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Obituary

Robert Orman “Bob” Ovitt Sr. 80 a lifelong resident of Fairfax passed away peacefully at his home on Friday July 7, 2023. He was born on May 26, 1943 son of the late Orman and Ivy (Webb) Ovitt. After graduating high school in 1961. He began work for Coca-Cola Company and then General Electric.

Upon graduating Bob married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Barkyoumb. They decided they would start farming and they bought their farm on Buck Hollow in 1968. They farmed together and raised their 4 children Sam, Carol, Rob and Joan. While raising the children they started Ovitt’ s Construction and also started sugaring. Eventually they parted ways, and the cows were sold shortly thereafter. Although Bob and Gloria divorced they remained the best of friends throughout their entire lives until her passing in 2021. Holidays were always spent together as one blended family and all were welcome. Nobody would pass up one of Gloria’s home cooked meals. Spending time all together was the greatest gift they continued to give their children and grandchildren.

Ovitt’s Construction and the sugar operation continued to be ran by Bob and his son’s Sam and Rob. The operations are still up and running today with grandson’s helping. Bob loved to run a bulldozer or an excavator, he loved rocks of all sizes. He loved to place them just so to create a beautiful area around a pond or build a stone wall.

In high school Bob was known for being quite the baseball player really a talented athlete in all sports he played. He was even being looked at to play professionally but his life took another path. He continued to love the sport and played on many softball teams. He played for years, made many friends and created some great memories. He also continued to send those softballs out of the park wherever he played. Bob was fun to watch and his enthusiasm showed on the field. He was a competitive kind of guy. He loved to hustle people in a good game of pool, setting himself up nicely to sink that eight ball. He enjoyed playing cards from cribbage to Gin and nothing was wrong with a round of poker. He also had a love of the outdoors he loved to hunt and fish. Deer season, if you didn’t know is a fifth season in Vermont, at least in his eyes. From all the deer hunting stories some good and maybe a few bad, oh how those stories and laughter rang out from deer camp. He loved to slip off in the afternoon to find those secret fishing holes and cast a line. He passed his passion for the outdoors and hunting down to his sons, grandsons, and some great grandchildren as well.

One of our favorite spots as a family is our camping lot at Fairfield Pond and we all enjoy it tremendously. We all have set on the stone bench placed so perfectly in front of the water by him. We have all enjoyed roasting food over the open fire built with stones. His parents purchased this land and it’s been a family tradition ever since. This is our families little piece of heaven where we have memories of 5 generations relaxing at the pond. We were lucky to celebrate his 80th birthday all together on May 26, 2023 not too long ago, that day was beautiful full of laughter and love. Having family and friends all together.

Bob had many friends, he lived his life fully on his terms and was a simple man and it took little to make him happy. He helped so many folks in difficult situations. His front door was always open. On any given morning you could find him sipping a cup of coffee, making eggs and bacon with a side of toast he loved breakfast. As he sat to eat, a whole lot of ketchup went on top. According to Bob everything tasted better with ketchup and I mean everything.

He was a joker at heart, the stories are many. He could be stubborn as a mule but down deep inside, had the biggest heart and would help anybody. Big Bob Ovitt, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa you sure are going to be missed. We love you and our hearts will carry you forward.
Bob is survived by his children Sam, Rob and Carol Ovitt all of Fairfax, Joan and her husband Kelly Sweet of Fletcher, 10 grandchildren Joshua, Jessica Jordan, Kaitlin Ovitt , Kyle Ovitt and fiancé Nicole, Kody and wife Hannah Ovitt, Kole Ovitt and girlfriend Sophie, Brittany Sweet and fiancé Jessie, Danielle Sweet and fiancé Tim, Jacob Sweet and Jarrett Sweet, 7 great grandchildren which he enjoyed Ryleigh ,Nicholas, Jayleigh, Raelynn, Aubrey, Brayden and Granger, siblings Barb and Tom Sargent of St. Albans, Beverly and Dave Danyow of St. Albans, JoAnne and Jim Godin of Fairfax and Richard Ovitt of Fletcher, many nieces, nephews cousins and dear friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Orman and Ivy Ovitt, sister Sandra Ovitt, His love of his life Gloria Ovitt-Ledoux and her parents.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday July 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the family lot in Fairfax Plains Cemetery, McNall Rd, Fairfax with Reverend Elizabeth Griffin officiating. A celebration of Life will follow at the Fairfax Community Center, 1210 Main St., Fairfax. Please come join us, share a story, enjoy some food and Honor our Dad, thank you. Never Gone, Forever in our hearts. We Love You Dad!

Robert Ovitt
July 20, 2023 @ 11 am
Fairfax Plains Cementary on McNall Road
Graveside service
Celebration of Life to follow @
Fairfax Community Center
1210 Main Street Fairfax, Vt
Please come join us:
Share a story
Enjoy some food
Honor our Dad ❤️ thank you
Never Gone Forever in our hearts
    We love you ~ Dad ❤️
             6/26/1943 ~ 7/7/2023

The Fairfax Community Library Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm. The meeting  is open to the public and will take place in the library.
If you would like to attend remotely, please contact the library for the Zoom link.
Agenda:
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes from May 16, 2023, meeting
Treasurer’s Report
Correspondence

Updates:
Library Highlights since our last meeting
Summer Reading Program
Elementary Book Distribution
Library 50th Anniversary/Logo
Staff Update
   
New Business:
Library cleaning
Schedule Budget planning meeting for October
Next Trustee meeting September 21, 2023

 Fairfax Community Library Programs - July 2023

Youth Events

Tuesday, July 11, 3 pm: Lego Club
Kids ages 6+ enjoy themed Lego play. Please register.

Wednesday, July 5, 3 pm: Egg Carton Goldfish
Make a cute little fish out of an egg carton! Materials provided. Ages 8+ Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!

Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 10:30 am: Preschool Story Time
Join us for stories and songs! Children's books will be available to check out as well. Before you leave, pick up an activity to make at home!

Wednesday, July 12, 3 pm: Mask Decorating
Decorate a mask worthy of the theater! Materials provided. Ages 8+ Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!

Wednesday, July 19, 1 pm: Rope Climber
Make a tenacious toy rope climber! Materials provided. Ages 8+ Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!

Wednesday, July 26, 3 pm: Pom Pom Chick
Learn how to make pompoms and turn them into a baby chick! Materials provided. Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!

Adult Events

Tuesday, July 18, 5:30 pm: Baking Class with Steve LaRosa
Learn how to make delectable zucchini and lemon muffins with Steve LaRosa! Materials provided. This is a take and make class - Steve will teach how to assemble the muffins and you can take them home to bake them. All skill levels welcome! Space is limited, so please call 849-2420 or email libraryfairfax@gmail.com to register!

June 27 - August 11: Summer Reading Challenge for Adults
Sign up online, or in person at the library, and pick up your summer reading bingo sheet. Check off boxes by completing reading challenges until you get a bingo. Once you get a bingo, bring your sheet into the library to claim a prize and be entered into a drawing for a bigger prize at the end of the summer. You are able to claim more than one bingo, so after claiming your first prize, feel free to take your sheet back and complete more challenges!

Thursday, July 21, 4 pm: Library Book Club
The book this month is Nine Parts of Desire, by Geraldine Brooks. Book club will meet in the library. A Zoom link will be available for anyone who wants to attend remotely. If you would like to borrow a copy of the book, or request the Zoom link, please contact the library at fairfaxlibrarian@gmail.com or call us at 849-2420. All are welcome!

Tuesday, July 25, 5 pm: Pollinator Presentation
Join Ricky Klein from the Vermont Master Gardener Program to learn how to create a pollinator friendly yard, and how you can grow a pollinator's paradise with essentially no effort! No registration required.

Family Events

June 1 - September 4: Good Citizen Challenge
This summer, kids in grades K-8, are encouraged to get out and lean about, and participate in, their communities! Kids will be given a bingo card with different challenges to get them involved in their communities. Once they complete a bingo, they will be eligible to win prizes - including a chance to win the grand prize: a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books and a free trip for two to Washington D.C.! You can pick up the bingo cards here at the library if you are interested in participating. For more information, please feel free to visit the Good Citizen Challenge website.

For up to date information, go to https://www.fairfaxvtlibrary.org

Stephen Joseph Ratte, son of the late Maurice & Mary (King) Ratte, passed away peacefully on Monday evening June 5th, 2023, surrounded by his Family.



Steve was born on October 1, 1935 in Burlington, Vermont and began his education at Christ the King School in 1940, the year the school was founded. When the family moved to the North End of Burlington in 1943, he entered Nazareth School. In 1945 another move landed them in the family homestead located in Fairfax. A few years later Steve became active in several 4-H club projects including raising dairy cattle and poultry. He was very enthusiastic about showing his Holstein cattle at the 4-H County Field Days, State Days, and eventually was privileged to show cattle at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts.



Steve attended St. Mary’s High School in Saint Albans and graduated in the class of 1953. He married Pauline Boissonneault, the love of his life, on June 14th, 1958, a woman he had admired for several years as a Church parishioner. They were joined in holy matrimony in Saint Luke Church, Fairfax and enjoyed nearly 65 happy years together. Steve and Pauline were blessed with six loving children.



After graduating from Johnson State College, Steve continued his studies and earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching from St. Michael’s College.



Steve was a member of Saint Luke Catholic Church since 1945. He served on the Parish Council for a number of years. He was also active in the establishment of the original Fairfax Zoning Board, on which he served as a committee member for several years.



He taught school in Colchester, Milton, and Winooski, primarily at the high-school level. For numerous summers, Steve was employed for as a U.S. Immigration Inspector at the Highgate Springs Port of entry. Eventually he left teaching and became a full-time Immigration Inspector. After seven years at the Highgate Border Station, he transferred to the Eastern Regional Immigration Office in Burlington, where he worked in Personnel until his retirement in 1995. Steve was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Burlington in June 1983, and served in Saint Luke Parish, Fairfax as a Deacon for 38 years, retiring in June 2021. He was active in the Catholic Cursillo Movement, serving as a team member for a number of retreat-weekends. The Weston Priory was a special place for Steve, for solitude, meditation, and prayer.



It was only through the tireless efforts and support of his wife, Pauline, that Steve was able to serve as a volunteer in Prison Ministry for over 26 years, with the last 12½ years spent serving as Prison Ministry Coordinator for Vermont Catholic Charities. He strived to respond to the words of Jesus in Mathew 25: 36, 40: “When I was in prison you visited me . . . Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”



One of his hobbies was gardening, especially hybridizing irises and developing new colors for flowers. In recent years Steve and Pauline enjoyed bringing flowers and vegetables to the Champlain Valley Fair, receiving many blue ribbons. Photography was a life-long hobby for Steve, through which he strived to capture God’s beauty in nature.



Many fond memories were created when Steve & Pauline traveled to visit children and grandchildren on trips to Maui, Hawaii and Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina. Another special place was the unique little town of Boquerón, Puerto Rico, which was like stepping back into the 1940’s to Steve.



Steve is survived by his wife Pauline and their six children: Denise Cota (Larry), Marc Ratte (Chantal), Stephanie Jenkins (Jeff), Bernard ‘Bert’ Ratte (Jackie Odre), Michael Ratte, and Jennifer Shepherd (David), nine grandchildren: Benjamin Cota (Allison), Bethany Cota (Nick Deavitt), Carissa & Gabrielle Ratte, Dylan & Anna Whaley, Morgan & Jack Shepherd, and Kayla Ratte, five great grandchildren: Nora, Beau, & Briggs Deavitt, and Caroline & Adelynn Cota, two brothers-in-law: Rene (Priscilla) & Giles (Carol) Boissonneault, one sister-in-law: Marie Boissonneault, in addition to several cousins, nieces, and nephews.



Steve is preceded in death by his parents Maurice & Mary (King) Ratte, father and mother-in-law Lucien & Simone (Brassard) Boissonneault, brothers-in-law Bernard, Maurice, & George Boissonneault, nieces and nephews Maria, Amy, Michael, & Alan Boissonneault.



Life is a mystery. Waste not time trying to solve it; but rather seek the Wisdom and Love of God to enjoy life to the fullest. “I seek not to understand in order that I may believe; rather, I believe in order that I may understand.” St. Anselm



A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 at 10:30am in Saint Luke Catholic Church, 17 Huntville Road, Fairfax.



 There will be no public calling hours.



In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following charitable causes or to a charity of your choice:

• Boys Town, 14100 Crawford St., Boystown, NE 68010

• Covenant House, 4618th Ave., New York, NY 10001

• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

• St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 No Main St, Chamberlain, SD 57325



Honored to be serving the family of Stephen Ratte is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.

Fairfax Community Library Programs in June 2023

Library Summer Reading Program:
Starting June 1st, you can sign your child up online or in person at the library, and receive their reading log. Kids can start tracking their reading after the last day of school! And this year, the Summer Reading program isn't just for kids! Adults will have their own challenge this year, complete with fun prizes for accomplishing different reading goals. 

Youth Events:
Tuesday, June 6, 3 pm: Lego Club
Kids ages 6+ enjoy themed Lego play after school. Please register.
Wednesday, June 7, 3 pm: Chalk Prints
Use chalk dust and water to create some pretty pastel artwork! Materials provided. Ages 8+ Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!
Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 10:30 am: Preschool Story Time
Join us for stories and songs! Children's books will be available to check out as well. Before you leave, pick up an activity to make at home!
Wednesday, June 14, 3 pm: Frames for Father's Day
Make a custom picture frame for Father's Day! Materials provided. Ages 8+ Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!
Wednesday, June 21, 1 pm: Spool Racers
Learn how to make a wind up racing toy out of a spool and rubber bands! Ages 8+ Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!
Wednesday, June 28, 3 pm: Jumping Frogs and Puppet Snakes
Make origami frogs that really jump, and snake puppets that can slither with the best of them! Materials provided. Please email libraryfairfax@gmail.com or call 849-2420 to register!

Adult Events:
June 27 - August 11: Summer Reading Challenge for Adults
Sign up online, or in person at the library, and pick up your summer reading bingo sheet. Check off boxes by completing reading challenges until you get a bingo. Once you get a bingo, bring your sheet into the library to claim a prize and be entered into a drawing for a bigger prize at the end of the summer. You are able to claim more than one bingo, so after claiming your first prize, feel free to take your sheet back and complete more challenges!
Thursday, June 15, 4 pm: Library Book Club
The book this month is The Island of Sea Women, by Lisa See. Book club will meet in the library. A Zoom link will be available for anyone who wants to attend remotely. If you would like to borrow a copy of the book, or request the Zoom link, please contact the library at fairfaxlibrarian@gmail.com or call us at 849-2420. All are welcome!

Family Events:
Tuesday, June 27, 4 pm: Summer Reading Kickoff with Circus Minimus
The circus is coming to the library! Come to the library and celebrate the kickoff of this year's Summer Reading Program with a performance from Circus Minimus. All ages welcome, audience participation encouraged! No registration required.

ROCKPORT, Maine — Human remains that were discovered in Rockport in late April have been identified.

The Rockport Police Department said in a news release Friday the Office of Chief Medical Examiner identified the remains as 44-year-old Jared Paradee.

The remains were reportedly found in Rockport on April 28, and Paradee has been reported missing from Rockport since Feb. 23, 2022, according to the release.


"Paradee’s remains were located in close proximity to his last known address," the release said.

Rockport police said the area was searched extensively by multiple search parties, including Camden police, Maine game wardens, family, friends, K9s, and a drone.

"Positive identification was determined using DNA testing," the release said. "The cause and manner have not been determined. Based on information gathered during the investigation we do not believe foul play was involved."

Rockport Police Department Press Release 05/05/23 The...

Posted by Camden Maine Police Department on Friday, May 5, 2023

Fairfax Community Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Agenda:
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes from March 16th, 2023, meeting
Treasurer’s Report
Correspondence

Updates:
CD Interest Rates
Highlights from our library since last meeting
Patron Code of Conduct Policy (Discuss suggestion)
Elementary Classes book distribution
Summer programs and schedules
Library 50th Anniversary Committee Report
Staff Update

New Business:
Town Update Fraud Prevention & Identity Theft Policy
Summer Intern applications

Other

*The meeting will take place in the library. If you would like to attend remotely, please contact the library at 802-849-2420 for the Zoom link information.

Linda F. (Bourdeau) Tracy, 72, passed away Tuesday April 18th 2023 in the Rutland Hospital with family by her side. Linda was born at home in St. Armand, Quebec, on Oct. 7th 1950, daughter of the late Charles and Mildred (Sis) (Erno) Bourdeau.

Linda graduated from Bedford H.S. and went on to study at the Jewish General Hospital School of Nursing Montreal. Later she went on to be Head Nurse at the Bedford Home for the Handicapped which she worked for many years. After she retired from there, she joined the Franklin County Home Health Agency and was a Hospice volunteer for a number of years.

She married Ralph Tracy on Oct. 11, 1993, on his farm in Fairfax, off the Fletcher Rd. Linda took after her mom in growing and caring for her beautiful flower gardens. She also loved her horses, (Jasper and Star), cats, and her dachshunds! She also loved traveling with her best friend Manon and garage saling with her friends Cathy, Linda A. and Trish!

Linda leaves her son Brian Bourdeau, wife Melissa and his grandmother Bertha Corey all of Bedford, Quebec her sisters Carol Ann and her husband Charles LaFlam of Brome Que., Denise and her husband Yvan Rousseau of St. Jean Que. and her brother Mark and wife Marie (Paquette) of Fairfax, her niece Amiee' Robert' of Quebec, also her granddaughters Charlize and Molly and her grandsons Zach, and Sunny all of Quebec.

She was predeceased by her husband Ralph, her parents, Charles and Mildred and many Aunts and Uncles.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the doctors and nurses at the UVM Hospital, to Dr. Carr and nurses at the Rutland Hospital and to the Rutland Rehab Center for their loving care they offered her.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday May 13th 2023 at Pigeon Hill Cemetery in Canada at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle St. Albans, Vt. 05478 or to an animal rescue place of your choice.

Lynette Emily Royer
St Albans --Lynette Emily Royer, 83, passed away April 10 2023 St. Albans Health and Rehab.

Lynette was born on August 11, 1939 in Saint Albans, VT, the Daughter of Harold Bessette and Beatrice (McNall).

On December 4, 1970 she married Roger Royer in East Hartford, CT.

Lynette was a LNA at for many years, in Connecticut. Upon retiring she moved back to St. Albans in 2000 She was a parishioner of Holy Angels Church, a lady of St. Ann. Lynette loved to garden and grow roses, working with the earth. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, and taking care of her grandchildren. She was an excellent cooked and loved to travel.

She is survived by: her children, Kimberly Royer Kujala and her husband Michael of St. Albans, Tammy and her husband Michael Buckmaster of Longmeadow, MA ; her grandchildren, Mary Hawkins Beatrice Rose Berry and Sarah Ann Buckmaster; her siblings James and his wife Rebecca Bessette of St. Albans Bay, Donald and his wife Francis Bessette of Highgate, and her fur babies, Willy, Cuddles and Memphis.

She is predeceased by her parents Beatrice Anna and Harold Joseph Bessette and her husband Roger Royer.

On behalf of the family we would like to thank St Albans Health and Rehab and Bayada Hospice for the wonderful care Lynette received. Words can not convey our appreciation of the love you have shown her. We will forever be grateful.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 5-7PM in the Minor Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Milton. Her funeral mass will be held on Thursday 1 PM in Holy Angels Church, St Albans, followed by the interment in St. Luke's Cemetery in Fairfax.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the recreational fund at St. Albans Health and Rehab.