John ‘Gramp’ Spaulding, 83, lifelong area resident was Army veteran
The Chester Telegraph | Feb 07, 2019 | Comments 4
He was born Aug. 5, 1935 in Rockingham, the son of Edward William Sr. and Lulu Ellen (Witham) Spaulding. He attended Chester Schools, graduating with the Chester High School class of 1957. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1963 with the 850 Signal Company.
Mr. Spaulding was employed with Guy Earl Masonry, William Orcutt Lumber, Valley Oil Co., Steven & Thompson Paper Co., McKenzie Construction Co. and Mackey & Sons Auto Body. He owned and operated a rubbish route and wrecker service in Chester and retired from Readex – NewsBank in Chester after 38 years of service.
He was a member of the Chester Congregational Church and a 63-year member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 33 in Saxtons River.
Mr. Spaulding was an officer of the Green Mountain Union High School and Chester High School Alumni Association. He was also a member of the Chester and Andover historical societies, and a life member and chaplain of American Legion Post # 67 in Chester.
He enjoyed polka and country music.
Mr. Spaulding is survived by his brother Ted Spaulding and his wife Nonie of Chester, nephew Paul Spaulding of Rochester, N.Y., niece Barb Spaulding of Hinesburg, Vt., and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 16, 2019 at the Davis Memorial Chapel, 99 Summer St., Springfield. The Rev. William R. Stockhaus will officiate.
Friends may call prior to the funeral service from noon to 1 p.m.
Burial with military honors will be held in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Chester at a later date.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Gill Odd Fellows Home, 8 Gill Terrace, Ludlow, Vt. 05149 or to the Chester Congregational Church, 469 Main St. Chester, Vt. 05143.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.
Filed Under: Latest News • Obituaries
Gramp –
My pal, my dearest of friends and my comrade in arms. We first met in 1961 at Fort Knox in Kentucky when we were called back to active duty with the 850th Signal Company (Const), US Army Reserves, headquartered in Worcester, Mass., during the Berlin Crisis at the height of the Cold War.
We were deployed to Fort Knox to train for communications ground support for the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. We became friends due to the fact that my father-in-law was originally from Bethel and had purchased an old farm in Tunbridge, which he restored and became a second home to the family.
Our friendship grew over the years and it was always Gramp’s dream to bring our unit back together for a reunion. It was his diligence and determination that this dream became a reality with great success and we were able to come together for many reunions as the 850th Signal Company Reunion Association with Gramp being elected as President For Life.
His passing leaves a great void in my life and I shall greatly miss our almost daily telephone chats and reminiscing about our times and friends in the unit. God bless you, you were a humble gentleman, a true patriot and a friend to all.
Godspeed, old buddie.
Debbie and Jack Virgilio
Saddened to hear of your passing. Blessed to have been a part of your life. You touched so many and we are better as a result. Rest in peace our friend.
R.I.P. “Gramp” Spaulding. I enjoyed every time we were together – a walking example of Yankee Wisdom. You welcomed me and my family when we first moved to Chester in 2002. You will be sorely missed. My condolences to the undoubtedly large circle of family and friends you are leaving behind.
Rest easy Gramp, I know you’re smiling down on us, and the sun will always be a little bit brighter!