teenager and then became the power-hitter for local softball team BS&L where he helped the team win two championships. One of the main joys of his life was traveling around the country and Canada visiting ball fields with his son George, Jr. Although they did not make it to all 32 parks, they shared some special memories in the quest. He was, of course, thrilled to see his beloved Red Sox win the World Championship in 2004, and several more times thereafter.

On March 9, 2010, in St Augustine FL, George married Rose (Robertson) Cavanagh, the love of his life and forever soul mate. Together, they traveled the world and shared many wonderful adventures. His 70th birthday was spent in Bora Bora in an overwater bungalow in the lagoon. In addition to their international travels, George and Rose were proud to say that they had visited every state, taking two extended cross-country road trips in 2012 and 2015. Rose was his companion and partner and they built a beautiful life together. They made a point to spend time with family, including with his daughter Tiffany Finck-Haynes in Washington, DC and his son George and family in Cambridge, NY. He embraced Rose’s entire family, becoming a father to Rose’s four children, and was a beloved Pop-Pop and Grampa George to his many grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

George is survived by his wife Rose; his children Robin Haynes Gardner, George Spencer Haynes, Jr., (Eileen), Tiffany Finck-Haynes (Jorge Aguilar) and Spencer Haynes; and Melissa Cavanagh, Stephanie Cavanagh, Jessica Doleszny (John) and Gregory Cavanagh (Starr Bruce), along with many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Rick Haynes (Sue); and by George, Jr., and Robin’s mother, Leona Center. A man that truly embraced his extended family, he is also survived by his mother-in-law, Irma Robertson, along with many, many members of both the Robertson and Cavanagh families. He was predeceased by his father Spencer Haynes and his treasured mother Roberta Stultz Haynes.

George was confident, courageous, intelligent, generous, and funny. He had nicknames for everyone. He could be very firm in his opinions and he loved a good debate. Even until his death, he lived his life on his own terms. Like the Chairman of the Board, he did things his way. His family, his dear friends, and the entire Brattleboro Community mourn his loss but will cherish many fond memories forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that anyone wishing to honor George’s legacy consider making a donation to Project Feed the Thousands, a not-for-profit organization whose sole goal is to provide food for local families. Along with his wife Rose, George remained active in Project Feed the Thousands from its inception in 1994 until 2024. He was very proud that, through his efforts and the efforts of the board and staff, they were able to serve (and continue to serve) thousands upon thousands of families, too many to put a number on. Checks can be mailed to Project Feed the Thousands, c/o 802 Credit Union, PO Box 8366, Brattleboro, VT 05304.

A celebration of George’s life will be held at the VFW on Black Mountain Rd., in Brattleboro, Vermont on Saturday, March 23rd, beginning at 2PM. His family invites everyone who knew and loved George to join them for light refreshments, fellowship, and the sharing of stories and memories – ‘For All The Right Reasons’.

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Brattleboro, VT – Wells C Cunningham, Sr., 98, formerly of Guilford Street in Brattleboro, died Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Vernon Green Nursing Home in Vernon, Vermont.

Mr. Cunningham was born in Summit, New Jersey on May 12, 1924, the son of Leon and Josephine (Wells) Cunningham. Wells was raised and educated in Mendham, New Jersey and graduated from Morristown (New Jersey) High School with the Class of 1941.

A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1942 and was stationed in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the war, serving in the Air Corps and later the infantry until his honorable discharge from active service in February 1946. Wells attended Marlboro College’s first class on the GI bill and graduated with a diploma in social and political sciences.

Wells Cunningham, a self-proclaimed “Jersey Boy,” was a true Vermonter at heart. Wells moved to Brattleboro soon after his wife Jean Marie Gallup’s death in 1977. He and Jean Marie met at the Brattleboro train station in 1946 when she accompanied a young man from Marlboro College to pick up a new student, Wells Cunningham. Soon after, Jean Marie, accepting an invitation from Wells to a dance on Potash Hill, walked six miles in snowfall from her home on Ames Hill.

Wells and Jean Marie were married at First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro before moving to Connecticut to raise a family. They both acquired master degrees and moved on in life with dual incomes that allowed them to reach their dream of owning a historic home in Newington, Connecticut. Wells initially worked for the American Heart Association in New Britain before his employment with the State of Connecticut Department of Education, working 30 years in the State’s Hartford office as a vocational counselor for veterans. With her degree from Boston College Jean Marie was initially a physical therapist and later became a special education teacher.

Wells was a non-competitive athlete and remained strong and fit throughout his life. He could often be seen in his neighborhood rollerblading and “skinny skiing.” He excelled at ice skating and tennis, and won many trophies in skeet shooting. Wells was an avid bocci player. He was an advocate for the placement of the bocci court across the street at Memorial Park, and acted as a teacher to any passersby interested in learning the sport. At the Brattleboro Tennis Club, he encouraged his grandson in his matches and kept up with his own skills at the backboards when he was in his late eighties.

Wells often reminisced about his days as a young boy growing up in New Jersey in an adult-centered home with his parents, grandparents, and a loving sister ten years his senior. He played jokes to the entertainment of everyone and supported his family during the Great Depression by doing odd jobs around town. Wells maintained clay courts at a tennis club and worked on a chicken farm, often recounting stories about the chickens running around with their heads cut off. Learning about the anatomy of chickens helped him play a trick on his mother. He attached a long thread to a piece of corn and fed it to a chicken. He then announced to his mother that he could make the chicken come to him when called. As he pulled the secret string, the chicken came forward (gagging), at his command. Mom was abashed and proud.

“Wellsy” earned a reputation with locals as an innovator and was sought after for odd jobs. He led the pack in commercial berry picking by cleverly grasping the basket between his thighs and using two hands to move more quickly than others down the rows. “Wellsy” once got himself in a pickle when he told the lady next door that he could sand floors. She left him to it with a sander twice his size. Unwilling to tell her his ruse, he developed a special floor-sander technique that impressed his benefactor so much he received double pay! Wells managed a farmer’s rooster for fights and repaired its injuries if it won. Likely because of these early years Wells had a special place in his heart for chickens. During his life as a family man and well into his early nineties Wells celebrated Easter with a couple chick eggs to raise. In a safe, quiet time when Ford cars were first seen on the streets, Wells left the house in the morning, always finding adventures to tell his folks about at home over dinner (which he, most often, provided).

In his young adult life, Wells worked many occupations while attending Marlboro College. One reminiscence was his story of his “ditch-digging” days, when he and a couple of other young bucks were fixing the roads around the Marlboro College. He also drove a laundry truck in Brattleboro and helped the old ladies who provided boarding for him at their Wilmington home, probably in exchange for their wonderful cooking, of which he often spoke. There was never a complaint from Wells regarding labor. For him, it was more about insight into lessons learned from each job…and the jokes to be had.

Wells devotedly attended the Guilford Fair first attending with his wife’s family, who were auctioneers and callers for the horse- and ox-pulling competitions. Wells never missed a local sugar-on-snow supper, ending each meal with his favorite trick. He intrigued people by quietly stirring syrup in a cup, sneaking peeks at them as if he had some secret…until they just had to ask what was he doing “Oh, you don’t know?”, he would coyly ask before proudly demonstrating the perfect technique. Soon enough, the whole joint would be intensely interested in stirring their own maple cream.

Wells constantly listened to music, often on his headphones as he worked around the yard and garden. He loved opera, classical, and old western music. He enjoyed socializing, and especially the meals at the Brattleboro Senior Center. Wells loved to eat, but never gained extra weight.

Wells had no complaints about his enlistment in the air force, and was not at all homesick as his mother had hoped. He was initially stationed on a base near his hometown. One day, while in training to be a gunner, he asked the pilot to fly over his parents’ house. There, having just left the front yard, were his mother and sister walking down the sidewalk. He waved frantically from his glass-domed gunnery, but they never knew he was in the plane because for some reason, he never told them.

Wells had high regard for his watch, as it was a good memory, but also because it was his favorite story to tell. While he was stationed in Guam, a fellow enlisted man had the innovative idea to make steel wristbands from a downed Japanese plane, Wells forever admired the man and the watch never came off his wrist until a few days before he died. Wells’ many stories about his experiences in war were good memories of adventurous times, not at all about waiting with his buddies for the invasion of Japan- that never happened.

A tribute by the person who Wells loved best, his grandson:

Wells’ experiences as a youth could be written into a memoir with more action than the latest Hollywood movies. Days spent with his childhood friend, Joe Degrassi, and his Italian-American family who offered a culinary and cultural awakening for Wells. Spice was not in Wells’ repertoire, though his grandson loved to offer up such delicacies on occasion. Never turning down a challenge, Wells would gladly accept and partake in the mouthwatering pain that would surely ensue, coughing through a big smile. Wells could be seen at the retreat meadows and ice-skating rink, the gun range, the senior center, biking, rollerblading, at many local restaurants, and especially in his flower gardens. He was known to many in town, and was a true old-world gentleman–a man from a different era who had survived WWII. He experienced the Great Depression and many other disasters but kept his light and laughter.

It’s hard to try and fit the last twenty-eight years of our memories together in a paragraph, but the message at the end is conveyed. Wells was renowned, and will not be forgotten by those he encountered. His neighbors looked out for him as he aged, and his daughter and grandson took care of him in his waning years. He helped raise me and was always kind, gentle, and patient. A wise old wizard with techniques from the old world, he could fix a vacuum, a mower, or any other piece of necessary equipment. Wells was a man who was truly self-sufficient, yet enjoyed the company of anyone without distinction or prejudice. He was a role model not only to me, but also to my friends, who thought he was an amazing man, a true inspiration in the ways of aging gracefully while continuing to pursue passions no matter the cost. He will be greatly missed by all, and his memory will continue on for generations to come.

In keeping with his final wishes, no formal services are scheduled. Wells will be laid to rest in the family lot in Christ Church Cemetery in the Algiers section of Guilford. Friends are welcome to plant a flower for his remembrance in their garden or at his stone under the lilac bush.

For Wells himself, he would want his favorite Robert Frost poem to be shared.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

To send flowers to the family of Wells, please visit our floral store.

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Brattleboro, VT – Janette Joan DeWalt was born on 6/30/1937, she was the middle child of Depression-Era parents in Rhinelander WI. Her rural upbringing to self-sufficient, non-nonsense parents instilled in her a love of nature, a can-do attitude, a fierce independence, resourcefulness, and a love of the outdoors. Here, she developed a work ethic and resilience that could rival any.

In 1962 she left WI, and shortly after married Bob Neubauer. They moved to Long Island, NY, and over the next 10 years she gave birth to their children Lisa, Kara, and Paul. Janette was a devoted wife and mother. The years on Long Island involved a strong connection to St. James Lutheran Church, the beach, and family. Times were lean, and busy, but social. The working-class neighborhoods she called home there were founded on a fairness and optimism that is tougher to find these days. Making time to be with friends was a priority then, and would continue to be so throughout her life.

In 1978 the family moved to Meetinghouse Lane in Brattleboro, where Janette would live out her life. Janette’s life revolved around her kids, particularly after her divorce from Bob in 1982. Enabling them to pursue their interests and dreams drove her day-to-day life for the years to come. Doing so included instilling in them a love of the outdoors, animals and demonstrating her tremendous work ethic. Over the next 35 years Janette would work for a wide collection of Brattleboro businesses, learning new skills and becoming invaluable to a multitude of organizations including Community College of VT, Follow Through, Brattleboro Subaru and Brattleboro Chrysler, Cersosimo Lumber, Basketville, Cellular One. She also served as a mediator and Justice of the Peace.

Janette was able to see all of her children happily married to people who she came to love and whose company she enjoyed immensely. These unions gave her perhaps the greatest joy of her life: her grandkids. As much as she put into the lives of her children, she matched that love again for her grandkids. She made true and sustained efforts to know each of her grandkids as the individuals they are, and created unique and lasting memories and bonds with each of them.

Though always up for adventure and quick to laugh, Janette had a strong moral compass and instilled in all of her children and grandkids a clear and unwavering commitment to loyalty, honesty, hard work, fair play, and generosity. Such concepts can be taught through words, but like most things, they are better exemplified through deeds, as she did. Janette demonstrated that communities are strong because of those who give. She dedicated many hours over many years to Diversion Board, Welcome Baby, Sunrise Rotary, and Putney Road beautification, but also to her neighbors, friends, and any community cause that she could help to do good. This included weaving plastic sleeping mats for Brattleboro’s homeless population.

Her friendships were very important to her and she nurtured and protected them fiercely. She loved to laugh and had the ability to laugh at herself. She was a voracious reader, an avid gardener, storyteller, artist, greeting card maker, card shark, game player and loved word games. She filled her home with art; pottery, famed Vermont artists’ works, her Grandchildren’s artwork and precious gifts from friends and family.

She believed and demonstrated that true happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige – but rather on relationships with people you love and respect. She left this world with dignity and grace, telling us, “life is good” as she always looked for the silver lining.

Janette touched countless lives through her work, volunteerism, friendships, kids, and grandkids. Her family and community were made better for the life that she lived. She will be sorely missed.

Janette is survived by her daughters Lisa (Chris) Pratt of Groveland MA, Kara (Kevin) Deir of Charlotte, NC, son Paul Neubauer (Clarissa Werre) of Bozeman MT, and her beloved grandchildren Casey and Teagan Pratt, Connor and Caroline Deir, and Rory Neubauer.

A special thank you for the loving care provided by the Brattleboro Memorial Oncology staff, Brattleboro Area Hospice and Bayada.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brattleboro Area Hospice at 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Trinity Lutheran Church, 161 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301.

Her celebration of life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in the spring, Janette’s favorite time of year.

To send flowers to the family of Janette, please visit our floral store.

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— Robert L Greene, 90 a resident of Merrill Drive, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday November 4, 2018.

The son of Merrill and Florence (Wood) Greene, he was born in Brattleboro on February 24, 1928. Bob grew up in Wilmington where he graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1946. His father established Greene’s Service Center, a fixture in Wilmington where Bob began his career in the automotive repair business. Robert purchased the business in 1963 and operated it until his son John purchased the business. He married Evelyn S. Canedy on July 13,1946 in Manchester, Vermont. Bob was a longtime member, Past Master and Treasurer of Social Lodge #38 F&AM in Wilmington. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and producing maple syrup.

He leaves his wife Evelyn of Wilmington, sons Robert Greene of Bennington, John Greene of Wilmington and Peter Greene of Williamsville, daughter Susan Cann of Allenstown, NH, three sisters Mary Sabey of Seattle, WA, Polly Qua of Valatie, NY and Carol West of Great Barrington, MA, ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son Joel.

The family will honor his memory and life in private. Memorial gifts may be made to Social Lodge #38 F&AM in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.

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Catherine Tinka Hrabovsky, 93, of Brattleboro passed away Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 peacefully with family by her side. Catherine was born in Bridgeport, CT. Catherine’s parents were Macedonian immigrants Anna (Neda) Sevenoff and Triphon Karacoliff. Tinka was raised with her brother Chris and sisters Stella and Phyllis in an old style wood house with grape vines and large porches on Gurdon Street in Bridgeport CT. Catherine attended Central High School and enjoyed wonderful summers at Seaside Park on Long Island Sound. Catherine met Dean Rickman in 1942 at a Yale University dance held for service men in training. They were married and Catherine moved with her husband to Burbank CA, where Dean received Army Air Force photography Training.

A striking ethnic beauty, Catherine was approached many times by movie producers and directors to take screen tests and auditions. But the young 18 year old, far from home, declined the offers. When Dean was shipped out to Italy, Catherine moved to Dean’s hometown of Wichita KS. After the war, Catherine gave birth to James and Charles (Chucky). The marriage didn’t last and Catherine returned to the East. She bought a small home on Chestnut Hill road in Trumbull CT, not far from where she grew up in Bridgeport, and raised her two children. Catherine eventually met Alexander (Ollie) T. Hrabovsky, a handsome Slovak construction worker. They married and had a child together, Paul.

Skiing

Catherine and Alex enjoyed skiing in VT and eventually moved to Wilmington with their son where they opened a ski lodge called “The Long Trail Lodge”. Alex started a plumbing company that installed heating equipment and plumbing in many of the lodges, homes and schools in the area built in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Catherine rediscovered her talent for art and produced many skillfully done oil paintings of Vermont scenes and her family. She also wrote and published a very moving book of poetry that included this verse: “Snow is quiet, falls silently, God’s message concealed In each snowflake.”

Survivors

Catherine Tinka Hrabovsky is predeceased by her son Charles Rickman, and survived by Sons James Rickman of Westerville OH and Paul Hrabovsky of Brattleboro VT. Her grandsons are James Dean of Gallatin TN, Scott Rickman of Greenwich CT and Alex Hrabovsky of Brattleboro VT. Catherine’s great-grand son, Chance A. Hrabovsky, lives in Brattleboro with his parents Alex and Angeline. Her great grand-daughter, Faith, lives in Gallatin TN with her parents, grandson James and his wife Katie. Great-grandson Andrew lives in Merrimac MA. Catherine’s loving sisters, Stella and Phyllis, in addition to her charming nieces, Diana Demayo-Brown and Neda Demayo all live in California.

Funeral Information

A Graveside service for Catherine Tinka Hrabovsky took place at 12:00pm Tuesday, July 31st ,2018 at Riverview Cemetery, Stowe Hill Road., Wilmington.

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Max Harold Allen, a resident of San Francisco, and formerly of Wilmington, VT, passed away July 19, 2018 at San Francisco General Hospital. Max was born in Brattleboro, VT, on June 9, 1925. He was the son of the late Harold Griffin Allen and Helen Kenrick. Max graduated from Wilmington High School in 1943 and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1945. Furthermore, He received a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Catholic University in 1953, and a Master of Arts from George Washington University in 1966. Max was a United States Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War, retiring as a Captain.

Awards

He was awarded Legion of Merit with Combat, Meritorious Service Citation, Unit Citation American Campaign, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service with a Service Star, in addition to a Vietnam Service Award with Bronze Stars. Upon retirement from the Navy, Max worked as a Civil Engineer for many years.

Survivors, Services

Max Harold Allen is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Marie Allen of San Francisco, and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased in death by his wife, Mary June (Deeb) Allen and his brother, Paul Kenrick Allen.  There will be a graveside funeral with military honors for Max Allen, on Friday, August 3 at 12:00 pm in Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington, VT. A visiting hour will be held one hour prior to the service at 11:00 am at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home 44 East Main Street Wilmington, VT. If friends desire, memorial contributions can be made in Max’s memory to the Wilmington Historical Society, c/o Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, 44 East Main Street, Wilmington, VT.

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