Edward R. Eurich, 93, a longtime resident of Waitsfield, passed away
peacefully in the comfort of his family at the Berlin Health and
Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Born in Warren
on May 24, 1916, he was the son of the late Roy and Blanche
(Richardson) Eurich. On June 19, 1939, Ed married the former Alleen
Nina Dodds in Waitsfield. Alleen predeceased Ed on September 29, 2005.
Ed was a 1934 graduate of Waitsfield High School and continued his
education at the former Burlington Business College, graduating with
honors with a degree in agricultural business. A dedicated Vermont
agriculture advocate, public servant and Republican, Ed began his
career first at the Brandon State School where he served as the
superintendent in charge of the agricultural program for four years;
worked in Windsor, CT, as the herdsman at the Homestead Farm for two
years; then was manager for a dairy farm and retail milk route in the
Worcester-Providence, MA, area.
Returning to his roots in Waitsfield, Ed purchased a farm, and in time
two others, combining the operations as one that became a family
endeavor with his son and daughter-in-law, Gordon and JoAnn. Ed and his
family not only operated the dairy farm but also a timberland and maple
operation. A potato grower for 15 years as well, Ed pioneered the
packaging of potatoes and maple products for direct sales from farm to
market. Called upon for state service, Ed was commissioner of
agriculture from 1969 to 1973 and then again from 1976 to 1978. From
1973 to 1976 he was manager of the Champlain Valley Exposition.
His memberships included past president of the Vermont Farm Show; past
president and trustee of the Washington County Farm Bureau; trustee of
the Vermont State Farm Bureau; past president and member of the
Washington County 4-H Foundation; member of the Eastern States Farmers
Exchange; served on the advisory committee for the UVM College of
Agriculture and Home Economics; was a trustee and board chair of the
University of Vermont; and served as president of the Northeastern
Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the Board of
Directors for the National Association of State Departments of
Agriculture.
In addition, Ed served the town of Waitsfield as a selectman for 18
years; served in the Vermont House of Representatives for four years
where he chaired the House Agricultural Committee; was a longtime
trustee for the Chittenden Bank; and was active in the Vermont
Republican Party for over 30 years.
Ed was an active member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was a
member and past master of Mad River Lodge #77 in Waitsfield; was a
33-degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of
Montpelier and Burlington. Ed was a past grand master, past district
deputy grand master, and grand representative and lodge secretary. His
service to Free Masonry spanned over five decades. Ed was a member of
the Waitsfield United Church of Christ, the Order of the Eastern Star,
the Waitsfield Couples Club, the Grange, the Chamber of Commerce and
was a founding member of the Mad River Valley Rotary Club. Throughout
the years Ed enjoyed singing and entertaining; many will remember his
talents as a member of the Cabin Fever Follies.
Ed is survived by his children, Gordon Eurich and his wife JoAnn of
Waitsfield, Janet Peduzzi and her husband Len of Vernon, Sally Lyddon
and her husband David of Pittsford, NY, Gregory Eurich and his
wife,Michele Caitlan currently of the Bahamas, and Beecher (Beth)
Eurich and her partner Claire Doyon of Waterbury Center; 10
grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Madaline
Kingsbury of Waitsfield and Christine Crill of Rome, NY; as well as
nieces, nephews and extended family. A sister, Marion Neil, and two
brothers, Clesson Eurich and Roger Eurich, predeceased Ed.
Ed's family would like to thank the staff and residents of the Berlin
Health and Rehabilitation Center for all of the kindness, respect and
care extended Ed and his family.
Funeral services were held from the Waitsfield United Church of Christ
on Tuesday, February 23, at 11 a.m. Interment will take place this
spring in the Waitsfield Common Cemetery. The family requests that
flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the
Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center Patient Activities Fund, 98
Hospitality Drive, Barre, VT 05641, or to the Mad River Valley Masonic
Lodge #77 Porch Restoration Fund, c/o Charles Kettles, P.O. Box 448,
Waitsfield, VT 05673. To send online condolences please visit
www.perkinsparker.com.
