Colebrook News & Sentinel Obituaries, Colebrook, New Hampshire, from Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Copyright retained by the newspaper. Permission recieved to include in the USGenWeb Archives. LAVAL CORRIVEAU Mr. Laval L. Corriveau of Monadnock Village in Colebrook died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, January 6, 2004. Mr. Corriveau was born on April 28, 1926 in Bury, Quebec, the son of the late Aime and Aurore (Roi) Corriveau. In his youth, Mr. Corriveau worked on the family farm and later began cutting wood on his own. In June, 1965, he was married to his late wife, Bertha J. (Gilbert) Corriveau, and was self-employed as a logger and construction contractor until his health required him to work as a wood buyer part-time. He enjoyed working in the timber industry, but also enjoyed visiting with friends, taking rides in the country, and spending time with his granddaughters. Mr. Corriveau is survived by his two sons, Peter Corriveau and fianceé Laurie Dellolio, of Colebrook, and Alan Corriveau and wife Michele of Colchester, Vt.; five siblings, Marguerite Breton and husband Jean of Quebec City, Quebec, Paul Corriveau and wife Simone of Colebrook, Jeanne Corriveau of Quebec City, Clemence Lambert of Clearwater, B.C., and Claudette Biron and husband Gregoire of Quebec City; two granddaughters; his companion, Jeanne Simard of Colebrook; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha J. (Gilbert) Corriveau on October 6, 1999; and four brothers, Vincent, Arthur, Gaetan and Gregoire Corriveau. Calling hours were held on Friday, January 9 at the Jenkins Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday morning at St. Brendanšs Catholic Church, with The Reverend Albert Bellefeuille as celebrant. An interment service will be held in the spring at St. Brendanšs Catholic Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Corriveau's memory may be made to the Upper Connecticut Valley Home Health Services, c/o Sharon Covill, RR2, Box 13, Colebrook, NH 03576; or St. Brendanšs Memorial Fund, c /o Doris Carrier, RR1, BOX 15 A, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BESSIE FURGERSON Bessie Abigail Furgerson, 84, of Pittsburg, died on Monday January 12, 2004 at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook. She was born on July 13, 1919 in Stewartstown, the daughter of William and Eva (Brown) Heath. Mrs. Furgerson attended school in Colebrook and was married to Wilman Furgerson on October 23, 1937. Mrs. Furgerson was employed by Howard's Restaurant in Colebrook as a cook for many years. Mrs. Bessie Furgerson is survived by her husband, Wilman Furgerson of Pittsburg; two sons, Leonard W. Furgerson of Enfield, Conn., and William E. Furgerson of Longwood, Fla.; two daughters, Priscilla Phillips of Dunbarton and Mrs. Tom (Barbara) Salpas of Palmetto, Fla.; a brother, John Owen of Stewartstown; and a sister, Althea Gray of Canaan; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be conducted in the spring at the Stewartstown Hollow Cemetery in Stewartstown. Donations in memory of Mrs. Bessie A. Furgerson may be sent to Home Health in care of Sharon Covill, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, RR 2 Box 13, Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Newman Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOSEPH HAYNES Joseph W. Haynes, 83, of Oracle, Ariz., died on January 5, 2004 in Oracle. He was born on June 17,1920 in Quebec, the son of Walter and Gladys McKeage Haynes. He has lived in Arizona for the past 63 years, and retired as a supervisor at a local copper mine. He was an Army veteran of World War II. The family includes wife, Rita Haynes of Oracle; three daughters, Patricia Cutrone of West Virginia, Roberta Dionne of Alabama and Debra Peraza of San Manuel; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; his sisters, Leona Gray of Laconia, Wilma Bunnell of Colebrook and Leatrice Bacon of Stewartstown. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Sally Haynes; his son, Anthony; three brothers, Hollis, Donald and Walter Jr.; and his two sisters, Marilyn Gadwah and Viola Haynes. The funeral was held on Friday at St. Elizabeth Anne Seton Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BARBARA KILLAM Mrs. Barbara (Taylor) Killam, 65, of Columbia, died tragically on Sunday evening, January 11, 2004, after being struck by a vehicle while walking along Route 3 in Columbia. Mrs. Killam was born on August 22, 1938 in Bloomfield, daughter of the late Leroy and Cora (Smith) Taylor. She was committed to caring for others by volunteering at the nursing home and caring for many elderly friends. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed walking. Her daily walks often found her keeping the roadside clean in front of her home. She loved to cook and often made pies and other items for area food sales, including refreshments for the North Country Audubon Society, of which she was a member. She was active as the Columbia Town Treasurer and the Columbia School Board Treasurer. She will be remembered as a gentle spirit who always cared for others' needs before her own. Mrs. Killam is survived by her husband of 34 years, David Killam of Columbia; a sister, Lorraine Keazer and husband Hugh of Dover; and five nieces and nephews, Jason Keazer, Annie Keazer, Brad Taylor, Susan White and Jera Bullis. She is preceded in death by her parents; by her brother, Lawrence Taylor; and her stepfather, Edward Smith. At Mrs. Killam's request, there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, January 16, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in North Stratford, with The Reverend Brendan Whittaker officiating. Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Killam's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, c/o Josephine Harding, Main Street, North Stratford, NH 03590. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home of Colebrook. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WILFRED LARAMEE Mr. Wilfred "Willy" E. Laramee, 76, of Colebrook, died on Thursday morning, January 8, 2004 at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital. Mr. Laramee was born on July 29, 1927 in Colebrook, the son of the late Alfred and Wilma (Hall) Laramee. He served in the Army in Germany after World War II from 1945-1948 in the police force, and later was reactivated during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1951, when he was awarded the Korean Service Medal and three Bronze Service Stars. He also served as a reservist until his honorable discharge in 1973. He enjoyed working in the woods for Brown Company and was involved with the last river drive down the Androscoggin River. He then worked as a machinist for the Beecher Falls Division of Ethan Allen until his retirement after 33 years. He will be remembered for his numerous jobs as a young man working for many Main Street merchants such as the Colebrook House, Ellingwood's Clothing Store, Dickson's Pharmacy, Willard Nugent and Stubby Boudle, to name a few. He was a true handyman who enjoyed painting, roofing and woodworking. He had incredible vegetable gardens and enjoyed fishing, hunting and raising animals. His greatest love was working with children, whether as a 4-H instructor or supporting Colebrook athletics. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, nephew and friend, and will be greatly missed. Mr. Laramee is survived by his wife, Pauline "Polly" M. (Hamlin) Laramee of Colebrook; five children, Rebecca Borry and husband Arthur of Alexandria, N.H., Bill Laramee of Colebrook, John Laramee and wife Tina of Weare, N.H., Jim Laramee and wife Debby of Gulfport, Fla., and Martha Laramee and husband Jerry Crete of Hudson; four grandchildren; his aunt, Thelma B. Hall of Colebrook; and his cousins. Mr. Laramee is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Stone. Calling hours were held on Saturday at the Jenkins Funeral Home in Colebrook. A funeral service was conducted on Sunday afternoon at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Colebrook, with Pastor Priscilla Hull officiating. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Laramee's memory may be made to the Colebrook Schools Booster Club, c/o Dodie Smith, First Colebrook Bank, Main Street, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTIS RICKER Otis Freeman Ricker, 67, of Highland House in Whitefield, died on Thursday, January 8, 2004 at his residence. Otis was a son of Freeman and Mattie (Sweeney) Ricker, born on December 2, 1936 in West Stewartstown. Otis attended area schools and was a saw operator for the Whitefield Lumber Company and various other mills in the area. He was married to his wife, Mary (Wright) Ricker, of 45 years on October 25, 1958. He was also employed by Norton Pike. Otis enjoyed hunting, fishing and attending the senior center functions. Surviving family members include his wife, Mary (Wright) Ricker of Whitefield; a son, Kenneth Dean Ricker of Gilman, Vt.; six daughters, Carol Ann Ricker of Walla Walla, Wash., Cynthia Lee Ricker of Littleton, Jessica May Ricker of Toledo, Ohio, Kathy Alice Simpson of Littleton, Diana Marie Ricker of Princeton, Mass., and Sharon Lin Ricker-Perez of Hubbardston, Mass.; his mother, Mattie Sweeney of Whitefield; four brothers, Bert Ricker of Clinton, Mass., Terry Ricker of Orange, Mass., Ronald Ricker of Clinton, Mass., and Timothy Ricker of Whitefield; 16 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. A calling hour was held on Tuesday morning, January 13 at the Pillsbury Funeral Home in Littleton. Funeral services followed at the funeral home, with the Rev. Albert Bunnell officiating. Burial will be in the Perry Cemetery in Pittsburg. Donations may be made in Mr. Ricker's memory to the Littleton Area Senior Center, Cottage Street, Littleton, N.H. 03561. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RUTH SPINELLI Ruth Elizabeth (Bibba) Blais Spinelli, 79, of Campton, died on January 4, 2004 at her home of natural causes. Mrs. Spinelli was born on March 19, 1924 in Quebec, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Hodgdon) Blais. She was graduated from Colebrook Academy and was a 1944 graduate of Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing. She was employed by Littleton Hospital, Cottage Hospital and Spear Memorial Hospital, doing what she loved best: taking care of babies. She was a confidante, great friend, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and treasured sister. Family members include her children, Lee Spinelli of Campton, Anthony Spinelli of Eustis, Fla., Gail Spinelli Fortier of Laconia, Kathy Cassavaugh of Belmont. Jan Wright of Campton and Peter Spinelli of Thornton; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Audrey Bassett of Clarksville, Josephine Trembley of Rochester and Virginia Hailey of Littleton; and a brother, Francis Blais of Fort Worth, Texas. Her husband, William Spinelli, predeceased her. There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on April 24 at 2 p.m. at the VFW Home, where she was a five-year member of the Ladies' Auxiliary. She will be buried in Glenwood Cemetery. Arrangements are by Pillsbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Inc., of Littleton and Lisbon.