Gary Rushford

Gary Rushford of Hyde Park, VT and Haines City, FL, died peacefully on July 2, 2024 at the age of 83, after a long illness.  He graduated from the Lamoille Central Academy in 1960 and remained an active alumni. He found meaning in his service in the United States Army from 1960-1963, with deployment to Korea in 1961-1962. Also in 1960, he married Linda Lowe and they started their family in those early years.

He had a varied career, much of which centered around the meat industry, following his early experiences with his father’s trade as a cattle dealer.  He made lifelong friendships while working for the Grand Union.  A risk taker, Gary started the popular R&E Meat Market in Hyde Park and Duxbury, VT with business partner John Eisenhardt.  Later, he and Jim Tomlinson opened the Tegu Market in Morrisville, VT.  His final career was with the Postal Service and he was proud to have retired as the Hyde Park Postmaster in 2005.

Gary led an active life of purpose and service.  As a young father, Gary was instrumental in the Morrisville Baseball & Softball League, including coaching and umpiring.  His experience as a self taught Golden Gloves boxer led him to form and coach a local boxing team, producing four champions in one tournament.  With his wife’s support, volunteering to support and honor veterans became a core part of Gary’s retirement years.  A favorite activity was providing transportation for veterans to the VA Hospital in White River Junction through the DAV.  He was instrumental in developing two separate projects to design, fund, and place Veterans’ monuments in both Hyde Park and Morrisville.  Gary also served as the Quartermaster of the Morrisville VFW Post for several years, until he and Linda made Florida their full time home in 2020.  Gary loved to help others and he loved to socialize.  He enjoyed weekly poker games for many years, both in Vermont and Florida.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Linda.  He is also survived by his daughters and sons in law Gail (Peter Rasetti), Karen (Mark Walker), and by his son Steven.  He leaves his grandchildren Desirae Edwards (sons Gavin and Jarren), Carson Edwards, Bradley Rushford (wife Elspeth), and Joshua Rushford (partner Kayla and children Keplin and Aurelia), as well as bonus grandchildren Kristin Grogan and Kyle Walker. Gary’s parents were George and Glenna Rushford.  He was predeceased by his siblings Ellis, Jeanne (Robert Spaulding), and David.  

A Memorial Service will be held at the Second Congregational United Church of Christ in Hyde Park, VT on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 1pm. Burial with military honors will follow at Jedediah Hyde Cemetery in Hyde Park. A reception will be held afterwards at the Morrisville VFW, 28 VFW St, Morristown, VT 05661.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice.

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