Irving Thomas Shurtleff

North Bridgewater, Vermont - Irving Shurtleff, 81, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. He was born September 26, 1929, to Frank and Amy (Gilbert) Shurtleff.

He attended Woodstock High School and Vermont Technical College. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany from 1954 to 1957, where he was a platoon leader and received numerous commendations for his marksmanship, athletic achievements, and mechanical skills.

Upon completion of his military service, he returned to North Bridgewater where he took possession of his family's dairy farm. His life from beginning to end was measured by the changing seasons… sugaring, planting, haying, and harvesting. He enjoyed jeep rides, country fairs, picnics, and sharing stories around the dinner table.

Irving was a kind, thoughtful man who loved animals, his land, and spending time with family and friends. He always put others ahead of himself - never turning away a stray animal or hesitating to help anyone in need. As a local historian and storyteller, he added his dry Vermont humor to almost every remembrance.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ellen (Smith) Shurtleff; and their children, Richard Shurtleff of North Bridgewater; Brenda Shurtleff of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Jennie Shurtleff Amirkiaee of Barnard; Jennie's two children, Asa and Kia Amirkiaee of Barnard; a son-in-law, Hashem Amirkiaee of Strasburg, Virginia; three nephews, James and Thomas Mulford of Saxtons River, Vermont, and Jeff Wood of Woodstock; Jeff's family, Carol, Amy, Erin Wood of Woodstock, Vermont; and John Cassel of Nashua, NH.

He was predeceased by his sister, Natalie Shurtleff Wood; his half brother Oscar Gibbs; and his daughter, Mary Louise Shurtleff Day.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bridgewater Historical Society or to the Upper Valley Humane Society. A memorial gathering in celebration of Irving's life is planned for May 2011.