Page 16 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday , December 9 , 2016
Obituaries
Stephen A . Tracy
STEPHEN A . TRACY
STEWARTSTOWN – Stephen A . Tracy , 58 , of Stewartstown Hollow passed away of Friday , Dec . 2 . His passing is being noted by his many friends in the region . He was born on May 19 , 1958 .
A familiar figure in Colebrook , he often was seen walking to town from his home on Route 145 , being given a ride and back by passersby . A " yes " and " no " sign on his door indicated whether he was home . He recently placed a new sign on his home which read " Oleo Acres – A Cheaper Spread ," painted for him by Pat Allin of Stratford .
Stephen was active in both the Mohawk and Stratford Granges . He was also instrumental in getting the local chapter of the Small and Beginning Farmers started in the area . He was a small farmer and raised animals and had a garden at his place .
He was featured in the recent N . H . Public Television documentary " Our Hometown " which focused on Colebrook . Stephen was one of the local people interviewed for the program .
Prior to living in Stewartstown , he was a resident of Cornish . Arrangements were pending as of press time with the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor , Vt .
Donald Edward Burgess
DONALD EDWARD BURGESS CANTERBURY – Donald Edward Burgess , age 74 , died on Nov . 28 .
Don was born in St . Johnsbury , Vt ., the son of Ralph Staples Burgess and Evelyn Malina Cardinal . He graduated from St . Johnsbury Trade School and attended Keene State College , graduating in June 1966 with a Bachelor of Education Degree .
He was a loving husband , father , grandfather and greatgrandfather . Always helpful , and understanding , he was an easy person to talk to . Don had a way of guiding others in their decisions , without ever telling them what to do . His advice was sought by many who knew him , as he had extensive knowledge , and always knew how to “ fix things .”
He was a vocational arts instructor for 31 years including 17 years at the Concord Regional Vocational Center at Concord High School in Concord , teaching automotive and building trades . During his employment at the Vocational Center , his automotive class went to the National Automotive Technology Trouble Shooting Competition twice . He also taught many continuing education classes including welding at Concord High School . He was known as a very caring and patient teacher and taught his students “ how to do the job right .”
During the summers and after retirement from teaching , he designed and built many houses , including his own beautiful home in Canterbury . Under his company names of Burgess Builders , and 3 Oaks Building and Renovation , he built additions and decks , did finish and restorative carpentry , excavation work , septic designs and installations .
He enjoyed working with his hands and was a master craftsman . Creating beautiful lanterns in wrought iron , or fine finished furniture for his home . He loved restoring antique lamps , breathing new life into each one .
Don was an outdoors man , loving to take care of his hayfields in St . Johnsbury , Vt ., haying , tedding , raking and bailing hay every summer , and just sitting on “ his hill ” watching the deer and turkeys and enjoying the sunsets . Don enjoyed his many tractors , buying and restoring them , and using them on “ the land .” He thoroughly enjoyed gardening and was always saving seeds from vegetables and fruits so that he could plant them in the Spring to try different methods of growing plants .
Don loved to hike , bike , and travel , but he was also content to relax in front of the wood stove with his cat Yoda . He also enjoyed restoring antique cars , loved strumming on his guitars , was an avid reader and enjoyed watching the Patriots and the Red Sox .
Don had a habit of naming all of his trucks and tractors , much to the delight of his family and friends . “ Old Henry ,” “ Mow Rake ,” and “ Tedd Bail ,” just to name a few . He liked “ wicked good ” pies and often commented it “ tastes like more .” He was very witty , smart , had a great Yankee sense of humor , and loved hanging out with his buddies Walt Howell “ Old Buck ,” Brian Kilrain , Hal Posselt and Conrad Holden , and many other good friends . Don touched many people in his caring , gentle manner , and he will be missed greatly , by all who knew him .
He was predeceased by his parents , and his step-mother Katherine ( Kay ) Burgess .
Don is survived by his loving wife Annette ( Petrin ) Burgess enjoying 24 years of marriage , brother Steven Burgess and wife Nancy , of Lyndonville , Vt ., daughters Brenda Kenney and husband Peter , of Pittsburg , Barbara Forward and husband Thomas of Lyme ; stepchildren Robert Morrill and wife Kathleen ; Karen Kelso and husband , David ; grandchildren Samantha Kenney Maltais and husband Richard ; Jaimee Kenney Cloud and husband Nevin ; Zachary Kenney ; Thomas Forward IV and wife Kaitlin ; Amanda Forward ; Megan Forward ; Tyson Morrill ; Taylor Morrill ; great grandchildren Sawyer Maltais and Emily Cloud , mother-in-law , Hazel Petrin , nieces , nephew , step-brothers and step-sisters and their extended families .
A Celebration of Life in honor of Don will be held at Alan ’ s Restaurant in Boscawen on Dec . 16 from 4-7 p . m . Attendees will be sharing special memories and stories beginning at 6 .
Don ’ s family would like to thank all those who ’ ve offered their support , kind words , thoughts , and prayers . They said the following : “ In memory of Don , please remember to live each day to the fullest , and enjoy the little things . Take nothing for granted . Remember to tell those you love how much they mean to you . And always ask for a second piece of pie .”
Carol Ann Thompson Coolbeth
CAROL ANN THOMPSON COOLBETH CONCORD – Carol Ann Thompson Coolbeth passed away on Dec . 1 , 2016 at 5:15 p . m . at Concord Hospital in Concord after a brave battle with emphysema . She died peacefully surrounded by loving family members .
Carol was born Feb . 8 , 1944 in Lancaster to Alvin A . Thompson and Norma ( Lund ) Thompson . Alvin was abroad during WW II when Carol was born .
Carol grew up in East Lancaster on the Thompson family farm . She went to school at the Mt . Cabot School there , until sixth grade when the school closed and the students were moved to the elementary school in town , then to Lancaster High
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