Telling Stories: a conversation with Dani Shapiro and Laura Karetzky
Dani Shapiro, left, and Laura Karetzky.
Beowulf Sheehan and Nelson Hancock
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Irving Francis Robbins
Millerton News
Feb 25, 2026
Photo by Sarah Kenyon, courtesy of BTCF.
CORNWALL — Irving Francis Robbins of Cabot, Vermont, age 85, died in his home with his family by his side on Feb. 11, 2026.Irv lived an active and fulfilling life, and he often spoke of how truly fortunate he was.He took great pleasure in family, friends, teaching and coaching, travel, the forest, and UConn basketball.
Born in May of 1940 in Torrington, Connecticut, to John and Dorothy Robbins, Irv grew up beside the Weigold dairy farm near Winchester.
The youngest of four children, Irv’s early education began in a one-room schoolhouse.A childhood spent fishing and hunting sparked his lifelong interest in the forest and self-sufficiency.Baseball games and jaunts through the woods with his siblings were balanced with work at home and on the farm. As a young man, Irv worked at the Great Mountain Forest in Norfolk where his interest in the forest grew.
A member of the Army National Guard and a graduate of Western Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford, Irv’s teaching career spanned several decades.
He was a stalwart figure at Sharon Center School where he taught for twenty-nine years and coached multiple sports.
An advocate for youth athletics, he helped organize the first Region One track meet for elementary students, an event he championed for many years. Above all, he enjoyed the students and staff of SCS.
While on sabbatical in the early 1990s, Irv taught English at a language university in Wrocław, Poland for a year, an adventure he relished.
Irv married Cindy in 1965. After several years in Oregon and Vermont, the couple returned to Connecticut and chose Cornwall to raise their children. A kind and patient father, Irv was supportive of Leslie’s and Luke’s education and interests. His luge run provided hours of fun every winter, and his maple syrup was a household favorite.
Irv’s many extra jobs, from lawn care to security at Lime Rock Park, ensured his family’s educational opportunities.
After retiring from teaching, Irv built two homes in Cabot, Vermont: one atop a hill, off the grid, on a Class IV road, and the other, easily accessible, at the bottom of that hill.He and Cindy enjoyed Vermont living with Irv working the land with his tractor and backhoe. He developed vegetable and flower gardens, meadows, and forest paths. He planted firs for Christmas trees, harvested wood, and maintained and plowed the long road to his home.
Irv was an involved grandfather, lucky to live near both of his children and their families in retirement.A good neighbor, Irv liked to visit and was always ready to lend a hand. He was open to meeting new people and took interest in their experiences. Ever the advocate for independence and self-reliance, Irv tutored newcomers to the United States in English and encouraged people of all ages to pursue their education.He will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him.
Irving was predeceased by his wife, Cynthia Robbins; his sister, Shirley Pedone; and his granddaughter, Madeline Robbins.He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Robbins (Nick); his son, Luke Robbins (Taeryn); his grandchildren, Crawford, Hudson, Silas, and Alaina; his brother, William Robbins; his sister, Patricia Bodmer; as well as many nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Irv’s life will be held later this year. To receive updates about the service, please email:lukecrobbins@gmail.com.
Contributions in Irving’s memory may be made to the Irving and Cindy Robbins International Studies Fund, a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, which Irv established to support immersive international travel experiences in cultures outside of North America for students, teachers, and alumni of Region One school district in Connecticut. Contributions to the fund may be made by visiting www.berkshiretaconic.org/donate, or by mailing a check made out to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, with the fund name on the memo line, to 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257.
Memories and condolences may be shared with family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.
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Carolyn G. McCarthy
Millerton News
Feb 25, 2026
LAKEVILLE — Carolyn G. McCarthy, 88, a long time resident of Indian Mountain Road, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 7, 2026.
She was born on Sept. 8, 1937, in Hollis, New York. She was the youngest daughter of the late William James and Ruth Anderson Gedge of Indian Mountain Road.
Carolyn’s first job out of high school was at the Time and Life building in Manhattan, New York. In 1956, she went on to work for Capital Airlines until they disbanded.
She began banking in White Plains, New York, where she met her husband Edward James McCarthy. They started their family and relocated to Pleasant Valley, New York. She then returned to banking in Poughkeepsie, New York and later pursued real estate.
Carolyn was very creative and enjoyed home making, gardening, sewing, knitting, cooking and baking. Her Christmas cookies were always remarkable. She had a pioneer spirit and embraced the toil of yard chores. She was very independent and at 87 she still shoveled the driveway in the winter, mowed the grass, trimmed the bushes, raked the leaves and dragged the brush. She took pride in the manicure of the grounds where she resided.
Carolyn was a wonderful mother who had an enormous heart. She loved all animals, wild or tame. She will be dearly missed by her family and the people that knew her.
She is predeceased by her husband Edward McCarthy Sr. and her brother Dr. Stafford Gedge of Minnesota.
She is survived by her son, Edward (Anne) McCarthy of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and grandsons James and Theodore, son Sean McCarthy of Oak Hill, New York, sister Nancy Dougherty of South Carolina, nieces Lynn Warner, Debra Phillips, Susan Nelson, Christine Richards and nephews William, James and Robert Gedge.
A private service will be held at a later date.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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John Forbes Hanlon
Millerton News
Feb 25, 2026
NORTH CANAAN — John “Jack” Forbes Hanlon, 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 22, 2026, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, Connecticut. He was born July 29, 1935, at Geer Hospital in Canaan to parents Joseph Daniel Hanlon and Ruth Cleaveland.
Jack grew up in Falls Village and joined the Army from 1957-1958. He was married for over 50 years to his sweetheart, Linda “Niver” Hanlon in 1959.Jack worked on the Hanlon Family Farm on Route 63 in Falls Village.After that, he worked for the Town of Canaan Maintenance Department and O’Connor Bros. as a truck driver for 30 years where he took pride in maintaining his truck with weekly detailing to keep it pristine. After retirement, Jack kept busy by mowing lawns and rototilling gardens.
He lived on Granger Lane for over 50 years where he waved to all the neighbors who passed. He lived at Wangum Village after Linda’s passing for 13 years before moving into Noble Horizon.Jack was a regular at Collin’s Diner, where if he missed a day, they went looking for him.
Jack was predeceased by his siblings; Elizabeth Beebe, Margaret Flynn, Joseph Hanlon and Florence Hayes.He is survived by his children; Vincent and Michele Hanlon of Lime Rock, Theresa and MatthewFreund of East Canaan, Michael and Tina Hanlon of Falls Village, Lisa and Wilson Korth of Vergennes, Vermont, and Jacolyn and Barry Brown of East Canaan.Jack is also survived by his grandchildren; Caitlin Hanlon, Lauren Hanlon and her husband Kenny Weaver, Amanda Freund, Emily Freund, Isaac Freund and his wife Ashley, Rachel Freund and her husband Cole Van Seters, Alexandra Brown, Ryan Brown, Michael Hanlon, Jr., Alexander Korth, Kyle Korth and his wife Emily, his great grandchildren Rhyder Prause and Delila Freund and many nieces and nephews. Jack had a special connection for his niece, Mary Kate Hayes of Falls Village.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Cor ps, PO Box 178, Canaan, CT06018 and share a story about our father that would bring a smile to a friend.
The family wishes to thank Noble Horizon for their compassionate care and patience with our father.
Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT. 06018.
Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m. Memorial service will immediately follow.
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Moe Bordwin
Millerton News
Feb 25, 2026
LAKEVILLE — It is with great sadness that we announce that Moe Bordwin, age 89, died peacefully with family by his side on Oct. 30, 2025.
Born in the Bronx in 1936, Moe delighted his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all who would listen, with his stories of running around the Bronx neighborhood with his many friends, taking 3 subways to work in his uncles’ grocery store from the age of 8, as a teenager, waiting tables at hotels in Spring Valley, New York (where he met his wife, then a counselor at that hotel’s day camp), and army stories to last a lifetime.
In 1957, Moe married Rochelle Semp, his soulmate, from Jersey City and they built a life together in Glen Cove, New York with a large group of friends. They raised their children there, helped found Theater II, and were lovingly involved in their synagogue Congregation Tifereth Israel, where he was a pillar of their community. Moe was also a supporter of Surprise Lake Camp, where he spent many summers as a child, and later became a trustee of the Camp.
Moe had a distinguished professional career as an attorney where he transformed the real estate bankruptcy field in the 1970s. In 1982 he established Keen Realty Consultants which later became Keen-Summit Capital Partners from which he retired in 2010. Moe borrowed the name “Keen” from his in-laws, who were retiring and closing their Jersey City clothing store Keen Kotton.
Moe lived his life with love, humility and generosity. He always wanted to help others, and he shared his business acumen with all who needed it (and even some who didn’t ask for it). He quietly helped people through difficult times with advice and care.Anyone who needed help knew they could turn to Moe for support.
Moe leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Rochelle; his son Harold (Julie); his daughter Janet (Eric Gallant); his son Matthew (Danielle); and his grandchildren; Jesse Bordwin (Gwendolyn Towers) and Simon Bordwin (Robbie Blue), Charlie Kannel (Arden Kreeger), Ethan Kannel (Rebecca) and Jared Kannel, Izzy Bordwin (Peyton Don), Callie Bordwin and Mia Bordwin, and his great-grandchildren; Madelyn Paige Kannel and Sophia Rose Kannel. His legacy of love, innovation, generosity, honor, compassion, and integrity will forever inspire us.
Donations in memory of Moe can be made to:
The Moe Bordwin Memorial Fund at Congregation Tifereth Israel, 40 Hill Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542; https://members.ctionline.org/form/Moe%20Bordwin%20Memorial%20Fund
(Just as Moe was always one of the first to lend a hand to others, this Fund has been created to carry forward his spirit of generosity and compassion).
Surprise Lake Camp, 302 Lake Surprise Road, Cold Spring, NY 10516; https://surpriselake.org/ways-to-give/tribute-gift/
(As a kid from the Bronx, Moe was sponsored to go to Surprise Lake Camp and get out into the country.In addition to being a camper there, he was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees and has helped numerous children experience summer camp there).
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Hubert Doyle Cleaveland, Jr.
Millerton News
Feb 25, 2026
SHARON — Hubert Doyle Cleaveland, Jr, 84, of Darden, Tennessee, passed away Feb. 16, at his home after a brief illness.
He was born Dec. 1, 1941 in Sharon, Connecticut to the late Hubert Doyle Cleaveland, Sr. and Georgia Willson Cleaveland. He was a retired diesel mechanic, attended Rock Hill Baptist Church, enjoyed antique cars and was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving from 1962 to 1967. Mr. Cleaveland was a member of the American Legion Post 243 in Scotts Hill and was very active in providing military honors at veteran’s funerals in this area for several years.
He was preceded in death by his wife MarcellaCleaveland, in Jan. of this year and by 2 brothers, Richard and James Cleaveland.
Hubert is survived by three sisters; Carol Dean, of Millerton, New York, Beverly Cleaveland, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, Mary Massy, of Warren, Connecticut; two brothers, John Cleaveland, of Palm Harbor, Florida, andJoseph Cleaveland of Lakeville, Connecticut.
Mr. Cleaveland’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later time.
Reed’s Chapel, Decaturville is assisting the family with arrangements. Phone 731-852-3643, or online at reedschapelfh.com
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