TUNBRIDGE, VT — Jonathan Ariel Pease, 93 passed away January 10th, at his home in Tunbridge, surrounded by his family.
John was born on May 24, 1926 at his family home in Bethel, VT to Jonathan Francis Pease and Ethel Leone Pease (Edmunds).
John graduated in 1944 from Whitcomb High School in Bethel, VT and joined the navy that same year. He served in WWII in the South Pacific. John returned from the navy and attended UVM for two years. Then he attended the Vermont School of Agriculture (VTC), graduating with a degree in Agriculture in 1950.
On June 11, 1955 John married Shirley Rogers of Tunbridge and they made their home for the first 10 years of their marriage on Sawyer Hill in Tunbridge. Then in 1965 John & Shirley purchases the family farm from her parents and together they farmed the land and raised their children.
John worked for the VT DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) for 33 years, as a milk tester. He served his community as a member of the Tunbridge Central School Board from 1973 to 1987 and also served as an auditor for the town. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for nearly 60 years. John was in the Tunbridge Civic Show as Mr. Moonbeam for half of a century only missing a couple years. He enjoyed doing the kake-walk, playing his tambourine, singing and telling many jokes over the years as an endman in the Civic Show. John was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and had one son, four grandsons and one great grandson follow in his footsteps as Eagle Scouts.
John enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on his family farm or at their camp on the Tunbridge Trout Pond. Once a year you could always find him hanging out at the Tunbridge World’s Fair where his family has shown animals for many years – recently he was quoted as saying “it is the Life Blood of the Town” – that is how much it meant to him.
John was a wonderful husband and father, a great friend, neighbor and community member and will be immensely missed by all.
John is survived by his wife, Shirley Pease and five children – daughter, Miriam Kill and her husband, Jerry of Braintree; daughter, Una Morrisette and her husband, Joe of Orwell; son, Jon Pease and his wife, Prudence of Tunbridge; Daughter Amy Ferris and her husband, Randall of Fairfax; and son, Clifton Pease and his wife, Ingrid Van Steamburg of Tunbridge; 32 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 8 nieces and 4 nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, three sisters – Irene Graziano, Mary Harrington, and Elizabeth Hickey; one brother, George Tucker; and a daughter, Faith Agnes Pease.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 18 from 12 – 12:45pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with a funeral service at 1pm followed by fellowship. There will be a full military service and burial in the spring.
In appreciation for all that they have done, donations may be made in his name to the VNA (Visiting Nurse Association), PO Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302-0881.
The Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea is in charge of arrangements. A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www. Boardwayandcilley.com.