JOHN ALTOBELL, SR MIDDLEBURY- John L. Altobell, Sr., 77, of Woodland Park, died Monday, January 8, 2007 at Porter Hospital following a period of failing health. Born in Rutland April 14, 1929, he was the son of the late Victor and Angeline Angie (Cocchianello) Altobell. John was a graduate of Mount St. Jospeh Academy, Rutland, class of 1949. He later attended Burdett College and graduated from Suffock University, class of 1959 and earned his Masters of Education from St. Michaels College. In addition he had completed several course credits at the doctorate level. He served in the United States Army. His distinguished teaching career included contacts with a multitude of grateful students at several institutions. He taught at Vergennes High School from 1961 through 1968 where he was drama director for several years. From 1968 until 1971 he was part of the faculty at Champlain College. For 30 years he was business education teacher at Addison County Vocational Center, retiring in 1994. In addition he was on the faculty of Castleton State College where he taught summer and evening courses until 1997. In 1987 he was Vermont Business Education Teacher of the Year. His dedication to his teaching career and students was reflected in various awards presented to him through the years, frequently citing his leadership, mentorship, and caring spirit. He was an interpreter for Shelburne Museum for 6 years during his retirement. In addition he was past grand master of the Knights of Columbus #642. He was a member of the American Legion and the Vermont and National Education Association. He was a member of Middlebury Union High School Teachers Association. John was a communicant of St. Mary Church. Family members include his wife of 41 years, Kathleen (Mumford) Altobell of Middlebury; one son, John L. Altobell II and his wife Dasha of Thayne, WY; three daughters, Angela E. Bartolotto and her husband Kevin of New Hartford, CT, Margaret E. Hayward and her husband Andrew of Rutland, and Mary K. Stanley and her husband John II of Brandon; one brother, Victor Altobell of Rutland; one sister, Josephine Goshgarian of Rutland; 6 grandchildren. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 PM at Sanderson Funeral Service, 117 South Main St., Middlebury. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Friday at St. Mary Church, Middlebury with the Rev. Justin Baker, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. The family suggests that those desiring make memorial contributions to Mount St. Joseph Academy, 127 Convent Ave., Rutland, VT 05701 or to Project Independence, 112 Exchange St. Middlebury, VT 05753.