George Frank Spaulding, of Royalton, Vermont, died Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield. He was attended by family. He was 90 years old.
George was born April 8, 1929, to Frank and Altha Spaulding in the Royalton farmhouse where he was to spend his next 90 years. A brother, James, was to follow, 10 years later. George was graduated from South Royalton High School in 1947 and returned directly to the farm. He was a lifelong farmer, and proud of it. He loved the land.
In 1951 he married Molly E. Nichols of Randolph Center. Together they raised three children: George [Nick], Frank [Al], and Susan [Sue]. He was known to his children as ‘Fagh’, or ‘Faghie’. Spellings vary. Molly died in May of 1984, after 33 years of marriage.
George married Agnes E. Wight of South Randolph in August of 1988. George, Molly, Agnes, and Agnes’s late husband Howard Wight had frequently square danced in the same octet at Grange. Agnes moved her Jerseys down to blend with his Ayrshires and Brown Swiss and together they farmed for the next 30 years. Agnes often said that she was not a farmer’s wife, she was a farmer, and this was very true. They were a memorable team. Agnes predeceased him, after 30+ years of marriage, on May 16, 2019.
George was a 75 year member of Middle Branch Grange, having joined in 1944. Among the friendships he formed and cherished were those with Gordie and Arlene Conant and Dave and Lois Wakefield. George and Agnes’s annual New Year’s Eve excursions with Gordie, Arlene, Dave, Lois, Paul and Helen MacAdams and Jim and Bev Spaulding, were a particular pleasure. This tradition will continue. He also enjoyed [and frequently talked about] cooking for the oyster stew and sugar on snow Grange dinners, and barbecuing chickens at VTC. George and Agnes particularly enjoyed Grange dances, as they did any dance, anywhere. On their 25th anniversary a square dance in their honor was held at the Grange.
George attended Tunbridge Fair from boyhood up. For years, he and his family showed cattle under the name ‘Lone Oak Farm’; members of the Spaulding family still bring cattle to those same show stalls. In later years, George and Agnes volunteered at the Orange County Sugarmakers Sugarhouse, frequently during the late Sunday rush. They enjoyed it immensely. George and Agnes attended the Fair in 2018; they both volunteered at the Sugarhouse. While he was proud of his animals, and enjoyed volunteering, for George the Fair was very much about visiting. He would have a conversation with anyone about anything at any time. He loved telling stories.
George is survived by his brother, Jim, and wife Bev Spaulding of Tunbridge and his children George, of Barre, Sue and husband Anthony DeQuattro of North Haven CT and Frank and wife Sarah Clark of Waterbury Center. He is also survived by his stepchildren Linda Hoyt [Ted] of Tunbridge, Jean Storeholder [Larry] of Swanton OH, Beverly Wright [Rick] of Bethel Gilead, Janet Angell [Tim] of South Randolph, Donald Wight [Hector] of Los Angeles CA, and Paul Wight of Howell MI. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and cousins, especially Denise Ruhlow. He was particularly happy to have been visited in his last days by Kim Spaulding, James Ray Spaulding and Billie Jo Kiel, Frank DeQuattro, and Trevor Spaulding. His eyes lit up.
On his 90th birthday – and on any other occasion that called for it – he ate tripe at the Wayside.
Two weeks ago, he waltzed in the hallway with members of the Mayo Healthcare staff. This became his last story. His kids would like to thank the staffs of Mayo Healthcare and Gifford Medical Center in Randolph; you made it as easy as it could be for him. You are all wonderful.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (with a Grange service at 6:45 p.m.) at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home, 300 VT RT 110, Chelsea, VT. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Church in Bethel, VT with Pastor Tom Harty officiating.
In George’s memory, donations may be made to Gifford Healthcare – Last Mile Ride, 44 South Main Street, Randolph, VT 05060 and Mayo Healthcare, 71 Richardson St., Northfield, VT 05663.