Neil W. Tanner

LANCASTER - Neil W. Tanner, 90, formerly of East Concord, VT, died Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster, after a recent illness. Mr. Tanner was born in Sheffield, VT on September 29, 1930, the son of Harold L. and Myrtie (Green) Tanner. Neil lived in Sheffield until his family moved to St Johnsbury where he attended the St Johnsbury Grade School. After his eight-grade graduation he was sent to work on local farms to help support the family. During the Korean Conflict he served in the US Army with the 6th Tank Battalion Company B, 24th Infantry Division. Upon his return from the service, he met and married Marlene Hobbs in 1954 and moved to Delaware where he worked on an egg farm and as a truck driver delivering oil. He and Marlene divorced and in 1965 and he returned to VT where he met his future wife Irene "Dinny" Leighton. He and Irene were married in June of 1965 at the Congregational Church in Littleton, NH. Neil worked a variety of jobs through the years including Fairbanks Scale, Concord School as a janitor, Sears as a contractor, as a truck driver for Old Fox Chemical, Georgia Pacific Paper mill until his retirement. Never one to stay idle he began a business selling eggs and delivering to local business' and homes. Affectionately known as "The Eggman", everyone looked forward to his visits as he delivered not only eggs, but trinkets or candy for the kid or flowers for the ladies on special days. Neil is survived by his children, Daniel J. Tanner of Houston, Texas, Susan Lynn Gilbert of Lancaster, NH, Lisa Fisher of Gettysburg, PA, Stephanie Simpson of East Concord, VT, Karen Tanner of Groveton, NH; two brothers Hayden Tanner of West Burke,VT, Wesley Tanner of Greenfield, MA; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased his wife Irene in 1997; a daughter Marsha Lynn; and 11 siblings. A private family burial was held Friday morning, January 15th, in the Overlook Cemetery, East Concord Donations to Shriners Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers can be made in Neil's Name. A celebration of life is tentatively planned for the first week in August.

Neil W. Tanner

September 29, 1930 - January 12, 2021