Woodstock, Vermont

On June 25 and under the wonderful care provided by Mt. Ascutney Hospital, Sherman M. Howe, 94, ended his earthly journey following a short illness on June 25, 2019. Born in Floral Park, Long Island on March 17, 1925, he and his parents moved to their home, known to many as "Greystone", in Reading, VT. Following his graduation from Springfield HIgh School, he enlisted in the Navy and served in Hawaii as a Seabee helping with the reconstruction following the devastation caused by the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He served until 1945 when, like so many fellow veterans, returned home to begin what became a long and productive life.

He met and married Ann (Petie) Fisk at St. James Episcopal Church in 1948, where they were both members of the choir. They enjoyed fifty plus years of marriage until she preceded him in death in 2001. Ironically, he died on her birthday so they are now reunited in an eternal birthday party. HIs connection to the locally well-known "skiing Fisk sisters" which included his new wife, led to his life-long interest in participating in and helping to document the growth of winter sports in the Woodstock area. In fact, he and Petie spent their honeymoon running the concession stand at what was then the "Gully Lodge" on the backside of Suicide Six ski area.

Although he enjoyed his time as a farmer in the Claremont NH area and did some logging in Reading, he spent the majority of his career as a professional commercial photographer. This interest was cultivated while employed by J & L Machine Tool Company located in Springfield, VT. Sherm also enjoyed helping local artists cultivate their own interests in the field through shows and displays of their work. Always ready to move forward in the industry and to fulfill his passion for historic preservation, he ventured into digital photography and worked closely with Billings Farm and Museum, the National Park, and the Woodstock History Center to document and archive the art and artifacts at the Marsh/Billings/Rockefeller Estate, and Billings Farm. He also started the "Friends of Woodstock Winters" in the hope of preserving the history of the first ski tow in America and what was the beginning of a budding winter sports industry.

Sherm is survived by his son, George (Coral Cummings Howe), and their three children, Weston (Brianna Cranmer Howe), Chloe (Cody Allen), and Ealum (Elizabeth O'Dell Howe), all of Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska, and his daughter, Grettie Howe, of Woodstock, VT. He was also great-grandfather to four great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at River Street Cemetery in the fall when the family can travel together to celebrate a life well-lived. Friends as well, are welcome to attend. Notice of date and time will be provided. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Vermont Land Trust, 8 Bailey Ave. Montpelier, VT 05602 or the Woodstock History Center, 26 Elm Street, Woodstock, Vermont 05091.

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