BURLINGTON ¡V Winslow Trask died peacefully at home in Burlington on April 26, 2004 following nine years of fighting cancer with bravery and great dignity.
Mr. Trask was born in Rochester, Vermont on July 7, 1928. His parents were John and Nellie (Foley) Trask. Win had great affection for Rochester people and pride in being a sixth-generation Vermonter. The first Trasks in Rochester, Drs. Retire and Mary (Winslow) Trask, established their medical practice there more than 200 years ago. Win graduated from the University of Vermont in 1950; he cared for his classmates, helped to plan his class reunions, and, with the kindness of the Athletic Department, even continued his enjoyment and support of UVM men's and women's basketball throughout this year. Win served in the Army during the Korean conflict. His 40 year career in social services with the State of Vermont provided a superb venue for him professionally and practically to carry out his beliefs in the value of integrity, family, altruism and loyalty. Win was a long-time member of the Montpelier Kiwanis Club, Bethany Church, Montpelier B.P.O.E., and the Masons. He was a dedicated volunteer for the University of Texas at Arlington Alumni Association, the Central Vermont Hospital, the Vermont Council on Aging, and served as youth guardian ad litum. Win truly embodied a special sense of community and fun. He readily adopted the colleagues, neighbors and families of his spouse and his daughters as his own. His sincere interest and empathy for others helped forge very important friendships in his personal, family and professional lives that brought him meaning and joy to the very end of his life. Daily breakfasts at the Wayside, lunches and outings with friends and former colleagues, and taking care of his gardens were things that he cherished. Win's family wants his friends and extended family members to know that they each always had his interest, affection and gratitude. Win was predeceased by his beloved Natalie (Nikki) Crossland Trask in 1998 and her sister and brother-in-law Billie and Chuck Taylor. He was also predeceased by his parents, his oldest brother Crawford Trask and his very special sister and brother-in-law Caroline Trask Wright and Larry Wright.
Win is survived by Anne Trask Forcier and her husband Larry of Burlington and Mardie Trask Sorenson and her husband Jeff of Arlington, Texas and his beautiful grandchildren who have brought him so much joy and hope, Samantha Austyn Sorensen and Scott Winslow Sorensen. He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law George and Aileen Trask of Randolph, Bill and Ruth Trask of Massachusetts, Jaymen Trask of New Jersey, and many other members of the Foley, Trask, Crossland, Forcier and Sorensen families whom he cared deeply for and who cared deeply for him. Win benefited from the competence and compassion of many health care professionals in Vermont and Texas. Mary Peterson and James Vestal provided excellent care in Arlington. The entire Fletcher Allen Health Care oncology-hematology team seemed to know him and cheer him on. George Philips, Matt Duggan, Neva Cunningham, Amanda Boyum and so many of their colleagues have been remarkable and earned Win's and his family's lasting affection. The radiation oncology group at FAHC and Jim Wallace were outstanding. VNA Hospice wonderfully enabled Win's wish to die with dignity and comfort at home. Finally we thank Jack Forcier and Dion Eleftherakis of Brattleboro for their continuous competence, love and generous support over the past four years.
A memorial service celebrating Win's life will be held at the Bethany Congregational Church on Main Street in Montpelier on Friday, April 30 at 1 p.m. A reception at the church will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to contribute in Win Trask's memory to the University of Vermont, 411 Main Street, Burlington Vermont 05405; The Camp Hochelega Scholarship Fund c/o The Vermont YMCA, PO Box 148, South Hero, Vermont 05486, or to the Urology Associates of North Texas ¡V Center for Urologic Oncology, 1001 N. Waldrop #708, Arlington, TX 76012.
Barber and Lanier Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.