Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home

Dawn M. Fressola, 68, a resident of Church Street in Pownal, passed away January 12, 2026. She passed at home, after a long illness, with her spouse and son by her side. Dawn was born in North Hornell, New York on March 25, 1957. She was the daughter of the late Lyle and Eva (Elliot) Grusendorf.Dawn attended local schools, and went on to a lifelong career at Bennington Potters. Dawn retired from the Pottery after 46 years, at which time she was a production/manufacturing supervisor. Dawn loved her gardens, bird watching, photography and all kinds of crafts. She often created pottery pieces of her own design and unique glaze colors just for herself, many of which adorned her beautiful...

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of David Calabrese of Woodbury CT on January 8, 2026. His funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church 910 Main Street South, Southbury, CT on January 23 at 10:00 am with a celebration of David's life to follow at the Watertown Golf Club 246 Guernseytown Road, Watertown, CT from 11:30 to 2:30.

Richard Henry Cody, 83, a resident of Green Mountain Road in Manchester Center, VT, passed away January 5, 2026 at his home with his wife, Patti, by his side. A celebration of life for Richard will be held Saturday January 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Federated Church of East Arlington. An hour of visitation prior to the service (10:00 AM) will be held in Bailey Hall at the church. To send the family personal condolences and for complete obituary information, please visit www.sheafuneraalhomes.com.

Ilsley Stanford Zecher Jr. (90), known to everyone as Stan, passed away peacefully at home with his family on December 31, 2025. Calling hours will take place on Saturday January 10, 2025, from 2:00-4:00PM at the Brewster & Shea Funeral Home 34 Park Place Manchester Center, VT. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather and share memories. To send the family personal condolences and for complete obituary information please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com

Lucille Ann Kurasinski, 86 of Sandgate, VT, passed away at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington on December 4, 2025. Lucille was born in Hartford, CT, on December 13, 1938, the daughter of Daniel and Jenny (Tozzi) O'Flaherty. She was married to John Kurasinski who passed away in 2002. Lucille worked for Mack Molding in Arlington, VT for 25 years, retiring shortly after her husbands passing. She was a member of the Sandgate Methodist Church. She really enjoyed going to Curves in Arlington and loved to share her stories about growing up in Hartford, walking with her father to get fresh roasted peanuts and reminiscing about the old days, when people dressed up just to go to...

Jean was born in Ware, MA to Lewis C. Watt and Alice (Lyon) Watt. The family purchased a farm in Hoosick, NY where Jean graduated from Hoosick Falls High School in 1955. She attended Albany Medical Center School of Nursing from where she graduated as an RN, ( Registered Nurse), in 1958. Jean worked in Albany before moving to Fairbanks Alaska in 1960 with two classmates. She lived and worked there for five years including during the big 1964 earthquake. Jean moved to Pennsylvania with her new husband for two years before moving back to the Bennington area. Following her divorce and the birth of her daughter, Jean worked at Putnam Hospital/Southwest Vermont Medical Center for more than 40...

Joan Lee Swezey Rizio, a lifelong resident of Manchester, died on Monday, November 17, 2025, in the home that she and her husband Joseph A. Rizio bought more than 50 years ago. Joan was born on September 24, 1940 in Bennington, to Mavis Smith Swezey and Christopher Swezey. One of four children in the family, Joan grew up on Routes 11/30 across the road from her grandparents. She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and playing with the family's dogs and rabbits. This love for animals continued into her adulthood, with numerous dogs and cats the recipients of her love and generous treat-giving. She attended Manchester schools and graduated from Burr and Burton Seminary in 1958. Further education...

Edward Harris Smith, 77, of Bennington, VT passed away peacefully at his home on November 6, 2025. Edward was born in Granville, New York on March 6, 1948, the son of Casper and Mildred (Moore) Smith. He was a 1966 graduate of Burr and Burton Seminary and graduated from Champlain College in 1968. While at Burr and Burton, Ed was captain of the baseball team and a member of the basketball and soccer teams. He was inducted into the Burr and Burton Hall of Fame in 2021 as a Legend Athlete, Class of 66. Ed served in the United States Navy from 1968 until 1977 obtaining the rank of First-Class Petty Officer. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam receiving many commendations including Sailor of the...

Earl Charles LaBatt, Sr., 90, a lifelong resident of Arlington, VT, passed away at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT on October 28, 2025. He was born in Bennington on October 22, 1935, the son of Charles and Irene (Smith) LaBatt. He graduated from Arlington Memorial High School in June of 1954. Earl was at GE Co. in Schenectady, NY as a Machinist Apprentice until July 1957, when he graduated with Tool Maker and Tool Designer degrees. Earl was a member of the United States Coast Guard from July 1957 to July 1961 attaining the rank of Electronics Technician First Class Petty Officer. After completing basic training and electronics school he served the rest of his time...

On Monday, October 27, 2025, William A. (Willy) Jones died peacefully at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center after a long illness. Born March 3, 1945, he was the son of William and Mary Alice (Clark) Jones. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Gracemary A. (Keith) Jones. He is survived by sister-in-law, Kathy (Keith) Rowe (husband, John), and brother-in-law, Don Keith (wife, Janet). He leaves six nieces and nephews - Joshua, Benjamin and Zachary Rowe, Katie Dreyer-Rowe, and Kelsey and Delaney Keith. Willy grew up in Manchester Center, VT, attended Burr & Burton Academy and graduated from Castleton State College in 1969. Willy was a very active member of the Pownal/Bennington community....

Sally B. Perkins, 80, of North Bennington, VT, passed away Sunday October 26, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Bennington, VT on March 14, 1945, the daughter of the late Horton and Frances (Wager) Bahan. Sally was a 1963 graduate of Arlington Memorial High School and a 1965 graduate of St. Joesph's. She married Charles Albert Perkins, Jr., on September 4, 1965, at the Federated Church of East Arlington. Mr. Perkins passed away on April 24, 2019. Sally was a Direct Support Specialist with United Counseling Service for 25 years. She always had a smile on her face. She loved traveling and dancing with her husband as well as camping and boating. In her earlier years, Sally...

Madeline Carol Blasi Holmes, 84, a resident of South Street in Bennington, became an angel Saturday October 18, 2025 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones. To send the family personal condolences and for complete obituary information please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main Street Bennington, VT.

Peter and his wife, Margaret, retired to the Boyce family home in 2004. Peter was born March 10, 1945 to the late Mary (Donnelly) and Edwin Oscar Casenhiser in Detroit, Michigan. He was predeceased by his sister Mary (Casenhiser) Schrader and brother Edwin Owen Casenhiser. Peter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret (Boyce) Casenhiser, sister-in-law Patricia (Boyce) Casenhiser, brothers-in-law John and Barbara Boyce, William and Maggie Boyce, and Daniel and Dawn Boyce. He also leaves many nieces and nephews along with his beloved dog, Oscar. He will be missed for his kindness, loving nurturing nature and great listening skills. Peter was an automotive cost savings engineer whose...

Marianne, 81 years young, went home to her Lord and Savior on September 23, 2025. At the request there are no formal funeral services at this time. Donations may be made in Marianne's name to: Grace Cottage Hospital 185 Grafton Road Townshend, VT 05353. To send the family personal condolences and for complete obituary information please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

Eleanor Borig Gould passed away peacefully on September 22nd in Andover, MA. Eleanor was born on June 15, 1929 in Philadelphia, and was the daughter of the late Laura and Alexander Borig. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles W. Gould. Eleanor graduated from Frankfort High School in 1947 and worked for the Pennsylvania Telephone Company until 1955 when she married Charlie and moved to Bennington. Eleanor was a loving mother to Susan Koniares of Boxford, MA and Anne Delaney and her husband, Michael, of North Andover, MA. She was a devoted grandmother to Katherine Koniares of Wellesley, MA, Michael Koniares and his wife, Kristen of Topsfield, MA, and a great-grandmother to Eleanor and...

Henry G. Andrew, Jr. 65, a resident of Bennington, passed away August 17, 2025 at his home. At the request of the family there are no formal funeral services. Please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com for the full obituary and to send the family personal condolences.

Francis Joseph Sutton (Frank) 85, died peacefully with his loving wife Grace by his side on August 6, 2025 at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Christ Our Savior Parish, St Paul Catholic Church in Manchester at 11am on Tuesday August 19, 2025. Calling hours will be held Monday August 18, 2025 from 4-6pm at Brewster-Shea Funeral Home 34 Park Place Manchester Center, VT. To send the family personal condolences and for complete obituary information please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

Helen Grace Howard Olney passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025. She was born November 12, 1947 in Bennington to Alice and Arthur Howard and grew up on the family dairy farm in Shaftsbury and resided in one the historical homes on the farm where she raised her children and lived out her life. Helen graduated from North Bennington High School and Castleton State College with her Elementary Education licensure. Her post college education continued to include a Reading Specialist endorsement. Helen had a long and much loved career in elementary education in area schools. Helen was active in her community including being her children's 4-H leader for many years and had many youth under her...

Sharon L. Sweet, 79, a resident of Niles School Road in Pownal, passed away May 2, 2025 at Crescent Manor Nursing Home . Funeral services for Sharon will be held Friday May 9, 2025 at 2pm at Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main Street Bennington, VT. A visiting hour at the funeral home will be held from 1-2pm, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at a later date in Oakhill Cemetery in Pownal. To send the family personal condolences and for complete obituary details, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

Dorothea L Whitley, 98, passed away on May 2, 2025 at Franklin County Rehabilitation Center in St Albans, VT. Funeral services will be held at St James Episcopal Church, Arlington Vt on May 13, 2025 at 10 am. It will also be available via Zoom (www.stjamesarlingtonvt.org) . For the full obituary and to send the family personal condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

Michael "Mike" George Shea, 73, of Shelburne Falls, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Hanson, Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 Main St, Bennington, VT. Mike will be laid to rest at Bennington Park Lawn Cemetery. To view the full obituary, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com