WOODSTOCK, VT — Joe loved people and the outdoors. He told a great joke, and would laugh harder than he should at the punchline. He knew random facts about animals, trees, mountains and places, and loved to share what he learned. He would get a certain sparkle in his eyes when he spoke to children, and would save the best trivia and stories for them. He could whistle. Loudly. He gave the best bear hugs.
Joe was born in Peabody, MA in 1935, as the eldest of eight children born to Carmon Herrick Sr., and Mary (Haskell) Herrick. He graduated from Beverly High School in 1953, and while driving a route for Sam’s Cleaners, he would frequently stop by the Wenham Police Station and ask if he could become a police officer; preferring people to dry cleaning. Eventually, and maybe just to get him to stop, they sent him to the Academy, and Joe fulfilled his dream of becoming a police officer. He became a fixture at the local schools, establishing the first Safety Patrol for the department, chaperoning trips to Washington, DC, and hosting bike rodeos to teach kids to ride safely. He took up photography and helped establish the department’s first crime lab. He attended North Shore Community College at night, and earned his AAS in Criminal Justice. When he medically retired in 1979 after getting hurt on the job, he was named Sergeant-for-Life. Joe also served as a Park Commissioner and oversaw the refurbishment of Wenham’s Pingree Park, building the first restroom facilities with all volunteer labor.
Joe was always a sucker for a great love story, and co-starred in the one he wrote with his wife, Janet (Riddle) Herrick, who he never called by her first name, perferring “Honey,” instead. They married in 1957 in Ipswich, MA, and made their home in Wenham, MA for over 20 years. They became parents to Tambrey, Jill, Paul, and Kristin. They grew beautiful gardens of vegetables and flowers and Joe often brought Janet one single, perfect rose to remind her that “in a world of 10’s, she was the only 11.”
After retiring from the police force, Joe and Janet moved to South Pomfret, VT in 1983, where they fell in love with their new little town. Joe worked as a carpenter, then as an electrician but adored his job at The Pomfret School. He was hired as the custodian but he loved teaching kids how to build birdhouses and made sure he was there to greet the buses every morning. Joe saw to it everyone got welcomed appropriately.
Joe loved his family and was so proud of their accomplishments. He’d tell anyone who would listen, and his kids would often meet people who had already heard most of their life story by simply spending a few hours with their dad. As the family grew and grandkids and great-grandkids came on the scene, the stories got richer and funnier.
Joe loved to travel, and eventually, he and Janet sold their house in South Pomfret in 1994 and set off on a grand adventure. They worked at Disney World for a while, but moved back to Vermont when Florida wasn’t as charming as they hoped. They settled in Woodstock, where they lived across from Vail Field and loved that their growing crop of grandkids could use the
playground, and in their absence, they could always hear the sounds of happy children. Joe’s woodworking shop was a matter of pride, and he made birdhouses and enjoyed turning “big pieces into little pieces” and vice versa. In 2005 they moved to Quechee, where they had great neighbors at Tall Timbers, and eventually moved back to Woodstock in 2015.
Joe and Janet fell hopelessly in love with Grand Teton National Park, where they worked for several summers. Their love of National Parks percolated through the family, and became a whole new focus when Joe became a seasonal Park Ranger at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park when it opened in Woodstock. Blending his love of people, the environment and his home, Joe wore the uniform with the same pride he had as a police officer. He told the love story of Mary and Laurence Rockefeller like no one else. He patiently crafted a donation box that looks just like one of the beautiful shelters in the Park.
Joe passed away on August 8, 2020 after battling Parkinson’s Disease and is survived by his beloved wife, Janet, of Woodstock, VT; his daughters Tambrey (Ken) Vutech, Jill (Michael Lee) Herrick-Lee, Kristin (Rahne) Murner, and son Paul (Danika) Herrick. Grandchildren Alissa (Matt Colturi) Mead, Brianna (Dan) Frost, Ashley Vutech, Alex Vutech, Sadie Murner, Eli Murner, Lydia Murner, Thomas Herrick and Joseph Herrick. Great grandchildren Sam Mead, Noah Frost, Olivia Frost, Anderson Frost and Charlotte Frost. Joe was pre-deceased by his parents and infant sister, Patricia, and is survived by his brothers; John (Irma), Robert (Karen), Carmon, Jr. (Christine), Ralph (Joanne), William (Debbie), his sister, Kitty (Richard) Scott and many nieces and nephews and extended family. He loved many, many friends and his family wants to thank Genesis Lebanon, NH and Bayada Hospice, who cared for him so well in extenuating circumstances this year.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Thompson Senior Center, 99 Senior Lane Woodstock, VT 05091.
A memorial gathering that will follow COVID restrictions is being planned. Friends are encouraged to visit the on line guest book at cabotfh.com to share memories with the family.