Donald James Carr

May 9, 1924 – September 13, 2020

Donald J. Carr was born in West Lebanon, NH to Charles J. and Eva Jane (Rowell) Carr on May 9, 1924. He and his siblings grew up in Hartford, VT where he also attended school. He married the love of his life, Pauline Allard and together they moved to Bridgewater, VT. It was in the community of Bridgewater that they raised their two beloved sons, James Carr and Stephen Carr. Donald (“Gramp”) was a hard worker but made time to support and teach his sons the fine points needed to be a successful deer hunter, home builder, mechanic, plumber……you name it. He and Pauline raised their sons to be dedicated to whatever they took on, from being athletes, to raising their own families, and having successful careers of their own.

Donald touched countless lives during his tenure at WUHS where he was a custodian and bus driver. He was always the smiling face in the driver’s seat when he drove the sports teams to and from games. He spent 20+ years as a bottling plant worker at Billings Dairy in Wilder, VT., and again, made lifelong friends.

Donald was an avid golfer in Vermont and their winter home in Arcadia, FL. He and his brothers Horace and Walter played whenever possible in Vermont and Florida.

Donald was a volunteer with the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department. He also maintained close ties to the Bridgewater Congregational Church. He belonged to the American Legion, after having served in the navy during WWII, from 1942-1946. He proudly marched with area vets every Memorial Day in Woodstock, VT. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Post #31 in Woodstock, VT.

Donald was predeceased by his siblings Charlie, Gordon, Mary, Elsie, and Margaret. Tragically, Donald and Pauline suffered unimaginable pain in losing their two sons, James Carr and Stephen P. Carr, as well as their grandson, Jeremy Carr, who was the son of James and Lois Carr (now Jenne). They were also predeceased by Pauline’s brother Earl Allard (survived by wife Peggy), Sisters-In-Law, Kathleen Carr (survived by Horace), Cynthia Carr (survived by husband Walter) and Olive Greenough, (widow of Colburn). Niece Paula Carr Maxham (survived by dad Horace, husband Bruce and family) sadly passed before Donald as well.

Donald is survived by his wife Pauline and their beloved extended families; He leaves behind his brothers, Horace and Walter (“Danny”) Carr, Grandsons Aaron (wife Amy) Carr, Troy Carr (son Tucker), and Sam Carr (wife Jacquie, daughter Emma and son Calvin). “Gramp” cherished his 3 grandsons, his 3 Great Grandchildren, and their respective families. He was happiest when in the company of any or all of them.

Prior to the necessity of Donald having to leave his home and enter a hospice facility, he was lovingly cared for (along with Pauline), for months by their primary caregiver and widow of son Steve, Bonnie Jean Birmingham Carr. Her devotion to them allowed them to be in their winter home of 30+ years in Arcadia, Florida. Anyone who knew Donald knows that he made lifelong friends in that time.

Donald died very peacefully in his final hours, thanks to the staff at Tidewell Hospice – Arcadia Hospice House, Arcadia, Florida. The family is extremely grateful to them for that care.

Donald James Carr will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Those wishing to remember him with a donation, may do so to either the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department, 7392 US Route 4, Bridgewater, VT 05034, or to the Bridgewater Congregational Church, 7213 US Route 4, Bridgewater, VT 05034.

Services for Donald are being planned for a later date in Bridgewater, VT

The Cabot Funeral Home is assisting the family. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

Steve Hutt

Windsor, Vermont

Steve Hutt, 53, left this world too soon on Friday September 11, 2020

Steven Lowell Hutt was born January 28, 1967 in Hanover, NH to Paul and Roberta “Bertie” Hutt. He was the second youngest of five children.  He was raised in Bridgewater, Vermont, attending school at Bridgewater Village School and onto Woodstock Union High School. He made a name for himself in this small town as one of the infamous “Hutt Boys”! After high school Steve was a rolling stone. He loved to travel, residing briefly in both Florida and California.  He traveled across country by car many a time, taking in all this world had to offer. One of his favorite places was the beach, Hampton Beach particularly. He spent many years residing in both Springfield VT and Windsor VT. Before his passing he made it home to his beloved “Maples”.  He was a father not only to his own children but to all of their friends as well. He was always the “cool” dad. His house, the house everyone wanted to hang at. He was a skilled craftsman, building by hand not one, but two homes. He built a successful business, Hutt’s Painting. “One call does it all” was his motto, not just in business, but in his life as well. He was always just one call away. To know Steve was to love Steve. He truly had “the gift of gab” as our family likes to call it. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and instantly form fast friendships with both his good looks and charming personality. His epic dance moves and killer karaoke skills will forever be imprinted in our hearts and minds.  He will be deeply missed by so many. We all wish he could have seen himself through our eyes.

Steven is survived by his beloved children, a son River Hutt and girlfriend Jennifer of Windsor, Vermont.  A daughter, Ashley Brown, husband Noel, and his 5 grandsons Angel, Assani, Davien, Javanni and Zion.  His lifelong partner Linda Hutt of Claremont, NH. Also survived by his parents Paul and Bertie Hutt of Bridgewater, Vermont. His sister Lisa Olmstead and her husband Mike of Woodstock Vermont. His brother Mark “Marty” Hutt, Bridgewater and his little brother Harold “Chip” Hutt of Hartland, VT. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is predeceased by his beloved sister, Robin Hutt, his stepson Nicholas Laplante, his best friend Joe Lapan and his Grandmother, Adelene “Addie” Jarvis.

Family and friends will gather at the Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Bridgewater to celebrate Steve’s life at 2:00pm on Sunday September 20^th. Everyone is invited to share stories at the Bridgewater Grange following the service at the cemetery. Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.

Those wishing may make memorial donations to their local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Steve was truly an amazing man, a son, father, brother, poppa, uncle, cousin and friend to everyone he met. His legacy lives on in us and he will never be forgotten. Please visit the on line guest book at cabotfh.com to share memories.

Reginald W. Woolard

93, Soldier, Scholar and Adventurer

Col. Reginald Woolard, Woodstock VT resident of 32 years, passed away on Aug 28, 2020. Born on Jan 5, 1927 in Schram City IL, he spent most of his youth in Alton IL. with his family, mother Dorthea, father Russell and brother Ralph.

Reginald entered the US Army in February 1946. His first duty assignment was serving with US occupation forces in Europe, working to repatriate German prisoners back to their homes in East Germany then under control by the Soviet Union. Needless to say, these Germans were not happy returning to areas under control by the USSR. He recounted how, at the age of 19 years old, he was placed in a train box car with about 20 German prisoners with only a 45-cal. automatic pistol on his lap. He didn’t close his eyes for 2 days for fear of being killed.

While serving in Germany, he met and married Anne Von Glahn in December 1948, in a military ceremony in Bad Nauheim, Germany.  They were married for 66 years until her death in 2014.

Reginald was commissioned as an Infantry Officer on January 1948. His subsequent assignments includes: Company Commander, 27th Infantry, Korea (during the Korean War); Staff Officer, for the Joint Chief of Staff at the Pentagon (working closely with General Alexander Haig, then the Vice Chief of Staff for the Army); Chief of Airborne & Infantry operations MACS0G, Vietnam; G-3 for the 101st Airborne Division; Unit Commander for the National Military Command Center, at the Pentagon.

Reginald rose to the rank of Colonel and served many roles during his 30-year military career.  His most memorable and cherished service was as the commanding officer of the 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Devens Massachusetts, from 1970-1972. Whenever he discussed his tenure with the 10th SF, a smile would spread across his face, his eyes would light up, and he would regale with stories about flying across the world to do an air drop with his men in a distant land or parachuting during sub-zero weather in Maine. Colonel Woolard was a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Army War College and the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Dept of State. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Omaha and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland and Harvard University.

His military awards and decorations include: the Silver Star (for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 25th Infantry Division, in Korea in 1952), Legion of Merit w/2 Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star ( presented to him by President Lyndon Johnson for meritorious service in Viet Nam); Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Services Medal, WWII Victory Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; and the Army Commendation Medal.

After retiring from the military, his thirst for knowledge and adventure never waned. At 47 he returned to school and earned a master’s degree from Harvard. Following graduation from the Kennedy School of Government , Reginald worked in senior roles for the Massachusetts and New Hampshire governments.  In the latter role, Reginald created the nation’s first coastal zone management program, which was subsequently adopted by a majority of other coastal states in the US.

Reginald was an accomplished rock climber, mountaineer, fisherman and passionate skier, sharing his love for these outdoor pursuits with his whole family.   He continued to engage in alpine climbing in Switzerland into his 70’s and downhill skiing until the age of 85.  In retirement he developed a phenomenal talent for bird carving, recreating birds in exquisite detail.

Reginald and his wife Anne retired permanently to Woodstock VT in 1986, having chosen it for its, beauty, civility and wonderful people. With a keen interest in community service, Reginald became a member of a Woodstock Committee to examine potential new regulations governing development impacting mountain ridge lines in the region.  He was leading  member of U.S. Route 4 Fact Finding Commission for Woodstock Village analyzing the economic and community impact of civil infrastructure projects. He was the President of the Hathorn Hill Homeowners Association for 20 years and also volunteered as a ski instructor for local school children.

Reginald and Anne shared a love of the outdoors that led them to spend every summer for 36 years hiking in Switzerland.   He was an amazing father, husband and friend. He passed away on Aug 28, 2020 at the age of 93 and lived every day with an enduring quest for knowledge and adventure. He lived every day befitting a Special Forces officer.

Reginald Woolard is survived by two sons and a daughter, Comdr. Reginald Woolard II, U.S. Navy (Ret) of Woodstock VT., Guthrie (Sandy) Woolard of Wilton CT,  Martha Woolard (Birrell) of Topeka, KS., and four grandchildren Gavin Woolard, Grant Woolard,  Abigael Birrell and Ewan Birrell.

In lieu of flowers or charitable donations, the Woolard family encourages everyone to go hiking and enjoy the incredible beauty of the nature around us, the way our father did.

An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

James Charles Raymond

James Charles Raymond, 77, passed away August 30, 2020 in Framingham, MA with his loving wife Margaret “Maggie” (Brick) Raymond at his side.  He was born in Hanover, New Hampshire while residing in Woodstock, Vermont.  He was the son of the late Charles I. and Evelyn (Chamberlain) Raymond.

Jim graduated from Woodstock High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont.  He later received a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Northeastern University. Jim worked at Raytheon in Wayland, MA after college and enjoyed a successful and productive career with Computer Vision, Honeywell, Prime Computer, UB Networks, New Bridge and Alkatel.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife.  In 2009 Jim traveled and played softball in Cuba with a group from EMASS in a Cultural Exchange Tournament.  He and his wife enjoyed animals with a menagerie of house cats, birds and deer visitors. Known for his sense of humor and quick wit, Jim was always ready with a good joke and humorous stories.  Besides playing softball, he loved to ski and auto race.

He leaves behind his Margaret “Maggie” (Brick) Raymond of Framingham, MA and many dear relatives and friends.

Due to the ongoing health crisis, Jim’s Funeral Mass and Interment will be held privately.  His mass will be live streamed on Wednesday morning, September 23^rd at 10:30 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in Jim’s name to an animal focused charity in your area.

Arrangements by the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home of Framingham, MA. For online tributes, live streamed services, or to share a memory with Jim’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com.

Hilda Mae Edson Yates RDH

Hilda Mae Edson Yates, died peacefully on September 3, 2020 at the Jack Byrne Center at the age of 79, after a long battle with cancer. She was a loving wife, thoughtful friend, and a matriarch to her family, her community, and the many people whose lives she touched around the world.

Hilda was born March 2, 1941, at Windsor Hospital, the second of four children born to Ralph and Vernice Edson. Hilda grew up on Edson Farm in West Windsor, where she was molded by the bucolic and demanding life of rural Vermont. Her fondest memories of childhood were of riding horses with her family and friends. Hilda attended Albert Bridge Elementary School, during which she survived polio. Her best friend growing up was Anne Harvey.

Hilda graduated from Windsor High School in 1959, where she was honored along with David Taylor as Mr. & Mrs. of the Class of 1959, and the Vermont Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen award. She was named Most Popular, Best Speaker, Best Personality, and Most Versatile in her yearbook superlatives. She then attended the Forsyth School for Dental Hygiene at Tufts University, where she made lifelong friends with her classmates. She graduated with an Associates Degree in May of 1961, kicking off a 50-year career in dentistry, where she cared for and got to know thousands of patients.

In July of 1961, Hilda met her future husband, William “Bill” S. Yates, on a blind date in Burlington, Vermont, set up by mutual friend John Sinclair. They married on September 1, 1962. Their first years as a couple were spent on US Air Force bases, where Bill, an air force officer, was stationed as an air traffic controller and top ranking Air Force wrestler. They lived, for various spans of time, in Duluth, Minnesota; Biloxi, Mississippi; Boulder, Colorado; West Point, New York; Cartwright, Labrador, Canada; and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

In 1967, after Bill had been honorably discharged from the Air Force, Hilda and Bill purchased a farm along Route 44 in Windsor, Vermont. Together they raised livestock, harvested and sold hay, ran a fencing company and a construction company, sold yarn, tended magnificent flower gardens, and raised their children while they both pursued their own careers. In the Yates Farm barn, they ran a popular clothing store, “Total Inspiration”, where the Davis Brothers Garage Band would frequently practice.

On the farm, Hilda and Bill hosted Fresh Air Fund children and foreign students through the Future Farmers of America. She catered the Vermont 100 Mile and 50 Mile races for many years and was a 4-H leader in Windsor County. Hilda and Bill enjoyed teaching and hiring the youth of Windsor and West Windsor, giving them opportunities to learn and work. These young adults are forever a part of the Yates family.

For the past 13 years, Hilda and Bill have hosted dinner at Yates Farm every Wednesday for their growing family. Hilda found great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, and would always catch up with them at family dinner. “Tell me everything,” she would say, then she’d tease their stories out.

Though Hilda lost her sight, she didn’t let it stop her great love of reading. She switched to audiobooks, and regularly listened to a book a day in her last months.

Hilda is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her siblings Sandy Tuttle, Brenda Miller, Perry Edson and Jean Robinson; her children, Anne (Chris Morley), Jim (Amanda Yates), Bill (Tammy Yates), Susan (Greg White) and Travis Lawyer (Destiny Lawyer); and her grandchildren, Nick (Xhesi Hysi), Ted, Bill, Sarah, MacKenzie, Daniel, Steven, Samantha, Sophia, Henry, Reeve, Trevor, Camden, Isabella, Ethan, Madison, Owen, Levi, and many adored nieces and nephews.

As Kurt Vonnegut wrote in Sirens of Titan, “A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.” Hilda loved everyone that was around to be loved, and in Hilda’s heartbreaking absence, her loved ones will carry on that tradition. Condolences may be expressed to Hilda’s family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

Coming soon, Hilda’s little free library that will contain her favorite books to share. To be a contributor to the purchase of her audio favorites in paper, email alyates13@yahoo.com

Sally Ann Cowdrey

October 30, 1954- August 28, 2020

Sally Cowdrey (65), passed away peacefully at her home with loved ones by her side. She fought a very courageous battle with bile duct/liver cancer and related complications for nearly five years. She was born at home in Brownsville to Richard Pierce Brown and Margret Deuso Brown. She graduated from Windsor High School in 1972, and a short time later met Gordon Cowdrey who she married on January 30, 1977. In the fall of 1977, their son Daniel Gordon was born. Their daughter, Lisa Marie, came nearly four years later. They later moved to Hartland where they built a beautiful life together.

Sally was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Margret (Maggie) Brown. She is survived by her husband Gordon of 43 years, her son Daniel and daughter-in-law Stephanie Rogers, her daughter Lisa and son-in-law John Butson III, her four grandchildren: Derek, Shyla, Shane, and Adeline, and her three sisters: Sherry Barbour of Brownsville, Sheila Gadola of Vernon, CT, and Sharon & Joe Valente of Charlotte, NC.

Sally was most recently employed by the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union where she worked as an administrative assistant until she had to retire early due to her health. She is fondly remembered as the smiling face that greeted everyone when they walked into the SU office.

Sally enjoyed traveling on occasion, although her animals often kept her close to home. She lived in Spain for a short time with her sister Sharon, she traveled with Gordon to Nashville, she traveled with her sister Sherry to Philadelphia, and in 2013, Sherry and Sally ventured for a week in the counties of Ireland where she kissed the Blarney Stone. Sally enjoyed fishing and being outdoors, and she recently discovered a love of kayaking. The sport of tractor pulling also snuck into her life over the last couple of years as she cheered and celebrated the many trophies won by her husband, grandsons, son-in-law, and her many friends at the pulls.

Sally was known to be horse crazy since she was a little girl and kept horses her entire life. She was an active member of the Hartland Riding Club. Anyone who knew Sally, knew how much of an animal lover she was. Over the years, she had horses, cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs, and even a parrot. “Sally’s Barn” was her favorite place in the world where she spent as much time as possible. Her love of flowers was apparent as soon as you arrived at their home. Every spring she spent countless hours preparing her flower beds and put so much loving care into tending them all summer long. This year in particular, the flowers and birds were the highlight of her summer bringing her joy even on her hardest days. Her wish for the people she loved was to remember to take the time to stop and smell the roses because life was just too short.

In true Sally fashion, her wishes were for a private gathering at the Brownsville Cemetery with her immediate family. She has even left detailed instructions and picked her favorite poems and verses to be sure they get it just right. Friends and extended family are invited to visit and pay their respects at their leisure- just look for the bench headstone near the road and come take a load off…

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT is assisting the family. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com