Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Ben
http://chronicleproject.com/ben_pont...day-716716.jpg
Ben was born on Dec. 20, 1941. A good teacher, he died on Oct. 12, 2007 -- his wife Sandra's 52nd birthday. Ben and Sandra met in Boston in the mid-80s, and were married in Halifax on Dec. 21, 2001. They enjoyed each other immensely and felt a deep connection. It was his third marriage and her second.

Ben's favorite drink was sake. His favorite foods were pineapple, yellow fin sushi, salmon sushi and eel sushi (although there is a Japanese name for it). He also liked lamb dishes, and corn, as he was born and grew up in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. He spent summers on his grandparents' farm in Minnesota, where he road a fat pony bareback through the fields, singing. He was also on his high school wrestling team, got a wrestling scholarship to college, and was member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Math was his favorite subject in school.

Ben had a fantastic smile and charismatic energy. He was a devoted student of both the Vidyadhara and the Sakyong. He met the Vidyadhara in New York City in the early 70s, and thought he was "the most trustworthy guy I ever met." He moved to Boulder shortly thereafter, and worked as a carpenter, helping to build both Karme Choling and Shambhala Mountain Center structures. He was a devoted kasung and a kusung to Mipham Rinpoche for 25 years.

When he turned 40, he became a software engineer, and recently received a patent for an algorithm he invented. Ben was a dual citizen of both Canada and the U.S. The only place that ever felt like home to him was Halifax, he said on many occasions. He loved classical music and Scottish fiddle music.

Ben began having symptoms of ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in 2004. He experienced constant fasciculations (incessant but painless twitching in his muscles). His body degenerated over the last three years. First, the muscles in his arms atrophied. Next, his throat muscles began to deteriorate. Toward the end, he could not swallow without choking and so he lost about 40 pounds. His voice was very weak. His legs and diaphragm began to deteriorate simultaneously. Ben had a feeding tube placed recently -- a couple of weeks ago -- and we hoped that it would improve his situation. However, his disease had progressed too far. Unable to manage the saliva in his system or to breathe properly, he had a stroke and his heart stopped on October 10. He was resuscitated, and was able to receive final instructions from the Sakyong before life support system was taken off on October 12. He smiled shortly before he died.

Sandra will take his ashes to Nova Scotia for burial or distribution. Ben also is survived by a sister, Susan Park, and a niece, Betsey, who live in Jackson, Wyoming. His nephew, Jeff, lives in Denver, Colorado.

from Sandra Pontius

Frank Mannino, 81, bandleader, teacher
Tuesday, October 23, 2007By John Pope

Frank Mannino, a charismatic director of school bands across the New Orleans area who also played for such performers as Bob Hope and Henny Youngman, died Saturday of Lou Gehrig's disease at his Metairie home. He was 81.

A lifelong resident of the New Orleans area who used the stage name "Frankie Mann," Mr. Mannino could play the clarinet, saxophone and flute. He earned an undergraduate degree in music education from Loyola University and a master's degree in that subject from Louisiana State University.

During a 40-year career, he led bands at Holy Name of Mary High School, Ridgewood Preparatory School, Holy Cross School, East Jefferson High School and T.H. Harris Junior High School.


Students were eager to work with him because he was a good teacher who demanded a great deal.

"He loved students who worked hard," said Tim Laughlin, a saxophonist who was in the Holy Cross band and took private lessons in clarinet, alto saxophone and flute from Mr. Mannino.

"Even if you fell short, he was there for you, encouraging you," Laughlin said, "but if you didn't live up to being a Holy Cross man, he would tell you, and he was pretty stern about that. He instilled a lot of the discipline that we needed.

"He was one of the masters at earning respect, not demanding it."

With Mr. Mannino's coaching, Laughlin won a spot in the All-State High School Jazz Band. "He helped me get the sound that the judges liked," Laughlin said.

Mr. Mannino organized the Frankie Mann Orchestra, which played for dozens of Carnival balls and backed up performers such as Sid Caesar, Jack Carter and Perry Como. Mr. Mannino also played in the New Orleans Summer Pops Orchestra and as a musician with the New Orleans Opera Association.

He was the first chairman of the All-State High School Jazz Band and brought the National Association of Jazz to Louisiana. He was its first president.

A graduate of Warren Easton High School, Mr. Mannino was a member of the school's Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Educators Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife, Virgie Lee Mannino; a son, Milo Mannino of Columbus, Ohio; two daughters, Sylvia Jaynes and Gina Laguna; a stepson, Larry Bourgeois of Shreveport; three stepdaughters, Beth Bourgeois of Hammond, Suzanne Bewers and Jacquelyn Bourgeois; a brother, Valdo Mannino; 11 grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

A Mass will be said today at 1:30 p.m. at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Cemetery.

Frank Mannino

Dorothy Arant


Dorothy Westmoreland Arant, 69, passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease ).

She retired from UnumProvident in 2001, was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. Mrs. Arant volunteered at Memorial Hospital, Meals on Wheels and served on the board of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.

She was the daughter of the late Paul and Dorothy Westmoreland, of Griffin, Ga.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Arant; and children, J. Lee Greene and wife, Kathy, of Memphis, Jane G. Scudder and husband, Mark, of Suwanee, Ga., and Jennifer Greene, of Boston, Mass. Also survived by four stepchildren, Mary Claire Blackshaw and husband, Brian, of Atlanta, Lee Arant, of Newnan, Ga., Amy Arant, of Atlanta, and Scott Arant and wife, Debbie, of Dunwoody, Ga. Also survived by brothers, Bob Westmoreland and wife, Loretta, of Mount Dora, Fla., and Ralph Westmoreland and wife, Kathi, of Brooks, Ga. Also survived by mother-in-law, Essie T. Arant, of Chattanooga; and 10 grandchildren.

Special thanks to Barbara Shinn, a very loving caregiver.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Dr. Larry Schenk officiating.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 or ALS Association of Tennessee, P.O. Box 40244, Nashville, TN 37204-0244.

The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.

George R. 'Bob' Ramier II -- Rochester
10/24/2007 8:59:06 AM
ROCHESTER -- A memorial service for George R. "Bob" Ramier II will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 8400 France Ave. S., in Bloomington, Minn. Interment will be private.

Mr. Ramier, 51, of Minneapolis, formerly of Rochester, died Sunday (Oct. 21, 2007), following an illness with dementia and Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

George Robert Ramier II was born Aug. 8, 1956, in Lafayette, La., and moved to Minneapolis at age 7. He served in the Navy, attended the University of Minnesota and Dunwoody Institute, and was the sole proprietor of his own carpentry business for almost 30 years. In October 2003, he married Natalie Kunstman of Minneapolis. Mr. Ramier loved traveling with his family and playing cards, was an avid reader and cook, and enjoyed music and art. A member of AA, he had been sober for 22 years. He also had worked and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Sean; a daughter, Alexa; his parents, George and Ellen Ramier; and seven siblings, Dan (Angela), Tim (Pia), Joe (Mary), Peggy (Dan), Suzie (Richard), Michelle (Jon) and Tom (Leslie).

Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, West 50th and Hwy. 100, in Edina, Minn., and an hour before the service Friday at the church.

Memorials are preferred to the dementia research group: University of Minnesota Foundation, C-M-3854, P.O. Box 7870, St. Paul, MN 55170-9407, Attn: Family Caregiving Program 5995.

Ronnie Love



It is with our deepest regret that this message needs to be sent.

At 9:15 PM on Saturday, October 27, 2007, Ronnie quietly and peacefully passed to a better place. His children and grandchild, mother and father, and sisters and brothers were with him. Ronnie had a vast network of friends and family that he loved and that truly loved him. Ronnie WILL be missed.

Our thanks and prayers go out to all of you. Please keep us in your prayers.

Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at the Dossman Funeral Home, 2525 North Main, Belton, TX 76513. Internment at the Cedar Valley Cemetary following services.


The Love Family

John Scott: Lawyer also was Pleasant Ridge mayor
October 30, 2007

BY JOE ROSSITER

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Leadership through example was one of the defining aspects in John Scott's career as a respected lawyer and elected official, friends and colleagues say.

Mr. Scott was a longtime partner and senior trial lawyer with the Dickinson Wright firm and a former mayor of Pleasant Ridge. He died Oct. 16 at age 71 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.



The Troy resident was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a year ago.

"John represented the very best of the legal profession," said Eugene Driker, a friend and professional associate with the Detroit law firm of Barris, Sott, Denn and Driker.

"He conveyed trust and honesty in his word and appearance, and the many young lawyers he mentored are a living legacy of his exceptional talents and high ethical standards."

Born in St. Louis, Mr. Scott earned a bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1958 and married Beverly Phillips, also an Albion graduate, two years later.

A year after that, Mr. Scott graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was hired by Dickinson Wright shortly afterward.

Among his peers, Mr. Scott was regarded as an expert in product liability litigation and was commended by many for his professionalism and commanding presence in the courtroom.

Mr. Scott also was elected mayor of Pleasant Ridge, serving four 2-year terms from 1973 through 1981.

His father, Gordon H. Scott, was the former dean of Wayne State University Medical School, whose main building is named in his honor.

He is survived by his wife; daughter Pamela Gardner; one grandchild, and a brother.

A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Wayne State University Community Arts Auditorium. His body was cremated.

Contact JOE ROSSITER at 313-222-6594 or jrossiter@freepress.com.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...0391/1001/NEWS

Richard O. Smith
Hodge vice president was active in Jamestown



Richard O. Smith of 199 Ray Road, Greene Township, passed away at 2:47 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, in UPMC Horizon, Greenville, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was 60.


Mr. Smith was born Feb. 9, 1947, in Greenville, a son of Violet Landfried McMillen.

He graduated from Reynolds High School in 1965 and earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1970 from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Smith was employed by Hodge Foundry Inc., Hempfield Township, beginning in 1970 and continuing his dedicated work until his death. He currently served as vice president of operations.

Through the years, Mr. Smith was involved in his community, active as a Jamestown Area School Board member; president of James- town Senior Baseball League; and coach for Jamestown Little League and Jamestown Midget Football team.

He enjoyed reading, history, gardening, remodeling and woodworking. Mr. Smith loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Rachel, and great-niece, Paige.

His wife, the former Carol Sue Hurst, whom he married Dec. 26, 1967, survives at home.

Also surviving are: a daughter, Deborah L. Smith and son-in-law Gerald Kolbrich; and a brother, Jack Smith and his wife Rida, all Jamestown; a sister, Karen J. Loutzenhiser, Greenville; his sister-in-law, Judith Ammirato, Folsom, Calif.; and his nephews and nieces, Gorden Smith and his wife Patty; Lee Smith and his wife Sharon; Max Loutzenhiser and his wife Mary; Melodie Schell and her husband Chuck; and Traci Loutzenhiser.

He also leaves his granddaughter, Rachel Smith; and several great-nieces and -nephews.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Max McMillen; a son, David Leo Smith; a nephew, Richard John Smith; and his brother-in-law, Paul Loutzenhiser Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association, Landsmark Building, 100 W. Station Square Drive, Suite 550, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1122.

SMITH

Richard O., 79, of 199 Ray Road, Greene Township.

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (10-31-07) in LOUTZENHISER-JORDAN COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 366-68 S. Main St., Greenville. Condolences may be posted at loutzenhiser-jordanfuneralhome.com

Service: Celebration of life at 11 a.m. Thursday (11-1-07) in the funeral home.
http://www.sharon-herald.com/fullobi...303141450.html

Carol Edwards, "Mother of Woodinville," dies at 65
By Meghan Peters

Seattle Times Eastside bureau

PREV of NEXT


KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABP...2003984442.jpg
Woodinville Weekly publisher Carol Edwards in 2004. She began the newspaper shortly after moving to Woodinville in 1976.
If the proverb "like mother, like daughter" holds true, Woodinville is a vivacious, compassionate and humble community.

Carol Edwards, known to many as the "Mother of Woodinville," took a small town under her wing when she moved there in 1976. By creating The Woodinville Weekly, organizing the first All Fool's Day Parade and founding the Woodinville Community Band, she helped rear what is now a full-grown city.

Ms. Edwards also co-founded the city's chamber of commerce, farmers market and wine festival as well as Teen Northshore, a nonprofit organization supporting youth activities.

"She was the community; and I don't just say that out of love, I say that out of absolute historic practicality," said Barbara Grube, advertising director for The Woodinville Weekly. "Carol started, encouraged and empowered this community."

Ms. Edwards died Saturday (Oct. 27) of complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. She was 65.

Her death came just hours after a dedication ceremony to open the new Carol Edwards Center, named in her honor.

"It seems kind of appropriate that she was going out while this center that's going to serve the community is coming on," said Lane Youngblood, director of Woodinville Parks and Recreation. "She was such a force in this community. ... She was everywhere — the ubiquitous Carol Edwards."

She was born Sept. 18, 1942, in Pasco to Dorothy and Earl Dahlin. When she was in second grade, the family moved to Seattle, where she attended Hawthorne Elementary School and, later, Sharples Junior High, Franklin High School and the University of Washington.

In June 1963 she married Ed Boselly. Two months later she graduated from the UW with a degree in political science with an emphasis in international relations and a minor in secondary education.

Ms. Edwards taught social studies at Rainier Beach Junior-Senior High School in South Seattle for four years until she and her husband moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and, later, to Biloxi, Miss. They had three children before they divorced.

In 1975 she married Bill Edwards, with whom she had her fourth child. The family moved from Riverside, Calif., to Woodinville in June 1976. After having trouble finding information on local activities and events in the small town, the community activist began The Woodinville Weekly in November of the same year with a press she bought at a garage sale.

"We grew up partially at The Woodinville Weekly," said Wendy Usher, her youngest daughter. "I think she just wanted everybody to be involved [in the community], so she made sure her kids were an example."



In 1978, Ms. Edwards began Woodinville's All Fool's Day Parade, a yearly event that celebrates the community. She divorced in 1980 and continued organizing area activities as a single mother.

She formed the Woodinville Community Band in 1993 after placing a call to musicians in her newspaper. Although she enjoyed all instruments, "she wasn't musical," Usher said.

For Ms. Edwards, community activities were a way for residents to have fun together. "She didn't set out to change anything; that was never her goal," Grube said. "It was to make them more fun for all different kinds of people."

Shortly after her ALS diagnosis in 2004, Ms. Edwards handed off The Woodinville Weekly's day-to-day operations to her daughter Julie Boselly, who now has the title of associate publisher.

Despite her various accomplishments, Ms. Edwards preferred to stay behind the scenes.

"Underneath her gregariousness, she was shy," Grube said. "She didn't want you to tell her how great she was because she didn't do it for her, she did it for you."

The community saw a way to honor Ms. Edwards when the new community center was named after her.

She is survived by her partner Rex Knight; daughter Jennifer Noyd, son-in-law Michael Noyd and grandchildren Vivian, Cassandra, Olivia and Zachary Noyd, all of Wenatchee; son Jeffrey Boselly, daughter-in-law Angela Berg and grandson Benjamin Boselly, all of Woodinville; daughter Julie Boselly and grandchildren Jackson and Katherine Unruh, all of Woodinville; daughter Wendy Usher, son-in-law Brent Usher and granddaughter Ellie Usher, all of Portland.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hollywood Schoolhouse, 14810 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter or another charity.

Meghan Peters: 206-464-8305 or mpeters@seattletimes.com

Bert Brumett, inspired creation of a "college of conversation"
By Nancy Bartley

Seattle Times staff reporter




RANDY WARD

Bert Brumett and his wife, Robin, who advertised for people with expertise to visit her husband to discuss various topics.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABP...2003988822.jpg


They were a couple who taught those who knew them about love and courage — Bert Brumett as he struggled to communicate despite a degenerative neurological disease, and Robin, who created "Brumett U, a college of conversation" to bring story-telling strangers to her husband's bedside.

On Wednesday, Mr. Brumett, 66, died with his wife at his bedside.

"I was standing near him when all vital signs dropped," Robin said. "His body just shut down.

"I think he tried so long to equalize the ravages of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and to keep his dignity and look OK to others ... it exhausted him physically."

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles.

Sufferers die from respiratory failure, and because it doesn't affect cognitive ability, those with ALS remain aware inside malfunctioning bodies.

Diagnosed in 2002, Mr. Brumett chose to go on a ventilator to extend his life, hoping someday there would be a cure. As his condition worsened and he lost the ability to communicate along with caring for himself, his wife moved his bed into the living room.

In February, she placed an ad on the Craigslist site seeking people with expertise in a variety of subjects to come talk to her bedridden husband. A former KIRO-TV executive, Mr. Brumett had a keen intellect that Robin wanted to keep stimulated despite the ravages of the disease.

Many responded — from belly dancers to herbalists to gambling strategists to college professors — and the Brumetts' Richmond Beach home became a haven for raconteurs. Robin interpreted her husband's interest, which often was not apparent to those who didn't know him.

One of the first to visit was Nadine Joy. When Joy first saw the ad, she wondered if Robin was an unrealistic woman who had a very sick husband who couldn't possibly understand the world around him.

After Joy's first visit, she still wasn't sure how much Mr. Brumett understood. But when she joined the family for Easter dinner and Mr. Brumett sat in a chair at the table, "it was so apparent that he was present. There was no question or doubt that he was part of us," she said.

As did the many others who became part of Brumett U, Joy took the news of Mr. Brumett's death hard. She, too, had hoped Mr. Brumett would live long enough for a cure.


"I know that Bert and I are probably politically different," Joy said. "But I looked forward to arguing with him."

Having gotten to know Mr. Brumett, Robin, and their three adult children — Erika, Ashley and Christopher — "I came away thinking about how grateful I am," Joy said. "I came away knowing love. It wasn't just talking to some guy."

Another visitor, Jill Warner, had just returned from the Peace Corps when she read a story about the Brumetts in The Seattle Times.

"If you don't reach out to other people, you can get narrow-sighted in life unless you get outside yourself," she said. "Helping others is so rewarding."

Mr. Brumett made Warner grateful for simple things, like the ability to move, and breathe and laugh.

Stan Chernicoff, University of Washington professor of earth and space sciences, spent an afternoon talking to Mr. Brumett and came away feeling he was the one who had gained.

"The act of giving, knowing you responded to a call of someone in need. It felt really nice to be able to do that," he said.

A small private service for the family will be held followed by a public memorial. No date has been set.

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522 or nbartley@seattletimes.com
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ttobit02m.html

RIP janice
http://www.alsindependence.com/Janic...39;s_Story.htm

http://www.als.ca/events/userphotos/1139.jpghttp://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...520Moulton.jpg

JANICE'S HOPE" FOR A CURE TEAM FROM BRANTFORD
http://www.als.ca/events/mysite.aspx?fid=1139&active=1

Obituary for Janice Margaret Moulton

MOULTON, Janice Margaret - The family of Janice Margaret Moulton (nee Tremblay) sadly announces her passing, after a lengthy and courageous battle with ALS, on Friday, October 26, 2007 in her 59th year at the Stedman Community Hospice. Much loved wife of Kenneth Moulton for 36 years. Dearly loved mother of Christopher and Jeffrey and his wife Elisha all of Brantford. Loving grandmother of Cole and Kylie. Dear sister of Caroline Downham (Dave), Gerald Tremblay, Elizabeth Tremblay, Joseph Tremblay, all of Brantford and Barbara Clark (Crystal), of London. Janice will also be sadly missed by nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Special friend of Tracy Culbert. Janice was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Women's Auxiliary and worked at Keeprite Refrigeration for many years. She always placed her family first and also enjoyed camping, music and dancing. Sincere thanks from her family to the Staff of Stedman Community Hospice for their special care. The family will receive friends at McCLEISTER FUNERAL HOME, 495 Park Rd. N., Brantford on Sunday from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and on Monday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be in the chapel on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. followed by cremation. Memorial donations to either the ALS Society of Ontario or the Stedman Community Hospice of Brantford would be gratefully appreciated. MCCLEISTER 519-758-1553 mccleisterfuneralhome@rogers.com 10880656