Rodney F. Easter Sr. , 74, of East Haven, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, at
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., with his family by his
side. He was born July 14, 1936, in St. Johnsbury, the son of Floyd and Edith
(Shastany) Easter. Rod graduated from St. Johnsbury Trade School in 1954. On
Sept. 9, 1955, he married M. Jean Rivers. They lived in St. Johnsbury before
moving to East Haven in 1966. Rod worked in the automotive repair business for
over 40 years. For 30 years he was the service manager for Vinton Motors in St.
Johnsbury. Following retirement he worked part time for Brighton Garage in
Island Pond. Rod was active in his East Haven community, serving as selectman
and filling other town positions over the years. He was a founding member of
the East Haven Volunteer Fire Department. He also was a founding member of
the East Haven Drift Skippers Snowmobile Club, and a member of V.A.S.T.,
spending many years building and improving snowmobile trails. He was an avid
NASCAR fan. During the 1960s he was the mechanic for race car No. 87 at
Northeastern Speedway in Waterford, which was driven by Glen Gadapee.
Camping and helping out at Lakeside Campground in Brighton, and hunting,
brought him much pleasure. He was always available to help family, friends and
neighbors when needed. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jean Easter of
East Haven; two children, Rodney Easter Jr. and partner Dianne Rivers of
Newark, and Lynn Masure and husband Michael of East Haven; three special
grandchildren, Joshua Simpson, and Ethan and Haley Masure; three brothers,
Lionel "Skip" Easter and wife Carol of Victory, Donald Easter and wife Bonnie of
Barnet, and Douglas Easter and partner Hilde Sparrow of East Burke; a sister,
Roxann Stacy and husband AJ of North Carolina; his in-laws, Madelyn Easter,
Brenda Easter, Glen and Linda Gadapee, Robert and Shirley Rivers, Scott and
Linda Rivers, Dorothy and John Houghton, Judy and Robert Bickford, Lena
Mitchell, Rachel and Charlie Cole, Rochelle and Randy Simpson, and Margaret
and George Humphrey; many nieces and nephews; his special friends Ken and
Nancy White; and his loving dog Midget. He was predeceased by his parents;
three brothers, James "Bud" Easter, Eugene "Gene" Easter, and Paul Easter; a
sister in-law, Ann Gadapee; and a brother in-law, Roger Mitchell.
A memorial service will be held in Lyndonville on Wednesday Dec. 1, at 11 a.m.
at Guibord Funeral Home with Mr. John Sleeper officiating. Burial in East Haven
Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on the
family Tuesday evening, Nov. 30, from 6 to 8 at the funeral home. Donations
made in his memory may be directed to North Country Federal Credit Union, in
care of Rodney Easter, P.O. Box 775, Lyndonville, VT 05851. These funds will be
used for his special grandchildren's college fund.
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