Obituaries

Today, we honor community members who passed away in the past year with kind words and good memories.

Bill Doyle, who served as a state senator for 48 years, has died at 98. He was known for his many years as the chair of the Senate Committee on Government Operations, and his Town Meeting Day survey.

Vermonters share stories of loved ones who passed away in the past year, including broadcaster Ken Squier, chef Ahmed Ohmar, and poet Louise Glück.

Ken Squier was an icon of broadcasting who helped make NASCAR a national phenomenon. In his home state of Vermont, he built Thunder Road and shepherded one of the last bastions of true community radio into the 21st century.

Ahmed Omar loved working out, cooking, his faith, and his family. He had two young daughters and a busy Somali restaurant.

In 1970, biologist Roger Payne released an LP called "Songs of the Humpback Whale.” It played a key role in igniting the modern environmental movement, and helped bring whales back from the brink of extinction. Payne, who lived in South Woodstock, died over the weekend.

Longtime Rutland historian Jim Davidson died Sunday, May 7. He was 91.

Peter Miller, a photographer and author who documented the lives of ordinary Vermonters, died last week.

A rebroadcast of a 2011 conversation between Jane Lindholm and cartoonist Ed Koren, who died last week.

Michael Pfaff was an unmistakable presence in Orleans County. He was a longtime lift operator at Jay Peak ski resort, and worked at Parker Pie Co. in West Glover. The beloved community member died this week.