Brent Royal White
Brent Royal White, 64, of Naples, Florida, and previously of Stowe, died on June 25, 2024. He passed peacefully at home in the presence of family — with music playing.
Born in Newport on September 24, 1959, Brent was the youngest of four children born to Kathleen (Tate) and Lawrence White. He grew up in Glover, among lakes, forests, and farmland. His most treasured childhood memories were swimming and family picnics at Shadow Lake, and family cross-country travel adventures. Throughout his lifetime, he traveled to all 50 states.
Brent developed a love of music at an early age and started playing trombone in elementary school. After graduating from Lake Region Union High School in 1977, he pursued a degree in music from Johnson State College and completed his music education licensure at the University of Vermont.
Brent had three children from a previous marriage. On February 23, 2007, Brent married Beverly Oszajca. They met while working together and quickly realized they had similar interests and a lot in common. They lived in Duxbury before moving to Stowe in 2013. They retired to Naples full time in 2022.
Brent began his teaching career as a kindergarten through grade 12 music educator in 1986. His first teaching position was as band director for People’s Academy and Morrisville Elementary Schools in Morrisville. He worked there for seventeen years. In 2003, Brent was hired to teach chorus and general music for Barre City Elementary and Middle School in Barre. He worked there for four years and met his wife, Beverly, while there. Brent worked for one year as band director at AD Lawton and Thomas Fleming schools in Essex. Brent spent the last twelve years of his teaching career as band director and a general music teacher at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School in Barre. He retired from teaching in 2020.
Over his 34-year career, Brent taught thousands of students in jazz, concert band, general music, and chorus classes. Through his kindness, humor, and consistency, he guided them and instilled the importance of routine practice and a love for creative expression. He was a truly inspiring music teacher who cared about his students. His children tell of being young, watching their father conduct band and jazz ensembles at school concerts, and being mesmerized and in awe. All three children would go on to play band instruments.
Though his primary instrument was a trombone, Brent could play all band instruments. He also had a wonderful singing voice. He routinely led his church worship team, playing electric bass, singing, and arranging songs. He served the community by singing or playing trombone at sporting events and ceremonies. He played trombone with several local music groups.
As a father, Brent was extremely proud of his children. He was a man who gave hugs freely, frequently told his children he loved them, and who didn’t shy away from dad jokes and sassy facial expressions. Brent will be remembered as a loving husband, an incomparable father, a silly-goose g’ampa, a little brother, a reliable uncle, and a friend to so many. He loved his granddaughter Amelia tremendously.
Brent possessed a welcoming nature, an endearing laugh, and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, long walks especially on the beach, cooking, going on cruises, and telling rambling stories. He also had a terrific mind for trivia. After retiring, he enjoyed longer and more frequent visits with family and friends, concerts in the park, beach trips, playing pickleball, bocce, and bowling. He was always up for an adventure.
Brent’s memory lives on through his loving wife, Beverly White; his children; Heather and husband, Jonathan Swiger, Garret White, and Ethan and his wife, Mary White; and by his stepchildren: Aaron and his wife, Ciara Oszajca, and Jessica Oszajca. He is also survived by granddaughter Amelia Swiger, siblings: Lawrie Kay and husband, Robert Easterbrooks, Ed and his wife, Maggie White, and Vickie Lynne and her husband Denis Poginy. And through extended family and friends.
Brent is predeceased by his parents, Kathleen, and her husband, Jim VanSant, and Lawrence and his wife, Joyce White, and nephews: Andrew Easterbrooks and Richard Poginy.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Stowe Community Church in Stowe. A luncheon will follow in the church reception hall.
In remembrance of Brent’s life and love of teaching, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Barre Town Middle and Elementary School (BTMES), Band Program, Attention: Bridgett Apfel, 70 Websterville Road, Barre, Vermont 05641.
Theresa Valentine St. Onge
Theresa Valentine St. Onge, 95, died at Bel-Aire Nursing Home in Newport on Monday, July 1, 2024. She was born in Quebec, Canada, to Armand and Elizabeth Quenneville. On December 27, 1949, she married Archie St. Onge and they enjoyed 64 years of marriage.
Archie and Theresa moved to the United States in 1957, where they raised eight children on their family farm. Theresa always enjoyed raising a large vegetable garden, preserving vegetables for the long cold winters, and helped with the many chores on the farm.
Theresa was devoted to her faith and was always willing to help friends and neighbors when needed.
She is survived by her children: Denis St. Onge of Compton, Quebec, George St. Onge and his wife, Gloria, of Newport Center, Francine Bourassa of Westfield, Christianne Bumps and her husband, Jim, of Derby, Michael St. Onge and his wife, Joanne, of Newport, and Roger St. Onge of St. Paul’s, North Carolina. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Denis Jr., Armand, Daniel, Nicholas, Jocelyn, Jesse, Lucien, Christopher, Natalie, Bradley, Connor, Trevor, and Tasha. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren.
Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Archie; by her son Norman; by her daughter Madeleine; and by her son-in-law Norman Bourassa.
Theresa was also predeceased by her siblings: Emile Quenneville, Naomi Holden, Remi Quenneville, and Romuald Quenneville. She is survived by her sister Alma Latrielle and her husband, Roland, of Valleyfield, Quebec.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church on July 8 with Reverend Roger Charbonneau officiating. Interment followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations in Theresa’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, 191 Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vermont 05855, or to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Patricia C. Wright
Patricia C. White, of Derby Line, died on March 6, 2024, in Derby Line. She was born on May 11, 1932. Per Patricia’s wishes, there will be no obituary.
