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Obituaries 2-19-08

John Crosby Emerson III

Vergennes - John Crosby Emerson III passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife, all of his children, and friends on February 11, 2008. He was 82.

    John was born at the Newport Hospital on January 1, 1926 to the Reverend John Crosby Emerson II and Minnie Bell Congleton, and grew up as a minister's son in parsonages throughout Vermont. John was a lifelong teacher whose love of music and math brought him to schools across New York and Vermont.

    In 1944 after graduating from Newport High School John joined the Navy. He attended Williams College and Holy Cross College from 1944 to 1946 receiving his B.S. in Naval Science and commission as an ensign in the Navy Reserve. John served in the Pacific from 1947-1949 ferrying ex-patriots home to their countries. He returned home himself to attend the University of Vermont. In 1949 he earned his B.S. in Education and in 1951 he earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching before taking his first job as music teacher at Bombay High School in Bombay, New York. There he met his devoted wife of 53 years, Patricia Cosgrove, whom he married in 1954. In 1956 they moved to Bradford, Vermont where John was a music and math teacher for 10 years. He became principal of Bradford Academy in 1966.

    In 1968 John and Pat moved to Vergennes where they have lived for the last 40 years. John was head of the math department at Vergennes Union High School from 1968 to 1970 before leaving to become a math teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School. In 1982 the State of Vermont recognized John as The Outstanding Vermont Teacher. John retired from teaching in 1988. In addition, John and Pat opened Emerson's Guest House on Main Street in Vergennes and operated it together from 1980 to 1994.

    John believed strongly in his faith and community. He was an active member of the Vergennes Congregational Church serving as choir member, choir director, and Deacon. He was a lifelong member of the National Education Association and the Vermont Education Association.  John was a Vergennes alderman for 8 years, served on the Vergennes Pool Committee for 8 years and was a Bixby Library Trustee for 6 years. He was also a member of American Legion Post 14. Wherever he volunteered John brought his shining eyes, his infectious smile and his trademark puns and replies.

    John is survived by his loving wife Pat, his 9 children and their spouses; John (Debra) Emerson IV, Joanne (Michael) Fischer, James (Laura) Emerson, Jennifer (Thomas) Henken, David (Lucie) Emerson, Julie (Rick) Hanscom, Laura Emerson (David Abdoo), Lisa Emerson (Jonathon Reidel), and Peter (Ramona) Emerson; his 25 grandchildren, a sister Shirley Clark in Indiana, 5 nieces and 4 nephews.

    He is predeceased by his parents and sisters Virginia, Jesse, Lillian, Urania and Eleanor.

    Funeral services were held on Thursday February 14th at Vergennes Congregational Church.  Interment will be in the spring.  

    The family would like to express special thanks to Bernadette and Claude Laberge for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Elderly Services (Project Independence) and Addison County Home Health and Hospice.

Walter G. Curler

North Ferrisburgh - Walter G. Curler, 83 passed away peacefully Sunday February 10, 2008 after a brief illness.

   He was born March 19, 1924 in Bristol, the son of Ernest and Alice Tucker Curler.

   He was member of North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church. Walter loved to fish, work in his garden, and whittling. He worked on Dairy Farms for most of his life and has been retired for the last 21 years.

   Walter was surrounded by his family and wife of 59 years, Pauline Curler of North Ferrisburgh; his children Alan and Betsy Curler of New Haven; Peter and Laurie Curler of Charlotte; Kenneth and Robin Curler of North Ferrisburgh; John and Penny Curler of Middlebury; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Heather, Jesse, Robert, Bradley, Katherine, Hannah, Olivia and Marshall. Predeceased by a son Lee and his three brothers, Gordon, Edgar, and Chester.

   Funeral services were held on Wednesday February 13th at North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the spring.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice PO Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753.

Dereck S. Busier

Bristol- Dereck S. Busier, 31 passed away suddenly Wednesday February 13th  in Middlebury.

   He was born November 14, 1976 in Burlington, the son of Stephen Busier and Debra Norris.

   Predeceased by his son Justin Traverse and his mom.

   Dereck is survived by his wife Anna Busier of Middlebury; two children, Latisha and Aidan Busier of Middlebury; two sisters, Heidi Busier of Seattle, Washington; Greta Busier of Bristol; his mother, Debra Norris of Bristol; his father, Stephen Busier of Arizona; his maternal grandparents, Glen and Flora Norris of Bristol; paternal grandmother, Beulah Busier of Hinesburg; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.

   A memorial service was held on Monday February 18th at First  Baptist Church in Bristol. Interment will be at a later date. There will be no public calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Latisha and Aidan Busier Trust Fund Attn. Debra Norris 119 Benedict Drive, Bristol, VT 05443.

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