Waterford-VT Historical Society

06/10/2025

https://waterford-vt-history.blogspot.com/2025/06/waterfords-stories-summer-begins-2025.html

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

05/31/2025

"History" includes what's happening in this community today. Check out what Lily Cahoon is doing!

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

05/06/2025

The Waterford Historical Society is grateful to remember the life of Arnold "AJ" Garand as printed by The Caledonian-Record today.

Arnold “AJ” Joseph Garand, age 87, passed away peacefully alongside his beloved partner of 15 years, Emily Dydo, on May 2, 2025, in St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Arnold was born on September 20, 1937, in Northbridge, Mass. He attended multiple schools growing up through New England and made his way to Vermont attending St. Johnsbury Trade School and completing their machine shop course. He graduated in 1955. A few years later, Arnold returned to Connecticut and attended a three-year toolmaker apprenticeship through his employment at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Southington, Conn. Shortly after his apprenticeship, Arnold moved back to Vermont and began to work as a machinist for Vermont Mold and Tool in West Barnet, Vt. That is where Arnold stayed for 43 years and was recognized and known as a committed and hardworking employee by his peers.

Arnold is survived by his partner, Emily Dydo, three of his seven children and their spouses: Robbie Garand in St. Johnsbury, Vt, Gregory Garand in St. Johnsbury, Vt., and Peter Garand with wife Lorna Garand in Kannapolis, N.C. Arnold is predeceased by his parents Albert Garand and Hazel Rivers, wife Patricia Garand and four children: Mark Garand, Gary Garand, Lynette Garand and Pamela Garand. Arnold is a grandfather to several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arnold enjoyed spending time at his home of 36 years in Waterford, Vt, swinging on his porch with Emily at the start of Spring watching the hummingbirds with their dog, Molly. Arnold was a sports enthusiast, especially partial to the Boston Redsox. Arnold was an exceptional bowler and participated in the leagues in St. Johnsbury, Vt. He loved tending to his yard; snow-blowing or lawn mowing were the perfect past-times for him. He took pride in the upkeep of his home. Arnold, known by many as Grandpa, loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them play and make memories together, they made him extremely proud. As a young father, Arnold enjoyed bringing his children hunting and fishing when they were young and showing them all of the best spots to get the biggest catch. There were countless baseball games he watched and coached his son’s and listening to music or practicing photography with his daughters and wife. Arnold was a hardworking man who provided for his family of seven seamlessly. We honor a noble, kind-hearted and remarkable Husband, Partner, Father and Grandfather whose legacy will always remain present and strong throughout his family.

In lieu of flowers, please send them to Emily at their home.

04/25/2025

A pair of opportunities to appreciate Waterford's Bill Willis: According to The Caledonian-Record, a graveside service for William ‘Bill’ Willis will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025 at Riverside Cemetery in Waterford, Vermont. (Bill’s memorial service is set for this Saturday at 11 a.m. at East Auburn Baptist Church in Auburn, Maine.)

04/25/2025

Our condolences to Sandy Lyon and family, at the passing of her husband Paul. This obituary is courtesy of The Caledonian-Record.

Paul Everett Lyon, age 91, of Waterford, Vt, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Paul was born on May 30, 1933, in St. Johnsbury, in the Lyon family farmhouse, son to the late Murray Edison and Blanche (Heywood) Ladd Lyon. He grew up in St. Johnsbury, attending school in the Summerville District and St. Johnsbury Trade School.

Paul served in the U.S. Army for three years, from 1954 to 1957, stationed in Tokyo. He married Sandy (Dutchburn) on September 3, 1960. They lived in St. Johnsbury until moving to Waterford in 1971. Paul worked for George Cohen and later for ET & HK Ide for many years. He eventually began working for himself and built many homes throughout St. Johnsbury, Waterford and surrounding communities.

Paul enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman; it didn’t matter if it was summer, winter, fresh water or the ocean! One of his enjoyments was mowing his lawn on his beloved John Deere tractor, with stripes that needed to be done perfectly! He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Paul was a longtime member of the Passumpsic Masonic Lodge #27, the Mt. Sinai Shriners, the Elks and the American Legion. He was fan of the Red Sox and the Washington Redskins.

If you knew Paul, then you had a nickname. Everyone had one, and sometimes it may change. Some were good and some weren’t so good, but every nickname had a story to go along with it, and Paul never forgot that story, or you!

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Sandy, of Waterford; three children, Kathy J. Micke (William) of Benton, KY, Michael P. Lyon (Shirley) of Lawrence, Mass., and Murray A Lyon (Tamara) of Fairbanks, AK; four grandchildren, William “BJ” Micke (Beth), Timothy Micke, Matthew Lyon (Nicole), Caitlin Lyon (Tommy); and three great-grandchildren, Paul, son to William “BJ” and Beth, and Luca & Zelda, son and daughter to Matt & Nicole and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Walter A. Ladd and Harold Lyon; and four sisters, Mildred Lucas, Gertrude Ladd, Wilma Halpin and Barbara Mathews.

Paul and his family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to his caregivers and community for the abundant love, support, and kindness shown. Your generosity and compassion were deeply appreciated.

Memorial Donations, in Paul’s name, may be made to Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to the Waterford Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 56, Lower Waterford, VT 05848.

A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 2 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Riverside Cemetery in Waterford. Following at 3 PM in the Waterford School Gym, friends are invited for refreshments and to celebrate Paul’s life with his family.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com. Guibord-Pearsons & Sayles Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

04/19/2025

With sorrow, we pass along word of the recent death of Vivian Mae Daniels Davis: https://waterford-vt-history.blogspot.com/2025/04/already-missing-her-voice-and-knowledge.html -- for an interview with Mrs. Davis about her family farm history, see the first comment below.

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

04/06/2025

With the service for the late Willard Powers scheduled for Saturday April 12 (1 pm, Union Baptist Church), friends may wish to savor this delightful interview with him:

Willard Powers shared his story at his home on November 3, 2016, with Waterford Historical Society interviewers Dave Morrison, Donna Heath, and Lynn Troy. Ma...

04/01/2025

We bid farewell to Willard Powers, who gave so much across his lifetime. This is the obituary and photo from The Caledonian-Record, with thanks.

Willard B. Powers

1925-2025

Willard B. Powers of Waterford, Vt., passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the age of 99.

He was born to Glenn and Eva (Page) Powers, the fifth born of seven children. At an early age he was helping his dad milk the cows, gather the eggs and herd the sheep on the dairy farm he grew up on. He and his two brothers talked their dad into making maple syrup. He did, and it became a lifelong passion for all of them. Hunting and trapping were also a big part of his growing up years. He attended a one room schoolhouse a half mile from his home. Then he went to St. Johnsbury Trade School until WWII hit home and he had to quit school to work on the farm.

In 1946 he married Lina Bullock, also of Waterford. They had five children. In 1956 Willard and his brother Russell began farming together forming Powers Bros. In 1986 Lina passed away from cancer. He remarried in 1990 to Gwen Sidell of St. Johnsbury, Vt. She predeceased him in 2009.

All his life he was active in his local church, Union Baptist. He also enjoyed music and had a good tenor voice. He also played the harmonica and a mouth harp.

He was predeceased by two of his children: Rachel in 1952 and Larry in 2006. He is survived by a son Paul (Betty) Powers of St. Johnsbury, two daughters: Cynthia Davis of Waterford and Rebecca Powers of Phoenix, Az. Also, seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Linda Bullock; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on April 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Union Baptist Church on Route 5 in Waterford, Vt.

Memorial contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church, 932 US Route 5, Waterford, Vt. 05819 or Caledonia Home Health and Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 05819.

03/17/2025

It's St. Patrick's Day, so here's a refresher on Waterford's Irish heritage. Éire go brách (Ireland forever), in these green hills.

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

03/05/2025

Hearts ache with the passing of long-time Waterford resident Bill Willis, an endless giver to this town on many levels.

In Loving Memory of Bill Willis

03/04/2025

The Caledonian-Record provided a gracious article about Sheriff James Hemond, as Waterford lost this hard-working and focused resident. (Link to obituary in the comments below.)

ST. JOHNSBURY — Caledonia County is grieving the loss of Sheriff James Hemond who passed away at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after battling cancer. Hemond, who was commended for his

02/18/2025

Waterford Town Report for 2024 is now available in the Davies Memorial Library and Town Office Lobby!