South Royalton, Vt. —
In 1948 he married Marion Lyford of Chelsea, Vt. They had five children together. They were later divorced. On Dec. 6, 1969, he married June (Avery) Townsend of South Royalton. They lived for many happy years together on Avery’s Corner in South Royalton. June died March 14, 1997.
Joe had worked at the capacitor plant in Barre, Vt., for Cliff Braley (Braley’s Feed Store), Vermont Agency of Transportation and was a proud member of the Tunbridge Fair Grounds Crew.
He enjoyed anything to do with animals, especially horses, from racing, pulling to showing. He loved to go to the fair to see these events. He also liked to whittle, play Dice and visit with people and tell stories with his friends and family.
He is survived by two daughters, Sharon French of Ninty Six, S.C. and Bonnie Perkins of Hartford, Vt.; a stepson, James Townsend of Richmond, Maine; a daughter-in-law, Suzanne Rogers of White River Jct., Vt.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Emily Howe of Tunbridge, Vt.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, June; a son, Charles “Charlie” Rogers; two daughters, Sandra Lisi and Mary Demar; a grandson, Kelly Demar; a son-in-law, Lou Lisi; and two brothers, Reeve Rogers and Stanley Rogers.
There will be no public calling hours. A graveside memorial service will be held later this spring at the Spring Road Cemetery in Tunbridge, Vt.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com. The Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, VT is in charge of local arrangements.