Wilmington Fire Department Chiefs
2017 – Scott Moore
2008 – 2017 Ken March
2007 – 2008 Richard Covey (Interim)
Richard Carl Covey went to “his forever” home” on Wednesday June 16, 2021 after a five year struggle brought on by multiple strokes. Richard was born on October 31, 1953 in Bennington to Robert L. Covey Sr. and Jean (Cook) Covey joining his older brother Robert Jr. Richard joined the Wilmington Fire Department as a junior firefighter in 1970 under the watchful eye of Chief Barker Willard. Richard went up the ranks and ended his career as the Assistant Chief. He married Monique Holland on June 28, 1986 , together they built their home on Ray Hill and were blessed with two daughters , Danielle who was her father’s shadow joining him at the firehouse as a little girl and joining the department herself in 2001. Danielle also worked alongside her dad and grandfather, Nicole was daddy’s little blue eyed blonde. Richard worked with his father at R.L. Covey & Son for 43 years. Richard was a devoted employee passing on family vacations to ensure the work got done. Richard was a founding member of Deerfield Valley Rescue and was an active member from 1974-1984. He served on the cemetery commission in the town of Wilmington for many years. He was an active member of the Deerfield Valley Stumpjumpers Snowmobile Club and enjoyed his late night peaceful trips grooming the trails. Richard served as Fire Warden for the towns of Wilmington and Somerset. He leaves his wife of 35 years Monique, his daughter Danielle (Ricky Kennett), his father Robert L. Covey Sr., brother Robert L. (Kathie) Covey Jr., granddaughters Gracelyn Moore, Aaryanna Rounds, Jacqueline Gerbasi and twins Jaylin and Kaydin Kennett , son in law Cody Gerbasi, mother in law Mildred Holland, sister in law Angelique Colford, former brother in law Mark Colford, brother in law Rusty Holland, nephews Mark and Jeremy Covey, Tyler and Corey Colford and niece Erin Covey , many cousins including a sister he never had Carol King Reed, aunts as well as many friends. Richard was predeceased in death by his mother Jean on December 12, 1991and his daughter Nicole on April 12, 2020. The family would like to thank the many health care workers that were there during this five year journey, including two special ladies that allowed him to be at home for two years , Jane Raymo and Sue Galipo. Funeral services will be held on Saturday June 26 at 11am at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilmington burial with Firefighter Honors will follow in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home on Friday from 4-6pm when the family will be present. Memorial gifts may be made to the Wilmington Firefighters Association (for the brotherhood fund) in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
2003-2007 Troy Johnson
1984 – 2003 Brian Johnson
1982 – 1984 Jake White
Jacob Leonard White, 70, a lifelong resident of White’s Road in Wilmington, passed away on June 28, 2021 at his home surrounded by family. Jake’s positive attitude and strength helped fight a courageous five year battle with cancer. Jake was born on October 13, 1950 in Brattleboro, to Stuart and Nellie White. His father unexpectedly passed away when he was three and he and his brother, Walter, were raised by their mother on their dairy farm. He attended Wilmington schools, graduating in 1968. He was a standout athlete in basketball and baseball and his classmates voted him “kindest” his senior year, an attribute that held true his entire life. He began working in the grocery business at O.O. Ware after school and continued his career with Grand Union and Shaws. He was known by all as the friendly face in the dairy aisle and enjoyed conversing with customers. He enlisted in the Vermont National Guard after high school. In 1976, he built a house on the family property. He picked a spot high on the hill with spectacular sunsets overlooking Haystack Mountain. His house became a home when he married Monique Boisvert in 1980 and they raised two children, Michelle and Jeremy. Jake’s legendary service to the Wilmington fire department as a dedicated member for nearly 50 years will never be forgotten. His passion for helping others will be forever engrained in the hearts of countless members throughout our community. He was very often the first to arrive on scene and most definitely the one with the air pack leading a team into the burning building. His knowledge of local trails made him the natural leader of search and rescue and usually the one to find the missing hiker. He carried his pager on his belt until the day he died, his heart forever ready to serve. Also known as “Mr. Haystack”, Jake was passionate about the outdoors and hiking. In 2010, he and his faithful hiking partner, his grand-dog Cloe, hiked Haystack Mountain over 100 times. He was a dedicated member of the Wilmington trails committee and donated countless hours mowing trails, putting up signs and creating new trails. He served as a Wilmington select board member, budget committee member and on Deerfield Valley Rescue. His service to our community was recognized in 2016 when he was awarded the American Legion Citizenship medal for his unwavering dedication to the valley. Jake was passionate about deer hunting and was lucky most years, harvesting many impressive bucks. He enjoyed the view from his stand and appreciated the hours he spent in the solitude of the woods. His passion for softball carried forward from high school and he played for many local teams in Readsboro, at Town Hill and Brattleboro Memorial Park. He was known for his speed and his ability to outrun an infield hit to first base. He also loved rooting for his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, and enjoyed many games at Fenway Park. Jake will be remembered as a kind and generous Vermonter, for his love of family and the outdoors, for his strong work ethic, leadership, simplicity, positivity and for his lifelong service protecting and supporting our community. He leaves his wife of 40 years, Monique Boisvert White, brother Walter White, daughter Michelle O’Neil, son in law Ryan and grandchildren Carter and Morgan, son Jeremy White, daughter in law Juliana and step grandchildren Anthony and Khloe. He was predeceased by his father, Stuart White, his mother, Nellie Visser White and his son Jason White. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 2pm at Riverview Cemetery on Stowe Hill Rd in Wilmington followed by a gathering. Memorial gifts may be made to the Wilmington Firefighters Association in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home PO Box 215 Wilmington VT 05363.
1970 – 1982 Barker Willard
1967 – 1970 Leonard “Pete” Johnson
1939 – 1967 Harold Lackey
1936-1938 Peter Reando
1936 Leon Wheeler and Peter Reando
1935 Clinton M. Hall and Leon Wheeler
1907 Henry E. Mann
1906 O. R. Buell
1903 Don Butterfield
Don O. Butterfield, 60, one of Wilmington’s most prominent citizens, formerly treasurer for nearly 30 years of the Wilmington Savings bank, a member of the Vermont Bar association, and well-known throughout the state, died in his sleep at midnight, of heart trouble and complications. He had been in ill health the past three years but had remained at his work as manager of the local branch of the Vermont Savings bank, until a few months ago. Few of his friends had realized the seriousness of his condition, and his death came as a shock to the entire community. Seldom has the death of a resident caused such widespread grief in the town. Don Oscar Butterfield was born in Wilmington, March 19, 1875, a son of Attorney Oscar E. and Mary Isabel (Morgan) Butterfield. He was educated in the public schools of Vermont and Nebraska. He taught in a Kansas school in 1897 and that same year returned to Wilmington and became assistant town clerk and treasurer of the town. He studied law in the local office of his father and was admitted to the bar in 1906. He was a member of the Vermont bar at the time of his death. Mr. Butterfield represented the town in the legislature in 1910. He was chairman of the village trustees from 1907 to 1909. He was made assistant treasurer of the Wilmington Savings bank in 1907, and upon the resignation of the late Col. J. H. Goulding Mr. Butterfield became treasurer of the institution, and continued in that capacity until last year, when he was made manager of the local branch of the Vermont Savbank following the merger of five county savings banks, including Wilmington Savings. He had been a school director, and at the time of his death was a trustee of Pettee Memorial library, which he had served many years. On June 12, 1907, Mr. Butterfield married Alice S. Plimpton of Wardsboro, who survives. Two children, a daughter and son, born to the couple, died In infancy. Besides his wife Mr. Butterfield leaves two brothers, Beth Butterfield, an attorney, and Dr. Paul M. Butterfield, surgeon, both of New York city. Both Attorney and Dr. Butterfield were with their brother when he died. A sister, Grace, died several years ago and another sister, Maude, died in infancy. Mr. Butterfield had been a member of the Grange many years. He was an attendant at the Congregational church. Throughout his entire life Mr. Butterfield was kind and considerate to others and was popular with old and young alike. He was especially fond of children and was always their friend. An honest and upright man. Mr. Butterfield stood for high ideals and clean living and thereby won the respect and admiration of his fellow townsmen and associates. The funeral will be held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
The Brattleboro Reformer, 31 Jan 1936
1901 J. H. McDonald
1899 K. P. Ames
Kendall Ames, about 68 years old, died at his home in Wilmington Sunday afternoon of heart failure. Mr. Ames was taken ill last spring after his return from Florida, where he spent the winter. He had been twice in the Memorial hospital, going to his hone in Wilmington the last time about three weeks ago. He leaves one son, Charles Ames of Wilmington, with whom he lived. His wife died about a year ago at the Memorial hospital. He was born in Marlboro and went to Wilmington to live several years ago, where he had been a prominent citizen, holding several town offices at different times. He was for some time a lister of the town. He was a veteran of the Civil war, being a member of Co. I, 16th Vermont regiment. The burial probably will take place in Marlboro.
The Brattleboro Reformer, 16 Dec 1913
1895 – 1897 J. H. Kidder
John Henry Kidder is one of the town fathers—a solid practical man of affairs, in the fifties, who looks ten years younger. He was a son of John C. Kidder of Wardsboro and in his early training on the farm developed a strong physique, good habits of industry, economy and integrity. He enjoyed the benefits of a few terms at Leland and Gray seminary, Townshend, Vt., and of teaching several terms of district school. Leaving home at the age of nineteen, he got a taste of mercantile life by clerking four years in a store at Northampton, Mass. He came to Wilmington in 1867 and the following year formed a matrimonial alliance with Emogene J., daughter of Liberty Wilder, and a business partnership with his father-in-law in the purchase and management of the Vermont House and livery. They conducted the hotel seventeen busy, prosperous years, establishing an excellent reputation and business, after which they rented it two years and then sold out. It was here in 1873 that Mr. Kidder began his somewhat remarkable career as deputy sheriff, a position which he has held for twenty-seven years with the exception of the two terms which he served as high sheriff. There being only one deputy in this locality, the business was the most extensive of any point in Windham county, during the earlier part of this long period. Mr. Kidder possesses those essential requisites of a good executive officer, quirk perception, good judgement, courage and will power. It is his honorable record that no criminal ever slipped through his fingers during his long service of twenty-seven years. During nine of these years he traveled 30,000 miles by actual reckoning. After the sale of the hotel his time and attention was absorbed to a large extent in the settlement of estates, a line of work in which he has excelled. During several years he was an extensive dealer in wool and live stock. He has dealt to a considerable extent in real estate in this vicinity and his counsel and advice is often sought in business and financial affairs. He purchased his present residence in 1889 and soon afterwards engaged in the business of undertaking, which he has since continued. He has learned the art of embalming, which is coming into general use, especially during the summer season. Mr. Kidder has charge of the town hearse, furnishing the team, and his services as manager at funerals are highly appreciated and widely sought. Although not an aspirant, he has served the town well and for a long time as road commissioner, school director and for eight terms on the board of selectmen, most of the time as chairman. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder have had two children, Edith, who died in infancy and Faith W. The home life is brightened by the delights of music, literature and art. Mrs. Kidder is a thorough musician and has taught music on the organ and piano for more than thirty years and during that time has instructed more than two hundred pupils in this and adjoining towns and has been organist in some of the different churches continuously during this period. Miss Kidder plays the violin and mandolin, as well as the piano. Mr. Kidder has led the singing in the different churches and at funerals for many years. A liberal taste for curios and antique china has resulted in a very fine collection. Mr. Kidder was the former owner of the farm which he sold to the Forest and Stream Club and for the past five years he has been the local agent and has inaugurated many improvements on the premises. The organization of this club marks an important era in the social life of the town. Mr. Kidder is a trustee of the Savings Bank and also of the public library. He is a member of Victory Grange and well known in Masonic circles as a past master of Social Lodge F. and A. M. and as a member of Fort Dummer Chapter and Beauseant Commandery of Brattleboro.
Times Press, 1900
1892 B L Johnson
1891 George E. Haynes
1889 David Hubbard
David Hubbard, an old resident of this place, passed away this morning at 1 o’clock, after a short illness. He had lived here many years, and made many friends. Had he lived until July he would have been 80 years old. The funeral is to be held Friday at 2 o’clock.
The North Adams Transcript, 29 Apr 1915
1877 O. E. Butterfield
Hon. Oscar E. Butterfield, 87, of Wilmington, next to the oldest member of the Windham county bar, for four terms a member of the Vermont house of representatives, for one term a state senator, and for nearly 30 years town clerk of Wilmington, died at his home Wednesday evening as the result of a fall while coming up the stairway from the basement of the town hall building last week Monday, at which time he sustained a fracture of the hip. Mr. Butterfield was born in Wilmington Sept. 17, 1839, a son of the late Ezra T. and Mary (Leonard) Butterfield. He was educated in the common schools of Wilmington and studied law in the offices of Flagg & Tyler, Flagg & Son, and Flagg & Waterman at Wilmington, was admitted to the bar in 1867, and had since practiced in Wilmington except from 1886 to 1897, when he was in Nebraska. He was a member of the house of representatives in 1869, 1870, 1872 and 1884, was state’s attorney in 1874 and 1875, and was state senator in 1876-77. While in Nebraska he devoted his time principally to placing investments for eastern investors. Mr. Butterfield was an unfaltering Republican, served as committeeman in numerous campaigns and attended many conventions as a delegate. He had important committee assignments in the legislature. Not within the memory of any of the present practitioners of the Windham county bar has Mr. Butterfield missed attendance at county court at some time during each term. On May 18, 1873, Mr. Butterfield married Miss Belle Morgan, a native of Canaan, N. H., who survives. They had five children, three of whom survive. A daughter died in childhood and another daughter, Grace E., died four years ago. The three survivors are Don O. Butterfield, treasurer of the Wilmington Savings bank; Dr. Paul Butterfield of New York, and Beth V. Butterfield, attorney in the real estate department of the Title Guarantee & Trust Co. of New York. The funeral will he held Saturday at 2 o’clock in the Wilmington Congregational church, of which Mr. Butterfield was an attendant.
Vermont Phoenix, 11 Feb 1927
1874 John R. Buell
John Ransom Buell, 85, who passed away at his High street home Saturday, Sept. 19, after having suffered two strokes of paralysis, was a son of Samuel Ransom and Mary (Flagg) Buell. He was born on a farm east of this village Feb. 23, 1840. There he lived until he became of age, at which time, or soon after, he went to Boston, Mass., and by working for a time in a general store and also driving a bread wagon for his uncle, Martin Whitney, he earned enough money to buy a milk business in Cambridge. About this time he became married to Miss Mary E. Field of Chesterfield, who preceded him to the life beyond only six months and six days. After keeping the milk business up for about two years, Mr. Buell contracted a slow fever and was ordered by his physician to leave Boston on account of the effect of the east winds. He then returned to his native town where he lived in the house on West Main street now known as the Mary Johnson house. Later he purchased the house where Dr. Dunn now lives, which he later sold to Mrs. Buell’s mother, and went to California where he remained only about a year, returning to engage in the marble business in a building where the Wilmington Public Market and Covey & Allen’s store now stands. He joined Social Lodge, No. 38, F& A. M., which membership he held as long as he lived. In the early days of his married life both he and Mrs. Buell became affiliated with the Congregational church, in which for many years he was a faithful worker and supporter, being also a member of the choir. Three children came to gladden their home, and all survive. They are: Orrin R. Buell of Springfield, Mass., Helen M. and J. Albert Buell, both of Wilmington, who have done all in their power to make bright the last days of their parents. In 1891 the family went to New York city and Mr. Buell bought a bakery which he run for two years. He then returned to Wilmington and has since lived in the home where he died. At the time of his return he again resumed his work in the monumental business and this was his work until he sold out to Covey & Allen in 1920, account of failing health. During a part of this period his elder son was in partnership with him. Throughout his life he stood for honesty and right. In 1921 he had a serious illness but recovered to some extent and had worked about the home although he had never again taken up active labor. Several years ago he bought a farm in East Wilmington; also since 1909 he had owned the tenement house known as “Fort Ashley.” AII summer his health had been gradually declining and the end was not unexpected. Masonic funeral services were held at Masonic Temple Monday afternoon at two o’clock. Interment took place in Riverview cemetery beside his wife. The beautiful flowers which covered the grave spoke of the esteem in which he was held. The bearers were Dr. A. H. Wright, Merton F. Barber, Floyd S. Crafts and Henry E. Mann. Out-of-town attendants at the funeral included Orrin R. Buell of Springfield, Mass.; Mrs. Henry Brown, Mrs. Rollin Brown, Maj. F. W. Childs, Rollin S. Childs, Luther and Will Barber and Arthur Stearns, all of Brattleboro; Mrs. Hattie Ruggles of Worcester, Mass.; Mrs. Myra Farr of Chesterfield, N. H.; Luther Howe of Marlboro and George J. Bond of Searsburg.
Deerfield Valley Times, 25 Sep 1925
1858 E. Gorham, Jr (First Chief)
