Woodstock, Vermont

Morton Black Vaughan, 91, died December 29, 2018 at the Mertens House in Woodstock, Vermont.

He was born on September 5, 1927 in Belfast, Maine the son of William, Jr. and Stella (Black) Vaughan.

Mort graduated valedictorian of his class from Belfast (ME) High School and then spent a year serving in the US Department of Defense in Washing DC. He returned to Maine and received his BA from the University of Maine, spending summers as a mail carrier in Belfast. After receiving a masters from the University of Michigan in Mechanical Engineering Mort went to work for the Department of Defense at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the submarine program, retiring from there in 1982.

Following his retirement Mort married Mary (Jane) Murray and together they designed and built two homes, one in Kittery ME and the other in Kingfield ME, where they both enjoyed spending their time. Mort was a true Mainer through & through, he loved the state and the ocean. The ocean was always an important part of Mort's life, whether he was working on a submarine, sailing, walking the beaches and shores or just sitting watching the boats pass in out of the harbor. He was the happiest when he could be on the water or overlooking it from his home in Kittery.

Besides building and spending time at their homes in Maine, Mort enjoyed his frequent visits back to his childhood home in Belfast ME and the many family gatherings and reunions over the years. He and Jane also spent a lot of time traveling across country as well as Europe. Mort was an avid skier and loved spending time at their camp in Kingfield ME where he skied Sugarloaf, he also enjoyed skiing adventures to several other slopes across New England, including the infamous Tuckerman's Ravine.

Mort was a man of few words, he was known for his intelligence, ingenuity, his dry (Maine) sense of humor and was cherished for his kindness, patience, respectfulness, and was a true delight to all he met. He was the epitome of a true gentleman, who always thought of others, and will be dearly missed by many.

He is survived by his son Kim (Sheila) Murray of Pomfret, VT, his two grandchildren Shannon (Mike) Kenison of Pittsfield VT and Ryan (Crystal) Murray of Canaan NH, his great grandson Donnivan, one nephew David Stevens and 2 nieces Susan and Linda. In addition to his parents he is pre deceased by his wife Mary Jane Vaughan and two sisters Barbara Lemay and Ruth Stevens.

Mort's family is grateful for the wonderful care and love given by the staff at the Mertens House. In Lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to the Mertens House, 73 River Street, Woodstock, VT 05091

A graveside service is being planned for a later date in the Union Cemetery in Claremont, NH.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont. An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com