Ray and Ralph Jackman with Jim Larrow, Jim Breur and several other firefighters. Dec 4, 2004

Vergennes, Vermont - October 28, 2006

A man was rescued from a burning building in downtown Vergennes.

JAY, Vt. -- Five condos were destroyed by fire Wednesday night at Jay Peak.

JERICHO — Brian Arthur White, 37, passed away Tuesday ,Sept. 26, 2006, at his home in Jericho after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family and close friends.

Ray's dad owned a feed store in Orleans. He had one of the "fire phones" in his store, near the firehouse in the village.

Before the days of centralized radio dispatch, fire alarms were placed to the department's fire phone system, a series of party-line phones that triggered the ringing of the fire bell and a series of calls via a "phone tree" to the homes of volunteers.

Ray was fond of telling the story of when he was a young boy, the fire phone rang at the store and he was alone. As luck would have it, he was the only person to pick up the fire phone.

It was an elderly woman who lived outside the village. Knowing enough to gather the needed information, Ray asked the nature of the fire, but also needed to know the seriousness of the blaze, in case another volunteer fire company was needed to render mutual aid.

Ray asked, "How bad is the fire?"

A pause.

The woman replied crisply: "SUFFICIENT TO BE CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOUNG MAN!"


Rest in Peace, Brother Ray.

W.P. Sullivan
Montpelier, VT

01/27/2006 DONALD R. MCKENZIE SOUTH BURLINGTON — Captain Donald R. McKenzie (Ret.), 66, a longtime resident of South Burlington, died peacefully in the arms of his loving wife Carolyn Sue on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, in the Vermont Respite House in Williston, surrounded by his devoted family. Don was born in South Burlington on Dec. 7, 1939, the son of the late John B. and L. Alberta (Duchaine) McKenzie. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1958, and served six years with the Vermont Air National Guard. He was married in Christ The King Catholic Church in Burlington on April 29, 1961, to Carolyn Sue (LaVallee) McKenzie. Don retired as Captain from the South Burlington Fire Department after 32 years of service and was superintendent and caretaker at Resurrection Park and St. Joseph's Cemetery for over 30 years. He was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and the South Burlington Jaycees, where he was instrumental with the development of Jaycee Park and was named Outstanding Young Man of the Year. He also was a volunteer for several years at Saint Michael's Playhouse. Don was a quiet man, kind, gentle and caring, and was a tremendous listener. He enjoyed traveling in his RV, boating in the summer, and quiet walks at deer camp. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Don is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Carolyn Sue McKenzie; three children, Dawn Marie of Jericho and her children, Karen Lee, Colby, and William; Daren and wife Lisa of Williston and his children, Addison, Alexander, and Ashley and her son, Kaiden; Sean and wife Patty of South Burlington and their children, Maxwell, Kimberly, Thomas, and Mia; extended family, Mike and Nancy Jarrett, Albert and Theresa Audette, and Robert and Ann Audette; two aunts, Yvonne Bartlett and Betty O'Brien; and sisterin-law Francine McKenzie. He is also survived by Carolyn's family, Jackie and Dick, Bud and Sandy, Dave and Clarinda, Paul and Alice, Lou and Marilyn, and Mike and Roz; and several nephews, nieces and cousins. Don was predeceased by his brother John McKenzie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m. in St. John Vianney Catholic Church in South Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 121 Connor Way Ste. 240, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, Vt. 05495, or to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, Vt. 05495. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 1 to 5 p.m., with a prayer service by Rev. Bernard Gaudreau at 3 p.m., at the LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St., Winooski.