Main Sections

Obituaries 11-18-08

ALBERT H. FREEMAN

MIDDLEBURY - Albert H. (Al) Freeman of Middlebury passed away peacefully with his loving wife of 66 years, Marjorie, and with his family by his side on Monday, November 10, 2008. He was 88.

   Born in Montpelier on July 19, 1920 to Henry O. and Fannie B. Freeman. He graduated from Montpelier High School and Vermont Junior College.  While in living in Montpelier, he was employed by Taylor Appliance as a service manager.

   In 1954, he and his family moved to Middlebury where he was employed in the appliance and refrigeration service department of Cartmell’s Sales and Service before moving on to Central Vermont Public Service. He later owned his own electrical, appliance sales and service business. He also spent several years employed by the Middlebury Inn as well as The Battell Block Association. In retirement he worked part time for the United States Forestry Service and the Addison County Community Action Group .

   Al was a proud member of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department for 17 years.

   In addition to his wife he is survived by his sons, Michael and family of East Middlebury, Randall and his partner Naomi of Bristol; his children Lisa Moran and her husband Jason, their children Madison and Zachary of Uncasville, CT, Lori Stone and her daughter Alicia of Middlebury, VT, Bruce of East Middlebury, Henry and his wife Marilyn; their children, Jennie Wright and her husband Zachery of Middlebury, Andrew and Mattea, Kenneth and his wife Cyndi and their children Erica and Dylan of South Burlington, VT.

   He was predeceased by his sister, Natalie.

   Calling hours were held from 4-8 pm on Friday November 14 at the United Methodist Church of Middlebury.  A memorial service was conducted Saturday November 15, 2008 at the United Methodist Church of Middlebury.

   The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Project Independence, PO Box 581, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Fletcher Brush

Salisbury-Fletcher  “Buster” Brush 59, of Salisbury, died peacefully on Friday, Nov 7, 2008, with Jeanette, his loving wife of 37 years, and family by his side. Born Nov. 5, 1949, in Middlebury, the son of Howard E. and Ivis (Dayton) Brush.

  He lived in the small community of Vermont where he worked at Co-operative Insurance Companies since 1980 in positions from claims adjuster to customer relations manager to vice president of Education and Community Relations. He was a member and past president of Education and Community Relations. He was a member and past president of Middlebury Rotary Club where fellow members said he exemplified “service above self.” He served on the boards of the National Bank of Middlebury, Youth Safety Council of Vermont and Middlebury Community House. He was a core group member  and chair of Outreach and Function group with the Vermont Strategic Highway Safety Plan, the Make-A-Wish Foundation Golf Tournament Committee co-chair and president of the Salisbury Historical Society, chairman of the Salisbury Village Cemetery Restoration Project and founder of www.underbrush.org A web site indexing Vermont cemeteries.

   In the past, Buster was director/president of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, board member of Middlebury Junior Golf Association, past president and co-founder of MHS-MUHS Alumni Association, review board member of Addison County Court Diversion and board member of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont, where he was on the development committee of the Vermont-New Hampshire All-Star Hockey Classic Game Committee and Development Committee. He received the Middlebury College 2007 Citizens’ Medal for outstanding community contributions, the Governor’s council on Physical Fitness and Sports’Herb Painter Award, addison County Chamber of Commerce President’s award, Rotary Community Service Award, Make-A-Wish Foundation Appreciation Award as well as many others.

   After experiencing the devastating loss of loved ones in automobile accidents, in 1996, Buster began his endless campaign to keep our youth safe on the highways. Through his work at Co-op and Stevens Advanced Driver’s Training, he established a program providing newly licensed drivers with hands-on driving experience demonstrating the importance of safe and responsible driving.

   His true passion could be observed at the Howard E. Brush Arena in Middlebury. He was an avid MAHA supporter and dedicated assistant coach for the Middlebury Union High School varsity ice hockey team for 13 years, nine of those years were with his nephew and friend, head coach Matt Brush. Family said that nothing gave him more enjoyment than playing hockey with friends, facing off on the ice against a niece or nephew, or running his “trail” in Ripton.

   He was known as “Uncle Buster” to anyone under the age of 30, a mentor to hundreds, a friend to thousands, and was said to be always ready with open arms and a strong shoulder for those who needed it.

   He is survived by his wife, Jeanette (Hartman) Brush; his sister Carole B. Cummings and her husband, Michael of Ripton; two brothers, Howard W. “Skip” Brush and his wife Cynthia of Middlebury, and William . “Billy” Brush of Middlebury; an aunt, Betty Gerow-Elmore of Ripton; an uncle, Donald R. Dayton Sr. of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces great-nephews, and numerous cousins.

   He was predeceased by his parents.

   A private burial will be held. A memorial service was held at Mead Chapel at Middlebury College on Saturday, Nov. 15. Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Sports Center at P.O. Box 835, Middlebury, Vt. 05753, or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont, 100 Dorset Street #14, South Burlington, Vt. 05403

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives