George E. Whitehead

Lunenburg- George E. Whitehead of Lunenburg died peacefully at his home on Friday November 2, 2012, at the age of 88. George was born on February 23, 1924 in a Lyndonville maternity home to Fred and Lila (Nichols) Whitehead. He was one of nine children that lived to adulthood. His siblings were Hazel, Helen, Sarah, Joyce, Donald, Minnie, Alan and Betty. Two others died in infancy. As a child, his family moved often and as a consequence George lived in and attended school in many different towns in the area. When George graduated from eight grade he went to work for Oscar Wilson on his farm in Lunenburg. He was there for a year doing chores and attending Lancaster Academy. George would say that this was one of his best times as a teenager. There was plenty to eat, warm clothes and he was treated like one of the family. In July, 1939 his father was in poor health, so George was needed to help out on the family farm in St. Johnsbury. So, at the age of 15, he had to take on the responsibility of providing for his parents and brothers and sisters. Later, the family moved to a farm in Lyndon. Here he became reacquainted with Harriet Jewell who was teaching in East Lyndon. George and Harriet hit it off and married on March 29, 1944. George and Harriet purchased a farm in Chesterfield Hollow in St. Johnsbury. They moved in in September with no hay in the barn and no wood in the shed. Somehow, the work got don and in October a daughter, Kathleen was born to them. The lived on this farm for 36 years and four more children were born to them-Sharon, Elwyn, Jeffrey and Christine. George milked cows but earned a big part of his living by cutting pulp and logs. Maple sugaring was a family adventure. He used horses in all of his work activities. The farm house burned in the mid 1970's. Although they rebuilt, they later sold it, and built a new home on land previously owned by Harriett's family on Colby Road in Lunenburg. George later worked as a carpenter at 7-E Builders in Danville and later for Whitehead Builders owned by his son Elwyn. George was pre deceased by his parents and sisters Joyce and Helen. He is survived by his wife Harriet, his children Kathleen Noble and Sharon Stockwell of Lunenburg, Elwyn and Jeffrey of Concord, VT and Christine Davies of Morrisville. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Those who knew George will remember his endless supply of jokes and stories and how he enjoyed playing horseshoes, getting his wood pile up, cribbage and family get-togethers. Friends and relatives may gather to meet with the family on Thursday, November 8 at the Whitehead home at 1308 Colby road in Lunenburg between 2:00 and 7:00 PM. Burial will occur at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lunenburg Methodist Church % Patricia Briggs, P.O. Box 11, Lunenburg, Vermont 05906

George E. Whitehead

February 23, 1924 - November 2, 2012