Tunbridge, VT – Peter D. Button, 77 died unexpectedly on Sunday, October 4, 2026 near his childhood home in Chelsea, VT.
On November 15, 1948 the family unit of Glen and Irene was completed with the birth of Peter Duane Button. As the youngest of eight children living on a diversified dairy farm, Pete’s childhood was shaped by long workdays, a hillside ski tow, and spurts of mischief. Surrounded by his family and a strong Chelsea community, Pete’s early years instilled in him the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, and problem solving. He incorporated these values into his adult life and actively modeled them for those who were fortunate enough to know him. He inspired people to work hard and honestly, and to serve others.
After attending school with many of the same 15 classmates for all twelve years, Pete graduated from Chelsea Public School in 1966. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort Campbell and serving 24 months in Vietnam. While the traumas witnessed in Vietnam were life changing, he managed the experience like many others have, by compartmentalizing and actively engaging in work, community, and family. While he rarely spoke of his service period, his daughters clearly remember the impact of visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and watching their dad find the name of a lost friend.
Tunbridge became Pete’s home in 1981 when he left a job repairing heavy equipment to join his brothers, Rich and John, on the family farm. Pete quickly discovered that he missed sharing his day with co-workers, and shortly thereafter left farming to begin a 30+ year career at L.W. Greenwoods in East Randolph. Pete’s astute understanding of the negative impact that a broken piece of equipment had on a farm and his intuitive understanding of machinery served hundreds of Vermont farmers well as he regularly traveled from the shop to repair equipment right in the field, always working efficiently to minimize expense and allow cropping to resume quickly.
Throughout these years, Pete demonstrated his commitment to community service by engaging in many civic organizations. While service was constant the organizations varied, including early years as a Jaycee, 40+ years of service to the Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department, and many seasons of maintaining trails with the Frigid Frost Fighters.
His children thrived in a home where the belief was that anything was possible with the right attitude and hard work. When grandchildren came along, he discovered a new source of pride as he spent hours upon hours attending concerts, games, and musicals, and teaching them how to fix just about anything, often using specialized tools he had fabricated. The passing along of these practical skills strengthened bonds and encouraged them to be more confident and self-sufficient as young adults.
Many communities kept Pete active after he retired from formal work. For years he walked several times a week with the Tunbridge Walking Group, exercised with the Better Bones group, and danced with the Ed Larkin Contra Dancers. These activities provided Pete with important social connections and friendships, and his dog June was a faithful companion for his final four years.
Pete was predeceased by his parents, Glen and Irene (Titus) Button; siblings Grace Korzun, Edward, Norman and Richard Button; siblings-in-law Leonard Korzun, Virginia, Lucia, and Roberta Button; the mother of his daughters, Donna Flint; and his stepdaughter Jennifer Cahoon Chase.
Pete leaves behind his girls, Anissa and Lorinda, and stepson David Cahoon; sons-in-law Mike Morrison and Riley Elliott, daughter-in-law Julie Cahoon; grandchildren and their partners Victoria (Kyle), Trenton (Alyson), Camden (Syerra), Austin (Zoe), Thatcher (Kylie), d’Artangan, Alexis, Riley, and Brennan; and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by three siblings, Mary Jane (Don), Joe (Vera), and John (Starr) and his brothers’ spouses Betsy and Nancy Button and Ione Battles.
Among others, the family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful physical and mental healthcare he received from his providers at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, and the Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department for the care and professionalism shown during a difficult situation.
Calling hours to celebrate Pete’s life will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at the Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home, 300 VT Route 110 in Chelsea. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 12 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Chelsea.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Pete’s memory to the Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com.
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