(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos/Cootware_Paul.sized.jpg)
Paul W. Cootware
FLETCHER - Paul William Cootware, age 60, passed away in Johnson as a result of injuries he sustained in an automobile accident on Dec. 24, 2008. Paul was born the son of William and Margaret (Peterson) Cootware in Burlington on March 25, 1948. He was raised in the Fairfax/Fletcher area where as a youth he enjoyed an "adventurous" childhood with his brother David. He was a graduate of Cambridge High School class of 1967. He was previously married to the mother of his children Mary Mayo. Paul drove a truck for Canada Dry and later worked as a heavy equipment operator for several construction companies. He was considered the best of the best with his backhoe skills, was meticulous with his work and as a result was well known and respected throughout the construction field in Vermont. He took great pride in keeping his yard looking manicured and always looked forward to spending time with his friends in a Saturday afternoon game of poker or cribbage. Paul was a thoughtful, caring person and an unconditional friend to many. He loved nature and the great Vermont outdoors and always enjoyed his family camping trips to Maine. He enjoyed raising his pets and was known to keep an unofficial monitoring of the local deer herd in the area by his regular road trips looking for deer. He anxiously awaited the arrival of summer every year when he could take off on his treasured Harley Davidson motorcycle and catch the summer breezes. Most of all though, Paul loved his family and his greatest sense of pride was his son and daughter whom he absolutely adored. His contagious laugh and love and attention will be greatly missed by all of those whose lives he had touched in his own special way. Paul is survived by his loving and devoted friend, Debbie Harriman and her children, Matt Quagliozzi and Julia Mancini and husband Gus; a son Brian Cootware of Johnson; a daughter Bobbi Rooney and husband Matt of Hyde Park; two brothers David Cootware and wife Susan of Nevada, Richard Cootware of Hyde Park; seven sisters, Diane Schwarm and husband Ron of Waterville, Barbara Lehoullier and husband George of Jeffersonville, Janet Mazzola and husband Robert of Hyde Park, Joyce Lamphere and husband Dolor of Jeffersonville, Brenda Edwards of Fletcher, Tracey Hunt and husband Palmer of Johnson, Jennifer Cary and husband Alan of Fletcher; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; and his favorite and faithful companion "Rocco." Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m., in A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Fairfax Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated with Reverend Charles Danielson and Reverend Francis Prive on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at 11 a.m., in St. Mary Church, Cambridge. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Paul's memory to North Country Animal League, 3524 Laporte Rd., Morrisville, VT 05661. The family invites you to share your memories and online condolences in Paul's tribute by visiting www.awrichfuneralhomes.com (http://www.awrichfuneralhomes.com) . Arrangements are by John D. Workman A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Fairfax Chapel 1176 Main St., Fairfax, VT 05454.
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos/paul_cootware_obit.sized.jpg)
Sheriff's report absolves Vermont crash victim of blame
HYDE PARK -- A 60-year-old East Fairfield man killed in a three-vehicle crash east of Johnson on Dec. 24, 2008, was not at fault, the Lamoille Sheriff's Department said this week in an updated news release.
Paul W. Cootware died in three-vehicle crash on Vermont 15 at about 6:42 p.m. that day. An initial news release issued by the Sheriff's Department said Cootware crossed the center line and collided with a tri-axle truck driven by Shawn Noel. A subsequent investigation showed, however, that a vehicle driven by Judith A. Parsons of Johnson crossed the center line and struck Cootware's Dodge truck. That caused Cootware's truck to spin into Noel's truck, the Sheriff's Department said.
The updated news release said details of the investigation were referred to the Lamoille County State's Attorney's Office, and no criminal charges are expected.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201003030600/NEWS02/3030307 (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201003030600/NEWS02/3030307)